An Astronomer's Guide to Falling Angels

Chapter 9

The night of the dance had finally arrived, and Lukas's house was abuzz with activity. Astor, Oda, and Lukas were scattered across Lukas's bedroom, getting ready for the big night. Oda, dressed in her usual black tuxedo, was leaning against the doorframe, watching as Lukas, already in his meticulously styled ensemble, fussed over Astor's appearance.

Astor stood in front of the mirror, feeling a bit nervous. He was wearing an outfit he'd picked after hours of careful deliberation—soft lavender trousers that flowed elegantly down his legs, paired with a fitted cream-coloured blouse made of delicate, satiny material. A subtle silver waist belt cinched his waist, giving his silhouette a flattering shape. The outfit shimmered gently under the light, giving him an ethereal look. Lukas had insisted on adding a light layer of makeup—just enough to accentuate Astor's features without feeling too heavy. His lips were touched with a soft pink hue, his cheeks kissed by a light blush, and his eyelashes curled to perfection.

Astor looked stunning, but as he stood there, tugging nervously at his sleeves, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of doubt. "What if this is too much?" he asked, glancing over at Lukas.
Lukas waved his hand dismissively, rolling his eyes. "You look perfect, Astor. Now stop fretting or you'll mess up the eyeliner."

Oda smirked from her spot by the door. "Yeah, if I didn't already have a date, I might've asked you myself."

Astor flushed, laughing softly, though his nerves remained. He couldn't help but think about Arty. He wanted to impress her, of course, but he wasn't sure how she'd react to him wearing something so feminine.

"You're overthinking," Lukas said, reading Astor's mind as usual. "Arty's going to love it. Trust me."

Meanwhile, across town, Arty and Louis were making their final stop at a local florist. Arty was dressed in her signature style—a sharp three-piece suit, perfectly tailored to her form, managing to look effortlessly elegant while still exuding the androgyny that had become so iconic to her. The suit was charcoal grey, with a waistcoat that hugged her frame just right, and a crisp white dress shirt beneath. Her tie was loosely knotted, adding a hint of casualness to the otherwise dashing look.

Louis, who was dressed in a sleek, emerald-green dress that matched her calm yet commanding presence, gave Arty a knowing look as they approached the florist's counter. "You're really pulling out all the stops, huh?"

Arty, browsing the floral arrangements with an uncharacteristic focus, shrugged. "It's a dance. I thought I might as well make it special."

Louis smiled. "You've got it bad."

"Shut up," Arty mumbled, but there was a small grin on her face as she picked out a bouquet—delicate daisies, their pure white hues and deep yellow shades reminding her of something sentimental.

With flowers in hand, they made their way to Lukas's house. By the time they arrived, Louis had already sent a text letting Lukas know they were at the door. Inside, Lukas glanced over at Astor, then nudged him toward the door.

"Go on, Juliet. Arty's here."

Astor swallowed, smoothing down his blouse nervously. He walked to the door, took a breath, and opened it.

Arty stood there, bouquet in hand, looking like she was about to say something, but the words never came out. The second her eyes landed on Astor, her mind blanked. She was utterly captivated.

Astor looked like something out of a dream. The way the lavender and cream of his outfit played off his skin, the soft shimmer of the fabric, the light blush on his cheeks—he was breathtaking.

Arty had never seen him quite like this, and it was like the world had stopped. Her lips parted slightly, but she couldn't find the words. All she could do was stare.