It was raining but Regulus didn't care. The only thing that was on his mind was James. Sweet James. His Jamie. He wanted to be with him right now, instead of there, in the middle of nowhere. He knew he shouldn't have run from home, but he couldn't take it anymore. His mothers behaviour was only getting worse since Sirius ran away almost a year ago; and Regulus swore to himself that he’ll stay, so they could both get the inheritance from their parents, but he couldn't do it anymore.
Mother came to his room earlier tonight just to tell him that the Dark Lord was coming over the next day and to prepare to take the dark mark. He tried to reason with her to wait for his seventeenth birthday that were coming in just a few months, but she already made up her mind and Regulus knew it was a lost cause to argue with her. Though he had a choice! Even if it meant that he and Sirius will lose the inheritance.
So that was how he ended up here, in the middle of nowhere, at midnight and pouring rain all around him. The moment his mother left the bedroom, he packed some clothes and other things he wanted to take with him and then left the Grimmauld Place behind him without a glance.
Regulus really thought he could make it to his seventeenth birthday, take the money for him and Sirius and then leave, but obviously fate (and his mother) had different opinions. But it didn't matter anymore. He was officially without inheritance and when will mother find out he ran away, he’ll be disowned.
The only thing that mattered right now was James. He had to get to James. And to his brother that already lived with Potters. He just didn't know how to do it. Obviously he couldn't use floo at home, because his mother had every fireplace at home monitored. Neither could he apparate. He wasn't seventeen yet and the Ministry would know instantly about him and would alert mother. And he didn't want that. He knew his mother would be too proud to inform the Ministry that Regulus had run away and would instead try to get him home on her own. But if the Ministry got involved, they would automatically take him home without any questions.
So he had to get to Potters otherwise. He knew where they lived, because James gave him the address several months prior if Regulus ever needed it. At first James tried to persuade him to just stay with him over the break, but Regulus told him why he couldn't and James begrudgingly understood, but gave him the address just in case. And he was really thankful for that at this moment.
As he was so lost in his thoughts and memories, he failed to realise that he was running for quite some time already. When he finally looked around him, he found out that he was almost at the Potters Manor. He could actually see the house just on the horizon.
He took a deep breath and finally stopped running. It was also at that time he realised two things. One, he was exhausted and two, he had no idea what time it was. But as he got closer to the house he saw two windows with lights still on.
He hesitated for a minute but then he knocked. It took some time before he heard shuffling on the other side of the door, but then it opened and he saw concerned James with a wand in his hand. When he realised that it was Regulus standing in front of him, he relaxed for a moment. But then the concerned expression came back to James's face.
“Reg, love, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? Are you okay? Did something happen at home? Are you injured?”, James sounded scared.
It was exactly at that moment that Sirius appeared behind James. He took one look at Regulus and stepped aside, taking James with him.
“Come inside, you must be freezing”, said Sirius and then closed the door as soon as Regulus made his way inside to the warm house.
“I'm going to inform Effie and Monty that you're here and then I'll make you a hot tea. James, take him to the living room and find him something dry to wear.”, with that Sirius left the hallway.
James finally seemed to shake off the shock of finding Regulus on his doorstep and found his words again.
“Come with me, love. We’ll get you warm and then I have some questions. C-can you just tell me right now if you're injured?”, James sounded afraid of the response. Regulus just shook his head instead of actually responding.
“Okay. Okay, that's good.”, voice trembling a little, James continued his way to the living room with Regulus right behind him. They sat down on the comfortable sofa and James waved his wand and suddenly Regulus' clothes were dry. Then he was wrapped in a red fluffy blanket and in James’s embrace. After some time, Sirius came back with three cups of black tea and sat down on an armchair opposite of Regulus and James.
“Effie and Monty asked if he was okay and if he needed healing, but I told them he looked unharmed. Just maybe in shock.”, he looked at James to confirm that what he told his parents was true. James nodded. It was at that time Regulus finally found his words again.
“I'm sorry.”, he looked at Sirius with tears in his eyes. Sirius, as well as James, looked horrified.
“You have nothing to be sorry about, ma petite étoile. Everything is alright.” Sirius seemed to be lost. He had no idea what his younger brother was talking about. James looked from one brother to the other.
“B-but our inheritance. I really tried Siri. I just… I couldn't. She wanted me to take the dark mark tomorrow and I couldn't. I'm so sorry.” Regulus stopped caring and let the tears fall freely. James hugged him closer, looking as if he didnt know what to do. To stay with Regulus or go kill Walburga.
“Oh, love, you're more important than some inheritance. The only thing that matters is that you're safe. Don't worry about anything else.” James looked briefly at Sirius, but then concentrated back on Regulus as he gently kissed his forehead.
“James is right, you know.”, Sirius started, with tears in his eyes. “I don't care about money, ma petite étoile, I just want you to be safe. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you at that house. Trust me on this one, s’il te plaît.”
Regulus didn't look completely convinced, but he didn't argue back and that was a win for that night. Sirius and James knew this wasn't the end of the conversation and that it would take some time for Regulus to see he wasn't to be blamed for anything, but for now it was enough. Healing takes time. They sat in silence, sipping their tea, until Regulus started talking again.
“Je suis fatigué.” Regulus was so exhausted that he didn't even realise he slipped to french. He only did that when he was tired. James thought it was really cute, he loved when Regulus talked in french. But then it caught up to him, what Reg said and he stood up.
“Okay, let's get you to bed. Pads, can you-”
“Don't worry about it Prongs, I'll wash the cups. Go get him to bed. Goodnight to the both of you.”, Sirius smiled gently.
“Thank you and goodnight to you too.”, James replied, halfway up the stairs with Regulus in his arms. When he got to his bedroom, he carefully helped Reg out of the clothes he wore and to the bed. Then he laid down next to him, covered them up and snuggled close to Regulus.
“I'm so proud of you for getting out of that house and coming to me, love. I love you so much.” Regulus actually melted at these words. James was so sweet to him.
“Je t’aime aussi, mon soleil.” he looked up to see James's face and wondered what he did to deserve someone so pure.
“Sleep, love.”, said James and Regulus obeyed. Now, out of the cursed house, and in Jamess arms he finally felt completely safe, loved and at peace. It didn't matter what tomorrow will be like. What was important was here and now. And here and now, Regulus was happy.