Chapter 14 - Pollen
Regulus twirled his wand in his fingers as he sat in the chair beside Remus' bed.
The silver base of his wand glistened in the light and the dark black of the wood created this almost black hole look as it spun around in a circle.
"Nice trick."
Regulus' eyes traveled up to Remus who had been watching him, twirl his wand for the span of almost an hour.
"I have a lot of free time", Regulus muttered, "How do you feel?"
Remus' face contorted into a look Regulus knew too well.
Disappointment, agony, fear.
"You know." He spoke.
"I do."
Regulus felt an ache in his chest at the look of despair on Remus' face. He wished he could make it all better.
"Before you make any decisions, I just wanna tell you what happened", Regulus started, "I won't tell anyone. You kept my secret."
"It wasn't mine to tell." Remus sighed softly.
"And yours isn't mine." Regulus retorted in the same manor.
Remus nodded and Regulus took that as his cue to speak.
"Snape and Sirius got into a fight and Sirius was so drunk. He told Snape about the willow. And I stopped him. I erased the memory from his mind", Regulus explained, "Sirius feels awful- so awful. And I know what he did was horrible. He loves you. And I know that doesn't fix anything, but I just needed you to know."
Remus was silent as Regulus finished.
"Thank you." He mumbled softly.
Regulus knew he wanted space. He would at least give the boy that.
"If you need anything, just ask." Regulus quipped, returning the words Remus had once spoken to him.
He pushed the blue curtain open and stepped out of the curtained-off cubicle.
Regulus made his way through the castle and back to the Room of Requirements.
James was fast asleep, sprawled out on the bed. His body was only covered by a thin white sheet.
Regulus smiled at the scene, kicking his shoes off and slipping back into the bed.
He rolled to face James, caressing the boy's cheek.
James stirred at the action, humming contently.
He reached for Regulus and was met with clothes.
James popped one eye open and pouted.
"You're wearing clothes." He whined.
"I had to go do something." Regulus explained.
James just whined like a small child.
"Is that a problem?" Regulus chuckled.
"Wanted to lay here naked with you." James huffed.
Regulus just rolled his eyes fondly, stripping his clothes off and tossing them on the floor.
He cuddled closer to James, their skin hot against one another.
"Better?" Regulus mumbled into James' chest.
James tighten his grip on Regulus, tucking them in, "Much."
~
"Where are we going?" Regulus chuckled, stumbling as James guided him.
James' hands were over his eyes and all he saw was darkness.
Regulus stumbled over a rock and almost fell.
"James." Regulus huffed.
"Stop squirming so much and maybe you wouldn't fall", James huffed, "Just trust me."
Regulus sighed and obeyed.
James came to a stop and removed his hands.
Regulus squinted at the shift from darkness to bright sunlight, before his vision returned.
In front of them was a blanket and lots of food.
Regulus looked around at the poppies that surrounded them and smiled.
It was the field they'd first kissed in- their field.
Regulus turned around to face James.
"What is this?" He quizzed, unable to contain his smile.
"A picnic", James gleamed, "I was planning on taking you out before we slept together, but I'm not complaining."
He tugged Regulus to sit down on the blanket and began riffling through the food.
Regulus noticed how James' hand shook as he grabbed the plate of meats and cheeses.
He placed a hand on the boy's and looked up at him.
"Sorry- I'm kinda nervous." James admitted with a breathy laugh.
"You've been inside me and an innocent picnic makes you nervous?" Regulus teased.
"You make me nervous", James admitted, "And all fluttery and warm. I can't focus and my heart speeds up and I forget how to breathe."
It was almost like James was reading his mind.
Regulus smiled and kissed James.
His boyfriend was so cute.
"It's just us. James and Regulus against the world. There's no need to be nervous." Regulus assured.
The sparkle in James' eyes returned and he looked so utterly fond.
They ate all kinds of cheese, fruits, sandwiches.
By the time they were done, Regulus was stuffed.
Regulus' head rested on James' lap while the older boy was playing with the poppies.
James weaved the flowers into a makeshift crown and placed it gently on Regulus' head.
Regulus smiled and James leaned down to press a kiss to his lips.
"Best first date ever." James gleamed happier than ever.
"How many first dates have you had?" Regulus quizzed curiously.
"Just this one."
Regulus chuckled, "Thought so."
"Oh yeah, how many first dates have you had mister?" James questioned.
Regulus yawned lazily, "Too many to count."
"Oh yeah? Oh yeah?" James quizzed.
He began to tickle Regulus' side and the boy squirmed.
Regulus giggled and screeched, scrambling away from the boy.
He jumped to his feet and began sprinting through the field.
James was fast to chase after him.
Regulus looked behind his shoulder just as James jumped on him, tackling him to the ground.
"James!" Regulus shrieked.
They fell into the poppies, causing an explosion of pollen to fly up in the air and rain down on them.
Regulus and James broke out into laughter, clinging onto one another.
They would probably be sneezing for weeks, but neither boy cared- they were just too happy.
Regulus giggled as pollen coated James' glasses and blocked his sight.
He wiped it with his sleeve and smiled at the older boy.
James' fingers grabbed Regulus' chin and lifted it to press their lips together.
Regulus couldn't even deny it- it really had been the best first date ever.
He didn't need extravagance or a fancy place.
Regulus just needed James.