“I thought you hated me?” Regulus asked. James wasn’t sure how he’d gotten in this situation.
“Well, things change?” he said. But in all honesty, nothing had changed because James had never hated the man beside him.
“Hmm,” Regulus hummed amused, “Sure, James. Sure.” he sighed. The loud music from inside the commonroom could be heard all the way to the empty classroom James had dragged Regulus into.
“I- I really mean it Regulus, I’m telling the truth.” James mumbled out. James had confessed, but Regulus didn't believe him. Their eyes hadn’t met even once this whole time.
The warm hazel eyes were locked to the starry night sky that could be seen through the big window. The cold grey eyes were locked on the gleaming pink lips belonging to the person everyone loved. Including him.
“James,” Regulus whispered. “Are you sober?” he asked louder. He needed to know before saying anything else, because Regulus wasn’t.
“I am moderately functional.” James said as he continued staring at the stars with glazed eyes. Brows drawing together.
“I am going to take that as a no then.” Regulus sighed. He took a step closer to James, putting a hand to his arm. He didn’t react.
“I see you.” James breathed. “Right there.” he continued. Lifting his arm, pointing to the star currently resting peacefully in the middle of the sky. “Beautiful.” he said under his breath. Regulus almost missed it.
“James-” Regulus began. But he was quickly interrupted by James who suddenly and fiercely met his eyes.
“Regulus. I don’t care if I’ve had a few drinks. I might regret this in the morning, but that entirely depends on what you say. If I don’t tell you now I don’t think I will ever be able to.” James said, the most clear he’d been all night.
“I don’t hate you. I have never hated you. You are all I can think about. All the time my mind is occupied by you. You make me lose words in a way I have never done before, you make me stupid. Because I’m stupid about you. I don’t function normally around you. Because you’re stunning. And I- I might be a little drunk, and maybe I don’t make a lot of sense, or maybe I do. But- I know that I love you. I have known that I’m in love with you for months."
"But- you- whenever I look at you it’s like I run out of breath. Like I’m drowning in all these feelings I have about you. It’s like I’m running, and running, and running, and I’m running out of breath because of all the reasons I love you. I’ve been wanting to tell you for months. But so much- there’s just so much that has stopped me. So many obstacles. Like- I’ve been running a race to tell you, and the whole way I’ve been able to see the finish line, the moment I tell you."
"But it just goes further and further away and there’s been so many obstacles slowing me down, or- or tripping me, or stopping me. But now I’m here. Now I’m at the finish line and I don’t care if I win first price because I made it and it feels like I can finally breathe again. I just had to tell you, because I haven’t been able to breath. And- and- if you feel the same way, and you give me first price, then I will gladly accept it because I love you. But it’s also okay if you don’t feel the same, because I can breathe now.”
Regulus’ eyes were wide, “I- I really didn’t expect that. That’s a lot, James.”
His hand was still on James’ arm, gripping him hard enough to bruise. A drunken confession. But despite James' intoxication, Regulus believed him. Months.
“I like you too James. Love. I love you too.” he said stunned. Said mans eyebrows shot up, peaking over the rim of his glasses. James hadn’t expected that.
“That’s good. Does that mean I won first place?” James breathed out. His head unknowingly moving slowly closer to Regulus’.
“That depends what the price for first place is.”
“You. Just you. Only you. To be yours. And for you to be mine. Did I win?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good. Really good. I love to win.” James said breathlessly. His eyes focusing on Regulus’ wet lips.
“We probably shouldn’t kiss. We’re both drunk. We should wait and talk tomorrow when we’re sober.” Regulus mumbled, eyes moving to the older ones lips.
“Yeah. We probably shouldn’t. But I really want to.” James whispered while slowly nodding his head. Which was coming closer and closer. But so was Regulus’.
“Maybe- we could deal with the consequences tomorrow. So maybe just kiss me? Just a kiss.”
When their lips met James felt truly at rest. This was what he had been racing towards, and he would do everything in his power to never let go of it.
Regulus was wanted. That much was clear as their lips moved together. ‘Just a kiss’ soon turned into ‘just a snog’. James had him pushed up against the window. Hungrily moving his lips against the younger ones, hands gripping his hips. Regulus was equally as eager. He had never felt this way before. He had never experienced the feeling of someone wanting him this way. Needing him this way.
The chase for something good had taken over both of their lives. But it was finally over. Because they were now both in the arms of the peace they had been chasing after.