Chapter 3
James~
James has never taught anyone how to skate and he can barely give himself credit for his own talent that all goes to his father. So, he was already really nervous to do it but now you add on the fact that it’s Regulus Black he’s teaching. Did you see that? It was his nerves shooting so high it hit an angel out of the sky.
Regulus has been living with them since July, so it’s been about eight months. So, you’d think that’d be eight months of time for Regulus and James to become close friends at the very least. But no, Regulus spent his first few weeks at the manor avoiding everyone, only talking to Sirius, never leaving his room (which had been pre-set up for him months before his arrival - courtesy of Sirius who refused to believe his brother wouldn’t come to his senses and leave), only ever coming out if Sirius specifically guided him out - all of it was understandable, James understood completely. Then he started talking to Effy, helping her run errands, giving her ideas for her next big paintings, even helping her paint (he was quite astonishing - even Effy was shocked and she’s literally famous for her art). Which again, James could understand connecting with his mother, she was kind and caring, she made everyone feel safe.
James drew the line when Regulus started connecting with Monty and still not him. He’d sit with Monty for hours helping him with healing potions, Monty even took him to meet the Fowlmouth Falcons (one of the quidditch teams he works for - also Regulus’ favourite team). James obviously knows his father is a person who can make someone feel welcome but he also knows his father is very high energy and Regulus is not, so, excuse him for thinking Regulus would connect with him before connecting with Monty.
At that point Regulus was regularly talking to everyone but James. Yes, he’d answer when James spoke but it was always small answers, they meant nothing, James hated that they meant nothing. James tried everything to get close to him, everything. But, Regulus simply wanted nothing to do with him, it sucked. So, now he’s here asking James to teach him to skate and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to him. Granted, he’s nervous as fuck, especially because Regulus had to go ahead and give him 10 minutes to get cleaned up from helping Peter with his Care For Magical Creatures assignment with a Demiguise and then run from the showers to the library. James barely made it there, but it was worth it, this is his chance to finally get close to Regulus.
James is certain they’re meant to be friends, practically made to be close, they have to be. Look at the facts: Regulus is Sirius’ little brother - Sirius is James’ best friend, Regulus loves quidditch - James loves quidditch, Regulus loves the Potter Manor - James loves the Potter Manor, Regulus adores James’ parents - James adores his parents. Meant to be friends. Plus James’ parents seem to like him a lot, Sirius cares about him a crazy big amount, James needs to find out what the big deal is ‘cause so far, judging by the very limited conversations they’ve had, James does not get why he’s so adored… he’s kind of just a small, angry dude. He’s sort of funny though, in a mean way.
By some massive stroke of luck, James was 2 minutes early. James decided he’d spend his two minutes productively, so he crafted a ‘lesson plan’:
How to step on a skateboard
How to keep balanced
How to move forward
How to stop
How to turn
How to pivot
James decided that maybe he’s underestimating Regulus’ abilities so made the list a bit more advanced:
How to move with balance
How to drop in
How to manual
How to tic-tac
How to ollie
How to 180 ollie
His new list felt a lot more like Regulus’ pace. It was 3:09 and Regulus wasn’t there. Maybe he was someone who is always a few minutes late? Maybe he forgot? If he forgot then he can’t see how great of a close friend James could be. James’ mind was going through all the possible reasons Regulus may not be there, every reason from he got kidnapped to he got stopped by a teacher.
“You’re here.” Regulus’ voice cut through his thoughts. James checked his watch, 3:10 on the dot, Regulus wasn’t kidding. It’s sort of adorable that he wasn’t kidding.
“Yup, you ready?” James didn’t understand why he was so nervous, it’s not like he was bad at skating, he could do it blindfolded, it’d be easy to teach Regulus… but that’s the problem isn’t it? Regulus, he’s teaching Regulus.
“Let’s get this over with.” Regulus sighed, rolling his eyes. Oh, don’t do that. No, don’t do that, Reg.
The walk to the classroom they were using was practically silent, James tried to start a conversation but just got grunts in reply. James cleared out a classroom (without permission) to use and put a silencing and locking spell on the room. Regulus then insisted that James made sure no one could see him. Blacking out the windows with spells was a bit extreme but James wanted Regulus comfortable.
“Okay so we’re starting off with how to move with balance.” James smiled at Regulus but he just seemed confused.
“Potter, how do you expect me to move with balance when I don’t even know how to get on the thing?” Regulus questioned rather aggressively.
“Well, I just thought you’d get the hang of it pretty easily so I made it a bit more advanced?”
“What in Godricks name gave you that idea?” Regulus looked at him like he was stupid.
“Well, you’re like, really smart… at least Sirius says you are.” James felt stupid with Regulus’ eyes on him.
“This is not a test on my brain, it's a test on my coordination.”
“You’re a seeker.”
“It’s quite different, I assure you.”
“Fine, we’ll start by stepping on the board. Can you handle that, Reggie? Or is that too much too?” James tested, stepping a bit closer.
“It’s fine.” Regulus looked away but James still saw his eye roll. James set his skateboard down in front of Regulus, looking up to see his scowl, “Aren’t you going to put something there to block the wheels from moving?”
“No, that will just set you back, Reg.” James wasn’t completely sure if that was factual, he just knew his Dad didn’t block the wheels for him. “Come on, it’s not that hard, Reggie. Just step on. Like this.” James stepped on and off the board a few times to reassure Regulus.
“Fine. If I break a single bone, I will snap all 206 of yours individually.” Regulus threatened, James didn’t doubt for a second that he would. Regulus slowly put one foot on the board and immediately took it off when the board wobbled. “No.” Regulus turned and walked straight for the door, now he can’t just let that happen.
James grabbed at his arm and pulled him back, “Hey, hey, it’s fine. This time, step on faster. One foot after the other, you have a better chance of stability, I swear.” James promised, still holding onto his arm. Regulus responded with a grunt and walked back to the board. This time he stepped on faster, both feet right after eachother. He wobbled immediately reaching out for James. James stepped forward letting Regulus hold onto his shoulders, his grip strapping.
“James! James, it’s moving! James why the FUCK is it moving!” Regulus screamed. James couldn’t help but laugh. “Stop laughing! This isn’t funny! Help me down immediately!” Regulus practically screeched.
“Firstly; a please would be appreciated. Secondly; no, you’re doing well, Reggie. Just keep holding onto me. I won’t let you fall.” James promised as Regulus’ grip on his shoulders tightened. Regulus didn’t reply, just nodded vigorously. “Okay, now we’re gonna teach you how to be balanced without touching me. Is that okay, Reggie?” James looked at him even though he wasn’t looking back, too busy staring at his feet on the board. “We can stop now if it’s not okay.” Please don’t say yes. Please don’t say yes.
“No. continue.”
“Okay, now to be more balanced you’re gonna want your feet to be further apart. Meaning, Reg, your feet shouldn’t be touching. One foot on each end of the board.” James put his hand on Regulus’ thigh, trying to guide him to put his foot further up the board. Regulus stiffened under his grip. “Sorry, I won’t touch you.” James moved his hand. Regulus started to slowly shuffle his feet apart, the board shook under his feet. One of Regulus’ hands on James’ shoulder moved to the nape of his neck, pulling him into Regulus. Regulus wrapped his arms around James’ shoulders.
“You imbecile! I almost fell!” Regulus screamed into the crook of James’ neck.
“You didn’t though, did you? And look, your feet are in the perfect position!” James defended. Regulus slowly put some more space between the two of them, still holding tightly to James. James found he missed the contact.
“It’s still wobbly. I don’t like this.” Regulus’ hand that was on the back of James’ neck moved slowly down to grip his shirt. The action was adorable but Regulus would curse James for simply putting his name and adorable in the same sentence.
“It’s okay, you’re okay. I won’t let you fall, I promise.” Regulus’ face softened at James’ reassurance. “Hey, I won’t let you get hurt.” James promised.
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
“Fine, what do I do next?” Regulus slid his other hand down James’ chest, now both of his hands were gripping James’ shirt. James’ stomach felt fluttery.
“Okay, now bend your legs, just a little bit, Reggie.” Regulus followed James’ instructions. “Wobbles a little bit less?” Regulus nodded, still gripping James tightly. “Okay good. Now let go of me.”
“What? Are you insane?! No, absolutely not.” Regulus’ grip tightened.
“Can you please just try it.” James pleaded, Regulus responded by slowly letting his grips go. He stood still on the board, perfectly fine. “Yes! See! I told you you could do it!”
“I did it… I didn’t fall?” Regulus looked at James, confused but smiling nonetheless. James wished he smiled more often, it suited him beautifully,
“Okay, now hop on down and do it all again.” Regulus’ face fell at James’ request but still did as he was told. They’d went at that until Regulus could do it without assistance.
“Okay, now that you’ve got that down, time to move.”
“No. I don’t want to move.” Regulus shook his head immediately getting off the board.
“Reggie, come on. I don’t think this girl will be all that convinced when all you show her is that you can stand on a board.” James raised his eyebrows at Reg, the way he always did him.
“She fancies me enough to believe it.” Regulus rolled his eyes.
James for some reason didn’t like hearing about how much this girl liked him, even though he was nothing but happy for Regulus… still… “Let’s not talk about her when we’re here. Might distract you.” James lied.
“Fine.” Regulus rolled his eyes, again. “Still not moving.”
“Trust me it’s easy, look I’ll show you.” James grabbed the board off Regulus, placing it on the floor in front of them. He demonstrated the movement with ease. “See, not that hard.” James smiled just to immediately be shot down by Regulus’ glare.
“I’m sorry, what the fuck? You taught me how to get on one way, just for me to have to move my feet THE OTHER WAY when riding?!” Regulus’ eyebrows hitched up his forehead. He was adorable when angry… so, most of the time.
“No. You still face that way, you only move your feeting when you’re pushing off the ground. With enough momentum, you won’t have to do it much.” James corrected.
“That's stupid.”
“You’re just scared.”
“You’re scared.”
“Amazing comeback, 10/10. Really, some of your best work, Reg.” James smiled at him, earning him a small almost unnoticeable smile back, but James caught it. “Come on, I’ll catch you if you fall.”
“So, you’re admitting this is a falling hazard?” Regulus raised his eyebrows.
“Of course it is. I never didn’t admit that. It's a plank of wood on four wheels. Did I mention, no handles?” James smirked when Regulus hit his chest softly, smiling up at him, properly this time.
“You better catch me.” Regulus warned.
“I will. I promise.”
“Show me what to do again.” Regulus demanded softly. James lined the board up, stepping onto it and pushing off the ground, then switching his feeting.
“Not that hard. You’ll get it easily.” James reassured, while lining the board up for Regulus. The second Regulus stepped on it, the board slipped out from under him, sending him falling backwards. James grabbed onto him, cradling his waist, pulling him up to his height. Regulus' face was merely an inch from James’. James could feel his breath grazing his features. His hands rested on James' biceps. His eyes blown wide. His lips slightly parted. His lips. His lips, a pale peach tone. James wondered if they were soft, they looked soft. He wanted to test if they were soft, run his finger over it. Obviously he didn’t, Regulus would murder him or bite him, James wouldn’t mind the biting as much-
“I think that’s it for today.” Regulus cut James’ thoughts off, not making any move to dislodge himself from James.
“Yeah… you did good. We’ll work… on the moving… next time.” James’ words kept getting caught in his throat, too focused on Regulus’ lips. They were wet now, he must’ve licked them. James didn’t see that part but kind of wished he did. Is that a weird thought? James decides it isn’t, he used to think it all the time in 4th year about Remus.
“Thanks. You know, for your help… with the girl.” Regulus stuttered, staring at James.
The girl. Regulus’ girl. No, James didn’t like the sound of that, we’ll stick to ‘the girl’, it’s better, fits her more. “Thought we said we wouldn’t talk about her? Distracting, remember?” James reminded him.
“We aren’t skating right now.”
“Still.”
“Okay. I’ve… got to go. I’ll see you soon. Bye.” Regulus removed his arms from around James’ neck, slightly pushing off James’ chest to dislodge himself from him. James had to fight the silly urge to pull him back in.
“Okay, I’ll see you-” Regulus slammed the door before James could finish.
James spent his night dreaming of a raven haired, ivory boy, with silver running through his stormy eyes, holding onto him.