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Summer was withering away slowly, the days had just started getting shorter and soon it would be back to school time. James was contemplating the contrast between his life now and what it was like last summer as he watched the sunset. For one thing, this time last summer it was just him and his parents, now the family had gained two new members– two of James’ favorite people. And although he would never be fine with what brought this on, he would be forever grateful to have them around, to know they were safe and loved as they should have been all along.
The sun was dipping lower and lower in the sky and James was happy with his life.
He first caught sight of the faint glow a few yards away and smiled to himself.
It was finally time!
Firefly season was one of his favorites, they would always come out in late summer and make everything more magical and fun. James had been obsessed with them as a child and had hardly grown out of it as he got older. His many childhood firefly trinkets were kept safe in a box in his bedroom.
He used to love to catch the little glowing insects in jars as a child, but was advised by his mother not to keep them for long and to always set them free.
James had once caught a little glowing bug and ran to show his best friends Peter and Marlene. His little heart was crushed when both of them pulled faces of disgust at his precious treasure. He let the bug fly away and never brought it up again. They continued to be good friends, but something had definitely been ruined after that.
James let out a deep sight as the faint glow disappeared out of sight. Dusk was in full bloom and he should head back home before dinner time.
“Penny for your thoughts?” A voice called from behind his elbow and James jumped in surprise.
Regulus Black was peering up at him with owlish grey eyes, looking pleased for having caught James off guard.
“Regulus! You scared me! How are you always creeping around without ever making a sound?”
“One of my many talents.” Regulus hummed in response. “Effie asked me to come fetch you for dinner.”
“Yeah, I was about to head ba–” James cut himself off when he caught sight of a faint glow again. This time there seemed to be more of them.
“Come with me for a second.” He told Regulus, not waiting for a reply as he grabbed his wrist and dragged him along. There was no protest, but there was questioning.
“Where exactly are we going? Your house is that way.” Regulus pointed to the opposite direction with his free hand.
“You'll see.” James promised.
He led Regulus into the woods behind the Potter property and guided him to a small clearing he hoped to still be there after not visiting it for many years.
Dusk painted everything a deep purple as the night took over the sky above them.
“James, this is a nice place but I'd hate to keep your mum waiting…”
“Shh, be still for a minute.” James was feeling giddy for some reason.
He hadn't indulged in his late summer obsession in a long time, and having Regulus beside him now felt right. Doing many things with Regulus felt right these days. Right in a way he had never felt with Sirius, oddly, because everything with Sirius also felt right. But it was different. This was different. Anticipation never had tied his stomach in knots with Sirius the way it did with Regulus lately and James found himself chasing after the thrill more and more.
So now he had brought the boy to a clearing in the woods in the hopes he would appreciate glowing insects as much as James did. He was thrumming in expectation.
Regulus turned toward him in clear annoyance for being made to keep James’ mum waiting when something behind James made him catch his breath.
James turned and saw a little cluster of fireflies dancing just above the tall grass a few feet away from them. He smiled big upon seeing the tiny orbs of light and smiled even bigger when he turned back to look at Regulus and saw his eyes shining impossibly big in awe.
All around them more tiny dots of yellow light were materializing and soon they were surrounded by them.
“This is lovely.” Regulus whispered, mesmerized.
“Isn't it?” James agreed, but he wasn't looking at his precious fireflies for once.
“James!” Regulus was starting to look as giddy as James felt. “This is unbelievable! It would've been impossible to see something like this in London. This feels like a dream!”
“It really does.” James could not take his eyes off of Regulus' face.
Just then, a firefly landed on James’ nose. He crossed his eyes behind his glasses to look at it and heard Regulus’ childlike laughter as he extended his hand to catch the bug on his finger.
Truthfully, the insect was not pretty to look at up close, but Regulus held it and released it with the same care James would have, as if it was precious.
James, who was never known for his self control, felt it slip away entirely when he asked, “may I kiss you?” in one breath.
He was suddenly terrified of having ruined the moment. How could he be sure Regulus felt the same as him? How could he be sure of what he was feeling to begin with? All he knew is that Regulus was pretty and there were fireflies all around them and this moment did feel like a dream.
“It would feel wrong if you didn't.” Was Regulus bashful response. He blushed.
So James caught his face in between his palms and touched his lips to Regulus’ and it felt right. Turns out fireflies always ruin the friendship after all.