Paint It... Potter?

Cruel Summer.

Muggle music was strange. It was strange to Regulus how it made him feel. As if one particular emotion was at the core of the song surrounded by the lyrics and the melody.

And somehow. Standing there in the sweaty room, he decided he hated the kinks. He hated the kinks because James was currently very pissed attempting to grind in him. On another occasion, where he was less sober, maybe he would have liked it. But Regulus never was one for public displays of affection.

He felt much like a nanny toting around her toddler. James stumbled to the music and ran needy hands over Regulus, which were quickly swatted away.

"James." Regulus hissed, pulling James's hands off his arse.

"What." James said, pouting.

"Oh, don't blame him. You are quite fit." Mary said dancing around their group which took up a sizable section of the venue. 

It wasn't like he hated it. He didn't hate the attention or the touching. He just hated that other people could see it. He knew that an uncomfortable red blush would be running up his neck.

James wasn't a quiet lover. Regulus knew it. James was flattery and dates and large gestures. But Regulus was quiet. Regulus would sit back, offering an occasional smile, maybe a note here or there. Or at least thats what he thought. He was new to romantic love. He wasn't sure he was doing it right at all, but even with the small group of friends that knew their secret, it still seemed too public.

Even in the middle of Muggle London, he still found himself looking over his shoulder every time James got too close. He was sure many people knew and simplu chose not to say anything. After all, most purebloods had their mistresses. It was a great scandal when the malfoy children were born. It was greatly rumored that Abraxas was infertile. But when Pandora and then a year later Lucius came out with the striking platinum blonde hair, there was no mistaking them for malfoy.

But, well, he didn't want to be public with James. He wanted to hide James away from the world. Hide him from tabloids from the gossip of the pureblood inner circle. But he knew he couldn't. Not forever, he would much rather have his quiet time while he could.

But James had other ideas. Remus and Lily had aparated the majority of the group as Sirius and James were well on their way to pissed by the time he had arrived via floo with Barty and Evan. He had not infact gotten there in five. Rather, he sensibly waited until around one the next afternoon. James had rushed forward to hug him. He was shocked at the invasion of space and stiffened in the touch. James pulled back to reveal an udderly obscene red cropped band-tee. That was the first time James had tried to kill him that night.

The second was when they were at a pub near the show for quick dinner and in the case of James and Sirius, as well as Mary and Marlene, more drinks. He was fairly sure that Evan and Barty had pulled Lupin outback to share and smoke. James had ordered chips, and he sat down with the basket across for Regulus. He wasn't sure he remembered how to breathe when James licked the salt off of his fingers innocently looking up at Regulus.

It was quite possible that he did die when somehow James found himself sitting on Regulus's lap. It had been a long ordeal. Regulus refused. And then naturally, James begged. And when Regulus still said no. James pouted and walked behind him to pull out his chair and did it anyway. He was surly six feet under by then.

And well, James was definitely dancing with a ghost, now.  or dancing on a ghost was more accurate. Regulus stood still unmoving.

"You alright, baby black?" Mary asked, patting him on the shoulder. She pushed James off and took his place. She was thankfully less touchey.