James woke up upon feeling something tickle his stomach, and when he felt it again, a chuckle escaped him.

What the heck's tickling me? He thought angrily, opening his eyes. He saw the light in the room, his vision blurrier than usual, and his head pounding lightly. He blinked a few times, then squinted his eyes, taking a look down at himself.

His eyes widened upon noticing the familiarity of the fiery red hair of the girl lying beside him. A girl he was oh so fond of. Last nights events came rushing to him instantly...

His arm was wrapped around her waist, while she slept soundly, her slightly long nails brushing against his stomach.. oh so that's what was tickling me. In that case, I don't mind this at all. He chuckled to himself.

"Will you stop laughing? Look, I know what I did and said last night were probably the most silliest and weirdest things ever, but please." Lily's small voice came as she scooted closer to him, wrapping her arm around his torso.

James raised his brows, "you're awake?"

"No, I'm talking in my sleep." She muttered, rolling her eyes behind her closed eyelids. James shook his head amusedly at her snarky tone, "you know, drunk Lily Evans is way more friendly than hungover Lily Evans. I prefer her over you." He slowly ran his hand up and down her back.

"Shut it, will ya'? I'm trying to enjoy while ignoring my pounding head." She sighed.

"Enjoy what? Canoodling with me?" He grinned.

Lily laughed dryly, "no. Not that it's you, it's just that you're kind of warm. And I'm cold."

James' grin fell as he rolled his eyes, "yeah well, you're just kind of shirtless. Maybe if you put on a shirt, you wouldn't need a James Potter to warm you up." He said as he scoffed.

"Funny, I thought you would like me hugging you." Lily raised her head, quirking her brow at him bemusedly.

"Forgive me for not liking you stealing my heat." He sarcastically stated, "and may I just say, that purple thing you're wearing–" he lowered his eyes and gestured towards her bra, "is a little too small for what you've actually got. Are you like, trying to make them seem bigger?" He teased, finally averting his gaze from her chest and to her face.

Lily gaped at him in disbelief, "how dare you, Potter? I'm perfectly happy with what I have," she huffed, now sitting up on the bed.

"Oh well, I think they're smaller than what they look like." James added with a smirk.

Lily glared at him, then nodded in understanding, "hmm," she said, reaching her arms behind her back, and opening the clasp.

Okay. Wow. Consider me mentally dead after what I think is about to happen. James thought as his eyes opened wider.

She was just about to pull it off when James abruptly stopped her, "wait, wait! Let me put on my glasses," he winked at her.

Lily gasped, "you're such a perv!" She exclaimed as he reached over for his specs and put them on. He shrugged as he saw her giving him an accusing look, "hey, I have weak eyesight. I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference properly.." he then wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"I should so not be doing this, instead, getting the hell out of here. But, I want to prove you wrong, so here goes, you absolute prat." She gave him a smug smile, pulling off her bra in one swift motion and throwing it away.

Why the hell did I just throw it away?! Lily mentally smacked her forehead. She had let herself get too caught up with the moment.

"Holy... Godric." James whispered under his breath as he obviously couldn't help but stare unblinkingly. Well, fuck that. They're bigger than I thought.

He finally blinked, "er– um... yeah," he stuttered, looking back up at her, Lily noticing his cheeks were slightly flushed.

Awe, now he decides to be shy! Lily thought, mentally rolling her eyes. "So..." she smirked, "you get I wasn't lying?"

"Yes... yes, I definitely do." He said, his mouth twitching into a grin.

"Oh, Potter. You think you're so smooth," she shook her head, then leaned over towards him, her face inches away from his, about to brush her lips against his, when he spoke.

"Your breathing's fogging up my glasses, Evans." He stated.

Lily's smirk fell, causing James to snicker. He got a swat on his shoulder, "way to ruin the mood, you ass." She muttered as she went to back away.

But James promptly took hold of the sides of her face and pulled her in, their lips meeting.

Lily giggled, kissing him back for a moment before pulling away. "I'm going down for breakfast now, meet you there?"

James furrowed his brows, playfully asking, "what, topless?" He then crossed his arms across his chest, "I don't want other blokes seeing your boobs."

"And I think I don't care about what you want." Lily pointed as she gave a short laugh, "besides, it isn't like you're the only bloke who's seen them, so no need to feel so damn special." She scoffed, moving away from James and getting up from the bed.

James looked like he was thinking as he gazed in her direction, while she grabbed her shirt from the floor and quickly put it on.

"Yeah who's this other bloke?" He narrowed his eyes into slits, "enlighten me, please." He muttered, an obvious edge to his voice.

Oh my stars he's so jealous right now.. Lily wanted to giggle stupidly, but thankfully she managed to make a thinking face before saying, "remember Jason? The Gryffindor Prefect in seventh year last year? We sort of had a fling, though we didn't go all the way, we did do other—"

"Alright, fine! I don't want to hear it," James said in exasperation. His stomach was turning way too unpleasantly as he felt the fire erupt inside him. The jealousy monster had awaken and it was clawing at him from the inside, telling him to pull Lily back on the bed and make her forget whatever that bloke did with her by doing so much better.

Lily smirked at his reaction, "well, see you then," she waved, then went out of the room.

"Blimey, I've got to kill all these other blokes!" James hushed, running his hand through his hair and ruffling it up. He then swung his legs to the side and stood up from the bed, calling, "hey, Evans! I'm coming with you!" And following after her.

"Not in the bathroom, you're not," she stated as she walked around the stairs, glancing up at him standing on top of the platform. James laughed at that, "right."

A little while later, both her and James were dressed, ready to go down to the Great Hall, when Lily came in front of him and he noticed the familiar black zipper she was wearing from the sofa he was sitting on, and smiled slightly, "I like your zipper."

"Yes James, I know its yours," Lily rolled her eyes, but then she realized that wasn't what he had said and turned to look at him, who's eyebrows were raised, "I guess you expected a different reaction."

"Er- maybe?" She grinned sheepishly.

"Lets face it, you're always stealing my clothes. I'm used to it," he smirked, "you're lucky you look adorable.. I don't let people have my stuff."

She crossed her arms across her chest, "hmm," she shrugged, "it'll keep me warmer than any single piece of jackets I own and I don't want to look like a round snowman, so I'm wearing it. And the long sleeves are useful in making makeshift gloves. Plus, like you said, I look cute in oversized clothes." She put her hands on both of her cheeks, tilted her head and smiled.

James laughed, "I hope you are aware of the name written on the back then,"

"Potter. Yes, I am aware," She chuckled, "now get your arse up and lets go already before we miss breakfast."

He blinked at her, mildly surprised as he stood up slowly, "so... you're okay with what people would think? Because that's exactly what they'll think."

"Since when do you care about what people think when it comes to you and I? Last I checked, you wanted them to think whatever they'll be assuming now." She furrowed her brows. James scratched his neck awkwardly, "I er-" he trailed off, then sighed, "okay.. fine lets just go-"

"No, wait." She said suddenly, stepping over, "what if I told you I want people to make assumptions?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked up into his eyes.

She noticed his jaw clench and unclench as he took a deep breath, "look Evans, if you're messing with me, please don't. It's getting old now." He smiled slightly, "you either want to be with me, or you don't."

"I'm not messing with you, James." She shook her head, "if that's how true you think my feelings are, then... I don't know how to prove it to you." She turned and went to move away, but James caught her wrist, causing her to stop, "what now? Want to doubt me some more?"

"Wait.. I have to ask something," he sighed, "would you.. er-" his neck grew hot, his palms going clammy as she looked back at him questioningly, "would I what?" She asked softly, "hey, your face has gone pale, is everything alright?"

He closed his eyes for a moment, calm down Potter. You've made out with the girl several times and you're freaking out at this? He thought, then opened them, "Evans uh- Lily, wouldyouliketogooutwithmetoHogsmeadesometime?" He choked out in one breath, so fast that Lily didn't get a word he said, and giggled, "slowly, Potter. Gonna miss your train or something?"

"Sorry, I'm just.. nervous."

Oh my God, is what I think is happening, actually happening? Lily blinked rapidly.

He let go of her wrist, grasping the sides of her face with both his hands, looking straight into her glimmering emerald eyes, "Lily Evans, would you allow me to take you out to Hogsmeade this weekend?"

Her heart fluttered, "you mean like a-?"

"A date. Yes." He raised his brows pointedly.

Merlin's bloody beard.

She smiled, "I would love to go out with you, James."

Nine words. That was all it took to make him feel as if he had everything he needed in this world to make him happy. And he looked quite lost as he stared back at her, "yes? You're agreeing?" he asked.

"Yes, Potter. I'm agreeing," she laughed.

He grinned in the most genuine way possible, his eyes lighting up. And Lily felt like a horrible person. Had she known he would smile like that, she would've said yes a long time ago. At least given him a chance...

And now, she loved him more than she ever thought she could love someone.

He let go of her, "I'm alight with happiness. Let's go have some breakfast now." He chuckled, going ahead of her.

Lily smiled in amusement as she ran up to him and put her hand on his shoulder to support herself as she leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Me too," she whispered in his ear, making him smile.

They walked down to the Great Hall, Lily ahead of James, who still couldn't believe that redheaded cutie had agreed to go out on a freaking date with him. After all these years... he was finally getting a chance. And he planned on winning her over once and for all. He smiled to himself, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I love you." he murmured.

Lily turned around with furrowed brows, he had said it a bit loudly. "I'm sorry, did you say something?" she asked.

James widened his eyes in alarm, "no! uh- I was just talking to myself about how much of an amazing person you are... and how I'm incredibly lucky to have gotten a chance to take you out.. I mean, is this even real?" He rambled on with a nervous chuckle.

She blinked at him, then smiled slightly, "you really shouldn't doubt yourself, James. I just didn't know you. But now, I do, the real you. And I can't help but like you.." she blushed, averting her gaze shyly, then turning around, "oh brilliant, now I look like a tomato.." she hissed to herself, "see you now…" and she ran away.

His jaw was slightly slack as he thought, 'damn, I'm a legend.' Then he made a face, 'arrogance.. no arrogance, Potter, or you'll lose her.'

And as he went into the great hall and reached the red and gold table, he saw that Lily had chosen to sit between Marlene and Alice, opposite to where his mates sat. So he went over there too, and slipped in beside Sirius, "hey."

"Well hello there, stranger." Sirius said, "I hardly see your face anymore these days."

James laughed, "Don't be daft, Padfoot. You see my face all day, everyday."

"Not as much. I wonder what the reason is.." He trailed off, slowly turning his head to Lily, who asked a muffled "what?" with a mouthful of food.

"Charming." Remus commented, smiling at Lily, who rolled her eyes playfully, then swallowed. James stifling a laugh as he reached for a glass of juice. Should he break the news or will she? His question was answered when she spoke up right that moment.

"So.." She cleared her throat, "I have something to tell you lot." As she said this, she glanced at James for a short moment, who pretended not to notice, which made her mentally scoff.

"What?" Marlene asked curiously.

"James and I are going on a date." Lily breathed out.

The sentence hung in the air as the friends stared at her, then burst out laughing, "oh alright," Alice said casually, "I wonder if the stars collided with the moon out in space,"

"We are, actually." James added.

Sirius looked at his best mate in surprise, "fuck, really? WOW."

Marlene gasped as she now noticed the zipper Lily was wearing, "gosh, did something happen between you two?!" she asked excitedly. "This is great news!"

"Well, this missy got a little too jealous by our chemistry yesterday, McKinnon. And it made her realize that there's a strong chance of her losing this handsome bloke to her best friend. So she finally decided-"

"Oi! Don't get too ahead of yourself, Potter. have you looked in the mirror lately? Who crowned you a 'handsome bloke'?" Lily scoffed.

"You did, love. Did you forget?" He grinned.

"I must be drunk when I said that." she rolled her eyes.

Remus, Sirius and Peter burst out laughing, "I suddenly don't believe this date thing at all."

"Yeah well," She began with a smirk, "you shouldn't."

James looked at her with an unreadable expression, "you were messing with me, weren't you?" He chuckled dryly. "Knew it." All that happiness for nothing.

"God, you're so easy to manipulate." She rolled her eyes. "I wasn't. I'm only kidding now."

"Lily, for goodness' sake, stop playing with my emotions." He said seriously, quickly eating the food in his plate.

"Sorry," she pouted.

"Don't give me that look."

She made the puppy dog face.

James groaned, "fine. Apology accepted."

"I'm liking this." Sirius added with interest, "what about you lot?"

"Oh, definitely loving this." Alice said.

/