"Lily! Hi!" James shouted, immediately cursing himself for his eagerness. He walked closer to the door, and then there they were, both behind the couches, directly opposite one another.

"So… What exactly are we here to talk about?" Lily asked nervously.

"Life, the universe… everything!" James joked.

"Was.. was that a 'Hitchhiker's Guide' reference?" Lily asked. James nodded slowly, surprised. "Holy shit, I didn't know you knew that book series. I mean, not only is it a muggle series, but it's not even that popular in the muggle world. But I love it. It's my favorite. Ever." She caught herself beginning to sink into uber fangirl mode and pulled the reins on her excitement, but her craziness was already out in the open.

James was slightly taken aback by this. He and Lily Evans had something in common? A shared interest? A shared favorite book in the entire world? What the hell?

"Um, me too, actually," he replied.

James was left reeling with the realization that Lily was a total fucking nerd. The thought couldn't make him happier, and a grin grew on his face, and that grin bubbled into a laugh, and the booming laugh fizzled into the cutest giggle Lily had ever heard, and soon, she was laughing too.

By the time the laughter had died down, they were both laying down on their couches, on their sides, trying to pretend they weren't watching each other.

The silence following the outburst felt even louder than Lily's unexpected excitement had. James moved slowly to a sitting position on the couch, and Lily followed his example soon after. They avoided eye contact, but snuck glances at each other when the other wasn't looking.

"I'm sorry," came out of both of their mouths at the same time.

"For fucking everything," said James.

"For being so… I dunno," said Lily.

And then they slowly smiled at each other before bursting into conversation.

After over an hour of discussing their shared favorite book, they realized that the entire purpose of their meeting had been unconsciously avoided.

"So, we came here to talk about how much of a shithead I am, right? And how I'll do anything to make amends?" James ran his hand through his hair, a Potter trademark. A really hot trademark.

"I mean, I guess. But I feel like we covered that about 12 obscure book references ago. I think we're okay. Really. Plus, you're really funny."

James smiled at that. He had done it. After 6 years, he had finally convinced the one girl he wanted to laugh at his jokes to stop being mad at him long enough to do so. He didn't want to leave this room, knowing that as soon as they stepped outside, their little bubble would be popped, but it was nearing 9:30, and both of them had homework plus an early morning. With a half smile, they both recognized it was time for bed and started for the door.

Reaching for the handle to exit, Lily suddenly stopped and turned around, causing James to bump right into her. He gulped. She gasped. "I'm…-"

Her words caught in her throat as James Potter leaned in slowly, gently touching her arms, and then her neck, and then her cheek. His thumb traced the outline of her lips. She couldn't breathe. His cheek was touching hers as he put his mouth to her ear to whisper, "I know." She closed her eyes and sighed deeply. His breath on her neck gave her shivers. And then he kissed her. He kissed her and she kissed him back, and her hands were on his neck, his cheeks, in his hair, and his hands couldn't decide what to do, so they got to know the curve of her spine, and where her hips meet her thighs, and her hairline at the base of her neck.

She pulled him closer to her, and then they were pushed against the wall, and she was clutching at him as if he were air and she was drowning. They breathed each other in, and letting go was surely a death sentence. And when it finally ended with a few light pecks on Lily's cheeks, forehead, neck, and nose, their breath was heavy. Lily's vision was spotted, and both their cheeks were flushed and hair disheveled, though James was definitely the winner in the bad hair department. Then they separated, both awkward, and Lily left the room without a word, hilariously needing her inhaler, and concealing a happy smile from the watchful eyes of the Gryffindor common room.

James stood there for god knows how long, staring at the space Lily Evans had just occupied. His brows were furrowed, and although he was elated that his adolescent dream had come true, he couldn't help but worry that it was not an organic process.

Did I pressure her into this? I mean, I was the one leading this. I instigated it. She turned around, but I leaned in. I touched her first. Oh my god. She didn't want it, I forced myself upon her. That's why she left. She hates me even more now. Oh fuck, I've really done it now. I've fucked up royally now. SHIT.

He pulled himself together enough to walk across the Common Room, and headed straight for his silent four poster where he could beat himself up in the comfort of his own bed, away from the spot where he worried he had violated the girl he loved since he was 11.

Lily lay with her curtains drawn, except for the side of her bed facing Alice's. There she sat, eagerly awaiting her new friend's return. She needed someone to talk to about this, and she figured Alice might forgive her earlier snap if she was the first and only to get the details about tonight.

But then Lily started to overanalyze herself. What if James hadn't enjoyed it? What if that's why he pulled away? What if she embarrassed herself? Why did she do it?

Does this mean we're together now? Does this mean I have to confront my possible feelings for him? What does this mean?

She decided not to wait for Alice's return, and instead to pull the curtains closed and mull over her amazing evening in silence.

A/N: AAAAHAHHHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Honestly fluff is my faaaaavorite thing, I literally gave myself chills while writing this just because I'm so obsessed with romance?

Please leave me a nice review, and remember to favorite and follow!

P.S. I realized after I wrote this that the Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy came out the year after they left Hogwarts, but you know what? Suspension of disbelief, we'll just pretend for a while. Besides, I'm not really trying to do like a 'period piece' here, it's pretty modern. So yeah, just pretend.

ALSO if you have no idea what Hitchhikers Guide is, it's an AMAZING book, and the movie is also amazing and you should read it and watch it! (Read the whole series, there's a bunch of em.) They're brilliantly written and clever and hilarious, and I have a feeling I'll be using a lot of references to it in this fic!

-Chloe