Word Count: 333
Parvati hates surprises. To make matters worse, it's freezing out, and the crunch of snow beneath her boots is a constant reminder of exactly how gross the weather is. Lavender keeps her hands over Parvati's eyes, and she seems determined to keep it all one big secret. Still, Parvati won't complain. She loves Lavender more than anything. It won't hurt her to put her preferences aside for a little while and play along.
"Careful!" Lavender cautions.
The warning comes just in time. Parvati's foot finds the patch of ice, and she just barely manages to right herself. Good. The last thing she needs is to fall and bust her ass. "To be fair," she says, lips tugging into a smile, "it wouldn't be the first time I've fallen for you."
Lavender snorts. "You're ridiculous."
Parvati shrugs. "How much longer? I'm freezing my ass off, you know."
"You aren't. I have a perfect view off your ass, and I assure you, it's still there."
With a laugh, Parvati shrugs. And Lavender calls her ridiculous?
"Ready?"
"Ready," Parvati confirms.
Lavender drops her hands, and Parvati is greeted by a cozy little white cottage. Her heart flutters. During their seventh year, she and Lavender would distract themselves from the pain and chaos by planning their dream home. They had decided a nice little white cottage would be perfect. Lavender would grow sunflowers during the spring, and Parvati would collect wildflowers from the field. They had sworn their home would always be filled with laughter and love.
"You found it," Parvati whispers, turning her gaze to her girlfriend.
Lavender nods, smiling. She wraps her arms around Parvati and holds her close. "We promised we would, if we survived."
Those had been desperate words, a way of holding on to hope during a dark time. Parvati never would have guessed that Lavender would manage it, but she's glad she's found a way.
"Well?" Lavender prompts. "What do you think?"
Parvati kisses her. "It's almost as perfect as you."
