Chapter 10 - New & Old Acquaintances
When Regulus ran into Remus again, it was in the hospital wing the morning after they arrived back.
Regulus had meant to go the day before, but had skipped dinner in favor of more sleep.
When he arrived, his wrist all mangled, Madam Pomfrey gasped.
He blamed it on his clumsiness and she scolded him.
She put a cast over his wrist, to Regulus' dismay. It wasn't a nice break, meaning the magic could only do so much.
When she left to get him something for the pain, Lupin appeared.
"Are you alright?"
He'd gotten a haircut, Regulus noticed.
"Do you care?" Regulus quizzed, but there was no bite behind it.
"Yes." Remus muttered without hesitation.
This caught Regulus off guard.
"Why?" Regulus muttered, since he was seemingly the only person that cared.
"I misjudged you. I don't know what happened between you and James, but the gift for Sirius", Remus paused, "It meant a lot to him, so it means a lot to me."
Regulus let a smile ghost his lips.
"Not saying we'll be best friends, but if you need anything just ask." Remus muttered.
"Thanks." Regulus mumbled.
He didn't really think his gift for his brother was that special that he earned Remus' kindness, but he wouldn't complain.
Remus turned on his heels and headed towards the curtain.
Just as he was about to leave, he looked over his shoulder.
"Did you really fall down the stairs?" Lupin asked with a hint of disbelief.
Regulus looked down at his fingers.
He could lie or he could tell the truth.
Lupin wouldn't dare tell Sirius or he'd have to admit he'd spoken to Regulus.
"No."
Remus didn't say anything, just slipped out of the curtains.
Madam Pomfrey returned and made Regulus drink a vile potion that had him gagging.
Then she sent him on his way, after making him promise to be more careful.
He really didn't have any control, but he assured her he'd try.
~
Despite James' disappearing act, Regulus still studied in the Room of Requirements whenever he was free.
It was cozier than his other studying spots and much more private.
He could study or read or take naps, so it was an ideal spot.
Regulus raged tossing his quill across the room.
The cast on his wrist prevented him from writing with his left hand, meaning all his writing was now chicken-scratch.
His whole body hurt so bad.
Regulus had only been back a couple of days and he already hated it.
He was so mad- so furious that James had been such a big part of his time the last few months and now he was just gone.
The door opened and Regulus' whipped his head towards the intruder.
Speak of the devil.
James' face took on a look of horror as he took in Regulus.
"Godric, what happened?" James quizzed.
Regulus stood to his feet.
"Nothing."
He collected his things and went to leave, but James stopped him.
"Hey, talk to me." James pleaded.
"So now you care? Now you care because the wounds are visible?" Regulus spat.
"Reg-"
"No! You left! You kissed me and then you disappeared! You don't care!" Regulus cried.
"I do!", James exclaimed, "I fucking care about you, Regulus!"
Regulus fought the tears. He wouldn't cry, not in front of James- not now.
He was supposed to be angry. He needed to be angry.
"I- I'm so sorry. I like you, Regulus and that's scary. I've never done this before and I didn't want to ruin things because I cherish your friendship", James explained, "So I disappeared because I am a coward. I deserve your anger."
Regulus sighed.
He should be mad. He should be pissed. But James was there. He was finally there and that's all Regulus wanted.
He spun on his heels and placed his stuff back down before plopping down on the beanbag.
James looked at him hesitantly, looking about ready to run.
"Stay?" Regulus asked.
The boy joined across from Regulus in the beanbag and it was almost like no time had passed at all.
~
Regulus had gotten his friendship with James back and it was nice.
But it wasn't for another week that they got back to how they left off.
The pair were lying on the floor in the Room of Requirements, beside the fire.
They stared up at the ceiling in a peaceful silence.
James turned his head towards Regulus, who was glowing in the firelight.
"Can I kiss you?" James breathed.
Regulus glanced over at him, smiling a bit.
"Yeah."
James' hand came up to rest on Regulus' cheek.
He moved closer until their faces were inches apart.
And then James captured Regulus' lips with his.
It was everything Regulus had dreamed about.
He'd always wondered what was so special about kissing, but that was before James.
Before the boy's hands left heat on his skin, before his heart raced at his presence. Before those butterflies tickled his stomach.
James rolled so he was hovering over Regulus.
Regulus' hands buried deep in the older boy's soft head of hair.
James' hand was beside Regulus' head and the other was on his hip.
There was more of a rhythm the second time, more desire.
They only pulled apart for air, James resting his forehead on Regulus'.
He brushed their noses together with a smile and Regulus chuckled.
"I like you." James breathed.
Regulus smiled.
"I like you more."
They didn't need labels just yet. It was brand new and needed time to grow.
Regulus didn't know what they were doing, but he definitely wasn't going to stop.
James was different. Different in a way Regulus had no words for.
No wonder Sirius liked him so much.
James kissed his nose and then both cheeks under his eyes. Then he pressed a kiss to Regulus' lips.
He really was so peculiar.
There was no one in the world quite like James Potter.