Chapter Text
Honestly, sixth year is definitely the year James' anticipating. He just knew that this will be the year he would treasure. It all first started when he laid eyes on Regulus back on the train. It's like this man just gets more beautiful as years go by. Not that he's attracted to him, no. You can say he's just...very observant.
Though he also noticed the dark circles sitting under his eyes. He knows Sirius leaving really took a toll on the both of them. He has heard Sirius' silent sobbing when he thinks no one can hear him.
As if sensing someone watching him, Regulus looks up from the book he's reading. Meeting James' eyes. His face pulled into a frown. "What are you doing?"
"Came to say hi, Reg." He gently waved his hand as if to prove a point, displaying a tight-lipped smile.
"Don't call me that," Regulus deadpans before raising his book by his face. Clearly indicating that he's not interested in having a conversation.
"Well then, see you around, Reggie." He walked away before the man even get to complain about the nickname.
He was greeting by the solemn face of Sirius when he came back to their compartment, leaning onto Remus' shoulder. He was looking out to the window as if there's something interesting in grass, grass, and grass.
"Where were you?" Remus asked.
"The loo." He sat down next to Peter. "Just saw Regulus at the other compartment," He continued, eyeing Sirius as he visibly perked up.
Sirius suddenly stood up. Excusing himself to go. James knew the brothers needed to talk.
He came back a while later. His eyes, red-rimmed as he sunk down next to Remus.
It took a while for James to ask what happened. Breaking the deafening silence.
"He lashed out," Sirius muttered. "I mean, I understand since I left him there. I just hoped he wasn't closed off like that. I missed him, Prongs."
James walked up to him, opening his arms, offering a hug which Sirius accepted immediately. "I know," he whispered. He gently rubbed circles on Sirius' back. They were quickly enveloped in a hug. The four of them in the middle of the compartment.
-
It was devastating, seeing Sirius' constant attempt to talk to his brother only to be shunned down. But he was persistent. It hurts to see him try to smile after another failed attempt to talk to Regulus.
James wanted to talk to Regulus but he know it's not his problem to deal with. So he can only watch Sirius trying and trying and trying and being there for him when he was ignored.
He sure hoped Regulus would come around soon enough. He didn't know if this interest in Regulus was for Sirius or his own benefit. Either way he can't help but check up on him every chance he can get.
The somber look on his face only gets worse day by day. One time he saw Regulus in the library. His head lays on an open book he was reading. It's obvious that he doesn't get enough sleep. Even in his slumber, his face was still frowning, James wanted to press his thumb on the crease between his eyebrows to let his face relax.
Of course he didn't do it. He even wondered why he thought of that in the first place.
-
Regulus constantly feels James in his orbit. He can always feel him lingering around. It was not just him who notice. Barty even bugged him if he was having a secret rendezvous with James behind their backs. He threw a pillow at him in response.
James was not even trying to be subtle when he stare at Regulus' direction in the Great Hall. Every time he glanced up at the Gryffindor's table when he thought James tore his attention off him, their eyes would meet. Every. Fucking. Time.
It's like this man doesn't have anything else to do. Even Sirius takes a break every once in a while.
Regulus is getting annoyed, to be honest. Who wouldn't when someone you despise is a persistent little shit even when he's not trying.
"What exactly are you doing, Potter?" Regulus finally asked when one day he felt James' looming figure nearing his previously sleeping figure. He open his eyes to meet James' face near him. Cold grey eyes meeting his wide dark brown ones.
He was obviously startled, assuming Regulus was asleep. He quickly replaced his startled expression with a smug one. "Did you know you snore when you sleep?"
He quickly sat straight up. "I do not," Regulus frowned.
"I wish my ears were deceiving me but no, you snore quite loudly." James smirked. "As for what I was doing. I wanted to wake you up 'cause you're disturbing students with your snorts."
"Sure," Regulus replies, obviously not believing every word the man said. "As if I didn't notice littering around when you think I don't know. Honestly, Potter, I would assume you fancy me."
He expected a defensive reply. But edge of his lips just upturned. "What if I do?"
"Oh shove off."
"Sirius misses you, you know?" James suddenly said, quietly.
Regulus was obviously taken aback. So this is what this is about. "Why do you care, Potter. I obviously don't care. Mind your own business." He quickly stood and took his things to get out of the library. If his heart clenched at the statement. Nobody's gonna know about it.
-
A few weeks has passed. Regulus slumped back down to his bed, shakily sighing in relief. It was him who approached Sirius this time after weeks of trying to talk to him. The heavy feeling in his chest immediately vanishing after their talk. He sure missed his brother dearly. He can dwell on that the best he can and ignore the situation in his own household. That is a problem future Regulus would handle. Tonight, he would bask on this giddy feeling.
"You seem to be in a good mood. I'm assuming the talk went well?" Pandora, who was sitting by his bed asked.
"I feel like I can sleep peacefully now."
"Oh, thank Merlin," Evan commented. "I wouldn't have to deal with you moping late at night anymore."
"Fuck you," he glared at him. "I don't mope."
"As you say so."
-
James immediately knew the talk went well when Sirius came back all smiley and jumpy. He got quite worried when Regulus got up to their table at the Great Hall, asking Sirius if he could talk to him. He sags in relief, ecstatic to see the brothers fix their relationship.
But then, James suddenly realized that now that the situation is okay, he wouldn't have a reason to approach Regulus now. Just when he (finally) admitted to himself that he quite fancy him. Maybe observing him for Sirius is just one of the factors of why he was drawn to him.
-
"I'll walk you there, come on," James wasn't even supposed to be there. Regulus is on his way to Charms when James suddenly appeared by his side. Asking where he was going. Even offering to carry his things.
"Don't you have classes to attend to?"
"Doesn't matter, let's go," James said as walked ahead of him.
Regulus hastily walked by his side. This long legged bastard. Seriously, what does this guy want? His relationship with Sirius is obviously okay now so he doesn't see the reason why James keep lingering.
"Why are you here, anyway?"
"Well, I was serving detention."
"So you escaped to sneak up on me? I'm a prefect you know?"
"Oh I am aware. You wouldn't take points from me now, wouldn't you?" Before he even gets a chance to reply, they finally arrived. "I'll be back after class, Reggie." James waves as he gave him his things. "Don't be surprised next time, love. Liligawan na kita."