Orchids and Sunflowers | Jegulus

•Alternate Ending•

James watched Regulus grab his hand and raise it to his lips, kissing his knuckles softly while looking at him. Regulus lowered his hand and looked away, still keeping a weak hold on James' hand.

"Make sure Sirius is okay," Regulus whispered. James stared at their hands.

"I promise Reggie" He whispered back. Regulus pulled gently on James, making him stand up from his chair. James looked down at Regulus confused.

"Can I have a hug? Please, Jamie" Regulus pleaded. James nodded and sat down at the edge of the hospital bed next to the younger boy. He let go of Regulus' hand and rested it against his waist, pulling him close. Regulus rested against James' chest, while James' other hand stroked Regulus' hair. Regulus wrapped his arms around James' body, his hands resting on the top of his back.

James doesn't know the last time he felt this content. Complete. Regulus's warmth felt amazing in his arms. With every breath he took he could smell Regulus. The distant smell of mint, sunflowers and a small hint of blood was all he could smell. They spent the next few moments like that, with James softly playing with Regulus' hair.

After a while, James felt Regulus' body start to shake in his arm. James pulled the younger boy away from his body, holding his shoulders and staring at him. Regulus put one hand to his mouth and the other on his chest.

"Reggie? What's wrong" James asked, starting to freak out slightly. Regulus pulled himself away from James' grip and pointed to the curtains. It took a moment but he realised what Regulus was trying to say and got up. He pulled the curtains open and started to shout for Madam Promfrey. He turned around and he regretted it. He sees Regulus hunched over and both hands over his mouth. From the angle James was standing he could see fully grown Sunflowers coming out of his mouth, a few dropping down onto the bed when Regulus' hands couldn't catch them. The difference between Regulus' normal episodes and this one was that the flowers had roots. Regulus had tears in his eyes and rolling down his cheeks as he tried and failed to pull the flowers out of his throat.

James turned around and searched the hospital wing for Madam Promfrey. He shouted her name again and this time he finally saw her come out of a set of closed curtains from across the room. She rushed over and pushed past James lightly. He saw her freeze at the sight of Regulus, who now had blood all over his hands from the flowers. She turned to James and pushed him out of the curtains.

"Please wait outside Mr Potter" She told him, then closed the curtains. James just stared at the spot where Madam Promfrey was standing. James didn't know what to think. Was Regulus okay? Was he dy-

Before James could even think that, Madam Promfrey appeared outside of the curtains and looked at him with a smile.

"You don't have to worry about Mr Black," She told him. James looked at her confused.

"Is he okay? What happened?" He asked. He could feel himself shaking.

"Yes, he is. Go to you're dorm and get some rest, come back tomorrow Mr Potter" She gave him a small smile and walked back to her station. Before James left, Madam Promfrey stopped him. "Bring Mr Black with you tomorrow, I have some good news for you both" James nodded and left.

★☀︎

James woke up early the next day. He stared at the top of his bed for a while till he heard movement from outside his curtains. He pushed them open and saw Sirius standing up from his bed, already dressed. Sirius felt someone watching him and turned to look at James.

"Morning Prongs. Madam Promfrey said she wanted to see us today, Yeah?" James nodded at the question. "Alright, you have 5 minutes to get ready, I'll meet you down in the common room," Sirius told him, leaving the dorms without waiting for a response. James watched him leave before he got up and started to get dressed. He looked at Remus and Peter, who were still sleeping, then left to meet Sirius. He found Sirius sitting in front of the fireplace, his head resting in his hands. At the sound of James walking down the stairs, Sirius looked up. James didn't realise how tired Sirius looked back in the dorms, but now he could see dark circles under his eyes.