She looked at him, noticing his slightly wavering smile that somewhat contradicted the bright, fiery light behind his eyes, and the endearing way he ran his hand through his ever-tousled hair. He suddenly looked terrified. Lily knew what she wanted him to say next, and, judging by the nervous look James was giving her, he was about to oblige.
"So, Evans…" he started. There was a short pause, during which they fought a fierce staring match, each willing the other to speak first. It was one of the few times that Lily had ever seen James lost for words, and she savoured the moment. Finally, impatience overcame her amusement, and she gave in.
"Yes, Potter?" Smiling at him cheekily, she waited for him to voice his thoughts. She decided, with a somewhat evil turn of her thoughts, to see how scared she could make him. Slowly, sensuously, she licked her lips, and simultaneously hugged her arms to herself, as if to keep warm; she knew she was wearing a relatively low cut top, and was interested to see what it would do to James. She was rewarded: his cheeks turned bright pink and he didn't seem to know where to look, his gaze eventually coming to rest where it'd started, on her face. Only it looked like he was concentrating very hard on keeping it there. It was definitely coming, and this time… this time, she thought, he's going to like what comes next.
He took a deep, calming breath. Right Potter, you've done this before, and at least you know that this time she likes you a little bit. Nothing to be so worried about, she isn't going to says no… Oh bullocks, just get it over with; she'll wonder what you're doing just staring at h- James's thoughts stopped as he glanced down to see… Oh Prongs you ass, move your eyes. LOOK AWAY! Yes that's better, look at your feet. Heck she has nice breasts. No! Keep your eyes on her face. Her face, right, now get talking. OH Lord she's licking those sexy lips… Heck. Heck bogger shoot ass bullocks. Concentrate! Okay, the speech, organise your face, and just look relaxed. Now, He opened his mouth
"Lily." To her surprise, he was talking firmly and confidently, but with none of his customary arrogance. She looked up, intrigued, and saw a vulnerability in his face that she had not seen, or at least noticed, before. "I know I've not been the most sensitive bloke, and I wasn't terribly likeable in the past, but I've tried to be more responsible, and I think I can count you as a friend despite our, well, despite our differing opinions in the past. I know I've asked you before, and every time you've refused me, but I think this time is different. I'm different, you're different, the things we've shared, I could never have dreamed, before, how- " He stopped and shook his head as if to get rid of an unwelcome thought, and continued "How well we work together, all the things we've been through recently, you know…" He took a deep breath. "What I mean to say, is I'd really like it if you'd go out with me. Are you entirely averse to the idea?"
She felt a little butterfly in her stomach, but nevertheless replied without hesitation, "Yes."
His face fell, and she was confused for a second. Realisation dawned,
"That's a 'Yes I will go out with you' not a 'Yes I'm entirely averse', James, you don't need to look so crestfallen, even if it is rather cute." She grinned at him as his face changed dramatically, and suddenly he was grinning too. They both looked daft, James supposed, but he didn't care, Lily had agreed to go out with him!
