Romeo || James Potter

16 - When Sunshine Meets Grief

They didn't do much. They had bonfires, told stories, simply talked, and took long walks along the coast. They received no further updates or letters. While this worries Aspen, she also expected the silence. It was an anxious wait, but, gratefully, it ended.

On the last day, Aspen was sitting on top of a cliff, the wind blowing her hair. She was staring at the water, the waves, worried. She was in her clothes she's been in for three days: tan cargo pants and a blue hoodie. She felt dirty, but Sirius and James felt it more than her considering their luxurious upbringings. Sirius was going slightly insane due to his dirty fingernails and James really wanted to wash his face.

She had her legs curled up, her arms around them. She had been alone for a few hours on the top of this cliff. There was something calming about just watching the ocean waves crash onto the coast. Then someone interrupted her peace.

"Penny!"

Aspen turned around, squinting in the sunlight, smiling. "Hey, baby." She laughed as James sat next to her.

James sat close to her and sighed. He had his arms hold him up and stretched out his legs. "I am feeling just exhilarated."

She laughed again and looked at him, smiling. "Yeah?"

"Absolutely. I bested Sirius in a push-up competition." He looked at her, smirking. "You should see my huge muscles."

Aspen slapped his arm, not able to stop smiling. "Oh, I'm sure." Her expression dropped slightly, remembering the one thing she's been meaning to tell him.

He furrowed his brows. "All right?"

She attempted to smile like she had moments before, but it faltered quickly. "Uhm," she looked back at the calming waves, "I feel it would be wrong if we... continue this, before I told you that," she inhaled deeply, "I'm queer, but I still like guys. I'm bisexual, is what it's called; I like girls and guys." She looked at James, who was still staring at her, his shocked expression making Aspen nervous. "James?"

He swallowed and nodded, resting his tense muscles. "Okay."

"Okay?"

He smiled softly and tucked a piece of Aspen's hair behind her hair then left his hand just under her ear. A small, comforting gesture. "That changes nothing, Aspen. And I appreciate you trusting me with this." He let his hand fall and sighed. "I just wish Remus had as much guts as you do."

Aspen put her hand over her mouth. "You know?" She asked and put her hand down.

He scoffed and laughed. "He is incredibly obvious. Though I get why it would be hard to say something like that." He sat up, sitting even closer to Aspen. "Sometimes I think Sirius might be queer too. Even Marlene-- especially her. I do not think I need to explain my thinking of her to you."

Completely shocked at his observation skills, she furrowed her brows. "Why Sirius? He's the biggest slag we know."

James shrugged and struggled to begin his thoughts. "Just... sometimes he looks so uncomfortable around girls. But, honestly, if he is, I'm just proud that I knew before he told me." He looked at her brightly. "That one just slipped out! My grammar is beginning to be dumbed-down."

Aspen smiled and put her hand on his shoulder. "I am so, very proud of you James." She said softly.

He smirked slightly and set his hand on her thigh. "Aspen..." He whispered breathlessly, drawing closer. Aspen's breath hitched as she leaned forward, "I am proud of you." He pulled away and stood up.

"I'm going to push you off of this cliff." She stated simply. He held his hand out and she took it. "I'm being so honest right now, James, it's really tempting."