Homecoming
Tap, tap, tap the faint sound woke James easily, he was still getting used to not having to be a light sleeper anymore, having Sirius with him was wonderful of course and he wouldn’t want it any other way but it was annoying waking up to any little sound just to have to turn over and go back to sleep. He rolled over ready to spend the next ten minutes soothing himself back into sleep when Tap, Tap, Tap, it came again, louder this time. He looked around, Sirius was still sleeping soundly next to him as evidenced by the somewhat blurry mound of blankets built up like a nest but, Tap, Tap, TAP, the sounds were getting faster and louder the longer he spent trying to figure it out.
James decided he’d better investigate, he felt around on the coffee table for his glasses, Sirius had had a bad day and asked James to sleep in the living room with him, despite Effie’s determination Sirius had stubbornly refused to occupy the guest bedroom. ‘What if your family has an emergency and needs somewhere to stay?’ he’d asked, refusing to accept that James’ mother had already accepted Sirius as family long before he’d come seeking to stay with the Potters indefinitely. As James’ hand closed gently around his glasses he stood heading blindly for the door where the sound was still frantic. He opened the door as he slowly put his glasses on, standing there a drop of blood sliding down his chin from a nasty-looking cut on his lip was… Sirius…? James threw a glance back over his shoulder, that was impossible, he’d left Sirius in his blanket nest. He adjusted his glasses and turned back to the boy at the door, that was when he realized, the boy who stood in front of him was a mere couple of inches too short with eyes about two shades too dark to be James’ best friend, “Regulus…” He breathed out completely taken aback. “Oh, Merlin! Regulus! come in, what did they do to you?! Sirius! Mum!” James stepped back to allow Regulus to enter.
“S-sorry t-to drop in… unannounced like this” Regulus’ breath hitched and James knew he was in pain.
“Nonsense Regulus, you’re welcome here anytime, just the same as Sirius.” He held out his arm offering Regulus help to the couch. Regulus looked at it momentarily as if weighing pros and cons but as he went to take another step on his own his body wavered and he instinctively grabbed the nearest thing which so happened to be the previously offered arm. James hid the smirk that slipped onto his face and helped Regulus to the couch.
“What the bloody hell James?” Murmured a grouchy Sirius as he rubbed his eyes. “It's barely 2 in the mornin’.” He looked in James’ direction and all the frustration melted from his face. “R-R… Reg…?” Regulus just nodded wincing slightly as James lowered him to the couch. Sirius blinked twice before jumping up and rushing to his brother’s side “What happened? What the hell did they do? Effie! Efiie!” Sirius’ brain had kicked into overdrive seeing the state of his baby brother. Effie came rushing down the stairs at the distress in Sirius’ voice.
“What, What’s happened?” She pressed as she turned the corner into the room, Upon seeing the young boy on the couch she swallowed and a near unsettling calm rushed over her body. She approached slowly not wanting to crowd the poor boy. “Oh Regulus dear, what brings you here this morning?” The calmness in Effie’s voice was soothing and both Sirius and James visibly relaxed at the sound, James backing away to give his mother room. “Are you hurt, darling?” Regulus nodded slowly. “Where at Dear, let me see what I can do.” It was spoken as a statement not a question and Regulus obediently pointed out the most painful areas allowing Effie to check and, where possible, heal the injuries. When she was almost finished she turned briefly to James “Fetch some blankets will you dear? Would you rather sleep here or in the guest bed Regulus dear?”
“Uh, here please…” He responded it was still quiet but much of the pain had drained from his voice. James smiled at that and hurried off, he grabbed the nicest blankets he could find and a nice fluffy pillow before hurrying back down to the living room. Effie was just pulling away from Reg when James re-entered the room. He walked to Reggie’s side and handed him the blankets. As Regulus took the pile his hand brushed James’ who looked down at their hands. As Regulus pulled his back, James was briefly transported back to Hogwarts, the astronomy tower, the place where Regulus had once kissed him. Of course, it was only once and it had been a while ago James reasoned, so he had no reason to believe anything remained. He forced himself to return to the present.
“Oh Regulus, I was sleeping down here with Sirius, are you alright if I stay? If not I’m sure Sirius won’t mind me going to my room, he just didn’t want to be alone so you’ll fill that role just as well…” He stopped himself realizing he had begun to ramble. Merlin, Regulus was distracting.
“No, it's fine, I don’t mind James.” Regulus gave a brief but warm smile as he got his blankets situated. James couldn’t help but smile back, he turned to his mother.
“Thanks, mum, sorry to wake you, g’night.” Despite knowing His mother didn’t mind being woken up for things like this James still felt bad. He knew some of the spells she would use on Sirius but he didn’t trust himself to not make things worse so he’d still wake her anytime he would show up and even after he’d moved in James had had to do it again.
“Nonsense, you know better than to apologize for that James.” James noticed Regulus flinch out of the corner of his eye and his heart ached for him, Sirius had been the same at first, always waiting for the hex that never came. “I’m always happy to help someone when I can, your friend needed help, I’m glad I could provide it. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like Regulus dear, My home is yours.” Effie smiled sweetly at the boys as they began to settle in. “Goodnight boys, sweet dreams, I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that, the three boys were left in the living room to sleep but sleep was the last thing on James Potter’s mind.
James lay in the silent darkness for what must’ve been hours, his mind swirling with too many thoughts to drift off to sleep. He stole occasional glances at the brothers, slightly worried that the sudden arrival of his brother might cause Sirius’ nightmares to return but they both seemed to be sleeping soundly. Eventually, James allowed his gaze to rest on Regulus, he hoped the younger boy wouldn’t have the nightmares the way Sirius had but he knew it was unlikely, these boys had been through so much. James often wished that he could just take it all away but he knew that was impossible.
Soon enough James started to feel his eyelids getting heavier, He really was tired but he wanted to make sure the brothers slept soundly. A sudden movement from the couch above him sent James into action. He sat up and looked in Regulus’ direction “Regulus?” he whispered. “You awake?” The grunt that came in response was enough to solidify the plan James had formed. “Nightmare?” he asked gently, “You want some tea? Chamomile with honey? That’s what Andromeda used to make you and Sirius when she stayed over isn’t it?”
“O-oh um… yea, that… that’d be nice James… Thanks,” Regulus sat up and looked in James’ direction, his gaze following him as he walked to the kitchen. After a moment regulus got up and walked after him “Could we… sit and drink it…?” Regulus gestured to the nearby table.
“Yea, ‘course we can.” James smiled as Regulus nodded and took a seat in one of the chairs. James made the tea as quickly as the kettle would allow him and brought the two cups to the table with a smile. He recognized the look in Regulus’ eyes immediately as he sat down across from him. “Regulus? What’s on your mind?” James’ voice was soft and quiet, he saw the tension rush out of the boy as he collapsed in on himself. James could see the telltale shake of his shoulders though he didn’t make a sound. He wasn’t all that much smaller than Sirius but in that moment, crying silently, Regulus resembled a child of maybe eleven. James hesitantly reached out a hand, ready to pull it back if Regulus spooked, and rested it gently on his arm. “You can tell me anything, I won't say a word to anyone, I swear.”
“S-Sirius… they… they insulted Sirius. I-I don’t even remember what happened… they insulted him and I snapped. I… I dreamed that I used an unforgivable b-but… it was just a dream… right? I couldn’t have… right James…?” At that, the terrified boy looked into James’ eyes. James shook his head, Regulus wouldn’t, there was no doubt in his mind, no matter what his parents threw at him James was certain Regulus would never stoop to their level. “I really should’ve expected it… I went off to my room after, they didn't say anything but… I was asleep, I woke up a-and…” He trailed off.
“You were in agony…” James supplied, a sad look in his eyes. He hated to think of what they’d done to Regulus, the thought of him being in pain tore James apart. He started gently rubbing Regulus’ forearm. “If you were asleep it couldn’t have been too much later that you came here… it was fresh, wasn’t it?” James slowly moved his hand to the place where his lip had been bleeding. Regulus just nodded and turned away from the touch, unable to say more. The boys sat in silence drinking their tea, James unable to keep his eyes off regulus for more than two seconds.
Soon enough the boys had finished their tea, James took the now empty cups to the sink and gave them a quick rinse. When he turned to head back he came face to face with Regulus who gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, James, goodnight.” James stood there stunned.
“Reg… y-you…” James stuttered unable to believe what had happened.
“Yes Potter I kissed you, not that it matters, you’ve got your crush on Lily.” Regulus’ response came in a hushed whisper that was barely audible. He tried to walk away but James grabbed his shoulder turning him back to face him.
“Reggie, Lils is just that, a crush,” Regulus scowled at James’ admission. “But with you, with you, it’s different. When you’re around, it's all I can think about, When you kissed me on the tower I felt like the whole castle was spinning, It felt like I could fly without a broom. It’s you, Reggie, it's always been you I just didn’t think you felt the same… after the tower, you started avoiding me, I thought you didn’t like me so I focused back on Lily and wrote it off as a one-time thing, a miracle that would never be replicated.” As James continued Reggie’s face softened and a slight smile crept onto his face.
“You really mean that James…?” Regulus’ voice was so soft James almost missed his words entirely.
“Of course Reggie, why wouldn’t I, you've been through more than enough tonight why would I make it worse by lying?” James searched Regulus’ face for some trace of acceptance and when he saw none, came up with a way to prove it. James brushed a strand of hair behind Regulus’ ear, leaned in and kissed the lips of the younger Black brother. They stood there a moment lost in the kiss before Regulus pulled away, he was slightly flushed and a prominent smile was displayed across his face.
“J-James.” The voice that emerged was breathless and shook ever so slightly.