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It was Pride Month in New Eridu.
Which meant flags in windows, neon banners, all-night parties, corporate mascots awkwardly dancing in rainbow merch — the whole city humming with color.
It also meant Astra Yao had half a dozen invitations to every rooftop bar in Sixth Street.
And Evelyn, naturally, had rejected most of them on her behalf.
"Too public," she had said. "Too risky. Too many cameras."
Astra had just laughed, sprawled sideways across her dressing room couch, black nails tapping on her holo-pad.
"Eve, darling, you really think I’m scared of a camera?"
"No," Evelyn had replied, quiet and even. "I think I’m trying to keep you safe."
That was a week ago.
Now, tonight — the night of the big community Pride Gala — Evelyn was regretting her own caution.
Because Astra had somehow convinced her to come.
Not as security. Not as staff. As a guest.
"I’m just saying," Astra had purred earlier that afternoon, slipping her arm through Evelyn’s. "You, in that suit? The queers of New Eridu deserve to see that."
"I don’t exactly belong at this kind of event." Evelyn’s voice had been measured, controlled.
But Astra had seen the flicker in her eyes, that quiet, sharp fear Evelyn never voiced.
Instead of teasing, Astra had squeezed her arm gently.
"You do," she said. "More than anyone."
———
Now Evelyn stood in the corner of the rooftop venue, arms crossed, gaze sharp behind her sleek glasses.
The crowd glittered with fashion and light — sequins, mesh, leather, suits of every cut and color. Rainbow flags of all kinds flared on lapels and pinned through hair.
It should have been overwhelming.
It was.
But not because of the noise or the crowd. Evelyn had trained for that.
It was because she could feel Astra’s eyes on her.
Across the floor, Astra Yao — tonight in a short red dress with a sharp black blazer draped over her shoulders, long hair braided in streaks of gold — was chatting with two indie DJs and a synthwave producer. Laughing, as usual. Owning the room without trying.
But her gaze kept drifting back to Evelyn.
And Evelyn’s heart ached.
Because tonight, with flags waving and Astra looking at her like that, she couldn’t lie to herself anymore.
She wanted to be here.
Wanted to be seen.
Wanted to be hers.
And some small part of her — quiet but stubborn — was tired of pretending otherwise.
———
Astra appeared at her side without warning.
"Brooding in corners again?" she teased, voice low. "You’ll scare the baby gays."
Evelyn arched a brow. "I thought you were networking."
"I was," Astra replied cheerfully, brushing her arm. "But my favorite plus-one looked like she needed rescuing."
A faint flush touched Evelyn’s cheeks. "I’m not your plus-one."
"Really?" Astra tilted her head, amused. "Because I distinctly remember inviting you. Personally."
Evelyn opened her mouth to argue.
But Astra simply smiled.
And gently, deliberately, reached down and laced their fingers together.
The contact sent a jolt through Evelyn’s pulse.
"Astra—"
"Eve." Astra’s voice softened. "You don’t have to do anything. But... let me be proud of you. Please."
It was the please that undid her.
Not forced, not flirty. Just honest.
Evelyn looked down at their joined hands. Her chest felt too tight.
"I’m not used to this," she whispered. "To being... seen. This way."
"I know," Astra said quietly. "But you deserve it."
Evelyn swallowed. Her throat burned.
"I spent years thinking there was something wrong with me."
"There isn’t," Astra replied, fierce and sure. "There never was."
The words struck deeper than Evelyn wanted to admit.
And maybe it was the flags overhead, or the music thumping through the floor, or the warmth of Astra’s hand in hers — but something shifted inside her.
She drew a breath.
And, small and almost trembling, let her grip tighten around Astra’s.
One step.
That was all she could manage tonight.
One step.
But Astra’s eyes lit up, proud and soft, like that one step meant everything.
———
Later, when the crowd thinned and the sky over New Eridu turned purple with citylight, Astra pulled her onto a quieter balcony.
The breeze was cool. The noise was distant now — just laughter and bass from below.
Evelyn leaned on the railing, head tilted back. Her heart felt steadier, the earlier panic replaced with something quieter.
Astra came up beside her, shoulder brushing hers.
"I wasn’t sure you’d come," Astra admitted. "I’m glad you did."
"I wasn’t sure either," Evelyn said softly. "But... thank you. For asking."
Astra turned, watching her carefully.
"You know," she murmured, "you have this way of carrying yourself. Like no one can touch you. Like you’re above it all."
"I have to," Evelyn answered, her voice calm but tired. "It’s easier that way."
"Maybe." Astra smiled gently. "But you don’t have to do it with me."
Then, after a long pause, Evelyn finally said what she’d never said aloud — not even to herself:
"I want to be proud. Of this. Of... us."
Astra’s breath caught, just for a second.
Then her smile turned warm, radiant.
"You will be," she promised. "One step at a time."
And when Astra leaned in, brushing her lips gently against Evelyn’s cheek, Evelyn didn’t pull away.