Regulus doesn’t know how to feel. Sure he isn’t outwardly the most comforting person but he thought James and him had a good bond. He thought they could talk to each other. What’s worse is James is unfortunately one of the few people Regulus would talk to and for James to not feel the same way. Well it hurts.
Without fully thinking anything through he storms into James’ room. “You weren’t going to tell me?!” An unmistakable tone of hurt in his voice.
“What” James says groggily as he sits up from bed. Stupid James, he even looks good after a nap with his messy hair and comfortable looking hoodie.
His face seems to brighten when he rubs his eyes clear and realises it’s Regulus. Their eyes lock and Regulus can’t help but feel the warmth of the small smile spread on his face. He shakes his head remembering why he’s there.
“ your birthday?” James' eyes visibly sadden.
“ Oh, right. Happy birthday to me.”
“James, it’s 2.30 you didn’t think to tell me sooner.” James looks around the room as if to find something to say. Regulus takes in his distraught expression and sits down on the bed bending his knee up so he can be face to face with James.
“ I’m sorry to have barged in here, but I just don’t understand. You always do the most outlandish things for everyone in your group's birthday and you didn’t even want me to know it’s yours.” James sits up straight and shuffles closer, noticing Regulus is hurt.
“ no it’s not like that.” Regulus lifts his gaze asking for James to explain.
“ It was my 12th birthday, before I knew your brother or you. My mum and I had spent the morning setting up balloons, streamers, an assortment of food and games. The party was to start at 12pm and so we waited. We had invited my class from school as well as some neighbourhood kids. No one came. We waited and waited at around 12.40 until it finally hit that no one was coming. My mum tried her best to cheer me up, encouraged me to eat some cake and play a game with her but I didn’t want to. No one had bothered to come to my birthday party. I excused myself and went to my room and cried and cried.” James looks up from his lap tears threatening to spill from his eyes. Regulus’ heart broke. “ It wasn't even that no one wanted to celebrate with me, well it was but it was that my mum and I had put in so much effort and no one would know. But I get it I can be a lot and seeing me at school was enough that people didn’t want to spend more time with me. It's fine. When I finally went downstairs my mum had packed everything up. She tried to bring it up but we ended up pretending it hadn’t happened. So now that’s what I do for my birthday to protect myself from the disappointment of no one showing I pretend it doesn’t happen.” They sit with that for a while until Regulus speaks up.
“Oh James”. He says, reaching his hand out to lay it on James’ thigh. James looks down at it then back up into Regulus’ stormy eyes. “ I’m so sorry those little jerks didn’t show, I would have.” They both know Regulus’ parents would have never let him attend but the sentiment remains. Regulus brings off his hand instead clasping in gently around James’ wrist. “ Come on, let’s go!”
“ what? Go where?”
“ Just follow me.” Regulus says a mischievous grin across his face, James takes one look at it and knows he’d follow him anywhere.
So up they both get and walk downstairs Regulus typing away on his phone. He hails a taxi and they sit quietly for the drive.
“ Where are we going?”
“You’ll see” is all Regulus says. Regulus opens the door for James and there they are at the club they and their friends like. They walk in and their friends are huddled around their usual table.
“ Happy Birthday!!” They all chorus. James and Regulus greet everyone. James gives Regulus a look as if to say how on earth did you do this. Regulus just shrugs. Mary the bartender here and their friend walks over holding a cake with candles alit on top. James’ friends start singing happy birthday. Their tune is a bit more than off but James doesn’t care he can’t help the goofiest happiest smile on his face. They showed. They all get a slice of the beautiful cake courtesy of Pandora who bought it from her work. James brings over Sirius a slice,
“How did this happen?”
“ Well, I may have accidentally let Regulus know it’s your birthday offhandedly and he went straight off to find you. Next thing I know he’s texting all of us to get to the club in five minutes for you, so we do.”
“ wow” is all James can manage. The party goes on with everyone chatting and laughing. Around 11.30 everyone has mostly left James taps Regulus on the shoulder.
“Reg” Regulus turns around face softening at the sight of James.
“ Jamie, how did you like it? I’m sorry for not checking with you, I just-“ James cuts him off with a hug. Squeezing Regulus tightly he whispers into the Regulus’ forehead. “ thank you” they both breathe each other in not wanting to let go.
“ Anything for you Jamie” Regulus says as he tucks James into bed for the night.