I just want you to make a move. So slow down, sit down, it's new. [Fic + art]

by iaskedforcosmiclove

Summary:

"We stay up watching The Twilight Zone once you and Pads disappear for the night."

A knowing smirk tugged at the corners of Remus's lips. "That's nice."

James's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Nice?"

"Yeah," Remus nodded, his voice softening. "I think he needs to know we don't just want him around because of his brother. We actually like him."

A blush crept up James's neck, coloring his cheeks. He fidgeted with the yarn, avoiding Remus's gaze. "Oh, right. Yeah. We do like him."

Remus couldn't contain his laughter, which bubbled up and filled the room. "Yeah, I'm not touching that."

Notes:

My first Jeg Bingo Post! Yay!
Prompts: James Crochets Regulus a Top, Mutual Pining, and Ace Character

This is honestly also a kind of self-insert and a simplification of my own ace journey. James Kin will james kin, amirite ladies?
Also, I wasn't supposed to fanart this. but i did. shrugs

A soft sigh filled the cozy living room, and Remus's eyes wandered from his book to James, who sat hunched over a growing mass of colorful yarn pulling at the end, unraveling the most recent row. James felt Remus's gaze on him but kept his focus on the tangled mess before him; his brow furrowed in concentration. He'd taken up crochet as a way to keep his hands busy and his mind calm, but at the moment, it seemed to be having the opposite effect.

"What are you making?" Remus asked, dog-earing his book like a heathen, his curiosity piqued.

James looked up, his glasses slightly askew. His fingers stilled on the intricate pattern. "A top for Reg."

Remus's eyebrows shot up, surprise etching across his features. "Huh."

Confusion clouded James's expression, his brow furrowing. "What?"

"Nothing," Remus said, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Just didn't realize you two have gotten close."

James shrugged, his shoulders rising and falling casually. His gaze returned to his crochet project. "We stay up watching The Twilight Zone once you and Pads disappear for the night."

A knowing smirk tugged at the corners of Remus's lips. "That's nice."

James's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Nice?"

"Yeah," Remus nodded, his voice softening. "I think he needs to know we don't just want him around because of his brother. We actually like him."

A blush crept up James's neck, coloring his cheeks. He fidgeted with the yarn, avoiding Remus's gaze. "Oh, right. Yeah. We do like him."

Remus couldn't contain his laughter, which bubbled up and filled the room. "Yeah, I'm not touching that."

James's brow furrowed deeper, genuine confusion evident in his voice. "What?"

Remus shook his head, an amused glint in his eyes. He turned back to his book, a smile playing on his lips. "Nothing, James. You can figure that out on your own."

James's fingers fumbled with the yarn as Sirius and Regulus walked through the front door, shopping bags in hand. He tried to focus on his project, but his eyes kept darting to Regulus, taking in his windswept curls and flushed cheeks.

Sirius made a beeline for Remus and unceremoniously plopped down on Remus's lap with a casual "Hey."

Remus grunted with the sudden weight, his eyes darting curiously to the bags in Sirius's hands. He reached out, fingers inching closer to the lip of the bag, "What'd you get me?"

In a flash, Sirius's hand shot out, swatting Remus's probing fingers away. His grey eyes glinted mischievously as he leaned in close, voice dropping to a suggestive whisper. "Nothing I can show right now."

"Ugh, gross," Regulus muttered, turning to James. "James, would you like some tea?"

Surprised by the offer, James felt a warmth spread through his chest. "Yeah! Thanks," he replied, unable to keep the smile from his face.

With a dismissive wave towards his brother and Remus, Regulus started towards the kitchen. "I just need to get out of this room."

"Hey, I want some too!" Sirius called after him.

James caught Remus smirking at him and felt his face heat up. "What?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Nothing," Remus replied, his tone teasing. "Interesting how he didn't offer us tea."

James fumbled for a response, his heart racing. "Yeah, well, you guys were being gross."

"Interesting how you never found our love gross before," Remus pointed out, his gaze piercing.

James stared at Remus, unable to form a coherent thought. His mind raced, trying to come up with a witty comeback, but he found himself at a loss for words.

Oblivious to the tension, Sirius glanced between them. "Okay, what did I miss?"

"Nothing, baby," Remus murmured before capturing Sirius's lips in a deep, passionate kiss. Forgetting everything else, Sirius instinctively wrapped his arms around Remus's neck, pulling him closer. He couldn't help but let out a low, deep moan that reverberated through him and the apartment.

From the kitchen doorway, Regulus's exasperated voice cut through the air. "Oh my god, you both have your own room, you know."

Sirius broke away from the kiss, his lips red and slightly swollen. "Yes, but my Moony was kissing me here."

James watched as Remus stood up, holding Sirius by the waist. "Come on, baby. Why don't you show me what's in that bag?" Remus said, leading an eager enthusiastic Sirius towards their shared bedroom.

As they disappeared, James found himself alone in the living room, his crochet project forgotten in his lap. He could hear Regulus moving about in the kitchen, and his heart skipped a beat at the thought of spending time alone with him. James's thoughts whirled as he went over what Remus had said. His view changed, and now he looks at every memory he had with Regulus in a new light.

He didn't notice Regulus coming near until he sat beside him on the sofa, making him jump slightly. James took the tea Regulus gave him, but he felt unsure. His eyes moved to the empty couch across the room, and he wondered why Regulus had decided to sit so near him today or if he always chose to sit close.

James watched Regulus reach for the TV remote, his heart skipping a beat at the casual grace of the movement.

"Twilight Zone or X-Files?"

James swallowed hard, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "Can you close your eyes and try something on for me?"

Regulus's brow furrowed, confusion etching across his features.

Realizing how strange his request sounded, James hurried to explain. "Right, that sounds weird. I'm making you something, and I would really like to know if I got the right size. I kind of guesstimated, and I really don't feel like frogging an entire project because I was too scared to ask you to try it on."

Regulus smirked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're scared of me, Potter?"

James's gaze locked onto Regulus, drinking in every detail of his face. "You know damn well how scary you are. NOW, close your eyes and sit up so I can see if this will fit, please!"

Regulus obliged, his eyelids fluttering shut. "Is this a top like Pandora's?"

Surprise colored James's voice. "How'd you know?"

A soft laugh escaped Regulus's lips. "James, you were there when I told her I liked her top, and she said, 'Thanks, Jamsiekins made it.'" Regulus said, mimicking a high-pitched, breathy voice.

James felt heat rising to his cheeks. "Oh! I didn't think you noticed me."

Regulus's eye cracked open, peeking at James.

James leaned in close, their faces mere inches apart. "Just because you know what it is doesn't mean you can peek."

With trembling hands, James wrapped his arms around Regulus, checking if the strap comfortably wrapped his waist. He wasn't sure why the closeness sent shivers down his spine.

Regulus leaned in, his breath tickling James's ear. "You're ridiculous," he whispered, his voice low and teasing. James felt a shiver run down his spine at the closeness, his heart rate quickening.

His mouth went dry at the sudden, overwhelming proximity of Regulus's body. He quickly moved away, desperate to distance himself, his heart pounding so loudly he was certain Regulus could hear it. "It fits," he croaked out, his voice sounding strained even to his own ears. James ran a trembling hand through his perpetually messy hair, trying to regain his composure and wondering why such a simple interaction had left him feeling so flustered.

"You really didn't have to," Regulus murmured, his voice soft and warm.

James's response came out as a whisper. "I wanted to."

"Thanks," Regulus whispered back, their eyes locked in an intense gaze.

Feeling overwhelmed, James coughed and slouched back down, trying to regain his composure. "So, do you have any plans this weekend?"

Regulus's face lit up with hope. "None! Why?"

James's stomach twisted with guilt as he replied, "Oh, I was just asking. Lily, Panda, and I are going to have a crochet-a-thon."

Disappointment clouded Regulus's features, his bright eyes losing some of their sparkle. "Sounds exciting," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm that James couldn't miss. The sudden shift in Regulus's demeanor made James's heart clench, and he found himself wishing he could take back his words. He watched as Regulus's fingers began to tap rhythmically against his thigh.

Scrambling to salvage the conversation, James added, "I was just curious if you and Sirius were planning to do anything together."

Regulus sighed, his shoulders slumping. "You can stop trying to make my brother and I bond. I've already been rescued, and we're going to therapy. What more do you want?"

James felt his heart sink, stammering as he tried to explain. "I, Reg, I'm sorry. I didn't mean..."

"It's whatever," Regulus said, rising to his feet. "I have to meet Remus at the library anyway."

James watched helplessly as Regulus grabbed his coat and headed for the front door. As it closed behind him, James couldn't help but feel a twinge of confusion, knowing full well that Remus and Sirius were currently occupied in the other room.

☀★☀★

Regulus slumped into his chair, clutching his teacup with both hands as if it were a lifeline. His usually well-kept curls were in disarray as he'd run his fingers through them in frustration the entire walk to Evan and Barty's apartment.

"He's so infuriatingly perfect!" Regulus exclaimed, his bright grey-blue eyes wide with exasperation.

Evan and Barty exchanged a knowing glance.

Barty leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his eye. "What did your knight in shining armor do now?"

Regulus's brow furrowed, his fingers tapping an anxious rhythm on the side of his cup. "Stop calling him that... He's crocheting me clothes. He's literally making me something with his bare hands. He's creating something FOR ME." The words tumbled out in a breathless rush.

Barty's shrugged, raising his right shoulder to his ear. He said, "Maybe he's in love with you."

Regulus fixed him with an angry glare, his jaw clenching visibly.

"Haha, okay, maybe not. Damn, I don't know what to say. Evan, what should I say?" Barty turned to his boyfriend, eyebrows raised in mock helplessness.

Evan didn't even look up from his phone, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Usually, I think you should shut the fuck up, but you won't, so maybe you should say, 'Hey Reg, have you thought about asking Potter out and saving us all the fucking whining and pining?'"

Barty bounced in his seat, grinning from ear to ear. "Oh, that's good. Yeah, what he said." He leaned back, balancing his chair on its back legs.

Regulus's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You're not allowed to call me Reg."

"WHY IS EVAN ALLOWED TO?" Barty's voice rose an octave, indignation written across his features.

"Evan didn't literally light my hair on fire when we were 12!" Regulus shot back, his hand instinctively reaching up to touch his curls.

"NO, BUT HE WAS THE ONE WHO-"

Before Barty could finish, Evan swung his legs, knocking him off his precariously balanced chair. Barty tumbled to the floor with a loud yelp.

"That's enough from you." Evan leaned in, his voice low and intense. "What's the problem, Reg? You're not one to shy away from making things awkward. What's stopping you with Potter?"

Regulus cringed, his shoulders hunching slightly. "I don't purposefully make things awkward."

Evan raised his eyebrows skeptically. On the floor, Regulus can see Barty had begun tying Evan's shoelaces together, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

Regulus stared at Barty with a frown, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I don't... I don't think he would want to be with me."

"And why is that?" Evan's voice was tinged with sadness.

Regulus bit his lower lip, "Well, I think he thinks I'm a slut, and well, if he thinks THAT, then it's not like he would want to DATE me."

Evan rolled his eyes, annoyance creeping into his voice. "Regulus Black, you are not a slut. And why wouldn't he want to? Hmm? Because he's ace? May I remind you that Barty is definitely a slut, and he landed himself someone way too good for him who has no interest in his cock whatsoever."

"It's a marvelous cock, dear. At least acknowledge that" Barty chimed in smugly from the floor.

Evan rolled his eyes again, his face scrunching up in mock disgust. "It's veiny."

"My god." Regulus slumped further into his chair, looking as if he wanted the floor to swallow him whole.

"Look, talk to him, yeah? You won't ever know if you're compatible without, you know, fucking talking to each other," Evan said, his tone softening.

Regulus sighed deeply, his fingers running through his hair once more. "I don't know. I really don't think he sees me as anything but Sirius' little brother." His gaze shifted to Barty, still sprawled on the floor. "For the love of god, Barty, untie Evan's shoes. It's stressing me the fuck out!"

Regulus sat back in his chair, Evan's advice echoing in his mind. The thought of confessing his feelings to James was both thrilling and terrifying, and the fear of rejection simmered in the background. He watched his friends, Barty now tangled in a mess of shoelaces, and Evan's unimpressed scowl and a small smile tugged at his lips. They made it work, didn't they?

He let his gaze wander out the window, the stars twinkling back at him as if urging him to take a leap of faith. One particular star was visible from where he sat. He wondered what Sirius would think; would he approve? Would he be protective, and of who would he be protective of?

Regulus envisioned James's warm smile and gentle gaze. His laugh lit up his dark eyes, pools of mirth Regulus drowned in. He recalled James's soft hands deftly working crochet hooks, their strength tempered by tenderness. The sight had stirred an unfamiliar yearning in Regulus's heart.

As Regulus sat deep in thought, a familiar pang of self-doubt crept into his mind. He ran a hand through his unruly curls, berating himself for being too short and lean compared to James's muscular body.

Regulus's doubts continued to fester as he compared himself to the people James would go on dates with. They were either tall men with strong jawlines and proud postures—completely opposite of Regulus. Or beautiful, confident women who had no doubt in who they were — again, the complete opposite of himself. He fidgeted with the bottom of his shirt, uneasy about his thin build and softer shape.

As these worries spun in his head like a whirlpool, Regulus struggled more and more to catch his breath. Evan's advice rang in his ears: "You won't ever know unless you fucking talk to each other," but what if talking only led to being turned down? Regulus couldn't bear to put himself through that. Even worse, he couldn't make James have to reject his best friend's little brother. Regulus chose to put others first for once, keeping James as just a friend. He'd keep looking at and longing for James from a distance, but their bond would stay just friendly, no matter how much it hurt him.

☀★☀★

It had been a few days since Regulus's incredibly unhelpfully helpful conversation with Evan. Nothing had changed. He and James still spent evenings watching TV and chatting mindlessly. Regulus still gazed into warm brown eyes and a bright smile that blinded him more with each passing day.

Regulus stepped into the foyer of his apartment, shrugging off his jacket with a weary sigh. The decision to keep James as just a friend was a constant ache in his chest. A blur of motion caught his eye as he reached for the coat hook.

James burst through the doorway, a bundle of fabric clutched in his hands. "It's ready!"

Regulus jumped, his heart leaping into his throat. "OH MY GOD JAMES! You scared me!"

A sheepish grin spread across James's face, his cheeks flushing. "Sorry, I was excited. It's ready!" He held up the bundle, revealing a crocheted top in a rich emerald green with delicate silver accents.

Regulus's eyes widened, his breath catching. "What's that?"

James unfurled the garment, holding it up for Regulus to see. The intricate stitches caught the light, shimmering like stars.

"OH." Regulus stepped closer, his fingers reaching out to brush the soft fabric. "I thought... I didn't think... It's lovely."

James's brow furrowed. "You thought I forgot?"

A soft laugh escaped Regulus's lips. "No. Not forgot... just," he paused, his voice dropping to a whisper, "I don't know what I thought."

Confusion flickered across James's face, his head tilting slightly.

Regulus's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you, James," he said, excitement bubbling up inside him. "Should I try it on!?"

James nodded eagerly. "Sure, yeah! I want to see if I need to adjust anything."

Without hesitation, Regulus pulled his t-shirt over his head.

James's eyes widened, his jaw-dropping. "WHEN DID YOU GET THOSE?!" His gaze was fixed on Regulus's chest, where two silver barbells glinted in the light.

Regulus glanced down at his nipples, a blush creeping up his neck. "Oh, ugh, don't tell Sirius." He struggled to explain as he attempted to put on the crocheted top. "Barty was being a big baby, and I told him it probably doesn't hurt, and one thing led to another, and I have these, and he has his dick pierced."

Surprised laughter burst from James's lips, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"We were completely sober, by the way. We were just oddly competitive." Regulus added, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

A warm smile spread across James's face. "That's really cute."

Regulus felt his cheeks heat up, a smirk tugging at his lips. He tilted his head, his voice taking on a teasing tone. "You think my nipple piercings are... cute?"

James's face turned a deep shade of red, his words stumbling over each other. "No! I mean, they're..." He gulped audibly. "Something, I meant your competitive nature... is cute."

A shy smile broke across Regulus's face as laughter bubbled up from his chest.

James playfully rolled his eyes. "Oh shut up, you know what I meant."

Regulus's laughter subsided, but his eyes still sparkled with glee. "Okay. Okay. How does this..." He fumbled with the bundle of straps, his brow furrowing in concentration.

"Here, let me," James offered, stepping closer. His hands moved with practiced ease, guiding Regulus's arms through arm holes. He circled around, wrapping the straps around Regulus's waist and bringing them to the front. As he tied them in a knot, his fingers brushed against Regulus's skin.

Regulus stood perfectly still, barely daring to breathe. James's proximity was intoxicating; his earthy scent and the hint of eucalyptus from his shampoo filled Regulus's senses. He found himself practically drooling, his eyes fixed on James's face mere inches from his own.

James's gaze remained focused on the knot he had just tied. His knuckle grazed the bare skin peeking out from under the top, trailing along Regulus's happy trail, brushing the hairs peaking out from his shorts.

A sharp intake of breath escaped Regulus's lips, his body tensing at the unexpected touch.

James's eyes snapped up, meeting Regulus's heated gaze. For a brief moment, they stared at each other, the air between them charged with unspoken tension. Then, without warning, James splayed his hand on Regulus's stomach and leaned closer, pushing him until his back hit the wall. Their bodies pressed together, faces mere inches apart.

"James," Regulus whispered, his breath ghosting across James's cheek.

Realization dawned in James's eyes. He jerked his hand back as if burned, stumbling away from Regulus. "I... sorry... I shouldn't have... I'm sorry, Regulus." Before Regulus could respond, James turned and fled, disappearing into Sirius's room.

Left alone in the foyer, Regulus's chest heaved with ragged breaths, confusion and desire swirling within him. "Fuuuuck," he whispered into the empty space, his mind reeling from feeling James strong body pressed against his own.

☀★☀★

James burst into Sirius's bedroom, slamming the door behind him. His hands flew to his hair, making the already unruly mess even wilder. Sirius lounged on his bed, lazily strumming a guitar while sucking on a lollipop.

"I'm panicking!" James's voice cracked with tension.

Sirius set down his guitar and sat up, eyebrows raised.

"Uhm, I don't know how to say this, but I got a boner." James's face flushed crimson.

Sirius choked on his lollipop, coughing, and sputtering. "Ok- okay, uhm, yeah, I don't know what to say to that."

"Sirius, this is serious!... NO DON'T!" James yelled as he noticed Sirius's mouth open, ready to make his signature pun.

Sirius raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, sorry, so is it just your body reacting to something, or did you feel like... dude, you gotta tell me more because I really don't know what to say right now."

"I DON'T KNOW EITHER!" James gestured wildly at his crotch. "I've had boners but not like, because I wanted to do something with someone. I'm usually alone!" He paced back and forth, his footsteps heavy on the wooden floor.

"Oh! You have one right... Uhm, okay. So you have a boner for someone, not just like your hand?"

James stopped pacing, glaring at Sirius before his face morphed with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "Well, right now, it would be by myself, considering I can't just go about doing things with people."

Sirius shrugged. "I mean, you could..."

James shot him another angry glare.

Laughing, Sirius backpedaled. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. So what's the problem, like what do you need help with?"

James's eyes widened in shock.

"NOT like that! Just, Prongs, you need to breathe."

Exasperated, James ran his hands through his hair again. "I don't know, I just needed to tell someone, think out loud..."

Sirius unwrapped a new lollipop, seemingly conjuring it from thin air. "Who is it?"

"What?"

"Who made you feel this way?" Sirius asked, popping the candy into his mouth.

"OH, uhm, no one." James avoided Sirius's gaze, suddenly finding the carpet fascinating.

Sirius raised his eyebrows skeptically.

"Well, no, not no one, it's someone." James fidgeted with the hem of his shirt.

"Who?" Sirius's tone turned suspicious.

"Uhm, can I tell you later? I'm sort of having a crisis here." James's voice trembled slightly.

"Okay, well, I don't know, James,. Maybe you can talk to Regulus about it?"

James whirled around, eyes wide with panic. "WHY REGULUS?"

"Well, Evan is ace, and he's dating Barty. Who's not? Ace. And you are ace, well used to be? Look, James, I do NOT have the tools to be of any help here."

"Right, Evan, and I think I still am? Maybe demi?" James's brow furrowed in confusion.

Sirius shrugged. "You would know more than me, dude."

James walked over and sat beside Sirius on the bed, the mattress dipping under his weight. "Where's Remus? He reads more than you."

A smirk played on Sirius's lips. "Pft yeah, nothing Remus is reading will help you. Or hmm, maybe it will, give you some ideas." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

James fell back on the bed with a groan. "I'm so fucked."

"You could be if that's what you wanted."

James shot Sirius another angry glare. "Not helping."

Laughing, Sirius nudged James's shoulder. "Okay, okay. Well, tell me about them."

A small smile crept onto James's face. "They're lovely. Smart. Funny when they don't try and hilarious when they do. A little mean, but I've always liked them a little mean." Sirius grunted in agreement. "Their eyes. My god, their eyes. All those writers and poets who go on and on about their lovers' eyes have never met him because if they did, they would never have stopped writing to publish anything in the first place."

"Him?" Sirius's eyebrows slowly raised at the first clue of who James could be talking about.

James hummed in agreement. "In the right lighting, he's got little flecks of green in his eyes. And in the summer, freckles scatter his face and shoulders as soon as the sun touches his skin. And just the perfect little nose."

Sirius's eyes widened. "You're not talking about Remus, are you?!"

James laughed. "I said perfect little nose."

Sirius clutched his chest in exaggerated scandal. "He has the most perfect nose. How dare you!"

"Pads, he ran face first into a stop sign drunk as hell and broke his nose when we were 16 and never got it fixed."

"I think he looks dashing," Sirius huffed.

James rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I just..."

Sirius frowned at James's change in tone. "What?"

James shrugged, his shoulders slumping. "He's perfect. Beautiful. Experienced. What if he doesn't want to be with someone like me?"

Sirius's frown deepened. "Stop that. You're not fucking broken, James. And you're hot and nice. I'll eat my foot if we find someone who doesn't already have a crush on you."

A genuine smile spread across James's face. "You mean that?"

"Of course, Prongs. Except me, of course, that would be incestuous."

James rolled his eyes, but then panic flashed across his face at the term 'incestuous'. Would it be incestuous if he dated Regulus? Surely not; he doesn't see Regulus as a brother.

Sirius, noticing the panic, gasped dramatically. "OH MY GOD, you're not in love with me, are you!?"

James turned to look at Sirius and burst into loud, uncontrollable laughter.

"Alright, alright, we get it," Sirius grumbled.

James continued laughing, and soon Sirius joined him, their combined joy filling the room.

James and Sirius emerged from the bedroom a few hours later, stepping into the living room. James pulled out his phone, fingers hovering over the screen as he contemplated dinner options.

"What are you thinking?" he asked, scrolling through food delivery apps.

Sirius stretched, his joints popping. "Oh, I have a date with Remus. I'm picking him up at work."

"Oh," James's shoulders slumped, disappointment evident in his voice. Now what is he supposed to do. He doesn't really feel like going home.

Sirius cupped his hands around his mouth. "Hey Reg, you home?!"

James grimaced, his body tensing at the sudden shout.

Giving James a quizzical look, Sirius plopped down on the couch, reaching for his boots.

Regulus shuffled out of his bedroom, still wearing the crocheted top. His eyes darted everywhere but James's direction. "Yeah, what's up?"

Sirius focused on tying his laces. "How long have you been home?"

"For a while," Regulus shrugged, towering over his seated brother.

"Well, I'm going to dinner with Rem. Will you be good?" Sirius moved to his other boot.

Regulus's jaw clenched. "I'm not a child, Sirius. I can feed myself."

Sirius finally looked up, eyebrows raised. "What'd you have for lunch?"

Regulus scoffed, crossing his arms defensively.

"Yeah, that's what I thought." Sirius slapped his thighs before pushing himself up. He opened his mouth to speak, then paused, eyes landing on Regulus's shirt. His gaze flicked between James and his brother. "What's this?" He nodded towards the garment.

Regulus shuffled his feet, tugging at the hem. "James made it for me."

Sirius turned to James with an exaggerated frown. "You've never made me a shirt."

James let out an exaggerated sigh, rolling his eyes dramatically.

"Whatever," Sirius waved his hand dismissively. "Can you please make sure my brother has a nice, well-rounded meal?"

Regulus's nostrils flared. "This is ridiculous, Sirius. You didn't even ask if James has any plans tonight. It's Friday night; you can't expect him to babysit me."

"I don't mind!" James blurted out, heat rising to his cheeks. He lowered his voice, "I mean, I'd be happy... to babysit..."

Regulus rolled his eyes and stomped over to the couch, throwing himself onto it.

A grin spread across Sirius's face. "Good, cheers. I'm not paying you, though."

James rolled his eyes. "Yeah, whatever. Tell Rem I said hi."

Sirius's eyes twinkled mischievously. "I'll kiss him on the lips for you."

"Make sure to use tongue," James quipped.

"Always." Sirius winked, shrugging on his leather jacket.

James shook his head, chuckling. As the door clicked shut behind Sirius, he slowly turned to face Regulus. The younger Black was sprawled on the couch, controller in hand, lazily flipping through streaming services.

James cleared his throat. "So, what're you feeling?"

Regulus turned his head, fixing James with an unreadable expression.

"Uh, for food," James clarified, waving his phone. "Or I can see if there's anything in the fridge. I can make us something."

Regulus's gaze dropped, peeking up at James through his lashes. "I'm good. I mean, whatever you want. I want whatever you want."

James sank onto the couch next to Regulus, acutely aware of the change in Regulus's breathing. "Uhm, so, Paco's Tacos?"

"Sure, yeah. I'll have-"

"Three asada, an horchata, and a side of cebollitas" James interjected.

Surprise flickered across Regulus's face. "Yeah. Thanks."

James smiled and nodded, tapping away at his phone. "Alright, 20 minutes."

Regulus, realizing he'd been staring, quickly averted his gaze back to the TV, resuming his Netflix scrolling.

"How do-" James began nervously.

"Thanks for-" Regulus spoke simultaneously.

They both stopped, a nervous laugh escaping James. "You go first."

Regulus's eyes locked with James's for a few seconds. "I just wanted to say thank you. For the top. Again." They continued to look at each other, slowly leaning in.

James found himself lost in Regulus's eyes, unable to look away.

Regulus blinked rapidly and turned away. "So, HBO added all of 'How It's Made.' Interested?" James didn't respond, still staring. "James?"

James blinked, snapping out of his trance. "Oh, uhm, yeah. Whatever you want. I want whatever you want."

Regulus nodded and started the first episode. The TV droned on about aluminum foil production, but James barely registered it. His gaze kept flicking to Regulus and then to his own hands in his lap. He longed to reach out, to feel Regulus's palm against his own.

Halfway through the episode, Regulus paused it and turned to James. "Okay, spit it out."

Panic flashed across James's face. "What?"

Regulus raised his eyebrows. "You're fidgety, James. You're only fidgety when you have something you want to say, so just spit it out."

James opened and closed his mouth several times, but before he could form words, the doorbell rang. "Food's here!!" he exclaimed, relief washing over him as he jumped up to answer the door.

James sprang up from the couch, his heart pounding as he made his way to the door. He accepted the delivery with a quick "Thank you," his fingers trembling slightly as he took the bag of Mexican food and the drinks back to Regulus.

He set everything down on the coffee table. James began unpacking the food, stealing glances at Regulus who sat motionless, eyes fixed on him. As James settled back into his seat, he met Regulus's raised eyebrows with a nervous smile.

"Are you going to push play?"

Regulus's face contorted into a scowl. "Fine, but only because I hate eating in silence."

A small smile tugged at James's lips as they dug into their tacos.

As the episodes rolled by, they gradually sank deeper into the couch, their shoulders nearly touching. Regulus reached for his cup, only to furrow his brow at finding it empty.

James shifted, preparing to stand. "You want a drink? I can make us some iced tea."

Regulus turned, his gaze intense. He sat up straighter, pausing the show. "James?"

Nervousness flooded James's body as he settled back down, facing Regulus. The younger man was staring at his hands, fidgeting in his lap.

"What were you going to say? Earlier? Before the food got here?"

James's heart raced as he met Regulus's intense gaze. His palms grew clammy, and he wiped them on his jeans before answering.

"I was going to apologize?"

Regulus's eyebrows shot up, his lips pursing slightly. "Is that a question or an actual apology?"

James ran a hand through his messy hair, his glasses slipping down his nose. "Both?"

A heavy sigh escaped Regulus as he pushed himself off the couch. "Fine. Forgiven. Whatever."

As Regulus got up to leave, James's body moved on instinct. He leaped up, his thick fingers wrapping around Regulus's slender wrist. "Wait, stop."

Regulus froze, his back to James, but didn't pull away.

James's chest heaved as he took a deep breath, willing his racing thoughts to slow. "I don't..." He paused, gathering his courage. "Look, I don't really know how to say this because, well, I don't really know what's going on. People usually find me too much or not enough. Too much too fast, or not enough where it matters to them. But with you, I think... I didn't plan it. I... well, I'm happy about it because, well, you're fucking wonderful, you know. And if I'd choose anyone to feel this way about, it would definitely be you. You're fucking beautiful and kind and-"

A bubble of laughter erupted from Regulus at the word 'kind' as he turned to look into James' earnest gaze.

James's brow furrowed, his grip on Regulus's wrist tightening slightly. "Fuck off, you are, Regulus! You're kind! I just..." His gaze dropped to where his hand still held Regulus's wrist. Regulus wasn't pulling away. James tugged gently, and Regulus stumbled forward a step.

Regulus's voice was barely above a whisper. "You what, James?"

James swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. "I need to know if you feel it too." He tugged again, drawing Regulus even closer until they were mere inches apart.

Regulus's eyes widened, panic flashing across his features. "Feel what, James?"

Finally, James looked up, meeting Regulus's gaze. His breath caught in his throat as he realized how close they suddenly were. "I feel... I... uhm... sorry, I forgot what I was saying." He fell silent, his eyes locked on Regulus's, occasionally flicking down to his lips.

Regulus's tongue darted out, wetting his lips. "Please say something coherent, James."

James mirrored the action, licking his own lips as his eyes fixated on Regulus's mouth. "Can I kiss you?"

James's pulse raced as he waited for Regulus to reply. The quiet hung in the air, heavy with unspoken longing. As James was about to talk again, Regulus moved quickly, pressing his lips to James's in an eager kiss.

The sudden contact sent shockwaves through James's body. He responded immediately, deepening the kiss and placing his hand on the small of Regulus's back, pulling him closer. Carefully, he flicked his tongue against Regulus's lips, seeking entrance. When Regulus parted them, James pushed his long tongue inside, exploring and tasting, wrapping his tongue around Regulus' bringing it into his own much and sucking.

James heard a soft moan from Regulus as their tongues danced together. He felt Regulus's fingers weave through his hair while the other hand held onto his shoulder as if for balance. James could sense Regulus's uncertainty in how he touched him as if he was trying not to push too far, and he was unclear about what James was okay with.

James broke the kiss, sighing against Regulus's lips. "Fuck, Regulus." His voice was husky with desire. Keeping one hand on Regulus's lower back, he rubbed the other along Regulus's side. The hardness pressing against his thigh was unmistakable, and James crouched slightly, hooking his hand around Regulus's thigh to bring it up against himself. The movement allowed Regulus to rut and grind against James's muscular thigh.

Regulus gasped, breaking the kiss to look at James with confusion clouding his eyes. "What, James?" Despite his bewilderment, he couldn't stop grinding against James, his body betraying his need.

James rested his forehead against Regulus's, breathing deeply, his words coming out in pants. "It's okay. I want this." To emphasize his point, he ground his own hardening length against Regulus.

Regulus gasped and groaned in surprise, his eyes widening.

"I want you," James whispered, his voice thick with desire.

In response, Regulus threw his arms around James and began to pull himself up, wrapping his other leg around James's waist. He practically climbed onto James, trusting that he would catch and hold him close.

James laughed against Regulus's open mouth, the sound vibrating between them. He began kissing down Regulus's neck, relishing the taste of his skin.

"Couch or bed?" James murmured against Regulus's throat.

Regulus groaned, his fingers digging into James's shoulders. "Fuck, bed. Definitely bed..." He paused, adding nervously, "If you want."

James began walking towards Regulus's bedroom, carrying him effortlessly. His large hands kneaded Regulus's ass as he moved. "Fuck, baby, I want badly," he growled, his voice low and filled with promise.

 

Notes:

Regulus sucks him off, and James eats his ass. They're taking it slow.
Also, Reg got real shy once James tried to take a picture of him in his new top.(fanart)

if the image isnt loading, try this one (mobile/slow connection friendly)

Title from Red Wine Supernova by Chappell Roan