Chapter 18
Regulus doesn’t get drunk very often, but when he does, he does it well.
James is basically carrying his entire weight by the time they arrive at Regulus’ flat. He’d promised Sirius to get him home in one piece, so he did just that. They enter the living room, James puts him on the couch and that should’ve been the end of it.
Emphasis on should’ve been.
Before James can step back and wish Regulus goodnight, one of the man’s hands grabs his wrist. It startles him. Up until now, Regulus’ movements have been slow and uncoordinated. He wonders where this sudden bout of sharpness comes from.
“Regulus…” James smiles at him, pats the hand wrapped around his wrist. “It’s been a great night, yeah? Let’s end it here… Sirius will come and check up on you in the morning.” Regulus makes a disgruntled noise.
“I don’t want Sirius.” He spits out the name as if it’s got a bad taste to it. “I want you.”
James can’t help but smirk. Regulus is adorable when his speech is all slurred.
“You’re so drunk.”
“Am not.”
“Are too.”
“Am not.”
“I’m not doing this with you, Reggie.” He smiles warmly. “Now if you would be so kind as to let go of me? You need to sleep it off.”
“Not until I get a goodnight kiss.”
James goes very quiet for a moment. His heart beats frantically against his ribs. For a moment, he’s sure he must’ve misheard, but no… Regulus Black has just asked him to kiss him goodnight.
“You know I can’t, Reg.”
“Then I’m not letting you go.”
Stubbornness is a Black trait. James likes to believe he’s rather good at dealing with it, but every now and again the brothers still like to test him.
He sighs. “Fine.” Before Regulus can continue to complain, he leans in and places an innocent peck on his forehead. The youngest Black brother makes a face.
“That’s not what I meant.” He complains. His cheeks weren’t already flushed, but now it becomes even more evident. James would swear his eyes are sparkling too.
“I know it’s not.” He tells him patiently. “Ask me again when you’re sober. I promise I won’t say no then.”
Regulus hesitates, but eventually lets go of his wrist. As James retreats, he realises he’s just promised Regulus a kiss.
He decides not to worry about it. Maybe Regulus won’t remember any of the next morning and it’ll be like nothing ever happened.
But deep down, James hopes he’ll remember. And he hopes that he’ll ask. Because he sure meant it when he said he wouldn’t say no.