The summer before
The summer before this year was... different, to say the least. But it was a good different.
Sirius had shown up at the Potters' house with Regulus in tow, both of them shaking and drenched from the storm. Regulus had the mirror of terror in his eyes, a look that pierced through the night.
The Potters hurriedly pushed them inside, away from the rain. They didn’t ask many questions; they knew exactly why Sirius and Regulus were there. They had been prepared for this moment, as James had wanted Sirius to leave Grimmauld Place for years. But Sirius had always said he couldn't leave Regulus alone in that house. So, to compromise, there were already two rooms with their names on them, waiting for the day they would finally accept and come to the Potters.
Effie and Monty wrapped them in blankets, the warmth of the house starkly contrasting the cold, damp night. It was an unspoken understanding, a silent agreement that no explanations were needed. They were home.
Having Regulus there was a change, an unexpected addition to the household dynamic. He and James had minimal interaction throughout their years at Hogwarts, mostly consisting of James trying to speak to Regulus and the latter telling him to buzz off or cussing him out. But James liked a challenge. There was definitely some way to break through the walls Regulus had built around his heart over the years. He was determined to befriend the little gremlin now living within the same confines.
However, breaking through those walls was easier said than done. Regulus rarely left his room, and when he did, he usually only talked to Monty about potions or Effie to offer help with chores. His interactions were brief, polite, and always tinged with a certain reservedness that made James ache with the desire to know the real Regulus.
One afternoon, Monty and Effie were out, and Sirius had gone to visit Remus. James grinned at the golden opportunity to speak with Regulus without any interruptions. He dragged his feet across the floor, each step echoing in the quiet house.
Regulus' door was cracked slightly open, so James had a view of Regulus before entering. Unsurprisingly, the lights were dim, but the main window in the middle of the room was open, showing the rough rain outside. The sound of raindrops hitting the glass was almost soothing.
Regulus had a lamp on his bedside table, illuminating a picture of his friends, and tucked behind it was a photo of Sirius on what looked like the first day of school. Nose deep in a book, Regulus didn't notice James's presence. A slow, romantic song played softly on the record player that Sirius had gifted him with the money Uncle Alphard had given him when he died. Regulus had scoffed, saying he was never going to use a Muggle invention, but here he was.
James approached the bed, his footsteps light on the wooden floor. He hesitated for a moment, watching Regulus, the way his dark hair fell into his eyes, the way his brow furrowed in concentration. Chasing those thoughts away, he sat on the edge of the bed, causing the mattress to dip slightly.
Regulus looked up from his book, his grey eyes meeting James's. The song reached its climax, a sweet tune mixing with the sound of the rain pouring outside.
Regulus’s face softened. Oh, those eyes, those beautiful blue eyes hidden behind glasses that always had a glint in them.
James’s eyes darted across Regulus's face, noting the way his lips contrasted with his light complexion, but his gaze eventually reached Regulus's eyes. God, were they beautiful.
They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, lost in each other, soaking up the other's presence. There was something raw, unspoken, in the way they looked at each other.
Regulus eventually kicked him out of the room, but something had definitely changed in that moment. Regulus didn't know what, but James thought he did. Spoiler alert: they were both wrong.
Regulus pressed his black locks to the door, allowing his back to slide down the wood. The cool surface of the door was a stark contrast to the warmth that had flooded through him moments ago. James did the same on the other side, letting his head rest on the door.
"What have I done?" they said in unison, their voices muffled but in perfect sync.
After that day, Regulus had stopped ignoring James. So the change was definitely for the better.
Regulus had also become a bit clumsy around him, which James found endearing. It was like watching an angry cat walk into a wall. He didn't speak of this, of course, or else he would have been a few feet under.
But he noticed it, every trip, every stumble, and each time, he felt a pang of fondness through his heart. But that didn’t mean anything, right? Right??
Their interactions gradually became more frequent and less antagonistic. Small gestures, like actually communicating with James and not blatantly ignoring him, began to build a fragile bond between them.
Then there was another occurrence that James couldn’t quite explain, where they had to run an errand together.
"James, honey, can you grab these ingredients down at the market?" Effie called softly from the kitchen, her voice filled with the warmth that always seemed to wrap around James like a comforting blanket. "Bring Regulus with you!"
Regulus actually talked to him this time, but it was to call him stupid for not knowing there were different types of clementines. James had laughed, a genuine, hearty laugh that seemed to light up the summer air.
A strong breeze brushed through the summer air, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees and carrying the scent of blooming flowers. James halted, taking in the moment, the simple beauty of it. Regulus, by instinct, also stopped, cocking his head curiously.
James crouched down, his fingers brushing lightly over the flowers, feeling their delicate petals. Regulus watched, in awe of James's raw beauty.
James carefully selected a suitable flower, its vibrant petals catching the sunlight. He turned to Regulus, a glint of mischief in his eyes, and looped the flower behind Regulus's ear.
"I look stupid. Take it off," Regulus grumbled, his voice lacking its usual bite, his cheeks flushed a light pink.
"No, not at all. You look... perfect," James replied, his voice gentle but firm. The sincerity in his eyes made Regulus's heart skip a beat.
Oh, Regulus was fucked