Kill shot, baby.

Regulus gets put in a room with james.
Why wouldn't he share with his brother? You may ask. Well it probably has something to do with the fact that his brothers a whor- into their boss and who wouldnt take the chance to share a room with the person they're crushing on.

Even if it is an incredibly stupid choice.

He's been bent over the file in his hand, back resting on the headboard of the twin bed he's sitting in.

He looks up when james comes out of the bathroom in a cloud of steam, careful not to let his eyes dip down to wear a towel hangs loosely on his hips. He smiles and regulus gives him a blank stare before going back to his file.

Regulus must've zoned out again because when he blinks james is in an identical bed to his, typing away at somethingon his phone, head lifted by what seems like a dozen pillows.

He checks the time on his phone, it already being 2am. He clicks his tongue, switching off the lamp beside him and laying flat.

He doesn't actually sleep for a while, simply staring up at the ceiling. Too focused on the sound of rain on the window, or the creaks of those above him.

Regulus just assumed james fell asleep, turning his head towards him.

He's hugging a pillow that's now got a small mark of drool on it. James looks quite peaceful asleep and regulus can't help but feel slightly jealous.

That is until his face contorts, brows furrowing and tightening his hold on the pillow.

Regulus sits up and flicks the lamp back on, feeling a churn within him that he fears might even be concerned, as james' breathing picks up.

"No..no please..please" regulus notices that he's crying now, quietly choking out each word. "i...save..save them"

Save them? Save who?

Regulus has so many questions but that's not important right now. He knows never to wake someone from a nightmare, that causing the person to be even more frantic.

So he has to wait it out. It's agonising.
Watching as james writhes and sobs into the pillow, regulus itching out a few times to hold him back so he doesn't hurt him self when he flails his arms. Crying about something. Crying about a fire?

James? The one who sirius said is like the light? The kind hearted, as it seems slightly naïve, practically the sun in everyone's eyes, james is crying over a fire?

Why?

Regulus flinches slightly when james shoots up, panting and gaze bouncing around the room before settling back in his lap. He runs a hand through his hair then places his head in his hands. Regulus can hear the faint counting, can hear as his breathing calms down. Can hear as james soothes himself, movements seeming rhythmic and learnt.

It's a few minutes of silence, bar the odd teary sniff from james every now and then, before james slowly turns his head towards regulus. Eyes widening.

"Sorry, did i wake you up?" James asks, voice hoarse and quiet.

Regulus just shakes his head, then tilts it slightly with a crease between his brows.
"Did you- Are you-" Regulus has never been good at comforting people, but at the moment he wants to wrap this boy in bubble wrap and never let him outside. That thought gets pushed down, deep down, very quickly.

"Are you okay?"

James puts on a smile, doesn't exactly do the trick though with tear tracks down his flushed cheeks

"Of course i am, are you?" He wipes at the tears with the corner of his shirt, letting regulus catch on to a scarred, lighter piece of skin that travels behind his back.

He's deflecting and it's obvious, you'd think a profiler would be better at masking but james seems to wear his heart on his sleeve.

It's going to get him hurt, regulus thinks, though it seems he's already been hurt by something. Something, something. Like a puzzle with a few pieces missing.

Regulus stands, walking over to the small desk perched in the corner of the room and grabbing one of the glasses gifted by the hotel. Feelings james' eyes following his movements until he disappears into the bathroom.

He's filling a glass of water up for a person he doesn't even like. He's choosing that it's what a good person would do, you can't just ignore someone when they are in a panic. It's not because he cares, because he doesn't. He doesn't. He can't afford to care.

He blinks and he's sat cross legged on his bed, watching as james stares into the water. His eyes are glossed over, he doesn't even look like he's actually there.

Eventually he closes his eyes, swallowing and taking a deep breath before opening them again and them landing on regulus.

Regulus feels like he's burning under his gaze but he pushes it away, pushes it deep down to worry about later. He matches james stare with his own, finding his voice to speak.

"What was that about, james?" He asks. Alright. One way to approach the situation.

James looks away, shoulders dropping, and shifts to put the glass on the beside counter. He fixes his glasses, having fallen asleep with them on.

In the light regulus notices the bags under his eyes, the way his cheeks are slightly hollowed in a way that doesn't seem natural.

"Bad dream" james shrugs, clearing his throat.

Bad dream? Seriously? That sounded like a fucking nightmare, literally.

"Who couldn't you save?" That gets james attention, head snapping up towards regulus he fears he might've heard it break.

"Wh- Save- No one." James huffs.

Regulus shifts, legs uncurling and he rests his arms on them to lean closer.

"I see through it" He says, continuing at james confused expression. "I see through your bullshit. I see through this" he gestures to him, "They will too at some point. You'll burn out, Potter. Masks start to thin after a while."

James brows furrow behind his glasses, going to say something and instead just letting out a sharp exhale.

"Reg- You don't. You don't know. I have to be like this, it's expected. This is who i'm meant to be." He sounds as if he's also convincing himself of this. Hands gesturing wildly with each word.

Regulus retracts, nodding. "Alright, but eventually you have to actually step out from this facade." He wants to add that he'll be there when he does, but why would he? Why would he care? Why does he care?

He turns, switching off the lamp beside his bed and lays down. staring at the wall and listening to james steadying breaths.

He hears james shuffle aswell, most likely laying down too.

After a few minutes of staring at the sad white walls regulus turns over, coming face to face with james. He was already looking at him before he turned and doesn't look away when regulus stares back.

Neither of them sleep that night. They don't speak of it either.

They all meet in the lobby at 9am, regulus pointedly ignoring james' gaze. Though he can feel it burning at his back, daring him to turn around and meet it.

Sirius seems far too happy for 9am, most likely because he got to spend the night with remus. Barty and evan look disheveled and regulus is pretty sure he can see a poorly hidden hickey on evans neck. Right.

They all get back into the SUVs from the night before, regulus offering to drive the one with dorcas and remus. Out of kindness he tells himself. Obviously.

They eventually get back to the precinct, immediately rushing about with files and coffee. Regulus busying himself with looking over the morgue reports.

Yet he can't get james pleads for help out of his head.