Playdate
Regulus
Regulus hadn’t seen James for two days when the… incident happened.
See, Sirius and Remus lived right beside James. And of course, their guest room was on the side of the house that was right beside James’s. In fact, Regulus’s room was directly across from James’s window.
It wasn’t a problem at first. He just made sure to close his curtains when he was changing. That was until the day before last, when he had been reading a book in bed, only to glance up and get a full view of James’s bare back. And don’t get him wrong, it was wonderful. Glorious even. All that smooth tan skin and rippling muscles? Fuck yeah. Regulus was gay and James Potter was beautiful, so what?
Of course he also wasn’t a creep so he’d closed his curtains because privacy was important. But the next night he’d forgotten, too tired to do much but collapse. And when he’d woken up this morning well, he’d seen some… stuff. Some intimate stuff that James was doing that made his cheeks heat and made him hot all over. He tried not to think about it but the images were engraved in his brain. A cold shower was the first thing he’d done that morning, and now he was seriously contemplating sleeping on the couch.
“Why do you look like that?” Sirius asked. He was sitting on the other end of the couch, ignoring Home Alone in favor of judging Regulus. Remus wasn’t up yet, so there was no one to save him from Sirius’s obnoxiousness.
“Like what?” Regulus asked, snapping out of his thoughts of James. He needed to wipe that memory from his mind, and fast.
“All gross. You look like a dog in heat or something.” Sirius said, making a gagging noise.
Regulus got up, deciding to make himself some breakfast. “Shut up Sirius,” He said, no bite to it. He smirked and called over his shoulder, “But tell James to close his curtains.”
There was silence for a beat before Sirius screamed. “EW WHAT THE FUCK REGULUS?!?!?!” and Regulus cackled.
_______________________________________________
James
When James got out of the shower, it was to see Sirius in his room, viciously slamming his curtains shut and taping them together.
“Sirius,” He said, amused. “What are you doing?” He didn’t bother asking why he was in the house, because they spent so much time in each other’s homes they might as well be roommates.
“Do not,” Sirius said, “Open these curtains. Ever.”
“Umm,” James said, very confused. “Why?”
“Regulus’s room is across from yours.” Sirius said giving him stern look. “He can see everything, Prongs.”
James felt his cheeks heat up, remembering what he’d been doing earlier. “Oh- oh my god. I had no idea. I- I didn’t mean to make him uncomfortable, I’m so sorry Sirius.”
Sirius just sighed. “I don’t think it bothered him that much. He just told me to tell you to close your curtains. It’s fine.”
Sirius looked like it pained him to say that. Still, James felt guilty and so embarrassed. And kind of odd. Like it was too hot in his room.
“Still, I should apologize or-” He stared, but Sirius cut him off.
“NO! Never speak of this again. He won’t bring it up, and neither will you or I. Goodbye Prongs.” He said, promptly leaving. James couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly to himself.
__________________________________
Regulus
“Where’s Sirius?” Remus mumbled as he came into the living room, looking sufficiently rumpled. He stumbled to the kitchen as Regulus answered, rubbing his eyes.
“James’s house.” He replied, watching Kevin jump up and down in his parent’s bed while eating popcorn. He elected not to mention why Sirius was over there.
A few minutes later he heard the door slam, and Sirius stomped inside, shooting Regulus a murderous look before sitting down on the couch with a huff. Remus sat down beside Sirius, coffee in hand.
“What did James need?” Remus asked, scooching closer to Sirius and blowing on his coffee. Regulus smirked as Sirius mumbled,
“To close his damn curtains, that’s what.”, before giving Remus a quick kiss. Remus hummed and then they started kissing for a lot longer before Regulus turned up the tv obnoxiously loud, forcing them to stop.
“I know I’m in your house and all, but for the love of god at least tell me to leave first.” He said as Sirius scowled and Remus chuckled.
“What are your plans for today Regulus? Besides checking out my best friend?” Sirius said, shooting him a murderous look. Remus’s head whipped between the the brothers.
“Wait, wait, what?!” He asked, but Regulus chose not to answer him.
“I’m going to visit Luna today. Me and Pandora are going to take her to the park with Lily.” He said, trying to watch Home Alone, and failing because Sirius just does not know how to shut up.
“Oh nice. I love that Pandora and Lily are dating now. They’re both so lovely, gives me and excuse to hang out with them. Moony! We should all go on a double date!!” Sirius says excitedly.
“Sure love,” He says. “How are you doing with that by the way Regulus?” He asks, taking another sip of his coffee.
“Doing with what?” He asks, watching Kevin accidentally steal a toothbrush.
“The whole Lily dating Pandora thing.” He clarifies.
“I’m fine with it. Why would I not be fine with it?” He asks, coming across as more defensive than he would like.
Remus and Sirius share a look that makes Regulus want to roll his eyes. “Well, it’s no secret that you didn’t like her in school,” Remus says. “I mean, it’s not like you were awful to her or anything, but whenever she would show up, you’d leave. I invited you to study with us so many times, but you’d always say no if she was there.”
Regulus can feel his cheeks heat up in embarrassment. “Yeah, and after what you said yesterday…” His brother adds, trailing off. Regulus lets the silence build, refusing to dignify that with a response, or even look at them.
Eventually, he breaks, but only because he wants to be honest with his brother, you know, rebuilding their relationship and all that crap. He sighs heavily before responding.
“What I said yesterday was… a lapse in judgement. I just… didn’t think James and Lily wouldn’t work out. That was never an option to me. Them being together was a fact I learned to live with.” He says quietly, eyes focused on the screen. Remus and Sirius look at each other again.
“You make it sound like them being together was a bad thing.” Remus says calmly.
Regulus can hear how hollow his voice sounds when he says, “For me it was.”
The silence is deafening for a moment, until his brother speaks up, pity in his voice. “Regulus-” He starts, but Regulus cuts him off.
“Nope. We are not doing this today. Or ever. I’m going to see Luna now.” He says, striding toward the door
“Have fun!” Sirius calls before he slams the door shut.
Sirius
“You do realize Regulus is in love with James right?” Remus asks, playing with Sirius’s hair. He hums before answering, wanting to bask in the soft moment with Remus.
“Yeah. I think he has been since we were kids. I suspected in like fifth year. He’s terrible at hiding his feelings, his eyes give him away.” Sirius said, closing his eyes.
“I always figured too. Regulus just looks at him in that way.” Remus says.
Sirius cracks one eye open. “In what way?” He asks.
Remus smiles softly before answering, the morning light turning his brown eyes golden. “The way I look at you.”
And Sirius just has to kiss him for that. It’s slow and sweet and it’s everything, just like Remus is everything. He could not be more happy with how his life turned out.
When they break apart Remus asks, “Do you think James loves him back?”
Sirius thinks for a moment. “Yes, I think he does. I think he liked him in school before I ran away and didn’t realuse it. Do you remember the way he use dto rant about Regulus for hours?”
Remus chuckles. “Yes I do. I think I know more about Regulus from those rants than all the times I’ve spoken to him.”
“I know!” Sirius says, laughing at how stupid both James and Regulus are. “And you should’ve seen how red he turned when I told him Regulus could see into his room. He actually looked like a tomato Moony.”
Remus laughs again, a full on belly laugh, and Sirius is powerless to do anything except join in, watching Remus through his eyelashes.
“They’ll figure it out eventually.” Remus says, kissing the top of his forehead.
“Yeah, they will,” Sirius says, not feeling the need to meddle for once in his life.
Regulus
Regulus knocked on the door to Pandora’s apartment while double checking the address she sent to him on his phone. That’s why he was so shocked when he looked up to see Lily.
“Oh, Regulus!” She said, “Pandora said you were coming today. Come in.”
Lily opened the door wider and waved him inside, a smile on her face. Regulus walked past her and into the entrance of the apartment. It was decorated for Christmas, with a purple tree in the corner of the entryway. It was obvious Luna had made ornaments for the tree, as they were scattered on the branches.
He took off his shoes as Lily walked past and further into the apartment. He looked up when he heard the pattering of small feet, and saw Luna running toward him, blonde hair flying in her face.
“Uncle Reg!” She screamed, jumping into his arms when he held them out to catch her. He spun her around once while she giggled.
“Luna!” He said, a wide smile spreading across his face. “I missed you!”
“I missed you too! You have to come see my new room, Mum let me paint it purple.” She said, grabbing his hand and dragging him off. He followed willingly until they were in the kitchen. He was distracted by the sight of Harry sitting at the island, bowl of cereal in front of him and spoon in hand. Pandora and Lily were doing the dishes and laughing. It was such an odd thing to him, though he supposed Pandora and Lily’s kids would know each other, and even spend time together now that he thought about it.
“Uncle Reg, come on.” Luna said, tugging his hand again. That was when Harry spotted him, also smiling and jumping down from his chair excitedly.
“Reggie! Can you show my mum the eyebrow thing?” He asked, looking up at Regulus with pleading eyes.
He sighed, but he could feel a smile tugging at his lips once again. He raised his eyebrow, and when Harry and Luna both laughed at him he felt it break free. Lily giggled too, whispering to Pandora, “I think that’s only the second time I’ve seen Regulus smile.”
Pandora giggled too. “When was the first time?” She asked.
Lily smiled, and this time it was nostalgic. “One time in the library James fell asleep with his head on his lap. Regulus looked down at him and smiled. James would have been sad to miss it.” She said, looking right at Regulus. She knew he could hear them, and it seemed she wasn’t trying to hide their conversation. But Regulus, being as awkward as he is, finally let Luna drag him away, Harry in tow.
“Uncle Reg, will you please come to the park with us?” Luna asked, looking at him with pleading eyes much like Harry had earlier. Regulus had been at Pandora’s apartment for a few hours now, and they’d watched television, played with Luna’s toy’s, drew pictures, and made new ornaments for the trees Pandora had.
“I suppose I could,” He said, standing up and stretching from where he had been sitting at the island. They gathered their things and began to head out, Lily, Harry, Pandora, Luna and Regulus. They piled in Pandora’s car and drove through the town. Regulus sat in the back with Luna and Harry at their insistence.
Before they got to the park, Pandora pulled into the dentist’s office and Lily got out. “Goodbye everyone! I’ll be back after my dentist appointment. Love you,” She said to Harry before kissing Pandora on the forehead. Pandora smiled dopily as Lily went to close the door.
Pandora rolled down the window as Lily began walking toward the door. “Bye Mummy!” Harry called as they pulled out and drove away.
When they arrived at the park it was deserted except for one very familiar figure. Regulus pulled Pandora aside as Harry and Luna ran to the playground, Harry making a beeline for his father.
“What is he doing here?” Regulus whisper-hissed at Pandora, knowing his face was red.
Pandora giggled at him before answering. “I invited him. Figured you two could spend some time together while the kids play. Oh look, here he is now,” She said, causing Regulus to whip around to see James standing behind him, smiling that gorgeous and infuriating smile.
“Uh, hi,” Regulus said, struck dumb at how close James was standing. He was so tall Regulus had to tilt his head up to look at him. His head only came up to James’s mouth.
“Hi,” James responded, his eyes sweeping over Regulus and making him blush even further. He could tell James noticed because he smirked, and Regulus thought he might faint.
Get it the fuck together, He told himself as Pandora snuck away. He watched her with the resignation of a sailor watching his ship sink.
Things were silent between him and James for a moment before the other man cleared his throat. When Regulus looked up at him, he could see that James’s face was bright red, and he was rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
“Uh- I just wanted to say that um, I am really sorry for this morning,” He mumbled, kicking a rock that was on the ground. “Sirius told me not to say anything, but I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, and I had no idea that you could see into my bedroom.”
And Regulus just stands there completely flabbergasted. He feels his own cheeks burn remembering exactly what he saw. “Uh, it’s-it’s fine.” He hears himself say. He resists the urge to tell James he didn’t exactly mind.
James just laughs in a way that shows he’s extremely uncomfortable and doesn’t know what to do. “Ok. Cool, cool,” James says, and Regulus can see him cringe. “Well not cool that, well, you know-”
Regulus laughs this time. “Let’s just change the subject shall we?” He asks, looking at James who is so red he looks like he might explode.
James nods, exhaling gratefully. “Yes please. How was your day?” He asks, smiling.
Regulus hums. “It was good. I spent most of the day with Luna, and Harry by extension.” He says, looking over to where they’re swinging on the swings while Pandora takes turns pushing them.
James also looks at them, his expression softening. “Yeah. I’m really glad they get along so well. At least Harry got a friend out of the divorce.” He chuckles.
He glances over at Regulus, who is shocked that James can talk about it so openly. “You can ask Regulus,” He says softly. “I don’t mind.”
Regulus immediately takes the invitation. “What happened? All of it. How did you go from how you guys were in school to this?”
James smiles, although it’s a little bit sad. “After you left, we were all pretty sad, Sirius especially. So I didn’t want him worrying about my feelings about you being gone when he was already dealing with so much. Remus was helping him, and Peter is pretty rubbish at that stuff, so somehow, me and Lily got to talking.” He said.
“It was about you at first. About how I was handling you being gone myself while making sure Sirius was alright. But then we started to talk about more, until we spent nearly every day together. Before that, I didn’t realize just how little I actually knew about Lily. I had treated her like a prize to be won rather than a person I loved. But after we started spending more time together, that changed. She started to see me as more than annoying and immature, and i started to see her as more than just a prize.”
“We got together in our last year of school and had Harry right after. We were only married for four years when we realized something was off. I guess we stopped loving each other the way we were supposed to. We were more like friends than a couple. The divorce wasn’t messy or anything, but t was hard for Harry to understand. I hated seeing him so hurt and confused.” He sighed.
“For a while it was just us coparenting Harry. It took me a while to really get over Lily, I’d been in love with her my whole life. But when she announced that she was a lesbian, it helped push me to see that just because things didn’t work out with Lily didn’t mean it would be that way forever. If she could find herself without me, then I could find myself without her. I’ve been single ever since, but I’m looking.” James finished with a shrug.
Regulus just blinked for a moment. He couldn’t process what he had been told, that his departures made Lily change her feelings for James. That it was him leaving that pushed them together. He was… well he didn’t know what he was feeling but there was a lot of it, and it was heavy. He thought it might be regret.
“What about you?” James asks, startling Regulus from his thoughts.
“Uh, nothing really,” He said, avoiding James’s gaze. “I don’t really do relationships too much I guess. Well, not ones that last.”
“Just haven’t found the right person?” James asked, and Regulus looked at him then.
I did find the right person, He thought, he just doesn’t love me back.
“I-I did find the right person. A long time ago. But it didn’t work out, so it’s not important.” He said, looking away again. James’s brows crease and he opens his mouth to speak but Harry’s voice cuts him off.
“Dad!! Can you and Reggie come down the slide with me?” He asks.
James glances at Regulus, but he looks resolutely forward, ignoring him.
“Sure we can bud,” He says, reaching down to ruffle Harry’s hair. “As long as it’s ok with Regulus.”
Regulus should say no. He should leave right now and never see James again. He almost admitted his feelings, and that was so stupid of him. But Harry and James are both looking at him with pleading eyes, and he can’t say no.
“Sure,” He says, and Harry grabs both their hands and drags them over to the slide. He catches Pandora’s eye where she and Luna are making a snowman. She winks at him and he scowls and looks away.
When they get to the slide Harry insists that Regulus sit down first. He then plops himself on Regulus’s lap, and that only leaves one place for James to go.
He settles behind Regulus, and he can hear James’s breathing. It’s ragged, but Regulus can barely hear it over the sound of his own heart in his ears. James wraps his arms around his waist, enveloping Regulus in his warmth.
Unconsciously, Regulus sighs and settles back against James’s muscular chest. It just feels so good, better than he imagined. He can smell James’s cologne, something fresh and woodsy, and he can feel his heartbeat through his jacket.
“This ok?” James whispers, his voice deep and husky. It;s right beside Regulus’s ear and he shivers.
“Yeah,” He says, savoring the feeling for just a moment more before pushing them down the slide.
James
When James gets home, he immediately collapses on his couch. Harry isn’t there, which means he can get himself a glass of scotch in peace.
As he drinks it, he stares out his window, and, coincidentally, into Sirius and Remus’s house, where he sees Regulus. He’s in the kitchen, seemingly making popcorn. They must be watching a movie or something.
As James is thinking about Regulus, things get a little… odd. He thinks about the faint freckles littering Regulus’s cheeks, and the pretty blush he gets when he’s embarrassed. He thinks about Regulus’s hands, and the way he moves so gracefully. Unbidden, images come to his mind of Regulus’s hands cradling his face, with one moving to his hair. It makes his stomach swoop in a way all too familiar.
He tries not to, but he imagines Regulus’s mouth next. The way he bites his lip, and how he smiles, and the little dimple in his cheek. He thinks back to how Regulus looked when he was panting from chasing around Luna and Harry. He thinks about pressing his lips to Regulus’s, and startles himself so hard that he drops his glass.
It shatters on the floor and James swears, going to get the necessary items to clean it up. He tries to ignore his brain while he sweeps up the broken pieces. But when he looks up and sees Regulus washing some dishes and biting his lip in that way, he panics.
He tries to shake it off. He goes up to his room and changes into his pajamas, hoping to sleep off his odd feelings. But he tosses and turns for hours, his mind plagued with Regulus.
Suddenly, he looks to his window, and through a crack in his taped-up curtains, he can see Regulus. Or more accurately, he can see him slowly pulling his shirt over his head, revealing his smooth pale skin. James’s mouth is dry as he takes it all in, Regulus’s flat stomach, his graceful build, the slight muscles in his back when he turns around.
He knows then what he’s been avoiding since Regulus came back.
“Fuck,” He says, slapping a pillow over his head.
James Potter has a crush on Regulus Black.