My, My, My!
“Reggie!” Regulus turned to find his brother haphazardly weaving through the bar's sweaty, growing crowd.
“Sorry we’re late, fucking cab took forever.” Sirius huffed out as he pulled Regulus into a tight hug.
It had been months since he had seen his brother. The time apart was commonplace at this point in their careers. However, with his record label dragging him to LA and Sirius’s clients tying him to London for the foreseeable future, this had been an unfortunately long stretch.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s just nice to see you.” Regulus muffled back into the hug, not realizing how badly he had been needing it.
“You look good!” Sirius beamed, leaving the embrace, gripping Regulus by the shoulders firmly.
“Yeah well, more sun in LA. And better hairdressers.” He sighed. Sirius chuckled at the response.
“You remember Remus?” He said, bringing attention to the tall man standing over his shoulder. Regulus and Remus practically rolled their eyes in sync at the question.
“Yes. I remember Remus. It’s not as if you haven’t been together for the last four years.” Regulus sighed, earning a laugh from his brother's boyfriend. He and Remus didn’t get to talk often, but Regulus still couldn’t believe his brother's lack of belief in him.
“It's good to see you Reg.” Remus smiled kindly.
“Likewise.” He always did like Remus. Where Sirius was loud and chaotic, Remus was tranquil and orderly. A perfect fit. Regulus watched as Sirius’s arm found its way around his partner's waist.
It would forever baffle him at how much Sirius seemed to change in the months they spent apart. This time was no exception. Though Sirius was obviously tired and stressed from long hours in dance studios, he seemed happy. Content.
His dark curled hair was neatly groomed, shorter than the last time Regulus had seen him, but still long enough to brush the top of his shoulders. He dressed cleaner than usual too, wearing a simple black button up, matching trousers and a pair of loafers. Maturity. Regulus concluded. He was carrying himself with a new sense of maturity.
Even the amount of jewelry he wore was less than usual. Instead of intricate necklace stacks he had on only two; a simple silver chain, and a slightly shorter one with a small “R” hanging off it. There were less rings as well. Where Sirius typically kept his fingers adorned with various rings, he now wore only one on his left hand. A thick silver band wide enough to fit the rectangular stone that was settled into it. It was pretty. It kind of looked like–
“What the fuck is that?” Regulus almost screamed, pointing to his brother's hand. When he lifted his gaze it was met with a wide eyed Sirius, and a suddenly very smug Remus.
“Uh– surprise?” Sirius shrugged sheepishly.
“You dick!” Regulus began hitting Sirius’s shoulder while Remus just stood chuckling beside them. “You got engaged and you didn’t tell me?” He pulled Sirius’s hand closer to his face to get a better look at the ring.
“Relax, it only happened last week. I just thought it would be nicer to tell you in person.” Regulus pulled Sirius into a fierce hug.
“Well you should have fucking led with that! Oh my god, this is incredible! We need to celebrate! Have you gotten drinks yet?” He said almost all at once from excitement.
“Well, thank you.” Sirius said looking fondly up at Remus who was smiling back down at him. “And yes technically, James already went to the bar for us.” Regulus furrowed his brows at the name.
“Who?”
“James. Remember? Long lost school friend, reunited six months ago, told you I was bringing him tonight.” As Sirius rattled off the bullet points of their previous conversation, it came back to him slowly.
While Regulus had been living in LA, Sirius had somehow reconnected with an old friend from high school, James. They had both been at a concert Sirius had done the choreography for, and ran into each other in the VIP tent. James was a model now, and as Sirius learned, very good friends with the performing artist. After discovering they were both still based in London, the two quickly made up for lost time essentially picking up where they had left off.
“Right, yes. James.” He nodded. “Well I’m going to grab a drink for myself then. Remus, don’t let him get lost.” Regulus teased, much to Sirius’s chagrin, as he made his way past the couple and towards the multicoloured bar.
There was a drink in his hand almost as quickly as he had reached the glowing counter. A sense of reverie washed over him as the chilled class reached his lips.
Sirius was getting married. Regulus smiled to himself. He was elated for his brother. They certainly had never been dealt the easiest hand, and after so many years of watching Sirius fight for his successes, Regulus was happy to see him winning. Though he was winning too, he supposed. He had been lucky enough to build a stable career in music, and was even luckier that he had been able to do so on his terms, never having to suppress his queer identity or parts of his craft in the process. He had good friends, owned a beautiful apartment in the city, and would absolutely consider himself happy. Though unlike his lovestruck sibling, he remained single.
As he detached himself from the bar, prepared to find his way back through the room the music shifted. A familiar synthesizer played blared through the speakers.
"Shine on, diamond
Don’t make me wait another day"
Oh god. Regulus cringed at the sound of his own voice. It wasn’t uncommon for him to hear his own music while out. Especially this one. “My My My!” had done well. It quickly gained popularity with gay clubs, and was even frequently played on the radio. While it was nice to see people enjoying his work, he wasn’t sure if it would help him remain unrecognized as he pushed his way through the sweaty dancers.
He was about half way through the packed room when his eyes caught on a man who was dancing more energetically than those around him; hands in the air, and hips moving side to side.
Regulus humoured himself for a moment as he watched on. There was no denying he was gorgeous.
He could tell his torso was toned thanks to the black t-shirt that clung tightly to his tanned skin. His jeans hung low on his hips and he was wearing a simple pair of sneakers— Gazelle’s maybe. Deep chocolate strands of hair fell loosely around his eyes. Eyes that Regulus realized were fixed on his own.
The song progressed into the chorus as the handsome stranger began dancing towards him. Arms straight out and pointing at Regulus’s chest as he mouthed along to the lyrics.
"Oh my, my, my
I die every night with you"
Regulus felt a wave of heat spread over his face and down his neck. He was used to people parroting his lyrics back to him concert crowds, feet of space between them. But this felt different. And certainly more intimate.
When the man finally reached him he draped a hand gently over Regulus’s shoulder.
“I’m James.” He said loudly over the music through a lazy smile.
Oh.
Regulus thought.
This must be James, James. Sirius’s long lost friend James. James the model James. He certainly fit the description.
Regulus hated to step on the toes of Sirius’s rekindled friendship, but he couldn’t help his intrigue.
“Well James, I’m glad you like the song.” Regulus said amused. It was unlike him to play any kind of “singer” card, usually preferring quiet in his day to day, but part of him wanted James to know he was responsible for the song he was so clearly enjoying. James’s movement slowed as he stared back at Regulus in confusion.
“The song?” he asked.
“It’s mine.” Regulus felt himself smirk, unsure entirely of what had come over him.
“Yours? But this is by– oh.” James’s eyes widened and the corners of his lips rose. Regulus felt his blush return as he was looked carefully up and down.
“Regulus Black.” He beamed. “I almost didn’t recognize you. Your hair wasn’t this dark before.” Regulus felt his palms begin to sweat.
“And how would you know that?” he hummed.
“Instagram obviously. Also your brother’s very proud. Always shows your photos.” James replied. Stupid grin still plastered across his face.
“Well I’m not sure he'd be very proud of his best friend internet stalking his little brother.”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t be proud of me for many reasons right now– also, internet stalking? Whatever happened to fandom?” James scoffed playfully. It was clear his charm came naturally. “It really is a great song though. Perfect for dancing, have you tried it?”
“What? Dancing to my own song?” Regulus returned the question with a light huff. “Sure. Filmed a whole music video and everything. Don’t tell me you’re a fake fan.” He placed a hand to his chest in a false offence that made James chuckle.
“Well, let's see your moves then sweetheart.” James closed some of the distance between them, guiding Regulus’s free arm to wrap around his neck as he slowly started to sway his body again.
Regulus felt all of the air leave his lungs at the nickname and new proximity. Standing this close he could smell the musky vanilla of James’s cologne. It was unfair to smell this good given the humidity of the venue. Regulus finally gave in and began moving in return as the chorus came around a final time.
"Oh my, my, my
Living for your every move"
Regulus had always enjoyed the subtle change in the last chorus’s build. This was exactly the kind of moment he imagined it fitting.
Though he had danced with strangers before, there was something about dancing with James that felt particularly intoxicating. Their bodies only seemed to find their way closer as Regulus’s song ended and faded into another. James’s face still housing a goofy expression that Regulus wanted to stare at for hours. The moment only ended when a voice rose beside them over the change in tracks.
“I should have fucking known!” Regulus broke his focus away from James's to find Sirius shouting in exasperation, and Remus looking entirely entertained.
“I–” James carefully started to pull his hands from where they had snuck down to Regulus’s waist.
“Don’t you start with me Potter!” Sirius pointed an accusatory finger at the middle of James’s chest.
“I’m sorry!” James’s hands shot up in defense.
“No you’re not! Don’t lie to me.”
James looked back towards Regulus, eyes tracing over him again and biting his bottom lip slightly before turning back to his friend.
“Yeah, I’m really not.”
Remus cackled, while Sirius swiped a hand down his face in defeat.
“I can’t take you fucking anywhere.”
Regulus watched the conversation like a tennis match, bewildered by James’s bold claim. In all his years he was unsure he ever had someone be so unashamed in their attraction to him, even when they had done next to nothing. It was a nice feeling.
“Just because you hit on everything that moves–” Sirius's voice cut through his wave of thoughts.
Maybe it wasn’t so nice.
Regulus felt his smile slowly fall at the revelation.
He supposed it only made sense. Tall, handsome, model. James could pull anyone he wanted and probably often did. Regulus felt stupid. Surprisingly, not for his oversight, but rather his disappointment. He had barely known James for five minutes and the man was already messing with his emotions. He wasn’t even drunk yet.
“Regulus? Reg!”
“Huh?” He didn’t realize he had zoned out.
“Another drink?” Sirius was asking. “Ya know for all the trouble my friend has caused.” He said the last part to James through gritted teeth.
“Yeah. Sure. Let’s go.” Regulus said as he began to follow Sirius quickly towards the bar.
As he went he dared a look over his shoulder, and was immediately met with James’s sweet smile, and a wink in his direction.
His cheeks unwillingly flushed again as he turned to ensure he didn’t lose his brother in the crowded room.
Trouble.
Yeah. That's how Regulus would describe James Potter.