Chapter Text
James went into the library to grab a book for Remus. Usually, Remus wouldn’t trust James to set foot in the place but he needed the book on his bedside table the morning he got out of the hospital wing. He’d had his eyes on it for too long not to spend the next painful day in bed reading it start to finish with Sirius snuggled up next to him. He used to go right to classes after he was cleared but with Sirius convincing him to take advantage of staying in bed all day, he quickly ceded.
James was rather miffed Remus didn’t trust him to make a late-night run to the library. He would do anything for Moony, especially in his time of need. He was going to prove that he could do things efficiently and get back to the dorms before curfew.
As he walked in he noticed very few kids there, as the library was about to close. They all looked stressed, studying for whatever test they had tomorrow. There was even a student splayed over a table in the corner. They were so still James thought they looked dead. But that was highly unlikely so he went on.
Once he found the book, minutes before Madame Pince would go looking for any kids to kick out, James headed for the exit. He stopped again to look at the kid.
Their arms were still in a writing position, but their head was pressed against the table shrouded in dark, familiar curls. James went up to them and shook their shoulder.
Regulus’ head shot up, trying (and failing) to be alert of his surroundings. Regulus’ homework had dark blots all over it and James could see his cheek had matching marks.
“Shit. Now I’m gonna have to redo it all.” Regulus’ voice was groggy as if he had slept for hours.
“Black, the library’s closing, you gotta get out.”
Regulus finally looked up at his savior from the fiery wrath of Madame Pince. James thought he looked funny glaring up at him with wild hair, a wrinkled shirt, and ink all over his face.
“Shove off, will you? I’m leaving now, I wasn’t gonna finish it in time anyway” Regulus packed up his stuff and started to move with James a few steps behind. It was evident Regulus wasn’t fully awake as he was stumbling and yawning continuously.
James followed Regulus in the hallway even when they should have parted ways. Regulus didn’t notice at first - too busy trying to hold himself upright - but soon turned around.
“What are you doing?”
“Making sure you get to your dorm.”
“And why wouldn’t I be able to do that on my own?”
“Because you look about two seconds away from passing out.”
Regulus wanted to tell him to shove off again, but he was tired and incredibly aware of the notorious Gryffindor stubbornness, so he just scoffed and started walking again.
“So, why are you so tired?”
“I’ve already allowed you to walk with me, don’t expect me to talk.”
James went on, “It might be because of quidditch, but I doubt it since you never break a sweat during practice.”
“Listen, we’re not doing- wait- you spy on our practices?” It took a second for Reg’s sleep-addled brain to catch up with the conversation.
“No! I…heard it from a friend.”
“Oh really? Then do tell, what Slytherin friend do you have that’s on the quidditch team? I would love to know who’s talking about me so fondly.” Regulus smirked lazily, wondering what utter bullshit was about to come out of James' mouth.
James often trusted said mouth to just say things and have the perfect lie come out. This was the outcome.
“Lames Schmotter”
Regulus’ smirk fell into disappointment. One of the school’s biggest pranksters and he couldn’t even lie.
“You know the name of every kid who plays quidditch in this school, and that’s what you come up with?”
“Wow, you don’t know the name of one of the players on your own team? I’ll have you know Lames is one of the best beaters this school has ever seen.”
Regulus laughed. Giggled, if you want to be specific. Merlin, he really did need to get some sleep. James felt relieved that he didn’t have to admit to spying on the Slytherin team. So he laughed a little too.
They looked at each other for a moment, a little too long as silence fell over them. Regulus looked away first.
“So, why are you so tired?”
“Why do you need to know?”
“Can’t a guy just look after his best mate’s brother?”
“You’re already looking after me by walking me to my dorm as if I’m your date. I don’t need you asking after my well being.”
“First off, ew, you are not my type,” No, Regulus was not his type. Absolutely not. He could never, ever, ever, be attracted to Regulus. “and second if I’m already doing one, why not do the other?”
“Because the other requires more energy than I currently have.” Regulus stumbled and had to put his hand against the wall. Thankfully not touching any paintings, they tended to yell if woken up. James instinctively moved closer to Regulus when he saw him stumble but not close enough to touch. “Merlin, why are the Slytherin dorms in the dungeons? I’m gonna start hearing colors any moment now.”
“Always the drama queen, you Blacks are. If you are so dead set on being my date then I should just carry you down bridal style.”
“In your wet dreams, Potter.” Regulus started forward again. Not quite convinced James wouldn’t do exactly that if he stayed put any longer.
James felt his face heat. That was most definitely not how the phrase went. He moved a little further away, hoping Regulus couldn’t see him blushing.
“Also, I highly doubt my brother wants you talking to me right now, so that relieves you from all best friend’s brother duties you supposedly had.”
The mention of Sirius slightly sobered them both. Regulus cursed himself for bringing him up. Talking about his fractured relationship with his brother was the last thing he wanted to do at that moment. Especially not with the one who had a helping hand in fracturing it.
James was uncomfortable. Regulus was right, Sirius wouldn’t want him talking to Regulus. Or he would say that but then later that night have James tell him everything they said. He wasn’t sure what he was gonna do when he got back to the dorm. But that was future James’ problem. It’s not like Sirius would have a tantrum for talking to each other, a hissyfit at worst. And besides, they’re not sneaking around having deep, heartfelt conversations. He was just walking a student back to their dorm and hoping for a little small talk along the way.
Regulus suddenly perked up. James, glad to not have to continue the previous conversation, looked over at Regulus roughly grabbing his bag and searching through it, grumbling quietly.
“Dammit, I was in the library for three hours and didn’t even get what I went there for.” James thought Regulus was talking to him at first, but then realizing he was looking at the air, he was saying it to himself. Reg turned around, set out to walk all the way back to the library. James grabbed his arm.
“What are you doing?”
“You are just full of questions, aren’t you?” Regulus turned his head to look James in the eye, “I’m going back, obviously.”
“Even if you could physically do that, the library’s closed. Just get it tomorrow.”
The warmth from James’ grip on Regulus’ arm was nice. He was cold the whole time he slept in the library and the hall leading to the dungeons wasn’t much better. He was looking forward to getting under his emerald covers with the sounds of Barty’s horrid snoring blocked out by a silencing charm, but James’ hand will have to do for now.
“Fine, you’re so lucky I’m only semi-conscious right now, Potter. Usually, I would be much less lenient.”
“Oh, I’m sure.”
They continued their walk. They were officially in the dungeons now, walking along the dark, intricate corridors. James’ hand was no longer holding the upper half of Regulus’ arm, but it rather slid down. They were practically walking with their arms looped around the others’.
Regulus couldn’t see with his eyelids closing for longer periods of time. It was dark, quiet, and James' warmth was radiating off of him. This time when Regulus swayed, he leaned right into James.
“The hell are you-” James couldn’t believe what he was looking down at. Did Regulus really just snuggle into his side? Maybe he’s not fully conscious either. James stumbled back a few steps, having to hold Regulus up by his waist; he was fully leaning on him now.
“Shit, sorry. You’re really warm.” Regulus shuffled back away from James. Regulus blushed furiously, embarrassed that he just swooned into James Potter’s strong arms. Something pretty much every girl in the school wanted to do. Their fantasies probably ended very differently though, maybe a snog or a ride off into the sunset. Both of which Regulus was not inclined to do.
James could sense Regulus’ distress and tried to lighten the mood.
“You didn’t need to fall into my arms to tell me I’m hot, you could’ve just said so.”
That was the breaking point for Regulus. He didn’t care how tired he was, he just needed to get out of this dark hallway with James Potter. Actually, he would be glad to spend the rest of his life in this one hallway as long as he never had to see the wanker’s face ever again.
James thought his joke was hilarious and decided to push even further seeing as Regulus was speeding up. “Don’t run away, my love. This lighting is perfect for our midnight tryst.”
“Be quiet, dickhead.” Regulus kept walking faster as James tried to catch up with him. He could see the Slytherin dorm entrance up ahead. Hopefully, James would be too busy inflating his ego and not notice when Regulus said the password.
“Oh, my darling Reggie, you wound me. And right after you sunk into my arms so sweetly too.”
“Morgana Le Fay, would you shut your mouth already.”
“Only if I’m allowed to put my mouth in other places.”
Regulus nearly died. His face was bright red and he just wanted to go to sleep. He finally stood in front of the entrance, deciding whether to just blurt out the password or knock James out beforehand. James solved his problem as he finally caught up to him just standing there.
“Don’t worry, I already know the password. Jotunheim.” The entrance revealed itself to both of them. Regulus was too fed up with this night to even care about James anymore. He just walked right into the common room. James could go bother someone else. Hell, he could follow Regulus into his dorms for all he cared.
As soon as Regulus walked into his dorm, he crashed into his bed and slept. Decorum be damned.
James snickered all the way back to his dorm, remembering how flustered Regulus got at his lewd comments. When he walked in he saw Peter sprawled out on his bed, noise-canceling headphones on as always. He could snore as loud as a helicopter, but a pen drops and he’s fully awake.
Sirius is curled up in Remus’ bed. They tried to move their beds together but it was too much work changing it back every time the house elves cleaned the room. Sirius could spread out more but he had gotten used to sharing a twin with a six-foot - and counting- boy.
James put the book he’d been holding for quite some time now on the bedside table and yawned. He stripped down to his pants and got into bed.
In the end, Remus was right. He couldn’t get things done efficiently, but at least he had the image of a blushing boy with ink on his face to carry into his dreams.