☆three☆
Cooking is not and will never be a strong suit for James Potter. The problem is, Regulus hasn't gotten out of bed because he's sick and he needs to eat something. James known nothing about the biological female anatomy, absolutely nothing about how any of the bleeding process works. What he does know is that being sick while bleeding doesn't sound like a great idea. Regulus' midnight rendezvous to the roof have left him with the flue, in the last weak of September before he can get his vaccine.
"Just make something simple, like a ramen packet." The problem is James doesn't know how to make a packet of these noodles, and Regulus scribbled all over the back so he couldn't look at any of it.
James settles for ordering something from the restaurant Regulus likes. He gets chicken noodle soup for Regulus, and for himself skillet cooked mashed potatoes with Polish sausage and cheese.
The boy Regulus called Snowflake, Victor as James has come to know him by, drops off the food. He wishes Regulus to get better, winks at James, then is off like a rocket. James heats the containers for a minute each, then goes with both of them upstairs. Regulus is sitting up, coughing into a tissue while one of his baking shows plays on the television.
"Reggie, I got you some soup." Regulus nods, taking his bowl with careful movements.
"You ordered something in." Not a question, just a fact Regulus feels to share.
"I can't cook, sorry."
"Don't be, I rather eat something I enjoy than whatever you would make." James snorts, Regulus shakes his head. "You can stay in here, but only if you tolerate my shows." James nods, criss crossing his legs in the armchair, and watches the baking show with him.
It's not something he normally enjoys. The peace, he thought, baking brought seems to disappear in this one though. They make a type of bread he hasn't heard of, but Regulus chuckles at the name.
"I can make that, I like mine with powdered sugar and jam." James nods slightly, smiling as Regulus seems to be so enraptured by these people's failing process in making the fancy bread. One comes out raw, the male judge just dropping it.
"I bet he could try it."
"James, when I'm better I'm gonna make you compare the dough baked properly and then raw." The older nods, smiling.
"Whatever Reg, just get better." The younger nods slightly, setting his bowl to the side.
James notices that the bowl is only half empty, accepting it because Regulus is ill. The episode ends with an elderly woman going home, Regulus throwing a folded pair of socks at the t.v. James snorts, grabbing the bowls and heading toward the door.
"I'll be back up."
"You don't have-"
"I'll be back up and with movies. I think you would like Spider-man." Regulus just nods, running a hand through his hair.
As he waits Regulus begins reading a book, one for muggle witches he finds interesting. One of the crystals and beautiful arts he was always told to fear and keep in the back of his mind. It seems interesting though, much less practical than his own magic but kind in a way his isn't. James comes back, two bowls of popcorn and a broad smile on his features.
Regulus watches carefully as he puts in the first DVD, then sits in his armchair again. "There are three different actors that play Spider-man. First is Toby McGuire, he's kinda weird but has the awkward part down. Then Andrew Garfield, who looks strangely like Remus, and he's cool. He has that part, but is just not it you know? Then Tom Holland, he's my favorite delivery of Spider-man. He has the nerdiness, the awkward like jumble that is him.
"I personally think Zendaya is an amazing actress that is perfect for her role, even though her character is a lot unlike MJ in the comics. I have all the comics, well most of them, if you want to read them after we watch the movies." Regulus tilts his head, dark hair falling around his face.
"Who's Zendaya, and Tom Holland, and Andrew Garfield, and Toby McGuire?" James' eyes widen, and he let's out a sharp breath.
"We've been official friends for over a year now. I haven't introduced you to the muggle magic that is movies?"
"No, except for few old ones, like westerns." James looks absolutely floored with what Regulus tells him. "I liked them though, the deaths were a bit cheesy." James is on the bed in an instant, squeezing close to Regulus.
"Have you ever watched a superhero movie?"
"No." James gasps, rolling off the bed to lay on the floor. Regulus looks over the edge, wheezing only slightly. "What? We both had school and you had to apply for jobs and stuff. I was dealing with family drama and you were all up Dumbledore's tight ass."
"I was not, and he is not a hard-ass."
"Oh please, if you made him eat some coal he'd shut out a diamond." James stops moving, turning slightly toward Regulus.
"How long have you been waiting to say that?"
"For some time now actually. Why don't you get in your seat and start the movie." James stands, climbing into his chair, and grabs the remote.
"Get ready for the most heart wrenching thing to happen." He presses play, Regulus putting his book down.
He does think this Toby McGuire guy is kinda creepy, just has weird facial expressions. The villains are his favorite part, they actual beat Peter Parker up a couple times, causing real damage. Regulus had to try not to cry when Uncle Ben died, James letting tears roll.
Then in one of the Andrew Garfield ones Gwen Stacey dies. Regulus gasps, grabbing the remote and pausing the movie. He stands, and begins pacing, one hand playing with a strand of hair. James' face and eyes are red, tear tracks running over his features.
"They just killed the love of his life!"
"Yeah, they did."
"That'd be like them killing Sirius for Remus."
"Who's them?"
"Well, like, if we were a movie. Sirius, and you and Peter, are Remus' humanity. You've seen the way he absolutely has the brain and willpower to hurt anyone, right? He could just snap one day and I wouldn't think twice."
"If this is about him being a were-"
"No you dick. I may have been raised by my mother, but it was actually mostly Sirius. I'm just saying, after being an outsider to your group for so long, it was blatantly obvious the way Remus would step between you and anyone. I saw the fight at the end of your sixth year. That boy didn't come back to school." James stays silent, nodding slightly.
"We should get back to the movie." Regulus nods, sliding back into the bed. "Don't over exert yourself, there's a few of these next ones, and actually this won't do. It's nearly midnight. To understand these next ones you have to know about the MCU. We can watch them tomorrow, if you want I mean." James rubs at the back of his neck, smiling slightly.
"Sure, as long as you let me go to the living room."
"Your sick ass is not stepping foot in my living room." Regulus rolls his eyes, sinking lower in the blankets.
"Fine, but I get to have chicken pot-pie."
*
The next morning James comes up to Regulus' room around nine. He holds two plates of waffles, the toaster kind, and sausage. Regulus sets his book to the side, a different one about the fae Hogwarts won't teach about.
"Breakfast is served." James sets one plate beside Regulus, then the other in his chair. Regulus notices the black bag on his shoulder, and how he handles it was so much care. James must find what he's looking for, because he goes and changes out the DVD from last night to a different one.
"This marathon will take a really long time. The first movie though is Captain America: the First Avenger. He's the beginning of a major operation that happens later in the MCU." Regulus nods, picking up a waffle to take a bite.
"This is the one with the scrawny boy who becomes very muscled?" James nods excitedly, Regulus thinking he looks kinda like a hyper puppy that just got praised. "I've heard of this one. I think Sirius has a poster."
"Sirius is in love with Bucky Barnes, skinny then muscles guys best friend who takes care of him." Regulus nods, humming slightly. James sits down, holding his plate carefully. Regulus hits play for the movie, hum becoming slightly quieter.
James is sure he can see the moment he thinks Regulus falls for Peggy. James can admit, she is very pretty and an amazing character that probably deserved the serum over Steve. That's a different thing though, because James doesn't like Steve no matter how much Sirius tries to explain how amazing the guy is. In all honesty James likes Tony Stark over Steve Rogers, but his favorite character isn't even from this universe. His is from the Deadpool movies, Negasonic Teenage Warhead has a special place in his heart. That's off topic though, maybe he should get Regulus to watch those movie too, maybe read the comics.
The point is Regulus is blushing like a school girl who just got asked out by her seventh year crush.
Regulus is watching the woman literally feel up Steve's man-boob and is blushing like a madman. His only thought is that oh my gods Chris Evans is finer than a motherfucker. To be fare he hasn't really told anyone he's a gay guy. So James is smiling at him like and idiot, and Regulus just wants to die in the few second of the movie this takes up.
By the end of the movie their both almost crying, James changing the disk to Captain Marvel. Regulus criss-crossed his legs, not starting the movie until James was back after throwing away their plates and grabbing water for them. Regulus starts the movie as soon as James sits down,
Regulus is rather fond of the cat in the movie, lips upturned when it attacks Nick Fury. He gasps at the aliens, turning to James. The older just nods, smiling slightly. When the movie finishes Regulus is up on his feet, moving to the bathroom. James decides he could wait to change the disk, Regulus didn't look so good.
He hears it, Regulus retching in the bathroom. Soon he's on his feet, standing in the doorway. James moves quickly, grabbing a hair tie and holding back Regulus' hair. The younger let's put a sob, the contents of his stomach seeming to just exist on the toilet now.
"Either tie my hair or stop touching it." James does as directed, putting the loose curls in a low ponytail. Regulus stands, flushes the bowl, and goes for the sink.
"Seems I am not getting better. Maybe bed rest isn't the best idea."
"No, it's exactly what you need. I'll get some broth and bits of chicken, you go lay down once you're done. We should both eat anyway." Regulus shakes his head, foam from the toothpaste dripping from his mouth.
James leaves the bathroom and heads down the stairs. Regulus changes out the DVD to what James told him was next, the first Iron Man movie. He then sits down on the bed, shivering slightly. He slides further under the blankets, tugging them up to his shoulders. James steps into the room, two bowls in hand.
"I'm not hungry." James sets the bowls down, leaning over Regulus to feel his forehead.
"You're burning up."
"Well I'm cold. Sit right there." He struggles to get his arm out but he pats the spot next to him. "Don't gape, I need you to wrap your arms around me. I'm all, all bothered, no not a sexual way." James nods, eyeing Regulus's pink cheeks. He slides onto the bed, then pauses not knowing what to do.
Regulus shuffles toward him, directing James' arms. "Now you have to squeeze, just don't kill me." James nods, realizing Regulus has made his way onto his lap. James squeezes though, holding Regulus close to him. The younger goes limp, leaning back into James.
"Is this okay?" Regulus nods, relaxing even more. "You can tell me to stop whenever and I will."
"I know Potter, I know." James starts the movie, allowing the heat of Regulus' body rush over his own.
Halfway into the movie Regulus' breathing slightly evens, body loosing all tension. James knows he's asleep, knows it's because of the illness taking its toll. Still he likes to think it's because of the squeeze the younger asked for. James pauses the movie, turning on one of the many baking shows, this one celebrating Halloween, for next week.
James tried to slide away, he really did, but Regulus turned and latched onto him. Half asleep he murmured something about not leaving. James froze and decided to settle back onto the bed, eyeing the taller clinging to him. Regulus let out a soft snort, grip loosening slightly. James leans back, glad he decided sweatpants and a hoodie would be appropriate for movie watching.
*
Regulus wakes up later that day, James asleep below him, and turns the color of cranberries. He doesn't let go though, just lays his head back down and closes his eyes. For now that's all he needs, even if it'll only last until he wakes up.