#jilydoe

James laughed, adjusting her head so she wouldn’t hurt her neck when it hung over he edge of the sofa.

“I want you to know…Lily, that my feelings haven’t changed a bit. By legs still feel like cooked spaghetti when you talk to me. I still think my heart is going to jump up my throat when you enter the room. I just…I know you don’t feel the same thing, and it hurts. It hurts so much to know that I want something I’ll never get. Some people might enjoy the chase, I enjoy it when the chase is done. I like it when I get the Quaffle through the goal-hoop, when the boss is beaten. Everyone has told me to give up, but I don’t want to give up. I don’t want to stop loving you, because loving you is the best feeling ever. Oh my god. I love you.” He blinked , no longer sure himself what he was saying. He thought Lily might be asleep, but he kept going anyways. “I love how you wear sandals, even when it’s freezing, I love how you bite your nails when you think no one’s watching. I love all of you, and I want to keep loving you, every day.”

Lily’s eyes flickered open. Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. What had he done. He’d just screwed up everything. You don’t just go telling someone something like that.

“James…” She slurred. “Maybe I like you too.”

“Okay, you’re really drunk.” James made an attempt to lift her from the sofa.

“I mean it.” Lily sat up, breaking free from James’ grip. “You’re so sweet.” She put her hand in his. “I want someone who’s sweet, like you. I want you.” It was all James had wanted to hear since he was thirteen. But she was barely conscious, she couldn’t possibly be aware of what she was saying.

“Come on, let’s get you into bed.” He made another attempt to move her. “We’ll talk in the morning.”

She didn’t protest this time, and let James put his arm around her waist, slowly guiding her towards the stairs. She was leaning into his chest, giggling.

“What?” He looked at her.

“I’m…I’m not gonna forget this.”

“Let’s see about that.” He kissed her forehead. “Can you walk?” They’d reached the staircase.

She shook her head, still buried in his sweater.

“Okay, come on then.” He picked her up bridal style and, with one hand on the banister, started up the stairs. By the time James remembered the slide function of the stairs, it was too late. He was falling and Lily was falling too. Lying on his back on the cold stone floor, Lily beside him, he started laughing.

“What?”

“This is just…” He chuckled. “It’s not going well.”