Clumsy Begining
When James looked at himself in the bathroom mirror, he couldn't hold back a wince as he cringed back.
Next to him, Peter, watching over his handywork, wasn't much more enthousiastic.
"That is not how it was suppose to look like..." He offered, gulty and a bit confused.
James certainly hoped not, because if this was the coveted result ? Peter was the one in dire need of glasses. He had assured him a little hair gel could work wonders for his own haircut, and James though it couldn't hurt to try. His black curls were always a mess atop his head, and he wanted to make a noticeable change in his appearance, to show he cared and had actually put efforts into this...
Yeah, this was not the way he was supposed to look like for his first date with Regulus. Not at all.
He ressembled a weasel dipped in grease, his hair shining and seemingly dripping of oil. They weren't even properly pushed back, clumsily trying to break free of their slimy, slippery restrain.
Oh Merlin, this was a disaster.
The day before, after his encounter with Regulus, James had burst into the room announcing he had a date for the morrow. If they had planned to get all the suplies for their upcomming prank - which James had forgot about when he accepted - his friends had agreed to handle it without him. Remus said to give him a break, and that he'd still have to uphold his part of the deal later. Sirius added that this was of the upmost importance, and that James could absolutly not screw it up.
James didn't want to screw it up.
He wanted this whole plan to work, bringing both brothers together. And Godric, he had to admit he'd do about anything for another one of Regulus' kisses... Fuck, that kiss, he couldn't help but think back on it, on the absolute perfection of his lips, his hair, his whole damn face. And yesterday evening ? The nervous thick of his jaw, his fleeting eyes when he'd asked if James was free... Adorable. He'd almost missed the boy, but had manage to catch him thanks to the Map.
A gasped echoed from behind them, and James spun on his heels to see Sirius' horror striken face. He'd dropped the pair of shoes he was carring due to the shock.
"What is this atrocity !?" He belowed, taking a step back as if he were contagious.
Marlene's head popped into the door frame, and the drop of her jaw was enough to show her own disaproval.
She decided to add to the humiliation though, voice almost disdainful, "Why would you do this yourself ?"
James threw Peter to the wolves, pointedly looking at him, "He did this to me !"
Disapointment filled their eyes, and Sirius shook his head.
"Gel in curly hairs ? Ugh, this is why I called you here Marlene ! I knew I would need back-up, with a bunch of ignorants like them."
"Hey !" James protested, "I'm very fashionable."
"Not like this you aren't, I can't work miracles." Sirius refuted, and promptly proceeded to throw poor Peter out. "No more, Wormtail, you're banned from Potter's perimeter until the date. You don't get any say in this anymore. I was tolerent until then, and look what I get in return."
Peter grumbled, but ultimately obliged. James was then face to face with his bestfriend, who assessed him with hawk eyes. He tsked his tongue.
"Get back in the shower," He finally settled on, leaving the bathroom with his back-up. "Prompto please, we don't have all day."
"And burn those clothes." Marlene added.
James promptly slammed the door shut in their face. He looked down at his outfit, and though it wasn't exactly fabulous, he didn't think it was quite that bad. The plaid shirt tucked into his brown slacks was a little old, and the shoes really didn't match, but overall, it was acceptable.
Not what he would have chosen, but Petey had been exited to help, and James had let him have his fun. He knew Sirius would take over anyway, and change some stuff here and there. He was a fan of accessories and the such, always managing to look extra in an otherwise simple outfit. James hoped he was going to go easy on him, he didn't want to look like he'd tried too hard eiter ; Regulus would mock him.
Still, James obliged and went for another shower, considerably longer, seeing as that damn gel seemed stuck to his hair. It took him three shampoo to get rid of it.
When he left the bathroom, he was only wearing his glasses and a towel around his waist. He'd never quite gotten how exactly it was suppose to stay wrapped around him on it's own, so he just held it up with a hand secured on his hip.
Peter was banished to his bed, and James' two stylist had spilled his wardrobe on his bed, taking Remus with them to judge the cloths they'd each picked.
When she took sight of him, Marlene did a double take.
"Damn. Regulus has a good eye."
Sirius' laugh quickly vanished when Remus gave an approving nod.
"Quiddich really does wonders on the abs," He commented as he looked him up and down. "You got it going good, Prongs."
James laughed and put a hand on his heart, "Moony, I'm flattered ! You should've told me how you felt before, I'm a man spoken for now."
If Remus flipped him off, Sirius was two seconds away from taking off his uniform to show off his own abs. James had no idea how these two were still obvious about the other's sexualities, and their feelings for eachother. Sirius wans't in the closet per se, but he wasn't really out either, and if there was one person he was afraid to tell, it was Remus. Stupid really, since Remus was really fucking bi, and really fucking in love with him.
Anyway, James was truly flattered.
But their opinons were not the ones that mattered right now, it was Regulus' appreciation he seeked for... Too bad he couldn't show up half naked for the date, that would surely do it.
"So, what do you guys have for me ?" He reluctantly asked, nearing the bed.
Sirius and Marlene shared a mischevous glance, and James feared for the worst. He was definitly not as flashy as the both of them in the clothing department.
"Remus approved two of our chosen outfits, so we'll start with thoses," Marlene explained, gesturing to the ensemble behind her.
Well, if Moony had approved...
James didn't get to see what had been picked out for him though, because the door to their dorm crashed open suddenly, startling them. Lily and Mary rushed in, exited grins on display and wide eyed.
"He's here !" The red haired girl squealed.
"What !?" Sirius gasped, "Already ?"
Oh no.
"Yep," Mary confirmed, "and he is looking fine."
Oh no.
The two girls had been sent on a stake out, and were supposed to watch out for when Regulus arrived and discretly come warn him. He hadn't wanted to make his date wait too long, and now...
"Oh no !" He shouted.
All eyes turned to his half naked self.
Regulus being downstaires, looking fine and waiting for him, seemed to finally register in their mind. Then, everything happened fast. Too fast.
Everyone panicked, suddenly in motion, scrambling to do something, to help. Even Remus shot to his feet and abandonned his book, for nothing if not solidarity.
Marlene cursed, "Shit, shit, shit !"
Frantic, she then proceded to grab the cloths on the bed and threw them at him.
It was only a reflex to catch them.
A reflex that had him let go of his hold on the towel shielding his nudity.
It droped to the floor.
James caught the clothes at the cost of absolute exposition.
There was a second of floatement before chaos erupted.
.
.
.
James had fled to the bathroom - tripping on Sirius dropped shoes - and dressed himself in record time, he had almost forgot to spell his hair dry ; he couldn't show up with damp hair a second time.
When he left the room, Marlene was still coughing her lungs out, having choked on her spit. Mary was rubbing her back, herself arboring a bump on her forhead for how fast she'd turned around and collided with the door frame. Peter had laughed so hard he fell over, and Remus pretended he didn't laugh just as loud.
As he ran down the hallway to the common room, he heard his best friend's voice call out to him :
"Don't play exhibitionist near my brother, Prongs Potter ! You look great by the way !"
James laughed, "Fuck you Pads, I'm a victime to Marlene here !"
A indignante screech had him running faster.
Soon, James stepped out of the portrait with a nod for the fat lady, but she only jerked her chin forward, a knowing smile on her red lips, designating the boy waiting for him.
Regulus, who had been leaning against the wall until then, suddenly straightened up when he saw him. They stared at each other for a moment in silence, watching each other's every move. Lord, Mary had been right. Regulus was stunning in his sober frilled shirt. Cream colored, the sleeves were large and loose, held at the wrists by obsidians cufflinks. The first two buttons were undone too, revealing the silver chain that fell between his collarbones. It was attached to a black choker on the boys neck, yet suddenly, it was James who felt choked.
His eyes dropped lower, were his ample shirt disappeared in his contrastingly thight pants. They hugged Regulus' every curve intimately, hoding onto his hips with a sliver buckled belt. It was matching the many rings on his fingers, and the single cross earing dingling under his lob.
James wanted to play with it.
With his tongue.
He tore his gaze away from it just in time to see that Regulus was checking him out himself. Apreciativly so too, if the glint in his grey eyes was anything to go by.
James cleared his troat.
"Hi. Did you have to wait long ?" He asked despite knowing the answer.
Regulus shook his head, "I just got here. Are you surprised by your own ponctuality ?"
James laughed a little, rubbing the back of his neck.
"No, I'm just a little nervous is all."
The admition allowed their embarrassment to fall upon them, reducing them to a minute of agonizing silence. Then, it was Regulus' turn to cough, breaking the heavy quite.
"Well, we're not going to stand there and stare all afternoon, are we ?" He said, waving him over.
James nodded, thankful. Stepping slightly closer, he stared at Regulus' hand still outstretched towards him. He looked at it questioningly, then rose an eyebrow at Regulus. But the boy only blushed furiously and shoved his hand roughly into his pocket.
"Forget it..." he grumbled, vexed, as he begun to walk down the hallway.
Oh.
Oh.
Regulus had wanted to hold hands. And unknowingly - quite rudely too - James had basically told him to piss off. Merlin, he was such an idiot. He beat himself up mentally, grimacing.
James followed Regulus' fast pace, wondering how he could salvage this grumpy begining to their day. Trying to take hold of the boy's hand was not an option ; firstly, it was still hidden in Regulus' pocket, and secondly, it would now seem forced. Appologizing would make things worst too, James knew.
Rigidly, they continued their way with practically no encounters. The only students they saw were young, not yet allowed to Hogsmead. Walking in the deserted corridors wasn't new for James, who often sneaked around at night with the others, but in broad daylight ? It seemed eerie and almost creepy.
"Potter," Regulus called, making James snap his head torward him.
The boy wasn't looking at him, still staring straight ahead. His jaw was set.
"How... How was your week-end so far ?"
James inhaled sharply, blinking in surprise. Was Regulus trying to make small talk ? The effort seemed considerable for the Slytherin, and James couldn't help but smile at this attempt of making the air more breathable between them.
"Agonizingly long. Marlene was ruthless at training. I'm the Captain, but really she's the one who handles practice most times. I'm too lenient on the team, she says." James rolled his eyes. "Anyway, she kept us in the pit for an extra hour ! I was beat, and it got me to miss you by a few minutes. I couldn't seem to get a hold of you for the rest of the day either, until last night. Then again, had to wait the rest of the night for our date... So yeah, long. But this morning, there was a incident. A fashion fiasco, according to your brother..."
James, too busy rambling about his morning - and avoiding to mention he was personnaly involved in the gel catastrophie, or anything about the Towel disaster - didn't notice the blush creeping up Regulus' neck at the insinuation that he'd been waiting to see him for the past two days.
Never lacking stories to tell, James managed to talk through the rest of the way. About Gryffindor gossip, aneckdotes on his daily life, his and his friends shenanigans. He didn't particularly insist on Sirius, not wanting to be suspicious, or spook the younger man away. All the while, Regulus nodded along and intently listened to him, even though James knew he wasn't particularly interested in the discussion. The fact he tried warmed James' heart a little bit.
By the time Hogsmead came in view though, James still had no idea what were their plans for the afternoon.
"Sorry, I've been talking your ears off... Where uh, where are we heading anyway ?"
"I don't mind. And for now, we're going to Honeyducks. Don't get too exited," he warned, talking over James' exited shout, "we're only stopping by. So you can't take too much time there."
James smile widdened at Regulus' undertone of nervousness.
"I take it we're going somewhere we'll need food supplies then... " He hummed, crossing his arms, contemplating the options.
"Are you trying to ruin the surprise ?" Regulus sighed, faking annoyence.
James chuckled, "No, no, promise. I'll have you know I'm a big fan of the unknown. I'm just usually on the surprising side, not the surprised one."
The only one who managed to catch him off guard was Sirius. Every year on his birthday, he prepared a surprise for him. Somethimes a classic party, but other years, he prooved himself a genius of improbability. James never managed to guess what was waiting for him.
Maybe it was a family thing though, seeing as Regulus had already managed to shock the wit out of him more than once in the past week. And shutting James Potter up was no ordinary fit.
Regulus was looking at him with a strange look in his eyes. Almost like he was accepting a challenge.
"Good. Get used to it then."
The order was one James was thrilled to obey. He decided to relax and let Regulus lead him through the hours, trusting he'd enjoy the ride.
Quickly enough, they got to the green doors of the candy shop. All bright colors, the asymetrycal building was buzzing with a blissful energie. And with people. On the days Hogwarts' students were allowed in the village, Honeyducks was always full.
Breathing deeply, Regulus seemed to mentally prepare himself for the bustling confectionery. He opened the doors and stepped aside to let James go in first.
The thousand sents of surgar fueled desserts and candy hit James like a wave as he stepped inside. He took a instant to appreciate the mouth watering smell before turning to Regulus, similling cheekily. James found him already looking at him, his gaze softer than he'd gotten to see before.
"Where do you want to start ?" He asked, glancing around.
Regulus shrugged, "As long as we take Mallowmelts, I'm good with anything."
"Oh, thoses are so freaking tasty." James moaned, heading torward the sweets Regulus asked for. "We are going to get along, you and I."
Covered in frosting and butterscotch, Mallowmelts were small, gooey cakes tasting like freshly backed cookies soaked in ice cream. They were addictive, and so sweet it was tooth-rotting. James loved them, espacially when combined with a little Sundrop juice.
He grabbed a small orange tinted wicker basket, knowing he planned to take more than his hands could carry, and dropped a glasse bottle of mapple Sundrop in it. He winked at Regulus over his shoulder, and stopped in front of the desired desserts.
"How much do you want ?"
Regulus didn't answer, and instead piled two boxes of six in the basket.
James chuckled, "Alright then, I see how it is."
Regulus didn't look remotly embarrassed at his greed, smirking as he eyed the candy covered shelves.
For the next ten minutes, they roamed the aisles of the shop, and James pretended to be a commentator explaining what each of their snack choices tasted like.
"Ripplefluffs, fudgy on the outside, crunchy on the inside. The perfect mixed between cupcakes and brownies. Ouh, Pudding Puffs ! Thoses taste like warm apple pie and melted vanilla ice cream... Good call." He praised Regulus with an approving nod. "Mooncakes are a personnal favorite of mine, guimauve wrapped praline dipped in chocolate sauce ?"
James pretended to swoon, and Regulus failed to contain his amusement. He hid his giggles with the back of his hand, but the mirth in his eyes was the only thing James saw. It felt good. Really good, he thought.
Regulus called him an idiot, and he rolled his eyes everytime he praised the taste of something, only to add it to the cart himself. The backet was filled with enough sugar for their teeth to fall off, but James didn't want this moment to end. It was casual and domestic, and so completly new with Regulus. They were bickering together, on what was best, too sweet, not enough, barely-even-good or orgasme-inducing-food.
That last one was James trying to describe SilkSlurpies - delicious flaky pastries filled with a cloud of honey, cinnamon, and a dash of lushberry - which he still hesitated on taking. They were in competition with Chocoballs, classic must have... James was already going over the money limit he'd fixed for himself to spend at the shop. He didn't know what Regulus had in store for the rest of their date, too.
Frowning at the cornelian choice, James muttered the pros and cons of each sweets under his breath. His hesitation didn't get the occasion to last very long though, as Regulus quickly grew annoyed at him.
The boy rolled his eyes and stepped forward, grabbing both treats and chucking them in the bascket.
"I don't have the patience to watch you debate wiche ones you want." He gave in guise of an explanation.
The Gryffindor smiled in return, "I guess I can indulge in exess for once." He mused, starting to head back at the checkout. "Not like I have much better things to spend my money on anyway."
Regulus scoffed, haughty : "As if I'd let you pay."
James steps faltered, his head whipping torward the younger boy.
"What ? Regulus, you are not paying for all that." His voice meant to be firmer than it actually came out as, still surprised.
"I am." He affirmned, no waver in his voice, daring James to argue with a raised brow. "I won't accept any compromise Potter, so don't even think about it. I asked you on this date."
The glare he casted on James had him swallow his words. His heart fluttered too.
James thought back on what Sirius had told him : He'll be good to you, too. Let yourself be appreciated for once. James realised he quite liked it, this feeling of being taken care of. Of being spoiled, cherished.
That sudden realisation brought a blush to his face, and he was glad Regulus had taken the overflowing bascket and went ahead to pay at the counter. He preffered if the boy didn't take notice of his new sentimentale awareness, as it was quite unwelcome at the moment.
After composing himself, he joined Regulus at the front of the store, his usual smile back on his face, more genuin than before.
Between the checkout and the shop's doors, James naturally took hold of Regulus' hand.
The boy was too busy looking foundly at him - and listening to him gush about the treats they'd bought - to realise it. James tangled their fingers together.