Bisous
“I should have known better with a girl like you
That I would love everything that you do
And I do, hey, hey, hey
And I do
Whoa-oh-oh, I never realized what a kiss could be
This could only happen to me
Can’t you see? Can’t you see?
…
“All right, lads,” Mason grinned, forcing himself between Ben and Regulus as he sat down at the table. Regulus rolled his eyes, moving aside and sipping his pumpkin juice with annoyance. “I’ve secured the liquor,” He patted his hand on the wooden surface, “tomorrow night, bring a girl, and let’s get pissed.”
Ben grinned, “Brilliant.”
“Maura and I were already seeing each other, so, I’m in,” Tarquin shrugged, and Regulus watched Tarquin then eat a pea he had been playing with on his plate for over five minutes.
Clement cleared his throat, “I’ll have someone.”
“Regulus?” Mason looked at him from the side, “Any lucky lady?”
“No,” Regulus shook his head, “not really, lately.”
“Lost your fame?” Tarquin asked, barely looking up.
Clement looked between the two of them, “Seems like Reg’s just in a slow bit, yeah, Reg?”
“Yeah,” Regulus agreed, ignoring Tarquin, “just haven’t found the one.”
“You don’t need the one,” Mason began to dig into his meal, “just find a girl to snog.”
“Fine,” Regulus sighed, eating a pastie and putting his fork down, “I’ll have one.”
“Mighty good,” Mason looked up from his food, “we’re all set.”
“What exactly are we drinking?” Clement asked, “you aren’t the best with finding good shit, Mason.”
“It’s good,” Mason shrugged, cutting up a piece of steak, “red wine, some shit.”
“Red wine?” Ben asked, “The shit my mum drinks?”
“I ‘dunno,” Mason looked at him, “all they had.” His mouth was full, which bothered Regulus.
“Dear God,” Clement laughed.
“I can get us some weed,” Tarquin piped in, “I know a guy.”
Regulus rolled his eyes to himself.
“Brilliant,” Mason huffed, “hopefully to get everyone else off of my arse.” They all laughed, and Ben shoved Mason, who fell into Regulus a little. Bothered, Regulus finished his meal, and got up.
“See you later, Regulus?” Clement called out to him.
“See you later,” Regulus said back, and left the table, heading to the library for a quick study. Or a quick moment to relax, stop thinking, and calm himself down for the rest of his classes.
…
The next afternoon, Regulus had been at a bit of a loss. While his friends had been planning for the evening, he was trying to find a girl to bring with him. He did need someone to shag, he wasn’t just finding a girl because he didn’t want to feel left out. He genuinely wanted a girl he could fuck, and get on with, and maybe even date, just like they all seemed to be doing. Just like Tarquin seemed to be doing.
Regulus actually decided to stop by the library again. Yesterday, he had only been in for a few minutes, but he found a nice quiet corner to sit in. He picked up a random book nearby, read a page, and left. It was peculiar, and a waste of energy, maybe, but it relaxed him. So he went again.
He arrived, finding that exact same corner, or heading his way to it. He stopped by a tall bookshelf and slipped out, Memory Charms: a Synopsis by Archibald Chopra, and headed towards his familiar spot.
Regulus tucked his book into the pocket of his arm, and kept his mind on the time.
But then he noticed Emmeline Vance, who was sitting alone at a table in that similar area. He couldn’t tell what she was reading, or what she was up to, but her hair was back, and she was in a navy sweater. He cleared his throat, and walked up to her. “Hello, Emmeline,” He greeted, sitting down in the chair next to her, “may I sit?”
Emmeline laughed, “You already have.” Regulus took a second, before realizing his impoliteness, and going to stand. But she put her hand on his arm and had him sit still, “It’s alright. I would’ve said yes anyway.”
“Good,” Regulus laughed at his own awkwardness, and he put his book in front of him. “Reading anything interesting?”
“Not really,” Emmeline sighed.
Regulus nodded, and he didn’t really know what to say, or why he sat next to her in the first place. But then he remembered, and sat in silence before he coughed up the courage, “Are you doing anything this evening?”
Emmeline looked a bit surprised he said something again, and she nodded, unfortunately, “Yes, actually.”
“Oh,” Regulus frowned, “what are you doing?”
“Um,” Emmeline looked around briefly, before leaning in and lowering her voice, “me and some of my girl friends got invited to this party in the prefect bathrooms. I’m not sure what to expect, honestly.”
Regulus laughed, “Oh, wow.” He shrugged, “Yeah, I’m not sure either.”
Emmeline nodded, “What were you going to ask me about?”
“Oh, just a little get together with my mates and I,” He shrugged, “nothing special, I really promise.”
Emmeline looked a bit flattered, and bit her lip, clearly trying to make things work, “Tell you what. You come with me to the prefect party, and then we leave halfway and go to yours.”
Regulus shook his head, “No, Emmeline, it’s really not worth—“
“I want to go to your thing, too,” Emmeline said seriously, “really.”
Regulus knew where it was going. And he didn’t like it, and he didn’t want to go with her, or do anything that she really wanted to do. And maybe that made him an asshole, but he sighed, and tried to smile, “Alright, then.”
“Lovely!” Emmeline grinned, “Great.” She closed her book, “Do you have a swimsuit?”
“Swimsuit?” Regulus raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, we’ll be swimming,” Emmeline said as if it was obvious.
“Swimming?” Regulus repeated.
“Yes, silly,” Emmeline rolled her eyes, flirting almost, “what, can you swim?”
“Yes, of course I can bloody swim,” Regulus rolled his eyes back, “I just have never swam at a… party.”
“Consider it your first,” Emmeline smiled.
“Alright,” Regulus sighed. Emmeline looked extraordinarily pleased. Regulus did not. “Well, I think I’ll be going then.”
“You just got here,” Emmeline laughed.
“Yes, but if we’re to be seeing each other later this evening, we need some time apart,” Regulus said heatedly, and Emmeline didn’t seem to sense his tone.
“The prefect bathroom near the dungeons,” Emmeline nodded, “be there in two hours.”
“Sure,” Regulus agreed despite himself, grabbed his book, waved her goodbye, and left the library.
…
“Do you really have to go?” Clement asked from his bed, as he buttoned his trousers, “I mean, you could say you just got hit with another bludger.”
“Quaffle,” Mason corrected.
“No,” Regulus sighed, fixing the sweater he was wearing and getting into his shoes, “if I miss it, I’ll only get more detention.”
Ben peeked out from his bed, “In the future, if Slughorn ever knocks you a few hours, you can just skip it so you can get booted from that bloody slug club.”
Regulus laughed dryly, “Smart plan.”
“I know,” Ben sneered, and tucked himself back into his bed.
“See you all,” Regulus called out, as he left, “be back in a few.”
They all cheered their goodbyes to him, besides Tarquin, who was nowhere to be seen.
Regulus started down the stairs, and entered the common room, walking towards the portrait door. He took a look around his surroundings, and, at the last thing he wanted to see, which was Tarquin and Maura, particularly close and personal, a few steps up the stairway to the girls dormitory.
He stopped, looking away. He shook the thought, and walked a bit faster to the portrait. He opened it, walked through, and was on his way.
He tried not to think about how Tarquin kissed her, or how his mouth looked, or where his hands were. Or how Maura was against the wall, with her arms around him. He tried not to think about how he had been against the wall, in a different way, in a different—
Shut the fuck up.
He walked down stairs and stairs, guiding himself absentmindedly to where he needed to go.
When he had finally reached the hallway that would lead him to his destination, he had the shocking realization that he really didn’t know how to get into this bathroom. Panicked almost, he walked a bit faster, and to his luck, noticed that someone was halfway through the door.
“Hey!” Regulus called out, and the boy stopped, looking in his direction. Regulus didn’t say anything else, he was too embarrassed, but he walked faster. “Just, hold the door,” He said a bit louder, and eventually was close enough to the boy to recognize him. He was built like a fucking centaur, with ripped muscles and legs for miles. He looked a little ridiculous in the short white swim trousers he was wearing. Regulus didn’t look.
“Sure, mate,” The boy surveyed Regulus oddly, and allowed him to walk inside. Regulus stepped into the bathroom, and felt engulfed in an immediate awe as he did so. The ceilings were incredibly high, with crystallized marble milky white walls and beautiful architecture all around the room. In the center was a large bathtub, bigger than Regulus had ever seen, with nearly a hundred different faucets surrounding it. Inside, bubbles were nearly overflowing past the surface, and he saw Emmeline, her hair wetly painted by her face, her mascara run, and two straps over her shoulders. That’s all he could see, and he looked at her for a bit longer until she noticed.
“Regulus!” Emmeline cheered, climbing out of the tub and creating a wet mess as she walked to him. She was seemingly in a bra and underwear, and she looked at Regulus almost with disappointment, “You’re dressed.”
Regulus looked around nervously, “I didn’t have a suit.”
“That’s all right, that’s all right…” Emmeline looked around, unsure of what else to say. Regulus could smell the alcohol on her breath, but she seemed to mask it rather well. At least she was for now.
Suddenly, Augustine, who Regulus didn’t notice, peeked her head out from the tub. “Regulus, strip, won’t you?” She called out, and Regulus looked at Emmeline with wide eyes.
Emmeline blushed and glared back at Augustine, before shaking her head, “No, you don’t have to. Let me just get my clothes on, we can go to—“
“No, it’s okay,” Regulus began to take off his clothes, feeling like spiders were crawling over him but forcing himself through it. “I can just wear my briefs,” His hands were nearly shaking now with nerves, and he hoped she didn’t notice. He took his sweater and trousers off, and then his socks and loafers, setting them aside. Undressed in front of Emmeline, he actually felt nervous, felt self-conscious and worried. Maybe that meant he did fancy her.
Emmeline struggled to keep her eyes on his, “Brilliant.” She looked back at the tub, “Care to come in?”
“Sure,” Regulus nodded, and it was awkward for a moment before Emmeline took his wrist, and led him to the tub. She stepped in carefully, and he followed behind her, wincing slightly at the harsh hot of the water. Besides Augustine, there were a few other older boys, as well as one other girl. Regulus was slightly surprised by how intimate this was. Emmeline sat down on the bathtub bench that had been hidden underneath the bubbles. Regulus luckily was able to locate it, and he sat beside her.
“Jesus, Regulus,” Emmeline looked at him suddenly, “are you allergic to something?”
Regulus narrowed his eyes, suddenly alarmed, “What are you on about?”
“You’re… all red,” Emmeline moved away from him slightly, “look at yourself.”
He looked down, sorted away some bubbles, and noticed in fact that his chest was bright red. As well as splotches on his legs. “Fuck,” He muttered, he began to feel like his throat was closing up, “fuck, I don’t know.” Thoughts swarmed in his head, and he quickly tried to cover himself in the bubbles again so no one would notice, and his breathing sped, and he felt like he was losing it.
“Regulus,” Emmeline spoke over him, “it’s fine, actually, um,” she seemed to be a little shocked by his reaction, “I think you’re just not used to the water.”
“Why would I turn red?” Regulus asked in an exasperated voice.
“It happens to my mother sometimes,” Emmeline continued to say, “when we’d go on vacation, and go in hot pools of water, her hands would get all red. It went away after a bit.” She put her hand on his chest, and next to his red skin, her tanned hand contrasted and gently touched him. “You’re all right, I’m sorry for saying it.”
Regulus took a deep breath, “It’s fine. Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Emmeline shook her head, “you want a drink?”
“Yeah, please,” Regulus nodded, and Emmeline swam away in the tub. Which was ridiculous to him, that you were able to swim in the bathtub. She went to one of the faucets, and picked up a glass that had been set beside it with some others. Regulus hadn’t noticed they’d been there. She turned on one of the faucets, and out came a dark liquid, in which she filled the glass. Emmeline then came back to him, handing it to him and sitting beside him again. “How’d you manage that?” He asked with wonder.
“The guys,” Emmeline shrugged, “they enchanted the faucet.”
“Wow,” Regulus nodded, taking a sip of his drink, “impressive.” Emmeline smiled at him, and he smiled back. They sat in silence together, rather close, not speaking to really anyone else. Regulus thought this was genuinely a bore, but he dealt with it, because Emmeline was next to him. She was drinking too, and as time went on, they moved closer and closer together, until his arm was by her side and he found it creeping up around her. Emmeline didn’t say anything, but she blushed, and that was all.
Regulus felt fuzzy and eventually engaged in conversation with the guys. It was boring small talk, but Regulus talked, and Emmeline leaned her head onto his shoulder. And they would refill each other’s drinks, and return to each other’s side, and resume the same position, until Regulus’ wet hair was leaned against Emmeline’s as well, and they sat in the corner of the bathtub, holding each other and nearly falling asleep.
He felt so wonderful then, just laying there, with no need to say anything else. His arm around her shoulders, her head on his shoulder, and their bodies so close together in the water. He was pleasantly drunk, mostly from drinking everything so fast, and they both didn’t seem to hear the conversations of anyone around them.
Eventually, though, Emmeline picked her head up, and looked at him. Regulus looked at her, too, and brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear, without thinking about it. They leaned closer, and she kissed him, a kiss that Regulus didn’t experience with Elena. The kiss wasn’t greedy, there was nothing to gain. They kissed sleepily, and he put his hand on the back of her head, to pull her closer.
They fell into this for a while, kissing each other and nearly slipping around the bathtub. But there wasn’t any laughter, or talking, just kissing. And that felt fine.
Until a drunken Augustine shoved Emmeline, laughing, and saying with a thick accent, “Get a fuckin’ room!”
Emmeline shoved her back, and Regulus laughed, putting his arms around her again to relax her. Emmeline rolled her eyes, embarrassed, but kissed Regulus briefly. He pulled away, and he smiled stupidly. He didn’t want to kiss any longer. Emmeline wasn’t the best kisser. But that was all right.
“Want to go to your room now?” Emmeline asked, and as the boys behind her started to hoot, she turned around and spouted, “To a thing with his roommates, you wankers!”
“Yes, yes,” Regulus said to shut her up, and helped her off of him as they both hazily got up and got out of the bath tub. They put on two bath robes, and she took his hand, leading him out of the door. “Be quiet!” He whisper-shouted to her as they started down the hall, and she giggled and ran about with his hand in hers.
Laughing, and trying to calm her down, while also remaining drunk, Regulus walked up the stairs and helped Emmeline as he went along. He certainly took a few wrong corners, since it had taken significantly longer to get there. Plus, Emmeline had stopped him a couple of times to kiss him again.
They reached the portrait, and Regulus turned to her. He put his hands on the side of her face, which made her look a bit squished, and said, “Be cool.”
Emmeline stared at him, “Okay.”
He nodded, and let go of her. He led her through the portrait hole after saying the password, and they entered the common room. Ignoring any looks, Regulus held her hand tight and ran up the boys staircase with her, as she cackled behind him and nearly banged into every wall around her. “Shut up,” Regulus laughed, and slowed down so she could calm herself down. Once they reached the top, he knocked on his door, and once he realized he didn’t have to, he just opened it. He and Emmeline stumbled inside, and he exclaimed drunkenly, “We’re here!”
The boys began to laugh, as well as some of the girls with them, and Clement grinned, “Doing any drinking, Reggy?”
“Lots,” Emmeline answered for him.
“Lots,” Regulus confirmed.
“Splendid,” Tarquin said sarcastically, “have some more.”
“We will,” Regulus nodded, grinned with sophistication, and walked to the center of the room, which displayed all the wine Mason had snagged. He got onto his knees, grabbed a dirty glass, and poured a large glass of red wine for he and Emmeline to share. Emmeline talked to his friends as he did this, since he heard laughter, and he turned around to hand her the glass. “Emmeline!” He shouted.
“What?” Emmeline laughed.
“Cover yourself,” Regulus was serious, standing up and trying to help her put her robe back on. She had opened it, and apparently the laughter was because of the fifteen year old taking off all of her clothes in the middle of the room.
“Noooo,” Emmeline laughed, falling onto him as the wine spilled over in his hand a little. He helped her over to his bed, and they both sat down on it, wetting his sheets. Regulus took off his robe, unaware that everyone could see him, and asked to Emmeline, “Where are my clothes?”
“What clothes?” She asked.
“My clothes,” Regulus groaned, running a hand through his hair, “fuck. I forgot them.”
“Jesus,” Ben called out, “you’re hung, Regulus.”
Regulus turned around, realizing that all of his friends were looking at him, and he countered with, “Stop looking, faggot.” Ben laughed. And then Regulus actually looked at Ben, and realized that Elena was sitting beside him. Regulus’ face fell briefly, and he exchanged a glance with Elena herself, before looking away and back to Emmeline. He got off the bed, and got onto his knees, grabbing his trunk and taking out whatever he could find. He got back into his bed and closed the tapestry, and handed some clothes to Emmeline, while also getting dressed himself.
They both sobered a little when they did this, getting over the feeling and being able to put Regulus’ clothes on in silence. When they finished, Regulus looked at Emmeline and watched her put his clothes on. She put the shirt over herself, and he stared, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her.
The way the trousers fit her legs, the way the shirt held her body, the look it gave her. He liked her like this, in what he wore.
In what he wore.
Regulus rushed in and kissed her, coaxing her down onto the bed as he laid on top of her and kissed her. She didn’t complain, and kissed him back, rolling to the side so they were both facing each other, and wrapping her needy arms around him. Their legs tangled together, and they held each other like they needed each other. Regulus didn’t need her, but he felt he did in that moment.
He didn’t listen to the cheers from outside his tapestry. The tapestry is what set him away from the world, and now he had Emmeline inside of it. She was his, not for his roommates. Not for Ben. Fucking Ben, the bastard.
Regulus eventually pulled away from her, and he ran his hand through her hair once more. Her hair was behind her, and her hair appeared short to him in the way they were lying. And he wanted to kiss her so much more, he wanted to hold her forever maybe, just so she would never take his clothes off, and nobody else would be able to see her the way he did.
And in his drunken state, his eyes begin to tear, because he knew what he was thinking, and he knew it was worth crying for.
Regulus knew he would have a million Emmeline’s. But he would never have a man.
“Are you okay?” Emmeline whispered.
“Yes,” Regulus answered.”
“Can I stay?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Emmeline.”
“Goodnight, Tarquin.”