James had his feet completely on the ground, both his shoes flat against the grass, yet she still was holding him tight enough around the waist that it was sort of difficult to breathe.

"Er, Lily, we haven't even moved yet."

"TELL MY MUM I LOVE HER. TELL TUNEY I ALWAYS WANTED HER TO BE HERE."

"Lily, really, you're being dramatic."

"TELL MY PAPA THAT HE DESERVES TO ENJOY HIS DAYS OFF WORK. TELL-"

"Love, we're in the air."

Lily squeaked and opened her eyes, then shut them again and buried her face in between James's shoulderblades. He laughed quietly, shaking his head, and very gently urged the broom forward. They started to fly, inching forward ever so slowly. For James, this was equal to taking a step every half hour; for Lily, it was like sitting on top of the Hogwarts express.

"POTTER I'M GOING TO DIE. MERLIN'S BEARD WHAT A WRETCHED CHOICE I'M SO BLOODY STUPID."

"Would you relax, woman?"

"I CAN'T RELAX, I'M ABOUT TO DIE."

"We aren't even three feet off the ground!"

Lily peeked open her eyes, biting her lip so hard it nearly drew blood. Her nails tightened on James's hips, and he winced slightly. They started to slowly glide, and her fingers relaxed slightly as they picked up some speed. Her hair started to gently flow back from her eyes, the bright green grass of the Quidditch pitch nearly identical to her irises. James grinned and sped up some more, and Lily began to laugh, her face full of glee.

"This is amazing! You do this all the time?" She laughed loudly, letting the wind take her hair and whip it around her face, running like deep scarlet waves in an ocean.

"Well, I free fly as much as I can. I fly at night a lot to clear my head." James admitted, but he had a feeling that she wasn't really listening. They flew higher, twisting among the towers of Hogwarts and brushing over the tops of the trees of the Forbidden Forest. They passed the Astronomy Tower, and Lily laughed as she reached out a hand to touch the top.

"This is incredible."

A soft kiss was placed on the back of his neck, and James blushed.

"You're welcome."

They flew around a corner, headed toward the ground, and nearly collided with a group of owls carrying letters to the Great Hall.

"Shit!" James ducked and pulled the handle up, and the broom spun. They lurched forward, and James gripped the handle, trying to control the broom, but it swung. The few owls flew off, hooting frustratedly. Lily screamed, and they flew off into the grass below. James landed hard on his back, the wind knocked out of him. He groaned and moved his arm, coughing.

"Lily? Lily, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, but I bloody told you so!"

A blow struck James in the leg and he grunted in pain, coughing. Lily's closed fist had come in contact with a recent bruise.

"Bloody hell, woman!" She laid down next to him, looking down at him.

"Are you okay?"

"Well, you did just sucker punch me in the bloody leg, I think not."

"I mean, did you get hurt when we fell?"

"No, I'm alright."

"Are you sure? It looks like you have a fat lip." He reached up and gently touched his lip; there was nothing there.

"Lil, there's-"

"Perhaps if I kissed it all better."

James was saved from having to respond by a pair of soft, mint-flavoured lips on his. Her gum had fallen from her mouth when they toppled off the broom. Either that, or she'd swallowed it. He reached up and laced his hands in her hair, the soft strands running through his calloused fingers. She shivered and leaned against his chest, pushing her own hand to the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Lily gently bit down on his lower lip, and James groaned softly against her lips. He parted his lips for her, and they laid in the grass, kissing for a while. She pulled away to breathe, cheeks flushed slightly. James lifted his hands to cup her face and smiled, staring at her.

"You are so incredible."

His voice was quiet, a strange sort of tone to it. Reserved, shy almost.

"James, are you okay?" He nodded, playing with the baby hairs at the nape of her neck. She wrinkled her nose and tilted her head to the side as his touch tickled her, and he chuckled softly.

"I'm brilliant." James propped himself up on his elbow and kissed her again, rougher this time. His lips were firm on hers, the heat of her arms wrapping around his neck and her body pushed up against his; it made him dizzy. He pulled her into his lap and she giggled against his mouth, their lips moving together like leaves in the wind. They kissed harder, lips parting and tongues tangling, hands tangling in hair and gripping t-shirts. He gasped on her lips and pulled away slightly, and he felt her breath ghost over his face as she caught her breath.

"What's wrong?"

"I think I'm falling in love with you." Lily pulled away, her face pale with shock. She blinked a couple times, and James bit his lip. Maybe he had gone too far. Maybe it was the kissing. Maybe he was just an idiot. "I- I'm sorry Lil. I- Sorry. I shouldn't h-" She shushed him and kissed him hard, her eyes closed tightly and a crease forming between her brows.

"Don't be stupid, Potter." He frowned, arching an eyebrow. Before he could ask a question, she laughed softly. "Merlin, what am I doing?"

"Is that a question for me? Because I may not be Merlin, but-"

"I swear, Potter, if you finish that joke I'm leaving you." James whined softly.

"But it's a brilliant joke!" She laughed, and James smiled; it was worth teasing her a little bit just to be able to hear that laugh.

She leaned closer to him, and Lily's lips brushed against his ever so slightly.

"Potter?"

"Yes, Evans?"

"I think I'm falling in love with you too. Merlin's beard."

He laughed and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into him and kissing her as hard as he could.