The Great Hall was filled with noise. Murmuring chatter, boisterous laughter, grating cutlery and the occasional shout swirled through Regulus’ ears, creating a horrible cacophony of sounds that, under any other circumstances, would make him want to drown in the Black Lake.
“It’s wasn’t that bad, really, only two students caught on fire and I put it out. Sluggy was just overreacting and- Regulus are you even listening?” Barty demanded, snapping his fingers in front of his face.
Evan snorted. “He’s too busy making goo goo eyes at Potter.”
Regulus pried his gaze away from the Gryffindor table rather reluctantly. “No I wasn’t.”
Dorcas raised an eyebrow, taking in the obvious pink hue of Regulus’ cheeks. “I’ve never heard a more bold faced lie.”
Regulus crossed his arms and leaned backwards, but not far enough that he’d fall off the bench. “I have to idea what you’re talking about.”
Next to him, Pandora shook her head fondly. While she wasn’t a Slytherin like her twin brother, the professors had long since given up forcing her to sit with the Ravenclaw. “You aren’t able to gaslight your way out of this one, Reg. I’m pretty sure you’ve spent more time staring at James than you have eating.”
Regulus pointedly ignored his barely touched plate and took a sip of his drink.
“Oh and would you look at that, Potter’s getting on top of the Gryffindor table holding a piece of paper- is that a love note?” Barty gasped dramatically.
Regulus knew it was a trick, a trap into getting him entranced with a beautiful, god of a man that called himself his brother’s best friend. He knew James wasn’t about to announce his love for Regulus - well, not love, they weren’t there yet but something - to the entirety of Hogwarts. No, James hasn’t done any of that since Lily Evans ripped him a new one in fourth year, when James finally got his shit together. And yet, despite knowing all of this, Regulus looked always.
He couldn’t help it. James was a magnet with his gleaming caramel skin, twinkling brown eyes and blinding grin, the personification of the sun outshining any and everything in his general vicinity. Regulus was helpless to the relentless force of James Potter. A red string is wound tight around his heart, bursting from his chest, leading all the way to James’ finger, and he just kept tugging, drawing Regulus in even as he tries to look away.
James was not on the table. He did not have a love note in hand. He was not shouting to everyone. No, he was exactly as he had been two minutes earlier, chin propped up on his hand as he mindlessly ate. Overwhelmingly expressive eyes peeking through long, dark eye lashes as he stared at Regulus through the gaps of students. Around him, Sirius and Lupin bantered about meaningless things, occasionally dragging Macdonald and Evans into their arguments. McKinnon was excitedly ranted to Pettigrew, who would periodically glance over to James and roll his eyes fondly.
Regulus’ friends burst out laughing, Barty’s sharp cackle drawing the attention of the Slytherins around them and even some Hufflepuffs in the table over.
“You’re too easy!” Barty said between wheezes, wiping away a tear forming in the corner of his eye.
Regulus scowled and shoved Barty in the shoulder, nearly sending him off the bench. “Fuck you.”
“No, thanks. I’ve got Evan for that. Maybe ask Potter, he seems down.” Barty shot back, sticking his tongue out when Regulus flipped him off.
“Why haven’t you gone for it, Reg?” Pandora asked, blonde braids swaying as she tilted her head. “He’s obviously interested.”
Regulus shifted in his seat and met James’ eyes again before quickly looking away at the concerned gleam he saw.
Dorcas frowned. “This better not some House of Black trauma response shit, Reg.”
“I can’t help it,” Regulus hissed, shoving his plate out of the way so he could lay his head down on his arms. “Been out of that goddamn house for two years and I haven’t improved.”
“Now that’s a lie if I’ve ever heard one,” Pandora said. “Look at you, Regulus! Clearly living with Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey had made you happier. And you’re actually willing to somewhat talk about your feelings. Your relationship with Sirius is growing stronger by the day. You are improving, Regulus. It’ll just takes time.”
“And if Pretty Boy over there is who you want - Barty, stop glaring at me, you’re pretty, too - then indulge yourself a bit. Do something for yourself for once.” Evan said.
Regulus met James’ eyes again. He was so patient, so caring, so gentle, even if they’ve never really spoke. James was still looking at him, a curious tilt to his head and his eyes soft with a single question: ‘are you okay?’
Regulus gave him the smallest of smiles, barely a quirk of his lip and a little nod. A brilliant grin blossomed across James’ face, another sharp tug on that damned heartstring, stealing Regulus’ breath straight from his lungs.
“Alright, fuck, don’t follow me.” Regulus said, abruptly standing from the Slytherin table.
His friends cheered, Barty throwing his hands in the air in celebration.
Regulus ignored the confused and interested stares of his classmates - aside from James’ adorable little head tilt - as he made his way to the Gryffindor table, stopping directly behind his brother. “Sirius.”
Sirius jumped, clearly having not heard Regulus sneaking up on him. Regulus smirked a bit as his brother whipped around in his seat. “Merlin’s beard Reggie, don’t fucking do that!”
“We both know I’m never going to stop, it’s best you give up now.”
Sirius glared at him. “What do you want?”
“When I was six, do you remember when you stole my cookies?”
Sirius blinked, obviously not expecting that response. “Yeah, why?”
“You said that I’d get to steal whatever I wished, as payback, of sorts. I’m ready to cash that in, now.”
Sirius gaped at him and Regulus heard Remus snort. “Reggie, that was over ten years ago!”
“I’m aware.”
“And you want to cash it in now?”
“Yes. It has taken me a decade to properly decide what I want.”
“Fucking hell,” Sirius muttered under his breath, rubbing at his face. “Fine. Take what you want. As long as it’s not my fucking jacket or I’ll kill you.”
Regulus smiled and pointed at James. “That one. I want that one.”
Sirius sputtered and Remus was outright laughing now. James blinked like a deer in headlights, despite the very please smile on his face.
“James?! You want to steal James? Out of everything?”
“Yes. What about that is hard to understand?”
“He’s James! You can’t steal Prongs, he’s my best friend!”
“He can still be your best friend,” Regulus replied. “He’s just mine now.”
“But- you- no! You can’t!”
“Watch me.” Regulus said, then proceeded to take hold of James’ hand, yanked him out of his seat and led him out of the Great Hall. He smiled giddily at James’ larger, warm palm curled around his own, long fingers squeezing his. James beamed down at him, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he happily followed wherever Regulus was taking him.
“Regulus! Get your ass back here!”