“I think we should make out,”
Those are the first words that the man said to James when they met at the party. It’s some fancy gig put on by the record label after the success of The Marauder’s new album. The Marauders, in case you're out of the loop, being the band of which James is the drummer for. But back to the situation at hand.
“In a few hours I’m getting on a plane, there’s a pretty safe bet you’ll never see me again”
James had never seen this man in his life, but something about his demeanour was intoxicating, more intoxicating than the glass of champagne someone had handed him earlier. The way he carried himself with an air of effortless confidence. The way his black hair fell in the kind of perfect way James had never been able to achieve. His piercing grey eyes that felt like they were peering into James’ very soul, threatening to strip away every layer until he could breathe in James’ pure essence like it was oxygen and he was a drowning man.
“Hey mate, I’m flattered but I actually have a girlfriend, a pretty public one at that. I’m James,” James reached out his hand to shake the other man’s hand. But when their hands met he was quickly pulled in close and simultaneously shoved against the pillar nearby. Once again, stupid fancy hotel with it’s stupid fancy interior design and–
“I’m Regulus, pleasure to meet you,” The man, Regulus, said. An interesting name for sure, not one James’ had ever heard before. He spoke with a slightly posh French accent, the way someone raised in high society might, each word enunciated properly, but the twinge on the letter ‘r’ remained. It reminded James of the way his best friend and bandmate, Sirius, spoke. Of course they made fun of him for this all the time, imitating him whenever he said something in a way they found amusing.
Regulus’ accent was anything but amusing. It was beautiful. James had an ear for music, and Regulus’ voice was the most angelic melody he had ever heard. And so, in a state of infatuated panic he said,
“I love your accent,” Fuck. That is not how you should talk to people. James looked away in embarrassment for a moment, prepared to be told off for making fun of the accent of a man he’s just met, but when he looked up, Regulus was smirking.
“I love yours as well James. I wonder what it’ll sound like when you cum”
Right. This was the same man whose first words to James were ‘I think we should make out,’. He clearly did not care about how social interactions were ‘supposed’ to go. James was beginning to panic again, his face turning bright red, but this time it was not from embarrassment. He looked away again, searching the room for something to distract himself from his current situation, when he saw–
Lily. Gorgeous, ethereal, intelligent, and talented Lily Evans. No matter how many times James looked at Lily, he would never stop being starstruck by her. James may have been the rockstar in their relationship, but she played the starring role in many of his songs. They were hopelessly in love. Every fan, obsessed with their relationship. All of their friends, making fun of James for being so ridiculous.
Seeing Lily was exactly what he needed at that moment. Regulus may be beautiful and attractive and have a voice that did things to James he wasn’t ready to admit, but the fact was James was a taken man. A fact he quickly reminded Regulus of.
“Like I said, that sounds great and all but I do have a girlfrien–” James didn’t even get a chance to finish his sentence before he was being kissed. And god. He may have shoved Regulus off of him, but first he lingered for a second. And in that moment, he knew this man would hold a place in his fantasies for the rest of his life.
Regulus stared at him in shock. Like nobody had ever told him no in his life. Like he was a child whose favourite toy was taken away and he was about to start screaming. But he didn’t scream. No. Instead he looked James dead in the eyes and said words James would never forget.
“I’m on the very top floor. Room 1334. There’s a king sized bed but we can do it on the floor.” Regulus whispered. Pulling James in even closer than he was before. So close that James could smell the alcohol on his breath, some kind of whiskey he thought. James was about to interrupt for what was going to be the final time. Really he was. But Regulus wasn’t finished.
“And if I were you, I’d bring your girlfriend too,” He added.
James had no words. Somehow, while he was caught up in the wind of what Regulus was offering and his need to stay loyal, as any good partner should, the obvious solution. He didn’t have to cheat on Lily to take advantage of the opportunity so graciously placed before him. If Lily were involved, he would be opening himself to what was shaping up to be one of the best nights of his life.
James looked at Regulus. Really looked at him. Considered him and what his night could entail. His options were obvious. Push Regulus away one final time, find Lily and his bandmates, and continue entertaining record label executives and other people he didn’t care about for the rest of the night. Or, he could find Lily, bring her over, and celebrate his new album in the best way he knew how. The choice was clear.
“Okay” James said. “I’m already having a great night. You’re hot. Lily’s hot. I’m hot. My band's album just debuted at number 1. Let’s celebrate and be hot together,” Regulus’ eyes widened.
“Your band?” he questioned.
“My band,” James replied. “Are you telling me you came up to me at this party and didn’t even know who I was?”
“I– it’s not important right now. Go get your girlfriend. Lily, you said?”
James, ever the easily distracted man that he was, took the bait for what it was. Immediately forgetting Regulus’ weird reaction to him being in the band. He looked Regulus up and down one more time, before walking over to where Lily was chatting with Remus, his close friend and Marauder’s bassist.
“Lily, Remus! Hey, it’s been a great night but I think I’m actually going to turn in early,” James said, trying his best to sound casual and not like he was rushing to take Lily and go back to Regulus immediately, even though he was.
“James? Are you sure? The night’s just started and our album is doing amazing and you’re going to bed? I’m sure you can sleep in instead of going on your stupid 4am runs for once in your life,” Remus said suspiciously. He was right to be suspicious of course, as James was not planning on missing the high this night was bringing him, he just wasn’t going to be out here partying when there was an absolutely stunning man offering himself up either.
“Lily! Come with me, I know you said you weren’t feeling well earlier, right?” James ignored Remus, knowing he wouldn’t be able to fool him for long.
“What? James I’m feeling f–,” James gave Lily a look. He looked her dead in the eyes and tried to push his thoughts into her mind. Praying she understood.
“--Fucking horrible yeah. We should go to bed,” Thank. God. “We’ll see you tomorrow Remus,” She gave him a little kiss on the cheek, reaching up on her toes to do so, and followed James away quickly.
“You better start explaining real soon Potter,” said Lily. “I was really enjoying myself,”
“You’ll be enjoying yourself a whole lot more soon, love,” James replied, leading her towards where he had left Regulus. He felt bad for taking her away from Remus, truly he did. The two were best friends. They had a bond that rivalled James and Sirius’. And that was saying something. But he knew he was about to make it worth her while when they stepped up to where Regulus was leaning against the very same pillar he had shoved James against earlier.
“Hello, Lily I presume?” Lily nodded her head slightly, looking just as stunned by the man in front of her as James had been upon meeting him. “I’m Regulus,” He took her hand then, and kissed it gently. Ever so much more gentlemanly than he had greeted James. Which James of course felt the need to point out.
“Where was that kind of chivalry when you met me?” He asked, sounding offended.
“You put on this nice of a dress and you’ll get the same kind of treatment James,” Regulus said. And honestly, James couldn’t blame him. Lily was dressed in a beautiful red gown. Red lipstick on her lips made them look more full and inviting than they do normally, which was quite the feat. James hadn’t been able to stop staring at her all night. That is, until Regulus marched into his line of sight and shifted his focus.
Now though. Now the two most beautiful creatures James had ever laid eyes on were standing in front of him. Both looking at him like they were considering the idea of him in said dress. Based on their expressions, neither rejected the idea.
“Lily, my darling. This lovely, gorgeous man has proposed the best idea I have ever heard in my entire life. And that is for all of us to be hot together” James said, turning to look at Lily, praying she accepted.
“That is not what I said, that was what you said. I was much more eloquent” Regulus interrupted
“Oh yeah Mr. ‘I think we should make out’ is talking about being eloquent” James replied.
“I didn’t hear you complaining”
“Well I actually turned you down originally so–”
“Yet here you are”
“Boys!” Lily shouted. Regulus and James both turned to look at her instantly. “As hot as this is, I’m going to have to stop you so that we can move to the more adult part of the evening and stop bickering like school children,”
Regulus and James looked at each other one more time, then turned back to Lily, nodding. She smirked, then walked over and grabbed both their hands. “Room number?” she asked Regulus.
“1334,” James replied. He was quite sure that number would be seared into his mind forever.
“Well then boys. Let’s head up and leave a sign on the door. The whole night through.”
And true to her word, that sign stayed on the handle of the door to room 1334 all night long. The occupants inside ignoring the world around them for just one night. And in the morning Regulus took the sign off the door, put it in his suitcase as he packed to leave. Reading it one final time.
“Do No Disturb,” Indeed.