Indian Wells
“Fuck. Fuck, James. Ah ah a-“
Regulus’ moans are music to James's ears. What can he say? He's completely enamored by his biggest rival on the court. And the image of Regulus being completely dominated by him is the best of his fantasies.
"Damn, Reg. You feel so good," grunts James.
Regulus is a work of art. He's utterly gorgeous. In James's opinion, and it's the only opinion he needs, Regulus Black should be displayed everywhere. The thousands of sneaker, racket, and sportswear ads don't do justice to his beauty.
"Fuck, James! Harder."
"So bossy," James manages a chuckle before Regulus locks eyes with him, panting. Then, James knows Regulus wants him to do as he asks, so he does.
The thrusts become harder and deeper. It feels like heaven. James watches the younger man's body tense and refrains from teasing him a bit about the situation. Just for fun, he grabs his lover by the hips and changes position without pulling out, eliciting a splendid moan from Regulus that makes him even harder, if that's possible.
With Regulus face down, James can see his entire white back, with the small tattoo where the spine ends that he's seen so many times. He leaves a trail of wet kisses, still thrusting, until he grabs the younger's neck, forcing him to arch.
"Yes, yes, fuck," Regulus cries out feeling the change in angle when James tightens his grip on his neck and lifts him up to stand almost at the same height. One hand still holds him by the hip while penetrating him forcefully, and the other remains on his neck, depriving him of the surrounding air. James licks behind his ear, and he feels Regulus shiver in his arms and can't help but let out a chuckle.
"Look at you. Being fucked by me, begging for more. You're perfect, god. Don't know how I spent so much time without you. You're an addiction."
The only response he gets from the younger one is several moans. When he directs the hand that holds him by the neck to his cock, that's when Reg fits perfectly against his body, and his head thrown back in pleasure falls onto one of James's shoulders. "James, James,…"
"What do you want, love."
"I want,..ah ah, fuck, James," The mentioned one runs his hand over the younger's cock and squeezes the tip lightly, tempting him.
"What do you want, Reggie."
Certainly, James finds his lover's expressions amusing. He feels a certain pride in being the only one who earns such reactions, and because fucking Regulus is one of the best things that has ever happened to him in life.
"I want to come, ah,.."
James obscenely masturbates Regulus's cock, while keeping the rhythm of his thrusts. "Ask it better."
"Fuck, James. I…please."
The elder then lets him release. Regulus comes with a loud moan and a couple of tears from overstimulation. James continues to penetrate him desperately, and his thrusts become more and more erratic and disorderly. Finally, he comes inside Regulus, and they both end up lying on the bed.
James places Regulus against his chest and caresses his back as they both try to regulate their breathing. Then, he gently places him by his side and before getting up to fetch something to clean them both, he leaves a soft kiss on the hip that has been bothering Regulus for weeks. “How did you know? About the pain in my lower hip?” the younger one asks.
“Saw you on TV. I noticed that limp. So unless you have another lover who fucks you better than I do, you had a little strain or tear that can be fixed with rest.”
Regulus laughs a bit but doesn't deny it. James knows there are no other people, even though he and Regulus are not a thing and haven't agreed to exclusivity, so he doesn't understand why he feels somewhat hurt when he doesn't hear him say it. He simply makes his way to the bathroom and brings back a couple of wet cloths to clean them.
When James returns, Regulus lets him clean him, calm and sighing. He's always more docile in moments like these, as if he momentarily forgets that they are destined to hate each other on and off the court, as if he forgets that they compete for the same thing and that makes them rivals. James never forgets, but he completely ignores it most of the time. Over time, he fears he may have fallen for this version of his greatest rival, the carefree one, the one who lets himself be loved. After all, he's James Potter; the only thing that doesn't make sense is how he didn't fall in love with Regulus Black before.
After a while, Regulus gets up and starts to get dressed. James doesn't want him to leave, but he doesn't say it. Tomorrow they both start their matches, and it's better that they rest perfectly well. James wants to tell Reg that the only way for him to rest perfectly is if he rests with him, but he doesn't say that either.
As he's about to leave, Regulus approaches again, not quite sure what to do. Saying goodbye becomes awkward. This time it's no different, but Regulus seems to have something on his mind that he wants to let out.
"Destroy him tomorrow."
"Who? Avery?"
Regulus nods slightly. "I want him out."
"Whatever you want, love. It’s done."
Regulus makes a move to leave, but James holds him tightly around the waist and keeps him in place. He gives him a couple of kisses on the neck before leaning in close to his ear and whispering, "Any good luck kiss?"
Regulus looks at him incredulously, but James can distinguish the faint blush and the small smile he's trying to suppress. "When you win, we'll see."
James Potter can only smile in response.
•
The first victories are easy. In fact, James disqualifies Avery quite easily and humiliatingly enough to make Reg happy. However, he's not there to see it because he's busy disqualifying a couple more in the first round of the tournament.
With 128 players and several courts, everyone comes and goes quickly, although the matches are not short. When James isn't playing a match, he's training on the available courts that the Federation grants them. And the only time he bumps into Regulus there, Sirius makes him focus on his work while trying to chat with his brother, which usually doesn't work out.
James beats a German he doesn't remember playing before. Later, in the second round, as there are fewer players, he defeats a seventeen-year-old Spanish kid who turns out to be his fan. It's a very nice moment that James really appreciates.
Given that, even though everything is done by draw, he and Regulus go in almost completely opposite directions, as otherwise it would eliminate the possibility of a meeting in the semifinals or the final, which are the ones that really increase the audience. Still, he does cross paths in the fourth round with one of his best friends, Barty Crouch Jr.
"Hey, Potter!"
James doesn't hate Barty, but it's not like they get along great either. Most of the time, Barty is teasing him or making him put on airs, so James can rarely say he finds him funny. But the way the bastard plays is entertaining.
"Crouch."
"Reg told me this would be tough, but we'll see." Barty laughs loudly, as if everything amuses him greatly.
"Sure."
"Put in a good effort, alright? You wouldn't want to lose in front of him."
His eyes widen in surprise because he had no idea that Regulus would come to watch this match. Although he knows that Regulus has been one of his opponent's best friends for many years, it's not usual for him to be present at a James's match where he's not playing.
"He's here?"
"Clearly," Barty states the obvious, then a malicious smile appears on his face, "do you think he's here to see you or me? After all, he and I have history."
James's blood boils. See, that's another reason why he can't stand Barty almost any day of the year.
"Well, you had history. It's obvious you don't anymore, because you're engaged."
Barty laughs again, but James is no longer finding the atmosphere amusing. "So you're of the jealous type. Reg didn't specify that."
"Fuck off.”
•
“This is just so fucking funny to watch.”
Regulus shrinks in his seat, unwilling to look too much at the field, although certainly the most interesting thing is there. “Shut up.”
“It’s just so good,” Evan continues laughing. Regulus can then understand why Barty and Evan are two peas in a pod, because they both laugh at the whole damn world.
“What do you think he's telling him?”
“No fucking idea, but James isn't liking it.”
“James doesn't like anything Barty says, because he doesn't like Barty.”
“And why do you think that is?“ Regulus knows what Evan is implying.
“No.”
"Okay. Keep fooling yourself. In the end, I'll be the one laughing." And he laughs again.
Regulus tenses up and directs his gaze towards the court. There isn't much time left before the game starts and he doesn't even know how to evaluate the situation. Remus has left him in charge of something important.
"You need to see how he works when he's angry. If he changes his movements. What mistakes he makes."
I already know how he plays. I even think I know too much.
That's why this game is important. Because Remus knows that James and Barty don't get along, just like everyone else. But it's not the same relationship that Regulus and James have on the court. It's completely different. In fact, there are times when they clash so much that the game ends with more than one sanction.
Furthermore, when it comes to mistakes, James doesn't make any. He usually doesn't, but when he's angry, even less. Over the years, Regulus has learned that his rival focuses better when he's angry. That's why he knows that Barty is going to lose.
Regardless of how much his best friend may have trained, he knows that won't mean much to James. Because even though Barty and Evan train together and Evan Rosier is one of the best tennis players in the world, Barty is here for laughs and for the fun of a good game. His best friend doesn't care about losing. In fact, he couldn't care less. That, in a way, balances perfectly with James's desire to win.
"Wanna bet?" Dorcas appears suddenly, taking the seat near Reg. Her smile is bright, and she's rocking some sunglasses that suit her well. Regulus assumes she doesn't have matches until tomorrow, hence why she's here.
"All my money's on James."
"How cute," Evan says, laughing mischievously and earning a sour look from his best friend, "you both are so boyfriend material!"
Dorcas plays along, and they end up openly teasing Regulus. However, their laughter is stopped by the court referee, signaling the start of the match. James serves.
His serve is characteristic. He easily gains 15 points at an unmatched speed, which Regulus knows is fueled by his annoyance at Barty's words. The latter just laughs.
James' next serve hits the net, and the following one encourages a bit more play from his opponent.
As the minutes pass, the tension becomes more palpable, despite James clearly having the advantage. It's when Barty pulls off a clever serve that lands in bounds that James lets out the first swear. "Code violation. Inappropriate language. Minus fifteen points!"
Funny enough, Sirius is burning with annoyance in the corner of the stands. He looks at James in the most disapproving and annoyed way. Regulus can only contain a chuckle.
When the first set ends, with James Potter's obvious victory, Regulus can't help but look at him blatantly. James sits on the bench and after drinking water, he refreshes himself a bit by pouring it over his neck. Regulus stiffens just by watching him. He discreetly adjusts himself in his seat.
James looks up and makes an attempt to search for him and finds him quickly. His serious expression relaxes, and his slight smirk appears. After that, he shamelessly takes off his shirt, accentuating his sweaty muscles, and Regulus feels like he could die right then and there.
The match becomes even more interesting from then on.