"It's an absolutely horrible idea." Regulus sat draped across one of the Potter's chairs like an uncaring king on a throne. "One that I will not be participating in." Sirius sighed dramatically from his position sprawled out on the floor.
"Come on Reggie. It'll be fun." He gave Regulus his signature Sirius Black pout.
"You really expect me to think that going to a place to shoot each other will be 'fun'?" James groaned disappointedly.
"I knew he wouldn't want to come. I told you." Sirius shot him a glare.
"He's coming, shut up Prongs. And we won't actually be shooting each other. It's lazer tag. You shoot each other with lazers." Looking up from his book Remus spoke up from over by the fireplace.
"And technically you don't even shoot the actual people, you shoot the targets on their vests." Regulus gasped, offended.
"I thought you were on my side!" Remus shrugged slightly.
"I agree that it would be mayhem and grounds for many fights-"
"Thank you!"
"But, it could be fun." Sirius leapt to his feet, a triumphant look on his face.
"Ha! See? You're the only one who still doesn't want to go!" Regulus turned a pleading look on Peter.
"Come on, help me out."
"I'm not getting in the middle of this." Groaning, he flopped back.
"I hate you all." Sirius made a hurt noise and Regulus shot him a glare. "You especially." Remus laughed at Sirius’s pouty face.
"It's alright Pads, I still love you." Regulus sat back up, fixing his hair.
"What about Marlene and Dorcas? You haven't even asked them yet. And Lily's bound to say no." Remus nodded in agreement.
"We should ask them before we assume they're coming."
"Exactly!" Regulus latched onto this last excuse. James bit back a smirk.
"I owled them already and they're all in. It's just you Reg." He groaned again.
"Come on Reggie." Sirius gave him a pleading look. "Just do this one thing and I won't make you go anywhere the rest of summer." He bit his lip, considering. It seemed the whole room was holding their breath.
"Fine." They all cheered, even Peter who wasn't “getting in the middle of this.” Regulus shot him a glare for good measure.
- - -
The day came and Regulus desperately regretted agreeing to this whole mess. He'd already tried locking himself in the bathroom and pretending to be sick but both attempts failed and resulted in him being dragged downstairs by Sirius and guarded by an overexcited James while the aforementioned incredibly annoying brother finished getting ready. By time Marlene, Dorcas, and Lily had all arrived he had attempted to escape twice more and failed both times, once getting tackled by Sirius before he could get out the door.
Despite his attempts to escape and neverending complaints he couldn't help feeling a certain level of excitement. He'd never done anything like this, laser tagging or going out with friends, and if he were less trained in containing his emotions then he might even have been grinning.
James had decided it'd be easiest to apparate, something quite a few of them had already learned and the rest could buddy up with someone who could. James tried to grab his hand but Sirius leapt between them and glared at James. Regulus just rolled his eyes and grabbed his brother’s hand.
They appeared in the back alley of some muggle town that smelled of cigarettes and cheap food. Heading out of the alley they found themselves by a strip mall and in the middle…
“I regret all of my life choices that brought me to this point.” Neon signs flashed nauseating colors advertising lazer tag and arcade games. Sirius shook his head grinning at him delightedly.
“Nonsense.” James appeared on his other side.
“It’ll be fun, I promise.”
- - -
Thank Merlin for Remus and Lily. It turned out that James really had no clue how to use muggle money. Or what he was doing. Lily rolled her eyes and stepped forward to take over, quickly followed by Remus.
They had gotten inside without incident after that and the employees had led them into a room and explained the rules and concept. It was fairly simple, no tackling, no hitting people with their guns, and they had to shoot the targets on the vests that were handed out. Regulus was struggling to get his vest adjusted when James walked over with a shy smile.
“Here, let me help.” Regulus let him adjust the straps on his side with an impassive look on his face, all too aware of how his hands brushed his waist slightly. When James looked back up he could have sworn there was a faint dusting of pink across his cheeks.
“Everyone ready?” They turned their attention back to the employee who was finishing up handing out guns. James and Regulus accepted theirs with a nod.
“Alright, your lights should be turning on… now.” Their vests and guns both lit up with either blue or red. “Those tell you what team you’re on. Remember, if you get shot the lights go out and you have to return to base. Red team’s base is that way, and the blue team’s is that way. Once everyone is at the right base the game will start.” They filed out, Regulus heading left with the blues and James leaving to follow Lily, Peter, and Marlene to the red base.
- - -
The next half an hour was a blur of excitement. Open fire rang through the room which was easily the size of the Great Hall with barriers, walls, and side rooms scattered throughout. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of red and he spun, firing on Lily who giggled and ducked behind a wall. Regulus scurried off, finding a small second level platform to scout from.
He could see Peter and Marlene who were currently in a shootout with Sirius and Dorcas, ducking behind boxes and half walls to avoid fire. Lily was skirting around the edge to get to Remus who was trying to sneak up behind Marlene and Peter. Which left James alone which was perfect. He slipped down and quickly ran through the halls to where he had seen James.
Rounding a corner he saw James facing away from him, right next to an open doorway. He grinned and slipped up behind him. Quickly grabbing the back of his vest Regulus dragged him into the small room. James turned and tried to raise his gun but Regulus was faster. Shoving him against the wall, he grabbed the front of his vest and pulled him down into a kiss.
A small gasp came from James and his gun clattered to the floor as he grabbed Regulus’s waist, pulling him closer. They stayed in their small bubble of calm for several moments before he pulled away slightly. James looked shocked and Regulus allowed himself one more moment of genuine affection before he made his play.
“Reg…” Regulus smirked, eyes sparkling, and pressed his gun against James’s vest, shooting him right in the chest.
“Gotcha.” He turned on his heel and ran out, grinning.
- - -
Regulus poked his head out from behind a wall and fired off several shots at Peter before ducking back. Someone grabbed his wrist and he whirled, coming face to face with James. Before he could react he was dragged into a dead end and James was kissing him again. His head spun and he whimpered. He hadn’t really expected James to do anything but get distracted by his kiss earlier and certainly hadn’t expected to be able to do it a second time. Not wanting to miss his opportunity he kissed back, throwing everything he had into this brief moment of vulnerability.
Then James pulled away and shot him. The other boy’s face was flushed, from running or the kiss he wasn’t sure, and he gave him a brilliant grin.
“Gotcha back.” What had he started?
- - -
When they finally left several hours later, Lily had insisted on staying and playing in the arcade, Regulus was strategically avoiding James. He couldn’t think straight. Did the other boy actually enjoy kissing in the corners or was it just a game they were playing, a way to get back at him for the original loss?
James for his credit was acting completely normal, chatting and laughing with anyone that’d listen to him. Sirius nudged his shoulder.
“Still regret all the life choices that lead you to this point?” Glaring, Regulus chose his words carefully.
“It was not… as horrible as I thought it would be.” Sirius cheered.
“Did you hear that ladies and gentlemen? It wasn’t as horrible as he thought it would be!” James seemed to be biting back a grin.
“I would hope that he enjoyed it and is just too prideful to admit it.” Regulus’s face turned beet red.
“I- you impossible-” He glared and turned around, pointedly not looking at him. The group laughed.
- - -
Regulus was on his bed, quietly reading when there was a knock on the door. Surprised, he glanced up. Sirius didn’t knock, it didn’t sound like Remus, Peter never really talked to him, and the adults had left them for the day. That left James and his stomach twisted.
“Come in.” The door opened and James walked in, looking anywhere but his face.
“Um. I just… I had a question.” Regulus closed his book and set it next to him on the bed.
“Well what was it?” James wrung his hands anxiously and Regulus frowned slightly.
“I uh, well, didyouactuallylikekissingme? It’s fine if you didn’t, if it was just a game, I just wanted to know because…” Face turning a brilliant shade of red James trailed off and Regulus stared at him for several long moments. They were silent until James cleared his throat. “I should… I should go. I’m sorry.” In a heartbeat Regulus was on his feet. He grabbed a fistful of James’s shirt and pulled him down into a kiss.
He made a little startled noise but quickly recovered, hands falling to Regulus’s waist. Fighting down a grin he pulled James closer for an instant before pulling away, looking up at James who was staring at him.
“So… not a game?” Regulus laughed, actually laughed.
“You're so stupid.” James grinned.
“I've heard that a few times before.” Pulling James’s collar slightly he kissed him again. Then a thought struck him.
“Door.” No sooner did he say the word did he realize the absolute last person he wanted to see this interaction was standing in the hallway, staring. James gave him a confused look, then glanced behind him, face paling.
“James. Get your hands off my brother.” James jumped away from him like he had been burned, watching Sirius fearfully.
“It's not what it looks like, Pads-”
“I'm going to kill you.”
“I… oh.”
“You get fifteen seconds headstart and then I'm going to chase you down and beat the living shit out of you and then I'm going to kill you.” James seemed frozen as Sirius stepped to the side until he raised his eyebrows. “I'd recommend you run.” Taking off at a dead sprint, James ran past Sirius and down the stairs.
“You know, if you kill him I'll be disappointed.” Sirius made a disgusted face.
“I'll leave him alive enough for you to snog. Happy?” Before Regulus could respond Sirius took off after James. Unhurried, he made his way downstairs, finding Remus and Peter by the backdoor. Peter was anxiously fidgeting as he stared out the open door but Remus just watched, unworried and slightly humored, over his cup of tea. There was a loud yelp and Regulus joined the two, seeing that Sirius had indeed run James down and the two were brawling on the ground.
“So what'd James do?” Regulus shrugged, watching as James managed to shove Sirius off and stand, only to have him grab his ankle and yank him back to the ground.
“He kissed me.” Peter made a little startled noise and looked at Regulus wide eyed but Remus just nodded.
“Took him long enough. How long until James pleads for forgiveness?” Biting his lower lip, Regulus considered.
“Probably not for a few minutes. Shall we let the boys fight it out?” Remus grinned.
“Why not? Sirius left mid game, you want to pick up his snap hand?” He shrugged.
“Sure.” Following Remus to the living room he took the hand Remus gave him.
“Wormy! Sirius is going to beat Prongs whether or not you stand there, come play with us.”