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A person without a face.
Their hands tangled in his hair and their face within reach.
A grin.
Hair that looked like a bird's nest.
The sun.
Regulus awoke with a sharp intake of breath, drawing air as though his lungs were completely empty. He placed a hand near his chest, as though trying to draw more air into his lungs. He heard the bedroom door open with haste and didn’t have to look back to know who it was.
Then he sensed a hand on his shoulder and someone attempting to speak to him. Nevertheless, he remained trapped in the memory of the dream he experienced. This dream had been pursuing him for the past few months and was consistently varying. Except for one detail, the person always remained identical.
"Regulus...REGULUS." He caught the sound of his brother's voice and turned to see him gazing at him with concern.
"Are you okay? I heard yelling, and you seem like you've just run a marathon." similar gray eyes gazed at him, with a touch of blue within. He nodded and kept watching his brother.
His brother, however, appeared unconvinced and gently held his cheeks, still displaying concern in his eyes.
"So, why are you crying?" Sirius inquired, and Regulus gradually raised his hand, noticing tears continuing to stream down his face.
The next morning, Regulus rose earlier than usual and prepared breakfast for the both of them. If someone had told Regulus two years prior that he would be the one cooking, he would have doubted their sanity. Nonetheless, this has been his life for nearly a year.
When his brother began college and returned for the winter holidays, he was determined to run away. At that moment, Regulus couldn't grasp why and believed Sirius had finally gone mad. It wasn't until Sirius explained how flawed their lives were and how their parents were mistreating both of them that he began to see.
If he were truthful, Regulus still wasn't entirely convinced and thought the Black madness had caught up to him. Nevertheless, he still went with him because when it came to their parents versus Sirius, he would always choose Sirius.
The period after their escape wasn't particularly enjoyable; Sirius concealed Regulus in his small dorm room for the initial month while looking for a flat for both of them. Fortunately, their parents ensured that Sirius received a single dorm room upon his application, and his education was completely financed.
Money, however, turned into an issue after two months of their escape, since their parents cut them off at that point. Around that time, they also received calls from their parents, their secretaries, their cousins, and their grandparents.
The journey to reach their current position wasn't simple, but nonetheless, this entire path belongs to them, allowing them to make their own choices. If they wished to have dinner a bit later, they had that option, and they could choose their dining location without getting yelled at.
"Good morning, Reggie." He heard his brother's voice from behind and turned around. He spotted his brother sitting at their table with a cigarette between his fingers.
Regulus's nose scrunched slightly as he shot Sirius a glance, "if you wish to defile your body, do it somewhere I don't have to witness it." He returned to serving the scrambled eggs onto two plates.
"I'm not 'defiling' my body, I'm ensuring it develops a tolerance. One day, I will be invincible—you'll see." Sirius clarified, and Regulus sighed in annoyance at his brother's remarks.
"Then you can eat the charred eggs, they have the same flavour as the poison you're consuming." Regulus placed the plaid in front of Sirius and returned to collect the others.
"I'm sure you know that I dislike my eggs overcooked." Regulus blocked out his brother and reflected on what occurred at night. He considered the individual involved, but he couldn't see a face that might have helped him identify this person. The only thing he realized was that they needed some hair gel, since that tangled mess of hair wouldn't behave itself.
"… So, if you wish to avoid them, you have to be gone by approximately 3 PM." Regulus glanced at his brother in confusion.
"What did you say?" he inquired, glancing at his plate; he couldn't bear eggs at the moment, so why did he cook them?
"I said, that my friends will visit tomorrow, so if you'd prefer not to see them, you might want to leave by around 3PM." Sirius spoke with eggs still in his mouth. Regulus stared at him in utter disgust, this could be one of the things he longed for about their former life, where Sirius had to maintain decorum.
"To begin with, you are repulsive, next, take your friends elsewhere, as I won't abandon my home for unfamiliar people." Regulus declared and sipped on his tea.
“Nonetheless, this is my home as well, so I can choose when to invite my friends.” Sirius gestured with his fork towards Regulus. "Don't you have practice tomorrow? This might work out."
"This won't be successful because practice was moved to today. Sirius, seek a location elsewhere and provide me with a week's notice next time before you organize something like that." Regulus wrapped up their discussion and noticed Sirius sulking. He genuinely cared for his brother, but at times he wondered how they could be related.
After breakfast, Regulus prepared himself for his ballet practice, an interest he couldn't let go of from his past life. He recognized his talent, not out of arrogance, but because it was one of the few pursuits that made his parents truly proud.
He took one final glance in the mirror and noted the time,'01:12PM', he still had a little time to grab a coffee on his way. Regulus entered the living room and noticed Sirius still sulking, prompting him to roll his eyes.
"I'll be practising, if you need something, message me by 4 PM and I’ll get it. A minute later, and you can handle it on your own." Regulus noticed Sirius gazing at him with amusement and sighed.
"Enjoy yourself as you spin your circles and leap about." Sirius joked, while Regulus gazed at him in horror.
"You certainly are a hopeless case, you savage." with that, he departed and disregarded Sirius's laughter.
He strolled down the well-known path to his favored coffee shop, somewhat tucked away. As he entered, he was just about to pivot around when the voice from the counter halted him.
"Reg baby, why are you fleeing from me? Have you forgotten the moments we shared?" He shot a look at the voice.
He approached the man while disregarding the few onlookers now staring at him. Upon reaching the person, he regarded them with annoyance.
"How often do I need to tell you to end this, Bartemius." he noticed the man before him pout and felt satisfaction surge through him.
"I asked you to call me just Barty or the man of your dreams." Barty smiled, and Regulus was on the verge of replying that he wasn't but caught himself. Barty certainly didn't match the image of the man he encountered in his dream, with his lofty stature and tangled hair like a bird's nest.
"One black coffee please, no sugar or milk." he resolved to finish this quickly, otherwise, he'd be late for practice.
"Certainly, my dear, and today you can also have my number at no cost." Barty smiled widely, while Regulus appeared unimpressed. He had known Barty for nearly six months and honestly didn't dislike him. Barty was simply too much like Sirius, and Regulus didn’t do friendships. He had his brother, which was nearly overwhelming, but anything beyond that would be tiring. Additionally, Barty reminded him far too much of his brother to contemplate a serious relationship with him.
"Here’s a coffee as dark as your soul and a brownie as sweet as you." Barty winked, and Regulus lifted an eyebrow.
"I'll have the coffee, thank you." He grabbed the coffee from Barty's hand and noticed him sulking.
"Very well, guardian of my heart, until our paths my cross again." Barty exclaimed with a smile, and Regulus rolled his eyes, finding him amusing. He genuinely didn’t dislike Barty.
Upon arriving at the practice room, he recognized the familiar faces of his classmates. There was once a time when he had a private instructor who taught him everything he knew.
Yet his previous instructor was a spiteful elderly woman whose envy was always evident on her face. Her youth had long departed, and she took it out on Regulus, despite his innocence in the matter.
As his 'new' instructor entered, appearing to be in a mood, he let out a sigh, today’s practice was going to be tough. Fortunately, he had his wallet with him and could call a taxi later when it all became overwhelming.
"Pay attention everyone, today I want to review some fundamental concepts that some of you seem to be missing. we will start with a pas de Basque. Begin now." Regulus heard several others express their discontent with groans, and he rolled his eyes. He sincerely wished this wasn't in vain.
Regulus retracted every nice thing he had ever expressed about this woman. She was a soul-draining monster devoid of empathy and kindness. He exited the room among the first and felt tears of anger welling in his eyes, his teacher's words from earlier echoing in his mind.
"Are you a horse Regulus? You're supposed to land quietly!"
"Is this what you refer to as elegance? A pig could outperform you."
"Is this what you refer to as a jump? Your feet are still stuck on the ground."
He clenched his jaw as he walked home, hailing a taxi didn’t seem smart given his current mood. Yet, this wasn’t the most troubling aspect of his practice, she dared to inform them that she had cancelled their auditions. The auditions he had been preparing for over months, hoping to land at least a single lead role, even if the one he truly wanted was unattainable.
He stormed home in frustration, wishing that Sirius wouldn’t be there, or he’d unleash his anger on him. Upon reaching home, he noticed one of his neighbours staring at him oddly and rolled his eyes. As he opened the front door, he was met with boisterous laughter and checked the name on the bell. But this was indeed his flat and not one of his neighbours, as he initially thought.
He entered slowly and then heard his brother's voice. The anger from before returned, but this time it was more intense and powerful. Regulus approached the booming voice and quickly arrived at the doorway of their living room. He paused for the occupants within to see him.
The first person to spot him was a scarred man who had Sirius nearly on his lap. He gently patted Sirius on the shoulder and soon all attention was directed towards him. Regulus gazed intently into Sirius's eyes and knew he could recognize the anger reflected within his eyes.
"Hey Reggie, how did practice go?" Sirius forced a smile as he stood up and approached Regulus. Regulus turned and went into the kitchen, where he poured himself a glass of water in an effort to relax.
When he heard the door shut, he realized that he and Sirius were by themselves in the kitchen. He waited for Sirius to start while attempting to soothe his nerves. Sirius had not only disregarded his wishes but had also deceived him and concealed a secret.
"Hey Reggie, I didn't know you would return this early, it's about 3 PM, and I would have sent them away if I had known you were coming." Sirius remarked as he ran his fingers through his lengthy hair.
"It is 05:38." Regulus spat and did not glance back at Sirius.
"Damn, it's already this late. Look, Reggie, I didn't expect you to even realize that they have been here." Sirius attempted to explain, but Regulus shot him a glare.
"That's because you don't think, Sirius! You never reflect! Whenever you make a mistake, you attribute it to your lack of knowledge! You ignore the feelings of those impacted and repeat your actions continuously! Why can't you think for once?" Regulus unleashed the painful words unfiltered. This had been brewing for quite some time, yet it wasn’t the appropriate moment to talk about it.
"I don’t consider the people around me?! You’re the one who prohibits everything I do! 'No Sirius, I don't do this.' 'Sirius, I already said I don’t want them to visit.' How many more times must I set aside my wishes for you?" Sirius shouted at Regulus, who stared at him in disbelief.
"I 'prohibit' numerous things because you don't seem to consider anything! At times, it feels like I'm handling a child! You act on impulse and without care, failing to reflect on the outcomes of your choices!" Regulus shouted in response, with a look aimed at Sirius.
"I really should have left you with our beloved father and mother! There you would find all the rules you crave, and you wouldn't be restraining me! You are smothering me, Regulus!" Sirius hissed, and Regulus gazed at him, feeling wounded. Sirius felt remorse for his remarks once he understood what he had expressed.
"You have never looked more like our mother than you do now. Congratulations, Sirius." Regulus spoke and exited their flat. Sirius stared at the place where Regulus stood for a bit longer before returning to his friends. However, when he spotted Regulus' bag in the hallway, he felt a surge of panic.
He opened the bag with trembling fingers and began to look for something.
"Pads, is everything okay? The fight seemed intense." James expressed his concern and gazed at him anxiously. Their other friends stood behind him.
"No, that stupid idiot left his phone and his wallet. He won't make it out there." Sirius exclaimed in panic and hurriedly put on his shoes.
"Whoa, Sirius, just take a breath for a moment, panicking won't help anything. Listen, you and I will be here while James and Peter search for him, okay?" When Remus noticed Sirius was about to protest, he added, "He's upset at the moment, and he has every reason to be, so let him settle down with someone who's not you, alright?" Sirius gave a sorrowful nod.
"Please find that idiot." Sirius remarked as he glanced at his two friends, who responded with slight nods and hurriedly left to search for Regulus.
"Hey Pete, let's split up and search, you check the left side while I examine the right side, okay?" James spoke, and when Peter agreed with a nod, they parted ways.
Regulus, meanwhile, was sprinting, unaware of his destination, but he dashed quickly, as if being pursued. The people he rushed by stared at him, bewildered. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his feet, and glancing down, he noticed blood. He must have stepped on glass, tears streamed down his face as he surveyed his surroundings.
A bench was positioned at a corner, and in this vicinity, very few people passed by. He gradually approached the bench, attempting to avoid putting weight on his feet. Regulus gently lowered himself onto the bench as his tears streamed down freely, punctuated by soft sobs.
Then he recognized the cold air for the first time. He suddenly realized that he had forgotten all of his belongings at home. Regulus curled his legs up and rested his face against his knees. The sobs he released became quieter as he drew his knees closer.
James, in contrast, was scanning the area like a lunatic. He noticed an elderly woman giving him a strange gaze and smiled back at her. There was no sign of Regulus, and frankly, it was growing chilly even with the heavy jacket he had on.
“Where are you, little Black?” he whispered and sighed upon seeing nothing. The sun had set for a while now, leaving only a faint glow. He bit his lip and was preparing to go when he noticed something—or rather, someone—sitting on a bench.
James cautiously approached him, attempting to move quietly and slowly to prevent Regulus from fleeing once again. The nearer he got, the more he recognized the boy, who looked like his older brother but with gentler features. The only notable difference was Regulus' two-toned hair, which had a white blonde shade at the back and black on the top.
He was genuinely beautiful, and James, being himself, naturally stated it aloud. Regulus gazed at him with wide red eyes, his grey eyes appearing much more captivating.
"Who the hell are you?" Regulus shot a glare, and James couldn’t resist comparing him to a kitten. He couldn’t suppress a grin.
"I'm James, and who are you?" he inquired, even though he was aware of the answer, yet, it wasn't wise to bring up Sirius given Regulus' fragile state of mind.
"Not interested, go flirt with another fool, I'm busy." With that, Regulus rested his head back on his knees.
James let out a slight sigh, removed his jacket, and placed it over Regulus. He sat beside him and offered a gentle smile to Regulus, who regarded him with confusion.
"It's becoming quite chilly, don't you agree?" Regulus remained silent and studied James intently. The most striking feature of James was his tangled mass of hair. Regulus dismissed the thought that was about to surface and diverted his gaze. He glanced at his feet, and then he heard a screeching sound and looked at James in confusion.
"Why didn’t you mention your feet are bleeding? Sirius will be furious with me." James wanted to hit himself for the words that escaped him, and noticed Regulus's eyes grow wide. He gradually got up and was on the verge of fleeing again, but James quickly grabbed his hand.
"Listen, I apologize for keeping that from you, but he is genuinely concerned and remorseful. Additionally, I can't allow you to run away again, I searched for nearly two hours for you." James spoke while gazing intently into Regulus's eyes, and Regulus sighed as he settled into the corner of the bench.
James rose to his feet, and Regulus stared at him in confusion as he knelt before him.
"May I examine your feet? It seems like you might have walked on glass directly." James spoke and glanced at Regulus, who regarded him with suspicion. Nevertheless, he extended his leg for James to examine, and James’s touch was tender against his skin. His hands were warm, causing goosebumps to emerge on Regulus's body.
He examined him more closely and noticed how long his eyelashes were, resembling those of a deer. The more Regulus stared at him, the more he felt he looked like the man from his dreams.
"Have we encountered each other before?" Regulus inquired and turned his gaze when he noticed James glance up.
"I would never forget someone as beautiful as you, so I don't believe that's the case." James responded, and Regulus sighed in annoyance at him.
"You’re a flirt and a fool, looking for someone you don’t even know for two hours." Regulus insulted, yet James simply smiled at him.
"It was worth it, I mean I got to meet someone as lovely as you." James spoke, causing Regulus to feel a flush on his cheeks.
"It’s no surprise that you and Sirius are buddies, both of you are careless fools." Regulus persisted in his insults. James, however, experienced something strange within himself, like everyone, he didn't appreciate insults, but Regulus's jabs felt distinct. They coursed through him like a surge, soothing every fibre of James.
"You look so beautiful when you're mean." James spoke without considering, and Regulus was now fully flushed, attempting to retract his leg. James, however, maintained his grip on it.
"Let me leave you, imbecile! Sirius truthfully only draws in individuals who are just as unsettling as he is." Regulus hissed and gazed into James's eyes, which held no trace of anger. Instead, he appeared pleased and oddly joyful.
"I have never encountered someone who appears so elegant, even when drenched in tears, blood, and snot." James spoke gently as Regulus shot him a furious look.
"I'm not covered in snot!" he shouted, and James smiled at him.
"Obviously, you do not, Reggie." James consented and observed as Regulus crossed his arms, glaring at him. A silence then fell between the two. James and Regulus's gazes remained locked on one another, with James noting each freckle he observed.
"Will you remain on the ground indefinitely like a dog?" Regulus interrupted James's counting with a huff, and James smiled up at him.
"My dear Regulus, how could I possibly have the courage to sit beside someone as beautiful as you? You are truly beyond my grasp." James spoke very theatrically while Regulus watched him with amusement.
"But you sat down next to me earlier, don’t say you’re not being truthful." Regulus mocked, and James blinked back at him, however, that quickly transformed into a smile, and James kept up their playful exchange.
"My beloved Regulus, will you ever consider forgiving me for this transgression? A mere fool misled by his desires and enchanted by the beauty you possess within." James persisted with his theatrics. Regulus attempted to stifle his laughter and released a cough instead.
"Are you implying that I caused you to sin? It's quite unappealing for a man to shift the blame onto another." Regulus said, and James appeared shocked.
"Certainly not, my dear. I’m simply too powerless to withstand you. A beauty like yours likely hears these compliments daily, right? A beauty that’s truly extraordinary, I find it hard to gaze up at you as your beauty is overwhelming." James stated and raised a hand in front of his face. Regulus laughed, while James smiled at this and moved his hand from his face.
Regulus glanced at James, and a thought crossed his mind: 'perhaps Sirius's friends weren't so bad after all.'
"Could you assist me in returning home?" Regulus inquired gently, his gaze averted in embarrassment. James offered him a soft smile and got to his feet.
"Will you ride on my back peacefully, or will I have to fight with you over that as well?" James inquired of him.
James, naturally, had to argue with Regulus on that issue. He hauled Regulus along and disregarded the shouts he was making. He also cast apologetic glances at the onlookers, who stared at them strangely. However, he then sensed Regulus squirming and gripped him tighter.
"Listen, Reggie, if you keep that up, you will fall down." James notified him and attempted to support Regulus as much as possible.
"Don't call me 'Reggie' and allow me to leave!" Regulus continued with an array of insults that James found amusing due to their creativity.
The nearer he approached the flat, the more motionless Regulus became. James attempted to initiate a conversation, but Regulus responded with brief replies. However, when it was time to knock, James delayed until Regulus instructed him to do so. Upon opening the door, they encountered a frantic Sirius, who gazed at Regulus with concern.
"Regulus! Are you okay? And why are you carrying him, James? Is he injured?" The questions Sirius fired off seemed endless. Regulus quickly signalled to James without speaking that he wished to be put down. After a moment of hesitation, James complied and observed anxiously to see what Regulus would do next.
Regulus approached his brother and eyed him fiercely. "Would you have felt more comfortable if you had left me with mother and father?" Regulus could easily see the embarrassed expression on Sirius's face.
"That was during the heat of the moment, you must understand that—" Sirius was interrupted by Regulus. "No, I truly don’t understand that because you’re foolish, and I cannot comprehend the behaviour of someone like you."
Sirius bit his lip and allowed Regulus to insult him, once he was done, Sirius let his tears flow and smiled at Regulus. "I'm sorry, Reggie, please forgive me." He inquired, and then an awkward silence followed. Sirius glanced with hopeful tears, while Regulus kept staring at him with a glare.
"The next time you decide to be annoying, do it in a place where I won't have to see you. Otherwise, I will disown you." Regulus spoke, and Sirius dashed over to embrace him. No matter how many times they faced complications, they would be okay, as ultimately, they had the same blood running through their veins.
As Sirius bid farewell to his friends, he expressed his gratitude a million times and vowed that their next gathering would be even better. Regulus couldn't resist glancing at James. He wished to encounter him more often, the others less, as he wasn't particularly interested in the others.
At night, while he was asleep, the dream came back once more. This time, though, it felt more genuine, as if he were experiencing the moments first hand.
He was sprawled on the ground, gazing at the stars. He spotted Sirius shining in the sky and smiled. Sirius indeed would accompany him everywhere, even in his dreams. The atmosphere felt slightly warmer, and the moon shone much brighter than he had ever seen.
His mouth began to open against his will, "where would we go if we disappeared now together?" The words that escaped him brought back memories of when he left with Sirius, so perhaps it was a recollection.
"Everywhere would be wonderful with you," a familiar voice remarked, and shortly after, he felt lips on his. Although he couldn't see the person's face, he was sure this was definitely not Sirius. Nevertheless, he surrendered to the kiss and allowed the other body to explore him as it wished.
The contact of their lips completed him in a way he had never experienced before. It was as if a missing puzzle piece had finally been found, filling a void deep within him that he had never realized existed. As he let his hands glide through the strands of the other person's hair, he was struck by its softness and untamed beauty.
The unfamiliar sensation of feeling so connected to someone he barely knew was exhilarating. With a gentle tug on the strands, he heard a quiet groan escape from the other person, a sound that only added to the intensity of the moment. In that brief exchange, he felt a sense of belonging and closeness that he had never known, leaving him with a profound sense of happiness.
After their lips met in a tender kiss, he leaned in ever so slightly, his breath mingling with the other’s as he gently nipped the lower lip and sucked on it with a feather-light touch. The sensation sent a shiver down his spine, igniting a fire within him. As the stranger's hands ventured down his shirt, he could feel the warmth of their touch seep through his skin, making his heart race with anticipation.
The movements were deliberate and expertly executed, each touch sending waves of pleasure coursing through his veins. It was as if the person knew his body intimately, their every caress hitting the right spot with precision. It felt like a dance, a choreography of desire and connection that had been perfected over countless encounters. The familiarity of their touch only deepened the intimacy between them, creating a moment that felt both new and yet, somehow, old and familiar at the same time.
Regulus closed his eyes, feeling a shiver run down his spine as the stranger's lips trailed down his neck. The sensation sent a wave of pleasure through his body, igniting a fire within him. At that moment, he surrendered himself fully to the stranger's touch, craving the intensity of their connection. The gentle moan that escaped his lips was a testament to the overwhelming desire he felt for the mysterious figure before him.
He understood that at this moment, he would give in to any whim the stranger had, as long as their focus remained solely on him. The thought of the stranger's hands exploring his body with such precision and care made Regulus feel whole, as if he had been incomplete until this very moment. Each touch, each caress, made him feel alive in ways he had never experienced before. It was as if the stranger had unlocked a part of him that had been dormant for so long.
As the stranger continued to explore his body, Regulus lost himself in the sensation, revelling in the connection that seemed to transcend time and space. He was willing to let go of all inhibitions, to abandon himself to the pleasure that coursed through his veins. At that moment, all that mattered was the stranger's touch, and the promise of fulfilment that it brought.
He then sensed the stranger softly kiss his ears, and Regulus shivered at the sensation. The stranger's lips brushed against his skin with such gentleness, sending a wave of warmth through his body. "You are quite obedient today," the stranger's voice whispered in his ear, sending a shiver down his spine.
Regulus felt the stranger's lips press against the sensitive area behind his ears, causing his eyes to flutter closed in response. The stranger's touch was soft yet powerful, eliciting a mixture of pleasure and anticipation in Regulus. Before he knew it, he found himself sitting on the stranger's lap, their bodies pressed close together.
As the stranger's hands began to explore areas of Regulus's body that had never been touched before, he felt a rush of excitement and curiosity. Each touch sent sparks of electricity through him, igniting a fire within him that he had never experienced before. Despite the unfamiliarity of the situation, Regulus couldn't help but lean into the stranger's touch, craving more of the euphoria that it brought him.
Yet everything came tumbling down when he recognized the stranger, "James?!"
With that, Regulus awoke suddenly from his deep slumber, gasping for air as if someone had pulled him out of a dark abyss. The room was shrouded in darkness, the only source of light coming from the faint glow of the moon seeping through his curtained window. His heart raced in his chest as he felt a chill travel down his back, causing a cascade of goosebumps to erupt along his skin.
It was the first instance he had experienced such a vivid dream, the images, and emotions still fresh in his mind like a lingering fog. The dream was like a bizarre tapestry woven with threads of surrealism and reality, blurring the lines between the two. But even more peculiar was the identity of the once nameless stranger who now occupied his thoughts.
He cursed himself under his breath, a mixture of frustration and self-loathing evident in the way his knuckles clenched tight against his sides. With a bitter grimace, he ran a hand through his tousled hair, the strands falling messily around his face like a wild halo of frustration.
As the realization of what had truly taken place settled in, a deep flush bloomed across his cheeks, spreading like wildfire down his neck and through his veins. His heart hammered against his ribcage, the weight of the truth crashing down on him like a ton of bricks, leaving him feeling exposed and vulnerable in its wake.
Regulus found himself immersed in a perplexing and unsettling scenario. Not even a day prior, he had encountered James, his brother's charming yet flirtatious best friend. The memory of their brief interaction lingered in his mind, only to resurface in an unexpected and vivid manner - during a wet dream. His subconscious had conjured up a scene where James was the centre of attention, with his alluring presence captivating Regulus' thoughts and desires.
Despite the fact that James was undeniably attractive, Regulus found himself grappling with conflicting emotions. This situation, though perhaps commonplace for many, felt foreign and disconcerting to him. As he pondered the implications of his dream, Regulus couldn't shake the unease that had settled in his mind. He was not one to easily dismiss such a peculiar experience, especially when it involved someone as close and familiar as his brother's best friend.
Regulus, ever the introspective and introspective individual, couldn't help but analyse the implications of his dream. Was it merely a reflection of his subconscious thoughts, or did it hint at deeper feelings that he had yet to acknowledge? As he navigated the complexities of his emotions, Regulus grappled with the dissonance between his rational self and the confusing allure of James' presence in his dreams. This inner turmoil added another layer of complexity to an already perplexing situation, leaving Regulus feeling unsettled and uncertain about what it all meant.
He envisioned a nameless figure who lingered in his thoughts by revealing mere flashes. This dream couldn’t possibly be the conclusion, he couldn't have dreamed of James for months without actually knowing him. That wouldn’t be logical and also could not be feasible.
Regulus ran his fingers through his dishevelled hair, strands falling softly around his face as he released a weary sigh, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on him. It was still early in the morning, the sun just beginning to peek through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. He knew he shouldn't be pondering all of this so soon, but the memory of James lingered in his mind, haunting him like a ghost.
If only he could erase James from his thoughts and never have to see him again, everything would be fine. The kindness that James had shown him must have been the catalyst for all of this chaos. Regulus closed his eyes, trying to push away the memories of their interactions, the warmth of James's smile and the sincerity in his eyes. The lingering touches from the dream.
This, however, proved to be difficult, Regulus now frantically attempted to evade James. This strategy didn’t seem effective, as James appeared to be everywhere. It felt like James was perpetually present wherever he was or intended to be, and his dreams also weren't safe. The worst part was that he now drove Sirius to college, so on fortunate days, he would remain hidden in his room until James departed.
Unfortunately for him, today was not a fortunate day, as he unwittingly fell right into the trap called James Potter. As he entered the kitchen, he found James casually propped against the table, sipping on a cup of tea. The joyful glint in James' eyes only grew brighter upon spotting Regulus. Sirius was also sadly nowhere to be found.
"Reggie, it’s been some time since I last saw you. What have you been doing?" James inquired with his silly glasses and foolish yet charming grin.
Regulus considered just ignoring James and returning to hide in his room. However, he was a Black and couldn't permit himself to appear weak.
“Burring bodies.” The words escaped him, not entirely what he intended, but perhaps they would finally frighten James off. Unfortunately, it required much more to intimidate James, who simply grinned at Regulus.
"I will happily volunteer for the next time you seem to be in the mood. Taking my last breath while looking at a beauty like you, what a dream." James flirted boldly with Regulus, who struggled to suppress the blush that was creeping up.
"I will make certain it is painful." Regulus made a promise and gazed intently into James's eyes. James smiled at him and approached him. The shorter man gradually retreated to the counter and noticed his breathing quickening.
"What are-" Regulus was interrupted by James, who grabbed something beside Regulus. They could sense each other’s warmth due to their relative closeness.
"Simply needed a little sweetness." James's words escaped as a breathless whisper, causing Regulus to avoid making eye contact with him. Before either could respond, they heard the voice of Regulus's older brother.
"James, I’ve changed my plans; Moony and I will go together. Sorry for the trouble. Feel free to stay if you'd like, but I must really leave, and if you run into Reggie, please let him know where I went. Bye!" With that, they both heard the front door shut, and Regulus silently cursed Sirius. The one moment he required him, he was just wandering around.
As he gazed at the man before him, he observed him combing his fingers through the tangled mass that he referred to as hair. Regulus recalled the dream from last night and made an effort to avoid blushing.
He remembered how dream James tenderly caressed him, the sensation was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. The way James's hands explored new areas of his body, sending shivers down his spine and igniting a fire within him. It was as if James had unlocked a world of pleasure that he never knew existed.
Feeling his own hands intertwining with James's, a wave of electricity surged through him. The softness of James's hair against his fingertips, the way it felt silky and smooth as he ran his fingers through it. His grip tightened when the pleasure became too intense to bear, every touch sending him into a state of pure bliss.
He coughed audibly to dispel his thoughts and sensed James's gaze on him again. The man smiled at him and was no longer as near as he had been earlier.
"Still tired?" James inquired, and Regulus genuinely felt like killing James. Naturally, he was still exhausted; every night he woke from yet another adventurous dream featuring James. They all began innocently until James' tongue invaded his mouth and went down his throat.
"No." he replied through clenched teeth and started to prepare a tea for himself. He sensed James's gaze on the back of his hand and attempted to disregard him.
"I slept amazing, thanks for asking. How could it be any other way with you as the star of all my dreams?" James remarked, and Regulus couldn’t tell if he was being earnest or merely engaging in mindless flirting again.
"Seems more like a nightmare." he responded while he finished preparing his tea.
"Never, every dream with you in it can only be a masterpiece." The sincerity in James's voice made Regulus feel an urge to both kiss and hit him simultaneously. Instead, he opted for neither and grabbed his empty tea cup.
"I'm heading to my room." He exited the kitchen with his tea, not allowing James any chance to respond. Regulus attempted to concentrate on his studies following the incident with James in the kitchen, but he simply couldn't focus. After nearly two hours of struggling to complete his assignments, he finally surrendered.
He grabbed his empty tea cup and walked towards the kitchen. On his way, he noticed someone in the living room and peeked inside. There, he found James seated on the couch, browsing through a book. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was one of the very few items they brought from their former home. Regulus childhood photo album.
Quickly, he approached James and snatched the book from his grasp. His face flushed, and he clutched the book closely to his chest. James gazed at him with a sorrowful look.
"Hey, I was checking that out; did you know that you and Sirius looked like twins?" James inquired and gazed up at him.
With a roll of his eyes, Regulus answered, "Of course I was aware of that. Now explain to me why you're still here and what made you think it was acceptable to search through my belongings."
"In my defence, I discovered it in Sirius's room while going through his belongings... I'm still here because my class got cancelled." James elaborated while Regulus shot him a fierce look.
"That still doesn't clarify why you're still here." Regulus noticed James anxiously running his fingers through his hair.
"Moony and Sirius are off by themselves, and I haven't heard back from Pete in the last couple of days. So I thought, why not hang out with Regulus." James smiled at Regulus, who stared at him as though he had gone crazy.
"Why would I want to 'hang out' with you? For starters, we don't know each other besides the fact that I am your best friend's younger brother, and you assisted me in an embarrassing moment. Apart from that, we are merely strangers."
James appeared crushed by the words, but quickly regained his composure. "That gives us even more reasons to spend time together; we could get to know each other better." When James noticed the sceptical expression on Regulus's face, he pressed on. "Humour me— grant me one day to attempt this, and if you dislike it, I won’t bring it up ever again, Potter promise" James grinned at Regulus, who let out a weary sigh.
"Enough with the begging; it just makes you even more pathetic. I’ll prepare while you remain completely still and stay here. Don’t touch any of my or Sirius's belongings." Regulus gave a serious look to James, who was grinning, and he nodded. When Regulus returned in different clothes, he noticed that James hadn't actually moved and felt a smile start to appear at how ridiculous James was.
"Let's wrap this up fast." James jumped at Regulus's words and started to share all the activities they could pursue. James quickly drove them to their initial destination, a coffee shop he claimed had the most delicious carrot cake. Initially, it felt awkward, but before long, they exchanged embarrassing tales about Sirius while enjoying a large slice of carrot cake.
Their next destination was what James referred to as his 'secret spot'; he had Regulus pledge an oath of secrecy never to disclose this location to anyone else. The area was well concealed and remarkably stunning. It consisted of an ancient staircase obscured by large, old trees. From the top of the stairs, one could gaze over the fields and the river that flowed through the city.
James shared with him how he discovered this spot during his first year of college while feeling bored since he did not have any close friends at the time. Regulus paid attention to James's tales and offered a few comments when the chance arose.
And before Regulus realized it, he was captivated by James's charm. This initial meeting wasn’t the final encounter he shared with James. Whenever James had a free period or just felt like spending time with Regulus, they would do something, whether it was visiting their spot or participating in an activity James organized.
One day, Regulus was heading to meet James when he unexpectedly encountered someone he had dreaded seeing. The recognizable black hair and sneer sent a chill down his spine; he stood still as he looked at the woman he referred to as his mother.
She gazed at him with disdain, and shortly afterward, she began to spit out well-known venomous phrases. He remained silent, trapped in the old yet familiar realm of his thoughts. Regulus was puzzled about why she was present at this moment and how she had located him. Sirius and he were cautious about sharing the nearby region of their flat and only hung out in the area surrounding it.
His stream of consciousness was interrupted when he sensed her holding onto his arms firmly and pulling him along. He didn't resist her and allowed her to take him wherever she wished.
Without warning, he was pulled from his mother's embrace, and when he turned to see who had the courage to do that, he recognized James. James was staring at Walburga as though she were the devil incarnate, and that wasn't too far from the truth.
“Come with me now, Regulus! Stop this nonsense!” The warning tone of his mother reached his ears as he noticed her clenching her fist.
His eyes widened slightly; he understood his mother, and this would not end well for James if he persisted. Gently, he moved James arms away from him and tried not to look at the hurtful expression on his face.
"Let's schedule this for another time, James." With that, he walked away with his mother, leaving James to watch them sadly. He quickly pulled his phone from his pocket and called Sirius while slowly trailing behind them.
"Hey Prongsy, how's-" James interrupted Sirius.
"Your mother is here." there was no noise on the other side, and James went on. "She got Regulus."
"What the hell do you mean she took Regulus?! Where did she take him?!" James heard movements on the other end and the voices of Remus and Peter.
"I’m not sure, but I am following their steps. Regulus was behaving differently; he simply followed her and allowed her to shout at him." James told Sirius, who swore.
"Damn, this isn't good—I don't have time to explain, Peter; I need to find Regulus. James, send me your location; I will kill that witch." James could hear Sirius conversing with Remus and Peter on the other end as he rummaged through his belongings.
Then he heard Sirius yell, "Tell me what the hell you did, Peter! Tell the truth to me, you damn traitor." James listened on the phone as Peter tearfully explained that while he was looking for Regulus after his fight with Sirius, Walburga somehow found him and asked about the picture. He repeated how she gave him no option, and the more he attempted to come up with an excuse, the more frustrated James became.
"Be quiet, Peter, this is your fault! How could you let this happen? You know how Sirius feels about his parents!" James shouted furiously while attempting to watch Regulus. He disregarded Peter's cries, and the sight in front of him made his heart sink.
Somehow they found themselves at a bridge, and Regulus appeared to have finally emerged from whatever enchantment he was under. He was shouting back at Walburga, who seemed to be furious with him. She was clearly was losing the argument when she did something that left James's mind blank. She shoved Regulus off the bridge without hesitation and acted as if it were the easiest thing in the world.
James disregarded Sirius's shouts on the phone and chased after Regulus. He felt the wind sharply hitting him as he jumped into the river and quickly swam upward.
In a panic, he started looking for Regulus, shouting, "REGULUS." He kept yelling and swimming, attempting to locate him. Fortunately, the river's stream wasn't too strong, but it was still exhausting.
Then he spotted a recognizable head of black and white hair being swept away by the river's stream. With a speed he didn't know dwelled within him, he rushed over to Regulus. Upon reaching him, he embraced him tightly and noticed the shattered expression on Regulus’s face.
"Don't worry, I've got you." James kept whispering soothing phrases as he noticed the familiar cries from Regulus. He glanced at the younger man and did his best to provide comfort.
Once they arrived at the shore, he attempted to wring out as much water from Regulus' clothes as possible. Unexpectedly, Regulus swatted his hands aside and shot him an angry look.
"Why did you leap after me, you idiot! Don't you ever think?!" Regulus's words aimed to hurt him, but James couldn’t truly feel the sting, given how Regulus continued to sniffle and weep.
"I would have been an idiot not to do it," he said softly, gazing at Regulus with kind eyes.
Regulus, however, only became more infuriated by his remarks, "quit with the flirting and compliments! You don't care for me, so quit pretending!"
James stared at him in disbelief, "What are you saying? I've only ever shown you that I liked you. Why is it so difficult for you to accept that?" James's words shifted Regulus's feelings from anger to sorrow, and James wasn't certain it was possible for someone to shed more tears.
"Because I am completely flawed, James, can’t you see that? My own mother doesn’t even love me; how can I expect others to like me? I’m cruel, James; often, I don’t even mind if I hurt someone with my words. Soon, Sirius will also get fed up with me! So don’t say that." Regulus spoke through gentle sobs as he attempted to dry his tears.
James softly caressed Regulus's face, "I don't mind if you are cruel or if you are 'flawed.' Sirius adores you and would never become fed up with you... Regulus, I have had liked you since the very first moment we spoke with each other." Regulus nodded in disbelief at James' remarks.
"Stop it, James; you’re being cruel, Please stop." Regulus's words faltered as he talked, and James wiped away the few tears that were streaming down.
"I’m not attempting to be rude or cruel; I genuinely care for you, no, I even love you." James noticed the impact his words had on Regulus by observing how his cheeks turned pink.
"You are just lying." Regulus's words now appeared to be an attempt to persuade himself, and James couldn't resist smiling.
"I would never deceive you; what can I do to prove to you that my love for you is sincere?" James inquired, gazing at Regulus with affection.
"Do I need to ask Sirius for your hand?" When James saw no reaction from Regulus, he added, "or would you prefer I go on a quest to find something special to demonstrate my love?" Still receiving no response, he thought of another approach. "Or I can simply shout out my love for you to everyone." James noticed Regulus's puzzled expression and smiled at him.
"I AM IN LOVE WITH REGULUS, WHATEVER HIS MIDDLE NAME IS, BLACK. I AM IN LOVE WITH REGULUS—" James was interrupted by Regulus’s hand covering his mouth. He noticed Regulus's eyes widening as his tears ceased.
"Have you lost your mind?" Regulus spoke gently, and James smiled behind his hand. He tenderly raised Regulus's hand and pressed his lips to it.
"Yes, love, I have truly lost my mind; I am completely in love with you. You are the first thing on my mind when I wake up in the morning, and it stays the same throughout the day. At night, you are the final person I think about, and my dreams are solely about you. My entire mind is only occupied with you and nothing else." James spoke while still holding Regulus's hand.
"You're simply being overly dramatic." Regulus murmured, and James realized that he would soon have him.
"Perfectly blending into the family, I've never encountered anyone as dramatic as you and Sirius." James held Regulus's face and gazed affectionately into his eyes. A quiet moment passed between them as they solely focused on one another.
"Arcturus," Regulus murmured after a while, and James stared at him in confusion. "My middle name is Arcturus; the next time you wish to declare your love out loud like a fool, do it properly." Regulus completed and appeared flushed as he turned away from James.
That day signified the beginning of James and Regulus's love story, and there would be times when they disagreed on various issues. Nonetheless, nothing could sever the bond they shared, and only death could tear them apart—or could it?
James had shared 78 affectionate years with Regulus when the day arrived that Regulus departed from him. He was naturally distraught but understood he would soon join him, which proved to be accurate, as three years after Regulus's passing, he followed.
It seemed like drifting into slumber, and when James 'awoke,' he encountered a shadowy entity. He experienced and didn't experience sensations simultaneously, glancing around in bewilderment.
"Have you accomplished all the things you aimed to do, James Fleamont Potter?" a voice inquired, and he couldn't determine its source.
"What?" were the only words James could manage to say, while a familiar voice resembling his husband's mocked him for his foolishness.
"It appears that not all of your memories have come back to you; allow me to assist." the voice remarked, and then he sensed a warmth on his forehead before he was abruptly taken to a totally different place.
At one point, he observed a younger Regulus in what appeared to be a train. Next, he found himself in a hall where a somewhat older Regulus was seated with other individuals or students at a lengthy table. He then noticed an older Regulus gazing at him gently.
"I love you, James."
He sensed the comforting warmth envelop him and observed as more brief images of Regulus and himself appeared. They appeared to be practising magic or merely kissing in a secluded spot or gazing at the stars.
But then he caught sight of a newspaper and his heart sank.
"Regulus Arcturus Black, the Black heir, died at age 17."
James felt tears streaming down his cheeks and was subsequently taken back to a memory.
"You have the option to choose James Fleamont Potter, relive this existence without any memories of our meeting and wish for change. Alternatively, you can live an entirely different life than the one you currently had." The voice he had heard before articulated these words. He observed an individual who resembled him perfectly running a hand through his hair.
"What happens to Regulus, would he still die?" the James from the memory inquired.
"Regulus Arcturus Black is destined to perish young in his life as a wizard. Not even I can alter that." The statement struck both versions of James deeply.
"What if magic doesn't exist? Would he still live then?" Memory James pleaded urgently.
"He might, but keep in mind that nature constantly seeks its equilibrium, one life for another," the voice cautioned, though James' choice appeared to be already settled in his mind.
"I don't mind as long as Regulus is alive; I will always choose in his favour, nothing is worth more than him."
The voice remained silent to James's words, and soon a light appeared.
"You will not recall this meeting nor your earlier memories. I cannot guarantee that your connection with Regulus Arcturus Black will remain the same as in your previous life. And remember, this is your only chance; the Peverell blood from the correct brother is the sole reason this is attainable."
The memories finally faded, and James returned to the present, sensing the presence of what he now recognized as death.
"Thank you for giving me a second chance with him"
With that, James welcomed death like an old companion, just as his ancestor had once done, and cherished every moment in the afterlife alongside Regulus.