Work Text:
Dorcas wasn’t sure when she started painting the lifeguard. She had her gaze focused on the waves rippling to the shore, seagulls gliding through the air above the water, and the seaweed that had washed up and tangled itself in the sand. But, before she was even conscious of it, she was outlining the shape of the lifeguard chair and mixing together red and brown paint, trying to match the color of the girl’s vibrant hair.
The lifeguard had left her chair long ago, probably unfolding beach chairs or setting up the volleyball net. Or saving people. That would be much more interesting. Nonetheless, she kept painting the red-haired girl staring out towards the sea.
She added a few finishing touches to the painting, light blues contrasting the darkness of the sea, and a baby pink sunrise that faded into the cool color of the sky.
“You should let me know next time you want to paint me.” Dorcas froze as someone spoke from behind her.
“I’m sorry,” She muttered as she turned, ashamed, to the lifeguard standing behind her. Freckles decorated the girl’s skin, across her nose, on her shoulders, and down her chest into her bright red swimsuit. “You were part of the scene,” Dorcas explained, hesitantly gesturing to the lifeguard chair in the distance. A soft, salty breeze blew loose pieces of the lifeguard’s ponytail into her face as they met each other’s gaze in a tense silence. “I wanted to capture the moment, but I understand if it was out of bounds. I won’t sell this one if you don’t want me to.” Dorcas tapped her paintbrush against her thigh nervously as she spoke.
“No! I-” The girl’s cheeks reddened and if Dorcas hadn’t already been looking at her, she would think she was sunburnt. “I’m honestly just honored.” The lifeguard admitted, offering her a friendly smile. “You’re really talented.” She added as she glanced from the painting back to Dorcas where her eyes lingered.
“Thank you,” Dorcas met her eyes and felt her heart begin to race inside her chest. She forced herself to keep talking, desperate to continue the conversation now that she had the, admittedly cute, lifeguard’s attention. “I’ve seen you working the past few days. I always wanted to introduce myself but you seemed busy,” She nodded to the rows of beach chairs the lifeguard must have just finished setting out. “My name is Dorcas. I like to paint here during the summers.”
“I’m Lily, and this is my summer job.” Lily introduced herself in return, tucking a stray hair behind her ear as the ocean breeze blew at it again.
“Not a bad job to have,” Dorcas acknowledged, turning slightly so she could admire the waves crashing against the shoreline.
“Definitely not,” Lily replied in agreement.
Dorcas turned around, shocked to see that Lily was still looking at her. Not knowing what to do with herself, or her hands specifically, she began twirling her paintbrush back and forth between her fingers.
“No worries about the painting,” Lily said, smiling, “however, I would love to see the rest of your artwork. You said you sell your paintings, do you have an Instagram?”
Dorcas nodded, “I do, I’ll write it down for you.” She scribbled the username on a piece of sketchbook paper and handed it to Lily, biting her tongue so she wouldn’t smile foolishly while doing so. “I also do exhibitions.” She stuttered out, hoping she sounded less nervous than she felt. “I have one next week actually.” It was casual enough to pass as conversation but with enough suggestion to be an invitation. At least that’s what Dorcas told herself.
“And would you mind if I showed up to this exhibition?” Lily leaned in and smirked as she asked.
“I’d be honored if the town’s best lifeguard was there.” Dorcas smiled, contradictory to the way her palms were beginning to feel clammy against her paintbrush.
“You never know when a lifeguard is needed.” Lily returned with a laugh. “Someone could need CPR.”
“I hope not! That would reduce sales for sure.”
“Not if there’s an incredibly strong and heroic lifeguard there to help.” A faint blush spread across Lily’s cheeks as she spoke.
“True.” Dorcas smiled, excitement dancing in her stomach and down her limbs, “You better come.”
“I’ll be there,” Lily promised. “Unfortunately, I’ve gotta do a few more things before the families start getting here, but I’ll see you around, Dorcas.”
“See you around, Lily.”
***
The exhibition, Lily realized, was shockingly empty as she pulled open the door of the building. Besides the artists themselves, the only life in the building was an elderly couple that slowly strolled past each artist’s booth.
Lily spotted Dorcas almost immediately. How could anyone miss her? She rushed past a tall boy sitting at a table with handmade pottery on it, looking bored with the lack of business, to the table Dorcas was sitting at in the back of the building.
“Hey,” Lily felt her cheeks warm as she greeted Dorcas. “Slow day?”
“Yeah,” Dorcas sighed, but she smiled back at Lily, looking pleased that she came. Lily decided she’d do anything for that smile. “I put your painting up.” She clumsily pointed to one of the paintings hanging on the wall beside her.
Lily smiled fondly at the other’s awkwardness. “It’s lovely.” She took it in before shifting her attention to the other paintings. “Dorcas, all of these are amazing. You’re such a talented person.”
“Thank you,” The other girl replied quietly.
“I’d like to buy one. The one you did of me.” Lily decided, looking at the painting of her on the beach once again.
“I did that one without your permission. I’ll just give that one to you for free.” Dorcas offered, lifting the painting off the wall.
“Of course not! You spent time and materials on it, and it’s my favorite.” Lily noted. “I’ll pay full price.”
“Let me at least give you a discount,” Dorcas argued.
Lily shook her head, “Full price. I want to support the town’s best artist.”
Dorcas laughed, and Lily hoped she realized that she was quoting her.
“Fine,” Dorcas complied and began to bag the painting.
After Lily paid, she took the bag from Dorcas, allowing her hand to brush Dorcas’ fingers in the process. Her heart raced at the slight touch.
“Lily,” Dorcas said, and Lily could tell she was holding her breath. “I was wondering if you’d like to come to a party with my friends tomorrow night.”
Lily’s heart skipped a beat. “I love a good party,” was all she could muster up the confidence to say. She hoped Dorcas couldn’t tell she was full-on gay panicking.
Dorcas’ eyes widened at Lily’s answer like she wasn’t expecting Lily to say yes. “It’s going to be on the beach, near the pier.” She explained. “Is 9 okay with you?”
Lily couldn’t believe this was real. She was making party plans with the hot painter from the beach. “That’s perfect. Need me to bring any drinks or anything?”
“The hosts should have it covered, but thanks.” Dorcas smiled at Lily, and Lily didn’t even want to know how red her face had turned.
Lily coughed and asked, “Can I hang out here for a while? It doesn’t look like you’ll be getting many customers.” She glanced to the rest of the exhibition and made a mental note to stop by each artist’s booth before she left.
“Sure, I have a pack of cards if we get bored.” Dorcas pulled out the chair beside her so Lily could sit beside her.
“Oh, I could beat your ass in ‘Go Fish’, Dorcas.” Lily grinned as she sat in the chair beside Dorcas.
Dorcas laughed, “Oh, we are definitely playing a game then. And, I’ll have you know I have a record of good luck when it comes to card games.”
“Cards and painting, what can’t you do?” Lily teased her, poking her arm as she did.
“CPR?” Dorcas suggested, reaching into the tote bag that hung from her chair and pulling out a deck of cards held together with a rubber band.
“That’s where I come in.” Lily said proudly as Dorcas shuffled the cards.
Dorcas won three games in a row before Lily decided it was time to give up. With a new painting to put on her wall, plans for a party the next day, and the grief of three horrible losses to Dorcas in a card game, Lily left the art exhibition.
You win some, you lose some, Lily thought. And despite losing the card games, she felt like a winner.
***
Dorcas made it to the beach at 9, just as the last of the sun was setting, and was met with relief that Lily was not among her friends at the pier. The beach wasn’t overly crowded, but there was enough people to still make it feel like a party. Fabian and Gideon, a set of red-headed twins Dorcas had to come to think of her favorite party hosts, sat at a table pouring drinks, handing out glow stick necklaces, and playing music from a loud speaker.
“Well, look who made it on time,” Barty teased Dorcas as she joined the group. She was chronically late to every social gathering, so her being here on time was uncharacteristic.
“This is a first,” Regulus pointed out, to which Barty tilted his head and smirked at Regulus in agreement.
“Oh, you’re not much better, Crouch.” Dorcas returned playfully and noticed an unfamiliar face beside him. “Hi, I’m Dorcas.”
“Evan,” The blonde boy stuck out his hand. Dorcas shook it firmly. “I’m Barty’s friend.”
Dorcas glanced at Barty knowingly, before beginning a conversation with Evan about Fabian and Gideon, Evan never having been to one of their parties. She was halfway through a story about Gideon trying to surf while drunk when she noticed Lily walking down the beach towards them.
“Sorry I’m a few minutes late,” She gushed out quickly.
“No worries at all,” Dorcas assured her while Regulus and Barty snickered between each other. It took everything in Dorcas to not glare at them.
“Wanna get something to drink?” Barty suggested, eyeing the table where Fabian had started mixing something in a large punch bowl that looked dangerous.
Everyone in the group agreed, and Lily took Dorcas’ hand in hers as they made their way to the drinks table, and joined the line that stood in front of it.
Dorcas focused on keeping her breathing even as the group conversed, hyperaware of the way her hand fit into Lily’s.
She was pulled out of her daze, hearing Barty say, “Reg, just ask him to dance with you. He’s clearly already tipsy, and you’re cute! There’s no way he’ll say no.”
“Who?” Dorcas asked, looking at Regulus curiously.
“That boy in the swim trunks. With the glasses.” Barty answered for Regulus, nodding towards a boy who was dancing to the music in the middle of a group of people, holding a cup above his head as he nodded along to the lyrics.
“He’s probably not even gay,” Regulus rolled his eyes at Barty. “And besides, I don’t dance.”
Dorcas looked over to the boy Regulus was allegedly pining for and recognized him immediately. “Oh, James? He sells pottery at some of the exhibitions. And I think he’s pansexual.”
“See!” Barty exclaimed, shoving his friend’s shoulder.
“Tonight’s your night, Regulus,” Evan added with a teasing grin.
The three continued bickering about the matter until they made it to the front of the line, where Barty excitedly asked for five cups of “whatever was in the punch bowl” and took a neon green glowstick bracelet from the table and put it on Evan’s wrist. Lily took two purple necklaces from the table, putting one around Dorcas’ neck, making her laugh, and one around her own.
After they got their drinks, Regulus, Evan, and Barty disappeared, likely still arguing about Regulus making a move with James.
Dorcas smiled apologetically to Lily, “Sorry, the boys can be a little ridiculous.”
“I love it,” Lily replied, taking a sip of her drink. “And, if my opinion counts for anything, I think Regulus has a chance.”
“If he works up the courage to dance,” Dorcas reminded her, smirking to Lily.
“True,” Lily nodded. “But,” She paused, staring into her cup. “What about you?”
“Me?” Dorcas tilted her head, confused.
“Do you dance?” Lily looked up, leaning in and meeting Dorcas’ dark eyes with her bright green ones.
“If I have the right partner,” Dorcas answered, taking a sip from her cup, not knowing what else to do when Lily was standing so close, when the air between them felt so tense.
“Could I be the right partner?” Lily asked, still holding her gaze with Dorcas’. It was a simple question, yet so much was laced into it. Lily Evans was bold when she wanted to be, and from the way she was looking at Dorcas, she could tell Lily knew Dorcas would do anything she asked.
“Yes,” Dorcas replied, how could she say anything else?
“Then, let’s dance.” They both finished the last of their drinks, and Lily took Dorcas’ hand once more, but this time pulled her towards the group of people dancing, and started swaying her body to the music as she smiled to Dorcas.
Dorcas laughed and followed suit, holding Lily’s hands as they danced together. It was far from graceful, but Dorcas couldn’t stop smiling.
“Look,” Lily nodded to their right.
Dorcas looked to where she was gesturing and gasped seeing Regulus dancing with James. “Well, look at that. Reg does know how to dance after all.”
“And your other two friends are currently making out behind you,” Lily laughed.
Dorcas shrugged, “Kind of expected that with Barty.”
She rested her forehead onto Lily’s, feeling Lily exhale against her own lips. “I think it’s my turn to make a move”, Dorcas whispered and lifted Lily’s chin so that her lips would meet her own. Lily kissed her back, pressing her lips against Dorcas’ softly.
And that’s how they spent the rest of the night.
Kissing and taking breaks from kissing to dance, dancing and taking breaks from dancing to talk, and talking and taking breaks from talking to kiss.
“You know,” Lily exhaled after pressing her lips to Dorcas’ neck, “I really could get used to this.”
“Yeah?” Dorcas sighed as Lily’s mouth met her neck again.
“Could you?”
“Yes,” Dorcas guided Lily back to her lips again, kissing her fervently. “I really could.”