"Now, this time.... We're going to eat all of the ice cream." Lisa told Michael as she held the bowl of ice cream between them. The difference this time was that instead of sitting on her couch, and potentially ruining it, they were sitting outside in her secluded balcony. It was one of her favourite things about her and Mandy's flat because it was secluded and was peaceful. Well, it was normally peaceful when it was just her. However, Michael was there and when Michael was there, Lisa wasn't sure what peace was. Which she didn't mind since she loved him. Lisa held out a spoon with ice cream out for Michael. "Can you believe that we've been out of Hogwarts almost a year? And we've been dating eight months?"
Michael rolled his eyes, but he smiled too. "Oi, no idea what are you talking about, love." He obediently accepted the spoon, licking it completely clean before going in for more. "Eight month, aye? Feels like eight years," he teased.
Lisa grinned. "That's only if you add in school. But I bet you've loved it every minute!" She ate a spoonful of ice cream herself.
"Loved it?" He teased. "If you call getting slapped and pinched and taken advantage of..." He grabbed the chocolate sauce and squeezed it right into his mouth.
"That's disgusting." Lisa said as he squeezed the chocolate into his mouth and poked his cheek. She shook her head as she smirked. "I have not taken advantage of you! If anything it has been you, taking advantage of me."
Michael put his hand over his heart. "Me? Take advantage? Huh-huh. We all know who the vixen in this relationship is!" He polished off the rest of his bowl before he reached over to hold her hand. He liked those easy moments, where he simply held her hand in his. It felt so safe, so right. "Seriously," he said in a tone that he only seemed to use when he was passionate about something, "I love you, Lisa."
"Oh you're innocent in all of this, hmm?" Lisa pouted at him when finished off the ice cream. She had wanted the last bite. But she liked it when he held her hand and she smiled at him. "I love you too, Michael." These were her favourite moments, just sitting there with him. "You're really the best there is."
"Yeah, no denying it." He grinned as he squeezed Lisa's hand. "So, tell me, what are we going to do to celebrate one whole year?" It was new territory for Michael, but he was actually looking forward to that milestone. He wasn't running for once. He was content.
"I don't know. We could have a fancy dinner. We could go somewhere new for the day. We can do whatever we want." Lisa squeezed his hand back. "As long as I'm with you, I'll be content, no matter what we do. Even if it's something stupid like cliff diving or something." She reached out with her other hand and ran her fingers through his hair.
"Aw, Lisa, you want to dive off a cliff with me? Merlin, I'm honored here!" He touched her face, tracing her cheek with his finger. "I want it to be everything you deserve," he said, "I mean, besides being with me." He released her face and watched as a bird flew to perch on the balcony. "Really, you probably ought to get a trophy for putting up with me all this time."
"Yes, I would if it was something that you wanted us to do together. And it doesn't matter what it is because I think that just you is enough to be everything that I deserve." Lisa chuckled softly. "A trophy, hmm? Maybe we should exchange trophies for our anniversary."
Michael glanced down to hide his blush. He already felt like he had the best trophy in the world. "Lisa?" He cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. "I need to...no, I want to tell you something."
"What?" Lisa was wondering what he wanted to tell her. She hoped it was nothing bad, but she couldn't tell much other than he was uncomfortable and she was concerned about him. "What do you want to tell me?"
He couldn't make himself look at her. "Back at school? And for most of this year?" He shifted. He could feel his face warming with every word he spoke. "I..." He licked his lips. "I couldn't sleep. Well, sometimes. Mostly I had these horrid dreams...you know, about the war." He shrugged. "But, lately? I don't have them anymore."
Lisa nodded her head. She understood that much. There had been times when she had nightmares because of the war, not often though. Probably no where near as much as Michael had. "I'm glad that you're not having them anymore."
"Well, it is because of you."
"Me?" Lisa wrapped her arms around Michael and pulled him close to her, holding tight. "Oh, Michael. That's good to know that you're not having them because of me."
"I think so too," he agreed. He hugged her just as firmly. "This is why we fought, yeah? For moments just like this?" He said it and, for the first time, thought about how it would feel to not be able to enjoy such a simple pleasure in life. "Funny that some still can't have that freedom." He wouldn't admit it, but he felt ashamed for not really understanding the depth of the misery the new laws brought to others. His motives for avoiding the Ministry had been selfish; it had nothing to do with not wanting to partake in its actions, but, rather not to have to make a real choice.
Lisa nodded her head. "Yes, it is. Exactly for moments like these." Lisa was happy the war was over, happy to have Michael here with her at this very moment. She really loved him and cared about him. "It's terrible. One day.... One day everything will be straightened out. Then we'll have peace and everything will be good. I hope anyway."
Michale nodded. He knew some were really working for it. He wasn't though. It made him feel selfish and mean, but why did he want to fight for the likes of people like Malfoy? His stomach did twist a bit when he thought about Leanne and Teddy. They weren't like that. "Right, of course, one day." He tried to distract himself in kissing his gorgeous girlfriend.
"Hopefully that one day will be soon. It's really unfair to most of them to have to go through this." She told him before he kissed her. Lisa kissed him back. She'd rather think of this right now than anything else. This made her happy and she liked being happy more than she liked being sad and there wasn't anything she could anyway.
Michael knew there were things he could do, but he wasn't which is what made him feel like a git. Still, he allowed his mind to push those dour thoughts away as he focused on Lisa's lips. "Hmmm," he muttered, "Suppose we just need to have more fun for them, starting with a perfect one year anniversary." He'd have to ask Fred and Anthony and Terry for help, but he was dead-set on giving Lisa the best day ever.
"Mm-hmm." Lisa responded, "It will be perfect." She didn't care what they did, she was sure that whatever happened that day would be perfect. "You're brilliant, Michael and I love you so much." Lisa told him before kissing him again.