Chapter 3
"Three, two, one— Happy New Year!"
Regulus smiles to himself as he watches people wrap their arms around each other, wishing each other the best for the coming year.
The beginning of the night had been nothing short of overwhelming. His first proper New Year's Eve party was everything he'd expected it to be; loud, exhilarating, over the top. Sirius and his friends sure knew how to celebrate. After a bit of booze, Regulus was able to relax a little, to enjoy. The pleasant feeling of tipsiness made all of it a little easier.
As he looks across the room, he spots his brother and Remus, snogging relentlessly in a corner. He grimaces. Is he happy that Sirius has found someone who seems to be just right for him? Sure. But he's not nearly drunk enough to be able to watch Lupin shove his tongue down his brother's throat.
So he turns around, wishing someone would come and obliviate him, only to bump into a broad chest. When he looks up, his heart skips a beat. James Potter looks down at him with a kind smile, eyes twinkling ever so. It's mesmerising.
"Happy New Year, Reg." He says. "Off to somewhere?"
Honestly, Regulus can't remember what exactly his initial plan was. Because James' beauty is so all-consuming it renders him completely incompetent.
He doesn't know what prompts it. Maybe he's finally sick of the tension that has been steadily building up between them. Maybe it's just the booze giving him that extra bit of confidence he needed. Maybe it's the way James is looking at him, warm and fond, like he's something worth admiring.
Maybe it's all of those things combined.
Whatever it is, Regulus finally acts on it. Before he knows it, he's cupped James's cheeks, closing the space between them as he pulls him down. When their lips meet, it only takes James a second to reciprocate the kiss. One of his hands moves up, fingers carding through his hair, as the other one finds the small of Regulus' back. Instinctively, Regulus presses closer.
He smiles into this kiss.
This might turn out to be his best year yet.