Books and stories
James is lying on the soft covers of the bed making complicated movements with his wand. He learned a spell where you can basically paint into the air, making the colourful dots swirl around, mix them together and separate again. It’s not useful other than it calms his mind. It captures all his attention for hours absolutely fascinated by the colours.
The only sound in the come-and-go room is the soft crackling of the fire in the fireplace at the back of the room and Regulus occasionally turning over a page in his book. James doesn't notice the sounds until one of them stops. That’s why he looks at Regulus. It was too long since the boy moved.
Regulus is sitting on the bed his back resting against the headboard. He is watching James, the book lying in his lap. Something is different. Regulus sometimes watches him with tenderness in his eyes. The tenderness James absolutely adores is not there now. No. James can see something else. Sadness, worry.
“What’s wrong, love?” He asks snapping Regulus out of his head.
“Nothing,” Regulus answers immediately. “Just thinking.”
“Yeah, don’t do that. It makes you sad, I can see it.” James flops himself on his stomach resting his head on his folded arms. “You don’t like the book?”
Regulus looks down to his lap. “No, it’s nice. It’s just… the main character reminds me of you.”
James raises an eyebrow with interest. “Is he hot?”
Regulus barks out a startled laugh. “It’s a book, James.” The other boy rolls his eyes. “Oh, come on. Don’t tell me your wild imagination is not providing any images. Okay, at least tell me what he is like.”
“Lots of courage, high moral principles, show-off, but not a single self-preservation brain cell in his head.” Regulus deadpans.
“He sounds like a good fella,” James smirks. “So is the hero of the story?”
“Yes,” Regulus answers and James can see it again. The sadness in Regulus’ eyes as he watches him. James doesn’t understand. Isn’t that the point? The higher achievement to be the hero?
“He will never be happy, James,” Regulus explains. “He will sacrifice everything to save the world. He will tear himself apart just to do the right thing. He will probably end up completely alone in the world he doesn’t know anymore, or he will die saving it. It’s tragic really.”
James frowns. “But he will save them. Why wouldn’t he be happy? Maybe you read just sad books, Reggie, the books I’ve read have happy endings.” He tries to lighten the mood, but Regulus just gives him a pity look.
“Do they have a happy ending or does the story stop at the right point not showing what comes next? When you give everything up, what is there left?” James doesn’t like this conversation. He can see Regulus having a point, heros always get hurt. But that’s their destiny, isn’t it? They serve the greater good so no one else gets hurt. They bare it so others don’t have to. James would, he knows it in his soul.
“It’s just a story, Reg.”
“Aren’t we all stories in the end?” Regulus ask and James knows this conversation is something he will remember forever for some reason.
“Yeah.” He breaks out. “So, let’s make it a good one, hm?”