All the Young Dudes One Shots

Summer, 1977

Once she and James had arrived back from the shop, cases of cider in hand, the group had gathered round a fire that someone had created whilst Lily hadn't been there (she had a sneaking suspicion it had been conjured up by magic, par to her saying it was a muggle camping trip), Marlene's wireless was playing music, and ciders were being passed around the group. It was a very cosy setting indeed. They had gone to the beach earlier that day, which had been great fun, guiltily, Lily recollected how she had been unable to tear her eyes away from James' muscular body, when he was wearing his swimming trunks. The image seared in the back of her mind as she sipped her cider can. How had she let herself give in! After years of rejecting the boy profusely, James Potter has somehow managed to win her over, although she was still in a state of denial about the whole ordeal. 

The two of them were sitting next to each other, considerably close, when Dorcas eyed them sceptically.

'How long have you two been going out?' she asked them.

Lily nearly spit out her drink, the two of them leapt apart from each other, guiltily. Lily could feel her cheeks growing hot.

'We're not!' she squeaked defiantly, moving to sit next to Remus, in a bid to prove the point. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted the look exchanged between Mary and Marlene. 

'Oh, sorry!' Dorcas smiled, oblivious, 'I just thought... but Sirius and Mary, you used to go out, right?'

'For my sins!' Mary squawked, laughing, Sirius poked his tongue out at her.

After a few cans of cider, they were all in a silly mood, Remus, sat next to her, seemed content as he sipped his can peacefully, listening intently to All the Young Dudes playing on Marlene's wireless. 

When the song finished, they all cheered drunkenly, laughing.

***

Later that evening, when everyone was visibly drunker, Lily, being rather drunk herself, found it even harder to deny her feelings for James. Sirius and Remus had wandered off somewhere, Marlene and Mary were giggling, chugging down cans of cider. Peter and Dorcas had retreated to a tent and cast a silencing spell, no need to question what was going on there. That left James and Lily.

She went to sit next to him by the fire, his eyes lit up with that familiar dopey eyed hopeful glint she knew exceedingly well.

'For you' James said, gallantly offering her a can of cider as she took her seat.

'Trying to get me drunk, Potter?' She laughed, lightheartedly.

James laughed as well. 'No one could be drunker than those two tonight' he gestured to Mary and Marlene, who were now singing animatedly to ABBA songs, arms around each other, swaying to the rhythm. 

'Where did Sirius and Remus go?' she asked him, sipping her can.

'Dunno, off to the beach I think' 

His hair was exceptionally tousled, It was always messy and untameable, being out in the countryside camping without a mirror was clearly not acting to its advantage. Lily liked his messy hair though, how it never sat straight, always pieces at the back standing up on end.

'How far we've come eh? About a year ago you'd never choose to sit next to me' James said, a mischievous glint flickering in his eyes.

'Don't flatter yourself Potter' she said, frowning at him but smiling all the same.

During sixth year, from prefect duty together, Lily had softened towards James, it had taken her a long time to admit it to herself, but she was starting to actually really like him. He had deflated his ego slightly, and the more they actually talked, the more she was enlightened to the real person that was James Potter. And he was a great person. Flawed, obviously, but too caring for his own good, and actually surprisingly charming.

So now, as she sat beside him, by the flickering of the fire, the muffled sound of Mary and Marlene belting to Honey Honey somewhere in the distance, Lily found herself blushing, as she made eye contact with those warm, entrancing brown eyes of James Potter's.

'Remember that time, when I told you I liked your hair and you charmed mine to turn ginger' he said, in a reminiscent tone.

'Ah yes, of course'

'I really did mean it- your hair, It's beautiful' 

The old version of her would've scolded him, perhaps hex him after this statement, although she found herself smiling and blushing, in spite of herself.

'And your freckles...' he added, softly, his eyes begun to survey the splatter of freckles across her nose, she watched as they moved jerkily, tracing them...

Her skin felt hot under his gaze, she glanced down to his lips breifly, before acting on a whim and meeting them with her own. 

She leaned in slowly, his lips felt soft and welcoming against her own, he responded with controlled enthusiasm, she parted her lips slightly allowing him to slip his tongue into her mouth. It was paced, but with underlying hunger and desire, soft, but also urgent- it was perfect. 

When they parted she smiled, feeling her pulse quicken and heat creeping back into her cheeks. James looked like he couldn't believe what had just happened, he was grinning broadly from ear to ear, his eyes glassy and he had that dopey look on his face, like a schoolgirl with a crush.

'Lilyyy' Mary squealed as she came bounding over to her, Marlene following in her wake. 'Come dance with us!'

Lily turned to her friends, breaking the eye contact with James, she hoped her flushed cheeks would not be so prominent in the dim light of the fire.

She chuckled, noticing her friends drunken state. 'Sorry girls, I was... well' she looked at James and couldnt stop the wide grin from creeping on to her lips.

'Oh... OH' said Mary, realisation washing over her features, sending her into a fit of giggles, 'Be safe kids!' was all she said, until the two of them sped off, giggling excessively. 

Lily rolled her eyes at her and chuckled.

James cleared his throat. 'Did you want to- um, go in the tent and, um- talk?' he said awkwardly.

Lily beamed back at him. 'Why, Mr Prongs, I'd be delighted'

They made themselves comfortable in James and Sirius' tent, James gallantly offered his own pillow to Lily, which she declined, although was pleasantly surprised by how charming he could be. 

They lay facing each other, smiling and talking, laughing, occasionally pausing for a quick snog, which never failed to get Lily's heart racing at an alarmingly fast pace. James had cast a silencing charm on the tent, in case anyone decided to start prying. 

They were just in the middle of kissing when they heard the rustling of footsteps approaching the tent, followed by the muffled voices of Sirius and Remus, then by Mary, who had popped her head out of the tent next to them and shrieked 'It't James and Lily!'

'Are you serious?!' Sirius gasped. 'Bloody hell. I mean... wow, I sort of want to go in and shake his hand' 

Lily and James laughed together, listening to Sirius' words. 

'I've a feeling his hands are busy' they heard Remus say.

James blushed at this, Lily giggled nervously. 

They had zoned out from the conversation occurring outside after this statement, for they were very much occupied.

They had resumed kissing, although this time it became faster, more urgent. Lily was overcome with desire as they pressed their bodies against each other, gasped as James dotted soft kisses down her neck.

She felt warm and safe as she fell asleep in James' arms that night, and thought of his smile, so full of happiness that she thought she'd never feel sorrow again.