Green-Eyed | Violentine

Part Forty-Seven | Sunrise (Finale)

TWO MONTHS LATER

It's quiet that late August morning.

Clementine looks out onto the horizon, her attention captured by the way the sun is bleeding colours into the early morning sky, and the abundance of bright light that floods her vision. She smiles to herself as a gentle breeze whistles through her hair.

Turning her gaze to look behind her, the brunette moves her hands through the waters below her paddleboard, smiling as she focuses on Violet who's lying on her own board a few meters away. The waves beneath Clementine's fingers ripple with the rolling current, and the scent of salt is strong on the sea breeze.

Clementine picks up her oar from the front of the board and moves the stick through the water as she manoeuvres the paddleboard towards the strip of white sand on the beachfront. She moves through the water with more confidence than the last time she visited Virginia Beach, having spent the best part of the week out on the waters.

As she nears Violet she finds herself smiling, she sets her gaze on the older girl and slows her strokes until she's simply being carried by the current. Laying the oar across the front of the board she tilts her head and smiles in contentment.

Violet is laying on her back on her paddleboard. Her eyes are closed under the heat of the rising sun, her bangs are feathered across her face and falling over her closed lids as she peacefully rests. Clementine traces her eyes along the contours Violet's body, taking in the tight fit of her bathing suit, the way the fabric is faded where the warmth of the day has dried the water, the gentle jut of Violet's hip bones, and the smile that plays on her face.

One hand is lazily draped over her stomach while Violet's other hand is lying in the ocean, her fingers dancing beneath the surface of the azure. Her digits quirk occasionally as if an entrancing melody is playing in her mind, captivating her attention and filling her with joy.

Clementine smiles to herself as she draws even closer. As the current carries her nearer she holds her breath and lets a smirk tug at the corner of her mouth, moving the oar one final time through the water, bracing herself as she prepares for her board to crash into Violet's.

The two boards meet each other with a small bump, with delicate waves ricocheting around them with the aftermath. Violet's eyes open and she grabs onto the board in alarm, attempting to steady herself as she frowns at Clementine.

"Clem," she groans as she pulls herself into a seated position, "of course you couldn't resist being a pain in the ass."

Clementine smiles in response and leans over to Violet's side, steadying herself by lacing her fingers through her girlfriend's flaxen hair. "sorry, I couldn't resist," she says with joy as she presses her mouth against Violet's, before quickly pulling away to gauge her reaction.

"It's a good job I love you," says Violet in reply as she returns Clementine's kiss.

Clementine pulls away as she begins to wobble on her board, settling on her knees as she glances at the rising sun, now full in the sky like a golden orb illuminating the empty beach. "Thank you for arranging this Vi," mumbles Clementine as she looks over her shoulder at Violet. "I know I've said it a lot this holiday, but I really am very grateful."

"It was no bother," states Violet as she meets Clementine's gaze for a moment before also looking out at the never-ending sea. "Louis was eager to do something for us after all the shit that happened last term with Minerva, and this place is empty till later in the year. So, it wasn't too tall an ask when I raised the question of the two of us coming out here together, alone this time."

"I'm really glad you thought of this for us," replies Clementine as she tightens her grip on the board whilst a wave threatens to topple her balance. "I have so many good memories here," she mutters wistfully into the sea breeze. "And all of them with you."