Regulus
Regulus knew for a fact that James loved him, the guy couldn’t have been more obvious if he tried. Between the surprise dates, morning kisses, evening cuddles, random gifts and constant stream of ‘I love you’s, anyone who spent half a second with the two of them was all but slapped in the face with how much James loved Regulus.
And Regulus did too, he loved James with his whole heart and more. But… he didn’t show it the same way James did. His love was more subtle. Gentle squeezes of James’ hand. Cooking him dinner and putting together his lunch for work. Joining him on runs even though the pace was so sluggish Regulus wanted to die.
He liked the slow love. He liked knowing that even when the world was crazy, James was always a safe place to pause. James was there for his low moments and shared all his highs. When Regulus was headed down, James knew how to push him back up.
James was the sun in his sunless life.
And Regulus wanted to show him how much that meant. How much he meant. In a way that was more special than just little gestures and quiet moments. Something unforgettable. Something real. Solid, undeniable proof of the whirlwind of feelings he kept so hidden inside.
So, when he heard through the grapevine that James was starting to plan a proposal (Sirius very unsubtly asked what kind of ring he would like), Regulus jumped into gear. Determined to propose first.
It wasn’t hard to convince Remus to get on board with his plan. He passed on the type of ring James was after, and unlike the person James had chosen, he did it without blowing Regulus’ cover. But from there it wasn’t so easy, because as previously mentioned, Regulus wasn’t normally the who planned for this sort of thing.
It involved a lot of manipulative questions and more hours on google than he had years alive, but he managed.
---
“You picked a good night,” James beamed as he stared out the window, in awe of the darkening sky and millions of bright white spots, twinkling down at them. “Oh, look how big the moon is!”
Regulus couldn’t have stopped the smile if he tried. He’d chosen tonight because of the supermoon so James wouldn’t need to bring any torches on their walk.
“And look how big those cliffs are,” Regulus grinned as he suddenly made a left, turning down a dirt road. There was a clearing up ahead, the car park, where the cliffs towered above. Long rock faces that stretched high up into the sky. Moonlight bouncing off the white stone and lighting up the whole area.
“I can’t believe we haven’t been here before,” James exclaimed, eyes lit with the joyful spark Regulus loved.
That’s why I picked it…
It had taken nearly two hours of driving to get here, having left right on sunset, but it was well worth the effort if James’ reaction so far was anything to go by. They went night hiking often as it was something easy to do that they both enjoyed. Regulus liked the quiet stillness of forests, the beauty of nature and the history of it all. James liked the walking itself, the physical rush of adventure apparently being addictive.
Regulus parked the car and James immediately jumped out, already throwing on his backpack filled with the water and lunch Regulus had made him. His favourite, lumpy green mush with chicken carcase and various plants, all wrapped up in the roti Effie had taught Regulus how to make.
Regulus climbed out of the car and locked the doors, all while he stared across at James, as James stared up at the cloudless sky. His smile almost as bright as the stars and glasses glinting in the moonlight, his beautiful eyes wide behind them.
Regulus smiled and tapped his back pocket, letting his fingers gently trace the outline of the ring hiding inside.
Almost time now…
He was tempted to just do it now. To get down on his knee right here in the middle of the carpark and ask to have the honour being becoming James’ husband. He didn’t, but god his patience was getting a work out.
“Ready to go?” James grinned as he spun around, extending his hand out for Regulus.
Regulus took it and they began their ascent.
It only took a few minutes for James’ heart to start thumping like a rabbit. His delectable, sweet scent wafting over Regulus as he followed behind. It was cute how his body got tired so easily.
As they walked, James rambled on about everything and nothing. How excited he was to race in his first marathon, the fact he’d only just found out facetious meant making jokes about serious topics rather than being mean and nasty, the new café across from the hospital he planned to visit on his next day shift, and the fact he really, really thought getting a pet was a fantastic idea.
Regulus didn’t plan on admitting it yet, but he’d been convinced on the pet plan for months. He was just drawing out his agreeance to maintain his stubborn reputation.
“Could we please take a quick break water break?” James huffed as the steep trail they were climbing evened out.
“Nope,” Regulus smirked, and James nodded, leaning against the nearest tree and taking in several deep breaths.
“Thanks,” he panted. “Could you grab my-”
Regulus was already at his side, unzipping the bag and pulling the water bottle out.
“-water?”
James smiled softly as he puffed. His little heart beating blush into his cheeks. “Thank you.”
After a few minutes of rest and several sips of water, James declared himself ready to get moving, so they hopped back on the trail. Stomping up the rocky terrain, though with a lot less conversation this time around.
Regulus was happy with the silence. Hypnotised by the beating heart in James’ chest and the comforting sounds of the night time bush. The whisper of rustling leaves, the distant chirping of crickets and the occasional scurry of animals in the undergrowth. Not to mention the very sweet scent.
---
James
Was it possible to fall in love again? Like one minute you were as in love as you possibly could be, but the next you had somehow magically faller even deeper. Even though that hadn’t even felt possible in the moment before.
Because that’s what being with Regulus was like.
He was a whirlwind of everything James loved. A quiet whisper of love that was loud only to him. It was special and intimate and perfect. Regulus was perfect. All the secret looks they exchanged meant the world to James. All their soft touches and their soundless proclamations of affection.
I’m so excited to spend the rest of my life with you…
Not that he had any idea how he was going to actually propose. It had to be perfect. It had to be everything Regulus wanted and more. The ring was hidden away in the back of his sock drawer, and everyday he pulled it out and imagined putting it on Regulus’ finger.
But he just… couldn’t figure out how to do it. He couldn’t think of an idea that he knew Regulus would love, that could possibly capture all the things James felt for him.
This was giving him some ideas though.
The moonlit forest, glowing under the starry sky. The cool night air and the calm gentle breeze. Something about it just felt… so special. So, them. It was wonderful. Regulus was wonderful.
“Do you have any idea how much further we’ve got to go?” he said as they approached another set ladders that scaled straight up the side of weathered silvery stone. The moon so bright it lit the path almost like the sun. He was glad for it. He liked hiking without the torches. It was so much more beautiful.
“From the photos I saw online, this should be the last steep bit, then its just a bit of a look to get to the lookout.”
James nodded and took a deep breath as he heaved himself up onto the first rungs. Focusing very hard on not slipping. Not that he had much to worry about, Regulus would catch him. That’s why he always followed behind on the way up and lead on the way down.
Precautions for the fragile human, Regulus always said. James always laughed; he didn’t mind being fragile with Regulus.’
When he reached the top, he stopped himself from looking back. He’d look on the way back down, but he wanted to wait for the proper view from the top. It was bright enough that he was confident he’d actually be able to see the valley, something he didn’t always get to do under the shadow of night. He intended to make the most of it.
“Ready to go?” Regulus said as he came up behind him, planting a quick kiss up on his cheek as he slipped his hand into James’. “Not far now.”
James grinned and wound their fingers together, enjoying the refreshing coolness of Regulus’ hand.
“I want to do this forever,” James muttered as they continued walking through the trees, glancing up at the sky every few steps when he was sure there were no rocks or roots to trip over. “Can you we see any good constellations at the moment?”
“Well, I’m not up there right now, but that one,” James had no idea where he was looking but nodded anyway, “is Hercules.” Regulus moved his hand slightly, “And that’s Draco just beside it.” He lowered his hand again. “And then it’s the Ursa Minor and Major.”
“Wow,” James muttered as he tried his best to follow where Regulus was pointing.
“You’ve got no idea what you’re looking at, do you.”
“Not a clue,” James chuckled. “But maybe it’ll be a bit easier to work out when we’re at the lookout.”
“Maybe,” Regulus laughed, and they continued walking.
They rounded one corner. Then another. Then a third. Then what Regulus said was the last…
Suddenly the sky opened as the trees disappeared. Everything but the moon and stars dropping out of sight, leaving the contours of the land illuminated in an ethereal glow. The hills and valleys all coated in shadow and light.
“Wow,” was all he could say as he slipped his arm around Regulus’ waist and pulled him into a hug. Resting his chin on the top of his head as his eyes tried to take everything in.
“You like it?” Regulus asked, and James could hear the grin in his smooth, hypnotising voice.
James nodded, his chin scratching across his boyfriends curly, silky hair. Welcoming the unending heat rising in his face. He loved that Regulus still had this effect on him, after so many years of being together. He was beyond lucky. He was blessed.
“I can’t believe places this beautiful are allowed to exist…”
Regulus hummed and James could feel his heart flutter at the sound. He knew for a fact it was driving Regulus insane too, so naturally, he pulled Regulus in tighter. Making sure his ears were pressed right up against his chest with a front row seat to the thumping inside.
“You’re evil,” Regulus giggled without any bite whatsoever. Then suddenly Regulus took a long, deep breath. Which was little unusual considering he didn’t need to breathe. “Actually…”
Regulus twisted in James arms, looking up into his eyes and letting his own hands trailing around James’ body. Regulus had a faraway look in his eyes, red blushing coating his cheeks so much that even James could see it through the dark. His hands snaked up to James’ shoulders, then he took a step back, and let his hands slide down his arms.
All while he grinned. All while he smiled like he was the happiest (and most nervous) he’d ever been. His chest heaving as he took sharp little breathes, still backing away until at last the fingers were all that was touching.
“What’s going on?” James asked, his own face burning and cheeks aching from smiling. His heart just about beating out of his chest.
Why did Regulus have to look so damn lovely? I wish I had his ring right now…
“You know, I was convinced I hated you when we first me,” Regulus smirked, giving James’ hands a squeeze. “You smelled so good my throat was on fire and just looking at you made me feel so fluttery that I wanted to pass out.”
James grinned and gave Regulus’ hands a squeeze back.
“And you were just so human that it drove me insane. Every tiny, little thing you did made me feel so much, and I was so emotionally stunted back then that I just assumed what I was feeling was hate.”
And I was so oblivious I just thought what I was feeling was friendship…
“I was so worried it would go wrong, convinced I didn’t deserve someone as bright and kind and thoughtful as you. I pushed you away and you just,” Regulus’ smile grew even wider, his cheeks growing pinker by the second. “You always came back.”
Regulus took another deep breath, swallowing as his eyes started becoming tinged with red tears. And that was the moment James first wondered why Regulus was acting so characteristically mushy, but it didn’t last long. Regulus’ sweet, dazed, little face making him swoon and forget his line of thought.
“I never thought I’d get anything even close to what I have with you,” Regulus swallowed. His voice starting to shake a little. “I grew up thinking I’d either end up dead by my father’s hand or my own and yet… here we are…”
It was James’ turn to take a deep breath, his own eyes starting to tear up.
“You’ve made my life into a life worth living. Every stupid little thing you do makes me feel like the luckiest man in the world. I treasure every random flower you’ve ever picked from the side of the road because it reminded you of me-”
“That was one time,” James half chuckled, and half sniffled.
“-I remember every time you’ve grazed your knee or gotten a paper cut and decided to take a picture of the wound and text it to me with a blood related pick-up line-”
“That was admittedly several times,” James sighed.
“-And whenever I’m having a bad day, I still flip through that photo album you made for me, full of photos of you doing stupid things like dressing up as a giant red blood cell with a fork in your head for Halloween-”
“You kept it?” James choked up.
Regulus nodded, and in the moonlight, James could see dark drops rolling down his cheeks.
“I really, really love you James,” he breathed. “And I want to spend the rest of my life by your side. Getting more roadside flowers, more papercut pics with cheesy pick-up lines and taking photos of every silly thing you do or make me so I can laugh when I’m down.”
“Regulus-”
Regulus started settling down onto one knee and it hit James all at once. The hike. The soppy words. The nervous blush. Regulus was… proposing to me…
“James Fleamont Potter-”
Regulus kept one hand on his while he reached into his back pocket with the other.
“The love of my life-”
He pulled out a ring and held it up beside their intertwined hands. It was a simple golden band with little rubies embedded down the centre. How did he get something so perfect…
“Will you marry me?”
James blinked as tears rolled down his cheeks, mirroring Regulus’ teary, smiling face. There was no question about it.
“Yes!”