Chapter Text
James doesn’t seem like the dry-texter type, which is what worries Regulus as he leaves his flat once again, calling to his flatmates that he probably won't be hoe until the next morning--even if things don’t go well with James, Regulus imagines that he’ll spend the night with either Sirius and Remus or Pandora. And if things do go well enough for him to stay at James’ palace?
Regulus would be a very happy man.
But that brings him back to his anxiety about the situation as he gets on the bus that will take him to the nearest station to James’ flat. It’s very likely that James knows about his and Sirius’ meetings but that doesn’t mean James is fond of Regulus suddenly texting him.
Sirius gave him hope that Regulus would actually have a chance but James’ lack of the normally happy and bright greeting Regulus would expect makes him wonder if his brother was wrong. Or at the very least, his information was outdated.
Before Regulus is ready, the bus is stopping and Regulus needs to get off. He does so, reluctantly, and heads towards the building his phone gps is leading him to. James is waiting outside by the building’s glass doors when he’s close enough.
James seems to hear him coming, having looked up when Regulus is close enough. The older offers him a smile but it’s not as genuine as normal--Regulus hasn’t seen the man in years and he can still feel how it’s off--and his knuckles are white where he’s holding his phone with one hand and his elbow with the other.
As soon as regulus is close enough, James pushes off the wall and starts towards the doors, “This isn’t a conversation we should have in public.” Regulus follows him inside and through the building until they’re standing outside the door to a flat on the third floor and James is unlocking it.
Once they’re inside, James sheds his shoes and drops his keys in a bowl on a nearby table, “Come inside. You can sit down on the couch. Would you like something to drink?”
“Do you have tea?”
“Any specific kind?” James calls, heading into the kitchen.
“No.” Then Regulus finds his way to the couch. It’s an abhorrent orange colour and none of the throw pillows match but it, alongside the environment of the living room as a whole, feels so painfully James that Regulus might’ve never guessed that Lily once lived here.
Shortly after he settles himself on the surprisingly comfortable couch, James comes out of the kitchen with a small tray. He sets the tray down, revealing two mugs, a small container of sugar, a cup of milk, and a jar of honey. James picks up one of the mugs and takes a sip from it, telling Regulus to make it how he likes.
Regulus does so and sits impatiently, not wanting to break the silence. But, after a couple arduous minutes, he gives in, “Can I ask what this is all about?”
James is picking at his sleeves, a sign that he’s perhaps just as nervous as Regulus is. The older sighs, “Your text… I-” he takes a long drink before he looks directly in Regulus’ eye, “Regulus, I’ve been in love with you for so long that it’s almost embarrassing to admit. I invited you over here mostly impulsively, but now that you’re here… I want to properly talk before we jump into anything.”
“Gross.” Regulus scoffs, “When did you start thinking about your actions?”
James offers him a soft chuckle, “Things change, Reg. That being said, I’d really like if we could start talking soon because you’re so hot and I really want to kiss you.”
“There it is.” Regulus laughs, then he raises a brow, “How do you want to go about this talk?”
James hums but doesn’t answer for several minutes, fiddling with the hem of his sleeve. Eventually, he clears his throat, “Like I said, I’ve been in love with you for a long time, which was a part of what happened between Lily and I, which I don’t want to talk about, but I-” he clears his throat, “I’ve had a couple things happen and i’m a little scared of getting into a relationship again. I’m also at a point in my apprenticeship where I don’t get a whole lot of free time.”
Regulus nods, “Well, I’m a student and I live with Barty and Evan halfway across town from here so I also don’t have a lot of time to conveniently travel here all the time. Also, I-” he pauses when a small, fluffy black thing ventures from another room into the living room. The fluff jumps up onto his lap and immediately makes home there, “Uhm, my dating experience is a brief thing with a kid in my grade in sixth and seventh year but it didn’t go well for… reasons.” Regulus looks down at the cat in his lap--he had forgotten that Sirius mentioned James having a cat, “Who’s this?”
“Ariadne.” James answers, not seeming to mind the distraction, “I got her shortly after Lily and I broke up.”
“Needed something to love and make you feel less lonely?” Regulus had considered getting a cat for the same reason despite living with his friends.
James hums, “Exactly.”
“Why Ariadne? I didn’t think you knew Greek myths.”
“The guy I’m apprenticing for really likes them,” James smiles, reaching over to pet his cat, “And he’ll tell me stories while we’re binding. Getting Ari saved me from a really bad mental state like how Ariadne saved Theseus from the labyrinth.”
“That’s sweet.”
James rubs the back of his neck, “I honestly thought you’d make fun of me. You’re the first person I’ve told that to.”
“I wouldn’t make fun of you for it.” Regulus shakes his head, “I would’ve, however, made fun of you if you named it something in the same way you idiots come up with your nicknames.”
“And yet, I’d be a lot more willing to tell people about the origin of her name.”
Regulus smiles softly, “So I take it you’re doing worse than Sirius knows? He made it sound like you could never be happier, but I’m seeing otherwise.”
“I don’t like telling people that I’m not feeling amazing. Your brother also doesn’t know that I’m seeing a therapist.” James’ smile is light, but it isn’t full.
“So why are you telling me now?”
“Because I’ve always been more emotionally vulnerable around you.” James shrugs, like those words didn’t send an explosion of butterflies in Regulus’ chest, “And I figure you should know that if we’re going to have a relationship.”
“Are we going to have a relationship?”
“I’d like us to have one, which is why I invited you over here.” James laughs slightly.
The two spend the next hour talking--half of that time is them getting distracted and straying to another topic--before James finally decides that they’ve talked enough and pulls Regulus into a fierce kiss. Regulus responds with just as much intensity.
While it’s not the full outcome Regulus wanted--James apparently wants to take them slow--Regulus does end up in James’ bed overnight.
The next morning, Regulus wakes up to Barty blowing up his phone, asking where he is. Then it turns to asking if ‘the dick was that good.’
While Regulus doesn’t know for sure, he can assume that it’s deadly if the way James was kissing him last night is any indication. He lets Barty know as such before sending Sirius a quick picture of him with a shirtless, asleep James in the background (listen, they didn't sleep together but James sleeps shirtless and Regulus wasn’t going to say no to that).
Regulus
[Image attached]
Thank you
Sirius
ew
didn’t need to know about you sleeping with Prongs
or that you’re a fucking leech, Jesus Reg
his poor neck
Regulus
Stop looking at the picture.
We didn’t have sex, I just stayed at his place.
I was just thanking you.
Sirius
well youre welcome
Regulus looks up from his phone when James grumbles and rouses. He turns his gaze to Regulus and offers a small smile, “Mornin’ Reg. What did you want for breakfast?” God, his morning voice could kill Regulus and he’d thank James.
“If you’re willing to cook then whatever you make.” Regulus hums, “I’m not picky and I”ve heard the Potter line is one of good chefs.”
James laughs, “Give a minute to wake up more and figure out what I want to eat. If you want to get up, I have an extra toothbrush in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.'' Regulus hums in acknowledgment but doesn’t get out of bed until after James has gone into the kitchen and his side of the bed is no longer warm.
By the time he's finished in the bathroom, James is standing at the stove with a plate of covered bacon, and a pan of eggs going at the same time as he’s flipping a pancake from another and putting more batter on. He grins when he sees Regulus, “I wasn’t feeling very creative this morning. The kettle is on, mugs are in the cupboard above the sink. There are a couple types of tea in the pantry.”
“What kind of tea?”
James shrugs, “The kinds Remus likes.”
“I’ll find something.” Regulus hums before disappearing into the pantry. He comes out a couple minutes later and, by the time he does, James has a significant pile of pancakes and has turned the stove off and he’s pulling out plates, telling Regulus to serve himself up.
Regulus leaves his tea to steep white he gets himself food, just leaving the kitchen with his plate and mug to sit on the couch--James doesn't have a table for whatever reason. James comes out a bit later with his own plate and mug of something that doesn’t smell like coffee but likely isn’t tea.
James sits right next to him, taking a large gulp of his steaming drink before putting it on the coffee table, humming, “How is it? Are the eggs good? I didn’t know how you preferred them and figured you could never go wrong with scrambled.”
“They’re good. What are you drinking?”
James beams, “Hot chocolate. I like warm drinks in the morning but I don’t like many teas and I can’t stand the taste of coffee. So I drink hot cocoa. I prefer to make it myself instead of using the powder, but that’s too long of a process to do every morning.”
“I don’t mind powder hot chocolate.”
“I mean it’s good but my legendary hot chocolate will change your mind for sure.” James hums, his smile widening.
Regulus hums and takes a bite of pancake--which is heavenly, by the way--before he talks again, “You’ll have to make me some one day.”
“Obviously,” The man cheers, taking a bite of his own food, “Are you busy today?”
“I should probably get back to my flat at some point, but other than that? No.”
“Then would you like to go on a date with me?”