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“You don’t need to save me, Reg, but would you run away with me?”
Regulus stared at James. “What?”
The pair was up late in the Come And Go room curled up together on a couch in front of the fire. There was a chill overtaking the castle that was not uncommon with late November weather patterns, but it provided a great excuse for them to be close to each other. The moment Regulus had given the slightest clue to James that he was cold, James had lit the fire. And there they sat, for hours, talking and just enjoying each other's company.
“Come to my house. We can protect you. We’ll keep you safe from them. We can do a trial run at Christmas?” James asked, a hopeful look in his eyes.
Regulus sighed, reaching out and brushing a strand of hair out of James’ face. “It’s too late for all of that. You and I both know what the plan is for me this Christmas. We know who is waiting for me. If I don’t go they’ll try your house first. You know they will. It’s too obvious. It’s where Sirius went, they already suspect that I’ve been rebuilding my relationship with him. They know he went there… so they’ll think that’s where I am. And I… I can’t put you in danger for me.”
“I would gladly face them to keep you safe!” James answered. “Danger? Call it what you want, it still doesn’t change the fact I’m willing to risk everything to fight for us.”
“If I’ve done one thing right during all of this it was to continue to be their good son. The proper heir. I’ve done all of this to save Sirius…. To save you. If I deflect they’ll do anything to get me back.”
James bit his lip and looked Regulus directly in the eyes before repeating, “You don’t need to save me.”
“But I do.” Regulus whispered, snuggling in against James’ chest. “I can’t lose you.”
James wrapped his arm around him. “You won’t lose me. We can fight together.”
Regulus was quiet for a moment before mumbling softly “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I ask.” James answered him.
They sat in silence for a while after that, just enjoying each others company and the warmth from the fireplace. James had fallen asleep after a while, but Regulus was left up with his thoughts. His mind was spinning as he thought out the many scenarios that could come from him accepting James’ offer. It hadn’t been the first time the subject had come up, but Regulus decided tonight would be the last time it did. It came down to a decision between the ones who thought they owned him and the one that actually really truly knows him. Just past 2am Regulus realized with surprise, he had finally come to his decision. Thumbing the ring he wore on a chain around his neck with both his and James’ initials engraved into it that he had received as a past birthday gift, he looked over at James. He knew what he wanted to do. It was going to cause so many problems, but maybe… just maybe… he could be happy. He could let them both be happy. Regulus gently shook James’ shoulder to wake the older boy up.
“What's going on?” James asked, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
“Ask me again.” Regulus demanded.
A hopeful look crossed James’ face. “Will you run away with me?”
“Yes.”