Chapter 14
“What the fuck!”
Sirius is standing in the doorway, mouth agape.
“It’s not what it looks like,” James exclaims.
“Then what is it?”
Regulus acknowledges, “It’s exactly what it looks like.”
“So, you two are-”
“Dating? Yeah,” Regulus says.
“Since when?”
“Officially, today. But we’ve been messaging for a while now.”
“Oh my God!” Sirius shouts, realisation striking him. “He’s the Handsome Stranger! You weren’t stood up on my birthday, were you?”
“No,” James responds, “but I had no idea he was your brother when we met.”
“This is just too much right now. I mean, my brother and my best friend!”
“I’m sorry we didn’t tell you sooner.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I didn’t want anything to jeopardise our relationship,” Regulus confesses. “I just got you back, I can’t lose you now. Not again.”
Sirius sighs, “I need some air,” and he turns away without saying another word.
“Fuck,” Regulus says.
“I’m so sorry, I should have realised he’d be back soon.”
“It’s not your fault, James. And besides, he’s probably just being dramatic. Give him a day or two and he’ll be planning our wedding.”
James laughs, “Sounds about right.”
“At least we don’t have to hide anymore.”
“I quite liked hiding it,” James voices.
“You enjoyed lying to my brother?”
“Okay, not that part. But I liked sneaking around. It was really exciting. It was really...sexy.”
“Sexy?”
“Yes.”
Regulus leans forwards and kisses James passionately, “This sexy enough for you?”
James answers by nodding his head, too stunned to speak. Reg rolls over so that he is straddling James, and their lips meet once again. Moaning slightly as Reg bites his lower lip, James' mouth parts and their tongues tangle together and engage in a fierce battle for dominance inside their mouths. James runs his hands up Reg’s back and hears him gasp, which makes his lips tug slightly upwards at the corners. You are the most beautiful person I have ever seen. His hands find his way up Reg’s shirt, feeling the impossibly soft skin. James wishes that he can just stay in this moment forever.
Just as that thought occurs, Regulus jumps out of bed.
“Are you okay?” James asks. “Was that too much?”
Reg paces the length of the tiny bedroom, his breathing becoming more rapid. A barely audible “yeah” can be heard by James.
James apologises sincerely and adds, “We can go as fast or slow as you want.”
“I think I’m just going to go,” Regulus says as he practically sprints out of the dorm.
Fuck. James mentally curses himself for going too far. Why is he always too much? But he knows there’s something else going on. He just has to wait for Regulus to open up to him. When he’s ready. This is something that requires a lot of trust to tell someone.
***
Sirius does not come back to the dorm; James stays up all night so he could talk to him. But he never returned. He probably stayed with Remus. Even so, he continues to worry, sending him about ten thousand messages and calling him even more than that.
J: Pads, I’m sorry. Can we talk about this?
J: Answer the phone please
J: I’m sorry
J: We didn’t want to keep this from you, we were just worried about how you’d react
J: You're just proving our point
J: Please just text me you’re okay, I’m getting worried
J: Sirius
J: Text me, I'm worried
J: Please
J: I’m sorry
James waits all the way until 12 pm, missing his morning lecture. He finally gives up and decides to go for a run. Listening to Taylor Swift, he runs as fast as he can, letting all of his concerns fade away with every step. That’s his not-so-guilty pleasure, listening to Taylor Swift while working out. He pushes himself further and further. Faster and faster. Until his lungs burn with every breath he takes.
James has to stop running when his vision starts going blurry, white spots flashing across his eyes. Hands resting on his knees, he tries to steady his breathing. Head pounding. The intense heat of his body makes him feel lightheaded. Just as he is about to return to the dorm, James feels his legs wobble, and he collapses to the ground.