the Horcrux Thief, james potter

xxv. all the time in the world

"No. He just... Has a way with words." She sounded defeated, resigned even.

"What did he say?"

"It doesn't matter." Amaya looked away.

"Of course it does." James grabbed her chin, softly turning her head so she would look at him. "Tell me."

Instead of answering she only shook her head, her bottom lip quivering before she bit it. Amaya cleared her throat. "It's not true either way."

"What isn't? Maya, talk to me, please."

She took his hands away from her face and pulled away from him, hugging her knees to her chest. James tried and failed to hide the sting of her actions. Amaya shrugged her shoulders helplessly. "I'm not Lily," she said in a whisper, barely audible but he heard it loud and clear.

"I know—"

James tried to reach for her but Amaya shook her head. He dropped his hands. Her eyes looked heartbroken. "You loved her, James, that doesn't just go away. I know I'm not second best, that's what I said wasn't true, but what if I am? What if you just haven't realized it yet? What if I'm not enough for you?"

What if I'm not enough? He'd asked his mother that question earlier.

I do everything because I love you. That's unconditional. You're more than enough for me.

James was heartbroken as he looked at Amaya. He shook his head. "I've only ever loved one girl, Amaya. She's so far from being a second best, there's no competition to begin with. She's my first thought in the morning when I wake up and the last when I go to sleep. And it's not Lily."

A sob broke past her lips and Amaya briskly wiped her tears away. "Please don't hurt me. Please just let me know right now if you want out, cause I couldn't take it if—"

"There's no ifs, Maya. Not when it comes to us. If it's up to me I'm never letting you go." He laid his hand on top of hers and smiled when she intertwined their fingers together. "I know you're not Lily. I'm glad you're not. You're Amaya. You're the only girl I've ever loved, will keep on loving until my last breath. You're more than enough for me, darling. I'm yours until you decide you're sick of me."

Amaya's lips parted and for a moment the aid around them was still, as her eyes searched his, as his heart beat frantically in his chest. And then spoke, a whisper in the silence of the room that ignited his heart. "I love you."

James blinked. He blinked again. Amaya smiled, waiting for his response. Instead of words, James could only tug her closer to him, and kiss her with everything in him.

Amaya let out a laugh as she fell back on the bed and James hovered over her, not ceasing to pepper her face with kisses.

"Say that again," he whispered against her lips.

"Te quiero." She smiled. "I love you. I love you. I love yo—"

She let out a shriek as he turned them around, so she was straddling his hips, sprawled on top of him, her hair spilling around them. James grinned as his eyes met hers. "Fuck, Maya. I love you so much." He kissed her again.

His heart was beating a hundred miles a minute, nearly jumping out of his chest. James was overwhelmed with emotion, barely able to contain the joy he felt when she told him how she felt.

They spun around again on the bed, only they turned one too many and fell off the bed with a laugh, Amaya landing on top of him, sitting up with a huge grin on her face, panting for air.

Ignoring the pain from falling on his arse on the carpet, James set his hands on her hips staring up at the most beautiful girl in the world, the one that owned his heart. He couldn't fathom ever getting tired of staring at her, he reckoned he could do it for hours on end.