interlude
Sirius never realized in his twenty or so years on earth that someone like James would be attracted to his little brother. Yeah, he and James went to clubs before—and also bars. James would get hit on by every hot guy or girl he'd ever seen, and still stay single or reject them for some weird reason. And don't get him started on how he once tried to hit on Sirius's half-sister, Lily. And reacted sadly when Sirius told him she's got a girlfriend already.
James was a good bloke, he had an ego like a lake and a heart to match it. But he's not sure if James is the perfect match for Regulus. If one person could say that it would be him surely. He knows Regulus enough to know that he's ruthless, but that doesn't mean he's heartless. The way he shows affection is so insignificant to the eye that people barely notice it. And by that, he means insults, staring, and maybe making you something to eat but that's about it. But there is no question about Regulus's loyalty to friends and family or even lovers, if he's with you he'll die with you till the end. James has that same aspect too, and Sirius is scared that these two emotionally intelligent, highly lovable, and maybe also not so lovable (Regulus) would crush down. And in the worst care scenario if they're ever gonna break up both of them are never gonna get over it.
For Sirius is like putting a highly explosive bomb with another one and setting them both on fire.
Under these circumstances, any decent human being would have said no, but Sirius said yes.
Because he felt like Regulus needed someone to make him less like he was, and Sirius was that person but now that Regulus's grown not so fond of him, Sirius needed someone to take care of him. And even if it's someone who, by Sirius's standers isn't approvable then so be it. Because what's life without a little risk?
When he met James, he was vain and also ruthless and he changed. So maybe, just maybe Regulus would be not so ruthless. All of these conclusions came to him when he saw them walking down the street two days prior and also that James didn't come home one night and Regulus had sent a text to him asking if was a joke of his.
Two days earlier...
(Beautiful boy) Regulus
why is James at my house, did you send him here?
(Disowned) Sirius
No why?
Sirius face darkened when he read the text but didn't think much of it until...
(Beautiful boy) Regulus
He says he's gonna sleepover
What the-
So that's how he ended up in a heated discussion with James after he came back from work.
"Did you shag my brother, be honest" Sirius shouted across the room when James barely opened the front door, James looked at him in horror.
"No, I didn't? what did Regulus tell you?" James finally got inside and took off his shoes to lay on the sofa beside him "That I sucked his cock or something?"
Sirius jumped up immediately like he was really offended.
"You think my," Sirius breathed sucking in his anger "My pretty brother would suck YOUR cock, I think you think too much of yourself"
And Sirius was indeed right, Regulus had really high standers on whose cock to suck, but he's not sure if James was the standard.
"Relax," James said his hands waving to calm Sirius down "We only um- slept together"
Sirius's face went red, and not because he was happy.
"If murder was legal, I would stab you already" Sirius baffled shifting his legs yet again to sit down next to James.
"Your brother though," James paused and opened a package of chips "Is really hot"
Sirius was on the verge of tears, not happy ones "I know" He cried.
"Are you okay?" James asked oblivious to what he had done.
"Of course, I'm not you idiot," Sirius grabbed a tissue and sneezed "You two are a nightmare"
Sometimes James forgot Sirius was dramatic to his core.
"Do you want some?" James smiled awkwardly again then handed the pack of chips to Sirius.
"I don't eat carbs!" Sirius cried out but then grabbed the whole bag and ate some.
"He's not just a pretty face too" James smiled at the thought of Regulus "He's got the brains"
"Can we talk about something more cheerful?"
"Like what?"
"Do you like Remus Lupin?" Sirius mumbled to which James responded by staring in confusion "The tall guy with freckles and a hot accent"
"Oh yeah," James had a flash of memory when he unintentionally heard them shagging "I heard you two shagging, tell me something"
"What?" Sirius was so focused on the question that he completely ignored the fact James heard him and Remus going off.
"Tell me when to stop," said James with two fingers in front of him, extending the distance little by little that's when Sirius realized…
He must've screamed too loud.
"That's not why I am talking to you," Sirius said in an annoyed tone, crossing his arms "Regulus is the reason"
"I know you want me to stay away from him" James murmured and Sirius saw some hope just then but then "But, a cute boy, is a cute boy"
"God takes me first, please" Sirius put both his hands on his face and buried the rest of his sanity in them.
"But I do wanna ask your permission," James suggested suddenly as if admittingly saying that Regulus was hot wasn't degrading enough for Sirius "To go out with him"
"You've known him for like what? no more than two weeks, James. Behave yourself" Sirius said with exhaustion in his voice face still in disbelief.
"And that's exactly why I want to know him more?" James explained as if wasn't obvious enough for Sirius "Besides, want you that introduced me to this job?"
"Yes, and you think I don't regret that decision?"
"I mean, think about it. If me and you become in-laws," James smirked and smiled excitingly "Your little brother might be nicer to you just sayin'"
Sirius got up and looked at the balcony, he really wanted to throw himself out of it.
"If I am being honest, I trust you with my life even, but I think my brother will reject you" Sirius admitted finally earning a brow arch from James.
"You think I am not good enough for him? wanna bet?"
"Ew, no." Sirius made a face of disgust "Fifty"
"I know you would say yes!" James hurried over to give Sirius a massive hug which Sirius pushed him away kindly.
Regulus you better reject James, you git.
-
The last time James put so much thought into doing something was when he was analyzing cases back in his college days. But now he finds himself getting up earlier than he's supposed to set his air, making sure he smelt nice, shaving, just to make sure Regulus takes a second look at him. He's not quite sure where the bet came from, secretly he just wanted to have all of Regulus's attention but he didn't want to get into this without knowing why he was attracted to Regulus. Perhaps it was because he's been attracted to him ever since Regulus came to visit him and Sirius's dorm in their first year of uni, or that one picture that Sirius lent to him of him and Regulus when they were fifteen in boarding school.
Or that this new, enemies dynamic turned him on. This new mysterious Regulus made him more interested than ever before, or that he took this job solely because he wanted to work with Regulus, all these things that James never admitted till he slept at Regulus's place, because he wanted to confirm that Regulus, didn't really hate him and from the look of his gray eyes, Regulus might actually be fond of him.
Well maybe not completely, but James didn't know that just yet.
Sometimes, you just like someone without knowing where this attraction came from and that's totally fine.
At last, James makes sure to not take anything seriously in case he faces any worst-case scenarios.
James made breakfast just like Regulus did for him and got on the bus, other than getting up earlier to prepare himself he wanted to come across Regulus on campus, because according to McGonagall Regulus always came extremely early, and seems like luck is on his side today. Because just a few moments after he walked onto campus, he saw Regulus far away strutting to class in his usual all-black attire. James noticed something different about his hair.
Did he make his curls more noticeable, like Sirius?
That's so hot...
Regulus whipped around suddenly when James wanted to approach him first. Regulus's eyes widened, and that's when James knew, he had just won the bet.
"James?" Regulus muttered it came out whinier than he expected.
But James didn't care he loved the way his name rolled on his tongue.
"Regulus," James smirked and greeted him with a kiss on his cheekbone, Regulus flushed.
His cold skin on his, the smell of eucalyptus filled his senses and he took in James fully.
No, this can't be.
And suddenly everything came back to him again.
"Aren't you supposed to be here at nine? why, have you got here this early?" Regulus questioned, but even that couldn't hide his flushed cheeks, red ears or his lustful eyes eating James bit by bit.
"I came early today, I had to see you" James admitted so naturally, he smiled again just cause he liked how Regulus looked away when he did it.
"Meaning?"
"I kinda did miss you," James started "And seeing you, cheers me up weirdly"
Regulus only responded with a soft giggle and turned away running away from him.
"I'll meet you at lunch Regulus Black!" James shouted as Regulus waved to him whilst he was running.
The rest of the day went on pretty well, the students today weren't being too talkative or didn't want to work with the material James had proposed for the day. And James didn't hear Regulus shouting so that was a good thing. James also left the breakfast he made for Regulus, some sandwiches which he gladly took because he forgot his. Then, lunch rolled around and James as always went to the classroom next door to fetch Regulus.
But this time he came, with intentions.
James opened the door slowly and quickly shut it behind him.
"Regulus, we need to talk"
"Oh?"