Closed Putting a Label on It

[Sia Tofilau]

Sia's first two years at uni had been a lot. She'd been so excited to be off on her own studying and hanging out with friends and just generally being a 'Real Adult' away from her family (though Sully's lingering magical stuff always seemed to intrude on her life even when she was away from him too). And it had been fun, but also terrifying and exhausting in equal measures. With the end of her second year coming up though, Sia liked to think she'd mostly gotten the hang of things, and one that had definitely helped with all that had been October.

Sia wasn't sure what she could call things between her an October beyond a lifeline, but she wasn't going to question it. She didn't think she could get through a day without texting the other girl, complaining about assignments or her roommate not doing their dishes, and definitely couldn't last the week without meeting up to grab a coffee or just lay around her flat, as they were right now. Sia had been flipping idly through Netflix, October's head resting on her lap while Sia gently playing with October's hair. Labels or not, having October around kept Sia at an equilibrium, though the more she thought about it, the more strange it was that she didn't have a name for it. "Hey, wait. Are we dating?" She asked suddenly, glancing down at October's face below her curiously.

 

[October Alcott]

Leaving the magical world had been a spite decision, there was no question about that, but the more removed she got from that life, the more October was also certain that it had been the right decision. Reinventing herself hadn't quite gone the way she had planned, it was impossible to leave behind the dorkiness that felt... built into her bones, but the more time she spent making new friends, settling into her new life, the more she felt like that... didn't really matter. She had found a world unlike Hogwarts, where she didn't feel like her dorkiness and humiliations were following her at every turn.

And she had found Sia. That was really when things had started to click, a party October almost hadn't even gone to. She couldn't imagine how different her life would be if she had stayed home that night, how miserable she would be without the companionship they had shared for the last year. Sia understood her, better than anyone ever had before. And the more clear that became, the more scared October got. Though her wand mostly lived unused in her desk drawers, magic would always be a part of October's past, more importantly her family. What would happen if the time came to tell her? How could she expect Sia to see her the same after hiding something so huge for so long? Even Sia's gentle fingers in her hair couldn't chase the worries from October's mind, as nice as they were. The only thing that rattled her out of her thoughts was a question October had been half wanting, half dreading for what felt like forever. And Sia had just... said it. She tensed at once and looked up at Sia, mouth opening and closing for a moment as she tried to find the words. "We're... I mean... are we?" She asked slowly, searching Sia's face for answers. She knew how she felt about the other woman clear as day, but putting a title on this gave it weight October didn't know how to balance yet. She knew she would never say no though, never in a million years.

 

[Sia Tofilau]

Sia couldn't help but snort at October's response, though she knew this wasn't really a joking matter. "Well, I text you like, every day. I'm grumpy if I don't get to see you stunning face regularly. I'm not really interested in seeing other people either, sooo-" Sia counted off on her fingers, tilting her head side to side before shrugging, smiling wanly to cover up the nest of nerves and giddy excitement she was feeling all tangled up at once with the realization. Sia's dating in the past had all been pretty casual and juvenile, about as subtle as hollering at someone that she liked them and they should go out before eventually agreeing dating each other had run its course and calling it off a few weeks or months later. But this was different, this was real, adult dating, with a girl who made Sia's heart leap when she saw her face. "I mean, I feel like at this point if we're not dating we're both doing some seriously wrong, right?" She commented, brushing her fingers ever so softly across October's cheek, her bravado giving away to something more vulnerable as she met October's eye.

 

[October Alcott]

October stared up at Sia, grinning and dissolving to soft giggles as she ticked off the reasons this was more than a casual fling. She was right, though that did nothing to assuage the butterflies in October's stomach. "Okay, same." She agreed, smiling warmly. It would be silly to pretend this wasn't what it was. October had never felt the way she did with Sia. Her relationship with Tristan had been.... almost combative, the two of them competing to be the best at everything they did, even as they were in love. Or... she had been in love, at least. By now, October was certain Tristan had never felt that way about her. She had just been a trophy to him. But Sia saw her, for who she was, and liked her. Now that she knew what this was supposed to feel like, she didn't know how she would get on without her. "You're definitely right." She agreed, sitting up with a nervous grin. "So, girlfriends?"

 

[Sia Tofilau]

Sia felt a burst of butterflies when October smiled, relieved she felt the same. She let out a small stream of giggles, unable to continue the giddy feeling and basking in the warmth of having October with her. She was a little disappointed when October sat up, enjoying having her in her lap, but now she was in kissing range, which made it a lot easier for Sia to reach over and brush another hand gently over October's face. "Girlfriends," She said with some officially solemnity before another burst of giggles came back. She knew she'd had nothing to fear, not really, there was no way the two of them weren't dating, but still some part of her felt silly needing to ask, as if putting a name to it would make the whole thing disappear. Or that she was just being a kid for needing the clarity. But now that they'd agreed, Sia was overcome with that bubbly, giddy feeling, unable to resting leaning in, brushing her nose against October's. Against her girlfriend's. "Everyone's gonna be so jealous of my crazy hot girlfriend now," She murmured, still grinning dopily.

 

[October Alcott]

October had never been all that much of a giggler, but something about Sia's laugh was so infectious that she found herself giggling too, feeling altogether like a silly thirteen year old with her first crush. There was something so special about how Sia made her feel, young and goofy, without the weight of responsibility that had crushed her for her entire life. "Um, speak for yourself." She teased fondly, giving Sia a soft peck on the lips, barely having to move for how close they were. "Super gorgeous smart babe." With Sia so close it was so easy to forget her worries about telling her everything. Who cared about the future when the present was so perfect?