Ara

@jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - castle

The castle is quiet at night. Regulus loves it. He started sneaking out past curfew in his third year, enjoying the feeling of roaming the imposing, empty halls, the only sound the echo of his own footsteps.

His favourite spot by far was the Astronomy Tower. He could spend hours up there, staring at the moonlit sky, trying to identify the stars and constellations.

The only person he’d ever brought up there with him was Pandora. Once or twice. Otherwise, he liked to spend those moments by himself. He didn’t feel the need for company. Not until recently.

“Is that Venus?”

Regulus looks over his shoulder, his heart skipping a beat as Potter appears from beneath his Invisibility Cloak. It’s an impressive piece of magic, that. Regulus wasn’t surprised to find out he owned one: the Potters were known to be a wealthy family that probably owned dozens of valuable magical artefacts. But it certainly was spectacular to see one in real life, especially one in such good condition.

“Yes.” Regulus looks back up at the sky. “She’s brightest tonight.”

Potter joins him at the railing, his upper arm pressing against Regulus’s, warm and reassuring. He allows it.

They’ve been meeting like this for a few weeks now. Regulus likes it more than he’d like to admit.

“How was your Herbology test?”

“Aced it.”

“Thanks to my old course notes.”

Regulus shakes his head and fails to hide a smile. “Thanks to your old course notes that you copied from Lupin.”

James feigns innocence. “I have no idea what you’re on about.”

They stand there for a while, talking about everything and nothing. Regulus wishes it could last forever, but he knows he has Potions first thing the next morning. Slughorn likes to surprise them with unannounced tests, and he doesn’t want to flunk one because he couldn’t keep his eyes open.

“Well.” He sighs. “I have to go if I want to get some proper sleep.”

Potter nods. “Yeah… You’re right. I probably should go to bed too.”

He stands up straight and starts to fuss with his Invisibility Cloak, but then hesitates. For a moment, he seems to be summoning all his courage before finally leaning in. His lips press against Regulus’s cheek. It lasts mere seconds, but he’s sure he’ll feel it linger for days to come.

“Goodnight, Regulus.”

Before he can return the favour, Potter wraps the Cloak around himself, and he’s gone. He leaves Regulus standing there, flustered, his face hot.

@jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - roller coaster

When Regulus agreed to help his brother and Lupin move out of their rental, he didn’t expect it to be such a roller coaster. A stressful ordeal, yes, but not the circus he walked into.

“So,” Sirius says, nodding at a pile of boxes as he ties his hair into a messy bun. “All of these need to go in the van. Heavy boxes first, obviously. The rest we can stack on top.”

“Fine,” Regulus mutters, reaching for his wand. The place is an absolute disaster. He has no idea what kind of system they have in place to keep track of everything. Maybe he’s overestimating his brother. There probably isn’t one.

“No.” Sirius’s hand lands on top of his before he can even say Levioso. “No magic, Reg. Imagine if the neighbours see. I don’t want to have to Obliviate them again.”

Again? Regulus knows he should probably ask about that, but he’s currently too cross about the fact that he has to physically carry boxes down the narrow, poorly lit stairs. That’s what one gets for moving into Muggle London.

“If I’d known this, I wouldn’t have shown up,” he complains.

“I know.” Sirius smiles. Infuriating git. “Now, Remus is waiting downstairs, so if you don’t mind?”

And so he gets to it, with a fair bit of reluctance. He picks up one of the boxes and is immediately taken aback by its sheer weight. Merlin, what did they pack in this? Lead?

“Need some help with that?”

Regulus almost stumbles backward when the box suddenly gets lighter in his hands. When he looks across the room, he sees James Potter approaching. He must be using some kind of wandless magic to make the box momentarily feel less heavy.

“I’m fine,” Regulus says pointedly.

James smiles patiently and still takes it out of his hands. His biceps strain against the sleeves of his red T-shirt. “I believe you,” he says. “I just like to help.”

It’s a pity James Potter is so fit, really. Regulus tries to dislike him, but it’s hard.

“What would the world do without you?” he deadpans.

It earns him a laugh. Regulus moves on to another box, a smaller one, but Potter stays put. It’s like the weight of that box is nothing to him. Show-off…

“What’re you up to today?” he asks. “After all this?”

Regulus looks at him in surprise.

“I…” He stops himself. “Sorry, why do you ask?”

“We could grab a bite… I know this great Thai place. It’s close to—”

“Prongs!” Sirius sounds even more irritated than before. “Flirt with my brother on your own time! We’re on the clock here.”

Regulus’s face feels like it’s caught fire.

“Coming!” James yells, but he makes sure to turn back to Regulus one last time. “Think about it.”

Some people claim they fall in love at first sight. That it was like lightning in a clear sky, a bolt from the blue.

Regulus couldn’t relate to that in the slightest. For him, it was a journey. A slow, exasperating process of gradually realising just how extremely smitten he was.

It started in his first year on the Hogwarts Express, when he walked past his brother’s compartment and spotted James Potter for the very first time. Tall, smug, and grinning like he owned the train. In that moment, he despised him, and he swore he always would. The perfect boy who had his brother wrapped around his finger.

Whenever he came into contact with him after that, Regulus was overwhelmed by envy, frustration, and something he couldn’t quite place. Like he wanted to be him.

He wished he carried himself with the same confidence Potter did. He wished he could make people laugh like he did. He wished he could make looking like an idiot seem so charming.

And Merlin, he wished he had it in him to be as embarrassingly kind.

Because Potter was always so nice to him, as though he were an extension of Sirius and therefore deserved to be treated well. He smiled at him whenever they passed each other in the corridor, took the book he couldn’t reach from the top shelf for him, came over when he was doing his homework in the garden, and offered to help even though Regulus always protested.

Insufferably likeable. It only confused him more.

The moment he finally realised came when they found themselves sitting near each other in the library. Potter had a freckle right above his left eyebrow. As Regulus stared at it, James lifted his eyes and met his. Regulus’ heart skipped a beat, feeling caught. But Potter didn’t look at him strangely.

“All good?”

Regulus swallowed, his mouth dry, his heart pounding. That’s when he realised.

“Pssst…”

Regulus pointedly ignores the noise behind him, continuing to scribble on the parchment in front of him. Slughorn is at his desk, correcting essays. Every now and then, he shakes his head in dissatisfaction as he jots down corrections. He’s not really paying attention to them, but Regulus simply doesn’t feel like risking it.

“Hey… Hey, Regulus?”

Merlin, this fool really cannot read a room, can he?

When a tingly sensation, some kind of tickling spell, hits the back of his neck, Regulus jolts and finally turns around. It’s what Potter wants, he realises, but at this point he’s too annoyed to care about the rules of operant conditioning.

“What?” he snaps.

James’ eyes twinkle now that he has his attention.

“I have a chocolate frog in my pocket. Want to share?”

Regulus looks at him as if he’s lost his mind. He must have. Is this his attempt at apologising for getting him here in the first place? He still fails to understand his own lapse of judgment when he allowed the other boy to lure him along into that restricted corridor.

“No, Potter, I don’t want a half-molten chocolate frog,” he whispers irritably. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have three more pages to write because of your little scheme, so…”

James appears contemplative for a moment, but before Regulus can turn around, he speaks again.

“I’ll make up for it,” he promises. “Say the word and you’ve got it.”

Regulus arches a brow. Dangerous thing to say, in his opinion.

“Be careful now,” he mutters. “I’ll hold you to that.”

James’ eyes glisten behind his gold-rimmed glasses. “Gladly.”

“Boys.”

Now he’s really done it. Draco honestly can’t believe it. This is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. He’s going to pay this time.

“Potter!”

The other man doesn’t even flinch when Draco bursts into his office. He slowly looks up from his paperwork, having the audacity to look almost bored.

“Malfoy.” He greets calmly. A smile tugs at the corners of his mouth, but he tries to play it cool. “New haircut?”

Weasley is sitting at the desk next to his. As soon as he spots him in the doorway, he breaks out in roaring laughter. Draco is seething.

“How old are you?” he snaps as he storms over to his desk. “A colour-changing charm? Really?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Weasley’s almost tumbling off his chair at the sight of Draco’s firetruck-red hair. Even his eyebrows have turned that shade. He isn’t sure how Potter has done it, but he’s sure it was him.

“I’m going to destroy you.” Draco hisses.

Potter smirks, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He idly twirls his wand between his fingers.

“Can’t wait.”

An electric shock runs down Draco’s spine. The anger is still there, but it makes space for something else beside it. Something he can’t quite name, or maybe doesn’t want to.

Potter is lucky he has a meeting with Kingsley in twenty minutes. If he didn’t have to sort out this mess as soon as possible, he would end him right here, right now.

“This isn’t over,” he mutters before he turns around. He will get back at him, one way or another. Potter just looks amused, accomplished, even. Draco hates his guts.

“You look silly.”

James almost jumps when a voice pipes up behind him. He’s been standing in the same spot for half an hour now, waiting for Regulus to finally show up. He’d been starting to fear he’d changed his mind, but he’s happy to be proven wrong.

When he turns to look at him, his breath catches in his throat. He’s all dressed up, absolutely stunning in his tailored suit. The fabric is a dark grey, interrupted by subtle white horizontal stripes. It’s the perfect fit, hugging his waist exactly right. James’ mouth feels dry when he speaks.

“You look lovely.”

Regulus’ face does something complex. For a moment, his eyes turn soft. It only lasts a split second, but James is sure of what he saw.

“Merlin, Potter…” he mutters, walking down the few steps to reach him. “It’s only fun when you insult me back.”

When Regulus is close enough, James offers his arm. Regulus hesitates, but then takes it quietly. James is quite pleased with that, and decides he’ll get away with going a step further. He leans closer, his lips aligning with Regulus’ ear.

“It’s only fun when I manage to make you blush.”

“Five months’ probation.”

Regulus didn’t even glance up. He strode briskly down the Ministry’s corridor, the echo of his shoes bouncing off the marble floors. In one hand, he scanned a scroll of parchment he’d been handed at the front office; the other swung loosely at his side.

“Outrageous,” he said without slowing. “You know I’d never even consider that.”

“Seven?”

James Potter hurried to keep pace, his gaze fixed on Regulus’ side profile. He didn’t break stride.

“I feel like we keep having this same conversation,” Regulus muttered. “Three months without a wand, one year’s probation. That’s what I’ll be requesting.”

Potter let out a short, exasperated laugh.

“For petty theft? Come on, Regulus, be reasonable.”

“Petty theft?” Regulus’ grin was thin and humourless. “Please.”

“Yes! The Wizengamot will never rule in favour of such a severe sentence.”

“I guess we’ll have to find out.”

The lift arrived with a soft chime. Regulus halted, Potter almost bumping into him. Only now did he look up from the scrolls, emerald eyes framed by copper-rimmed glasses meeting his own.

“Ten months’ probation,” Potter proposed, “plus a mental aptitude test conducted by a Mind-Healer of the Wizengamot’s choosing.”

“Can we stop pretending I’ll drop the wand confiscation?” Regulus asked, voice clipped.

“Meet me halfway,” Potter pressed. “A confiscation for a minor shop robbery? Really?”

“It was no minor robbery,” Regulus corrected, tone firm. “Complex bonding spells were used on that poor shopkeeper. He had the fright of his life.”

“Still,” Potter insisted, “my client shows remorse. He wrote a letter of apology—did you read it? He’s a good sort, Regulus. Just… made some very poor decisions that he truly regrets.”

Regulus sighed. Of course he’d read it. Every detail had been considered before he determined a sentence.

“What I fail to understand,” Regulus said, swapping scrolls in his bag with a practiced hand, “is why you always end up defending these young scoundrels who can’t seem to show any respect for anyone or anything.”

For a moment, Potter’s eyes flashed with anger, then the expression eased from his face. Over the years, he had learned that real persuasion was never achieved through heated argument.

“We’ve all been young,” he said. “And we’ve all made mistakes. I know I have. Growing up isn’t easy.”

The confidence, it was the core of Potter’s skill: he believed in every client he ever represented. He would fight for them until the bitter end.

Even though they were opposites in the courtroom, Regulus had to give credit where it was due. Potter was a natural.

The lift doors opened, and they stepped out into the bustling corridor.

“One year’s probation,” Potter tried again.

“I really need more than just probation, Potter,” Regulus replied.

“One year’s probation, two weeks effective wand confiscation,” Potter countered.

Regulus extended his hand.

“And the mental aptitude test you mentioned?”

“Deal,” Potter said, gripping Regulus’ hand firm.

Regulus hummed and tugged gently, but Potter held firm.

“What about the dinner you promised me for my last victory?” Potter teased, eyes twinkling. Regulus freed his hand with a roll of his eyes.

“I don’t remember any such thing.”

“Friday at eight… my treat.”

A small smirk tugged at Regulus’ lips.

“I’ll need to think about it.”

“When do you not?” Potter shot back with a grin, winking before striding off. “See you Friday, Prosecutor Black!”

27.06.2024 - heal - 484 words

Regulus rarely catches anything. He hasn’t had the flu in years and can’t remember the last time he fought a cold. His immune system hasn’t let him down in a long time… Or well, it hadn’t.

Having a toddler run around the house is all fun and games until they bring home a nasty bug. Harry got it from one of his classmates; a fever, a runny nose, a nasty cough. Luckily for him, he felt better in no time. A couple of days after he first showed symptoms, he was as good as new and was able to return to class. For a while, Regulus believed that was the end of it. His hopes were crushed when he woke up the next day with an itchy throat himself.

Unlike Harry, Regulus didn’t feel better the third day. It only worsened. At first, a pain potion was enough to get him through work, but by the end of the week he found himself tied to his bed. It was awful. The only things he could currently do were sleep and use up all of the tissues they had lying around the house.

He was in the middle of a nap when he was awoken by a gentle hand brushing back his hair.

“Reg?”

Regulus hums. His eyelids are heavy and at first he can’t be bothered to try to open them. The hand feels cool and pleasant against his clammy skin, so he leans into the touch.

“It’s time for your meds, love.”

Fingers combs through his curls with practiced ease, slowly but surely managing to wake him fully. When Regulus finally opens his eyes, James is looking down with a somewhat concerned expression. James worries a lot. He fusses over him. He makes sure he stays hydrated, brings him food, reminds him to take his medication. It makes Regulus feel oh so safe.

He sits up a little so he can take the glass of water and the pills James is offering to him. He takes his meds, gulps down the rest of the water and then lies back down. A grimace spreads across his face as he does so. Everything hurts.

“Do you need anything else?” James asks softly. His hand finds Regulus’ and squeezes it.

“A hug?”

It’s selfish, Regulus knows. He doesn’t want to get James sick too, but at the same time he yearns for the comfort only he can give to him. James doesn’t seem to mind. He leans down immediately, carefully pulling Regulus into a warm embrace.

“I’m so sorry, darling.” He whispers. “You’ll be better in no time, promise… Your body just needs a little longer to heal.”

Regulus nods. He knows it’s only a matter of time, yet he can’t help but long for the day he’ll be able to breathe through his nose again.

“What about we take a nap together?” James offers kindly. Regulus couldn’t say no to that even if he tried. Soon, they’re curled up under the sheets together, James’ fingers combing through his curls once more as he slowly drifts off to sleep.

22.05.2024 - control - 539 words

“We’ve got everything under control, right Haz?”

Regulus smiles fondly at the screen of his phone when Harry appears next to James. He’s wearing his dinosaur jammies, the blue one with red triceratopses all over it. He smiles widely at the camera. It’s an adorable sight; one of his front teeth is missing and his glasses are a little askew. Regulus wishes he could pull him into a tight hug right then and there.

“Daddy, I learned about stars at school today!” He exclaims excitedly, prying the phone from James’ hands in an attempt to get all of Regulus’ attention. “I told Ms. Jones you’re an astronomer.” Harry puts great care into pronouncing the word, wanting to get it right. It took him a while to get the hang of the exact pronunciation, so he takes pride in being able to say it correctly.

“Did you?” Regulus asks with a smile, shifting against the headboard of his hotel bed. It’s not nearly as comfortable as the bed they have at home, but it does the job.

“Yes! I also told her you’re in America for a big science party.”

It’s endearing how proud Harry seems to be, even if he doesn’t fully understand what it is his dad does. By now, he’s told all of his teachers and all of his friends that Regulus is away for the week. It’s a little embarrassing, but mostly sweet. Harry loves loudly. He really takes after James when it comes to that.

“I know you’d love to talk to dad for hours, but I’m afraid it’s already past your bed time.” James interrupts their conversation. Harry whines and pouts, which makes Regulus smile again. “Come on, darling.” He says. “I’ll call you tomorrow, okay? I promise we’ll talk longer then.” Harry makes a face, but eventually nods and gets up. “I miss you.” He says. “Not as much as I miss you.” That makes the boy smile a little. They exchange i-love-you’s and then he’s off to brush his teeth.

When James appears on his screen again, his husband looks tired. He can’t blame him; taking care of a six year old all by yourself is one hell of a task. “You’re doing so well, love.” He tells him. James looks at him with warm and loving eyes and doesn’t say anything for a moment. “I can’t wait to pick you up at the airport on Thursday.” He mutters eventually. “Me either.”

They simply look at each other in complete silence for the next minute or so. They’re so far apart, and yet, Regulus feels so loved by the man on the screen. Words can’t describe how much he means to him. The peace is disturbed by Harry’s “I’m ready!”. James chuckles and runs his fingers through his hair. “I’ve got to put the little monkey to bed.” He says. “Text me later?” Regulus nods. “Will do.”

“I love you.”

“Not as much as I love you.”

21.05.2024 - rank - 260 words

CW: slightly explicit content

Regulus Black is a patient person.

He doesn’t mind waiting in line at the check-out in the grocery store, he doesn’t mind sitting on Pandora’s bed as she tries on twenty different outfits before they finally get to go out, he doesn’t mind listening to Sirius as he goes on his fifth, cheesy rant about Remus Lupin.

Regulus takes great pride in being able to stay calm and collected. However, when it comes to James Fleamont Potter, it’s like all of those respectable qualities dissapear like snow before the sun.

“Almost done?” Regulus nudges James’ thigh with his foot. The other man hums, eyes never leaving the tv screen, his thumbs going crazy on the controller he’s holding. Regulus has been watching him play this stupid videogame for what feels like eternity. “Almost done, babe...” James mumbles. “If I finish this level, I’ll move up the ranks.”

Regulus forces a smile when James directs him a quick, toothy grin. It’s not that he doesn’t want him to win. He thinks it’s great his boyfriend has a hobby. At least as long as it doesn’t take away too much of his attention. He waits two more minutes before he decides that enough is enough.

James’ eyes widen comically when Regulus gets off the sofa and sinks to his knees right in between his legs. “What are you doing?” He asks as he struggles to keep his eyes on the screen. Regulus smiles as he unzips his pants for him. “Helping you finish.”

09.04.2024 - heart - 263 words

“You’re so cruel...”

Regulus sighs as he stuffs one of his notebooks into his bag. He’s heard it all before, has tried different strategies over the last couple of months and has come to the sad conclusion that nothing works. James Fleamont Potter is an incorrigible dramaqueen.

“Seriously, Reg, do you even have a heart?”

“James...” He tries, glancing over his shoulder. “My love, please...”

“Don’t ‘my love’ me.”

Regulus can’t help but smile when he sees that James’ cheeks are turning pink. He likes it when he calls him that, and Regulus likes to use that knowledge to his advantage.

He walks over to his boyfriend, who’s still in bed, and kisses his pouty lips. “I’ll be back before you know it.” He promises, caressing the side of his face. James huffs, so Regulus kisses him again.

“It’s my last class this week.” He mutters against his lips. “Tomorrow, we can sleep in and spend all day in bed... How does that sound?”

James seems to consider it for a while. Regulus is well aware that he wants to cuddle now, not tomorrow. Unfortunately for him, Regulus has an exam coming up and he’s not skipping this lecture. James agrees reluctantly.

Regulus smiles. “See you later, Jamie.” He tells him, pressing one more kiss to his lips. James manages to steal another one before Regulus can pull away fully.

He allows him to.

He loves waking up knowing he can take his time to get out of bed. He loves cuddling up to Remus and kissing him softly behind his ear, on his eyebrows, on the tip of his nose.

He loves taking a long, hot shower and walking into the kitchen to find his boyfriend with two cups of steaming tea and The Prophet in his hands. He loves stealing a kiss as he walks by and feeling his morning stubble against his skin.

It's on these mornings Sirius can enjoy his life to the fullest. He's grateful for every moment he gets to spend with Remus Lupin, but this is just different.

"Eggs, love?"

Sirius smiles behind his cup of tea and nods. As Remus puts butter in a pan and starts whisking the eggs, he walks up behind him and wraps his arms around his waist. He presses an ear to his back and listens as he hums along to the radio.

The first time Regulus opens his eyes, a nurse is fussing over him. "Hello love..." Her voice is nice. Sing-songy. "Are you awake?" He hums in response, mind too fussy to form any words yet. "Perfect. It's over now. Lie back and relax, hmm?" Regulus does as she says.

The second time he opens his eyes, he's in a different room. His eyes land on a stranger that's seated in a chair next to his bed. He's handsome, Regulus can tell even when his mind isn't functioning properly. The man smiles at him, looking faintly amused.

"Hi." He says softly. "How're you feeling?" Regulus reaches up to inspect the ice packages around his face and hums. "Weird..."

The man nods and leans forward in his seat, taking his hand in his. Regulus allows him to. His touch is warm and gentle, and somewhat familiar, so he doesn't really mind. "I have a boyfriend..." He warns after closing his eyes once more. The man chuckles. "Do you?"

Regulus nods. "Yes. He's picking me up. I don't think he'll be happy to see us hold hands." The man hums understandingly. "He's quite possessive then, I assume?" Regulus all but snorts. "Possessive isn't the right word..." He mutters. "He's protective." He smiles a little, even though his cheeks are still numb due to the sedatives they gave him. "I love him..."

James watches his boyfriend with a lovesick gaze, holding his hand as he drifts off to sleep again. Maybe he won't remember this conversation with a so-called stranger when he wakes up, but James certainly will...

Pt.1