Chapter Text
Lily and Severus finally arrived at the coast after their two-hour muggle bus ride. Lily's skirt fluttered in the ocean breeze that cut through the sticky heat of the summer morning when they stepped off the bus. Severus held their cooler in one sweaty palm and Lily's hand in the other as they made their way to the sand. It was their last summer holiday before graduating Hogwarts. Lily buzzed with anticipation and excitement, while Severus felt as lost as ever.
Hot, gritty sand caked Severus' feet as soon as they stepped onto the beach. He had tried, and apparently failed, to charm his sandals to repel sand and dirt before they left.
Lily laughed at his grimace. She kicked off her own sandals and wiggled her bare toes in the sand. Lily teased, "We're at the beach, Sev. You don't get to be mad about your feet getting dirty."
A sudden gust of wind billowed against them. Lily squawked when her skirt flew up to her waist and her broad sunhat almost flew off her head.
Severus held her dress down with a smirk while she clung to her hat. "We're at the beach, Lily. You don't get to be mad about the wind."
She met his grin and smacked his hand away. "Then I guess we've got no choice but to enjoy our day at the beach together."
Severus sighed dramatically, "Shame."
They found a secluded spot to spread out their blanket. It was a weekday morning, so the beach was mostly empty. Lily slid off her sundress, revealing the two-piece bathing suit she and Severus had nicked from a department store in London. Lily sat down and dug her suntan lotion from her bag. She sent Severus coy glances as she slowly applied the lotion. Severus turned away to grab two cans of beer from their cooler to hide his pink cheeks.
When Lily asked, "Could you get my back for me, Sev?" he blushed even brighter.
Severus glared and took the bottle from her. Lily sent him a smile and a wink before settling on her front. Severus retaliated by slowly pouring the lotion over his palms and working it into her skin with gentle, meticulous care. It felt good to act like an actual couple, free from the threat of judgmental peers or the watchful eyes of Lily's parents. Lily blushed happily and kicked her heels back and forth as he traced the freckles across her shoulder blades with greasy fingers.
When Severus was done, Lily rolled up to sit next to him. She asked, "Want me to do you, too?"
Severus mumbled, "I'll do it myself." He splashed a sun-protection spell over himself and set up their umbrella. Severus always did anything Lily asked, but he panicked when she wanted to return any physical affection in public.
Lily's smile didn't falter. She held out her hand and asked, "Pass me a beer, then?"
Severus handed her a can with a small smile. They clinked their beers together and drank in a comfortable silence. The beer was cheap (and also nicked; Lily still had to ask her parents for money, and Severus was flat broke), but the thrill of getting away with something together made it taste like gold. Severus was disappointed they wouldn't have an excuse for their little adventures anymore once they graduated and started earning real money. Lily was confident they would find something better to do with their newfound freedom. Severus did his best to believe her optimism.
Lily wore a mischievous grin when she pulled Severus into a chaste kiss. She hooked her finger around Severus' shirt collar and asked, "Come get wet with me?"
Severus pulled back and glared. "I know you're not asking me to fuck you in public."
His cheeks reddened at the vulgar phrase. They hadn't done anything more than awkward fumbling before. They both very much enjoyed said fumbling, but Lily never brought up going further, and there was no way Severus was going to ask more from her.
Lily gave Severus a more playful glare of her own. "I want to wade in the water. Don't be a pervert, Sev."
Wading in the freezing water and getting wet sand between his toes was not Severus' idea of fun. But one look at Lily's doe eyes was all it took to break his resolve. He stood and held out a hand to help her up. "If you insist."
Lily took off her sun hat and ran her fingers through her hair. Severus admired her silky red hair as it caught in the breeze. He knew his own hair was much less graceful when the wind blew it about his face.
They held hands as they made their way to the water. Lily pulled them ankle-deep into the tide, letting out a surprised shriek at the cold. Severus' own shock kept him from teasing her.
Lily held his hand tight when he tried to turn back towards the shore. "C'mon, Sev. I think I saw some tidal pools this way."
Severus couldn't stop a small smile at her excitement. He dutifully followed her down towards the nearby outcropping of rocks.
The far-off shouting of familiar voices stopped them both in their tracks. On the far side of the beach, James Potter and Sirius Black had arrived with a large cooler and a muggle volleyball. Severus released Lily's hand and stomped back towards their umbrella. Potter and Black had stopped harassing him during sixth year, but Severus was sure it was only because Potter was chasing after the position of Head Boy. There was nothing keeping the two of them from hanging him up by his ankles or tearing off his shorts here.
Lily let out an annoyed huff before following Severus. "I won't let them ruin our day. I'll kick their ass if they so much as look at you funny."
They both spun back around when they heard Black's loud wolf whistle. Fuck it, Severus decided; he'd kick their ass if they looked at Lily at all.
But Black's attention was on Potter, who was dramatically pulling off his shirt. Potter stretched, showing off his tanned skin and muscled arms. His previously lanky frame filled out very nicely from what appeared to be a summer of working out.
Lily and Severus stared. Then they look back at each other, having the same horrifying thought: oh no, he's hot.
They both blurted out, "I'm hungry," and practically fled back to their picnic blanket.
They were so fucked.