Jegulus One Shots <3

#75 The Prank

James doesn't know this, but Regulus originally said yes to him because of a prank, not because he actually liked him.

Regulus lay down on his bed, staring up at the roof as his felt his heart racing. He looked over to his side to see James sleeping peacefully next to him. It wasn't supposed to go on this long, their relationship was never meant to end up like this. It was a bet, a stupid bet he agreed to just to piss off his brother.

Regulus got up and dressed himself, quickly heading out of the dorms and common room until he found Pandora, sitting down in the courtyard reading with Dorcas, who was practicing her levitation charms on some rocks.

The two girls noticed Regulus walking over with his usual manner and Pandora stared at him in distaste, she had never approved of Regulus' behaviour, tricking James into thinking his feelings were real.

"Pandora. Look. I know you're upset with me, for doing what I've done. But I've really messed up. Please, I need your help."

Pandora looked at Regulus cautiously before gesturing for him to follow her out to the grounds where their conversation couldn't be overheard by any prying ears.

The two sat down amongst the grass and Regulus leaned his head back against the brick, Pandora staring at him and waiting for an explanation as to why he was acting this way.

"I slept with him."

Pandora didn't speak, she just slapped Regulus' face and crossed her arms with a disappointed expression.

"I know!"

"That is evil Regulus. He already thinks you're in love with him. Just acting sweet was one thing but taking it one step further like that? What were you thinking?!"

"Clearly not much!" Regulus looked away and rubbed his cheek as Pandora continued to stare at him, with no intention or needing to apologise.

"Regulus, you have to tell him. I don't understand, you said yes to James to piss of Sirius in the beginning because you were mad at Sirius for leaving, but you're not upset with him anymore, it's been a year. Why haven't you ended this?"

Regulus just stared and he felt his eyes begin to water and his chest tighten, "because I don't want it to be over" he whispered, "because I've realised I actually like him and want to be with him."

Pandora just stared for a moment before lightly nodding, "what happened between the two of you was real? You both wanted it? There was consent? No facade."

Regulus nodded, "I've known for a while now."

"How long?" Pandora interrupted before Regulus took this conversation any further,

"A lot longer than "a while". I realised it first when I actually started getting jealous of the affection he'd receive from other people, which you would know is way out of the norm for me, and then more so when I found myself looking for reasons to see him. Actively finding excuses to leave what I was doing so I could go be with him instead..."

"Does anyone beside our group know of the bet?"

"No. Not that I'm aware of anyway, you haven't told anyone?"

"Not a soul. Because I've been embarrassed that my friend would act in such a way."

Regulus lowered his head, "I'm sorry. I was angry, I didn't care who I hurt or what the consequences were as long as it hurt Sirius. I was blinded by that, and now I've ruined a chance to actually have something real with the person I love without feeling overwhelming guilty every time I look at him."

Pandora looked at the ground and thought about it, she then looked to Regulus with a straight face, "this was bound to happen eventually and I think part of you actually knew that" she responded, "I also think you should tell him."