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Regulus didn’t know how he found himself at a pub on a dark Friday night. Actually, he did know. His friends have been begging him to go out with them for weeks. Tonight, he caved and said yes. He was sick of the whining. On a typical Friday night, he would be in his small one-bedroom apartment that smelled like a library due to the stacks of old books he had accumulated. Alas, there he was, in a corner booth of a dimly lit bar, overwhelmed by the noise. Regulus sat there, resting his head on his hand, desperately trying to conceal how overwhelmed he was.
“Reggie…Regulus!” Barty, his closest friend, yelled.
“What.”
“Mate, are you all right? You seem out of it.”
“Yeah, I’m fine, just tired.”
“Good. Now would you prettyyy pleaasseee go get us a round? Pleasseeee”
Regulus hated it when Barty whined; he would do anything to make it stop.
“Fine, but if I never return, it’s your fault.”
His friends laughed; they were used to his typical dramatics.
As he walked away, Regulus began to grow increasingly irritated by the noise. He made his way to the bar, ordered the drinks, plus a shot for himself, hoping that it would calm him down. As he waited for the drinks to be made, he heard a laugh. He snapped his head in the sound’s direction, and what he saw was a handsome, tanned man with a strong build. What a fucking prick, Regulus thought. His eyes lingered on the man for much longer than he would like to admit, and the two made eye contact. The stranger smiled at him. Just then, the bartender arrived with his drinks and his shot. Regulus focused his attention on the bartender and took the shot before leaving the counter. After placing the empty shot class down, he turned around. When he turned around, Regulus bumped into a figure, causing some of the liquid to spill on his sweater.
“What the fuck.”
He was so over this night. He was already overwhelmed, and now this man was in his way, and now his sweater reeked of booze.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to stand in your way.”
The figure apologized. Regulus realized it was the handsome man he had spotted earlier. Despite his being apologetic, he was still in the way.
“Watch where you’re standing. Now, can you please get out of my way?”
“Oh. Sorry…”
The man said as he stepped aside. He had a sulking expression on his beautiful face. Almost as if what Regulus said genuinely hurt him? It made Regulus instantly feel bad. He didn’t mean for it to come out so rude; he was just trying to state the obvious. Although he was never good at picking up on social cues, he felt that he needed to apologize to the stranger. What? No. Why did he feel the need to apologize? Was it just because he was handsome? Regulus has never felt this way about a stranger, and he won’t start today. Regulus looked down and briskly left. When he finally returned to his friends, he was quiet, unable to stop thinking about the man.
As the night grew older, the drinks began to take effect. Against his better judgment, he found himself beating himself up for the way he acted. I should have apologized. After all, he was apologetic, so why did I not return the same favor? He needed a breather, a moment of quiet to try to calm himself down. He abruptly stood up from the table.
“Where are you going? You’re not leaving, are you, Reggie?” Barty asked.
“I’m going outside for a smoke, you’ll live for the ten minutes that I’m gone.”
“Ugh, fine, but if you’re not back in ten, I’m going out there dragging you back inside.”
“Ha. Ha.”
Regulus was being sarcastic, but he had to admit that it was kinda sweet to know that his friends wanted him there.
When he stepped outside, he pulled out his cigarettes from one pocket, rested it between his lips, and went to grab his lighter from the other. Only, there was no lighter. Fuck, he forgot it in another pair of jeans. As if the night could get any worse. First, he was rude to a beautiful stranger, and now he didn’t have his lighter.
“You can use mine.”
A voice next to him spoke. Regulus turned his head. Oh. It was him.
“Oh, thank you.”
Regulus spoke shyly. He was so embarrassed by what had happened earlier. He outstretched his hand to take the lighter, but it was too late.
“Here.”
The man spoke as he stepped closer to light the cigarette, nestled between Regulus’ lips.
Regulus stumbled. That was odd.
“I’m James, by the way, the stranger you bumped into earlier.” James confidently said.
Fuck.
Now, Regulus really had to confront how much of an ass he made of himself earlier.
“Oh yeah, I remember that. That was awkward. Also, my name is Regulus.”
He was trying to play it cool, but also slightly hoping that it would invite more conversation from James.
“Regulus? That is a beautiful name.”
Regulus blushed at this statement, not knowing how to reply. But before he could muster up a response, James continued.
“I was only half joking about earlier. I wasn’t that upset by it. I was initially trying to talk to you. I didn’t mean to get in your way.”
Regulus paused. James was trying to talk to me.
“Oh? And what were you going to say?” He smirked.
James suddenly looked down. He then replied speedily. So quick in fact, some of his words jumbled together, as if he didn’t want to say.
“Well, I saw you look at me when you were ordering drinks, and I wanted to say hi since I thought you looked nice and friendly. But after you told me off, I realized that I could have made a fool out of myself. But then I saw you going outside and figured I’d try to make things right.”
James looked down while fidgeting with his hands. It was honestly cute.
“You thought I looked nice and friendly?”
“Yeah, you looked cute…standing at the bar waiting, ignoring everyone else.”
“Hmm…that couldn’t be further from what I am.”
“Well, Regulus, I obviously don’t know you that well, so I hope I’m not coming off too bold. But I think you’re quite nice. I mean, you’re talking to me…that must count for something.”
“James, I find you interesting. That’s the only reason I’m still here.”
Regulus meant what he said, but he wasn’t telling the whole truth. He thought the man standing before him was handsome and enjoyed hearing him speak. But he would rather die than admit that out loud.
“Are you sure that’s the only reason?”
James had a smug look on his face, as if he knew something Regulus didn’t.
“Positive.”
“I’m just saying that I saw you looking at me across the bar earlier, and I didn’t mind.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? So what if I happened to look in your general direction?”
It was much more than looking in his general direction.
James stepped closer to him; he wasn’t that much taller than Regulus, yet it was still intimidating.
“Alright…Hey, would you like to grab a drink with me sometime?” James smiled
Regulus was dumbfounded. How was James affecting him this much? It made no sense.
“Are you asking me out?”
“Would you be offended if I were?”
“Hmm…depends on how it goes.”
“Can I take that as a yes? Can I borrow a cigarette real quick?” James outstretched his hand. This is interesting. One second he’s asking me out, and now he’s asking for a smoke?
“Umm, sure.” Regulus dropped a cigarette into James’s hand. Carefully not to make any contact with him. James grabbed a pen from his pocket, and wrote something on the cigarette. When he was done, he returned it to Regulus.
Regulus looked down. James had written his number on it. How cute.
“Oh, um, thanks, I’ll make sure to-”
“Regulus, are you out here?! You said you would be back in ten minutes, but it’s been thirteen!” Barty yelled. “Oh, um…Sorry, I didn’t think you would be with someone.”
“You’re all good, go back with your friends. Don’t forget to call me.” James said, smiling.
“We’ll see.”
Regulus was definitely going to call him.