Regulus
“A date?”
Regulus felt James nod and heard his heart speed up a little. He could even smell the little blush painting his cheeks. Regulus pursed his lips, trying to keep himself from smiling. This afternoon had been good, better than good if he was honest. His blood. His touch. It had been heaven. They’d ended up in his room, in his bed, and he’d fallen asleep tangled around James.
Regulus had sort of assumed that’s all that would happen, that James would come to his senses and panic about his best friend and said best friends brother being vampires.
But that didn’t happen. He woke up to James still holding him, twirling his fingers through his hair. He hadn’t run away. Not only had he not run away, but when he noticed Regulus wake up, he pulled him closer, and requested they go out. Tonight.
“What makes you think I want to go on a date with you?”
James chuckled and propped himself up on one elbow and running a hand through his hair. It just made his hair messier, but he didn’t seem bothered by that. He just licked his lips and grinned, eyes shining like he’d just won some sort of prize. He then dropped his hand from his head, and let his fingers dance across Regulus’ chest, up his neck, to his cheek.
Fuck…
Regulus shivered and suddenly his own cheeks were turning red. James noticed, and his smil turned into a smirk.
“Think you can be ready in a few minutes?”
“I never said yes.”
James raised an eyebrow and gently rubbed his thumb against Regulus’ jaw. “Would you like to say no?”
Sirius is going to kill me…
Regulus swallowed and blinked slowly, breathing in. The air was thick was James’ scent. His sweet, delicious scent. How could he say no to that? When his eyes opened, he propped himself up on his elbows, bringing them even closer.
“Do I get to know where we’re going?”
James’ face lit up, his heart beating like crazy. He bit his lip and swung his legs over the side of the bed, yanking Regulus up with him.
“Nope,” he said happily, leaning down and planting a kiss on his forehead. “Just wear something you can comfortably walk around in.”
Before Regulus had a chance to protest, James was gone and the door was closed, leaving him alone blushing like crazy and grinning like a lovesick teenager. He was in so much trouble.
Regulus got dressed. Quickly throwing on a pair of jeans and a shirt, then pulled on a jumper to layer over the top. He didn’t get cold, but he didn’t know where they were going and humans would think it strange he wasn’t wearing one at this time of year after dark.
He glanced in the mirror and groaned, shaking his head as he spotted the red spots on his cheeks and his stupid smile. Of all the humans in the world, why did it have to be James? Why did James have to have such sweet blood? Why did James have to be so handsome? Why did James have to be so goddamn nice?
Sirius had given him two rules. Do not mess with his friends emotions and do not use them as blood bags. And what had he gone and done? Slept with and bitten his number one best friend.
He sighed and slipped on pair of shoes.
Sirius would forgive him… eventually.
Regulus opened his door and walked himself down the hallway, finding James already there, fiddling with his car keys. He was also in jeans, wearing a thick woollen jacket and sneakers. He looked good.
“Hi James.”
“Fuck!” James jumped, his heart beating rapidly, his face turning pink. “You scared the shit out of me!”
Regulus grinned. “I can hear that,” he muttered, stepping forward and letting his eyes dart down to James’ neck. “I can smell it too,” he added, almost laughing when James’ heart sped up a little more. Humans were so easy.
“Come on,” James opened the door and the car lights in the driveway flashed. “We’ve gotta hurry if we wanna make the… um… thing.”
“The thing?”
Regulus made his exit and James let the door slam shut behind them.
“Yes. The thing.”
“Is that all I’m getting?”
James chuckled, as he snuck around Regulus and opened up the passenger door, gesturing inside. Regulus sat down and the door closed the door. A second later James was climbing into the driver’s seat, grinning madly.
“Yep,” he said and started the engine.
Regulus rolled his eyes. Of course it was.
They didn’t drive for long, pulling up in a dimly lit parking lot in front of a…
“Ice skating?”
James nodded. “Ever done it?”
Regulus shook his head and stared at building. He’d never given it much thought, especially not in the context of… of a date… He swallowed and opened his door, stepping outside into the night. There weren’t many other cars, and no one else in the lot.
He heard James jump out too, his door shutting and the car locking.
“Well…” A warm hand slipped into his and started pulling him toward the building entrance. “After tonight you will have.”
Regulus bit his lip to try stop a smile from creeping onto his face, grateful the parking lot was so poorly lit as he felt a cool flush spread across his face. He hadn’t been on many dates before. Not ones like this anyway. He met men after dusk, then left them before dawn. Never got too close, never moved past casual.
James swung their arms as they walked, rambling on about everything and nothing. His pain in the ass anatomy lecturer Binns that talked too slow. His coursework that always took more hours to complete than expected. His plans for the upcoming break.
Usually, big talkers annoyed Regulus because they wanted him to participate in the conversation. They liked that he was quiet, but they wanted him to ooh and aah at their stories. To ask questions about their adventures. But James didn’t seem to expect that. Not bothered that he preferred to keep quiet.
It was… nice. James’ voice was smooth and soothing. It made everything he said sound better than it probably was. Regulus found himself drifting in and out of listening to the words and just listening to the tone. Hypnotized. So much so, that he didn’t notice when they entered the building. Or when James shifted his attention to the receptionist.
In fact, Regulus only tunned out when he felt a tug on his wrist and saw the receptionist, and James, staring at him expectantly. His face flushed and he cursed the lights for being so bright because there was no way it was going to go unnoticed this time.
The receptionist smirked slightly, likely entertained by a situation she’d seen before. “I was just asking what size you need. For the ice skates?”
“Oh um… eights… thanks…”
The receptionist nodded and walked out a back door behind the counter.
“Shut up or I’ll leave,” Regulus spat before James had a chance to comment.
James chuckled and slipped his hand from where it was intertwined with Regulus’ fingers, and around his waist. Holding him tightly and tipping his head down by his ear.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
Jesus Christ.
He spoke in a deep sultry tone that had no place in public. His warm breath brushed his cool skin, snaking down the back of his neck. His arm tensing slightly as if trying to make a point. A pointless point considering James wouldn’t realistically be able to do anything if Regulus decided he was done. But the confidence was enough to make Regulus forget that momentarily.
If his face wasn’t red before, it certainly was now.
The receptionist walked back in and dumped their skates on the counter. James reached out like nothing had happened and thanked her politely, while Regulus just snatched them from the table and avoided her very amused gaze.
Get it together
James led him into the seating room, where a few people were already sitting. Some slipping their skates on, others taking them off. They took the furthest bench away they could.
“I’m going to kill you,” he seethed as they sat down, and James finally let go of him and he regained the ability to speak. “I mean it. You won’t be having anymore nights after this one.”
His threat didn’t have the intended effect. James’ heart rate jumped a little and the air grew a little sweeter as his face gained a pinkish hue. Then he smirked, staring Regulus down as he kicked off his runners
“See, I know it’s mean to sound scary,” he started, sliding on his first skate. “But all I’m hearing is that you want to kill me after our date.”
Regulus balled his fists. That wasn’t… that… he didn’t mean…
“You gonna put those skates on or just sit there blushing all night?”
Regulus was very tempted to throw the skates at James’ head in that moment, but he resisted. Causing that much blood to spill wouldn’t be good for his human charade and he did not fancy dealing with witnesses.
He put on the skates.
When he was sure the laces were done up properly and wouldn’t cause a scene falling on his face, Regulus stood up and followed James out the exit. He barely noticed the temperature change, but as they stepped out into the rink room, James shivered. His breath coming out in a white puff.
He didn’t complain though, opening the gate that opened onto the rink and stepped onto the ice. He held out his hand and Regulus begrudgingly decided to take. As much as he wished otherwise, balance wasn’t one of the supernatural powers vampires were gifted with.
“You better not drop me,” he grumbled as he put one foot on the ice, instantly feeling the blade slipping. He threw his other arm forwards, grabbing James’ other wrist and gripping tightly as he brought his other foot down. He felt them sliding and gripped James even harder, leaning on him for support.
“Jeez you don’t have to death grip me,” James said and a pang of guilt stabbed Regulus in the stomach. He immediately loosened his fingers, pulling back and trying to stand up on his own.
“Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to-”
But his apologises were cut off by James, grabbing his flailing hands and chuckling.
“Reg, I’m fine. I was just pulling your leg.”
“Oh…”
James grinned and skated backwards, dragging Regulus further into the rink and out of the entrance way. Just like the car park had suggested, it was fairly empty. A couple of kids and a few people their age. No big crowd though. Thankfully.
He stopped himself a little way in, holding steady as Regulus crashed into him.
“Sorry,” he muttered, trying to push himself back a little, but his feet slipped. He grabbed James’ hands very tightly again, trying to stay up. He winced when he realised what he’d done and loosed his grip again.
“Sorry…” he said again automatically, causing James to laugh.
“You know for someone who wanted me dead a few minutes ago, you seem pretty worried about hurting me.” James yanked him back in, closing the gap Regulus had tried to make. He smirked and slipped his hands to Regulus’ waist. “It’s very cute.”
Regulus felt his stomach swoop and he looked away. Blushing. Again. Unable to think of something to say. Again. Humans were not meant to have this power. James was not meant to have this power.
“Hmm…” James hummed in very clear amusement. His fingers squeezed, thumbs gently rubbing across Regulus’ waist. “If your goal there was to make yourself seem less cute. You failed.”
Thump, thump, thump
Regulus swallowed, drawing in a breath that he immediately regretted. James was all he could smell. And he smelt good. Everything about him was good right now. That voice. Those words. Those hands. Regulus could feel his years of practiced self-control, flying out the window James had opened.
“Come on,” James said, the grin apparent in his voice alone. “Let’s get you a little more comfortable on the ice.”
James slid back, re-grabbing Regulus by the hands. He just about sighed with relief at the change in proximity. His body relaxing and his voice box regaining the ability to function.
“You have no idea what you’re doing to me,” he muttered as James started pulling his across the ice again.
“Oh? My bad…” James smirked as he-
“James!”
Regulus froze as he tried to keep his balance because James, the idiot, had let go of him. Left him for dead.
“Just relax. Stick out your arms to balance.”
“Help. Me.” Regulus growled.
“I am helping. You just said I was too tempting that close.”
“James, if you don’t come back right now I’m going to-”
“Bold words for a man struggling to stand upright.”
Regulus balled his fists.
“I think your forgetting what you’re on a date with.”
James gasped dramatically, putting his hand over his heart in very un-genuine fear.
"Shit... you're right... I'm so scared," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I need to keep my distance for safety..."
“Jamessss!”
James made zero attempt to move. Crossing his arms and grinning way too widely. Clearly enjoying the torture he was inflicting.
For fucks sake
Regulus took a deep breath and tried to slide one foot forward, but the moment he did his other foot started sliding in the opposite direction.
“Please,” he spat as he attempted to bring his feet back together but started wobbling and waving his arms about. “Please!”
"Promise not to kill me?" James quipped, his laughter echoing across the rink.
“James!”
“Alright,” James laughed and right as he was about to slip too far for recovery, James slid behind him and grabbed him by the hips, steadying him. “Better?”
“I didn’t promise you for a reason.”
“Oh?” James let go and-
“Fine! Okay. I promise.”
James returned his hands to Regulus’ hips and Regulus finally relaxed.
“You’re terrible at this,” he teased as he kept curling his arms around Regulus’ torso until their bodies pressed together. Chest to shoulders. Heart beating straight into his ears.
Thump, thump, thump
Regulus screwed up his eyes as the sound wormed its way into his head. Making the executive decision that breathing was not a good idea right now. Shit. This was torture. What was wrong with him? He felt like a child still learning how to control himself.
Thump, thump, thump
It was ridiculous. He’d been living with James for plenty of time to get used to him. He had gotten used to him. But it was like tasting had brought taken him back to square one. Less than square one. Fuck. He’d fed hours ago. Granted it hadn’t been much. He’d stopped far earlier than usual, a little nervous about how James would react. Boy, was he regretting that decision now.
Thump, thump, thump
“James…” his voice came out strained.
Thump, thump, thump
“James please…”
Thump, thump, thump
“Please I’m not…”
---
James
“Please I’m not…”
Regulus had gone stiff, and his voice was wrong. It sounded like he was… in pain? James tightened his arms, dropping his face lower, bringing it closer to-
“No stop…please...”
James paused, frowning.
“What’s wrong?” he breathed, and Regulus shuddered.
“I can’t… you’re too close… please…”
Suddenly it clicked what Regulus meant. Why he was in pain. Why he’d frozen up. It was the… vampire thing.
Shit.
James let go of Regulus and shuffled back slightly to give him some space. Just holding his hands to help keep him balanced. God. He hadn’t even thought about that. He was just… well Regulus had probably had more of a point than he’d given him credit for before.
He had sort of forgotten about the details associated with Regulus not being… human. Which he felt was justified considering he’d been informed that vampires were real, and he had two living in his house mere hours ago. He was still adjusting.
Not quickly enough though…
“Is that… Is that better?” he asked nervously, hoping it was. But Regulus shook his, shrinking on himself as he shivered.
“No.”
James could feel his heart beating out of his chest watching Regulus struggle, and cursed himself for it knowing that was likely part of the problem.
“What can I do?”
“I don’t… I don’t know…”
James swallowed. He was not qualified for this.
“Do you want to get off the ice?”
Regulus nodded and James jumped into action, dragging Regulus back to the gate doing his best to limit how close they were. As they moved, Regulus tightened his grip and unlike before when he’d joked, he winced. He was grateful Regulus didn’t notice. It wasn’t his fault.
They reached the exit and Regulus jumped off the ice, darting through the doors. James followed as quickly as he could, finding Regulus already seated and struggling to unlace his skates. His face tight and jaw tight. Fingers shaking.
Guilt twisted in James’ stomach.
Without thinking he sat down too, undoing his laces as quickly as he could. He had one off in an instant. The other coming moments later, dropping them on the floor in front of him. He glanced to his side to see Regulus no further along.
“Do you want me to help?”
He was half expecting a no, but Regulus nodded. He yanked his hands up and pressed them together, keeping his face trained on the floor. When James knelt down in front of him, he realised why. His eyes were red.
“I’m so sorry,” he breathed, trying to work quickly.
“It’s not your fault,” Regulus whispered back.
The laces loosened and James pulled off the first skate. He dumped it beside him before pulling the second free. He thought he was home free, but then James fucked up. Really, really badly. In his haste, he reached down and grabbed for the first skate, without looking where he was putting his fingers.
Oh fuck…
Pain shot across his palm, and he watched as Regulus eyes were shrouded in shadow.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
“Reg?”
Regulus didn’t move.
James shot a glance up the hall. They weren’t alone. There was a whole group of people at the end. None have them had even started putting their skates on. A warm, wet sensation dripped down his fingers and James took in a shaky breath. Fuck. He’d fucked. God. What had he done.
I have to give him more space
James stood up to-
“Aghhh,” James gasped, wincing as Regulus grabbed his hand, gripping the wound tightly and stopping him from getting up. It hurt. Fuck.
“Reg,” he hissed, trying to keep his voice as low as pain would permit. “You have to snap out of it. We aren’t alone.”
If Regulus heard him, he didn’t show it. His hand remaining stiff and strong, unmoving as James tried to wrench his free. He grimaced as it throbbed. He wasn’t sure if the sick feeling twisting around his stomach was from the wound or the fact, he didn’t know what Regulus was about to do next.
Not for himself, but for the other people in the room. He trusted Regulus. Maybe he shouldn’t. Maybe that trust was misplaced. But he did. What he was worried about, was what Regulus would have to do if these people saw him attack…
James frantically looked around, trying to figure something out. There were only two exits. There only two-
That’ll have to do
“Reg, listen. We have to go to the change rooms. It’s just behind us. You’ve gotta get up.”
Regulus still didn’t move and shadows were now cracking down his face. James didn’t know what that meant exactly, but there was no way it was good.
He grabbed Regulus’ other hand and tried to drag him up, but Regulus wouldn’t budge and he gasped sharply as he felt the cut opening under Regulus’ skin.
“Hey, you boys alright down there?”
Fuck. Come on Reg.
James forced himself to smile and nodded down at whoever had just spoken.
“Yep. We’re good.”
James dropped back down, straddling to bench to try hide Regulus from view.
“Regulus,” he whispered. “Please.”
But still Regulus didn’t move. He didn’t do anything.
“Are you sure mate?”
Jesus Christ
“Yes,” he replied, painfully aware that his voice was edging into panic. “We’re fine.”
What do I do. What the fuck do I do.
He glanced around the room again. Trying to think of something. Anything.
“Alright then,” the man said again, clearly not believing him. James could feel his entire groups eyes on his back. For the first time in his life, he was really hoping it was because two blokes were holding hands.
James looked down at his hand and cringed. There was so much blood. Then, he had a really stupid idea. One that he was not at all sure would work, but at this point, what could he do? He was fairly certain that Regulus was a ticking time bomb right now. Doing nothing would only lead to one thing.
James drew back his other hand and dropped it on top of his blooded one. Covering his fingers in his own blood.
Fuck it I guess
He had no idea what he was hoping might happen, but he was praying it was good.
James screwed up his face and lifted his hand.
Here we go
He smeared his bloodied fingers across his lips. Painting them red. Licking his lips and adding more. Trying to get the taste all through his mouth. This had to work.
James dropped his hand and slipped it across Regulus’ abdomen. He took a deep breath.
Please work
He leaned forward, and pressed their lips together.
Please do something
It wasn’t much of kiss. Regulus was like a statue, cold and unmoving, not responding to anything James was doing. At first anyway, because after a few seconds passed, Regulus did move. His lips parted and he kissed back. Quickly. Aggressively. Painfully…
“Reg, we have to-”
He started, but he was cut off by a sharp prick in his bottom lip. Blood filled his mouth. Regulus kissed harder. His hand on James’ wounded one gripping so hard that James fought not to make a sound.
I guess it half worked…
But half working wasn’t an option. He didn’t know if kissing would keep him satisfied or if he’d start drifting lower.
“Regulus,” he breathed. “There are people watching. We have to move.”
Nothing happened.
Come on, think
He could try pulling back, but he didn’t know how Regulus would react to that. He could try dragging him up again but he doubted that would be any more successful than before. Maybe he could-
Maybe that could work
Regulus was barely moving, and he was trying to get him to move. Maybe he could move him. The blood from his lips would hopefully be distracting him enough to stop him resisting the move.
Worth a shot
James slipped his free hand under Regulus’ knees and hoped that he his grip on his hand would be enough to hold him up. It was going to hurt. He braced for the pain.
Good thing he’s short
He tensed and lifted. It was awkward. Not at all comfortable. And incredibly painful. But as he reached his feet, he was relieved to find that Regulus wasn’t making any attempt to stop him.
He heard a few whispers behind him and a couple of comments about getting a room. And honestly? He couldn’t agree with that last statement anymore.
James darted across the room and barged into through change room door, locking it behind him. His arm slipped out from Regulus’ knees, and he landed on his feet. Right as Regulus went for James’ neck.
It, unlike his hand, didn’t hurt at all. In fact, after a few seconds, James entered the same blissed out state he’d experienced a few hours ago. He finally relaxed. It was heaven.
Slowly, or quickly, James wasn’t a clock, Regulus’ lips got warmer. His grip on his hand weakened. His desperate gulps got calmer. The blood lust had eased.
“Reg?” he tried, and the moment the name left his lips, the lips on his neck stopped moving. Followed instantly by Regulus jumping back and his eyes snapping open, wide in horror. But they were grey at least. Normal. He was back.
James sighed with relief, realising afterwards that had probably send the wrong message.
“Shit. Shit James. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. Fuck. I’m so-”
“Reg it’s-”
“Oh god. I’m so fucking sorry. I swear that wasn’t-”
“Regulus I’m not-”
“James, I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve-”
“Reg, stop!”
Regulus’ jaw snapped shut, but the guilty look didn’t leave his face and he took another step back. Looking James up and down, shaking his head.
“Regulus. I’m fine. Are you okay?”
Regulus looked down at his feet, taking another step back.
“I’m so sorry…”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
James shook his head and stepped forward.
“It does matter.”
Regulus stepped back again, but the change room wasn’t that big, and he hit the wall. James kept coming closing.
“What happened? Was it me? Did I do something?”
“No it… it happens sometimes with…” Regulus paused, and James noticed his face going bright red. He came closer again. Almost within reaching distance again.
“With what?” he asked. He needed to know so he didn’t fuck up again. Regulus wasn’t so keen on sharing though, keeping his lips pressed tightly together and shaking his head.
“Regulus please… what did I do?”
Regulus drew in a breath, then buried his face in his hands. He mumbled something, but James couldn’t make it out.
“I can’t hear you… please…”
He was close enough to reach out to him now. He hesitated though. What if that was the trigger? He waited instead.
“Reg…”
Regulus sighed and dropped his hands but kept his face on the floor. He breathed in again.
“Increased blood lust… it happens when… well… Sirius went through it for a period… with… Remus…”
James was instantly aware of his face growing ten shades darker and warming up by several degrees.
“Wait so… does that mean you…”
Regulus groaned.
“Yes… It means… that I-”
“-that you like me?”
Regulus didn’t have to confirm it with words, because as James finished the sentence for him, he looked up and his cheeks were so red that it looked like someone had painted them. Something exploded in his chest and sparks shot out through every part of his body.
Regulus liked him. Regulus liked him back. For real. Not just him overanalysing and convincing himself of it. He said it before he even thought it.
“Please, can I kiss you?”
Regulus faltered.
“You still want to? Even after I just-”
James nodded. Maybe a little more enthusiastically than necessary.
“Yes. Please.”
Maybe he should have been asking Regulus to heal his hand, like he’d done his finger earlier. Maybe he should have been more worried about whether this increased bloodlust thing was a phase or permanent. Maybe he should have been more concerned about the audience they’d just left outside.
He wasn’t though. He just wanted Regulus.
“Please. Can I kiss you? I really want to.”
Regulus paused for a moment. His head tilting slightly, eyes staring at his chest like he was trying to figure something out. Whatever it was, he must have figured it out though, because their lips were together a minute later.