Sunshine and the Stars

Regulus doesn’t know what happened. 

James and him were just standing in the ballroom and the way the light reflected on James’ skin made him look gorgeous. Regulus couldn't help it. So he asked him to dance. 

Now, Regulus thought James would say no, but he didn’t. It was so stupid of him to ask, he knew James would say no, yet he said yes. 

So that's how he’s here, sitting in a bathtub that's way too small for him, being cleansed and cleaned for the dance. Barty is standing there, doing nothing - as always - as Remus tries to clean him up.

“I saw him in the ballroom, and I said, well, we should have a dance tonight. I never thought she’d actually say yes! What was I thinking?” He confesses. 

Barty tuts, mad at what Regulus is saying, and rolls his eyes. “No, Reggie, this is perfect-”

“Don’t call me Reggie.” Regulus cuts in going unnoticed, jolting his arm.

“Don't move, Regulus.” Remus tells him off.

“The rose only has four petals left. Which means tonight…You must tell him how you feel.” Barty continues without noticing the interruption. 

Regulus, feeling defeated, says. “I feel like a fool, he will never love me.” 

Barty rolls his eyes. Regulus is surprised he hasn't gotten his eyes stuck in the back of his head. “Don’t be discouraged.” Barty cheers with joy, “He is the one!”

Regulus grunts, “I wish you would stop saying that.” He growls, getting out of the bathtub and slumping into the seat in front of a mirror. “There is no ‘one’.” 

Barty makes a sound of disagreement, following him behind Remus. “You care for him, don’t you?” Remus asks. Regulus nods slightly. “Exactly. Woo him with beautiful music and a romantic candle light…” Remus trails off.

“You’re describing exactly how Sirius revealed his feelings for you.” Barty says in a whisper.

Regulus bursts out laughing. “You’re dating him? Sirius? That's so funny, oh gosh. Good luck.”

“Ok back to the point.” Remus interrupts. “When the moment is just right, confess.”

Regulus, nervous, asks. “How will I know?”

Barty and Remus look at eachother with a face that says ‘seriously?’ and turn back to him. 

“You will feel slightly nauseous.” Remus starts.

“Just stop being a coward and tell James how you feel.” Barty says, unafraid. “And if you don’t, I promise you you’ll have no light for the rest of your life.” 

“And you won’t have the time.” Remus says feeling brave.

The people who live in the castle start coming in, fussing with how Regulus looks. His hair, his clothes, his scent. Everything. Regulus is feeling a little overwhelmed for a second.  

“What colour shall we do Remus?” Barty asks him, like he would let Remus decide. 

“I think blu-” Remus starts when he is rudely - and obviously - interrupted by Barty. 

“A dark green, I think.”

***

“So, James,” Sirius starts rummaging through the draws. “How did this come about?” 

James ponders for a minute, feeling giddy. He’s got butterflies in his stomach that his father said he got when he first met his mother. He thinks it means nothing. 

“He kind of just…asked me. Like how you’d ask someone.” He puts together, kind of at a loss for words.

“It wasn’t extravagant? Extraordinary?” Sirius questions.

“Sirius, you are so bloody dramatic. Not everyone has the courage to light fancy candles for the person they fancy.” James says without realising. And in that moment, he realises he just may fancy Regulus. Just a little bit.

It isn’t the first time he liked a boy. In school, he played football. His team captain at his school was very good looking. Frank was his name. 

However, Frank was straight and his feelings did not reciprocate. He was very kind about it, though, as James was a couple  years younger. 

“So you admit it?” Sirius asks. “You fancy him?” Sirius asks, a smile spreading on his face. 

James breaks out into a smile. “Yeah, I guess I do.” 

And Sirius. Sirius screams - actually screams - in excitement. Looking all happy and his face beaming with joy. “Oh James. This is amazing news.” 

James smiles at him and Sirius begins getting him dressed in a dark red. It’s a pretty red. 

They continue on, Sirius muttering and talking about their childhood together. 

“Hey James?” Sirius asks as James is admiring himself in the mirror. Sirius did a damn good job getting him ready, and Sirius knows it. 

James hums in response, too enamoured with himself.

“Take care of him, will you?” 

The sincerity of Sirius’ voice makes James falter. “Of course, Sirius.”

***

Regulus is standing in the ballroom. Pandora set up ready to perform, and a bunch of servants are gathered to…watch?

Regulus nervously watches as Remus and Lily mutter to themselves about something. Probably Sirius. He still finds that hilarious. 

In the middle of his thinking, he hears the sound of shoes on the staircase. He looks up, finding James. 

And gosh what a sight he is.

James is gorgeous. Well when is he not? But tonight his dark skin looks flawless under the light of the moon and the red suit he sports makes his eyes pop. 

Regulus is enamoured.

James’ eyes search for his. When Regulus meets his gaze, James hurries down the stairs, meeting him in the centre of the ballroom.

“Hi.” Regulus says, breathless.

James smiles. “Hi.”

“You look lovely.” Regulus says. He can’t help himself. 

It makes James smile wider. “You look beautiful.”

Regulus scoffs. “You don’t have to lie.”

James’ eyebrows furrow. “I’m not. Besides, I believe I was promised a dance.” James points out. 

Regulus grabs James’ hand and begins to guide them in a dance. James dances alongside Regulus smoothly, while Lily sings a song Regulus can’t quite hear, in the back.

Regulus is sure it's a good song, he is just so lost in James’ eyes.

An hour after they had their first dance, Regulus and James are sitting together on the balcony, sharing each other's company and stories.

“I'm sorry for capturing you.” Regulus apologises.

“It’s ok.” James says. “I just would’ve liked to see my father one last time.” He confesses.

An idea sparks in Regulus’ head and abruptly stands up to go find the mirror. After finding it, he goes back to James. 

“This mirror shows you anything, anyone you want to see.” Regulus explains, passing the mirror. “You can see him.” 

James grabs the mirror with two hands. “Show me my father,” He says in a strong voice.

Then the mirror shifts to show his father, stuck in a carriage. Trapped like he’s being arrested.

James gasps and then looks at Regulus. 

Regulus stares back knowing there is only one thing he can do.

“Go.” He says. “And take the mirror with you so you don't forget me.”

James stands up as soon as he says go, but halters as he leaves. He leans down, pressing a tender kiss to Regulus’ cheek. “I could never.”

And with that, James leaves to save his father.