Regulus Black: The Prequel

Chapter 7 - The Poppy Field

Regulus rested against a tree, out looking a field of yellow poppies.

He hummed a soft melody as he read his book, enjoying his peace and quiet while it lasted.

Which in Regulus' case did not last long.

"It's a great song."

Regulus practically jumped out of his skin.

He thought he was far enough away from the castle to avoid any human contact.

Apparently there was no place too far for James Potter.

Not only had he startled Regulus, but he heard Regulus humming and recognized the song.

Regulus found himself growing bright red.

The song was one James was constantly singing during their studying sessions.

And he'd caught Regulus singing it.

Regulus wished he were dead. It would be less painful.

"It's okay." Regulus shrugged, trying to play it cool.

He regained himself, going back to reading in hopes that James would leave him alone.

James, in fact, did not.

Instead the older boy plopped down beside Regulus on the ground.

"What are you reading?" James asked curiously as he playfully bumped Regulus' shoulder.

Regulus sighed, accepting his presence, "The Grapes of Wrath."

"Is it interesting?" James quizzed.

"Hardly." Regulus admitted, with a huff.

"Why are you reading it then?" James chuckled.

"Why does anybody do something they don't want to?" Regulus retorted.

"Because they're scared of doing what they actually want." James muttered.

Regulus' eyes flickered up to meet James'.

His face was entirely too serious.

Regulus hadn't expected such a deep answer from the boy, much less one at all.

James' eyes flickered from his own to his lips.

They were so close, so much closer than Regulus had realized.

Maybe it was the alkaloids in the air from the poppies that they'd inhaled.

Suddenly, to the surprise of both boys, Regulus' lips were on James'.

Regulus had always been the one to think before acting and here he was acting in the moment and facing the consequences later.

James' lips were as soft as they looked.

He tasted like honey and faint cinnamon.

Regulus' book was discarded somewhere around them.

James' hands traveled up to Regulus' face, deepening the kiss.

This was bad.

This was so bad and Regulus knew it.

He knew since the moment they crashed into each other in the library that day that James would reek havoc.

He knew it and he didn't stop.

Because for once in his life he got the choice.

When they pulled away for air, neither boy spoke.