Lily never meant to love her best friend. He had been her playmate, her partner-in-crime throughout the years with their mischievous schemes and harmless pranks. They were best friends. And, they swore never to ruin their friendship. But, they both felt the keen prickling of attraction to the other despite their efforts to remain platonic. Lily would unconsciously notice the way his clear blue eyes looked when he was passionate. They were bright sparks of blue light, so pure and yet so intense. His smile would widen as he excitedly babbled on about the rare Scarlett Salamander that Luna had found on her travels and brought home or the hippogriff that saved his life and was quickly christened Loyalfeather for his efforts. She would never admit that when he spoke, she just wanted to gaze into those blue eyes. She wanted to see the excitement spread itself across his face. She wanted him.
"Lil, are you listening to me?" Lorcan gently rubbed her arm as he noticed the dreamy look on her face. Her soft green eyes were apologetic as she looked back at him. He had noticed that she was lost in her thoughts more and more recently. He wondered if she was in love with Arjun Patil. They had been spending more and more time together lately. And, it hurt. He didn't want to share his best friend. He wanted her to gaze at him the way he had caught her looking at Misha Krum in their third year.
Lily looked at him, broken out of her reverie. What she wouldn't give to run her hands through his pale blonde locks and kiss him. "Sorry, Lorcan" She smiled guiltily. This was the third time this week she had been caught not listening to him. And, all she wanted to do kiss him. But, she could never tell him. "But, I remember you were talking about Loyalfeather" She offered up with a teasing smile.
"Really? And, what exactly did I say about Loyalfeather?" Lorcan's lip quirked up as he struggled to suppress a smile. Lily was biting her lip as he had known her to do all these years and the sight was so enticing. Her lips darkened and her eyes were bright. A combination that made him want to run his hands through her beautiful red hair and kiss her lips until they were that colour. Not that he would ever get the chance. Not after their stupid pact. "I'm waiting, Lil" He teased as she looked discomforted. It wasn't often that Lily Potter was left without words.
Lily looked up at him hesitantly. "Something about him being the best hippogriff ever" She took a breath. All she could smell was his heady cinnamon aftershave mingled with the faintest aroma of him. She couldn't tell you what he smelt like. All she knew was that it was so him. "I'm pretty sure" She grinned faking confidence. If only he would see her the way she saw him. Instead, she was certain he was pining after Maddie Thomas. Especially, since the two of them sat together in Herbology. Maddie with her perfectly blonde hair and warm brown eyes.
"Not quite though that was a good guess" His eyes sparkled with mirth as he took a step closer instinctively. He was so close he could see the tiny gold flecks that were all but forgotten until the sun hit them. He loved it when Lily stood in the sun. It was like her own personal spotlight. Her red hair grew warmer and redder and those freckles became so much more than smudges on her face. "What happened?" He looked expectantly at her. "Daydreaming about Aditya?" He spoke before he realised what he just said. He felt like an idot. So, what if his best friend had a crush on someone that wasn't him. He prepared himself for whatever she threw at him. That's when he heard the chuckles that grew louder and louder.
Tears streamed down her face as she noticed the serious look on Lorcan's face. Hastily composing herself, she opened her mouth to speak when she noticed a slightly wounded look in his eyes. "Merlin! You don't seriously think I could love someone as vain as him, do you?" She took his hand gently. "I can promise that I have no feelings for Patil" Her heart was pounding. He was jealous. She could see it written all over his face. But, she didn't know whether it was a friend who was jealous or whether he felt something more. She wanted more.
"Are you sure? You can tell me, Lil" Lorcan attempted a smile to disguise the happiness that was expanding in his heart. She didn't love Aditya. And, that alone made him want to take her in his arms and confess everything. To tell her that he loved her. To tell her that the pact was stupid. He looked at her nervously.
Lily felt his burning palm on hers. They had held hands so many times over the years but it had never felt like this. She had never felt the strength and love that she was so sure he had for her. He loved her. The jealousy and burning bright eyes were enough to convince her. But, she had to be sure. "Certain" She watched relief take hold of his face. "And, what about you and Maddie Thomas?" She was almost certain that he loved her too. Everything about his demeanour told her so but she wanted to hear it from his mouth. To hear that he loved her.
"There's nothing between us, Lil. I swear" He quickly babbled out with a smile. He had seen the hint of jealousy that crossed her face when she said Maddie's name but she was so much better at disguising her feelings than he was. He was certain his face was an open book. He was also certain now that Lily Luna Potter loved him.
Lily moved closer to Lorcan and felt him envelop her in a hug. She snuggled closer out of instinct to his shoulder. The same shoulder that she had cried on over years. The same shoulder that she accidentally broke whilst playing Quidditch. She had always been a rubbish Beater. "Guess, you're taking me to Hogsmeade then" She tickled his side slightly with a cheeky smile.
A/N Thanks for reading! Please leave feedback!