James slowly wakes up being slightly shaken. Someone’s cold hand rest against his bare back. He can hear a voice saying his name, the voice is lovely, soft and pure. James doesn’t want to wake up and make it stop.

“James. James, you gotta get up.” Regulus’ voice soothes him and he feels like falling ten feet through the ground. 

“Huh?” That is all he can manage.

“Your alarm wouldn’t wake you up and we need to get ready. The kids are coming today. I’m sorry.” James’ eyes meet Regulus’, Regulus’ eyes are still a little droopy and the room still has the smell of sleep on its breath.

“No, don’t apologise. Thank you for waking me.” James sits up and tries to use his words to ease Regulus. His eyes have their normal sad look to them.

“We need to meet in the mess hall at 9.” Regulus’ voice is quiet as he moves to get changed.

“You know you’ll need to speak louder when the kids come or they’ll never listen to you,” James speaks up.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“You’ve always been quite soft-spoken. And while I think it’s cute, I doubt the kids will do what you say if they can’t hear.” James laughs a bit.

“Oh, I guess I didn’t think of that. You yell at them, not me.”

“But, oh sure whatever.” James shakes his head as Regulus walks into the bathroom. James gets changed, he is wearing a graphic tee shirt and long jorts. Nothing too special but it is good enough. Regulus comes out in fitted tan shorts and a black short-sleeved button-up. His hair is perfect and every piercing lays in a chic way. He is so perfect, that James finds himself staring but can’t help but continue. He laces up green Doc Marten boots that end just above his ankle. His eyes are bright and James can smell him faintly from where he stands. Regulus has a constant scent of pomegranate and blackberries, which while they don’t seem like they would, complement each other beautifully. 

“James? Are you ready?” Regulus appears annoyed by James’ lack of response. 

“Uhh yeah, you look good,” James says not entirely sure why he is speaking but doesn’t think much about it. Regulus’ cheeks turn a light shade of pink, harder to see now that the summer sun has made his skin a tad darker.

“Ah, thanks. You too.” Regulus ducks his head and walks out without another word.

James runs a bit to catch up with him and walks beside him. They both just walk in silence as James watches him. They get to the mess hall and split up.

“James, you good? You look like you just saw Aphrodite?” Remus says.

“I did.” Pete and Remus burst into laughter at his response.

“Yeah, he is pretty. Not really my type though, a little on the me short side.” Pete says through laughs, James rolls his eyes and hits his shoulder.

“But proper fit, if I went to the gym as much as him I would be the hottest man alive. What, I would!”

“Sure, Pete. We believe in you.” Remus giggles.

“Wankers, the lot of you. Anyway, do you think Sybill fancies me? I’ve seen her looking at me and I can’t tell if it’s in a ‘he is kinda hot’ way or in a mocking way.” Peter says. Pete hasn’t had many long-term relationships, the last one was a two-year relationship with a girl named Dorothy in secondary school. And he isn’t much of a hookup guy. So other than a few dates and flings, Pete has been rather lonely these couple of years. James wouldn’t mind seeing him happy with a girl.

Sybill is a kind girl. She has a soft round face with big glasses, poofy hair, a short thicker stature, and a funky style. She is nice but a bit kooky. James thinks she and Pete would mush well together.

“Talk to her, Pete. What’s the worst that could happen? She is in a different group of kids, so you would only have to see her for short moments if she rejects you.” James says and Pete nods, his face determined. 

“Yeah, yeah your right. I’ll talk to her later.” Peter nods and turns back to his plate. James looks up to Sybill and sees her looking over at their table, but not at James, she is looking at Pete who currently has his face in a plate of eggs. James laughs and pats him on the back, turning to his own food. 

“Oh, I am going to murder her.” Marlene sits next to James, her eyes burning with a sense of anger he hasn’t seen since they last lost a football game. 

“What did Dorcas do this time?” James sighs knowing it is going to be the stupidest thing and that there is one solution that would 100% work; them shagging. 

“Her alarms went off at 6 am this morning, it was so fucking loud I couldn’t go back to sleep. And then she got up and did yoga. Who the fuck wakes up at 6 am to do yoga.” Marlene’s face is a slight shade of red.

“I’m sure she didn’t mean to wake you.” James reasons only to get glared at.

“But she did. She looked at me so smugly when she came back. Oh, I could have strangled her right then and there. The pretentious cunt.” Marls scowls as she looks over to where Dorcas is sitting with Barty and Reg. James is so busy looking at Regulus that he almost doesn’t see Marlene staring at Dorcas with a look that doesn’t quite appear to anger. 

“Oh, you fancy her hard.” He laughs.

“What? No, I, what?” Marlene’s face turns red for a different reason than the last. 

“You are staring at her like she is a star in the sky.”

“You are staring at Regulus like he is a star in the sky.” She argues back.

“He is, and I do fancy him. I’m not in denial.”

“I’m not in denial.” 

“You so are.”

“Okay, sure she is beautiful. But I am a lesbian I think a lot of girls are beautiful. And, her face isn’t the problem. She is a bitch and proper pretentious. She is full of smug remarks and insults. She is witty and always has to be right. She never does anything wrong and-“ Marlene cuts herself off when she realises what she is saying. James just smirks at her as her eyes grow wide. “No, Potter don’t you dare.”

“You fancy her, like down bad fancy her,” James remarks and she violently shakes her head. “Yes you do, she is your Regulus. A beautiful being that is full of witty insults and snarky remarks. But you and me both know they can be soft and kind.”

“Oh fuck, I fancy her.” Marlene’s jaw hangs open due to the realisation.

“You do.” James nods, closing her mouth by the chin, as they both stare at their star.

“What do I do now? How am I supposed to live with her for another four weeks‽” Marlene looks petrified.

“You just do. Try to be nice to her, flirt, do something to get her attention in a good way.” Marlene just nods, eyes still glued to Dorcas. She stands and mutters a goodbye as she walks over to Lily, Mary, and Pandora, who all seem to be getting along well.

They finish breakfast and go outside to get everything prepared for the kid's arrival at 11.

Regulus is horrified, why the hell did he agree to do this? He isn’t good with kids. They hate him. What if he is just like his parents?

“It’ll be fine.” Barty leans down earning nothing more than a frown from Regulus. “You're not like your father and they won’t hate you.”

Barty has always had a power of knowing exactly what Reg is thinking. This probably comes from knowing him since they were seven and having seen him through every breakdown and mania episode. Regulus does relax slightly when Barty puts his arm around Reg.

“Thanks, Bat.”

“Of course, and if it helps, you get the easiest age. Seven-year-olds will like you no matter what. I have to deal with 14-year-olds.” They both stand in silence for a while thinking about how terrible they were at that age.

Right on cue, the first bus of kids pulls up. They are all brought in on buses after their parents drop them off. It makes it easier on the staff and parents that way. 

Regulus’ eyes catch on James as he speaks to a young boy. Oh, god. Regulus has never known a man so beautiful, and he has had the pleasure of knowing many good looking men in his life. The way his skin glows in the hot sun, the way his taut muscles roll when he picks up the luggage, and his sweet smile as he speaks. Regulus would give anything to know that mouth.

“Hi, I’m Jordan!” The young boy introduces himself as Regulus walks up to help.

“Hello, Jordan I’m Regulus. I’ll be one of your councillors.” Regulus answers, his voice soft and kind. Jordan smiles.

“I know, James said you were.” Jordan has a mean smirk as he looks between James and Reg. “We are the foxes, right?” 

“Yep, every group is sorted by animal,” James replies, he catches Regulus’ eye for a moment but turns back before he can make anything of it.

“Cool.” Jordan saunters off to his cabin as if he owns the place despite never having been here. Rich kids, Regulus thinks before remembering he is also a product of nepotism. But was far too self conscious to walk around with that much pride in himself.

“He will be an issue,” James mutters lifting up the bags.

“Yup, reminds me of Barty at that age.”

“Oh, dear god.” James curses and they both laugh slightly carrying the bags to the cabin. It’s a rather large cabin. A long row of bunk beds on the right, and another row on the left. A bathroom with two toilets and showers and four sinks. And a small front porch. It looked much bigger when they were kids.

Jordan is already perched on one of the top bunks so James and Regulus greet him before they set down the bags under the chosen bed. Jordan will be a piece of work.

A few more kids come, most of the boys are loud and sure of themselves. Regulus can recognise a few of their parents, a few actors and famous entrepreneurs. They meet one boy, Eden, who is soft spoken and apologises for every step he takes. Regulus felt like he was looking in a mirror from years ago, he knew who Eden was without any introductions. He also knew Eden wouldn’t get enough sleep and Regulus would spend a lot of time drying his tears. Eden has the same morose eyes as Regulus, that is something they both will never grow out of.

“He looks like you, down to the dark curls and watery eyes. His skin is a bit paler than yours. Who do you reckon his parents are? I recognise him but can’t put a name to it.” James leans down to whisper in Regulus’ ear as they walk away from the cabin. Regulus can already imagine Eden sitting on the bottom bunk in silence as he observes the others. He hopes Eden will find his Barty.

“I think something in health care? I can’t remember the names but I believe they own a few hospitals in France. But he doesn’t sound French but he could just go to school in London. I sound more French than Italian because all my school years were in France.” Regulus responds.

“That makes sense.” James scans him quickly with his eyes. Christ, those eyes. The perfect colour of hazel, a mix of blue and green in one eye but darkened. It’s holy. It’s sinful. It’s beautiful. Maybe this is why Regulus doesnt go to church anymore.

“All of these kids have rich parents, we are going to spend the summer asking ourselves who they are but we aren’t allowed to ask.” They aren’t allowed to ask because some of the kids have really famous parents, like A-list actors and celebrities. And it would be dangerous for everyone to find out. The councillors don’t inquire about parentage and neither do the kids. 

“Come on, let’s go to the cabin. Make sure the kids aren’t forming a government.” James says and steers Regulus’ shoulders to the cabin.

“You know Animal Farm?” Regulus asks.

“No, I hate farms.” That is all James says, Regulus can't think of anything better to do than giggle at the idiotic response. “What?” 

“Nothing.” He shakes his head.

“Quarter for your thoughts?” Regulus rolls his eyes but takes the coin.

“That was probably the stupidest response you could have come up with.”

“Stupid is a strong word, maybe just not smart?” Regulus just gives him a look, earning a sigh and a nod. He can't help but laugh. He really doesnt want to laugh at James, it'll only make him more confident, but to Regulus, James is the funniest man in the world. If he said that aloud Dorcas would probably castrate him. 

They open the door to the cabin to find a bunch of boys running around, James gets hit in the face with a pillow and Regulus almost gets run over by a kid. Eden is sitting on his bed quietly with a worried look in his eye as if he is the one who will get in trouble for all this. 

“Sit down!” Regulus yells trying to use the same voice his old Nanny used when he and Sirius fought. James looks over to him and smirks. “Shut it,” he whispers.

“Okay, so all of you will introduce yourselves with your name and age and some sort of fact about yourself. It can be boring or cool, I don't care. I'll start. My name is Regulus, I am 19 years old, and I am a type one diabetic.” Regulus has always used his disese as a ‘fun fact’ in every icebreaker. “See, easy. James?” Regulus says using the loudest voice he can manage.

“Yeah, I am James as Regulus said. I am 20 years old, but ill be turning 21 this summer, and I play for the varsity football team at my university.” James gives Regulus a nice smile.

“Me next!” Jordan raises his hand and Regulus has to retrain himself from rolling his eyes. “ I am Jordan, I am 7 going to turn 8, and my favourite football team is Manchester United!” Jordan finishes and James shakes his head. “What? Who do you root for?”

“Spain, obviously. They are the better team.” James says and him and Jordan start arguing. 

“You’re both wrong, can we move on?” Regulus interrupts. 

“What?! What is your team?” They both shout in unison, and suddenly a room full of football obcesed boys are staring at him. 

“Italy.” He shrugs and both of their mouths fall, they continue arguing. “Okay, okay! We have all summer to fight about it! Let us continue.”

All the boys introduce themselves. Charlie, Aaron, Walker, Carter, August, Oliver, Jack, Aspen, Finn, Theodore, Aiden, Jackson, and Leo. Finally, Eden, who looks horrified. 

“Im Eden, im 7, and my favourite team is Ferrari.” He mutters. 

“Finally, someone with taste in sports.” Regulus looks over to James and smiles. 

“You an F1 fan?”

“Of course, I grew up rich and Italian, we had season paddock passes to every race.” This sparks another conversation about sports, this time Formula One. Regulus doesnt say anything till he hears someone say something bad about Leclerc and then he joins with his opinions. James and Regulus are knee-deep in an argument about who has better strategy, Ferrari or McLaren (Regulus knows its McLaren, but he isnt going to admit that.) when he looks over to where Eden was. He see’s him and Jordan in an animated conversation about Norris’ win in Miami. Regulus smiles to himself.

“What are you smiling about, you’re so clearly wrong!” James asks confused with him head still in the argument. 

“Shut up, look.” Regulus points to Eden and Jordan. “He found his Barty.” Regulus giggles remembering being very confused when Barty walked up to him and started talking about something random. Now that he looks back it may have been about racing. 

“Awe, he still looks a little scared but I guess that doesnt change.” James chuckles and Regulus just rolls his eyes knowing what he means by that statement. Regulus checks his phone, 6:28, thank the lord. 

“Okay, guys, its time for dinner. We will take you to the mess hall but you can sit where ever you want, unless youre stupid on our way over there. If so than I will pick your seats. Got it?” Regulus keeps his stern voice as solid as he can, everyone nods, including James which Reg found funny. 

“Uh, yeah, great lets got!” James shouts and all the boys rush out behind them. “This is easy, we totally got this.” James leans down and whispers only to get a sceptical look from Regulus.

“It’s only day one. Just wait till they get homesick, and tired, and unsettled. These first couple of weeks are easy.” James sighs and they walk into the mess hall. The boys were loud but Regulus doesnt want to go to the work of pairing them so he doesnt say anything. They both sit at the large table in the front for concillers. There are already a few people there so they decide to just sit with Lily, Pandora, Marlene, and Dorcas. Reg’s eyes travel to Marlene a few times, she looks horrified as she sits there next to Cas. Regulus choses not to say anything ut notices Dorcas has a light blush to her face that isnt normally there. 

“Cassie, whats up?” He whispers to her causing her to jump a bit, but no one notices. 

“Nothing, why?” Her eyes go a bit wide and she looks at Marlene quickly.

“Is it Marlene? Did something happen? I know you dont like her but it cant be that bad.”

“This has nothing to do with her, why? Do you think there is?” She is paniced, her words are rushed and not her normal cool tone. What? Oh, oh. Regulus gets it now, and Cas see’s that because her eyes go wide and she turns away from him.

“No, look at me. You fancy her?” Reg tugs on her sleeve.

“Dont say fancy, we arent school children.” 

“So you do! What happened I though you hated her?”

“I dont want to talk about it right now.” She huffs and turns away. 

“Fine, but we will.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

“What are you two are two huffing about?” Lily looks between them as she sets down her plate. 

“Nothing, just Regulus being himself.” Dorcas sighs and takes a bit of her food. Regulus’ mouth falls open because his best friend just entirely threw him under the bus. 

“Stronzi.” he mutters.

“Hey, no cursing. Even in other languages.” Pandora points her fork at him then turns back to her conversation with Mary. Lily joins them and soon they are practically seperated from the rest of the table. Weird. 

“How’d it go with your kids?” Dorcas asks him and James.

“Good, James bullied a bunch of children about their football team.” Reg replies.

“Not my fault they were wrong.” James shrugs. “Hey, you yelled at a kid because he said something bad about Leclerc!”

“Not my fault they were wrong.” Regulus shrugs repeating James’ words. James scoffs but there is a small smile on his face.

“Is that all you boys talk about? Sports?” Cassie asks.

“Yep.” He and James both say.

“What were you guys talking about then?” James asks.

“The economic state of the Middle East.” Dorcas replies bluntly.

“Oh, get fucked.”

They finally got all the children to bed. As expected, Eden couldn’t sleep. He came up to them when they were resting by the campfire, embers slowing burning out. The heat was enough, and a kind break from the chill in the air. 

He didn’t just come up to all of them, he sought out Regulus in particular. They stepped to the side for a moment, Edens watery eyes glistened in the fire light. Regulus bent down slightly and carefully listened to the boys words. He nodded along and never broke eye contact. Regulus then came back and explained to James what happened.

Eden was homesick, he asked, very nervously, for someone to rub his back. Regulus simply smiled at the lad and had James come with them as to handle the other boys if they awoke. 

They walked him down to the cabin and Regulus helped him into bed. James watched the entire interaction intently; entirely hypnotised by the cite. Regulus was so gentle, his hands softly moving up and down, his voice quiet as he spoke about a painting he liked.

“Can you tell me about one?” Eden asks when Regulus tells him he is an art history major. Regulus nods, his hand never resting.

“Claude Monets Water Lilly drawings are famous for their beauty and technique. There were multiple pieces created that are now held around the world. He spent three decades painting them at his home in Normandy. They represent his full retreat into nature and the natural world, which is why most of his pieces surround the topic of nature and natural subjects. Monet liked the flower because he felt it connected man, garden, water, and sky. The paintings have a personal significance to the artist as it does to the art world.” 

Regulus’ voice is soft as he speaks, he possesses an airy French accent, with slight notes of the Italian land that he was born into. You can tell by the way he pronounced his soft ‘i’s, they draw out as a bold ‘e’ sound. James could listen to him speak for ages and he feels himself getting lolled to sleep as he watches. Eden is the same, his eyelids grow heavy and falls in on themselves. 

“Do you have a crush on Regulus?” He hears someone whisper in his ear, he jerks at the sudden sound and turns around. Jordan is sat up behind him with an idiotic grin crowding his face. 

“No, no. I am an adult we don’t get crushes.” James whispers.

“That isn’t a no, so you like like him, huh?” Jordan wiggles his eyebrows, James has never wanted to shove a child this much in his life.

“We are good friends.”

“Not a no.”

“Go to bed.” James rolls his eyes.

“You aren’t denying it.” Jordan sing songs.

“Close those eyes or I’ll do it for you.” James hisses. Jordan, unafraid as ever, smirks; making kissy faces and wrapping his arms around his own body. James lightly pushes his forehead and he falls back, head softly hitting the pillow as he giggles.

“Good night.” Regulus whispers. He gestures for James to follow. 

“Cute boy.” Regulus says when they step out.

“Jordan looks really chokable sometimes.” Regulus lets out a hearty laugh, his eyes close and his shoulder bounces. James’ heart skips a beat and his stomach feels light. He watches Regulus laugh, preserving everything his eyes lay upon. He suddenly feels frightened. He has never felt this feeling before, never read anything describing it, or heard someone speak of it.

He feels as if he is inventing something.

He wants to invent something, as long as it is with Regulus. 

“What?” Regulus lets out one last breathy laugh. 

“Nothing, love,” James whispers and he and Regulus stop walking. They are just looking at each other, neither of them says anything or breaks the link they have created. James wants to reach out and touch Regulus but fear paralyses him. James can feel the air hitting his skin, he can hear every breath escaping from them, the rise and fall of his chest, and the look in his eye; James can’t make out what it is, but Regulus looks as if he doesn’t know either.

They are inventing something together, slowly and ardently. 

“James,” Regulus whispers.

“My dearest,” James whispers in return. They both break the invisible contact when they hear someone call their names.

They return to the fire sitting at separate ends with their friends. Watching each other through the flames.