James' POV
He'd dodged his friends' questions as he rose from the table and made his way towards the Great Hall doors. He wasn't even sure if Regulus was following suit, or if he remained glued to his seat, his mouth still slightly ajar after processing James' request.
But he didn't care. James had tunnel vision, ignoring a nearby portrait's greeting as he turned the corner and halted. He'd wait here, stalling for time until Regulus showed, then he'd confess.
If Regulus showed...Merlin's beard what if he didn't?
James resisted the urge to peak back inside the dining hall and began idly pacing the corridor, attempting to appear bored. He was anything but.
And then he heard it. Regulus' voice.
"What could possibly be this important?" Regulus stood with his hands in his pockets, his expression a perfect picture of annoyance. It made James' heart race.
The older boy cleared his throat, taking in the scene around them. Breakfast was nearly over and the corridor would soon be packed with students making their morning commutes. Regulus had been late to wake this morning, effectively ruining James' perfect plan of confession.
He sighed and couldn't help but smile at himself, at his theatrics.
"Got your beauty rest, didn't ya Reg?" He smirked at the younger boy before turning his back to him and walking down the corridor, towards the large staircase that lead to the other half of the castle.
"Sorry?" Regulus' voice echoed, and it was clear he was growing more and more irritated by the second. Good.
James continued walking until he was certain Regulus had started after him. His smile only grew. "You were late," was all he said.
"Well, my apologies. I wasn't aware I'd be called upon to...why am I here?" Without even seeing him, James knew Regulus' brows had furrowed as he spoke.
He stopped walking and turned back to look at the boy, whose cheeks were now slightly pink as he stared back at James. "You tell me."
"I-" Regulus started, his eyes searching the corridor wildly as if it held the answer. "You asked me to come out here."
"I did. And you obeyed."
Regulus practically reeled back at that comment. God, if Sirius had heard that, James would be cursed by now.
"I'm leaving," Regulus responded, coolly. He started to walk off and James exhaled, willing his nerves to vanish as he spoke.
"Does this mean Pandora lied to me?"
That stopped him. Regulus turned slowly, his annoyed expression overtaken by confusion.
"What?" But it was less of a question and more a statement, and his tone made James slightly nervous to continue.
But he had to. What happened last night had only confirmed his feelings.
So he smiled comfortably at Regulus and took a step towards him, acutely aware of how Regulus' throat bobbed when he did.
"She didn't tell you?"
Regulus blinked and for a second it seemed like he might respond, but the sound of students exiting the Great Hall and their sudden presence in the corridor stopped him.
James glanced around quickly and, without thinking, bounded towards Regulus and grabbed his arm. He ignored the younger boy's protests as he essentially dragged him down the hall and towards the first class room he could find.
He closed the door behind the two of them once they were inside and turned back to look at Regulus, who was breathing heavily. From exhaustion, shock, or anger, James was unsure.
But he must've been relatively unaffected, because he crossed his arms and demanded, "What did she say to you?"