Chapter 16 - Friends Become Family
Regulus had been so deep in his head, he hadn't noticed James' eyes on him.
The way James looked at Regulus was indescribable.
His eyes racked down Regulus' body as if James had never seen Regulus before, almost to say, 'Where have you been all my life?'
There.
Regulus had always been there.
Always been right where James was supposed to find him.
The run-in at the library was no accident, it was fate.
In every timeline and every universe- Regulus Black and James Potter would always fall madly in love.
That was just the facts.
Regulus had gotten a glimpse of their future, and what he saw was pure happiness.
So Regulus had no worries. He did not fear the world like he once had.
He did not fear the future- he embraced it.
There was a flutter in his stomach that filled his whole body with warmth.
If James didn't stop looking at him like that, he might explode altogether.
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and husband." The man announced.
The crowd full of their family- of their friends and peers- broke out into cheers as Sirius passionately kissed Remus.
After the ceremony they moved into the barn where there was a dance floor and music.
White-clothed tables were spread all around and set for food.
Sirius was eager to get on the dance floor with his husband and Regulus had a feeling that's where they would spend the majority of their evening.
Regulus had collapsed into a chair as soon as the opportunity presented itself.
James had rested in a chair beside him, his hand resting casually on Regulus' thigh, while he spoke to some Order members.
Occasionally James squeezed his thigh- whether it was to remind Regulus that he wasn't being ignored or to assure himself that Regulus was still there, was beyond Regulus.
At one point, Regulus started tracing shapes on the back of James' hand- which earned him a quick kiss to the temple.
Regulus was never a talkative one, especially around people he didn't know, so it didn't bother him much.
Although as they were serving food, Regulus caught sight of two familiar faces approaching.
"Who invited you tossers?" Regulus scoffed as Ivan and Claudette sat at their table.
"I did", Sirius gleamed, kissing the top of his brother’s head, "I know how antisocial you are and I least wanted you to have somewhat of a good time."
Remus shrugged, "Besides, they're like family."
"Ivan can't even spell family." Regulus joked.
"That's not true!" Ivan huffed.
"You're not wrong." Claudette chuckled.
"I'll have you know I'm great with words." Ivan scoffed.
"You sure?", Claudette quizzed towards him before looking towards everyone else, "This morning he was doing one of those word puzzles in the paper and he goes 'what's a four letter word for an underground chamber?' And I said 'we almost died in one' and he goes 'a maze?'"
"To be fair we almost die a lot!" Ivan pouted.
Everyone chuckled, but Regulus could feel James' grip tighten, so he changed the subject.
"So what have you idiots been doing for the week I didn't see you?" Regulus quizzed.
"Missing you desperately." Ivan huffed dramatically.
A smile grew on Regulus' face and his eyes met the newly weds.
Both Sirius and Remus looked at him pleased, showing in their faces how nice it was to see Regulus so comfortable- so himself.
Regulus had been hiding for so long and now he was free.
He decided that whatever happened next- was for the universe to dictate.
So he laid back, rested his head against James shoulder, and enjoyed the night.
The dancing afterwards was to make up for all the massive amounts of food they'd eaten.
"Feel like dancing, Potter?" Regulus quizzed playfully.
"What are we, fifteen again?" James scoffed at the use of his last name.
"You sure act like it." Regulus teased.
"I'm not getting up until you ask nicely." James huffed, crossing his arms.
Regulus dipped down to whisper in James' ear- something that sent the boy springing to his feet.
With a laugh, Regulus dragged James by his tie like a lost puppy dog to the dance floor just as the song slowed.
James' hand rested so effortlessly on Regulus' hips, like they perfectly molded to his hands.
The pair was close- closer than close- so close, they were breathing the same air.
Regulus wrapped his arms around James' neck.
They both filled their lungs with burning passion, with desire- with tension, Merlin the tension.
Regulus would make sure all his filthy promises were kept, just as long as James kept looking at him with that dazed look.
"You're drooling." Regulus teased.
James on smirked, his confidence suddenly reeling back.
He whispered back in Regulus ear words that made the small boy's knees go weak- words that sent shivers down his spine.
Regulus loved it, he loved that everyone danced so careless and lovingly around them, but in their own little bubble the pair were desperately trying not to jump each other's bones.
The pair danced around so unbothered by the world around them.
Regulus let himself reminisce on the Yule Ball, of how James was the center of attention as he danced with Lily.
He thought of how desperately he wished they had been dancing and now here they were.
James was so effortlessly wrapped around Regulus' finger, dancing in front of everyone to a sappy slow song Sirius had put on the playlist.
Here there was no judgment- no fear of being ridiculed.
It was all Regulus had ever wanted- to be loved and accepted as he was.
Regulus rested his head on James' chest and let his eyes rest, if only for a moment.
"Regulus, I will love you, comfort you, honor and keep you, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to you so long as we both shall live", James explained, causing Regulus to look up at him, "I would marry you in a heartbeat if you wanted."
Regulus smiled bringing his hands to cup James' face.
"We've got our whole lives, baby", Regulus assured with a smile, "Besides, we're practically already married."
"I know, but I-" James started.
"You're enough for me, James", Regulus whispered so softly, "You've always been enough."