This particular day, Ava found herself ahead of schedule at work, an unexpected but welcome surprise. With a few hours to herself, she decided to take the opportunity to pick out something nice to wear. She had been grappling with body dysphoria for a while now, and it always took a bit more energy to feel comfortable in her skin, especially when it came to something as intimate as a date. The thought of asking Devon out had been on her mind for a while, but before she could even consider taking that step, she needed to be sure her outfit was something she could feel good in.

Ava stood in front of the full-length mirror, her hands smoothing down the delicate layers of her white dress, fingers grazing the soft fabric as if trying to reassure herself it fit just right. The fitted bodice hugged her curves gently, a perfect match for the flowing, flouncy skirt that swayed with each subtle movement. The short sleeves framed her shoulders, adding a soft, almost ethereal quality to the overall look, the light fabric catching the light as she shifted slightly.

Her golden curls—meticulously styled yet somehow looking effortlessly undone—tumbled down her shoulders in soft waves, each lock adorned with tiny pink bows. She’d spent far too much time fussing with them that morning, but she couldn’t help it. She tilted her head slightly, studying her reflection, her heart beating. Were the bows cute or too much? Did they give off the right vibe or make her look like she was trying too hard?

The blush on her cheeks wasn’t just from makeup; a nervous warmth had crept in, painting her with a soft, rosy hue that mirrored the strawberry-pink bubble tea that she had made for herself, which sat on her dressing table, beads of condensation running down the glass. Ava shifted her weight from one foot to the other, biting her lip as her eyes darted over her reflection. Was I overdressed? Too sweet? She cringed inwardly. Would Devon think I’m trying too hard?

With a sigh, she exhaled the uncertainty, letting out a shaky breath. 

It’s just a date, she reminded herself. It doesn’t have to be perfect. 

Yet, despite her rational thoughts, she couldn’t shake the urge to look her best. After all, she wanted it to be just right for both of them.

After a moment's reflection, Ava decided the look was just right—if only for a fleeting thought of self-doubt creeping in, which she pushed aside. Ava carefully removed the dress and hung it on her cute white hangers. She slipped back into her comfortable pink long-sleeved sweatshirt and sweatpants, the familiarity of the outfit providing a small comfort amidst her uncertainty. Her fingers hovered over her phone, and after a brief moment of hesitation, she decided to text Devon to see if she was up for taking her out on a date.

Yet, despite her focus on the task at hand, her mind kept drifting back to Devon’s outfit that morning. The memory of it replayed in her head, each detail making her heart skip a beat. She couldn’t help but gush over it, a smile tugging at her lips every time she thought of it.

Devon had stood in the soft glow of the early morning, the light just barely brushing her silhouette as she adjusted the cuff of her sharply tailored black blazer. The crisp black collar of her blouse had peeked out from beneath, sharp and clean, creating an air of sophistication without being flashy. Her vest, perfectly fitted, hugged her frame with precision, and each button was fastened neatly, complementing the smooth lines of her wide-legged trousers that draped effortlessly around her legs.

Ava remembered how Devon had tied her short, curly black hair into a loose bun, not quite keeping her curly fringe out of her eyes but instead showing off the clean undercut that framed her face. The tiny silver dagger earrings she wore glinted in the soft light, adding a touch of edge to her otherwise polished look. There was something about the way she carried herself that day, something that had stuck with Ava, making her feel a little breathless every time she thought about it.

As Ava stepped into the kitchen that morning, her eyes immediately found Devon, standing there as usual, but this time, something about her made Ava's breath catch in her throat. Devon, scrolling absently through her phone with one hand, had an effortless confidence that seemed to radiate from her every move. The casual motion of her fingers swiping across the glass surface of the screen was smooth, practiced, almost second nature. Silver rings adorned her fingers, each one glinting with intricate designs that added a subtle edge to her otherwise polished appearance. A simple black wristwatch rested against her wrist, its face reflecting the quiet, methodical efficiency with which she moved through her morning routine.

Ava couldn’t help but swoon internally, but she knew better than to speak her thoughts aloud; she’d learned to keep the quiet admiration to herself, not wanting to disrupt Devon’s routine. Instead, she bounded over with a smile, waiting for her morning kiss, the softest gesture in contrast to the almost cinematic grace she had just witnessed. Afterward, as Devon gathered her things and dashed out the door, Ava quietly washed the dishes, the morning calm settling back into its usual rhythm.

When the door had slammed shut behind Devon, leaving in her wake the familiar scent of Glorious Oud Royal Blanc, Ava had smiled to herself, knowing that scent all too well. She couldn’t resist—sometimes, when Devon was away, she would sneak into their room and spray a little on her pillow, just to have a piece of her partner’s favorite scent to hold onto, curling up with her stuffed animals at night. It was a small, quiet thing, but it made Ava feel close to Devon even when they weren’t together.

After a few minutes of hesitation, Ava finally decided to text Devon. She wanted to go out on a date that evening, a simple gesture but one that felt so important in their busy lives to maintain closeness. She was pretty sure she'd finish work earlier than usual, giving them just enough time to meet up and go out to eat, something to break the routine.

Ava took a deep breath before typing out her message:
Hey love, I was thinking we should go on a date tonight. I’m going to finish up work earlier than usual, so we could meet after and go grab dinner. Sound good?

She hit send, her heart pounding slightly as she imagined Devon’s response.

It wasn’t long before the reply came in:
That sounds perfect! Just book a ride haul on my account, so we don’t have to worry about the logistics.

Ava paused, her thumb hovering over her screen. She wasn’t sure why she felt so uneasy about it, but the idea of Devon paying for everything, as she often did, didn’t sit right with her today. She knew they had to be smarter about their spending, especially with the renovations coming up for their new house.

I think we should be more frugal, babe. If we’re going to save up for the basement reno, we need to watch how we spend on little things like that.

The response came quickly, a slight shift in tone.
😑

Ava winced. She could almost hear Devon’s voice in her head—soft, but slightly disgruntled. She didn’t want to upset her, but she also knew this was for the best.

Okay then. What time are you planning to catch the bus to meet me?

Ava smiled a little at how quickly Devon shifted gears, always focused and practical, even in moments like this. She typed back without a second thought:
I’ll catch the 5:15 PM bus. Should get me there by 6.

Devon’s next message came with a sense of purpose:
Call me when you reach the bus stop five stops away from home. I’ll arrange a ride for myself from there so we can arrive at the same time.

Ava felt a warmth spread through her chest as she read the message. It was sweet, thoughtful. Devon always found ways to make things work, to make sure everything was just right for them.

Sounds good, I’ll call you when I get there. I can’t wait to see you tonight.

Devon’s reply was simple but filled with affection:
Me too. Can’t wait.

Ava spent the rest of the day in a much lighter mood, the excitement of their evening ahead bubbling up within her. She looked forward to the dinner, but more than that, she looked forward to the time spent with Devon, just the two of them.