Never Saw You Coming

Summer after 4th year was one of the worst times in Regulus’ entire existence. He barely spoke. Barely ate. And hardly ever left his room. Unless it was to check for mail.

He was hardly ever conscious in his present body. If Walburga spoke to him at all, it was to tell him how worthless he was. Or to tell him she would be gone all week and that Kreacher would stay here to take care of him.

Like he was a helpless child.

He’d rather her be gone though. When she was home he could feel the walls curl in on themselves just a little more.

Regulus did nothing but lay down. Attempt to read. And think about a boy with green eyes.

He tried. God knows he tried not to think about him. But it was useless. James had taken up a dwelling in Regulus’ mind.

He couldn’t get the older boy out, no matter how hard he attempted.

He can’t blame James at all. Regulus was the one that told him not to write this summer.

He was too afraid of what Walburga would do if she found out.

“I’m not afraid of her.” James said proudly when Regulus told him that he would be out of reach all summer.

James had been devastated. 2 months with no contact whatsoever. What was he going to do?

Inside Grimmauld Place, Regulus lost track of the days. He had no clue how long he had been there. He only knew it was still June because his birthday had not yet come to pass.

He decided he should probably find out.

See how much longer he has left in this funeral parlor of a home.

“Kreacher?” He asked aloud. His own voice sounded strange to his ears. Was it changing? And he hadn’t even realized because he had no one to converse with.

The house elf appeared as his door instantly.

“Yes, Master Regulus?”

“What day is it?” He asked bored.

“The twenty third of June, Master Regulus.”

“Okay. That is all. Thank you.” He dismissed him.

The 23rd. Two more days til his 16th birthday. But all he could think about was getting back on a train that would lead him to James Potter.

This was torture.

Regulus could only replay memories he had stashed away in his head.

Christmas.

The most fun he’s ever had in his entire life. And the most he’s ever felt at peace.

No rules or lessons. Just pure, undisturbed bliss. He went back to the first night he woke up and realized he and James had fallen asleep talking.

The Gryffindor was so peaceful when he slept. No worry in the lines of his face. He was beautiful.

And Regulus couldn’t get to him. He was so far away.

He rolled over and decided to stay in that exact spot until his birthday, when he would be forced to make the rounds. Say hi to relatives he’d rather not speak to for the rest of his life.

The day arrived. Finally. He woke from a restless sleep. And dragged himself to bathe.

Scrubbing the first half of summer off his skin. Making it sparkle again. He dragged a comb through his mess of hair. It had grown longer and Regulus was hoping Walburga didn’t chop it off before the start of next term. Hopefully she would be too busy to notice.

He dressed in his best Black. Then made his way downstairs for breakfast.

When he descended the stairs he found the kitchen table empty. He heard no one moving.

Then Kreacher appeared.

“Happy Birthday, Master Regulus. Kreacher hopes you find breakfast to your liking.” He said pointing to the kitchen.

In it, Regulus found toast with all kinds of different jams. Eggs. And bacon. Regulus’ stomach let out a noise of anticipation.

“It looks good, Kreacher. Thank you.” He said heading to grab a plate.

“Kreacher was told to tell Master Regulus that Master’s of the House will not be home until later in the evening for your party.”

Regulus let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank you Kreacher.” He said again. Taking his plate upstairs to read and eat in peace.

Night fell faster than he would’ve liked. He heard the unmistakable sound of the floo chimney. An arrival.

Most likely his parents.

“Regulus!”

Oh God. He took a moment to silently pray that this evening wouldn’t last long before heading downstairs.

Walburga was dressed in her usual black attire. Not her “party clothes” as she would say. Her hair was pulled back but was threatening to come undone.

Where had she been? Did she get in a fight? From where he’s standing it doesn’t look like she won.

“Regulus. I’m sorry but your party tonight has been demoted to a small gathering of close family.”

He could almost jump for joy.

Thank you, universe.

The only close family that showed up were cousins.

Bellatrix and her husband. Cissy and Malfoy. And 2 younger men named Todd and Samuel. He didn’t know those cousins as well but he assumed Walburga considered them trustworthy. He stuck by Cissy most of the night. She happened to be the most understanding and open minded of the bunch. Not that she would ever let that be known.

“How’s your summer going, Reg?” She asked smiling at him with pity.

“Awful.” He whispered. “But it’s already halfway gone. Only a little longer until…” he trailed off. Letting his mind wander.

“Until…?” Cissy questioned.

“I’m just excited to get back to school is all.” He said shrugging. Looking away into the fireplace and smiling on the inside. But he was caught. Narcissa had an intuition that could almost rival his own.

“Hmm. I wouldn’t say you’ve ever been particularly “excited” to go back to Hogwarts. Last summer you were talking my ear off about annoying classmates and boring unintelligent teachers.” She laughed. “Now you’re ‘excited.’”

Her amusement made him genuinely smile for the first time all summer. He couldn’t help it. He was ecstatic to see the one person he’d been desperately missing.

“What’s their name?” She asked quietly with a twinkle in her eye.

He almost spit out the swallow of wine he’d just thrown back. But he didn’t. Thankfully.

His eyes did bug out of his head though.

“What are you talking about?” He said incredulously.

“Oh Regulus.” She laughed. “I’m older than you, yes. And I’ve already graduated from school, but that doesn’t mean I don’t remember what it was like to feel that. What you’re feeling.” She looked at him with as much meaning as she could muster. “I don’t know who they are but they must be something special to have caught your attention.” She smiled at him with love and empathy.

Regulus was caught and he didn’t have his feet under him enough to lie. He could only shake his head and whisper.

“You have no idea.”

“I had one of those once.” Cissy said pushing back a long strand of her platinum blonde hair.

Regulus had always preferred its natural brown color. “They were kind. And understanding. They taught me things I’d never have thought were true, in a million years. Things about the world that i never would’ve known.” She was whispering so they could not be overheard by the other family members still sitting at the kitchen table.

Regulus all of a sudden became aware of Cissy’s pronoun usage.

Oh.

She was like him.

Regulus had never even thought to consider it.

Maybe that’s why they had always been so drawn to each other in family situations.

They were the same.

But she didn’t make it out. He looked over at Malfoy smiling maniacally while speaking with Walburga. Matching platinum blonde hair with his fiancé. Regulus had known since it happens that Narcissa dyed it for him. But now it hurt a little more.

He looked back to his cousin now with nothing but sympathy and sadness.

“I’m assuming they weren’t in the club.” He whispered, slightly nodding his head towards the table of Death Eaters.

She laughed pitifully at that.

“No. No, they were not.” She sighed staring into the fire. Regulus joined her. To make her feel more comfortable to tell him about the pain she’d been holding in. “An eagle.” She clicked her tongue. “Soared above the rest. Excelled at everything they ever attempted. I’d never met anyone like them before. The first time we ever spoke, I was a bumbling mess.” She laughs quietly at her own childish tendencies. “Of course, it ended in tears.” She whispers. “And It was all because of a blasted party.” Cissy rolled her eyes and laughed again. But Regulus was sitting close enough to see the tears gathering in her eyes. “Stupid Gryffindors and their stupid parties.”

This made Regulus chuckle along with her.

Didn’t he know it.

“Do you miss them?” He asked, trying to see what his future would look like.

“Every single day.” She replied immediately. No emotion or tone behind her voice. Just stating a fact.

But a single tear fell down her cheek and that told Regulus that she had never stopped feeling anything for this person.

This girl.

Cissy turned to him and met his eye.

“You don’t have to pity me, Regulus. I’m okay. At least I’m taken care of.” She glanced at the table. No one any the wiser.

“A lot of people are going to die in this war, Regulus. And I don’t plan on being one of them. But it seems like some people do. So I’m going to ride it out and hope to come out free on the other side. Don’t pity me. But do me a favor and try your hardest not to become me. It would break my heart.” She grabbed his free hand and held it.

Regulus had hope for Narcissa Black. She was a strong resilient woman who looked at things with logic and wisdom.

“I’ll try my best.” He whispered trying not to cry. It was his biggest fear. Being married off to one of the ‘candidates’ his parents had deemed worthy. He imagines she’d be some brainless, vicious, sheep who couldn’t think for herself. That future was bleak. He didn’t want that at all.

A sound pulled him away from this line of thought. Apparently everyone heard it too because all 7 pairs of eyes turned and looked in their direction.

What was that noise?

It sounded almost like a scraping in the fire. He just stared at it.

What was it?

And then he thought someone had drugged his wine.

Because he saw it.

A paper bird.

He almost cried on the spot.

This poor bird flew all the way from Godric’s hollow?

That’s not right. It shouldn’t be in a place like this. So dark and lifeless.

The bird almost caught on fire but Regulus quickly caught it as it attempted to shoot out.

His mothers voice almost made him jump.

“Mail, Regulus?” Her tone was curious. But not in a good way. Never in a good way.

“Yes.” He nodded. “I think it’s from one of my roommates. Wishing me a happy birthday.” He lied through his teeth.

“Oh.” She said in a fake sickly sweet voice. “That’s nice.”

Then it was as if nothing had ever happened. She went back to her conversation.

Regulus fell back into the couch. Eyeing the exhausted paper creature. Slowly he unfolded it.

Baby Black,

He had to stop. Regulus could already feel the sting of tears in his eyes.

Pull yourself together, Black.

You have to know what it says. He risked everything to send you this.

He opened his eyes again.

Baby Black,

Happy Birthday. I wish we could’ve celebrated together.

Expect a gift upon your return to Hogwarts.

Golden

Ps. Don’t get too sloshed.

A tear did escape the corner of his eye and slid down his cheek only for a moment before he wiped it away as if it were never there. But he was laughing. God he was so happy.

James knew he needed him.

He knew he needed the reminder.

The sun will always come back.

Cissy was watching him. Smiling. And crying. Silently. Everyone in this family must know how to keep their emotions quiet.

But something about this note was pulling at Regulus. Telling him to go upstairs and inspect it further. If not just to smell him again. The small scent of James left on the parchment.

He turned to his cousin first. “Thank for coming, Cissy.” He hugged her close to his chest. “I’m hopeful for you.” He whispered.

Then pulled back and looked her in the eye. She was smiling.

“Well if you are, then so am I. You always know what’s going to happen, don’t you?” She joked. “Have a good night, Regulus.”

With that he stood up.

“Mother. I’m tired, I’ll retire to my room now.” He said proudly. If his mother thought he was speaking without confidence she would teach him to believe what he was saying.

“As you wish.” No emotion. A small flick of her wrist.

“Happy Birthday, little prince.” His father. Getting on in his years and declining in health. Regulus always thought it was because he never smiled. He aged much quicker than a normal human being.

“Thank you, father.”

Regulus had to stop himself from running up the stairs but once he was safely in his room with the door spelled shut. He pulled out the paper and brought it to his nose.

The Forrest. The sunshine. It was still there.

He sighed and dropped onto the floor right where he was standing.

He kept looking at it.

Just staring.

Something was telling him to keep looking.

He turned it over in his hands.

It felt like there was supposed to be something written on the back. But it was completely blank. The paper kept telling him over and over.

What is it? What do you need to reveal?

Wait.

Reveal.

But, it couldn’t be.

Would James risk himself even more just to speak to Regulus?

He had to try it.

If nothing happened then he might be able to sleep peacefully.

He grabbed his wand. And took a deep breath.

“Revelio” he whispered holding his wand to the parchment.

The words spread across the paper like ink blots.

James Potter. You never cease to amaze me.

That boy had written a whole novel on the back of this seemingly ordinary note.

Baby Black,

If you’ve found this message, you’re just as clever as I thought you were. Can’t get anything past you.

I have to be honest with you. My summer hasn’t been what I thought it would be. Padfoot and Moony are here. Wormtail visits a lot. But I can’t let myself have fun.

I miss you, Regulus. A lot. I worry about you every second of the day. I hope you’re taking care of yourself in that snake pit. Go eat something. Because I know you haven’t been. Probably grazing, like a horse. When I see you again, you’re eating all the sweets I put in front of you, no questions asked.

And don’t let them get under your skin, Baby Black. I know they’re the persistent, evil kind of leeches. But you’re coming back soon. We will see each other again.

I wish I could see you now.

But I’ll just have to settle for giving you a small gift. Not as big as the one you’ll get in the fall. But it’s something I can give you now.

Go look in the right pocket of your bag.

Happy 16th Birthday, Regulus.

My heart is with you.

Golden Boy

Regulus was up before he finished reading. He would come back to the letter later.

How long had James’ present been sitting there. And how did James know he would never think to touch his bag in the summer because it had no books in it?

He found himself yet again, thrown for a loop, by this boy.

He jerked the bag into his lap.

And opened the pocket.

Inside was a little black box.

Regulus gasped.

His long fingers delicately plucked the box out of the pocket and eyed it, in wonder.

What could it be?

He slowly opened the tiny box

and found a ring inside.

A black ring with his initials carved into the shiny surface.

Regulus loved it.

James knew him.

Somehow he knew exactly what he would’ve wanted.

He plucked the ring out of the box and slid it on his middle finger.

Perfectfit.

Regulus wanted to shout from the roof tops.

How did James manage to know when his darkest days would be, and already have a plan to make them brighter?

Regulus had to respond. Consequences be damned.

He had to let James know.

He found a piece of bare parchment and began his letter.

Golden Boy,

I don’t know how you managed to get that bird to my house or how you snuck my present past me all this time.

But thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Your message made the whole bloody torture of summer, worth it.

And your gift…it fits perfectly. I don’t know how you did that either.

But I shall never take it off. As long as I live.

Your little bit of warmth will last me another month until I get to see you again.

I miss you.

I replay our conversations often just to keep me company.

I miss you.

But I’m okay.

Mother is gone most days so I’m safe. For now.

Go have fun and stop moping. I’m sure Remus just wants to sit and read for a while. Take Sirius and go outside.

Enjoy the sun for me.

I miss your warmth.

Counting down the days.

R.A.B.

He carefully folded it. Then he walked over to the window, opening it enough to slip the bird outside and sent it away.

Sending a piece of him with it.

Euphemia Potter knew something was wrong with her son.

Since he returned home for the summer, he’d been less energetic. Less excited. He seemed worried and lost in his thoughts most of the time.

But she didn’t press.

If she did, he would never tell her anything.

So she waited until he felt comfortable enough to open up.

It was a warm night in June. She was in the sitting room just picking up random pieces of clothing on the floor and empty candy wrappers on the coffee table.

Sighing happily.

The boys were upstairs. All 4 of them were present tonight which made the house buzz with young energy.

Euphemia and Fleamont loved it. It made them feel like teenagers again.

She was smiling to herself fixing the decorations on the wall, when she heard a scuffle.

She stopped her absentminded humming and listened.

She heard it again.

Something coming from the fireplace.

She just waited for whatever it was to reveal itself. Mentally preparing for anything.

When a paper bird flew right out of the chimney.

That’s a new one. She thought.

She almost yelled for the boys to ask if they were expecting anything or if they were up to something outside.

But she held off.

Picking the perfectly folded bird out of the air.

Golden Boy, it began.

Immediately she stopped.

Golden boy? She was taken aback to hear the nickname she had given her only son as a child.

Because he seemed radiate light. It was very fitting.

But this person who was addressing James seemed to use it in the same way. Not jeering or poking fun. But admiring the love her son had to spread. 

She considered for a moment just taking it directly to him.

But she was curious. Was it from a girl? Why had they sent it through the fireplace instead of the regular post?

So she read on.

Golden Boy,

I don’t know how you managed to get that bird to my house or how you snuck my present past me all this time.

But thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Your message made the whole bloody torture of summer, worth it.

And your gift…it fits perfectly. I don’t know how you did that either.

But I shall never take it off. As long as I live.

Your little bit of warmth will last me another month until I get to see you again.

I miss you.

I replay our conversations often just to keep me company.

I miss you.

But I’m okay.

Mother is gone most days, so I’m safe. For now.

Go have fun and stop moping. I’m sure Remus just wants to sit and read for a while. Take Sirius and go outside.

Enjoy the sun for me.

I miss your warmth.

Counting down the days.

R.A.B.

Euphemia was frozen. It was a moment of many realizations at once.

The first one being, this person’s life might be at risk.

Her eyes read over that sentence again.

Mother is gone most days, so I’m safe. For now.

She shuddered at the thought. A mother is supposed to be their child’s safety, not destroy it. Euphemia’s heart ached.

The second realization was that this was the reason her son was not the same. Someone he cared greatly for was in a dangerous place. And he was worried. Of course he was. But he shouldn’t have to be. Young people should not have to be worried about things like this.

And the third realization was that this person was in love with her son. They didn’t say anything specifically about romantic feelings but it’s all there. The heartache and the longing. Euphemia was torn between being over the moon for her son and demanding that he tell her who this person is so she can go get them.

So she can get them to safety.

Anyone who sees her son like this, the way he truly is, golden from the inside out, deserves all the love the world can offer. And she almost cried right there on the spot thinking that some pure soul out there was being torn apart.

But she had to get this to James. She is sure he needs to see it.

On the way up the stairs, the other questions started forming in her mind.

What kind of place did this child live in where they couldn’t send letters? Why did it seem like ‘R.A.B.’ knew about Remus and Sirius but James’ best friends didn’t know about his new friend? Why hasn’t James told his own mother? He usually trusted her to her with everything.

She would be investigating this further.

She reached the bedroom door and heard voices murmuring behind it.

She knocked. And all the voices immediately came to stop.

“James?” She tried. “Can I see you downstairs for a minute please.” She smiled. James probably thought he was in trouble.

James did not know what to expect. They had been discussing important marauders business for the upcoming school year when his mother knocked and asked him to come downstairs.

When he opened the door he found the hallway empty.

Weird.

Very weird.

He bound down the stairs and sprinted to the kitchen.

“Yes Mother?” He said before he even rounded the corner.

But when he saw Euphemia, she had an odd look on her face. He couldn’t quite place it but it wiped all the amusement out of his demeanor.

“What’s wrong, mum?” He asked, cocking his head to the side at her.

She said nothing for a minute. Making him wait.

“You’ve got mail.”

“Oh? Who from?” He asked curiously. And then it clicked. Why she was acting so weird. Why he was being called downstairs for mail.

“Oh.” His eyes were wide in surprise.

His mother’s eyes were amused. But she wasn’t smiling.

She held out a hand from behind her back that held the letter.

“Did you read it?” He whispered.

This time she did smile. “Skimmed. Just to see who it was addressed to.” She fibbed. “Scared me half to death when he came flying out of the fire place.” She tacked on. She had this knowing smile on her face. Like she did every time she knew something that her son had yet to figure out.

James blushed. He can’t believe his mother caught the bird from Regulus and had read some of it before he even got the chance.

“James. Before you run off. I just want to remind you that you can tell me anything. Absolutely anything. I’m always here when you need to unload things off your chest.” She smiled sweetly at her boy. She had watched him grow into such a caring young man.

“You have enough to worry about, mum. Thank you, by the way.” He paused. “For pulling me away from the boys before handing me the letter. I wouldn’t have known how to explain my-” Another pause. “My friend.” Effie saw her son look ashamed. He should never be ashamed to care about people.

“James Potter. You have a heart too big for your own good. I love your friends, you know I do. But they don’t get to dictate what makes you happy.” She pulled him into a hug that she knew James needed.

James sighed against his mothers shoulder.

“I just…” he started whispering. Not knowing how to put it into words. “I just miss them so much.”

“I can tell. And I can also tell how worried you are. Promise you’ll come to me for help if you need me.” She demanded.

“I promise. Thank you, mum.”

“Always.” She pulled back from their hug. “I’ll leave you alone for a minute.” She smiled then left the kitchen.

James’ heart did a backflip as he looked down at the note in his hand.

Regulus.

A piece of him.

And then he read it.

Golden Boy,

I don’t know how you managed to get that bird to my house or how you snuck my present past me all this time.

(James chuckled.)

But thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Your message made the whole bloody torture of summer, worth it.

And your gift…it fits perfectly. I don’t know how you did that either.

But I shall never take it off. As long as I live.

Your little bit of warmth will last me another month until I get to see you again.

I miss you.

I replay our conversations often just to keep me company.

I miss you.

But I’m okay.

Mother is gone most days which leaves me in peace. For now.

Go have fun and stop moping. I’m sure Remus just wants to sit and read for a while. Take Sirius and go outside.

Enjoy the sun for me.

I miss your warmth.

Counting down the days.

R.A.B.

James almost cried tears of relief. But he was too busy crying tears of joy.

Thank God he was okay.

Now he would just have to endure another month until he could see him again.

A slow, dragging, monotonous month.

He tried to busy his mind. Cleaning and planning out the marauders upcoming year and playing quidditch. Trying not to stop for one second and let himself remember.

Of course when night fell and everything got quiet, there he was again. Thinking of the boy with black hair and silver eyes.

It was late in July.

12 days left. And counting.

The whole house was asleep. But James was so restless he could no longer lay in bed.

He had to get up.

He wandered out into the hallway. Closing his bedroom door soundlessly. Then he padded down the stairs.

He wasn’t even considering where his body was leading him. Too lost in his own thoughts.

Had Regulus changed at all since they saw each other last?

What has he been doing?

What are all the things he’s learned while deep diving in his books?

What are his favorite stories that James has yet to hear?

Was he keeping warm?

Was he eating? (James just assumed he wasn’t. Knowing him too well.)

Was he sleeping okay?

And most of all. Was he thinking aboutJames too?

Suddenly James came back to awareness.

He was outside. In his stupor he had walked right out the front door.

Now he was under the gaze of the stars.

Nothing made James think of Regulus more than the stars.

He decided to sit right where he was standing. Graceless, as he fell to the ground.

The sky seemed endless. Making James and his problems feel small. But he also felt that he was not alone.

The sky had never made him feel that way before. But he realized in the same moment that he had never needed to not feel alone.

There was always someone there.

But things were different now. He didn’t just need someone to be there. James needed someone to understand. And there was only one person in the whole world right now who would understand him.

Regulus would understand why James couldn’t sleep. Why he was worried. He would understand that he felt alone, even with a house full of people behind him. He would understand that James just needed him. It was just a fact. James would need him for the rest of his life. And Regulus just took it. He just accepted it. If it had been anyone else, James is sure they would’ve run for the hills.

But Regulus isn’t anyone else.

He’s something entirely different.

I miss you.

It was a thought it James’ head.

But it didn’t sound like James. It wasn’t his own voice.

It was him.

The boy.

Regulus Arcturus Black.

James must really be tired.

But hearing his voice in any way soothed the churning of the knot in James’ stomach.

So James said out loud

“I miss you more.” He directed it to the stars. Secretly hoping they would pass on the message.

“I miss you more.”

Regulus shot up in his bed. Panting. Sweating. Completely disoriented.

What just happened?

He was asleep. At Grimmauld Place.

But he could feel his body already missing the night breeze of Godrics Hollow.

He could still see the stars in the night sky painted behind his eyelids.

Did he just-

That had to be a dream right?

It started with Regulus standing in front of a house.

It was a big house. With huge windows that let in light and nice grass on the front lawn. Grass which was now covered in dew, making the bottom of Regulus’ sweats damp, but he didn’t seem to mind.

Regulus didn’t know what he was doing there.

And at first he didn’t even realize where he was.

But he was standing there, unmoving, looking up at the house.

As if waiting.

For what?

He wasn’t sure of that either. These prophetic dreams are never very straight forward. He kind of just had to learn as he went along. Trusting his instincts.

Right now his instincts were telling him that he was gonna be sick.

His hands were clammy. The humidity in the night air was making it harder to draw oxygen in. But he wouldn’t move.

His body was unwavering to his mind.

It didn’t take him long to realize why he was there.

Everything was silent. Eerily silent. No animals. No trees rustling.

Then the silence was broken.

by the unlatching of the front door.

Someone was coming outside. But trying to be quiet about it. And failing.

The towering wooden door creaked in protest.

And a figure appeared from behind it.

Oh.

It was him.

The golden boy.

In all his glory.

Regulus would’ve gasped at the sight of him.

He was in his pajamas. Which were hardly anything. A tank top and shorts.

He was already a warm person, Regulus thought, the heat must make it hard for him to sleep.

As he approached the front yard, he also, unknowingly, approached Regulus.

Who still couldn’t move.

Ah. He’s just an observer here. He doesn’t get to interact.

But.

This doesn’t feel like the future.

This feels like the present.

He wanted to thank whatever gods gave him this gift. Even to be able to see James right now is rejuvenating his spirit. His hope.

It’s recharging his light.

Regulus really got a good look at him as he stood there. Only a foot away. Staring up at the stars.

The older boy looked exhausted. He had dark shadows under his ever-curious eyes.

He wasn’t energetic and bouncing on his feet the way Regulus normally experienced him.

He looked sad.

And it broke his heart.

James let out a big sigh then fell to the ground in a heap of limbs.

Regulus laughed internally. But on the outside he could only smile.

James just sat and admired the sky. While Regulus admired him. Drinking him in with no restraints.

His hair was messy. Like he had been running his hands through it and tugging at the curls. Glasses framing perfect, tired eyes. Strong jaw. Broad shoulders.

His arms were bare. Regulus almost never got to see him like this.

Exposed.

Regulus doesn’t know what he would do if he ever got to witness Summer James in the flesh.

He’s a whole different being here.

At home.

This is who he really is.

Something that Regulus only got to see a sliver of during that fateful Christmas break. After days of being around each other nonstop, they seemed to get closer to their cores. At least on Regulus’ end, it had been heaven.

It felt like he had the kind of Home he’d never had before.

A Home in another person.

Something happened.

Regulus doesn’t know what happened.

If the gods loosened the leash or if his thoughts were powerful enough to break through

But Regulus managed to utter the words

“I miss you.”

Yes! Thank you! Yes. I miss you. I miss you every day. I think of you always.

For a single moment Regulus thought James did not get the message.

“I miss you more.” James said quietly. Talking to the sky.

But Regulus knew it was for him.

Then he woke up.

And here he was. Sweating profusely.

Christ. I’m in so much trouble.

11 days went by. Very slowly. All the same.

And then it was approaching. Tomorrow was the day.

Regulus’ bags were packed.

Walburga had, in fact, been too preoccupied to worry about chopping Regulus’ hair.

And he was seeing his golden boy tomorrow.

He went to sleep that night with a smile on his face.