𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 ~ 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘴

~ 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚: 𝙄 𝘿𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙆𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙚𝙡𝙡 ~

"When did you have time to meet someone? The only time you've gone out since we got here was... wait, don't tell me you're in love with one of those Sparrows!" Luther gaped. "Surprise..." Astrid shrugged. Luther buried his face in his hands, shaking his head. "Is it the Venom girl or sunglasses?" He asked. "No, it's the light brunette, Sloane," Astrid clarified. "And she's not like the others. She's really sweet, and she understands me,"

"I try to understand you too!" Luther looked offended. "No, I know you do! I'm just saying when it comes to being bi, Sloane knows some of the struggles I've been through, not being able to express who I am without judgment. I feel safe around her, knowing that she'd fight to protect me just like I would for her," It was rare for Astrid to gush about someone in such detail, but Sloane had captured her heart, keeping it tightly locked away in a chest and refused to let it go. "If we can somehow get our families to settle the dispute, then maybe Sloane and I can fall in love, get married, maybe adopt a kitten or two,"

As she turned her gaze back to her brother and confidant, she could see his face light up. "As long as you both are happy, I've got no problem with it. But a word of advice, maybe don't tell Diego and Allison till after this is settled down," Luther advised. "Trust me, they are the LAST people I would talk about my relationships with. You know they have severe trust issues," Astrid shook her head. "And don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Sloane's the Gravity one, right?" Luther squinted, trying to recall her powers.

"Yes, she is," Astrid confirmed. "And um, did you guys..." Part of Astrid felt that this conversation was becoming a little bit awkward to discuss, especially in a public setting, but all she responded with was a smile and cheeks that turned a shade lighter. "Luther, you know the old saying, I don't kiss and tell," she insisted. "Aw, come on! Just a little something?" Number One pleaded. Astrid looked around to make sure nobody was eavesdropping, and with a sly smirk, she leaned in closer.

"Well, she does have a few talents, especially when it comes to her mouth," Astrid quickly covered her mouth at her dirty statement, but all Luther did was chuckle in response. "Oh! I know another one!" Astrid gasped when the name of a song popped into her head, and she fumbled with the tapes, eager to find it. Though it may have been weird to some people, Astrid always preferred talking to Luther about the life of a trapped LGBTQ. Sure, he may not have completely understood what it was like to be attracted to both genders instead of one, but he did lend an ear and tried to support her as best he could in the small window of time they had before his accident.

FLASHBACK BEGINS...

It must've been hours since Astrid got kicked out because when she lifted her head that was buried into her pillows, she could see that the sun had already set, and the sky was replaced with a dark hue. Deep down, she didn't want to leave the Academy. She had a very little idea of what the outside world was like. But the one thing she did know was that it could be unforgiving and cruel. She tried to see a bright side to this situation, but at that moment, there was none.

She looked at her pillowcase, completely soaked with her salty tears and running mascara. And as she stood up to grab her suitcase, she felt like a wrung-out dishrag, her legs felt like gelatine with every step she took. As she neatly packed the few graphic and simple colored t-shirts and pants, a knock came from the other side of the door. Her body locked up as she worried that the old man was coming in again to further berate her. But when she heard a soft, "Astrid?" she knew it wasn't him, it was Luther.

The door unlocked and slowly creaked open, Astrid poked her head into the hall, sure enough seeing the concerned look on his face. "What's wrong?" He asked. "You've been crying for the past few hours." Astrid took a hesitant breath as she invited him inside. She knew she'd have to reveal her secret to him sooner or later, though this was not the way she intended for it to happen.

"Why do you have your suitcase out?" Luther inquired. "Because I'm leaving, well I'm being kicked out," Astrid confessed. Luther's eyes widened with shock, "What? Why would Dad kick you out?" Astrid tucked some of her shoes into the case as she explained how she and the old man got into an intense argument, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. "But still, that's so unlike him to do that. If anything, your one of the most level-headed people I know, you and Allison," He responded. "There has to be a reason,"

"Well Luther, sometimes he has his shitty reasons. But his reason for me is because he's a hateful bigot!" Astrid snapped. "He found my journal, read private information, and denied everything I wrote to my face. He even found out something I never intended to tell him," Luther sat on the edge of the bed. "What's the secret?" he questioned. Astrid slowly shook her head, telling him that he may not understand. "I can try to, you can tell me anything," He assured.

Astrid looked him directly in the eyes, feeling her body fill head to toe with anxiety. "I've always felt like something was off about me. Like I wasn't like everybody else. While Alli was gushing about all the cute boys she saw in magazines, I was looking more at the girls. And yeah, some guys were cute too, but there are certain things I found attractive about both of them," Luther's brow quirked up. "Are you trying to say that your gay?" Luther treaded lightly. "I'm trying to say that I'm bi. I like both guys and girls," she clarified.

Luther tried to gather his words. Part of him wondered how he didn't notice she felt that certain way. He was one of her closest siblings growing up, and he thought maybe he hadn't been paying too much attention. "I-I didn't know," He stuttered. "Well, how could you have known? I'm not exactly the easiest person to read in a room full of other people," Luther had to agree she did have a point there.

"I'm sorry Dad didn't support you. But I've got your back, no matter what," Luther placed a hand on her shoulder. "Really?" Astrid double-checked. "Of course! No matter who you love, no matter what their identity is, you'll always be family to me," He comforted. With that final confirmation, the two embraced in a warm hug, the night feeling less dark and dreary.