Roles to play
The last thing James remembers is screaming at Mary to run and the loud crack of her apparating. He was almost by the anti-apparation barrier, just a few more steps when everything went black.
He was woken up by sharp stinging pain in his cheek, his head turned side as someone slapped him. He snaps his eyes open. His vision was spinning, and it took him a few long seconds to focus on the floor. He is no longer outside on a field. There is a dirty wooden floor covered in dust. He jerks his limps, his body automatically remembering he should be running. He is stopped by ropes tightly wrapped around his arms and legs against a wooden chair.
The air is cut by cruel laughter. “Look who finally decided to wake up.” James snaps his head up to see Avery standing in front of him in Death Eater robes.
“No wonder we are winning when this pathetic excuse of a soldier is supposed to be one of their brightest.” Another voice says and Muliciber slowly walks into his vision. James can see the winning sneers on their faces. Fuck. They are not wearing their masks. Fear runs down his spine. That means they are sure he won’t escape. He grits his teeth. This is not good at all.
Avery is lazily twirling his wand in his hand. “Nothing to say, Potter? Not that I’m not enjoying you being silent for change. I had enough of your annoying voice back at school.”
“Good to see you too, Avery.” James rasps as he searches the room for possible escape. He can’t see anything useful. He is in the basement of some abandoned building with only one tiny window. At least they are still at the same place the battle took place.
“What should we do with you?” Muliciber continues ignoring the fact James spoke up. “We will take you to the Dark Lord of course, he will love to get his hands on you.” Something violent flashes in Muliciber's eyes. “But we have time. Let’s have some fun first, shall we?”
James will admit he is afraid. Truly terrified. In the battle, fear doesn’t have a space. It’s all pure adrenalin keeping your body going. But right now, the adrenalin is no longer saving him. As Muliciber raises his wand all James can hear is his heart racing in his chest as it knew it could be its last moments. He closes his eyes determined not to scream.
“What are you doing here?” New familiar voice interrupts them, and James takes a deep breath. He isn't saved, but he postpones the inevitable. The breath is punched out of him the moment Regulus comes into his view. There is a split moment when happiness fills James as it always does when he lies his eyes on his boy before reality catches up to him again.
“Look, Regulus. We found a toy to pass the time before we hate to go.” Muliciber says looking up at Regulus clearly seeking approval.
“Oh…” Regulus says as he only now notices James tied up in the chair. When he looks at him there is no hit of the boy he knows in his eyes. No softness, no love. He is cold, stoick… deathly. Then sharp smirk tugs on the corner of his mouth. “If it’s not the golden boy Potter.”
James is too stunt to speak. It’s Regulus. His Regulus. But not really. His Regulus never looked at him this way. Like he was nothing. Inconvenient. A pray.
“Pity we didn’t catch the blood traitor brother of yours,” Avery says to Regulus. “I missed him only by inches.”
Regulus scoffs and slowly takes his wand out. “I think being around one blood traitor is nuisance enough.” Regulus’ voice is cold, cutting. James morns the way his Regulus whispers good mornings to him. Yet if he is about to die, he is glad he could hear the voice one more time, even like this.
“This one was frankly even more annoying than Sirius.” Regulus continues and stands to the right of the other two. “May I have the honour to take out some frustration on this one? I have a few curses I was itching to try out.”
Avery and Mulicibert measure him with their gaze, but they won’t oppose the heir of the house of Black. Regulus waits for them to pocket their wands before he raises his one towards the boy on the chair. James locks his eyes with Regulus. It’s okay. You have your role to play. Can’t stop only because of me. I understand. I forgive you. He doesn’t know if Regulus can understand what he is trying to say without speaking. He needs Regulus to know.
It’s okay.
I forgive you.
I love you.
Regulus swings his wand, and James closes his eyes preparing himself for the curse. Nothing comes. He hears a loud crash followed by a muffled scream and another thud. But nothing hurts. He doesn't even get to open his eyes before two hands capture his face. He flinches trying to get away from anyone who wants to hurt him.
“It’s me… You're okay. James, look at me!” He can hear the panic in Regulus’ voice, nothing like the cold, distant voice he used just seconds before.
“Reg?” James asks looking at him. “What happened?”
Regulus ignores the question. “James, are you hurt? Did they do something to you?” He doesn’t wait for him to answer as he waves his wand again, casting a diagnostic charm on him. James can see two unconscious bodies on the ground.
“I’m okay. Regulus, I’m fine.” James wants to reach out to him, but he is once again stopped by the ropes. Regulus spots the movement and swiftly unties him with his wand.
“Are you okay?” Regulus asks again.
“I’m okay.”
Regulus takes a step back furry spilling over his face. “You fucking idiot! What were you thinking?! You could have died!” He screams at him tightening his hands into fists in an effort not to shove James. “I saw you- you were safe. You were okay, and then I found you here.”
“I came back for Mary,” James explains.
Regulus gapes at him. If looks could cut, James would be bleeding on the ground. “You… you came back?!” And Regulus takes a step towards him hitting him in his chest with the palm of his hand. “I hate you! I fucking hate you, James! You could have died. Do you know how lucky you were when I came here?! Playing a fucking hero, I told you million times not to do that! Do you even…” He is cut by James’ lips. They have to go; this is too dangerous. But James thought he would die. He really did. So, excuse him for taking a few seconds to appreciate he is very much alive.
The rage quickly leaves Regulus body, and he melts against him. “You could have died.” He whispers.
“I’m sorry,” James says holding him tight. He can feel Regulus take a few deep breaths before he steps back putting on a controlled facial expression.
“Right. We have to go. Well, you have to go. They will be looking for us soon.” Regulus walks across the room and picks up James' wand from Avery’s robes. He crouches down and points his wand at the boy. Obliviate. He whispers as he twists his hand in a practised movement. He repeats the motion over Muliciber. He hands James’ wand back to him. “Right. You need to stun me.” He says resolutely as he walks in the middle of the room.
“What?!” James chokes out.
“Well, I can’t just walk out of here. They would ask questions, and it would blow my cover. You need to stun me.”
“No. I won’t hurt you.” James pleads taking a step towards him.
“What do you think that would happen to me if they found out? Hmmm? I erased their memories.” He gestures towards the two bodies on the ground. “And I’m good enough occlumens to not let anyone in my head. But you need to stun me, and you have to make it look like you meant it. It has to be powerful enough to be believable.”
“Reggie…” James whines. He knows Regulus is right. The Order needs him with the death eaters as a spy for a little longer. James hates it. He is not even sure his magic will listen to him if he tries to hurt the boy he loves.
Regulus sights. He steps in front of James and takes his right arm into his. He points James’ own wand at himself. “It’s okay. I will be fine. Just do this right.” He kisses him and smirks. “You can make it up to me on Sunday.”
He walks away from James again and nods. James can feel his hands shake, but he knows this way he is protecting Regulus. “James, be careful, please. I can’t lose you.”
“I love you, too,” James whispers as he feels the magic spring from his chest, through his arm and wand, and hit Regulus straight in the chest, sending him flying towards the wall unconscious.