Regulus Black: The Prequel

Chapter 5 - The Duality of James Potter

Crickets were the only sound.

Their hums created such a beautiful melody.

They were the performers and the stars shone the spotlight.

James' breath was steady and calm.

Each exhale, gently pushed a tuft of hair from his eyes.

Regulus wondered if it was the alcohol talking- if he really knew what he was asking.

James probably wouldn't even remember their interaction.

The way Regulus' nimble fingers were still in his soft hair.

The way his head rested so perfectly in the dip of Regulus' shoulder.

The way Regulus' heart beat in tune with the crickets' melodies- although, maybe Regulus was the only one aware of that fact.

James probably wouldn't remember a thing.

"Do you ever-"

"Maybe you should stop asking questions." Regulus stopped him, not adding the 'before we both say something we regret' part he so desperately wanted to.

"You ask the questions then." James suggested.

By then the pair were sitting face to face, gazing into the other.

"Alright...", Regulus started after regaining himself under James' gaze, "Why aren't you with Lily Evans?"

There was a pause and then-

"Lily Evans doesn't make my heart race." James explained.

Regulus was slightly surprised, "No?"

"No."

Regulus grew weary as the atmosphere shifted.

It was so subtle and yet it was as drastic as life or death.

"Who makes your heart race?" Regulus asked, out of curiosity and nothing more.

James' hand had appeared out of nowhere, but suddenly it was grasping Regulus' wrist.

He brought Regulus' hand to his chest and Regulus could feel the boy's heart beating swiftly.

"You." He muttered, as if it was as simple as that.

It was not simple.

No.

They were not just two boys- they were opposites, enemies.

It could never happen because James was the golden boy and Regulus was the death eater.

"Do I make your heart race, Regulus?" James quizzed.

Regulus swallowed.

They'd gotten so close- so close their breaths mixed into one.

Regulus' hand was still on James' chest and their faces were so close and Regulus' heart was beating ten times too fast-

"You're drunk", Regulus choked out, jumping at the chance to put some space between them, "You should get some rest."

As fast as it had appeared, it was gone.

"Right." James muttered.

Regulus was practically wiping sweat from his forehead as he stood.

He helped James to his feet, though the boy wobbled, before guiding him all the way to the portrait.

"This is the part in the movie when they reach the front doorstep and kiss each other goodnight." James chuckled.

He was so drunk.