The last thing James saw was the blinding emerald light that sent him falling to the ground.
Once he opened his eyes again, it was quiet. No more screams could be heard, no more insidious laughter, no more cries. Just silence. He could smell this sweet rich scent surrounding him, as if he was drowning in it. The ground underneath him felt soft and damp. Once he opened his eyes, everything felt different. As if he'd apparated elsewhere, to safety.
James' first thought was to go looking for Lily and Harry, eager to save his son and best friend from the fatal curse. However, when he stood up, he couldn't recognise his surroundings. There wasn't a single human being in sight, just the butterflies and birds flying around and chirping a lovely melody.
Was he dead...?
He tried running, desperate to find someone. Anyone who would give him answers. He ran down the hill, still not getting away from the meadow. He'd begun to think it's endless. His head was spinning, his breath cutting short and his eyes getting hazy. His thoughts were clouding up his mind like crazy, not letting him focus on one single thing.
He failed to notice a fallen branch in front of him. He lost balance and fell down to the ground. His head was pounding. If he weren't already dead, he'd assume he was dying.
"Falling for me again, love?"
Everything stopped. The pounding in his head, the voices, the worry, the pain… everything. It didn't need a double take for him to recognise the voice. He'd know it whenever and wherever. And oh, the memories it brought. He used to hear that voice every night before drifting off to sleep, and every morning right after waking up. He used to sense the love in his voice, when all he could hear were actually mean words directed to him. But he knew, from him, it had a different meaning.
James looked up with hopeful eyes. He would break if he was wrong. But then again, how could he be? He hasn't heard nor seen him in years, but he still remembers the way his heart beats around him. He could never mistake that with anything.
"Reggie?"
The name came out a mere whisper, his voice all hoarse and ragged. His throat didn't feel dry, though. He couldn't feel anything except the immense joy and confusion.
"Congrats on still having eyes, James. They finally work even without glasses," Regulus focused his eyes on James'. He then reached his hand down to him, helping him get back on his feet.
Once he was standing securely, the chances of him getting dizzy and falling again long gone, he finally had the time to really take Regulus in. He hasn't changed, not a bit. His hair was still a raven cloud, his freckles still drawing constellations on his face, his eyes still reflecting the moon, despite it being only a crescent tonight. His eyes traveled lower, then, down to his lips. They were still as kissable as the last time he'd seen him. He watched them curve into a smile, and when he flicked his gaze back to his eyes, they were shining like the stars spread around the sky. The only thing different was his chest, which seemed to be much flatter than before. James smiled at that. He finally made it.
"You're- how are you... Reggie, what is-"
"Shh, it's alright. It's okay. You're okay," Regulus stroked the back of his hand soothingly. "It's all over, now."
The smile on Regulus' face was mournful, the kind he wears only when he tries not to be hurt. It made James' heart clench. He started tearing up. He couldn't hold back any longer. He launched himself forward and snaked his long arms around Regulus securely.
It's been so long... James has missed him, so much.
James took a deep breath in, then slowly exhaled and pulled away after a moment. "What happened?"
"You died. So did I, just a few years earlier," Regulus gave his hands a squeeze.
"W-what about Harry? And Lily... They- they were there with me. They can't- they can't," James shook his head violently, as if to avert the dreadful fate.
"Hey, James, look at me. Love?" He cupped his cheeks, stilling his movements. "It's alright. Come with me," Regulus took his hand in his once again, and walked him over to a round well. It was filled to the brim with water. The liquid was crystal clear, yet he couldn't see the bottom of it.
"This is the well of memory. You can watch over your loved ones from here."
James looked deeper into it. The water began to swirl and when it stopped, he could see stars at the bottom of it. He saw people gathering around his house in the Godric's Hollow, all gasping as the news spread. James' heartbeat got back to normal as soon as he saw Harry being carried out of the house, very much alive. His baby was crying out for his parents and uncles, the words obscured by his own sobs. Then he realised, he couldn't see the mother of his child anywhere.
"What about Lily?" He turned to Regulus, desperate for answers.
"She's probably on the other side of the meadow with Marlene and Dorcas."
"They're here too?!" James squealed as he followed Regulus to a bench, just a few feet away from the well.
"Of course they are, love. We all are."
Ah, the smile again.
"How... How did it happen?" James wasn't sure how to ask. He wasn't even sure whether he wanted an answer. It would hurt him, without doubt, but he finds this as a simple must to know.
Regulus lowered his gaze to his feet. "Do you know the Crystal lake on the south coast?" James shook his head. "The Dark Lord hid one of his horcruxes there. I found it, gave it to Kreacher to take to Pandora, and died there."
James' mouth was agape. "But- if you'd found it, why didn't you leave?"
"I couldn't. It was either me or Kreacher, and I-"
"Couldn't leave him behind," James finished together with him. They shared a soft smile, like they used to. "You've always had such a big heart."
"Actually, had. The inferi carved it out," Regulus let out an awkward chuckle.
James' eyes widened. "You know what? We'll talk about the details later. The important thing is, I'm here now. We're together," he cupped his cheek. Regulus leaned into the warmth of his palm. "God, it's been so long."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Reg, don't. We've been through this before. You don't need to apologise."
"No, James, please," Regulus caressed James' hand in which he was holding Regulus' face. "I'm sorry I didn't leave you a letter. Well, I- I actually did. I was just being too petty to give it to you after..."
"After you saw me with Lily?" James asked in hushed tones. Regulus nodded. "I am so sorry, love. I had never wanted to hurt you. Me and Lily- it was never anything more than a friendship. We were drunk, high and stupid when we hooked up. I mean, we're both gay," he laughed softly. "It's always been you, Reg."
Regulus locked eyes with him. "Promise?"
"Promise."
"I love you.
"I love you too. God knows I always have," James caressed the back of his neck with his other hand and leaned in to collide their lips together. It's been years since they last kissed, yet it felt like yesterday with Regulus' lips on his own. They moved in sync, as if they had never parted. As if they were made for each other. Emotions took over them both, now swallowing each other's sobs in between the kisses. No tongue, no bites. Just love.
Once they pulled away, they laughed and crashed their foreheads together.
"Wanna see the others?"
"Oh, god, yes!"
They shared one last smile before running off. Away from the well, away from the bench. Their hands swinged between them, their fingers intertwined.
The first thing James saw as they ran up the hill were his best friends. All with smiles plastered on their faces, their cheeks a warm tint of pink.
He was home.