Ever Since Summer

"What are you still doing here?"

James didn't ask in a rude way, the words spoken with nothing but pure curiosity. He stood on the last step of the stairs leading up so the boys dormitory.

He had just taken Sirius to bed. The older Black brother had had way to much to drink during their party in the Gryffindor common room celebrating their win against Ravenclaw and after he fell of the table he was dancing on, drunkenly declaring his love for a crimson blushing Remus, James picked him up from the carpet and half dragged, half carried him up the stairs.

"Do ya reckon he liked my singing?", Sirius had slurred the words messily while trying not to fall again walking upstairs. "Sure, Pads", James had said, shaking his head fondly in memory of Remus' sparkling eyes, looking up at his best friend spilling fire whiskey all over himself while singing along to whatever cheesy love song was next on the record player in the corner of the common room.

James was just happy that he wouldn't have to deal with them dancing around each other, all lingering glances and silent touches, both too afraid to hurt their friendship by getting too close.

Now Sirius was tucked in bed, Remus' name still lingering on his lips. Remus had gone upstairs shortly after, blush still maroon on his cheeks, sending only a shaky smile towards James before disappearing into the bedroom.

Fleetwood Mac was singing some fast paced rock song, before a small crunch indicated the end of the current vinyl.

In between the mess of bottles and cups all over the furniture and floor sat Regulus Black. The flames from the fire place made his pale skin look warm and alive, his head thrown backwards on the couches backrest, eyes closed, hiding sea foam green.
James' voice startled the younger Black brother and he raised his head, opening his eyes to look at James.

It had been months since the Black brothers stood in the Potter's doorway, drenched from the pouring rain and dried blood sticking to their clothes and hands.

Sirius had been flinching at every quick movement for months, pretending like he hadn't been scared for his and his brothers lives.
Regulus was worse. He hadn't left his rooms for days when he first came to the Potter's house and didn't talk to anyone, expect for mumbled 'thank you's' and quick apologies for the most mundane things.
The first time he really talked was, when Effie had asked him to help her with dinner while James and Sirius were playing Quidditch in the backyard and when they came back Regulus and Effie where standing in the kitchen, flour in their hair and splatters from different sauces on their aprons, talking about different recipes and the best way fry screaming seaweed.
After that, Regulus talked to the others too. He played chess with Fleamont and had long, quiet talks with Sirius. And he started sneaking into James' room.

It started after the two of them had been the last to sit in the living room late in the evening, long after James' parents and Sirius had went to bed. Raindrops had been crashing against the windows and the ceiling lights kept shaking from the deep growls of thunder.
James had slowly gotten up and stretched, his shirt riding up, revealing tan skin and a toned stomach from years of Quidditch practice. "I'll head to bed. You coming, Reggie?", he had asked, brown eyes focusing on Regulus, who met his gaze and just got up from the couch without replying.
After going up the stairs, James had turned around before opening the door to his bedroom, whispering a 'good night' to Regulus, who had catched James' wrist just before he could slip into this room. "Could I- Could I come with you? Just for a few minutes?"
A few minutes lastet all night, with them sitting on James' bed and talking about everything and nothing.
After that night, Regulus slipped into James' room after him at least every other night.
Their meetups were never spoken about in the light of the day, only short smiles and knowing glances were shared.

"Sorry. Just wanted to ask if you needed help cleaning.", Regulus said, nodding towards the mess around him.
"You don't have to, Reggie, you look tired", James responded, smiling softly.
Crimson rushed to Regulus' cheeks at the nickname, even tho James hadn't stopped calling him by it ever since the beginning of the school year.
"I want to", was the only thing that was said before they both started cleaning up the mess.

At one point James had put the record player back on, a new vinyl spinning and a new voice singing softly.
"Oh my god", James said interrupting the silence for the first time.
"What?", Regulus raising an eyebrow at him.
"I fucking love that song!"
"Oh no.."
"Come on, Reg!"
"Don't you dare, Potter."
"Dance with me, Baby Black"

James took Regulus' slim hands into his bigger once and started rolling his shoulder, pulling Regulus towards him and moving him along with his own movements.
Regulus slowly relaxed into the feeling of his cold hands in James' warm ones and started moving with him on his own. James gave him a huge smile, brown eyes locking with his and causing him to smile in return.
James slowly removed his hand from Regulus', settling it on the small of his back again and pulling him closer once again. James' gaze dropped to his lips, his other hand coming up to cup Regulus' cheek.
Blood rushed into Regulus' cheeks, tipping his head about ever so slightly.

"Reggie", James said silently. "Can I kiss you?"
Regulus just pushed himself up onto his toes and pressed his lips to James' lips carefully, his hands fiddling with the hair at James' neck.
James pulled him impossibly closer, deepening the kiss.

Breathlessly, they parted seconds later, Regulus' falling back onto his soles and resting his head on James' shoulder, before whispering three words into the fabric of James' stupid Gryffindor sweater.
"For how long?"
"Ever since summer."