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Regulus shouldn’t have agreed to come. No, really, he shouldn’t have. He knew that it was going to make him feel awkward, being around his brother and his group of friends. Even with Barty, Regulus and Pandora there it still felt weird. Sure, he and Sirius were on the mend, taking it one day at a time. But that doesn’t mean he wants to be all chummy with his brothers’ friends. He blames Potter wholeheartedly. Him and his stupid hazel eyes and that dopey grin on his face that made Regulus lose all train of thought around the boy. If it had been anyone else hed have said no but… well, James the pretty git had somehow gotten him alone and Regulus, because he couldn’t even think, had agreed happily. The smile that spread of James’ face that made Regulus’ breath hitch though. Sweet Salazar, it was worth it.
But now? Hes starting to doubt if it was, because theyre playing some stupid drinking game, and Regulus wanted no part of it, but James had made puppy eyes and actually pouted and Regulus immediately gave in, earning a few rounds of giggles from his friends and a slightly suspicious look from his brother. He just rolled his eyes, it’s not like James even liked boys anyways, hed always chased Evans around and made a fool of himself. Regulus giving in could easily be brushed off as him not wanting to have Potter groveling for him to play a stupid party game. James, Remus and Sirius shared a devious look between the three, a matching grin on each of their faces as they held a silent conversation with their eyes. “We should play truth or dare, and if you chicken out you have to take a drink. What do you guys think?” Remus said with a smirk, glancing at the group of Slytherins. Regulus rolled his eyes and sighed. “Of course, you lot would want to play a children’s game, Lupin. Why am I not surprised?” he said sarcastically. Remus quirked a brow in a silent challenge, but Sirius spoke up laughing “Reg if you’re too chicken you could just say that!” Regulus scowled at his brother and flipped him off. “Who said I was scared? I said it was a child’s game, listen next time and maybe you’ll get your facts straight” he said, voice laced with sarcasm.
They were halfway through the game, and it was James’ turn, the boy was happily drunk by now, having downed quite a few drinks to avoid doing a few dares here and there. Remus turned to him and asked, “Truth or dare, Prongs?” James smiled at him and, blame it on the alcohol for clouding his judgement, he spoke confidently “Truth” without a second thought. Remus grinned, and thought for a moment, carefully mapping out his words. “Describe the person you fancy, James.” James’ eyes widened, and to be perfectly honest, Regulus was confused. Everyone knew that James fancied Evans. He practically made either a giant arse or fool of himself every time she was around. What’s Lupin playing at? Regulus looked back to James, who kept stealing side glances towards Sirius, he looked nervous. Why was he nervous? “I- uhm… Well. They’re brilliant really. Smart, and surprisingly very good with sarcasm. He- they have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen” Regulus’ eyes widened at that slip. His mind wrapped around the singular word ‘he’ James fucking Potter had said ‘he’. He likes a boy. Regulus was ripped from his thoughts as James continued “I’m actually quite obsessed with heir eyes. Absolute pools of- I could get lost in them, easily. Theyre my favorite thing about them. Don’t get me wrong this person is. Stunning to put it simply. pale skin, H- Their features are so distinct, cheekbones you could cut yourself with theyre so sharp. But honestly. Its not even their beauty that gets me. Its how they don’t even know, theyre amazing. They deserve the world, truthfully, they’re wonderful honestly, Remus. They draw me to them without even knowing it. Like a bloody magnet.” James was stealing glances at any chance he could get towards Regulus, but the other boy didn’t even notice. He had his eyes trained on the carpet, as his thoughts were whirling around in his head. “His laugh, moony, merlin his laugh. It’s rare, but when its there it could warm an entire room. I just want to bask in it all day.” ‘Him’ another slip Regulus thought. “When I think of them... it feels like they’re home. Like I’m meant to be there beside them. Does that make sense?” Remus smiled, knowingly, as Sirius mumbled under his breath about how fucking obvious he was being. The Slytherins all just stared in shock, unable to comprehend what had happened just then. Had the alcohol gotten to James this badly? Regulus was internally freaking out. Whoever this boy James fancied, it sure as hell wasn’t him. He would never hear those words fall from someone’s mouth about him. He knew he was broken and fucked up from how Walburga and Orion had treated him and Sirius as children until they escaped. Regulus’ eyes weren’t pools that you could get lost in, hes seen them in the mirror. They’re hard and unwavering. His laugh isn’t something warm, it felt foreign, and didn’t sit right in his throat when he did it. Regulus was breathing heavily through his nose, hoping no one noticed, but he felt it getting worse. He stood abruptly, and rushed from the tower, not bothering to acknowledge anyone.
He rounded a corner quickly as he heard footsteps speeding up behind him. Assuming it was Barty he shuddered out a breath and started pacing and ranting before the footsteps could even stop and he got a good look at who it was. ‘mistake number two probably’ he thought, but it didn’t stop him. “Salazar, Barty how could I have been so bloody stupid. I let myself fall for the idiot even though I knew he didn’t like boys, and now he does? And its still not me. Itll never be me. Its just my luck that the one person I actually want is not only my stupid older brothers best friend, but he also isn’t into me. Ill never be those things, how could I? My parents made damn sure that I would be unlovable, I honestly don’t know how Siri and Remus do it, Barty. And James gods, James… he deserves so much more than what I have to offer. But I want him so bad. I- I think I love him, Barty.” Regulus broke off with a small sob. The footsteps had long since stopped, but there was no response. Regulus refused to look up from the ground as he was pacing back and forth. “He deserves so much more than what I can give him, I don’t even know why I’m so upset about it. James… hes just. James is like the sun to me, Barty. I don’t know if I could handle losing that.” He whispered, as he closed his eyes fighting back more tears he ran a hand through his haor, slightly tugging at it. He heard a soft gasp from the boy and was confused, Barty knew all of this already. Its not like Regulus ever shut up about James. He felt arms wrap around him and he froze. Those aren’t Barty’s arms, Barty doesn’t even really do hugs in general. He opened his eyes and saw shoes that Barty doesn’t wear and froze. He knew those damn shoes. The goofy red converse. More importantly, the peek of red from the jumper the boy was wearing. Regulus’ breath left his lungs forcefully, and despite how hard he tried, he couldn’t get it back. He pushed the boy away and was met with a mess of hair, and Hazel eyes framed by round glasses and tan skin. “J-James. I can explain I…” Regulus stopped unable to even really think, he just started apologizing repeatedly and backing away. This can’t be fucking happening, there’s no way. He knew he had shit luck, but this literally takes the cake.
James reached out and pulled him closer, leaning the boy against the wall so he couldn’t back away, Regulus ducked his head, staring intently at the floor wishing it would open and swallow him whole. “Regulus…” He whispered, staring down at him with a smile. “Look at me, love.” Regulus froze as he felt fingers on his chin, moving his head mechanically, making him face James, staring right into the most gorgeous eyes he’s ever seen. Maybe he’s biased who knows. James smiled down at him, “You love me?” Regulus scowled at the way he felt his face flush and pushed James’s hand away. “So, what if I do, Potter, it’s not like I have a chance, right?” Regulus hated the way his voice cracked and how his eyes filled with tears. It wasn’t fair. James had feelings for someone else and now he knows Regulus loves him. How pathetic can he be? James smile widened, and he tried to fight back the giggle that rose from his throat but was unsuccessful, making Regulus scowl even more. “My misfortune is funny then hmm?” He said sarcastically as anger started replacing his embarrassment and heartbreak. James shook his head, “Merlin, Reggie you’re quite thick in the head, aren’t you?” He placed both hands on the sides of Regulus’ face, gently running his thumbs over his cheekbones. “Seriously, I poured my heart out as much as I could in front of everyone while trying not to make it awkward and you managed to think what I said wasn’t about you?” he smiled, sadly. “Reg, I love you too you bloody idiot.”
Regulus was almost positive his heart might stop entirely, with how fast it was beating. Had he heard right? Did James seriously just tell him… surely not. “I- you… you do?” James sighed, shaking his head. “I do, everything I said about you, I mean it. From the bottom of my heart Reggie. How did you put it? I’m like the sun to you? You’re a star to me. Just as blinding, and just as beautiful. Ive been crazy about you for a while, I was just afraid to say it.”
Regulus heart did in fact stop. Briefly, but still. He could feel himself blush as he grinned at the Gryffindor. “I love you too. Since I first saw you, really. Not that I admitted it then, especially to Sirius. Hed either kill me or make fun of me.” James laughed and shook his head as the younger boy babbled away, watching as a look of embarrassment took place on his face as he too realized he was babbling. “Oh, shut up, Jamie. Stop laughing I’m not used to this” Regulus pouted, and watched James staring at his lips. He wondered how they’d feel against his own and if they were as soft as they looked. The pout faded into a smirk and before he knew it he was pulling James in by his collar and into the best kiss he had ever had. He was right, his lips were soft, he could taste the firewhisky they had smuggled in, and something sweet... cherries? Where the hell did, he get cherries? James licked his lower lip, and Reggie gasped, moaning softly as he felt James’ tongue lap languidly into his mouth, deepening the kiss, but still keeping it slow and sweet. The kiss wasn’t intense by all means, but it still took his breath away.
He let out a small noise of protest as James pulled away and opened his eyes. “why’d you stop?” James just smiled down at him and shook his head. “Because if we don’t head back soon, your brother is going to think I’m corrupting you and he will kill me. And I quite value my life, especially since I’ve just caught you for myself.” Regulus rolled his eyes “My brother is an idiot and I’m grown enough to think for myself. Trust me, after witnessing Barty and Evan for years, you can’t corrupt me. And if he tries to kill you, I’ll kill him myself.” He huffed. “But I suppose you’re right. This isn’t finished though.” James chuckled as he took Regulus’ hand in his, threading their fingers together as he led the way to the common room. “Remind me never to get on your bad side or piss you off in general, love. You’re kind of terrifying. Its hot though.” He waggled his eyebrows at Regulus, and it took all of his willpower to not roll his eyes at him. “Jamie, do you have a kink you’re not telling me about?” Regulus asked with a teasing smirk that widened as he watched the older boy turn as red as his jumper. “I- What? No! I have no idea what you’re talking about!” James stuttered, becoming more flustered. Regulus laughed as they walked through the portrait door, making everyone look towards them and at their joined hands. “Its about fucking time, you two were driving us nuts, mate” Barty grinned as the rest nodded. Regulus just blushed, his laugh cut short. “Shut up, you and Evan weren’t any better” He mumbled, pulling James with him to sit down. The group just chuckled and continued their game without the two of them. Regulus smiled to himself and turned to rest his head on James and sighed. It was everything hed been wanting, and somehow it felt better than hed ever imagined. Surrounded by those that loved him, and now? Being with the man he loves at the same time? Regulus couldn’t be happier.