Their friends surround them, drunken words slurred louder than either thought possible.
Neither Lily nor Barty had ever particularly enjoyed experiencing the effects of alcohol, something both attributed to their childhoods. Though, as a shock to them both, neither were bothered by being around their drunken friends, something Lily attributed to knowing none of them had any capacity or desire to cause them harm in that state.
On evenings like those, with their friends belligerent around them, the pair could curl up on a couch, in front of the fireplace of Remus and Sirius’ apartment without anyone questioning their physical closeness or how long they’ve known each other or when they met.
Truthfully, the pair has been on-again-off-again since before Lily’s two-year relationship with James, though there was no overlap between the two relationships.
They’ve discussed going public a few times, but Lily just got out of her relationship with James, which, truth be told, she had checked out of months before it was actually over, and, though she felt awful for how long she let it stagnate for, she’s grateful for. It made the pain less stabbing, made her more ready to reconnect with Barty.
Neither were interested in being scrutinized by their friends for the non-existent overlap. They both understood the inevitable questions, but were willing to put them off as long as they could.
Despite all the questions following them, both Lily and Barty chose to ignore them for the duration of the party, instead curled up in front of Remus and Sirius’ artificial fireplace, discussing everything and nothing, breathing in each other, and wanting nothing more.