Please

Friends

   Roughly a month later, Severus is feeling much better. He still has a bit of internal bruising, but as long as he doesn't move too fast or for too long, he can mostly move around as he wants. He is practicing walking around his bed and taking steady breaths when the infirmary door opens. He assumes it is Lily, before remembering she and Remus had told him they wouldn't be there during lunch because they were catching up on Remus's homework. His head snaps up, causing him to stumble a bit from the sudden change in perspective, and sees none other than James Potter closing the door behind him. It isn't entirely odd to see Potter there, but it is strange to see him visiting without Black. Severus sits on his bed with a soft sigh. He had been hoping to be able to practice walking without assistance, but apparently the world thought it would be a good day to put his heart through torture. "Were you doing something? I can come back." Severus shakes his head.
"I can practice later. Besides, Madam Pomfrey and Lily would both kill me if they knew I was trying to walk without someone watching me." He smiles ever so slightly, and it must be enough to let Potter know it's okay to laugh, because he does. Severus's heart twists in a thousand different directions from how beautiful and melodic it is. He forces himself to take a deep breath, thankfully unnoticed by oblivious Potter, and let himself fall back onto the bed short ways. His visitor walks over and sits next to him, before letting himself fall back as well, imitating Severus's position. He turns his head to look at Potter, perplexed. He's staring up at the ceiling, glasses slightly askew and hair messier than ever.
"It must be boring in here. Poppy doesn't want you moving around, right? I understand why, but she could let you walk to the window or something." He shakes his head, and a stray clump of hair taps Severus on the nose. His heart rate picks up when he realizes Potter is a very touchy person and sat so close he can ever so slightly feel the heat radiating from him. "Anyway, I came in here to talk about Sirius and Remus. I would like to see them kiss under the mistletoe on Christmas. I could use the mistletoe that doesn't release the two under it until they kiss, but I want it to be because they like each other, not because they have to do it to get free." Severus rolls his eyes just as Potter looks at him. "What? You have a better idea?"
"Actually, I do. I've had a lot of time to think. We should convince Remus to write secret admirer notes and put them in places for Black to find. I have considered if his response is no, and I propose we write the notes for him." James Potter snorts, a smirk on his lips. Severus's heart skips a few beats. He's so close. It would take next to no effort to lean forward and press their lips together. He mentally slaps himself for thinking that, and leaves his head to focus on what Potter is saying.
"If Remus tells us no, and we do it anyway, wouldn't he get suspicious of us? I think we should take a different route. Perhaps if I pretend to be getting secret admirer notes, and drop a hint to Remus that it's romantic and sure to get Sirius's attention, he just might start writing them." Severus bursts into a bright smile.
"That's a much better idea! And we can still write them for Black from Remus if he doesn't start doing it within like a week. But why do you get to be the one receiving the notes?" Potter snorts, then brings a hand up to cover his mouth. His eyes shimmer with guilt.
"Sorry, that was rude. I'm still learning how to be nice to you. What I meant was no one really notices you. Which is perfectly fine, you can get away with a lot more than someone popular. But I don't think anyone even knows you came to school this year. It might be suspicious if you were getting notes." Severus nods slowly, then rolls over to his other side, facing away from Potter. His voice is quiet when he speaks.
"I mostly meant it as a joke. I know no one notices me. I'm lucky to have Lily and Remus as friends. Why would two amazing people like them ever want to be seen with someone like me? It just doesn't make sense." He can almost feel Potter frowning. He shifts closer, and Severus pulls his knees to his chest tightly, burying his head into them. It hurts like hell, but he refuses to uncurl because of a little pain.
"That's not-" Stupid, perfect Potter takes a breath, actually searching for words for once in his life. Severus feels a bitter happiness wash over him. He made the James Potter think. "Look at me." He places a hand on the Slytherin's shoulder, and he jerks away like he's been burned. "Severus."
"Don't call me that! You don't have my permission to use my name so carelessly!" He tightens his grip on his knees, and lets out a quiet sob. Stupid Potter and his stupid boldness! He feels a hand on the small of his back and freezes up. "What are you doing?" His words come out weak and strained, though he wanted them to be harsh.
"I've seen Lily do this to calm you down." Severus closes his eyes and sighs. Of course he has. He only ever pays attention to her. His chest tightens in protest, but he ignores it. James Potter lets out a sigh of his own. "I know I've not treated you kindly. But know I don't think you're a bad guy. I think you deserve friends like Lily and Remus. I know it probably won't do much, but I'm sorry for everything I've ever done to hurt you. I can't help but feel like it's mine and Sirius's fault you don't have more friends. So I'm going to offer you my friendship. You deserve more, but that's all I can do right now. I'll make everything up to you though, I promise. And you don't have to accept my offer right now. This is strange to me, so I can't imagine how you must feel. But I'm being earnest. So think about it please, okay?" Severus slowly releases his legs, straightens them out, and turns to face Potter again.
"I can't believe you know what the word earnest means, James Potter." He smirks and laughs. Potter rolls his eyes and shoves his chest playfully.
"I'm taking that as a yes to my offer, just so you know." He sits up and stretches out his long limbs. "I should get back before Sirius comes looking for me. But I'm glad we're friends now." And with that, he's gone, leaving Severus a blushing mess.