This party was obnoxious. Everything about it was and that, was just the blinding truth. People too loud all just flaunting their wealth and status, lights so bright they just sting your eyes, foods too small and expensive to even properly get even the faintest of a whiff on what it was supposed to be. Regulus bet that most of the people "complimenting" the chef were doing out of their own social manners or small talk, no one could actually liked any of that nonsense.
Although those things absolutely aggravated Regulus to his very core. That wasn't all. He was supposed to be seeing the girl his parents had chosen for him to marry tonight. He was of age, and the youngest out of the two brothers, so, essentially deemed useless in terms of succession of fortune. Or so they told him. Though Regulus knew deep down it was just another way for his parents to get rid of him but still keep tabs on him and keep him in check if he were to ever fold or break the image that had been painted for him a long time ago.
She was a nice girl that was for sure, she was talented and held high power in terms of leadership in the ministry of magic, she liked everything he liked and on top was very interesting to listen about, but Regulus knew deep inside that something pulled him way, maybe it was someone, who was the reason he can never settle for just anyone.
He chuckled sourly to himself, if only they knew what his brother had been getting up to in Hogwarts, to find out their son was not infact straight either. His brother made it seem so easy to be this outgoing, sociable personage even after everything they had gone though. Regulus, although hadn't have spoken to his brother in a long time, still found it in him to admire him. Deep down he was just a boy who looked up to his older brother. (it was a shame that Regulus never knew Sirius under al that character and glamour was just a boy who wanted to protect everyone especially his younger, baby brother.)
All of the sudden loud smashes of glass breaking was heard snapping Regulus right out of his trance, shards dispersed all over the marble dance floor like droplets of water being spilled on a table. It was his annoying younger cousins. All four of them were around fourteen to fifteen years of age, it was a dangerous age. Too young to get into serious trouble, old enough to make trouble. Regulus loathed them with every nerve and muscle in his body. To much of his distaste they saw him and motioned him to come over. That was when we decided to make his hopefully-not-evident escape.
His room was out of the option that where people would search first, the bathrooms would be filled with even more annoying drunk teenagers smoking all what nots in there. Then Regulus thought for a bit more. The rose garden? Only couples strolled there, but by the looks of it from the ballroom no one was there at the moment. For a brief moment a drunken aunt could've sworn the corners of his mouth actually turned upwards instead of his usual straight pursed lips.
That was where he found himself now. The peaceful chilled air brought goose bumps to his thin, fine chine like skin. Although the breeze pricked at him, he found it endearing. Peaceful almost. He found a bench that overlooked the waterfall statue of his favourite Greek goddess, Athena. The sounds of water trickling out of Athena's weapon and combined with the easy breeze, Regulus could have even sworn, he felt utter serene calmness. Something he hadn't felt maybe since he was two.
Everything was so peaceful until a voice called out to him.
"Good Merlin, Regulus is that you?"
Regulus groaned inwardly. It was none other than James Potter, He sighed.
"Who else would it be, or do you need your eyes checked again you bat"
James just laughed, and came closer to where Regulus was sitting. Now he was standing right behind Regulus, bending down to rest his arms on the back of the bench. "aren't you going to ask me how I got here?"
Regulus gave no notice to him and answered nonchalantly, "I don't care to be quite honest with you"
James leaned forward even more, now he was only mere inches away from Regulus. It was strange. Usually Regulus would have walked away by now or cursed them flatly, but he didn't and James just kept going.
"Well, you see, you're allowed to bring plus ones so Sirius decided to bring me, but he kind of wrote my name as your plus one because the bastard just wanted another excuse to pamper his boyfriend," his voice shifted to something uncharacteristically sincere, and now leaned full way to Regulus, they weren't even centimetres away from each other now." I don't really blame him though, if I had a partner I would pamper them all the time."
Regulus tried his best to keep his cool and looked away shyly, "your future partner will be very fortunate then," except his voice deceived him he went an octave higher.
James chuckled. Soft jazz like waltz could be heard just clearly to perceive a pulse from it. Suddenly James had gotten an idea.
"Can we dance?"
Regulus froze and sharply turned to him and glared, "I'm sorry what?"
"you heard me! oh come on it'll be fun I swear we can here the music just fine,"
Regulus pondered for a bit, but couldn't even finish his thought a he was felt he was being tugged on the cobble ground already. A hand slid to his back, and with obvious muscle memory Regulus without thinking put his hand to James' shoulder.
They swayed for a bit. It was strange. They hadn't said a word yet but yet it wasn't needed. They just swayed. Uncharacteristically it was Regulus who broke the silence.
"James do you like?" His heart hammered haughtily in his chest beating loud pulses reaching to his ears at one point.
They stopped and Regulus almost regretted saying to ruin this quiet, tender moment between them, but James just looked a him with those soft eyes, glowing brightly under the moonlight as if they was some enchanted jade from the ancient worlds. Regulus could et lost in the forever and wouldn't complain ever.
"I have for a while, I thought it was obvious unless you're only academically smart." James grinned at this and Regulus only flushed and scowled at him, but not once did he let go. Actually it was quite the latter, James was now holding on to Regulus more than before.
James held Regulus' chin tightly and directed him back to look at him, "Regulus I love you,"
Regulus smiled, "me too"
Although they did not kiss, they just held each other tightly and swayed.