Restaurant
December, 1979
James was staring at Lily. He continued to do so even as he wrapped the pasta around his fork and brought it up to his mouth. And then he chewed and stared. And swallowed and stared. And twirled his fork around in the pasta and--
"James for Merlin's sake."
And swallowed and stared. "Yes?"
"Usually it's sweet when you look at me for extended periods of time, but this is just creepy."
And stared and grinned and wasn't he handsome, even if he did have spaghetti sauce in the corners of his mouth. "It's just that I can't take my eyes off of you is all..."
"I know what you're doing."
And stared and nodded innocently. "I'm eating. Most people do it daily." And stared.
Lily sighed. "I'm feeling under the weather. You know that."
"Yes but this food is made by people who can actually cook."
Lily smiled vaguely. "James, I love your cooking."
And stared and looked confused. "Really?"
"Yes, love."
"Then I'm confused."
"I can tell by how sideways you're holding your head."
James straightened his head and looked down at his plate (finally). "You've been feeling under the weather for weeks."
"I know." Despite her persistent nausea, Lily sawed a piece off of her extremely expensive charbroiled chicken and took a hearty bite to satisfy James' concern.
"You don't have to eat for me," he said quietly.
"No, no. It's good. Really. Mmmm," she said, rubbing her stomach (though more to calm the storm raging within it than in appreciation of the food).
"A bit over the top to be convincing, Lil, even for me."
She winced. "I'm sorry. I..." she paused. Her eyes bulged. James leaped to his feet.
"Are you okay?"
Lily hummed in fervent contemplation before she, too, sprang to her feet and rushed off to the bathroom.
James plunked down, defeated and worried. He sat for a moment to calm himself down, grabbed a glass of water from a passing tray, and went to stand in what he hoped was a casual-looking manner outside the women's loo.
"Thank you," she croaked when she came out, gratefully grabbing the glass with a shaky hand and taking small sips. James put his arm around her.
"At least your hair was tied back today."
She snorted lightly against closed eyes and snuggled into his chest as they walked slowly back to their table. "I'm sorry about this."
"Because it's absolutely your fault. I am shocked and disappointed, Lily."
"I do eat, James, during the day. I have a good breakfast and a better lunch. It's only around this time of day when I get sick."
James squeezed her tightly out of momentary guilt. He was never around during the day, and had thus really thought she wasn't eating at all. "Maybe you're a reverse vampire," he joked.
Lily snapped her fingers. "That's probably it. Except instead of being afraid of the night, it makes me violently ill. All makes sense now."
"The moon does funny things to some people, you know. Lupin gets very cranky when it's full."
"Mm. Maybe I've been spending too much time around him." Her eyes widened. "Whoops maybe I wasn't supposed to mention that."
James' eyes widened in turn. "You know, I've been thinking about severing my friendship with Remus lately."
"Har har. You'd sooner die, James Potter, no matter how jealous you might be without cause."
James smiled. "Damn, you know me too well to take me seriously." They stopped and stood in front of their table. "How are you doing?" he asked her quietly.
"Okay," she decided. She nodded curtly. "Better."
"Feel like finishing?"
Lily stared at her plate. "I appreciate the dinner, James, so much..."
"But?"
"But I think right now I'd really prefer it if you would take me home and make me a grilled cheese sandwich."
James grinned, left what he hoped was enough Muggle money on the table, and took her hand as they walked out the door. "I love that you make me grilled cheese," Lily mused.
"I love that you love grilled cheese." He kissed her on the forehead before they turned simultaneously and disappeared into the night.