Jegulus - I'll be good

Part Twenty-four

CW: Homophobia, slurs
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Also, QUESTION: 35% of my readers are between 13 and 18 years old, but adult content might happen later in the fic. I thought about making an extra 'story' for that, so minors can keep reading the main story.. I'm not good at writing smut tho, so I don't know if it's worth it. Would you even be interested in such? I won't open a new fic if nobody cares XD
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James didn't answer his message. And Regulus wondered, if anyone caught it mid-air or if the Gryffindor just didn't bother with responding, as they would meet anyway. While the young Black was getting dressed, he realised that they didn't set a time for when..he would just ask him when they were in the Great Hall. A jolt of joy overcame him, when he remembered that he was officially allowed to do that without fearing trouble from his parents or any other idiotic person. He still shouldn't seem too comfortable in public around him, he supposed. That probably would cause suspicion.
He fastened up the buttons of his black shirt and stroked over it to flatten it. His eyes got caught on the Black family ring on his left index finger for a moment. His feelings towards this piece of jewelry really were a mess. He'd always worn it with pride, but ever since he started to think more on his own it crumbled and started to feel like a burden, now and then. Regulus blinked quickly and dropped his arm, leaving the bathroom and putting on his shoes. He didn't mind what everyone said about him wearing all black all the time. Even his brother had started to tell him to wear at least dark green too or something, because it made him look like a corpse. He disagreed, black was elegant and comforting and he didn't care if he looked like a corpse in it.
He had just set a foot into the Slytherin common room, when something hit him into the side hardly and threw him almost to the floor. For a second he stopped breathing from the sudden pain and he turned his head to see who or what it was. A quaffle rolled innocently under the dark green leather couch and disappeared.
"Who...Mulciber", he answered his own question as his look fell on his housemate, who stared at him with a mix of satisfaction and disgust. The young Black held back the urge to roll his eyes. He was honestly annoyed to death by this guy, who would probably be better off somewhere slaughtering unicorns than making their house looking even worse than it already did. Not that Regulus wished unicorns to cross path with him either.
"Can you get your immature temper under control by any chance? You're really not doing anything good for the reputation of our house", Regulus hissed and rubbed his hurting ribcage.
"You're one to talk", Mulciber mocked and stepped closer to the prefect, "dancing attendance on bloody Potter, you're just a faggot like your brother, aren't you? Disgusting twat."
For a second, Regulus was out of words. What did Mulciber know? And where from? Before panic could get hold of him, he managed to switch on the rational part of his brain. He was just trying to go on his nerves. He knew nothing.
"I'm not dancing attendance on Potter, but thank you for your concern of what my sexuality probably might be. Didn't know that was anything of your business. You know what they say about homophobic guys – they're most likely homosexual themselves, so I'd be careful with what you're saying." The words came out of his mouth smoothly and without missing a beat to think about what he actually was saying, but he couldn't keep his face from colouring for a bit and only could hope that no one noticed that.
Mulciber glared at him, his mouth had fallen open and he looked like he was trying to get anything out, but wasn't successful. He closed his mouth and balled his hands to fists.
"That's what I thought", the Black gave back scoffing and walked to the entrance, very relieved about this part of his personality still being very well intact. Not all Slytherins were bad, definitely not – but only strong ones could survive between those who were supporting the Dark Lord.
"You'll pay for that, Black! For spreading stupid rumours..your parents will know about it! They will know you're sticking on Potter!", Mulciber cried out with a shrill voice and Regulus only shook his head, almost amused and left the common room.

As soon as the entrance closed behind him, he took a deep breath and relaxed. His ribs hurt a bit from the quaffle, but nothing he could easily deal with and he rubbed his jaw shortly. He really had nothing but despite for this guy and it was really pulling on his nerves that he was attacking him more than ever recently. They had never been friends to begin with, but this was a new level and he began to wonder if he had done anything to him and just didn't remember it.
He quickly made his way upstairs, trying not to get too caught up in his mind. Mulciber could wait, in fact, he didn't matter at all. Just one year and a half anymore and he would never have to deal with him again.
If – he thought with a shiver – he even survived this long. For a moment the dark mark on his arm felt like needles, as if it would mock his naivity.
"Okay, that's also not the best thing to think about, Merlin..", he mumbled to himself as pictures of his dream a few nights ago became very alive before his eyes. He could swear that he still smelled the rotten flesh, that was what was the most defining of the whole dream, even though it had just been a second.
Fortunately he arrived at the hall, where his eyes immediately searched for the Potter. The Gryffindor table was quite empty, it was still early. So it was only James and two first years who were sitting there. His confidence drained away within a second and maybe talking to him right now wasn't the best idea. He still forced his feet to keep on walking, feeling a little bit rebellious as he sat down at the Gryffindor table after a second of hesitation. Regulus ignored the stares from his own housetable and the fear that came with them, had to remind himself that it was okay to be here and to talk to James and that he was in fact, ordered to do so.
"Hey, I just wanted to ask if the Hogwarts trip still stands?", the Slytherin asked quietly and only then James looked up from the sport part of the Daily Prophet, surprised to see him sitting there.
"Morning, little Black. You, at the Gryffindor table? Are you alright?", James wanted to know with an amused smirk on his lips.
Regulus couldn't help it, his face immediately became hot at this side; James' smile, his smugly grin and his smirk were some of the most attractive things on him and he wondered how many people had this tingle in their blood whenever they saw it.
The Slytherin cleared his throat quietly and nodded: "Yes. Just wanted to ask and I thought it's better than sending you another message."
Prongs laughed slightly, with a hint of guilt on his face: "Sorry for that one. I was half asleep when I got it. May I ask why it's no problem anymore all of a sudden? Not that I'm complaining. I hate secrets and to hide and all this stuff, you know."
"I can imagine. Well, to be honest", Regulus huffed and looked down at his hands, playing with the Black ring, "I was..I should keep an eye on you. Trying to win you over.." His face turned red again as he noticed how that sounded: "For the Deatheaters. Joining them. Us." Merlin's sake, could this be any more embarrassing? If James noticed his discomfort and red face, he was at least tactful enough not to mention it. Instead he rested his face on his hand, elbow on the table and looked at Regulus with a frown.
"Interesting. They send the brother of the family's disappointment to change his best friend's mind?", Prongs asked and sounded more amused than anything else, "kind of messed up, that is."
Regulus shrugged and tried not to focus too much at the warm brown eyes dancing with mischief that were looking at him with curiosity: "Guess it's the best way to test my loyalty for them." He had never thought deeper into that, but now that James mentioned it, this explanation really made sense.
"Ah..well, you might be right with that, little Black", the Gryffindor agreed after a moment of thinking, slowly nodding, "it makes things easier, though."
Reg blinked shortly: "Are you not going to ask me who my loyalty belongs to?"
James barked a laugh, which surprised the Slytherin anymore. What was so funny on this question? It was absolutely one he would have expected to follow.
"No offense, kitten, but you made up with your brother and you came to me asking for help and you told me your secret plan, I'm pretty much sure I know where your loyalty lays", Prongs grinned amused. This question was kind of unnecessary for him, really.
The Slytherin had turned crimson when James threw this new nickname at him – kitten – not knowing what to do with it and why it affected him so much right now. It was a stupid one, it didn't fit the slightest, and it was embarrassing!
This time, James seemed to know very well what was going on, relating to the amused look he had on his face. He nudged Regulus slightly with his shoulder: "It's really okay. I trust you."
Regulus caught himself, feeling quite helpless and hoping his voice didn't sound the way he expected it did: "I could lie, you know. You're too trusting."
James stretched his arms over his head and yawned: "Maybe. But I rather trust one time too much and give a chance, than trusting too less and making someone feel bad for no reason."
The young Black shook his head in disbelief. Was James even a real human? Of course he knew about the things from the past, how his friends and he bullied Snape, which wasn't very nice. But he stopped and as far as he knew, even apologised to him. Although he was almost sure that he did the second part just for Lily.
"That's honestly very kind. I might have to reconsider the thought that all Gryffindors are douchebags", Regulus pointed out quite amused and shook his head.
"You didn't really believe that, did you?", James asked laughing and finished his mug of coffee.
"Well, the only Gryffindor I really knew was my brother", the young Black added to consideration, half joking, half serious. Because one could say whatever they wanted: Sirius was a douchebag many times, but in a kind of lovely way, mostly.
"Aye, I guess that's a point for you. So. Wanna go?", Prongs switched the topic and before Regulus could think about it, he already nodded.