the_debt_of_time

not accidentally put Remus's potions in any of the other cups. When he emptied the phials,
she returned her attention to Lily, who had yet to see her. Lily also did not notice when
James pulled out an extra cup and began pouring tea into it along with the others.
"It was always to take care of her, though," James explained. "Never thought Mia's
bed would just become―"
"A safe space for all of you?"
James nodded thoughtfully and then looked down at the extra teacup, taking it in
his hands and holding it out for her. "Oh, here."
"Is this for me?" Lily carefully examined the drink as though he had slipped
something awful into it or charmed the cup to turn her hands blue.
"Sorry." James frowned as she inspected the liquid. "Do you not take lemon in your
morning tea anymore?" he asked as if recording the moment to his memory was of great
importance. He used the same tone of voice when verifying details in preparation for
school exams.
"You know how I take my tea?"
Mia wondered why Lily was surprised. They had sat at the same breakfast table for
six years now; eventually, James was bound to notice how she took her tea—especially
considering how often he stared at her.
"Yeah, you like it really hot. Though sometimes, you don't touch it until it's room
temperature―"
Lily blinked, her eyes suddenly wide.
"—and you take it with one slice of lemon and two sugars, but if you're reading a
book at breakfast, sometimes you forget to stir it and the sugar just sits at the bottom."
James smiled wistfully, his eyes suddenly lighting up all over something so silly as tea. "You
still drink it, though. Then, when you get to the bottom and it's all sweet, you make this
really cute face and―" He stopped as he clearly realised he had been speaking out loud,
mildly embarrassed over his words. He cleared his throat. "I just... umm... yeah. Sorry;
not supposed to harass you anymore, and that came off a bit... stalker."
Lily stood there, her eyes still wide. Hesitantly, she took a sip. "It's... adequate."
She hid a smile when James beamed at her words. "It would be better room temperature,
though."