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The engagement party took place in the backrooms of the bar they frequented in college. Pandora and Lily insisted that it was where they fell in love so that’s where they would celebrate this next big milestone.
The lights were dim, casting shadows along the already dark walls. It reminds Regulus to ensure that he and James never paint anything darker than emerald green in their house.
Regulus is stuck in a conversation with Lily’s brother-in-law, Vernon. An awful man, Regulus quickly decides through the conversation, with very little neck and an awful mustache that makes him resemble a walrus.
His attention is taken away from Vernon’s dull story about a drill when he catches a glimpse of James. He’s busy in deep conversation with Lily’s mother, who had been groaning all night about the engagement party in a bar. James has been in charge of keeping her mother busy for the evening and assumes that along with being Lily’s best man, will probably have those duties for the wedding. Knowing his luck, Regulus will probably be stuck on Vernon duty.
“Sorry Vernon.” James had made his way over while Regulus zoned out of whatever Vernon was saying. “Reg has an early morning so we must be off. He needs all the beauty sleep he can get.”
Regulus scoffed but slipped his arm in the crook of James’ as they circled the room to say their goodbyes. Pandora and Lily both pouted but kissed each of their cheeks and reminded them of the engagement party part two that would be happening the next week that was just their circle of friends.
Barty and Evan were the next ones they said goodbye to. They had been busy in the corner, Evan watching over the minimal amount of Rosier’s that were invited to the party and glaring whenever they would say something rude.
“I have an early morning so we need to head out,” Regulus said to two of his best friends. “But Lily and Pandora said it would wrap up soon.”
“Yeah, I can’t imagine the Rosier’s staying any longer than they have to. Mother and Father have already left. I’m sure the cousins will soon follow,” Evan said, gazing at the room before turning his attention to Regulus and James. “It feels like we’re at one of these every week. Either a baby shower or a wedding or an engagement party.”
“We are getting old,” James joked, nudging Regulus’ arm. They’re heading to the coats at this point. James helps Regulus into his coat, aiding in his fumbling hands with the buttons on his coat. He easily takes Regulus’ cane from him so he can put on gloves before returning it, holding out his arm for Regulus to take.
“Take the next right,” Regulus murmured from the passenger seat, pointing at the turn. “There will be a car park and we can walk the rest of the way. It’s pretty flat.”
“There’s less people here than I thought there would be,” James replied as he did what Regulus said, pulling in the dirt lot. “I thought a meteor shower was a big deal.”
“Not to the normal person,” Regulus replied easily as he stared at his phone. “Besides, I doubt we’ll be able to see many based on where we are. I’ll probably just be pointing out stars to you.”
“I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a night. Come on. I’ll grab the basket, you go ahead and start walking.” James was quick to kiss Regulus over the center console.
James was right, he was quick to catch up though Regulus wasn’t walking fast. The cane sped him up slightly but not enough to out stride James’ long legs. They settle in away from other folks with telescopes, staring up at the night sky.
Regulus is given the task to set up the telescope while James gets their food set up. It’s a charcuterie that they both enjoy that they would eat the leftovers of. James had been really into making charcuterie boards recently and insisted on bringing one along with some sparkling apple cider.
Regulus lowers himself on the ground beside James and stares up at the sky. He knows it’ll be hard to get up after a while and it’ll be even harder to move afterwards but it’s worth it for the view and his gorgeous boyfriend beside him. He’ll take the aches, pains, and stiff joints for James.
When he looks at James, he realizes that James is too busy staring at him. The gold chain around his neck, one that Regulus gave him for Christmas the year earlier catches his eye. Regulus nudges James gently with his shoulders.
“Look up. We’re supposed to be looking at the stars.” Regulus turns his face to the stars again and out of the corner of his eye, he notices that James still doesn’t. Regulus knows what his face says. The silent ‘ I’m already looking at them’ goes without saying. Regulus flushes.
“Good morning to you too,” James says as he pulls away from the slow kisses that they’re sharing. “What did I do to deserve such a good morning?”
“You kept your promise that you wouldn’t leave,” Regulus says back, sliding his hand through James’ hair easily. “Even though I was being a bitch yesterday.”
“You were having a flare up. I hardly count that as being a bitch.” James rubbed Regulus’ hip over the shirt he had borrowed. “I don’t blame you for being a little grumpy while you were in pain.”
“I still shouldn’t take it out on you. I should be used to the pain by now.” James scoffed, pinching Regulus lightly. “Ow. Don’t do that!”
“Then don’t be ridiculous. You have chronic pain caused by the abuse your parents put you through. You have flare ups that cause you to be in pain. That is not your fault.” At some point, James grasps his chin to make sure Regulus stays looking at him, the gentle look in his eyes making Regulus relax. “I can handle it. It is not your fault.”
Regulus just pulls James in for another slow sweet kiss. It’s another few minutes before James pulls away, climbing out of bed, much to the disappointment of Regulus.
“Come on. I have stuff to make blueberry pancakes. You tend to want to eat sweets after a flare up.” Regulus doesn’t get up immediately, instead choosing to continue to lay in bed and listen to James start making the pancakes.
It’s not much later that Regulus shuffles his way out. He doesn’t have his cane, which is an improvement from yesterday when he couldn’t move without James’ assistance. It was annoying and frustrating that he couldn’t do the simplest thing without James’ help during his flare up. But James assured time and time again that he wouldn’t change it for the world.
“Here.” James helps him sit on the counter across from the stove. He puts the carton of fresh blueberries in his hands to snack on while he cooked.
“I’m sorry I started a fight yesterday,” Regulus finally said. “Even though you said it’s okay.”
“I learned when we first started dating that you’re grumpy sometimes. With or without chronic pain. Love, you were in pain and there’s nothing I can do about it to help you. I can rub your joints but you’ll still be in pain. Be a little mean to me. I can handle it.”
Maybe it’s the reassurance but Regulus sighs happily, leaning against James’ shoulder and pressing a delicate kiss to it.
They fall asleep after the blowout of the fight. It’s not stupid, despite James continuously saying that it was but James has very complicated feelings when it comes to Barty and Regulus’ friendship. Even though Barty is wholeheartedly in love with Evan and has been for six years, the brief period of time that Regulus and Barty dated is a harsh reminder to James sometimes.
It’s not that he’s insecure in his relationship with Regulus. Absolutely not. It’s the best relationship either of them have been in. Regulus is able to sooth James’ hyperactive tendencies and James is able to bring out a softer side to Regulus’ harsh angles. But that doesn’t mean they don’t fight.
The fight had been ugly. Regulus had defended Barty, despite the fact that admittedly, he did cross some boundaries that were set up. For the sake of James’ mental health, nobody was allowed to just show up randomly. They had to call before they arrived. Even Sirius. Otherwise he’d be constantly anxious about the possibility that someone could come over.
Barty repeatedly would not listen to those boundaries. When he knew Regulus was at James’ apartment, he’d just show up. Then he would antagonize James. Usually, James was able to brush it off and push his anxiety to the back of his mind but this specific day, James’ anxiety was ramped up. He ended up yelling for Barty to get out of his apartment, which had recently become Regulus’ apartment too. Regulus had yelled back at James and suddenly, they’re both yelling at each other.
James had ended up storming to their room and locking himself there for the rest of the night. At first Regulus hadn’t felt bad but as the night continued, and the dinner that Regulus left by the door went untouched, he started feeling worse. Barty left two hours after he had arrived with something snarky to say and James still didn’t leave the room.
Regulus found him, asleep in their bed, wrapped in the weighted blanket that Sirius had bought him a few months earlier. The guilt was eating him alive when he saw the scratch marks along the back of James’ neck and the tear marks that were on his cheeks. Both were signs that James had a panic attack and from knowing James as long as he has, he didn’t want to bother either one in the living room and had tried to keep silent.
Regulus slipped into bed, running his hand through James’ hair and whispering sweet nothings to him. As if James knew in his sleep he shifted closer to Regulus, digging his face in Regulus’ shoulder.
He wakes up while Regulus is settling in. His eyes are glazed over with the sleep he’s being interrupted from. He blinks once, twice, three times before nuzzling into Regulus’ shoulder again.
“You’re my best friend,” he slurs sleepily. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Regulus murmured.
Lily and Pandora’s wedding is a small and sweet event. They end up eloping with James and Regulus as their witness. They celebrate a week later with a small garden party with music and their closest friends. There are polaroid cameras everywhere.
Regulus and James are too busy wrapped up in each other to hear the click. It’s only when Sirius shoves the picture in their face.
“Look at the two of you!” Sirius said. “I knew it was a good idea setting the two of you up.”
“Reg looks really good,” James says, taking the photo from Sirius. “I’m going to put this in my office.”
“Don’t be embarrassing, James,” but his cheeks burned bright red as he stared at the photo.
It’s not much later they’re dancing at their own wedding. Regulus blurted out the proposal one night not long after Lily and Pandora’s wedding. James had been shocked but once the shock wore off, he agreed.
The wedding is small and put together at the last minute but it’s perfect for the two of them. James waits at the end of the aisle while Sirius escorts Regulus. They recited their vows separately earlier in the day, the personal ones. The ones that made Regulus sob his eyes out with James’ promise that he’d love Regulus for the rest of his life. The ones that made James whimper with Regulus promising to always make a second cup of tea and to keep the Christmas lights up until January.
For the first time in a long time, Regulus isn’t leaning on his cane and his pain is the last thing on his mind. He’s resting his head on James’ chest and he’s in love.