Thin White Duke

James stretched and yawned, then opened his eyes.  He was in a beautiful art deco bedroom, complete with peacock patterned changing screens, dark green and blue wall panels, and a dark wood bed. He rolled over and smiled at the sleeping man lying sprawled face down on the sheets beside him. 

“You’re not curled up?” James said in wonder. 

“Clearly.” Came the muffled response. “Has been known to happen.” 

James laughed. “Have you actually slept?” 

“I’d be asleep, only someone is yapping at me.”

James ran a hand lightly down the long visible spine and over the perfectly shaped white buttocks. Regulus was as lean as ever, only now with the muscles of a long distance runner, and without the underfed boniness which had always worried James. 

Regulus twitched. “Trying to sleep here. I don’t often get to do this without nightmares.” 

“Just ignore me then and go back to sleep,” James said gently as he trailed his hand around and back up the spine. 

“Urmph,” Regulus said and did as instructed. James smiled, finished his circuit, and pulled Regulus into his arms before he too went back to sleep, still smiling. 

They both woke up again a couple of hours later. The sun was well up and James was so hungry his stomach was the loudest thing in the room.  He gave an embarrassed laugh. “Hmm. It would appear all the energy used in the past twenty four hours requires replenishing. Any thoughts on where we should have breakfast.” James said, nuzzling the back of the milky neck pressed up against him. 

“It’s awaiting your pleasure in the next room.” Regulus said, wriggling his hips ever so slightly and smiling at the instant response. 

“Hey. Not fair.” James muttered, grazing his teeth across the join between neck and shoulder causing Regulus to shudder. 

“Now who’s not playing fair?” Regulus groaned. 

“All's fair in love and war.” James responded, running  his hand across Regulus’s chest and stomach as his teeth continued their work. 

Regulus pressed further back into James. “In that case, love, let the war of sensation begin.” He murmured and scraped his fingernails along James’s thigh.  

By the time they were finished it was impossible to tell who had won. Neither particularly cared. Though now Regulus's stomach had also started to rumble.  Donning dark green silk bathrobes, Regulus led James into a light filled living room furnished with exquisite original 1920s furniture and art. 

“Wow!” James stood in the middle of the room taking it all in. A full length painting on one wall, a long dark wood sideboard and drinks cabinet along another, multicoloured French doors opening onto a balcony with a two person wrought iron table and matching chairs, a small crystal chandelier hanging from the fresco ceiling, and an archway which led to a small perfectly modern kitchen. “How did I miss all this when we came in?” 

“It may have had something to do with the fact you were too busy trying to get me out of my clothing.” Regulus said, walking over to the breakfast buffet on the sideboard. “Tea, coffee, chocolate, or juice? Eggs, bacon, sausage, baguette or croissant?” He asked 

“Tea, and everything food wise please. I really am starving.” James took the plate Regulus handed him. “Balcony?” He asked, not seeing anywhere else to sit and eat. 

“Yes. It’s the perfect place for breakfast.” Regulus answered and followed James outside. 

Too hungry to talk, James tucked into his breakfast, amused by the fact Regulus had served himself a cup of coffee and was nibbling on a chocolate filled croissant. 

Finished and full, James sipped his tea. “That was delicious.” He paused, unsure how to ask his question. Regulus raised a brow. James swallowed a sigh. The sod wasn’t going to help him out. “Were you expecting me to come home with you?” He asked. 

Regulus met the half suspicious half intrigued gaze. “No. I hoped. I thought you might end up taking Cindy back to your rooms.” 

“Then why such a big breakfast?”

“Would you believe me if I said in case I was hungry?” 

“No. For you coffee and a croissant is a big breakfast,” 

Regulus nodded in acknowledgment. “Pandora.” he said simply. 

“?”

“Pandora. There was a small note under the coffee pot.” Regulus handed James a small purple card with Pandora's distinctive script on it. 

“He’s going to be hungry and you won’t have any food so I asked Kreacher to prepare breakfast for you both. See you for tea.” James read. “But Pandora left before you arrived. She was on twin duty. How did … Am I really that predictable?” James looked crestfallen. 

“Yes. But as far as Pandora's concerned, so am I.” Regulus said honestly. 

Silence fell as the both sat and watched the street below them for a while. James raised his eyes. “Why did you stay away so long?” 

“Waiting for my parents to die. It was only supposed to take twelve months.” Regulus suppressed his sigh. “The plan was to find Ana with Pan and send her back to her own plain, while Elsbeth and her partners completely redid the Mayfair house. By time that was done, Father’s organs should have finally collapsed, triggering an investigation by the ministry into Mother causing her to die by her own hand. Then we would both be free to separate and pursue our own lives with no impact on Elsbeth and her family’s business.” 

“Did you kill your parents?” James asked, horrified at the thought and how matter of fact Regulus was about the whole thing no matter how justified.

“No. I have wanted to, more times that I can count, but it was one thing I couldn’t do.” 

“Then why twelve months? That sounds like something you plan for in advance.” 

“All the healers I consulted, muggle and magic, assured me he would only live that long at the most. I found the papers years ago and knew that Mother would never let herself be subjected to ministry justice so suicide was a logical conclusion.”

“Why didn’t she get rid of them? Hide the evidence?” 

“They were all business deals, usually involving blackmail or fraud. She blackmailed the Parkinsons into handing over a chunk of their company and their only daughter. Both of which have now been returned. Although I still own part of the company through legitimate means. My twelve month plan turned into five years because my Father refused to die. Maybe he thought he deserved a slow and painful exit from this world. Maybe he was a stubborn bastard who refused to give in. Maybe he got lucky and he had so many potions in his system he didn’t care. I don’t know.”

“How can you talk about this so calmly? Your parents were cruel and heartless, true, but they were still your parents.” James had tears in his eyes. He reached out a hand, placing it in the centre of the table. 

“Because it’s how I cope with my life. At least when I’m awake.” Regulus said as he gently raised the offered hand to his lips and kissed it.  

“So now what?” James asked, not letting go of Regulus. 

“That’s up to you.” Regulus said. “You have built an amazing life. Your career is only starting. You have a typically James extended family with two kids whom you adore and adore you.  I don’t want to jeopardize any of that.” 

“And if I want you in my life? Will you stay this time?” 

“Absolutely.” Regulus said putting everything he had into that one word. 

James nodded and closed his eyes. “I need to think about it.” He opened his eyes again. He truly loved Regulus. That hadn’t changed. Though everything else had. There would be consequences.  “I knew we couldn’t be together immediately, but I never imagined it would take this long. I wish I could say yes. I’ve never stopped loving you, despite my endless stream of girlfriends. I wish …” 

Tears rolled down James’s cheeks. Regulus kissed his hand again.  “Take however long you need. I’ll still be here.” He said softly. 

James gave a ragged laugh. “That's what I said to you. I didn't manage it.” 

“You did. In your own way.”

“Thank you.” James found himself drowning in the unexpected warmth in Regulus’s eyes. “Do you still love me?” 

“Yes. First and last and always. I love you.” Regulus said simply. 

Tears falling more freely than before, James held out his other arm. Regulus stood and moved onto his lap. They sat wrapped around each other until their tears stopped. 

“Family only.” James said after a while. “You and Sirius need time to reconnect as well.” 

“A good plan. We only see each other when your crazy family is around. And I promised Sirius I’d be discreet.”  Regulus agreed. 

James shook his head. “Yes and no. Only the family knows we are together. If we see each other in public it’s because of you and Sirius, or because Elsbeth's family business is a sponsor. We still have stuff to work out and I don’t want to get it wrong.”

“Are we together?” 

“Do you want to be?”

Regulus leant down and kissed James. “More than anything in this world or any other, Helios.” He said passionately. 

James smiled, his face lighting up like a glorious  sunny day. “Me too Kitten. Me too.” He said and pulled Regulus into another, more lasting, kiss. 

Epilogue - August 2010

Willow was putting the final touches to her manuscript when Tara wandered into the study holding a small, somewhat heavy, parcel. 

“Hey Will, how’s the writing going?” Tara asked, coming over to kiss Willow. 

“It’s done.” Willow smiled. “No idea if it will find a publisher or not, but I needed to get it all down. Plus Dawn promised to proof read it before I send it to anyone. Anything else is a bonus I guess.” 

“That’s awesome.” Tara smiled, taking the proffered manuscript and handing over the parcel. 

“What’s this?” Willow asked 

“No idea, but it’s addressed to both of us. Shall we open it?” Tara asked. She was dying to know what was inside. 

“Put down my paper baby, and let’s take this outside.” Willow instructed. “I need some fresh air.” 

Tara did as she was told and the two women walked outside to their favourite tree, making themselves comfortable before placing the parcel between them. 

“Do you recognise the handwriting?” Willow asked. 

Tara shook her head.  The parcel was about ten inches long, eight wide  and eight deep, wrapped in plain brown paper with a small motif along the edge of the white, elegantly handwritten label. Willow stared at the label. The motif looked familiar, but she saw so many symbols and samples she couldn’t place it. 

“Shall we?” Willow asked. Tara nodded. With deft hands they carefully unwrapped the parcel. Inside was a beautifully bound hardcover book. The front cover had a small hedge maze engraved on it and the title “Understanding The Little Folk, by Pandora Rosier Lovegood.” Willow read, picking it up with reverential hands and opening it. “To Willow and Tara. Until we meet again.” Wordlessly she handed it over to Tara, tears streaming down her face. 

“Hey there’s a note.” Tara pulled out a lavender envelope and opened it. “Lords Potter and Black would like to invite you to a weekend of fun and laughter, starting with the launch of the enclosed book at UCLA Berkeley on Friday 13th August, followed by box seats at the Quidditch World Cup in New York on Saturday 14th August, and dinner at MOMA on Sunday 15th August to celebrate the Black illustrations of the famous children’s adventure series A Boy and His Wolf by R.Lupin.  A portkey will arrive shortly to transport you to the book launch where you will be met by some old friends who have missed you.” Tara stared at Willow in shock handing her the letter. “That’s next weekend. I’ve got four shifts rostered. They already hate the fact I disappeared for three months. What if I can’t get the time off?” 

“PS. Pandora says don’t worry about work. Your shifts will be covered.  PPS Lily says hello. PPSS Sirius and James also say hi. PPPSS Remus would like you to know that this is getting ridiculous and we’ll see you next weekend. I agree. Signed  RAB .” Willow laughed. “I take it we’re going.” She said grinning broadly through her tears. 

“Wouldn't miss it for the world.”