Chapter Text
1 - Regulus
Summer at the Potter residence is always beautiful, although James could argue he’s a little biased.
He relaxes under the rare English sunshine, embracing the day by kicking back in his garden. There’s a gentle warm wind that breezes across his skin and a barely-there sound of rustling leaves from a tree further back. The only other thing James has heard in the last five minutes is the turning of pages and he tilts his head to look at his company for the day.
Regulus Black sits in the shade, eyes focused on his book, looking content. He’s still got the signs of a bruise on his cheekbone and something about the slight discolouration on his skin makes James’ stomach turn in anger. He has to take a breath to remind himself that both of the brothers are out of that house for good and safe within the walls of his own home.
They had shown up two weeks ago, the pair of them. Both bloody, both in pain, both scared. James’ mum wasted no time ushering them inside and his dad had been just as quick to wrap them up and get them healed. Sirius, James knows, is used to the love and affection that Fleamont and Euphemia give out so freely. Regulus, at the time, was shocked by the entire thing, as though basic compassion from parental figures was just that foreign to him.
He seems to have eased into it a bit now though, James thinks, as he looks over the younger boy. The first few days were rocky, but now he makes himself comfortable in whatever room James is in. And honestly, James feels privileged that Regulus trusts him so easily. Not that he’s ever given him a reason not to, but he certainly likes the validation of it all. He’s always been incredibly fond of Regulus, and he doesn’t think he’s ever hidden it very well.
Regulus seems to notice him looking as he glances up, tilting his head to the side and raising an eyebrow in question.
“Just looking, Reg,” James provides as an answer.
A blush crosses Regulus’ cheeks – also not unusual, James realises – before he gives him a small glare and returns to his book. It’s sweet that after five years of friendship, however rocky and sometimes volatile it may be, he still gets shy around him. He’s tempted to tease him, he has before, but decides against it in favour of letting the other boy relax.
Merlin knows, he deserves it.
They stay there for a while, just existing in the same space. Sirius is out for the day, spending the night over at Remus’, and his parents are away for a few days for their latest Ministry campaign research so he’s happy for the company. It seems Regulus feels the same way as, throughout the afternoon, he’s shuffling closer to where James is laying.
Eventually, James can even make out what book he’s reading. Maurice, E. M. Forster. It’s Muggle. Interesting.
He’s going to question what it’s about when he catches Regulus sending multiple glances towards the sky with a frown. At first, James thinks it’s because of the sun going in. Now, he looks to see Regulus focusing on a particular dark set of clouds.
“Do you think it’s going to rain?” he asks, quietly.
James looks at the blanket of approaching grey, “Yeah. Maybe. Could be a Summer storm.”
Regulus’ eyebrows furrow, “Oh. I see.”
“Do you want to go back inside?”
He nods, turning over the corner of his page – oh, and Moony would absolutely hate that! - and closing his book. When he stands, he reaches for James’ hand to help him to his feet. James likes the contact; he’s always been a very physically affectionate person though.
Almost immediately, Regulus lets him go and scurries off inside without even a glance behind him. It’s highly likely that he just doesn’t want to get caught in the rain and would rather curl up in his bedroom with a book but James can’t help but worry that the younger Black brother shares a similar phobia with his older sibling.
The rest of the evening is calm. Fleamont left food that could be reheated on the side for the pair of them and Regulus briefly leaves his room to snatch up the plate and offers him a small but genuine smile before he rushes away again. James doesn’t mind too much. While he likes being around him, he knows when not to cross boundaries. If Regulus needs some solitude, he’s more than happy to leave him to it.
He doesn’t stop to question why he misses him already.
It’s 2 am when he hears a timid knock on his door.
He’s only been half-asleep for the last three hours, the heavy sound of rain and the occasional boom of thunder waking him up every time he gets settled. At first, he thinks he’s imagined the sound at his door before it happens again, a little louder and a little more desperately than the time before. There’s only one person who it can be.
James scrambles out of bed, almost losing his footing due to lingering exhaustion before he rushes to the door and opens it wide.
Regulus is standing on the other side, hand still in the air as though he’s going to knock again. His hair is a little wild, his eyes are almost comically wide. He drops his hovering hand and glances past him, shooting a mistrustful look towards the window.
“Alright?” James asks gently.
He knows he’s not. He’s seen the same thing with Sirius.
Regulus’ gaze returns to him and he hesitantly nods. The action is pointless immediately as another rumble of thunder shakes across the house and James watches as Regulus stiffens, squeezing his eyes shut and closing his palms into fists.
James waits for Regulus to collect himself before he speaks again.
“The storm, right?”
Grey eyes shoot open and he glares at him.
“Don’t mock me,” he says, shakily.
“I wasn’t mocking you. Why would I mock you?”
Regulus frowns at him. James knows that he’s never really understood why he doesn’t pick on him like he does the other Slytherins. The obvious house rivalry has always been a strain for them, but James has been firm in his stance of Regulus being off-limits. Sometimes, he doubts the younger boy fully believes his sincerity to keep him protected.
More thunder sounds. Regulus flinches again.
“Come in,”
Regulus says, “I -” and then pauses, “when Sirius…”
“I know,” James interrupts softly. He knows how Sirius reacts to storms, he’s heard the stories of his best friend running into Regulus’ room when they were children and hiding them both under the covers to try and block it all out. He knows because he’s been there for Sirius too. He repeats, “Come in.”
Regulus hesitates. So, James holds out his hand. He knows Regulus trusts him enough to take it if he’s at his door – he just needs a little push… or pull.
It only takes a flash of lightning in the distance for Regulus to step forward and link their fingers, squeezing his hand a little harder than necessary. James didn’t mind. He gently pulls him over to the bed, half expecting Regulus to complain as he encourages him to follow. Regulus stays quiet, pulling back the covers while still keeping their hands linked and ducking under the blankets.
James wants to laugh at how adorable it is. But he bites his tongue and crawls under too. The last thing he wants to do is seem patronising.
Regulus is still clinging to his hand, looking down at their fingers with a contemplative expression. He shakes a little less when thunder sounds again but the panic is still evident. James lets go of his hand and opens his arms instead.
“Come here?” he offers.
For a second, Regulus looks concerned that James will retract the offer if he dares to move closer. But he gives in as he watches James create a space for Regulus to cuddle into.
He shifts a little closer, letting James tuck the blanket behind him as he wraps him in his arms. It’s nice, he thinks as Regulus lets out a relieved sigh, to be this close to him. It must be the lingering affection he feels from their peaceful day together that makes him want to keep Reg there as long as possible.
James realises he’s perfectly content to just lie there and he feels himself drifting off, completely calm with the younger Black brother in his grasp. The storm eases up and he can feel the tension leave Regulus’ shoulders in his fuzzy moments of consciousness. He hums happily and hugs him a little tighter.
He isn’t sure how much time passes, but he’s immediately woken up when the warmth at his chest is suddenly absent. He slowly blinks his eyes open, wishing away the exhaustion as he looks over to see that Regulus has rolled away from him. He’s sitting at the edge of his bed, head in his hands. A glance out the window shows that the storm has passed, so whatever is bothering Regulus is more in his own mind.
James props himself on his elbows, “You alright?”
Regulus startles at his voice and looks over. He’s frowning, he can see that much even in the limited light, and James feels an automatic urge to pull him back in and try and take the sadness away. He almost aches at the desperation to do so. Instead, he waits patiently as Regulus seems to collect himself.
“Fine,” he replies blankly, brushing his hair out of his face. “I just – I didn’t want to overstay my welcome.”
James snorts, “Overstay your welcome,” he repeats back in jest. Regulus scowls at him. “It’s just my bed, Reggie. You can stay in it as long as you like.”
The words make Regulus flush a furious red. James isn’t particularly sure why. It suits him though…
“Don’t…” Regulus mutters, scrunching his fingers on the duvet, “Don’t toy with me.”
James tilts his head, “I’m not.” He sits up a little straighter, reaching out to gently place his hand on his shoulder. Regulus shrugs him off. “Hey, just talk to me, yeah?”
“Merlin above, Potter, I like you,” Regulus whispers harshly into the darkness, turning his face away completely. “Do you get it, now?”
James pauses. Is that all?
And a moment later, he thinks, Oh, that’s sweet. Of course, he knows that Regulus considers him a friend but this is the first time he’s ever actually acknowledged it out loud. It’s nice to be reminded that their fondness for one another is not one-sided. A verbal confirmation of their friendship.
James smiles brightly. “I like you, too,” he replies easily.
Regulus, bless him, actually looks surprised as he turns back. “You do?”
He nods, watching as the younger boy seems to short-circuit. He opens and closes his mouth, his usual eloquence vanishing just because of a simple declaration of friendship. James considers it sort of endearing; and this time when he reaches out, Regulus leans into his touch instead.
“Now that we’ve got that settled,” he says, pulling on his arm gently, “will you come back to bed? I’m knackered.”
Regulus stares at him. He looks so shocked and so, so hopeful. James wonders which asshole turned down being Regulus’ mate to make him so openly awed by someone accepting him. He supposes it doesn’t matter anymore, James will make sure Regulus never feels lonely again.
It just feels right when Regulus curls back into his arms
“I can’t believe this is real…” Regulus murmurs, reverence in his tone.
At first, James isn’t quite sure what he means. And then, it hits him. He must mean being away from Grimmauld Place! He’s sure it must be quite the change for him, going from somewhere so frightening to be welcomed somewhere safe. He hopes that Regulus will always feel comfortable, as much as he hopes that he’ll get used to this new reality; where he’s looked after and loved.
James presses a light kiss to the top of Regulus' head.
“I’ll always be here, Reggie. I promise.” James says.
Regulus responds with, “Embarrassing…” but his hold gets tighter.
It’s easy to fall asleep after that. James isn’t sure why it’s the best rest he’s had in years.