come as you are

12

James has kissed a lot of people before. Albeit, they were almost all when he was drunk, but the point is; he is no kissing virgin.

James has imagined kissing Regulus on many occasions since he realised two weeks ago that he didn’t like like the boy, but he really liked the boy. James has wondered if Regulus’ lips are as soft as they look, if he’d make small noises and allowed James to deepen the kiss into something more, or if Regulus would be the one to take charge and deepen it like he was starving. He’s wondered if Regulus would kiss back, or if he’d push James away with disgust and horror and leave him feeling the most crushing sense of rejection.

James has imagined this moment on many, many occasions, but none of them add up to the feeling he is experiencing right now.

Kissing Regulus is surreal, like a hazy dream. His lips are as soft as James imagined, just like his skin is soft and silky underneath James’ hands. James doesn’t deepen the kiss, and Regulus makes no move to do it either. It stays sweet, delicate, and tender. It’s not passionate, or hot, but it makes electricity dance up James spine all the same. It makes his head spin, his heart pound, his stomach flip because he’s finally kissing Regulus, and Regulus is kissing him back.

When James went in for it, he knows Regulus hadn’t comprehended what was going to happen. He tried to go slow, to give Regulus time to pull away if he didn’t want it, but James just couldn’t stop himself once he decided he wanted it, needed it. Regulus had let out a startled noise of surprise, soft and quiet. James has felt the smaller boy jolt when their lips connected, and he’d stayed frozen for a moment. The moment was short, not even a few seconds, but it had James about to pull away, scared he’d over stepped a boundary and ruined everything.

But then Regulus had kissed him back!

It was shy, almost timid, as if Regulus was testing to see if he liked it.

James pulls away before he deepens the kiss, despite how much he really, really wants to. He wants to taste Regulus, to claim his mouth with his tongue, to explore every inch of him. He wants to feel a fire in his body that overtakes and overwhelms him. He wants to be panting, to be breathless, to be devouring Regulus while his hands wander and explore the body that is always so cruelly hidden beneath layers of clothes. He wants to lay Regulus down, to peel the pieces of fabric off one by one, to reveal every inch of Regulus for James to see, to feel all of his soft skin and kiss everywhere he can reach. He wants to shower Regulus in love, in praise, until the boy is a blushing mess from his toes to the ends of his hair on his head.

James keeps their foreheads pressed together as he catches his breath. He feels giddy, heart pounding like a drum in his chest. He can’t stop himself from grinning, a breathless laugh releasing from his lips.

He kissed Regulus.

He kissed Regulus!

And Regulus kissed him back!

Something that he didn’t know he wanted two weeks ago, and now makes him feel so bloody golden and warm. Kissing Regulus is nothing like kissing anyone else. The kiss they shared was sweet, tender, and slow yet quick, but James feels positively addicted already.

James strokes Regulus’ cheeks, barely managing to scavenge the self-control to not kiss Regulus again and instead, he leans back.

Regulus' eyes are closed, lips frozen and open a fraction. Then, his eyes open, huge and a hypnotising sparkling silver staring up at James. He looks so beautiful; huge eyes framed with ridiculously dark and long eyelashes, pale cheeks tinted with a delicate rosy blush, full lips still in a slight pout.

Regulus blinks once, twice, and then he lets out a startled squeak, jolting backwards and tumbling off the stone wall, landing on the corridor floor with a thud.

It happens to fast that James barely managed to get his thoughts in check to realise what was happening until Regulus is already sprawled out on the floor at his feet.

"Merlin, Reg!" James cries in surprise, crouching down in front of the younger boy. "Are you okay?"

Regulus doesn't say anything, doesn't nod or shake his head. His eyes are wide, staring up at James. He has his right hand cradled against his chest, but he doesn't seem to be paying it any mind as he continues to look at James like the older Gryffindor has two heads. Did James break him? Pandora did tell him to go slow, but James just couldn’t help it.

James is now getting very concerned. Partially because Regulus seemed to fly back from him like he’d opened his eyes and been faced with a dementor, and because James is pretty sure with the angle he fell and how hard he landed, he’s also sure that Regulus has hurt himself. Also, because after all of this, Regulus is staring at him like his body has gone into some type of shock.

Did kissing James really do that?

Was it bad?

It must have been, because Regulus looks like he’s freaking the fuck out right now and James can’t seem to snap him out of it.

"Regulus, are you okay?" James repeats, articulating his words because he's not sure if Regulus' brain is online enough right now to understand him. "Are you hurt? Did you—"

"You kissed me," Regulus interrupts him, voice so quiet and soft that James almost misses it.

"I did," James smiles. He swallows thickly, "You kissed me too."

"You… you kissed me," Regulus repeats. He sounds breathless, blinking rapidly. James is starting to wonder if he’s having a kind of medical episode and if he should take Regulus to Madam Pomfrey.

"I did," James repeats slowly. He wants to grab the boy and kiss him again, but he realises that that is entirely unhelpful right now. The last thing Regulus needs is to probably be touched and kissed again, so James forces himself to stay hunched a space away from him, hands out in front of him so Regulus can see them at all times and not to spook him. He feels like he’s approached a terrified animal instead of a boy he’s kissed and can’t wait to kiss again. "I told you I liked you, Reg."

James can see that Regulus is completely freaking out. Gone is the cute little blush in his cheeks and the blown pupils in his eyes. Now, he’s pale and ghostly, eyes wide but with fear and shock. When they were kissing, Regulus’ body began to melt, shoulders relaxing and face leaning into James’ hands. Now it’s over, and Regulus has thrown himself away from James as if he was a boggart, his spine is stiff straight, his shoulders hunched up to his ears.

James hates that he’s caused this, hates that he’s once again caused Regulus to spiral and disappear within himself.

James won’t let it happen again. He’s not going to let Regulus run away, to hide and disappear like a ghost. Regulus has done his running, and James is finished with chasing.

"Are you…" James croaks, shifting on his aching ankles. "Are you okay?"

Regulus lets out a stuttered breath. "I… I…"

"Reg?" James frowns.

Regulus continues to stutter, and he flinches harshly when his eyes seem to catch onto something over James’ shoulder. Looking behind him, James see’s a pair of students walking slowly down the corridor. They haven’t spotted them yet, but James knows it won’t be long before they do. Deciding that Regulus needs space and privacy, James knows what he needs to do.

"Come on," James murmurs, standing up.

He grabs Regulus’ book and puts it in his bag, slinging it over his shoulder before bending down to help Regulus to his feet. The younger boy is shaky and unsteady, his arm still cradled to his chest. James notices him wincing, but he can’t do anything about it until they’re somewhere where Regulus will be a bit calmer.

James leads them both a few paces down to a classroom and glances inside, checking it’s empty, before guiding Regulus inside and closing the door behind them. He walks Regulus over to the closet desk, sitting him down and crouching in front of him. Regulus seems to have snapped out of his shocked and frozen state, instead breathing heavily like he’s run a marathon. He seems panicked, but not the clouded-over, lungs not working, crying type of panic. Instead, he just seems to be catching his breath as if he’s subconsciously slammed back into his conscious body.

"Are you okay?" James asks for what feels like the hundredth time today.

Regulus nods, swallowing audibly.

"Good," James breathes, nodding to Regulus, but mostly to himself.

He did a good job.

After he was the one who sent Regulus into another panic attack, he did a good job.

Hooray.

"Is your wrist okay?" James asks, eyes flicking down to the limb still cradled against the smaller mans chest.

"I think it’s just sprained or twisted," Regulus murmurs.

"We should go to Pomfrey. Just in case it’s broken."

Regulus shakes his head. "It’s not broken. I can tell. I can just Episkey it."

"Can I check?" James asks. He doesn’t like to think that Regulus is that familiar with the feeling of a broken wrist, especially as James knows he wouldn’t gain that experience from anything positive like Quidditch as the younger boy doesn’t play.

Regulus looks at him, and after a moment, he nods slowly. The younger boy moves his arm and holds it out to James, who slowly and gently reaches for it. With the upmost care, he pushes up Regulus sleeves of his robes, jumpers (pleural, because this precious boy is always cold and chilled which makes James want to hug him even more), and shirt and reveals a dainty forearm.

James is momentarily distracted as his fingertips stroke gently over the skin, eyes drawn to the long and slender fingers, the shadows of his tendons on the back of his hand, and the gentle grooves of his wrist bones.

Snapping out of it and focusing on the task at hand, James sees that there is redness on the outside of Regulus’ wrist, but there isn’t any signs of bruising or swelling yet. Most importantly, there isn’t any lumps or bones sticking out.

"Can you move it?" James asks, looking back up at Regulus’ face and blushing slightly when he see’s the younger boy already looking at him.

When Regulus nods, James motions for him to give it a go, and Regulus rotates his wrist slowly. A visible grimace of pain twists Regulus’ face, but him being able to move it is a good sign. James almost deflates in relief.

"You’re right," he smiles. "Not broken."

Regulus flashes him a small smile in return before ducking his head. "Told you."

"Would you like me to heal it, or are you happy to do it?" James asks. He doesn’t dare to pull out his own wand and fix it for Regulus without asking. He has too many memories of Sirius flipping out whenever any of them did that to him without explaining what they were planning on doing first, and James does not want to cause the same panic for Regulus now.

"I can do it," Regulus insists.

James watches in awe as the younger boy pulls out his wand with his uninjured hand and with a wave of his wand, his pinched expression becomes relaxed. He flexes his wrist, clenching and unclenching his wrist in a visibly easier manner.

"Are you feeling better?" James asks timidly, feeling sick with the reminder that all the pain and panic today has been caused by him.

If there is one thing he hates more than Regulus avoiding him, it’s being the reason why.

Today, James wanted to confront Regulus and find out why the boy hated him. Sure, he had an inkling; he’d seen Regulus in the courtyard the other week after the showdown with Snape and his goonies, but James couldn’t be sure. Regulus has gone M.I.A for less things. Merlin, he’s been M.I.A for the last six years at Hogwarts; James has only just noticed him again this year. Anything and everything seems to be able to be a cause for Regulus disappearing into the shadows.

When James confronted Regulus today, after finding the younger boy’s location on the map for the hundredth time this week, James was determined to get Regulus to forgive him.

Truthfully, he wasn’t surprised by Regulus’ explanation about not liking violence. It’s no surprise, and James truly does hate that his own actions scared Regulus, that there is even a possibility that Regulus watched James and saw his parents. James never wants to be associated to them, or compared to them, or tarred with the same brush as those abusive, sick bastards.

James couldn’t help but defend himself for his actions against Snape. He doesn’t regret them, and he will do it again. He’ll do it for Lily, for another Gryffindor, for another stranger if it means another triumph against bigotry and prejudice attitudes. James will never stand silent against something he doesn’t believe in, and something that has costed so many innocent lives. Also, James really doesn’t like Snape, and he does enjoy any chance he gets to put that slimy wanker on his arse.

James doesn’t like that he scared Regulus, and he is sorry that he did, but like James said; he’s not sorry for his actions.

When Regulus broke down and cried because he thinks he’s not brave because he doesn’t physically stand up to people, James’ heart truly broke. Regulus seems to be so convinced that bravery comes from physical actions, but he doesn’t seem to understand that he’s one of the bravest out of all of them.

Regulus’ bravery is his ability to survive.

He may not be brave when it comes to fighting for a cause, or protecting the little man, or standing up to bullies and bigots, but Regulus surviving Grimmauld Place for 15 years makes him one of the bravest people James knows. Like Sirius, the two brothers survived that house and made it out alive.

Plus, Regulus seems to forget that he was the one who pushed Sirius through the floo that night and brought him to the Potter Manor. Regulus may have not stood in front of his parents and duelled them, but he did save his brother. He defied them, he protected Sirius, and he got him somewhere safe all the while staying there himself to keep their parents distracted.

James could write a 20 foot parchment essay on the bravery of the Black siblings.

He might just do it to prove to Regulus that he isn’t a coward.

As much as it hurts James when Regulus runs away from him and hides, he doesn’t truly blame him for it. Regulus does it to protect himself, because he’s been raised in an environment where solidarity and isolation is the only thing that hasn’t cause him pain or abuse. Where Sirius has grown loud and confident, Regulus has grown small and quiet. Sirius can’t be alone, whereas Regulus finds peace in it. They’re two examples of coping, two products of trauma. James loves them both for it, equally, despite their own ways of protecting themselves.

So no, James doesn’t hate Regulus for hiding from him. He just wishes that Regulus would take him too, that he was enough for Regulus to feel like he could hide with James. Or that if Regulus wanted to hide, he would feel like he could go to James in search for that safe space he clearly craves.

"I’m sorry," Regulus whispers, voice tight and quiet and so, so fragile.

James instantly shakes his head. "Don’t be sorry, Reg. I’m sorry. I… I bombarded you, and then I kissed you, and now you’re all freaked out and hurt and I—"

"Why?"

"W… what?" James blinks. "Why what?"

"Why did you kiss me?" Regulus asks. "Why… w-why do you like me?"

"Bloody hell, Reg. Where do I start?" James asks, letting out a shaky laugh and running a hand though his hair. "I like you because you're so… you’re just intriguing, and you’re funny. You’re so, so smart it makes Remus and Lily look like average students. You’re beautiful, and so nice to look at with your big puppy eyes and curly hair. Because you’re the only person who I’m comfortable to sit in silence with, because you’re the only person I feel like I don’t have to impress or fascinate. I like you because you taught me about the stars, and that you chew on your quills when you’re thinking, and that for someone who doesn’t like people or talking or socialising, you always attentively listen to the people around you. And mostly, because you’re so opposite to me in many ways that it makes life around me slow down and when I look at you, it’s like I can appreciate the easy, gentle things in life."

By the time James has finished speaking, Regulus' jaw is slack and his eyes are wide. He blinks rapidly, as if stunned and trying to desperately process what's been said to him.

"I could go on," James smiles, "but I'm pretty sure I won't be able to stop and at some point, we do need to leave this classroom."

Regulus nods shakily, eyebrows furrowing together.

"I'm not all those things," he says, and fuck, if that doesn't break James' heart.

He's looking at this boy, who's so beautiful he wants to hold and cherish and protect, and who's single kiss earlier had James feeling like a teenager who's just realised how his dick works, and his heart just shatters because how does he not see?

How does he not see what James does?

How does he not know his own brilliance?

And worse, how can he listen to it and look in such disbelief that someone feels that way about him?

"You are," James says. "And I will remind you everyday, whenever you need me to, until you believe it."

"Why?" Regulus whispers.

"Because what I said was true, and it bloody hurts to know that you don't believe in yourself like I believe in you too," James says, and then he shrugs, "but that's okay. Until you're ready, I'll believe enough in you for the both of us."

Regulus looks down at his lap and shakes his head. "You shouldn't have to do that."

"I want to," James replies, and when Regulus doesn't look up at him, he hooks a finger under the boys chin and lifts his head slowly until their eyes meet again. "I'm not tricking you, Regulus. I've meant everything I've said today."

Regulus opens his mouth as if to speak, and then he's shutting it with an audible click. He stares at James' as he sighs through his nose and worries his bottom lip. James can't stop himself from using his thumb to pull it away from his teeth before he splits the skin.

At his touch, he see's Regulus swallow thickly and a sweet dusting of blush warms his cheeks again. James pulls his hand away and rests it on his own legs.

"I’m sorry for freaking out on you," the Ravenclaw murmurs.

"It’s okay," James smiles, shrugging. "I’m sorry for freaking you out."

"I… it wasn’t… I didn’t… I-I—" Regulus cuts himself off with a choked growl, clenching his eyes shut. "What about… w-what about B-Bridget?"

James frowns. "Who?"

"The— the Ravenclaw," Regulus murmurs.

James frowns harder, brain racking to recall anything with a Ravenclaw called Bridget.

Then, it comes back to him.

"Oh! What about her?"

"Do you… don’t… do you not like her?"

"No!" James yelps, shaking his head. "No, why… why would I like her?"

"Because she’s… I-I don’t know. She’s just… she’s… normal."

"Normal?"

Regulus nods. "You deserve someone like her."

James’ brain feels like it has truly short-circuited. What the hell is Regulus talking about? He feels like he should be annoyed about this, but instead he feels weak at his knees because Regulus is so insecure it’s really starting to break his heart.

He also really wants to go and murder Walburga and Orion Black.

He’s blaming the two of them entirely for Regulus’ self-hatred and lack of self-worth.

"Someone normal?" James echoes.

Regulus nods again.

"What makes Bridget so normal?"

What makes you think being different is a bad thing? James wants to ask.

"She’s… she’s just—"

"Reg, sweetheart," James interrupts softly, taking the younger boy’s twitching hands in his own. "I don’t want 'normal'. I don’t want Bridget. I want you."

"But I’m—"

"You are perfect, Reg," James says. "You’re everything I want. I will keep telling you until I am blue in the face and your ears are bleeding; I want you! I want you for all your qualities, even if you think they’re bad."

"Are you sure?"

James smiles, nodding.

"Can you…" Regulus croaks, trailing off.

"Can I what?" James asks.

"Can you kiss me again?"

James has to stop the surprise from reaching his expression. He feels like a giddy kid on Christmas morning with the way his stomach is instantly filled with butterflies. If he wasn’t so worried about scaring Regulus off for good, he’d be jumping up and down right now.

But he doesn’t.

Instead, he nods and smiles softly, because he is cool and calm and so not getting overexcited about a kiss with Regulus that he is asking for.

Fuck.

James is so whipped.

He truly has lost it.

"Of course," he says eventually.

"Really?" Regulus asks, and James can't stop himself from grinning wildly.

"Really," he nods. Please. "I’d really like to. If you’ll be okay with it."

"I’ll be okay," Regulus nods timidly, but James doesn't see fear in his expression. He see's trepidation, nervousness and curiosity, as if Regulus wants to do it again to see what he'll feel.

Or if he'll feel whatever he felt the first time again.

The fact that he asked has James ready to jump over the moon, and while he wants to crash their mouths together and finish what he started and take even more, he knows he needs to approach this gently.

James cradles Regulus’ face and presses their lips together for the second time in an hour. Like a cliche, it feels like the world around them goes silent and melts away. Kissing Regulus is like kissing a take a shot of vodka; warmth pools in James’ stomach, his muscles seem to disintegrate and his body turns to absolute goo.

James doesn’t know how long they kiss for, but eventually, he pulls away before he loses the self-control to not open Regulus’ mouth further with his tongue. He rubs their noses together for a moment, their breaths mingling in a way that probably should be gross but isn’t. Nothing about Regulus is gross.

Regulus’ cheeks are flushed, his pupils blow slightly and his lips swollen and pink. James imagines he looks the same, but the sight of Regulus is just so pretty that James feels like his heart is going to combust.

He keeps holding Regulus’ face like the precious thing it is, stroking the warm cheeks in a hope to keep Regulus grounded and calm so he doesn’t go flying back like he did the first time.

Regulus doesn’t seem to freak out again. He stares at James, eyes half-hooded with heat instead of wide with surprise and fear.

"You okay?" James asks softly, whispering it because he’ll be damned if he shatters this moment.

"Thank you," Regulus murmurs, and James can’t help but laugh.

He’s so bloody adorable.

"You don’t have to thank me for kissing you, Reg."

"Oh."

James chuckles softly, unable to resist running a hand through Regulus’ curls and watching them bounce back into place. James always assumed Regulus’ hair was as soft as it looked, but now he’s in front of him and finally touching it, running it through his fingers, he’s obsessed by it.

What conditioner does he use? James can’t help but wonder, because the result is insane. No one’s hair should be this soft. James wants to bury his face in the head of curls.

He bets it smells nice too.

James finds it funny how he was warned by Pandora to go slow otherwise Regulus would go running, and instead of going for something simple like a hug - where James would have been able to press his face into Regulus’ hair and smell it too - he went for a kiss and momentarily broke the younger boy.

A hug is next on the list, James decides. If Regulus has warmed up to the idea of kissing already, he’ll surely be happy to be held and cuddled by James too.

Right?

Fuck, does James want to hug him.

He wants to pull Regulus into his arms, curl the smaller boy against his chest and wrap his own body around him like a shield. He wants to protect Regulus from the world, and he wants to feel the way his smaller and leaner body slots against James’.

Go slow, James reminds himself.

You almost ruined it earlier.

Go slow.

James kind of hates going slow.

Forcing himself to take a step back from his urges, James rests back on his heels and looks at the younger boy in front of him.

Regulus looks tired, purple half moons underneath his eyes making him looked bruised. His hollow cheeks make his divine cheekbones look sharp and kissable, but the sunken look combined with his bruised eyes and translucent skin make James’ stomach clench. Regulus hasn’t been looking after himself, and James hates that everyone just allows this small boy to disappear into the shadows every time and come out looking worse for wear.

Until now, because James is here, and he’ll be damned if he allows Regulus to neglect himself anymore.

"We should go and get something to eat," James says.

"What?"

"Food, Reg," James smiles. "Did you have lunch?"

I know you didn’t have anything substantial, because you’re cute ass wasn’t in the Great Hall.

Regulus shakes his head.

"That’s okay. We can get you something now. I missed lunch too," James nods. When Regulus doesn’t move, James stands up and extends a hand. "Come on, I know somewhere quiet."

Hesitantly, Regulus takes the extended hand and for the second time today, James is pulling the younger boy to his feet. James is reminded again of how light the boy is, which isn’t a surprise with how many meals he seems to miss and when he is in the Great Hall, the younger boy truly does eat like a baby bird. James wants to get some meat on the younger boys bones so he’s healthy and thriving, but he also thinks about how Regulus being so light is going to make it so much easier to pick him up and hold him against a wall while they kiss and—

No!

Stop it, James chides himself.

James leads them out of the classroom and through the corridors all the way down to the kitchens. The whole way down, Regulus keeps holding onto James’ hand. It’s a far cry of change from the first time they walked through Hogwarts corridors together after Gryffindor won the Quidditch game and Regulus excused himself to go to the library. Back then, Regulus looked at James like he was an alien from outer space at the prospect of the boy wanted to talk to him. Now, Regulus holds onto his hand like it’s a lifeline.

When they reach the kitchens, they’re greeted by Wigby as soon as they walk through the door.

"Mister Potter! Mister Regulus! What can Wigby get for yous two?" The tiny elf asks.

Instantly, James looks down at Regulus. "What do you want, Reg?"

"You want me to choose?" Regulus asks in surprise, and when James gives him an encouraging nod, he turns back to Wigby and timidly requests, "Um… French toast, please."

James supposes he shouldn’t be surprised that Regulus ordered something so sweet, considering the smaller boy proved his sweet-tooth when he bought sugar quills that time in Hogsmeade. James doesn’t mind though; he loves french toast as well.

"With syrup and berries?" Wigby asks.

Regulus nods. "Yes, please."

"Coming right up, Mister Regulus! Please, sit down while Wigby cooks!"

"Thank you, Wigby," James smiles, taking a seat at the bench.

After a moment, Regulus sits opposite him. James internally grumbles to see that the younger boys shoulders have gone tense and hunched again. He doesn’t want Regulus to be uncomfortable, or trying to hide within himself.

Come back, James wishes.

Don’t disappear on me again.

"I’ve missed our astronomy lessons," James blurts.

Regulus’ eye brow quirks. "Really?"

"Of course! They were so fun."

"I didn’t think anyone considered astronomy 'fun'," Regulus admits quietly.

"Well, I did, and I’ve missed them," James grins. "I read that your star is visible best under sun goes down."

Regulus eyes widen. "You read about my star?"

"Of course! My personal teacher disappeared on me for almost two weeks. I had to do some research of my own," James winks.

Regulus blushes, cheeks and neck glowing. He looks so bloody adorable that James can’t decide if he wants to pepper him with kisses or tackle him to the floor and see if the blush goes beneath his clothes.

Thankfully, James’ thoughts are interrupted by Wigby coming scurrying up to the table with two plates of freshly cooked French toast and tall piles of fruit.

The first bite has James moaning.

"Good choice, Reg," James nods. "Merlin, this is amazing! Thank you, Wigby."

"Of course, Mister James!" Wigby squeaks.

James is half way through devouring his own French toast when he notices that Regulus has barely touched his. The smaller boy is merely picking at the blueberries on top, and James has to resist the urge to round the table and help the smaller boy eat.

He wonders if Regulus feels uncomfortable that it’s just the two of them. There’s a faraway look in the Ravenclaw’s eyes as he looks down at his food without really seeing it, and James hates it.

He wants to see that sparkle again. He wants to see the life in Regulus when he’s focused on something he’s passionate about or enjoying. He wants to see Regulus glow like the star he’s named after in the sky, like James knows the younger boy can.

"What do you want to do after Hogwarts?" James asks, and at Regulus’ incredulous look up, he adds with a shrug, "I’m just curious. We have meetings with McGonagall soon about our plans and prospects after Hogwarts. I was just wondering what you are wanting to do."

Regulus chews slowly on the berry in his mouth. James waits patiently, because this is something the two of them have never discussed, and he really wants to know; what does Regulus want to do? Where does he want to go? What is he working towards?

"I want to own a bookshop," Regulus admits quietly, taking a small bite of a strawberry.

James grins. "I’m not surprised."

"Why?"

"I honestly can’t imagine you doing anything else," James shrugs truthfully. "I

"I just want a quiet life," Regulus murmurs, finally picking up his knife to slice a small square of toast. "I just want to have a bookstore where I can promote books that I love and help people find what literature they need."

James smiles softly. "I think a quiet life sounds wonderful."

"You do?"

James nods.

It takes a while for Regulus to finish his toast, but when he does, James feels satisfied.

— tbc.