(A/n: Am I allowed to call this a pride special? I did mean to have it done by June 1st, but finals didn't let that happen. GayMusicalsandMe, it's here!! I'm so sorry it's late. I'm praying this is ok as it's going out to all you lovelies, because you've all been so wonderful and I love reading your comments and receiving your feedback. You all mean the world to me, so thank you and have a happy and safe pride month. -M)
"I'm doing it tonight," you announced suddenly, glancing over at Katherine. Your heart flutters a bit when you catch her gaze, sparkling brown eyes softening ever so slightly when she looks at you. She'd always looked at you like that-- with the same awe and wonder, like you were the most beautiful thing on the planet. And, she'd assured you an uncountable amount of times that, to her, you were. And every time you felt like vomiting rainbows or exploding into a swarm of butterflies, with no in-between.
She tilts her head, cat-like eyes flickering to your lips for a fraction of a barely-perceptible moment before landing back on your own. "Doing what?"
"I'm telling the boys. About you. And me. Us. Together." And, once again, you demonstrate a brilliant example of your own grammatical inadequacies. There was something about being around Katherine that prompted the worst of that from you. You wished time and time again that you could talk like she could write-- with the same wisdom and professional manner, always having the right words and knowing how and where they came into play to reach maximum effect. Little did you know, that was exactly what she loved about your speech-- you might not have had access to the big words and formidable sentence structure, but you made your points. And when you didn't, you always got there eventually. She'd always found something almost calming about it.
It takes a few moments for your words to take their toll, but they hit hard when they do. You can see it in her posture-- where she had been leaning back against the booth, palm supporting her chin while her elbows rested against the table, giving her maximum ability for Y/n-gazing, she suddenly sat up straight as though startled, eyes wide and pinned on yours, eyebrows shooting almost comically into the delicate curls of her hair. "You're going to what? I mean, I heard you," she adds upon noticing you open your mouth to repeat yourself. "I just-- are you certain?! They're all very nice boys, but, still. That's your family, Y/n. I love you so very much, but nothing I could do could possibly replace your bond with them. And these are such difficult times, it's not safe--"
"I've made my decision, Kath." The use of her name silences your lover. You hold her gaze, reaching out to take her hand. She allows you to entwine your fingers, rubbing your thumb comfortingly across the back of her hand. "I'm done hiding it. I'm done pretending to be just friends when I can actually have you. When I can actually hold your hand in public. I've lived with those nerds my whole life, and if I can't be honest with them about who I really am, then I won't ever be free to enjoy this. I have to tell them. Otherwise..." Your voice cracks before fading off. "I don't know." You look away.
Finally, Katherine exhales and maneuvers herself to capture your eyes again. She does so easily, and smiles when your eyes meet, face glowing both from the red-gold light filtering through the window behind you and from pride. "I know what you mean," she grins. "And I want to help you feel as comfortable with this as possible. You deserve this, Y/n." She gazes earnestly into your eyes, and for a split second, you feel like she's seeing you. Like, really you. "You deserve to be happy."
You smile at her, feeling tears well up in your eyes. Hang on, were you crying? Why were you crying? You were happy! And relieved. And proud. And in love. So, so in love.
"And I know you're going to be, when this is all over. It'll all be okay." She smiles at you again, and you see tears of her own forming just over her eyelids. Your gaze drops to her smile, and your breath catches in your throat to think of her lips against yours. You want to kiss her. Oh, God you want to kiss her.
