#its been a while since i joined any fests sdklfjsdlkjfl

[myuntoldstory]

it's late all around, but! just adding my contributions to prompt 5: "joy" from @jilymicrofics and; day 2: "the little doe-mestic moments" of @mppmaraudergirl's alight with happiness fest. full ongoing fic (which will be completed soon) can be found in ao3. thank you, and enjoy!

ii. two weeks “Wow, it’s blessedly quiet in here.”

“I’m sorry.” James smiles anyway. “I had to distract him with birds.”

“That’s perfectly fine.”

James hears shuffling and, without even opening his eyes, gets to his feet so Lily can take over. He watches over her, making sure she’s settled and comfortable before carefully placing Harry in her waiting arms. As he backs away, he kisses the top of Lily’s head and then sits before her on the floor, crossing his legs. Seeing Lily talk to their son tenderly makes him smile—though with Harry so taken by the birds, she might as well be talking to herself, too. She shrugs off one side of the robe, revealing a pale, freckled shoulder. Then she stops and gazes at him contemplatively.

“You know,” she says, “you don’t have to stay and watch.”

“Oh.” His smile dims. “Do you want me to go—?”

“No! No, no, that’s not what I meant.” Lily sighs deeply, thinking about her next words. “It’s just… well, it’s the same as the first time, you know. And it’s nothing special or even remotely interesting—if you go back to sleep or do something else, I won’t be mad.”

“I appreciate your solicitousness,” he says, perking up. “But I don’t stay just to watch—I want to be with you and Harry and talk.”

Lily raises her brows and smiles slowly. “About?”

“Anything. Everything.”

Silence follows his words. Lily breaks it with a quiet chuckle. Then she continues, sliding the robe down to reveal more of her shoulder, chest, and then her breast. Carefully, she aligns her nipple to Harry’s lips; instinctively, he looks up at Lily and opens his mouth. She guides him to latch on, and once he does, she sighs and relaxes, patting him gently as he feeds and watches the birds.

“Lucky berk,” James says affectionately. “A meal and a show.”

“We reserve nothing but the best in this house.”

They smile at each other. James’ is the first to fall.

“Does it hurt?” he says quietly.

Lily shakes her head. “Just tugging—nothing I haven’t felt before.”

He snorts at her pointed look.

“Good,” he says after clearing his throat.

“And Harry’s gentle—yes, you are, aren’t you?”

Lily kisses the top of Harry’s head when he looks at her.

“You will tell me if it does, yeah?” James says. “Hurt, I mean?”

“Of course.”

As Harry settles against Lily, the conversation turns to topics such as the schedule for the day, what will happen next week, upcoming appointments, replenishing supplies for Harry, and what errands they need to run… it’s mundane and terribly domestic, but James won't have it any other way. An incredible feeling of peace washes over him, relaxing him way more than sleep ever could. Eventually, the conversation comes to a quiet close as he watches over his wife and son, whose lids start drooping.

Nowadays, Lily’s hair competes with his own. The robe she wears is a couple of sizes too big, and her silhouette is so straight that no one can tell her body shape. Purple smudges under her eyes make her pale complexion stand out.

But how captivating she is.

It might be the influence of being a new father or the delirium that comes with it, but at this moment—in this very quiet and still moment—she is breathtaking. His breath hitches when she moves to tuck a loose lock of hair behind her ear. Lily opens her eyes and gives him a sleepy smile.

“What?” she whispers.

He blushes, caught off guard. “What?”

“What?”

“Stop,” James laughs.

Lily’s smile widens. “Why are you looking at me?”

“Because you’re heartbreakingly beautiful.”

She stills, eyes widening as she straightens. James gazes back happily, his smile boyish and honest. It must have been clear that he is serious because Lily relaxes back into the chair and beams. James’ breath catches in his throat again.

“Well, so are you.”

“You reckon?” He runs his hands across his hair and then feels his way around his jaw. “Even with the rat’s nest hair, the eyebags, and the patchy stubble?”

“If anything, they make you hotter.”

“Oh! Well, in that case, a kiss is in order.”

Lily chuckles quietly and winks at him. “Give me a big one after this.”