story of us

James stepped back from his parents' car, allowing his mum to kiss his cheek one last time.

"You're sure this is what you want? You promise?" Fleamont asked him again as he handed James his hockey bag and suitcase.

"This is where I need to be," he promised and fumbled with trying to find a good grip on all of his belongings. Minnie, who had insisted she wanted to come with them for the drop off, grabbed one of the bags and gestured for James to follow her. "You don't have to do this, I've got it."

"I know, Mr. Potter, I do. That's why I want to do this. I've watched you grow up throughout your entire childhood in both hockey and in general. I've coached you for almost five years, through all of it. The good, and even more so the bad, and you have no idea how much it means to me to see you off for your final year of camp before you start looking at the university offers that have been rolling in."

"Thank you, you're the reason I'm still playing. You're probably the reason I'm alive," James replied honestly. He hugged her one more time before stepping into the dorm hall. McGonagall followed suit with the remaining luggage until he reached his dorm for next six weeks. He slowly twisted the key into the lock and walked into the small space. His roommate and Gryffindor teammate Braylen was hunched over the bed parallel to James'.

"S'up James!" Braylen called out when he turned around. "Coach McGonagall, good to see you, too." 

"Hello Braylen, I trust you'll look after James during this time? Don't let him get into any trouble." She joked and Braylen playfully punched James' shoulder with a laugh. James laughed as well, appreciating how normal everything felt.

With the exception of some younger aged skills and drills practices that James had crashed as Minnie's assistant coach the past couple of months, James hadn't played hockey since he'd been cleared a couple of months before. It just didn't make sense for him to jump right back into playing after how his previous season had ended off. But things went well for Gryffindor. And Hogwarts Elite, not that James cared about that team. Gryffindor won the championship against Slytherin with Frank in center forward, James' position, making an insane goal against Regulus. Elite did all right against the other schools, Frank replacing James there too.

But more importantly for James, Snape, Barty, and Evan had all been suspended. Barty and Evan for a quarter of the rest of the season for bullying and harassment and Snape for three quarters for bullying, harassment, and physical harm. He had not been invited back to Team USA.

He could still hear Slughorn coming into his hospital room and explaining how James was no longer on the team. James had laughed in his face and thanked him for kicking him off. He didn't care what Slughorn had to do with him, he wasn't his coach. He never would be again.

-

The time leading up to the first USA practice was enjoyable for James. Just that bare minimum was enough for him to know that his decision had been the correct one.

As he dressed himself for the first practice, James made eye contact with Regulus. He held it for a few moments, hoping he made some sort of pleasant face during the exchange. They had spoken during the last few months, kissing a few more times but never making anything official. Before they knew it school was over and they didn't have a source of communication. They were also overtaken by the new relationship between Sirius and Remus. It was gradual but it was amazing to see them finally figure themselves out. After spending a long time figuring everything else around them out.

James got on the ice alongside his teammates, some new, a lot of them old. Despite his fears of being rusty, the second he held his stick to the ice, it all came rushing back to him and he was back to being the same hockey player that he was grown up being. He even had a brief conversation with both Evan and Barty on two separate occasions. It may not seem like anything important but it was huge in James' book.

He wiped the sweat from his face, his first practice in a long time being much more exhausting than it had been in the past. Or maybe he just went way too hard. He was always trying to impress someone at these things. There was always someone to impress. Everyone started to clear off the ice, desperate to leave from how intense the practice had been. He skated the edge of the rink beside Braylen, forgetting how good of company the boy could be. He almost reminded him of Sirius, who he then remembered was likely sitting on his couch with his parents like he was their son.

-

The rink was finally quiet now, just the scrape of their skates and sticks lightly echoing. The other players had just cleared out of the building, their laughter and teasing still echoing faintly in the rafters, but James and Regulus lingered in the rink.  

Regulus skated a lazy circle, the light catching on the streak of dark green tape wrapped around his stick that had practically completely faded into the silver it had been before the Slytherins painted it. His dark hair clung to his forehead in soft, damp curls, and there was a rare, easy smile on his face.  

James, leaning casually on his stick, watched him with a lopsided grin. "You know, you almost look like you’re having fun," he teased.  

Regulus arched an eyebrow as he turned to face James, gliding backward with practiced ease. "Almost? I’ll have you know I’m the picture of joy," he replied, deadpan, though the twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed him.

James pushed off and skated toward him, his grin widening. "Oh yeah? The Regulus Black actually enjoying himself? Should I call a medic? Alert the press?"  

Regulus rolled his eyes, but there was no bite to it. "You’re insufferable, Potter." He skated farther off, adding more distance between them but knowing James would fill it in soon enough. He did.

"And yet," James said, stopping inches away from Regulus, "you like me anyway."  

Regulus didn’t deny it. Instead, he poked James in the chest with the end of his stick, a smirk playing on his lips. "I tolerate you."  

James chuckled, reaching out to grab the stick and pull Regulus closer. "Sure, keep telling yourself that."  

For a moment, they just stood there, the world outside the rink forgotten. Regulus' hands dropped to his sides, and he looked at James, his expression softer now. "You know, I’m really glad you stayed. Camp wouldn’t have been the same without you."  

James tilted his head, studying Regulus with a falsely sharp, thoughtful gaze he commonly wore. "I almost left, you know. After the first week. Thought you were unbearable."  

Regulus laughed. "And now?"  

"Now," James said, leaning in slightly, his voice quiet but warm, "you’re still unbearable. But I think I can manage."  

Regulus grinned, lightening up his dark demeanor by miles, leaning in as well. "High praise coming from you."  

Instead of giving a proper response, James held eye contact for minute and then reached down, scooped a bit of the snow that their frequent skating had accumulated off of the ice, and smushed it lightly against Regulus' cheek. Regulus let out an indignant squawk, shoving James away with a glare that didn’t quite hide his amusement. "Potter!"  

James was already skating backward, laughing. "Catch me if you can, Black!"  

With an exasperated groan, Regulus took off after him, his speed and precision closing the distance in seconds. He tackled James with just enough force to send them both sliding across the ice in a heap of laughter and flailing limbs. They lay there for a moment, catching their breath, the cold ice beneath them a sharp contrast to the warmth blooming between them.  

"Truce?" James asked, his voice still tinged with laughter.  

Regulus shook his head but smiled as he reached out to flick a stray piece of ice from James’s hair. "You’re lucky I like you," he murmured.  

James grinned, his voice softening. "I’m the luckiest guy in the world." And for the first time, Regulus didn’t argue. Instead, he leaned in, brushing his lips against James’s in a kiss that was as quiet and sure as the ice beneath them.  

The sound of the rink door creaking open broke the moment. Braylen and Barty's voices rang out across the ice. "Oi! Lovebirds! Are you coming, or are we leaving you here to freeze?"  

Regulus groaned, boldly burying his face in James’s chest. James laughed, wrapping an arm around him as he called back, "Just give us a minute, Bray!"  

"More like five," Regulus muttered, his voice muffled but tinged with humor.  

James tightened his hold on him, his smile soft and content. "Take all the time you need."