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James unlocked his car, tonight was the graduation party of Hogwarts School class of 78‘, and almost the whole year was going to be there, including James' friends. The only problem was that Regulus was also going to be there, meaning James had taken far too long fussing over what to wear and was subsequently running late.
As James stopped at a red light he began nervously tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, Regulus and him had, through Sirius, been friends for years, and up until a year ago that was all they'd been. Yet in the past year James has had the telltale tickle of butterflies in his stomach whenever someone so much as mentioned Regulus.
James had been quite apt at hiding his feelings if he did say so himself, especially when jealousy had taken hold in his daily life during Regulus’ relationship with his friend Barty. Yet those times were long behind them, and now as they celebrated the end of their time at Hogwarts James had made up his mind to finally confess.
Still nervous about his intended confession to his friend, James pulled into the school's parking lot, noticing that it was almost full. This was going to be a long night.
James opened his car door, stepping out into the chilly evening air, he was thankful he'd worn his jacket. Following the signs leading to the party, James walked through Hogwarts, he couldn't believe that this was almost the last time he would see the school's corridors.
The party was being held in the school’s indoor quidditch court, which doubled as an assembly hall, but James heard the party before he saw the flashing lights.
He came to a stop in front of the court's set of double doors, with a sign above reading Class of 78, which was highlighted by the arch of multicoloured balloons around the door’s frame, each colour representing one of the schools four houses.
Pushing through one of the doors, James entered the party, ears already screaming due to the frankly deafening music as he scanned the room for his friends.
Spotting Sirius, his best friend and Regulus’ brother, near the punch bowl, typical, James walked over to him, reaching him just as Remus was in the process of stopping him from spiking the bowl with the flask of alcohol always kept in his breast pocket.
“Prongs!” Sirius exclaimed a slight slur to his speech, he must have already drunk half his stash, “we were just wondering when you'd join the rest of us!”
James chuckled, “and I'm sure that was the top of your priority list judging by your beverage choice,” he replied, eyeing the flask in his friend's hand.
“Oh common Prongs, not you too, Moony won't even let me spike the punch,” Sirius exclaimed, to which Remus rolled his eyes, swiftly snatching the flask out of the former's hand before he'd even processed what'd happened.
“And I shouldn't have let you have any of this either,” He muttered, shaking his head and pouring out the flask into the nearest bin.
“Oh and James,” he remarked, noticing his friends fidgeting and wavering attention, “you look great.”
James’ eyes widened, what did Remus mean? Did he know about Regulus?
Eyes twinkling Remus continued, “I'm sure I saw Regulus over near the bleachers, if you were looking for him that is.”
James panicked, looking towards Sirius for a reaction, so Remus did know, but before thinking too much on what that might mean, and not wanting Sirius to overhear if Remus continued, he muttered a goodbye and walked over to where Remus said Regulus was.
And sure enough there he was in all his elegance, sitting on the bottom row of seats along the side of the court and holding a cup of punch. Regulus looked up as James approached, face lighting up with a joyous smile, James willed his racing heart to calm down.
“Hey,” He said sitting down beside Regulus.
“Hey,” he breathed back, face reddening slightly, but that was just the lights surely, “I didn't think you'd come, which is odd considering you're usually at the centre of these things.”
“Why not,” James inquired, frowning slightly as his features twisted into that of confusion, he realised he'd taken a while to get ready, but not that long.
“I don't know,” Regulus sighed back, angling his face away from James to quell his blush, “I just haven't seen you around recently, it's almost like you're avoiding me,” he continued laughing humorlessly in a rare display of insecurity.
Shit, James thought. Had he been ignoring Regulus? He'd just been so nervous about confessing, and couldn't stand being around Regulus as his heart had kept beating erratically, but he didn't realise he'd been ignoring him.
“I-” He began but got cut off by the emergence of Barty who stepped into their conversation holding two punch cups.
“Hey Reg,” he began, as James felt the familiar rush of jealousy, but it was fine, Barty was dating Evan now, there was no need for James to be jealous.
“I grabbed an extra cup of punch and Evan suggested I give it to you, but it turns out you already have one,” he continued.
James let out a breath of relief, Barty was just being friendly, as friends do, his mind helpfully supplied.
“Yeah no I got it a while ago but still haven't finished,” Regulus replied smiling up at the newcomer, looking towards James he continued, “you could give it to James though, he hasn't gotten a drink yet,” lowering his voice he leaned closer to James, his breath tickling his ear, “if you want it that is.”
James opened his mouth then closed it, too flustered to respond, yet Barty made the decision for him as he handed the drink over.
“Enjoy I guess,” he said, already walking off back to where Evan was standing.
James cradled the drink, cheeks still relatively flushed from Regulus’ question earlier, looking over to Regulus, he noticed him staring back intently, eyes flicking between him and Barty in displeasure. Catching James’ eye, his gaze softened.
Suddenly the current song that was playing changed, a slow song already beginning to play in its wake. Snapping his head to the dancefloor, James saw Remus walking away from the DJ and towards Sirius before they started to dance, swaying slowly to the music.
Making a decision James clenched his jaw in determination, it was now or never.
Putting his drink down and standing up, James extended his hand to the boy beside him.
Regulus stared back at him confused, “w-what are you doing?” He stuttered, face reddening as he took note of the song playing.
“I,” James began, taking a deep breath he continued, “was wondering if you'd like to dance.”
Regulus widened his eyes, face now fully flushed, “what?,” he spluttered.
“I was wondering if you'd like to dance with me,” James reaffirmed, gaining confidence in light of his friend’s reaction.
Regulus’ smile spread slowly as he registered what James had said, using his hand as leverage he pulled himself up from the seat, putting down his own drink.
“I thought you'd never ask,” He smirked, ever the confident bastard, leading a now dazed James to the dancefloor by their linked hands.
Guiding James’ hands, Regulus placed them around his own waist, encircling his own hands around James' neck. Beginning to sway together along to the music James’ regained coherence, looking into Regulus’ eyes he noticed him lovingly staring back.
“You,” James started attempting to form words whilst taking note of the feel of Regulus’ waist beneath his hands.
“Do you like me too?” he breathed, finishing his thought.
At that Regulus burst out laughing, blush growing as he calmed down into a quiet giggle. But he stopped laughing after taking note of James’ now insecure expression.
“Of course I do idiot, why would I be here otherwise,” he reassured, smiling warmly as James' blush spread.
“In fact, I more than just like you,” he continued lovingly, “I love you.”
“What!” James replied, face now resembling a tomato, “why didn't you tell me?”
“Why didn't you tell me,” Regulus chuckled back, raising an eyebrow.
“Fair point,” James smiled, still reeling from this happy realisation.
Lifting one hand off Regulus’ hip, James raised it to cradle the former's face, leaning closer until they were but a breath apart. The party around them seemed to fade away until it was just them staring into each other's eyes.
James’ breath ghosted across Regulus’ lips as he leaned closer in question, though he didn't have to wait long as Regulus’ lips came up to capture his own, in answer. Their lips pushed against each other in a chaste kiss, yet what the kiss lacked in intensity it made up for in emotions, with the pair infusing their kiss with all their longing.
When they pulled apart they didn't move far, just still swaying to the gradually dying music as they stared at each other, smiles on their lips.
“I love you too,” James whispered, to nobody's ears but the pairs, and in reply Regulus leaned in again, meeting their lips in another kiss.
Yes, James decided, he was happy he'd decided to confess tonight.