Word Count: 454
This is progress, Cho thinks, adjusting the straps of her hot pink gown.
She is still healing, still learning to move forward. This is such a big step for her, sitting beside Padma, her girlfriend, and watching Marietta get married. Padma squeezes her hand like she can read Cho's mind, like she somehow knows that Cho's heart is pounding so painfully in her chest.
"I love you," Padma whispers.
"A terrible mistake, really," Cho mutters back.
Her girlfriend snorts softly. She doesn't pull her hand away, and Cho is grateful. Maybe she's still adjusting, but Padma has been so patient through it all.
"Marietta looks lovely," Padma says.
Marietta stands before the groom, wearing a beautiful ivory gown. Cho had always assumed she would be married first; Cedric had only cemented that assumption. His death had been a terrible sort of wakeup call. Still, Marietta is gorgeous, and Cho is so happy for her friend.
"That can be us one day," Padma adds.
The words send a flicker of hope through her body, like a million butterflies are fluttering inside her stomach. She finds herself smiling. "Maybe one day."
…
Padma is a darling in sapphire. Cho can't help but stare as her girlfriend returns to their table, drinks in hand. Champagne for Cho, red wine for Padma.
"You are an actual vixen," Cho tells her. "It should be illegal for you to look that good."
Progress. How long has it been since she's been so openly affectionate? Too long, she's sure. But with Padma, it's the most natural thing in the world.
Padma considers this, lips pursing. "A vixen," she muses, sipping her wine. "What about a femme fatal? You know, dangerous, mysterious?"
So natural, like Cho is meant to do this, like she and Padma fit together, two puzzle pieces.
Cho chuckles, taking a drink of the champagne, enjoying the bubbly sweetness. "I don't think you're very dangerous."
Padma climbs to her feet, holding out her hand. "Oh yeah? Join me on the dance floor. I'll show you just how dangerous I can be."
Laughing, Cho sets her drink aside and allows Padma to lead her to the dance floor. Another step in the right direction, another way moving forward and allowing herself to be loved.
They dance, and she laughs and smiles through it all. Each step, each spin, each twirl. It's perfect, and she can't imagine doing anything else. She wants to spend the rest of her life with Padma, dancing, smiling, being so hopelessly in love.
Padma leans in, kissing her gently. "I love you, Cho."
"I love you too."
Cho is a work in progress, but that's okay. Padma is by her side, and nothing else really matters.