The morning after
Regulus POV
Regulus felt like absolute crap when he woke up. This happened quite a lot, but this morning, it was for different reasons. A blasting hangover had his head pounding and feeling heavy. Brutal sunlight was shed into the room, making his vision blurry and his head spin. Jeez, how much had he had to drink?
Or a better question, what happened last night?
It took Regulus a few moments for him to register his surroundings. He lay on under a warm silk quilt that hugged him close and felt a bit surprised at the absence of Cosmo curled up at his feet. His vintage night lamp wasn’t next to him, and neither was his journal. David Bowie, T-Rex, Queen, The Cure and other band posters he didn’t recognize were strung all over the walls. Regulus sat up fast, his headache causing him to immediately regret it.
He definitely wasn’t in his apartment. So whose bloody apartment was he in?!
Panic started to settle in.
Regulus didn’t really remember going home with anyone last night. Only strong muscular arms supporting him up some stairs, the feeling of laying against someone’s shoulder. Jeez, he must’ve been blackout drunk.
He was about to leap out of the bed (as much as his body screamed in protest) and run for his life, when he caught sight of a note laid carefully so he would see it on his bedside table.
‘Hiya Reg! Don’t panic - it’s alright. You got a bit drunk at Bertie Bott’s and I couldn’t find your address so I took you home. The tea is for you, should help with the hangover <3.’ -James.
James?
Regulus’ eyes widened. He went home with James?
Suspiciously, Regulus held the mug of tea up to his lips, taking a small sip. It was Earl Gray, one of his favorites. Regulus gratefully gulped down much larger sips now, it was sweet, making him feel warm and satisfied. He wouldn’t mind waking up like this every morning, if it weren’t for the splitting headache and slight nausea.
The sound of a shower he hadn’t registered before shut off, and he heard the shuffling of clothes being put on in the room in front of him. The door opened, and James greeted him with a lopsided grin as he rubbed the back of his head with a towel.
“Ah, goooodmorning love. How are you feeling?”
James stood leaning against the doorframe, wearing nothing but pajama pants and a towel that was draped over his shoulder. Water droplets still clung to his sleek (and admittedly toned) figure, and Remus thought his hair looked cute, damp like that. Blush set in his cheeks, likely from a steaming hot shower. His glasses were slightly wonky and slightly falling off his nose, and he’d hardly put any effort into his appearance, but Regulus still thought he was handsome all the same.
“Oh, er, ‘morning. I’m feeling okay, thanks.” Regulus wrung his hands under the covers, trying not to look as nervous as he felt.
He sat up straighter. “Uh did we - we didn’t- I mean, I know what you said in the note, but-” Regulus fumbled.
“Oh! That!” James’ eyebrows shot up. “No, nothing like that. I just took you home and you passed out about the second your head hit the pillow.” he said quickly.
Regulus internally sighed with relief.
“Sorry I couldn’t take you to your own apartment. I promise this wasn’t a ploy to get you in my bed.” James went bright red seeing how wrong that sounded. “Um! Sorry. Anyway, you know what I mean. Yeah, nothing happened.”
A smile spread across Regulus’ face at this.
“You really have a way with words, Potter.”
“Yeah, well, sometimes my mouth works faster than my brain does, as you can probably tell.”
They both laughed.
“Sorry you ended up having to take me home, I hope drunk me wasn’t too much of a bother. I can go home now if that’s easier for you! I wouldn’t wanna get in your way or anything. Just- say the word.” Regulus said as he slipped one foot onto the floor, ready to leave.
“No, no that’s okay!” James protested, stepping towards him. “I’m free all day, so it’s not a bother at all. Besides, having you in my bed is nothing I would complain about.” The words seemed to slip out of his mouth before he could stop them. James covered his mouth with his hands.
“Yep, there goes my mouth working faster than my brain again, sorry about that.”
“Very subtle, James.” Regulus smirked.
James cleared his throat. “So, breakfast?”
“Yeah, sounds great!” Regulus responded. He picked up his tea and set it down on the dining room table.
James had started pouring some pancake mix onto a pan, the sound of sizzling and sweet smell wafting through the air. Regulus’ stomach grumbled eagerly.
“Can I give you a hand?” Regulus offered. James turned and flashed him an annoyingly gorgeous smile.
“Sure, go ahead. Could you grab the butter for me? It’s just over there on the counter.”
Regulus did so dutifully.
The two soon dissipated into easygoing chatter. James asked about how things have been since the move, to which Regulus happily provided him the details. At least, the ones that didn’t involve family drama, and worst of all, Sirius.
He talked about settling in and how he met Remus, then was adopted by him not that long after. Regulus complained about ridiculous ‘Karen’ customers he’d come across and other silly happenings. James was more than happy to listen as he flipped the pancakes.
Regulus felt like he could talk for hours to James, which was strange since he didn’t usually have this much social energy. Being around James just brought it out in him, he supposed. All the while, his heart was beating about 100 times a millisecond.
James talked a bit about how he met all of the band members and how they came together. James was smart enough not to bring enough Sirius, which Regulus was grateful for. Reg soon came to learn that Marlene was a new student at their high school that came just after he left, she was great at sports and so naturally she and James became fast friends. Peter had been his neighbor whom Regulus thought he recognized and finally could put a name to the face.
James rambled on about a lot of things, and as the subject turned to music, he began hyperfixating over some old 70s and 80s bands he loved. Regulus gave him a few suggestions of music artists to listen to, which James promised to listen to soon with a great deal of enthusiasm. Every time Regulus spoke to him it was like he lit up.
After the pancakes were done, the two indulged ravenously. They spent the rest of the day simply existing with one another, Regulus read a book, smashed him in chess, they played a very competitive game of Mario kart and Regulus even got to meet James' dog, Bailey. Bailey was a 3 year old, dark chocolate brown border collie, with big pleading eyes. Regulus fell in love and thought he saw James giving him jealous looks when he spent more time adoring her than hanging out with him. Regulus felt like he was 17 again, careless and carefree.
That's when they caught sight of snow.
"It's snowing!" James exclaimed, smiling ear to ear. He had his face pressed close against the window. "C'mere, Reg, check it out!"
"Really?" Regulus asked. He put down his tea and walked up to join him. And sure enough, there it was. The ground below was covered in a blanket of fluffy white snow thick enough for Regulus to bury himself in. He and James locked eyes. James' had the spark of a plan.
"But wait," Reg said "I don't have a coat or the right shoes."
"Here, you can borrow mine." James offered, disappearing into his room and appearing again with a large coat, wrapping it gingerly around Regulus' shoulders.
"Thank you," Regulus blushed.
"Of course." James turned to Bailey who was wagging her tail fiercely at all the excitement. "Wanna go for a walk Bailey?"
Bailey's ears perked up at this, and she barked happily in agreement. James wrapped a small coat made for dogs around her, then clipped a leash onto her collar.
James opened the door then gestured for Regulus to go through. "Guests first."
Regulus gratefully came through. "Why thank you, kind sir."
They both waded through snow as tall as their knees, laughing as Bailey dissappeared into the snow as she jumped in.
It was a wonderful day. Regulus felt he could forget every problem in the world.