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It was already the evening by the time Miss Holloway's loyal regular entered Miss Retro's - her small yet glorious 80s themed café.
"Hiya Duke," she glided over to the door to lock it, making sure their time wouldn't be disturbed.
"Hi darling," he took her hand and kissed it gently, the flecks of stubble tickling her hand.
Her cheeks immediately flustered at the gesture, his little kisses everywhere were something to die for. The two of them walked hand in hand over to the bar, he shed his coat and she took it and hung it up next to her's on the coat hanger in the corner. From there, she took her place opposite him behind the counter.
"Anything special today, Duke? Or just the usual?" She was still a little giddy from the kiss to her hand.
"Depends on whatever you've got left, Gen. Although I know you're not opposed to cooking for me ever." He giggled at the end, and she rolled her eyes before chuckling too.
"I've got two pieces of cherry pie left, suppose we could have one each and talk a little."
"Only suppose, huh?" Duke faux scoffed, "And I thought my girlfriend loved me."
Gen chuckled and played along, "But dear, I do love you, please forgive me."
"I suppose," he added extra emphasis to the suppose, "You'll just have to give me that piece of cherry pie, then maybe I'll forgive you."
Genevieve smiled, grabbed two plates from the shelf behind her and served up the two final slices of cherry pie. She listened to the quiet hum of the jukebox, her partner talk about his day, and observed the trees dancing in the breeze and rain outside.
Being this side of the counter kept distance, it kept her safe. But part of loving people, she had been told, is being honest about everything. Even the things you know can make or break a relationship.
Before taking her bite of her own pie, she pushed it round to the seat next to Duke, walked round the bar to sit next to him. He smiled at her with that little glimmer in his eyes that she absolutely spent way too much time daydreaming about.
"This is new," he stated as she sat next to him, before taking another bite of his pie.
"I've been taking notes and receiving wise words from some of the younger ones," she muttered hesitantly.
"You okay, darling? Not like you to be quiet."
"Can I tell you something, please?" Small tears started welling in the corners of her eye. She was absolutely terrified. All of her last relationships had ended from this, she had been called a temptress, a liar, a whole lot of slurs because of it.
"You can tell me anything, take your time," he brushed her hair back, took one of the napkins from the box on the counter and dabbed her eyes gently.
She took a deep breath. She knew she had to get it out sooner than later so she went for it.
"I'm trans. Have been for a while, I mean. I always knew I wanted to be a girl growing up, I loved watching all the female rockstars go wild and have fun n all that. And I know it might change things but I really love you and I just can't keep hiding that anymore considering all the shit that's happened to me with it in the past."
She anxiously awaited his response after her freak speech. Her foot started bouncing and more tears rolled down her face. He dried each one with the same napkin, placed a hand against her cheek and rubbed his thumb against the side of her face.
"Snap," he smiled.
She looked at him baffled, "What?"
"Snap," he repeated, "I'm also trans. Just I had it all for the superheroes," he gestured over to the collection of old comic books she had in a display case, "I didn't necessarily want to be strong like them, but I did want to help people and be a guy."
"You do an excellent job at both of those," she started smiling, she never thought to even consider that this could be a possibility.
"And well you're no big stage rockstar, but you certainly know how to play the strings of my heart," he stuck up two finger guns, causing her to roll his eyes.
"You, Duke Keane, are such a massive dork sometimes."
"But at least I'm your massive dork."
"Definitely."
She leaned across and planted a kiss on his cheek, traces of lipstick and cherry pie crumbs being left on him. He stood up, pulled her up and brought her into a hug - of which she immediately reciprocated. Both of them could not be more grateful for the other in that moment.