Chapter 3 - Bed spreads and sun-bathed boys
James~
The party felt like it’d went on longer than usual but it was probably just James’ mind letting him prolong the inevitable. After it ended James stayed up longer to help all his relatives into guest rooms. Regulus didn’t wait, he went straight to bed. James didn’t know why it bothered him so much, he could’ve waited. James also didn’t understand why it bothered him so much to share a room with Reg, he’s shared with all his friends a thousand times before. He didn’t understand why Reg was so different. All he knew was that if he had to get in bed with Regulus something would happen, he didn’t know what but it probably wasn’t good. That all being said… he could’ve waited. James would've.
He knew eventually he’d have to go in there because Reg was right, everyone has an opinion and they’d all exercise it if they felt it was needed. It was around 4am when he’d gotten in, he was hoping Regulus would be asleep already so he could just slip in and leave early in the morning, no awkward conversations.
The room was pitch black when he walked in, he stumbled through the dark to his bed only to trip over something blocking the floor.
“Ow! What is wrong with you?!” Regulus whisper yelled at him from the floor.
“What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you?!” James yelled back.
“I’m not the one who just trampled on the other!” Regulus got up to turn on the light.
“Why the fuck were you on the floor?!” James pushed his hand through his hair. Is this how this is going to go? The lights flipped on and James saw the bed spread Regulus had made for himself. “You were going to sleep on the floor?” James looked over at him, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Clearly?” Regulus replied as if James was the one acting insane.
“Why?” James asked.
“Well, you clearly weren’t comfortable sharing a bed so I made it more accommodatable.” Regulus shrugged.
James bent down to start picking up Regulus’ bed spread he made, “Don’t be stupid. You’re not sleeping on the floor.” James started packing away the blankets Regulus had put out before looking over to see him still standing at the doorway awkwardly. “Reg, get on the bed.” James demanded.
Regulus’ cheeks flushed red before he sputtered out what seemed to be an attempt to argue. Regulus wiped his hand down his face with an exasperated sigh before sitting down on the bed. “Which side do you want?” Regulus mumbled.
“What?” James asked while folding up blankets.
Regulus let out a shaky breath, “What side do you want… you know, to sleep on?” Regulus stumbled over each word, was sharing a bed with James really that bad.
“Right.” James responded, flipping the light back off. “Merlin, it’s dark in here. How do you see anything?” James asked, pulling open a curtain before slipping into bed next to Regulus.
“You’re not meant to see anything at night, it’s meant to be dark.” Regulus mumbled falling back onto his pillow with his back facing James.
“I normally keep the curtains drawn to see the stars, then the sun wakes me up in the morning.” James told him.
“That sounds horrible.” Regulus replied after a small break of silence.
“How? What’s a better way to wake up than the sun?” James turned so he was facing Regulus, even if he wasn’t looking back at him.
“I’ve never thought on it, there's no reason to.” Regulus replied.
“Why do you need a reason to think about something?” James chuckled.
“It would do you some good to have a reason behind any of your meaningless actions.” Regulus bit back, everything was a fight in his mind.
“And it would do you a lot of good to loosen up. You’re no fun anymore.” James joked.
“Are you saying at one point I was? I don’t recall this.” Regulus replied blandly.
“Was that a joke? Did you just make a joke that wasn’t aimed at me?” James bellowed out a laugh.
“Believe it or not, not everything I say is about you.” Regulus remarked.
“How could that be? Last I checked, everyone, everywhere, is thinking about me 24/7. You fall into that category… think that means you’re thinking about me right now.” James joked.
“You’re right, I am thinking about you right now because there is this irritating voice coming from behind me. Very hard to block out. So, sadly you are plaguing my thoughts right now.” Regulus huffed causing James to bark out another laugh.
“Well Reggie, I hope it follows you into your dreams.” James’ laugh was cut short when he realised the connotations of what he’d said.
“I believe the term you were looking for was - nightmares.” Regulus corrected but James swears he could hear a smirk playing at Regulus’ lips. James couldn’t help but let out the most embarrassing giggle that should not be coming from a grown man over the thought of Regulus Black’s probable smirk.
“Well, wherever my voice ends up ‘plaguing’, tell me about it tomorrow?” James asked. Regulus didn’t respond, he just left the request hanging out in the air. James sat waiting to hear if maybe he’d change his mind and continue the conversation. Conversation? Is that the right word for it? Whatever it was, he wished Regulus would speak again.
James fell asleep with Regulus’ smirk in his dreams. Not nightmares. Dreams.
—-------------------------------
Regulus~
Regulus woke up with something pressed against him. For a second he felt his body ignite with anxious shivers. Something was wrapped around him, maybe a contrapting spell? Regulus shut his eyes tightly, terrified he’d open them and see his mother standing over him with her wand extended. Terrified he’d be able to see her but not fight her. Regulus was pulled out of his fear when the thing wrapped around him moved, shifting closer to him. Regulus’ eyes sprang open immediately to see James Potter holding him against his chest.
Regulus was immediately woken up by all his senses being overridden by James. James’ brown skin was lit up and washed in gold by the sun beaming through the blinds. James had his arms wound so tightly around Regulus, he could smell him with every breath he took in. James had a very distinct smell, it was strange - Regulus’ mind had somehow remembered it since the very first time he’d smelt it back in 3rd year. Regulus couldn’t pinpoint exactly what James smelt like (he’s tried) but there are certain things he could tell you. James smells like the air of the forest, all the beautiful greenery mixed together to make the perfect ecosystem. James smells like what you’d imagine a beam of sunlight would smell like. James’ scent was so specific, if Regulus smelt it anywhere else, he’d never leave that place. He’d make up camp and stay there for eternity. Regulus breathed him in and suddenly he was back in 6th year potions class making amortentia, getting hit in the face by a smell so distinctly James he might as well have been in the room. Suddenly he’s back in that classroom checking to see if any of his friends smelt the same boy he did. Suddenly he’s back in his dorm room feeling like he’d betrayed his bloodline. Suddenly he’s back in the great hall staring at his brother, thinking of how he’d never let Regulus near the boy next to him, how he’d rather die before letting his brother end up with his real brother - James. Suddenly he’s on the quidditch field being distracted by the boy in red with unruly hair. Suddenly… he’s back at the doorstep of the Potter manor, caked in mud and dried blood being let in by the boy that smelt like forests and sunlight.
Regulus felt his mind fight to travel back to that day, only to be put to rest by James’ arms tightening around him. For a second, only a small second, Regulus let himself fall into James, soak up all the warm sunlight he’d given him. Once that second had passed he pulled himself from James’ grip, immediately missing the warmth. Regulus got up and sat at the edge of the bed, looking over his shoulder at him. He was gorgeous.
What’s a better way to wake up than the sun?