Drunken Claims
by purebloodedblack
"Zap!" Lily cried as she dug her fingers into James' sides.
He jumped, causing Lily to spill some of her firewhisky down his shirt. He whipped around to face her.
"Lily?" He questioned urgently.
She giggled.
"Hello, James," She returned.
James narrowed his eyes and looked around the room, expecting someone to jump out and call it all a joke.
"You're actually here?" He asked in a confused, high-pitched voice.
Lily giggled again, "I've been here for the past two hours! I was looking for you, James."
"Why are you giggling?" He widened his eyes, "Wait, Lily, are you... drunk?"
Lily smiled timidly, "Maybe..."
"It's only nine."
Lily frowned and crossed her arms, "Well, you're no fun!"
He gently pulled Lily's arm and guided her to one of the spare couches. Once sitting, Lily immediately snuggled her head under James' arm and leaned into him.
James awkwardly laid his arm across her back and patted her shoulder.
"I want to tell you something, James."
"Ah, umm, okay." He stuttered, still stunned at their seating position.
He didn't - couldn't - understand. Normally, Lily wouldn't give him the time of day. He was surprised she even showed up to his party in the first place. She was always against him having parties in the Common Room.
The party was to celebrate Gryffindor's win today. The Quidditch season had been going well for them, and James decided the team needed a party to blow off some steam. Even he could admit he was being a bit tough on them.
Lily cleared her throat and moved forward, twisting her body to face James head-on.
For the first time, James noticed her glazed eyes and her messy hair - a hairstyle that sober Lily would never be caught with.
"James," she jabbed his chest. "You're alright, you know that?"
James fought the smile that was threatening to appear.
'She's drunk, she doesn't mean it,' he thought.
"You're not going to believe this, but I've always kind of liked you," she then admitted.
"You're right."
Lily tilted her head.
"I don't believe you." he finished.
Lily let out a loud, long chuckle.
"You are so funny."
'She's drunk - not thinking straight.' he repeated in his head.
"That's why I love you," she muttered.
She shook her head and leaned back under James' arm.
James sighed and lightly brushed her hair. He had been waiting for her to say these words for the past six years, but not this way. It wasn't real, it wasn't valid.
In that moment, he vowed not to bring it to her attention, ever. She didn't deserve that kind of embarrassment.
Instead, he closed his eyes and listened to Lily's slow, steady breathing.
He tilted his head backwards, resting on the couches' pillow.
A wave of calmness washed over him.
His eyes drifted shut, just as Lily's had minutes earlier, dreaming of a day she would say those words sober.