Normal People Things
James stared out the window growing more and more despondent. The sun had gone down and clouds dispersed, revealing a clear, star studded night sky. He’d spoken with his father via floo earlier that day and arranged where and when to meet with their Christmas presents. This had resulted in an impromptu shopping trip and the discovery of some excellent shops away from the main tourist streets. Now he was in his hotel room waiting. Waiting and hoping. Hoping Regulus would come to him before going to Pandora’s suite even though they had not seen each other or spoken since breakfast. A knock on the door. James gave a startled yelp as Lily entered.
“You coming to dinner?” Lily asked as she joined him at the window. She looked up at the handsome face. James gave her a wan smile. “Regulus is there as well.” She said in answer to his unspoken question and slipped her arm through his.
James sighed after a long moment, wrapping Lily in a hug. “I don’t know what to do,” he whispered into her hair. “I’ve never felt like this before. I dated girls. Flirted with boys. Loved and left. But I’ve never felt this much for any one person all at once.”
“Not even me?” Lily teased.
“Not even you. And I was so determined I was going to marry you,” James gave a wry laugh. “That was my plan. Meet someone. Fall in love. Get married. Have at least one kid. Have a great career playing quidditch. Travel the world with my family. Live happily ever after,”
“What’s changed?” Lily asked as the pause stretched.
“I’ve gone and fallen in love with the most unattainable man in all of wizarding Britain. Possibly the world.” James said, voice filled with emotion.
“Regulus?” Lily asked gently
“Regulus.” James whispered back.
“Does he know?”
“I may have said it once or twice.” James said a little sheepishly.
Lily smiled. That was so James. Beautiful wide open James who wore his heart on his sleeve. They stood quietly for a few minutes.
“Does everyone know?” James asked, as though reading Lily’s thoughts.
Lily nodded. “Us girls certainly do. I’d be surprised if Remus didn’t.”
“Sirius?”
“Clueless”
James huffed a laugh. “I think he’s convinced Reg is straight, otherwise why would he still be part of the family.”
“That makes sense.” Lily said thoughtfully.
“Do you think he loves me?”
Lily raised her head to meet the tear filled eyes above her. “Yes. He might not realise it yet, but I've seen how he looks at you when he thinks no one’s watching and his mask slips ever so slightly.”
James’s face lit up as he smiled, the tears leaking down his cheeks. He bent down and kissed Lily on her forehead. “Thank you,” he whispered. “Thank you.”
She caressed his cheek. “You do know this doesn’t mean he’s going to leave his current life. He’s still the same cold selfish Black he’s always been.”
James leant into the caress. “I know, but I can hope,”
Lily smiled. “You wouldn’t be our James if you didn’t.” She said, “Are you ready to join us for dinner?”
James nodded and disengaged his hug to wipe away the tears. “How do I look?”
“Amazing as always.” Lily held out a hand and together they made their way to where the others waited.
——
Regulus had commandeered one of the armchairs again. He was exhausted. ‘A common occurrence once more’ he noted wryly and wondered if there would ever be a time when he was not going from one crisis to another. Tara and Remus were playing wizards chess, while Willow and Sirius watched. Pandora daydreamed staring out the window. Lily had left a little while ago. Regulus assumed she was going to fetch James from his room. Regulus felt a twinge of guilt knowing that James would have waited all night for him to arrive, but he simply wasn’t ready to face James alone. Not yet. Regulus swallowed his sigh. He needed to do something about whatever was going on between them. It was a wonderful dream but that’s all. It wasn’t sustainable in the real world. There was still too much to do.
A cheery greeting brought Regulus back to the room. James and Lily had sauntered through the door hand in hand. Jealousy flared in Regulus’s eyes and promptly died when he met James’s gaze which had lit up at the sight of him. ‘Fuck.’ Regulus thought. That had been an unexpected reaction. He was in way deeper than he’d intended. Time to pull back. Again.
“Who’s winning?” James asked after he’d seen Regulus. Had that been a spike of jealousy? James grinned, hope singing in his heart. Maybe Regulus would stay this time.
“It oddly even.” Sirius answered. “It seems Tara’s been practicing with Monty.”
Remus grunted as Tara’s knight slaughtered a protective rook. He countered quickly. The game was in the final stages with both players down to three pieces including their kings.
Silence fell. Lily sat down beside Pandora and pulled the daydreamer into her arms. She’d also seen Regulus's reaction to their entrance and had been pleased. It confirmed what she’d noticed this morning. Now all that remained was for the two of them to talk to each other and be honest about their feelings. Lily kissed the top of Pandora’s head and sighed inwardly. She should probably take her own advice. ‘Tonight, when everyone’s gone to their own rooms.’ She decided.
The chess game finished with a roar from Tara’s final knight as he lost his head.
“Congrats.” Tara said, extending her hand. “One day I’ll beat you.” She grinned.
“Well fought.” Remus said, shaking hands. “Monty’s lessons are paying off. That was a tough match.”
Tara flushed slightly with the praise. She’s never been much of a chess player before, however Monty’s patience and tutoring had helped pass the frustrating days of not knowing if they would ever go home. They still had no idea about their future but she now had a new skill. Tara wondered if they could bring back a game of wizarding chess. Xander would love it.
Willow saw Tara’s eyes go sad as they packed up the game. “You okay?” She asked
“Yeah. I thought how much Xander would enjoy this version of chess which made me wonder if we would ever get home.” Tara answered.
“We will. Must admit this has been more fun than it could have been.” Willow said with her usual optimism. Tara smiled. It certainly had been more interesting than their usual routines.
“So how was you day dear?” Sirius asked Regulus as he and Remus settled onto the couch, James at their feet.
“Mutinous.” Regulus said dispassionately
“They did?” Pandora asked brightly from where she still sat with Lily by the window.
“They did?” Sirius said at the same time
“They did,” Regulus answered “They won’t do that again for a while.”
“Goody. Does that mean we can go out and have fun tonight?” Pandora asked
Regulus met James’s gaze. He really wanted to curl up in his room and watch the world go by. People were so draining and he hadn’t been on his own for days. He needed to recharge properly. But the warm honey brown eyes returning his gaze with so much hope in them pulled on what little heart he had left. “Sure. Why not. Any ideas where we should go?”
James gave Regulus the happiest smile. ‘It’s the same smile as the very first day we met. Only bigger.’ Regulus realised with a shock. ‘And that is why I’m in this mess today.’ He thought with a mix of amusement and resignation.
Caught in the smile, Regulus half listened to the conversation happening around him, until someone suggested exploring muggle Budapest.
“Hey Reggie, have you been before?” Sirius asked, throwing a cushion at his younger brother who appeared to have stopped listening.
Regulus plucked the missile out of the air and sent it back to the couch with much more force. Sirius ducked. “Missed.” He crowed. Regulus ignored him.
“No. Too young last time I was here.”
“Is there a way to move between the ordinary and magical cities?” Willow asked.
“Theoretically yes.” James said. “But it’s different in every city or town.”
“Market place.” Pandora said “I can take you there.”
“Excellent.” Sirius jumped to his feet and pulled up James. “We’re ready, let's go.”
Lily laughed. “You might be, but I’m not. Let’s meet downstairs in half an hour, and we can go explore muggle Budapest. Does that work for the rest of you? We leave in the morning so maybe start your packing if you haven’t already.” She looked pointedly at Sirius. Remus grinned. Everyone else nodded and stood.
James held a hand out for Regulus. “Coming?”
“Only if you ask nicely.” Regulus said in a low voice, taking the hand. James blushed furiously.
Remus barked a laugh causing Sirius to look at him in confusion. “Just thinking of how much packing you have to do.” He said, winking at Regulus over the top of Sirius’s head. Not for the first time Regulus was glad Remus was on their side. “And we’d better get to it.” Remus continued ushering Sirius out of the room before he noticed that Regulus hadn’t let go of the hand.
Regulus had barely made it into the room before James rounded on him, pinning him against the door.
“What the fuck is that about?” James demanded. “Cold one minute. Flirting the next. Still holding my bloody hand!” He raised the joined hands.
“I’m going to seriously regret this in the morning.” Regulus sighed and met the gorgeously flushed face staring down at him.
“What do you want from me Reg?”
“Your body? I’d say your mind but it wouldn’t be fair to deprive you of what few wits you possess.”
“Reggg.” James growled, trapped in the silver blue eyes and desperate to kiss the smirk on the playful lips mere inches away from his.
“Ok. I admit it. I want all of you. Right here. Right now. Then I want to go out, flirt all night, confuse the crap out of Sirius, and fuck you til morning. Then sleep for a week. Clear enough for your brain cell to process?” Regulus felt a thrill of lust as desire flooded James’s eyes and the generous mouth crashed into his. Within moments they had shed their clothes, hands exploring each other's contours without breaking the ever deepening kiss.. Effortlessly James lifted Regulus, and Regulus wrapped his legs around the wonderfully firm waist and hips, moving himself so that James could find the right angle. With a moan of pure pleasure James entered and began to thrust.
A loud knock on the door shocked them both into stunned silence. “Downstairs in five” Remus announced. “You don’t want to be late.”
“Fuck.” Regulus said, starting to lift himself off.
“Don't even think about it.” Replied James thrusting Regulus back against the door and plunging in deeper than before. Regulus yelped and bit down on the broad shoulder as wave after wave of pleasure washed through him, heightened further as he felt James shudder and cum with his own pleasure.
Hot and sweaty, they stood fixed against the bedroom door. “Well that was unexpected.” James whispered, panting slightly.
“Hmmmm.” Regulus replied, head back and eyes closed, his arms and legs still wrapped around James.
“Hey. No falling asleep on me.” James chided.
Regulus lazily opened one eye.
“You’re really just a great big cat at heart aren’t you?” James said amused
“Well I’m the heart of a big cat so it fits.” Regulus rubbed his head on James’s shoulder. “Purrrr.”
James laughed and stepped backwards towards the bathroom, Regulus still in his arms. “Come on kitten. We’d best make ourselves presentable before Remus starts spreading rumours.”
“Spoilsport.” Regulus at James, then kissed him gently on the mouth. James felt his heart explode. This was the side no one ever saw. “And only you ever will.” Regulus whispered, correctly interpreting the bright eyes and soft smile as he put his feet back on the floor and headed for the bathroom.
——
Three hours later the group found themselves in a brightly lit underground nightclub in an old part of muggle Budapest. Regulus had led them out through another tunnel under the cathedral and up into a posh part of the city. From there Remus had taken over as they went in search of dinner and drinks.
James was having a blast. Regulus had adopted a more relaxed approach to the evening, not unlike how he’d been in Fowey. As a result James had been able to flirt and Regulus had responded with his trademark snarky remarks.
“Having a good night?” Lily yelled over the music as they headed for the dance floor.
“Yep. So much fun. And now dancing. The best.” James yelled back.
Lilly grinned happily. Tomorrow would bring whatever tomorrow would bring. James, and Regulus, were happy tonight. It was enough. They danced until their feet hurt and sides ached. Sirius, Willow and Tara joining them. At one point James saw Regulus chatting to the bar staff and felt an unexpected stab of jealousy. Then Regulus turned. James almost abandoned all caution at the intensity in the silver-blue gaze that locked on his.
“You okay Prongs?” Sirius yelled when James stumbled into him again.
“Yeah. Dehydrated. Going for a drink.” James yelled, eyes still locked on Regulus.
“Excellent idea. I’ll come with.” Sirius said.
“Stay. Wouldn’t want to deprive the audience of your magnificence.” James grinned. Sirius preened. He knew he looked fabulous, and attracted plenty of attention which he loved. James was relieved when Lily came to the rescue and distracted Sirius into staying on the dance floor. James threw her a grateful smile and went in search of a drink and Regulus.
“Hey handsome can I buy you a drink?”
James turned as a tall, slender woman with blonde hair cascading down her exposed back, placed an elegantly manicured hand on his arm. James smiled at the woman and was about to respond when a silky voice filled with deadly delight cut through the noise. “Puurrrrrfect timing.” James’s smile widened and he slipped an arm around Regulus’s waist before taking the offered drink.
“I don’t suppose….” The woman said with a coy smile and seductive roll of her shoulders.
James looked at Regulus who raised a brow before returning to the woman. “Sorry. Not his type.” James said with a cheeky grin. The woman gave a throaty laugh. “If you change your mind. Ask at the bar for Vivienne. They’ll know how to find me.” With a light peck on James’s flushed cheek the woman sashayed away through the crowd
“You can follow her if you like. I’ll happily see how far I get with the barman.” Regulus purred amused at the way James watched the woman slink back the way she had come.
“What? No!” James started, then noticed the sly grin on the pale face resting against his shoulder. “Arsehole.” He muttered.
“Yes. And you loved every minute of it.” Regulus sipped his drink innocently.
“Kitten……”
“Sirius approaching,” Regulus said with a playful bite to James’s shoulder, and slipped back to where Pandora and Remus stood watching the dancers.
“Was that Reggie in your arms?” Sirius sounded incredulous. His straight baby brother and James! Sure James flirted with everyone but Regulus? Never.
James laughed. “Only if Regulus was wearing a slinky, open back dress with heels and long blonde hair.”
“No the brunette on your other side,” Sirius said
“Which one?” James motioned to the crowd around them, most of whom were dark-haired. “Let’s go find Remus.”
“By the pole nearest the back door on the left.” Sirius replied instantly. James chuckled to himself. Those two would always find each other, even in a noisy smoke filled nightclub.
It took a while to make their way across the room, as they were stopped and propositioned more than once. Remus grinned as he watched their progress. Being taller than most certainly had its advantages. By the time Sirius and James had made it to the pole, Lily, Tara and Willow were there as well.
“Where to next?” Sirius asked as the change of DJ brought a change in music.
“Hotel.” Regulus and Lily responded simultaneously.
“Boring. Next option?” Sirius said
Remus bent and whispered in Sirius's ear. Sirius flushed slightly. “Ok that’s less boring,”
“Why don’t we go outside where we don’t have to yell so much,” suggested Tara linking hands with Willow.
“Excellent idea. Lead on Mac C,” James said
Several minutes later the eight of them were outside and walking back towards the river. The clouds had rolled in bringing with them the beginning of a snowfall.
“Definitely time to go back to the hotel.” Sirius declared. The others laughed, and made their way towards wizarding Budapest and their hotel