In A Rush

Flashback 

9 years ago

February 22nd

I hate him. Why is he so close? Giggling? Like, seriously dude, fuck off. Can’t you see? He. Doesn’t. Like. You. Ugh. 

James was having a really bad time. There were a bunch of weird kids in his library, talking and giggling and being annoying. Really, he likes Regulus’ friends, but not Mateo. He is a pain in the ass. He’s loud and noisy and invasive. 

Regulus had school work due Monday (today is Friday) and it was a group thing, apparently. So all of his friends, Evan, Barty and Mateo were there. Truly, Evan and Barty were nice. Mateo, on the other hand, no. 

He doesn’t keep his hands off of Regulus. Like, why? Do you really have to? Like right now, they are gathered in the Potter library, the four of them in the bigger table working on their thing. James was there, too, in an armchair, pretending to read a book. He wasn’t. His eyes glanced up every five seconds, glaring at Mateo like he was the devil incarnate. Honestly, he’d be happier if Lucifer from Supernatural was there in Mateo’s place. At least that guy was funny. Deadly, but funnier than this piece of shit flirting with Regulus. And he’s loud! Doesn’t stop giggling and being touchy and it’s driving James insane. He’s doing everything he can to keep himself together and don’t get up to hush the boy. He rolled his eyes at things he says about a million times by now. 

“What do you think, Reggie?” Mateo asked, eyeing Regulus after suggesting a change in their essay. ‘What do you think, Reggie?’ James mimicked the boy in his mind, mocking his voice and rolling his eyes again. Only this time he got four pairs of eyes looking at him. Oh, shit. Did he say that out loud?

James felt the blood rushing to his cheeks, so he pretended nothing happened and buried his head in his book. Thank God, only a few seconds later, Sirius barges in the library, catching the attention, because he is Sirius Black. Most wanted, in all ways possible. Kind of a celebrity in their school. James, too. Being the captain of the football team. But Sirius, unlike James, likes the attention. He makes friends easily and everything. James is way too shy for this shit, but it doesn’t keep all eyes from looking at him. Oh, the perks of being popular. 

“Hey, Prongs.” Sirius whispered, calling for James and trying not to interrupt his brother and cia. Didn’t work, they were already staring. It was making James slightly uncomfortable. 

“Guys, focus. Please” Regulus hissed, bringing their attention back to the essay. Soon, they forgot James and Sirius were in there. Well, for Mateo it wasn't hard, since Regulus was a better view anyways. Really, this boy is making James’s head spin. 

Sirius sat on the armchair next to james. “What are you doing here?” James was about to answer, opening his mouth when Sirius interrupted, “and don’t tell me you’re reading, because you’re still on the same page you were this morning” He smirked. 

James was out of words. “How do you even know the page I was in?” He narrowed his eyes on his best friend. 

Sirius shrugged, and then he smiled. “Hard to forget page 69.” 

James groaned. “Seriously?” Sirius' smile got even wider. “Can’t believe I asked that.”

“Me neither.” Sirius grinned. “So? You here babysitting?”

“No!” 

Sirius cocked an eyebrow. 

James sighed. “Yes.” 

“Why?” Sirius asked, bored. To him, James had so many other nice things to do. So why this?

“Don’t trust him” James pointed his head at Mateo.

“Mateo?” Sirius questioned, whispering so they wouldn’t hear. 

“Look! He’s throwing himself all over at your brother.” James whispered back.

Surius looked, still not getting the point. “And that is a bad thing because…?” 

James whined. “It just is.” 

“Oh.” Sirius said. “ Oh .”

“What?”

“You like him!” Sirius exclaimed, in a low voice, avoiding attention. “Oh, my God! You like him! You like Regulus!” Sirius was smiling like a little kid on Christmas day. 

“Maybe?” James answered unsure, even though Sirius didn’t ask him anything.

“You like my little brother!” 

“Okay, I do. Are you going to punch me now?” James closed his eyes, like he was ready for the attack. 

“What? Of course not, you dumbass!” Sirius said, grinning. 

“Wait, seriously?” 

“Yes! Don’t you see?” Sirius shook James’ shoulder, trying to wake him up and bring him to reality. “We’re gonna officially be brothers! This is awesome.” 

James rolled his eyes, yet he was smiling. There’s no one in this world he loves like he loves Sirius. “Mate, not gonna happen.” James said, now shaking sirius’ shoulders. “He doesn’t feel the same.” 

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Right. You don’t know that.” 

James got up, offering his hand to Sirius. “Come on. Let’s go somewhere else.” 

###

James was barely standing. He and Sirius decided it was a great time for a run (James’ idea). According to him, exercise helps you keep your mind away from bad thoughts and it’s good for your body. And James also couldn’t keep staring at Mateo throwing himself at Regulus, he would rather have his guts ripped out, thank you very much. In addition to all this, he is captain of the soccer team and last night was way too much for his body to cope. 

Right. Last night.

Well, there was a party. 

I know what you’re going to ask. Yes, on a Thursday. When you’re a teenager, anytime is time to get drunk. So of course James went to the party, but so did Regulus and Sirius. They planned the sneak out ahead, because no matter how flexible his parents were, they would never let them go to a party with free cheap booze on a school night. Nuh-uh. So they climbed out of James’ balcony and somehow made it to the floor without getting hurt. It was a happy night. They dressed up, got drunk and were happy. Sirius wore eyeliner for the first time ever. He usually only does it to stay at home, where Effie and Monty praise him about it. First time he did it to go out, though. Really good night. Regulus was the only one responsible between the three of them, so he did not drink until he was passing out in a stranger’s bathroom. Couldn’t say the same thing about James and Sirius, though. Wormy didn’t go, saying he needed his beauty sleep. So, when the morning came, Prongs and Pads had to pretend they weren’t in a huge bad hangover, while Regulus was perfectly fine. As always, elegant and beautiful and so fine. Shush it, James.

Right, so yeah, he needed the exercise. His body took way too much alcohol last night and this isn’t good to keep his muscles standing. Sirius looks like shit, now, and James isn’t any better. They just reached home, heading straight to the showers. At least tomorrow is Saturday. Which means his parents are going on their Friday date today and Sirius is spending the night at Mary’s. Huh, good for them. Gosh, James really hopes his friends are using protection. He can’t bear the thought of a mini Sirius running around the house right now. No, no. No teen parents here, please. 

“James?” Regulus opened the door to James’s room, poking his head in, waiting for permission to come in. James nodded him yes, and sat down on his bed, inviting Regulus to sit there too. 

Regulus looked a little startled, his eyes wide. James was confused at this sudden change. What happened? Did he do something wrong? Regulus looked down at James and then at his eyes again . Oh. James was still just wearing a towel by his waist, now his own eyes were widened and his cheeks flushed. “Oh. Sorry, Reg.” James got up and headed to his bathroom, too mortified to wait for an answer, coming back wearing a pair of gray, comfy, fluffy sweatpants. Still no shirt. His hair was still a little wet and messy, water dripping from some curls. Regulus was now comfortable in his bed, hugging a pillow like his life depended on it. His cheeks are a little red. 

Shit, I made him feel embarrassed. 

“Sorry, again.” He scratched the back of his head, smiling a little. “Sometimes I forget not everyone is like Sirius.” 

This made Regulus scowl. “Wait. Has Sirius seen you naked?” He asked, an eyebrow reaching his hairline. 

“Well, yes.” James replied, feeling a bit…guilty? Oh, for fucks sake. Only James, to be honest. He isn’t even dating the guy and feels like he owes him an explanation.

Regulus rolled his eyes, smiling and shaking his head. “Of course he has.”

James smiled back and cleared, “We kinda don’t have personal space between us. Pete included. But I only see them like brothers, you know?”

“Trust me, I know. I guess it’s the same for me and my friends.” 

James was trying hard not to smile so hard. Be casual! And then it hit him. Wait. Wait . “So your friends have seen you naked, too?” Oh. Only the thought of Mateo looking at Regulus makes his head burn. 

“Well. A few times.” Regulus shrugged, and then chuckled. “What’s with the face, James?” 

“Face? What face?” James asks, trying to keep a neutral look in his physiognomy and failing hard. 

“The same you were making at Mateo this afternoon.” Regulus suggested, eyeing him suspiciously. 

“Ugh. Ok. You got me.” James lifted his arms in a surrender sign. “I really don’t like him.” 

“And why is that?” Regulus questioned, acting like James’s answer is important to him. 

“Well. He doesn’t wanna be your friend. He’s taking advantage of you.” James explained, hands gesturing to make himself more credible. 

Regulus nodded. Understanding in his face. “How so?” He questioned, waiting for James’s reply, while moving in closer to him in the bed, making James sweat in nervousness. Boy, he is down bad. 

He was open-mouthed, and for a few seconds, nothing came out of his mouth. When he was about to say something, Effie knocked on their door. 

“Boys? Are you there?” She asked, not entering the room. 

“Yes, mum!” James replied, finally finding his voice, long lost in the depths of Regulus Black smirk for a few seconds. “Everything okay?”

“Yes, dear. Your father and I are dropping Sirius at Mary’s, then we’re heading to dinner. You and Reggie will be fine here?” She asked, her words a little muffled by the door between them. 

It was Regulus who answered her, classy and polite. “Yes, Effie. We’ll be fine. Don’t worry, I won’t let James come near the stove and I'll make sure to feed him.” He smirked at James, again. 

Prongs was really glad his mum wasn’t in the room with them now. 

“You’re an angel, Reggie. James, make sure he eats. Bye boys, love you!” 

“Bye, mum!”

“Bye, Effie!”

They both said at the same time. When sure she left, Regulus glanced at James again. “How so, James? Please explain to me.” Regulus subtly moved his left knee, so it could touch James’s. It was a really small move, and if James wasn’t paying attention to everything he does, he wouldn’t even see it. What. Is. Going. On. 

“He likes you. Not platonically. I made a face because you said he’s seen you naked, so he probably was eating you with his eyes.” James blurted out, barely breathing between sentences, not looking away from Regulus's eyes. 

Reg nodded, not a hint of surprise in his face. But he was acting like it was brand-new information. “Oh. Right. What a shame.”

“What do you mean?” 

“Well, Mateo isn’t exactly a friend of mine, he’s much more Evan’s. He’ll just have to deal with his crush, soon he’ll get over it.” Regulus shrugged. 

“Hum.”

They stayed in silence for a bit. And James started thinking. Overthinking. Well, if Regulus reacted this cold whilst discovering someone had a crush on him, James doesn’t want Regulus ever to know about his. He likes them now. Reg as a friend is better than no Reg at all. 

“So.” James started. “You know I love it when you come here to hang out.” James affirmed.

“Aw, you do?” Regulus smiles, mocking James a little. 

James chuckles. “Yeah, Yeah. But! I have a feeling you came here to tell me something.” James narrowed his eyes at the boy in front of him. Their knees still touching. “So? What is it?” 

“Hummmmm. Shall I tell you?” Reg smirked, looking at the ceiling. 

“You and your fancy words. Yes, you shall! Please!” James asked, making a puppy face.

“Fine. Only because you asked nicely.” Regulus turned his face to him. And, out of nowhere, he came closer, depositing his hand next to James's ear, like he was about to tell him a secret the way kids do. Regulus’ mouth was close to James’s skin, he wanted him to come closer, but didn’t say anything. Left Regulus to take control. He put his mouth next to James’ ear, and slowly whispered. “Yesterday, at the party. You looked beautiful.” 

James could die right now. And he would die a happy man. He was grinning with his soul, joy shining in his eyes. “Really?” He whispered back, not moving, since Regulus was still so close. 

“Really.” Reg says, moving away to smile at James. 

“Thank you. You looked astonishing, too.” James said, returning the compliment. But what he really wanted to say was ‘you were the most gorgeous person i have ever seen, took my breath away the moment you stepped in my room with Sirius for us to sneak out last night’

“Thanks.” He replied, getting comfortable and staring at the ceiling. “Mac and cheese?” Reg proposed, making James light up even more, if that’s possible. 

“Yes, please!”

“Let’s go.” He got up, gesturing for James to tag along.

“Can I help?” James asked, as always.

“You can wash the dishes.” Regulus replied, smiling, as always. 

### 

Once they ate, they went upstairs to wash their teeth and get ready for their traditional movie session. James was about to put a shirt on, when Regulus appeared out of his bathroom, also shirtless, and stopped him. “Ah, thanks.” He stole the shirt from James' hands and wore it. It was way too big for him, but he didn’t seem to mind. James gave up looking for a shirt then and called Regulus, “let’s go!”

“Actually,” Regulus said. “Can we do movie night here? I'm not really up to falling asleep on the couch again.” 

“Of course.” James told him, making the bed for them. 

When it was ready, they both jumped on it, like they were both tired adults who had a hard day at work and needed to rest badly. Regulus chose the movie: Dead Poets Society. Really good, if you ask James. They watched the movie closely, in a king sized bed their bodies were touching each other all the time. Once the movie was over, Regulus yawned. 

“Tired?” James asked. 

“Uhum” Reg murmured. 

“Let’s sleep, then.” James said, all caring and loving. “Come here” He whispered, opening his arms. Regulus didn’t think twice. He went for James’ arms, resting his head in his chest. James smiled against the black hair curled up in his neck. And they fell asleep, cuddling and embracing each other all night. It was one of the best ones in all of James’s life, and he knows he has lots of those. Getting to sleep next to that boy was a pure feeling of a dream coming true. Nothing ever came close to the feeling of Regulus’ head on his chest, his hand also there, caressing his skin like he was also enjoying the moment. Nothing will ever beat this. Oh, how wrong he was.