Chapter 10
By the time Peter stopped vomiting, Regulus had left the party. In fact, most people have. The only other people left in the club are the employees and those marauders who are still standing. James’ gaze drifts towards Remus, who was trying to stop Sirius from stealing some alcohol.
“They cut us off,” Remus said at James’ questioning look.
Dorcas was dancing alone on the dance floor; Marlene passed out on the sofa.
It took almost 40 minutes to make a 10-minute walk. Sirius kept getting distracted by pretty much everything and running around in all directions. At least he seems like he enjoyed his birthday. Although he is definitely going to regret drinking so much tomorrow. They had to stop every five minutes because Peter kept on throwing up. The sound and smell makes James want to vomit himself, but he helps his friend, rubbing his back and soothing him. Dorcas was struggling to support the weight of her girlfriend, who’s barely conscious. James puts his free arm around her, helping Dorcas keep her upright. With two of his friends under his arms, James can’t help but be reminded of what Regulus said earlier this evening.
You’re a good friend, James.
His stomach twists in knots at the thought of the handsome stranger. Well, not much of a stranger anymore. But James’ head was racing. Was he really gonna do this? Was he really gonna go on a date with his best friend’s brother? Should he tell Sirius about this?
No, James decides. If Regulus wanted him to know, he would have told him earlier. Not like he’d remember it tomorrow. Sirius will find out when Regulus is ready for him to know.
When they finally made it to their dorm, Sirius collapses on his bed, Remus squeezing in beside him. James overhears Remus mutter to himself, “Damn single bed.”
James offers his bed to Peter, and he could almost hear the snores the second his head collided with the pillow. He reaches under his bed and pulls out the washing up bowl he bought for Uni, which he later found out he didn’t need. So, he placed it on the floor next to Peter’s head. He will need that in the morning.
“James,” Remus says, his eyes remaining closed as he holds Sirius closer to his chest.
“Yes, mate.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” James replies non-committedly.
“Sirius is worried about you. And quite frankly, so am I.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m always here if you need to talk about anything. So is Sirius. And I'm pretty sure Peter is too. We'd do anything for you. I know I haven't known you very long, but you have no idea how much you mean to all of us.”
“Thanks,” James says, fighting back tears. No one has ever said that before. That they’d do anything for him. That he means a lot to other people.
He sits down on the floor, his back against his wardrobe. He pulls out his phone and finds that Handsome Stranger has messaged him.
I know today was probably a lot, but I want you to know that I care about you, and I will respect your wishes. If you think it would be too weird dating your friend’s brother, I will understand.
Regulus cares about him? God, people have got to stop saying that. Tears well up in his eyes. No, I will not cry.
J: Do you still want to date me?
Without a doubt.
Fuck. The tears that have been threatening to fall for the last few minutes finally escape his eyes. Wiping his cheeks, he replies to Regulus.
J: Good, I wouldn’t want this to make things awkward between us.
So you still want to date me?
J: Definitely
But can we keep this between us for now? I've only just reconnected with my brother, and I don’t want anything to ruin our relationship.
J: Of course
James turns his phone off and for the first time in weeks, he has a decent night's sleep.