Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans
Diagon Alley was alive with the sounds of wizarding society as Regulus and James landed in a small alcove just on the outskirts. But neither of them could pay the sounds of the village any attention.
They had not performed magic on one another or while touching since before their bond was broken, and the apparation had felt...strange.
The moment that James turned on his heel and apparated the pair of them away, Regulus was on fire.
His skin began to tingle in every place that James touched him, warming until it felt like a soft campfire was flaming across his skin. It was the feeling of magic, he knew, but the sensation was something neither of them had felt before.
It left them breathless, standing close together and letting the feeling of warmth wash over the both of them.
"Is this...me? Or...you?" James was finally able to stutter out, finding that he didn't want to let go of Regulus just yet.
"I think it's both of us."
It was a worrying thought for Regulus, reestablishing the bond. The last thing that he needed was having James tied to him again against his will.
Because of this, it was Regulus who let go first. "Where are we going, Potter? I hope I'm dressed appropriately."
James had softened considerably since leaving the castle. "You're perfect, Reg. We have reservations at La Sorcière Dorée for seven."
Regulus lifted an eyebrow in question. "You really did plan the evening. Didn't you?"
"Always with the tone of surprise," James teased, holding out an arm for Regulus to join him on the sidewalk. "The night awaits."
James was a wizard that demanded attention, whether he realized it or not. People naturally moved out of his way when he was walking and he was always, always, noticed when in a crowd. Diagon Alley was no different, aside from the fact that it was followed with a look of shock as their eyes slid over to Regulus and clocked how close the two were walking to one another.
"It's not too late to change your mind, Potter," Regulus found himself mumbling under his breath as they approached the front of the restaurant. "Last chance."
But James scoffed, moving, if possible, even closer to Regulus and turning his head towards him. James's breath fanned across Regulus's right ear as he leaned in to mumble.
"If you doubt me one more time, Regulus Black, I'll just have to show you just how serious I am. And I don't think that's very proper for a public first date. Do you?"
And it finally clicked with Regulus that maybe James had changed just as much as he had.
"After you, Potter."
The inside of La Sorcière Dorée was dimly lit when James and Regulus stepped through the crystal doors. There was an open floor plan that greeted them, and one of the first things that Reg turned his eyes to was that of the charmed ceiling. The second thing he noticed, rather quickly, was the large and magical cherry tree that was growing in the middle of the room.
James smiled and turned on his best auror voice as he approached the host.
"Hello, I'm James Potter. I have special reservations for tonight."
The host's eyes widened carefully at the sight of James Potter standing in front of him, but it was nothing compared to the way that his eyes bugged out when he slid them over and noticed Regulus Black.
"You have reservations?"
"That is what I said," James laughed.
"For tonight."
But the smile quickly slid off his face. "That's what I said."
"One moment, please."
Regulus could have laughed at how quickly the young wizard fled from the front of the restaurant.
Regulus made a hum in the back of his throat, looking at how irritated James grew as they waited.
"You weren't even really a death eater!" James hissed. "What's got their knickers so uptight?"
But Regulus didn't bother to answer, and instead began to look around at the inside. "Who owns this place, anyway?"
"Oh, I don't know," James mused. "It hasn't been open long, and it was supposed to be the nicest place in Diagon. I've been on the waiting list for a while now, actually. If I would've known-"
But James immediately stopped talking and narrowed his eyes, "What do you know?"
Regulus looked at him, blinking owlishly. "I haven't a clue what you're on about, Potter."
James was unconvinced, beginning to open his mouth to speak when the host returned.
"My apologies to the both of you. The owner has reserved the entire back room for no extra charge. Right this way."
Regulus leaned into James's side slightly as they followed the wizard. "You know the owner, then?"
"No, actually," James's brow furrowed. "Odd."
"Regulus!"
"Edwin."
A well-dressed wizard waited for them beside of a smartly decorated table, holding his arms out in welcome as Regulus and James approached.
"If I would've known you were coming, Regulus, I would've cleared the entire floor."
"Oh, not necessary, Edwin, though I do appreciate the offer. I'm just having dinner with Mister Potter tonight. Was quite a surprise for myself, as well."
James had grown much more observant in his later years, a trait that he largely attributed to his career choice. He watched as Edwin's face colored in surprise as his eyes flickered to James momentarily. He and Regulus seemed to have a conversation with only their eyes before Edwin's face lit with a bright smile.
"Well, of course." Edwin flicked his hand towards their table, lighting the candles that sat on it, and clasped his hands together. "If you need anything, please let me know."
James seemed to have recovered, as he smiled back at the wizard he knew as Edwin, "Thank you."
With a final look to Regulus, and what James swore was a wink, Edwin was gone from the room.
Regulus quickly sank into his chair before James could do something horribly embarrassing like pull his chair out from him, and he looked back up at Potter. "Joining me?"
"You know him."
"I do."
James took the seat across the table from Regulus, noting the way the candlelight flickered across the left side of Regulus's face and hair. It cast a soft glow on everything, including Reg, and James couldn't help but to stare at the way his face seemed to soften in the light.
"That was Edwin Greengrass," Regulus began looking over the menu.
"Should I know who that is?"
"Doubtful; He's my age, and was a Slytherin. We both know you didn't have much of a habit of fraternizing with the enemy."
James leaned back in his chair, cocking a brow. "Well, times have changed. Shall we call Edwin Greengrass back to the table to join us?"
Regulus's hand froze, his eyes lifting slowly as his lip twitched. "Am I sensing...jealousy?"
"I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about, Regulus."
An ice bucket floated across the room slowly, sitting itself carefully down on the edge of their table. Inside held a bottle of aged and vintage wine, and Regulus laughed under his breath.
"Am I impressing you yet?" James asked.
"I'm not easily impressed."
Truthfully, James should've been nervous. His hands should've shook as he poured their first glasses of wine. His stomach should have rolled with anxiety as he scanned the menu, trying to decide what to order for the both of them.
"We'll start with the scallops and farofa, followed with the veal and carrots, please."
But Regulus cut him off, "-actually, I'll have the crab instead of scallops."
James could feel the back of his neck heat as the waiter left, and he looked at Regulus curiously. "You don't like scallops?"
"What?" Regulus looked confused for a moment. "Oh, I like scallops. I'm allergic to cassava root, though. Farofa is made with it."
James visibly deflated. "I never knew that about you."
But Regulus looked back at him curiously. "You think you should know everything about me?"
"I was in love with you, Reg."
"Not for very long. And if I recall correctly, it's not like we spent very much time talking."
"You're not going to make me blush if that is your plan."
James thought it was magic when Regulus smiled broadly, being unable to conceal the emotions of the moment.
"We were fighting in a war, James-"
James took notice that was the first time of the evening that Regulus had used his given name.
-It wasn't like we had the opportunity to go on dates."
"Would you have?" James asked. "Gone on a date with me?"
It was easy to remember the way that he had felt about James back then, the intense and swelling feeling of magic that would overtake him at even just the mere thought of his bond partner. But it was different now, Regulus had decided. It was easier. There was no pressure from magic, and Regulus felt that it was his choice to be sitting across from James Potter.
"No, probably not," Regulus decided. "But I'm here now."
James visibly softened, reaching over to place his hand on top of Regulus's at the corner of the table. "You're here now."
It was well into their meal when James worked up the courage to ask.
"So, Edwin Greengrass," he began, chewing thoughtfully on his veal before finishing. "An old flame?"
"Are you asking out of jealousy or curiosity?"
"Possibly a bit of both," James admitted. "Unless we retell this story to Padfoot, then it was just curiosity. James Potter doesn't get jealous."
Regulus smirked. "Edwin is just an old friend. We rekindled our friendship after the war, and he approached me with an investment opportunity I couldn't refuse."
"Which was this restaurant."
"It was."
"You are the most difficult wizard to surprise, Regulus Black."
"One of my few talents."
James removed the napkin from his lap and laid it gently on the table. "I'm sure you have plenty of other talents that can be explored, Reg."
The candles had burned down over the course of their meal, casting the softest and palest of orange lights across both of their faces. There was something in the air, of which neither wizard could quite understand. The feeling of magic brushed against their skin as it swirled around them.
James could feel his face flush as he let out a sigh. "I hope this went as well as I think it did in my head."
"Worried, are you?"
"Always when you're concerned."
James wanted to say more. To admit that he had waited so incredibly long for the moment the two were sharing. But even he could feel the difference. His palms were sweaty and his face flushed, his heart racing in his chest, but it didn't feel as it did before.
The magic that set directly next to his heart did not lash out towards the man across from him as it had during the war. There wasn't an incessant need to latch onto Regulus and never let him go, feeling as though if he did, the world would end.
James knew that Regulus Black was his other half, of that he was absolutely certain. He noticed it in the way that Regulus looked absolutely calm sitting across from him, his grey eyes dulled just slightly to tamper his own feelings while they were in public.
He noticed it in the way that Regulus had been carefully scanning the restaurant, watching to see who was coming in and out that would see them together.
"You know I don't care what they think," he decided upon saying. "I don't care who knows about this."
Regulus stared back at James over the top of the table. "You should."
"Would you care to go for a walk?" James blurted. "I have to pick something up for Harry, and I have something to tell you."
Regulus studied James for a moment critically before removing his napkin from his lap. He straightened his vest and cleared his throat before nodding.
***
Harry James Potter was a spoiled child, James knew that of his son. He hadn't done much of anything to stop it, if he were to be honest. But he was hopeful that he was instilling into him that it was better to be kind and honest than anything else in the world. Lily had warned him about caving into Harry's wants too often since the moment he was a baby.
But James was in a dark place while Harry was small. Sometimes, on the rough nights, he would sit outside in the hall with his back to the nursery door, listening. His senses were heightened from his days as Prongs, and he could hear every time the tiny little newborn would stir in his crib.
He could hear Harry, alive, breathing, and ingrained into James was a feeling of having something to live for. His heart and being were no longer inside of himself or attached to Regulus Black. They were instead swaddled in the same crib that James himself had slept in as a baby.
It was hard not to spoil his son, especially after Lily remarried and moved out of Potter Manor. The joy and excitement that Harry so easily showed was enough for James to say yes to almost anything.
Which is why he didn't mind so much at the strange looks Regulus was giving him as he picked through a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
"Can I ask what you're doing?"
"Hmm?" James asked, looking up from the candy and blushing slightly. "Oh, this. Harry thinks that the woman at the counter of Honeyduke's specifically picks out the purple and yellow ones for him. Haven't got the heart to tell him that it's me."
James felt Regulus stop walking suddenly, causing him to stop a few steps ahead and turn back to Reg.
"You pick through boxes of jellybeans for your son because he doesn't like the other colors."
"I know. You don't have to say it," James shook his head. "Lily tells me all the time that I spoil him, but I can't help it."
But Regulus didn't speak, and instead reached his hand out and took the box of candy. Without a second thought, he began to pick through the colors, leaving behind the purple and yellow ones and discarding the rest.
The scene in front of James was doing dizzying things to his brain, watching the way that Regulus's brow furrowed ever so slightly in concentration as he continued their jellybean search.
"You don't have to do that, Reg." He was almost breathless, he could even hear it himself.
"Of course I do, Potter. We can't be having Potter Junior finding out that he's not that random witch's favorite-"
The box of Bertie Bott's hit the ground with a thud that Regulus barely heard, noting the way that James's lips felt against his own. His hands encased both sides of Regulus's face as Reg's hands hung limply next to James's hips, barely grazing the point where his jumper ended and the top of his trousers began.
The kiss was warm, but it lacked that magical heat from the bond that both wizards could somehow still remember. The noticeable absence did nothing more than spur Regulus on, causing his fingertips to casually begin to brush against the exposed skin at James's waist.
The contact caused James to gasp, whether from the intensity of the kiss or the chill of Regulus's skin neither were certain. Regulus took the opportunity to push back against James's control, slipping his tongue into James's mouth as the gasp turned into a quick and sharp moan at the back of James's throat.
The noise was enough to cause Regulus to come to his senses, breaking the kiss and leaning his head back as both wizards were panting from their shared kiss.
"You dropped Harry's candy," was all that would come to James's mind.
"I'll buy the kid more."