Falling for a mistake | Jeverus

Part 8

" Are you home?"

James looks around and nods as if he can see it through the phone.

" Yeah. Severus is getting settled upstairs."

" Good. Does that mean i can finally see you?" Regulus asks and James bites his tongue.

" Yeah. I'll see you in a few days."

" Can't wait."

James smiles and turns to see Severus standing at the bottom of the stairs.

" I gotta go. Talk to you soon."

" Bye."

" Bye." James hangs up and turns to Severus.

He's wearing loose clothes so he doesn't accidentally snag his heart monitor and gives an awkward smile before passing by him to the kitchen.

" Hungry?" James asks and he shrugs.

" Kinda."

" Wanna order?"

" Sure."

James nods, walking to the drawer where they keep the takeout flyers.

" Indian?"

" Sounds good."

James hums and goes to order. He knows Severus' order by heart, every order from all their favorite spots. It's the one thing he can do for him.

" Was that Reggie?" Severus asks, back turned towards him and James stops.

He finishes the order and shoves his phone in his pocket, clearing his throat.

" Um, yeah. Just checking in."

" Hm." Severus doesn't react and turns around with a glass of water.

" Movie?" James asks, feeling nervous all of a sudden.

" Yeah, sure." Severus paused between words and it doesn't make him feel any better.

He feels like a fool, an idiot. He has permission but the act itself doesn't feel allowed anymore. He has a little more than two weeks to make a decision before Sirius forces his hand.

It honestly terrifies him but he doesn't have a choice to opt out. He has to deal with the consequences and choose correctly. Only he doesn't know which one is correct.

" Fuck i'm cold." Severus hisses as they sit on the couch, huddling closer to himself to keep warm.

James throws a blanket over them and moves closer, resting his head on Severus' shoulder. He doesn't see the freeze Severus makes or the red creeping up his neck and the embarrassed look to the side.

He just lays there, contemplating and so does Severus as they mindlessly flip through Netflix. They finally land on a show and James lets out a satisfied sigh.

" The food will be here in 20."

" Okay." Severus nods and James adjusts his head so it's more comfortable against his shoulder.

They sit like that for a while until the food comes. Then they're eating on the couch, laughing at the unfunny jokes made by mediocre comics. And it's nice, the closest they've been in a while.

Since they've been married really.

" Hey, I have a question." James says and Severus hums, mixing the coconut curry with his rice.

" How come you don't date?"

Severus' hand stops and then he looks up.

" I don't want to." He shrugs and James' eyebrows furrow.