Work Text:
Regulus didn't know it would get to this point. Maybe he felt or thought it would happen but he never knew that this moment would actually come.
He sat in tears and begged his brother not to go. Don't leave him alone. His brother Sirius was 16 years, older than Regulus by 2 years. But he hadn't really spoken much in recent years, until tonight when his parents got angry and put every possible curse on Sirius.
Seeing Sirius' eyes after that, Regulus knew what was coming. He knew he wanted to run, and he wanted to let him go but he couldn't.
-Please, please, Sirius, if you leave I will die in no time in this house. Don't leave. - begged Regulus through tears looking at Sirius throwing various things into a bag.
-Reggie, if I stay here, I won't live much longer, I can barely move, I'm full of blood at the moment.- explained Sirius, taking Regulus' face in his hands and wiping away the tears.
-Don't leave me here. If I stay here alone, they will find out about me and then I will marry Rabastan earlier, they already moved the date when he finishes school. They won't let me finish it either.- Regulus admits, of course Sirius had helped Regulus with his transformations when they came home so his parents wouldn't know he was trans but without him they would find out right away.
-Come with me.- Sirius said calmly and Regulus froze not even considering the option of going with him.
-Potter's? – asks Regulus.
-Yes, James' parents will definitely like you, just come with me and we'll get out of here.- Sirius continued, and Regulus couldn't believe it.
-Are you sure I can come with you? Regulus murmured.
-Of course, initially I thought you didn't want to get rid of this family, but we can leave, we can be happy.
* ∼ *
Regulus and Sirius ran away 2 weeks ago. When they arrived at the door of Potter Manor, they were all startled by what they saw, especially Sirius' condition, but they made sure that Regulus was still fine.
The fact that she had to see James all the time now is a benefit and a curse. Because it gives her new feelings for the boy, but she knows he wouldn't look at a trans boy.
Now Regulus has a room in the mansion and also this morning is his 15th birthday. He doesn't expect anything from this day, he'd rather it didn't exist but when he comes down to breakfast he's greeted by his new family with some floating balloons, and party hats and a cake in hand.
-Happy birthday!- they all shout at once as Regulus enters the room and Regulus remains motionless, sitting like a statue and feeling the tears starting to fall down his cheeks.
Then all the smiles he was seeing, disappeared and concern appeared.
-Honey are you okay?- asks Effie.
-Reggie, why are you crying?- Sirius hears.
- I think he got emotional. - says James when he approaches to hug him.
Then Regulus returned, and was immediately ashamed of his reaction. When she pulled out of James' embrace and wiped away her tears.
-I am sorry. I have never been celebrated on my birthday. Actually usually this day is kind of bad.- he admits, Sirius doesn't know about it because he always locks himself in his room when the vacation starts but their parents on this day are more terrible than usual, so Regulus was tortured every year without reason.
- Oh dear. From now on your day will be wonderful and I will make sure of that. - says Effie when she takes him in her arms. Her hug is much more comfortable, maybe because he doesn't feel awkward but lets himself sink into the sensation.
* ∼ *
It had been 2 years since he had lived at the Potters, Sirius and James had graduated and moved right after that, but Regulus was still a year old and still living with Effie and Monty.
Their relationship has become much closer, especially since Regulus calls them mom and dad. And it might be weird that he liked their son, but Effie assured him that it wasn't weird.
Effie found out about Regulus' crush right after James started dating a girl in his senior year. To everyone's surprise it wasn't Lily, but maybe a factor was Lily being in a long term relationship with Pandora, Regulus' friend.
When James talked all winter break that year about that girl, Regulus wasn't subtle about his displeasure with the subject, then one night he was sitting in the kitchen crying when he was caught by Effie, but what did he expect when he sat in the kitchen.
-What happened?- she asks, sitting next to Regulus. -Is it James' fault?- and Regulus looks at her in amazement.
- Did you know? - he asks.
-Of course, dear, you are my child, I know everything about you.- she explained.
- Don't you think it's strange?
- Of course not, you don't tell the heart who to love.
Since then, Effie always comforts Regulus about James. Being very often than would be normal, actually but he never complained about it.
So Regulus' birthday has come again and he is spending the morning with Effie and Monty eating cake when an owl comes through the window dropping three envelopes.
They each take one, then Regulus freezes, James has sent them invitations to his wedding. He didn't even know they were engaged. Regulus' heart had just broken, broken and crushed
-When did they get engaged?- murmured Regulus.
Regulus hadn't listened if he'd said anything, he'd just stood up, apologized and left.
He had left the house, or maybe he had run away. He didn't really know. His brain had stopped working. It was all about James. Everything hurt him, hurt him more than any curse.
He just walked and walked with tears in his eyes. Until he crashed in the middle of the forest, which Regulus assumes is the forest on Monty's lands.
So he never moved from there. He was lying back looking at the sky and the trees and the tears pooling in his eyes. He didn't know what else to do, he didn't know if he could do anything else. Everything was empty, worthless, as if nothing had any meaning anymore.
His birthday didn't matter now, it didn't matter that everyone was supposed to be at Potter manor today to celebrate Regulus coming of age. Never mind that he was practically lost in the woods. Never mind that his parents were probably worried now and would soon start bringing Sirius to find him.
None of that mattered anymore, because the love of his future would marry, but not him. He wouldn't even think romantically of Regulus, so what did he expect. He knew James would get married and start a family soon but he wasn't ready for it.
He doesn't know how much time has passed, but he sees that the sun is starting to set, so he has been here for more than 8 hours. So he forces himself to get up and find his way back home before it gets dark.
He feels a little dramatic about his exit but now he really couldn't care less.
It actually doesn't take him long to get home, but he still can't see anyone so he climbs up the window to get to his room which he casts a spell on to prevent anyone from entering.
Then he hears several voices in the house that seem hysterical.
-Why hasn't he come back yet?- says Effie in a worried voice.
-Why did he run away?- asks Sirius.
- I can't tell you that. It's his personal life.
- Well, at least let's know how serious the situation is. - James speaks a bit nervously.
- It's very serious. - says Monty.
He assumes the party was canceled when Regulus didn't come back, and he's actually happy about that, he didn't want to be outdone. He wants to be alone like he always was.
Regulus was sitting on the floor against the door trying to hear the conversations when a Patronus appeared in front of him, Sirius' patron to be exact.
-Reggie, please come home, we are worried.-said the wolf before disappearing, then Regulus musters up the courage to leave the room and go down to the living room where everyone is looking at him.
-I came through the window 15 minutes ago.- Regulus explained before Effie took him in her arms and whispered something to him without the others hearing.
-I'd rather have you as my son-in-law than anyone else, I'm ruining the wedding for you.- and Regulus laughed sadly at that but he believed it.
-Why the hell did you run away? You could have suffered something. Look your hand is bleeding. Where have you been?- James shouted nervously looking at Regulus then taking his hand which was probably injured when he ran through the forest.
-Don't shout at me. And it's none of your business either.- Regulus shouts and pulls his hand away from where James is holding him.
- Well, that's my business . Don't ever do that again.- says James nervously taking her hand back and casting a cleaning then healing spell on it.
- I told you it's none of your business. And leave me alone. You don't have a fiancee to go back to.- shouted Regulus louder, turning his back and starting to leave the room.
-I don't want to.- shouted James.
-You have no right to shout at me.- Regulus is angry.
-I have every right if you act like that.- says James.
-What right do you have? They have the right because they are my parents and my brother, what right do you have to hold me accountable. - Regulus is tired of this discussion but he doesn't want to back down either.
-I...- stammered James.
-Exactly, now go back home to your fiancée and leave me alone with your lectures.- Regulus says and leaves the room.
It wasn't long before Sirius had come into his room and Regulus really wasn't in the mood for another heated conversation.
-Reggie, are you okay?- asks Sirius sitting on the bed next to him.
-Yes.- is all he says.
-Why did you fight with James?
-He started it.
-He was just worried, when we got here and they told us you ran away since morning, he lost his mind, he started yelling at everyone.- Regulus is confused why James would react like that to something he does.
-He shouldn't do that.
-But he cares, so you can talk to him and reconcile.
-Good.- Regulus says after seeing Sirius's face, it always made him sad when Regulus and James argued, which was quite often lately, especially when James was too much intruding into Regulus's life regarding guys.
Of course he was in love with James but he tried to talk to someone else in the hope that maybe he would get over it, but James made sure no one was too close to Regulus, so they were fighting.
-Okay, I send him here then.- Sirius leaves smiling and not long after, James also appears.
-Why are you still here?- Regulus asks as James enters the room, stopping by the door after closing it.
-Where could I be if not here? It's your birthday. - James explained calmly but still angry.
-At your place, with that blonde, honestly what was her name?- Regulus really doesn't remember her name, it seemed like a waste of memory.
-Seriously, Reggie, you've seen her many times, how come you don't know her name. I also can't go back to her, because she's not at my house.- James explains and Regulus is confused.
- It seems like a waste of memory, I don't like her. And why isn't he there? - asks Regulus.
-Why don't you like her?
-Because I don't like her, now answer the question.- says Regulus.
- We broke up 6 months ago. - says James.
-Well, you will get married.- Regulus is really confused and losing his patience.
-You mean the invitations? It was a bad joke Marlene played on everyone, and I got one this morning.- James explains, but Regulus still can't process what he just found out.
-This is shocking and just more annoying.- says Regulus simply.
-What the? "Why?" James says and sits down next to Regulus.
-Because you didn't say you broke up.- says Regulus simply.
-Didn't you notice that she didn't come around anymore?- James asks and Regulus actually hadn't thought about it, he was just happy.
- I thought she listened to me and didn't want to come again. - admits Regulus.
-What do you mean?- James is confused.
-Maybe I told him once not to come here with you and many other things, but I didn't think you would break up. I'm sorry. - says Regulus.
-Actually, i know about this and that's not why we broke up and because he spoke badly of you, who does he think he is?- says James indignantly.
- Your girlfriend probably.- says Regulsu amused.
- He still had no right to forbid me to talk or stay with you, you are much more important than anyone in this world to me.- James says and Regulus feels himself blushing.
"More important than your parents or Sirius?" Regulus asks.
-Yes, I don't want to marry they.- James says quickly and then covers his mouth.
-What did you say?- Regulus asks.
-That I only want to marry you.- James repeated slowly.
-This is getting more shocking.- Regulus is not thinking now.
-So I'm sorry for being too possessive of you and intruding into your life but I really don't want you to suffer and I really do love you.
-What do you?
-I love you.
-I love you too. Left me waiting a bit longer.
- I am sorry.
-Looks like mom doesn't have to ruin your wedding.- laughs Regulus.
-What the?
-Mother said that if you marry someone who is not me, your wedding will be ruined.- explained Regulus.
- I agree with that. - James says smiling. - Can I kiss you?
-Yes, please.- and then James kisses him and Regulus understands that people like to kiss each other. The lips are soft and the whole body gets fired up wanting more. They kiss tenderly and Regulus grips James' shirt hard, wanting to make it disappear when in fact it does, then they both stop in shock.
-If you wanted me naked, you should have told me.- James laughs and Regulus blushes.
-I'm sorry, it wasn't intentional, I don't really control my magic in sentimental moments.- he explains embarrassed.
-So that's what you want?- James asks and Regulus knows he's referring to sex.
-Maybe.- says Regulus.
-You have to be sure.- says James.
-I haven't done that before, in fact I just had my first kiss.- admits Regulus.
-I know, love, I made sure no one touched you.- James says with a confident smile.-So do you want to continue or just hug?
-I prefer hugs right now.- And James just lays down on the side of Regulus' bed, pulling him to his lap and hugging him as he falls asleep.
* ∼ *
In the morning Regulus had woken up cheerfully in the arms of James who was looking at him smiling.
- Good morning. - he says sleepily.
- Good morning, love. - James speaks. - Let's go eat.
So they both find themselves walking down to the table where they are greeted by three pairs of smiling eyes.
-So, I don't have to spoil any weddings?- Effie asks when she sits down at the table.
-No, you don't have to.- says Regulus smiling.
-You can plan one right away.- James says and they all laughed when Regulus choked on his tea.
-So what now? Are you in a relationship?- Sirius asks confused.
-You have not heard? We're engaged, I'll get her a ring later.- James explained and kissed Regulus on the cheek.
-Seriously, you've kissed once, if you don't like sex together, what are you going to do?- says Sirius.
-Hey, don't talk about it in front of your parents, plus I don't think I have anything to compare him to so I don't like him.- says Regulus proud of him.
- You see, we don't have any problems, so it's wonderful - says James.
-Of course it suits you, you also took it with you throughout the school to threaten all the boys that if they even think about talking to Reggie's devil they will lose their legs. Seriously man, you talked to every year in every house, even the little ones. Obsessed. - Sirius says smugly.
-Well it worked, didn't it? Reggie is too good and nice for them. - says James with good breath.
-And for you, right?- Regulus asks now.
-Of course not, but at least you love me, so I win.- James smiles victoriously.
-Of course.- Regulus says, then kisses him quickly.
-Okay, let's eat, then let's organize Regulus' party today, because it wasn't possible yesterday.- says Effie.
-Wonderful, I write the letters and the decorations.- shouted Sirius excitedly.
-I'll make sure the celebrant doesn't run away again.- says James looking at Regulus.
-It's your fault that I ran away.- says Regulus.
-WHAT, why?- James looked at the driver.
- Well, I saw your stupid invitation.
-Oh, I'm sorry, love.- James says and leaves a kiss on Regulus' cheek.
-I love you.- says Regulus.
- I love you too, my future husband. - says James