1:46am.
His roommates’ light breathing was all you could hear in the room. He couldn’t sleep.
It had been hours since they had said good night and he was pretty sure he was now able to count how many stars were on the curtains surrounding his bed.
He decided he needed to get out of here. In a few seconds the curtains were drawn open, the door of the dorm open. He passed through the common room and he was out in the corridor a few minutes after he left his bed.
Heading toward the outside corridor, he couldn’t resist checking the map in case someone was out at this hour. It was a cool night, it wasn’t cold nor hot, the sky was clear and you could see the stars clearly.
It wasn’t a full moon, the full moon was in two days.
The fresh hair was relaxing and he decided to go up to the astronomy tower.
There was no explanation for it, but the astronomy tower had something special, different from anything else. After escalating the stairs, he pushed the door open;
Up here it was a bit colder.
As he was approaching the edge of the tower, he noticed a slight movement in the corner.
Turning around slowly as he was sure he had been caught, he released a small breath when he realized who it was.
The boy was curled up in his cloak trying to escape the small wind.
His black hair was all across his face and it was hard for James to know if he was awake or not. How did he not see him on the map? Was he really here?
Really slowly, James approached the boy who still hadn’t moved.
When he arrived in front of him he realized the boy was in fact sleeping, his eyes were a bit puffy and red which concerned James.
Once again really slowly, his hand closed the distance between the boy’s face to move the hair in front of his face. It was the first time James witnessed the boy so comfortable. He always had this harsh and cold look on his face, not welcoming at all and rather scary.
Like this he was able to see the resemblance between Sirius ans Regulus. They both had the same eyes and the curve of their lips was the same, but Regulus’ cheeks were thinner and his jaw more defined, sharp.
He was hypnotized, it was the first time he saw the boy so clearly and James thought he was beautiful, mesmerizing even.
James freezes when the boy moves. When Regulus starts mumbling James tries to figure out what he is hear and freezes once again when he recognizes his name.
His hand cups the boy’s cheek in an attempt to wake him up delicately,
“Regulus? Hey Regulus wake up” whispers James
slowly the boy starts moving trying to get closer to James
“..cold..”he mumbles
“oh.. oh! You’re cold. Makes sense it’s chilly up there, why did you only bring your cloak?” answers James.
“come’ere..” Regulus’ arms suddenly wrap James’ body and pull him against him forcing James to follow the movement.
“reg you’re not awake right now you might not like that later” says James as he settles a bit more comfortably in the embrace.
“don’t care” replies Regulus
the warmth both bodies bring into the small cloak Regulus and now James have on them is familiar and James finds himself dozing off after a few minutes.
It is not hard for him to fall asleep surrounded by arms and a comfort presence and he let it happen happily.
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The warmth Regulus was wrapped in was unusual, he didn’t remember how he got there, he didn’t even remember falling asleep.
He remembered going up to the astronomy tower because he couldn’t sleep and he felt repressed in the narrow dorm he shared with Evan and Barty.
Eventually he had left his bed and went up the astronomy tower to get some fresh air hoping to relax enough to go back to sleep.
He must have fallen asleep there. But that didn’t explain the chest he had his head on and the waist he was cuddling with his arms.
The birds were singing, meaning the day already started for quite some time now and Regulus could feel the sun on his face meaning it was already high in the sky.
How long had he been sleeping here? Who was the person he was with?
Regulus hadn’t dare to open his eyes yet;
feigning sleep was easier while trying to figure out the situation he was in, than to deal with it.
Some would say he’s a coward, well he was a Slytherin wasn’t he? Not a bloody Griffindor ready to deal with whatever situation they were in without much thinking and more actions.
A slight movement coming from the chest he had his head on surprised Regulus and he stopped breathing for a second. There was no other movement so he allowed his breathing to continue slowly as he went back to trying to remember anything from the night before.
So he had fallen asleep, had a nice dream and…
no.
it couldn’t be.
He remembered dreaming about James bloody potter joining him and Regulus asking him to stay and to cuddle with him.
But surely Regulus would have known if it wasn’t a dream right?
Doubt flooded Regulus’ mind as he slowly realized the situation he was in.
He had asked James potter to cuddle with him because he was cold and then had fallen asleep with him.
His brother’s best friend.
The guy he had been drooling over since his arrival at Hogwarts. James. Potter.
Fucking hell.
He had to get out of here. Now.
He didn’t care waking up the brown-haired boy anymore he just had to go back into the safety of his dorm and scream until the loss of his voice.
He opened his eyes and got up, leaving the warmth he was surrounded in.
he didn’t even look back scared of seeing the boy he fancied looking at him with his bloody hazelnut eyes and his hair probably disheveled and a confused frown on his face. He ran down the stairs as he heard James yelling his name, he continued running until he got to his dorm.
Evan and Barty already left which meant he was late. He cast a tempus.
8:58am.
Shit.
He put on his uniform as fast as he could and ran to class, skipping breakfast because he didn’t even have time to get anything.
He ran to potion and found Pandora at his table. He quickly sat next to her and took a deep breath.
“are you alright Regulus?” she asks.
“I'm alright don’t worry”
“your hair look messy, did you just wake up?”
“we woke up and he wasn’t in his bed” says Evan
“who’s the secret lover Reggie” jokes Barty.
At this Regulus shot his head up, and (he just woke up excuse him) makes a panicked face at Barty.
Realization seems to hit Evan, Pandora and Barty at the same time seeing Regulus’ reaction at the ‘joke’.
“oh my god! Regulus!” yells Pandora
“it’s not that, it’s not what you think stop it the three of you” answers Regulus and he has to thank Slughorn next, as he approached their table and tell them to quiet down and pay attention to the class.
After this, Regulus refuses to say anything else and his friends eventually stop trying to get information out of him.
Meanwhile Regulus can’t forget what happened in the morning and he couldn’t get the thought that he would never be able to face James without thinking about this event anymore.
Guess he would have to avoid him forever then. Not easy at all given the fact his brother wouldn’t let him go back to his house this summer and most likely would end up moving in the potter’s house.
But it was April and he still had time to think about this before having to face it.
In the mean time he would avoid James at all cost.
And Regulus really started to think the universe was laughing at him when at this exact moment James potter crosses the corridor with his brother, Lupin and Pettigrew.
As he was getting ready to leave as slowly as possible hoping no one had seen him yet he heard
“HI REGGIE”
great. Fucking great. Thank you Sirius.
He turned around slowly and waited for his brother to approach him, his friends behind.
“Hello Sirius. Don’t call me that” he says
“aww I’m sure you secretly love it”
Regulus put on his best “I’m annoyed and you’re part of the reason why” face as he answers “what do you want Sirius?” he also makes a point of NOT looking behind his brother where his crush he decided to avoid, is standing.
“I just wanted to say hi to my baby brother Reggie”
“well you did, hi back. I have to go now bye Sirius, have a wonderful day” says Regulus as he passes next to Sirius, nods to Lupin and Pettigrew and practically runs as soon as he’s out of sight still not glancing at Potter.
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James Potter was confused.
He had woken up in the astronomy tower, not in his bed, of course he remembered how he got there, Regulus was still holding onto him and he seemed to be sleeping.
He knew it was late but he didn’t want to move, instead he was admiring the face he had on his chest.
The sun was reflecting on him and he couldn’t take his eyes off of him, he was even more beautiful than the night before and James found himself feeling A LOT more than usual for the boy.
And suddenly, Regulus had gotten up and practically ran out of here ignoring James’ shout and forgetting his cloak they had used as a blanket for the night.
James then got up, folded the cloak and hid it under his own cloak and went down the stairs as well. He had to run because he was late to class, ended up with a detention because Minnie didn’t forgive late student and had to suffer his friends’ questions as to why he wasn’t in bed when they had woken up and where was he.
All he could think about was the fantastic sleep he had gotten with Regulus.
He hadn’t payed attention to the boy before and now that he had seen him, REALLY seen him he was insatiable. He had to talk to him again.
So imagine his frustration when Regulus had refused to even LOOK at him at the encounter he had with Sirius.
He was determined to talk to Regulus again and he would do anything he had to do to make it happen.
After classes, the marauders made their way to the Great Hall for dinner.
As they sat, James searched for the familiar black haired head across the hall.
There he was, sitting next to Pandora facing Crouch and Rosier. He was beautiful, and once again trying really hard not to direct his head toward the Griffindor table, more precisely James himself.
Sirius was talking next to him but James wasn’t listening, he was hypnotized by Regulus.
“Prongs?? are you with us mate?” says Sirius, bringing James back from his thoughts
“what?”
“I was saying we should probably head back, Moony is tired”
The full moon was tomorrow and Remus was struggling with it, he was exhausted and on edge, ready to snap at anything that didn’t go his way.
“oh yes yes of course yes let’s go”
“are you sure you’re okay? Since this morning you’re somewhere else prongs” continues Sirius as they start getting up and exiting the Great Hall.
Peter and Remus both turn their head in James’ direction and James realizes his friend are worried about his behavior, he instantly feels bad.
“oh no I’m sorry for worrying you guys I’m completely okay, just a bit distracted I guess, it’s one of those days haha” answers James, hoping it would be enough to reassure his friends.
Sirius shots him a suspicious stare but doesn’t seem to want to continue arguing.
Instead he joins Remus’ side and support him. The day has been long and full and Remus was really tired.
Sirius was supporting his boyfriend/soulmate and James couldn’t help but smile at the sight of them loving each other so deeply.
Peter approaches James and whispers “James? Can I ask you a question?”
“yes of course, what is it?”
“why are you hiding a slytherin cloak under yours?”
See, the problem is James hadn’t had time to go back to his dorm this morning because he was already way too late.
So he had been hiding the cloak, hoping it was discreet enough so that nobody would see. Of course nothing escaped the sharp eyes of Peter, he should have realized.
“errr…” starts James, trying really hard to find an excuse
“I'm not even sure I want to know honestly, just know that it’s not really subtle, there’s some green fabrics overtaking your own cloak and if Remus wasn’t too tired to see it you would be busted mate” cut Peter.
After taking a look and realizing peter is right, James quickly fixes it and gives a thankful look to peter.
“thanks Pete.. it’s really not what you think, it’s….”
“I told you I don’t want to know James, don’t worry I won’t tell anyone.
Buuuut once you and Regulus get together, remember I was the first to know!” smiles peter.
James stopped walking, too stunned to answer anything, blush quickly taking place on his cheeks. Peter accelerated the pace to catch up with Remus and Sirius in front of him.
What he felt for Regulus was interest only right? Peter was wrong nothing was happening between Regulus and him, they had just slept together, cuddled, and James had loved it yes, but was it because of something more than just friendship?
The interest he had felt for the boy made slowly sense as James navigated his feelings, yes Regulus was pretty, he was smart and everything James could like about someone.
And like this, thanks to Peter, James realized he fancied Regulus and that gave him even more reasons to speak to the boy.
Radiating in a new light James catch up with his friends, smile on his face and the thoughts of grey eyes all over his mind..
James was definitely not going to deny the thing he was feeling for Regulus, as new as it was.
Some would be scared and would try to deny it but not James, he would embrace his new feelings. He was going to find out if it could go anywhere and in order to do that, he really had to speak to the boy.
The marauders went back to the common room and Remus and Sirius immediately got up to the dorm saying good night to everyone in the common room.
Peter and James decides then to join the girls, Mary, Lily and Marlene that are sitting on the couch on the corner next to the fire place.
As times passes, the common room is slowly emptied as many people are leaving to go to bed.
When the girls decides to go up to their dorm as well, Peter announces that he also should go to sleep as he didn’t get many sleep last night.
They all say good night to James and he finds himself alone in the common room.
Time to get his plan into action.
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it was 12:21am
Regulus was suffocating and he once again had to get out of his dorm as soon as possible.
However there was no way in hell he was going back to the astronomy tower, he wouldn’t take the risk of meeting James there.
Walking around the corridor he decided to go and sit outside. The Black Lake was still.
The stars were reflecting on the water. It was relaxing and Regulus felt like he could breathe again.
“aren’t you cold?” Regulus jumps hearing potter’s voice, he did not hear him coming and almost collapsed as he did not expect the voice of someone right behind him.
“Merlin’s balls Potter!” he shouts angrily
his anger dies down as soon as James starts to laugh, he’s beautiful..
Bad Regulus, Bad.
“sorry I did not mean to scare you”
“how did you even find me?!”
“I have my ways, so? Aren’t you cold?”
A shiver passes down Regulus’ spine and he realizes that it is in fact a bit chilly but he really doesn’t intend to tell James that;
“I'm fine potter”
“you forgot your cloak this morning, I have it, do you want it?”
“I did search everywhere for it so if you have it, yes I would like it back” says Regulus hesitantly.
After James gives the cloak back to Regulus he settles on the sand next to him not interested in going back to the castle.
“what are you doing Potter”
“getting some fresh hair, isn’t it obvious?” says James with a smile
“why here”
“cause I want to stay with you, love, isn’t it obvious too?” his smile slowly transforming into a small grin
Regulus almost chokes on his own saliva at the nickname and has to cough at least twice to be able to breathe normally again. Great Regulus, really subtle.
“well if you really want to stay that bad, at least stay quiet so I can relax and try to forget your existence.”
“as you wish love”
Regulus, as determined as he can be, tries to NOT look into James’ direction and instead focus on the Black Lake in front of him.
After 10 minutes, Regulus decides he hates James Potter even more than before.
They’re not talking and Regulus hasn’t even look in his direction since their small talk, so why the bloody hell is he still here?
After letting a frustrated sigh come out of his mouth Regulus turns his head in James’ direction with the intention of kindly telling him to fuck off but James is already looking at him and his eyes.. oh his eyes..
It shut Regulus up and they just stare at each other the next few seconds.
“so err…” James engage “I wanted to talk to you about something”.
Oh Merlin.
After a small hesitation Regulus answers “listen, if it’s about the other night, I’m sorry, it shouldn’t have happened, I personally was not in my right mind and was not thinking straight, so let’s just forget about what happened okay?”
He hadn’t mean to speak so fast, but he was so scared of his voice disappearing or cracking in the middle of his sentence that he literally had stopped breathing to finish it as fast as possible.
After a small moment of pure silence James turns to Regulus once again (the boy had stopped facing James as soon as he had finished his tirade) and look at him in the eyes before saying:
“but I don’t want to forget Regulus”
“what?”
James takes a deep breath before continuing:
“listen.. I like you, I know it’s really sudden, even for me, but I don’t want to deny it and I want you to know obviously because you’re concerned since I like YOU..and..and you don’t have to say anything of course, I’m not even sure you’re feeling the same, but if there is a really really small chance you reciprocate and of course feel ready for anything, I would like to take you on a date, only if you want of course! I would never force you to do anything you don’t want to do, and… I should probably stop, I’m sorry”
Regulus was looking at him, his eyebrows were raised and his mouth slightly open in shock.
THAT he didn’t expect, James liked him?!
That actually sounded surreal and Regulus was tempted to look around in case someone was secretly filming the scene, but that was James we were talking about, Regulus trusted him with his life (though he wouldn’t tell him, never.) and he knew James would never do this to anyone.
Regulus contemplated running away for a small second, as panic slowly reached his brain, but James was still looking at him with hopeful/ worried eyes and Regulus melted at the sight.
After taking a deep breath, Regulus smiled at James and answered: “yes, yes James, I would love to go on a date with you.”
The relief on James’ face was what made Regulus engage the hug. He wasn’t a big fan of display of affection but he couldn’t resist, feeling so happy he thought his heart would explode and he also felt the need to reassure James and thank him.
They stayed in the embrace, none of them wanting to let go of the other.
So they didn’t, they fell asleep, both having a content smile on their faces.
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They woke up, late again, but this time nobody ran away,
James kissed Regulus on his forehead, they scheduled a time on Saturday for a date and said goodbye.
Both of them arrived late in class, got a detention, but nothing could remove the smile on their faces (Regulus’ one was more a smirk than anything but he tried okay :’) )
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