At 12 Grimmauld Place everyone could feel the depression of the war weighing heavily on the members of the order.
Most days were spent trying to come up with a plan against the death eaters and trying not to lose hope after hearing of the death or disappearance of close friends and distant family members.
That is why they had to cling to whatever glimpse of hope and diversion from their dark reality they could get.
Thankfully, the upcoming camping trip to watch the big quidditch game between Brazil and Ireland provides said distraction from mournful events.
James is once again going over the information they have gathered after the Longbottoms entered the death eaters’ headquarters and gave their lives to provide intel on people at the ministry who are under the control of the dark lord.
Although they have made progress thanks to the Longbottoms' bravery, James cannot fight the guilt knowing that their death just about got them a slight advantage and will not be the last sacrifice before this war can finally find its end.
As he is lost in thoughts and trying not to remember every name that has been called out as missing or dead on the radio only today, Remus slyly enters the room with a slight smirk on his face. Waiting for James to return to reality and notice the for Remus very unnaturally happy stride, he walks around the table James is sitting at and leans against a tall bookcase.
“I’m getting the sense that you’re a little excited about something. But I’m going to need you to use your words. From the way you’re smiling I’d think all our enemies have dropped dead. That, or you were just offered a lifetime supply of chocolate.”
Remus smiles shortly but decides to no longer keep the news to himself.
“I heard from Lily, who heard from Mary who heard from Marlene who heard from Dorcas who heard from Evan who heard from Pandora that Florence fancies you.”
After trying to follow the events between every interaction that transpired to get the news to travel this far, James simply gives up on analyzing the process and it dawns on him what Remus was actually trying to say.
“And she was planning to ask you to stay in a tent together at the game.”
“Well, if Lily said so it must be true.” James nervously chuckles trying to hide the fact that he does not know how to feel about this or rather why he cannot bring himself to feel happy or even flattered by the news.
Remus only observes James quietly which causes him to ramble on to keep up the appearance that there were no mixed and confusing feelings bothering him. “Well at least now you and Sirius can share the tent and I’ll be gone and Pete already said he’s not going to come with us so you have the tent to yourselves.
Which obviously is way better than me third-wheeling and annoying you guys all weekend. But also, obviously, Florence is, ah, uhm, great and we’ll have fun” James chuckles nervously and winks at Remus before snapping out of it as soon as he realizes that this is not something he’d say to Remus and lamely adds “if you know what I mean, eh?”
Remus remains completely calm just observing James for a couple more seconds before he leaves the room silently again only turning around after he’s already passed the doorframe coming to a halt and looking deep into James’ eyes.
“We’re leaving at eight tomorrow so it would be best if you started packing your things now.”
James only replies by forcing a slight smile and finally losing up a bit, having processed the shock that had overcome him just moments ago slowly.
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James was packing clothes and most things he could find in his makeshift room at the order into an old leather bag.
After deciding on a couple of flannels, two pairs of jeans, and all the fan articles for the Brazilian national quidditch team he could find, he stands in front of the mirror holding up a blue dress shirt that immediately gets thrown onto the bed when he compares it to the maroon shirt.
That one gets the knowing and charming glance and a wink to his own reflection before packing it into the bag.
Before he can register what is happening a hand is covering his mouth pulling him back and making him lose balance before pulling him back against a chest.
The reflection in the mirror shows a surprised James Potter in the capturing grip of none other than Regulus Black holding his wand to the other man’s temple.
Both breathing heavily James struggles to acclimate his senses to what had just happened.
Partly because he was ambushed at the headquarters of the Order, a considerably safe place, but mainly because his body was pressed up to Regulus Black.
He could feel his chest, smell his hair, and feel his palm pressed up to his lips.
His senses were blinded and he couldn’t decide if the pounding he was hearing was the beating of his own heart inside his chest or the one of the cheast he was pressed against.
James looks back up into the reflection but before Regulus can meet his eye the attacker pulls his eyes away and turns them away from the mirror. In the heat of the moment and the panic of the movement, Regulus knocks over a Lamp sitting at the very edge of the dresser.
It lands on the floor with a loud noise the shards of the lightbulb spreading all across the bedroom.
“Don’t say anything, understand!” Regulus growls under his breath directly into James’ ear. James can feel the vibrations of his vocal cords and feel the heavy breath at the nape of his neck.
From outside the room Sirius’ voice asks “Is everything okay in there, mate?”.
Regulus whispers directly into James’ ear “You better say ‘yes’ or you’ll never say anything again.”
This time at the last syllable James is sure he felt Regulus’ lip slightly graze his ear and a shiver walks down his spine.
As if electrocuted by the idea of touch alone.
James tries to find his way out of the sensations overcoming him and grounds out a relatively normal sounding “Yeah, everything’s fine”.
As Sirius’ footsteps can be heard walking down the stairs, they both hold their breaths.
This gives James time to gain conciseness again and as soon as he decides that Sirius must be out of earshot he frees himself out of the compromising and first and foremost very distracting grip.
James now stands with his arms crossed in the middle of the room opposite Regulus Black, who is pointing his wand straight at his chest, panting.
A smirk plays over Regulus’ lips and he simply states “Maroon, not as flattering on you as you think it is.”.
James, apparently completely delirious and confused can’t help but return the playful attitude with his mouth betrayingly twisting into a smile and teasing “What, did you crawl out of a hole to insult me?”.
“No.” Regulus admits. “I didn’t come here to insult you.”. He steps closer but never lowering his wand that is still set directly on his chest over his heart.
“I came here to kill you.” he informs him and adds an especially devious sounding “Darling” at the end finally meeting James’ searching eyes and widening his wicked smile.
At that James tries his best to keep his breathing steady and stand up straight but the endearment causes his heart to make a big jump and he has to swallow down the lump that is building in his throat.
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A couple minutes later James has set down on the bed and Regules is still standing opposite him pointing his wand directly at him in a threatening manner.
James however seems completely unbothered by the fact that his enemy could end his life any second and instead decides to satisfy his curiosity.
“So, did you actually come here to kill me because you found out I was going camping with Florence? Because really, it’s more of a group thing and I was honestly surprised she even asked me. Because she has many options and is pretty outgoing. Which now that I think about it might not work because we’re both pretty outgoing so I guess that could be an overload. Or maybe we’ll make a power couple. What do you think, Reggie?” James teasingly looks up at Regulus whose face has gained in anger ever since James started talking and whose grip on his wand had become firmer.
“Are you trying to make me hex you?” Regulus asks with a strangled voice and a brutal glaring in his eyes that only makes James seem to relax even more.
James smirks and throws a charming smile at Regulus, admitting “It would speed up the process.”.
“Oh, don’t you worry, I’m going to do it.” Regulus says trying to keep his voice from shaking and succeeding, but only to the untrained eye.
James however snorts and lets out a short laugh before throwing a “Okay” back, that is seeping in irony.
“I am” Regulus tries again, this time his voice is louder and he sounds surer of himself. But James realizes who he is actually trying to fool with his words.
A little high on adrenaline and because his ego does not want to give in, he offers a condescending “Whatever.” and gets up from his seat at the desk to roam around the room parading the fact that he does not believe to be in any kind of compromising situation and also making Regulus follow his every movement with his wand through the bedroom.
Regulus voice is now clearly compressed and the hatred in his tone is dripping with disgust. “I am going to hex you. I am going to end your life and stop whatever the Order is planning. I was chosen to do this. I must comply.”
James now feeling bold is walking up to the enemy slowly and doesn’t stop when he meets Regulus’ wand. Instead pushing it together with Regulus back till his back hits the wall.
James leans in as closely as possible with the wand still in front of Regulus’ body and bends down slightly so that his mouth is right next to Regulus’ ear.
With a slightly raspy voice, he breathes into Regulus’ ear and he can feel the hairs on his neck stand but.
”Do you want me to do it for you?” James asks and before Regulus can get his senses to recalibrate and breathe out, James has already pulled back and put a decent distance between them making Regulus yearn for the closeness and feel sent from heaven to hell causing him to be notoriously short of breath.
Regulus overcomes a sort of nausea that he tries to tell himself is a cause of that cursed building or the fact that someone as revolting as James fucking Potter is sharing the same air as him.
He stammers out a “N-no!” before breaking down and realizing his pathetic fate.
“I can’t do this.” he regrettably admits and immediately lowers his wand, turning away from his target to avoid the look of satisfaction.
James lightly chuckles and gloats “Well, I told you that like half an hour ago.”
Regulus hates the way that James’ laugh not only makes him want to return his wand to his former position and wipe that smirk off his face but also tugs at his heartstrings and makes his insides feel queasy and entirely not right for his body.
“You don’t understand! If I don’t kill you, he will. You’ll all die anyway; the war can only be won by one side at this point. But you-.” He stops himself.
Nothing good comes from trying to pretend that what he is trying to convey matters because it doesn’t.
Instead he says ”If I don’t kill you, they’ll kill me.”.
James who still hasn’t caught up to Regulus’ seriousness teasingly jokes “Are they? Are they really? Or are they just going to come to my room and talk about doing it?”.
Regulus’ anger returns and he is almost screaming not stepping closer to James again.
“This isn’t a game, Potter. The dark lord will send someone who is going to eliminate both of us. And they won’t think twice about going through with it.” James can now clearly hear the desperation and worry in Regulus’ voice.
His smile fades his posture stiffens and with genuine concern he gets up and checks if someone might’ve passed by his room and overheard them by pressing his ear up to the door before turning back to Regulus.
He now steps up to him. Their bodies are close but in no capacity touching just standing at a slight distance that made it seem far too close but unbelievably far away at the same time.
James sighs and truthfully admits “I gotta be honest, Reggie. I feel like our relationship is really messed up.”
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James is in the kitchen getting water from the tap already on his way up when he meets Remus at the bottom of the stairs.
He tries to act as natural as possible and smiles before dismissing him.
Remus however turns to him and asks “Did you pack your stuff yet. Some of Sirius’ clothes don’t fit and he wanted me to ask you if you have some space for him left. James had completely forgotten about the trip. But he had other things to worry about than a silly quidditch game and a camping adventure with friends.
“Oh, I don’t think I can come, sorry. But he can have my bag if that helps?” James tries to smoothly get past Remus.
But his friend is obviously confused and his face shifts to an expression of worry.
“Are you sick or something? Why would you not want to come on the trip? There’s quidditch and girls. Two of your favorite things.” James only manages a shy smile which makes Remus even more suspicious.
“Yeah, well, what can I say? Just not feeling it, I guess. But drink a beer for me, will ya?” James tries to joke and uses the opportunity while Ramus is too bewildered by the apparent change in character of one of his best mates to get past him and run up the stairs in a hurry.
Remus a second later snapping back to reality and definitely having realized that James is hiding something runs after him. The door to his bedroom is locked.
“James, have you stripped naked in the millisecond it took for me to run after you or is there any other particular reason you would lock your door.”
James panics inside his room staring at Regulus who is similarly freaking out about Remus having caught onto them.
James without thinking starts to undress, ripping his t-shirt sloppily over his head. The clacking of his belt opening fast and in the same motion as he pulls down his pants.
Meanwhile, Remus is outside pulling his wand from his pocket and unlocking the door with a couple of handy tricks Lily has shown him.
Although the whole spectacle goes down in a matter of seconds, in Regulus’ mind every one of James’ movements was performed in slow motion. He sees James pull up his shirt and It’s as if his brain was dipped in honey.
Sweetly and slowly processing James’ hipbones being revealed and seeing the muscles on his back move slowly with the action of pulling the shirt over one arm and then the other.
Then he turns around and is greeted by perfectly trained abs and a beautifully tan chest.
A brought chest heaving from running up the stairs and the slow sounds of huffing.
The clacking of the belt pulls his attention away from James’ upper body to focus on the rest of the skin of his hips being revealed and he needs to draw in a deep breath before the danger of fainting from this image alone becomes too great.
James pulls down his pants and reveals strong thighs and notoriously trained calves.
James is a sight to behold.
Regulus cannot pull his eyes away and seems to be paralyzed by a certain state of shock.
James who was busy undressing is only now realizing that instead of using the time wisely and hiding from Remus who is going to appear in this room any second, he is just standing there completely still not moving a muscle.
Before James can even comprehend what must’ve caused his state, he hears the first clack of the door. He pushes Regulus into the closet hastily and closes the door just in time for the third click and an annoyed Remus who bolts through the door.
James, the actor and prankster he is, holds his hands up to cover his chest area, as if the boys hadn’t changed in front of each other their whole adolescence and acts ashamed.
“Oh, Remus. Why did you follow me? I thought I locked the door, you know I’m changing right now and-“ Remus however can call James’ bullshit from miles away.
"Cut the crap, Prongs. You don’t care if people see you change. Stop trying to change the subject. Why don’t you want to come on the trip anymore. Does it have something to do with Florence? I didn’t want to force her on you if that’s what’s bothering you.”
James stands up straight and lets out an exhausted breath. “No, yeah. That’s exactly it. I just don’t know if I’m really feeling her. And I don’t want to bother you and Pads. It’s just maybe not a good idea-“.
Remus immediately softens.
”Okay. No problem. But you could’ve just said so. I didn’t want to say anything earlier but I could tell in your face that you haven’t moved on. I just wanted you to have a bit of fun and loosen up a bit and thought the news with Florence could cheer you up. But I know you’re still hung up on” he pauses shorty and finishes after he’s let out a sigh “him.”
James tilts his head up and looks at Remus as if he caught something deep within him that was buried.
Since James can’t bring himself to say anything, Remus goes on “I’m sorry if I was overstepping. Just Florence was the first person that caught your interest after that nightmare Regulus Black. Do you remember how broken hearted you were?”
James now shifts nervously and trys to play it cool. “Well, I wouldn’t say broken hearted. I think that’s a little bit extreme.”
James has now backed up to the door to his closet keeping a strong hand behind his back on the handle pressing back against it and making sure that nobody could unwantedly join their conversation.
Remus seems pretty confused at that assessment and counters “You cried for weeks. You were all ‘He’s good but he’s bad but he’s good and he has such beautiful hair. I’ll never find another guy like him’.”
Remus in all his enragement had now started to walk around the room in a rant and thereby didn’t notice the chuckle from behind the closet door. James however very clearly heard the noise and kicked against the door for good measure what earned him a yelp from Regules, who was obviously spying on them, pressing his ear against the wall and therefore had it coming.
James tries to retain the last bit of his pride and explains “Moony, I think you’re exaggerating a little bit.”.
Remus now completely rattled by James’s denial in a loud voice argues “Prongs, you photoshopped what your children would look like. It’s no secret, well except to Sirius, that you were crazy head over hee-“.
That is when James accepts his fate and decides to stop the torture by simply pulling open the door to his closet, revealing chuckling Regulus with an overconfident smirk on his face which made Remus immediately stop in his tracks and end the sentence.
Instead, Remus simply breathes out a silent “Regulus” and his eyes widen in surprise. Regulus slowly walks out and turns to James flirtingly teasing in an almost sing-sang voice “So, our children. Do they have names?”.
James trying to keep up appearances sassily explains “For the record, it only was one child.”
Then accepting his defeat and turning back to Remus admitting “That doesn’t make me seem any less pathetic.”.
Remus, the only one with any brain cells left and concentrated enough to ask the important questions looks at James and asks in a warning tone “What is he fucking doing here, James?” (Oh, the legal names were being used which could only mean bad things.)
Regulus jumps in and answers “I came to kill him” in an entirely too cheery tone for the news he was breaking.
James laughs at that lovingly and with a big smile explains “Yeah, but he couldn’t go through with it.”
Remus who was trying not to lose patience with James and lead him to the conclusion instead of directly telling him how crazy he was acting, starts to list the offenses.
“Oh, okay. So, he lied to you, broke your heart, joined the death eaters, and is trying to destroy the Order and tried to kill you and now you’re protecting him? And I thought I had lousy taste in guys.”
James and Regulus slowly turn to one another only to simultaneously turn back at Remus and say “You do.” in unison.
At that Remus threw an especially tortured as well as shocked gaze back at the two.