A/N: The Restricted Collection - prompt: No references to a Hogwarts house
HP Assassin Competition - prompt: '"You don't want to be late for work, my angel."' from the fic The Nephilim (I'll add in who it's by once the competition has finished).
"That was the most disgusting display of public affection I have ever seen," Lily ranted as she slung her coat over the back of the lounge. Her fiancé repositioned himself to make room for her, but she ignored the gesture, deciding instead to pace back and forth in front of him. "They were all over each other. And that wasn't even the worst part; I've been friends with Sirius long enough that seeing someone snogging in public doesn't bother me anymore. It was the constant endearments. Honestly, James, they were nauseating."
"Worse than Sirius snogging?" James asked, his amusement shining through like the sun peeking its head through a blanket of clouds.
Lily, however, was uncharacteristically immune to his rays. However much she loved his warmth and light, that wasn't what she wanted in that moment; in that moment, she wanted darkness and cold and the ability to vent her irritation without interruption. "Yes," she said adamantly. "Worse than that. He was calling her his angel. Like, ugh, how bad can you get?"
"Jealous?" he teased.
Her face screwed up in disgust, but she let out a slow breath and perched herself on the lounge beside him. "No. But it's early and I'm stressed and it's pathetic how utterly unaware they were of everything that was going on around them. I bet they wouldn't even recognise Voldemort if he appeared in full Death Eater regalia right in front of them."
"Ah," he said, reaching out a hand to pull her against him. "That's what this is about."
"James," she whispered, "I just want this to be over."
"I do too. I even got annoyed at Sirius for making stag jokes the other day."
"But you love Animagus jokes."
"It just seemed petty. Got over it quickly, though. Sirius chided me for turning into a stick in the mud, and I told him he'd given me paws, so we're good again."
"Yeah. Thanks for listening, anyway." She kissed him on the cheek. "I'd better be off. Jess Flooed in sick for work, so I have to dash. I just came home to change into my work clothes."
"You'd better hurry," James said. He paused for a brief moment for dramatic effect before adding, "You don't want to be late for work, my angel." He placed the faintest of stresses on the last two words, emphasising them while retaining deniability.
Lily rolled her eyes affectionately. "Don't get me started, cookie. I'm sure I'll be able to come up with a much worse nickname for you with the guys at work."
He just grinned. "Go ahead. It's on, dove."