Quality time

Lavender walked hand in hand with Hester out into the grounds, taking no notice of people watching them as they went. People could can think what they want. She headed towards the forest, pulling the red head along with her.

"Isn't it a beautiful day?" Lavender asked with a grin before spinning them round, her face looking towards the heavens. The sun was hot on her face, though she didn't mind, she loved being able to get a tan. "Almost as beautiful as you," Her grin grew wider, as they continued to walk. She kissed Hester's cheek once, then twice, then three times. Kissing the red head had become a hobby almost. Hester's red hair was shining so brightly in the sun light Lavender was sure she'd be blinded.

Hester blushed, but not from embarrassment, just from, well, from the compliment.

"Thanks," she said softly, wondering how Lavender saw her the way she did. "But I'm not as beautiful as you," she said.

She kissed Lavender on the cheek when the other girl had done kissing her, and then she smiled at her.

"Where to?" she asked, holding Lavender's hand tightly. She never wanted to let go. Never, ever.

Lavender stifled a laugh as Hester blushed, the red head was so cute.

"Nooooo, you are much more beautiful!" She stuck her tongue out at the other girl playfully. Though, Lavender felt very strongly that she wasn't at all pretty, she'd never been pretty at any point in her life. Now Hester, she was a beauty. Lavender allowed these thoughts to leave as Hester kissed her cheek. "Hmm, how about that way," She pointed at the forest, only to glance down at their hands when Hester's grip tightened slightly. Lavender liked that.

"Yeah," said Hester, a little wary seeing as they had got into so much trouble the last time, but willing to do anything for Lavender.

"Oh," she said, remembering something. "I was down here the other day, there's a clearing just inside the forest, like literally just inside the trees. Want to go there?"

Lavender noted Hester's anxiety and slowed her pace a little. The red head needed to let go and have a little fun sometimes, though she was doing a good job of that already. Being in trouble more times than Lavender had for example

"Really? Sure," She grinned and allowed Hester to step into pace with her. "Lead the way," Lavender gestured with her free arm.

Hester grinned and led Lavender to the clearing where she had stumbled across that idiot, Korsten. She was glad that he wasn't here this time; that would have been awkward. But no, the clearing was exactly as she had hoped it would be. It was empty, the rocks were dry, the sun shone through the branches of the trees leaving a dappled pattern on the dusty floor and there were some pretty wild flowers scattered here and there.

"Here we are," she said, watching Lavender's face.

Lavender stared around them, the place was perfect. The two of them could sit here for hours and just exist, together. That was a perfect life in Lavender's opinion. A grin grew on her face as she turned to look at Hester, who was watching her intently.

"It - it's amazing," She laughed with happiness and hugged Hester tightly, lifting her off the ground slightly. When she put the red head down Lavender stared into her eyes, nothing could ruin this. Nothing could ruin their time together. Without another word Lavender kissed Hester, though it was different this time. More urgent. She didn't want to let the girl go. The floor was hard as the two of them sat, still kissing. They would have gone longer if they didn't need to breathe, so Lavender pulled back reluctantly and smiled at Hester.

"Wow," Hester breathed. She didn't know what else to say. She ran her hand through Lavender's hair and then down the girl's back before staring up and the partially obscured sky.

She smiled at Lavender, glad that she was there beside her. Just glad that she was in her life.

Lavender shivered as Hester's hand went through her hair, it just made her want the red head even more. She grinned when Hester spoke, though it wasn't very much.

"You're not a bad kisser you know, in case you worry about it," Lavender knew it was very random, and didn't want Hester to get embarrassed so she lay down on her back and looked up at the sky. Well, what she could see of the sky. Running a hand up and down the other girls thigh slowly.

Hester blushed.

"You're the only person I've kissed," she admitted shyly. "I'd never even thought about kissing anyone else before."

She shivered when she felt Lavender's hand, her whole body going rigid. She was unsure how to react or what to do and she was scared by the speed of their relationship.

Lavender let her hand fall from Hester's thigh as she noticed the girl stiffen slightly.

"You haven't? I feel honored," She smiled at the red head before gazing up at the sky through the trees. "I've only kissed one other person," Lavender tilted her head from side to side to try and place her eyes in shadow of the trees and not pure sunlight. She kept her hands away from Hester for a while, it wasn't difficult to see that the red head found it a bit difficult. More difficult than she found it.

Hester tried to smile back but she couldn't. She reached into her pocket to feel Atlas and Leo, their presence comforting her. She was so good at pushing people away. She was so good at making everything worse. If she could just keep her mouth shut and go with whatever was happening then people would be happier. Perhaps even she would be happier.

Lavender didn't have to be looking at Hester to tell the other girl wasn't happy. It was as if Hester was distancing herself, backing up and undoing everything they had been through. Lavender wasn't about to let that happen.

"Hey, it's okay. I am here, for you," She sat up quickly, pointing at the red head. "For you. I'm not going anywhere," Lavender shook her head, scooting closer to the other girl and wrapped her arms round her. "But, if you want me to go, I'll go," She took her arms away and held them out as if surrendering.