The bar was loud, the bass vibrating through the air as Astro stood off to the side, nursing his drink and trying to ignore the buzz of the crowd. His black skirt shifted slightly with his movements, and he tucked a stray piece of long hair behind his ear, hoping to avoid attention while he waited for his friend to return from the bathroom.

“Hey, you're really pretty,” a voice said beside him.

Astro’s eyes shot up. A girl was leaning against the counter, casual but confident, her gaze locking with his for just a second before she looked away.

He froze, his heart racing. He’d heard that line before, and it never ended well. He'd learned the hard way that when people mistook him for a girl, things could get awkward fast. Some didn’t mind, but others... Well, others got angry.

“Uh, thanks,” he stammered, his hands tightening around his drink. He bit his lip, too nervous to stay silent. “Just... just so you know, I’m a boy. In case you were, uh, confused.”

Kitana barely reacted, just glanced at him with a small, unbothered shrug. She was clearly unfazed.

“No, I know,” she said, taking a slow sip from her drink. “Still pretty, though.”

Astro blinked, confused for a second, but the tension that had been building in his chest loosened. He felt his nerves settle just a little.

"Thanks," he said, shy but with a soft smile tugging at his lips. It was a rare feeling — just... being seen without the judgment. Kitana didn't seem bothered by the fact that he was a boy. She was just... interested.