A/N: OK, this just popped into my head. I'm not sure if there is one similar to this, but I thought I'd cut out all the angst and get straight to it. It may be a one-shot; it depends whether or not you like it. So please, please review!
Summary: Never before has James kept a secret this big for the Marauders, but if it meant keeping Lily, can he do it?
"Hey," she said softly, placing her cold palm on his cheek. "I was joking."
"It didn't sound like it," he murmured with a bitter edge. "Lily, like you said it's taken me six years. I don't want to loose you."
A bit of JamesxLily fluff. R&R, please!
Disclaimer: I never did, never will own Harry Potter. Sigh.
"Can we not argue?" said the red-head a little wearily.
"I'm sorry," her companion answered, gently combing a lock of her auburn hair between his fingers. "Sorry."
The feel of her skin against the palm of his hand sent shivers down his spine. He was where he wanted to be most in life; holding his love.
He kissed her softly on her fingertips before taking her hand.
"So, tell me again why we have to keep this so secret?"
The girl sighed and turned to face him, laying down her open book.
"James, for six years I've rejected you. And if anyone found out I'm head-over-heels in love with you-"
"What?"
"What, what?" the girl asked, slightly confused.
"You love me?" his voice was soft, barely audible.
"Did I say that? I meant… well…" a heavy shade of red crept into her cheeks.
"You love me?" he repeated.
"James…"
"Do you?"
"Yes."
James' arms snaked around her shoulders as he pulled her into an embrace, nuzzling her hair.
"I love you too, Lilyflower."
"Don't call me that!" she said delicately, pulling away and slapping him lightly on the shoulder. Of course, she wasn't actually irate with him, just finding something to hide her embarrassment.
Smiling slightly, Lily retook her position and twisted around so that she was leaning against his chest. The colour in her cheeks hadn't yet faded. James inhaled her bittersweet scent as he pressed his cheek into the side of her head, reading over her shoulder.
"So, what is the reason?"
"What, for being secretive?" Lily asked with a yawn, turning the page in her book.
"Yep..."
"Well someone might think that you've poisoned me. You know, with love potion. I mean, we started our relationship with me yelling at you…"
James pursed his lips. "However unlikely that seems, I still don't get why. That would affect me, wouldn't it? Not you."
"That's the point," Lily said coyly, the blush vivid on her flesh. "It would affect you…"
"Aw, she cares for me."
"Of course I do, you loon."
"Can't we just tell the Marauders, and of course, your gang?" he asked gently.
"Can we just wait, a little bit? I'm still trying to get my head around it."
"Clearly," James muttered into her ear.
Lily smirked slightly and converted her gaze to the delicate flames licking their grate. It was nearly midnight and most Gryffindors where tucked up in their beds, oblivious to the couple below them. The common room was still untidy from the day; the house-elves had not yet been to clear up. But as everyone else declared it was bedtime, James and Lily made an excuse of working late. Slowly their friends filtered out and they were left alone.
"Don't you feel bad about lying to Alice and Jennifer?"
"Well, it's not technically lying if they don't ask."
"And if they ask?"
"I'll tell them the truth." She said with a shrug.
"Cheeky bugger!" James said with an edge of faux outrage.
Lily giggled slyly. "Well, you can tell the boys if they ask. I guess. But they have to promise not to tell anyone. And only if they ask."
"Are you embarrassed of me, or something?" James grumbled, pulling her further onto his lap.
"Immensely."
Lily caught a glimpse of his face as she trained her gaze on him. Hurt dwelled in the soft centre of his hazel eyes as he bowed his head.
"Hey," she said softly, placing her cold palm on his cheek. "I was joking."
"It didn't sound like it," he murmured with a bitter edge. "Lily, like you said it's taken me six years. I don't want to loose you."
"You won't," Lily whispered, pressing her lips against his cheek. "You won't loose me."
The orange glow that spread from the fire illuminated the smile that spread across James' face as he nuzzled into Lily's hair.
She didn't quite manage to stifle a yawn as she folded the corner of her book and set it down on the table.
"C'mon Lils. Bedtime."
"Don't you dare!" she hissed threateningly as a mischievous glint sparked in his eyes.
James secured his arms around her body and stood abruptly up, holding her like a baby.
"James Potter, put me down this instant!" she hissed, struggling in his grasp. This was rather difficult, being chaser on the Quidditch team, his muscled physique proved no match for Lily's fragile one. "Put me down!"
"No, no, Lily. Don't make me drop you." He said with a smirk as he made his way to the spiral staircase.
First step.
Second step.
Third step.
"AH!" he yelled as the floor below him swiftly transformed into a flat surface and the two Gryffindors landed in a heap at the foot of the stairs, Lily laughing hysterically.
"Good work, hot-shot." She whispered in between giggles. The smile rapidly slipped off her lips as a sign of recognition appeared in replacement. "Someone must have heard that." she added worriedly.
James smiled softly at the look of pure fear at being caught on Lily's face. He leant in slowly and took her hand.
"Good night, love." And kissed her delicately on the lips.
Not for the first time in her life, Lily's heart back flipped in her chest. Her breathing was short and sharp as they parted; a smile on James' face as Lily blushed wildly.
Never would he admit it, but when James gazed directly into her eyes, his heart couldn't help but ache. He wasn't the sort of soppy, romantic type, but for Lily, he would do anything.
"Good night, James."
A/N: How was it? I apologise if you didn't like it, and I also apologise- seeing as I'm English- the English spellings that differ from the American version. Just ignore it. (:
