#peppermintoswald

"Yes, I am!" Lily visibly lied, but the words still hit James like a venomous bite.

"Liar," James said quietly under his breath.

The room was now silent, just the sound of their heavy breathing filling the emptiness of the room.

"Leave," Lily finally said. "I need— I need time alone."

"No, why won't you tell me what's wrong?" James said earnestly; the look of anger was washed away with complete concern.

"Nothing is wrong!" She was lying again.

"Lily…" His eyes bore into hers.

She looked away from his, not able to look at him.

"Why won't you just tell me?" He prodded her along, taking a step towards her.

Lily looked back up at him with pursed lips.

"Fine—"

"Finally!"

"— shut it! You wanna know why I'm distancing myself? All my life people have shut me out, people I've gotten closed to! People I've loved, and still do love! My life has been a series of doors in my face. First with Tuney, then with Sev, and now my parents are gone… I can't do it anymore, okay? I'm done. Now: will you please leave? I need some space—"

"Lily, I would never—"

"That's what they all say," She spat at him.

She grabbed his wrist, and pulled him towards the door, and with a bit of a fight James let her. She slammed the door in his face, and then proceeded to lean against it with tears pooled in her eyes.

James didn't move away from the door, he stood there with a frown as he heard her mostly silent sobs.

"Lily…" He said just loud enough for her to hear through the door.

"Go away!" She cried out.

James went silent for a moment, pondering his thoughts.

"I know you've gone through a lot, I can't even imagine what you've been through. I won't even pretend to know, but I do know one thing: love is an open door."

Lily's breath got stuck in her throat, and her heart skipped a beat. He loved her? No, no, impossible, she thought to herself.

"Please let me in," he pleaded softly.

She sniffed a bit before slowly opening the door to look at him. Her eyes were red, and her face was wet from her tears. They didn't say a word, they just stared at each other for a long moment. James then opened the door more and took a step towards her, wrapping his arms around her. James kissed her tears away, before planting a long, loving kiss on her lips.

"I love you," James murmured against her lips.

"I opened the door for you," She murmured back, and he just grinned.