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James didn’t know what he’d expected when Sirius had said that he would set up a blind date for him. He clearly never imagined that Sirius would lock his younger brother in the astronomy tower with him.
Regulus was currently scowling, having just been shoved through the door with a simple don’t kill each other from Sirius before the telltale sound of an advanced locking charm echoed through the tower.
“You look cold,” was the first thing out of James' mouth, before he even realised he was saying it.
It was true though. The weather during a late October night was not forgiving and the slight breeze that came by every now and then didn’t help. Regulus shivered in place, having abandoned the school uniform for a simple green shirt paired with some black trousers.
“I am cold. I was promised a candle lit dinner, not this with you ,” Regulus huffed, leaning back against the door.
“What’s wrong with me ,” James joked, pulling out his wand at the same time. “Many would be lucky to be in your place. Plus, I’ve heard that I’m quite the gentleman.”
With that, James silently cast a warming spell on Regulus, to which he immediately loosened in relief. “Thank you,” he mumbled, awkwardly looking around.
The space wasn’t how it normally looked. The dusty floor had a nice blanket covering it, one which James was currently sitting on. There were a few candles scattered around the edges that were lit with tiny flames.
“I know it’s not the most romantic thing but surely it's not that bad,” James explained and Regulus let out a small laugh.
“I suppose it could be worse,” Regulus quipped as he slid into a seat on the ground opposite James. “You put in a lot of effort for a blind date.”
James’ cheeks flushed slightly and he reached into the basket between them to distract himself. “I trusted Sirius to bring me someone pretty and someone who’s my type. And I can’t say that he disappointed.”
Regulus raised an eyebrow. “So your type is someone who criticizes your every move?”
“Well, I’ve been told I like them mean,” James replied, running a hand through his hair.
Regulus’ eyes followed it and James could visibly see his Adam's apple bob up and down.
“Enough about me,” James finished, fixing Regulus with a smile. “What’s your type then?”
“Don’t have one,” Regulus replied briskly. “I didn’t think about dating at all really until Sirius dragged me up here and told me that I need to make mistakes in life while I’m still young.”
“Will you let me be one of those mistakes?” James questioned, pulling some French soup that he didn’t know the name of out of the basket and setting the bowl down between them.
Regulus looked down at the food then back up to James. “That’s dessert,” he said blankly. “And though I’m not known for making mistakes, I have a feeling that you won't take no for an answer.”
James stumbled to put the dish back in the basket and he pulled out a plate of ratatouille instead. “Look, I didn’t pack any of this French food. I don’t even know what this is really so it’s not my fault. Also, why wouldn’t I accept a no?”
“Might fancy taking a look at the way you’ve pestered a certain ginger for– let me count –6 years straight,” Regulus counted off of his fingers.
“Ah, Lily,” James sheepishly looked down at the plate. “That was a mistake of mine. Honestly I never really had a crush on her. I just had this perception of her being perfect and that wasn’t fair to her. I really value our friendship though, and if you really don’t want to do this then I’m sure we can still be friends after too and-”
“James,” Regulus interrupted, “you’re rambling.”
“Oh sorry, I do that when I get nerv-”
“Don’t apologize. It’s c- cute,” Regulus coughed out, a rosy colour flashing across his cheeks in a very un-Regulus like manner. “Anyways,” he raised his voice loudly, “the ratatouille looks nice. Did the house elves make it?”
“Yeah, I sort of.. commissioned them? I think that’s the right word.” At Regulus’ unimpressed look he quickly added, “I gave them a French cookbook I found in the library and told them to go wild. I did pay them with gossip though so I think it counts as a commission.”
Regulus listened to his addition amused and he reached into the basket curiously. When his hand emerged, it clutched two spoons. “Thank god, I didn’t want to have to hand feed myself this.”
“I could’ve done it for you,” James blurted out before he thought about it.
Regulus snorted and replied “I’d let you.”
Now it was James' turn to become a blushing mess. Regulus’ eyes met his, clearly happy with his reaction, and he gestured to the plate. “Are you going to eat anything?”
James reached forward for the other spoon that was waiting for him to grab. As he did, his hand brushed with Regulus’ and they both took in a small gasp of air.
They ate in silence, though it wasn’t awkward. The meal was nice and it was clear that the house elves had put in a lot of effort to make it taste exceptional.
After they were done eating, James found himself lying on the blanket next to Regulus, looking up at the night sky. At least that’s what Regulus was doing, James was looking at a different star.
“See that really bright one,” Regulus pointed, and James had to drag his gaze away from the younger boy to look up at the constellation. “That’s Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.”
“The dog star,” James mumbled, and Regulus looked over at him with a surprised look on his face. “I know a little bit about astronomy.”
“Do you now?” Regulus asked, quirking up an eyebrow at him. “Then you surely must have a favorite star, no?”
Silently, James assessed the night sky for a second before pointing at a star that was to the right of him. He watched as Regulus’ eyes followed his finger and the gasp he let out as he realised which star it was.
“That’s me,” he whispered quietly, almost in awe that James had chosen it.
He rolled over so that he was now face to face with James. James could trace every line on his face, he was close enough that he could see the reflection of himself in Regulus’ pupil
“The heart of the lion,” James added. “The brightest star in the Leo constellation. The-”
He never got the chance to finish that sentence because in that moment Regulus chose to lean in and bridge the gap between them. His lips locked with James and suddenly all thoughts of astronomy went out the window.
Regulus’ lips tasted salty and cold, almost like the sea. James couldn’t get enough of it. He was barely aware as he scooted closer and brought his hands up to cup Regulus’ face. His pale skin was softer than anything James had ever felt in his life.
If James could describe the kiss in one word, it would be ethereal. The world could have ended in that very moment and James wouldn’t have noticed because the only thing that mattered to him was taking more and more of the boy in front of him.
—
“What if they kill each other,” Sirius exclaimed, pacing back and forth along their dorm, “I shouldn’t have left them without supervision. Moony, is it too late for you to go watch them?”
Remus sighed and looked at Peter, silently asking him to deal with Sirius. Peter looked back as if to say he’s your boyfriend but he still opened his mouth.
“Sirius mate, they’ve been up in the tower so long I’d be surprised if they weren’t shagging,” Peter shrugged.
Sirius halted in place, his mouth hanging open. “Oh bloody hell that’s worse. My brother and my brother shag-”
Sirius broke off with a horrified look on his face.
“I think you broke him,” Remus whispered to Peter.