Through Enemy Eyes

They did not figure this out at all.

In fact, James was starting to think this was an even bigger disaster than he’d originally expected.

Because less than twenty-four hours after their first mission together, he and Regulus were once again crouched behind cover, spells flying past their heads, and James was fairly certain this time they weren’t getting out unscathed.

“Tell me,” James yelled over the sound of shattering glass, “was this part of your brilliant strategy?”

Regulus, who was currently trying to deflect three curses at once, didn’t even spare him a glance. “You’re the one who said, Let’s go in through the front door, Regulus! It’ll be faster, Regulus!”

“I didn’t think they’d all be waiting for us!”

“Then maybe think next time, Potter.”

James groaned, ducking as a particularly nasty-looking hex sizzled past his ear. “For someone who’s supposed to be the smart one, you sure are stuck here with me!”

Regulus’s answering glare could have melted through steel. “Believe me, I regret every decision that led me to this moment.”

A spell slammed into the wall behind them, showering them with splinters. James coughed, waving away the dust. “Right. So, same plan as last time?”

Regulus exhaled sharply. “You mean run for our lives?”

James grinned. “Now you’re getting it.”

Regulus muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a curse (not the magical kind) before grabbing James by the arm. “On three.”

They didn’t even make it to two before everything went to hell.

Regulus barely had time to yank James sideways before a jet of green light shot straight through the spot where his head had been.

"Merlin’s bloody—" James barely got the words out before they were both diving behind an overturned table, wood splintering as another curse hit just inches from his hand. He pressed his back against the floor, catching his breath. "Okay. Not great. Pretty bad, actually."

"Glad to see your strategic thinking has improved," Regulus deadpanned, wiping dust from his sleeve like they weren’t currently under heavy fire.

James shot him an incredulous look. "Is this really the time for sarcasm?"

"You started it."

"Yeah, well, I’m reconsidering every life choice that led me here, again."

"Good. Hold onto that feeling."

Another blast rocked the room, and James could hear Death Eaters shouting over the chaos. Their cover wouldn’t last much longer. Regulus shifted beside him, fingers tightening around his wand, gaze flicking around the room like he was already three steps ahead.

James nudged him. "I assume you have an actual plan, genius?"

Regulus rolled his eyes. "Of course I have a plan."

"Good, because I was just gonna suggest running."

Regulus groaned. "Why am I not surprised?"

Before James could fire back, Regulus grabbed his wrist. "Cover me," he ordered, and then, with absolutely zerohesitation, he bolted from their hiding spot.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" James bellowed, but he was already moving, throwing up shields and disarming curses as Regulus darted through the chaos like a shadow. The Death Eaters barely had time to react before Regulus flicked his wand, sending a curse at the chandelier overhead.

The massive fixture groaned and crashed down, sending dust and debris flying everywhere.

James took the opportunity—stunning one Death Eater, body-slamming another—and then sprinted toward Regulus, who was already at the back exit, face impassive as ever.

"Now we run," Regulus said simply, and for once, James didn’t argue.

They took off into the night, curses still flying behind them, Regulus navigating the narrow alleyways with ease while James tried not to trip over his own damn feet.

James barely had time to register the sharp turn Regulus took before he slammed straight into him, nearly sending them both sprawling into the side of a crumbling brick wall.

"Are you trying to get us killed?" James hissed, grabbing Regulus’s arm to steady himself.

Regulus scowled but didn’t pull away. "You’re the one with the coordination of a newborn Hippogriff."

Before James could fire back, a blast of green light sizzled past them, close enough that he felt the heat against his skin. Regulus muttered a curse—not the magical kind—and yanked James down a narrow gap between two buildings. It was barely wide enough for one person, let alone two, and James quickly realized their current plan had an unfortunate flaw.

They were way too close.

Pressed chest to chest, James could feel Regulus’s heartbeat hammering against his own. Their breaths mingled in the tight space, both rapid and uneven, the tension between them suddenly taking on a very different kind of intensity.

"Cozy," James muttered, because humor was the only thing keeping him from acknowledging just how distracting Regulus’s sharp jawline looked in the moonlight.

Regulus, to James’s utter surprise, smirked. "Don’t get any ideas, Potter."

James huffed a breath that was definitely not a laugh. "Trust me, Black, if I was gonna die tonight, I’d rather go out in a blaze of glory, not—" He gestured vaguely at their current predicament.

Regulus arched a brow. "Not pressed against me in a dingy alley?"

James opened his mouth, closed it again. "Not what I meant."

"Mm-hm."

James groaned. "Merlin, I hate you."

"Likewise." But Regulus’s voice lacked its usual bite.

The sound of footsteps pounded closer, and Regulus’s hand shot out, gripping James’s wrist. "Stay still," he whispered, his breath ghosting against James’s cheek.

James swallowed hard, suddenly aware of how warm Regulus felt against him, how their legs were practically tangled together. He was not thinking about that.

The Death Eaters passed by without a second glance, their shouts fading into the distance. After a few tense moments, Regulus finally exhaled and loosened his grip.

"Alright," he murmured, gaze flicking up to meet James’s. "I think we’re clear."

"Fantastic," James said, voice slightly higher than normal. "Now can we please never speak of this again?"

Regulus pushed off the wall, dusting off his cloak as he stepped back. "Oh, I fully intend to bring this up whenever it inconveniences you most."

James groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Brilliant. Love that for me."

Regulus smirked. "Consider it motivation to be less of an idiot next time."

And with that, he turned on his heel, leaving James to stare after him—completely exasperated, slightly breathless, and definitely not thinking about how close they’d just been.