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Well, he had supposed this was about time. There had been plenty of signs throughout the entire week. A persistent cough, sudden waves of nausea during classes, and yet— of course Regulus hadn’t spoken up about it. He was his own person, he could handle something like a little cold.
… that was, until he couldn’t.
When he’d woken up in the morning, he expected to change into his robes and head to charms.. that’s how every other morning had gone for the past 5 years at Hogwarts. However, when he woke up and found he was unable to move without being in agonizing pain, he realized. He was sick, and there was in fact nothing he could do about it. He figured he could simply see Madame Pomfrey, she’d give him a pepperup potion and things would be well once more … but he unfortunately, couldn’t bring himself to move just yet.
“Excellent. This is just what I needed.” Though the sarcastic complaint came out quieter than intended, it still killed his throat. Lovely, so even talking was a pain now? What a nuisance. In Hindsight, he probably should have went to Madame Pomfrey the moment the symptoms had started, that way he wouldn’t have had to be like this. Considering Regulus could not even move properly, he figured there wasn’t much he could do. He stared up at the ceiling for a bit, his face contorting in frustration; his thoughts were even angrier than the face he was making.
after staring at the ceiling became awfully akin to watching paint dry, Regulus turned over slightly. He winced at the movement, sucking air through his teeth and letting out a deep breath he hadn’t known he was holding in. If he couldn’t do anything for the rest of the day.. he figured he would just sleep. In his mind, more sleep meant healing quicker. Muggle sicknesses like these had always been easy for him to get over— he had the fragility of a glass house when it came to getting ill, believe it or not.
So Regulus fell asleep. The day went by quicker than he’d expected, and by the time he finally woke back up, it was around four in the afternoon. Unfortunately enough for him, going to sleep hadn’t done anything at all. To be truthful- he was more than sure it had made things worse. He could barely breathe out of his nose, and worse— he woke up with chills … while sweating. Life could not get any worse, he was positive of that.
of course, life continued to prove him wrong.
“Reg!!“ Regulus knew that voice. He knew the nickname, he had been called it about a thousand times despite saying how much he hated it … for Merlin’s sake, James was lucky Regulus was in too much pain to kick him out. .. he did wonder however, how could James possibly have gotten into the common room? … That was the least of his worries at the moment. He turned slightly to lay flat on his back, the movement eliciting a loud wince once again. How did muggles do this so often?
James leaned against the wall as he watched Regulus’ figure under the sheets. “Is it just me— or do you look particularly pale today, Black?” He stated, offering a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Regulus was sick of course, but never too sick to give that dirty look of his. If looks could kill … James would’ve been dead long ago.
“It’s simply a cold, Potter. My constitution is not nearly as fragile as yours is.” His tone was firm, though it was hard to take any of his words seriously when his voice sounded slightly muffled because of his stuffy nose. “Do not give me that look of pity.”
James took a step forward, sitting down on the edge of Regulus’ bed. “You’re a pitiful liar, is what you are.” He answered, “do you take me for stupid, Reggie? I’m wounded, truly.” Though the words were sarcastic, Regulus offered a look to the other that showed he did infact.. take James for stupid. He gave a fake pout before placing a hand on Regulus’ forehead. “You must be at least 38°.” James spoke firmly.
Regulus turned his head to the side slightly, rolling his eyes in the process. “Get out. I am fine.” The sneeze that followed right after his words seemed to prove him wrong.. it hurt when he sneezed because it had moved his head a bit too much. The aching was awful, but he was much too stubborn to ask for help.. much less accept any. Regulus tossed his head back against the pillow, letting out something of a whimper as he adjusted his body once more.. everything hurt.
“Reg, you’re shaking.” James answered, his voice showed no signs that he would be leaving anytime soon. Regulus closed his eyes for a moment, his head hurt now too.. lovely. Just.. perfect. “And everyone says you’re smart. It is winter, potter. Surely even you can see the connection.” Regulus managed to reply … his lying skills needed to be worked on, that was a fact.
“You’re right, it’s winter. So.. would you like to explain why you’re practically sweating through your shirt?” James replied. oh, checkmate. Regulus didn’t quite have a reply for that. He opened his eyes and looked at James, the moment he saw those brown eyes staring back at his own- he made a frustrated expression. “I don’t want your pity or your presence. Leave me be.” Regulus answered, sniffling slightly as his nose became runny again. It seemed to be lucky enough for Regulus that James was just as stubborn as he was.
James let out a huff of air, “Right. Okay. So, I’m gonna bring you tea then, yeah? Stay put.” Regulus responded with a glare. “Ah- not that you’re able to go anywhere.” James added; that dumb, cheeky grin spreading across his face. “I don’t want tea—“ Regulus began, but was quickly cut off. “Quit trying to play the hero and let me help you, Black.” James interrupted, standing up from the bed to look down at Regulus once more.
James left and came back with a cup of tea a about 20 minutes later, oddly enough, he knew exactly how Regulus took it. No sugar, he preferred his tea unsweetened— which James had always found to be odd, though he didn’t quite talk down on it. He simply enjoyed his own tea sweet. He set the cup down on the bedside table before sitting next to Regulus once more. “I know it hurts, but you have to sit up, yeah?” James urged slightly, watching as Regulus made an annoyed face. Obviously, James being so stubborn was getting to him.. the illness made him too tired to fight back. It was most likely the flu, that’s what all signs had pointed to. At least it wasn’t something dire.
Regulus sat up slightly, the movement prompting a mix between a whimper and wince. “Good, that’s good.” James spoke, the praise coming out naturally. At any other moment, Regulus probably would have told James to shut his mouth, to stop trying to play doctor… but he was far too out of it; besides, who didn’t enjoy a bit of an ego boost? Regulus let out a long breath he wasn’t aware he had been holding in. James grabbed the cup of tea, bringing it to Regulus’ mouth. Regulus brought his own hand up, pushing it back slightly. “Do not treat me as if I am a child.” His body was tense, though it was probably from the exhaustion. “My mistake, I was under the impression you could barely move.” James’ words were laced with sarcasm, “If you struggle to turn on your side imagine what a struggle it is to hold a mug, Reg.” He stated, moving the cup back to the others lips.
Regulus finally gave in, opening his mouth— though he kept one of his own hands on the cup as he slowly drank. After taking a sip, he made a little face and looked directly at James. “What is in this?” He asked, Regulus had always been good at sensing when things were different. James gave a slightly awkward smile. “I snagged a pepperup potion from Madame Pomfrey.” He answered, Regulus rolled his eyes just barely. “Hey, come on. We both know you wouldn’t have taken it if I gave it to you alone. It is much better than any other potion in her office, so drink up and don’t be such a baby.” James explained, tilting the cup slightly for Regulus to drink more.
Once the cup became halfway filled, James set it back down on the bedside table. The side effect of the pepperup potion, however— was not something Regulus was happy about. It’s mostly why he didn’t want to take that potion. The smoke leaving his ears looked almost comical, and for once, there was color in Regulus’ cheeks. Although it was from embarrassment, it was nice to see a rosy face rather than seeing him all pale. James had to hold back a snicker at the sight, he seemed more than delighted. “It’s a lovely look on you, really. It’s kind of like you’re a… an angry chimney, or something.” He said with a grin, earning a scoff.
“If I was well, I’d kill you right this second, Potter.” Regulus snapped back, though his words had no true malice behind them. James placed his hand on Regulus’ forehead for half a second- just long enough to see his temperature, but short enough of a time for his hand not to get slapped away. “Your fever seems to be going down. So.. just rest, for now. You look as if you’re fighting to keep your eyes open.” James spoke, his voice was far too soft to be that narcissistic gryffindor everyone knew and loved. Regulus closed his eyes, breathing deeply. His aches were starting to go away, thank Merlin he could move properly again.
Regulus took his shirt off after a moment of quiet, he had practically sweat through it before. He opened his eyes and tossed it onto the ground… he was very much a clean freak, but— it could slide just for this moment. He’d pick it up when he felt better. He huffed, head leaned against the pillow as he adjusted himself to lay down once again. When his eyes finally began to close again, he felt James begin to move, standing up. “Wait.” Regulus spoke up, eyes snapping open as he quickly held a hand out, goodness that felt pathetic. “Just. … stay till I fall asleep.” Regulus stated, though it was more of a plea than anything else. James tried to hold back a grin, but was unsuccessful. “Oh? But that can’t be. Regulus Black, asking me not to go?.. wow. It’s truly a moment to remember, just a few minutes ago it was ‘get out’, wasn’t it? I mean, really—“ There was the James with the ginormous ego everyone knew. “So help me, if you say another word I will hex you.” Regulus stated firmly, squinting at James slightly.
“Fine, yes. You know I’m only teasing, angel.” James answered, grinning. He sat back down on the bed, closer to Regulus this time. “Call me that ever again and you’ll be eating through a tube the rest of your life.” Regulus replied, closing his eyes and relaxing his body.
“Gosh I just love it when you talk to me like that.”
“Quiet yourself, James.”