The Dare
By the orders of an incredibly persuasive Mary Macdonald, a respected number of the people at the party sat down on the floor for a game of spin the bottle.
Remus rolled eyes when asked, but sat down when Mary shot him a look and Sirius inevitably sat beside him. He leaned his head on Remus' knee and the two shared a cigarette - Sirius taking a drag and then carrying the cigarette to his friend’s lips and watching him take a drag. The slight hint of the lip gloss Sirius wore stained the cigarette, and made Remus’ lips a faded maroon color as the two shared it, and if he’s being honest - Regulus wouldn’t be surprised there was another reason for this.
His friends have spread themselves all around the circle. They seemed to have befriended the others and weren’t the tight knit group they were in the beginning. Barty and Pandora sat beside each other and talked to an awkward looking Amos Diggory, and Barty gave him the ‘look’ he gave everyone he flirted with, the one that always made them turn red in the face, his hand slowly creeping up to his knee as he shamelessly flirted with the poor lad.
Right across from him sat James, and Regulus smiled as he saw him speaking with Evan, his usual smile smeared on his face and he laughed as Evan said something to him. His head fell backwards and his glasses fell down the bridge of his nose. His eyes crinkled and his wide smile remained ever so present even once his laughter had ceased to grace the room.
Regulus stared at him with awe - unable to get a hold of himself and seem indifferent as he was so usual to do with every boy in the same situation. He wondered how could one boy - man, almost - hold such a great power that would make even an expert of control, which he has for so long prided himself of being - let down his guards.He wasn’t used to feeling like this. Out of control. Powerless.
“Regulus, dear?” a voice whispered to him.
Mary.
“Mhmm?”
“You’re staring.”
“Oh, I was just…”
“I see being oblivious is a trait you and your precious brother both share,” she smiled kindly.
“ Oh, I wasn’t…” he mumbled. Would she tell Sirius? Would he not want to speak to him again? Fear crept into his heart, almost pouring out of his mouth in a string of mumbled pleas for her.
He doesn’t even know her, and she noticed.
“Hey, relax,” she said and put her hand on his shoulder, “Don’t worry. We’re all friends here. And I have to tell you, Regulus, I know I don’t know you very well but you seem like a very nice guy. You don’t have to worry this much.”
Her head tilted down as she nodded at him, as if trying to calm down a child during a tantrum.
She was right. He needed to calm the fuck down.
“Hey, I know you probably don’t want to talk about it, and if I’m being honest, Sirius isn’t very cheery about bringing it up, but I understand that it was tough for you back home. With your parents and all.”
Regulus shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“And I won’t bring it up again, but just know that it’s really good here. You’ve got a really fucking sweet brother. And he loves you. He got himself absolutely wasted worried sick you weren’t going to come. You’re going to be fine.”
“Thanks,” he said back. His lips curled into a slight smile as she patted him on the back. “So, Potter, huh?”
“Oh, god,” he murmured and put his head between his hands.
“Hey, I’m not judging. You’ve got good taste. He really is just… yummy.”
“Yummy?” Regulus lifted his gaze back to her and smirked.
“Don’t tell me you disagree.”
“Never said that,” he said and laid his eyes on James, who was already looking at him. Regulus leaned back, making himself comfortable as he maintained eye contact with him, gently tapping his fingers on the floor as his gaze practically undressed James.
“God, did I make friends with the wrong brother. You’re torturing him.”
“It’s how we do it in Slytherin.”
“Oh, I don’t think this is just a Slytherin thing. It’s a brother thing. Your brother has been torturing poor Remus all night long. The only difference is he doesn’t realize that that is what he’s doing.”
“Mhmm.”
He wasn’t really listening.
“You know what?” she said and shifted her body towards him. She had the same mischievous look in her eye that Sirius had whenever he had done something particularly nasty to piss off their mother. Oh, god. “I’ve got an idea.”
And before Regulus dared to open his mouth a loud yell came out of her mouth - “Hey, everybody! Let’s start, shall we? Marlene, spin it for us, won’t you?” she smiled at a blonde girl that Regulus recognized from Quidditch. The girl - Marlene - smiled at Mary and lifted her wand, causing the empty bottle to spin and make a loud ‘clink!’ sound as it landed on Barty and James.
“So what are the rules of this, again?” Sirius mumbled from his place on Remus’ lap. He seemed to have finished his cigarette and put it out on the floor. His hands wandered around his pockets in search of his pack - because as it turns out, he smokes a lot when he drinks.
“Oi, Pads! What did we say about cigarette butts on the floor?” James said.
“Ass,” Sirius said but mumbled a spell that made the burnt cigarette turn into a bar of chocolate. Fucking show off, Regulus thought, trying to hide the fact that he was actually kind of impressed.
Sirius summoned the chocolate to his hand and handed it to Remus. “Here you go, Moons.” He put a new cigarette in his mouth and snapped his fingers to light it, smiling to himself as the tip of it burned and looked back at Mary. Remus couldn’t quite hide his blush and his hand wandered around in Sirius’ hair, seemingly unaware that it was doing so.
“So,” Mary explained, “The bottle lands on two people in the circle and the one who gets the tube asks the other one if they choose truth or dare. And then you just make something up. So now the bottle landed on James and Barty, and Barty needs to ask James what he wants to choose.”
“Potter, truth or dare?” Crouch asked. He seemed to be enjoying this way too much.
“Dare,” James smiled at him.
“Take your shirt off.”
Regulus gave Barty a fucking death stare and he blew a fake kiss back to him in return. That asshole.
“Er, sure,” James said. He was wearing a Quidditch shirt, which is tight in all kinds of places and is definitely doing something for Regulus. As he took it off, his hair and glasses got tangled in it and he struggled to get them out for a few seconds. His shirt landed on the floor beside him and Regulus shamelessly studied this new uncharted territory. Well, him and half of Gryffindor.
Miles upon miles of olive skin stretch out, firmly and so gently, because as it turns out, working out at five in the morning every day for years can really do stuff for a guy. He turned around to throw the shirt on the nearest piece of furniture and Regulus got a glimpse of his back. Some scratches showed their way across his skin (Regulus’ fault, probably, which turned out to come quite in handy because these scratches are about to make a fucking nymphomaniac out of him).
There was a long scar that lay on his ribcage and his neck was still a bit marked from Regulus’ lips. His eyes wandered again and he saw the shortest glimpse of a tattoo on his waist, almost covered by his belt, as it went down underneath his trousers. As if this asshole of a man couldn’t get any more attractive.
Barty whistled. Of course he had to fucking whistle.
“Thank you, Potter. Real public service.”
“Thanks, Crouch,” he said and rubbed his hair. Regulus can tell he’s quite embarrassed.
“So,” Mary said, “Since you got asked, you need to spin. Go ahead.”
James leaned forward to get a bit closer to the bottle, closer to Regulus by proxy (not that he’s paying attention to that kind of thing, obviously). Regulus’ head tilted as he looked at his exposed waist, his belt touching the ground as he leaned. As James whispered the spell, Regulus caught Barty’s eye, who was also whispering something under his breath and looking at the bottle. As the bottle turned around and landed on James and Regulus, Barty winked at him cockily and Regulus reminded himself to smack him for that later.
Or thank him.
Depends on how this goes.
His eyes met with James’ and he swallowed when he saw that James was already looking at him.
“Regulus, truth or dare?” he asked, smiling.
There was no doubt about it. James was nervous.
“You pick,” Regulus heard himself say. He doesn’t really play games like this at the parties he goes to. And this seemed risky, but fun. A few months ago he would never even come close to something like this, fearing the possibility of someone having any control over him like that. Of course it’s not the same as it is at his house, but it’s a bitter reminder. He can’t be honest, but he can always do as people please. Sirius once asked him if his knees ever got tired from falling at their mother’s feet. If they get red and make it harder for him to walk like someone with a fucking spine.
He swallowed hard at the reminder and went back to looking at James.
“Er, what’s your favorite meal of the day?”
“Really? you could ask me anything or make me do anything you want and that’s what you pick?”
“I don’t know. I suck at this.”
“Ask him who gave him the hickies!” Barty yelled from the other side of the circle. Again, earning himself yet another death look from Regulus. He seemed unaffected by these and grinned at him mischievously, which Regulus guessed is fair since he is quite used to it by now.
Sirius, drunk as a… Well, there aren’t many words one can use to describe just how drunk he is right now, is half-saying half-slurring from Remus’ lap, “Actually, I’d like to know who’s been doing… that to my little brother.”
Regulus can’t help but roll his eyes. “Vraiment, Sirius?”
It somehow always made sense to scold him in French. Sirius wasn’t really a fan of the language, probably because it was a skill required in the Black family much like many others - as they learned several languages and played multiple instruments as children - but he was very, very good at it. Probably not as much as Regulus was, as he thoroughly enjoyed the language and savored the sounds as they came out of his mouth. It was theirs. Their thing that most people around could not understand.
“And as to your question, James. I am quite fond of breakfast. Now ask me something real. You talk too big of a game about Gryffindor parties for this. Go on.”
He could hear Mary choking a laugh.
“I can help you if you want, Potter. I’m very good at this. Reg here says I have true talent.”
“I do not.”
“Do too,” Barty smiled at him, “so, need any help?”
“Lay it on me.”
Barty looked him up and down. “With pleasure.”
Regulus is so gauging his eyeballs out for this.
Barty leaned in and whispered something in James' ear that makes him go a shade of red that is lighter than the one Regulus makes him wear, but also makes him laugh profusely.
They exchange a few whispers and then Barty smacks James’ shoulder and goes back to his seat.
“To your dear and frankly, quite scary, friend’s advice,” James said, “I should make you do a dare, to which you pick a guy in the circle to make out with.”
“Does it depend on anything or can I just pick?” Regulus asked and leaned a bit closer.
James rearranged his glasses on the bridge of his nose and said, “Well, there was a criteria but I’m never saying it aloud, because, Jesus christ, mate,” he said and looked at Barty, “So just pick whoever you’d like, I guess.”
“Okay. Get up.”
Sirius choked on a loud cough from his cigarette. Remus bit his lip to try to stop himself from laughing and his friends, all around the circle seem to be experiencing the same range of emotions.
Near him, Mary makes a quiet humming sound. She sounded pleased.
“Me?” James said, surprised.
“Yes. Get up.”
James obeyed almost instantly. His shirt was left on the floor beside his shoes and he was standing there, shirtless, flustered and much to Regulus’ personal enjoyment - very beautiful.
“Oh, I like you,” Mary chuckles beside him as he looks at her, smiling.
Sirius still seemed to be choking at the smoke.
Evan was weezing.
James was clearly waiting for instructions on how to proceed. He stood there and smiled at Regulus, his eyes seeming to float to other places as his mouth was slightly parted, gently recovering from the last word he uttered. Regulus wondered what he was thinking about. He hoped it was something good.
He started going up the flight of stairs to the boys’ dorms and James quickly followed. He stopped right at the top, where he was sure no one could see them. James was standing a few stairs beneath him and looked at him, eyes wide, unsure how to proceed.
“Is this your room?” Regulus asked and pointed to the door beside him. His heart was beating so fast it might just jump out of his chest and he could see that James was having the same problem.
He doesn’t know if he would’ve done what he did had he been sober. If he would have chosen James, straightaway - just like that. He would have wanted to, though. James seemed to come to his senses and said, “Yeah.” His voice was soft yet rugged and he climbed up the remaining steps. Now, he and Regulus were standing on the same step, close and still very far - mouths not touching but aching to, like a scratching you can’t seem to shake, no matter how much you want to.
James leans his hand towards Regulus, still not speaking. Regulus hesitated before taking it, as the look in James’ eyes seems to be filled with terror.
Regulus took his hand and leads him up the stairs.
They were both standing against the door to James’ dorm room, and James looked a bit down at him. Regulus never noticed itbefore, their height difference. It wasn’t anything like the way Remus and Sirius were different from each other, but more subtle. Nothing he would have noticed if they weren’t standing this close, eyes peering deeply into the pair opposite to them and hands sliding to match with skin.
James’ hands leaned onto the frame of his door while Regulus was between them. There was a plea in his eyes, disastrous in its nature, like he wanted to be saved from whatever it was he was thinking about.
“I could give you a tour, you know,” he whispered to him, lips twitching in a nervous smile.
“I want to stay here,” Regulus whispered back.
Forever, maybe.
“Hey, if you don’t want to, we don’t have to do anything. Maybe you were just really drunk last time, or you’ve regretted things, or - well, I don’t know, bu-”
“Shut up.”
“What?” James whispered to him, cheeks flushed.
“Kiss me.” His voice was so small that for a second he wondered if James managed to hear him. His eyes went wider and there was a hint of relief as he leaned in and pressed his lips so aggressively to Regulus’ mouth that he thought he might bleed into James’ mouth.
It was rougher than last time. This time James knew what he truly wanted and guided Regulus in his path. It was… unusual, to say the least - not something that he lets guys do very often, but it was… different.
His hands slid from the wall and danced around Regulus’ body, one pressed gently to his waist, as if keeping him safe from the other, pulling on his hair the deeper the kiss got.
It didn’t take long for Regulus to get a quiet groan out of James, that made his lips fall under James’ mouth and kiss a trail right to his neck. His mouth was singing praise in the form of rough kisses implanted on his neck, and James’ nails dug deeper into his waist. The groans sunk in Regulus’ mouth, down to his throat and he was almost careless as his lips left a red and purple bite mark on James neck. James seemed to be thoroughly enjoying this, judging by the sounds he was making. Regulus put his hand to James’ mouth to silence him, simultaneously wanting to keep him just as he is now, but knowing the consequences of noise. He made him quiet with the words he whispered gently as he was trailing down his neck, a praise that comes after a kiss and another one before a bite. The words escape as lust takes place, and he forgot them as soon as they left his mouth. James seemed to melt from under him to their sound, so he assumed they have their effect on him.
He hummed, pleased, as his lips climb back up to James’ lips and they are grazing, half touching as if to plead before the other, and James understood.
This one is more gentle than the other ones and his mouth seemed to collapse into it. His knees got weak and James supported him and turned his back to the wall. It isn’t violent, he does not wish to take something from Regulus - simply to help him get back up. James parted his lips to take a deep breath and looked to Regulus, eyes wide.
“Hi.”
“Hello.”
“This was nice.”
Regulus laughed.
“I heard,” a bit cockily but nevertheless in agreement.
“I want-” James starts and his eyebrows furrow. Regulus stopped him and put a hand to his mouth. The other was sitting on his waist. It is not a gentle caress in the same way that James put his own hand to Regulus' waist. It is protective, nails wishing to dig deeper, leave marks.
“Don’t ask me now, Okay?” Regulus whispered.
“What?”
“Whatever you want to ask. Don’t do it now, Okay? just leave me this memory, for now.”
James seemed a bit confused but dutifully nodded and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. And then his forehead. And then the little spot between his eyebrows that twitches when he laughs. And then the bridge of his nose, and then the corner of his mouth. Regulus waited there, patiently, eyes closed, for James to find his lips again. It doesn’t take long, and here they are again.
Regulus let his hand roam through James’ hair to pull him closer, the curls are ridiculously soft to touch and his nose crashes with James’ glasses as he triecd to push himself onto him.
It’s soft and sweet.
Like coming home.
“We should… er, get back,” James whispered, to which Regulus is very much against. But he knows he will never hear the end of this if he stays longer.
Regulus nodded.
“You still owe me that room tour, you know.”
James smiled.
“Oh, don’t worry. You’ll get one. I promise.”
“Good,” Regulus said, clearing his throat, “Now walk me down.”
And James, still flushing like a maniac, does.
The group still seemed to be in the same state as they left them several minutes ago. Mary saw the two coming down and almost instantly bewitched the bottle to spin again. The color of the glass became unknown amidst the fast spin and they both sat back in their places. James walked Regulus back to his place and tapped his shoulder as he sat down, and then sat at his place. It was still just as far as it was before, but somehow he felt like he was just a bit closer.
James stared at him, his eyebrows furrowing and his cheeks tight, as if he was biting them from the inside of his mouth. He wasn’t looking at him just to look, as he often did, but he looked like he was in a deep dilemma within himself. A feeling both he and Regulus, apparently, share.
Pandora caught his eye and lifted her eyebrows - as if asking - what happened?
His shoulders tensed and he tilted his head down. A look of pity came across her face and she smiled at him, the tiniest shadow of the loveliest smile that she could muster.
The bottle landed on several people around the circle. There was Barty and a Gryffindor girl who asked if he was dating Evan - to which he went a bit red and replied that he wasn’t.
Regulus almost snorted.
After that, there was Sirius and Mary, who chose a dare and had to switch clothes with someone else in the circle.
Then, there was Evan and Sirius, who was asked to point at all of the people in the circle with which he made out. He went a bit red at that, too, and asked if he could just count and give him a number instead of pointing. Remus tensted above him at that and shifted in his seat. This made Sirius get up from his position on Remus’ knee and he seemed… hurt, even. He cleared his throat and did a quick count, giving Evan a number Regulus couldn’t bother to remember if he wanted to - and god, did he not want to.
Sirius hugged his knees and held them closer to himself as the bottle took another spin and landed on him and Regulus.
Oh.
“Reg, truth or dare?” he asked him.
“Truth,” Regulus said, carelessly. He almost regretted it because that meant Sirius could ask him anything. And Regulus would try to answer the best he can, because he doesn’t want to lie to Sirius. Not anymore.
“Wow, Okay,” Sirius said. He looked as surprised as Regulus was. He ruffled his hair and his eyes looked a bit tired now. As if the light in them went out at that interaction with Remus. “You and Barty.”
“Me and Barty,” Regulus repeated. He felt immensely relieved that this was the question. He could answer that. That would be easy. It seemed that Sirius was too out of focus to actually think about anything that happened that night, and Regulus assumed this was just the first thing that popped up in his head.
“Were you, like, together or something?” Sirius asked and furrowed his eyebrows.
“Not really. I mean, we had a thing back in… third year, I think,” he looked to Barty for approval of this time frame and he nodded to him with a slight smirk at the whole situation. Cocky motherfucker. “And that’s it, really. We had a thing but we’re just friends now. He’s too hot headed for me.”
“Oi! ruining my good image there, Black,” Barty said with a fake frown, behind which hid a smile.
“So, to your question, Sirius, he’s one of my best friends.”
Sirius hummed in reply and seemed pleased enough by the answer.
Regulus refused to turn his head to meet James’ gaze, but he could feel his eyes on him, gently peeling away at his thoughts.
The bottle kept spinning, but Regulus wasn’t really paying attention anymore.