Harry Potter One Shots.

Twas a beautiful dream, but now its time to wake up.

Crisp cool air blew regulus' hair slightly, the sunset rays hitting the side of regulus' face perfectly and James found that he couldn't take his eyes off him. He never could to begin with, even before he talked to regulus he could not tear his eyes away from regulus, he was so 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨. Absolutely stunning and James didn't regret taking him in, drinking his image in greedily as if the minute he blinked, regulus would fade away and it would all have been a dream.

" I love you." James said, regulus snapping his head to meet James' eyes and just like the rays hit regulus beautifully, it did the same with James, highlighting his facial features and regulus' eyes softened.

" I..I know you do." Regulus whispered and James looked hurt " why don't you ever say it back?" He asked, voice in a whisper, cracking when it'd raise a little in volume. " because...because I- James I don't want to say it and have it be our last...you should know this won't last for-" James' lips were on regulus' instantly and regulus could taste the saltiness that were James' tears. " stop. Stop. Don't say that...I want you, I always did. It has always been you." He cried, quietly, voice in a desperate whisper and regulus couldn't help the tremble in his body, his lip quivering as he heard the desperate plea in James voice.

" You know i wasn't meant to be happy, James. But you were. I want that for you, it just can't be with me." Regulus had a job to do. A mission and even though it hurt him to pieces leaving James for the world, he couldn't let Tom riddle win. He wouldn't.

" but we can! You and I, against the world, it's in flames but it can't touch us. Regulus I love you, I love you so much whatever it is you are choosing over us, stop it. I don't care how selfish I sound. I want you. Let yourself be happy for once." James cried, his hand holding onto regulus for dear life and the tears that streamed down regulus' cheeks told him regulus was struggling to. " it's a dream. A really nice one but it's time to wake up. James...I.." James' hand came up to rest on regulus' cheek, forehead resting on his as he pulled the slytherin impossibly close.

" just tell me you love me. Please I wanna hear it, I wanna hear you say it, regulus...please." James begged silently, swallowing thickly, his eyes meeting regulus' and regulus nodded slowly, sniffling softly before his lips parted.

" I love you James potter, I love you so much. I want nothing more than to have you and be happy with you but we know I cannot. ' US' cannot happen. It was a beautiful dream, and I thank you for you giving me the best memories I can take to my grave but James it's time." Regulus sobbed out, hands reaching James' forearms to squeezed them, clawing desperately at James' long sleeve.

They stayed a good while In each other's arms, the intimacy reminding regulus of the countless nights they would spend mapping out the planes of each others bodies. Drinking in each others cries and soft sounds they would earn from one another; Regulus was the first to pull away, James clung to him for a bit before hesitantly unwrapping his arms from regulus. "...I think we both knew it would hurt but never understood just how bad it would be." James whispered, sounding drained and defeated and regulus felt a sting from the image.

" We never did really think about the consequences." Regulus replied, standing up slowly and James followed but knew he couldn't follow regulus off the roof they sat on. " thank you...for everything." Regulus whispered, his hand coming up to James' cheek to touch him one last time, drink in his face, lips, and eyes before he could no longer see it again. " I always dreamed of us....living a life outside of this, I proposing to you..slipping a ring onto your finger." James' eyes started to well up again and his words stung regulus. " you were always a dreamer, Potter." Regulus let out a humorless laugh that turned into a half sob.

Looking back up at him, regulus begged him to let go with his eyes, James begged him to stay with his. " I can't.." regulus whispered and James shut his eyes for a moment, nodding his head weakly, opening his hazel eyes back up again and softly answering, " I know."