For Ami

Prompts at the end.

Word Count: 706


Daphne bites the inside of her cheek, trying not to grow frustrated or let the depression sink back into her mind. It's hard to keep her head out of the dark places when there is literally nothing back darkness before her.

"It's okay," Susan soothes, and Daphne feels her soft fingertips caress her forearm. "Don't rush it."

Daphne scowls. It's easy for Susan to say. She had managed to escape the war completely intact. Daphne, on the other hand… She shudders, trying to force the memories away. It doesn't do any good; she can still feel Alecto Carrow pinning her down while Amycus dripped an acidic potion into her eyes whenever she had been discovered as a spy for Dumbledore's Army. She remembers the fear causing her heart to pound violently as her world went dark.

Daphne doesn't even realize she's panicking again until Susan's arms are around her. The touch isn't enough to make her relax, but she no longer feels like she's about to come out of her skin. With a heavy sigh, Daphne leans her head back, resting it against her girlfriend's body. "I'm useless," she grumbles.

"No. You just have to relearn things," Susan says softly.

Daphne frowns when the other girl pulls away. She tips her head, positioning herself so that she can hear better, and she listens to the shuffling. A moment later, Susan pushes something into her hand. "Feel it. Size, texture, shape," she encourages.

Daphne does. "Apple?" she guesses before taking a bite. The fruit is sweet and juicy, and a soft, satisfied moan escapes her lips at the confirmation.

Before Daphne can take another bite, Susan takes the fruit away. A second fruit takes its place. This one is smaller, rounder, and considerably softer. Daphne purses her lips, trying to work out what it could be. She turns it over in her hand, tracing her thumb over the almost rubbery skin.

"I give up."

"Take a bite."

Without hesitation, Daphne bites into it. The texture of the fruit is completely different, but it's just as juicy. "I've not had a plum in ages."

But her happiness doesn't last long. Being able to identify fruit by touch alone is nice and all, but it doesn't help her in the long run. Without her sight, she cannot aim her wand properly. Without that, without her magic… She may as well be a Squib.

"Susan?"

She strains her ear, but she cannot hear her girlfriend's movement nearby. She must have gotten completely lost in her miserable thoughts to not notice Susan had left the room.

Daphne smells it before she hears Susan. Lavender. She smiles to herself as the scent grows stronger. "Fruit and flowers?" she muses, a smile tugging the corners of her lips. "Is it my birthday?"

"Lavender isn't just a pretty plant," Susan says. "It eases stress. I thought... I figured you might…" She trails off, clearing her throat.

Daphne climbs to her feet carefully. Feeling blindly, she awkwardly moves closer, following both the scent of the plant and the sound of her girlfriend's steady breathing. It's strange how strong her other senses seem to have grown without her sight.

She reaches out, carefully taking the lavender from Susan and setting the flowers aside. Somewhat clumsily, she turns back to Susan, wrapping her arms around her. It's amazing how she manages to cheer Daphne up. Though her demons are not laid to rest, there's such a relief. Susan is unique like that; only she can make Daphne feel like the world isn't ending.

"I just want to be normal again," Daphne sighs, hating how pitiful she sounds. She is stronger than this, but it's so easy to give into weakness sometimes.

"To be human is to be complex," Susan murmurs, kissing Daphne's nose. You can't avoid a little ugliness, both from within and from without. It's part of life. Bad things happen, and we have to find a way to move past them and come out stronger."

At that, all Daphne can do is hold her closer, kissing her hard. She doesn't know what she did to deserve someone as perfect as Susan, but she's glad for her strength and the sense of normalcy that she provides.


Hot Air Balloon: blind!au

Faeries, Winter: unique

Days, Smile Power Day: cheering someone up

Summer: relax

Flowers, Black Eyed Susan: Susan Bones

Aries: SusanDaphne

Star Chart, Partial Solar Eclipse: set your story in complete darkness

Film Festival: Apple

Character Appreciation: depression

Book Club, Governor Dragna: fear, plum, lavender

Amber's Attic, Pinocchio: Write about someone who wants to be normal

Lo's Lowdown: "To be human is to be complex. You cannot avoid a little ugliness, both from within and from without."