James leaned against the wall, drinking whatever Marlene had put in his cup. It was dark where he was. He scoped the room, watching everyone have fun. It was a Gryffindor.
Yet, he was still watching Regulus dance. Somehow, Reg and his friends had snuck in, but James wasn’t complaining. He didn’t think he’d have anything to complain about for the rest of his life. This moment was engraving itself in his brain as he kept watching.
This, right now, will be James’ constant thought for the rest of his life. Regulus was swaying with the music. He looked ethereal. The most handsome and gorgeous person James has ever met.
James wanted to dance with Regulus. He wanted to touch him. He felt like he could reach out and feel the soft skin of Regulus’ cheek, even from across the room.
James’ eyes darted around the room, looking for his friends. He spotted Sirius heading upstairs, Remus not far behind. James decided this was the perfect time to move closer.
James quickly crossed the slightly empty area between them. He maneuvered through the people leisurely drinking, finishing and discarding his own as he walked. Finally, he reached the dance floor. Regulus was still dancing without noticing James.
“You look amazing, love,” James said in Regulus’ ear, only loud enough for the two of them to hear. Regulus didn’t stop dancing. He just turned around to look into James’ eyes. He pulled James in and started to dance with him. James couldn’t tell if his heart had completely stopped or aggressively picked up speed. His breath was caught in his throat. He wasn’t able to speak.
“Thank you, pretty boy.” Regulus looked up with hooded eyes. Even drunk he looked like an angel. James must have made an audible noise because a smirk spread across Regulus’ face.
“Pretty boy?” James found his voice in his confused state. He was expecting to get rejected. Regulus had never shown anything but disdain towards James.
Regulus just stared for a moment. He leaned his head to the side as he looked straight into James’ eyes. “You’re so pretty it hurts.” Regulus' eyes flickered down to James’ lips, but it was so fast it might not have happened. James would’ve left it to his imagination if Regulus hadn’t done it again. “Baby, I’m yours.”
“You’re mine?” James asked him, hesitance laced his voice.
Regulus put his mouth next to James’ ear. “Baby, I’m yours.” It sounded husky, not like his normal voice. James looked around to see if anyone was watching. Nobody was. They were all dancing or talking. It was like him and Regulus were in their own little, secluded world, cut off from everyone else. “Are you mine, James?”
That was all James needed to know this wasn’t a dream. Regulus wasn’t mistaking him for someone else. Regulus was talking straight to James. Suddenly, it was like reality was crashing down on James, almost crushing him. He took Regulus off of him, but continued to look him in the eyes. “I’m all yours,” he said before walking away. Regulus wouldn’t be able to remember any of this in the morning.
As James headed upstairs, he turned around to see Regulus continuing to dance. James knew this night would never leave his head.
_______
Regulus’ POV:
Regulus woke up with the biggest hangover he thought he’s ever had. Even though it was dark behind his curtains, it was still too bright. He quickly covered his eyes with his arm, groaning as he did so.
Regulus can’t remember much. He’s not really sure how he made it all the way back to his room, but, by some miracle, he was in his own bed.
“Do you guys feel as horrible as I do?” Barty asked. It made Regulus’ head pinch in pain. He hissed out from the feeling. “I’m taking that as a yes.”
Regulus finally rolled on his side and opened his curtain. Somehow, the headache got even worse. Light came rushing at him, and his head felt like it could split open. He closed eyes hoping it would help.
After about a minute, Regulus finally let his eyes open again. Barty was laying on the floor instead of his bed. His eyes were shut. He looked horrible. Evan still had his curtains closed, still asleep.
“I feel like death has crawled into my head and it’s started rotting,” Regulus said, but it came out low and coarse.
Barty smirked and turned towards Regulus to look at him, still laying down. “Do you remember what you did last night?” Amusement laced his voice.
Regulus laid his head back on his pillow and thought back to the night before: arriving at the common room, Marlene letting them in, getting a drink, Sirius not wanting his “baby brother” to be at a party, blissfully dancing with Pandora. It all went a little fuzzy after that. “Barty.” Regulus drew his name out as he said it.
“Yes? My lovely, dearest friend?” Barty smiled up from the floor as Regulus looked back at him.
“What did I do?” Regulus was starting to get scared now. Normally, he was a good drunk. He mostly just danced and stuck with his friends.
“You danced with James Potter. It was rather long too.” Barty switched to his back and stared at the ceiling. His smirk still on his face. “Wonder what you guys talked about. He seemed pretty flustered.”
That made Regulus remember. He danced with James. He told James that Regulus was his. James said it back. Regulus’ headache was forgotten as he started to freak out.
_______
James’ POV:
James had barely slept last night. He couldn’t get the thought of Regulus out of his head. The way Regulus looked at him was so surreal. His own brain couldn’t have thought of something that perfect.
James turned over in bed. He remembered the way Regulus had curled his arms around him. He could almost feel the weight still there. He could still feel Regulus’ breath against his neck as he whispered in James’ ear.
The way the dim lights hit Regulus’ face the night before was stuck in James’ head. The memory of that night, of Regulus, will never leave. James liked it this way. It’s like a secret moment that’s only for him to know. It’s almost intimate the way he thinks back to Regulus.
Light was starting to seep through the closed curtains of James’ bed. He hadn’t drank much last night after seeing Regulus. He wanted to remember the moment, even if Regulus didn't.
People in the room started to stir. There was a loud groan filling the silence. “My head is killing me,” Sirius said. James opened his curtain slightly to peek out. Sirius had gotten out of Remus’ bed and was holding his forehead between his fingers.
“How much did you drink, Pads.” James sounded concerned. He could hear it in his own voice as he said it.
James started to sit up, waiting for Sirius to answer. “Way too much apparently.” Sirius walked towards the bathroom and closed the door as he entered it. James softly smiled at the situation Sirius was in.
Peter started to climb out of his bed with a yawn. He stretched his arms out a bit. Peter looked over to James. “How was Regulus last night? Seemed to be a comfy and good talk.” Peter’s smirk grew as he spoke.
James' face had gone red. He could feel the heat rise in his face. He couldn’t imagine how much he resembled a tomato right now. James hung his head low as he talked. “It was good.” It came out as a whisper. He wasn’t ashamed of talking to Regulus last night, but he knew Sirius wouldn’t approve.
“You talked with Regulus?” Remus’ voice came out from his bed. He pulled the curtains back and looked straight to James.
“Yes, but you guys can’t tell Sirius.” James was starting to panic a little as his eyes darted between his two friends.
Sirius came from the bathroom. “What are we talking about?”
“Oh. Nothing. Absolutely nothing,” Peter said with a huge smirk on his face, looking between James and Sirius. Sirius looked confused but quickly moved on, saying good morning to Moony.
James didn't know what to do. He didn’t know if he should talk to Regulus, or if Regulus remembered any of it.
_______
James didn’t see Regulus at breakfast. He wasn’t quite sure what he would’ve said if he had. He would have to find out soon because lunch was quickly approaching.
James was walking behind Sirius and Remus on their way to the Great Hall. Peter was hanging out with Sybill today, so he was already down for lunch. There was a lot going through his head, and all of it was Regulus. He was so focused on the thoughts that he almost forgot he was walking somewhere.
“James? Are you okay?” Sirius asked as he stopped a little ahead. James caught up to them. Sirius and Remus started to walk next to James.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” James sounded a little anxious. He felt like everyone knew what he was thinking about. He felt like they could hear his thoughts. He felt like they knew it was all about Regulus. He wiped his sweaty hands against his sides, which probably made him look even more suspicious than he did before.
“Mhm…” Sirius dragged it out as he said it. He was eyeing James up and down.
James didn’t respond, but they were all suddenly in front of the Great Hall. James paused for a second, just like he had that same morning. Sirius and Remus peacefully kept walking like James wasn’t having a whole monologue going on in his head. He took a breath before walking in.
James’ eyes immediately went to the Slytherin table as he rubbed his hands together, trying to relieve the panic he was feeling. Regulus was the first person his eyes found. Hee was sitting with his friends and talking. Then, Regulus looked up. They made eye contact for a split second before James quickly put his head down.
Somehow, he had stopped walking while looking at Regulus. He walked towards his own friends, speeding up as he did. He sat down and said hi to everyone. The rest of the conversation was ignored by James. It wasn’t intentional. It was like James suddenly went deaf. All he could do was stare at Regulus and think about last night.
Regulus finally looked up again. James saw his face morph emotions, but it wasn’t clear which one. Regulus nodded his head towards the door. James was confused at first, looking over. Nothing was happening at the door. When he looked back to Regulus, James saw him excusing himself from his friends and walking towards the door. It finally dawned on James what Regulus meant.
As soon as Regulus was out of the room, James stood up. He said quick goodbyes, saying he wanted to study. There were a lot of protests, but James was already halfway to the door or couldn’t care less at that moment.
James walked through the door and let his eyes roam all over the hall. He couldn’t find Regulus.
There was a small exhale of air from beside James. It was like a little laugh. He turned to the side. Regulus was leaning against the wall next to the door, wearing the slightest of grins. He seemed very amused by James’ stupidity.
“You looked everywhere but the door,” Regulus said with a huffed laugh. James’ face heated up so much that he could practically feel the warmth on his neck. Regulus looked him up and down. There was a glint in his eye.
James felt like his brain had stopped working. Regulus looked so pretty. Regulus was one of those people that could be stared at for hours and still be the prettiest person in a room. He could be in any state and James would find him the most attractive.
Regulus rolled his eyes at James and took a step forward. He stood right in front of James. Then, Regulus went around him and started walking. He turned his head a bit to look at James. “You coming, Potter?”
“Uh.” James looked around the hall once more, a little nervous. “Yeah.” He couldn’t think of anything else to say, so he just followed. He trusted Regulus as he was led through the old castle halls.
After a couple minutes of walking behind Regulus, they stopped in an old abandoned classroom door far from the Great Hall. Regulus opened it and walked inside. He went to a desk and sat on top of it, seemingly waiting for James.
James walked through, closing the door behind him. Before he got too close to Regulus, he stopped in front of him.
Regulus raised an eyebrow at him. “You can come closer.” Regulus held a hand up to James. He took it and Regulus guided James to stand right in front of him. “See. Isn’t that better?” Regulus kept staring into James' eyes as he tilted his head to the side. James had never seen Regulus look at anyone the way he was looking at James. In fact, no one had ever looked at James that way.
James' mind went blank looking at him. “You’re really handsome.” James didn’t mean to let that slip, but it was true. That was all that was going through his head. Regulus gave him a small smile. It was genuine.
“Thank you, pretty boy.” Regulus smiled a little as a slight tinge of pink grew on his cheeks. He was still holding James’ hand. He thought Regulus’ hand would be cold, but James could practically feel the heat radiating on to his palm as Regulus held it.
James could feel his own brain short circuiting. He was so focused on Regulus that it took him a whole minute to process the words that Regulus had said. “You just called me pretty boy again.” James sounded shocked, and honestly, he was. He didn’t think Regulus would remember anything from the party. He was so drunk.
“Yes. I did.”
“Regulus.”
“Yes, love?”
James paused for a moment at the name. “What are you doing?” He couldn’t wrap his head around the events taking place.
“I’m talking to you. You’re mine. Aren’t you, James?” Regulus faked the innocence that laced his voice and was shown on his face. That didn’t stop James from faltering at the use of his name. He never seems to be his normal self around Regulus. He’s always nervous, nothing like his overly confident personality he wears.
“Yes,” James breathed out.
“Just like last night?” Regulus was questioning him.
“Just like last night,” James confirmed. “Everything from last night was completely real.” James stepped a little closer. Regulus had to tilt his head up to continue looking James in the eye, but he didn’t seem to mind.
“Good because everything I said was true.”
James took his hand from Regulus’ and filled it with the other boy’s cheek. His eyes became hooded as he dragged his thumb across Regulus’ lips. “You’re so, so pretty.”
Regulus reached up, and closed his hand around James’ as he leaned into the touch. He stared into James’ eyes as he took James’ hand, turned it, and kissed the back.
James had never seen anything so beautiful and real. He’s never felt this grounded in his entire life. James was always riding the high of being with his friends and having fun, but at that moment, he was there. He was fully aware of everything that was happening. James felt like all of his senses heightened around Regulus.
Regulus dropped James’ hand. James let his arm fall to his side. It felt heavy. Regulus moved his arms around James’ neck. He started to play with the hair at James’ neck. Regulus’ gaze lowered to James’ lips. It was just like the night before except Regulus kept looking. James didn’t look away from Regulus’ eyes. He wanted to see every emotion going through his pretty head.
Regulus stared for a while before tilting his head to the side and looking up at James through his eyelashes. James thought Regulus might be the death of him. The thought became louder when Regulus pulled James in.
Everything went quiet. The wind hitting the window at the end of the classroom was suddenly gone. The sound of the old castle disappeared. James couldn’t even hear his own heart beating like before. Regulus was kissing him.
James almost didn’t react. It took him a couple seconds to realize what was really happening, but he kissed back as soon as he did. James moved even closer, slotting himself in between Regulus’ thighs. He put his hands on Regulus' hips as they continued kissing, Regulus still messing with James’ hair.
Regulus’ lips were soft. He was so soft. James would never be able to get this out of his head. Regulus pulled away, but James immediately kissed him again. James could get addicted to this. In fact, he knew he was going to be addicted. Regulus was everything. James knew Regulus would always be everything.
James pulled away for air and leaned his forehead against Regulus’. “I will never get over you. You are going to be everything good in my world, my little star.” Regulus leaned forward again and gave James another small kiss. “You are my world. I feel like I revolve around you, like I’m getting sucked in.”
“Then revolve around me. Find me in every room and know I’m thinking of you. Look at me and know that I’m all yours. Gaze out your window at night and see my star. Know it is me. You can find me anytime you want.” James had never heard words like that before. It was like Regulus took it straight from a poetry book.
“I have never been more infatuated with a singular person, Regulus. My Regulus.” James sounded breathless. It was like Regulus’ words had left him winded.
Regulus unlinked his hands from behind James’ neck and gently moved James back. He got off of the table to stand in front of James. Regulus stepped forward to lean his body on James’. James immediately wrapped his arms around Regulus.
Regulus reached up to run his hand through James’ hair, making it messier than its normal state. “I like your hair messy, especially when I caused it.” James smiled down at him. Regulus leaned back again, leaving James’ loose grasp. “I have to go. I’m studying with Pandora soon.”
James suddenly realized that they had lives. They couldn’t stay in this room forever, no matter how much he wished they could. “I should probably go see my friends as well. They’re probably worried.” James knew he sounded sad. He didn’t want either of them to leave.
“Yeah.” It felt a little awkward, but they just stood for a moment, watching each other. Then, Regulus was leaving.
James didn’t leave right away. He was going over everything in his head. Everything Regulus had said felt like a dream. James reached up to touch his lips. He touched his hair on his neck and ran a hand through his own hair. He retraced everywhere Regulus had touched. He could still feel Regulus’ hands on him. He never wanted to forget that feeling.
None of it felt real. James finally left the room and walked through the halls. He had planned to go back to the common room, but he ended up roaming for a while, trying to collect his thoughts. It was probably for the best. If he had gone back, he would have been asked a lot of questions that he wouldn’t have been able to properly answer.
James’ brain was filled with Regulus. He will always fill it. James will never forget the last 24 hours. His Regulus.