Chapter Text
When James wakes up his mind is flooded with things from the day before. It's all happy in his half asleep mind, memories of Regulus and Sirius finally seeing what a true family looks like. He turns over to look at Regulus, his eyes are closed, and his mouth is slightly open, he looks like royalty. James reaches up to move a curl out of the younger boy's face. Regulus stirs slightly but James doesn't pull away.
Regulus mumbles something quiet and inaudible. “What's that, love?”
Regulus looks up at James through his eyelashes. “Did you mean it?”
“Mean what, Reg?” James starts running his fingers through the prince's hair.
“What you said last night.” Regulus buries his face in shame and James won't stand for it.
James gently lifted his chin to look at him. “I want you to tell me what I said.” He says, tucking a hair behind Regulus’ ear.
“You said-” Regulus takes a deep breath. “I love you.”
James' face lights up and grabs his boyfriend's face and pulls him into a rough kiss. He moves to lay over Regulus and uses his elbows to hold himself up. Regulus’ hands are in James' hair as he deepens the kiss. James’ knees rest on either side of Regulus and he places his hands on the pale boy's waist snaking up the old band shirt that James lent him.
Regulus hums into James's mouth and he eats up the noise, letting out a noise of his own. Regulus breaks away “James.” He moans.
“Hmm?” James kisses down his jaw and to his neck.
Regulus moans again. “James, wait!” James pulls away slightly so that they’re inches apart. “I need to know you really meant it.”
James leans down to peck his lips once before pulling away again. “Reg, of course I meant it. I know it hasn't been long, but I mean it. I love you. I love you so much it confuses me. You are more than I could have ever wished for, you-” Just then it's Regulus that cuts him off with a kiss. It's just as rough as before but this time with a sense of love.
“I think I love you too.” Regulus says in between kisses. “You’re all I've ever wanted.” he says as he breaks away again. This time when James mouths his way down his throat and to his collar, Regulus doesn't stop him, James just takes in all the noises he's making and listens intently. He bites a mark into Regulus’ collar, drawing a loud moan from Regulus. He then bites a few more on his neck, drawing out more moans. The sounds are going straight down James’ spine.
“Oh fuck, James!” Regulus all but yells when James bites down on a rather sensitive spot. Regulus' hands find their way up James’ shirt, trying to tug it off without breaking contact.
James pulls away for a moment to ask. “Wait, what about what you said last night? About waiting?”
Regulus pulls him back down and crashes their lips back together just to pull away a second later. “No James, I said I wanted to wait until we weren't in the same house as my brother and your parents but honestly right now, I couldn't care less.” Regulus wraps his legs around James' waist, and whispers, “right now I just really want you. Please James, I love you.”
James leans back down and captures his mouth again. “Okay, I love you too. Are you sure?”
“I've never been more sure of anything in my life.” That's all James needed to hear before he was kissing Regulus with more fervor than ever before.
–
James was running his fingers through Regulus’ pitch black hair as he was fast asleep on his chest. Regulus’ bare skin was soft against James’. He never wanted this moment to end, he glanced at the clock. Eleven-forty-five. James knew that they either had to get up or someone would come knocking.
As if on cue there's a knock on the door and Sirius’ voice ringing through. “James? Reg? Are you two awake?”
“Go away Sirius!” Regulus’ voice made James jump, not expecting him to be awake. Regulus laughed slightly at him and looked up at him. His eyes a light grey that shined up at James, he finds himself falling in love all over again.
“Reggie, you can't hide away with your boyfriend forever. Have you been asleep this whole time?!”
“Well at least we know he didn't hear us.” Regulus chuckles under his breath. “No Sirius! We’ll be out in a minute!” He admits defeat as he leans up to peck James' lips shortly before sitting up and looking around the room. “I guess I should figure out where my clothes went.”
James scoffs at this. “Absolutely not! You can wear my clothes again.”
“Oh, I was planning on it.” Regulus stands up and goes to the closet. “But I should probably head back to the castle later today and I do need my clothes for that.”
“Well, I'll say this,” Regulus turns to look at James. “I definitely like what I'm seeing.”
Regulus just laughs and throws a shirt at James, finding a maroon shirt that is already quite loose on James and even looser on Regulus. It hangs off one shoulder displaying the array of love bites that James left there not two hours ago. And a pair of black joggers that also hang low on the small boy's hips, James’ mouth is watering at the sight.
“Well come on then get dressed, my brother won't wait forever.” He throws a pair of grey joggers at James to put on along with the shirt he previously threw his way. “Put those on, you look good in them.” He's standing at the end of the bed with his hands on his hips looking at James with his gorgeous grey eyes.
James slips on the joggers and looks at the shirt that was thrown at him. It's a ACDC tank top that has a ripped look on the sleeves. “What if I went without a shirt?” it's not like he doesn't like that top he would just rather have Regulus eyeing him all day until the three of them have to go to the castle. -well James just wants to go along; besides he works there-
“I am very ok with that.” Regulus crawls over and kisses James softly before pulling him up by the arm towards the door.
As they walk downstairs hand in hand, they smell breakfast that is being made by his mum. Effie is -in James’ very humble opinion- the best cook in the world. The first person to spot them in the doorway is his father, he glances at James -who is in fact not wearing a shirt- then to Regulus’ neck. He makes an amused face that says, ‘I see nothing’ and looks back down to his paper
Then Sirius sees them and does a double take. His eyes widen when he notices the state of both of them, Regulus chuckles beside James. “Close your mouth Sirius, you’ll catch flies.”
Sirius does close his mouth but keeps blubbering. “But- why- how- I- James,” He finally lands on. “ Why?! ”
“Well, I mean,” James takes a deep breath. “ Have you seen him? ” Sirius just gags and Remus emerges from his spot on the couch.
“Oh, come on Sirius what is it? Just another hickey?” He says until he looks at the pair still standing in the doorway, looking entirely unbothered. Remus’ eyes widen in understanding, and he nods slightly. “Oh. Well ok then.” He laughs heartily as he goes to help Effie with the food.
Remus probably says something to Effie because she glances back at them and laughs as she goes back to cooking. “This is an outrage! ” Sirius continues.
“Stop being dramatic, Sirius.” Regulus rolls his eyes and goes to sit on the sofa, pulling James along with him. He pushes James down on the couch and sits next to him, leaning on his chest. James just looks down at his boyfriend and runs his fingers through his hair. Just as Regulus starts falling asleep, they are called over for breakfast, with Regulus rubbing at his eyes and leaning on the taller boy.
“Why are you so tired?” Sirius asks, squinting in suspicion at his brother.
“James wore me out quite a bit and someone came knocking on the door interrupting my sleep.” Regulus replies and James chokes on his drink at the words.
Fleamont starts laughing at Sirius’ horrified face and Effie is silently chuckling while Remus rubs James's back to stop him coughing. “Why do you hurt me so much!?”
Regulus continues to look at his food. “Well, what about you? I can't imagine Remus went home, and I know you didn't go back to the castle, so where did you two sleep?”
Now it's Remus’s turn to choke on his water. “Well- we- uh” Sirius stutters once again.
“They slept in the guest room. I found them curled up this morning.” Effie speaks up.
“Effie!” Sirius yells. “I thought we had something!”
Effie starts laughing. “Well, it seems you have something with Remus too.” Sirius’ eyes widen even more.
They continue to joke like that with Regulus nodding off on James' shoulder, and James’ hands running through Regulus’ hair. It's around two PM when the black brothers plus James decide they should be heading to the castle before the king and queen get back.
Regulus covered his neck with his button up from yesterday and concealer for what wasn't already covered, and they got on their way. When they got their Regulus and James Retreated to Regulus' room for him to get some needed rest. (apparently James really did wear him out) James just roamed around the room looking at everything from Regulus’ past and present.
James wakes him up when Regulus told him to and just like he had said, his parents showed up not five minutes later and James had to rush up to the library while Regulus and Sirius greeted his parents. It took a while but while James was waiting for his boyfriend, he put away books and sorted books. When Regulus walked into the library, he looked even more exhausted than before.
James ran up to him and put his arms around the shorter boy. “It's exhausting,” Regulus starts. “Putting on a show. I hate it, and I hate doing it.”
“I know love, I know. You won't have to for much longer. I promise.”
They stay there embracing each other until eventually they sit at the table talking about one thing or another. “So, about this town wide quidditch game,” James starts. “Is it happening or not?”
“Oh yes! I've brought it up to mother and father and since we haven't done anything for the public lately, they thought it was brilliant. So, expect a few posters around the town in the next few days.”
“What position do you play?” James asks.
“Seeker. You?”
“Makes sense, you're small and agile.” James smiles at him. “I’m normally a chaser.”
“I know that I cannot wait to watch you play.” Regulus says with a knowing smirk.
“I cannot wait to play against you.”
“Against?” Regulus looks surprised. “Well alright then, I can't wait to beat you.”
They are leaning closer and closer to each other. “Well either way we can celebrate at my house afterwards.”
Just as they were about to kiss the queen burst through the doors. “Regulus, what do you think you are doing?”
Thankfully, just as the queen opened the doors Regulus jumped up from the seat, but it was still quite obvious that they had been talking. “Potter here just had a question about how we keep our books, mamman.”
Walburga seems to accept this for the time being and opens the door to leave, but she turns and speaks. “Regulus we will be having words later, yes?”
Regulus just sighs. “Yes mamman.” When Walburga leaves, Regulus just slumps against a bookshelf and puts his head between his knees.
“Reg? Love it's alright just breathe.” he says as he crouches down next to him. “What do you need from me, let me help you.”
Regulus’ breathing is harsh and shallow as his sobs break through, but he lifts his head up and James sees the tears rolling down his face. He doesn't speak but he holds out his arms as if to say ‘ just hold me please ’. James immediately lunges forward to take Regulus into his arms; he just sits there against the bookshelves with his boyfriend in his arms.
Right then he vows to take down Walburga and Orion black, if not for Regulus and Sirius then for his parents and the town. So that little aurora won't grow up not knowing what's out there. He will take them down.
-
Hours later James is back in Regulus’ room with said black brother, lying in bed simply talking. James technically got off the clock about an hour ago, but his boyfriend convinced him to just hang out with him. Regulus is laying on James' chest tracing shapes on his torso, and James is running his fingers up and down Regulus’ side. “I Really do love your waist.”
Regulus chuckles slightly. “Yeah? Why's that?”
“I don't know, it just does something to me. Makes me just want to grab you and never let you go.”
“Well, you don't have to grab me to do that. I'm yours.” He lifts his head like he has so many times and leans forward to kiss his boyfriend.
“Am I?” James says against his mouth. Regulus mumbles in confirmation.
Suddenly there's a knock on the door and James slightly panics thinking it's Walburga until Regulus assures him that one, Walburga never comes to their rooms, and two, she wouldn't knock.
This is confirmed when Sirius's voice rings out through the door. “Reggie? You in there?” His voice seems panicked, and James can see the panic on Regulus’ face as he leaps up to the door.
“Sirius, are you ok? What happened?” He says as he opens the door.
“Nothing but,” He sighs. “Mother wants to speak to you. I don't think it's good Reggie, she seems mad.”
“Shit, ok I'll go see her. James, stay here please. No matter what, don't leave this room.” This makes James freak out. Why can't he leave?
“Wait, James is in there? Fuck reg did mother see you?” Sirius speaks to his brother.
“She only saw us talking in the library, I told her he had a question but that's probably what she wants to talk about.” Regulus puts on a more formal shirt and walks out the door.
Sirius makes his way over to James and sits on the bed. “I really thought you two were smarter than this.”
“I know, I know, but Reg said she never comes into the library. We thought it would be fine.” James puts his head into his hands and groans.
“And she doesn't, but recently she's been stricter with us so that's probably why she went in there today.” Sirius puts a hand on James’ shoulder to comfort him. “Our mother is just a dramatic old bitch, and the smallest thing will set her off. I can only imagine what she's going to do to him down there, so you need to stay in here, no matter what you hear. Regulus is going to need both of us when he gets back up here, got it.”
Everything Sirius is saying is scaring James. What would he hear? What is she going to do to him? “Yeah ok. How do I help.” He asks.
“if it's anything like it normally is I'll probably need to clean him up so you will need to be here and be a comfort for him, don't ask questions, just hold him and tell him it'll be ok.”
James nods and sits in silence for a while waiting for Regulus to walk back through the door.
They sit in that silence for almost thirty minutes before James hears his worst fear. Regulus screams. Regulus is screaming bloody murder like the pain is going to kill him. He pauses for a few seconds at a time. James leaps up at the first scream, but Sirius grabs his arms and pulls him back down on the bed. He sits there fidgeting for ten more minutes before the screams stop completely.
Five minutes later Sirius leaves the room, saying something about Regulus passing out. When he gets back, he's holding a very beat up Regulus, with one arm over his shoulder helping him walk. James stands up right away grabbing his other arm and pulling it over his shoulder. He turns slightly to lock the door and then walks regulus to the bed.
Regulus is limp but awake and Sirius briefly instructs James to sit him down the move behind him to support him. He does as he's told so that Regulus is practically in his lap while Sirius cleans his various cuts and bruises. James sits feeling helpless and whisper comforting words into Regulus’ ear when he winces and rubbing a finger along a clear part on Regulus’ arm.
After a long while, Regulus was all cleaned up and he was a little more coherent and talking. The first thing Sirius asks is, “What the fuck happened Reg?”
To that Regulus just looks up and tears start welling in his eyes. “She asks why I was talking to him again and I told her what I said the first time, but she didn't believe it. She then said I was giving her attitude and that's when she pulled out the hitting.” He shivers slightly. “It wasn't like the past though, father came over and started hitting me harder, that's when I started screaming.”
Regulus was still sitting against James, so he tightens his arms around him and buries his face into the crease of Regulus’ neck to hide his tears. “I hate when you're in pain Reg.” He mumbles.
“I know James, I'm sorry.” Regulus lays his head on James’. He has no idea why he's apologizing so he'll talk to him about it later.
“don't be sorry, baby.” James tells him. Sirius stood up to walk out of the room.
He turns right before the door. “James come get me if he needs anything. Are you staying the night?”
James lifts his head. “I was planning on it, yes. I'll watch him.” Sirius leaves and James hugs Regulus tightly. “Are you ok Baby? Do you need anything from me?” He says, and Regulus looks up at him.
“I'm not really ok, no. My parents find joy in hurting us and I just can’t wait to stop their torture. And- can you just hold me for now? I just want to sleep. But if you have to go home, I get it.” James' heart breaks at this. The fact that Regulus thinks that James doesn't want to stay with him is crazy in James’ eyes.
“Are you kidding?” Regulus’ eyes light up with hope. “Of course I want to stay with you. I’m here and I want to help you just let me know how you want me to hold you and you can fall asleep just like that. Ok?”
Regulus smiles at him and snuggles closer. “Yeah, ok. Just hold me like this.” They shift a bit until they are both comfortable and James pulls Regulus close to him as if, if he loosens his grip Regulus will disappear.
Eventually Regulus’ breath evens out and his face is blank. James can't seem to fall asleep. He just stares at the door scared that Walburga's going to walk in at any moment.
All James wants to do is protect this boy that he loves so much, and he doesn't know if he can, but he will keep trying. He will try forever if he has to.