James woke up the next morning, lily still fast asleep on his chest, and an arm around her protectively. He still wasn't over what happened last night. They had made him look. The death eaters had made him look as voldemort had pointed that wand at lily's chest and begun to say those two words that would have taken her from him forever. They were going to make him watch.

They had done things to him too. The imperius curse. Then they made him attack a ministry worker. Not even with his wand. They had taken that away from him. No. They made james beat the man with his fists, and james could do nothing but watch from a fish eye view as blood spurted from the man's nose and mouth. He could do nothing but look as they controlled his own body. It wasn't like a part of you was ripped out, it was like you were frozen. It was like a panic attack.

A shaky breath left james's lungs as he tried to crush the memory. He didn't even remember it was his birthday until a few minutes later.

Yes, his birthday. Also known as halloween. It was kind of a bummer to have your birthday on a holiday, but also kind of great. Nobody actually cared that much about you specifically, but you could pretend all the decorations and excitement were for your birthday. It was a bit sad, but not a big deal. Especially now, when this war was happening around them.

James stared up at the ceiling. He and lily had disappeared for the night again. People would talk. Again. They couldn't keep doing this. James didn't care for his own sake, but he knew it bothered lily. He didn't know why people just couldn't leave well enough alone. Why did they care if lily and james were sleeping together? Even though they weren't doing anything, except literally sleeping.

As if on cue lily rolled over and opened her eyes with a groan. She buried her face in james's chest for a minute and hugged him tighter. James was grateful for it and squeezed her back.

"How's your wrist and your ankle?" james asked her as she slowly released him

"Not exactly in prime condition, but they'll do i suppose. What about you? Did you get hurt yesterday? Sorry, I forgot to ask."

No. james's mind was quick to pipe up you were the one doing the hurting.

James shook his head.

"Good." lily glanced over at the magical calendar on the wall. It was basically the same as a regular calendar, except the date it was glowed on the paper, and if it was a holiday a little themed picture would appear next to it. For example, since today was halloween, a bright jack-o-lantern hovered on the wall.

"Oh!" lily exclaimed, sitting up fast and leaving a spot on james's chest feeling oddly cold without her "i completely forgot today's your birthday!"

"Please, it's fine." james said. It was. He didn't really care much.

"Oh, no." she sighed and smushed her face in with the heel of her good hand "i meant to order your present by owl, but with everything else i totally forgot and-"

"Lily, calm down." james laughed. She was adorable when she was flustered.

"I'm sorry." she murmured into her hand, that was still pressed up against her face.

"Really," james said, peeling her hand away, because it didn't look as if she was going to do it herself "honestly, being here with you right now is all i need."

"Really?" james nodded

"Actually," james said "what time is it?" sitting up next to her

Lily glanced at the digital clock sitting next to the lava lamp on top of one of the short bookshelves. What? So she still liked muggle stuff like lava lamps. Sue her.

"Uhhhhh" she craned her neck a little more "nine forty-five." she grimaced.

"We kind of slept in didn't we?" she asked

"Past breakfast, at least." he agreed

"Are you hungry?" she asked

"Not really."

"Do you wanna just… stay here for a little bit more?"

"Why, miss evans, i was about to suggest the same exact thing!" he said in a horrible country accent that sent lily into a fit.

"That was- the- the worst thing- i've ever heard!" she managed between pure attacks of laughter

"What? You don't like my country accent?"

"Oh no. i do not." she shook her head forcefully, still laughing.

"What? Well let me hear yours!"

"No, see, mine is bad, but i know it so i don't broadcast it like some people." she poked him in the side

"Well, you've mocked me quite horribly, if i do say so myself, so i demand to hear if the punishment fits the crime!"

"Alright, alright." she sobered herself from laughing and pushed her hair behind her ears. She cleared her throat and opened her mouth before shaking her head and dissolving into a fit of giggles

"No." she declared "i can't do it."

"Lily, lily, lily!" james chanted at her

"No, no, no!" she swatted him away but he kept chanting

Finally she just said

"Alright, if i do it will you shut up?"

"Yes. i will." he folded his hands in his lap

"Okay… what do i say?"

"Say whatever you want. Just dooooo it." he pestered

"Well," she started in what might have been an attempt at a country accent "happy birthday, young… man?" she cringed at herself

"Really?" james laughed "all the bloody persecution at that's how yours sounds!"

"Listen, you prick!"

"I'm listening."

"Well i don't have anything more to say to you, so that's too bad." she folded her arms haughtily and stuck her nose in the air, blowing a piece of hair from her face.

"Wooooooow." james drawled and chuckled, falling back into a bean bag pillow