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“Are you fucking kidding me, Regulus? Don’t act like you’re all fucking mighty. If you had the chance, you’d leave too,” Sirius spits, anger rolling off him in waves.
What was supposed to be a normal conversation between to the Black brothers, ended up being a full blown argument. Sirius knew he was planning on running away. Leaving their horrible home. He knew. He wanted to tell Regulus before he fled, maybe even convince his younger brother to leave with him.
But all Regulus heard was…
I’m leaving.
I am leaving.
Leaving.
And he spiraled, lashing out on Sirius. Trying to tell Sirius he was being stupid. Their parents would find him. He’d get in trouble. He’d never make it. Anything to try and keep his brother.
“You’re being stupid, Sirius. You know as well as I that it’s almost impossible to get out of that house,” Regulus says, eyes cold as ice. His back is straight, arms crossed over his chest.
The library, normally warm, even warmer during the holidays with Christmas cheer, is cold with the tension between them.
“I have to get out. I have to leave, Reg,” Sirius says, trying to reason with his brother.
“Yeah, and I don’t?”
Before Sirius can respond, a living ball of sunshine wraps an arm around his shoulders.
James Potter.
Eyes filled with mischief and a smile larger than life.
“So, how are my favorite brothers doing?” James asks, unaware of the tension between the pair.
Regulus glares, looking between the two, then a flicker of something in his eyes.
“Right. Have fun with your new brother,” Regulus says, his words sending an unwelcome chill down Sirius’s spine. Regulus walks past them, shoulder brushing Sirius’s on the way out.
James turns his head, watching the smaller Black leave with a tilt of his head. “What? What’s wrong?”
Sirius sighs, running a hand down his face, “I tried telling him my plan. To run. He got all.. I don’t even know, Prongs, but he won’t listen to me.”
“He wasn’t listening? Why? He knows he’s welcome too, right? Even if he can be a bit of a prick,” James says, trying to lighten the mood. The tease falls short as Sirius glares at him.
“He didn’t look mad at me, James. Just.. done. He looked tired,” Sirius mumbles.
“His face looked the same to me,” James teases, a smile on his tan face.
A small smile breaks out on Sirius’s face, but quickly falls, “I’m worried about him.”
“Yeah, Pads, I think we all are,” James tightens his grip around Sirius’s shoulders. “Where did he go?”
“Out. Probably towards that inn at Hogsmeade. He always goes there. Barty says he spends the night there when things get too hard for him,” Sirius says.
Sirius, secretly, for almost a year, has been asking Barty on information on Regulus in exchange for cigarettes. He never wants to know anything too personal, just enough to make sure Regulus is being safe.
“That old one? Near the edge of town? It’s snowing,” James frowns, looking out the window.
“Yeah, I should probably go—“
“No, let me.” James can’t really explain the urge that came over him, but for some reason he wants to be the one to talk to Regulus. Maybe it’s because he’s a fixer, always wanting to make sure everything is right. Maybe it’s because he hates conflict, especially when it hurts Sirius. But there’s something else, something dangerously close to care, telling him to go.
“He’s my brother—“
“And he needs to trust me if you want him coming to my house,” James counters, “just.. let me. Remus is waiting for you in the common room. A good snog will do you good.”
Sirius rolls his eyes as James squeezes his shoulder, “using my handsome boyfriend against me. Not fair.”
James grins as he pulls his hat out of his backpack, pulling it over his ears. Effie, his mother, has told him since he was a kid to always wear a hat to avoid getting sick.
“I’ll let you know how it goes, okay?” James says as Sirius walks out of the library.
“Don’t piss Regulus off too much.”
“No promises.” James winks. He quickly pulls on his gloves and zips up his coat, not caring at how ridiculous he looks. Being warm is worth it.
He makes it out to the entrance, wand in hand. The large doors open with a push, immediately blowing cold air into James’s face. Thick snow falls around him, the kind that sticks immediately.
“Fucking Regulus,” he grumbles as he makes his way down towards Hogsmeade. It’s not a far walk, but it’s extremely difficult when blinding white snow is falling down, blocking his vision. The cold wind bites his nose and ears.
After what felt like forever, he sees the smoke coming from the chimney of the inn.
The White Stag Inn
James can’t help from smile at the name. He is a stag after all. It’s a small building, but it seems warm. Worn down wood frames the building, with a large sign of the name. Light pours out of the windows. The chimney has smoke coming out of it.
With a large amount of effort, he pushes open the door. Snow piles at his feet as he walks in.
“Tch. Ridiculous boy. Coming out in the storm to the inn!” The inn keeper, an old lady named Mary, comes over to him, using her wrinkled hand to dust off James’s clothes.
“Sorry, ma’am,” James apologizes, a charming smile lighting up his freezing face.
“No, no, apologies. Goodness, boy, you’re freezing. Come, come!” Mary takes his hand, dragging him to a warm seat next to the fire. In the inn, there’s a small sitting area with two large armchairs and a couch, surrounding the fire. In the middle is a coffee table with a half done puzzle and a potted flower.
“Let me get you some tea, handsome,” Mary says, patting his cold cheek then disappearing. James slips out of his coat and his hat, then slowly taking his gloves off his frozen fingers. He cups his hands and brings them to his face, blowing hot hair in hopes of warming them up.
“Here, dearie,” Mary comes over with a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Mary smiles.
James opens his mouth to say more, but then he sees him.
Regulus.
He’s still in his winter coat, pale hands wrapped around a similar mug to James’s. His black hair dusted in snow. Regulus is curled up in the couch opposite, toes to the fire. His expression blank.
As soon as the Black brother lifts his eyes to meet James’s, it tightens.
“Did he send you? Sirius?” Regulus asks, his tone cold and full of tension.
“No,” James swallows, holding his mug tighter, “I came on my own.”
“That’s somehow worse,” Regulus mumbles, lifting his coffee to his lips.
Silence envelopes the room as the minutes pass.
James is awkwardly sipping his tea when Mary says, “oh yeah, definitely snowed in. We’ll probably not get out until morning.”
Both the boys whip their head up.
“Morning?” James asks.
“Oh, dearie, there’s too much snow. We’ll have to wait it out,” Mary replies, moving back behind the small bar in the lobby.
“Lovely,” Regulus mumbles under his breath.
——
The first hour of being snowed is horrible. Especially for Regulus. First, he was dealing with the emotional roll coaster that is his brother. Secondly, said brothers best friend shows up to Regulus’s one safe space. Lastly, said friend is stuck in the same place as Regulus.
“Oh, dearie, you’re shivering! Come, come!” Mary, who had been blissfully cleaning away, comes over to James, who is indeed shivering. Mary takes James’s freezing hand, and before James can react, he’s being thrown into the couch next to Regulus, his broad shoulder brushing the Black’s.
James feels Regulus tense.
“You’ll be much warmer near the fire, dearie. And Regulus, sugar, you need to drink up. Much too cold,” Mary pinches both their cheeks at the same time, then walks away.
Regulus can feel every point of James close to touching him. He’s forced to accept the fact that James is big. He’s built from years of Qudditch and athletics, but there’s a softness to his body. James’s shoulders are wide, almost touching Regulus’s.
“So, uh, she’s a nice lady,” James mumbles, trying to start conversation.
“Mhm,” Regulus hums, his body turned away from James’s. His body is closed off from James’s.
James leans forward, his hands near the fire. Out of the corner of his eyes, he can see Regulus’s shaking hands wrapped around his mug. His eyes are red, from what only James’s can assume is tears. Regulus’s shoulders are tense, his jaw locked.
“It’s cold,” James tries again, looking over at Regulus.
“It’s winter,” Regulus counters, never looking away from his mug.
James looks at the fire again, thinking. “You can say more than two words, yknow.”
“I’m aware,” Regulus stiffens.
“Just saying. I’m not here to like.. try to convince you of anything or something. I just.. wanted to help.”
“Why are you here, James?” Regulus finally turns his head to meet James’s brown eyes.
James exhales, “because you looked like shit. Figured you shouldn’t be alone.”
Regulus stiffens even more, his fingers trembling against the mug.
James stays quiet, exhaling as he leans back against the couch.
——
An hour passes of almost complete silence. Mary comes over with a blanket for both and gets them both refills.
“Okay, boys, let’s get you a room, hm?” Mary comes over, “you can’t sleep on the couch.”
James nods, standing up and stretching his broad shoulders. He grabs his stuff, balling it up in his arms.
Regulus follows, grabbing his things.
The boys follow her up the creaking stairs, expecting each person to get a separate room.
“So, sweeties, this all I have,” Mary smiles at the two boys, “stay warm, yes? Okay, okay.” Mary pats them both on the shoulders, pushing them into the small room.
“Fuck,” Regulus exhales as he sees the room. It’s small, with a bed in the middle. A dresser is pushed to the right side. On the other side is a small adjacent bathroom.
“Yeah, fuck,” James puts his stuff ontop of the dresser as Regulus sets his stuff on the edge of the bed. The Black scoots to the front of the bed, back to the headboard as he observes James. Since coming into the inn, James has shed so many layers he’s down to his hoodie and jeans.
James hesitates, before sitting down near Regulus on the bed. He’s as far as he could be, but the bed is small, and James isn’t. He blows out a breath, leaning his head back against the cold wood.
He tilts his head to see Regulus shivering.
“You’re cold,” James observes.
“It’s winter,” Regulus counters.
James huffs. “I’m not just going to let you freeze. Here.” He slips his Gryffindor Qudditch hoodie off his head. He drapes it over Regulus’s lap.
“I don’t look good in red,” Regulus says, pushing the fabric away. Really, he just can’t believe James would do something so nice for him.
“Shut up and take it. You’re shaking,” James says as he lays down, his back to Regulus. “Try and get some sleep. You need it.”
‘You need it’ Regulus mocks in his head before shifting so he’s laying down too. Even now, the bed is so small that Regulus has to curl his legs so his aren’t touching James’s.
It’s not till James is out with a loud snore that Regulus slips the red hoodie over his head. The fabric settles over his body, large and oversized. It smells like James, spice and leather. And it’s so warm, it feels like Regulus is being hugged.
The Black brother falls asleep with the hood over his head and his hands covered by the sleeves
——
It wasn’t until hours later that James stirs back awake.
“N-no, stop, stop—“ a small voice calls out next to him. The body, wrapped in his red hoodie, is jerking, hands clutching at the front of the clothing.
“Reg?” James’s voice is rough with sleep as he looks over at the Black brother.
Regulus suddenly jolts awake, chest rising and falling rapidly, eyes wide in fear. His hands clutch at the hoodie, hoping to find comfort.
James immediately slips into caring mode, moving a bit closer with his hands raised. He knows exactly how to help. Sirius gets bad nightmares, like the one Regulus had. He can’t touch them until they start it. Soft words, breaths they can hear, and most importantly just being there with him.
“Reg? Hey, hey. It’s just me.” James’s warm eyes land on Regulus’s trembling form, and he can’t stop the small smirk on his lips at the sight of his hoodie on Regulus.
“Okay, do this with me, hm?” James sobers, moving a bit closer, “can you focus on me?”
Regulus, slowly, lifts his head to meet James’s eyes.
“Good, okay, try and focus on things you can feel. What can you feel? Smell? Hear?” James tilts his head, inviting Regulus to speak.
At first, Regulus places his hands on the bed, touching the blanket, then moves to his pants and touches his sweats, then the strings of the hoodie. He can’t use his words, but James doesn’t push. James knows how hard it is right after, how hard it is to talk.
He keeps breathing dramatically, knowing that Regulus will subconsciously follow his breathing.
“.. t-the blanket,” Regulus murmurs, touching the blanket.
“Yeah? You can feel that? Good, what’s another thing?” James encourages, his face warm.
“.. hoodie.” Regulus whispers, his trembling fingers touching the hoodie sleeve.
“Good.”
Regulus takes deep breaths, his eyes closed as he tries and grounds himself. James doesn’t say a word, just a warm presence on his side.
“James?” Regulus whispers, his voice small.
“Yeah? I’ve got you, Reg. What is it?” James answers softly.
Regulus melts at the words: I’ve got you.
He slowly lets himself lean towards James more, until he reaches over and tugs on the older boys sleeve.
“Hm?” James hums.
“.. just do it. You know.. w-what I want,” Regulus mumbles.
“So needy,” James teases, but he drapes an arm around Regulus’s shoulders, pulling him close. Not tight enough to be caged in, but tight enough to be comforting.
Regulus closes his eyes as the trembling in his body slows down. He lets himself lean towards James’s chest, Regulus’s head hesitantly resting on him. Right above his heartbeat.
The sound soothes Regulus’s nerves.
“Is…” Regulus swallows, looking down at his lap, “is this okay?”
“More than okay,” James says, resting his chin ontop of Regulus’s head, “just relax. I’ve got you.”
James shifts carefully, settling Regulus more securely in his arms. He uses his free hand to drape the blanket over them both. One hand stays on Regulus’s back, rubbing soothing circles, the other on his hip.
James rests his face in Regulus’s hair, mumbling, “Sirius gets them too, yknow? I’ve learned how to help. You just have to let me.”
“He lets you hold him like this?” Regulus mumbles, a poor attempt at humor. He lifts his head just to look at James’s face.
A small smile spreads across James’s sweet face, “only if I get lucky.”
Regulus cringes, tucking his head back in James’s chest. James leans back against the headboard, keeping Regulus wrapped up in his arms.
“I thought you said you don’t look good in red?” James teases, a smile breaking out on his face. He reaches forward and tugs on the front of the hoodie.
“Shut up. I got cold,” Regulus huffs, making James snort.
“Sure, sure,” James says, smiling into Regulus’s hair.
The boys sit like that for a while, James’s strong arms wrapped around Regulus’s body.
“Comfy?” James whispers.
“Mhm,” Regulus hums, already drifting back into sleep.
“Think you can go back to sleep?” James asks gently, “it’s okay if you can’t. We can just lay here.”
“.. be quiet, Potter,” Regulus mumbles before falling back asleep against James’s chest.
James smiles, pressing his face into Regulus’s hair, taking in the rich shampoo smell. He presses a soft kiss to the Black’s hairline. “I’ve got you, Reg.”
——
Regulus wakes the next morning to a warm feeling in his chest. Something is strong and warm near him, seeping into Regulus’s bones.
He cracks open his eyes and immediately tenses.
James is there, looking like a perfect angel while asleep. His eyes closed, lashes fanned out on his tanned cheeks. His lips are slightly parted in sleep. One arm is secure around Regulus’s waist, the other near his shoulder blades, keeping the Black brother in his arms. It’s not tight or controlling, it’s just firm.
Regulus knows he should move away. He should. At some level, he wants to.
But James is so strong, his body so warm, and he smells so good.
Regulus decides to lean into James’s again, his hair brushing James’s chin. He tucks his face into James’s strong chest. For a moment, James tightens his grip on Regulus, almost like he’s about to wake up, but the arm relaxes as James just falls deeper into sleep.
Regulus stays there, his eyes closed, taking in the sound of James’s heartbeat. It’s steady under his ears, helping to keep him grounded.
Regulus allows his mind to wander.
Thinking of Evan and Barty and how they finally confessed to each other. Thinking of Pandora and Dorcas and their friendship.
His mind finally wanders to Sirius.
In his head, it clicks. The arms around him are the ones taking Sirius from him.
His body goes rigid.
This time, James does stir, his head burying deeper into Regulus’s hair before lifting his head. Immediately, his eyes fill with concern because of Regulus’s tight body. His hand instinctively rubs Regulus’s back.
“What’s wrong, Reg?” James whispers, his voice rough with sleep. Regulus can’t help the shiver it sends down his spine.
“.. nothing,” Regulus deflects, but his body is still tight and his brows furrowed.
“Liar,” James says, his chin still on Regulus’s head.
After a lot of internal debate, Regulus opens his mouth, “Sirius. He’s leaving me for you.”
James swallows, resting his face on Regulus’s hair. He’s thought about this a million times, how he’s taking Sirius away.
“Yknow yesterday, when Sirius was talking to you?” James whispers, his voice warm and sweet.
Regulus can’t be mad at that voice.
“Yeah? What about it?”
“Before you exploded at him,” James continues, “he was going to ask you to come with him. Like really. My mom said it’s okay. So did my dad. We have rooms for both of you.”
Regulus freezes, pulling back to look at James.
“.. really?” Regulus whispers.
“Really, Reg. They’re ready to take you both in. Get you both out. I promise.” James gently cups Regulus’s cheek, searching the younger boys eyes.
Vulnerability floods Regulus. What if they’re a burden? What if James’s parents don’t like them? What if—
“Hey, stop thinking,” James smiles, moving to cup his face with both hands now. “I don’t know what’s going on in that brain of yours, but stop it. My parents want it, Sirius wants it, I want it. Just.. let yourself feel kindness for once.”
Regulus tightens his jaw, not liking how personal that statement was. But, in reality, James knows how hard kindness is for the Black brothers.
“Just.. let me in, okay? Not like.. emotionally. Just into your life,” James whispers, his lips above the crown of Regulus’s head.
“.. yeah, shut up,” Regulus huffs, his hands disappearing into the sleeves of the Gryffindor hoodie.
“There’s Regulus,” James whispers, his arms moving back around Regulus.
Regulus allows himself to melt back into James’s arms, the warmth seeping into his body. He almost whines as James presses another sweet kiss to his forehead.
“Go back to sleep. The snow is still falling. We’ll be here for a while,” James whispers into his hair.
Regulus sleepily sighs, “.. mhm.”
The pair falls back asleep in eachothers arms.
If you told Regulus he’d feel comfortable in James’s arms, and is seriously considering moving into his house, he’d never believe you.
But now?
He’d never want to be snowed in with anyone else.