𝘎𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴- 𝘑𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘗𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳

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James always thought that Thea was extremely beautiful, if you asked his eight-year-old self he would have written a whole essay about how amazing, gorgeous and talented she is.

To eight-year-old James, she was the prettiest girl he had seen after his mother, but after he saw Lily on the train the eleven-year-old James agreed with his younger self. To him, Thea was still the prettiest girl after his mother.

And his fifteen-year-old self would agree. James thought it wasn't her beauty that made Thea the most beautiful girl, it was her heart.

She would forgive her loved ones so easily; she loved animals and always wanted to help anyone and everyone. She sang him to sleep every time he would have a nightmare after watching a horror movie his parents said not to watch. 

She would be there for him every time he needed her, he would have looked around the room brokenhearted and he would always find her next to him; she was always there by his side. 

What James missed out on was that Thea was a people pleaser. She would happily give up on her happiness to see others happy, but James failed to notice this because she gave up her happiness for his.

But the sixteen-year-old James disagrees with his younger self. For him, the most beautiful woman ought to be Lily Evans his Lily flower after his mother of course. He had seemed to forget about his childhood best friend who he had once admitted would always be the most beautiful in his eyes. 

When picking up the prettiest girl in the room was easiest for little James always pointing at his brunette best friend; now a choice hang over his head like a loose knife torn between love and said love. 

"Thank you James I will look after her. Night." Alice said and closed the door of her domiraty making James snap back to reality. He couldn't comprehend, how few minutes before he was holding a sleepy Thea in his arms and the next he was standing alone in a hallway. 

Just an hour before he had witnessed her confession and the lump grew in his throat at the thought of almost saying out loud I love you to his best friend. that couldn't be right. How could he love his best friend? How could he even think something like this when he was in a happy relationship with Lily?

The Marauders were gathered together in their dorm room looking at each other nervously tension lacing the air. "Do you love her James?" Remus asked breaking the silence and glancing at Cameron reassuringly. 

"Of course, I love her I mean who cannot Remus? She is everything!! Been with me through thick and thin from diapers to jeans. You know, Thea... she's always been there. Ever since we were kids, she's been like my anchor. Always steady, always caring." His gaze shifts towards the frame on his nightstand. 

A moving picture of his family and Thea, while James cheekily smiled and kissed her cheek Thea was blushing red and her gaze only remained on his. Smiling at the memory he continued talking to his friends.

 "She's... she's just so dependable. Like that time I lost my wand in the third year, she spent hours helping me search the entire castle until we found it. And she always helps me with each subject keeping me in line so that I don't fail." He chuckles at the memory. 

"She is always just out there supporting me through each win and loss of quidditch match. She always listens offers help, she is like sunshine you know her laugh, her smile, she bad jokes she just makes me happy." The four friends exchanged amused glances with each other knowing well enough where this was leading to. 

"I, I just don't know anymore I mean, she's always been there, always been the same sweet Thea. And now that she's told me how she feels...I just don't know." James stresses running a hand through his hair. 

Cameron pursed his lips smiling at the short monologue his friend gave. "I think you know your answer, James," he spoke relief flooding his veins. James just looked confused at the four friends. "When I asked do you love her? I meant Lily James. And the first person who came to your mind was her. It's time you realize mate." Remus concluded with a satisfied smile on his lips. 

"Mate you should go for it. Thea has been there with you even before us blokes. She is loving and caring If I wanted anyone perfect for you Thea is always my answer. I mean even your mother doest care for you in a way she does." Sirius spoke patting his best friend's head. 

"She does. And I... I care about her too, of course. But I've never thought about her as more than a friend. Even when she laughed at all my jokes or cheered the loudest at Quidditch matches, I just saw it as her being supportive, like any good friend would be."He hesitates with his next words, his mind clearly elsewhere. 

Peter groans loudly fed up with James. "Come on James it takes no genius to figure it out! You love her! Do you think there's something more?" Peter fussed.

"I don't know. I've always been with Lily, you know that. And she's been amazing too, in her way." Sirius and Cameron both looked disappointed in his answer. 

"But when you talk about Thea, there's something different in your voice, "Sirius stated ready to hit his friend to get some senses into him.  

"Maybe it's time to listen to your heart, James," Remus spoke sending the boy an encouraging smile. 

 "Yeah... maybe it is," James mumbled quietly his gaze going back to the picture on the nightstand. Finally understanding that while he was busy looking elsewhere Thea was always there by his side always admiring him in a way no one ever had. 

Maybe this was the time to let everything fall into place and run back to the person he has always loved.