Tiny steps
“Please.” James is looking at him with those puppy eyes that are really hard to resist. Not that Regulus is not trying. “I wanna see.”
“Stop whining, this blackmail is not gonna work.”
“But you saw Prongs,” James whines again. Ever since James found out Regulus is an animagus he hasn’t shut up about it.
“It’s not a big deal, James.”
James hesitates for a moment and then something victorious sparkles in his eyes. “You know, Reggie, I’m surprised. This is not very Slytherin of you. I thought you would be proud of what you achieved but maybe it’s that easy that everyone can do it. I mean I did.”
“It is not easy!” Regulus hisses and he knows he walked himself into that trap the second the words leave his mouth.
“So why don’t you show me?”
Regulus breathes out. Why can’t James just let things go. “He doesn’t like being around people,” Regulus admits truthfully.
This makes James to pause. “Oh, but… he would like me, wouldn’t he?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Why?” James asks sadly. Regulus walks towards James’ bed to stand between his legs. He softly cradles the boy’s black curls and smiles at the feeling of James leaning to the touch.
“There are instincts in you, that you can control when you are human. But when you are an animal, your thoughts are not that clear.”
James rests his chin on Regulus' chest looking up at him. “Let me try, please.”
Regulus sights. It’s a lost battle he knows it. He kisses the top of James' head and takes a few steps back. “Don’t be disappointed if this won’t work out.”
Regulus takes a deep breath. Usually, he goes in his animagus form to the forest with no one around. He climbs the trees and digs in the ground. He has his favourite spot on the roof of one of the towers where he just lies in the sun.
He feels the magic in him, the second heartbeat and shifts.
As always, the world seems a lot bigger from the perspective of a small kitten. He shakes his head to clear some fog of his brain. His head snaps to look at the source of the voice. “Reggie, you are so cute!” Before he can react, James is on his feet, taking long steps and reaching towards him.
The kitten squeaks and in a second it’s hiding behind the leg of the table. “Oh, Reg I’m sorry,” James says as he sits down in front of the table. Regulus pushes through the kitten's instincts. He doesn’t want James to think he doesn’t like him. It feels better when the boy is sitting down. “I won’t be loud again, I promise.”
Regulus meows softly. He can see James biting his lip to stay quiet. He slowly walks around the table, his paws silent against the rug. He stops a few feet from the boy holding very still. James smiles at him as he whispers “Hello.”
He lifts his hand to touch him. Regulus fights the kitten again keeping it stay at the same spot. He digs his claws into the rug. He won’t run. He can’t, but hell he wants to. He can hear the fearful whine grumble in the kitten’s chest, his paws trembling. James snatches his hand away and the kitten flinches at the sudden movements.
They both hold very still as James clearly works something out in his mind. The kitten relaxes a little bit. “Oh, you are afraid of hands,” James says softly as he stares at his hands like they personally offended him. “I’m sorry, love. But you know I wouldn’t hurt you, right?” Regulus nods because he knows that. It’s James. “But instincts…” James whispers more to himself in understanding.
Before Regulus can do anything, else James is moving again. He lies on the floor on his stomach, his arms folded underneath his chest. “How about this? See? I won’t touch you.”
The kitten eyes him suspiciously, but with the big grabby hands, it is easier for the kitten to move. Regulus hasn’t realised that this could be the solution. He slowly approaches the boy, who patiently holds very still. He stops in front of him looking deep into those brown eyes.
“You are very beautiful,” James whispers and when the kitten just blinks in interest he continues. “I love the grey colour. Also, don’t bite me, but I can’t get over how fluffy and cute you are.”
Regulus wrinkles his nose the long whiskers flying around as James laughs. With his heightened hearing the sound completely surrounds him. It’s not deafening or threatening. No. James' laughter was always calming for Regulus. He meows happily and bumps his nose against James' glasses leaving a smudged spot.
“We got this, little one,” James promises and the kitten purrs.