Nova

Regulus was staring at him with an intensity that felt like he might hit him or kiss him at any given moment. Personally James would have voted for the kiss, but he had to admit that his speech might also deserve a punch or two.

When none of the two happened he squeezed the hands still clasped in his own and got up, turning to leave.

He'd gotten a few steps away when; "Wait."

James turned. Regulus had a pinched expression on his face. The one were he felt something, wanted something maybe, but didn't know what to do. How to get from here to there.

"D'you wanna," Regulus scrunched up his nose. If at the use of such mundane words or at what he wanted to say James wasn't sure, but it was adorable. He was however sure he would definitely get that punch to the face if he voiced that thought, so he didn't. They weren't quite there yet.

"Would you want to take the bus? With me, I mean. To home. Um, home, yeah, going home I mean."

James smiled but Regulus was looking anywhere but at him, a high blush on his cheeks. "Yes Reg, I'd love to take the bus to home with you," he said quietly. Regulus' eyes snapped up immediately.

"Are you making fun of me?" he asked, a cold glimmer in his eyes and James made sure to keep his tone light and playful as he sat back down and grinned. "Maybe a little."

Regulus huffed, annoyed, but it was insecurity that James saw.

"I don't mean any harm by it, but I'll stop if you want me to." 

Regulus regarded him. "You do it with the others too, right?"

"Yeah," he nodded a little, watching as the gears turned in Reg's head. "Yeah, we do it to each other, you know, friendly, but," he scrunched up his face, "that doesn't mean you have to do it, or accept it. Boundaries are different for everyone and some people don't like that sorta thing."

Regulus blew out a breath, "no," he shook his head. "No it's fine. I don't mind. I just- Sometimes I can't tell if someone's being funny or trying to hurt me."

James nodded, oh boy.

"I'm gonna say something now, and I promise you I have no intention of hurting you, but you're not allowed to punch me, okay?"

Regulus went rigid and when James leaned slightly towards him he felt as if he could see the walls of stone Reg was putting up, preparing for a blow, an attack. It broke James' heart.

"You're really fucking adorable Reggie."

Whatever Regulus had been expecting, that certainly wasn't it and his eyes went wide.

James grinned as he leaned away and silently made a vow to make sure that this guy felt so loved, so secure, so welcome, that he would laugh at anyone who suggested he was anything but perfect.

He almost startled a little when he heard a snort from beside him. The sound so unlike the heir of the Black name in its inelegance and so childish for the rough troublemaker Regulus liked to present himself as.

He had his hand pressed to his mouth, but he was clearly laughing.

Warmth flooded James' chest at the sight and when Regulus caught his eye he reached out, slowly. Reg didn't pull away, or flinch, his eyes crinkled at the corners and James gently pried his hands off of his face.

"Merlin Reg," he breathed, "never hide that laugh. Never."

Regulus was still smiling when he let go of him again. He wasn't sure how much contact the other wanted but then Reg scooted a little closer and he blushed, right up to his ears.

They sat quietly for a while. James barely dared to move because it felt so special, so precious to have Regulus so close to him and so relaxed. Calm, but not composed. Just content. Or at least he hoped Regulus was.

"You never called it that before," James spoke after managing to calm his thundering heartbeat a little, "you never called it home before."

"Oh, yeah well-" Reg started fidgeting with his fingers and James had to resist the urge to take his hand, "Siri said that I could stay. He- He wants to put a window in the slope of the roof so I can see the stars, so that the room feels 'more like mine', you know and he-" he broke off as if startled.

Reg's eyes were flickering nervously, "I mean, I don't know if he talked to you all about this or- or if you're okay with it, if you want me there and I get it if not, I mean-"

"Reggie are you kidding?" James asked sternly.

"Of course we want you there. We want you with us. And it's not just Sirius, all of us. I mean honestly: I'd have you put in own bed if I had the chance ..." It took him a moment, but then he looked horrified. "Um, sorry- I -"

"That was uh, I didn't mean ... I don't have any expectations from you or anything, that was just, yeah, bad joke. I just meant I love having you there. We love having you home and well, me especially, but- but also Sirius and the others! And yeah, well. I'll try to stop talking now."

Regulus snorted again, a gleam in his eyes. "Nice safe Potter, I hope you know that that was highly embarrassing."

James laughed, and when he saw Regulus mouth twitch he couldn't help the giddy feeling that rose in him. They both looked up as a bus came to a squeaking stop in front of them.

"C'mon Nova, let's go home," he said, standing up and then carefully offering a hand to Regulus, whose cheeks had grown beet red, but he grabbed James' hand nonetheless.

"You are all in all very embarrassing," Regulus mumbled and then gave an annoyed sound when James gently pushed him away as he was about to hex the driver and paid him instead. "Really, really embarrassing," he hissed, but didn't let go of James' hand for a moment.

They sat at the back of the bus, James at the window. It was a little awkward first. How much space did you leave with someone you were kind of interested in but also definitely still figuring out? The answer was a lot.

And so James pressed himself against the cold window, still half facing Regulus, but leaving him room. That was until Regulus gave a little huff and slid closer. So close they were touching and James smiled.

"Can I put my arm around you?" he asked after a moment and Regulus nodded quickly.

Peeling himself from the window he lightly put his arm out, and around Regulus. After a moment Regulus let out a breath and some of the tension drained from him. Arms still crossed, but he let his head fall back onto James.

As the bus neared their stop he could feel Regulus getting restless. As casually as he could James withdrew his arm, trying to give the boy some more space, but that only earned him an irritated look.

It was still a bit difficult for him to read Reggie. To act accordingly. With Sirius you had to be patient. Pressure him and he'd explode, so you wait it out until he comes to you.

But with his brother things seemed a little different. Regulus was too insecure, felt to alone to just come forward and state a problem.

"What's bothering you Reggie?" he asked softly.

Regulus had his gaze fixed to the front as he gruffly replied, "nothing."

James waited. Watched as Regulus tightened the grip around himself.

"It's just-" Regulus began, clearly uncomfortable and still not looking at James anymore. "Does this mean anything? To you, I mean? Does this- Is this-" now he turned to James, silently pleading for him to finish that sentence on his own.

"What do you want it to mean Reggie?"

"Don't do that," he said sharply. "Don't fucking answer my question with a question."

"I just wanted to-"

"You know what, doesn't matter. We're here. Just, forget I asked." Regulus was already up when James reached out and grabbed his wrist, spinning him around. He was taller like this, with James sitting down and gave a soft little noise when James took his face into his hands, pulled him down and kissed him.

"Everything Reggie. To me, this means everything."