And he knows he doesn't want to be here but he doesn't know where else to go because nowhere is not an option. - for mars (captivation), 2014 valentines day exchange

But what really got to Lily was the knowledge that a year ago she would not have been getting him anything at all. That the perfect Christmas gift for James Potter would have been the furthest thing from her mind, and that she would have had the complete peace of mind of not being in this bewildering, stupid mess at all. - (or: james and lily and a secret santa exchange)

He could remember a time, not all that long ago, when the night had never been something to dread. When he would look forward to getting home, back to his bed. He would crawl in next to Lily, the pair of them exhausted by things no one their age should have to deal with, and together they would drift into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.

Perhaps it was the frequency, or the intensity, but soon she was unable to ignore it. The back of her neck grew hot and sounds seemed both sharper and muddled and she became very aware of every little thing she did, every little detail of her appearance. And on this morning, she was writing an essay and he was looking at her.

And he holds onto her like she is his only lifeline in a sea of what he can't fix or can't change and if he lets go he will drown.