unspeakable | jegulus

what a drag it is to see you

chapter title: positively 4th street by bob dylan

"Where do you want to go?" James tugged him along beside him, swinging their hands between them like they were kids until Regulus forced him to stop. He was so excited. "Honeydukes? Do you have a sweet tooth, Regulus?"

"Candy in all of its forms is a blight on this world." James gasped.

"Are you some kind of supervillain? What kind of monster doesn't like candy?"

"I was being hyperbolic. Candy is... okay. I don't really like sweet things very much."

"Do you want to go to the Three Broomsticks? We could get a booth and drinks and talk-"

"You just want to snog me. I know why couples go there, James."

"So what if I do?" James leaned closer to him. He looked adorable in the cold. The tip of his nose and the tops of his cheeks were pink, like he had a sunburn. There was a dusting of snow all over the village, sparse and soft as icing sugar. "You don't want to kiss me?"

Regulus looked away from him sharply.

"You're ridiculous."

"You say that every time you don't want to actually respond to something I say to you. You're getting predictable, love."

"Some people like predictability, you know. They find it comforting."

"This is our first proper date, do you realize that?"

"So?"

"So, where would you like to go?"

"Nowhere here, if I'm honest." James deflated. He wanted to feel like a normal kid again, even just for a day, but Regulus had never been normal for a single day of his life. "I don't really like any of the shops."

Regulus peered at him intently.

"Where would you like to go, James?" His smile shifted, most of it in his eyes. "Do you have a sweet tooth?"

"Obviously," James gave him the cheekiest look he could. "I've got you on my arm, haven't I?"

"James, that kind of joke only works if your boyfriend is sweet—"

He kissed his frown and tugged him close. "Yep, you're sweet."

"Your taste buds might be faulty." Regulus gave him a withering look. James just smiled.

"I guess I'd better check again." Regulus kissed him. James felt giddy. He felt an icy hand on the back of his neck, twirling a lock of his hair around his finger.

"Just get me a sugar quill or something small."

"'I don't like sweets' he says." James put theatrical quotes in the air with his fingers, walking into Honeydukes with Regulus beside him. "'Buy me pure sugar' he says."

"If you're going to bully me you can bring me back to the castle." Regulus surveyed the candy shop with the poise and elegance of minor royalty, his chin held high, his posture as upright as a dancer. He looked like a different person wearing James' muggle outfit, with his hair soft and curling behind his ears.