Antlers On His Back

Quidditch

The first time James admits that his eyesight is getting worse is when he gets hit in the stomach by a quaffle coming in on the right side. He has to take a moment in the air before he begins moving again. Regulus was just watching their practice from the stands, but he could see the anxiety building in James.

"I didn't even notice," James whispers when they begin walking to the Great Hall. "I mean, I heard something, but I didn't see it until I was facing it completely." Regulus grips James' hand as they walk. He listens as James talks. He tries to work out what to say, but he's pulling up blanks. "No one wants an incapable captain. What if their all laughing at me right now?  I couldn't even continue afterwards. I had to sit there and wait out the pain." Regulus can tell James is getting worked up, so he stops him before they enter the Great Hall.

"Follow me, James," Regulus whispers. He pulls James towards an empty corridor. When they're a good amount away from the other students, Regulus simply pulls James to his chest. James digs his face into Regulus neck, and Regulus can hear his unsteady breaths.

"Thanks," James mumbled. Regulus just plays with James' hair.

The second time James says something about his eyesight is when they go to lay down a few weeks after the quidditch accident. Regulus begins to lay down on James' left, but James stops him. "Can we switch spots?" he asks hesitantly. Regulus is slightly surprised by the request, seeing he's always slept on this side of James. He quickly agrees though.

"Of course, is there a reason?" Regulus asks softly. James seems like he doesn't want to answer, but as Regulus goes to say he doesn't have to, James speaks up.

"I've been struggling to look at you, my good eye being the one closest to the pillow," James croaks. Regulus' lays his head on James' chest. He begins lightly tracing James soulmate mark.

"It's okay. We'll get used to it, Jamie," Regulus comforts. "I'll do whatever makes you the most comfortable."

The third time, James doesn't say anything. Regulus simply watches as James turns his head slightly as he continues writing his essay. He sees as James' eyes gather tears, and Regulus is there in seconds. James cries into Regulus' shoulder. He probably couldn't make out the words in front of him with his right eye, so he had to use solely his left. That's what Regulus saw anyway. Regulus knows that probably terrified James.

Regulus simply runs his hands through James hair. He sits there as James cries and cries. He puts pressure on the back of James' neck, and he can hear James calm slightly. "You're okay, James. It's going to be okay. I'll always be here. It's okay to be upset," Regulus whispers. He feels James relax against him.

They sit like that without moving until Sirius' voice rings through the hallway. James rushes to continue working on his essay. Regulus stays there though. He lays down on James' left side, and watches James face as he works, as he begins talking to the others, and as he smiles down as Regulus.

That's when Regulus notices the difference in James eyes. His right is beginning to cloud over. He doesn't mention anything to James, but it's only a matter of time before James notices.

The fourth time is when Sirius and Remus know for sure that it's getting worse. During a game against Hufflepuff, James ends up running into Marlene completely. She was on his right side, and he went to turn to the right. He makes her completely drop the quaffle. He freezes before fumbling with the placement of his hands. He doesn't dive for the quaffle, simply watches as Marlene does.

Regulus can see the panic rising in James, but Regulus knows there's nothing he can do right now. James drops the quaffle at least five different times, and he makes only two shots. It's probably the worst James has ever played. Regulus is already rushing towards the quidditch locker room as he sees James run off without a single word to the rest of his team.