James’ First Valentine’s Day
Sirius' newfound curiosity was what made Valentine's Day almost impossible.
Of course Lily and Mary had been on about their girls-only Valentines plans for the past week, leading Sirius to catch wind of it.
Which entail, left James bent out of excuses.
James had tried sneaking off half a dozen times just that morning. To which Sirius would interrogate him and he would eventually give up.
"Where are you going?" Sirius questioned as he leaned against the common room bookshelf.
"Oh, just the library." James shrugged.
"What for?" Sirius questioned, standing his ground.
James wasn't entirely sure what Sirius' problem was, but he just wanted to kiss his boyfriend and wish him a Happy Valentine's Day without the boy breathing down his neck.
"To study?" James stated as more of a question before looking around for Remus to help him, "Where's Moony?"
"I'll come with. I'm sure Moony'll be there." Sirius jeered.
"Actually, you can go. I think I have everything I need in the dorm." James quipped.
Sirius squinted observing the boy curiously.
"Is there something you’re keeping from me, Prongs?" Sirius questioned.
"Of course not, Pads. I tell you everything." James chuckled brushing off the boys words.
Sirius couldn't believe how the boy could so blatantly lie to his face.
And here James was- attempt number thirteen- this time he'd taken the cloak and map, rushing out as Sirius used the bathroom.
He had little time before Sirius noticed his absence and even littler time before he hunted him down.
James spotted Regulus with Ivan and Claudette, laughing as they sat on the courtyard bench.
James grabbed Regulus' arm pulling him upwards and under the cloak with him.
"I'll bring him back." James explained and Ivan and Claudette stared shocked as Regulus disappeared under the cloth.
Regulus chuckled as James began dragging him speedily into the closest hidden passage.
James slipped the cloak off them as he pressed Regulus against the wall before smashing his lips to the smaller boys.
"Morning." Regulus gleamed at the boy as they pulled away.
James pecked him on the lips, pulling him closer.
"Your brother is infuriating." James groaned.
Regulus snickered, "What'd he did now?"
"I've been trying to sneak away all morning and everywhere I turn he's standing there waiting for me to slip up." James explained.
Regulus' face fell, "You don't think..."
"No. I don't think I'd be left unscathed if he did." James assured the boy.
"Prongs!"
Regulus quickly transformed as James crouched to pet him.
Sirius appeared, spotting James petting Dot.
"What are you doing?" Sirius questioned.
James shrugged, "I went looking for Dot."
"Oh, okay" Sirius said unconvinced as he looked all around, "Well, I've decided we should all go to Hogsmeade together, just us Marauders, since I never seem to catch you around anymore."
Internally James groaned, but on the outside he smiled.
"Sure, Pads. Let me throw on warmer clothes. I'll meet you out by the train, yeah?" James muttered.
Sirius squinted at the boy, not expecting him to be so open to the idea.
"Yeah, okay." Sirius muttered before exiting out of the passage.
James stood up as Regulus changed back.
"Change of plans." James said pulling a cute white stag stuffed animal and box from his back pocket, handing it to Regulus.
"Happy Valentine's Day, my love." James said placing a soft kiss to the younger boys lips before disappearing out of the passage.
Regulus pouted to himself. This being one of those days when he wished they didn't have to keep it a secret.
Sometimes he wondered if they were even really together, if no one knew about it.
But of course it was just the cynical voice in the back of his head- because well, Ivan knew. And Claudette. Eva and Jac.
And that was enough for him- most days anyways.
He picked up the cloak from the ground before exiting the passageway in pursuit of his friends, who were- much to his dismay- sticking their tongues down each other's throats.
The pair pulled away at the sight of Regulus.
"That quick?", Ivan exclaimed, "That's gotta be some record."
"I wish", Regulus huffed knowing Ivan implied they'd had a quickie, "Stupid brothers been cock-blocking all day."
Ivan's eyes widened, "He knows?!"
"Unlikely. He knows something though- I'm just not sure what." Regulus explained before getting lost in his thoughts.
Sirius was a fan of the dramatics, meaning if he knew, all hell would break loose and it hadn't- that Regulus knew of anyways.
Except Sirius hadn't been suspicious as of recent, meaning he knew something- something they didn't.
Miles away James was having the worst Valentine's Day of his life.
He gloomily swirled Butterbeer around in his bottle as his friends conversed about who knows what.
James didn't mean to be such a buzzkill, but every single one of his friends got to experience Valentine's Day with a partner and James wanted it.
James, being the only- seemingly-single friend, hadn't gotten to ever enjoy the holiday for what it was.
He just wanted to spoil his boyfriend rotten and steal kisses while having a romantic picnic overlooking the Black Lake.
He couldn't help but resent Sirius for dragging him along, but it was mostly his own fault- if only everything wasn't so complicated.
James was only shaken from his thoughts as his friends all looked at him.
"Hmm?" James questioned.
"Want another one?" Peter quizzed gesturing towards the basically empty bottle in James' hand.
"Yeah sure", James said with a soft smile, "Thanks, Pete."
Peter slid out from the booth before heading towards the bar.
"We're gonna go help him." Remus explained before dragging Sirius out of the booth.
Remus and Sirius joined Peter as the blonde looked over at the moping James.
"Why does he look like that?" Peter questioned with a frown.
"Who?" Sirius asked obliviously.
"James", Remus explain gesturing towards the boy, "C'mon, Pads. Just let him go."
"If he'd just tell us who he's sleeping with we wouldn't even be here." Sirius quipped.
"James was nothing but supportive for us, we should be the same." Remus explained.
"But-" Sirius started.
"He'll tell us when he's ready." Remus assured, which could be considered hypocritical since he was ahold of this information- but Sirius didn't need to know that.
Sirius thought about it, looking over at his miserable best friend, before sighing.
The trio headed towards James as the boy looked up from his bottle.
"Hey sorry- don't be too mad, but Remus and I are gonna head out and Peteys got a date." Sirius explained.
"Oh, okay", James muttered holding back his excitement, "Have fun."
"Yeah, we'll see you later." Remus said with a smile.
Sirius began dragging Peter and Remus out the door. The bell ringing as they exited.
They stepped into the alley, watching as moments later a excited James exited.
"We're doing the right thing, aren't we?" Peter asked looking towards Sirius and Remus.
James practically danced across the plaza.
"Yeah, Pete. Yeah we are." Sirius sighed as the three of them watched James- as happy as can be.
***
Regulus was lazily lying in bed, repeatedly tossing his stuffed stag in the air and catching it.
The green gem on his finger caught the fading sun's light. 'R+J' carved into the inner of the black band- another gift from James.
After third wheeling Ivan and Claudette the entire day, he ditched the lovebirds and headed to his dorm for one of the best naps of his entire life, which Regulus had figured had something to do with the stag's calming lavender smell.
James always had ways of taking care of Regulus, without him even knowing.
The young boy was slightly disappointed he couldn't give James his gift.
It wasn't anything too special, just a bunch of James' favorite muggle candies that he'd managed to get ahold of, but he'd really just wanted to see the boys face light up.
There was a knock at his dorm door, that caused him to groan.
"Go away." Regulus hissed.
"Oh, Reggie", Ivan called in a sing-song voice, "I've got a message from your lover."
To this, Regulus jumped out of bed.
He flung open the door, snatching the note from Ivan's hand.
"Thanks, love." Regulus gleamed before shutting the door in his face.
Regulus tore open the parchment as he scanned down the letter with a smile.
To The Love of My Life,
Black Lake. Ten minutes. All you need to bring is your cute little self.
- Jamie
Regulus stuffed the stag into his back pocket before collecting the candy and throwing it in his bag.
Regulus slipped out of the common room where other single, grumpy Slytherins had found themselves moping- earning himself a few glares and mumbled curses.
He made his way out of the castle by the closest exit, deciding on the more scenic route.
Of course it was also faster and there was less of a chance to be spotted, the scenery was just a plus.
Regulus headed down the hill towards the secluded area, by the willow trees that shaded the shore of the Black Lake.
Regulus spotted James, standing beside the tree waiting for him.
Regulus gleamed at the boy before breaking off into a sprint.
He dropped his bag before barreling towards James who face contorted as Regulus tackled him to the ground.
The pair broke out into laughter as Regulus straddled the older boy.
James pushed himself up onto his elbows before sweetly kissing the boy before him.
Regulus smiled as he pulled away, "I got you something."
"You got me something? You didn't have to get me anything." James muttered as Regulus climbed off him to grab his bag.
James pulled Regulus into his lap as the boy dumped the bags contents, revealing a bunch of muggle candies.
"Muggle candy? How did you get ahold of muggle candy?" James questioned with a smile as he ticked Regulus' side playfully.
Regulus chuckled, "Being friends with the house-elves has its perks."
Regulus picked up the stag that had fallen from his pocket as well as a piece of chocolate that Regulus handed to James.
"Did ya name him yet?" James question shoving the chocolate into his mouth.
"No", Regulus admitted observing the stuffed animal, "I was thinking- James."
"That's a terrible name." James joked.
"You're right." Regulus agreed hiding his smile.
"No one in their right minds would name someone 'James'." James went on.
Regulus laughed, "You're such a loser."
"Your loser." James quipped.
"Oh god. Don't start that." Regulus cringed.
"Start what?" James quizzed playfully.
Regulus rolled his eyes before observing the stag again.
"How about Spike, because stags' antlers are pointy." Regulus suggested.
After getting no response Regulus turned his head to look at James, who'd been gazing at him lovingly.
"You're cute, do you know that?" James cooed as he scrunched his nose in pure joy.
"You're annoying", Regulus muttered with a smile, "Speaking of annoying, how'd you managed to shake my brother off?"
James shrugged, "He let me go."
"What?" Regulus quizzed as he sat up looking towards James.
"He said he was taking off with Remus and then he left." James explained.
"Are we being set up?" Regulus questioned as he looked around apprehensively.
"I wasn't followed", James started, "At least I don't think I was."
Regulus was ready to scramble away from James only for James to hold him in place.
"Even if I was followed", James started hesitantly, "Would it be all that bad?"
Regulus sighed before relaxing back into the boy.
"You know how I feel about it, Jamie", Regulus explained, "It's your decision."
"You have a lot on your plate, do you really think it'd be a good idea to add being on the outs with your best friend?" Regulus quizzed resting his arms over James'.
"You're right, like always." James sighed.
"I know", Regulus said before kissing the boy on the cheek, "Now- less talking, more stuffing your face with chocolate."
"Yes ma'am." James joked.
Regulus turned before smacking James upside the head, hard.
"Ow! What was that for?!" James hissed.
"I told Ivan I was going to punch the next person who said 'ladies first'." Regulus explained glaring at the boy.
"I didn't say 'ladies first'! I said 'yes ma'am'!" James exclaimed.
"Yeah well I didn't punch you, I hit you." Regulus muttered, crossing his arms.
"You are so mean to me." James huffed dramatically burying his head into Regulus' neck.
"You love me." Regulus chuckled running his hand through James' hair.
"I do." James muttered against his neck.
Maybe Valentine's Day hadn't been such a bust after all.
James had never truly understood the holiday in retrospect, but there was something about it- the cool breeze brushing against their noses, the warmth of Regulus in his arms, spending hours basking in each other's company- that really made James see why it'd been so popular.
Now that James could identify that feeling and experience it, he could see that love really was in the air.
And if he was being honest, he'd be perfectly content spending every Valentine's Day for the rest of his life just like this- just him and Regulus and whatever life threw at them.