just lovers like we were supposed to be

ACT FIVE: Part Four

Chapter Notes
warnings for this chapter: very brief reference to child abuse (shockingly NOT walburga and orion, but rather evan's family situation), and some bittersweet feelings, and it's stated outright that shagging occurs, but it's fade-to-black and not explicit at all. anyway, this is mostly fluff and humor.
this chapter is pretty long, but all chapters from here will be, just as a warning. like...they get really long. sorry? you're welcome? whichever suits you, i guess. enjoy
See the end of the chapter for more notes

Perhaps it's ironic, but James finds that one of his favorite things to do is drag Regulus off to some secret spot where they can snog in peace, away from prying eyes. In all honesty, he's been happy to snog Regulus anywhere at any time no matter who was watching, but in the weeks since they agreed to give it another go, a proper one, James has discovered that he much prefers to keep Regulus all to himself.

When they're alone, Regulus relaxes more, for one thing. He likes his privacy, and this makes James like it by extension; he certainly has a new appreciation for it, in any case. When no one can hear them, Regulus makes truly delicious, maddening noises that James can never quite get enough of. When it's just them, and no one is around, Regulus allows himself to be bolder, to more openly ask for what he wants, or just take it; James is so fucking pleased when he takes it.

There's something about sneaking around as well, like a forbidden love affair. Obviously they have no reason to hide, as literally everyone knows about them already, but they get a thrill from it anyway. Just secret spots and stolen touches, hidden smiles when they look at each other later, a mutual spark in their eyes that says they're thinking of the same thing.

At the moment, Regulus is making one of those delightful sounds of his, particularly the soft hums of someone very pleased with their current situation. James quite honestly thinks he could survive on the sound of Regulus' satisfaction as nourishment for the rest of his life.

"Hands," Regulus mumbles against his mouth.

"What about them?" James murmurs, tilting his head to mouth aimlessly along Regulus' jaw, completely sucked into the heady rush of having him.

Regulus huffs out a breathless laugh. "Well, what are they doing at the moment, James?"

"Not sure. Probably something they shouldn't," James says with a low hum, and sure enough, he becomes aware of his hands and what they're doing. Pesky little buggers with minds of their own, they are. He puts in the effort to stop them from steadily sliding up under Regulus' jumper.

"No, no, they definitely should," Regulus tells him. "Just didn't want you to miss out on what they were getting up to, is all."

James immediately starts moving his hands again, releasing a punched-out, breathless noise as they slide over Regulus' skin. He's so warm, and every curve and divot and give of muscle and fat feels like a miraculous new discovery. The only thing better is the full-body shiver that rolls through Regulus, followed by him muffling a quiet groan by dragging James' mouth back to his. James is more than happy to go.

In all honesty, they hardly get any time to do things such as this. Between Remus' birthday, then James' birthday, revising, queer club, detentions, friendships, classes, and the upcoming Easter hols...well, they haven't gotten to be alone as much as they would have liked. James is acutely aware that he's about to spend two weeks in constant proximity to Regulus at home with no distractions, which he's immensely excited about.

That's not to say they don't spend time together. They do. In fact, they see each other literally every day, sometimes multiple times a day, but that's in front of other students or with their friends. Not that James won't be affectionate with Regulus around others (obviously this is not an issue for him), but he can't really be...affectionate like this. James is quite sure that if Sirius knew he was drawing these sorts of noises out of his little brother, he'd hit the roof, and also be traumatized.