Hang On
Word Count: 571
Collaboration with Jilytherin so it's a bit different than my usual writing style.
Disclaimer: Pretty sure I am not JK, if I ever find myself to become her, I'll be sure to let you know.
James looked away, ashamed in himself for breaking down, for leaving his guard unattended. He knew from the beginning that she had total control over his heart. Lily stood there in shock, two feet away from him. She had never seen James Potter shed even the smallest tear. A strange sensation crept along her spine, a warm tingly feeling. She swallowed hard and reached out and gently cupped his cheek. She gently turned his face to hers and biting her lip, whispered, "I'm sorry, James. I didn't mean to. I'm just I'm so worried. I don't want anyone to- I didn't mean what I said James-"
Tears began to stream down Lily's face as she choked on her words. James felt a burning surge through his chest, "If you didn't mean it," he breathed, "Why would you say it at all?"
"I-I don't know. But I never meant to say that about you. I swear. I just- I need you James and I couldn't deal with life if you- if you-" she couldn't finish her sentence as she again started crying and James joined in. "I'm sorry about what I said about you, James." she gasped.
James swallowed hard, unable to bring himself to look at her, he instead focused on the dark shadows cast by the flickering light of the torches. After a few tense minutes, James forced himself to look into Lily's eyes and was immediately taken aback by what he saw. A moment ago, she had only a few tears streaming down her face. Now, Lily's eyes were red and overflowing with tears, her nose was runny and red and her whole body was shaking, she was gasping for air.
"Lily," he said softly, they both knew that the whole argument wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the impending war, "Lily, Lily, Lily. I'm not leaving you. And you're not leaving me. We'll face this together."
Lily closed her eyes at this and immediately began crying even harder. James's eyes widened but he soon realized that she was smiling. Although tears were streaming down Lily's face, she was smiling, she was smiling so hard it looked like her face was about to crack. She was breathing heavily and shaking so hard it was as if an earthquake was inside her. James felt tears streak down his face again and he too felt himself shaking.
"I love you, James. You know that, don't you? I love you so much. You're not selfish or greedy or like any of those other purebloods." James opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace. He hugged her tight and she returned the hug.
James held her flush against him, silently vowing that no matter what happened, he would never ever let this stunning red-headed witch feel like the world had nothing left of it's beauty to offer. "I love you too Lily Evans," he whispered as he held her, "I'll love you forever and I don't have any plans at all on letting you go." Lily wrapped him in the hug so tight it would have crushed James had he not played quidditch.
They stood there, enjoying one another's company despite the looming dangers ahead of them.
Together, "Until the very end."
~infalliblejily and Jilytherin
