Marls' Place
Flashback
9-10 years ago.
Everything was absolutely magical the last few days. Pure, innocent love thawing over James and floating into his veins. This thing with Regulus really got out of his control. One day it was a crush he needed to get over, the next James is daydreaming about their kiss.
Oh, yes.
The kiss.
That Friday night certainly will change James forever. All he does is think about that day and how everything went perfectly amazing. How Regulus slept in his arms for the first time as more than a friend. It was an astonishing night, the stars were jealous and the moon dreamed to reach such tenderness.
Ever since that day, they shared a bed. Nothing that wasn’t already happening before, but now their dynamic was sparkling. Their eyes shone every time they met each other, James saw it in the other boy’s pupils, and he knew his own weren’t being subtle. They shared a bed, but most importantly, they shared the need to be closer and adjacent all the time. They also shared honest smiles and loud chuckles. They were sharing every single day with one another, coalescing in a mixture of intensity and gentleness, breaking into a magnificent thousand flames of fervour, amity and passion. They were fierce, but also immaculately radiant.
They had not shared another kiss since that day. Since James initiated it, since he asked for permission and since Reg drifted to sleep in his arms. There were cheek pecks here, there and everywhere. They were guiltlessly following each other around, not giving a care if people noticed their proximity or their stares towards each other.
Everybody noticed.
Sirius, of course, was the first to know. Actually, he was the one to wake Regulus and James up in the TV room early Saturday, but that wasn’t after he called Effie and Monty to see that scene. Two young teenage boys tangled into one another, peacefully sleeping and not a wrinkle of worry in their faces. It was a beautiful sight.
Peter was the next one to know. He was, in fact, very excited for both James and Regulus, since he heard the news from two points of view. He claimed ‘it was about time’ and that he was very delighted that they finally happened.
Lily was the first one of the girls to notice. It was Monday, and Regulus couldn’t keep his hands off of James. They were on the school break, and both of them were smiling so abnormally much. She gets that James is a happy kid. But Reggie? Since when does he use his face muscles that amount of times?
She quickly figured it out, noticing the small touches Regulus and James were sharing, subtle only in their world. Knees together, vague contacts that obviously had so much meaning and feelings behind them. All the time, all the time a hand or a finger carefully laid on skin, more than it ever was.
Marlene knew as soon as she caught James staring at the walls in middle of class on Wednesday. She knew something, or more like someone had him caught up under a spell. It was almost the same expression he had when it was Lily the centre of his affections. Equally intense, but different. More infatuated. It didn’t take much time for her to put two and two together.
That’s how Mary found out, Marls told her. Otherwise, she’d be completely oblivious to them until God knows when.
Today was Friday again, and James planned to do something about it.
They were having a little hang out at Marlene's place. Just the friend group reunited to eat, talk and enjoy the night. Them and some of Regulus’ friends, too. Barty and Evan. There was also a new girl that Marlene quickly befriended that was new in school, her name was Dorcas. She was deadly gorgeous, truly. Her dark black skin radiated in the moonlight, her braids were long and beautifully done, moving around with the wind as she walked by. Dorcas got literally everyone open mouthed from the moment they met her.
So, tonight was the night James would make another move. At first, in the beginning of the week, James intended to ask Regulus out on a date, like adult couples do. He wants to make sure Reg is spoiled and that he feels wanted. He wants to buy him flowers and chocolate every week. He already makes sure Regulus is having some type of sweets every day at school. It just became a part of him, making sure he is well fed with his favourites.
Last Saturday morning, Regulus found the roses and the CD waiting for him in his room. The flowers were on a pretty vase on his balcony, while the songs rarely left his player. That is what loving feels like.
James is figuring it out.
The little things, the details, the small and the big actions. Everything that brings out the happiness in him. Everything associated with someone.
This is what falling feels like.
The eagerness of wanting to share every good thing and moment with someone, and yet the need to be there when the defective comes.
He’s having all this with someone for the first time, and oh, how it messes with one’s mind. Chemicals aren’t enough to explain the thrill that goes through his core.
The essence of resilience is never tiring of trying, even when the failures speak louder than the accomplishments. This is what it feels like.
Reg was getting ready in his room now. James and Sirius were already in proper shape to go, just waiting for him, and Monty was the one taking them to Marls.
“Just go already.” Sirius said, rolling his eyes and slightly shaking his head, but smiling nevertheless.
“Hum?” James murmured, too busy staring at Regulus’ door for a moment, shifting his weight from one leg to another while Sirius checked his eyeliner on the hallway mirror.
“Go see him.” Sirius advised, not wandering his glance away from the mirror, staring indirectly at James. “But knock, he grimaced, “I don’t want you seeing my baby brother naked, Prongs” Sirius alerted, directing a lethal glare at him.
James grinned, he stopped listening after the ‘him’, but who cares? He walked to the door timidly, glancing back at Sirius, who gave him a thumbs up.
James knocked once, receiving an almost immediate answer from Regulus, “coming!”
When he opened the door, James was astonished. Like what the hell?
How can someone look so fucking good it hurts to watch?
Regulus was wearing those damn jeans that made James go crazy, along with a green band shirt, an oversized black leather jacket (stolen from Pads, obviously) and a pair of Doc Martens. His dark curls were falling over his head, slightly hiding the blond streaks. His glasses were on the nightstand, because he uses them mostly to read.
His eyes were a glowing greyish blue, and his smile, oh. That twitch of his lips were dazzling, truly winsome, like a melody finding its symphony.
“Hi!” Regulus greeted, since James was too paralyzed to say something. He smiled like he was glad to see James, like they weren’t living in the same house and seeing each other practically all the time.
“Hi.” James returned, not directing his gaze away from those beautiful blue eyes once. “You- You look amazing.” He managed to get out, tripping over his own words, lost in the magnificence of Regulus.
“Thank you,” Reg replied, also completely and shamelessly staring at James. All of him. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” he smirked, grabbing him by his shirt and depositing a slow peck on his cheek, carelessly taking his hand after and heading towards Sirius in the end of the hallway. James just let himself be guided, smiling ear to ear.
###
“Truth or dare?” Marlene asked, suspiciously smirking at Sirius.
They were gathered together playing this game, which meant complete chaos.
Sirius scoffed, “dare, duh.”
Marls raised her eyebrows, “up for anything?”
“Sure.” Sirius shrugged, taking a sip of his very much alcoholic drink. Regulus looked at James, shaking his head, knowing exactly where this was going. James just gave him an upside down smile, basically telling him there’s nothing he could do.
“Jump in the pool now.” She said, devilishly grinning.
Sirius seemed almost bored at the idea. He was probably expecting to down a few more shots or lick someone’s feet. But this? Easy. “Really? How original, McKinnon.” He said, taking his shirt off and pants off, revealing a tattoo he very much liked to show off. It was his first and only, at that time. A beautiful design of a dog, with the Canis Major constellation inside it, placed on his hip. It was a matching tattoo he had with Effie. They did it together when he turned sixteen. Mother and Son. “Just so you know, I'm borrowing your clothes after.” He said, jumping at the pool at almost twelve pm.
“If he’s gonna take her clothes, why did he take his own off to jump?” Evan asked, confused.
“He’s a show off, that’s what he is.” Regulus snorted, disapprovingly shaking his head.
“Well, I like the show.” Barty slipped out, shamelessly staring at Sirius' wet body leaving the pool, taking the shirt he dropped by the edge to dry himself.
“Ew. Keep your thoughts to yourself, Crouch.” Regulus demanded, disgusted. While Evan just rolled his eyes.
The night went easily by. They were having fun and being silly teenagers playing spin the bottle. If he’s honest, James doesn’t really like this game. It usually just gets people hurt, one way or another, especially now that they are all hormones and feelings and discovering themselves. But that’s just James. That’s because he always got hurt before in these. He had to watch his crushes kiss other people or reveal their feelings about other people in this game, so yes, he doesn’t really like it. Call him petty, but he doesn’t hold food memories from those.
Not tonight, though. Tonight everything is going absolutely well. The dares and the truths are mostly more embarrassing than humiliating. Things are going just fine. Reg is now a little bit tired, casually resting his head on James’s shoulder, fighting to keep his eyes open and keep up with the game. Not that James was paying attention, too. He was way too lost in the feeling of Reg on his skin, outrageously looking at him. Noticing every single detail that made him look that gorgeous. How he had freckles on top of his nose and under his eyes, the little moles he had on a cheek, the smoothly shaved skin of his face, the soft pink of his small lips, the way his nose wasn’t entirely straight, how his big eyelashes fit him so well, the way his mouth would curl up every time James slightly caressed his back, how his fingers were loaded with silver and gold rings (the gold being from Effie, cause she said they’d look amazing on Regulus), his dark curls and the blond streaks. Everything about him.
“Mate?” Sirius called out on him, breaking him out of his thoughts.
“Hm?” James answered, recomposing himself.
“I asked you if you have any ideas." Sirius cocked an eyebrow, smirking. Oh, right. The game. James swiftly looked at the bottle to see what was going on. Apparently, it was Sirius asking Lily.
“She said truth or dare?” James questioned Sirius, already putting his brain to function and think of something. Honestly, the hardest part of this game is coming up with the questions or challenges.
“Truth.” Lily answered. “I changed my mind. If James’s gonna help I don’t want dare.” She said, shaking her head wisely.
“What? You can’t do that! She can’t do that!” Sirius exclaimed. “Prongs, do something.”
“I’m afraid she can do that, Pads.” James sighed, like someone just stole food from him.
“Wow, aren’t you two just stupid?” Dorcas interrupted, cracking giggles from everyone but Sirius and James. “you still have the power to ask her a question, use it wisely!” She explained, making Lily gasp.
“Dorcas!”
“What? I'm curious.” She shrugged, taking a sip of her drink.
“Oooo, I know something!” Pete exclaimed, whispering something in Sirius’ ear, making his stern looking face lit up.
“God, you’re a genius, Pete." Sirius said, grinning. “Lily.” He started, directing himself to the girl. “If you had to choose one person in this group to marry and one to kiss, who would they be and why?” Sirius questioned smiling hard, while Lily just rolled her eyes.
Well. If there's something they didn’t know about Lily were her romantic preferences. She never talked about a crush or people she found pretty. They know she had a summer thing last summer, but never knew who they were. She just doesn’t talk about it. And they were curious nosy teens, can you blame them?
She arched both brows, humming, “I see what you’re doing.” Then, with a finger on her chin, she scanned the room. Marlene, Hanna, Mary, Barty, Evan, Dorcas, Sirius, James, Regulus and Peter. “Okay,” she started. “I’ll marry Mary and kiss Regulus.”
“WHAT?” James squeaked, involuntarily. What the hell? What? WHAT? Everyone broke into laughter. What’s so funny? “Lily, what the hell?” James murmured, grimacing.
“If you let me explain.” She said, tilting her head and fighting a smirk on her face. “I’ll marry Mary because they say you have to marry your best friend,” she looked at Marls, who was already making a ‘what about me?’ face, “Marls, you’re compromised. You know you’re my best friend, too.” She stated, smiling and taking a sip of her drink.
James was too startled to even pay attention.
Why would she kiss Regulus? What? No, no, no. This is a nightmare. Terrible, terrible thing.
James was absolutely freaking out, but trying not to move, because apparently, Reg was taking a nap on his shoulder.
“But what about Reggie?” Evan asked, putting fuel in the fire.
“And,” Lily began, “I think Regulus is really really pretty, but I just said that to catch James’ reaction.” She finished, making a ‘you got me’ face.
Everyone chuckled, because she got that indeed.
“I’m saying absolutely nothing about this.”
James suspired, shaking his head.
Hanna, who was quiet most of the time, smiled, “I think it’s cute.”
Me too. James shot her a warm smile, not even trying to hide his smile.
“Red, spin that thing already!” Barty groaned, impatiently.
She made a surrender gesture with her arms, reaching for the bottle, “okay, okay.”
“He’s just upset he’s leaving here without making out with someone.” Dorcas explained, rolling her eyes at Barty, making Evan try to hide his smile.
“Shut up, Meadowes.” He gasped, throwing an empty cup at her.
“Weren’t you like, dating someone?” Sirius asked, cocking both eyebrows at the younger boy.
“No. I’m as single as a pringle.” Barty phrased, in a flirtatious manner, blinking at Sirius.
“Oh, god.” James laughed, exchanging glances with Reg, who just happened to open his eyes. He then turned to Barty, “I can’t believe you just made a One Direction reference.” He shook his head, chuckling, “who said that, Niall? Liam?”
“Im 99% sure it was Niall.” Barry answered. “Evans! The bottle, please.” He added, saying the last word like it was a sour curse.
Lily rolled her eyes, spinning the damn thing.
Oh no.
Barty was asking James.
He looked at Reg desperately, but at this point he was asleep again, angelically breathing in and out on James’s shoulder.
Barty smirked, “Potter, truth or da-“
James interrupted, not even thinking straight, “truth.”
“Seriously? Oh, c’mon.” Barty whimpered. “Choose dare once, for fucks sake.”
“Crouch-“ James started, trying to be listened there.
“I dare you to kiss Reggie.” Barty announced, crossing his arms, while everyone in the room widened their eyes. “What? Are we not acknowledging this?” He pointed at the mess of curls and touching skin that James and Regulus were. Close, close, close. Too close.
“No.” James affirmed, severe and sharp, shutting everyone up. He felt Regulus stiffen up on him. Damn.
Hanna was the first to break the silence. She always knew what to say. “Why don’t you take him to bed? He’s clearly very tired.” She said, checking her watch, proving a point.
“Marls, can I take him to your room? Until my Mum comes?” James cleared his throat, softening his voice.
“Of course. Go, go.”
James quickly adjusted himself, taking Regulus' waist and putting his arm on his neck, so James could easily pick him up. He got up from the couch, dodging everyone’s shoes on the floor and easily smiling on his way to the bedroom, after shooting Sirius a look to Sirius that said ‘do something for me, please’ which means Sirius was gonna scold them for whatever happened there, because he can’t be normal about anything. Thank God for him.
Once there, James grinned. If teenage dirtbag was a person, this person would be Marlene McKinnon. Her room had so much personality it could have a name and be introduced to society. There were rock band records all over the walls, dozens of tabloids and posters everywhere.
He carefully laid Regulus on the bed, putting the covers over him, then sitting on the other side of it, going through his phone to pass time and texting Effie to come and get them.
J: hey mum, can you pick us up?
mummy: omw hun
J: where did you learn that
mummy: my baby taught me
mummy: btw
mummy: ofc isn’t of course
mummy: this shocked me, truly
J: ofc ofc is of course
mummy: it isn’t
mummy: it’s of fucking course
J: no way
mummy: yes way
James giggled to the screen.
mummy: i’m going then, i’ll call when i get there, love you
J: ok, love you too
“James.” Reg called him, turning to face his way. “Why didn’t you?”
“Why didn’t I what?” James questioned back, coming closer to him.
“Kiss me.”
Oh.
And just like that, a particular song started playing in James’s head.
Settle down with me
Cover me up
Cuddle me in
Lie down with me, yeah
And hold me in your arms
“Reg. You were sleeping. I didn’t want to wake you up nor make you uncomfortable.” James explained, bringing him closer. Letting him lay his head on James' chest, locking their glances like two magnetics meeting each other.
And your heart's against my chest
Your lips pressed to my neck
I'm falling for your eyes
But they don't know me yet
And with a feeling I'll forget
I'm in love now
“And.” James started, massaging the boy’s scalp with such affection and fondness that Eros would be jealous. Or proud. Who knows? “I want these moments between us to be special. Not a play to satisfy an audience.”
He said, not once stopping the fondling, if not intensifying the sensitivity behind it.
Kiss me like you wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
This feels like falling in love
Falling in love
Falling in love, mm-mm
“You do?” Regulus asked, wrapping his arms around James’s neck, making James’ body tremble.
“I do.” He smiled, gently. “And just so you know, there’s nothing I want more than to kiss you again.” James revealed, being extra bold today. It’s not like it was top secret information, but putting the words out is insanely hard.
Settle down with me
And I'll be your safety
You'll be my lady
I was made to keep your body warm
But I'm cold as the wind blows
So hold me in your arms, oh, no
Regulus shifted his body, sitting up and straightly facing James. If you weren’t a clueless teenage boy, you would see in his shiny blue eyes how badly he wanted to be there, how happy he was to be there, and how lovable he was feeling. You would see love in his eyes. You would notice he was falling. But James wasn’t that quick.
Reg stood there, quietly staring at those big brown eyes, a soft smile on his lips as he reached for James' left hand, intertwining their fingers and whispering, “kiss me. Kiss me now.”
Kiss me like you wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
This feels like falling in love
Falling in love
Falling in love
Yes, yes, yes.
Once again, their universes collided, united by the conjunction of two mouths desperate for each other. It was slow and paced, the two of them crawling for the taste of one another.
James’ hands were on Regulus’ waist, caressing the skin and always bringing him closer, while Reg rested his chilly hands on James’s face, exploring the skin and then the hair and everything.
James was in heaven. True paradise.
Until Sirius abruptly opened that damn door, interrupting their heavenly kiss.
“Goddamn, James, ew. Stop, stop, stop!” Sirius exclaimed, instantly covering his eyes with the palm of his hands.
“Is it that hard to knock?” Regulus snapped before James could even say something.
Sirius gasped, “the audacity! Prongs, stop him!”
“James, stay exactly where you are!” Regulus hissed, not even glancing away from his brother.
James, of course, stayed exactly where he was, making Sirius narrow his eyes at him, mouthing ‘traitor’ like the true drama queen he is. He’ll forget it in ten minutes or less.
“Again,” Regulus started, scowling at Sirius like he just committed a crime. Maybe he did. “Is it hard to knock?”
“I knocked!” Sirius exclaimed, almost throwing a fit. “In fact, I’m only here because Romeo there,” Sirius pointed at James, who was scarlet red at this point, “didn’t answer Mum’s call! She’s here to pick us up,” he explained, throwing a pillow that was on the floor at James’s face.
At this moment, James was changing colours, while Regulus and Sirius giggled at his evident distress.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t hear it ring!” James cleared up, with his hands still on Reg’s waist, in a place Sirius couldn’t see. Apparently, Regulus was very happy about it, since he couldn’t stop grinning, exactly like James, but without the super extra flush on his cheeks.
“Yeah, I saw you were busy.” Sirius rolled his eyes, mortifying James even more. “Ugh, let’s go. Mum’s waiting and we’re supposed to give Pete a ride, too.” He said, waiting for them to leave the room first so he could follow right after, casually shooting James a ‘I’m watching you’ look, which James responded with an expression that said ‘we were just kissing, stop’ and quickly tying his hand with Regulus’, on their way to say goodbye to their friends while his heart fluttered with the thought of what just happened (before Sirius barged in).
They both went home with a very smiley face, accompanied by a grumpy Sirius and a curious Effie.