Word Count: 427
"You spent years chasing her," Kingsley says. "Why are you surprised that she actually wants you now?"
James sighs heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I thought that's what I wanted." He leans back in his chair, studying the ceiling like it's the most interesting thing in the world. "I feel sick with guilt every time I see her, so I just… avoid her."
"You have got to break up with her," Kingsley tells him.
"I can do that?"
Kingsley shakes his head, eyes rolling. He loves James more than he could ever say, but the boy is so ridiculously oblivious. Did it really never occur to him that he doesn't have to date Lily? "If you want us to be together, you don't really have much of a choice."
With a groan, James covers his face. Kingsley can imagine the conflict he's facing inside his head, and he doesn't envy James one bit.
"Everyone always expected me and Evans to end up together," he says. "Hell, maybe I actually did want it to work, but…" He lowers his hands, and his eyes rest on Kingsley. "I fell in love with you."
"I know."
"Does that make me a bad person?"
Kingsley reaches out, holding James' hand. "No. Just a person who's trying to figure himself out."
James smiles at that. "I can do this."
…
James is visibly flustered when his friends help him into the dormitory. Kingsley watches with raised brows. "Did he freeze?"
"Like an antelope in headlights," Remus confirms.
James collapses onto his bed, letting out a frustrated groan. Kingsley has never seen him like this before. Usually, James is the epitome of collected.
"I could always take the anonymous route," James says. "Send her a letter so she catches me snogging Kingsley."
"That's in poor taste," Peter offers.
"Well what am I supposed to do?"
Kingsley offers the other three boys a pleading look. Thankfully they understand and make up feeble excuses to leave Kingsley and James alone. Once the dormitory is empty, Kingsley makes his way over to James' bed and lays beside him, wrapping his arms around James. "You don't have to have it all figured out right now," he says.
"I do. I'm absolutely miserable not having it all together," James grumbles.
Kingsley holds him closer, pressing a soft kiss to his neck. "Well, I'll make you less miserable," he assures him.
He doesn't know how, but Kingsley has to believe that they will figure it out one way or another. They will find their happily ever after.