Deborah may have been the bigger romantic, it was all part and parcel of being a singer/songwriter after all, but Angela was just as smitten by the singer as the singer was by her. In the past, like Deborah, Angela used to think that Ambrose was the one she wanted to marry. They'd been friends since early childhood, so it seemed like the most logical decision, but as Angela would learn, love didn't always follow logic. In time, she came to see that there was someone else out there whom she wanted even more, she just hadn't realized it until she met them.

Perhaps the biggest impetus for Angela was the fact that Deborah initiated, and initiated often. Ambrose, meanwhile, was so tight-lipped and passive that, sometimes, he and Angela would be at an impasse since neither one would ever make the first move. That was never an issue with domineering Deborah, and that did explain how she managed to wrangle Ambrose in to begin with, given his shy and quiet nature.

The second biggest impetus, although this one made Angela blush a little, was the fact Ambrose wasn't the one who got share her first time with her, contrary to what she used to think would happen. That honor had gone to Deborah. It was just another example of her initiator-personality. And as Angela would recall, Deborah was… most generous with her affection. Affection. It wasn't something Angela was used to, especially since she spent so much time alone. And it wasn't something she thought she needed, and for the same reason.

"I was always perfectly fine to live on my own," she said to herself one day, thinking about her growing relationship with Deborah. I'd made up my mind, I was better off being alone. It was safer to be alone, less to be scared of, less to be hurt by. Then they met a few months ago, now Deborah tried on calling Angela her little angel like trying on a fancy new outfit: with enthusiasm and pride, and she loved to show it off.

Angela remembered the morning after her first time. While Deborah hadn't made a point to immediately go tell Ambrose, when the topic finally came up, she had sounded rather… proud and haughty about the whole thing.

"I believe I may have gotten farther with her than you have," Deborah said smugly. "We shared a most exquisite bath and sleepover. Pity you missed out!" She looked so pleased with herself. "Mmm, maybe next time…" She winked, leaving Angela blushing and Ambrose surprised.

"I've come to see you're a wild card queen, and you move to me like I'm a bass-dropped beat, and we'll rule the kingdom of our bedrooms!" Angela smiled and shook her head. They may have spent the first night at Deborah's, but they had more than just one. Truly, life felt like a never-ending stream of surprises for Angela. First, there was meeting and getting along with Deborah at all. Then there was actually falling in love and getting with her. Now there was the realization that they were, in essence, "going steady" at this point, and Angela liked it.

And that was to say nothing of falling in love with another woman. Angela had never really considered her sexuality, having only ever felt as though she wanted Ambrose. But then Deborah happened. Deborah had joked before, she was attractive enough to turn sexualities, and it seemed like that was actually the truth for Angela.

Even Ambrose had said similar, once Angela talked to him about it. Again, it was something she never knew about him because they'd never talked about it before, but he also identified as bisexual and said he'd been crushing on one of his male coworkers until Deborah came along. Sure, maybe he'd never accepted her invitation to court, but he couldn't deny she was wildly attractive. He just hadn't wanted to jump into anything too soon, and it just so happened by the time he might've said yes, that was when Angela entered their lives.

But silly things aside, Deborah truly had changed Angela's world. For the first time ever, the doctor did indeed believe that people could like her for her, that other people aside from a childhood friend would desire her. Now here she was, living that life. As Deborah, herself, had noted the morning after their first night, it was not a life she ever thought she'd have, let alone enjoy, but here she was.

All the boys and girls Angela knew growing up were more interested in their expensive cars and becoming famous stars and none of it ever captured Angela's attention the way Deborah had. Now Deborah had all of her.

"And all at once you are the one I've been waiting for, Queen of my heart, body, and soul. You are all I want, I'll never let you go!"

ooo

Later that night, when the city was asleep, Deborah and Angela were wide awake. It was time for another date-night at their favorite local dive bar, the Golden Sun Saloon. Deborah, as always, was in disguise. This was for two reasons. The first was that she didn't want any fans to interrupt her secret moments with Angela. The second was that she was technically underage. She was 20.

"Wait a minute, I just realized—" said Angela, as they entered the dive bar.

"Fake ID," Deborah shrugged. Angela's jaw dropped, but Deborah laughed. "It's not the worst crime I could commit. Besides, live dangerously."

Although Angela felt a little guilty, Deborah had a point. She already managed to snag so much free booze because of all the fancy events she attended as a Lavish, and the Dangerous Debutante, so sneaking into a bar and having a fake ID was hardly a big deal for someone like her.

And Angela had to admit, she kind of liked being the only one in the entire city to know any of this.

Your love is a secret I'm hoping, dreaming, dying to keep…

"Come on, Angela, you've got to try this one!" Deborah was still introducing the doctor to the wonderful world of alcohol. That wasn't to say Angela didn't know what it was, or couldn't hold it down, but she definitely drank less than the young starlet. The beverage Deborah handed her was fruity, tangy but sweet. Angela licked her lips; alcohol should not taste this good.

Deborah watched Angela drink, eagerly awaiting her approval.

"It's good," Angela nodded, smiling. Deborah beamed proudly before ordering a second drink, this time for herself. Once she had it, she raised her glass. Chuckling, Angela did the same, clinking hers against Deborah's. She noticed that Deborah's drink was a slightly darker red than her own.

"Did you want to try some?" Deborah asked, noticing the way Angela's eyes lingered on her drink.

"Oh, uhh, sure." Angela hadn't actually meant to look like she wanted a sample, but if Deborah was offering… She reached out a hand, but Deborah only laughed, shook her head, took a quick sip of her drink, then leaned forward and kissed Angela.

Well. What a charmer. Angela wasn't sure if she was blushing, but her face felt as red as Deborah's drink. Change my priorities, the taste of your lips is my idea of luxury. Greater than even the finest, rarest wine.

"Did you want to try any of mine?" Angela asked shyly, raising her own glass to her lips. Deborah raised her eyebrows, delighted at Angela's invitation. She was more than happy to lean in for another taste.

"Now, prove to me, I'm your American Dream," Deborah purred into Angela's ear before pulling away. "Come move to me like I'm a DJ beat, and we'll rule the kingdom inside this room!" She held out a hand, it was time to dance! Angela could've sworn she remembered saying no; she wasn't a good dancer at the best of times, and having alcohol in her would only make it worse, but before she knew it, she was lost in a sea of bodies. Truly, no one could take Angela where Deborah did.

Angela felt just the tiniest traces of annoyance and embarrassment as she swung around the dancefloor, dizzy, but the moment she felt Deborah dip her playfully, she felt a rush of warmth in her cheeks again, and it wasn't just because of the alcohol. And all at once, it occurred to Angela that Deborah was exactly the one she'd been waiting for. Queen of my heart, body, and soul…

Nobody got Angela quite like Deborah did. Maybe she wasn't as scientifically-minded or introverted, not by a long shot, but in all the important ways, Deborah got her. She understood Angela's desire to make a name for herself, and Angela's near-reckless enthusiasm and creativity when it came to things she was passionate about. Deborah was just as daring with her songs as Angela was with her science.

Much like Deborah herself, Angela hid her best features and traits under a persona. The only difference was that while Deborah's persona was even more grandiose than her, Angela's was even meeker and quieter. At the gala, she would talk about the most boring parts of her research in order to ward off people she didn't want to talk to. Deborah, meanwhile, would just whine and become overdramatic. But they both understood the importance and unfortunate necessity of hiding the truth when it felt like the rest of the world wouldn't want to see it.

That was the best part of their relationship. For once, there was no need to hide. Not with each other. It was a bit strange and new and novel, being allowed to be open, but it was kind of nice. It was something both the singer and scientist could agree on. After so many lonely days and nights, wondering if there would ever be a place for them in the world, they managed to stumble into each other.

Is this the end of all the endings? My broken bones are mending with all these nights we're spending…

Suddenly, they were on a balcony of the bar, overlooking the city. Deborah's arm was raised, another glass in hand. Angela watched her and laughed. She was finished drinking for the night, but she could still feel the warm rush of alcohol. She felt giddy and giggly as she watched Deborah dance and spin. She was so beautiful like this. When those ocean-blue eyes turned to her, she went weak in the knees.

"Are you all right, my little angel?" Deborah's expression was amused, but her tone was kind. She lowered her glass and placed a steadying hand on Angela's arm. Angela only just barely bit back a giggle.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine, I'm fine," she smiled back at Deborah. "It's just the alcohol."

Deborah raised her eyebrows in surprise, Angela hadn't had that much. But then she remembered, this was Angela, a tiny thing that scarcely ever drank. The singer laughed, not to make fun of Angela, but to enjoy how adorable she was. Unfortunately, for just one second, Angela worried.

"S—sorry," she laughed sheepishly.

"Don't apologize!" Deborah shook her head and chuckled, patting Angela's arm.

"I know it's not fun drinking with a girl who can't take more than a glass," Angela tried to sound understanding, but Deborah shook her head again.

"It's not about the alcohol, Angela, it's about you, my little angel." She reached out and tapped the doctor's nose. Angela blinked in surprise, and then she felt yet another heatwave rush through her face. So, she fancies me, not fancy stuff…

And all at once, this moment on the rooftop in the middle of the night was enough. It was all Angela had ever wanted in life, she was literally and metaphorically on top of the world. It really couldn't get any better than this! No, wait, yes it could.

At one point, Deborah slung an arm around Angela. Whisper-slurring, she spoke right into Angela's ear, "You belong to me now. You belong to me, sweet Angela. All of you is all of mine."

Angela had no idea what prompted Deborah to say this, but she did know that it sent another heatwave, another round of butterflies, another urge to giggle like a giddy little schoolgirl with a crush. She may not have said it, but… she felt as if Deborah was hers, too.

And all at once, you are the one I have been waiting for. You're all I want, I'll never let you go! Queen of my heart, body and soul, and all at once!