A/N: For MissDominiqueLysander, who requested DomRose! Also, just so you all know, you can all blame Amber for the recent influx of femslash.

This is one of those things that seemed better in my head. I wish you could all see inside my head. It's pretty cool in there, I swear. And I'm in a drabbley mood, so there might be a few more chapters up tonight. If you're lucky ;)

Pairing: Rose/Dominique

Prompt: 15. Homework

i.

Six year olds scratching "once upon a time" into the kitchen table with their fingernails, saying that princes will find them some day and their castles will be right next door to each other and their daughters will be just like them – small, sun-loving dreamers.

Rose says, "But princes aren't as fun as you."

Dom says, "That's why I'll be right next door."

And their fingernails hurt from scratching fairytales into wood that's too unyielding.

ii.

Eleven year olds saying goodbye and falling to sleep under different coloured canopies, dreaming that they were together. Always together.

Rose says, "Ravenclaw would suit you. We should try again."

Dom says, "You should be in Gryffindor, too, Rosie. You should."

And they find homes in separate places, each a lonely princess in a tower of her own, but they always sit at the windows and imagine what it would be like if they were just a little more alike.

iii.

Sixteen year olds sitting beneath shady trees and wondering if the sun is burning their skin or if they are a little too close. Rose blushes; Dom grins.

Rose says, "It's not wrong, you know. To be in love."

Dom says, "It's not right either."

And they find themselves imagining what it would be like if they were a little less alike. Because it's not right, and they know that. So they smile and they blush but they never, ever kiss, and they never, ever touch. But they want to.

And that's what counts.

iv.

Seventeen year olds stressing over NEWTs and homework and boys and how not to love your cousin, and they only have each other for help.

Rose says, "I don't understand."

Dom says, "You don't always have to."

And the thing is she's Dom, and she believes that, but she's Rose, and she always thinks too much. And when the boys look away, they're holding hands under their desks and scratching "once upon a time" into each others' wrists and wondering why they'd ever need princes anyway.

v.

Eighteen year olds wearing bridesmaids dresses and twirling for Victoire, who cries and smiles and looks so caught between the two most of the time that Dom wonders if her prince did any saving at all.

Rose says, "I can't wear this."

Dom says, "Rose, what have you done?"

And Rose covers up her exposed arms, hides the gashes and slashes that she's carved into her skin, says I'm sorry, I'm sorry and tells Dom she just doesn't understand fairytales anymore. And maybe she never did.

vi.

Twenty-one year olds kissing the bruises onto each others' necks and fighting their way out of dishonour and disgrace, explaining to every family member who wears shock on his brow, donning dresses for princesses – and not a prince in sight.

Rose says, "I'm sorry. I love you. Don't leave me."

Dom says, "I'm sorry. I love you. Don't ever let me go."

And Rose writes upside down and backwards, telling stories that never make any sense; stories about princes who love princes and princess who don't, and Dom finds she doesn't much care, as long as she's not writing on the inside of her wrists anymore.

vii.

Ageless and gorgeous and singing songs about "happily ever after".

Rose says, "I love you more than anything ever."

Dome says, "I love you more than that."

And they are falling and flying and living and dying but, together, they are never far from home.