Fresh open Summer
The rest of the night had gone by fairly quickly, James and Regulus had continued walking around the grounds, they talked about a few things, and Regulus was not going to deny that there was a new and comfortable air between them. It was nice and Regulus had never felt happier.
The two of them had eventually made it back to the hall, where they saw Sirius and Remus, they were standing outside the door, and the two were obviously drunk. Regulus had to roll his eyes. He couldn't believe that the two of them had been out here the whole time and did not say anything.
"You two have fun," Sirius teased.
"you know it's not like that." James told him,
Sirius smiled at him, "sure it isn't."
Regulus could not believe how insufferable his brother was, and how obvious the two of them were. And yet, no one seemed to notice or care. or if they did they did not comment on it.
Regulus assumed that maybe they did not mind it. and that made him happy, to know that there was a place in society where he did not have to hide. where he did not have to perform and be perfect.
"You two are so stupid."
"you love us" Remus chimed in,
"Sure." Regulus rolled his eyes.
Regulus watched his brother and his soon to be brother-in -law stumble through the door of the carriage, it was clearly time for them to leave. He turned to James once more. the boy smiled and leaned in and gave him a kiss on the forehead, it was a gentle and light touch, and it sent shivers down his spine.
"I'll see you next week?" James asked him.
"next week" regulus repeated.
The two of them had a small conversation about plans, James would be visiting Sirius and Regulus the following friday. The two of them had a few fencing matches planned, and they were going to go on a ride, and have lunch together and Regulus was not ashamed to say he was looking forward to it.
he watched as James got into his own carriage and left.
Regulus made his way into his own, where Remus and Sirius were laying all over each other. drunk and in love, "can you two stay off of each other until we get home or do i need to wait for another carriage to come for me?" Regulus asked the two.
"Oh shut up." Sirius told him.
Remus sat up straight and laughed, and Regulus was not surprised that the man was not embarrassed or upset. Remus was a happy drunk and Sirius was a giggly drunk. it was quite the sight, and Regulus was glad he was there to witness it. The ride back was a fairly quick one, and once they arrived back at the house. Regulus helped the two up the stairs and into his brother's room. He was sure neither of the two of them would be awake for breakfast in the morning.
and while Remus would need his hangover tea. Regulus would take care of that tomorrow, right now he just needed to get them into bed and let them rest.
After he made sure they were no longer his problem, Regulus made his way back to his room. he took off his clothes, and changed into his sleepwear. he got under his covers and he couldn't help but smile, the memory of the night was still fresh in his mind, and he knew it was going to take a while to get the butterflies out of his stomach.
But he would see him again soon.
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A week went by, and Regulus was not sure where the time had gone. but he was glad for it. the days were long, and the nights were short. and the next thing he knew James was at his door. The maid had alerted him of James' presence when he had arrived, Regulus was sure he was going to go see Sirius first so he walked his way over to the drawing room and let her know for James to meet him there whenever he was ready.
It was only a few moments after when the man arrived.
He smiled, his face bright and cheery. His hair was a bit shorter than last time, and his clothes were a little more fancy, not something Regulus had ever seen the man wear, but it fit him nicely.
"Good afternoon," he said, putting down his book and standing up to greet the older man.
"good afternoon Reg" James reached out his hand, Regulus looked at it in confusion for a second before placing his hand in the others, expecting a hand shake but thinking that was odd for the two of them now. James instead pulled him in close and hugged him, Regulus stayed in the embrace for a few seconds before pulling away, he smiled up at the man.
"You look very handsome today." James commented,
"Thank you, I suppose."
James smiled.
"How was your trip?"
"long, i'm glad to finally be here, i'm not used to riding alone."
Regulus looked at him, "but you always attend balls alone, or at least i never see you there with anyone, I didn't think that your mother liked to attend balls anymore" Regulus remembered James's parents, they had never been the biggest fans of the Blacks, and were always on the lookout for a new marriage match for their son. and Regulus was sure his mother would not approve of him, nor would she accept him as a match for James, no matter now.
It seemed that Sirius had melted their hearts, Regulus remembered Sirius saying Fleamont thought of him as a son before he died.
"I don't know, my mother does not mind me being alone at these events, but i just, i like being with people, and it gets lonely, and the only people that are there are looking for a husband or a wife, and the women are too much, and the men are to little" James told him.
"you think i'm too little ? " Regulus asked him.
James shook his head "No reg. you, you're perfect, Wild, Mean, Proper, Pretty, Intelligent, you're nothing like the rest of them. " The taller man brought his hand up to regulus face and caressed down his cheek. "I could never think of you like i think about them, you and your brother, i adore you both so much. but it's different with you than Sirius. Sirius is my brother, but you Regulus Arcturus, well I would suppose you are like my Flower, something I want to study and know, to hold dear. to treasure and cherish. and keep safe.``
"a flower" Regulus repeated.
"Yes"
"why a flower"
"because your beautiful"
Regulus looked up at him, their eye meeting, the room was quiet.
"And is that all you think of me?" he asked him.
James chuckled, "if you want to know what I think about you Regulus, we'd be here for centuries to come. i could talk about every curve of your face, and curl of your hair. the darkness of your eyes, as well as the parts i can only dream about knowing" James pulled his face closer and leaned down so there lips were inches apart.
Regulus closed his eyes, waiting, but nothing happened. He opened his eyes, and saw James's face still there, their eye contact unbroken. "I've dreamt of nothing else, since the day you walked into the greenhouse with me. there was no doubt in my mind after that" he whispered to him.
"Me too" Regulus replied.
James moved a stray piece of hair out of the boys face, Regulus felt the touch, and his breath hitched, James looked down at his lips, and Regulus waited, this time their lips met, the kiss was not as slow or as soft as it was the first time, James put a hand around his waist, and pulled him closer, their bodies pressed against each other, James ran a hand down his back.
Regulus had never been touched like this, and he had never kissed anyone like this. He was not sure how far to take this, or if he should. James's hands had found their way under his shirt, and Regulus could feel the man's hand on his skin even if it was through layers of clothes, the touch was hot, and it was burning him. James snaked his hand under his shirt and ran his thumb over his lower stomach, and Regulus let out a gasp. James pulled his lips away and looked at him, his eyes dark, and filled with something that Regulus did not know.
"Say the word and we will, and Say the word and we won't Regulus' ' James told him.
Regulus shook his head, "I'm not ready."
James nodded, and placed his hands back at his sides, Regulus looked at him, his cheeks were flushed and his breath was heavy, James's was the same, the two of them stayed in the embrace for a few seconds, trying to calm themselves down.
"Would you like to take a walk with me?"
"Yes," Regulus said.
the two of them walked outside, and started walking through the garden. there were a few others, the staff mostly. None of them paid much mind to the two walking together. Regulus had to suppress a chuckle when the thought reached him. He thought about if he was with his family, they would've thought this to be scandalous walking with another unsupervised. Especially since James Potter was not someone they would approve of him marrying, and his mother would be disgusted if she saw her son being held by another man of his status.
"What is so funny?" James asked.
"Nothing."
James nodded and let it go.
The two of them continued walking until they found a bench. they sat down, James put an arm around his shoulders, and they were both content sitting in the silence. The air was still, and the world was still turning, the grass was green, and the trees were blooming. It was a beautiful day, and the sky was a perfect blue, the sun shining down on them.
"I would like to ask you something." James said.
"And what would that be?"
"well. Remus's wedding is coming up, and I was wondering if you would accompany me. I know it's sudden, but I don't think it will be anything big, and we won't have to dance, or be too public about it. and if you don't want to, it's fine. but I'd love to have you with me. if you would allow it."
"oh course i would james."
"I'm glad, I would hate to go alone, and have to deal with Sirius and Remus, they're insufferable."
"you're one to talk to."
James laughed, Regulus rolled his eyes.
The rest of the afternoon was spent talking and enjoying each other's company, and eventually Regulus had to go back inside, him and James had to go their separate ways. But Regulus couldn't wait to see him again.and the two of them planned on seeing each other more and more often.
It had been a few weeks since Regulus and James had begun unofficially courting, and while there wasn't a set name for it. Regulus would be lying if he said it did not excite him. He was not sure what to call it, and while he knew he wanted to be with James. there were still a lot of things the two of them had to figure out.
James had come to the house a few times a week, and while his brother had a feeling the two were seeing each other. Neither of them had confirmed nor denied anything. and there was not any proof. and saying it out loud made it feel all too real to him. and he was not sure if he was ready for that yet.
So in the coming days he chose to focus on helping him and Remus get ready for the wedding. It was a few days away now, and it was not going to be a big event, they had agreed to hold the ceremony at the hall, and have a small dinner party afterwards. and there would not be a ball, the only guest invited were their friends. Though if he was being completely honest he knew that Remus and Sirius would be eager to get away from their guest and back into their bedchamber which would now be shared without lying. He knew that Sirius barely set foot in "his" room. and he could understand why, the two of them would be happy, and the rest of the people could not take away that happiness.
He was proud of his brother.