Scream

Chapter 7

Warnings:
swearing
threats on people's lives

Regulus was there. Standing in front of James. Smiling.

All of a sudden James was moving, wrapping his arms around Regulus as he pulled him close, breathing in the sweet smell of him. His heart was hammering in his chest as he held onto Regulus like his life depended on it.

Regulus was there. Regulus was alive. Regulus was right there standing in his arms.

James let out a shaky breath, feeling dangerously close to tears as his hands ran the length of Regulus's back, checking for any wounds. When he didn't find any he pulled back and checked Regulus's front, arms, legs, face, until he was certain that Regulus was fine.

Then he was back to hugging Regulus, feeling safe in his arms. He'd been so scared that something had gone wrong, that Regulus had been hurt. James wasn't sure what he would have done if he'd found Regulus dead. Probably cry.

James pulled back once again, an almost amused smile on Regulus's face at James's actions. James cupped Regulus's face, brushing his thumb over Regulus's cheek as he leaned in and pressed a kiss against Regulus's lips. It was sweet, like him, and James got lost in it, in the feeling of Regulus's mouth against his, his lips moving against James's in sync like they were supposed to.

They broke apart, and for the first time since this nightmare began, James smiled. It was small, but it was there, and it was for Regulus. James loved him so much. He was so grateful that he was fine, and in his arms, and looking at him with love in his eyes.

"You're okay," James exhaled, closing his eyes as he pressed Regulus's forehead against his.

"I'm okay," Regulus responded. "And you are too."

James nodded, relishing in the feeling of having Regulus in his arms, safe and sound. He'd keep him there forever if he could, right by James's side where he belonged. James was sure Regulus wouldn't mind if he did.

Again James couldn't help but hug Regulus again, burying his head into the crook of Regulus's neck as he escaped to his happy place, right next to Regulus. He sighed, content, and forgot about murders and dead friends and everything else that had been plaguing him. He just felt Regulus, and it was incredible.

James cracked his eyes open, intending to look Regulus in the eye and tell him how much he loved him, when he spotted something in Regulus's back jean pocket. James hadn't checked his ass for wounds, too busy being relieved Regulus was okay to take the chance to make any risky moves. So he didn't see the glint of silver poking out of Regulus's pocket, or the specks of dried blood on it.

No. No, no, no.

He just got Regulus back. He just got him back. This shouldn't be happening. This can't be happening. James doesn't deserve it. He just went through all this effort to save Regulus, so this was not fucking happening, and whatever James thought that knife meant, there was a perfectly reasonable explanation for it that didn't involve what James thought it involved.

Even so, James found himself untangling from Regulus and then taking a step back, then another. He stared at Regulus, at the grey eyes he knew so well, and thought, Regulus can't be the murderer. He's my boyfriend. My lover. The person who I cherish and protect and love. He can't be the killer.

"Regulus?" James asked quietly. Hesitantly.

Regulus sighed, taking out the knife in his back pocket and twirling it around in his fingers, his eyes trailing its every move. His gaze flicked up to James, and a small smile appeared on his face as he continued twirling the knife.