Work Text:
Merlin hates him.
That's what he's beginning to think.
When his mother was trying to force him to get the dark mark 2 months ago, and he had the choices of running or taking it, he ran. But he would've never in a million years thought he'd end up at Potter's.
But he did, because it's the only place he truly had to go.
So he arrived and rose his hand to knock. Only for the door to swing open and reveal a truly happy, smiley Sirius who was, frankly, shocked out of his shit to see his brother.
He knew Merlin disliked him from the moment he breathed his first breath, but now, as he stands in the doorway of James' room watching him lift weights and blast Bowie, he's convinced.
He's despised. Merlin has a personal vendetta against Regulus Arcturus Black, and he is convinced to make him crumble.
You see, Regulus never intended to develop a crush on James, but it just happened.
Close proximity things, you know?
And so today, when he walks into James Potter's room, ready to throw a book at his head for the volume of the music, he least expects James to be sitting on his bed, in bright red Spider-Man shorts, shirtless, and lifting weights.
James notices Regulus' slight stare apparently, because he looks up and grins a stupid, adorable, stupid, lopsided grin. "Hey, Reg!"
Regulus regains his composure and gulps back words. "Yes, hey Potter. Turn the music down, would you? It's disturbing, and I'm reading."
James chuckles and drops the weights on the bed, sweating as he gets up. He stretches, pulling his arm to one side, and then switching sides, doing it again. He then pops his back, bronze abs glowing in the light from the window.
Regulus makes a mental note of this. (Along with the fact that James Potter has a six-pack.
A. Six. Pack.)
But I digress. Regulus looks down at the book in his hands then looks up to find James standing in front of him, skin glistening, and a nervous yet friendly look on his face.
How dare he be cute.
Regulus looks disinterestedly at James, and raises an eyebrow. "What? Why are you looking at me like you're gonna ask for a puppy?"
James laughs and breathes in.
"So, Regulus, I was wondering if you would help me out real fast." James rambles, explaining. "I need to do weighted push-ups and Sirius is gone to Remus', and my parents are too heavy.
Can you sit on my back for like 15 minutes while I do them? Please?" James pleads, clasping his hands together and looking at Regulus like he's the answer to all his problems.
James clasps one of Regulus' hands in his, pleading silently, as Regulus simply crumbles inside. "Oh, alright. But get me sweaty, or drop me, and we'll have problems, Potter."
James lets his hands go and pumps a fist in the air. "Aw, yes, thanks Reg. I promise this won't take long. He waves a hand into his room as he walks in and gets into prime push-up position.
Regulus walks in behind him, only slightly admiring his arse. He breathes deeply and clambers on top of James' back, feeling every muscle underneath him. He places his hands softly by the nape of James' neck and his lower back. Realizing himself, he chills a bit throughout his body and picks his hands up.
James then begins the workout, shoulder blades tipping Regulus over a bit slightly.
"You okay up there, Reg?" James asks, panting a bit.
'Oh, god. Panting? I'm so gay.' Regulus thinks, breathing a bit faster than usual. "Of course, idiot. Now hurry up and finish the workout." He slaps James' lower back a little, and then panics, immediately regretting doing so.
James simply chuckles and keeps on.
Regulus, on the other hand, is full on gay panicking.
'Ohgod. Ohmerlin. Oh. My. Stars. He's so... fit. God his muscles, oh the muscles. So, ugh. Stop being hot, Potter, or I'll kill you. Ooh. What if he just like, dropped me. Like on my back. I'd be so mad- My back? Like me on my back and him... in-between my-'
James' door swings open, dragging Reg out of his thoughts and revealing an excited Sirius. "Oh fuck yeah! Weighted push-ups? Hop off, Reg. My turn."
Regulus hops down and Sirius gets on James' back, James laughing at his best friend. He then turns his eyes to Regulus. "Thanks for helping Reg. You were really good at that." He winks, and goes straight into a conversation with Sirius about his day, as if the mere sight of him in this state didn't render Regulus comatose.
Regulus grabs his book and walks back to his room without a single word. When he reaches the safety of his room, he closes the door and slides down onto the floor.
'Really good at what? Oh my Merlin, fuck.'
Fuck Merlin, honestly.