i really loved him

chapter 46

Monday, 4th April, 16:00 – On the day of Regulus' first practice O.W.L examination, the other three Marauders were otherwise engaged. This meant that, as promised, James was waiting for him outside the great hall. With the cloak, obviously. When the bell rang and crowds of fifth year students flooded into the corridors, clubbed in little groups and chattering nervously, he spotted Regulus almost at once.

James could never help being mesmerized by the way Reggie walked. With his shoulders back and his chin lifted, taking perfectly measured steps at a perfectly measured pace; an image of poise and control. His face would be carefully neutral, completely still except for his eyes. They would glide and flicker over his surroundings, never missing a thing, surveying everything and everyone not as if he owned it all, but as if it wasn't of the least concern whether he did or not.

Beneath the cloak, James pressed himself against the wall as the fifth-years passed and waited, smiling to himself. Then as the crowds dispersed, he hurried over to Regulus and fell into step close beside him. Without a word, they walked up to the first floor and slipped hastily into the trusty broom cupboard that stood waiting for them. Thanks to the enchanted snitch, they didn't even need to scan the corridor or check the Map first; they knew they were alone.

"How'd it go?" James asked as he removed the cloak. "Oh, wait a sec."

Before Regulus could answer, James stepped forwards and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

"Now tell me how it went."

"Fine," Regulus shrugged, wrapping both arms around his waist.

"...Well, yeah, obviously." James rolled his eyes. "Want to elaborate on that, at all?"

"No."

Regulus rose onto his tip-toes, closing nearly all of the space between them so that, even in the dark, James could see the smirk playing at his lips. It made his head go fuzzy.

"Yeah?" he grinned. "What d'you want to do, then?"

"I want you to kiss me again."

There was a little pause, during which a rabble of butterflies swept through his stomach. A couple of weeks ago, he'd finally asked Reggie if 'flock' was the right word. It wasn't.

"I mean, if you insist..."

Those butterflies might as well never leave, James thought vaguely as he brought both hands to Regulus' cheeks and leaned in to meet his lips. The little buggers soared right back every time they kissed. Or spoke. Or shared the slightest touch. Though saying that, James didn't really mind their presence anymore. They fluttered and danced as he grew dizzy with the feeling of Regulus' mouth on his, moving softly, kissing him breathless.

When they broke apart, James looked at him for a moment, before pulling him into a hug. Regulus gave a muffled laugh into his shoulder.

"We can go back to my dorm for a bit, if you want," James said, still holding him close. "Y'know, not that this cupboard isn't a really romantic date venue, but..."

"I'd like that," Regulus chuckled, and pressed a little kiss to his neck. "Where are the others?"

"Moony and Padfoot are at study group. Till five, I think," he said. "And Pete's out with his girlfriend."

"Finskey?"

"Yeah. They've been going out nearly two months," James told him, oddly proud of his friend. "Pete really fancies her."

Then, as Regulus ducked under the cloak and they both made to leave, he couldn't help adding:

"He went out with Collymore and Wright last year, too – getting through my whole bloody team at this rate."