i wanted to be your man (i wanted to be the one you could understand)
The tension in the air was palpable as James trailed behind Regulus, his voice filled with desperation.
"Regulus, please," he called out, trying to close the gap between them. "Please just talk to me."
Regulus' grip on Evan tightened as he quickened his pace, trying to put more distance between himself and the boy behind him. He couldn't bring himself to speak. He wouldn't.
The heavy weight of the dark mark on his arm was a constant reminder of what he had become, a stain that made him feel unworthy. He knew that once James saw it, everything between them would be over. The thought twisted in his chest like a knife.
“Please,” James’ voice broke, as if every word was a plea from his soul. “Have I done something wrong?”
The words struck Regulus like a blow. How could James, someone who always seemed so perfect, so untouchable, think that he had done something wrong?
Regulus came to an abrupt stop, causing Evan to nearly trip over his own feet.
The world seemed to freeze for a moment as Regulus turned slowly to face James. His mouth opened, but the words caught in his throat, stuck behind a wall of fear and shame.
"Potter—" he began, but the words felt wrong, hollow.
He was blinded by his sun,he shone immensely,making everything seem insignificant.
The world blurred at the edges as dizziness overwhelmed him. Before he could say anything more, Regulus felt his body betray him. His vision tunneled, the sun's rays becoming blinding white streaks across his vision. His eyes rolled back as he collapsed, his body convulsing violently. Barty and Evan barely managed to catch his frail, shaking form before he hit the ground.
.
.
.
.
Regulus slowly drifted back into consciousness, the world around him coming into focus. The hallway's familiar stone walls and the bright sun overhead felt surreal, almost as if he were in a dream.
But the warmth that enveloped him was all too real.
He blinked, disoriented, and then realized that James Potter was holding him tightly, as if he feared Regulus might vanish at any moment.
“James,” Regulus whispered, his voice barely audible, still heavy with exhaustion.
“Don’t talk,” James instructed, his voice trembling slightly, though there was a firmness in his tone that brooked no argument. “Barty went to get help.”
Regulus wanted to argue, to push James away and put up his usual walls, but something about the way James held him made it impossible. The warmth from James' embrace contrasted starkly with the cold that had settled deep within Regulus, a chill that refused to leave no matter how many layers he wore. He hesitated, then let himself lean into James, craving the warmth and the comfort that came with it, no matter how temporary it might be.
“Let go,” Regulus murmured, trying to sound firm and resolute, though his voice faltered. “I’ll be fine.”
But James didn’t budge. He stayed exactly where he was, ignoring the half-hearted protest. His arms remained around Regulus, strong and steady, and those hazel eyes, filled with an unshakeable calm, bore into him, radiating a sense of peace even in the midst of chaos.
For once, Regulus didn’t fight it. He let himself stay in the warmth of James’ presence, even if just for a little longer.