Chapter Text
After practically bouncing on his toes waiting for Regulus’ ten minutes to pass, James near-as-dammit raced back to the Gryffindor dorms. To say he was excited was an understatement.
”Good morning, my fellow Marauders!” he exclaimed as he burst into the room, paying absolutely no mind to the grumbling protests of his friends, and instead made his way to the window. “And what a beautiful morning it—“
No. No, no, no. This could not be happening.
”Prongs?” asked Peter, somewhat blearily. His head poked out from his bed. “What’s wrong?”
But James just shook his head. His face hurt where it had twisted in panic, but he didn’t have it in himself to let it settle again.
Because, when he’d torn open the curtains, it had been to reveal the worst possible thing he could’ve imagined.
”It’s snowed,” he breathed. “Peter, it snowed.”
Fuck, all their hard work— it would all be ruined. The lights, the blanket — everything.
What was James supposed to do now? How in the bloody fuck was he supposed to salvage their date? He couldn’t exactly bring Regulus for their picnic now — not to mention how dangerous the walk to Hogsmeade always became with ice! What sort of person was he if he would put his date in danger?
”James,” he heard — Peter, probably. But still his eyes stayed glued to the window.
Okay, this was— this was far from ideal but he could fix it, right? There had to be something else they could do. Maybe he could set something up in the astronomy tower instead? But the forest clearing took hours…
”James, it’s fine—“
So it would have to be a little more minimalist. That was okay — Regulus probably wouldn’t like anything too over the top anyway. He seemed like a minimalist sort of guy.
Right then. So all he had to do was fetch the food — which was fine; he’d needed to do that anyway — decorate the tower, find a new picnic blanket — he could always transfigure his bedspread if he needed to — but then was that too similar to bringing Regulus straight to bed? Shit, okay he definitely couldn’t do that, then. A towel, then—
“Bloody hell, James, just—“
And then he needed to go pick up Regulus— the flowers! Bugger.
Okay, so. Add transfiguring flowers to the list. What type were Regulus’ favourite? Sirius would know—
But where the fuck was Sirius?
Alright then. Fine. Add tracking down Sirius to the list.
Right. Run through it all again. One: Decorate astronomy tower. Maybe he could ask Peter to help again — but he’d already done so much; it really wasn’t fair to put so much work on him all over again. Okay, so keep step one.
Two: Fetch food. Easy. (Hopefully.)
Three: Transfigure blanket. Should that be before step two? Where would he lay the food if not the blanket?
So, swap steps two and three. What was step four again?
”James!”
”What?” he snapped, head twisting to finally look at Peter, who — at some point unknown to James — had grabbed his shoulders with a firm grip.
”Bloody hell, mate,” Peter said, eyes a little wide. “Breathe a sec, yeah? It’s fine.”
”It isn’t fine,” James insisted, honestly a little whiny. “The snow—“
”I have it sorted.”
What?
”I thought ahead, Prongs,” Peter told him calmly. “I put charms on the blanket, the record player, the lights — all of it. The snow won’t have ruined anything, I swear it.”
A rush of relief flooded through him, and all at once a tension James hadn’t realised he’d held suddenly released. His shoulders sagged as he sighed, “You are an absolute beauty, Wormy! Merlin, if I wasn’t about to take Reg on a date, I’d kiss you.”
”Please don’t,” Peter answered, somewhat awkwardly. “Maybe buy me some sugar quills while you’re out, and we’ll call it even, yeah?”
”I’ll buy the whole stock,” James promised. “I solemnly swear it.”
Chuckling to himself, Peter shook his head. “Whatever, mate. You just focus on getting yourself together before you have to go.”
Right. Yes — he’d forgotten that bit on his list. What else did he need to do?
”Where’s Sirius?” he asked suddenly.
Peter shrugged. “Dunno. He left like, ten minutes ago maybe? Lots of shouting to himself.”
James frowned. Ten minutes ago… Regulus. What did Regulus want Sirius for?
”Okay,” he said slowly, then decided he may as well ask, “Any chance you know Regulus’ favourite flowers?”
“Sunflowers,” came a voice from behind, and James turned to see Remus’ tired face glaring out of his bedcurtains. “Now shush.”
Sunflowers. Okay, that wouldn’t be too hard. But—
“How do you know that?”
Remus’ eyes narrowed further. “Shush. It is early, and it is Saturday.”
James raised his hands in surrender. “Message received.”
So, all he had to do was transfigure a bouquet of sunflowers — or would just one be more suitable? He thought again of Regulus’ preference of quieter and more subtle moments — get himself date-ready, get the food from the kitchens to the forest (and not forget charms to keep it warm and bug-free), and pick up Regulus.
Much more manageable. Maybe today wouldn’t be a disaster at all.
”Merlin, what do I wear?”
“There!” declared Sirius, stepping back to admire ‘his work’.
Honestly, Regulus felt a little silly. He was comfortable in his loose pine green jumper, but the black muggle jeans Sirius had dressed him in were tighter than his slacks and pinched his skin all weird. Not to mention the fact he’d cuffed them.
”Why can’t I wear my own trousers?” he asked, for perhaps the hundredth time. “These ones look stupid.”
”They make your arse look great,” Sirius told him. “And if you’re gonna seduce my best friend, you’re sure as shit gonna do it right.”
“I’m not trying to seduce him,” snarked Regulus, crossing his arms petulantly. “I want to be comfortable.”
Sirius raised his palms. “If you wanna change, you can. But you asked for my help, so I gave it.”
”I asked for you to do the thing with my eyes,” he retorted. “Not try to redesign me entirely.”
”I haven’t!” Sirius protested.
Regulus looked pointedly down at his jeans.
”Bloody Merlin, Reg — it’s a pair of jeans! It isn’t that big of a deal.”
”I’m changing,” Regulus decided, grabbing a pair of his slacks from his wardrobe, ignoring his brother’s obnoxious boo-ing from where he’d plopped himself gracelessly down onto Regulus’ bed.
In the bathroom, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, and took a moment to really look. Sirius had done something with a pale stick under his eyes that managed to hide the circles under his eyes, and the black stuff he’d jammed in the corners looked just as good as they had at the ball.
Regulus looked in the mirror and saw a version of himself he was finally proud of. He was about to go on a date with James Potter. He was his own person, with his own look, and who made his own choices. No longer was he his mother’s puppet, or a boy less alive than the dead. And, as much as he saw Sirius in himself, he saw someone more than just Sirius’ little brother.
He was Regulus, and that was enough.
Smiling a little at himself, he hastily changed into his slacks and stepped back out of the bathroom, tossing Sirius’ silly trousers back at him. It wasn’t on purpose that they smacked into his face, but Regulus certainly wouldn’t complain about it, either.
”Oi!” Sirius shouted, huffing. Something caught Regulus’ eyes, though — something he hadn’t noticed before.
”There’s one more thing I need before I’m ready,” he decided.
”Okay,” James breathed and shook out his hands. “Alright. Flower — check! Me — check! All that’s left is the food, and Regulus.” He turned to face Peter, who had been quietly observing as James put himself together. “Right?”
”Remember to keep breathing, too,” he advised, and James nodded seriously.
”Right. That’s a good point,” he agreed. “Keep breathing.”
The door burst open suddenly, and in barrelled Sirius. It took a moment for James to recognise him, honestly, because he looked like he’d just rolled out of bed, and Sirius had never left the dorm looking anything less than perfect.
”Avert ye eyes, Prongsie-boy!” he all-but shouted, flapping a hand at him incessantly.
”Where in Merlin’s name have you been?” James asked, instead of looking away.
”Eyes, Potter!”
He turned away very suddenly. Sirius sounded far too authoritorial when he used his last name.
”I’m helping Reggie,” Sirius answered, once he was satisfied James was no longer looking. James heard him rummaging for something in their bathroom. “Which means I can say no more.”
There was a long pause while Sirius searched for whatever he was looking for, then just as James heard his footsteps heading back towards the dorm door, Sirius added, “However, I will be sure to tell him you look hot as fuck, Prongs.”
James turned to look at him, eyes wide and hopeful. “Yeah?” he asked, because one could never be too sure.
”Eyes!”
Hurriedly, he looked away again.
”Yes, James,” Sirius confirmed, once satisfied by James’ compliance. “And — just to warn you — Reggie looks great too. Don’t swoon too hard, yeah? Wouldn’t want you to hit your head.”
Eagerly, James turned to look at Sirius again to ask for more details, but Sirius was already out the door. He instead looked over at Peter.
”What did he get from the bathroom?” he asked, because if Sirius was telling him not to look, it had to be something for Regulus.
Peter just shrugged with a smirk. “Couldn’t say, mate. You just focus on you, alright? Keep breathing and you’ll be fine.”
Nodding, James shook out his hands one more time. “Breathe. Got it. Final verdict?”
Holding his arms out, he spun around to show himself off. He caught the end of Peter’s eyes rolling, but he was smiling, too.
”Just go, James. You’ll be fine.”
”I’ll be fine,” he repeated with a nod. “Wish me luck!”
”Piss off already, Prongs.”
Yeah, fair enough.
He cast another tempus charm.
Two minutes until eleven.
”Reg, chill,” Barty told him, already bored by him. Somehow, he and Evan had both slept through most of his and Sirius’ noise, and had only woken a few minutes ago. “You look hot. I’d shag you myself if Rosie didn’t exist.”
Sirius sent him a glare, but Regulus just rolled his eyes. “You’d have sex with almost anything that moved,” he said flatly.
”True,” Barty admitted with a shrug.
There were three knocks at the door.
Regulus froze.
Oh shit.
“Reggie?” prompted Sirius. “You gonna… get that?”
”He’s early,” Regulus exhaled. Eyes wide, he looked at Sirius desperately. “Why is he early?”
”Bloody fuck,” his brother muttered. “Two minutes is not early. Get the door or I’ll do it myself.”
Knowing that would only end in disaster, Regulus hurried to the door. But, instead of pulling it open, his hand just… hovered, motionlessly waiting over the handle, like just being near it would be enough to open the door.
”Regulus,” Sirius said again, something almost reminiscent of concern lacing his voice. “You good?”
The knock sounded again.
His eyes drifted down to his waiting hand. Adorned with his favourite silver rings and nails still black from the previous weekend, he mentally urged himself to grab the handle, but his hand did not move.
”Open the bloody door, Reg,” muttered Barty. “Before Potter’s head bursts on the other side of it.”
Right. Because it was James knocking.
James, who was about to take Regulus on their date.
James, who had practically decided they were getting married just last week.
He likes you, Regulus reminded himself. Don’t fuck it up.
With that final reassurance in his mind, Regulus drew in a breath and pulled open the door.
The first thing he noticed was the bold yellow flower being thrust towards him.
The second was the beautiful man holding it.
”Hi,” James said. His nerves were evident in the shake of his voice, and for reasons Regulus couldn’t quite fathom, knowing that James was nervous too was a massive comfort to him. “This is for you.”
He accepted the flower with a small smile he couldn’t hide — realised he didn’t want to hide — because it was a sunflower. Of course James knew his favourite flower.
”Thank you,” he said quietly, twirling it gently between two fingers. Looking up at James, Regulus bit his lip.
James’ eyes were roaming all over his face. Regulus almost laughed at the sight; he could’ve sworn he saw drool at the corner of his mouth.
”You’re wearing eyeliner again,” breathed James, making Regulus blush.
”Yes,” he confirmed stupidly.
And then, James seemed to notice Regulus other new addition.
”Holy mother of Merlin,” he said through a heavy exhale. One hand reached halfway towards Regulus’ face, paused, then finished the journey to cup the side of his head. “Is that a piercing?”
Regulus nodded nervously. It had been a last minute decision, admittedly, and hurt like a motherfucker, but Sirius had assured him that he’d done his own by himself, too, and even gave him a pair of star studs to put in. Honestly, Regulus quite liked them, himself, despite the process of actually getting them in.
”You’re…”
And the next thing Regulus knew, James was pulling him in for a kiss. It was electric, even for something only lasting a moment, and the smile on his face when they parted made his cheeks ache.
”Gross!” Sirius called out from behind Regulus. “Get a room!”
”Sirius,” Regulus hissed, glaring back at him. “Shut the fuck up before we fuck on your bed.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” answered Sirius with narrowed eyes, but he sounded unsure.
Regulus smirked. “Are you willing to test that?”
There was a beat of silence, but Regulus already knew he’d won. And, just as he expected, Sirius huffed his defeat and stood from Regulus’ bed.
”Whatever,” he grumbled, pushing past Regulus so that he could leave. When he made it to James, Sirius paused to say, “Hands above clothes, Prongs. I’ll know,” then left.
And thank Merlin for that.
”For the record,” came Barty’s voice from behind, “I’m in favour of hands going under clothes—“
”We’re going,” Regulus declared suddenly, and grabbed James hand with his own. “Count your days, Barty. They’re running low.”
Whatever Barty said in response was cut off by the slam of the door behind them.
”So, Potter,” Regulus began, and smiled when he felt James’ thumb run across the back of his hand. “What’s our plan?”
James. Was. Swooning.
Merlin, Regulus looked gorgeous. Not that he didn’t usually! But — well — somehow he’d gone from phenomenal to beyond it.
Dressed in perhaps the comfiest-looking jumper ever, Regulus was already dashing, but he’d paired it with a long black jacket that reminded James of robes if they’d been muggle-ified. Was that a word? He wasn’t sure. If it was, then that would be how he’d have described the coat, with its long tails at the back and sleeves that reached just a little too far past Regulus’ palms. It made him look sophisticated and mysterious, though — even more so than usual.
More than that, he looked adorable.
But to add to that, he was making James stressed, because — well — how in Merlin’s name was he supposed to not just fall at his feet for this boy? His eyeliner, though subtler than before, was making his eyes pop and drawing James in until he was so entranced he was sure he’d end up tripping over his own feet, which meant he’d already had to declare the rule to himself that he was, under absolutely no circumstances, allowed to look into them, in fear of making a buffoon out of himself.
Except, then, his eyes caught sight of Regulus’ new piercings, and he just— what was he even supposed to do anymore? How was he meant to stick to his plans of being a gentleman and giving Regulus an actual date when all he wanted to do was stare at him and marvel at his beauty?
Okay. So that wasn’t all he wanted to do. But that was not relevant, and if he let himself think about it, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself following through.
On the plus side, James didn’t feel completely underdressed in comparison. He’d settled on his favourite form-fitting red jumper — Sirius always commented about the way it still showed off his muscles — and after encouragement from Peter — who had sounded rather a lot like his mum — James had shrugged on his winter coat and wrapped his Gryffindor scarf around his neck, too.
He wasn’t quite Regulus Black levels of attractive, but he certainly wasn’t unattractive either.
Regulus’ hand was a little cool in his own, so James decided he’d just have to keep ahold of it all day to keep it warm. His thumb traced lightly across the smooth skin, and he smiled.
“So, Potter,” Regulus began, and James broke his own rule to stare into his eyes. “What’s our plan?”
Plan? Well, James would like to spend the day memorising every little speck of colour in Regulus’ gaze, quite honestly.
There was more green in there than he’d noticed before, mixed in with the greys and the blues — maybe it was brought out more with the black smudged around it? It could’ve just been the lighting though, James supposed, but either way it was yet another beautiful thing about his boyfriend-slash-fiancé that James engraved into his mind, adding it to his ongoing list of why he was the luckiest person on the planet.
But, as much as he would love to continue trying to imprint into his brain the sight of Regulus looking up at him like he held the world in his palms, James had a plan. He had a schedule to keep.
”First,” he began theatrically, and used his hold on Regulus’ hand to pull him in close. Gently, he pressed a kiss to his lips and lingered for as long as he could without letting himself get drawn in too much. “That.”
Regulus rolled his eyes, but James grinned at the sight of his darkened cheeks. “And here I thought you had plans to woo me,” he drawled, lips curling up in a small smirk.
”Oh, I do,” confirmed James. “But you just look so cute. And there’ll be plenty more where that came from.”
“That had better be a promise, Potter.”
James swooped in for another quick peck, this time on Regulus’ cheek. “I swear it, love.”