James woke up slightly startled. Taking off his glasses to rub his eyes, letting out a soft groan.
He turned his head to his right to see Pandora, Barty, and Evan all fast asleep on the sofa.
James turned his head again, this time to his left only to find Remus asleep, and in his lap was Siruis’ head and he was sleeping soundly as well.
James smiled softly at the sight. He pushed the blanket on his lap aside as he got up as quietly as he could. Making his way to the doorway slowly but surely. As soon as he stepped out of the room, he had to tense his shoulders to keep a hiss from coming out of his mouth from the cold floor.
After a few seconds, his feet adjusted, and he began walking further into the hallway.
The house was completely quiet, and James could only assume it was beyond late by now. Despite being asleep just minutes ago he felt wide awake now. Making his way to the kitchen for a glass of water.
When he entered the kitchen for the second time that day the huge window caught his attention. He couldn’t help but smile at the scenery in front of him as he got closer to the window, but he stopped when his eyes caught a movement in the pool.
The pool light was on, making the water a delicate light blue. It wasn’t until the person got closer to the shallow end that James could recognize who it was.
Regulus.
Before he even knew it James found himself walking outside onto the patio. Forgetting the glass of water entirely. The air outside felt like the perfect kind of warm. Not desperately hot but a gentle warmness.
Regulus was swimming on his back, staring up at the sky. He was quiet as he swam, touching the edge of the pool on the deeper end before turning around and swimming back to the shallower end.
Once Regulus reached the shallow end he stood up. Dragging his hands up his face to push the water away. He let his head fall back, causing his drenched curls to fall away from his face.
Water dripped off his face. And the droplets from his hair didn’t make a single sound as they hit the water. James felt his mouth go dry. The lighting from the pool, and the way the water reflected on Regulus’ body. All James could think was gorgeous.
Regulus let his arms sway softly around him in the water, just content with staring at the sky. There was something so delicate about Regulus here, almost tender. James didn’t think he had ever seen anything so lovely.
Just like a helpless moth to a bright flame, James started moving towards the pool, trying to be quiet not wanting to startle Regulus. As James moved Regulus didn’t notice him until James reached the small set of steps at the end of the patio. He snapped his head quickly in the direction of the movement and stayed frozen as he met James’ eyes.
James froze too, eventually breaking the silence with a “Hi.”
Regulus just continued to stare at him for a moment before he spoke a soft “Hi” in return.
James started moving again, making his way to the edge of the pool, Regulus just watched him. His body tensing almost cautiously. As he walked James never let his eyes leave Regulus’, god he hoped Regulus wouldn’t look away either. He felt like he would be fine staring at Regulus like this forever if he had to.
“What are you doing out here?”
Regulus shrugged his shoulders scarcely, “Swimming.” Despite the answer being incredibly obvious and vague, James smiled. Regulus felt his heart practically pause at the sight of it and quickly moved his eyes back to the water.
James took another step, sitting down at the edge of the pool, letting his calves hang in the water. Still smiling he asked, “Why now?” Regulus shrugged again muttering “Why not.”
“I thought you didn’t like swimming.”
Regulus hummed, “Not in the daytime, but I guess at night it’s- it's nice I suppose.”
A silence hung between them for a few seconds. Regulus staring at his reflection in the water, and James staring right at him. James broke the silence again “You didn’t join us for movies.” Regulus’ mouth turned into somewhat of a scowl as he nodded his head slowly, “Yeah, not my thing.”
James let out an exaggerated gasp of mock surprise, pressing a hand to his chest. “You don’t like movies?” Regulus rolled his eyes but he didn’t look annoyed, “I didn’t say that…just not those kinds.”
James chuckled softly, letting his hand fall back to his side, “Well then what kind of movies do you like?” James used his arms to ease himself into the water and Regulus’ eyes went wide. “You’re wearing pajamas.” James smirked as he shrugged this time, “They will dry.”
Regulus didn’t say anything for a moment just staring at James in complete disbelief. Until he finally sighed, “I like horror movies” he let his head tilt to the side a little, biting his lower lip a little like he was deciding something.
Regulus turned his body away from James a little, “I also like those kinds of movies that are-” He stopped and looked back at James like he wasn’t sure he wanted to continue, but he did. “-that are kind of sad in a sense. You know the ones you can still feel when they’re over.”
Regulus got anxious at the silence, even though it had only been a second, so he quickly finished it off, “I just like movies that make me think. The ones that make you feel like there was a purpose to watching it.”
James smiled again, much softer this time even though Regulus wasn’t looking at him, he was busy carefully keeping his eyes on the water. “Just like your books,” James said softly.
Regulus looked up at James now, with genuine shock on his face. A few expressions passed over his face like he wasn’t sure what to do with what James had just said. Or with the knowledge that James had paid that much attention to him.
So he nodded slowly, forcing his eyes back down. All he could manage now was a whisper “Yeah. Like that.
James moved closer causing Regulus to look up once again. James was frowning a bit now as he kept moving closer to Regulus. “I missed you tonight.” For the second time in this conversation, Regulus found his breath caught in his lungs “I really wish you had been there.” And god James wore everything on his sleeve and Regulus had no idea what to do with it. It was like water in his hands.
Regulus had no idea what to say to that. “Sorry.” James shook his head instantly, “No. No don’t apologize.” he stopped right in front of Regulus, “You didn’t have to be there if you didn’t want to be. I just wanted you to know you were wanted is all.”
Wanted. Regulus hated himself for the way his soul ached at the word. Somehow James seemed to fill him with some kind of warmness. So carelessly gentle.
Regulus realized then that he hadn’t responded yet, but he couldn't even breathe with James this close.
He could smell him; it was so comforting Regulus fought the urge to step closer. “Well…maybe next time.” He said it so quietly James almost didn’t hear him.
And the smile that put on James’ face could have killed Regulus right then and there. If he was being honest, it already had.
In the silence, Regulus swore James could hear his heart nearly jumping from his chest.
“It’s late,” James whispered, so close now that he had to tilt his head down just slightly so he could keep looking at Regulus in the eyes. Regulus’ voice was even quieter now as he whispered back, “I know.”
Even with barely any space between them now James stepped just a bit closer, “You should sleep.”
Regulus nodded, looking down at the water now because if he looked at James one more time he felt as if everything inside him would overflow and spill out of his sides completely. Regulus wasn’t even entirely sure what was happening right now “I will.”
Regulus looked so pretty right now. All James wanted to do was wrap his arms around him. So close now he felt like he was breathing in Regulus’ air. He wasn’t sure if he was actually tilting his head down or if he was imagining it with the rush in his blood.
A sound from the house had Regulus stepping back immediately. James couldn’t stop himself from frowning at the loss of Regulus’s body. He turned his head toward the kitchen window seeing the light on, seeing Lily and Mary by the stove. Making tea if James had to guess.
James hadn’t even known Regulus had moved until he heard him getting out of the water.
Regulus held himself in his arms, shaking slightly from the cold. He made quick steps over the patio but stopped once he was almost at the door. He turned around letting out a breathless sigh there was the faintest hint of pink on his cheeks, “Good night, James.” Is all he said before turning back around and walking into the house not even giving James time to respond.
Left alone in the pool James felt a small smile creeping on his lips.