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James was looking through his training schedule for after the Christmas holidays when his mobile started ringing. Ah, it was Padfoot. Him and Moony were currently on a trip together in Wales to enjoy some time alone. They had both worked their arse off the last weeks and had wanted some peace before the actual Christmas festivities started.
“What’s up, Pads?”
“Prongs, I need your help,” he heard Sirius’ panicked voice. This actually sounded important.
“Of course, anything.”
“Reggie is sick. And he’s alone at our house because his friends are all away at their parents’ or doing something else. The little bugger only told me today when I called him. Apparently, he hasn’t been feeling well for two days now. He did not sound good at all, I’m really worried.”
“Pads, don’t say another word, I’m going there right now. It’s only five minutes by car and I’ll take Mum with me.”
“Thank you, James, seriously. We would come back.. but Moony really needs this, he’s exhausted.”
He knew exactly what Sirius was talking about. Remus had finished his last book a couple of days ago and the dark circles under his eyes had looked rather alarming.
“Sirius, you know I don’t have anything going on right now. Just enjoy your vacation and when you come back for Christmas in a couple days you can coddle your brother as much as you want. Right now, I can take care of Reggie. You know, I’m rather fond of him too,” he chuckled.
“Still, I owe you one. Thank you again, and text me!”
“Of course mate. Say hi to Moony for me.”
~
James had run down the stairs and told Euphemia what was going on. Without even thinking about it, she had snapped up the car keys and walked to the garage with him.
When they arrived at Sirius’ and Remus’ house, James opened the door with his key.
They saw Regulus as soon as they entered the door. He was sitting on a chair in the living room, with his head slumped against the table. His eyes were closed. It seemed he had made himself tea but had been to exhausted to actually drink it.
“Regulus, my dear. That cannot be very comfortable.”
His eyes snapped open.
“It really isn’t, Effie,” he replied with a hoarse voice.
Even sick, Regulus managed to sound slightly sarcastic and annoyed.
She put her hand on his forehead.
“Okay, you are coming home with us. You’re burning up, my dear.”
The younger man only sighed. Euphemia gave him a couple pills to get the fever down, which he swallowed instantly.
Then, Regulus stood up and promptly fell back on the chair. It seemed like his legs weren’t able to hold him up. James felt a pinch in his chest. He had never seen him look so vulnerable.
“Jamie, can you carry him? I don’t think he has enough energy to get to the car.”
“Of course, Ma.”
“Oh hi James, didn’t see you there,” whispered the younger man.
“Is it okay if I pick you up, Reggie?”
Regulus nodded and didn’t even complain about the nickname. He was seriously ill then.
As soon as he was in his arms, he put his head in the crook of James’ neck and closed his eyes again.
“S- s’very… soft… J’aimerais être dans tes bras plus souvent,” Reggie rambled while James walked to the car.
Even if this was a not a happy occasion, James was delighted about carrying Regulus in his arms.
~
During the car ride, Regulus slept and continued to do so in James’ arms on the way to his room in the Potters’ house. When he laid him on the bed, Reggie woke up and started to shiver rather violently.
“It’s really c-cold here.”
It definitely wasn’t. James gently tucked him in.
“It’s the fever, love. I’ll be right back with a hot water bottle.”
Moments later, Regulus was pressing the bottle to his chest and was wrapped up in two thick blankets since Effie had brought a second one. He looked adorarable; like a squirrel in a nest, clutching to its hazelnut.
“Am I in heaven?” Regulus whispered.
“No, thankfully, you’re still with us,” James snickered.
“Pretty sure ‘m dreaming though.” Regulus sighed. “James Potter held me in his arms… Can you imagine?”
James stared at him. His mum had given him the strong stuff, apparently.
“Actually, you kinda have the same eyes… it’s like.. the sun shines out of them y’know..” Then he fell asleep again.
What was that supposed to mean?
James brushed a couple black curls out of Regulus’ face and then pressed a kiss on his forehead.
“I’m taking care of you, love, don't worry.”
Regulus slept for the rest of the day.
~
Euphemia and James took turns looking into Regulus’ room the following day. Nothing eventful happened though, he continued to sleep peacefully, with a few tea breaks and bathroom visits sprinkled in between.
“Poor sweetheart,” James’ mum said at some point. “He should really have called us.”
“You know how he is, Ma. Reggie doesn’t know how to let other people take care of him. He never has, even if he feels more comfortable around us now.”
She huffed angrily.
“If Walburga was here right now, I think I would slap her.”
“Agreed, Ma.”
~
Later in the evening, James went to look into Regulus’ room one last time before going to sleep himself. His mum was already in bed.
When he opened the door, he heard whimpering.
“Reggie? Are you alright?”
He put on the lamp on the bedside table. Oh. Regulus was thrashing around, his whole face scrunched together in fear.
James gently shook the younger man by his shoulders.
“Regulus, come on, wake up!”
He stopped whimpering, then suddenly froze. His eyes finally opened. James stroked through his curls.
“It was just a nightmare, love.”
“James?”
“You’re alright. You’re safe here. I’ve got you.”
He continued caressing the younger man’s face, whispering soft words to calm him down.
A while later, when Regulus’ breathing and heartbeat had slowed, James asked him if he felt better.
“A little. I think the fever has gone down a bit.”
“Do you need anything? Tea or a new hot water bottle?”
“No, I’m alright but thank you.”
“Okay, then I suppose I’m going to bed now. I’ll see you tomor-”
Regulus’ hand suddenly gripped his arm.
“Stay with me? Please?”
James’ heart fluttered.
“Of course, love.”
He laid down next to Regulus, not sure what the rules were here. To his relief, Reggie decided for both of them. He turned towards him and then laid his head on James’ chest. When he felt Reggie’s ice cold fingers on his skin he flinched slightly.
“Did you somehow transform into an ice-cube? How are you even alive if you’re this cold?”
“Thanks to you, I have my personal radiator now.”
James put his arms around the smaller man and stroked over his back. Soon, he felt himself drift off. Just before he was fully asleep, he heard some whispered words.
“Qu’ai-je fais pour mériter cet homme adorable?”
~
“Good morning boys!”
James squinted his eyes. Urgh too much light. And… wait. There was a body squeezed to his chest. What was going on?
Then, a hoarse “Effie?”
Oh. Oh. That was Reggie’s voice.
Right. He had slept in Regulus’ bed. Their bodies tightly tangled up for the whole night. He had been touching his best friend’s brother. For hours. That thought finally woke him up. He looked to the other man, who was slowly sitting up. Euphemia put her hand on his forehead and smiled.
“The worst part is over, I think. Here, drink some tea.”
She put a cup into Regulus’ delicate hands. Then she looked at James who was stretching his arms.
“Sleep well Jamie?” The corners of her eyes crinkled.
“Um yeah, Ma. Really well, actually.”
His mum chuckled and went back out of the room with a knowing look. James peered at Regulus. He had flushed cheeks and was innocently sipping the tea.
“Well… I think I’m going to take a shower,” James said and stood up from the bed.
“Thank you, Jamie.” Regulus’ eyes were staring into his. James’ heart stumbled.
“My pleasure.”
~
An hour later, James was walking down the hall to go see if he could help his mum in the kitchen. A door creaked, and Reggie came out of his room, barefoot, with a towel in his hand. James stood in front of him.
“Nu-uh, Reggie, back to bed.”
The smaller man narrowed his eyes. “I just want to wash my hair. It’ll only take a couple minutes.”
“You can barely stand, love.” Indeed, Regulus was gripping the door frame rather forcefully.
“Please. I’m not a baby. I can take care of myself.”
Before James could really think about it, words came out of his mouth.
“I can wash it for you, if you want.” He blushed. Maybe that had been a step too far.
Regulus’ eyes widened. “Um- okay.”
James couldn’t believe it. He took Regulus’ arm and helped him to the bathtub.
The whole affair was much more intimate than he had anticipated.
Firstly, it was incredibly hard to concentrate on the ‘washing hair’ part when Regulus had the most angelic expression on his face with his eyes closed. His long, dark lashes were sitting on his rosy cheeks and his lips were slightly open. James caught himself staring at least ten times.
And secondly, the feeling of massaging Reggie’s soft curls and head was marvellous. He could have continued for hours. Regulus also seemed to appreciate it a great deal, seeing as he sighed a number of times.
When James was done drying the hair, the other man shyly kissed him on the cheek.
“Thank you. That was.. quite relaxing.”
James smiled, “For me too.”
They spent the rest of the day in bed, James getting them tea and some food from time to time. Effie seemed not to want to bother them.
James read his favourite children’s story to Regulus, who in turn showed him photos of his newest art pieces. Soft conversations and gentle caresses. A nap in between.
At night, both men once again embraced as if they were one.
~
The day after that, Regulus felt significantly better. The fever was gone and he could walk around normally again. James was glad. He had loved taking care of the other man, but he knew that Regulus hated feeling so weak and vulnerable.
They had decided to watch a movie in the living room, while Euphemia went to get Monty from the airport. James wasn’t sure how he had done it, but he had managed to convince Regulus to watch ‘Love Actually’. It was in his opinion, the best sappy Christmas movie in existence, and it was his tradition to watch it every year.
In the beginning, Reggie groaned and complained about the ridiculous characters and situations they were in, but after James pulled the other man in his lap and started brushing his fingers through his dark curls, he shut up rather quickly.
When the end credits rolled a while later, Regulus sat up and looked directly into James’ eyes. His pupils were huge.
He whispered, “You know, Hugh Grant might be right.”
“Yeah?” James asked with a whisper and tucked one of Regulus’ curls behind his ear.
“I think love might actually be all around.”
Then, James felt Regulus’ soft lips on his. And James kissed him right back, without even a second to think about it. This was everything he had hoped for. And so much more.
It was gentle, but also hungry. They had been dancing around each other for years now and they had finally gotten it right.
When their lips parted, Regulus smiled and then suddenly looked mortified.
“James, did I really just say that? Oh God, I think this is the most humiliating moment of my life.”
“You quoted ‘Love Actually’ before kissing me. I think this might be the best moment of my life.”
Regulus groaned.
“If you tell this to anyone, I will have no choice but to kill you.”
“Well, at least I will die knowing you quoted my favourite movie to me.”
“Merde, James, I only just realised you might get sick now.”
“I really don’t care, Reggie. I’d rather spend Christmas in bed than not have this moment with you.”
Regulus seemed torn between melting on the spot and making a snarky comment about how corny James was. And then, because they couldn’t help themselves, they continued snogging like teenagers until they heard keys opening the door.
~
The following afternoon, Regulus was straddling James’ lap in front of the fireplace. While they were making out, Padfoot suddenly entered the room, Moony right behind him.
“James, when I said ‘take care of my sick brother’ I did not mean ‘seduce him’.”
Remus snickered. James looked up to his best friend with a smirk.
“Sorry, Pads. But he was the one who seduced me. Fever makes Reggie tell all his dirty little secrets apparently.”
Regulus blushed and then hit James on the shoulder.
“Hey, no need to hit me. I’m quite happy about it!” James grinned.
“Took them long enough!” Euphemia‘s voice sounded out of the kitchen.
Suddenly, the four - definitely adult - men were rolling on the floor, laughing.