James, Regulus..

Letter

Regulus hardly left James' side at all after that. They were getting closer and closer to the date of Regulus' flight back to London. It felt like a taunt being held over his head. They were at Remus' house with Sirius and Peter when they got a call from Euphemia. "It's Euphemia; she needs you, Regulus!" James called out. Regulus gives his friends a shrug before he goes to James. "Here, love," James whispered as he handed over the phone.

Regulus held it to his ear. James wrapped his arms snuggly around his waist, and he laid his head right next to the phone. Regulus knew James would be able to hear what Euphemia's ends up saying. "Honey?" Euphemia's voice rang out.

"Yeah, Effie? James said you needed me," Regulus responded. James shifted behind him slightly.

"I just got a letter from Walburga, and I think it would be best if you came home to read it," Euphemia said softly. Regulus felt his blood run cold. His grip on the phone tightened.

"Could you just tell me what it says now?" Regulus said with a completely flat voice. He feels James tighten his hold on him.

"No, honey, I think you need to come home," Euphemia whispered, but her voice was firm. Regulus almost flinched at it.

"Okay, Euphemia, we'll be right there," Regulus said. His voice was flat, and he didn't say anything else before putting the phone back on the wall. Regulus leaned back into James. James was tense behind him, but he could tell James was trying to relax. "Let's go," Regulus whispered. James nodded against Regulus' neck. They walked silently to the living room.

"What was that about?" Sirius' laughter died when he looked at Regulus. Regulus could only guess how pissed he looked.

"We have to go back to James' because Walburga has sent a letter. Euphemia wont just read it to me," Regulus told his brother flatly. He watched as something dawned on his brother's face.

"I'm coming with you," Sirius stated. He begun getting up off the couch. Peter and Remus both presumably decided not to say anything.

"No you're not," Regulus responded. Sirius looked at him with wide eyes. "You left already. It me who has to deal with her is it not?" Regulus asked coldly. He felt James squeeze his hand, probably as a warning.

"You know why I left, Regulus. I want to be there cause I can only imagine why Euphemia would demand you come home for it." Regulus rolled his eyes. James began talking before he was able to.

"Come on, Pads. Let's hurry." James pulled Regulus towards the door. Regulus whipped around to James. "Regulus save it until we hear what my mum has to say." Regulus actually flinches at James' words. He's never been so snippy. That's enough to snap Regulus out of the habit he accidentally slipped into.

"'m sorry," Regulus whispered. His heart clenched. James simply lead them outside.

James lead both Regulus and Sirius into the house. Euphemia was waiting by the entrance, a letter clutched in her hand. "Oh, hi Sirius," she greeted. She didn't look at Regulus as he walked in behind Sirius,

"Hi, Effie," Sirius smiled. Regulus tried to calm down, but he couldn't. His hands shook as he thought about what this actually meant. He wished James would've just kept quiet. Then he could've just been completely indifferent about it.

"Mum, what is it?" James spoke up when silence fell over them. Euphemia sighed.

"Come on," Euphemia waved them towards the living room. She sat down across from the three of them. Regulus sat in between his brother and his boyfriend. "Do you want me to tell you what she said, or would you like to read it, Regulus?" Euphemia finally looked at Regulus. Regulus' hands shook in his lap. He looked at them; he probably couldn't even hold the paper.

"You read it please," Regulus muttered. He didn't look back up. He heard Euphemia clear her throat, and he hear the letter being opened.

"Dear, Regulus Black. We hope being at the Potter's has done you well this summer. We have looked into more permanent solutions for your- uhm," Euphemia paused slightly. "Your problem. We have talked to the Greengrass family, and they have kindly agreed to let you marry their daughter. You have a week left at the Potter's house. When you get home, you have two days before your wedding to get to know Ms. Greengrass. We have your vows already written. We will talk again in a weeks time. Walburga Black." Regulus was staring at Euphemia. Her eyes watered as she finished reading the letter. Regulus' hands were tucked under his thighs. His heart was pounding, and he couldn't feel his body.

"Shit," Sirius said from beside Regulus. Regulus looked over, and Sirius was staring at him wide eyed. Regulus hesitated before looking back to James.

James was staring directly forward, seemingly at nothing. Regulus took one of his shaking hands out from under his thigh, and he slipped it in James'. James showed no reaction other than squeezing Regulus' hand tightly.

"Regulus," Euphemia spoke up. Regulus turned to her. He almost flinched at the pity that was obvious in her eyes. "What are you going to do?"

Regulus was curled up with James later that night. They were pressed so close together, and they were still tugging the other closer. "I don't want to leave. I don't want to leave you," Regulus whimpered. James brought one hand up to Regulus' head, and he tucked Regulus head into his neck.

"It'll be okay. It'll all be okay," James whispered. Regulus sobbed for the first time. He sobbed because he knew James was lying. He sobbed because he isn't as strong as Sirius. He sobbed because he can't get married to some girl. He sobbed because he only has a week left with James.

James held his just as tight as Regulus gripped him. James ran his hands softly through Regulus' hair, and he comforted Regulus. He comforted Regulus even though Regulus knew James' heart was breaking just as much.

"Call me by your name," Regulus whispered into the little space between them. His voice was thick with emotion. "Call me by your name, and I'll call you by mine."