A/N: Written for the 2011 Mew & Mor's Weird Pairing Competition at the HPFC forum. Thanks to Rachel (this carnival ride called life) for betareading!

reviving faith is next to the sunset

Pairing: Lorcan Scamander & Padma Patil

Drabble.

Lorcan smiled as the cool water ran over his feet, before the ocean pulled it back out, only for it to happen again. This was how it always should be, he couldn't help but think, him walking hand-in-hand with Padma down the beach during the sunset.

He turned his head slightly, just to watch her again. Her long black hair was in a plait, her tanned skin was soft and her warm dark eyes were bright. He couldn't stop looking at her; and he still couldn't believe how lucky he was to have her. They had been together for a week – a week filled with sheer happiness.

The two of them had gotten together at a DA-reunion party, which his mother had dragged him to with her, despite his protests of how he had never been a member of the famous group. But when he had spotted Padma there, he had completely forgotten all of his doubts about being there. It simply was the place to be. He had been attracted to her at once, it was something about how she sparkled whenever she talked to someone, as though she really cared, it wasn't only small talk.

Of course, because he hadn't thought his feelings would be returned, he had prepared himself for being unhappy in love. So when the Indian woman had asked him if he would like to go and grab a drink some time he had been so surprised he had almost forgotten to answer her. Luckily he had managed to choke out a "yes", because the date had been what had started their relationship.

And here they were now. Lorcan squeezed Padma's hand a bit harder when she suddenly let go of it. She didn't look at him, only pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders and left him without a word.

Lorcan froze mid-step before he ran after her. "Padma?" he asked when he finally had caught up with her. She stubbornly looked down at the ground and kept walking.

"Padma?" Lorcan asked again, putting a hand on her waist and turning her around without trouble. "What is it?" She finally met his eyes and he looked sternly at her.

"Didn't you see those people?" she asked exasperatedly.

"Who?"

"Those we passed. Didn't you see how they looked at me? Like I was disgusting – practically a child predator." Padma folded her arms, biting her lip, but Lorcan unfolded them again by grabbing her hands.

"Come on…," he began.

"Lorcan," she interrupted. "I am too old, you know it. People are always staring at us…" Lorcan put a finger on her lips.

"You know that I don't care. I love you, I've told you." Padma tried to protest, but Lorcan bent down and kissed her. At first she hesitated, but then, she eagerly returned it. When they pulled free, Lorcan had a glint in his eyes. "And now, let's go back to where we came from."

Padma frowned a bit, but let him tug her with him. When they were almost in front of the group of people Padma had referred to earlier, they sat down on the white sand.

"Just for the fun of it," Lorcan said with a smirk, receiving a grin by Padma. "See, I don't care about those jerks," he continued as he snuggled in under Padma's cheek and kissed her on the collarbone.

Padma giggled and pulled a hand through his dirt blonde hair. "I believe you."

"Good," Lorcan said with a muffled voice, as he kissed Padma's neck. "Because they can think whatever they want to about us, and they will still never have anything as good as what I have."