Chapter 1
Regulus held his breath as he closed the dorm room door, though Barty could sleep through anything Evan was always on alert even when he was asleep. A feature Regulus shared, maybe that was why he couldn't sleep now. Too on-edge about tomorrow. He had spent the whole year in anticipation of the Quidditch Cup; the Hogwarts Daily wrote 'Slytherin would be no-where without starboy Regulus but will he be a match for Gryffindor's golden boy?'. He would be. It was a shame that his excellence was so often doubted, even worse when people suggested he was worse than James Potter. The 'golden' boy seemed to float through life unaffected by everything around him. People so often fell at his feet when all he was, was lucky. Lucky to have been born into a pureblood family that was accepted and admired; lucky that he was smart; lucky that everyone cheered for his success. But on the Quidditch Pitch Regulus would prove that luck didn't matter, Regulus had the dedication and power that a winner needed. James would never possess the desperation that made you give your all to something. Desperate was the perfect word to describe the Black heir. Which was why, as he pulled on his gear, he didn't panic about the game tomorrow, he relished in the victory he would bring the team. Snitch flitting between his fingers he walked out onto the pitch only to fall to the floor as someone flew right beside him with enough speed to outpace some of the best brooms on the market.
Potter.
The boy had no respect for anything. He hadn't even bothered to wear proper gear, fate was on his side, and he would never fall. Although James seemed to push Lady Luck to her limits as he flew in loops arms outstretched, his bare chest glowing in the moonlight. That was when dread set in. Even the elements were on the boy's side. The light could never shine on Regulus when James captured the world's attention. Potter hadn't even bothered to look back to check if he was okay: self-absorbed prick. Regulus seethed as he watched him, thanking Merlin that James didn't have the discipline to become a seeker. He flew like someone who had nothing to lose now that no one was watching and Regulus had no doubt he would do anything to win. It seemed he had underestimated him. Even as hatred brewed inside of him he couldn't help the gasp that escaped him as James dropped from his broom. He had been far above the stands and was picking up speed as he approached the ground. Regulus ran for his broom, mounting quickly as he sped towards James but his rescue attempts were in vain. As James yelled out in ecstasy his broom came rushing towards him sliding in between James' fingers inches before he was away to hit the ground.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing Potter" Regulus yelled, his heart racing. Regulus knew how to fly, and could tell you every move if you only asked but James created new ones. Moves that could never be allowed in a game, maybe this was why he thought James had so little potential, he would never make it to the major leagues. So why bother flying? Maybe it was something to do with the way he had seemed so peaceful as he fell, or the grin that covered his face now as he looked up at Regulus.
"Were you worried about me baby Black? Thought that if you had come all the way out here I should at least give you a show" Regulus turned away from him, remembering the boy was most definitely not some Quidditch genius and was just an overconfident idiot.
"I'm just trying to practice, some of us take this seriously." Even as Regulus said the words he knew they weren't true, he had intended to practice at one point but he could see now that there was no chance of that happening. As annoying as James was, he was not someone you could ignore. Especially not when there was nothing else to distract Regulus.
"Come on Regulus, lighten up, it's just a match. Look I'll help you practice" James grinned at him, like a small child showing an indecipherable crayon drawing. So incredibly sweet. However, Regulus didn't enjoy the company of children.
"How do you intend to do that Potter? You're a chaser, we play completely different games." Regulus scowled as James mounted his broom and laughed.
"I intend to play as a seeker. Not much else I can do since there isn't a keeper. One of us might as well practice"
"No offence but you won't keep up with me Potter" Lie. And James knew it. James just tilted his head to the side in a challenge. Despite his better judgement Regulus reached into his pocket and threw the snitch up. As he went to chase after it he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Give it a second, how do I know you aren't just watching it, I also think I should get an early start since I have glasses, and I don't play in the seeker position. Also I..." Regulus found himself nodding as James spoke, not quite sure what he was agreeing to but unable to listen. He never thought that his shoulder was linked to his ability to hear but it seemed that way as the heat of James' touch burned a handprint into his robes. It was all an act, Regulus knew James was just trying to distract him so that he could win. If James won it would be enough to throw Regulus, maybe enough that he would lose the cup. With that in mind. Regulus darted away from James and his insufferable touch and flew up.
"Oh come on Black that is so not fair, you didn't warn me!" James shouted as he followed after Regulus but Regulus kept looking down at the pitch hoping to spot the snitch, though it was near impossible when it was so dark, especially since the moon seemed desperate to light James up instead. "You know the snitch isn't on my stomach right? You can stare somewhere else"
"I wasn't looking at you Potter, your ego is insufferable" He most definitely had been staring. Regulus had been told that he was built like a dancer, poised and elegant, but James seemed to have been hand-carved by the gods. It wasn't that Regulus had never seen someone shirtless before but more so that he'd never seen someone look like that while shirtless. "I was daydreaming about you falling off of your broom"
"You would save me" Thankfully before Regulus had to think of a reply he noticed the snitch hovering next to James' head. He slowly inched towards James.
"Maybe I would save you" Closer. "Maybe I would catch you and have you owe me your life" Closer. "I wonder how I would make you repay such a big favour?" It was almost within reach right now but Regulus couldn't miss it, especially since as soon as he moved James would realise. "What would you do for me, James?" Their faces were close now and he could feel James' breath against his neck, at some point in Regulus' ramble his mouth had parted slightly and he was staring at him now. Regulus didn't break eye contact as he reached for the snitch. "I win"
"You called me James"
"What?" Regulus frowned, he shouldn't be smiling right now, Regulus had just won. In an ideal situation, James would be devastated but he was grinning from ear to ear.
"You called me James, not Potter"
"It doesn't matter what I called you, I won"
"There are more important things than winning! Does this mean we're on a nickname basis now? Can I call you Reg? Maybe Reggie?" Take back everything Regulus had thought previously, James Potter was completely insufferable, no matter how attractive he might be nothing could make up for his personality.
"You can't call me anything, considering the fact we don't speak to one another"
"We're speaking now! Maybe I'll talk to you tomorrow and distract you from the snitch"
"Sorry Potter but you didn't distract me" Regulus held the snitch between his finger and thumb as he showed it to James. "Remember? You were too busy gawking"
"I'm easily distracted by beautiful things" James moved forward slightly closing the distance between them as he brushed his lips against Regulus'. "I win"
"You what?" Regulus could feel his cheeks burning as he looked at James, their faces still painfully close together.
"Everyone can get distracted Reggie" James took Regulus' hand and placed the snitch into his palm. Regulus hadn't seemed to notice its absence.
"That is completely against any Quidditch rules and wouldn't happen in a real game so no James, you do not 'win'. In fact, you'd be sent off of the pitch for improper conduct and Madame Hooch would probably smack you round the face and-" His tirade was cut off as James kissed him again. This time Regulus pulled away first, "What are you doing Potter?"
"Well I was kissing you before I was interrupted"
"No, I meant why are you kissing me?"
"Fancied it I suppose, don't you ever have fun Regulus?"
"I have fun"
"Have fun with me then" James softly placed his hands on Regulus' waist pulling him onto his broom "Do you want to?"