QLFC Reserve League

S1, R1

Chaser 2: Lavender & Padma

Lavender is in love with her best friend.

It's… incredibly embarrassing how obvious it is; how quickly she forgets how to converse when Padma smiles at her, sienna eyes glittering with mischief, and when her lips stretch into the most beatific smile that Lavender has ever seen.

Like now, sitting across from Padma at her favorite restaurant, watching how her gold bracelets jangle against each other as she moves her hands with spirited movements. Her heart races wildly in her chest, almost leaping into her throat, and out of her mouth to confess its need and want and desire for Padma.

Padma's creativity and skill is admirable, awe–worthy in Lavender's eyes. Her lehenga is gold with such intricate and stunning design that everytime she moves, the light hits it differently, and Lavender marvels at her best friend's embroidery skills.

Lavender nearly chokes on her tea when Padma turns her hair to the right, her large gold earrings swaying and glittering in the light, and the sunlight falls on her, turning her smoothly curled hair a lovely shade of espresso.

She swallows, pressing her fingers to her lips to make sure nothing embarrassing comes out, and reminds herself that it's entirely inappropriate for her to kiss the elegant arch of her brown neck, exactly on her pulse–point.

Merlin and Morgana, Lavender is absolutely hopelessly in love with Padma.

"Lavender," Padma says and Lavender's eyes immediately snap to hers, rather than the gorgeous henna design that is so much more beautiful than any lace gloves and tells herself firmly that she cannot kiss it. "Isn't it lovely?"

"Yes, you are lovely," Lavender instantly agrees before her face goes red. "I– I mean–"

Padma giggles, her dark skin flushing darker much to Lavender's mortification because Padma looks even more delectable, and Lavender almost swallows her tongue. Padma covers her lower face with a fan that matches her lehenga, though it does nothing to hide the sparkle of her eyes.

Lavender pulls her thick French braid over her shoulder, tugging absentmindedly at her blonde tresses. She takes a deep breath, the thick spices in the air making her head light, and clears her throat. "I meant that yes, your apprenticeship with Madame Isha is wonderful," she enunciates.

Thick black lashes flutter and Padma waves her fan over her face lightly. Lavender doesn't get the chance to continue, hopefully to clear her blunder before she can ruin her friendship, when their server comes out. He winks roguishly at them as he spreads their food out. "Food for the beautiful ladies."

Padma murmurs a thanks, her cheeks still flushed. Lavender eats her spiced biscuits slowly, interspaced with sips of tea, and thinks. She always enjoyed her outings with Padma, hearing how she was doing despite the fact that they chatted with each other every single day.

"I have something for you," she says instead, taking a slow, ponderous sip of her tea. "You don't have to accept it, of course, but I would like to show it to you—"

"Lav, you're rambling," Padma says softly, brow creased. "Of course I'd like to see it. What has you so anxious?"

Lavender rubs her hands over the silk she's seated upon, tracing the beautiful designs with her eyes. The beauty of the contrasting reds and oranges and browns still pale in comparison to Padma. "You'll understand when I show you," Lavender answers eventually, stirring her tea distractedly.

They finish their food is a gentle silence, swerving around the obvious nervousness Lavender is showing. She insists on paying for their food and walks out of the restaurant with butterflies fluttering throughout her entire body.

Her scars from Greyback's attack in her 6th year shine very obviously on her arms, and she can only imagine how they look on her neck and face. Lavender sighs and rolls her shoulders, making her way to the floral shop.

Padma falls into step beside her, following her as Lavender tries to rationalize her actions, how she'll react if Padma refuses her affections—obviously she'd be crushed, but she doesn't want to lose Padma's friendship. It means far too much to her.

She enters Mystical Flora & Fauna and the air is thick with the scent of flowers and the fresh scent of water. Lavender walks through slowly, picking through the freshly prepared bouquets of flowers. She had spent months gathering her nerve to order the bouquet and even longer to choose which flowers she wanted. She finds her pre–paid bouquet and walks back out, smiling nervously at Padma who is standing in the exact spot that she had been in when Lavender went in.

Her eyes drop to the bouquet and she slowly takes it into her hands. Padma rubs the petals between her fingers slowly, eyes slowly trailing from flower to flower, and Lavender knows that she is deciphering what the bouquet means. They'd learned Floriography in 5th year, giggling and laughing about how they'd give a most romantic bouquet to the people who held their affections.

Brown fingers brush over the Alstroemeria and Freesias in the center, slowly drifting out to the Orchids and Red Roses, and then to the Chrysanthemums, Amaryllis, and Dahlias. It's a striking bouquet, a bit loud and chaotic—much like Lavender when she's not oppressed by anxiety—and expresses the love she feels for Padma.

"You don't have to accept it," Lavender blurts out, anxious and red at how silent and blank Padma is. "Well— you don't have to accept me is what I mean and I'll back off and I won't mention it again but I do really want to keep your friendship because you're my best friend first and foremost—"

Padma raises her hand, her index finger up, and Lavender's mouth clicks shut audibly. She fidgets, rubbing her fingers together, and holds her shoulders tightly.

Finally, after what could have been 10 seconds or 10 months, Padma smiles. It's a bright, radiant smile that lights up her entire face, forcefully robbing Lavender of oxygen. Not that she actually needs it in the face of that smile. She'd much prefer Padma smiling and happy than breathing.

Padma takes a few steps forward so that the bouquet brushes Lavender's bosom and whispers, "I love you too, Lav," before kissing her.

Lavender's heart takes flight in her chest.

Alstroemeria - friendship, you are beloved

Freesia - trust, friendship, perseverance

Orchids - thoughtfulness, warmth, strength

Chrysanthemums - love, deep passion, loyalty

Amaryllis - standing above all others, strength

Dahlias - dignity, elegance, deep love