Study Buddies?
The library was warm, the smell of fresh parchment, ink and a hint of vanilla wafted through the air. The shuffle of turning book pages and the quiet murmur of chatter creating a peaceful ambiance. Alone in a small corner table, soaking in the relaxing nature of the library, was Regulus Black. Infamous for his love for academic achievement and fulfilment and his less-than-kind personality; a stark difference to his brothers happy-go-lucky attitude.
---
James took a deep breath and shook his hands at his side. He then planted his usual smirk on his face and swaggered over to the corner table in the library. The same table where one Regulus Black just so happened to be sitting.
“Why hello baby Black. Didn’t see you there; seen as though you’re all broody and depressing, like always.”
Regulus turned the page of his book, seemingly oblivious to the very loud presence before him. James’ smirk widened as he practically flopped in the chair opposite Regulus and huffed dramatically. This was when the younger boy finally deigned to glance at James and speak,
“What do you want Potter? My brother set you up to be an arse?”
This comment made James chuckle; putting James up to annoy his baby brother did seem like something Sirius would do. But that was not the reason for James’ apparently coincidental meeting with the younger boy.
“Alas he has not. I actually require some assistance that only someone with your academic skillset can give me. And since Remmy has already said no, you were my next best thing.”
This comment almost made Regulus snort. If James needed help with school and had come to him, albeit as a second choice, something had to be wrong. Regulus marked his page and closed his book, placing it gently on the table. James leaned back in his chair, his eyes discreetly following Regulus’ every movement.
“And here I thought you were slightly intelligent. Whatever could you need my help with, Potter?”
“I am going to be very straightforward with you, Reggie. I fucking suck at History of Magic. I took the class because I thought it was going to be easy, but turns out it hard as shit.”
“First of all, don’t call me Reggie. And second of all; Gryffindor Prefect, Quidditch prodigy, smartass James Potter needs help, from a fourth year mind you, with History.”
James nodded, fake solemnity coating his features, he reminded Regulus of the men from the fantasy books he religiously read of a night-time; the ones with the handsome faces, nice hair, personalities so sweet it makes you want to bite- and that is where Regulus forced himself to refocus.
“Why can’t you ask Evans? Aren’t you two together?”
“Oh, she doesn’t do History of Magic. And we were, past tense. Things happened and as we figured ourselves out more we decided it would be a smarter idea to just be friends.”
“Oh, sorry, I guess.”
Regulus fisted his hands and cracked his knuckles awkwardly, he knew he’d pushed too far, but James didn’t seem phased by it at all, waving it off and saying some default response along the lines of ‘it’s fine, you didn’t know’. That was another admirable thing about James Potter; nothing phased him. He brushed everything off like water on a ducks back. There were many admirable things about James; his eyes, the way his hair fell over his eyes, his muscles-
Regulus caught himself beginning to blush, his thoughts beginning to wander, blinking rapidly to pull himself out of his own mind, finding James looking at him expectantly, like a puppy waiting for a treat. Regulus guessed that’s what James was, a puppy, loyal and playful. The younger boy sighed to himself before pinching the bridge of his nose,
“Fine, Potter. I’ll help you. But I can’t do it today. I have some reading to catch up on.”
James grinned ear to ear and nodded enthusiastically, his unruly curls bouncing and his glasses shaking slightly. Merlin the urge Regulus had to pluck those glasses off of James’ face and bury his hands in his hair.
Regulus again caught himself in his fantasies and decided he needed to have a deep debrief with Pandora, Evan and Barty about them later.
James stood and slung his bag over his shoulder, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose,
“Thank you so much Reggie, you’re a lifesaver. I’ll send you an owl of a place to meet and a time, just let me know if it doesn’t work for you and we can work something else out!”
Then he pushed his chair under the table and saunters off, out of the library, most likely to find another one of the other Marauders. Regulus felt his chest lighten when James left, he felt his breath return to him. He needed to sort out this ‘crush’ or else he may actually go insane. Especially since he agreed to study with James.
“Merlin help me.”
Regulus muttered to himself before sinking further into the corner, opening his book once more.
---
When James left the library, he made sure that Regulus was not going to follow him before he sunk against the wall, letting out a breath. His face was heated, his pulse racing slightly. He hadn’t expected to react like that. One minute he was fine, then the next, Regulus was looking awfully pretty, with his lovely hair, the intoxicating scent of his cologne, his neck which looks perfect to place an abundance of hickeys on-
James shook his head, letting the thought fly away. He couldn’t think of Regulus like that. There would be no way he would be able to focus on studying if he kept thinking like that. James was never one to shy away from a crush, except for this. There would be no way that James would be able to confess to Regulus without ruining their soon-to-be friendship.
James guessed he was happy that Sirius knew and approved of his crush towards the younger boy. Sirius was actually quite happy; said something about preferring it to be James than any other dick. Even though Regulus would never learn about James’ infatuation with him.
James took a breath, and pushed himself off of the wall. He then made his way towards the Gryffindor dorms; needing to debrief with Sirius before writing his letter to Regulus.
---
After 10 minutes of distracted reading, Regulus decided that the coast would be clear and that he would be able to sneak back to his dungeon dorms without James seeing him.
He placed his book in his bag and slung it over his shoulder before making his way out of the library, maneuvering between the shelves and tables full of people studying and scribbling on parchment.
The walk to his dorm was uneventful, and filled with Regulus silently cursing himself for agreeing to help James, knowing containing his crush towards the older boy was hard enough.
To Regulus delight, the dorm was empty when he pushed open the heavy door. None of the other boys being anywhere in sight. This made Regulus throw his bag on the floor and flop onto his bed, groaning into his pillow.
All he could see was James’ lopsided grin and crooked glasses and messy hair, and he wasn’t ashamed to say it turned him on ever so slightly.
Regulus groaned into his pillow again and began the excruciating wait for either James’ letter or for his friends to return for the debrief of the century.
---
James hissed under the cold spray of the water, but he needed to cool himself down. Ever since his conversation with Regulus, he had been sweating, his cheeks rosy.
He had debriefed with Sirius about the situation, but he wanted to gather all of the Marauders, including the girls, to get their opinions.
James soon turned the shower off, stepping out and slinging his towel around his waist before walking out of the bathroom to grab some clothes that weren’t his school robes.
When he was dressed and feeling much cooler and more relaxed, he sat down at his desk and penned out his letter to Regulus, making sure to write as neatly as he possibly could.
After the letter was written, James tied it to the foot of his owl, Harlow, and sent him off before flopping onto his bed, ready to being waiting for Regulus’ response.