Warm

Later, when the discussions had been finished and Lockhart had been ushered away, Regulus was given some time to speak with the Potters privately. He quietly requested for Slughorn to send Barty and Evan their way too; the Professor agreed despite the late hour.

“Oh, Regulus darling. I’m so sorry this has happened.” Mrs Potter was saying. They had moved over to another part of Dumbledore’s office with more chairs.

“It’s okay.” He tried to say but she wouldn’t have it.

“No, it’s not, but we’ll take care of it.” She promised. “I refuse to let that boy get away with this.”

Her husband took her hand and held it soothingly. “I don’t suppose you’ll continue to live with your parents, my boy?” He prompted carefully.

“They kicked me out.” Regulus answered numbly.

James took Regulus’s hand in an imitation of his Father. Regulus wondered if it was a conscious imitation or not. Either way, it was quite sweet. “He can stay with us, can’t he Ammi?”

“Of course, Moujza, of course.” Mrs Potter’s eyes were so, so kind. “We have plenty of space.”

A small smile crept onto his face. “Eight bedrooms.”

She mirrored the smile back at him. “Eight bedrooms. One of them, yours.”

“Can I have two more?” Regulus asked awkwardly, his words coming out wrong.

The woman looked a little bemused. “I don’t see why not but–”

“Sorry!” He looked down at his hand in James’s. “That came out wrong. I meant to say that…” He took a deep breath, straightening up to look at them. “I have two friends: Evan Rosier and Bartemius Crouch Junior. They… they want to leave their homes too – we said we’d do it together.” He confided, his words coming out in a rush.

Understanding flooded their features.

“Oh my.” Mrs Potter said.

“Barty’s Father is cruel.” Regulus found himself saying, unable to stop himself. “And Evan’s parents are so very cold.” He was shaking a bit in his seat. “They mistreat them. And… And I can’t stand it any longer! I can’t…” Determination settled over him. “I won’t go without them. If you take me in, you must take them also.” He finished strongly, staring them each in the eye.

“Done.” Mr Potter agreed immediately, sincerity clear in his face. “All three of you are welcome.”

And Regulus practically melted on the spot, leaning into James with relief. “Oh, thank Merlin.”

“I told you they would say yes.” James murmured with an achingly gentle smile.

“One of the few times you’re right.” Regulus teased back.

Elation flooded his system. He was finally free and his friends were too. Free to live how they wanted. Love who they wanted. No longer would he receive frantic floo calls in the dead of night. Never again would Regulus have to hold Evan still as Barty performed emergency healing spells. No longer would he stare at the bruises on Barty’s skin and wonder how fresh they were. They would be safe now. Happy. They could kiss in the hallway and not worry about what would happen when they got home. They could have whatever life they wanted.

Regulus could have whatever he wanted.

He looked over at James with adoration in his eyes. This perfect boy was his now. Forever and always.

A knock sounded on the door and James hurried to open it. Barty and Evan walked in then, taking in the two adults in the room with wide eyes.

“Mum, Dad, this is Evan and this is Barty. Guys meet my parents.”

Barty tensed up while Evan’s back went rigid as he corrected his posture instantly. “Well met, Lord and Lady Potter of the Houses Potter and Peverell.” The blond greeted monotonously. “May Hecate smile upon you.”

The Potters regarded them carefully for a moment, and Regulus could just tell that Mrs Potter was holding herself back from launching at them with hugs.

“What’s your favourite colours, boys?” Mr Potter asked instead of greeting him back. “I’ll paint your bedrooms ready for you.”

Evan froze, tears welling up in his eyes, meanwhile Barty looked frantically between the Potters and Regulus.

“They said yes?” Barty asked hopefully.

“They said yes.” Regulus confirmed with equal intensity.

Barty surged forward and hugged James who stood there in shock for a moment before hugging him back tightly.

“Thank you thank you thank you.” Barty chanted excitedly.

“Thank Regulus.” James told him. “Hell, thank yourself for being brave.”

Barty shook his head against James. “You convinced him. You convinced all of us. That we could save ourselves.”

Regulus promptly burst into tears.

Merlin, he was right. James didn’t even know how much he had changed Regulus’s perspective. Changed all his friends’ perspectives.

The next thing he knew Evan was hugging him. Then they collided with Barty and James and all four of them were hugging each other and crying. Mr and Mrs Potter joined them at some point with soothing words and gentle touches.

He was so incredibly warm.

*

James didn’t go back to his dorm that night. Instead, he followed the three Slytherins up to their own dorm and fell into bed with Regulus like he belonged there.

He did belong there.

The night was calm and still, and they held each other close, simply because they could. Gentle caresses but no more than that.

When morning arrived, Regulus awoke to James already gazing at him adoringly, his hair impossibly more ruffled than normal and his features soft from sleep-haze.

He kissed him, then. Sweet like honey. Morning breath and all.

They gathered their friends in the dorm and told them everything. There were more hugs. More smiles. More breathless laughter.

Later on, James sat Sirius and Regulus down together. He talked about how glad he was to have them both in his life, happy and safe. He talked about rebuilding their relationship and finding it within themselves to care for each other once again. It was naive and beautiful and so very lovely, but one look at Sirius, and Regulus knew that he didn’t have his brother back at all.

Still, for the first time in years, Regulus and Sirius looked each other in the eye and came to a silent agreement.

“I’ll try.” Sirius lied through his teeth. For James’s sake.

“Me too.” Regulus lied back. For James.

When the boy went to the bathroom briefly, Sirius’s expression turned seething with anger and jealousy.

“I’m onto you.” He spat quietly. “I know that you’re still that horrid excuse for a human being you were in that house and I will find a way to prove it eventually.”

“Good luck with that.” Regulus bit back. “You delusional maniac.”

“We may live under the same roof again but the Potters’ will never be your home. It’s my home.”

“Monty is painting my room green, just so you know. Slytherin green.”

Then James re-entered and the facade flew back up.

“I’m so happy.” He sighed, gazing at them both.

Regulus knew he would see through a fake smile so he clasped their hands together instead. Sirius’s eye twitched.

“I’m glad, Sunshine.”

*

The legal proceedings were mainly handled by Mr and Mrs Potter, who turned out to be exceedingly competent and impressively efficient despite their light and sunny demeanours. Much like James, Regulus supposed. A retraction was printed by the end of the week and they quickly reached a settlement for the case with Lockhart that flooded Regulus’s freshly emptied bank account with the monetary compensation.

“We’ll pad your account out some more ourselves.” Mr Potter told him easily. “So we can be sure you’re financially secure.”

If he wasn’t so enamoured with James, Regulus might have fallen in the love with James’s father. The man was practical and efficient one second, and a mischievous joker the next. He gave out love and kindness and money and time without a second thought.

Plus, he was a Potions Master and an older-James-look-alike.

Regulus was a little bit smitten.

*

Evan and Barty both sent their respective parents correspondence telling them that they wouldn’t be coming back.

They didn’t take it well.

Evan’s parents sent multiple Howlers, multiple times a day, for a week straight, before abruptly giving up and cutting ties altogether.

Evan smiled when they stopped.

Barty’s Father was more relentless. When a couple of Howlers didn’t work, he started showing up at the school, ranting and raving when the Professors let him in the first time. Mrs Potter heard about the incident (likely from James) and ripped Dumbledore a new one. After that, Crouch Sr. ranted and raved from outside the wards.

Barty quickly developed an affinity for Mrs Potter’s hugs.

*

Dearest no-longer Cousin,

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Narcissa.

Regulus smiled as he read the letter. The translation wasn’t difficult at all to make this time. He hoped she was well.

*

Remus’s birthday sprung up on Regulus.

He refused a full party but consented to his friends crowding their dorm and getting pissed in one giant sleepover.

Regulus was touched when he and the other Slytherins were invited. He ensured to get the boy an excellent present: a veritable mountain of chocolate and an ancient spellbook from his collection (it would no doubt end up being used for some prank or other). Remus smiled widely and hugged him upon receiving it.

Their friend groups melded together for the event relatively seamlessly; with three different inter-house relationships between the Gryffindors and Slytherins, the gap had been well and truly bridged.

Regulus was glad to see it.

With March and Remus’s birthday, though, another event loomed in Regulus’s future.

James’s birthday.

March 27th. His 17th. His coming of age.

Regulus was beside himself. He had to make sure it was absolutely perfect. He had to find the perfect gift.

And he absolutely had to get some birthday sex. Even if it wasn’t his birthday.

James had been the perfect gentleman over the past few weeks and Regulus was tired of it. Sure, the gentle handholding, chaste kisses and sweet embraces were lovely, but he had been wanting to ride that boy like a broom for what felt like forever. And Regulus was many things, but patient was not one of them.

“What do you want for your birthday?” Regulus asked into James’s mouth one day when they were making out in his dorm. James was spread out beneath him on Slytherin green sheets, looking positively delectable as Regulus straddled him.

“Dunno.” James mumbled back, recapturing his lips.

Regulus nibbled on the boy’s lower lip for a moment before speaking again. “Give me a better answer or I’ll stop.”

James made a displeased sound at the threat. “Really don’t know.” He panted out. “I have everything I want.”

“That was pathetic.” Regulus told him but he kissed the boy hard, his heart turning to putty at that answer. Eventually, he pulled back. “What do you want?”

“Right now, for you to come back here.” James whined, tugging on Regulus’s tie lightly.

“James.” He said sharply and the boy sighed.

“I dunno… Broom polish?”

“Broom polish!”

James gave him a sheepish grin. “I’m running low.”

“Then buy some more.” Regulus reprimanded, tracing a finger along the boy’s jaw. “I’m not getting you broom polish for your birthday.”

James smiled at him dopily and let his thumb rub against Regulus’s hip. “You don’t have to get me anything.”

“I just know that you already have a present in mind for my birthday.” Regulus accused. “And I will not be outdone.”

James bit his lip, caught. Regulus resisted the urge to bite it for him. “…I think you’ll like it.”

Sighing, he rolled his eyes at the Gryffindor. “I don’t doubt it, but. I. Will. Not. Be. Out. Done.” Regulus poked the boy’s chest emphatically with each word.

“You could get me a used condom and I’d probably be over the moon.”

Regulus groaned in frustration. He decided to take it out on James, dipping his head back down to attack the boy’s neck with kisses and bites.

“You’re useless.” He growled, biting down on the heated skin.

“And you’re so lovely.” James said, tilting his head slightly to give Regulus better access. The worst part was that the Gryffindor sounded so genuine, not a hint of sarcasm in his tone. Regulus wasn’t sure he’d ever understand how James could truly think so, but he certainly wasn’t about to complain.

He attacked the boy’s neck with fervour, filling up the beautiful canvas with marks. It was one of his favourite things to do and he relished in the way James melted under his mouth. He looked so good wearing Regulus’s marks, like a brand of possession, and James didn’t seem bothered at all by them. In fact, he seemed to show them off proudly as he walked around the school with his tie loose and his shirt unbuttoned at the top. As a reward, Regulus sometimes let James give him a few hickies in return, if only to see the way the Gryffindor’s pupils blew wide at the sight of Regulus’s pale neck, marked and claimed for all to see.

The reception to their relationship from the public had been decidedly mixed.

After Regulus left hickies on James that first time at the Gryffindor Valentine’s party, someone had noticed and snapped a picture. Before, he knew it, Witch Weekly released an article wondering who ‘The Golden Boy’s Golden Beau’ was. It hadn’t made the front page or anything but the students of Hogwarts had jumped on the story, whispering in the halls about Potter’s secret lover. Of course, Regulus and James hadn’t quite been together yet, so the gossip died out quickly enough.

Alas, they got together a few weeks later, and had not bothered to keep things quiet in the slightest. Loving in the light and all that. James could often be seen, hair mussed, lips swollen and marked up to all hell for everyone to see. He kissed Regulus at any given opportunity, uncaring of the hushed whispers and wide-eyed stares that it elicited.

Most at Hogwarts were shocked but relatively supportive, largely because James was so visibly smitten that they just followed his lead. The other part was probably due to James and Regulus’s friends hexing anyone who looked at them wrong. As a result, those who did disapprove kept quiet in self-preservation.

The media was the true mixed bag. Some articles cooed over how cute they were together, while others slated their relationship. One even suggested Regulus had used his ‘Slytherin wiles’ to seduce the ‘defenceless Golden Boy’. That one made Regulus laugh. It was not entirely untrue.

He wasn’t overly impressed that the media were so invested with their teenage romance but objectively he understood. The Potters and the Blacks were two extraordinarily well-known, wealthy and influential families that dominated the political scene of Wizarding Britain’s elite. And with Regulus’s recent disownment and James’s signing to the Tornados, they were practically fodder for the tabloids.

Not to mention they were both hot. Sex always sells.

Regulus expected to be more bothered by all the opinions flying around and shoving themselves in his face, but James just made it so easy to forget. Whenever a particular story started to bother him or a comment made him frown, James would kiss it away and reassure him with achingly heartfelt words. Regulus caved every time.

His favourite article thus far was one by a small publication by the name of ‘Crystal Tells (B)All’. It told the tale of a troubled boy, piled high with expectations, who found love in a place he never expected. Of a forbidden romance that blossomed between two young lovers who tried so very hard to resist each other but couldn’t help falling into each other’s arms anyway. It told of untapped potential, a bold choice, and happy endings. Regulus thought it belonged right in a children’s fairy-tale. Sweet and lovely and oh so innocent.

It was nothing like their story, but Regulus adored it anyway. He kept a copy stashed away carefully in his trunk.

Suddenly, the dorm door was thrown open, tearing Regulus away from James’s neck and back to the present.

A feverishly snogging Barty and Evan came stumbling in and slamming the door behind them. Barty shoved the blond against it while Evan cupped his arse.

Regulus cleared his throat pointedly.

“Don’t mind us, Reg.” Barty panted, not releasing Evan’s mouth as he started to unbutton his shirt. “As you were.”

James was frozen beneath him, staring at the two with wide eyes.

“You have a bed Crouch. Use it.” Regulus told his dorm-mate with a glare.

“Good idea.” Barty grinned wickedly into Evan’s mouth before shoving the other boy backwards until he fell onto Barty’s bed. The brunet stared at the view for a moment before he crawled on to join his lover, pulling the curtains closed as he went.

“Silencing charm!” Regulus called sharply after he heard a moan.

“Fucking fine!” Evan shouted back, and the dorm turned blissfully quiet again.

Regulus turned back to James who looked like he wasn’t sure how to react at all.

“Are they…?”

Regulus leaned down again to nip at the Gryffindor’s ear. “Fucking?” He purred, using the interruption as an opportunity. “Yes.”

James swallowed nervously. “Ah… Good for them.”

“I think they have the right idea.” Regulus murmured into the boy’s ear, one hand braced by James’s head while the other danced featherlight across his chest.

James’s eyes widened impossibly further. “You want to…”

“Mhm.” Regulus hummed before licking the shell of James’s ear.

“R-Right now?” He stuttered and that gave Regulus pause.

He pulled back to look the Gryffindor in the eyes. “I’ve been wanting to for a while now but we can wait if you want.”

James was blushing now, looking incredibly nervous. “I want to, I’m just…”

Oh, goody. They were going to have to have a proper feelings talk about this, weren’t they? The things he did for this boy.

Regulus sat up properly, pulling James with him so that they were now sat upright with Regulus in the taller boy’s lap. He looped his arms around James’s shoulders.

“I hate feelings.” He started and James startled a bit at the seemingly abrupt topic change. “So, bear with me here.”

James nodded slowly.

“I want to fuck you.” The tips of James’s ears reddened. “But I know that you were waiting for ‘the one’, and to my own frustration, I think that’s bloody adorable.” James’s lips upturned at that. “Is this a waiting ‘till marriage situation? Because that’s fine if it is – I might die of blue balls, but it’s fine – I just need to know. So that I don’t… pressure you or something.”

“It’s not–” James cut himself off, taking a deep breath to steady himself and letting his head fall forward against Regulus’s shoulder. His words were muffled slightly when he continued.

“I’m not waiting until marriage. And I’m actually quite certain that you’re the one.” He said and Regulus was glad that James couldn’t see his own blush at that statement.

“I just… don’t want to rush into anything. I do that a lot. Probably too much.”

Regulus dropped a comforting kiss into his hair. “I’m well aware of how reckless and impulsive you can be, James.”

“And also… you’re not even sixteen yet. I feel… creepy… for wanting to… you know.”

“James.” He replied sternly, though a small smile played on his lips. “I am far from a blushing maiden. I’ve had sex before – plenty of it. And I’m only three months from sixteen.”

“Three months from legal.” James stressed. “I don’t want to be a nonce.”

Regulus couldn’t help but chuckle lightly at that. “You’re not a nonce. And besides, we kiss all the time.”

“And I’m lucky I don’t get in trouble for that.” James sounded a little upset now. “It’s the Golden Boy, Potter-Heir privilege, I just know it.”

“So, use it to your advantage.” Regulus told him easily. “I absolutely would be if the roles were reversed.”

James pinched his side lightly. “Sneaky Slytherin.”

“Noble Gryffindor.” Regulus countered.

There was a pause.

Regulus sighed and tugged the boy’s head up again to look him in the eye. “So, I take it we’re waiting, then?”

“Just ‘till your birthday.” James offered with pleading eyes. Regulus sighed again.

“Then I can have my wicked way with you.”

James nodded with a small smile but Regulus caught a moment of hesitation.

“And if you’re not ready by then, we’ll wait longer.” He added, decisively.

The last bit of tension seemed to seep out of James at the words. “Thank you.”

Regulus pecked him on the lips sweetly. “You don’t need to thank me for that.”

He then pushed James back on the bed and gave him a predatory grin. “But you can thank me for doing feelings talk for you.”

James looked up at him with glazed eyes. “Okay.”

Regulus smirked in satisfaction before he dived back in, capturing the boy’s lips with his own.

*

“What are you getting James for his birthday?” Regulus demanded to know as he sat down opposite Remus.

The older boy looked up from his notes with a raised brow. “Struggling, are you?”

“What are you getting him?” Regulus repeated with a glare. A look of amusement slipped onto the Gryffindor’s face.

“I’m broke, so I usually get him a pair of novelty socks.” Remus said, trying not to laugh. “He loves them.”

Regulus huffed in frustration. “Of fucking course, he does.” He turned on Evans next. “What are you getting him?”

The girl smirked at him mischievously. “I got him a bottle of Sleekeazy.”

Fenwick startled in a laugh. “Oh, that’s hilarious. His Dad invented it.”

The girl’s smirk widened. “Exactly.”

Regulus was torn between laughter and strangling someone. “And you, Fenwick?”

The Ravenclaw shrugged. “When I asked him, he just said broom polish, so I picked up a jar from Hogsmeade.”

Regulus dropped his forehead onto the table and groaned. “You’re all shite.”

They weren’t done.

“Pete and Marlene always get him a rock each, for some inside joke they won’t explain to anyone.” Remus continued, his voice laced with amusement. “And Sirius buys him records he always ends up stealing for himself later, under the guise of improving James’s music taste.”

Regulus propped his chin on the table and stared at him disbelievingly. “Why are you all such shit friends?”

“Mary bakes him a cake every year?” Fenwick offered optimistically.

“Mary’s a shit baker.” Evans countered with a smile. “Bless her.”

Regulus raised an eyebrow. “Case in point.”

Remus decided to take pity on him. “Prongs doesn’t really care about presents. He’d rather just have a laugh and spend time with the people he cares about.”

Regulus gave him an unimpressed look. “That does not help me at all.”

“Just give him a blow-job.” Fenwick suggested in a surprising twist of events. “Always does the trick with Fab.”

This just made Regulus more frustrated. He dropped his head back down on the table with a thud.

“You haven’t fucked yet.” Evans inferred, surprised. “Didn’t see that coming.”

“He doesn’t want to be a nonce.” Regulus mumbled into the table.

“He doesn’t want to be a…” Evans repeated before throwing her head back in maniacal laughter.

Remus snorted. “Prongs. Oh my god.”

“Just when I think he couldn’t get any more disgustingly perfect…” Fenwick mused, shaking his head. “My condolences, Black.”

“Much appreciated.” Regulus returned. Then he sat up straight, collecting himself. “Do any of you have something actually useful to say?”

“I dunno. Maybe do something nice for him instead of getting him a present.” Remus suggested. “Set up a date. Write him a poem. Sing him a song. He’d eat that shit up.”

“He is a romantic.” Evans agreed consideringly.

Regulus hummed as he pondered this. “It is rare that I’m nice to him.” He gave Remus an appraising look. “It seems you’re not entirely useless after all.”

Remus rolled his eyes. “What James sees in you, I have no idea.”

Regulus was already getting up. “He’s a fool for a pretty face.”

“If you do say so yourself.”

*

“I’ve decided what to get you for your birthday.” Regulus declared as he placed himself in James’s lap.

“Oh, did you now?” James replied in amusement as he automatically put a stabilising arm around his waist.

“Excuse you, we’re literally in the middle of a game.” Peter cut in from the other side of the chessboard. “You know Prongs can’t focus when you sit on him.”

“What a shame.” Regulus side-eyed him dismissively before returning his gaze to James. “We’re going on a date.”

The boy’s eyes lit up. “Oo. Where?”

“Ahem.” Peter said pointedly.

Regulus surveyed the board, assessing. “Move your knight.” He told James. The boy obeyed.

“It’s a surprise.” He then said. “The dress-code is ‘formal’ even though I know you will interpret this as ‘smart-casual’ at best.”

“What even is the difference?” James asked and Regulus sighed in disappointment.

“You’re lucky you have abs.”

“Your move.” Peter called in annoyance.

“Queen’s bishop, James.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Meet me at noon on your birthday.” Regulus instructed him.

“What if I have plans?” James asked, looking slyly in Peter’s direction.

The other Gryffindor sighed in defeat. “You know about the surprise party, don’t you?”

“Padfoot can’t keep a secret for shit, Pete.” He grinned.

“In any case, that will not interfere with our plans.” Regulus stated.

“Yeah, I know – the party will be Saturday night so everyone can recover Sunday. So I’ll be free by Sunday noon… Actually, are you gonna want a hangover potion?” He asked Regulus.

The Slytherin shook his head. “I’m more prepared for your Gryffindor shenanigans this time.”

“Shenanigans.” James repeated, tasting the word. “Such a fun thing to say.”

“You’re such an idiot.” Regulus said. Then he kissed him.

Peter promptly gave up on the chess match.

*

James’s party was extraordinarily lively and a lot of fun. They played games, got smashed and grinded on the dance floor like the stupid teenagers they were. At midnight, Sirius led a dumb countdown to James’s actual birthday and so Regulus kissed his… boyfriend? (Regulus assumed they were boyfriends) on zero, just to piss his brother off. Well, also because he wanted to. Eventually, Regulus tumbled into bed with James for some drunken making out and they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

When morning came, Regulus woke first in a surprising turn of events and opened his eyes to a sleeping James.

The boy looked angelic in the morning sunlight, his face tranquil and soft in his slumber. He lay on his back, an arm thrown above his head while the other unconsciously held Regulus to his chest, so that the Slytherin lay partially on top of him, their legs tangled together. His breathing was slow and steady, and Regulus thought he could hear the boy’s heartbeat with his ear there, pressed over his heart. Everything about the scene was warm and comforting. Regulus stayed there for a while, just staring at the boy he was blessed to call his, and he finally understood why James liked to do this whenever he woke first.

After some indeterminate amount of time, James started to wake, and Regulus watched in fascination as it happened. James shifted slightly first, then his grip on Regulus tensed and loosened in quick succession. His breathing seemed to go slightly faster and then his features scrunched just a touch. It was adorable. His eyes blinked open after that, long eyelashes fluttering, as those beautiful brown irises were revealed. His gaze first settled on the bed canopy above before swiftly sweeping over to Regulus. They flicked to the window light then fixated back on Regulus.

“Hi.” He greeted, his voice rough from sleep and his hand coming down to rub the sand out of his eyes.

“Hi.” Regulus replied softly, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Hi.” James said again dumbly and Regulus chuckled lightly.

“Happy birthday, Sunshine.” He said instead, placing a hand on the boy’s – man’s – chest.

“Thank you, Starlight.” James responded and, oh, that was new.

“Starlight?”

“You call me Sunshine when you’re being soft or teasing. So, I get to call you Starlight.” James declared, looking like he was ready to fight for the right.

“I hate nicknames.” Regulus told him, though he was sure the boy man already knew. It was true – he just about tolerated his friends calling him Reg and despised when Sirius called him Reggie. Come to think of it, he couldn’t actually recall any time that James had called him by a nickname or endearment. Strike his previous statement; James definitely already knew.

That being said… “But I’ll allow it. On one condition.”

“What’s that?” James leaned down to kiss his forehead as though he couldn’t resist the urge.

“Keep it between us?”

James smiled in agreement. “Only for the soft private times. Got it.”

Merlin, this boy man was perfect. Speaking of which…

“You’re an adult now.” Regulus stated. He trailed a teasing finger down his lover’s chest. “A man.”

“A nonce, more like.” James joked. “A man-child at best.”

“No.” Regulus denied, fingers walking their way up James’s chest. “A man. My man.”

“Always yours.” James agreed easily. “You like the man thing though, huh?”

“Apparently.” Regulus answered, shifting his head closer to James’s, laying it on the pillow beside him. “The thought only just occurred to me.”

“I’m your man.” James said experimentally, watching for his reaction closely. Regulus sucked in a breath. He wasn’t quite sure why but this was doing it for him.

“Kiss me.” And so James did. Soft and warm and slow and sweet.

“Mine.” Regulus mumbled into his mouth. “My man. My Sunshine. My good boy.”

James shuddered under the words like they were a physical touch. “For someone who doesn’t like nicknames, you sure use a lot of them.”

“I like using them on you.” Regulus told him. “Say my name.”

“Regulus.” James breathed obediently. “My Regulus.”

The Slytherin kissed him harder then, sucking on his tongue. The Gryffindor parted his lips, welcoming him in with such incredible ease, and Regulus didn’t think he’d ever get over the way James just opened up for him – split himself wide just for Regulus to make his home there.

They continued until they got too worked up and couldn’t handle it any longer. They breathed together as they recovered, their foreheads pressed against each other.

“Are you going for a run?” Regulus asked, feeling startlingly domestic as he did.

“Yeah. Was gonna do some reps too.”

“Can I watch?” He found himself saying, picturing a hot and sweaty James working out in his mind.

The man shrugged. “People watch all the time. Dunno why – they never join in.” He seemed genuinely baffled.

“You’re so stupid.” Regulus told him, pecking him on the lips before moving down to mouth at James’s neck.

The Gryffindor just smiled, tilting his head without a second thought to give Regulus better access. “Why am I stupid this time?”

“They watch ‘cause you’re hot when you work out.” Regulus bit down hard on the man’s neck to emphasise his statement, then soothed his tongue over the heated skin.

“People think I’m hot?” James blinked dumbly as he processed this. “That why you want to watch?” Because of course, Regulus was the part he focused on.

Regulus hummed in confirmation as he continued his important work. He sucked and bit at the man’s neck intently, marking his territory.

“And why you’re marking me up?”

“Got to let them know you’re mine.” Regulus murmured between bites. “Should tattoo my name on your forehead.”

“Property of R.A.B.” James said half-jokingly. “I would let you if it made you happy.”

“My name on your skin?” Regulus was thinking about it now. “I’d be ecstatic.”

“Hold that thought.” James pulled away, and Regulus was about to protest when he started rummaging around in his bedside table drawer. Only a few seconds later, he came back brandishing a muggle pen. A marker. “Go ahead.” He offered it to Regulus.

The Slytherin stared at the man for a few long moments of disbelief. This perfect man. He attacked James in a kiss.

“Gonna mark you up.” He said feverishly between kisses. “Everyone will know you’re mine.”

“Pretty sure they already know.” James chuckled into his mouth.

Abruptly, Regulus snatched up the pen and uncapped it. He grabbed James’s hand and settled it on the man’s own chest, kneeling over him and leaning over the hand. Carefully, so carefully, he started drawing on the back of James’s hand. He’d only used muggle pens a handful of times so he was very, very careful. When he was done, he sat back, admiring his handiwork.

RAB

Right on James’s hand. For anyone to see.

Regulus kissed him again.

“You can do more if you want.” James offered and Regulus just knew his gaze was adoring.

“You’re perfect.” He told his boyfriend before diving back in.

RAB RAB RAB

He wrote in tiny letters around the bigger one, then up James’s forearm until he was satisfied. As a quick show of thanks, he kissed his man before moving onto the other arm, and soon enough, a shower of Regulus’s initials covered James’s hands and forearms.

It was the most breath-taking sight he’d ever seen.

“Done?” James asked, sounding more amused than anything else. As if this wasn’t a completely earth-shattering development.

“How long will it last?” Regulus breathed, enraptured by his artwork. Salazar, he could stare at his name on James’s skin forever.

“Probably a day, maybe a few. Depends on how much water gets on it. And I am planning to go sweat now.”

“We’re doing this again.” Regulus declared, his world forever changed.

James just chuckled. “Yeah. Okay.”

*

Regulus didn’t actually intend on taking up James’s whole birthday but they just sort of ended up spending most of day together.

While James went on his morning run like the insane health-freak he was, Regulus set up his present for later, then they met up in the East Courtyard. Regulus lounged with some tea as he watched his man work out. And, wow, Regulus could never do this much work but he certainly appreciated James for bothering. His physique was god-like.

James was doing push-ups and Regulus was watching his biceps with rapt attention when someone came to join him.

“Quite the show, isn’t it?”

Regulus reluctantly pulled his eyes away to see a girl he recognised. Kayla something, a Hufflepuff girl in Remus’s study group. The one that liked to flirt with James.

“Absolutely.” Regulus agreed, returning his focus where it belonged. That glorious body.

“Enjoy it while you can.” The girl said airily and Regulus already hated where this was going.

“Is this the part where you tell me I’m not good enough for him? That he’ll abandon me later and you’ll swoop him up?” Regulus drawled lazily.

“Maybe not me. But someone.”

For quite possibly the first time ever, when it came to James, Regulus wasn’t immediately overcome with jealousy. He was simply amused.

“Funny.” He said unbothered. “I disagree.”

“You’re too awful for someone like him.” The girl tried to say. “Mean and cold and possessive. There’s nothing objectively wrong with that but it’ll be too much for him.”

Regulus couldn’t help but laugh. She clearly knew jack-shit about James then.

Speaking of:

“James!” He called; sharply, to prove his point. “Come here.”

James’s head immediately snapped to Regulus (that would never not be satisfying) and he didn’t hesitate before jogging over.

“What’s up? Oh, hey Kayla.”

“Show her your hands.” Regulus instructed calmly, already watching for the girl’s reaction.

James must have done so because the girl sucked in a breath, her eyes widening. Regulus smirked in vindication.

“Mean and cold and possessive.” Regulus repeated. “What does that sound like to you, James?”

“You.” He answered and Regulus could hear the amusement in his tone. “Also: a lot of fun.”

Regulus turned to look at him now, James’s eyes already on him. “Am I too much for you?”

“No, you’re perfect.” James answered immediately, a small frown of concern creeping onto his features. How sweet. “People say I’m too much all the time, though.”

“You’re perfect.” Regulus echoed back sincerely, conveying the honesty in his statement with his eyes. “Okay. I’m done now.”

“Point proved?” James glanced in Kayla’s direction.

“Point proved. Now finish your workout.”

“Yes, sir.”

The girl left quickly after that.

*

They showered and got breakfast next, only Pandora joining them while all their other friends slept in. It was a casual affair, with double the sunshiny personalities than Regulus was used to all in one go.

After that was present time, apparently, as they headed back to the Gryffindor Common Room and encountered their sleepy friends.

“What’s that on your hands Jamie?” Mckinnon asked almost immediately upon seeing them.

“Regulus’s initials.” James answered without a lick of shame. He was so perfect.

“I’m sorry, what?” Remus grasped one of James’s hands to inspect it. The rest of the group started crowding around to do the same. Regulus smirked smugly.

“Prongs. I say this with love,” Remus said as he examined the arm, “but you’re such a slut.”

“An absolute whore for Baby Black.” Peter agreed, shaking his head at James.

“Simp!” Mckinnon called, resting her hands on either side of her mouth to yell louder. “SIMP!”

The other occupants of the room didn’t seem overly shocked by her volume, only a few raised eyebrows glancing in her direction.

James just smiled at Regulus adoringly. “Yeah.”

“You have no shame.” Macdonald accused as she held back laughter.

“My respect for you is at an all-time low.” Evans added jokingly as she settled into a seat beside her girlfriend.

“You two seriously haven’t…?” Fenwick asked Regulus disbelievingly, looking between the two of them with scepticism.

The Slytherin shook his head.

“Christ.”

Fabian Prewett threw an arm over his boyfriend’s shoulders. “It’s gonna be so kinky when you do. I can already tell.”

Meanwhile, Sirius was rather pathetically pretending to throw up and looking utterly disgusted. “Prewett shut up. This is– Urgh! Prongs you… No! I can’t! I just can’t.”

Thankfully everyone ignored him, seemingly immune to his dramatics by now, with the exception of Remus, who patronisingly patted his boyfriend on the head twice. “There, there.”

“There’s no way you haven’t fucked.” Macdonald denied, looking between James and Regulus as if it would be written on their faces.

Remus shook his head gesturing to himself and Peter. “Prongs would tell us if he’d been deflowered.”

“That’s true.” Peter agreed, bumping shoulders with James.

“I would.” He confirmed easily.

“Sometimes I wonder if you lot are unhealthily co-dependent.” Fenwick wondered. Honestly, the notion had merit. Sometimes, Regulus was convinced they shared one braincell that Remus occasionally loaned the others.

“I don’t.” Macdonald said. “We all are at this point.”

Another notion of merit. These Gryffindors were something else.

“That’s fair.” Fenwick’s Prewett conceded.

“Can James really be a slut if he’s still a virgin?” Evans mused aloud.

“A spiritual slut.” Peter proposed. “It’s all about the mindset.”

She hummed consideringly. “I like it. James, you’re a spiritual slut.” She decided.

“And Baby Black is a possessive bastard.” Mckinnon piled on. She wasn’t wrong.

Sirius, meanwhile, had his hands over his ears, looking green. It was extremely entertaining.

The lesser Prewett nodded in agreement. (Regulus didn’t think he’d ever be able to fully forgive ‘Gid’ in his mind and thus was now referring to him in accordance with his rank.) “It’s always the quiet ones.”

“He’s a Black.” Remus deadpanned. “Insane levels of possessiveness come with the territory.”

Regulus would have resented the generalisation if it weren’t so true. He bit back a smirk.

“Has Sirius ever written his initials all over your skin, though?” Evans countered. “I think not.”

“That’s ‘cause I’m not a ‘spiritual slut’ like James here.” Remus smirked at his friend.

James didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. He took his hand back and clasped Regulus’s with it instead, staring dopily at him. “I don’t care. It made Regulus happy. He can write his name all over me, any time he wants, if it makes him happy.”

“Slut.” Mckinnon coughed immediately while Regulus’s heart melted.

“Mine.” Regulus corrected, finally stepping in to defend his boyfriend. “Not a slut just mine.”

James squeezed his hand, sighing contentedly at the sentiment.

“Yours, huh?” Peter grinned teasingly.

“That escalated so quickly.” Macdonald gave Regulus an appraising look. “You work fast Baby Black.”

“Rock on.” The lesser Prewett said approvingly. Regulus magnanimously didn’t kill him for existing.

Evans sighed dramatically. “And yet, our James is still a blushing virgin.”

Regulus smirked wickedly; he certainly couldn’t let that opening go. “He’s cute when he blushes.” He commented nonchalantly, looking James in the eye and licking his lips deliberately. Predictably, the man blushed, eyes flicking down to watch the action with rapt attention. “See?”

“Your superpower returns.” Fenwick narrated. “A blushing James Potter.”

“Someone owl the tabloids.” The better Prewett commented with a grin.

“I feel like I’m learning all sorts of things about you two today.” Macdonald said, looking them up and down appraisingly.

“Jamie’s a virgin slut. Baby Black’s got game. All Blacks are pyschos.” Mckinnon recapped.

“I’m not hearing any news.” Remus smirked.

“Can we move on from this conversation?” Sirius burst out, red-faced. “I feel like I’m going to be sick.”

“Alright, alright. Calm down, princess.” Peter gave in with a roll of his eyes. “Keep your knickers on.”

“Does this mean it’s present time?” James perked up.

Mckinnon ruffled his hair fondly. “Sure, Jamie, it’s present time.”

And so, James eagerly ripped open one incredibly dumb present after another.

“Merlin! There are little stags on these!” James gasped excitedly as he held up a pair of socks for Regulus to see. “Little stags.”

“I can see that.” Regulus responded, dumbfounded by his clear happiness.

Then:

“Sleekeazy?” He burst out laughing. “You’re a genius, Lils! The layers of this joke! This is fucking hilarious!”

“I know.” She replied smugly, chuckling along.

And:

“Broom polish? Thanks mate! I keep forgetting to buy some – you’re a right gem!”

He opened Sirius’s records with equal fervour, immediately telling his friend that he could borrow them any time. And when he simultaneously opened a couple of boxes from Peter and Mckinnon, he cackled over the dull brown rocks inside. The other two instantly joining in.

“Remember the…?” He panted out.

“When you…?” Mckinnon giggled back.

“And then…?” Peter added between laughs.

It took several minutes for them to calm down.

There were other presents that James opened. A lovely hand-knitted sweater from his Mother, and a new pair of Quidditch gloves from his Father. As well as an enormous pile of sweets from the Prewett brothers and assorted other students. Sweets seemed to be the go-to for most.

Macdonald brought out her cake afterwards. It was sloppy and lopsided and looked rather like it had been punched several times. ‘Hap Bap Jam’ was written crudely in icing on the face. James beamed at her over the top of it.

“And what did you get him, Reggie?” Sirius asked cheerfully but with a wicked gaze, probably assuming his empty hands meant he hadn’t gotten his boyfriend a thing.

“He’ll receive my present later.” Regulus drawled back suggestively, relishing in the look of disgust that flashed over his brother’s face.

“Regulus!” James whisper-reprimanded him as he poked him. “That was mean!”

“I’m mean to everyone.” He responded easily. “You’re just one of the few who doesn’t mind it.”

That got James grinning dopily at him again so he counted it as a win.

They spent the rest of the morning bantering with the group until noon approached.

“Date time?” James asked excitedly.

“Date time.” Regulus agreed, letting his lip quirk up slightly. “Meet me on the Seventh-floor left corridor.”

“Oh?” James’s eyes were shining with curiosity. “What’s there?”

“You’ll see.” Regulus replied smugly, pecking him on the lips before he left to get ready.