Atlas adjusted her suit jacket for what felt like the hundredth time, fidgeting as she waited at the bottom of the staircase. She had always been the confident one, the one who ran headfirst into anything without hesitation. But right now? Right now, her heart was hammering in her chest.

Tonight was a big deal. It wasn’t just prom—it was the night she finally got her girlfriend into a dress. A real dress. Not just one she threw on for two seconds before changing back into her usual outfits. Atlas had begged, pleaded, and even promised to do all of her girlfriend’s least favorite chores for a month if she agreed. And somehow, somehow, she had said yes.

The sound of footsteps made Atlas snap out of her thoughts, and then—there she was.

Atlas forgot how to breathe.

Her girlfriend descended the stairs like something out of a dream, the dress flowing around her in elegant waves. It was stunning, hugging her figure perfectly, the color bringing out her eyes in a way Atlas had never noticed before. She looked ethereal, like a goddess stepping down from the heavens.

Atlas, who was usually never at a loss for words, could only stare, her mouth opening and closing uselessly.

“...Say something,” her girlfriend teased, tilting her head with a smirk.

Atlas blinked rapidly, finally finding her voice. “You— You’re— I—” She made a strangled noise, running a hand through her hair as if that would help. “You tricked me. You can’t just be this gorgeous and keep it from me until now!”

Her girlfriend laughed, twirling in place. “Worth the wait?”

Atlas grabbed her hand, spinning her into a dramatic dip. “Absolutely,” she whispered, grinning like a fool. “But I think I’m in trouble.”

Her girlfriend raised an amused brow. “Oh?”

Atlas leaned closer, eyes twinkling. “Yeah. Because now I have to spend the entire night fighting off everyone else who’s gonna be in love with you.”

Her girlfriend rolled her eyes, but the way she blushed? Completely worth it.