Blue Skies

Why did she always do this?

Actually, she was proud of herself in the way. She learnt to be herself again and part of that was just not thinking things through properly. Lavender had known from early on in her life that all her instincts were haywire. She had always thrown herself into everything without a backwards glance. It caused all kinds of trouble throughout the years, it fueled her desires to stay at Hogwarts during the war. It made her kiss Parvati first and clumsily came out to her parents both which turned out terribly in the end.

Today she had brought a blank space to start her gallery. It was just an empty lot, hopefully ready to become something beautiful. She had no idea what it took to run a gallery. She guessed that she would probably have to work it out as she went.

“He never said he’s gay or bi! Why not?” 

Seamus often starts conversations like they’ve already been in the middle of it. It was up to Lavender to catch his train of thought. Seamus had just come through the door, back from his coffee ‘date’ with Michael so at least this time it wasn’t rocket science. Lavender thought there were probably lots of reasons that people hide their sexuality or at least don’t advertise it.

“Seamus, I think you forget how lucky we are, do you remember our coming outs?” she asked.

“It’s hard to forget,”

They didn’t often bring up their coming outs to each other. It was a rather embarrassing story that ended up with them in bed together naked as teenagers. They tried to have sex before deciding that it’s not something they really wanted. It just seemed a good idea at the time. Something Lavender hadn’t really thought through until she was suddenly confessing her feelings for Parvati to Seamus. Seamus quickly fired back with his harbored thoughts that Lee Jordan was really hot. It was a weird experience that really cemented they were meant to be best friends instead.

“The point that I’m making is that we had each other, someone who shared those feelings. Maybe Michael doesn’t have that. Perhaps he’s not there yet. We’ve known who we are for a long time but not everyone figures things out so early,”

“Shit, why are you always right?” 

“I think you need to wait for him a bit longer. Perhaps he didn’t want to announce his sexuality over coffee after not seeing you since Hogwarts,”

“At least he doesn’t have a beautiful fiance, he did say he’s single.”

“That’s a good sign then, apart from not getting an instant declaration of love from him. It sounds pretty positive,”

“Actually, it really was,”  Seamus said thoughtfully. 

Lavender knew for certain that there were feelings still there on Seamus’ part. It could prove to be really good or a disaster. To her knowledge, Michael didn’t live around here. Neither did Oliver and that seemed to be dead in the water already. She was aware that she was slightly projecting her issues onto Seamus’ new potential situationship. 

“Oliver hasn't arranged another date so I bought a gallery,” She announced before Seamus could get another word about Michael.She was unable to keep her own news in for much longer.

“You could have called him instead you went off the deep end with your independent women routine!” Seamus laughed. 

She could have but that would have been way too sensible for her. The lack of communication had been the problem with Oliver last time but she wasn’t willing enough to put herself out there more than she had already. He had something to work out himself and maybe he wouldn’t ever be ready to deal or share it. She can’t take responsibility for that. She desperately needed to get over it though. It was a little bit of a problem. Nothing that two more weeks of sulking wouldn’t fix eventually. At least she knew that she was still capable of feeling something meaningful again. That's positive.

“I know but It’s probably the push that I needed so something good has come out of the date.”

“You’re truly unhinged sometimes,”

“Unhinged and independent. I like that.”

At that moment an owl came through the window with a heavy package attached to it. The owl looked like it was going to need a rest now. Lavender could see it was a magazine that the owl had brought her. There was a note attached to it.

“I thought you might like to see this. I’m sorry for not getting in contact. Please think about meeting me for coffee and giving me another chance? - O’

The fact that she was not horrified by this was a bad sign. She felt almost cross with herself for not being more mad with Oliver. She browsed the magazine as she mulled over the situation in her mind a little. Seamus had already reached across to grab the note. She skimmed the interview with Oliver. He mentioned her. 

‘He is known for his passion on the pitch but it became clear that art is another passion of this mystery man. Oliver credits working with a talented art specialist to bring more personality to his new surroundings.’

She bloody knew it. She was going to call him but she was going to wait at least 12 hours before giving him a response. She could do that. 

*

She had picked one of her favourite places. She needed a little slice of the familiarity considering she didn’t quite know what Oliver wanted. She needed the cute little napkins that she loved. They were slightly too fancy for the cafe with gold outlines around the edges. They were so pretty. Oliver entered the moment she looked up from the napkin. She felt herself scrunch the napkin up slightly in his presence. 

He looked good. 

So fucking good. 

Oliver sat down next to her and mustered a smile. He seemed nervous to Lavender but perhaps that was her just hoping. She shifted a little in her seat as Oliver smoothly ordered them both coffees. Just how Lavender liked hers. 

“The shoot looked amazing,” She said to break the silence between them. They had been staring at each other for a few moments too long. She shouldn’t have to break the silence. He came to talk to her but she always needed to fill silences. Why? 

He came to a different country to talk to her. He must have something to say. 

“I’ve always been told my left side is the best.” he replied with a little smile. 

He always had a little word or quip. She wanted to giggle because she hadn’t said anything about his looks at all. She liked that about him, like a little cheeky but in a confident way although definitely more than meets the eye. She knew that from their time in Rome.  

“Both look good to me,”

“I guess I wanted to meet up because I wanted to see you again but I realise I have some making up to do for my absence,”

“Keep talking...” 

It was the only thing she could think to say. Whatever he had to say next wasn’t going to be easy. She knew that. They had somehow gotten themselves into something deep without even truly knowing it but she could feel it. 

“I didn’t contact you after the date because I’m a mess. I don’t know if I’m ready to let someone in properly but you know that you’re impossible not to like right?”

“I don’t know, I always thought I was a bit more Marmite,”

“Not to me, I truly like all but I’m scared. However  I think I really want you in my life, am I being too much?”

It wasn’t perfect but it was vulnerable and sweet. Her next words escaped her words before she had any time to think about it. It was so natural to her. 

“Way too much but I’m still here. I'm in for whatever this turns out to be, if that’s what you want too?” 

She was truly mad but she knew that she wasn’t prepared to let him pass her by. She spent too much of her life recently letting the world just go on without her. Perhaps she was more ready than she thought to throw herself into something new.

”So we’re ready to take a chance on us?”

“I think so and if you ever think you’re too much then I bought a gallery because you ignored me,”

He laughed. His laugh was warm and genuine. She laughed at herself too. Everything was too much and just so funny. They laughed so much that the waitress gave them a weird look as she brought along the two coffees. It broke the intensity of their conversation into something light.

“I do have something else important to tell you though,” he said but his tone stern but his eyes still danced with amusement, “I don’t like coffee that much, I drink tea,”

It seems like nothing wasn’t going to run quite smoothly with them. Lavender slapped him playfully on the arm and felt the electric all the way up her arm. She had made the right decision today.

“Hi, I think we’re going to need some English breakfast tea for this man,” she said loudly once she had accosted a passing waitress. 

*

Lavender had deliberately picked that cafe for another reason too. It was pretty close to the gallery space that she had chosen. She thought either way the meet up went then she would want to visit the gallery after. She hadn’t planned to bring Oliver along but here they were. 

“You have to use your imagination a bit,” she stated as she unlocked the door, “this wall really does get fabulous light in the full daylight.”

“I bet it does,” he commented lightly. 

She rambled on. She could tell from the corner of her eye that he was watching her with an unwavering attention. Her gestures become wild as she suggestsa where temporary walls could be erected depending on the exhibition. She felt her excitement grow as the future became clearer in her mind. 

They were laid on the floor together finally just admiring the empty space which now held her dreams in. Lavender felt elated.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered next to her, “this is one of the many reasons that I want to be here because you’re unbelievable. Your passion and drive is intoxicating,”

He leant towards her and his lips found hers instantly. She responded instantly. Like a moth to a flame. She wasn’t sure how long they stayed there for. The fact that she has ushered him into the back room away from anyone else's eyes. He was hers. She melted against him but felt a jolt as his hands found her face cupping it as they kissed. His hand brushed her neck and she felt her scars carved into her skin more clearly than ever. 

“Not there,” she muttered between heavy breaths.

“Okay,” he breathed back, “Show me where,”

Lavender guided him away to the perfect spot. They didn’t need to speak any further. He knew what to do. They were so in sync as they continued that it seemed like they just fitted together. It wasn’t long until Lavender was able to let herself be undone completely. The bodies were meant for each other. 

“Why didn’t you want me touching your neck?” he asked, “I know you’ve got scars, I don’t care about them,”

 Lavender sensed that question was coming as the ecstasy died down. She knew he would be dying to know. She shifted slightly uncomfortably next to him. She didn’t really know what to say because she wasn’t sure why the act of touching her neck had felt too much, too soon. She had learnt to wear her scars well by now but letting someone else feel their roughness was too intimate. It made little sense.

“Is that what you call pillow talk?” she teased instead.

“We’re missing the pillows,” he commented “but I see you’re not ready to talk about this yet and that’s alright,”

She was speechless at his response but they both obviously had things to say that would still be left unsaid for at least a little while longer.