SUN & MOON

They woke early that morning, sunlight gently streaming through the curtains as they prepared for brunch. Luna brought him his coffee, the steam rising delicately from the cup. He lay there in bed, bare and exposed, his body relaxed in the early light, offering himself entirely to her without words. There was an intimacy in the quiet moments between them, in the way he trusted her presence—comfortable, unguarded. She smiled softly, her gaze lingering on him before placing the cup on the nightstand, savoring the quiet before the day began. 

Sensing his desire, she leaned in closer to him, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. As their tongues intertwined, she let out a soft moan, her body pressing against his.

His hands roamed over her body, exploring every inch of her curves and teasing her nipples through the fabric of her lingerie. She arched her back, her breath hitching as his fingers pinched and twisted her nipples, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her body.

With a wicked smile, he stood up and pulled her to her feet, his hands gripping her ass as he guided her over to the plush armchair. He sat down, pulling her onto his lap and spreading her legs wide open, exposing her dripping wet pussy to his gaze.

She let out a soft gasp as his fingers traced the outline of her soft and wet lips, teasing her and making her crave more. She rocked her hips, grinding her pussy against his fingers as he slipped them inside her, fucking her slowly and deeply.

His other hand reached around, slapping her ass hard and making her yelp with pleasure. He continued to spank her, leaving red handprints on her pale skin as he fucked her with his fingers.

She moaned and writhed, her body on fire with pleasure as he brought her closer and closer to the edge. Just as she was about to cum, he pulled his fingers out of her cunt and stood up, his giant cock springing free from his pants.

Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of his massive cock, her pussy growing even wetter at the thought of having it inside her. Theo grinned, positioning himself at the entrance to her pussy and slowly pushing inside.

She let out a long, low moan as his cock filled her, stretching her to her limits and making her pussy throb with pleasure. He began to fuck her, thrusting deep and hard as she cried out with each stroke.

As they made love, he reached up and pinched her nipples again, twisting and pulling them as she begged for more. He spanked her ass, leaving it red and sore as he drove into her harder and faster.

She could feel herself on the brink of orgasm, her body trembling with pleasure as he fucked her with everything he had. With a final, desperate cry, she came, her pussy clenching around his cock as wave after wave of pleasure washed over her.

He followed soon after, his cock twitching and pulsing as he filled her cunt with his hot, sticky cum. They collapsed together, spent and satisfied, their bodies entwined as they caught their breath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Who's on the guest list today?" Hermione inquired, a hint of nervousness lingering in her voice despite her poised demeanor.

Ginny scanned the opulent room, her fiery hair catching the sunlight. "The usual suspects, really. Harry and Cho are supposed to be here already, and Luna and Theo mentioned they'd make an appearance."

A genuine smile broke across Hermione's face. "It'll be good to catch up with Harry and Cho too."

"They'll be here any minute," Ginny confirmed, glancing at her watch. "Theo mentioned a slight delay, but Luna's fashionably early as always."

Draco's gaze swept the room, his usual stoicism replaced by a relaxed curiosity. "It's good to see some familiar faces again."

Hermione offered a small smile, smoothing the emerald folds of her dress. "Indeed. It has been a while."

Ginny's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "Don't worry, Hermione. They'll be thrilled to see you. And seeing you two together...well, let's just say it'll be the highlight of their day."

The air crackled with unspoken anticipation. Hermione and Draco exchanged a silent glance, a silent promise of support hanging between them. 

As if on cue, Luna's voice echoed through the grand room, all eyes turned toward her. She was a breath of fresh air in the opulent space, her whimsical energy contrasting the formality of the gathering. The signature radish earrings swayed playfully with each step, catching the light as she made her way toward the group. Her smile was infectious, immediately lifting the atmosphere, and her ethereal presence seemed to fill the room with warmth.

"Hello, everyone!" she repeated, her voice like a song, bringing an instant lightness to the group. Her eyes sparkled with her usual carefree charm, as if the world outside held no weight against the joy she carried within.

Hermione, who had been feeling a nervous flutter in her chest just moments before, relaxed at the sight of her friend. "Babe," she greeted warmly, rising from her seat and moving to embrace her. The tension that had subtly hung in the air now melted away with her arrival.

Luna hugged her back with an exuberance that could only be hers. "Mimi! I've missed you. You look radiant, just like a moonlit forest."

Hermione chuckled at her typical but endearing oddness. "Thank you, babe. It's wonderful to see you too."

Theo strolled in behind her, a relaxed smile tugging at his lips as he scanned the room. His eyes briefly met Draco's in a wordless exchange before he turned his attention to the others.

"Apologies for the delay, everyone," Theo remarked casually, his deep voice laced with a hint of amusement. "Luna had me wrapped up in something important." His tone was light, but there was a knowing glance exchanged between him and Draco—unspoken truths understood by the few who knew them well.

"By 'important,' I assume you mean something quirky and delightful," Ginny teased with a grin, her fiery hair catching the sunlight as she moved to greet Luna and Theo.

"Naturally," she replied with a cheeky smile, "but I'll save the details for later."

Following close behind was Harry, his familiar scar hidden beneath a shock of messy black hair. Cho Chang, her raven hair cascading down her back, walked beside him, a shy smile gracing her lips.

Relief washed over Hermione as she saw her friends. Pushing away the remnants of her nervousness, she rose to greet them with a genuine smile. Harry, his face lighting up with warmth, pulled her into a tight hug. Years might have passed, adventures shared and scars earned, but the comfort of their friendship remained undimmed. 

"Hermione!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine joy. "It's been too long."

"Harry," she replied, squeezing him back just as tightly. "Too long indeed. It's wonderful to see you."

Draco watched the interaction with a flicker of something akin to approval in his eyes. He straightened in his chair as Harry turned towards him, extending a hand. "Draco," Harry greeted with a nod, his voice devoid of animosity.

Draco met his handshake firmly. "Potter," he acknowledged, his tone neutral.

A smile broke across Luna's face. "Lovely to see you all together!" she declared, her voice brimming with her usual brand of whimsical cheer. "Now, who wants to hear about the Wrackspurts I found nesting in my attic?"

Laughter filled the air as everyone found their seats around the table. The tension that had hung heavy earlier began to dissipate, replaced by the comforting warmth of camaraderie. Stories flowed easily, punctuated by bursts of laughter and reminiscing. Hermione, nestled comfortably next to Draco, found herself relaxing, the initial apprehension replaced by a quiet contentment. Surrounded by loved ones, both old and new, she felt a spark of hope for the future flicker within her.

Hermione's apprehension melted away with each passing moment. Laughter filled the air, punctuated by the clinking of silverware and lively conversation. Glancing at Draco, she found him engaged in a surprisingly animated discussion with Harry and Theo, a genuine smile warming his features. 

An unfamiliar flicker of something akin to pride sparked within her.

Across the table, Theo, ever the jester, broke the comfortable silence. "Ah, so the eagle's nest, the lion's cave opening, and the snake's den, all gathered under one roof, huh?" he remarked, a playful glint in his eyes.

Draco chuckled, a sound rarely heard these days. "Looks like we've almost got all the Hogwarts houses covered, wouldn't you say, Potter?"

Harry, ever the Gryffindor, met Draco's gaze with a hint of amusement. "Just missing a loyal Hufflepuff, Malfoy."

A small smile tugged at Hermione's lips. "Perhaps next time," she chimed in, the playful banter warming her heart.

Ginny, ever the peacemaker and bridge between their worlds, interjected with a warm smile. "It's good to see all of you together like this. A Hogwarts reunion, in a way, wouldn't you say?"

Theo raised his glass, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "To Hogwarts, surviving the trials it threw our way, and to the unlikely friendships forged in the flames!"

The friends, united by a shared history and a bond forged in the crucible of war, clinked their glasses in a toast. The sound echoed through the opulent room, a testament to the enduring power of friendship, love, and the unexpected connections that bloom even in the most unlikely places.

Maybe things weren't perfect, but they were getting there. And for now, that was enough.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They lingered after the others had left, the soft clinking of plates and the distant hum of conversation still echoing in the air. The late afternoon sun filtered through the windows, casting warm, golden hues over the room as Luna and Ginny worked to clear the remnants of the brunch. Ginny wiped down the table while she levitated a few dishes toward the sink, her movements graceful and effortless.

"I'm so happy that Harry and Cho could come too," she said, breaking the peaceful silence, her voice light and cheerful as she floated another dish into the air.

Ginny paused, glancing toward the doorway where Harry and Cho had exited not long ago. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, it was so good to see them in person for once, not just sending letters back and forth."

She tilted her head, her eyes soft with curiosity. "Isn't it awkward, though? Between the two of you, I mean?"

Ginny let out a light chuckle, shaking her head as she stacked a few plates. "Between us? Oh, no. We didn't date that long. Besides, it feels like a lifetime ago now." She gave a shrug, her tone easy and sincere. "Harry's family at this point. We've been through too much together for things to be awkward."

Luna smiled, floating over to help. "It must be nice, having that kind of bond. The kind that doesn't fade, no matter what."

Ginny glanced at her with a soft, knowing smile. "It is. And in a way, I think it's the same for all of us who went through the war. We're all tied together, even if our paths go different ways." She paused, her eyes softening with thought. "Things change, but that connection? It doesn't go away."

She nodded thoughtfully, her expression serene as she finished clearing the last of the plates. "You're right. It's like the roots of a tree—no matter how far the branches grow, they're still connected to the same foundation."

Ginny smiled at the analogy, wiping her hands on a towel as she turned to face her. "Exactly. It's comforting, knowing that some things are permanent. That even after everything, we're still here for each other."

She beamed, her eyes bright with warmth. "It makes everything feel lighter, doesn't it? Like no matter what happens, we'll always have each other."

Ginny nodded, her heart swelling with the truth of it. "Yes, exactly. And I wouldn't trade that for anything."

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They arrived home late in the evening, the soft glow of twilight casting long shadows over the front steps of their cottage. Luna, heavily pregnant, moved slower these days, her hand resting protectively over her swollen belly. Only a few weeks left, and though the thought of their baby filled her with excitement, she couldn't help but feel impatient to get it over with. The weight, the discomfort, the endless questions about the future—it was all becoming a bit too much. Theo, ever attentive, noticed the strain on her face and immediately set to work, helping her out of her shoes as they stepped inside.

"Ah, my sun," she sighed, sinking into the plush armchair by the fireplace. "Do you have many ex-girlfriends?"

Theo, crouched in front of her as he carefully unbuckled her sandals, froze mid-motion. He looked up at her, eyebrows raised, as if the question had come out of nowhere. His dramatic flair, always present, was dialed up a notch by the sheer surprise of it. "Ex-girlfriends?" he repeated slowly, his voice laced with incredulity. "Luna, My love, I wasn't exactly the dating type in my youth. Let's not forget—you took my virginity, in case you've forgotten that significant detail."

She smiled softly, but the twinkle in her eye suggested she wasn't done yet. "I remember, my love," she said, her tone light, but there was a curious edge to her voice. "But was there ever anyone else? Someone who felt like…'the one who got away'?"

He stood up in one swift, overly dramatic movement, his hand pressed to his heart as if she had struck him down with her words. "Luna!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of confusion and melodrama. "I had one—one—actual girlfriend, and she was hardly worth mentioning! Why are you asking me these questions, my love? Is there someone else? Is your heart aching for someone? Do you want me to do something? Should I go away? Give you more time? Please, for the love of Merlin, just tell me what's going on!" He was pacing now, running a hand through his dark hair, clearly working himself up into a state of theatrical distress.

Luna, watching him with an amused smile, let him pace for a moment before reaching out and catching his wrist, pulling him gently toward her. "Theo, calm down," she said, her voice soft and reassuring. "Nothing happened. There's no one else in my heart. There never has been. There never will be." She looked into his eyes, her sincerity shining through. "It was you from the beginning. It is you now. And it will always be you."

He visibly deflated, sinking to his knees in front of her, resting his head on her lap with a deep, dramatic sigh. "Then why would you scare me like that? My heart can't take this kind of suspense!"

She chuckled, stroking his hair soothingly. "I didn't mean to scare you, my Sun. I was just thinking…"

He lifted his head slightly, looking up at her, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Thinking about what, exactly?"

"Ginny," she said softly. "Do you think she's happy with Blaise?"

He blinked, clearly caught off guard by the shift in conversation. "Blaise? Ginny? Why are we suddenly talking about them?" He sat back on his heels, rubbing his temples as if trying to make sense of the conversation.

Luna shrugged, her eyes distant, as if lost in thought. "I just wonder sometimes. She's been through so much, and… I don't know, I just get the sense that maybe she still loves Harry."

Theo stared at her, then shook his head with a disbelieving laugh. "Nonsense, love. Blaise would have said something if that were true."

"How would he know?" Luna countered, tilting her head in that curious way she had when she was pondering something deeply.

Theo sighed, leaning back against the armchair. "I don't know. Intuition, I guess. Blaise is many things, but he's not oblivious. If Ginny were still in love with Harry, he'd know. And trust me, he wouldn't be silent about it."

And a tracker in her bracelet.

Her gaze softened, and she smiled down at him. "You're right. I suppose I'm just projecting. The pregnancy has me thinking about all sorts of things."

He looked up at her, his eyes filled with tenderness. He reached up and rested his hand on her belly, feeling the soft kick of their baby beneath his palm. "There's nothing to worry about, my love," he said softly. "We're all where we're meant to be. Blaise and Ginny, Harry and Cho, and most importantly, you and me. Together. Always."

She leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "Together, always," she echoed, her voice filled with quiet contentment.

Theo let out another long, theatrical sigh. "You nearly gave me a heart attack, woman. But I suppose I'll forgive you… for now."

She laughed, a light, musical sound that filled the room with warmth. "Oh, my love. What would I do without your dramatics?"

"Live a boring, uneventful life," he replied with a smirk, standing up and sweeping her into his arms despite her protests. "Now, let's get you to bed, my love. You and our little one need rest, and I need peace of mind after that emotional rollercoaster you just took me on."

And with that, he carried her up the stairs, his heart full of love and a dash of lingering drama, just the way he liked it.

But who was he kidding? He, too, was caught in the web of his own insecurities. With every fleeting glance at Luna, he found himself mirroring Blaise's obsessive tendencies. Her wedding band sparkled on her finger, a constant reminder of their bond, but it also became a tether to his worries. He'd occasionally check to ensure it was still there, a grounding reassurance against the chaos of his mind.

Luna was the epitome of tranquility, her daily routine woven seamlessly into their lives. She visited Pansy, Granger and sometimes Red, indulging in laughter and shared dreams. She wandered the market, her presence illuminating even the dimmest stalls with a soft glow. She always returned home, a serene smile on her lips, never giving him a reason to doubt her. Yet, the nagging whispers of fear curled around his heart. He had never suspected anything untoward about Luna; his mind never wandered into the shadows of betrayal or deception. But the anxiety bubbled beneath the surface like a cauldron on the verge of boiling over.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luna visited Pansy as always, but lately, spending time with her was like stepping into the eye of a hurricane. Pansy had always been dramatic, but now—now she was completely unhinged. Her wedding planning had taken over her life, and by extension, everyone else's.

As she approached Parkinson Manor, she could already hear Pansy's shrill voice carrying through the open windows. "I said ivory, not eggshell! Do you think I want to look like I'm walking down the aisle in a dingy bedsheet?"

She took a deep breath and stepped inside, greeted immediately by chaos. Fabric swatches were draped over every available surface, an army of florists debated the merits of peonies versus roses, and Pansy herself stood at the center of it all, holding a quill like a general commanding troops into battle.

"Luna! Thank Merlin you're here! I thought I was going to lose my mind with these incompetent buffoons!" Pansy stormed toward her, eyes wild and her arms dramatically outstretched as if her arrival were a life-saving event.

Luna smiled gently, her usual calm demeanor in full force. "Hello, Pansy. You look... busy."

"Busy? Luna, darling, I'm in the middle of the most important event of my life, and everything is falling apart!" Pansy flung herself onto a chaise lounge, one hand pressed dramatically to her forehead as though she might swoon.

She walked over, stepping carefully to avoid the ribbons and pearls strewn across the floor. "I'm sure it will be perfect, Pansy. You always manage to make things come together."

"Oh, you sweet, naïve thing," Pansy groaned, sitting up suddenly, her eyes wide with exasperation. "I'm marrying Neville Longbottom. I can't just have 'perfect,' I need flawless. Do you think anyone will take me seriously as Lady Parkinson-Longbottom if there's so much as a wrinkle in the tablecloths?"

She blinked. "I don't think anyone cares about the tablecloths, Pansy."

Pansy gasped as though Luna had just suggested she wear a burlap sack down the aisle. "Luna!!!!, how could you say such a thing? The tablecloths are the foundation of the entire reception aesthetic! They set the tone for everything—everything!"

She nodded sagely, knowing better than to argue when Pansy was in full bridal mode. "Of course, the tablecloths are vital."

"Exactly!" Pansy leapt up, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. "And don't even get me started on the flowers. The florist showed up with the wrong shade of roses this morning. I told her I wanted 'blush pink' and she brought coral. Coral! Can you imagine?"

Luna tilted her head, trying to picture the difference. "They both sound lovely."

"Lovely? Lovely is for garden parties. This is a wedding. My wedding. I need something breathtaking, something that makes people weep with its beauty. I need... I need perfection!" She clutched the nearest fabric swatch, holding it dramatically to her chest as though it were the key to her salvation.

Luna, ever the voice of reason, tried again. "Pansy, maybe it's okay if things aren't exactly what you imagined. The day is about you and Neville, after all. Not about roses or tablecloths."

Pansy spun around, her eyes narrowing. "Luna Lovegood, don't you dare bring logic into this. This is not the time for one of your 'everything will be fine' speeches. Nothing is fine. My hairdresser just canceled on me. My hairdresser, Luna! The one person I trust to make me look like the goddess I am on my wedding day!"

"I'm sure we can find someone else," Luna said soothingly.

"Someone else? Someone else? Do you think I can just waltz into Diagon Alley and pluck a world-class stylist off the street? No, Luna. No, this is a disaster of epic proportions!" Pansy collapsed onto the chaise again, her arms flung wide in despair.

She took a seat next to her, resting a hand on Pansy's arm. "I'm sure it feels overwhelming now, but it's going to be a beautiful day. You and Neville love each other, and that's all that matters in the end."

Pansy sat up, eyes wide with disbelief. "You think love is going to save me from a wardrobe malfunction or the wrong floral arrangements? No, Luna. Details save weddings. The devil is in the details, and right now, I'm surrounded by incompetence!"

Just as Pansy was about to launch into another tirade, one of her assistants rushed into the room, holding up two identical-looking shades of ribbon. "Miss Parkinson! We need your approval! Is it 'champagne' or 'ivory' for the chair sashes?"

Pansy stared at the ribbons as though her entire future depended on them. "Champagne. Obviously. Do you think I want to look like I'm throwing a party in a cheap hotel ballroom?"

The assistant scurried away, and Pansy turned back to Luna with a sigh. "I don't know how I'm going to survive this, Luna. Between the caterers, the florists, the music—don't even get me started on the music—it's enough to drive a sane woman mad."

Luna smiled softly. "You're doing great, Pansy. And when it's all said and done, you'll be married to Neville, and that's what really matters."

Pansy's expression softened, just for a moment, before the tension returned. "Yes, yes, I know, but still—everything has to be perfect. I can't have people thinking I've gone soft. The Parkinson name is on the line!"

She patted her arm. "I have no doubt it will be the most stunning wedding anyone's ever seen."

Pansy grinned, her usual self-confidence momentarily restored. "You're right. It will be. Because I won't let anything less than perfection happen. Not on my watch."

As Pansy whipped back into her tirade, barking out commands to the army of wedding planners surrounding her, Luna stood quietly by the window, watching with an amused yet affectionate smile. She had known Pansy long enough to see through the tempest of complaints and perfectionism. Beneath it all, Pansy was simply a woman who wanted her wedding day to be flawless—not because of the linens or flowers, but because she truly, deeply loved Neville. She admired that about her friend, even if it meant enduring the whirlwind of chaos that followed her wherever she went.

A stack of guest lists and seating charts in hand, Pansy paced across the grand room, her voice sharp and piercing. "No, no, no! I said peonies for the centerpieces, not lilies! Are you trying to sabotage me?!"

She quietly cleared her throat, standing by a chaise that was piled with fabric swatches, lace samples, and velvet cushions that had somehow become part of Pansy's aesthetic vision. Pansy, oblivious to Luna's presence, was far too consumed by her world of meticulously organized chaos. The poor wedding planners looked as if they were about to melt into puddles of stress.

"Pansy?" she called softly, her voice a calm oasis amidst the storm. "Pansy, I brought you something."

"Unless you brought the right tablecloths or a miracle, Luna, I don't want it. I don't have time for anything right now." Pansy didn't even look up as she spoke, her fingers frantically flipping through invitation designs, muttering about font choices and gold foiling. "Can't you see that I'm extremely busy?"

She crossed the room and, with her signature quiet confidence, slipped herself into Pansy's line of sight. "I really think you'll want this."

"Luna, whatever it is, just... put it somewhere. I'm trying to save my wedding from a complete disaster. Do you know how many people are expecting this day to be perfect?" Pansy groaned, running a hand through her perfectly styled hair, which was now teetering on the edge of disarray from her constant fidgeting.

She, unfazed, tilted her head and smiled serenely. "It's weed, Pansy. The good kind. You know, the one you like."

For the first time in what seemed like hours, Pansy's frenzied movements halted. Her eyes, which had been filled with a manic intensity, widened as they locked onto Luna. "Why didn't you start with that?!"

In an instant, Pansy's voice dropped an octave from screeching wedding commander to something far more pleasant. She practically sprinted to Luna, her eyes gleaming with the desperation of someone who had been teetering on the edge for far too long. "Oh, Luna, my darling, why didn't you lead with that? You're a saint, a gift from the heavens above. Give it to me!"

She chuckled and pulled a small, beautifully wrapped tin from her oversized handbag. "I thought you could use something to calm you down. You've been at this for days, Pansy."

"Days? Try weeks, Luna! WEEKS! Do you have any idea what it's like coordinating all of this? I thought planning a wedding would be a delightful little affair—some flowers, some cake, a dress, and boom, happily ever after. But no. It's war. An unrelenting, soul-sucking war. These wedding planners? They're foot soldiers. The florists are traitors. And don't even get me started on the caterers."

Luna raised her eyebrows as Pansy quickly grabbed the tin from her, inspecting it with the kind of care she had reserved previously only for her floral arrangements. "You've always been dramatic," she said, settling herself onto the chair and leaning back, her airy smile never fading. "But even this is a bit much for you, Pansy."

"Of course it's a bit much, Luna! I'm planning the most important wedding of the century." Pansy threw herself onto the chaise beside Luna, opening the tin with a flourish as though it were a priceless artifact. She paused for a moment, inhaling deeply, before exhaling with a look of pure bliss. "Oh, yes. This is exactly what I need. How do you always know?"

She leaned in with a knowing smile. "Because I know you. And I know that beneath all the theatrics, you're just nervous."

"Nervous?!" Pansy scoffed, though it was less convincing now, her bravado slightly softened by the scent of the herbs. "I'm not nervous, Luna. I'm prepared. I'm ready for this."

"I didn't say you weren't ready," she replied, her voice soft and measured. "But I know you, Pansy. You always want everything to be perfect, and when it's something this important, you get... well, a little over the top."

Pansy sighed, taking a moment to relax into the chaise as the tension in her shoulders began to melt away. "I don't mean to be like this. It's just... everyone expects so much from me, you know? The pureblood elite, the whole society—they're all watching, waiting for me to slip up. If I don't have the perfect wedding, they'll never let me hear the end of it."

She rested a gentle hand on Pansy's arm. "But you don't need their approval. Neville loves you, Pansy. He doesn't care about tablecloths or peonies or whether you have champagne or ivory ribbons. He just wants to marry you."

For a moment, Pansy was quiet, the weight of her words settling in. She fiddled with the tin in her hands, her usual dramatic flair tempered by the honest truth in her voice. "I know," she whispered, almost reluctantly. "But it's hard, you know? Everyone expects me to be this... perfect version of myself, and I've spent my whole life trying to live up to that."

She nodded. "But you don't have to be perfect. You just have to be you. That's all that matters."

Pansy sighed again, this time less dramatic and more genuine. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm just... making this harder than it needs to be."

"You are," she replied, smiling. "But that's okay. That's why I brought this." She gestured to the tin. "To help you relax a little. Take a step back. Breathe."

Pansy looked at her, her expression softening into something that almost resembled gratitude. "I don't deserve you."

"No," she said, her smile widening, "but you've got me anyway."

Pansy finally let out a small laugh, the first real laugh she had heard from her in weeks. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Of course," she said, her eyes twinkling. "Now, how about we light this up and forget about tablecloths for a little while?"

Pansy grinned, all traces of her earlier frenzy gone. "Let's. To hell with the tablecloths."

And so, for the first time in weeks, Pansy set aside her wedding plans, her worries, and her never-ending pursuit of perfection. With her by her side and the world's chaos momentarily forgotten, she allowed herself to simply be.