The Star
James tugged at the collar of his suit jacket, feeling a bit out of place among the flashing cameras and designer gowns. He wasn’t one for red carpets or star-studded events, but when Sirius Black—his best friend since forever—asked him to tag along to a prestigious film gala, how could he say no?
“Stop fidgeting, James. You look great,” Sirius smirked, fixing his own bowtie with practiced ease. Being in the spotlight was second nature to him.
“I don’t get how you do this,” James muttered, running a hand through his messy hair. He glanced around, his gaze catching on a striking figure across the room—a man with black wavy hair, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit. The man was engaged in polite conversation but exuded an effortless charm that caught James’s attention.
“That’s Regulus,” Sirius said offhandedly, noticing James’s wandering gaze. “You’ll meet him soon enough.”
“Regulus?” James echoed, intrigued by the name. Before he could ask more, Sirius was swept away by a group of other actors, leaving James alone with his curiosity.
Moments later, James found himself standing next to the mystery man—Regulus, Sirius had said. Up close, Regulus was even more striking, his sharp features softened by the dim lighting of the event hall. His dark, wavy hair framed his face perfectly, and there was something magnetic about him, something that drew James in.
“Enjoying the evening?” Regulus asked smoothly, his voice low and warm, like velvet over stone. He didn’t offer his name, and James wasn’t about to ask—not yet, anyway. The mystery was part of the allure.
“I am now,” James replied, flashing a flirty smile. “James. James Potter.”
Regulus raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Not one for subtlety, are you?”
“Not when I see something—or someone—worth the effort.”
They fell into easy conversation, with James shamelessly flirting and Regulus playing along with an amused glint in his eyes. There was something intoxicating about the way Regulus held himself, how he remained a mystery while still engaging in their banter. James couldn’t help but be drawn in deeper.
Just as James was about to ask more about him, a sudden announcement came over the speakers: “And the nominees for Best Actor are…”
James’s attention flicked to the stage as the names were read aloud. When “Regulus Black” was announced, the room erupted in applause.
James blinked, his mind racing. Black? As in Sirius Black? He whipped his head around to Regulus, who had remained remarkably calm despite the cheers.
“You’re Sirius’s brother?” James asked, shock and amusement dancing in his eyes.
Regulus smiled, his eyes locking with James’s. “Surprised?”
James let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “A little. You didn’t think to mention that before?”
Regulus shrugged, his expression unreadable. “Where’s the fun in giving everything away at once?”
James grinned. “Touché. Well, Regulus Black,” he said, leaning in slightly, his voice dropping, “looks like I’ll have to up my game.”
The night of the award nominations blurred into a flurry of conversations, congratulations, and handshakes, but James couldn’t tear his thoughts away from Regulus. The revelation that the man he’d been shamelessly flirting with was not only a famous actor but also Sirius’s younger brother left him more intrigued than ever. Regulus was a mystery, and James had always loved a good puzzle.
After the nominations were announced, Sirius reappeared, clapping Regulus on the back. „Well done, Reg! Knew you’d make it.“
Regulus gave a modest smile. „It’s just a nomination, Sirius.“
James watched their interaction closely, noticing how different the brothers seemed. Sirius was all wild charisma and boisterous energy, while Regulus carried himself with a quiet, confident grace. Yet, there was a fondness in the way they spoke to each other, a bond that even fame couldn’t break.
„Still, hell of a nomination,“ James chimed in, leaning casually against the table as he grinned at Regulus. „Best Actor? That’s pretty impressive.“
Regulus’s gaze flicked to him, and the corner of his mouth twitched in amusement. „Thank you, James,“ he replied, the use of James’s name feeling more intimate than it should have. There was something about the way Regulus said it—slow, deliberate, like he was testing the weight of it on his tongue.
Sirius raised an eyebrow, glancing between the two of them. „Have you two been getting along while I’ve been away?“
„Very well,“ James answered, flashing Sirius a cheeky smile. „Your brother’s quite the conversationalist.“
Regulus shot him a look, one that was both sharp and playful, as if warning him to behave. But James had never been one to behave when he saw an opportunity. Not when it came to someone as intriguing as Regulus Black.
The next few weeks were a whirlwind of industry parties, interviews, and movie premieres. James, who usually avoided the limelight, found himself attending more events than usual often as Sirius’s plus one, but always with the hope of running into Regulus again.
And he did.
At every party, every gathering, Regulus was there. Always immaculate, always calm amidst the chaos of celebrity. And every time, their eyes would meet across the room, a silent, shared understanding passing between them before they gravitated toward each other.
The flirtation became a game. A private exchange of smirks and glances in crowded rooms, stolen moments of conversation when no one else was paying attention. Regulus still hadn’t fully revealed himself to James, but James didn’t mind. There was a thrill in the chase, in the mystery of Regulus’s guarded persona.
One night, after an especially glamorous after-party, James found himself standing beside Regulus on a balcony overlooking the city. The music and laughter from the party spilled out behind them, but here, in the cool night air, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.
„Do you always keep people guessing?“ James asked, leaning on the railing beside Regulus.
Regulus’s lips curled into a faint smile, but he didn’t look at James. „Do you always ask so many questions?“
James chuckled softly, tilting his head to study Regulus’s profile. „Only when I’m interested.“
At that, Regulus turned his head, his dark eyes meeting James’s with an intensity that made James’s breath hitch. There was something unreadable in those eyes, something that made James feel like Regulus could see right through him.
„Why me?“ Regulus asked, his voice quiet but firm. „There are plenty of people in this world who would gladly throw themselves at you. Why chase after someone you know nothing about?“
James shrugged, though his heart was racing. „Because you’re not like anyone else. You don’t just let people in. You make them work for it.“
„And you like the challenge,“ Regulus murmured, more a statement than a question.
James smiled, leaning in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. „Maybe. But maybe it’s more than that.“
For a moment, Regulus said nothing. Then, to James’s surprise, he reached out and brushed a hand lightly against James’s arm. It was a subtle touch, but it sent a jolt of electricity through James, making his pulse quicken.
„You don’t know what you’re asking for,“ Regulus said softly, his voice barely audible over the noise from the party.
James’s gaze locked on Regulus’s, and he stepped closer, their bodies almost touching. „I’m willing to find out.“
Regulus’s breath caught for just a second, and in that moment, the distance between them felt like nothing at all. Then, without warning, he pulled back, his expression unreadable once more.
„You’re impossible,“ he said, though there was no malice in his tone—only a kind of resigned amusement.
James grinned, undeterred. „And yet, here you are.“
Regulus took a deep breath „You know James, I’ve spent so long hiding behind my roles, behind the fame, and the person I created to not let anyone come to close. But it’s different with you…“
James’s heart pounded as Regulus looked up, his gaze softened“
„With you, I don’t want to hide myself anymore.“
And then, before James could respond, Regulus leaned in, pressing his lips to James’s in a kiss that was soft and full of promise. It was the culmination of weeks of tension, of flirtation and unspoken words, and it felt right. Perfect, even.
When they finally pulled apart, James smiled, his forehead resting against Regulus’s. „You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for that.“
Regulus chuckled softly, his breath warm against James’s lips. „I think I do.“
And in that moment, everything else faded away—the fame, the secrets, the public personas. It was just them, together, finally allowing themselves to fall into something real.