Veins full of disappearing ink
James woke up at 6:00 am, the sky still dark outside. He crept over to Regulus' bed. They were on the schedule for breakfast duty.
"Reggie." He whispered, shaking him.
Regulus just lay there, looking peaceful. James reached out to push Regulus' hair out of his eyes, but the boy jolted awake as soon as he touched his forehead.
"What the fuck," He rasped groggily. Regulus knuckled at his eyes like a cat, and James swallowed hard. Oh fuck, that's adorable.
He hummed sleepily.
"What's going on?"
"Breakfast duty. You've got to get up, we only have 5 minutes until we have to go." James explained.
Regulus sat up, groaning. "Lovely. I'll be ready in five."
They made their way over to the mess hall, going through the back door. James set his stuff down on the kitchen counter, grabbing the instruction sheet Lily gave them.
"Okay, so it looks like we're making waffles, bacon, and scrambled eggs."
Regulus nodded, grabbing a carton of eggs from the fridge.
About 50 eggs later, they were finally done. They had worked in uncomfortable silence, but James got the feeling that was how Regulus wanted it. The campers started filing into the mess hall around 7:00, so James took a plate. He sat at a table with Sirius, Peter, and Remus.
"Prongs! How was breakfast duty with Baby Black?" Peter waggled his eyebrows.
"Ew, don't say it like that. I don't need the image of James defiling my little brother."
"Defiling. I doubt he could get that far with Regulus." Remus snorted.
James scoffed incredulously.
"We made breakfast in silence. Happy?" He grumbled.
Peter chuckled.
"Yes, but you don't seem too happy about it," Sirius said, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm not. I wish he would just talk to me. What am I doing wrong?" He whined.
Regulus Black was a mystery to him, but, god, did he want to solve it.
"I'm sorry, mate. Regulus doesn't really like anyone." Sirius said gravely.
"Moony, come on. You're dark and broody. How did Sirius get you to like him?" James asked.
Remus' lips quirked up in a smile.
"You want him to like you the way Sirius likes me?" He smirked, pressing a kiss to the side of his boyfriend's head. Sirius flushed and squirmed away.
"Gross, Moony. I don't want to think about that."
James threw his hands up, turning red.
"You know that's not what I meant!" He exclaimed.
"My advice? Just stop trying so hard. And stop worrying about it. We're here to have fun." Peter said.
"Yeah, I guess," James grumbled. He searched for Regulus in the sea of children occupying the mess hall.
He was at a table with Barty, Evan, Dorcas, and Pandora. He giggled at something Barty said. He was pretty when he laughed. James' chest tightened when Barty reached over to play with Regulus' hair. James wanted to touch that hair. And if he tried, would Regulus let him? Was Regulus dating Barty? James decided he hated Barty.
"Prongs!" Peter yelled, waving a hand in front of his face.
"Come on, mate. You've got to stop with this Regulus thing. You're wasting your energy." Sirius said.
James nodded. "Yeah, you're right."
They went down to the lake with the campers after breakfast.
The campers splashed and played at the lake while the counselors watched. Regulus was perched in the lifeguard tower, his shirt off, revealing his tattoos and rings. James stared at his toned stomach, and pale skin against the sun. He was ethereal.
James approached the lifeguard tower.
"Hey, Reggie. Mind if I hang out here for a bit?"
Regulus glanced at him. He just shrugged,
"Do whatever you want." He clipped.
Taking the lack of refusal as a silent approval, James climbed up the ladder and settled next to Regulus in the tower. He noticed the tattoo on the inside of Regulus' wrist that read "Heart of the lion." It intrigued him, but he resisted the urge to ask about it. Instead, he tried to make some small talk.
"So, how's your day going so far?"
Regulus looked at him for a moment before returning his gaze to the book he was reading.
"Fine," he replied curtly.
James wanted to break through that icy exterior and get to know the real Regulus, but it seemed like an impossible task. The boy seemed to have walls built around him, and James couldn't figure out how to break them down.
"Hey, Regulus,"
James began tentatively,
"How are we doing with that whole "getting you to like me" thing? Do you still hate me?"
Regulus let out a sigh, finally tearing his eyes away from the book to look at James.
"I don't hate you, Potter. I just don't see why you bother trying to talk to me. You wouldn't understand."
James felt a pang of frustration mixed with curiosity. He wanted to understand. He wanted to know more about Regulus and what made him tick. But it seemed like every attempt he made to get closer was met with resistance.
"Well, maybe I don't understand everything about you, but that doesn't mean I don't want to get to know you better,"
James said earnestly.
Regulus looked skeptical but didn't push him away. "Why? Why do you care?"
"I don't know," James admitted with a shrug.
"You're a mystery, Baby Black. I guess I want to unravel that mystery."
Regulus fell silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.
"You wouldn't like what you find," he finally said, his voice tinged with sadness.
James reached out and gently touched Regulus' arm.
"You don't know that. Give me a chance, Reggie."
Regulus quickly retracted his arm, flinching hard. He opened his mouth as if to say something, and closed it again. "I- fine. Whatever."
Later that day, after a day full of activities, the campers and counselors gathered around a crackling campfire. The night sky was clear, and stars shimmered overhead. Regulus sat on a log with his guitar, strumming softly, the firelight casting a warm glow on his features.
James found himself drawn to the sound of the guitar and the way Regulus looked so at ease while playing. He took a seat nearby.
"Hey, Reggie, play something we all know!" Sirius called out.
Regulus shot him a withering look.
"I'm not here to entertain you lot."
"Oh, come on. Don't be a spoilsport," James chimed in, trying to be playful.
Regulus rolled his eyes but obliged. He started playing a popular tune, and soon, others joined in, singing along. James watched Regulus, mesmerized by his skill and the way he seemed to be in his element.
After the song ended, James couldn't help himself.
"You're really good, Regulus. I never knew you played the guitar."
Regulus shrugged. "I dabble. It's just something I picked up."
"Just something? You're being too modest. That was amazing," James complimented, a genuine smile on his face.
Regulus's cheeks tinged with a faint blush, and he looked away.
"Well, it's not that big of a deal."
"Hey, don't be like that. It's impressive. You should play more often," James encouraged.
Regulus shot him a sideways glance.
"What, you want me to serenade you?"
James laughed. "Hey, I wouldn't mind."
Regulus rolled his eyes again but didn't deny the possibility. They spent the rest of the evening around the campfire, with Regulus playing a few more songs and James thoroughly enjoying the moments.
As the night wore on, James sat closer to Regulus, drawn to his presence. How could he not be, when the firelight made his eyes sparkle like that?