Chapter 4 - Failed getaways and running minds
Regulus ~
Regulus had planned to leave as quickly as possible, not wanting to be stuck in any uncomfortable conversations with James. He was sure James didn’t know what Regulus had woken up to. Yes, logically he was sure of that… but, it’s entirely possible he’d known. Regulus hadn’t completely figured out how James would be conscious of the fact they cuddled all night when Regulus had woken up first, but he wasn’t going to take any chances in which they’d have to acknowledge it.
Normally Regulus’ morning routine varied from forty minutes to an hour, but his need for patterns and general hygiene is just going to have to move to the side for today, it’s just a sacrifice he’s going to have to make for self preservation. Self preservation being a morning conversation with a half asleep James after a night of cuddling. Merlin… those are not words he’d ever expected to see consecutively in a sentence together.
He’d grabbed a pair of brown slacks, a black long sleeve shirt and made a beeline to the bathroom. He’d changed in a rush, spending the smallest amount of time on his hair and barely scraping his usual skin care routine. He’d stepped out feeling like he’d barely even stepped in.
“Morning,” James smiled up at him from his bed. Regulus was mentally kicking himself, he’d rushed himself for nothing. Would it be weird to step back in? Probably. “Are you going to hog the bathroom every morning? Cause I gotta be honest Reg, might just be a deal breaker.” James joked.
“Don’t wave an early exit of this ‘relationship’ in front of my face too eagerly, I will take it.” Regulus replied flatly, still caught up on his failed getaway.
“Okay, okay, relax. I was just saying, mind not taking up the whole morning next time?” James smiled sheepishly.
“I quite literally rushed for you.” Regulus scoffed.
James stared at him blankly, “That was you rushing?” Regulus rolled his eyes and threw his pyjamas at James. James laughed, “Okay! Thank you for rushing for me, Reggie. You keep being that considerate and I might just keep you around longer.” James joked.
“Don’t threaten me.” Regulus rolled his eyes holding back a smirk.
James stood up, leaning against his bedside table, “Honestly Reggie, who knew you could be that sweet.” James drew in an exaggerated breath, “Rushing yourself just for me!” James fluttered his eyelashes at him.
“Shut up.” Regulus pushed past him to get to his bags, “If anything, I was rushing to get away from you faster.” It was true, but James wouldn’t pick up on it, he’d take it for what it was at face value; banter.
“Now, why would you do that? I'm such a pleasure.” James threw him an exaggerated smile.
“I prefer my mornings to be dull and prosaic.” Regulus couldn’t fight back the quirk in his lips this time.
“Well, we simply can’t have that now, can we? Guess I’ll just have to start waking up earlier than you.” James smirked.
“Don’t test me, Potter, I’ll wake up at 3am If I must.” Regulus turned to look him in the eyes.
“Then I’ll wake up at 2:30. You know, I needed a schedule change, Thanks Reg!” James smiled.
Regulus couldn’t help but smile back, “Whatever, I’m going to go get something to eat.” Regulus pushed past him but James grabbed onto his wrist softly.
“Wait, wait, we should go down together, it’s more couple-y” James explained.
“I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Regulus brushed him off, ignoring James’ complaints following him out the door, Regulus shut it on his face.
James had a point, Regulus wasn’t going to deny that but he wasn’t exactly eager to help aid James’ stupid fake dating plan in any way. Yes, that means he’ll be as difficult as he deems necessary. Regulus turned the corner, speed walking his way to the staircase knowing James is probably rushing to catch up. The thought of James rushing to be near Regulus put a quirk in his lips, even if he was doing it merely for appearances. Regulus was about to turn into the upstairs living room when he heard Arshia and James’ other aunty, Meera talking.
“I just can’t believe she’s allowing this.” An annoyingly high pitched voice that could only belong to Arshia whined.
“I know, but it’s not her life, it’s his-”
“She’s his mother! Let’s not pretend she has no choice in the matter.” Arshia cut her off.
“James is a smart boy-”
“And smart boys make mistakes.” Arshia added.
“But if it was really that big of a mistake, Monty would pull him up on it.” Meera corrected. “I know my brother, he wouldn’t let his son mess with the wrong people.”
“Walpurga’s boy is the ‘wrong people’. James is running around with the likes of a dirty blood supremacist. Let’s not forget what his family stands for, that doesn’t just fade away.” Arshia spewed more bullshit.
“It did for Euphemia, she pulled away from her family views.” Meera pointed out.
“For what we know of.” Arshia scoffed, Regulus could practically see her turning her nose up at Meera.
“Now Arshia-” Regulus turned away, walking back to James’ room, not wanting to hear the rest.
Regulus knew what they thought of him but Effy? He’d known she’d come from a pureblood family very similar to his own… but he didn’t realise none of them trusted her still. Is that what it’s going to be like for him and Sirius? If they stick around - which Sirius definitely will - are they always going to be mistrusted? Regulus didn’t share his parents values, it took a while for him to get there but he doesn’t. Does James know he doesn’t? Does Effy? Monty?
Does Sirius? He must know Regulus has changed… he has to know that. Or does he just think Regulus wanted a way out of the abuse but still agrees with the ideologies. Does he think Regulus is just tolerating all of this? Does he think he hates Remus or Peter? If Sirius thinks he thinks like that, is Sirius just tolerating him?
Regulus stood outside of James’ door, begging his mind to stop before it ruined everything he had. Arshia’s words ran through his head,
“That doesn’t just fade away.”
“That doesn’t just fade away.”
“That doesn’t just fade away.”
Did Sirius think that too? He wouldn’t… He wouldn’t have talked Regulus into running to the Potter’s house in the first place if he thought that… Sirius only did that to get him away from Walpurga… he never said he wanted him to stay once he was out of Hogwarts. Regulus felt his heart drop. This was Sirius’ place, not his, he’d intruded it and hasn’t even once thought about Sirius’ wishes.
Regulus slammed James’ door shut, cutting off his running mind. James dropped something behind him, probably startled by the sudden sound.
“Reg? You’re back?” James asked. Regulus turned around to see a shirtless James with a towel over his shoulder. James’ face softened, “Regulus? Hey, what’s going on?” He approached him slowly with his hands extended, as if he’d run off if James moved any faster.
“I’m fine. You were right, we should go down together.” Regulus lied, making a point in his mind to not look at James’ chest.
James looked sceptical but nodded, “Told you.” James smiled at him before grabbing a shirt and going to the bathroom, “Let me fix my hair and I’ll be right out!” James gave him one last smile before shutting the door.
“I wasn’t aware you did anything to tend to that mop.” Regulus responded, attempting to keep the mood light, scorching the memory of shirtless James from his mind.
“Of course I do, it’s purposely messy, Reg! It’s Fashion!” James yelled out to him from the bathroom.
“I think you are the only person to ever participate in that ‘fashion’.” Regulus sat down on the bed, waiting for James.
“Well, that’s simply because I am the most fashionable person ever.” Regulus could hear his sweet smile in his voice, and couldn’t stop himself from smiling just from thinking about it. Regulus spent his first few years at Hogwarts not understanding why Sirius liked James so much, he kept thinking that up until fourth year. James and Sirius had spent that whole year trying to convince him to come to the Potter’s. Regulus would be lying if he said Sirius alone could have convinced him. James just has this way with people, he draws you in and once you’re in, you’re in forever. James was like a waterfall, once you’re falling, there’s no way back up… Regulus just hopes he’ll survive the drop.
Before Regulus could finish that train of thought, James opened the door, leaning against the frame, “You’re going to tell me I don’t look great right now?” James quirked his eyebrow at him.
Regulus cursed the part of him nodding along, “Let’s go, I’m hungry.” Regulus got up and pulled James along by the arm.
“You don’t need to drag me.” James rolled his eyes then sucked in a sharp breath when Regulus interlocked their fingers, “Wha-”
“We’re trying to fool them, right?” Regulus lied, holding himself closer to James.
“Thought you weren’t going to put effort into this?” James looked at him confused.
“Maybe I changed my mind.” Regulus answered.
“Why?” James stopped them in the hallway, still holding his hand.
Regulus looked over in the direction of Arshia and Meera, he didn’t know why but he needed to prove to them he wasn’t some crazy blood supremacist. He owed them nothing, he knew that… he also knew no matter what he said or did, they’d never believe he was like them. But he still wanted to try and if this stupid fake relationship with James was what proved it then so be it.
If nothing came of it, at least this would annoy them. That’s just as much of a win in his mind.
“Remember how you said this could be mutually beneficial?” Regulus asked. James nodded. “Well, it officially is.”
“What-” Regulus cut him off by pulling him into the room Arshia and Meera were in, still talking about him. He smiled brightly at both of them, holding onto James’ hand and arm.
“Morning!” He smiled, leaning his head on James’ shoulder. James looked down at him, Regulus could only hope he got the memo.