Chapter Text
Rounding the corner of the corridor, Ada came to a halt at the sight of one Pippa Pentangle furiously pacing the hallway, her hands thrown in the air.
"Are you quite all right, dear?"
The blonde froze, before spinning on her heel, a smile plastered on her face. "Fine. Absolutely fine."
"Weren't you out with Hecate today?" Asked the older witch. Hecate had attempted to mention it casually to her in passing, and though she knew the darker haired woman would never admit it, and had tried her damndest to hide it, she had been excited about. "A picnic I'm sure she said."
"Yes," nodded Pippa. "Actually, we're just back. I was just about to head back to Pentangles."
Sensing there was more, Ada simply stood, a small smile on her lips.
The blonde sighed. "Have you ever found Hecate can sometimes be a bit...dense?"
The older witch let out a chuckle. "I might use the word oblivious, but yes. I think I understand what you mean." She gestured for them to walk together, heading in the direction of her chambers. "Might I be so bold as to venture as to what has you pacing my halls with quite so much vigour?"
Pippa could feel her cheeks blushing a fierce pink, but nodded. It had been hard, keeping this to herself. She wondered if it was really so obvious. Well, to everyone but Hecate, it seemed.
"I've watched you and Hecate become friends again, and I must say, it's been delightful to see. I don't think I've seen her quite so happy. But I don't quite think she sees how you look at her sometimes..."
Pippa felt her cheeks warm as her blush deepened, keeping her eyes front as she kept pace with the woman next to her.
"Now dear, I don't mean to offend or intrude, but I do think you might be a little bit in love with our dear Hecate."
The blonde bit her lip. It was as obvious as she suspected, then. By this point, she wouldn't be surprised if the words had branded themselves on her forehead. She wasn't sure she'd ever said it aloud. And certainly not to another person. She had only ever admitted it to an empty room, or the confines of her diary. She turned to look at Ada. Dear, sweet Ada who had taken Hecate under her wing. "I think I've always been a little bit in love with her...since I was 15."
Ada put a gentle hand on her arm. "Well now dear, that's a long time to love someone. Have you ever told her?"
Pippa shrugged. "I've tried," she said quietly. Her voice was unsure. Tried to show her. Tried to say it." She signed sadly. "She always seems to think I just mean as friends. If that's all she wants then I understand and I'd never push but..."
"Dear, I may be old but I'm not blind," said Ada, smiling kindly. "I've known Hecate a long time now and I've never seen Hecate have such difficulty in fighting off a smile as she does when she talks about you. Which she does, often. I don't presume to know her mind, but I feel rather safe in saying I think her heart may already belong to you."
Pippa let out a huff. "Then why on earth when I plan a day out, taking her for a picnic to the Mossfern Forest where she can stock up on Avis flowers that she's been complaining for weeks she can't find in Hollow Wood, packing all her favourite foods and tell her I love her, does she respond with I love that we're friends again too?" She blinked a few times, coming to halt. She hadn't meant to say quite so much. But it seemed when it came to Hecate she just couldn't help herself. She had done the same thing with Mildred during the Spelling Bee. "Sorry, I...I didn’t mean to...I, well, I..."
Ada wrapped a friendly arm around the other woman's shoulders. "Why don't we have a quick cup of tea before you have to head off to Pentangles?"