Tested | Lily & James
Whatever he had been expected her to say, that was not it. James was struck dumb by the very words. She loved him. Lily Evans loved him. He stared at her, those emerald eyes, the familiar intensity building up in his heart and threatening to overwhelm him. It was a mixture of serenity and passion, and all painful longing. “You know… this moment right now, you saying those words and looking at me that way… it’s going to make for one bloody good Patronus, should I ever need one.” He’d blurted it out, operating on pure joy alone, his mouth dry and hungering for her. Colour then filled his cheeks, and James inwardly cursed. “Sorry. That wasn’t very romantic of me, was it, Evans?” James suspected that his eyes were a little wet, which wasn’t good, as Lily would probably think he was crying or something.
“I’ve never loved anyone more than I love you,” he replied hoarsely, but in a firm tone. Telling her that made him feel more fragile than James had ever felt before, to have that much of his heart out in the open. Maybe it was something he’d done before, over and over, confessed all that was in him to Lily but she’d never had much reason to take him seriously before. And so James had felt safe. “And that you love me back - it’s more than I ever dared hope for, Lily.” It was after he’d spoken that he once more felt words, and anything other than pure happiness leave him. Lily had come towards him, so close that it was all too easy to lean his forehead against hers and smile.
That she’d ever fallen in love with him at all was a miracle in itself. James never thought much about it, but had the roles been reversed, he didn’t think he would have given himself a second chance. But that was what made Lily special, he thought. And even, perhaps, what tied them together all the more strongly now. They truly knew all of each other - a lot of things James wasn’t proud of, and Lily managed to forgive him for. It awed him all over again, and it was no wonder he’d made steps towards ‘deflating his fat head’ with something like that to humble him. Someone like that, he corrected himself. It was Lily who awed him. No matter how long he knew her, or loved her for - and he was quite certain his love for her would remain long after the day he died - James didn’t think he’d ever know all of what Lily was capable of.
A small smirk played at Lily's lips and she honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. James's reaction wasn't exactly what she'd been expecting, then again she wasn't sure what she'd been expecting. Nevertheless this warm, happy sensation spread through her, like everything would be okay now. And if she wasn't so damn happy right now she would have inwardly cringed for even thinking that. However, she did raise one eyebrow when he called her by her second name. Surely this moment called for to be called by Lily. She was about to open her mouth and correct him when she noticed the wetness in his eyes, she had to admit she was a little shocked. "You're not about to cry, are you, Potter?"
Of course Lily already knew that James loved her, he'd let it slip a few months ago. Before they even started seeing each other. Back then it'd filled her with shock and dread, but now it just made her happier then she ever imagined she could be. And to think this had all started because she'd thought some Quidditch girl had been flirting with James. Lily made a mental note to thank that girl for bringing out her jealous side, though the girl would obviously have no idea what Lily was thanking her for. Well, she would one day. "It shouldn't be surprising, really, you have been telling me for years that I'm going to fall in love with you. I suppose you were right." Despite the teasing tone in her voice, there was genuine grin on her face. Then without hesitation, without having to think about it, she tiled her head slightly to place a soft, 3 second kiss to his lips.
For a moment Lily thought that she might cry. She could actually feel the tears welling up. Because everything was surely going to change now, for the good. Eventually they'd have to start telling people and she wouldn't even care about the whispers and bets anymore. She could just imagine all the smug look on her friends faces. And then, for some reason, she imagined Petunia reaction. No doubt he would visit her during summer, at least she hoped he would, and Lily could just imagine Tuney's horrified expression. She couldn't suppress the resulting giggle. "Petunia's going to absolutely hate you." Lily whispered as she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his shoulder.
