#jeggyverse microfic

[ultravioletbrit]

“familiar” - Jegulus microfic - @into-the-jeggyverse - 228 words

Regulus has been in France for six months. Six incredible months, but he was more than ready to be home. However, as soon as he stepped foot in London, something didn’t feel right. He just felt… off.

The journey to The Potter’s house wasn’t long, but Regulus couldn’t sit still the entire time. The taxi dropped him off and Regulus took a deep breath that didn’t reach his lungs. But he was certain that as soon as he was inside, he would feel like he was home again. 

Regulus opened the front door to the house that has always been his home, and everything was the same. The way the door creaked when he closed it, the subtle smell of vanilla and cinnamon, the various shoes lining the wall and the familiar jumpers hanging on hooks. The house was exactly the same, but Regulus didn’t feel like he was home.

Regulus felt a warmth against his back and strong arms wrap around his waist. He instantly melted into the touch as he felt soft lips graze his temple.

“Welcome home, stranger.” James whispered with a small kiss.

Regulus instantly turned to face James and wrapped his arms around his neck bringing him in for a tight hug and James hugged him back just as fiercely.

Regulus buried his face in James’ neck, and James was right; Regulus was finally home.

[vinylfoxbooks]

November 19 - Familiar | @into-the-jeggyverse | wc: 548

“Regulus!” James calls, setting the cup down on the counter. Seeing the dark haired boy that walks up to the counter -- a recent and upcoming regular of theirs that James always makes for -- they smile softly at him, “You look familiar.”

The boy looks up at him from where he was previously gazing at his phone, his cup now in hand, “I’ve been coming here for the past several weeks, I’d be shocked if you didn’t recognise me by now.” 

And James, charmed as the may be by his tone and passive aggression, is intent on figuring out how he’s seen this man before. It’s been on their mind for weeks, but they’ve never been able to figure it out, and they’re sure that they’ve never met or been around someone named Regulus, “No, you look… I feel like I’ve seen you before I started working here. Maybe in school?”

“You must be crazy,” the man shakes his head, “I doubt we’ve gone to school together.”

“But how can you be sure? What school did you go to?”

“Hogwarts Academy.” 

James beams at him, “And you’re sure that you don’t recognise me, I went there too.” 

“There were a lot of people there, the fact that you barely recognise me says a lot about that.”

James shakes their head, “There were a lot of people there, but I feel like I would remember such a beautiful face… Were you… what house were you in?” 

“Slytherin.” Regulus hums, roving his eyes over James after a second, “I take it you were a Gryffindor… or a Hufflepuff.”

They smile softly, shaking their head, “I was a Gryffindor, yeah.”

“There’s another reason I wouldn’t recognise you, I spent much of my time there actively avoiding you Gryffindors.” 

And James is about to say something else, but they’re interrupted by the chime over the door and Sirius strutting into the cafe, “Reggie! Good to see you.” Regulus makes eye contact with James before turning around to face… 

“Your Sirius’ little brother!” James says, finally putting the pieces together, “Oh my God, you look wonderful. I don’t know how I didn’t figure it out before.” 

“I have been actively trying to stop you from figuring it out,” is the last thing that Regulus says before turning to his brother and attempting to distract him. Sirius calls a cheery goodbye to James before Regulus manages to pull his brother out of the shop. 

Regulus doesn’t show up to the shop on his normal days for a while before he finally does start venturing into the cafe again. It also seems like he’s avoiding James being the one that makes his drinks or takes his order, but Lily is kind enough to write down James’ number on the cup the next time that he comes in. Regulus gives James a look, but they pretend to not notice and continue to focus on making the drink for the next person. 

Regulus texts them a couple hours later, Took you long enough to figure it out. I don’t look that different. And James can’t help the stupid grin that blooms on their face. It’s been so long since they’ve seen the sweet younger Black and they’re thrilled for more now that they have another chance with him.

[psychoticallykind]

Breaks Are For the Smart

"Across" - Jegulus Microfic - @into-the-jeggyverse - 209 words

--------------------------------------------------------------

Regulus drew a harsh line across the page, marking out another sentence. "Ugh." He crumpled up the parchment, tossing it unsuccessfully at the trash pile.

"This looks fun."

Regulus leaned back in his desk chair and held his arms out for his boyfriend.

James complied with the wordless demand, leaning down to give him a warm hug. "You've been studying for hours."

"I can't get this essay right," Regulus complained. "It sounds stupid no matter what I put down."

"Maybe it's time for a break?"

Regulus made a face. "Breaks are for the weak."

"Breaks are for the smart," James corrected. "Be smart and take a break with me."

"Ugh." Regulus glared at the empty parchment in front of him. "Fine."

James laughed. "I love you, too. Come on."

Later, when Regulus was lying down, head in James's lap as they helped Pandora string together flower crowns, he pulled James's hand over and pressed a kiss to the inside of their wrist. "I do love you."

"I know," James smiled down at him. "And I love you, too."

Regulus let his eyes close as James and Pandora calmly debated about something to do with flower petals. He could sleep for a bit.

After all, breaks were for the smart.

[my-castles-crumbling]

dare - Jegulus Microfic - @into-the-jeggyverse - word count: 188

"I just want to be sure you know," Sirius says, looking stressed, "he's off-limits. Like, completely. Not even a weird look, Prongs."

"Alright, alright," James drawls, leaning back in the booth they're sitting in. "I'm not an animal, Pads, I can restrain myself."

"Yeah, but, he's very much your type," Sirius says, waving his hands in the air.

James tilts his head. "My type? What do you-?"

But then the most beautiful man in the world enters his field of vision. He's all dark curls and silver eyes, his expression haughty and sullen. His small frame makes James was to pick him up and throw him over his shoulder, and right away, he realizes why Sirius was worried. Because all of his brain cells seem to have disappeared.

"Sirius. Sirius's friend," Regulus greets shortly, and James feels hot allover at the snub, because yes he does indeed like them a bit mean.

"Regulus. Pads has told me so much about you," James starts, a huge, adoring grin on his face.

"Don't you dare," Sirius whispers through gritted teeth.

But Regulus is already smirking, his eyes glued to James's.

[onthemerits]

denial - 246 words - daily microfic - @into-the-jeggyverse

"--is a river in Egypt," Peter joked, eyeing James and Regulus where they sat on the other side of the pool.

They weren't doing anything, strictly speaking, just sitting up on the chaise lounge chairs, facing each other.

As Sirius watched, James leaned forward, hands on his knees.

And Regulus didn't lean away. He just narrowed his eyes and gestured emphatically with his hands.

"It is a bit odd," Remus conceded.

Peter shot a mischievous look at Sirius.

"I wonder if they know they're flirting--"

"They're not flirting," Sirius snapped. "They're arguing."

As if to prove his point, Regulus stood up and stormed off without so much as a backward glance.

Sirius shot Peter a told-you-so look.

"Reg!" James called. After a moment of apparent indecision, he jogged after Regulus.

Sirius looked down, his face twisted in annoyance. What the hell was James doing calling Regulus "Reg"?

And if James didn't quite manage to get all the way out of sight before catching Regulus by the waist and pulling him in... and if Remus and Peter watched, wide-eyed, as Regulus turned with a glare and wrapped his arms around James' neck... and if James and Regulus kissed right there, just barely still visible to the three boys by the pool... well that was no one's business but their own.

It certainly wasn't Sirius', Remus and Peter seemed to agree with just a shared look. He could live in denial for a little while longer.

[toujoursrab]

Prompt: Miss (@into-the-jeggyverse) | Pairing: Jegulus | Word Count: 476

“I miss Regulus.” James whined, turning from his back to lay on his side so he could face Sirius. His best friend was laying next to him, staring up at the glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. It was almost embarrassing, but the constellation Leo glowed particularly bright in comparison to the rest.

“Prongs, dating my brother is one thing, hearing you whine about him all summer is another.”   

James let out a sigh. “I hear you whine about Moony all the time, even when he’s in the same room. I haven’t spoken to Regulus since the train, it’s been three weeks.” They couldn’t even send letters, but James had been writing them anyway with the thought he could give them to Regulus once they were back at Hogwarts. Regulus liked reading, so James had taken to writing him notes and letters that he snuck into his robes or bag during term. He wasn’t allowed to send owls to Grimmauld Place, so they were currently in a no contact situation. “Do you think he misses me?”

“Oh yeah, knowing my brother he’s going mad without you.”  Sirius paused, twisting his lips. “Although descending into madness isn’t strange for a Black, it’s quite common. I blame the inbre—” he was cut off by a loud, quick series of knocks at James’s bedroom window.

James and Sirius shared a curious glance. “Expecting anyone?” The younger asked rhetorically before rolling out of bed, grabbing his wand and waving it to turn on the light as he went to the window. James pulled back the curtains, hazel eyes widening. “Regulus?” he immediately opened the window, helping the sixteen year old climb into his room from the outside. “How did you—this is the second floor…”

“I’m aware, James. I climbed—”

“Most people use the door.” Sirius commented, not letting his own surprise show at the sight of his brother as he sat up on the bed. His eyes darkened, gaze intense as he eyed Regulus’ body for any sight of physical injury, only relaxing when he came to the conclusion there were none.

James was doing the same, his hands roaming the sides of Regulus’ torso, still in disbelief that he was actually here in his room. “Are you alright, Reg? Did something happen?”

“No—nothing happened. I’m—I’m fine. I just… you know.” Regulus grabbed for James’ hands to hold them into his. “I missed you.” He didn’t say anything more before he leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss against James’ lips which the Gryffindor happily returned.

“No! No! No! NO! NOOOOO! Rule number six of dating my brother clearly states ‘no kissing in front of Sirius’!” Sirius grabbed the pillow that was beneath his head, throwing it right at their grinning faces. “You both have to put a galleon in the jar now!”

[cookihearts]

POV: Me everyday waiting for cas's micro fics

@my-castles-crumbling

[mistress-violence]

Prompt: Magazine from @into-the-jeggyverse (August 27)

Word count: 569 words

Pairing: Jegulus (modern AU)

⚠️ Warnings: masturbation assumptions

Regulus had already started unpacking the kitchen utensils while James, Sirius and Remus brought the last boxes into the house. He wanted to offer his brother and his brother's fiancé a tea after they offered to help him and James move in their new apartment. He forgot how chaotic the three of them can be when they are together though, which is why all the boxes were mixed up and out of place.

He managed to find the cups and cutlery in the bathroom and the kettle in the bedroom, but he wasn't successful in locating the kettle yet. He set aside a box full of books and one of toiletries, hoping the one at the bottom would be what he was looking for. Regulus raised his eyebrows when instead of the kettle he found a box with "College" written on it.

He knew it wasn't his, but the curiosity was too big. He took the scissors and cut the strip of tape from the top before opening it. Inside were things Regulus had expected: James' old football gear, his graduation album, pictures of James and his friends during college, little things that held memories from his student years. While looking among the small plush toys won at the carnivals and the penis-shaped magnets received at every birthday for the past 10 years (an inside joke in their group of friends), Regulus discovered something at the bottom.

James entered the front door with two boxes in hand, which he immediately placed in the hall. He briefly searched for Regulus around until he found him in the living room, looking over a Playboy magazine. His Playboy magazine from college...

Regulus immediately lifted his head with a look that was hard to describe. It was something between repressed anger, confusion and desire for blood.

"I can explain!" James said immediately, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Regulus didn't say anything, just popped his tongue and turned the open magazine towards James.

"What's going on here?" Sirius asked, appearing from behind James with a box in hand.

His gaze ran to the magazine and his mouth opened. It was an ad for Obscurius, a perfume from the Black family beauty line. Regulus' picture took up the entire page, with an expression that would make even a professional model jealous. It was a part of Regulus' dark past, when he was still under his mother's shoe, a loyal servant of Black beauty company. All kinds of hearts were drawn over the picture with red permanent marker.

"Can you explain this to me, Potter?" Regulus said, pressing each syllable.

"I swear I've had it since before I met you, Reg, I bought it for the tits!" James tried to defend himself, taking a step back.

"Why is the page sticky? What did you do with it, Potter?"

"I think I hear my phone ringing. Excuse me!"

"James Fleamont Potter, go right back and tell me why the pages are sticky!" Regulus shouted, running after his lover.

"What's with all this noise?" asked Remus, bringing the last boxes into the house.

Sirius was standing in the doorway, his hand over his mouth and a visible shock on his face. He received too much information about his friend's old habits than he wanted to know.

"Let's go home, now," Sirius hissed, trying to leave the apartment as quickly as possible with a confused Remus behind him.

[seriousaboutsiriusblack]

James: *kissing Regulus aggressively* Sirius: *Walks in* Hi! James: … Regulus: … Sirius: bye! *Slams door*

[thundersarts]

starchaser microfic - sep 9 - curl | @into-the-jeggyverse | wc: 998

Over two years of dating– alongside a whole decade of knowing each other – had given Regulus enough experience of reading James' telltales to know when he was needed. Most importantly, it had given James the security and comfort to ask for help when it was needed.

It did take a while, though, before he could let himself do it.

James was a steady force, a hand to hold onto, a lifeline. He was safety, he was a breeze of cold air on a hot day and the fireplace when the chill approached without warning. He would make sure the people he cared about knew they could reach out for him whenever they needed, without shame or judgment.

The times when they did reach out, he kept his words like an oath. James listened, held, comforted, distracted and gave advice– whichever was either needed or wanted the most at the given time. And it was always fine, really. Fine.

Until the moment prompted him to be the one opening up.

He gets it, he really does. Baring your soul open for someone feels less scary when the energy is matched. Trading secrets, a story for a story, all of that.

At these times, he feels like he mastered the art of deflecting. Whether it is tossing it off with a joke, circling back to the subject they were beforehand or straight up lying with a small everything is fine, don't worry.

Unfortunately, there's only so much you can keep within yourself before it overflows, or so he learned.

When it happened, he wasn't alone, though he was supposed to be.

His and Regulus' shared flat was meant to be empty until monday, when Regulus would come back from Narcissa's place after spending the weekend to meet his newborn cousin. Only some minutes past two of that cloudy sunday, instead, Regulus showed up to find James still on the bed of their bedroom and a stream of seemingly endless tears wetting his cheeks.

What felt like ages of spilled tears and slurred words through sobs and hiccups filling the bedroom eventually turned into soft spoken words of encouragement while James spoke his mind through whispers that Regulus could only hear because James had his head buried in the crook of Regulus' neck while he was curled into his embrace.

It was a steady– as steady as getting better can be, with all of its ups and downs – development until they got to the point they were, where James spoke instead of whispered that he wasn't feeling well, where he would ask to be held instead of reaching out for touch and crossing his fingers in hopes that Regulus randomly wanted to hug him for hours on end as much as James needed to be hugged then.

So, when James came home early from uni after skipping half of his classes for the day, finding Regulus sitting on the couch with a book and a green highlighter on hand and the TV long forgotten on a show he was rewatching, he didn't hesitate to ask.

"Can you lie down with me for a bit?"

Regulus nodded and closed his book with the highlighter between the pages. James leaned down to take off his shoes and put them aside, and was met with a warm hand caressing his cheek and a chast kiss at the corner of his mouth when he looked up again.

Regulus smiled softly at him. "Want me to make some tea before we go to bed?"

He shook his head, putting his arms around his boyfriend. "I'd take some hot chocolate when it gets colder tonight, though."

James felt more than heard Regulus snort, but he would feel his body relaxed near his to know there was probably a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Once he let go of the embrace, Regulus held his hand and pulled him all the way to their bedroom, leaving the light off and closing the curtains to keep them in the dark after a questioning glance to James, who just nodded at the silent question.

"How do you want me?" he asked, gently pushing James down until he was sitting in the bed and he was looking down at him, hands toying with the overgrown hair at the back of his head.

James put his hands on each side of Regulus' waist and maneuvered them around until Regulus ended up leaning on his back with his legs spread, James fitting right in the space between them, lying face down, head resting on Regulus' chest and his arms around his midriff. It took no time at all for Regulus' hands to busy themselves with his hair, playing with his curls while James hummed softly to the feeling.

It didn't take long until words were flowing out of James' mouth. He told him about the rude teacher, who seemed to take pleasure in humiliating half of his class during the presentation of a project – James included –, the way the team was on edge after their keeper got injured and everyone seemed to be taking the stress of the situation out on each other, a disagreement with Marlene thanks to it…

Regulus listened quietly, humming and dropping comments every once in a while and offering to hex said teacher and maybe ask Peter for advice and prank him like you and the boys did back in Hogwarts.

That got a laugh out of James, and when he looked up to meet Regulus' eyes, he knew from the smug smile that that was exactly the reaction he wanted to pull out of him.

And, damn it, James loved him for it. And for a whole lot more, too.

He let go of Regulus to brace himself on the bed and reach up to kiss him, slow and gentle, just a warm brush of lips that had James feeling weak all over.

It's here, he thought. It's here that I want to stay.

[lovegoodskies]

under - @into-the-jeggyverse - 213 words

No, no. This couldn’t be happening. Regulus looked out the window to see James pulling into the driveway. He had agreed to watch James’ young son, Harry. Harry was three now, and Regulus loved him as well. Harry and Regulus got on well, Harry adored him as well. Harry had asked Regulus to play hide and seek with him, a game that he would play forever if he could. 

It had been 30 minutes and Regulus still couldn’t find Harry. He looked high and low, under every bed, and every closet. He froze in his spot as the door opened and he heard James yell his name. James walked into the lounge, where Regulus was still frozen. “Where’s Harry?” James asked and then looked at the horror on his face. “Hide and seek?”

“Uh,” Regulus croaked out, before nodding.”It’s been 30 minutes.” 

“Did you look under the blanket in the closet?” James asked. Blanket in the closet? Regulus didn’t remember seeing a blanket. He watched James walk over to the hall closet, and open the door. He turned on the light inside it and moved a blanket as Regulus walked over. Harry was asleep on the floor, under a blanket. 

“Oh, thank god,” Regulus exclaimed and let out a sigh of relief. 

[ultravioletbrit]

“across” - Jegulus microfic - @into-the-jeggyverse - 276 words

Regulus is undeniably beautiful all the time. But one of James’ favorites might be first thing in the morning, before he’s even woken up.

There’s a ray of sunlight shining across his raven black curls—one of which has fallen onto his forehead just begging to be tucked behind his ear, but James won’t risk disturbing him. His forehead and eyebrows are relaxed and free of any worry or stress. His long eyelashes are resting peacefully on his cheeks. His lips are parted just the slightest bit, and his breathing is soft and steady. James could watch Regulus sleep for hours and never get bored.

“Stop watching me sleep, it’s creepy.” Regulus mumbles without opening his eyes.

James’ hand is like a magnet to that one curl now that he knows Regulus isn’t fully asleep.

“I’m not watching you sleep. I’m admiring your beauty.” James tells him as he tucks the curl behind his ear.

“While I’m sleeping, so it’s still creepy.” Regulus’ soft, groggy morning voice is one of James’ other favorite things.

“Are you awake now?” James asks as he leans in and kisses Regulus forehead.

“No.”

James chuckles softly. “You’re not?”

“No. Go away.” Regulus mutter softly but he shifts slightly and moves his head to rest on James’ chest.

“I can’t really go away with you on top of me, love.” James wraps his arm around Regulus, pulling him in.

“Shhh. ‘m sleeping.” Regulus snuggles impossibly closer.

“Okay.” James whispers and kisses the top of his curls.

Regulus’ breathing evens out quickly as he falls back to sleep. James squeezes him once before he drifts back to sleep right along with him.

[vinylfoxbooks]

September 6 - Glass | @into-the-jeggyverse | wc: 292

“So since you’re dating Remus now,” Mary says to Sirius, “That leaves James as the only straight one in your group, right?”

Marlene nearly spits out her drink at that, “You think James is straight?”

“You don’t think that he is?” 

“Please,” Dorcas adds from where she’s sitting behind Marlene, “That boy is not straight. The closet is glass.”

Mary moves from looking at the two of them to flitting between Sirius and Lily, “Do you guys think that James is gay? I mean, you dated him, Lily. And you’re his best friend, Sirius.”

Lily hums, “I think there’s a possibility that he likes men, too. James feels like the type of person to not care about gender.”

“I don’t see it,” Mary shakes her head, “Sirius, what about you?” Sirius just shrugs, not sure of what to say. It’s not like he can just go, ‘yeah, James is completely and utterly in love with my little brother and brought several men to the dorm before then’ and completely out his best friend.

Mary groans at his lack of reaction, talking about how he’s impossible to work with. She turns to Alice and Frank, “You two, back me up here. Frank, you work with James all the time. There’s no way that he’s gay.” However, she stops short when the portrait to the common room swings open and James comes walking in. And while that’s normal, what isn’t is that he’s pulling Regulus behind him by the hand, leaning into the younger’s body and laughing at something, absolutely enamoured by the sight of Regulus. He’s quick to lead the younger Black towards the boy’s dormitories and Mary groans, “I guess that answers my question. There was absolutely no straight explanation for that.”

[courfee]

@into-the-jeggyverse | "mo(u)ld" | wc: 500

“– so forgive me if this sounds too bold you’ve grown on me like cheesy mould I want to love you for all eternity Which is why I ask: Will you marry me?”

Sirius stares at James for several seconds. “You can’t be fucking serious, Prongs.”

“Only fucking his brother, mate,” James jokes to overplay his nerves.

Sirius slowly lets James’ note sink down on the table. “Absolutely not,” he says. “I am not letting you marry my brother if this is your idea of a proposal speech. Forget it.”

James whines, “He said a personal poem is the most romantic thing he can think of, I thought–”

“This is not a poem.”

“What? Of course it is, it rhymes!” James insists.

Sirius snorts. “If this is your only definition of what a poem is, I don’t have to be the one to bar you from proposing, Regulus is going to do that all by himself.” He runs his hands through his hair in despair, getting them stuck in the sunglasses he pushed on top of his head earlier. “I mean you compared him to fucking mould. There is nothing romantic about this! Him declining your proposal would be the best outcome you could hope for at this rate!”

James entire face falls and he looks utterly defeated. “I just wanted to make it perfect for him,” he says meekly. “He deserves to be courted with romance and poetry and all the things he loves, that was the best I could do. And if that’s my best then– then maybe I’m not meant to marry him...”

“No, fuck you,” Sirius snaps. “Absolutely not. James, my brother might love his cheesy novels and romantic poetry, but he loves you more, and you’re not going to take his perfect happy ending away from him because you don’t know what a poem is.”

“But–”

“He said yes to dating you, right?”

James nods in confusion.

“Not some renowned Mr Darcy poet. He wanted to date you, Merlin knows why.” Sirius gives another despairing glance to the note. “So when you propose to him you give my brother exactly what he wants.” He gives James a stern look. “Which is you. Alright?”

James lets the words sink in before he nods slowly. “Alright,” he agrees eventually. “I– You’re right. Thank you.”

“No problem. Just... maybe run the next idea by me as well. Just in case.”

James lets out a little laugh and repeats, “Thank you.”

Sirius reaches across the table and ruffles his best friend’s hair. Then his gaze falls on the speech in front of him once more.

James’ eyes follow his. “Feel free to burn it,” he grimaces.

“Oh, absolutely not,” Sirius says with a mischievous grin and folds the paper up to put it in his pocket. “I’m going to include this in my best man speech at your wedding.” He hesitates for a second before adding, “After Reggie has said his vows and can’t back out of marrying you anymore.”

[my-castles-crumbling]

museum - Jegulus Microfic - @into-the-jeggyverse - word count: 146

"Hmm, okay," James said, thinking a bit before posing his next question. "Worst first date?"

They'd finally been able to go on an official date after hiding away for so long. Both were basking in the happiness of it, staring at each other over their meals in the small restaurant, simply enjoying being together.

"Hm..." Regulus pretended to ponder, before answering. "This one bloke took me to a museum. It was dreadfully boring."

James's mouth popped open and his eyes widened. "But we...we just went to.."

Regulus's serious expression broke into a teasing grin. "Joking. I had a lovely time, James."

The other man gaped before bursting into laughter. "Merlin, Reg, you scared me!" he chuckled, eyes bright and expression adoring.

"My actual worst first date was definitely when Mother tried to arrange my marriage to Pandora," Regulus continued calmly, grinning.

James choked on his food.

[siriuslylu]

𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 - 𝗷𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗰 - word count: 746

Regulus is not used to sharing his feelings outloud, is not that he doesn’t feel things, it’s just that he was raised in a very closed household, never getting kind words from his parents, not being able to tell Sirius because that was a sign of weakness.

So is not that he doesn’t feel love, is just he’s not used to expressing it loud and proud like James does.

But he’s been wanting to say this for a long time, he’s been holding onto this for far too long, James deserves to know, and he deserves to be able to say it without feeling like he’s doing something wrong.

He knows it’s mutual, but James won’t say it first, because he doesn’t want Regulus to feel pressured, into either feeling it or reciprocating. What James doesn’t know is that he’s very much reciprocated, and Regulus has been biting his tongue for a long time already, fighting his inner demons, trying to push his mother’s voice out of his head making him backtrack every time.

The thing with Regulus is that, when he does show his emotions, he gets all flustered and awkward, and so he’s mistaken for being angry or upset. So it’s quite funny to Evan and Barty when they find him in front of a mirror practicing saying those three words, with a deep frown and a little bit meaner than it should be. In return, they get hexed, but it was worth it since it’ll never happen again in their lifetimes.

So now, here he is, laying on the grass with his boyfriend, late at night, watching the stars. James is asking him about constellations, and Reg decides this is it.

”James”

”Yeah?”

”I-“

But words won’t come out

”I want… I feel…”

”Yes?”

James turns his head, looking at him softly, and the moment he stares back, he feels suddenly calm, because this is what loving James Potter feels like, is tranquility, is feeling safe, and loved, and cared, is feeling like you could do anything in the world. Still, he looks back at the sky and points to his star.

”Regulus, right there, it’s the brightest star in the Leo constellation. It’s also known as “the heart of the lion”, and every year, the sun meets up with it, and we kind of rise and fall together”

He looks at James for a minute, finding nothing but pure love in his eyes.

”You and me, we are not only meant to be together on Earth, but also in the sky, forever, and I’ll always be your heart, and will shine brighter than anyone, to make you feel cared” he looks up again, swallowing a lump because he can’t say it looking right at him, what if he laughs at him?

”Reg…” James says breathless

”I love… you… James”

”Reg” gasps again

“If you don’t…”

”I do! Oh Merlin, I so do!”

”Well then?” getting all nervous and frowning now “say it back”

He hears James laughing at his side, oh he knew this was bound to happen, he-

“Regulus.”

He stops, because he was gonna flee, fight or flight they say, but he could never fight James.

”Look at me”

He does

”Regulus Arcturus Black, don’t you dare tell me you love me and escape from me”

He says grabbing his hand, turning to his side and caressing his cheek as if it’s the most precious thing to exist

”I love you Reg, you’ll always be my entire heart, my brightest star, and I want to rise and fall with you every day for the rest of my life, not just for a while.”

”Really?”

”Really. Would you say it again?”

”No” looking up flustered, James only exhales a laugh, but then “Yes, I love you”

”I love you”

Silence, the comfortable one, the one you enjoy because it’s filled with everything he can’t say just yet, but they both know already, he might not be able to fully express how he feels, but he’s trying, because his boyfriend deserves it and he does too, and he’s allowed to feel, so he turns and leans in, and places the softest kiss, because there’s nothing he loves more than kissing James Potter, except maybe James Potter himself

”I’m so telling Sirius you said I’m your brightest star, he’s gonna lose it”

”Reg! No! Please!”

He laughs before being trapped in his lover’s arms, and he’s shinning when they conjunct, they both are.