Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter Text
James didn't mean to fall for his best friend's brother. But that's the thing about feelings – they don't exactly come with warning labels.
-----------------
Everyone at Hogwarts knew the boy as James Potter.
James Potter, the guy who can talk to anyone.
James Potter, the football team captain.
James Potter, student council president.
James Potter, proud holder of their school's "Most Likely to Make a Teacher Laugh During Detention." Record.
He floats through life on a wave of easy smiles and confidence.
Dating for James has always been simple – a few charming words here, a well-timed wink there.
Until Regulus Black ruined everything.
Regulus is nothing like his older brother, Sirius. Where Sirius is all warm smiles and physical touch, Regulus is sharp edges and cold shoulders.
He's that kid who sits in the back of class reading Kafka and judging everyone's existence. The type who probably writes poetry about the futility of human connection or something. How should James know? He barely talks to the kid.
And apparently, he's also the type who can completely derail James’ brain with one raised eyebrow.
It started three weeks ago, during one of James and Sirius’ regular afternoons of video games and homework at the Black's house. Sirius had gone to grab snacks, leaving James alone in the basement with the younger Black, who was curled up in the corner armchair with his nose buried in some pretentious-looking book, leaning against one of the leather armrests.
"You're holding your controller wrong," he said suddenly, not looking up from his page.
Startled, James just stared for a moment.
"I've been gaming since I was five," He finally shot back. "Pretty sure I know how to hold a controller."
"And yet." His dark eyes flicked up to meet James’ hazel ones, the ghost of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
"You're still doing it wrong."
Something about that almost-smile hit the older boy like a punch to the gut.
He’d seen Regulus nearly every week for the past three years, but somehow never noticed how his eyes crinkled slightly at the corners when he was trying not to laugh, or how one strand of curly black hair always fell across his forehead in a frustratingly perfect way.
"Well," James said, his usual smooth comebacks long lost, "maybe you should show me how it's done."
Regulus rolled his eyes and went back to his book. "I don't waste my time on button-mashers."
And that's when the awful truth set in –James Potter, certified charmer and self-proclaimed master of flirting, wanted nothing more than to make Regulus Black smile for real. Not one of those sarcastic almost-smirks, but a genuine smile that reached those stupidly pretty eyes of his.
The realization was about as welcome as a pop quiz in calculus.
Since then, James had been hyperaware of every interaction.
The way the younger boy deliberately takes the long route to his locker just to avoid the crowded hallways. How he only ever wears black, like he's auditioning for the role of "brooding intellectual" in some indie film. The fact that despite his perpetual scowl, he always leaves half his lunch on the cafeteria table – which, James noticed, inevitably gets eaten by the freshman girl who can't afford meal plans.
The way his raven-black hair contrasted his paper white skin. The way his eyes scanned the halls with distain, but intrigue. The way his near perfect cursive flowed. The way he constantly wore a pair of headphones around his neck.
"Dude, why the fuck do you keep staring at my brother?" Sirius asked him at some point, and James nearly choked to death on his greasy cafeteria pizza.
"I'm not," He had lied, like the horrible best friend he was. "I was just thinking he seems... lonely."
Sirius laughed. "Reggie? Nah, he likes being alone. Says people are exhausting."
People are exhausting. It's exactly the kind of thing Regulus would say, James thought, probably while reading Nietzsche and judging humanity's collective life choices.
And the worst part? He found it endearing. James – the guy who thrives on being the center of attention, who gets energy from working a crowd – suddenly finding antisocial behavior charming.
The universe has a sick sense of humor.
So there he is, spacing out during AP History, watching Regulus three rows ahead, taking meticulous notes. His handwriting is tiny and precise, just like everything else about him. James bet he color-codes his bookshelf and alphabetizes his playlists.
James should be thinking about how to tell Sirius that that he was crushing on his brother. He should be planning ways to maintain their friendship when this inevitably blows up in his face. James should be doing literally anything except imagining what it would be like to make Regulus laugh – really laugh, not just that sardonic chuckle he does when someone says something particularly stupid in class.
Instead, he was strategizing on how to get him and Regulus alone together and wondering if he'd judge James less or more if he knew he’d read "The Metamorphosis" twice just to understand Regulus’ random references to it.
The bell rings, and the younger black is the first one out the door, as usual. He moves like he's trying to minimize his contact with the world, sliding between people without touching them. It's the opposite of how James navigated crowds – all friendly shoulder bumps and high fives.
James watches him disappear down the hallway, that one rebellious strand of hair still falling in his eyes, and accepted the truth he’d been avoiding:
James Potter was absolutely screwed.
And the worst part? He might like it.
Chapter 2: The First Way To Make A Star Smile
Summary:
James tries his best and it works out differently than he expected.
or: regulus black is a kinky bitch (/J)
Notes:
the sheer amount of mountain dew that went into writing this would have some doctors retiring early.
song of the chapter: "Edge of the Earth" -The Beaches
There is a very hard to notice Six of Crows reference in here so let me know if you find it."`````" means either time skip or POV change
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
When hatching a master plan, it is best to get a second opinion. Especially if you are James Potter, who cannot scheme to save his life.
Normally, Sirius was James' advisor. Unfortunately for him, there was a slight conflict of interest: if Sirius found out who James was crushing on, there would be bloodshed guaranteed.
So it couldn't be Sirius.
Remus would be quite helpful, considering his similarities to Regulus, but one flutter of Sirius' eyelashes and he'd spill everything.
Remus was out.
That left Peter, who was a chronic people pleaser and could never provide James with the brutal honesty he needed.
If not Peter, Remus or Sirius, who could James trust?
He needed someone who was brutally honest. Someone who had insight into James' best and worst qualities. Someone who had been in Regulus' shoes.
Lily Evans.
That Monday, James made his way to the library.
Maneuvering through the bookshelves, he searched for that splash of fiery red. Unfortunately, when he spotted her telltale hair, she was being thoroughly snogged by a short blonde. Shit.
James stood frozen for a beat too long, finally catching Lily's attention. Her green eyes widened and she frantically pushed the other girl away.
"What the fuck, James?" She hissed, her slight Irish twang coming through as it always did when she was angry. James knew all too well.
He just chuckled awkwardly and held his hands up as if he were under arrest.
The short blonde laughed maniacally. James didn’t know her; he would remember if he did. She had chestnut skin and white-blonde hair. Her eyes had no particular color - they were just... shiny, like the unimaginable amount of jewelry she wore. One of her many necklaces read 'Brianna' in silver cursive.
"Sorry to bother you...Brianna?" He said to her, holding out his hand, "I'm James."
She grinned and shook his hand, "Pleased to meet you, I'm Pandora."
James blinked, his mind malfunctioning for a moment. "Oh...who's Brianna?"
Pandora's nose wrinkled, "Someone, probably. It's a common name."
"Uh..." He felt like someone was tying his brain in knots, "I don't get it."
She just smiled at him and waved goodbye to Lily, who had buried her face in her hands. Then, without another word, Pandora left.
"She seems nice!" He said, turning back to the redhead. Ironically, Lily didn't seem very nice in that moment.
She crossed her arms over her chest and glared, "What do you need help with? And it better be important, because I was having a good time before you showed up."
``````
"So let me get this straight... you want me to help you make the guy you're crushing on... smile?" Lily asked slowly, her eyebrows raised.
"Yep."
"Not even, like, go on a date with you?"
"Nope."
"Just smile?"
"Just smile." James said bluntly, grinning even though the girl across from him was confused in more ways than one.
"When you were into me, you wanted me to agree to marry you."
James blushed, "That's true too."
Lily thought for a moment and then laughed. James laughed too, although he was confused, "What are we laughing at?"
Lily chuckled, "You, James Potter, are an idiot. And that's exactly why I'm going to help you."
Well, a win is a win.
``````
James and Lily agreed to meet at a local café that afternoon, James arrived early to pay for drinks before Lily could protest. Mint tea for her, and the sugariest coffee on the menu for James.
“So, who is this guy?” She’d asked when she got there, involuntarily making James choke on his drink. Lily sat patiently while he hacked and wheezed for a minute too long.
“Do you need to know...?” He’d replied sheepishly, trying to hide his blush with his mug.
Lily snorted, “Do you want my help or not?”
“Okay! Just…Don’t tell Sirius.”
Lily’s jaw dropped and she covered her mouth with her hands,
“…You’re into Sirius Black?! Your best friend Sirius Black?! The guy Remus has been crushing on for five years Sirius Black?! Even more annoying than you Sirius Black?!”
James frantically shook his head and flailed his arms
“What? No! Ew! What?” He squealed, “Wrong brother!”
Lily’s jaw dropped farther, eyes squinting as though James had told her the world was ending.
“Oh. Oh? Oh.”
James sighed, “Yeah…”
“Sirius is going to kill you.”
“Yeah…”
“Regulus?”
“Yep.”
Lily hummed and took a long, slow sip of her tea, “This will be harder than I thought.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Ways to Make a Star Smile:
#1) Compliments
“Everyone likes compliments, it’s the obvious first place you should start.” Lily told him.
“How do I even approach him? What do I say?” James asked, biting the nail of his thumb.
“Pandora is friends with him, I think. Use that.” She said unconvincingly.
James had a sinking suspicion that this wasn’t going to go well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the far corner of the large Hogwarts cafeteria, Regulus Black and his friends claimed their usual table. His workbook lay open in front of him, an apple forgotten in one hand as he scribbled notes while Pandora recounted her latest dream for him. Beside them, Barty Crouch Jr. attempted to get the attention of a half-asleep Evan Rosier, and Dorcas Meadowes hummed along to music in her headphones.
These moments were Regulus's sanctuary during the school day.
Until a golden-brown hand appeared in his peripheral vision, waving at Pandora. An older boy dressed in all red sauntered over. Regulus glanced up, only to lock eyes with James bloody Potter.
The entire table seemed to freeze—everyone except Pandora, who chatted with Potter as if they were old friends.
Regulus wanted to shrink into himself, to disappear entirely, but outwardly he remained stone-faced. He wouldn't let his brother's best friend affect him. Those days were over.
Just as Regulus thought he was in the clear, James had the audacity to turn to him.
"Oh, Regulus! Looking lovely today, as usual," he said with that insufferable, cocky grin.
Third-year Regulus would have blushed furiously, his voice cracking in a dozen different ways. But he wasn't that boy anymore.
"Why are you still here? Fuck off, Potter," Regulus spat, fixing him with a scowl.
James's smile faltered as he turned to leave.
Regulus should have returned to his work. Should have ignored the way James's eyes caught his one last time. Should have missed the flash of something in the older boy's gaze—not quite anger, but something that struck deeper than a thousand smiles ever could.
Regulus should have stayed put.
Instead, he followed after James Potter.
``````
That interaction hadn't worked out well for James. He could accept that.
But the cold way Regulus had addressed him lingered like frost on glass. Sure, James had dealt with years of that coldness, but this time felt different. Raw. Personal.
He was frustrated.
Frustrated that he'd failed, frustrated that he wanted someone who clearly despised him, and frustrated that he'd wasted his time hoping for something different.
"Potter!"
A voice behind him stopped James dead in his tracks. Sure enough, there stood Regulus Black himself.
Half of James's brain soared with joy while the other half clenched its teeth in preparation for another verbal blow.
"Yeah?" James managed, fighting to keep his voice neutral.
The younger boy tilted his head and stepped forward. "Hmm..."
"What do you want?" James snapped, harsher than he'd spoken in years. Part of him wanted to apologize, but he was exhausted from constantly trying to make everyone around him happy. This seemed to be his breaking point.
Regulus's eyes widened. James braced himself for every insult in the book. Instead, the shorter boy stepped closer, lips parting slightly.
Thank the Gods for James's height being helpful to hide his blush, or Regulus would see his cheeks bloom with hot pink.
Okay... James could work with this.
He spoke slowly, letting a hint of that anger linger in his voice.
"I meant it when I said you look lovely today." James leaned in and winked, his heart thundering against his ribs.
It was Regulus's turn to blush, the red spreading across his cheeks beautiful and simple—like everything else about him.
Then, for a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, he smiled.
A real, true smile.
James Potter had made Regulus Black smile, and it was possibly the most beautiful sight he'd ever been lucky enough to witness.
Long after Regulus had left, James remained frozen, replaying the moment in his mind.
He could think about that smile for the rest of his life.
Notes:
chat how do we feel?
i hope you guys liked this chapter!! If you don't...It was the mountain dew's fault...
i just found out my desk chair has a reclining mechanism so i've been just | / | / | / for like four straight minutes.
Chapter 3: The Second Way To Make A Star Smile
Summary:
James Potter pulls by being a dumbass
Notes:
This ones a bit short, sorry about that!
song of the chapter is Please Be Rude by Gigi Perez
5WtMaSS spotify playlist (updated chapter by chapter): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1QoNFiBOoRDO28LQk8waax?si=01_Yb4RPSbKOdX6_f10Tzg
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
5 Ways to Make a Star Smile:
#2) Jokes
Lily’s leather boots paced across the floor of the empty classroom.
“He didn’t like the compliment?”
James sighed and repeated what he’d already told her multiple times, “Nope.”
“But he liked it when you yelled at him?”
“Yep.”
Lily hummed, gently pressing her fingers to her temple.
James was seated criss-cross on a table. He blinked blankly at Lily—a look some would describe as thoughtless. He had been a shell of a person since a certain dark-haired boy had smiled at him. James’ thoughts were consumed night and day by Regulus Black.
French tips flashed in his face, Lily literally snapping him out of his trance.
“James? Did you hear me?”
“Wha-?” James dumbly responded, apologetically looking up at her.
Lily sighed and rolled her eyes.
“I said: you should tell him a joke.”
James raised an eyebrow, “What kind of joke?”
“A funny one, hopefully.”
------------
Regulus wrote in his journal, lounging on his bed. His pen ran gracefully across the page, effortlessly spouting elegant words.
He mindlessly noticed the sound of the front door opening and closing. Two loud, boisterous laughs echoed through the house, making Regulus roll his eyes. He looked away from his work and strained his ears.
James, definitely.
Regulus didn’t know why exactly, but he stood and crept out of his room quietly. He paused at the top of the stairs and, despite himself, peered around the corner hoping to catch a glimpse of his brother’s best friend. James was standing alone in the living room, looking annoyingly fit in his varsity jacket. Sirius was nowhere to be seen.
The older boy turned and nearly locked eyes with Regulus, who quickly dashed behind the wall, blushing furiously.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. Shit!
“Hi Reggie!”
Regulus could practically hear James’ shit-eating grin.
He reluctantly dipped out of his hiding place and descended the steps, not meeting the other boy’s eyes. James grinned and hopped over to him, stepping in front of Regulus like an annoying puppy.
“What do you want, Potter?” Regulus scowled and folded his arms across his chest.
“Knock knock?” James smiled brightly. Regulus blinked, confused.
“…What?”
“Knock knock?”
Regulus gave him an incredulous look, “Who’s there?”
“Radio.”
“Radio who?”
“Radio not, here I come!” James lowered into a crouch, as though he was about to pounce. Regulus backed up a step, almost tripping.
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Potter?” He was genuinely flabbergasted, tone higher than usual.
“No? Okay, hold on…” James lifted his hand up to his eyes. Regulus could see a series of jokes scribbled in smudged ink on his palm.
He’s such a dumbass. Regulus thought to himself, then: I need him carnally.
“Knock knock?”
He ran a hand through his dark curls and sighed, “Who’s there?”
“Ice cream.”
“Ice cream who?”
“I SCREAM SO YOU CAN HEAR ME!”
The sudden noise made Regulus jump. He covered his mouth with his hand, biting back a yelp.
Reg buried his head in his hands, looking like he was shaking violently. It took James a second to realize that he was laughing. He held his hands up in triumph, dorkily grinning.
Regulus stomped away, flipping James off as he went. The action was redundant considering the younger boy was still smiling, a light pink flush dusting his cheeks. He fled back to his room and slammed the door behind himself.
When he was sure he was alone, Regulus slid to the floor and groaned.
“What the hell is wrong with me?”
Notes:
Im sorry for not posting for a while and for this chapter being so short! my dorm flooded and I had to move out while they did repairs, so I had no access to my computer, etc, etc.
thanks for reading :3
Chapter 4: The Third Way to Make a Star Smile
Summary:
Flowers!!!
Notes:
IM BACK
this chapter is pure self-indulgence 💛💛
song of the chapter is dreams by the cranberries
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
5 Ways to Make a Star Smile:
#3) Flowers
Lily’s phone pinged over and over in her pocket during that sunny Saturday afternoon. At some point, she’d put it on do not disturb and turned up the music playing in her headphones. She loved James, but she was not in the mood for his twelve-year-old-girl-esque crush. It was a lovely day and she peacefully strolled down an older street littered with hole in the wall shops.
She peered through the windows of the places that caught her eye, eventually coming upon a cute little flower shop. Imagine her surprise to see none other than Pandora Lovegood draped over the front counter engaged in conversation with a customer.
The blonde had mentioned working at her Nana’s business, but Lily had never inquired further, seeing as her mouth was…otherwise occupied.
She ducked through the vine-draped doorway, silver bells clinking to signal her entrance. The colourful, practically overgrown shop was even more darling on the inside. All kinds of lovely plant life surrounded her. Lily was immediately hit by the overwhelmingly strong scent of flowers.
Pandora perked right up when the customer she was with moved away and she caught sight of Lily. She crossed the counter within seconds to greet the redhead with a kiss on the cheek.
“Welcome!” Pandora grinned at her, white blonde hair falling into her eyes, “What brings you to my lair?”
“Oh, I was just in the neighborhood and…” She trailed off when she properly caught sight of who the other person in the shop was. The guy she’d been hearing about to no end since she agreed to help an old friend with a hopeless crush. Regulus Black.
Regulus gave her a polite nod, as stone-faced as ever. It felt weird, even intrusive, to be in the same room as a person after actively plotting to seduce them.
“Lilypad, this is Reggiesaurus. Regnato this is Lilster.” Pandora spoke in a sing-songy voice, gesturing for them to hug.
Instead, they gave each other a weird half-handshake.
“Nice to meet you. Again.” She smiled awkwardly. Regulus nodded a silent “Likewise” in return, before hurriedly returning back to what he was doing.
Pandora looped an arm around the redhead’s waist, humming to herself.
“Do you have a favourite flower? Regulus comes here every time we get a new shipment of irises, he especially loves the white ones.”
The blonde laughs, then perks up once again. “Oh, of course, Lillies! Be right back”
As soon as Pandora disappears into the floral displays, Lily has her phone out to frantically text James.
Lily: Irises
Lily: White
Lily: White Irises
James: what
James: are you having a seizure
Lily: Regulus!
Lily: Flowers!
Lily: White Irises —> Regulus
James: omg ok
James: wait how do u know
Lily: Just trust me.
Lily managed to slip her phone back into her jeans pocket right before Pandora reappeared with a gorgeous bouquet of Lillies. She accepted it happily, letting her mind drift back to the girl infront of her.
——————-
Regulus loved a rainy day. The delightful pitter-patter of water on his windows provided a calming company. The dark veil over his house blanketed him and kept him feeling secure, safe.
His parents and brother had left for the weekend to force Sirius into touring as many universities as they saw fit. And so, Regulus sat alone in the empty house, the only noise being the comforting sound of rain.
He had wrapped himself in a wool blanket on the couch, a hot mug of coffee in his hands and his favourite shakespearean literature in his lap. His brother always called him pretentious for his reading choices but Regulus truly found solace in the works he often buried his nose in.
He was so engrossed in the serenity of the moment, the sudden ring of the doorbell was enough to shock Regulus into spilling a bit of coffee. He grumpily stomped to the door, cursing under his breath.
Whoever the fuck is interrupting my “me” time better notify their next of kin because I’m going to—
Regulus’ train of though came to a complete halt when he swung open the door. James bloody Potter stood on his porch, rain-soaked, with that dumb grin of his plastered on his features.
“Hi Reggie.”
It took Regulus a few more seconds to comprehend what he was looking at and come to his senses.
“Sirius isn’t here.”
James just kept on smiling. “I know.”
Regulus scowled, wrinkling his nose, “Why are you here, then? Get lost.”
“I’m here for you.” James spoke casually, as though he didn’t understand the significance behind his words, “Or, I guess, I’m here because I have something for you.”
Reg could feel his thirteen year old self melt within him. Could feel his fifteen year old self roll his eyes. Could feel his current self scoff but blush regardless, because he’d recently entered a grey area when it came to the Potter boy.
“What are you on about?” He hissed at James, prompting him to get on with it.
The taller boy smiled wider, holding out a bouquet of irises. White irises.
Regulus’ lips slightly parted and his eyes widened. He accepted the bunch of flowers carefully. A few were obviously crushed or bent while in transport, some were a bit off colour, and one was already beginning to brown. Still, Regulus thought they might be the most beautiful irises he’d ever seen, simply because they came from…
He brought his eyes back up to meet James’ proud expression. “Why?”
The taller boy shrugged, “I wanted to.”
Regulus squinted and studied the other boy’s face, searching for a reason to turn him away.
Unfortunately, he found none.
————-
James had to physically stop himself from squealing giddily when Regulus properly opened the door, silently inviting him inside.
It was strange, James had been in the Black household nearly every week for years, but this time felt different. New.
He watched in awe as Regulus placed the bouquet of irises into a pretty glass vase, sniffing them and sighing. The display was possibly the most attractive thing James had ever seen.
“Would you like tea? Or do you only drink those gross protein shakes you carry around?” Regulus reluctantly asked. He folded his arms while James continued to gape.
“Tea is fine. Great. Tea is great.”
All of James’ usual easy confidence had now left his body. He was in uncharted waters now.
He decided to take a risk, shuffling backwards towards the couch. Instead of sitting down like a normal person, James decided to approach it like a deadlift, lowering himself so that barely any of his body weight was actually on the cushions.
Regulus looked so…soft. Seeing the other boy so comfortable was a new and exciting experience for James. Their hands brushed when he was passed his mug of tea, making every muscle in James’ body stiffen. Regulus was close. Too close. If James reached out, he could touch him, which was a precarious situation for the both of them.
The other boy delicately blew a puff of steam off the top of his own cup and opened the book in his lap.
Silence was a foreign concept to James. He always found himself filling up that empty space between words, almost afraid of that lack of noise. Quiet was too loud for James. That is, until now.
The quiet here, with Regulus, was warm and welcoming. It wrapped around James like a warm blanket. He didn’t feel the need to speak every thought in his mind, he was content with sitting in the glow of Regulus Black.
Without looking up from his page, Regulus rifles through the stack of books in front of him and shoved one into a startled James’ hands.
Beyond Good and Evil
-Nietzsche
All of James’ instincts told him to set the complicated book on fire and skip town, but Regulus gave it to him, so he had no choice but to at least try to read it.
And despite how unlikely it may be, James Potter and Regulus Black sat together, drinking tea and reading.
————-
Regulus could not focus. He’d been reading the same sentence over and over again while his brain ran in circles over the very real boy sitting next to him.
James was adorably trying his best to follow Reg’s lead. He, for once, stopped talking and now was reading fucking Nietzsche next to him. Reg wanted to claw his eyes out then sacrifice them to whatever god created the perfect, beautiful, annoying thing that was James Fleamont Potter.
“I don’t get this part.” He spoke suddenly, causing Regulus to snap his gaze upwards.
“Well, you have to know how to read to be able to understand it.” Reg cooed, making a mocking pouty face. James just flipped him off and continued to scrunch up his nose at the page.
“ Good is no longer good when one's neighbour mouths it …the fuck does that mean?”
Regulus laughed to himself and gently took the book from James. Reg cleared his throat, preparing to read through the excerpt.
“ One must shed the bad taste of wanting to agree with many. "Good" is no longer good when one's neighbor mouths it. And how should there be a "common good"! The term contradicts itself: whatever can be common always has little value. In the end it must be as it is and always has been: great things remain for the great, abysses for the profound, nuances and shudders for the refined, and, in brief, all that is rare for the rare. ”
When Regulus looked up, James was staring at him. Not in a bad way, he didn’t think. The older boy’s eyes were wide and his lips were parted, like he was under some kind of spell. Regulus wanted to jump his bones right then and there.
Notes:
OKAY IM BACK IM HERE IM FINE
i know i lowkey highkey disappeared for a month but that’s behind us now.
nietzsche reference? i’m my christian household?
how do we feellll?
Chapter 5: The Fourth Way to Make a Star Smile
Summary:
first kiss first kiss
Notes:
I'm back with a new chapter after...uh *checks watch*...a couple months...
this is the obligatory marauders Halloween party!! (costume index in end notes.)
song of this chapter is naked in manhattan by chappell roan, enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
5 Ways to Make a Star Smile:
#4) Snog him silly
“We need a downright sickening amount of candy. And soda. And chips,” Sirius declared, pushing the cart toward the snack aisle. “Last year we ran out in less than an hour.”
James nodded, pausing to toss a package of balloons into the cart. “We also need a sickening costume plan.”
The Potters’ annual Halloween party was just around the corner, and Sirius and James had been spending every waking hour on preparations. What started in their first year as a simple post–trick-or-treating sleepover had doubled in size every year since. Euphemia and Monty had stopped trying to supervise a long time ago.
Sirius glanced down at his phone,
“Let me send you the Pinterest board—I’m cooking up some ideas.”
James leaned over to peek at a few of the saved photos, biting his lip.
“What’s Regulus wearing?” he asked, aiming for casual.
Luckily, Sirius didn’t find the question strange.
“I don’t know. He and Lovegood always do some kind of pair costume. Last year they were characters I’d never even heard of.”
“Cool.”
James was about to ask more when Sirius suddenly lit up. “Oh! This one’s perfect.” He flipped his phone around with a grin.
“It’s a bit cliché, but we’d look hot as hell.”
James smiled. “Perfect.”
~~~
That night, James’ finger hovered over Regulus Black’s Instagram profile. It was late; he was sprawled across his bed, staring at the same screen for at least ten minutes. Most of Regulus’ socials were barren, but Instagram was the exception—if James messaged him, he’d probably see it. Whether he’d respond was another matter entirely.
James reluctantly typed out a message, then deleted it. Typed another, deleted it. He repeated the cycle a few too many times before finally pressing send and tossing his phone across the room.
James: Hey
Hey? Seriously? James groaned and banged his head lightly against the wall.
Ding!
He scrambled for his phone.
Regulus: hey?
James: Hey! 😊
Regulus: what do you want, potter
James: Can’t a guy say hey to his friend? Is that a crime?
Regulus: we’re not friends.
James: Anywayyyyyys
James: You coming to our party?
Regulus: sirius wants me to.
James: So do I.
Regulus: why
James: I want you to be there.
Regulus: maybe.
James: Maybe what?
Regulus: maybe I’ll be there.
James: :D
Regulus: :(
By the end of their conversation, James was giggling and kicking his feet. He slept well that night, knowing that maybe Regulus would be at the party.
~~~
James shrugged on his purple blazer in the mirror and grimaced at his reflection.
“Do I look more "criminal mastermind" or "clown who lost a bet"?”
Sirius grinned, “Definitely the second one. But in, like, a hot way.”
James snickered and leaned towards his reflection to spray some more green colour into his hair. The temporary dye helped his hair sit even wilder than normal.
Sirius was using a hand-held mirror to chaotically smudge glitter and eyeliner on his face, which he somehow managed to pull off.
“Is my wig straight?”
“Nope.” James said without looking up. He was promptly hit in the ass with a pillow.
After a few more minutes of bickering and last-minute makeup decisions, they finally propped their phones up to take pictures.
Sirius sported a blonde wig with asymmetrical pink and blue pig tails, a dark red bedazzled tank top, and short jean shorts over ripped fishnets and combat boots. James wore a dark purple blazer over a white button up and green pants. His face was painted white with an exaggerated red smile and other not-so-subtle splashes of colour. To tie it together, his hair was painted green and stood up wildly.
“We look hot as fuck.”
“We look even hotter than fuck.”
Their opinions were proven true when Peter gave a slow clap as they descended the stairs. Remus probably would have too if he hadn’t been so busy staring at Sirius with a slack jaw and blown-out pupils.
Peter suddenly let out a loud whoop,
“Let’s throw a fuckin’ party!”
People filed in all night, but none with the black curls and icy stare that James longed for. He felt tempted to text Regulus again. In fact, he opened their text chain more than once. But, using all the self control he could muster, James managed to ignore his pining for a few hours and enjoy himself.
James was so distracted with his game of truth or dare he almost didn’t notice Sirius answer the door and shout out “Reggie! You made it!”
But of course, James was only so strong, and he found himself weaving through the crowd towards the front hall. At some point, Marlene Mckinnon tried to intercept him for a game of beer pong, but James was too determined at that point to change course.
James spotted Barty Crouch Jr. and Evan Rosier first. Crouch was wearing a black cocktail dress and heels that he was very obviously struggling to walk in. Rosier had on a cookie monster hat and matching blue mitts and leg warmers. Closely behind them, Dorcas Meadowes strut dressed in a piano-patterned dress and gold jewelry. James rudely pushed past all of them until he came face-to-face with Sirius.
“Jamie! Look who came!” Sirius slurred and gestured behind him. There, hand-in-hand with Pandora Lovegood, Regulus stood awkwardly.
Pandora was wearing a muted polka-dot sundress and white cardigan. Regulus was dressed in a well-worn brown suit and tie. Both had on fox ears and tails, complete with drawn on whiskers.
“I like your costumes…what are you?” James said awkwardly, not knowing what to do with his hands. Regulus rolled his eyes, but Pandora perked up and smiled.
“We’re fantastic!” She broke away from Regulus and threw her arms over James’ shoulders, giving him a tight hug. Before James could react, Pandora was already gone, leaving Regulus and James alone.
Regulus cleared his throat and fidgeted. James did the same.
“I’m going to get a drink…” Regulus said slowly.
James nodded, “Cool.”
The other boy then awkwardly walked away, James following soon after.
They danced around each other the whole night. Always in the same orbit, but never together. A few times, spurred on by Lily’s voice in his head, James tried to approach Regulus, but he was seemingly unreachable. He was always with Pandora, and when he wasn’t, he was with Sirius. It was driving James up the wall.
Defeated, James retreated to his room for a break from the noise. He sat on his, the same one from his childhood, and mindlessly stared at his wall. The dark red paint was chipping, he noticed, and a small spider was trying to climb the window. Every time the six-legged creature made any progress, it would lose its balance and drop to the floor again. This was yet another reminder of James’ feeble attempts to woo the boy with the raven curls and the beautiful smile.
Then, almost as though James had summoned him, Regulus appeared in his doorway.
“Oh-” The other boy began, hesitant, “Sorry, I thought this was the bathroom.”
James smiled, “You thought the door with my name on it was the bathroom?”
Regulus scowled and shut the door behind him, his arms folded stubbornly.
“You left the party.” He said, still not meeting James’ gaze.
James grinned wider, “Aw, did you miss me?
Regulus just scoffed and rolled his eyes. James stood, making is way over to where Regulus was. The two held eye contact for a moment, and it became harder for James to breathe. Regulus’ eyes traced James’ face with an unreadable expression.
“Like what you see?” James almost whispered. He had meant for it to be playful but sounded more desperate than anything.
“You’re not totally hideous, I suppose.” Regulus smirked, but his blush betrayed him.
The taller boy rested his hand on the door just above Regulus’ shoulder.
“Not-hideous enough to kiss?”
James’ boldness seemed to catch the other boy off guard for a moment. Regulus drew his bottom lip between his teeth, eyes narrowing in thought. James felt like he couldn’t breathe, but then Regulus smiled. Soft at first, almost shy, but then wider, happier. The younger boy leaned in and pressed his lips against James’.
James felt like his world was ending and like his life had just begone. He was kissing Regulus. Kissing! His lips were so soft, and he tasted like warmth and mouth and skin and so distinctly Regulus.
Cautiously, James moved his lips, deepening the kiss. The other boy welcomed the new rhythm, his hands reaching behind James to wrap around his neck and pull him closer. James’ hands fell from where they were bracketed on the door to rest on Regulus’ waist.
Regulus pulled James in impossibly closer, angling his head down to give himself more access to James’ mouth. He moaned into the kiss and his leg hooked around the taller boy’s hip. James reveled in the sound, desperate to hear it again. He wrapped his arms around Regulus even more, needing to touch him every way that he could.
They broke apart after what felt like too long and not nearly long enough. Regulus was panting and James felt dizzy. Some of their face paint had smudged on each other, and in the heat of the moment Regulus’ ears had fallen to the floor. They grinned in near unison, both flushed and wide eyed.
“That was…not terrible.” Regulus said finally, and James grinned wider.
“I’m flattered. Honored, really.” He replied with a wink.
Regulus smiled again, the corners of his eyes crinkling. James could bask in the warm glow of it forever.
Notes:
THAT WAS CHAPTER FIVE! THOUGHTS? FEELINGS?
costume index:
Sirius - Harley Quinn (DC)
James - The Joker (DC)
Barty - Noel Gruber (Ride The Cyclone)
Evan - Cookie Monster (Sesame Street
Dorcas - Keyes (Date Everything)
Pandora - Fantastic Mrs. Fox (Fantastic Mr. Fox)
Regulus - Fantastic Mr. Fox (Fantastic Mr. Fox)
Weexistinthisatmosphere on Chapter 1 Sat 25 Jan 2025 10:01AM UTC
Comment Actions
loud_grilledcheese on Chapter 1 Sat 25 Jan 2025 09:06PM UTC
Comment Actions
Regulus_black_cant_swim_sademoji on Chapter 1 Sat 25 Jan 2025 06:18PM UTC
Comment Actions
loud_grilledcheese on Chapter 1 Sat 25 Jan 2025 09:06PM UTC
Comment Actions
tethysonmercury on Chapter 1 Sat 25 Jan 2025 07:55PM UTC
Comment Actions
Itssun on Chapter 2 Tue 22 Jul 2025 12:57AM UTC
Comment Actions
I_want_frogz on Chapter 3 Fri 28 Feb 2025 09:27AM UTC
Comment Actions
loud_grilledcheese on Chapter 3 Fri 28 Feb 2025 11:38PM UTC
Comment Actions
Itssun on Chapter 3 Tue 22 Jul 2025 12:50AM UTC
Comment Actions
Itssun on Chapter 4 Tue 22 Jul 2025 12:55AM UTC
Comment Actions
Itssun on Chapter 5 Wed 15 Oct 2025 08:22PM UTC
Comment Actions