Chapter 2
James tugs a shivering Regulus inside, refusing to free his hand. “Sirius, can we get a towel, please?” James called.
“Sure? What happened?” Sirius questions. The sound of doors banging and shuffling tracking his movements.
“Ah, just some impromptu swim lessons.” James smiles tightly.
“Impr-” Sirius cuts himself off staring at his little brother, dripping in the doorway with hollow eyes, “Reggie?”
Regulus flicks his gaze to his brother, sighing at the worried eyes as Sirius shoves the towel around his shoulders. Wishing he could just stop trembling, but his body seems determined to vibrate him out of his skin, Regulus clutches the towel closer. Squeezing James’s hand lightly, Regulus drops his gaze. A silent apology. James suddenly in his space, gentle hand tipping his head back to press a soft kiss to his forehead. Acceptance.
James smiles softly at him, brushing still dripping hair out of his face. The pair hear Sirius groan, stomping off with a dramatic flair, only to return throwing a second towel at the back of James’s head.
The front door opens and shuts once more, all eyes snapping to the source of movement, Remus flicking his gaze between the trio nervously.
“Did uh, did you two get in a fight with the hose?” Remus asked.
“Impromptu swim lessons. So says Prongs.” Sirius snarks, meeting Remus in his spot for a kiss hello. Remus merely hums, leaning down.
“What? Don’t believe us?” James gasps.
Regulus rolls his eyes, leaning into James’s chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Letting their bickering fade into the background as he narrows his focus to James. The boy who used to crawl up on the roof with him to stare up at the stars. Now the man who would jump off a cliff for him. The thought is enough for Regulus to want a drink. Idiot. Regulus wants to bite him. Regulus wants to kiss him.
James yelps at the sharp nip at his collar bone, staring down at Regulus in disbelief, looking mildly betrayed, but Regulus presses a rather aggressive apology kiss to the bite, not at all looking sorry. James pulls him closer, unbothered by the antics of the smaller man, shifting his focus to the bickering pair in front of them momentarily before leading Regulus farther into the bathroom.
“How about a shower, yeah? Warm up a bit. Tea or hot cocoa after? We’ll grab the big blanket and just live under that for a while.”
“James. Stop,” Regulus croaks.
“No. Please, just let me take care of you.” James whispers from the edge of the tub.
“James, I-”
“Please?”
“Okay,” Regulus relents, “Will you um… will you stay?”
“Only if you want me to,” James says. Regulus nods, jaw clenched and refusing to meet his eyes. “Reg… I’m not mad at you, I’m worried. Do you want to talk about this now or later, Love?”
At this, Regulus looks up, blinking harshly against the tears, “After. For now… Come in with me. You’re trembling.”