Chapter 4
It had been a few days since the box arrived at James’ door. It no longer sat in his fridge, not since he learned the heart belonged to someone James could only assume Regulus killed that same night. There wasn’t much he could say when Sirius and Lily started asking questions. He wasn’t just going to give up Regulus’ name. Not yet, at least. There had to be a reason why the younger male was doing all of this. There had to be a motive, and James was determined to figure it out.
Sure, he could have just chalked it up to some obsessive crush that he seemed to have on James, but for what reason? Was it James’ unwavering love and interest in all the killings he had done? Or was it something else? James had to figure it out, and he would, no matter how long it took him.
However, his involvement in helping with the case was nearly taken from him. They viewed this act as a threat, even if James knew it wasn’t. He couldn’t argue and just helped with what they would allow him to do.
“Hey, Sirius.” James adjusted his glasses as he broke the silence. “This question might sound out of nowhere, but I remember you mentioned having a brother a while ago. You don’t keep in contact with him, do you?” He kept his eyes off his dark-haired friend, who remained completely relaxed in the chair across from him. “No, I haven’t talked to him in years. Why?” James hummed, nodding his head as if the puzzle pieces were coming together.
Sirius sat up, resting his elbows on the table as he looked across it at his friend. “James, you’re being kind of suspicious. What’s with asking me about my brother all of a sudden?” James shook his head. “His name wasn’t Regulus, was it? I met someone with the last name Black, and his name was Regulus. As far as I know, your family is the only one with that last name. I haven’t heard it anywhere else, so I just wanted to know if I happened to run into your brother.” He tried to remain as calm and casual as possible, but James was known for being very expressive… It took a lot for him not to show his emotions.
The dark-haired boy's expression shifted, falling blank. It was a bit strange to see him this way when Sirius was usually a typically happy, goofy person. “Sirius..?” His voice spilled from his lips before James could assess whether it was a good idea to speak again or not. “Regulus.” Sirius scoffed after saying the name. He shook his head, leaning back into the chair once again. “Regulus Arcturus Black, that would be my little brother.”
James had a feeling, but he dreaded the answer. As much as it would probably have helped now that he knew Regulus was Sirius’ brother, he hated that he was. Was Sirius aware of the things he had been up to? Besides the fact that he is the infamous murderer they are tracking, Regulus has also been stalking James. He wouldn’t be the one to tell his friend all of this…
With a nervous laugh, James waved his hand in the air, dismissing the entire conversation as he said, “You know what?" Maybe it wasn’t him. There have to be other people named Regulus Black out there.” James stood up from his chair and walked toward the fridge. “Yeah, maybe, but I doubt it.” Sirius all but mumbled under his breath as James opened the fridge. His eyes fell on where that box sat just days ago. Then his eyes shifted to the freezer door, where he saw the note.
Je mangerais ton cœur en entier. <3
He has read those words every day, still trying to understand what they mean. James had more than enough time to translate them. However, he wanted to hear it from the pretty boy who wrote them. Maybe that was wrong of him because it could very well be a threat. The heart did appear quite taunting.
“James, I’m going to head out. Remus wants to discuss something.” Sirius’ voice pulled James from his thoughts as he softly shook his head, turning to face his friend. He forced a bright smile to his lips as he nodded. “Alright, keep me updated if you guys figure out anything else, yeah?” His question was answered with a thumbs up, prompting James to return to the fridge.
At the sound of his front door closing, he swung the fridge closed. Then there were footsteps, “Sirius?” James called out, walking to the doorway of the kitchen. He had been looking toward his front door and didn’t notice the figure moving through his hallway.
“Incorrect.”
The voice startled James, causing him to jump slightly as he turned his head, searching for where it had come from. When his eyes landed on Regulus Black, James’ fear eased a bit. “When did you get here?” He asked, watching the younger male play with a blade as he inched closer to James. “Long before he did.” Regulus briefly pointed toward the door where Sirius had just exited. “How-” James was cut off when Regulus pointed the blade's tip toward him. “You’re terrible at locking your doors, James. It’s almost like you were hoping I’d walk right in and make myself at home.”
James swallowed a lump in his throat. How did he know? Ever since that little present had shown up outside his door in the middle of the night, he had been hoping Regulus would visit him.
“Please lower your knife.” He mumbled, not taking his eyes off the younger male. “It wasn’t an invitation. I never lock my doors in case Lily or Sirius need somewhere to crash in the middle of the night.” It was the best lie he could think of. Both of his friends had a key to his apartment. They were free to come and go whenever they wanted to, but Regulus didn’t have a key, and James did want him to be able to enter if he wished to.
“Doctor… You must think I’m stupid. I have been watching you longer than you think. I know that’s not true.” Regulus sighed as he pulled the knife away from James, walking through the living room until he settled onto the couch. The same place James had sat the day Regulus had finally made himself known.
“Come sit.” The younger boy's grey eyes bore into James as he pat the space beside him. Regulus didn’t fail to notice James’ hesitation and choice to sit in the armchair instead of beside him. Consider him bitter because he wanted the other close to him and had been denied that.
“What do you want?”
“To play a game.”
The smile that stretched across Regulus’ face sent a chill down James’ spine. This wasn’t going to be a typical game. Why would it be? A serial killer is sitting across from him. Of course, there’s going to be some sadistic twist.
Taking a deep breath, James nodded. “What kind of game?” His question remained unanswered momentarily as Regulus tossed the knife down on the coffee table between them. “Truth or dare, or would you prefer Simon says?” There was an awful feeling building in James’ stomach as he stared at the knife. “Come on, answer. It’s not that hard to choose a game.”
The doctor's hands found their way behind his glasses so he could rub his eyes. As they dropped back into his lap, he shook his head, “Truth or dare.” This seemed to please Regulus as he held out his hand, motioning to James. “You first.”
“Truth or dare?” James couldn’t take his eyes off Regulus, and he wasn’t sure if it was because he didn’t trust him at this very moment or if he was just that captivating. “Truth.” Silently, James cursed. He was expecting a dare. “Fuck, okay-” His eyes wandered his apartment before he remembered the note on his fridge. “What did that note say?” Something flickered in Regulus' eyes as he tilted his head to the side, playing innocent. “What note?” James wasn’t about to play another game while they were in the middle of one already, so he stood up and retrieved the note from his fridge door. “This one.” He said after placing it on the coffee table and sliding it toward the other male.
James watched closely as Regulus picked up the note and studied him as he read it. “Je mangerais ton cœur en entier. How poetic. It means ‘I’ll eat your whole heart.” Regulus was far too pleased with himself for James’ liking. The grey-eyed male tossed the note back onto the table before he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he locked his fingers together, placing his chin on the surface he had created for it. “Truth or dare, Doctor.”
He had to think for a moment. There was a reason Regulus wanted to play this game, and it was probably best for them to cut the bullshit and get to it, so as confident as James could muster, he replied, “Dare.”
That one word prompted Regulus to stand up. “I dare you to cut yourself. With my knife, of course. I just sharpened it. It’ll slice through you like paper.” James’ eyes landed on the knife that still sat on the table. “Fine.” He reached for it, looking over it before sighing. He really didn’t want to do this and didn’t quite understand why Regulus wanted him to. Regardless, he had to. James was not about to see what consequences were in store if he refused the dare because he just knew there would be one.
He took another deep breath and closed his eyes, placing the blade on his arm and cutting himself. Regulus had been right. It sliced him with such ease that it barely even stung. He would have sworn it didn’t happen at all if there wasn’t blood running down his bronze skin when he opened his eyes.
Regulus rounded the table to stand before James, grabbing the older boy's arm. “You did so well, Doctor.” His voice came out hushed and slow. The words of praise were strange to James. Why would he praise him for hurting himself? But that thought was cut short when he felt something warm and wet running across his fresh wound.
“Are you a vampire? This is the second time you’ve done this…” James watched Regulus straighten his posture, clearly trying not to laugh at what he had just heard. “No. I’m not a vampire, but your blood leaves a good taste in my mouth. Did you not enjoy tasting it last time, or should I let you taste it again?” As James shook his head, Regulus took the knife from him, making a far more shallow cut on his arm before holding it out to the doctor. “Then taste mine.”
“I have no interest in tasting my blood again or yours.”
James’ words sorely contradicted him as he licked his lips, looking at the bright red liquid on Regulus’ pale skin.
“Are you sure about that, Doctor? You seemed to enjoy the taste of your blood on my lips last time. Do I need to do that again for you to taste mine?”
That’s when James realized Regulus wouldn’t take no for an answer. He reached out and wrapped his fingers around the other boy’s thin wrist before leaning forward enough to glide his tongue over the wound, just like Regulus had done to him.
It was the surprise in James’ eyes that made Regulus smile, but not for the reason he may have thought. Regulus’ blood tasted just like James’ mouth would when hearing about the murders he had done.
Immediately, James dropped Regulus' wrist, pointing toward his door. “Get out.”
“I’ll be seeing you very soon, Doctor.” Those simple words and Regulus Black was gone again, leaving no sign that he was ever even there.