I adored you Madly, Extravagantly, Absurdly.

Chapter 18

Warning: Dysphoria (today's curtesy of "I watched Sex Education Season 4 while writing this)
A bit of smut? Not in the fun way though

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"I'm sorry; forgive me. You know I'm mad – everyone says so" Teleny 144

The ballroom is held in deep, dark reds and gold. The small orchestra they hired is prepared to begin.

Regulus is talking to the Earl and Countess Hufflepuff at the moment. The smile on his face is perfectly polite, but James can see past the falseness of it.

He is finally able to free himself from the elderly couple and approaches James with his brother.

Sirius grabs a glass of champagne while coming over. "James. Regulus, in his incomparable maturity, ordered me to tell you it is time to officially open the ball."

James looks past him. "Will you still not talk to me?"

Regulus doesn't answer.

James sighs and takes the champagne from Sirius.

"Do you have an idea what to say?"

"I knew I had to hold a speech. I prepared something."

Regulus looks up at him, surprised.

Sirius frowns. "You? Prepared? I didn't know you knew what that meant."

Of course, James prepared. This is important to Regulus, and as his husband, it is James's duty to deliver a small toast in his honour before the dancing can start.

James clears his throat to gain the attention of the guests.

"My Lords and Ladies, Gentlemen, and dear friends, my spouse and I want to thank all of you for coming here tonight from the bottom of our hearts. My mother suggested we organise a dance ball for tonight, and before we begin the part of the evening we have come for, I would like to say a few words in honour of my lovely wife."

James offers his hand to Regulus. He does not wish to make their disagreement public knowledge, so he puts his gloved hand in his and steps forward.

"In less than a year of marriage, my spouse has enriched my life in ways I could scarcely have imagined. I am forever thrilled by and grateful for this marriage. When we first met in France many years ago, I was enthralled by her beauty. Since then, I came to know her genius, her humour, and her passion." He turns to him. Regulus has an impassive look on his face, like he isn't entirely with them. James squeezes his hand to bring him back. "My Darling, you have graced my existence with immeasurable joy. I am grateful that you let me get to know the person behind the pretty face because you turned out to be the most precious person in the world. This past year has been the happiest time of my life simply because you were in it. The 22 years you've spent on this earth haven't been enough, and I'm looking forward to being part of your next 22 years. ...So, now, before we open this ball, let us drink to the health of my beautiful spouse."

James raises his glass to Regulus. The guests toast to his health. Regulus tightens his fingers around James' hand as the room echoes his old name.

James places the glass on a tablet held by one of the footmen and leads Regulus to the middle of the dance floor.

James places his hand on the back of Regulus' dress. Regulus holds on to his shoulder. When they danced in the music room, Regulus slipped his fingers between his shirt and waistcoat, and James twirled him around a thousand times and pulled him closer than necessary – or appropriate, for that matter. This time, they will have to exhibit proper behaviour. They are supposed to look good doing this, not have a tremendous amount of fun.