Details
New Story! FFN and AO3
It's always been in the details with James.
A little Jily fluff for my dear friend @tumbledfreckles I love you darling and hope you have an amazing day!
Details
She watched him from her perch on the counter. His hazel eyes studied the jar's ingredients from behind his black rimmed glasses. He blew his fringe off the top of the frames and she smiled as it landed right back where it had been.
"I guess this is technically the same as the brand I thought you'd buy."
"You guess?"
James sighed. "Fine, the ingredients are identical, but…"
"But?" Lily pressed when James fell silent.
"It's nothing." He turned back to the stove.
Lily hopped off the counter and turned off the burner.
"What's wrong? I didn't think using a different brand of raspberry jam would be a big deal."
James shook his head and moved to the kitchen sink.
"I'm being ridiculous, Lils. Honestly, just ignore me."
Lily's blood boiled.
"I will do no such thing, you over dramatic lump! Now look at me and tell me what in the world is going on."
James stared down at the drain. His shoulders tensed and his hands gripped the counter on either side of the sink.
"James?" Lily moved to his side, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Evans-"
"It's Potter." She cut him off. "Has been for a few months now."
James chuckled. "I still have a hard time believing that sometimes."
"Don't change the subject. Why are you so upset about me buying a different brand of jam?"
"It doesn't matter, love."
"It matters to me; now tell me what's going on."
"It's not the raspberry jam Dad always bought." James' head dropped.
Lily's heart broke.
"Oh, James."
"I know, I know, it doesn't matter-"
"Come on." Lily pulled James away from the counter. "The market isn't closed, and we still have a few hours before Sirius and Marlene will be here."
"No, no I need to let it go."
"James, I will drag you out of this house by your shirt collar if you don't come willingly."
"But dinner-"
"Will still be here for us to make when we get back. Right now you need to show me what brand of jam your dad preferred."
James looked back at the ingredients he'd already pulled out. He started to shake his head 'no' but Lily cut him off again.
"No arguments, love."
She pulled his face between her hands and brought her lips to his. The ache in his heart pushed through in the details of his kiss. It was always the details with James. He took notice of every detail he could. He connected with people using details. He argued with people over details. He loved people in detail.
And when it came to missing his dead parents, James missed them in the details.
Like the right brand of raspberry jam.
"Dad bought Wilkin & Sons when he bought raspberry jam." James pulled back. "I'm sorry, I should have said before you went to the market."
Lily pressed up for another kiss, trying to pull some sadness from him.
"Come with me to buy it. It'll help."
James slid his hand along her waist. "You think so?"
"I know so." Lily stepped into him. "And if we hurry, we might even have time for other things before Sirius and Marlene get here."
A flicker of light hit James' eyes and Lily smirked up at him.
"It wouldn't hurt to try, I suppose." His smile still held a sadness to it, but he was smiling, a detail Lily didn't miss.
She didn't let him think twice. Lily had them out the door in under a minute and back at the market. The right brand in hand, James' smile lacked the sadness it had in their flat. Nostalgia painted his face as he rubbed his fingers over the label. His eyes told stories of this raspberry jam over hot scones and when it was made into a sauce for decadent puddings.
"Thank you." He murmured as they waited to pay.
Lily squeezed his arm. "Of course."
James looked around at the few people near them and leant close to her ear.
"Do you think there's still time for-" He kissed the shell of her ear. "Those other things you mentioned?"
"Keep that sort of thing up and we'll make time." Lily breathed and tried not to melt into a puddle on the floor in the market.
"I'll do just that then." He whispered as his fingers teased along the hem of her shirt.
Lily was shocked they made it back home before they made time for those other things.
It was all in the details with James. The light calluses on his fingers brushing against her skin, teasing, caressing, holding, gripping. The touch of his lips, tasting, savoring, feasting on the delicacy he found her to be. The rumble of his voice in his chest, her name it's continual reprise.
"We need to get dinner started." James nuzzled her neck.
"Do we have to?" Lily tangled her fingers deeper into his hair.
"Unless you want to listen to Sirius whine about how hungry he is when he gets here, yes."
"Alright." Lily groaned and pulled her hands from his hair.
"Hey." James kissed her again, a gentle and slow slide that pulled every ounce of breath out of her. "Thank you for helping me."
Lily pulled him back down to her, taking his breath to fill her lungs.
"You're welcome." She whispered.
It was always in the details with James, and Lily found herself grateful to be in the details with him.
