This Trying Affair • Jegulus •

VIII. Leave No Trace Behind

"Does Sirius know?" James jumped back at the urgency in Regulus's voice as he reached the top of the Astronomy tower. Regulus had sent him an owl to skip dinner and meet him while everyone else was eating and James had jumped, immediately making up an excuse that he had forgotten to finish his potions assignment. Sirius had been slightly suspicious, but Remus was quick to return the Black's attention to himself. 

Regulus's gray eyes showed worry that hurt James chest. He had seen Sirius's own gray eyes hold the same look before. 

"No, he doesn't know." James had placed his hands on Regulus's shoulders to calm him. 

"And Remus isn't going to tell him?" 

James nodded. "And Remus won't tell him. Promise. Just Remus, it'll be just Remus. Okay?" 

"Well..." 

"Well, what?"

Regulus stepped away from James and sat on the bench next to the window that had moonlight shining in. 

"My friend Emily -"

"Emily Diggory?" James asked, already knowing that there was only one person Regulus willingly spent time with in Hogwarts. 

"Yes, her. Well, we saw Sirius yell at you in the corridor and Remus gave me a look and she kind of figured it out on her own?..." Regulus had  started to whisper at the end, worried James would be mad. 

"And you trust her?" he asked softly. 

Regulus looked up, surprised, and quickly nodded. "Yeah, I trust her a lot. We're actually supposed to be engaged seventh year because I decided she'd be tolerable and please my parents."

James pulled a stink face. "Not so sure I like her now..."

"Oh, she's gay," Regulus said, quick to ease James's worries and aware that his friend was comfortable with being out to non judgmental individuals. 

"She is?" he asked. 

"Mhmm, raging lesbian that one." 

James laughed at Regulus's words, grabbing the boys hand as he did so. 

"Well that's good to hear. I don't want to compete for your attention," he said, nuzzling Regulus's nose before placing a soft kiss to his lips. 

"You won't, promise," Regulus whispered, kissing the older boy gently back. He thought of his friend discovering their secret and her insistent questions that followed, but one certain one captured his attention. 

"Hey, Jamie?"

"Yeah?" James pulled back to look at the confused yet adorable face in front of him. 

"How did you use to know that I was in the Astronomy tower? I mean before we started meeting up."

"Oh, just lucky, I guess?" James said, running his hand through his hair nervously. 

Regulus scoffed at James's answer. "I would have believed you if you said you came every day to see if I was there but after that awful answer, you're going to need to tell me the truth. I thought you were suppose to be good at this lying and sneaking around thing." 

"I am!" James said indignantly.  

"Sure," Regulus snorted.

"It's just you! You- you make me nervous."

James avoided Regulus's eyes feeling the warmth of his cheeks, but when he finally found his Gryffindor courage, he was shocked to see Regulus with his own blush on his face.

"You're not going to make fun of me?"

"No," Regulus whispered. "No, I think that's quite sweet."

"Oh."