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i.
‘Will you marry me?!’ The words were out of James’ mouth before he could stop them, tripping off his tongue too fast but articulate enough that the frankly stunning man, nay angel, in front of him raised an exquisitely manicured eyebrow.
‘Ugh, Prongs, can you not?’ Sirius huffed, ushering the angel before him further into the room. ‘And for fucks sake go and put some clothes on!’
‘Why? Jealous, Padfoot?’
Sirius choked out a derisive sort of a cough. ‘Er, no.’
‘You should be.’ The angel spoke for the first time, giving James an obvious once over. James sucked his tummy in just a bit. ‘And no. I won’t.’
‘What?’ The word caught in his throat as he attempted to subtly puff his chest out.
‘No I won’t marry you.’ The angel smirked slightly. ‘Thank you for asking though.’
‘You sure I can’t change your mind?’
‘Boooooo!’ Sirius said loudly, grasping the angel’s wrist and tugging him past James towards the sofa.
James spun round as they passed and watched as Sirius plonked himself down, pulling the other with him.
‘James! Clothes. Now.’ James ignored him and sauntered over, sitting down in the armchair opposite, making sure to splay his thighs just right.
‘So,’ he flashed his most winning smile, ‘What’s a guy got to do to get a name around here?’
Sirius threw the T.V remote at him. ‘Shut the fuck up Prongs.’
James mimed zipping his lips and gave the angel a wink, watching delightedly as a faint blush spread across the apples of his cheeks.
Sirius looked between them and rolled his eyes with a dramatic huff. ‘Regulus this is James, my moronic flatmate and so-called best friend. James, this is Regulus,’ he gave James a pointed look, ‘My little-.’
‘What an interesting name.’ James interrupted, leaning forward and casually propping an elbow on the arm of the chair. ‘Why don’t you tell me about it?’
The angel, Regulus, let out a laugh. ‘Yeh, sure. Regulus is the brightest star in the Leo constellation.’
‘Fascinating. What a unique name. I’ve never heard of a name like it before.’
‘Erm, hello?!’ Sirius looked at him in disbelief.
James managed to tear his eyes away for a moment to look at Sirius. ‘Oh, hey Sirius.’
‘My name is literally Sirius!’
‘Yeh, I know.’ James looked back at Regulus and then tipped his head in Sirius’ direction before giving it a small, exasperated shake. ‘I just said it didn’t I.’
Regulus burst out laughing.
‘You’re a dick, you know that?’ Sirius glared at James and then got up. ‘I’m going to go and get a drink.’ He stomped off towards the kitchen, James gave the back of his head a wave.
‘So,’ he started again, turning back to Regulus. ‘How do you know Padfoot?’
Regulus levelled him with a sceptical look. ‘That’s a joke right?’
‘Is it from that posh school he went to?’
‘What? No. Well, I mean I was at school with him but that’s only because-‘
‘He’s my brother and you know it. Prick.’ Sirius reappeared, slamming three bottles of beer down on the coffee table.
‘Your brother?!’ James looked between the two of them. ‘But he’s gorgeous!’
‘We look exactly the same!’
‘You absolutely don’t. You look like Sirius and he- he looks edible.’
‘Right!’ Sirius stood up abruptly, ‘Right! Come on Reg.’
Regulus got up slowly, eyes still fixed on James. ‘Where are we going?’
‘Away from this delusional idiot!’
‘Sure,’ Regulus said, easy as anything, beginning to follow Sirius out the living room towards the bedroom, hips swaying. He paused the door and turned back to James, who was currently being lulled into a hypnotic state by aforementioned hips. ‘James?’
‘Hmm?’ James slowly dragged his gaze upwards until their eyes met and then seemed to snap out of it. ‘I mean, yes?’
Regulus’ mouth quirked up at one side in a lopsided smile and then, with no chance for James to prepare himself, he bit down on his bottom lip, sucking it into his mouth. James knew, at that exact moment, that he was well and truly done for.
‘It was nice meeting you, James.’
ii.
‘Am I in heaven?’ James’ vision blurred as he tried to blink away the darkness, the vision standing in front of him flickering as he struggled to keep his eyes open.
The was a low chuckle and James felt something brush his cheek briefly before a weight settled on his shoulder. ‘No, James. You’re in recovery.’
‘Hmm?’ James rolled his head to the side looking blearily upwards. ‘Oh wow!’
Regulus smiled. ‘Hello sleeping beauty. How’re you feeling?’
‘Feeling good.’ James slurred. ‘How long until the anaesthetic kicks in?’
‘Your surgery is already done, love.’
‘Already? Man that was fast.’
‘You’ve been out for two hours.’
‘Woah! Did I just time-travel?!’ James reached out and started to haphazardly pat Regulus’ arm.
Regulus opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted by the nurse peering round the edge of the curtain.
‘Great, we’re awake!’ He slipped through the opening, ‘Shall we get you sat up? James nodded amenably and let the nurse lift the head of the bed. ‘How do you feel? Any pain?’
James shook his head and then frowned. He opened and closed his mouth a few times and then reached up his hand and jammed two fingers into his mouth.
‘No, James!’ Regulus grasped his wrist and tugged his hand away, fingers sliding free with a wet sounding pop. The nurse laughed.
‘Feels funny, darlin’?’ James nodded, now gently tapping the side of his swollen cheek. ‘You’ve got packing where the teeth were extracted,’ the nurse explained. ‘It’s to help with-‘
‘What’s this?’ James cut him off, distracted as he noticed the IV line. ‘Oooh! What’s under here?!’ He made to peel off the Tegaderm.’
‘Oh my God, James stop it!’ Regulus grabbed his wrist again and then linked their hands together. He looked at the nurse who was grinning. ‘How long will he be all loopy?’
‘Won’t be long. I’ll be back in around fifteen. Give it another ten minutes or so and it’ll have worn off.’
‘I bloody well hope so.’ Regulus muttered as the nurse disappeared through he curtain and watching as James lifted their joined hands and began to rub his face up and down Regulus’ forearm. ‘Careful, James,’ he warned. ‘Your face is very swollen.’
‘You’d make such a great carpet.’ James nosed at the dark hair the covered Regulus’ arms.
‘Excellent.’ Regulus said, unimpressed. ‘Thanks for that.’
‘You’re welcome!’ James said, a trail of saliva dribbling out the side of his mouth. ‘Love you.’
Regulus clicked his tongue. ‘That’s the drugs talking. Do you even know who I am right now?’
James looked at him, brown eyes narrowed slightly. ‘Regulus Arcturus Black.’
‘Oh.’ Regulus sounded surprised. ‘Okay.’
‘Love you.’ James said again, now rocking his head from side to side with his eyes closed.
‘Erm. Thank… you?’
James stilled and opened his eyes with a soft, dopey smile. ‘Will you marry me?’
Regulus huffed a laugh. ‘Not this again. James, we’ve only been going out a month.’
‘That’s what Moony said.’ James scowled. ‘Moony’s so boring.’ He paused a moment. ‘He’s got a great arse though.’
Regulus did laugh then. ‘Hasn’t he just. But no, James, I won’t marry you.’
James looked at him, a contemplative gaze which then broke into his trademark cheeky grin, albeit more crooked and with considerably more spit involved than usual. ‘Yeh, you will.’ He drawled confidently. ‘Just you wait.’
iii.
James let out a long breath as he came to a stop outside Regulus’ closed bedroom door. He lifted his hand to knock but before he could Regulus called out, voice croaky. ‘You can come in, James.’
He pushed the door open and slipped inside, closing it behind him. The room was in semi-darkness; just the bedside lamp and the fading daylight lighting up room. Regulus was lying on the bed, curled up on his side. He was wearing one of James’ ratty old hoodies, legs bare and his eyes red rimmed. James thought he still looked like an angel.
‘Hey,’ he croaked, rolling onto his back.
‘Hey, you.’ James shrugged his jacket off his shoulder and let it drop to the floor and then kicked off his shoes. He made his way over to the bed and sat down on the end, reaching for Regulus’ hand. Regulus looped their fingers together and ran his thumb over James’ knuckles.
‘Oh come here.’ Regulus shifted over, pulling James further onto the bed and the resting his head on James’ chest.
James wrapped an arm around him. ‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘Me neither.’ Regulus said, voice muffled into James’ jumper. ‘I’m just trying really hard not to freak the fuck out.’
James chuckled. ‘And how’s that going for you?’
‘Not. Well.’ Regulus raised his head to look up at James. ‘What a fucking cock up, hey?’
‘A cock certainly was up somewhere.’
Regulus began whacking James’ shoulder. ‘That was terrible.’
‘Ow!’ James laughed, grabbing Regulus hand and pulling is away. ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry!’
Regulus kicked him instead for good measure and then let his head flop back down. ‘What’re we going to do?’
‘I don’t know,’ James admitted, as his slid the hand currently resting on Regulus hip over onto his stomach. ‘But it’ll work out. It always does.’
They lay in silence for a while, listening to the odd car drive past outside and the low level hums of people coming and going as the light faded completely.
‘Do you know the date yet?’ James asked eventually, slipping his hand underneath Regulus’ hoodie, a warm palm against cool skin.
‘31st July.’
‘Summer.’
‘Yep. I got some folic acid yesterday.’
‘Yeh?’ James started to move his hand in gentle circles.
‘It makes me feel sick.’
James tapped his teeth together a couple of times. ‘Is it just folic acid?’
‘No, it’s got vitamin D in it too.’
‘That’ll be what’s making you feel sick.’ James kissed the top of Regulus’ head. ‘We can get you some new stuff tomorrow if you want.’
Regulus just hummed a response, quiet for another moment. ‘I can’t believe you knocked me up first go.’
James took a deep breath and tipped his head back. ‘It’s not like I did it on purpose!’
‘I know, Jamie. I’m teasing.’ Regulus tangled their ankles together. ‘Shall we go to sleep? We can talk more tomorrow.’
‘Yeh, ok.’ James pulled away so he could shuck off his jeans and pull his jumper off as Regulus leaned over to turn the light off. They both got settled, kicking at the duvet until they could pull it up over them and this time James shuffled down to rest his head against Regulus’ collar bone.
‘I’m a bit scared, Reggie.’
‘I know.’ Regulus said, running his fingers through James’ hair. ‘Me too.’
James took a deep breath. ‘Regulus?’
‘Hmm?’
‘Will you marry me?’
Regulus gave a sad sounding sigh and reached out under the covers to find James’ hand. ‘No, James.’
‘Yeh,’ James rolled back over onto his back. ‘I didn’t think so. Fuck,’ he groaned, thumping his head against the pillow. ‘Sirius is going to kill me.’
Regulus gave his hand a squeeze. ‘Yep. He really is.’
iv.
‘It’s fucking freezing out here.’ Regulus moaned as he stuck his hands into his coat pocket, jumping from foot to foot a little. ‘Can’t we just go and watch them on the tele?’
‘No!’ James bundled Regulus into his chest and swayed them from side to side, uncaring of the mass of people that surrounded them. ‘Stick you hands under my arms.’
‘Ugh, no!’ Regulus ducked out from James’ hold. ‘Why would that help?’
‘I’m all sweaty.’ James said, completely unashamed. ‘Come, it’ll warm you up.’
‘You’re revolting, you know that?’ Regulus said but he pulled his hands out his pockets and let James tuck them under his arms.
‘Yeh but you love me anyway.’
‘Maybe.’ Regulus lifted his chin in a bid for superiority. James licked his Adam’s apple.
‘Gross. Get off me.’ Regulus tried to push him away but James just clamped his arms down tighter, laughing loudly. ‘Humph,’ Regulus grumbled. ‘And you call Sirius a dog.’
‘That’s because he is.’ James nodded to the right. ‘I mean look at him!’
Regulus looked in the direction James was gesturing to see Sirius and Remus practically eating one another’s faces. Remus had a thigh between Sirius’ legs and they were grinding together without a care in the world. Regulus screwed up his face.
‘They’ll get arrested if they carry on like that.’
‘Wouldn’t be the first time.’ James said cheerfully and then he wolf whistled loudly. Remus and Sirius broke just for enough time for Remus to flick James the V before they were glued together once more.
‘How much longer?’ Regulus asked, extracting his hands and turning so his back was pressed up against James’ body.
James wrapped both arms around him. ‘Couple of minutes. We’ll watch and then go and facetime my parents, see if Harry’s still awake, yeh?’
‘James it’s midnight. He’s not going to be.’
‘He might be! Anyway, even if he’s not mum can still take us up to see him.’
Regulus rested his head back of James’ shoulder and smiled up at him.
‘What?’
‘Nothing.’ Regulus closed his eyes and opened his mouth slightly for a kiss, which James didn’t hesitate to give him. ‘I love you.’
‘I love you too. So much and-‘ James’ voice was drowned out by the crowd around them roaring into life.
‘10! 9! 8!’
‘Yay! It’s time!’ Both James and Regulus looked skywards.
‘3! 2! 1! HAPPY NEW YEAR!’
Colour exploded across the dark sky as everyone around them cheered. There was a flurry of movement as people turned to kiss and hug those around them but Regulus didn’t move, watching in awe as the fireworks crackled and banged. James watched as the shadows flickered across his face, making his eyes sparkle. He looked beautiful.
James dropped down onto one knee.
‘No.’ Regulus said loudly, eyes still fixed on the sky above. ‘Don’t even think about it.’
‘What? Why?!’ James said indignantly, refusing to get up.
‘Proposing on New Years is a horrible cliché, James.’
‘You are so annoying.’ James grouched, getting back up as Regulus finally looked at him.
‘Sorry, sweetheart. And anyway, Harry isn’t here. I want him to be there.’
‘Oh?’ James looked at him hopefully.
‘But if you get one of those shitty babygros that says Daddy will you marry my Daddy? I will kill you.’
James nodded seriously. ‘Noted.’
v.
James nudged Regulus as they stood, watching Sirius and Remus twirl slowly on the dance floor. Regulus looked back at him with a smile.
‘I can’t believe they’ve actually done it.’ Regulus murmured, letting down Harry who was beginning to wriggle. ‘They look so happy.’
‘They are so happy.’ James said, catching the glint of the, frankly obscene, diamond now situated on Remus’ finger. Sirius caught his gaze and then pointed to Harry. ‘Hazza, I think Uncle Pads and Uncle Moony want you to go dance with them!’
Remus had bent down and had his arms outstretched and James gave Harry a little push, smiling as he went to Remus with a happy squeak.
James looked back at Regulus. ‘Wanna dance?’
Regulus took one last look at Remus and Sirius, who now had Harry sandwiched in between them as the song shifted to something with a faster beat. ‘Sure.’ And he laughed as James gave his own squeak, not unlike Harry’s and pulled him onto the dance floor.
‘Fuck, not so fast!’ Regulus grabbed James’ upper arms as he began to spin them round and round. ‘I’ve had way too much champagne for that!’
‘But it’s fun!’ James shouted over the music, attempting to spin them again. ‘I promise I won’t let you fall!’
‘It’s not the falling I’m worried about.’ Regulus shouted back. ‘It’s the vomit over the Italian leather shoes I’m thinking about.’
‘Oh, right.’ James stopped spinning them, still grinning. ‘Sorry.’
‘You’re an idiot.’ Regulus said fondly. ‘Now dance with me like a normal person. You can spin Sirius around like a maniac later.’
They danced for a while. Remus, Sirius and Harry joining them until they were all out of breath and gasping for air.
‘Come on, Mr. Lupin.’ Remus said eventually, reaching up to press a sweaty kiss to Sirius’ lips. ‘I need a drink.’
’I’m wait-ing,’ Sirius singsonged.
Remus rolled his eyes. ‘Hop on then.’ He bent down and Sirius jumped onto his back and Regulus, James and Harry watched as Remus galloped off towards the bar, Sirius’ ‘Ye-haw!’ echoing in their ears.
‘Well…’ Regulus looked at James. ‘That was something.’
‘Uncle Remus is Uncle Sirius’ horse.’ Harry said as matter of fact as anything. ‘Uncle Sirius rides him all the time. I hearded him tell Daddy.’
‘Did you now?’ Regulus turned an unimpressed face to look at James.
‘Hahaha.’ James gave a weak chuckle and scooped Harry up, ignoring Regulus entirely. ‘You thirsty little man? Shall we go and get some juice?’
‘Juice!’ Harry cheered and giggled as James jiggled him up and down.
‘Coming darling?’
‘Don’t you darling me!’ Regulus scoffed as he followed James and Harry off the dance floor. ‘You’re in trouble.’
‘Me, trouble? Never.’ James walked them over to a table and sat Harry down. ‘Champagne?’
‘Whiskey sour.’
‘Coming right up.’
James wasn’t five minutes before he returned with two glasses and a carton of juice for Harry, who had been kidnapped by Marlene for a cuddle. He put them down on the table and then sat, pulling Regulus off his chair and onto his lap. ‘You having a good time.’
Regulus leant back against him. ‘Yeh. Really good. I’m just so happy he found his someone.’
‘Yeh.’ James kissed just below his ear. ‘Me too. They’re perfect for one another.’
They both looked over. Sirius and Remus were standing in the corner, out of the way of the rest of the guests. They had their arms wrapped around one another, Sirius tucked under Remus’ chin as they spun in slow circles, a complete contrast to the music playing, totally lost in one another.
‘They are.’ Regulus sighed and snuggled into the crook of James neck. ‘And so are we.’
‘Uh oh.’ James teased resting the side of his head on Regulus’. ‘Someone’s had too much too drink. You’ve gone all sappy.’
‘Shut up.’ Regulus mumbled.
James gave a low laugh. ‘Sorry. You’re right. We are perfect for each other.’ He looked back over towards Sirius and Remus who were now kissing slowly. Remus’ hand was cupping Sirius’ cheek and Sirius’ was rubbing small circles over Remus’ lower back. They were so in love James could feel the emotion bubbling up to the surface.
‘Regulus?’ He whispered after a few moments.
Regulus tipped his head up to look at him. ‘I know that look, James. Don’t even think about it.’
‘But-‘
‘Not on their wedding day. We don’t want to be those people.’
‘Ugh, fair enough.’ James dropped his head so their foreheads were pressed together. ‘One of these days I’m going to get it right though.’
Regulus gave him an Eskimo kiss. ‘We’ll see.’
+1
‘Cheers love.’ Regulus took the glass of wine James offered him, moving over to make room on the sofa. ‘Did he go down ok?’
‘Had to read Mr Noisy twice, otherwise no issues.’ James kicked his legs up to rest his feet on the coffee table. ‘What’re we watching?’
‘No idea.’ Regulus leant over to pick up the remote and passed it to James. ‘You choose.’
James flicked through the channels a moment, eventually settling on some sort of sitcom. He threw the remote down next to him and wrapped an arm around Regulus’ shoulder, pulling him against his side.
Regulus sipped at his wine and they sat in companionable silence as the programme played on in the background. Next to him James’ eyes started to close. He was wearing a ratty old pair of joggers that once upon a time drove Regulus crazy. Now they had bleach splatters up one leg where James had dropped one of Harry’s baby bottles mid-clean. His t-shirt was stretched tight across his chest, washed too many on a hot wash and his eyes flickered to James forearm where the Leo constellation was inked into his dark skin. A wash of pure contentment swept over him.
‘James?’
‘Hmm? Yes?’ James’ eyes snapped open. ‘You ok? Need something?’
Regulus didn’t say anything, just took him all in.
‘Reg? What’s up?’
The words were out his mouth before he could check himself. ‘Will you marry me?’
James stared at him. ‘Erm.. what?’
‘You heard.’ Regulus nudged him with his knee.
‘I did.’ James said slowly. ‘You asked me to- you don’t have a toothache, do you?’
‘What?’ Regulus laughed, confused. ‘No!’
‘Okay, but I asked once when I had a toothache and-‘
‘You’d just had your wisdom teeth out, Jamie. You were all loopy.’
‘Right. Right. Sure. Oh my God! You’re not,’ he gestured wildly at Regulus’ stomach. ‘You’re not pregnant are you?’
‘I bloody well hope not,’ Regulus said, draining his glass of wine and the glass on the side table. ‘And unlike you I don’t throw proposals around as a default to when someone’s knocked up.’
‘I think you’ll find I was being honourable.’ James said haughtily and then, ‘Wait. It’s not a special occasion is it? Something I’ve forgotten?’
‘Oh my God, James! No!’
‘But you asked me to marry you!’ James spluttered. ‘Just now!’
‘I know!’ Regulus laughed again. ‘Now shut the fuck up and go and get that ring that I know you’ve got stashed away at the back of the wardrobe and put it on my bloody finger!’
‘Okay! Yes!’ James leapt up and bounded out the room. He was back in less than a minute, a small navy blue velvet box clutched in one hand. He stopped in front of Regulus and went to open the box.
Regulus cleared his throat pointedly and James looked at him. Regulus nodded towards the floor.
‘Oh right.’ James grinned and dropped down onto one knee. Regulus clasped his hands together expectantly and James opened the box. The platinum band, studded with black diamonds sparkled in lamplight.
‘I never did write that heartfelt speech.’ James mused to himself.
Regulus rolled his eyes good naturedly. ‘Just get on with it.’
James winked at him and carefully pulled the ring from the box. ‘Regulus Arcturus Black, will you marry me?’
‘Yes, James Fleamont Potter. I think I will.’ And he reached out his hand and let James slide the ring on.
It was a perfect fit.