Chapter Text
“I think that’s all." James said contentedly with the soft slam as he closed the car trunk, surprised they managed to fit everything inside. They were going only for a few weeks, but the number of bags didn't match it. He ran through the list of all the things they may forget in his head. Satisfied with the conclusion he turned around to face the house.
"Reg, come on… we should be going, where are you?" He called towards the house. His mum stood beside his father near the fence gate, smiling.
"Be careful James. If you need something, just call us, right?" Effie said in a loving voice.
"We’ll be fine, I have been there thousand times. And I think it could be good for Regulus. He doesn’t show it very often, but it's still hard on him." James answered.
"We know, but you are good for him. But this isn’t going to be easy, you just have to be patient." Monty added, grabbing his wife's hand to his own. They looked so in love. After all those years together, Monty still looked at Effie like it was their honeymoon. James always loved to watch them together.
"Regulus?" He called again.
"I’m coming!" Echoed from a house slightly annoyed. After a while, the black-haired boy appeared from the front door carrying another bag in his arms. His hair was a little bit messy but in a cute way. Of course, everything about Regulus seems cute to James. He was wearing simple black jeans and a t-shirt.
"You have another bag? Jesus, how many things do you need?" James asked on his way to help the other boy.
"I want to be prepared. You know I have never been to the countryside. Well, I was, but in France so it doesn’t really count." Regulus answered and handed his bag to James.
"I know. It'll be fine, I think you will like it there." James said lightly and placed a quick kiss on the top of Regulus’ head.
James put the last bag into the car trunk and walked to the driver's seat.
"I’ll call when we get there." He told his parents and smiled. He’s going to miss them, but he’s also looking forward to spending some alone time with Regulus.
"Oh, I forgot my sunglasses. Wait a minute." Regulus called as he run towards the house. James sighed dramatically. Monty and Effie were trying to hold their laughter, looking amused at his son.
"Patience, you said, dad? I think I will have a lot of practice after this trip." James said rolling his eyes, but there wasn't any heat behind those words.
After a while, the other boy walked back and stopped in front of Effie and Monty.
"Mr. and Mrs. Potter, thank you for letting us stay at your cottage and also for helping me…" His voice trailed away as he looked down.
"You are very welcome, dear. Enjoy your stay and we are looking for you when you come back." Effie said, patting Regulus' arm. "Can I hug you?" She asked.
Regulus nodded hesitantly so Effie brought him into a hug. "If he annoys you, just remind him he should do the garden chores. I told him twice today, but I'm sure he already forgot." She whispered into his ear with a smile. Regulus chuckled and nodded. He shooked hands with Monty and stepped aside. James said goodbyes to both of his parents, and they got into the car. James waived one last time as he started the engine, and they took off.
They had like six-hour drive ahead of them. James focused on driving. It always took more attention for him to navigate in the heavy traffic in the city. Once they got to a highway, he relaxed a little bit. He looked at a boy in the passenger seat. Regulus was looking outside a window, but his fingers were flicking nervously in his lap. James noticed that he did that a lot. He put his hand on Regulus’ thigh and the boy immediately turn his head, a little bit taken aback as if James had interrupted him from his deep thoughts. He looked at James while grabbing the other boy’s hand to his own and smiled.
"Are you alright, Reg?" He asked making sure everything was okay, that Regulus didn’t change his mind about going.
"Yeah, I’m fine, a little bit nervous but excited at the same time. I am glad we’ll get to spend time just the two of us." Regulus answered and brought their joined hands to his mouth and kissed it lightly.
"Me too. I always loved it there. My parents and I went there every summer. There is a forest with a stream and a lake and a meadow... We can do so many things. I’m glad you agreed to come with me. And I was talking to Remus and Sirius a few days ago, they would love to come. Peter too. So maybe in a week or so? What do you think? And before we head back, we could invite others too- Mary, Lily, Marlene and Dorcas, Pandora with Evan, and Barty as well. Have a party just us like at school." James talked barely keeping his excitement. He wanted to show the whole world to this boy.
"That sounds good, James. Even though Sirius and I still have a lot of work to do. But I think it’s getting better, at least we can exist in the same room for longer periods of time without the urge to kill each other." Regulus answered looking at James with admiration look. His excitement was contagious.
They drove in silence for a while, the landscape was slowly changing behind the window from the city to the countryside. Regulus was still holding James’ hand, tracing patterns on it. James loved the way Regulus touched him. It was light, but even the most ordinary touch was grounding for him. It kept him focused, calming him. He was always a person, who loved physical contact- with his parents or his friends, it comes naturally to him. It brings him comfort and makes him feel connected and loved. Regulus on the other hand is modest and cautious about touching. Maybe that's why they mean even more to James. It feels like a privilege when the other boy reaches for him.
Regulus broke the silence quietly. "I was just thinking, how strange it is that I'm not going home. Like not never. I don’t want to come back there, don’t get me wrong. But still… It was my home, not a good one, but still the only home I have ever had. And during the school year, I got to be at the dorm with Barty and Evan. That always felt good, familiar, safe... mine. But I can’t be there this summer, so now every place is foreign. And it just feels… I don’t know." The way he spoke suggested this was something he was thinking about for a while and just now found the courage to voice it in front of James.
He took a glance at the boy next to him before focusing back on the road. He squeezed his hand for reassurance. "I know, Reg. But we’re here for you. Not just me, but also Sirius and Remus, Peter, your friends, and the others as well. You’re not alone." He spoke quietly but steadily. He knew by now how much Regulus needed consistency in his life, how he hates big changes. And this year was full of them, and it was only July. He knew it was hard for him. Not that Regulus ever complained. But sometimes James saw him with a distant look with few wrinkles between his eyebrows, sitting somewhere alone far from others. In those moments he wanted just to wrap the boy in his arms and never let go.
"You can't get rid of the Marauders now." James added on a lighter note.
"I know, believe me, I tried." Regulus rolled his eyes.
"Oh, you love us, and we know it." James flashed him a bright smile.
"Also, mum and dad are happy to have you home. They already have one Black, so now they have two." James continued. Effie and Monty immediately offered their home to Regulus, when James and Sirius mentioned he didn’t have a place to stay the first month of the summer because the dorms will be under reconstruction. Regulus was hesitant at first, but after meeting Ms. and Mrs. Potter he agreed. He and Monty got on well together. Regulus spent a lot of time in his study talking about Monty’s research. They seemed to enjoy each other company, which made James utterly happy.
Regulus and James fell into a comfortable conversation about their plans for next week, the ride was passing nicely.
After a few hours Regulus fell asleep exhausted from a long ride. He looked so peaceful when he was asleep. James loved watching him. He let go of his hand and took a sip of his coffee. They still had about three hours of drive and it was getting dark outside. They should have left earlier but packing took longer than he thought, and Remus stop by for a cup of tea to say goodbye and also pick up Sirius for some concert they had planned for the evening. Sirius took forever to get ready as always, so James and Regulus kept Remus company hence the late departure.
James was listening to music playing on the radio, humming quietly to a soft melody careful not to wake Regulus up. Even so often he glanced at the sleeping boy. He thought about the night they talked properly for the first time. It was winter after a Christmas break. Regulus was disowned during the holidays at twenty-one years old, and it was hard on him, not that he would ever admit this. James never knew what exactly happened. Regulus didn't talk about it, and James never pushed him to. Knowing the Black family, he was sure it wasn’t anything good. When Sirius found out he contacted his little brother, and even after years of bad blood and distance, he offered him a helping hand. He never stopped loving his brother, but the circumstances were never in their favor until now. It's complicated- the family stuff.
This was how Regulus found himself walking towards Griffindor's dorm rooms to a party the Marauders hosted by the end of the exam period in the January. Sirius tried to spend time alone with his brother, but that often ended up in an argument or uncomfortable silence. Instead he started inviting him to group events, like parties or dinners. So, they did spend some time together the past last month, but Regulus seemed to keep his distance with that characteristic unimpressed look on his face. Regulus was studying at the same university as Marauders in the conservatory of Music, so he was always close to stopping by. James caught sight of him in the park in the middle of the campus and decided to join him. Regulus didn’t look excited to see James, but that didn't deter him, on the contrary. Since Regulus didn't tell him to leave him alone, James made it his mission of the night to make the smaller boy smile at least once.
They never got to the party instead they walked around for hours and talked about everything and anything. At first, their conversation was led more by James, Regulus answering only when asked, without detail or without showing any emotion or even a hint of exitement. But then he introduced the talk to music, and something sparkled in his eyes. Regulus immediately seemed friendlier and more approachable.
He knew Regulus was truly handsome. James was well aware of it since the first time he layed his eyes on him. But talking to him just revealed another level of his beauty. Most of the time he had a controlled mask and a cold unreadable expression. But sometimes, very rarely he let his mask slip away for a second, and in those moments, it was like peaking into another world. A world that was firmly locked from strangers, and it would be the highest privilege to get an invite there.
They stood behind a closed cafeteria in the middle of the night. James was leaning against the railings laughing at some sarcastic comment Regulus made. It was so cold you could see your breath, but that didn’t stop them from staying outside since neither of them was eager to go inside where they would be disturbed by the others. They were enjoying the privacy. He noticed Regulus was trying warm his hands by rubbing them against each other. James without thinking took them into his, brought them to his mouth, and warmed them with his breath. It was just instinct honestly, nothing more, but he'll never forget the surprise in Regulus’ eyes that changed into something more, something kind and soft but also utterly sad. It was a part of Regulus that until now was perfectly hidden.
"Thanks." He whispered but didn’t take his hands from James’. And in that moment time stood still, just the two of them in their small little bubble that exists beyond time and space.
It was a beautiful innocent night that James will never forget. He was lost right there and then. If he had to pick up some of his happiest memories, this one would be one of the best. He never stood a chance with Regulus. He fell in love with him on that cold night and couldn’t go back.
But Regulus needed time for himself. He was trying to figure out his new life on his own, not being a Black heir anymore. It was a big challenging change for him, and adjusting took time. Also, James wasn’t sure Regulus even liked him like that. Sometimes Regulus would talk to him and even laugh, and other times he didn't spear him a glance. There was a time when he was younger that James would chase after this boy. He remembered how precise he was with Lily. He just didn’t do this anymore. He knew the more he would push the more would Regulus withdraw. He grew up and learned from his mistakes. He would just stay close to this boy, try to talk to him, and try to guess if he’s interested, and if not it’s okay he'll just admire him from distance and hope that maybe one day Regulus would look at him and see something more. Regulus was worth the wait.
They were often together with other Marauders. James talked to him every chance he got, but nothing more than a friendly conversation with a few flirting comments when he couldn’t help himself. Regulus tried to spend time with Sirius and mend their relationship, but it was complicated to say at least. That’s how it is with two stubborn brothers who can’t talk about their feelings. But with their childhood and family, no one could truly blame them.
It wasn’t until the end of May, a month and a few weeks ago that Regulus came to James at another party.
"Do you wanna take a walk?" he asked.
"Sure, love to." James agreed little suprised. He loved spending time alone with this boy. Regulus was more open and comfortable when they were alone (not that happened that often). They walked around campus like the last time several months ago. But this time it was better timing. Not that Regulus had his life figured out, but it was starting to feel normal. They sat down on the distant part of campus looking over the dark buildings. Something felt different like maybe Regulus would let him get close this time, so James tried his luck and took Regulus’ hand to his own. Regulus turned to him, and they hold eye contact. Those deep blue-grey eyes with hints of golden dots were so beautiful. The color was fascinating- like the feeling of calm after a storm at sea. And when those eyes looked at you, it was so intense that you couldn't look away. James felt like he could drown himself in them. They were so close that James could feel Regulus’ hot breath on his skin. Regulus didn’t look nervous, but his unsteady breath gave him away. James didn’t dare to move, he felt hot and nervous. Because Regulus was there, right next to him so, so close, he was looking at him with so intense in his gaze and James could feel his quick pulse in his hand. He was afraid he’ll ruin the moment, but he couldn’t resist.
“I would very much like to kiss you, Reg. Can I?” He whispered and in the quiet of the night sounded almost defening.
Regulus took a deep breath. He styed very still for a moment, searching for something in James’ eyes. Whatever it was, he obviously found it because a second later Regulus slowly almost timidly closed the distance between them and kissed him. James dreamed about this many times before, but the reality was so much better. He instantly melted at the touch, the warmth of Regulus’ lip against his, how soft his hair felt under his fingers. But the best part was how right it felt. Like he was born to kiss this boy. It was one of the kisses worth the wait, and when it finally happened it lasted a lifetime. One kiss was never gonna be enough for James. They started dating not long after.
A loud beep interrupted James' train of thought. He looked down at the dashboard to find out low fuel warning. He made mental note to stop at the nearest gas station. They weren’t far from their destination.
In a half-hour, James slowed down, parked his car under the shed next to the fence, and turned off the engine. It was almost midnight, and outside was total darkness. That’s what he likes about the countryside, no streetlights. Their cottage was on the remote edge of the village near the forest, far enough to have quiet and privacy. He was sure Regulus will love the night sky full of stars.
"Sweetheart, we are here. Wake up." He spoke softly not to scare the sleeping boy as he brushed Regulus's curls from his face.
"James? Where are we? What time is it?" Regulus asked sleepily. James smiled. The boy was utterly adorable like this.
"We're here, come. It’s almost midnight. We’ll take just the bag with our clothes to sleep in and the rest we’ll unpack tomorrow. Okay?" James answered, kissing his boyfriend's forehead who just hummed in agreement.