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It seems silly. Lavender finds herself overthinking again and again, and her mind keeps coming back to that word: silly. She wishes she could be more confident and believe that things can work out, and she can have the sort of happily ever after she's heard about in every bedtime story her mother ever told her. Instead, she's all butterflied stomach and trembling hands.
This is stupid, she thinks to herself. What the hell am I thinking?
But she can't turn back now. Well, she can, but maybe there's a part of her that's too stubborn to do that sort of thing. Her mother always told her that she could conquer the world if she ever got the notion in her head. Lavender thinks she might be right.
The dormitory is mercifully empty except for Parvati. The last thing Lavender wants is an audience. She doesn't know how much time she has before the others return, but she doesn't want to rush this. Parvati deserves better than that, and Lavender fully intends to give her exactly what she deserves.
Assuming Parvati will have her. Assuming Lavender isn't making a terrible mistake. Assuming Lavender doesn't throw up and ruin the moment entirely.
"You okay?" Parvati is on her feet and at Lavender's side in an instant. "Do you need to go sit?"
Lavender shakes her head and tries for a smile. Hopefully it looks more genuine than it feels, because it feels so stiff and forced, and she's afraid Parvati will be able to see right through her. "I'm fine. Thank you." She lifts the potted plant, smiling softly. "You like orchids, right?"
Parvati's face brightens. God, why is she so beautiful? It hardly seems fair that anyone can make Lavender melt simply by existing. "Thank you," she says, and Lavender thinks she might actually drop to the floor as a puddle because Paravati is just so perfect. "What's the special occasion?"
"Do I really need a special occasion to bring a pretty girl flowers?"
It sounds infinitely smoother than she had anticipated, and Lavender has to admit she's more than a little impressed with herself. Judging by the way Parvati's eyes widen ever so slightly, and her lips curl with delight, she can only assume it works.
"You think I'm pretty?"
Lavender almost laughs at that. How could she not think Parvati is pretty? Really, she's so much more. Parvati is the most beautiful girl Lavender has ever seen. Sometimes Lavender wonders how she ever got so lucky. What on earth did she do to deserve someone like Parvati in her life?
"I think you are perfect. And I…" Lavender swallows dryly. The words demand to come out, to be spoken into existence. She can do it. All it takes is a little bravery, and… "Parvati, I'm in love with you."
She waits for the fallout, for the rejection, for the ridicule. It doesn't come. Instead, Parvati steps closer and takes the orchid, setting it aside before wrapping her arms around Lavender. "Thank goodness," she whispers. "I was afraid my feelings were one-sided."
And as their lips meet, Lavender finds herself smiling into the kiss. All her fear and doubt melts away, and nothing else matters except for this perfect, beautiful moment, and the fact that Parvati is in her arms.
