Chapter 3
Regulus
Regulus took a walk around the resort. It was a nice place, and it reminded him of Hogwarts a little bit. He could see why Sirius and Remus chose it to celebrate their engagement.
He was amused at the fact that Sirius was so nervous before proposing, even freaked out twice. Remus would never say no, how could Sirius even have doubts like that?
Anyway, he’s been walking around the resort trying to bump into James. He could just text him and ask where he was, ask if he wanted to meet and do something together because there was still plenty of time before the dinner. He was not sure why he had never done it in the first place. Talking to James was the easiest thing in the world.
Even on those days when Regulus was in a very shitty mood James somehow made him talk about all the reasons why he was in a very shitty mood, James listened, James asked follow-up questions, and the most important thing - James cared. Not Like Sirius, or Pandora or Barty or Evan wouldn’t care, of course they would, but it was different with James.
Sirius was his brother, and was Regulus’ closest person for his whole life; it took years for his friends to break through his walls so he would be comfortable sharing things with them.
For James it took days. A couple of weeks at most. And Regulus was not even sure that his stupid crush had anything to do with it, because back at Hogwarts he had a short-lived crush on Evan, then on Barty, and he never let them in this easily. So apparently James knew some type of magic that would let him get into people’s heads like that.
Regulus’ “walking around the resort” activity turned out to be rather pointless though. It was 19:09 already and Regulus still hadn’t seen James. The guests were mostly here.
“Sirius,” he dragged his brother aside. “Where’s James?”
“He and Frank are running late, something to do with the lawsuit against the reporter that broke into his flat last spring. The one that made us narrow down our floo connections to only 5 households.”
“Oh, okay,” Regulus blinked. “Wait what?”
“James is late because…”
“Yeah, lawsuit. You can only have connections to 5 households?”
“Yes? Every player on the team has, it’s the rule now. We usually only stay connected to the closest family. Mine are the same as James’ though. It’s the team’s headquarters, training grounds, James’ parent's house, yours’ and each other. Why?”
“Why on earth does he have me connected to him? He has much closer friends! Pettigrew for example.”
“Well technically we don’t need to be connected to each other, we are the only ones on the team. We usually just use the Headquarters fireplaces to get to each other’s places.”
“That doesn’t answer the question of why he kept me connected.”
“The fact that he fancies you does answer that question. I take it as you still haven’t figured out your shit?”
“No,” Regulus looked away with a clenched jaw.
“Regulus,” Sirius shook his head. “Anyway, we’re celebrating tonight. Get drunk or something, maybe that will help.”
“You give terrible advice, you know that?”
“My advice is excellent, thank you very much.” Sirius huffed. “There’s your man,” he nodded to somewhere behind Regulus’ back.
James was at their table saying hello to everyone. He looked around the room and spotted them not too far from it. His smile was warm and Regulus couldn’t help but smile back. Then he remembered Sirius was next to him and, well it made sense now why James smiled like that. But James was looking right at him, not at Sirius, who was already halfway to the table. Regulus’ heart skipped a beat. Maybe he stood a chance after all.
The evening was nice. Eventually, they relocated to the open terrasse lit by fairy lights and people wandered to the dancefloor, to the bar, to the smaller tables mingling with the other occupants of the resort. It seemed like there was another couple celebrating their engagement, and Sirius was eager to hear all about it.
Regulus was not doing as great as his brother though. He managed to lose James out of sight for the second time and now was just moping at the bar. He was not even sure how he ended up here, he had zero intentions to follow Sirius’ advice, and he didn’t want to be shitfaced when he kiss James for the first time.
When.
Well, maybe the last two or three shots were not “for courage”. The drink in his hand definitely had nothing to do with courage.
Barty appeared next to him
“Why are you moping?”
“How did you ask Evan out for the first time?”
“Huh?”
“Barty, you heard me.”
“That is a very odd question, especially coming from you.”
Regulus only glared at him.
“Well, as much as I remember I distracted him with a small talk and then just asked if he wanted to go on a date.” There was a beat of silence. Of course Barty would connect the dots. “Oh, oh, you want to ask Potter out?! Fucking finally!”
“What do you mean “finally’”?”
“Everyone sees how you two look at each other.”
“Everyone?” Regulus looked around like someone might actually be watching him. “Wait what?”
But he spotted James. He was sitting alone at one of the small tables looking at the people on the dancefloor.
“Whatever, there he is,” Regulus hopped off the stool, grabbed his drink, and went towards him.
“You’re not supposed to be drinking, you know?” Regulus plopped in a chair next to James rather ungracefully.
“Sparkling rose water,” James said lifting his glass, not looking at him. Regulus didn’t like it. James of all people being moody at his best friend’s engagement party?
“Is something wrong?” Regulus asked carefully.
“No,” James turned towards him with a smile that was so painfully fake Regulus wanted to squirm.
“James,” he cocked his head. “If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s fine. But don’t lie to me.”
“Nothing is wrong, really,” James sighed, then looked towards the dancefloor where Remus and Sirius were doing an absolutely ridiculous dance. “I’m happy for them.”
“I feel there’s a but.”
“There’s no buts, It’s just… I always looked at my parents and thought that finding someone to spend the life with was so special. Looking at them I can tell Remus and Sirius are it for each other.”
“You’ll find someone, you’re young,” Regulus blinked. And then realized it was a rather wrong thing to say.
James looked at the bubbles in his glass, “I’m done looking,” he said.
“James…”
“It is not the place nor the time for this,” James smiled and this time it seemed genuine. But sad. And Regulus hated it so much. “Tonight is all about the celebration of love, why are you here with me anyway? Go dance with someone! Oh, oh I think you’re getting invited.”
Regulus wanted to protest, but there suddenly was a guy next to their table. Regulus didn’t know him, he didn’t even care or pay attention when he said his name. James got up and the guy slid into his spot.
It would be rude to just leave, so after a very short conversation to assure the guy that Regulus was not interested, he quickly darted in the direction where James went, though James was nowhere to be seen.
Two hours later Regulus was sure James avoided him. He’d seen a glimpse of him on the dancefloor with Sirius, he seemed in a better mood. Then he’d seen him chat with someone at the bar. By the time Regulus got there, James was gone.
So two hours and a couple of glasses of water later Regulus was not happy about the way tonight turned out to be and was about to go sulk in his room. But standing in front of the door with the keycard in his hand he decided it was now or never. Because the things Sirius and Barty told him tonight would not leave his head. James’ words were not leaving his head either. “I’m done looking” It just won’t do. James can’t give up on love. And if Sirius was a reliable source, Regulus had the ability to change that.
And, well, Regulus didn’t want Sirius to actually do as he promised and ask James on a date for him.
He turned and swiftly made his way to the garden where fewer guests still lingered. James was not there. But his brother was. And Regulus stomped over to him
“Where’s James?”
“In his room, said he was tired,” Sirius glanced at him. “You probably should go have some sleep too. I have plans for tomorrow, and you are included in those.”
“Do you have a keycard from James’ room?”
“Yes.”
“What would it take for you to give it to me?”
“Figure out whatever this is. But don’t fuck him on the night of my engagement party.”
“I’ll try not to.”
Sirius gave him the card. “Good luck.”
Regulus considered knocking. Breaking into someone’s room was not a nice thing to do. But, well, he already had the keycard, so why not use it?
Regulus slipped into the room as quietly as he could. James was in his bed, asleep. A small lamp on the bedside table lit up the corner of the room, so it was not completely dark. Regulus took off his shoes and tip-toed towards the bed, trying to make as little noise as possible.
He sat on the bed and looked at him. He was so beautiful. It should be illegal.
Regulus knew he was being a creep right now, but still, he laid down on the pillow facing James. The stirring seemed to wake him up.
“Regulus?” James blinked and reached for his glasses. “Why are you here? Did I?...” he looked panicked. “Oh shit, did I go into your room? I’m sorry, I didn’t…”
“James,” Regulus’ hand was in James’ hair, and James froze. “It is your room. I came here.”
“Why?”
“You left early, I wanted to make sure everything is fine. And there’s something I wanted to ask you.”
James carefully took Regulus’ wrist and made him untangle his fingers from his hair.
“You’re drunk.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“I didn’t drink anything but water for the last two hours.”
“That makes you just a little less drunk than two hours ago.” James let go of his wrist but let Regulus’ hand fall on his arm.
Regulus was not happy about it, he slid his hand up James’ arm, to his shoulder, to his neck, and then back to his hair. He wanted to do it so many times, maybe Sirius was right and a little bit of liquid courage was all he needed after all.
“Regulus…”
“No, no listen. Before you tell me to get out. There’s something I want to tell you, I need to tell you, actually...”
“Regulus…”
“No, please, listen.” Regulus cupped James’ jaw with his hand, his thumb sliding over his cheek. “You said you’re done looking for love. But what if love finds you?”
“It did. Twice. Both times it was one-sided.”
“The first one was Lily Evans?”
James hummed.
“And the second one?”
He said nothing.
“Was it me?” Regulus asked tentatively. Silence stretched.
“Yeah.”
“It is not one-sided.”
“What?”
“James,” Regulus took James’ face in both hands. James stared at him not blinking, but he didn’t make a move to pull away. Then he shook his head.
“You’re drunk.”
“No, I’m not. I promise you I’m not.”
“Okay.”
“Can I kiss you?” Regulus whispered. He was not sure why he was even whispering.
“Regulus…”
“Tomorrow morning. If you think I’m drunk, which I’m not, can I kiss you tomorrow morning?”
“Yeah, you can.”
“Can I stay?” James lifted up his head a little bit and glanced at him. Well, Regulus was not wearing the most comfortable sleeping clothes.
“I mean you can but…”
“Do you have a spare t-shirt?” Regulus was really not sure where the hell all of this was coming from and he briefly wondered if James was right after all and he was drunk. Regulus didn’t feel like it though.
“Yeah, I do. But you should go to your room.”
“James, I’ve seen you sleep multiple times.”
“I was sick, that’s different.”
“Okay,” Regulus was a little bit disappointed at that, but it was fair.
“I’ll take you to your room,” said James, sitting down and glancing back at Regulus.
“For the last time, I’m not drunk. I can find my room.”
“Yeah, I don’t believe that.”
A few minutes later they went down the long corridor towards Regulus’ room.
James
James was sure he had finally gone mad.
Or he had a very vivid dream last night. It, apparently, was so vivid that it made Regulus’ blazer materialize at the foot of his bed.
Regulus said James’ feelings were not one-sided and he asked if he could kiss him. James should have said yes. All of this would lead to a very uncomfortable conversation anyway since James was 100% convinced Regulus was just drunk last night. Maybe if he was not so goddamn noble all the time, he would use his chance. But the problem was his parents raised him better than that, so he just sighed and slipped out of his bed.
While James was brushing his teeth and making multiple scenarios of what could have happened if he kissed Regulus there was a knock on his door. Which was odd, James did not expect anyone, not this early at least. Maybe it was the hotel’s stuff.
James opened the door and his heart picked up speed, it was beating at a rate that probably should be concerning. Because it was Regulus. Regulus stood at the door and he seemed nervous. James stood at the door and he definitely was nervous since he was not ready to deal with this just yet. He gestured for Regulus to come in anyway.
“Hello,” James said.
“Hi,” Reglus muttered and went into the room.
“Um… He turned to James but was not looking at him. “I want to apologize for breaking in your room. “
“It’s okay,” James sighed.
“No, no it’s not,” Regulus shook his head. James really wanted Regulus to look at him. “It was creepy as fuck. I needed to apologize for that.”
“Regulus, it’s fine,” James went to his bed. “You forgot your blazer though,” he picked it up and took a few steps towards Regulus his mind gripping on the fact that breaking into his room was the only thing Regulus was apologizing for. “Um… Is there anything else you want to apologize for?” James asked carefully.
“Do I need to?” Regulus didn’t look more nervous than what he was when he came in, but his voice definitely sounded more panicked.
James took one more step and he was invading Rgulus’ space at this point. But Regulus didn’t push him away.
“Do you remember what we were talking about?” James needed to know it.
“Of course, I remember,” Regulus rolled his eyes. “I told you I was not drunk.”
James thought that he was really pushing his luck here, but what did he have to lose? A few minutes ago he was running through worst-case scenarios of what he would do if Regulus decided to end their very short-lived friendship. But now Regulus was here, standing so close, his breath shallow and uneven.
“So,” James dared to lift his hand and cup Regulus’ cheek, his touch gentle. He was afraid that this moment might shatter if he moved too quickly. “Did you change your mind?” James whispered. There was an adorable blush on Regulus’ cheeks and James wanted to kiss him so badly.
“No,” Regulus breathed.
So James leaned in, placing his other hand on Regulus’ waist while Regulus’ arms flew to his neck. The blazer James was holding fell to the floor, neither paid any attention to it. James paused for a second hovering over Regulus’ lips, giving him an exit if he changed his mind. But it is Regulus who moved first, burying one hand in James’ hair sending goosebumps down his spine and pulling him closer. Their lips met, James opened his mouth that exact moment Regulus’ tongue slipped in. James did not hesitate to let Regulus do whatever he wanted, James would just go along with it. And apparently, Regulus was fine with it too, because all James knew was that no one ever kissed him like that.
He didn’t know it was possible to feel so much things all at once. He was happy to the point he wanted to jump and scream and laugh; at the same time he could cry from relief; he was scared to death this was not real, that Regulus might change his mind or it was a Sirius’ prank that Regulus agreed to participate in.
While their lips and tongues were inventing a dance on their own, James let his hands wander too. He sure as hell didn’t want to untangle his fingers from Regulus’ hair, but he let the hand that was on Regulus’ waist move down to his hips and squeezed his butt which earned James a gasp making him grin, which in turn made Regulus bite his lip hard enough to draw blood; James’ hand went back up, this time sliding under Regulus’ shirt which made Regulus gasped once more.
James imagined this so many times, he dreamed of it for a countless number of nights. But this was so much better than anything he had ever made up in his head. He still was not sure if it was some type of a fever dream, but if it was he didn’t want to wake up from it.
At some point, Regulus apparently pushed him towards the bed, because his legs hit the bedding and he fell backward, Regulus on top of him. It made them break the kiss, which James was not happy about, but it revealed the view of a very flustered Regulus hovering over him leaning on his elbows, which James was very happy about.
“Hi,” James said stupidly and his hands went back to Regulus’ waist, tugging him closer. Now that he knew what it felt like to hold him like this, he was sure he’d never wanted to stop.
“Hello,” Regulus whispered.
“Is this real?” James whispered back. “Or have I lost my mind?”
“It is real. Or we both went mad, who knows?” Regulus pecked his lips. “Who cares?” another peck.
James didn’t care. All he cared about right now was Regulus and the way he made his heart beat way too fast and his mind move very slowly.
“We probably should talk about this,” Regulus whispered and placed another peck on his lips.
“We should,” James whispered back. He was not sure why they even were whispering, it was like any sounds as loud as talking might burst this bubble they were in right now. “Can we do it a little bit later though?”
“Yeah,” Regulus leaned in to kiss him properly this time.
It didn’t last very long though, because there was the sound of a door opening, of someone’s steps and then a loud “Rise and shine! You need to take my baby brother on a date!” followed by “Oh, no my eyes! My innocent eyes!”
James froze. Sirius. He didn’t really think about what he is going to tell Sirius. In his wildest dreams, he went as far as thinking kissing Regulus was a possibility, but again, those were wildest dreams, perfect reality. In that perfect reality, Sirius was an all-understanding not-an-verlyprotective big brother. And all James had to do was to tell him he was in love with Regulus and that would do the trick. In this not-so-perfect reality, James would have to do way more than that. And having Sirius catching him like this did not give him a head start.
“Sirius, please don’t be mad…”
“I see you figured this out without my help,” Sirius plopped in a chair. “Did my advice help?”
“I hate to admit,” Regulus said sitting up and facing his brother. “It actually did help. Now, can you get out, please?”
“I can’t. I have a double date planned, so you need to get ready. And if I get out, you’ll just go on with doing what just assaulted my eyes.”
“Wait what?” James now sat down too. As if sitting up would help him understand whatever bizarre exchange was happening.
“This idiot has been pining for ages. I told him I’ll ask you out for him if he doesn’t do it himself.”
“This is very confusing and I will need a bit more explanation,” James rubbed his eyes.
“You’ll get the explanation, but not right now or we will be late. Sirius got up. “I’ll give you 15 minutes and then I expect Reggie out of this room and back into his own to get ready.” Sirius got up and went out, winking at James.
James turned to Regulus.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Regulus sighed. “The short version is basically what he said. I had a crush on you but didn’t dare to do anything about it. He threatened to ask you out on my behalf. Today. So yeah.”
James blinked. This sounded, well, odd. But they can talk about it later. Right now James really wanted to kiss Regulus again. So he did just that.
“James?” Regulus pulled away way too early. “Can we not consider today as our first date?”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t want our first date to be a double date with my brother.” Regulus scrunched up his nose and James laughed.
“Okay,” he tugged Regulus closer. “We have 10 more minutes before said brother comes back.”
Regulus didn’t need to be told twice, a moment later he attached his lips to James’. They didn’t keep good track of time, because Sirius had to come back in and forcefully drag Regulus out of the room.