James almost collapsed onto the floor when he got into the room of requirement, grabbing his sides as he regained his breath. Regulus walked over and stood in front of him, watching as he gasped and his knees buckled slightly.
“Sorry I’m late, I tried to run as fast as I could so you wouldn’t give up and leave but McGonagall wanted to speak to us all outside the common room for some dumb reason so I couldn’t sneak away on time.”
Regulus smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder, shoving it slightly. “I can see that, believe it or not. Why did you think I would leave? There just so happens to be a bed in here that is much bigger and comfier than the one back in the dorm, why wouldn’t I stay here?”
James thought for a moment, then clicked his tongue and sighed. “Oh yeah.”
Laughing, Regulus took hold of his arm and led him further into the room, past the fireplace and up to the bed, which was facing a large window spanning the entire back wall, which showed a beautiful view of the night sky, moon, stars and all.
“Speaking of which, let’s get you sat down before you actually die.” They sat down next to each other and waited for James to compose himself again.
“You know, for a quidditch player, you have shit lungs.”
“Piss off.” He grinned back and leaned back against the headboard, letting Regulus see something in his left hand.
“What’ve you got there?”
James frowns and then seems to realise, moving his hand to look at what he had brought with him, but still not giving Regulus a good enough view.
“Oh- erm, noth- no, it’s not nothing, it’s- I, so- erm I saw it in Hogsmeade and- fuck- erm, this is embar-”
“Jamie. Just tell me what it is.”
James hesitates, then places what he was holding down on the mattress in front of him.
“It, uh…it reminded me of you, so…yeah.”
“Is that a teddy? Why would that remind you of me?”
James scratched the back of his neck and shrugged awkwardly. “I-um. It’s a lion so…”
“So you thought you would buy it for me, for…what? I’m sixteen, not five, James.”
The teddy was cute. He couldn’t deny it, it looked softer than anything he’s ever seen and even had a little mane to go with it. But he would sooner die than say it.
“Oh, no, I don’t think you’re…childish, or…or, what you think I mean. I just..look, I’m sorry, it was dumb, I’ll take it back and-”
“No!”
The disappointment on James’ face morphed into confusion.
“What? But I thought you didn’t like-”
“Well it isn’t terrible so I don’t see the point in wasting time going and returning it so I’ll keep it. Thanks.”
He waved the lion around a little before dropping it next to him and lying down, patting the spot next to him for James to do the same.
They stayed like that for a while, before Regulus turned and moved closer, pressing himself closer to James so their chests were pressed together and their legs were a cosy, tangled mess. Subconsciously, he took the lion and moved it closer to his chest, so it was resting between them. James noticed the feeling of soft material and looked down, seeing the way Regulus had tucked it into his arm, almost protectively.
His disappointment dwindled and he smiled, leaning closer to Regulus’ ear to whisper to him.
“You like the gift, don’t you?”
He shuffled slightly and hesitated, before whispering back. “Don’t tell a soul.”