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there's a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you
✲
Coldness swept through her body as the water engulfed her. Her panic washed away in an instant as she swam back to the surface. She spat out the water from her mouth, and rubbed her eyes.
"Sirius Black, you are an arse," Celeste shouted, not bothering to hide her laughter. She extended an arm towards him. "Help me out!"
Sirius grinned and took her hand, only for Celeste to quickly yank him into the lake.
A downpour of water came crashing down on her from the large splash. She tried to duck and cover her face when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist from behind.
Celeste gasped when Sirius pulled her in close to his chest. "You're evil, woman."
"You pushed me in, it's only fair."
He chuckled. "You drive me crazy."
Celeste was suddenly very aware of how close they were. Her back was entirely pressed to his bare chest. His chin was right above her ear. She swallowed nervously.
"Are you alright?" he whispered, breath against her neck.
She exhaled quietly. "I'm fine," she replied. Then she grinned, as an idea formed in her head. She broke free from his arms and turned, pushing a wave of water towards him.
Sirius yelped and ducked, eyes narrowing when he spotted Celeste's triumphant smirk. "Oh, you're in for it now," he warned.
Her smile dropped in an instant.
The two splashed and shoved water at each other, shouting and laughing until they grew weary. Sirius ducked the last wave, and they stood in the water facing each other, breathless and flushed. He looked at her, and was stunned by her beauty, like he always had been. Despite her drenched and tangled hair, or her ruined dress, he could've looked at her for eternity. Because when he looked at her, he could see the aura of elegance she carried, how she could so easily command the attention of a room, and the way her eyes shone far brighter than any star he knew. He could picture the way she laughed, and the way she rolled her eyes. He could picture the little things that annoyed her. He could recite every interaction they ever had.
Celeste looked at him, feeling her familiar twist in her heart. And then she knew, that no matter how her heart longed for him, she could never have him. Not truly. Not in this lifetime. But her heart would still betray herself, no matter the divide. When she looked at this boy, she could always see past his bluff, and find solace in his stormy eyes that seemed so intimidating yet so welcoming. She would see his selflessness, concern, and nerve. But most of all, she found that she simply adored him, not just infatuation, but a sense of undying devotion.
They could both feel it. An invisible golden thread that tied them together, whether it was by fate or curse.
The sun had long set below the horizon. Long shadows cast across the waters. The first glimpse of stars were already brushing the sky. Dinner was probably over.
Celeste looked away, starting to shiver. "We should probably get back now." She was always the one to back away, and give in to her fears.
Sirius glanced down, disappointed. "Yeah. Yeah, we should."
But neither made the first move out of the lake. They stood there, still, in gentle silence.
"Celeste," Sirius finally said, his voice hardly above a whisper.
"Sirius," she answered, echoing his tone.
With a single look, she knew what he was telling her. A simple gaze that made her walls come crumbling down without a nudge. Celeste closed her eyes, and in an instant, they were kissing.
His hands were on the sides of her face, and she was tangling her own in his damp hair. She was pressed impossibly close to him, positive that her lips were going to be swollen the next day.
Celeste groaned, lolling her head backwards, exposing her neck to him. His lips were on it in an instant, kissing his way up until they found her lips again. Their foreheads touched, noses brushing and breath hot on each other.
Butterflies swam in her stomach. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and his arms found their way back around her waist.
