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James had fallen head over heels in love. Not with Lily, no, but that was the problem. He had been completely enamored with the fiery redhead for years, never giving up hope that he could change the way things were. But Lily didn't like him. Never did, and never would. And James could accept that. Looking back, he should have backed off when she initially said no. Because while it seemed like a great idea to keep going for it frequently, he could tell that it made the girl uncomfortable.
But this isn't why James is upset. In any other circumstance, he would be happy he could finally move on, but he couldn’t. Because he was in love with Regulus. His best friend's brother. Sirius’ brother.
The younger Slytherin had truly caught his eye in second year, as soon as they met on the train, but he didn't see much of him after he got sorted into Slytherin, and Sirius had cut off all contact with his younger brother. So, James never really talked to him until last year, when Regulus had come across the older boy in the astronomy tower, crying. Since then, they had met in the tower, and the library and they even partnered up in classes without any of their friends, Potions, and Arithmancy.
Over the course of a few months, they had become rather close to one another, and over that time, their unlikely friendship turned more into an unlikely romance, sharing light and gentle kisses under the stars, and… not so gentle kisses inside broom closets and quidditch locker rooms. But, now that he is fully committed to his (almost) year-long relationship, he comes across another issue. How to tell Sirius. By this point, the only person who knows for sure is Peter (long story). James suspects that Remus might have some idea of what's going on, but he hasn't directly told him. Which brings him to now, where James is anxiously burying his face into his lover's neck, curling even further into him in anticipation of the conversation he's about to have with his brother in all ways but blood.
“James, if it really bothers you so much, I can tell him,” Regulus murmured, running his fingers through the anxious boy's hair, planting soft kisses on his forehead.
“No, he’ll think I'm a coward for not telling him myself. Also, I'd rather he yell at me than at you,” he whispered into the dark, sighing and looking up to smile at Regulus. He felt a sudden burst of affection and adoration of the boy who was cradling his head in his arms and grabbed his hand, kissing the back of it. “I love you so much, you know that right?” James whispered, grinning when he saw the blush that was quickly spreading across his boyfriend's face, despite barely being able to see in the dim light of the stars.
“Shut up,” he pushed him away, but not before the older boy saw the terribly suppressed smile on his face.
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“Padfoot? Are you here?” James stuck his head into the dormitory and felt a rush of relief when he realized that Sirius wasn't there, Remus was.
“He just went down to lunch. Did you need something?” Remus replied, without looking up from his book on his spot on Sirius’ bed.
“Uh- no, no, that's okay. I just had to talk to him about something.” James' voice softened as he stepped fully into the room, hands fidgeting and feet shuffling on the floor.
“Are you okay?” Remus looked up at James’ uneasy stammer, with a frown on his face.
“Yeah, yeah I'm fine. It's not that important right now anyway- I'll see you later!” James nervously nodded, quickly sliding out of the dorm and down the steps into the common room.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. This is going to be more difficult than he expected.