Chapter 6
James
The field was home to him, he’d grown up playing football it was one of his first memories. He also remembers each Superbowl win his father got because he was always in his mom's arms cheering away. Most kids would resent their fathers having them do the sport they loved. But following in Monty’s footsteps was never like that. James’ family had always told him that his happiness was above all the most important thing to them.
If there was any pressure to perfect James knew it came from himself. He knew he’d grown up with so much privilege it felt like he had to make it worth everyone's effort. He knew the likelihood of making it big in football was slim and this was only his second year on the team being their quarterback. Most of his teammates loved him especially his running back Remus. They had clicked instantly it was so important for a team to have a good bond and James worked extra hard to be friends with everyone. It just came so much easier with Remus. The kid had made it against all odds. He’d had no money, no family support, and some major injuries yet he made it to the NFL. James admired his drive he always tried to push harder to match Remus during practice.
James couldn’t lie having Regulus there watching his run drills was an adrenaline rush. He didn’t quite know why he wanted to impress Regulus so badly it wasn’t like the boy hadn’t seen him play before in college. It felt different now, now that he was asking Regulus to sacrifice the life he knew to help James keep football in his life. He was begging the world for Sirius to be right and that this plan was going to work magic because James couldn’t lose this.
“Remus run the b26 drill okay, east side” James yelled out ready to put on a show for Regulus to see
“You got it potter” Remus responded getting in formation with the team.
James felt the airflow through his lungs as he ran past all his teammates the sidelines blurring. Pulling a sudden surprise stop right before throwing the ball just right and watching it spiral through across the sky.
The rush never got old, watching Remus catch the ball perfectly finishing out their drill into the endzone. James knew that the smile on his face was probably over the top but he couldn’t contain his happiness.
Their coach was calling a good game but before he knew it Remus was hugging him and lifting him.
“The Superbowl is ours this year James I can feel it in my bones were gonna be unstoppable the news idiots can fuck off” Remus jested
“Thanks, loops I think we got it in the bag you know Sirius is gonna help work every angle I trust him to get us through he always does” James laughed in part at watching Remus blush when Sirius was brought up.
“Yeah yeah always does, anyway I think coach is gonna let you out early it’s good for PR to see you out and about with Regulus”
On his way out after running up to coach and getting the okay, he ran over to the sidelines but got a bad feeling when he saw Regulus’s face.
Regulus (POV Switch)
Potter was dumb if he thought Regulus was gonna sit there on the sidelines while he was obviously into that football player that hugged him earlier. Regulus had promised himself he’d remain composed but seeing the display of a PDA that went against everything Reg knew he could provide hurt.
James had the audacity to run up to him pulling his helmet off and shaking his hair out completely oblivious.
“What's wrong Reggie and no lies, we’re a team and I can tell you’re pissed.” Fine, maybe James wasn’t completely oblivious.
“Nothing, it just feels ridiculous to waste my time pretending to date you when you obviously have a thing for your teammate”
“Who Remus you’re joking right?” James was laughing at him now and god dammit Regulus was done. He was already walking out of the stadium and about to call Sirius and tell him the arrangement was off.
“Hey wait Regulus stop walking so fast” James was following him at his heels
“Please” It was one word from James but it was enough to make him pause
“Fine you have 10 seconds to explain why I should bother sticking around,” Regulus said a bit petulant
“Okay let me explain, I can’t believe I have to say this, but Remus and I have ZERO, and I mean ZERO going on between us.” - “He’s basically like Sirius to me I’ve known him since I started here we've been through training camps and away Games and a bunch of drama together but we are just friends I promise”
“Look I know it seems ridiculous that I even care James. But this is a precarious position I am putting myself in pretending to date you. And I have no desire to be made a fool in this. You and I both know I won't be a great person to fake date even as a friend Remus is more willing to touch you than I can ever promise I will be during this whole show” Regulus takes a deep breath pushing down the humiliation that threatens to drown him
James had the face on now the one that could make a criminal confess their sins to him. Regulus sighs because he can’t even stay mad when James looks at him so kindly as he has since that day on his doorstep.
“Reggie please take a breath. I will never ever push you to be close to me in any way that is uncomfortable. I have always known you didn’t like to be touched. No one should ever make you feel less lovable for that. If the media can’t handle not seeing me shove my tongue down your throat for a picture then that’s their problem” - “I’m only in this so far that we are both comfortable if at any moment it’s too much we bail I don’t even care about football I promise”
And there it was the sincerity that Regulus swore was proof the world could never deserve James Potter. His eyes were bright and clear staring right into what felt like Regulus’s soul. He wished once again that he could explain that it wasn’t that he didn’t like touch but that it terrified him. Therapy helped him hold out hope that one day he could do the same things everyone else did with the people they loved. But it made Regulus feel less broken that James thought he was still worth love as is. He’d been Jealous of Remus but it had been misplaced because if he was smart he would have calmed down and remembered that friends often shared affection like hugs without any thoughts.
“Okay I believe you” Regulus wanted to say so much more, he wanted to let James know how good it felt to be seen but the words weren’t coming so there was no use pushing. Regulus had bouts of silence where he felt like someone had turned his voice to zero.
“Great now that we can forget about Remus, what did you decide for dinner I’m so hungry from practice” James spouted while leading them out of the stadium towards his car.
Regulus had forgotten to even think for a second so he just said the first thing in his head “Sushi”
“I knew you’d pick something interesting Sirius always picks pizza”
Regulus laughs in spite of himself because of course Sirius does it was a food they were never allowed as children. Their mother and father saw pizza and other fast food as overindulgent and trashy. It’s not the first time he remembers how far he’s come but he’s always thankful to be as far away from Walburga and Orian as possible.
As he climbs into James’ passenger side he sinks into the seat he hadn’t even realized how tense he was in the stadium even if it wasn’t full. Somehow it’s nice to be just him and James Regulus feels as if he can breathe better.
They peel out of the lot and James talks the whole way to sushi he seems perfectly happy to talk even with Regulus barely chiming in. Being around James is so easy it’s so clear why Sirius became his best friend in college, it’s impossible to not like James.