London Port
It was November already.
James was not in his best mood. A few nights ago he thought it would be a fantastic idea to kiss Regulus because he felt it was "funny" and "encouraging" but now he was stuck, Sirius refused to talk to him for weeks as the aftermath and kept making Remus say daily acquaintances for him and second of all Regulus, every time he came across James felt like he has seen a ghost appeared out of nowhere. Shocked and eyes wide wasn't a good look on old Reggie, and it was miserable for James to lose the Black brothers in advance because Christmas was just two weeks away, when everyone needed to act jolly and happy for at least a night to make up for the whole year.
But even if the situation didn't seem right, James knew he wanted a good Christmas and tried to talk to the Black brothers, but ended horribly. Honestly, why was it such a habit of theirs to hold grudges? after all, they are on his ship.
So talking to them was a bit like this,
Exhibit A:
"Um, Sirius can you pass me the butter? it's for my toast." James said with a horrible fake smile. Nodding at Sirius from the breakfast table.
"Moony can you get it for him, I'm kinda busy right now." Sirius tried to make an excuse to not talk to James, and no he wasn't doing anything he was literally buttering his toast.
"Aren't you buttering your toast, right now?" Remus replied smirking, he knew that Sirius was just being sassy on purpose.
"Can't you tell I'm busy!" And with a tut from Sirius, he stomped out of the kitchen.
And this wasn't the worst part oh, no no no. Sirius made James's own parents go against him. And Regulus being the twat he is helped his brother, HIS BROTHER. James thought he hated him.
ExhibitB:
"Mum can't you see it wasn't my fault? I told them the treasure he needed to raid was at the northern west, not the northern east!" James cried shaking his mum's hand like a five-year-old pleading for forgiveness.
"But Sirius and Reggie told me you were the one who told them the wrong spot. Two against one, who should I trust?" Effie said as if the answer was very clear that James was the one making a fuss.
"They what?!"
And Regulus was way worse than Sirius he would occasionally push him by accident and give him the chores he was supposed to do.
In conclusion, Regulus and Sirius his best mate turned his only weapon against him being a mama's boy and having a good relationship with every in the crew. But James was more worried about his that they were going to London today to buy some gifts, and everyone was going. He could just feel his awareness from a mile away, but he was James Potter, so what was the worse that could happen?
So James, laid in his bed thinking about ideas for birthday presents when all of a sudden someone knocked on the door, and to his surprise it was Regulus.
"Hey!"
"Hi."
"So what's the deal, aren't you still suppose to be a dick?"
"Yes, but I do feel bad for you and I wanted to tell you how to win Sirius over." Regulus said blatantly as if James was in a relatively easy situation.
"Yeah, but how?" James scratched his head in leaned on the door frame "I've tried everything"
Oh god.
James could see a light blush on Regulus's cheek and him immediately avoiding James's "too kind" eyes.
"Just ignore him, but do little things for him. it always works," Regulus turned to face James this time and stood on his toes because James was a few inches taller than him. "And give him a really good gift for Christmas. I recommend a Bowie record." with that he closed the door and left James smirking like an idiot.
Wait, what just happened?
And why does James feel kicks in his stomach? But at least he knew what to do now, right?
-
So for the three days, they've been traveling up to London, James taking Regulus's advice did little favors for Sirius. Such as dusting his vinyl collection, washing his leather jackets, polishing his sword, refilling his chocolate stache (mainly stored so he can give them to Remus), and also making breakfast for him.
Although Sirius seemed weirded out at first because he was a soft-hearted person, especially to James and also he quite appreciates a few favors he quite quickly or eventually forgive him but he still had a problem with James being too close to Regulus. But according to Remus, Sirius is very protective of his baby brother, mainly to make up for his absence, still, he feels bad for him. Although Regulus hates when he gets pitied, he thinks he can handle his problems just fine as long as no one bothers him too badly.
London was just half an hour away and Evans and Barty were consoling Regulus to not be mad at Evans for throwing a fit a few days prior, whilst James, Sirius, and Remus were chatting in the dining room having some tea.
"You can't just throw a fit like that Evans, it's not the first day you meet him. You know he likes to deal with things alone" Signed Barty laying on Regulus's lap reading an encyclopedia for some weird reason.
"Barty we talked about this, he is not oblivious. He knows what's going on. But Reg needs someone to tell him what to do, or hell procrastinate." Evans stated crossing his arms in despite.
"Can you guys not talk about me when I'm in the room?" Regulus hissed fidgeting his rings "I prefer people talking about me behind my back so I don't have to hear all of your not-helpful criticism. Besides Evans don't you have work to do? arent you working as a double agent?"
"Yes, but-
"Im bored as fuck, Reg. Why did I want to come with you again, right to annoy Potter? But he seems too dumb to realize we are annoying him." Barty scoffed and raised his hand to trace Regulus's jaw searching for emotion yet finding none in Regulus's deadpan expressions that he seems to never change.
Evans with a deep thought expression tried to ask the question that's been bothering him for days on end "Speaking of which, why are you ignoring him Reg? have you fallen in love with the bloke, I heard he kissed you against your will"
"Why would I fall in love with him out of all of the people? besides, can you imagine us as a couple it's a horrendous sight" Regulus explained as though it was a crazy person's idea that they could get together?
"So you thought it." Barty said smirk forming on his already delighted face.
"Did not"
"Did."
"Did not"
"Did."
"Did not!"
"Hey, do you guys hear that?" Evan said suddenly placing his ear on the wall to hear the muffled voices in the background.
"What?" Regulus said as he joined him as well as Barty.
"What do you mean it was assault? I just gave him a peck!"
James's voice.
"He's a child dickhead! It's still betrayal!"
Sirius's voice, angry it seems.
"Guys! we are in London! come on!" Remus said dragging Sirius out of the room it seemed.
"I don't care, you overreacting!"
"I'm not! you better stay away from my little brother"
Sirius's voice gets higher and higher.
"Oh, then I'm gonna shag him, yeah hard! so hard he can't get out of bed!"
"What the fuck?" Regulus whispered, shocked. He saw James like this and felt weird when he liked it.
Barty busted out laughing like a psychopath whilst Evans covered his mouth with his hands.
"Don't you dare talk in a sexual manner!"
At this point, everyone could hear Sirius.
"I bet he would so gladly blow me off if he wanted to."
"JAMES! I'm gonna-
"Alright James, that's enough." Remus said calmly but eventually, the shouting stopped.
"That was brilliant!" Barty shouted still laughing his arse off.
"Yeah, for you!" Regulus hissed.
-
Ah, London. What a lovely place to be in November.
James thought to himself as they got off the boat. Sirius is still sort of handcuffed by Lupin in case he decides to slit James's throat with no warning whatsoever.
In other words, James was happy that Sirius wasn't throwing the emotional card anymore. It was better for him to show disgust at James than you know straight-up ignorance. The London weather feels the same about it as well. It was sunny and bright although it was windy because of November, it was quite clear that Christmas was near. Decorations flood the town and James loved it. He seemed to notice that Regulus (who acted unbothered) seem to like the Christmas spirit. He was not as not human as James portrayed him to be. And well all he wants he to be human, with him.
While they were walking up down the alley they separated into two pairs; Remus and Sirius went to get the food and all the liquor needed for the celebration and also to go get some secret Santa presents while James and Regulus went to check out the Christmas decorations as well as trading their merchandise for some extra gold they could use for the shopping. James relatively enjoyed this but the one thing that bothered him was that Regulus did not talk during the whole journey, as if was some kind of punishment for James. But James being James ignored it. and talked his mind to him anyway just cause.
"You're quite the grinch, aren't you Reg," James asked innocently as they exchanged their whisky bottles for some ham, and also hidden in the ham was some opium for good measure.
"I'm not that bad of a person. Besides everyone who needs to spend Christmas with you would turn into the grinch anyway. And stop calling me Reg, you don't have to constantly remind me that I'm related to Sirius as if it's not obvious enough." Regulus replied with his usual sass and tossed the list of checked merchandise back at James so he could check it again.
They got about enough gold before they went into town to get the things they needed. Regulus bought all the cute vintage ornaments he could find because according to him their Christmas tree was a disaster. And it was because James last year brought in to foster three orange tabby cats that recked and tore the tree in half, that's when Effie prohibited James from getting pets but that didn't stop him from getting a snake this year and putting it in his bedroom. James after purchasing some new chandeliers, plates and some garland saw a stand of hot chocolate and taffy. He bought one for him and one for Regulus and he specially ordered it to have extra whipped cream.
When he found him, he was staring at an antique shop, and he was eyeing the old pins.
Then for the first time in a week, he actually talked to James.
"You know, a always find it curious, oh thanks," he said for the hot chocolate James had handed out to him. Regulus took a sip of it and James didn't even tell him he got whipped cream on the tip of his cute nose. "Antique jewels, how many dreadful generations they have been passed down. They've seen it all, yet they always end up being sold."
"It was good to see you thinking" James smirked as he rubbed the bit of whipped cream off Regulus's face a licked it.
"Oh shut up, you perv"
"Er, sorry?"
"Why do you keep annoying me as if you have any better things to do?" Regulus bickered, they were now very close. So close.
"Because you have no reason to be mean to me, Regulus. From the time you got here, all I've had offered was kindness, you were the one making the bickering in all our conversations showdowns of our emotional intelligence to hurt one another"
Regulus's eyes darkened for a moment because he knew James was right. He had no reason to be rude.
But James just infuriated him for no reason. Maybe because of Sirius, maybe it was cause he was too pure, or maybe he was jealous. He couldn't think of another reason to be absolutely mad about this man, unless...
No, he is not doing this today.
James stared into his soul as he looked for an answer he didn't seem to find, and James was feeling smug, finally some emotion.
"I admit I have my ups and downs but that's no reason to be interrogating me while you know the bloody truth of me being and insufferable person and the only way I cope with my miserable life is being a little bit mean because-
Just when James was about to laugh at Regulus he saw a crazy dark-haired woman behind him, he didn't recognize him at first but it was someone very familiar.
Bellatrix Lestrange.
James didn't realize she came with the wrong intentions until she started screaming.
"Well well, another traitor in the family, how nice seeing you Reggie one week before Christmas" she suddenly stood very close to Regulus and placed her thin cold skeleton-like hands on his shoulder, it made Regulus shiver in pain from her grip "I heard you are having a really good time aren't you? with Sirius Black a menace of the Black family" Bellatrix laughed hysterically as James just stood still, shocked.
He didn't know if he should intervene because he was scared that once he moved one inch closer to Regulus he would be hurt by Bellatrix with some secret weapon.
"Isn't that James Potter?" Bellatrix went on "Seems like you are possessed by dear Reggie, I've seen how you look at him. I've been following you two since you got here" she barked another laugh, this time a cold and hollow one "It would be upsetting if I-
Bellatrix pulled out a dagger and placed it right in Regulus's throat. She was sent to kill him for treason.
"Ruined it all?"
"James don't save me, go. Now" Regulus shouted trying to maneuver from her hold but ended up being cut a little by the sharp dagger and whimpered a little,
"Reg, no. Don't you dare fucking move" James shouted right back hands pointing at Bellatrix eyes sharp as ever. Regulus had never seen him so mad at one person.
She only grinned in response.
"Aw, lovers quarrel? too bad old Reggie is gonna die today"
"You think I care about Regulus?" James laughed.
What?
"What do you mean? I heard they were rumors of you two together!" Bellatrix replied in confusion softening the grip on Regulus.
"Did you actually believe them" James laughed again this time cold and hollow just like Bellatrix's, he ran a finger through his hair and confidently said the next words "It was all part of our plan, you stupid buffoon, it was so that you can capture him again. And torture him to death"
Regulus was beyond confused, was what James said real
"It was obvious isn't it?" James continued "Regulus hurt Sirius Black, he only deserved the worst of the worst."
"So we are on the same boat then?" Bellatrix asked in confusion about releasing Regulus because James was actually her real target. Making James begs for her to let Regulus go and they take him instead and well torture him and use him as something to trade in for compensation with the lost pearl.
James winked at Regulus.
"You wish."
With a swift motion, he yanked Regulus from her and started running.
Bellatrix shocked pulled out her wand and jinxed Regulus. James was originally in front of him ready to take the curse but Regulus pushed him away last second.
Regulus was hit and Bellatrix disappeared with a wish of her wand. She didn't want to cause trouble.
James saw Regulus fly up in the air and hit his head on a passing car. Oh god, Regulus's head bled and he passed out at the second. James panicked as Regulus fell in his arms. Panicking he looked around the street but people seem to not notice James pleading for him, and then he saw the person he needed.
A nurse came rushing in as she seemed to have recognized Regulus.
"What's his name?" she asked. she had long blonde hair and foggy light eyes and carried a medicine box.
"Do you know him?" James whispered as he held Regulus closer to his chest making sure no one can hurt him.
"Yes of course I do, I've saved him loads of times. Im a Ravenclaw you see. We heal injured pirates you see, from all houses in London. Now hold on to me"
James said as told and they were apparated to a secret hospital just down the road.
"He needs treatment immediately, go find Lupin and Sirius Black. I will attend him"
"No, I will stay until he's well"
Half an hour later James saw Regulus get a bandage around his head and scars disappeared magically with a swish of the nurse's wand.
James looked at her pin that has her name engraved on it.
Pandora Lovegood
Why did it sound so familiar?
After he saw Regulus was in good hands he went to fetch Remus and Sirius. He had a feeling that Sirius would beat him to death for not protecting his precious little baby brother.
-
"You what?" Sirius shouted in pure madness.
"Shh, you are gonna wake Reggie," Remus whispered and yes he was holding a laugh yet again.
"Don't shush me, don't you get it? James! that prick! surely it was to avenge me!"
"Bellatrix was about to stab him to death, I saved him" James responded hands flying into the air.
"She is a mad woman! you did save him, yes, but she put a curse on him last minute! and that curse was supposed to hit you!"
"Well, I-
"Do you want him to get rest or not?" Pandora whispered in demise peeking at Regulus who looked stirred in his sleep.
"Sorry." James and Sirius said at the same time.
Then they were interrupted by Regulus saying things in his sleep.
"Tell my brother, I love him. Tell him, James. I really love him" He whispered ever so softly. Feather light, but Sirius heard him. Yes, he did. Because his eyes started watering, he was standing at first towering over James. Then slowly sat back down. Remus patted his back.
He seemed to have calmed down.
After that, both Sirius and Remus went to stay at a hotel nearby since Regulus was in no condition to return to sail just now. He needed one night of rest according to Pandora. Sirius had sent a letter to Effie, to which in she replied quite quickly, saying it was okay to stay in London. Because of heavy rain and a storm at midnight, the ship could not set sail. It seemed like it was all planned out after all.
James stared at Regulus stirred in his sleep, he looked the weakest since he got here. His chiseled and fine cheeks had lost the usual blush they wore, his thin dark eyebrows had lost the confidence they always had and his lids heavier than ever lay closed and glossed from tears he shed out of fear. He hated seeing him this way, he started to wonder if it was all his fault after all, Regulus wouldn't have hit his head if it wasn't because of him. His fame and stubbornness and lack of ability to seek danger had led them to this. Though Pandora said there wouldn't be any major issues with his head he still believed it would be better if he were the one laying there at this very moment. Because James knew he was stronger, not physically but he knew that he had people behind him supporting him, like his mum and dad, Sirius, and even Remus. Mary and Marlene and his cats. But Regulus seemed to have no one, he once had a brother but he seemed to have lost the sense that he existed a long time ago.
Just when James was about to get a second cup of tea Regulus woke up. He still looked terrible but his eyes opened since he's been hurt. He seemed to have whispered something to James but James couldn't hear cause it was such a close whisper. So he bent down to Regulus's eye level at the side of the bed, cheeks touching his.
"Yes, love?"
"Can you cuddle me?" Regulus asked politely. Looking up at James, his grey eyes meet with him again but this time it felt way different than all the times their gazes meet before. He had softened his gaze.
"Sorry, what?" James said shocked in disbelief, he wondered if Regulus was sleep-talking.
"I keep getting nightmares, and when I was little" Regulus smiled because he could help but think how embarrassing the whole thing was and he was probably gonna scream into a pillow after this incident "Sirius would hug me to sleep."
James didn't move for a second.
For two. For three.
"Sorry, I know it's stupid. I'll just sleep on my own it's fine" Regulus added, shifting the weight of his hands to a more comfortable position.
"I'll hold you, it's okay. I used to get nightmares too. Sirius did as well. That's why we slept together."
Regulus's eyes flashed sadness for a second but he quickly hid it with a blunt smile.
James sat on the bed and laid beside him slowly, grabbing a pillow so he could sit up whilst Regulus laid on his arm and chest. James pulled him in closer. And Regulus felt right back asleep. And he tugged on James's shirt. His nose dug his sent, he smelled comfort.
Eucalyptus.
"Good night, pretty boy," James muttered before laying his head on Regulus's.
It didn't take so long before James fell asleep as well.
Moonlight reflected on them both from the tiny window the hospital room provided.
And at that moment, they were infinite.