Note: this is very much an AU in the sense that the timeline of James and Lily's relationship is a bit off. Also, I don't really know how to write these two at this stage in their lives, oops. Also also... I've never actually watched Carrie.

MC4A

Fall Bingo: B1 (fruits/vegetables)

Word count: 954


Horror Movie Night

Lily was just putting the finishing touches on the fruit and vegetable tray she had made up when the doorbell rang. She hurried to get the door, smoothing down her hair as she did so.

"James!" She smiled at the dark-haired man standing on her doorstep. "Glad you could make it."

"As if I'd miss a chance to spend time with you, Lils," he said, messing up his hair in typical James fashion. It was true that they had been spending a lot of time together lately, even more than they had during their final year at Hogwarts. "So...what did you have planned?"

"Well," Lilly said, leading him into the living room and gesturing vaguely to the couch, "I thought we could watch a movie."

James's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. " A movie? Like the Muggle entertainment?" At Lily's nod, he punched his fist into the air. "Yes! What're we watching?"

Lily flashed him a devious grin. After all the pranks he and his mates had pulled on her — which she later found out were desperate bids for her attention — she was only too happy to get her revenge. "Oh, just a little film called 'Carrie.'"

James was clearly not fooled by her innocent tone, if the way he narrowed his green eyes at her was any indication. "Yeah? What's it about?"

"A young girl struggling to make friends and fit in," Lily replied, looking him dead in the eye.

James grinned and stretched out his legs. "So... it's about you?"

Lily threw a couch pillow at him. "I had plenty of friends at Hogwarts, thank you very much!"

James laughed. "Kidding, Lils." He looked around as Lily moved towards the television. "No popcorn? Isn't that what the Muggles eat when they watch movies?"

"I'm thrilled to discover that you actually paid attention during Muggle Studies," Lily said dryly, "but no, there is no popcorn. I made up a lovely fruit and veggie tray. Much healthier."

James looked at the carrots, celery, grapes and strawberries that she had spent half an hour cutting up and arranging, and wrinkled his nose. "If you say so."

Lily grabbed the remote and plopped down next to him on the couch. "I do say so." She kissed him briefly before pressing play and settling back against the cushions.

...

James Potter was many things, but a boring movie companion was not one of them. He gasped and groaned in all the right places, and spent the rest of the time making comments that would have annoyed Lily if she hadn't seen the film before.

"James," she giggled, "you don't need to keep mentioning how much you hate the mum. I agree that she's really horrible."

"Good," James said, cuddling up to her, "because I am convinced that she is insane. This won't end well, I guarantee it."

Lily laughed and nibbled on a strawberry. She noticed that James seemed to enjoy the grapes the most — there were only a few left. She made a mental note to stock up on them for the next time he came over.

...

When the iconic prom scene happened, James all but lept out of his seat, shouting, "Serves them right!" at the screen. Lily grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.

"It isn't real, James," she reminded him gently. "And besides, you were blocking my view."

"Oh, sorry, Lils."

...

"What'd you think of the movie?" Lily asked as soon as the credits began to roll. She couldn't help but smirk at the slightly horrified look on James's face.

"That was..." he gulped, "...dramatic. I thought you said this was about a young girl trying to make friends!"

Lily snorted, but quickly pasted a look of innocence onto her face. "I mean, it was, wasn't it?"

James ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, in a roundabout kind of way, I guess. I can't believe Carrie killed all those kids!"

"Can you blame her?" Lily asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I suppose not." James shuddered. "Merlin, she kind of reminded me of...Snape, actually."

Lily drew in a sharp breath. "Oh?" she said as casually as she could. Just the mere mention of her former friend's name made her feel sick.

"Yeah. He was always kind of...an oddball, wasn't he? I could see him losing it like Carrie did."

Lily grabbed a piece of celery and shoved it into her mouth so that she wouldn't have to respond. If she was being honest, she understood why James would think that, but it wasn't a topic she particularly wanted to dwell on. Thankfully, James seemed to realize that he'd said something amiss and immediately offered to help clean up.

Lily waved him off. "It's fine, James. It'll only take me a few minutes to do myself."

"You sure?"

"Yeah." She smiled at him. "It's late, you'll want to be getting home."

"I suppose," he said with a shrug, "but it doesn't feel much like home without you."

Lily blushed. "That's very sweet of you to say—"

"I'm serious, Lily." James stared down at her, his eyes smoldering. The intensity of his gaze made her heart pound. "I just want to be...with you. Wherever you are."

"I'm sure that could be arranged," she whispered, rising up onto her toes to press their lips together. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and kissed her back.

"So you'll move in with me, then?" he asked moments later, when they had finally broken apart. He sounded breathless and a tiny bit insecure. That wasn't like him at all, and Lily found herself wanting to reassure him right away.

"Yes," she said quickly. "Yes, of course I'll move in with you."