Advent Gift!Fic for: Lexi

Event: Scavenger Hunt

Clue: Write a romance story between two characters who were born in the era of the epilogue.

Word Count: 546

Swimming

"Come on, Scorpius," Lily laughed from the pool. "Get in; the water is great."

The blond eyed the water sceptically. It had been years since the last time he had been swimming, and it didn't hold many pleasant memories.

Scorpius shook his hands and legs, attempting to shake off his nerves and mentally prepare himself for the jump.

Man up, Scorpius!

It's only water.

Just don't humiliate yourself, or she's going to think you're some kind of idiot.

"Scorpius, hurry up," she requested, swimming over to side, and gazing up at him with sparkling, emerald green eyes.

It's now or never.

You can do this, Scorpius.

"Okay," he answered, taking a deep breath before running up to the edge of the deep end and jumping in.

Scorpius felt himself being dragged beneath the water; it was pulling him down. He kicked his legs as hard as he could, trying to reach the surface, which he could only just see with his blurred vision. However, no matter how hard he tried he couldn't fight the power of the water.

His mind flooded with memories of the last time this had happened, how he had been an inch from death… how he would have died if it hadn't been for the lifeguard diving in and rescuing him.

He could feel the air leaving his lungs as all the fight in him left. He couldn't kick his legs anymore and began to sink towards the bottom of the pool.

As his eyes closed, Scorpius saw a flash of red and emerald, and felt a pair of strong arms grab him.

"Scorpius, wake up," an angelic voice demanded shortly before lips covered his own.

His eyes flickered open and he sat up, nudging the person hovering over him to one side as he spluttered out the water which had filled his lungs.

"Scorpius, what happened in there?" the same voice asked, and he now realised who the owner was—Lily.

The blond turned to face Lily, his head bowed and feeling as though his face was as red as a beetroot.

He really didn't want to admit the truth to her, but he saw no other way out of this situation. She had probably already figured it out anyway.

"I can't swim," he mumbled quietly.

"Then why did you agree to come swimming?" Lily asked, a confused expression crossing her face.

"So I could spend time with you," Scorpius admitted, finally looking Lily in the eye.

"You could do that anytime though," Lily told him.

"I know, but I would do anything to be with you a little longer," Scorpius confessed.

Lily's eyes widened. "Really? But you nearly drowned."

"It was worth it to feel your lips on mine," Scorpius laughed.

"Maybe next time you could be conscious though," Lily sighed, laughing slightly.

Does she—? No, she couldn't… feel the same way as me.

There's only one way to find out, Scorpius: man up and kiss her.

Scorpius reached forward and tucked a strand of hair behind Lily's ear. She smiled at him and looked at him from under her eyelashes.

Do it!

Scorpius leaned forward and pressed his lips against Lily's and pulled back.

"Well it took you long enough," she said, leaning forward and returning Scorpius' kiss.