Work Text:
Regulus has Eating problems, James knows this. He's helped him through episodes, nightmares, and-maybe a bit more recently-helped him take his meds. Anything he didn't know or needed help with, he'd ask Sirius or Research. After a few years, this became less and less frequent, as James picked up more knowledge about Reg's Eating Disorder. But then again, knowledge can only take you so far.
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It started like this:
It was a few days before James and Regulus were set to visit Monty and Effie for Christmas, and Reg had told James he took his meds, but he had been eating less and less throughout the week, and he'd snapped at him a few times. So, James decided to gently confront him about it. So, after he got back from Remus' and Sirius' place, he walked into their bedroom to find Reg completely under the duvet.
James walked over and sat down on the edge of their bed, speaking softly. "Reg, Amor, are you alright?"
"Hm? Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Regulus poked his head out, brows furrowed slightly.
James lets out a soft exhale before speaking "You-you've been... eating less over the past few days." It almost sounded like a question, if not for the hint of worry in his voice.
Regulus pulled the duvet back over his face "It's fine, James." He lied, and it would've been believable if not for how his voice cracked slightly at the end.
James pulled back the duvet to see Regulus looking to the side, tears streaking his pale face "Oh, mi amor," he whispered, leaning down as he hugged Reg tightly swiping a few tears away from his eyes. James settled back onto the bed, holding Reg in his arms as he cried softly, his silver eyes shiny with tears. He hated seeing Regulus sad, it always made him sad
"I love you" James cooed softly, running his fingers through Reg's hair. After Regulus calmed down, James looked down and whispered "Do you want to talk about it, mi estrella?"
"I just..." Regulus started, then paused, taking in a shaky inhale "I don't feel masculine enough. I feel like I look in the mirror and see her. And its just-" Regulus' words were cut off by a soft sob. James immediately pulled his boyfriend closer, running his finger through Reg's hair and cooing softly. After a few minutes, the younger boy calmed down enough to continue speaking, "And-and eating does that, it... makes me feel like I'll always just be a girl. If I don't eat, I don't feel like that. Sometimes I don't even know how you look at me when all I see is a girl" Regulus looked down fidgeting with his hands softly.
"Mi amor," James held Regulus' chin up gently, looking into his gorgeously silver eyes. "You know what I think? You're the most handsome man in the world, whether you think you look it or not. Te chico guapo, increíble, hermoso." James kissed him softly, moving his hand up to cup Regulus' cheek, swiping a few tears away in the process. "I love you, Te quiero, Je t'aime." James kisses him between each 'I love you', and then hugs Regulus tightly.
Regulus laughed wetly at James butchered French, "You're ridiculous." He mumbled into the crook of James neck.
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Later that evening, James realized he'd fallen asleep, and woke up to Reg sleeping softly next to him. Regulus always looked so beautiful when he was sleeping, soft black curls covering his face slightly, lips slightly parted. It was so innocent and peaceful, James couldn't help but lay there for a few minutes, watching Regulus sleep. After a few, he turned over and checked the time on his phone. 10:31pm. He turned to look at Regulus, who had begun to stir at the absence of James, and sighed. He knew he'd have to ask this question eventually, but he hates how Reg slightly tenses at the mention of food.
"Mi amor?" James asked, looking down at Regulus, who had sat up and was slowly blinking the sleep from his eyes.
"Mhm." Regulus mumbled, slightly more awake now, silvery eyes looking up at James.
James waited a beat before asking, "Can I get you some food?"
Regulus-as James had suspected-tensed slightly at the mention of food, the last of his fatigue vanishing "I... I don't think-I don't think I can..." He started quietly
"Please, amor?" The older boy whispered.
A beat.
Regulus slowly nodded, getting up and hugging James-which, is unexpected, but he's not complaining.
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So, that's how they ended up in their kitchen, James had given Regulus some strawberries, and put on some music, which Regulus didn't really care for. That is, until the opening notes of Lover played, and Regulus had shot James a fond glare, but James just grinned.
We could leave the Christmas lights up 'till January
And this is our place, we make the rules
"And there's a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you dear." James sang softly, and oh, Regulus had forgotten how beautiful James' singing voice was.
"Have I known you 20 seconds, or 20 years?" Regulus sang, and James looked at him and smiled like a kid given a sweet.
Can I go where you go?
Can we always be this close, forever and ever?
Regulus laughed softly at James' lopsided smile. He then stood up, dragging the older boy with him, and asked, "Can you dance?"
James looked like he could run to the moon and back. He put his hand on Regulus' waist and kissed him excitedly. Together, they started dancing
We could let our friends crash in the living room
This is our place, we make the call
"And I'm highly suspicious, that everyone who sees you wants you." Regulus sang, and James chuckled at the irony.
"I've loved you three summers now, honey, but I want 'em all" James sang back, and spun Regulus in a circle, smiling softly.
Can I go where you go?
Can we always be this close, forever and ever?
And ah, take me out and take me home (forever and ever)
"Your my, my, my, my," James and Regulus sang together, laughing softly and looking at each other with fondness
Lover.