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lake - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 339

Regulus was not a second-year. 

He did not gossip. He did not giggle. 

And he did not doodle his new boyfriend’s name on his homework. 

It was…simply some calligraphy practice. Yes. As well as practice with drawing hearts, with initials inside. For a possible future career as an artist, perhaps. It was a practical, very adult thing to do, as he gave his brain a break from complicated Potions instructions. If the initials all happened to be JFP and RAB, that was nobody’s business, as it was his practice.

And he was so wrapped up in his calligraphy/illustration practice that he didn’t hear said new boyfriend approach him as he sat on the dock by the lake. Until it was far too late.

“Hey, Reg! What’re you doing?” James asked, swiftly sitting beside him and leaning over to gaze at his notebook.

Perhaps he overreacted. Panicked. Acted a little irrationally. But he would have sooner drowned than for James to see the hearts and frilly iterations of Regulus Arcturus Potter all over the pages, so he did what any sensible person would have done in that situation.

“Oh, fuck!” he exclaimed loudly, ‘accidentally’ allowing the whole damn notebook to fall into the water. Then, with an exaggerated sigh, he turned to James. “Potter, you scared me!”

He felt a bit guilty with how abashed James looked. “Shit, I’m so sorry, Reg!” he exclaimed immediately, pulling out his wand. “Maybe there’s a spell–?”

“No, no!” Regulus cut him off, nearly knocking his wand into the water as well in his haste. But he steadied both of them and locked eyes with James, giving him a small smile. “You…er…It’s alright, I can get a new one. Just…you’ll have to make it up to me, hm?” He gave him a smirk.

And luckily, James had gotten quite good at picking up on these particular cues, because he smiled down at Regulus and softly pressed their lips together, distracted from the notebook floating to the bottom of the murky water.

Thank Merlin.

found - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 485

Regulus had never experienced this part of a relationship before. The cooling of passion that melted into warm comfort and trust. The ability to just be around the person he was dating, completely at-ease. 

It was James’s fault for making him feel so damn soft, really. Or, that’s what he kept telling himself, as he did ridiculously vulnerable things like fall asleep on the Gryffindor’s chest or walk with him hand-in-hand down the hall.

But no matter, Regulus didn’t worry around James anymore, didn’t overthink his actions or stress about making stupid, emotional mistakes. Actually, he worried around James less than the average person, felt more relaxed with the other boy than anyone else. 

Which is why, when he was sitting, half-asleep, with his back against James’s legs, James leaning against a large tree on the grounds, he didn’t flinch at all when James murmured, “Can I borrow a piece of parchment?” The older boy was, as usual, struggling through some last-minute homework.

“Hm,” he murmured, gesturing to his bag, eyes fluttering closed. James could go into Regulus’s bag himself. He had nothing to hide, and he was not moving, he was far too comfortable.

Except, a moment later, an intake of breath and the rustling of pages caused Regulus to stir and look around, jolting completely upright when he saw what James’d found. “Potter, no!” he yelped, reaching for the old notebook.

James tilted, blocking with his body, eyes locked on the page he was reading. “Reg, did you draw this…?”

He’d forgotten it was there. He didn’t really draw anymore, not since he’d been spending all of his free time with the person he usually drew. But still, it was mortifying, for James to find out this way. “Would you believe me if I said I have no idea what that is?” he asked weakly, grimacing and closing his eyes. 

But James just read the date on the paper out loud, his voice full of wonder. “You…drew me two years ago?”

“I put the wrong date. I was obviously confounded, if I was drawing you,” Regulus muttered, wincing and meeting his eyes. 

“Obviously,” James agreed, but his smile was as bright as the sun. 

Regulus waited with bated breath, waited to be made fun of, waited to be called creepy or weird for the fact that he’d been infatuated with Potter for far too long. But instead, James simply, carefully tore the page from the notebook and slipped it into his own bag, face still lit in a grin.

“What’re you doing?” Regulus demanded, confused.

“You said I could take some parchment, I took some. Though I’m not putting my essay on that. It’s going in a damn frame,” he answered, turning the full force of his joy on Regulus, making him want to melt. “C’mere.”

And, still a bit shocked, Regulus moved into his open arms, allowing James to kiss him softly.

dreamer - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 234

“Reg, d’you think one day we’ll have a big backyard like this?” James asked softly.

Regulus, who had admittedly been zoning out a bit as he and James lay together on a blanket in the Potters’ yard enjoying the summer sun, rolled a bit to look at his boyfriend and gave him a confused look. “Hm?”

James propped himself up on an elbow and gave him a sincere look. “Y’know. When we have our own house. Get married. All that. D’you want a big backyard?”

The question nearly knocked Regulus sideways. For his entire sixteen years, he had never thought once about having a future with someone. Not like that. Not full of happiness and unadulterated joy.

Actually, whenever he’d allowed himself to think about it, he’d lamented about forced marriage and stifling tradition and a life full of lies. But truthfully, he hadn’t thought about it much, because the future had been even more terrifying than the present. Full of looming claustrophobia.

But now….? Suddenly, he was free.

James was a dreamer. And here he was, dreaming for both of them while Regulus was still learning how.

Regulus could hardly breathe with the elation that filled his whole body, inflating his chest and bringing tears to his eyes.

“Yes. We need one,” he said quietly but decisively. “For our kids.”

James’s look of utter, shocked joy could have lit up the entire country.

crave - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 334

James Potter had kissed many girls in his lifetime.

Innocent, childish pecks behind slides on the playground, fumbling presses of lips to a gloss-covered mouth as he hid with a Hogsmeade date in a broom cupboard at age fourteen. He’d snogged girls, too: during parties on dares and during more meaningful moments that turned out to be less-than-lifechanging. Moments he expected fireworks and instead found soft warmth and disappointment.

But he had never, ever craved someone’s lips like this. It had to be that now…it was a boy.

Standing here, past midnight, at the top of the Astronomy Tower, crowded close enough to Regulus Black to see every fleck of color in the younger boy’s eyes, he felt his hands tremble with the urge to cup the Slytherin’s pale cheek, to grab at his waist, to pull him close. He was completely lost in Regulus’s unreadable expression, in the reflection of stars in the gray of his irises. 

The words came out with shaky breath; he had never been good about holding back the truth: “I think I’ll die if I don’t kiss you right now,” he murmured, words almost lost in the wind of the night.

Regulus smirked, the smile nearly masking the hesitancy in his eyes. “I have been telling you to fuck off and die for a while,” he murmured. But he also stepped closer, winding his arms around the back of James’s neck, rendering him completely speechless. “But I guess I wouldn’t want to be responsible for your untimely demise, hm?”

It took him a full five seconds to process the permission Regulus had given him; another two to gather his courage and dip his chin downward. But once their lips touched, James nearly exploded. Breath expelling from him in a soft groan, he forgot reality, forgot anything that wasn’t Regulus. And he realized: it wasn’t that he had been kissing girls before, and this was a boy. 

It was that before, it wasn’t Regulus.

And now, Regulus was everything.

strike - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - very slightly NSFW - word count: 276

Regulus’s nose wrinkled as he laced the colorful shoes on his feet, a small noise of disgust slipping from his throat. 

James, who was sitting next to him, chuckled. “What?” he asked, amused. 

“How many people do you think have worn these things?” Regulus muttered, gesturing to the rented bowling shoes he’d finally forced himself to wear.

“Ah…that’s actually part of the fun! If you guess the number of people who’ve worn your shoes, you win a free game!” James beamed, elbowing him lightly.

The shorter man shot him an unamused look. “Actually?” he asked, unsure.

James let out a laugh. “No, but wouldn’t that be brilliant?”

“Brilliant. Yes,” Regulus drawled, rolling his eyes and standing. 

“You act as if you’re not having a good time,” the taller man grinned, standing and pressing a kiss to his head while Regulus squirmed. “This is exciting, your first time bowling!”

“Exciting? Ha. We’ll see,” Regulus retorted, but he was smirking. 

“We could make it exciting. Up the stakes? Winner gets….” James trailed off, trying to think of an adequate prize.

Now Regulus was interested. “Loser gets on their knees later?” he drawled softly, leaning in close and grinning when he saw goosebumps form on James’s neck.

The taller man smirked as well. “If you’re sure….”

“I’m sure,” he nodded.

Then, turning from James, Regulus methodically selected a ball and confidently swung his arm, sending it careening down the aisle.

Strike: All of the pins, knocked to the ground in one go.

Chuckling, he turned to James.

“You…arse,” James whispered, beaming.

“You’re up,” Regulus murmured, raising a challenging eyebrow. 

It would be a good night, he was sure of that.

top - jegulus - slightly NSFW - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 271

“Oi!” Sirius shouted, bounding out of the room he and James would be sharing for the week, beaming with excitement about their temporary living situation. It sounded silly, but he was excited to share with James again like when they were in school, while James’s room was getting renovations. Like one last celebration before he moved in with Remus to their own flat next month. “Top or bottom?” he called happily.

James, who was lounging in the sitting room with Regulus, looked up at him and gave him a very shocked look. “You’re asking me?” he demanded, eyes wide.

Sirius shrugged. “Yeah. We’re best friends.” It seemed only right that he would let James choose, he was the one displaced from his room.

Turning a little pink, James shrugged and murmured, “Erm. Top, usually. Not that I have a lot of experience, mind, but with Regulus…”

Sirius’s mouth dropped open in horror as Regulus burst out laughing. “No! Merlin and Morgana, no, James! I meant–Effie gots us bunk beds for the next few days. I was asking where you wanted to sleep, not your fucking preference in bed!”

The tallest man seemed to shrink as bright-red color burst over his cheeks. “Oh! Oh, right. That–erm, yeah, that makes a lot more sense than…yeah. If you’ll excuse me, I’m just going to…go…”

But as Regulus and Sirius both watched James stumble away, Sirius heard Regulus continue to snicker.

“What?” Sirius snarled, turning to his brother.

Regulus just gave him a smirk. “He’s lying. He’s a switch.”

Sirius had to take several long minutes to calm his nausea and not lose his lunch.

tie (again!) - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 285

“Where’re we putting the things to donate?”

Regulus’s voice, as it always did, distracted James from his task. Looking up from the giant pile of clothes that had somehow ended up on his bed, he grinned adoringly towards his boyfriend. “Mum has a bag downstairs. Why?”

James could see Regulus actively stop himself from saying something disapproving about his lack of progress with packing. They were moving into their first flat in two days and James had just started packing. But James knew he would get it done, he always did.

“Just have all my old school uniforms, I wanted to get rid of them,” Regulus said, holding up a pile of robes, topped with a tangle of Slytherin ties. “I’ll just–”

But James walked forward, placing a hand on his shoulder and stopping him as he tried to head back down the hall. “Wait,” he murmured, a smile slowly spreading on his face.

There were so many memories. Sneaking around at night, experiencing firsts that were both exhilarating and mortifying at the same time. The breathtaking kisses, the heartstopping, secretive smiles. 

He took one tie off the top of the pile.

“We should save this,” he grinned, winking.

Regulus gave him a smirk, raising a single eyebrow. “Any particular reason why?” he asked, voice low and suggestive.

James just chuckled. “We’ve got to break in the new place, right?”

The shorter man laughed, biting his lip slightly. “Save one of yours too, then. And fucking pack your shit before I change my mind and move in with Sirius and Remus.”

He felt himself break into a wide smile. “Yes, sir!”

Regulus just rolled his eyes and walked away with his pile of uniforms, chuckling.

tie - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 279

Staring at the ceiling, Regulus let out a soft sigh before he silently slid out of the bed and stood up. Suppressing a shiver brought on by the cool air, he slipped his clothes back on, stumbling a bit in the dark, and fumbled to tie his shoes. He’d almost made it to the door of the bedroom when a hoarse, confused voice made him pause.

“Reg?”

He froze, wincing. This was the part he’d been avoiding. “Go back to sleep, Potter,” he muttered, refusing to look back. “It’s fine.”

But he heard the taller man shift in bed, probably sitting up. “I’m sorry.”

The words made Regulus’s heart crack and fracture, and he was thoroughly thankful for the shadows that hid his face. “Nothing to be sorry for,” he replied, scowling and pursing his lips. “It was…a one-time thing. I’m leaving now.”

“No, Regulus, come here.”

Despite his better judgement, he turned, arms crossed, and glared at the bed. “It’s late,” he sighed. “I’m tired. I need to get sleep, and–”

“Sleep here. Please. I–I meant, I’m sorry I wasn’t clear before. I want you to stay, Reg,” Potter murmured sincerely, his hazel eyes glowing with emotion in the moonlit room.

Regulus froze again. “James, don’t…” He couldn’t possibly start to hope. It was too dangerous.

But then muscular arms spread wide. “Please?”

Who was he kidding himself? Heart thrumming, he walked slowly back, toeing off his shoes. “Maybe for one night,” he whispered, sinking back into the soft bed, the warmth of James’s strong embrace, the terror of hope for the future.

He was almost asleep when he heard the taller man murmur, “All the nights. Please.”

flawless - jegulus - sugarbaby!regulus - prequel to this - requested by @wilde-wonderer - slightly NSFW - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 243

Ding!

The notification jolted Regulus from his stressed-out panic as he struggled through stupid grad-school busywork drawing his eyes to his phone screen.

10 - to RAB - from hrny4u - call me

 He chuckled. The old fuckers online would have to do better than that to get his attention when he had so many assignments due the next day. Reaching to turn his ringer off, he almost missed the next notification that popped up on his screen.

100 - to RAB - from JFP

Now he was distracted. 

It wasn’t just the monetary amount that caused him to stop his frantic work, though he hated to admit it to himself…it was the initials. It was absolutely idiotic to even think about it, but when he talked to James, not everything was an act. His stomach actually filled with thick, honey-sweet warmth and his head actually got a bit hazy. It wasn’t a lie, it was terrifyingly, sickeningly real…

Which is why this whole thing was dangerous. So he decided to do the sensible thing. He sent a text.

I’m busy. Maybe later.

200 - to RAB - from JFP - note: five minutes, baby. please.

It was embarrassing how fast he folded.

Two minutes. 

And when he answered the FaceTime request he saw those hazel eyes and heard the hoarse, needy voice of the older man: “God, I adore you, you’re so flawless.”

He melted. “Two minutes, James,” he reminded him strictly.

He stayed on the phone for two hours.

total - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 289

“Alright, team,” James said bracingly, standing in front of six defeated-looking Gryffindors and giving them a small smile. “It wasn’t a total loss, right? We had some good moments!”

“Like when?” Marlene asked sullenly, rolling her eyes and snorting.

“Like…” James cast his eyes around the room, trying to think of a good example. For only half a second, his gaze snagged on the small window in the door that separated this locker room from the other, locking on tendrils of dark hair, before he refocused. “Like…McKinnon, you nearly knocked Goyle off his broom at the beginning of the game, that was brilliant!”

“It was funny, too,” one of the others piped up, earning some laughter from everyone in the room.

“And…” but he was distracted again, this time by cool, silver eyes dancing with amusement that had locked into his own. “And…erm…”

Someone coughed.

“Right!” he blinked and forced himself to stay in the moment. “Stevens, that save, against Crabbe? When you flipped upside-down? That was killer, the whole crowd went mad!”

Stevens, the fourth-year Keeper who was new to the team, blushed. “Thanks.”

He looked around again, his gaze inevitably catching with Regulus’s again through the glass. This time, it only took him moments to get completely dazed, as Regulus slowly raised and eyebrow and smirked, biting over his lip and lighting a fire in James’s stomach. “Erm…” he murmured, quite forgetting where he was.

“My favorite part was when our captain was distracted by the opposing Seeker,” Sirius piped up with a smirk, arms crossed casually as he stared knowingly at James.

The entire team burst out laughing while James felt himself flush red. “Right, well…as McKinnon said…it wasn’t our best game,” he murmured, slinking away.

mirror - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - slightly NSFW - word count: 259

Sharing a flat with James Potter was both exactly as Regulus had imagined it would be and absolutely surprising in every way. 

After having stayed at the Potters’ during the summer for the past two years, Regulus had thought he’d gotten a good idea of what it would be like to live with his boyfriend–he was used to James taking an obnoxiously long time in the bathroom just to exit in a puff of steam looking exactly as he had before. He was used to the taller boy making messes in the kitchen and frequently needing to take out his wand to put out fires he truly wasn’t sure how he’d started. And, most of all, he was used to sharing a bed with the man he’d grown to adore above all else.

But what he wasn’t used to was the little things James now did–the small signs of affection, the tiny touches and quick kisses that made the whole thing seem so heart-meltingly domestic.

Notes left on his pillow, a slightly-charred meal in the fridge: these things made Regulus overwhelmed with gratitude. But the best part?

Exiting the shower, Regulus glanced at the mirror, a grin on his face. There, scrawled in the steam, was James’s messy writing: Nice arse. Can I grab it?

He chuckled, swiping at the condensation and using his fingers to write something underneath. He knew the marks would fade, but show up again the next time James showered. He would see the words: Nice face. Can I sit on it?

Ha. That should make things interesting tomorrow morning.

young - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 269

“Mister Black, are you serious?”

It took everything in Regulus to bite his tongue. He then had to question if he was going mad. “Yes,” he answered, his voice quavering as he stared the Professor in the eye, fighting to keep his expression neutral. “Extremely. I also want to remind you that these…career guidance sessions are confidential, correct?”

Slughorn’s face turned bright-red. “Of…of course. But, you really want to deviate from your family’s traditions? To pursue a job in healing? My boy, you are so talented in so many things, the Ministry would love–”

“I have no doubt that the Ministry, and my parents, would love to have me in a place of power, yes,” he drawled, grimacing. “But…lately, someone’s helped me realize that it’s not about what others want. It’s about what I want.”

The Professor frowned. “But Mister Black, you’re awfully young to be making–”

“My parents were fifteen when they were betrothed to each other, were they not? Or do you agree that fifteen is a ridiculously young age to be engaged to your cousin?” Regulus demanded, emphasizing the last three words.

Again, Slughorn blushed. “I will write down the classes you have to take for a Healing apprenticeship,” he murmured, eyes lowered.

“Hm,” Regulus hummed in agreement.

Ten minutes later, he exited the office, only to find James Potter waiting one hall away.

“How’d it go, love?” the older boy asked, eyes wide and earnest, arms open in silent offering of comfort.

Regulus smirked as he allowed James to pull him into an embrace. “Very well, I think,” he murmured, chuckling into the Gryffindor’s chest.

tendency - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 385

Regulus had always had the tendency to shut people out during times of panic or stress.

When asked if he was okay, his body was programmed to respond with ‘yes,’ without even thinking about it first. When given a concerned look, his first reaction was to scowl.

Which was why James Potter was so damn inconvenient.

“I have to study, Potter,” he murmured as James trailed along behind him, arms crossed furiously, a look of absolute determination on his face.

“You’re using that as an excuse, Reg. You’ve been running yourself ragged all week, and I saw how big that letter was that you got in the mail for your parents! Talk to me, I want to help!” James demanded, half-running to keep up with him.

But Regulus refused, just walking faster. “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,” he insisted.

James, however, was just as stubborn as he was annoying. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he murmured, taking a sharp left and leaving Regulus on his own.

Dumbfounded, Regulus stopped for only a moment to stare after his boyfriend. Where had he gone? Why hadn’t he stayed? It was a stupid thing to ask, of course, since he’d insisted that James leave, but still….

After a moment, though, Regulus scowled again, deciding it didn’t matter. He was going to the library and he didn’t need James.

So he continued on, up a few more staircases and around some turns until–

James was standing there at the door to the library, flanked by Madame Pince.

“The library is closed,” Pince said robotically, eyes flickering to James before turning back inside.  

“The fuck it is–” Regulus called after her, trying to push past James.

“It is to people whose boyfriends threaten to let off dungbombs,” the Gryffindor said cheerfully, looking down at Regulus with a smug smile. “Now,” he paused, his expression turning somber. “You don’t have to talk. But at least go for a walk with me, yeah? Let yourself relax.”

All of the fight drained from Regulus at the words and he felt tears prick his eyes. “Fine. But if I ruin your jumper with my stupid crying , it’s on you, Potter,” he murmured, already stalking off.

“I’d be an honor,” James replied, jogging to catch up and grabbing his hand.

blush - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 374

“...in fifth year. Then, of course, there was Lily,” James said softly, shrugging as he sat, cross-legged, facing Regulus, his eyes nervous and his teeth gnawing softly at his lip. “And…erm…I snogged Mary once, fourth year…I think that’s it,” he admitted, chuckling. “It’s a short list.”

Regulus had been nervous for this day: the day they brought up the topic of past crushes and exes. Originally, he’d been scared to hear about the vast number of conquests the great James Potter no doubt had. But now that he was learning the truth, he was scared for a very different reason. “Oh,” he mumbled, looking down at his hands.

“Oh? That’s not good,” the older boy chuckled, smiling wryly. 

“No! It’s just…I may have heard a couple more names…going around the school,” Regulus admitted, shrugging. “Not judging, of course, s’just…” he let his answer linger, and James’s lips curled upward.

“Reggie,” the Gryffindor faux-gasped, placing a hand to his chest. “Were you jealous?”

“Absolutely not,” he snapped immediately, blushing and making James laugh. “Not at all.”

“Alright, then who do I have to be worried about?” the older boy retorted, tilting his head to the side.

Regulus thought about that question for a long moment before answering slowly, his voice wavering with his fear of being so vulnerable. “I’ve kissed a lot of people,” he mumbled, staring down at his folded hands. “Did more with a handful.”

“Handful,” James repeated with a suggestive laugh, his tone not judgemental at all.

Regulus shot him a glare, then sighed, his heart hammering again. “Yes. Well. But I never….dated. Not really.”

He saw James’s eyes widen at that confession but the older boy pressed smoothly forward. “Crushes? C’mon, I’m sure you fancied someone,” he asked, eyebrows waggling. 

And that was exactly the problem. He felt his small blush turn into flames all over his body. “Just one person,” he murmured, looking down.

“Who? Barty?” James asked, looking genuinely interested.

Regulus just looked at the other boy helplessly until the information clicked.

“Oh,” the Gryffindor said, a smile spreading on his face.

“Oh.”

But before he could overthink it, his lips were being claimed by James, and all of his nervous thoughts were pushed firmly from his brain.

forgiveness - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 338 - this was a request, but I deleted the request in my inbox before I wrote down the person's name to tag, I'm sorry! I hope you see this!

Regulus Black did not ask for forgiveness. Asking for anything was being vulnerable, something he quite despised. Plus, that meant admitting he was wrong, which he never was.

But lately, he’d found himself doing a lot of things he’d sworn to himself he would never do.

Walking to the Quidditch Pitch, he wasn’t surprised to see James there speeding through drills like he was facing a professional team the next morning, though his next school game wasn’t for weeks. Face red and–to Regulus’s shock–streaked with tears–the boy was absolutely focused, but every time he tried to pull off a difficult move, he failed more than the time before. Cursing, heaving in breaths, he just doubled back to try again.

“Potter!”

James didn’t listen. 

“Potter!” Regulus called again, a little bit more desperately.

No response. 

So, voice breaking on the word, he yelled out, “James!”

The Gryffindor turned and, upon seeing him, slowly flew to the ground, his expression a mixture of a million emotions. Swiping at the moisture on his skin, he grumbled, “What?”

Regulus’s heart cracked in two. “James, I…”

Annoyance flashed on the older boy’s face. “Reg, what? I’m…I’m practicing, what is it?”

It killed Regulus to see James like this. So gruff and grumpy, so unlike his usual self. Maybe that was why he had the courage to utter the words: “Gods, James, I’m sorry!”

Shock flickered across James’s features, but he didn’t speak.

Regulus heaved in a breath. “I was…stupid, and being an arsehole, and you…you just…I don’t get how you can just do this! Without being scared all the time!” He chuckled wryly. “Like, what if I’m not worth it, you know? Isn’t it just easier, to not even try? To want something else?”

But now, James was staring at him like he was utterly mad. “Reg,” he mumbled, shaking his head slowly, “You can’t change how I feel, love. I’ve already decided I want you. You just have to let me.”

Those words struck Regulus right in the chest, leaving him gasping.

previous (again!) - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 284

At first, James was half-convinced he’d dreamed the whole thing. That he had actually gone to bed early last night, and not wandered the halls in search of exhaustion and inspiration for slumber. That, as he did so, he had not come across Regulus Black, staring out an open window, and somehow ended up snogging him within an inch of his life in a shadowy alcove.

It would make sense. He and Regulus barely talked. Yes, they’d happened upon each other a few times recently, striking up conversation in the library and locker room. And yes, they had been paired together for Rounds last week, which had been much more interesting than James had anticipated, causing the gray-eyes Slytherin to take up permanent residence in James’s thoughts. But there were so many reasons why the memory in James’s head should have just been a dream. Starting, of course, with the fact that he didn’t even know if he liked boys.

But he couldn’t deny that as he somewhat-dazedly followed his friends into the Great Hall, his stomach flipped when he caught a glimpse of the Slytherin table, and suddenly all he could think about were those thin hands and those pink lips, and Merlin, that smirk.

But was it all just a dream?

As he half-tripped to his seat, he couldn’t help but look over again, only to feel the breath punched out of him when he locked eyes with Regulus across the room.

Those same perfect lips quirked upward in a small smile, Regulus looking to him for only a second before turning back towards Crouch and continuing his conversation.

James’s blood burned.

It wasn’t a dream.

He wanted it to happen again.

previous - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 273

“Hey, Reg. What’s your favorite color of ink to write with?”

James enjoyed watching Regulus’s face stretch into a look of incredulous confusion at the question, his heart skipping several beats as he examined the silvery-gray eyes of the Slytherin and resisted the urge to melt there. 

“I–Potter, why do you always do that?” Regulus spluttered, annoyed, shaking his head and sitting next to James at the table he was occupying in the library.

James just beamed brightly. He’d made it a habit to start greeting Regulus with a different random question every day, loving the way the younger boy’s expression turned startled and he always froze, caught off-guard. The questions were never that deep: previous ones included things like ‘Spring or Fall?’ and ‘D’you think McGonagall and Pomfrey are dating?’ and ‘Which painting is your favorite in the school?’ and ‘If you could be any species of dragon, what would you be?’ But Regulus’s reaction was always the same–flustered confusion, like he couldn’t believe James actually cared enough to ask him such things.

Of course the reality was, James cared so much. Much more than he dared say, if he wanted to keep this tenuous….whatever-this-was…friendship?...growing.

“I want to know,” he said simply, continuing to smile in the other boy’s direction. 

Regulus’s returning look was flat and suspicious, but he sighed and answered anyway. “Green, I suppose.”

“Brilliant. I like it,” he said simply, sending Regulus one more grin before returning to his work.

Regulus had no idea what to do when, the next morning, he received a package with a large bottle of expensive green ink, a note with -J attached.

text - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 207

“Holy shit,” Barty commented dryly as he sat next to Regulus on the couch in their tiny flat, jerking his chin towards the phone in Regulus’s hand. “You do have a phone?”

“Ha, ha,” the shorter man drawled, shooting him an unamused glare.

“Nah, it’s just weird how you never respond to Rosie or I’s texts, yet you are, clearly, capable of accessing your messages? And here I thought you were simply too mentally elderly to know how to use a phone keyboard,” he smirked. 

“M’just the right age to stab you,” Regulus murmured, not looking up from the screen.

“Promises, promises. Who’re you so interested in that you won’t even give yourself time to look at my handsome face?” Barty asked, frowning.

And though Regulus was quick to pull away, Barty was quicker, snatching the device from his palm and gazing down at his messages. “Oh shit,” he gasped gleefully, eyes going wide. “Oh fuck!”

Red-faced and furious, Regulus grabbed his phone back and shoved it under his leg. “You knew Potter and I were talking…” he mumbled, crossing his arms and looking down.

“No, yeah, I knew that!” Barty chuckled. “But I didn’t know you knew what an eggplant emoji meant!”

Now Regulus was going maroon.

friday - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 408

Regulus could handle himself. He’d been telling overly-confident, macho men to fuck off for years, thanks, and he was very capable of doing so on his own. 

But he couldn’t deny that he was a bit relieved when, after five-or-so minutes of trying to let down Mister Let-Me-Treat-You-Right that evening, James Potter walked up to them, stony-faced and determined.

“Reg!” James called, immediately putting an arm around his waist, pulling him tighter to him than they’d ever been before, causing him to shiver. “Hi, baby! Sorry I’m late! You know how Fridays are at work.”

Regulus knew what James was doing. Clearly, he’d been out with some friends and picked up on Regulus’s obvious signs of annoyance and distress from across the bar, so he’d decided to help. This wasn’t real–this wasn’t real.

The man who had been trying to pick him up glared. “You have a boyfriend?” he demanded, like Regulus had personally offended him.

He tried to stay calm. “I’ve been trying to tell you I’m not interested,” he said flatly, leaning into James like it was something he did every day.

“Liar,” the man spat.

Regulus was tempted to tell him exactly where he could shove his dick but instead, James just chuckled lowly. “C’mon, love. Let’s leave him to sulk and go dance.”

And so he found himself dragged onto the dancefloor, pulled close to James’s body.

“Is this okay?” the taller man murmured into his ear as he turned Regulus away from him and pressed his back to his chest, making Regulus inhale sharply. “I just saw you over there and–”

“Yes.” He wasn’t sure if he was answering James’s question or reacting to the lips ghosting over his earlobe, but either way, he was so good. Allowing James to guide his hips to the music, he quickly forgot about the man at the bar, focused only on the man behind him.

Until James muttered. “He’s still looking. Can I–”

“Whatever you want,” he answered, dazed head full of ideas of what James could be doing.

A hand turned Regulus’s face, James leaned slowly over, and…their lips connected. 

And yes, maybe it had started for show. But as their tongues tangled and their hips swayed, Regulus’s mind went hazy and his fingers moved to tangle with James’s hands that were splayed over his ribs. He melted, completely forgetting everything but the other man behind him.

Maybe this was a little bit real.

stop - jegulus - background wolfstar - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 340

Sighing happily, James smiled at the fire and gently combed his fingers through Regulus’s hair, trying not to disturb the sleeping boy on his chest while still being unable to resist the urge to worship him even in the smallest of ways. It was several seconds of this bliss before he noticed that Remus had sat down on the Common Room couch and begun giving him a teasing grin.

“Shut up,” James murmured, rolling his eyes.

“Oh, no, I’m not judging,” Remus chuckled, speaking quietly. “I mean, you two are disgusting, but I’m the last person to say anything. I mean–the other one’s had me in a trance for years, yeah?” He admitted it freely, which was wonderful to see. It’d taken him so long to accept that not only was it okay for him to like Sirius, but that Sirius liked him back.

And James grinned, thinking of the way Sirius had Remus wrapped ‘round his finger. “Yeah, even more nauseating, if you ask me.”

“Well if you ever need advice about how to deal,” Remus replied in a humorous tone, his eyes sparkling, “I’d say I’m an expert by now…”

This made James think, though, about how different the two brothers were. Sure, they came from the same tumultuous upbringing, but they were opposites in many ways. Of course, they both had the power to draw James and Remus in and captivate them, but other than that…“But they’re quite different, yeah?” he asked, more thoughtful now, the hand trailing through dark curls stilling as he pondered this. “M’sure–”

“Why’d you stop?”

The gruff voice made both Remus and James look down to Regulus, who was still laying on James’s chest, eyes closed.

“Er…Reg?” James mumbled, confused, to his boyfriend.

“Why’d you stop playing with my hair? Keep going,” the younger boy ordered, shifting just a bit and sighing when James’s fingers moved again.

Remus and James exchanged a look, Remus wearing a knowing smile.

“Alright, nevermind, then,” James laughed, beaming down at the Slytherin in his arms.

exist - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 211

“Oh! Prongs! Guess what I heard today?”

Regulus tried not to listen in to the Gryffindors’ conversation, he really did, but it wasn’t his fault that they were all loud talkers. Nose in his book, he focused his ears on the words being spoken at the table next to his, not at all mad that he’d decided to sit at the spot in the library next to James, just so he could casually watch him from afar send him the occasional glare.

“What?” James responded to Pettigrew, sounding only half-interested.

“Y’know that sixth-year, Andrews? The hot one? She fancies you!”

From behind his book, Regulus glowered, doing his best not to picture himself stabbing Andrews in the throat.

“Ah, thanks, Wormy, but you know I’m seeing–”

“Going on again about this person we all know doesn’t exist?” Sirius teased, his voice light. “S’okay, Prongsie, you were rejected by Evans, but that doesn’t mean you have to make up stories!”

Regulus was about to stand up, to tell Sirius to lay off, but then he heard James clear his throat, his tone growing much more serious. “Sirius, he’s real. I just…it’s…I’ll explain someday soon, alright? But…I like him a lot. Like…more than I’ve ever liked anyone before.”

And now, Regulus was beaming.

letter - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 367

“Hey.”

Regulus jumped, turning from his open trunk to see James Potter in the doorway of his dorm room, looking distinctly uneasy. 

“Potter?” he asked, narrowly resisting the urge to furrow his eyebrows in surprise.

“Crouch let me in. He’s easy to bribe,” James said with a small smile, taking a few steps inside the room and shifting from foot to foot. “I promise, I didn’t get caught.”

Regulus nodded jerkily, again stamping his emotions down. This was most likely the last time they’d see each other before summer, he wasn’t going to waste precious time asking questions. “How very Slytherin of you,” he remarked with a small smirk.

“You’re rubbing off on me,” James retorted, grinning at the double entendre. 

Regulus rolled his eyes. “What is it, then?” he asked, trying to keep up his act of indifference.

“I have something for you.”

Guilt flooded Regulus’s stomach. He’d never even thought of getting something for James–he was too caught up in his anxiety about returning to Grimmauld, about having to be the perfect child for an entire summer. He was too upset about being without James to think about a goodbye gift. “I don’t…” he mumbled, looking down.

“You didn’t need to get me anything. Plus, this didn’t cost much,” James smiled, pulling a bundle of letters from his bag and handing them over.

Regulus inhaled, looking at the envelopes, flipping through them and noticing each was numbered. “What’s this?” he asked, unsure what he was holding.

“I know your parents look through your mail. I can’t…sending you letters probably isn’t smart, yeah? So I wrote you enough to get you through the summer: two for every week,” the Gryffindor explained, face twisting into a rather self-conscious smile that made Regulus’s knees wobble. “If you want them, that is.

The letters fell to the floor as Regulus launched forward, throwing himself into James’s arms. Through tears, he pressed his face into the taller boy’s shirt, shaking with quiet sobs. “Fuck, James,” he whispered, clinging to the Gryffindor’s body, “I’m going to miss you so much.” It broke his heart to admit, but it was the truest thing he’d ever uttered in his life.

“Me, too, baby.”

through - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 465

“...and that’s the second floor bathroom,” James continued, gesturing to the bathroom to his left, looking behind himself to make sure Regulus was following along as he went. “Sirius’s room is here, and…mum says you’ll stay there,” he gestured to the guestroom that Sirius had claimed as his own last summer, as well as the guestroom that Regulus would be staying in. “My parents are upstairs, and…my room is through there.”

Regulus nodded at each statement, but he seemed vastly unconcerned about his own bedroom. Instead, he made a beeline for the last door on the right, where James’s room had been since he’d been a small child.

James’s heart leapt and he quickly followed after him. “Erm, I-” he stuttered, frowning nervously. Regulus had decided to come for the summer quite last-minute, and suddenly James realized that he should have asked his mum to clean up some…things.

But Regulus was already inside, looking around slowly before plopping down on James’s Quidditch-sheet-covered bed and sending him a smirk. “This is where the magic happens, hm?”

He swallowed thickly, seeing the Quidditch posters on his walls and the pile of stuffies in the corner in a whole new light. “Erm…you should know. I haven’t gone through my things in a while, so…yeah. I know it seems…childish, or whatever, but I’m much more…”

Regulus just laughed, amusement like music. “James, if you think I expected anything less than this, then you’re sorely mistaken. This is the most James room to ever exist.” He eyed the huge lion mural on the wall, then the stack of old magazines on the desk that looked like it’d never been used for actual work. 

Relief flooded through James. “Oh, good,” he grinned, walking to sit next to him on the bed and picking up the sole stuffie there, a lamb named ‘Bear’ that he’d acquired when he was two. “Because I think I would’ve cried if I had to put Bear away for the whole summer.”

Again, Regulus laughed, nearly making James pass out with happiness. “I would never ask for such a thing,” he replied seriously, lips quivering in amusement. “But…do you think Bear can go over there a bit?” He pointed towards the desk chair, which was covered in a pile of clothing that hadn’t fit James in a year.

James frowned. “Why? You don’t like my son?” he joked, holding the lamb up for Regulus to see his tattered fur and missing eye.

The Slytherin rolled his eyes. “He’s got you good looks, yes. But I quite want to snog you right now, and I don’t want such a young child to see something so…inappropriate.” He grinned suggestively, cheeks turning a bit pink.

James unabashedly threw Bear across the room, lunging for Regulus with a shout of laughter.

drop - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 356

James beamed as he held the key to the shabby-looking door in front of them, his smile so bright that Regulus couldn’t help but smile a little to himself as well. “Ready, love?” he asked, gesturing to the doorhandle. 

Regulus chuckled at his boyfriend’s enthusiasm. “Yes, Potter. Open the damn door.”

But rather than follow his orders, James surprised him by quickly leaning over and scooping him up bridal-style, effectively taking his breath away and leaving him gasping. 

“James! What the–put me down, this is–!”

“This is our first place together, Reg! You expect me to just be normal about it?” James laughed joyfully. Shifting his hold on Regulus a little, he struggled to unlock the door.

“You’re going to drop me, you bloody buffoon!” Regulus yelped, but his cheeks already hurt from grinning. “Put me down and then unlock the–”

But a small click announced that James had somehow managed the impossible. Securing his hold on the shorter man, James took a moment to smile down at him, again robbing Regulus of all oxygen. 

“You’re ridiculous,” Regulus murmured halfheartedly, melting into James’s arms. 

“But I’m yours,” James replied with a quick peck to his lips.

Regulus decided that this wouldn’t do, though, and quickly wrapped his arms behind James’s neck, deepening the kiss until they were both thoroughly swept away, James fumbling blindly to open the door to their new place to get them some much-needed privacy. They were so distracted, in fact, that they didn’t see the small group of people inside the flat.

“Surprise!”

This time, James nearly did drop Regulus as they both drew back from each other, head whipping around to see Sirius, Effie, and Monty standing in the empty sitting room looking both thrilled and a little awkward. Sheepishly, James set a beet-red Regulus on the ground.

“Erm…we wanted to surprise you. Welcome you two to your new place,” Effie said mildly, a smirk on her face.

“Didn’t know you’d be so busy…breaking it in,” Sirius added, chuckling.

It only took them a few moments to kick their first houseguests out and get back to what they’d been doing before.

anyone - jegulus - trans!regulus - anon request for transition nerves - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 423

Regulus stared into the mirror, tugging at the strands of his newly-short hair and struggling not to be sick. He was so distracted by his own racing thoughts that he nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt arms wrap around his waist, and he looked up to see James smiling softly at him through the mirror. 

“You look amazing,” James murmured into his ear, making him shiver a bit and involuntarily lean into the warmth of the taller boy, eyes flickering shut. “So fucking handsome, Reg.”

“Thanks,” he whispered in reply, but he couldn’t inject any real appreciation into his words. All he could feel was terror, knowing how so many people would probably react to him when they saw. And… “D’you think I’m faking?” he asked in a small voice. “Like…d’you think I’m just…it’s just a phase, like my parents say?”

Suddenly, two hands grabbed his waist, spinning him around so he was drowning in James’s serious glare. “No,” the older boy murmured. “You’ve been talking about this to me for months, Reg. Years, if Barty Crouch is to be believed. You nearly passed out when you told me the first time, because it means so much to you! And, really, so what if it is a phase?”

Regulus narrowed his eyes at this, unsure if James’s words were good or not. 

“No, but really! Like, say in a year you suddenly decide you’re not a boy. You grow your hair long, and you go by…er…that name…again. What’s wrong with that?”

He frowned, stomach clenching. “Dunno,” he mumbled, tears prickling his eyes. “I don’t want to, I–”

James smiled gently. “I mean, that tells you something right there, doesn’t it? But even if you did, anyone who knows and loves you would just…be okay with it.”

Regulus blinked, considering. “My parents would be…” He nearly gagged thinking about how they would react.

“Your parents can get stuffed,” James said with a roll of his eyes. “The important people don’t care. Alright?”

He turned, gazing back into the mirror, the truth seeping into his bones. “I fucking love it. The haircut. It makes me feel…” he gestured vaguely, unable to articulate the elation radiating off him when he gazed at the way the shortness of his dark curls made his jawline become even more defined.

“Good. Because you look bloody hot. Now c’mere,” James whispered, pressing a kiss to the back of his neck.

And for a moment, Regulus let himself get lost in James, not worrying about himself at all.

mug - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 308 - a companion piece to this

“Oh, Regulus! This is from you?” Effie cooed as she picked up a large, square package and turned to a smiling Regulus.

James shot him a confused look, but Regulus completely ignored him. “Yes, just a little something extra, Effie!” he called over the pile of gifts, grinning innocently. “I know how you like to have pictures around the house.”

Most of the room awwed, including Sirius, who was absolutely oblivious, but James just narrowed his eyes at his boyfriend more. “I thought we already gave her all her gifts,” he whispered, both confused and scared.

“Just a little something extra,” Regulus repeated, his smile truly evil now.

James knew he should stop his mum. Beg her to drop the package and run away. But by the time his brain processed Regulus’s words and expression, it was too late–the paper was ripped away and the images revealed.

“You swore you didn’t save those!” Sirius roared furiously, standing up and lunging toward Regulus, who calmly blocked him with a spell.

“I swore I didn’t make copies of them. Plural. I made only one copy for each, which I have since gifted,” Regulus drawled, gesturing to the mugshots in Effie’s hands.

The mugshots of James and Sirius, who had gotten arrested for drag racing cars on a Muggle street only a few weeks prior.

Effie looked both amused and exhausted. “Boys?” she asked, holding the frames up to Sirius and James, eyes questioning.

James slumped over. “Sorry, mum,” he and Sirius murmured in unison.

“That’s for making me go to Gringotts in the middle of a workday to exchange for Muggle money for your bail,” Regulus said with an appreciative hum as he squeezed James’s hand.

The two mugshots ended up on the mantle until next Christmas, when pictures of James proposing Regulus and Remus proposing to Sirius replaced them.

life - platonic prongsfoot, background jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 376 - a companion piece to this

“Don’t kill me,” Sirius heard James croak as James returned to the bare, cold Muggle jail cell Sirius he was currently standing in.

Sirius, who was still finding a bit of humor in the situation they’d found themselves in, snorted and smirked at his best friend. “Kill you? Why? I’m the one who decided it’d be a good idea to learn to drive cars by racing down the street. If anything, you should be threatening my life. Plus, you called Moony on his work fellytone, right? He’ll get us out of this in a tick, and–”

But James just frowned, looking even more miserable than before. “Erm. About that. I did call Moony. But…”

Sirius’s stomach dropped as he figured out where this was going. “But what, Prongs?” he asked through gritted teeth. 

The taller man winced. “Regulus answered.”

He glared, daring James to say Regulus’s name again with that adoring, sickening little smile. “And you told him to tell Remus to call us, right? Right?”

James squirmed. “I…it doesn’t work like that, Pads! You can’t just call a Muggle jail! And besides, you try lying when he talks to you like that, it’s–”

“I lie to him all the time! That’s, like, the only thing I do when I talk to him! ‘Oh, Reg, nice to see you! You look good! Love you!’ All lies!” Sirius spat, gripping his head with his hands. 

The other man gave him a look. “You don’t mean that.”

“Of course I don’t mean that but you’re still an idiot!” he yelled, throwing his hands in the air.

But before either of them could say another word, a police officer came to the door of their cell, looking distinctly shaken. “Potter? Black? Erm…you’re free to go.”

They exchanged glances, taking in the man’s wide eyes and nervous appearance. For someone with a weapon on his belt, he looked very eager to be rid of them. 

“Now!” the man barked, making both Sirius and James jump. “Before he…” he looked over his shoulder, obviously toward the door where Regulus no doubt waited.

Sirius made his decision very easily. “I’m happy here, mate,” he said, moving to sit on the nearby bench.

He would take Muggle jail over angry Regulus any day.

face - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 323

Pandora Rosier had a reputation for being the sweetest person in her friend group.

In her opinion, this was much like being told that of a group of huge, terrifying, man-eating dinosaurs, one was the least man-eating, but she digressed. 

She also thought people were wrong, but that was a conversation for a different time. 

Point was, she thoroughly enjoyed torturing Regulus Black by asking the most innocent of questions about James Potter, if only to see his face.

“D’you think Potter has a bellybutton piercing?” she asked on Wednesday morning, casually gazing at an exhausted-looking Regulus dead in the eyes. Of course, she knew Regulus was exhausted because he’d been out with Potter the night before, but Regulus didn’t know she knew that.

The boy looked like he was struggling very hard not to do a spit-take. “Wh–what the fuck, Pandora? Why would you ask that?” he demanded, scowling.

“Just thinking,” she said with a smile, turning back to her food.

And the following Saturday: “Wonder if Potter fancies boys,” she murmured dreamily, not even looking up from her porridge.

Regulus began to choke and cough.

“Dunno, but boys like him,” Barty Crouch said with a lewd smile, earning a smack from Pandora’s brother, Evan.

And Regulus scowled for the rest of the meal.

But that Monday morning was the best. “You think Potter’s excited for the Quidditch match this weekend?” she asked lightly as soon as she sat at the table, eyes landing on Regulus as she smirked.

He clearly answered without thinking: “No, he’s quite nervous, actually. I–”

But he cut himself off as everyone turned to look at him.

“I…can tell. He looks tense,” the Slytherin finished lamely, his pale skin flushing pink.

Of course, Potter chose this exact moment to burst into loud, raucous laughter at his table, he and his friends making quite a scene and obviously not looking tense.

Pandora grinned. Oh, this was such fun.

spotlight - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 273

“Alright,” Sirius said resignedly as he moved to sit on James’s bed, making the other boy look up from the Potions text he’d been struggling through. “What’s the plan, then?”

James gave him a look. “Plan?”

“I’ve decided I accept the fact that you’ve gone completely mad, and you fancy my brother. Of all the terrible things in the world, it probably only reaches my top ten, and I’m strong, so I’ll power through,” Sirius said gracefully, sending his best friend a teasing grin.

The taller boy rolled his eyes. “Wow, thanks,” he retorted sarcastically.

“So. What’s the plan? How do you win Reg’s cold, cruel heart, or whatever?” Sirius pushed, grinning. “Shall we fill his dorm room with flowers? Make a giant sign during a Quidditch Match? Or–” his eyes widened and his face lit up. “Oh! What about a flash mob?”

But James just sat there, contemplating the fact that Regulus didn’t like spectacles. He hated being in the spotlight and he shrank when all eyes were on him. So instead, he looked at Sirius and suggested a bit nervously, “What about…will you help me just do a little picnic or something? Something private, the two of us? I want to make him feel…special.”

It was then that Sirius’s face melted into a soft, happy, amazed smile. “You…really like him, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” James nodded, feeling his face flush, worried Sirius might change his mind now that this was more real.

But the other boy just beamed. “Fuck, when you two get married, we’ll be actual brothers!”

James couldn’t help but grin as well. “One thing at a time,” he laughed.

dog - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 351

Regulus had never been allowed a pet growing up. Sirius had always begged for one–pestering Mother and Father to the point of punishment, listing all of the reasons why a good pureblood should experience the responsibility of pet ownership. But it was no use. Neither of the boys were given the gift of something as wonderful as an animal to love them.

Which was why, in his fifth year, when Snuffles came along, Regulus grew rather…attached to him.

Of course, he couldn’t be sure the dog was named Snuffles. But he had to have a name, and that one seemed as good as any, so when the giant black dog turned up on Regulus’s walks ‘round the grounds day after day, he took to calling him that. 

He also would have been mortified to admit that he took to talking to the dog, too. 

It was just…Snuffles seemed to really listen. Tilting his great big head this way and that, licking his hands and cuddling closer when Regulus divulged something particularly upsetting…the dog really seemed to care. So maybe he was going mad? He didn’t know, but talking with Snuffles kept him sane.

Which was why it only felt natural that, one warm day in May of his fifth year, he sat on a knocked-down tree in the middle of the forest, softly stroking Snuffles’ head and murmured, “I think I’m falling in love with James Potter.”

He’d never admitted it aloud. Never even talked about it–any of it–to anyone. The meet-ups that frequently left him feeling jittery and grinning to himself, the way Potter made him want to both laugh out loud and run away, the fact that Potter’s eyes seemed to capture him in a trance. But now, James had invited him over to his house for the summer, and…Merlin, Regulus was in over his head.

Snuffles moved slightly and gave him a look that Regulus could have sworn was one of absolute shock. But dogs couldn’t feel shock like that, could they?

Until the animal underneath his hand began to shift, and suddenly…Regulus was the one shocked.

“Sirius?”

feel - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 318

“I feel like a complete idiot,” Regulus mumbled under his breath, his expression made of stone as he watched James Potter laugh loudly at something Lily Evans had said. His chest threatened to crack open with pain, but he refused to show it.

“Oh, Reg. Potter is the idiot,” Dorcas said sympathetically. She leaned in closer, like she was going to tell him a secret. “You want me to kill him?”

He snorted, despite himself. “No. Well, maybe. I just…fuck.” Shaking his head, he turned away. James had said he wanted him. And here he was flirting with Evans? Had he just…lied?

Dorcas stared at James for another long moment, then sighed and stood up. “Yeah, I’m going to kill him,” she said decisively.

“No, Cas, I–”

But at that moment, James’s voice called through the throngs of people at the party, getting the attention of both Dorcas and Regulus. “Reg! Oi, c’mere!”

Eyes narrowed, he turned to the Gryffindor, tilting his head. He felt like this had to be a trick, right? But no, James was waving him over to himself and Lily Evans, a grin on his face.

“You don’t have to go,” Dorcas reminded him.

“I want to hear what bullshit he has to say,” he muttered, starting to walk.

As soon as Regulus arrived, glaring at Evans, James beamed and turned to her. “Lily, I want to properly introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Regulus!”

And Regulus froze, mouth dropping open. “Boyfriend?” he repeated, astonished.

For the first time, James faltered. “I…yeah, right? We talked last night. I told you I…”

His mouth stretched into a smile. Oh. That was what James had been trying to say. Turning a much friendlier look to Lily, he said sincerely, “Nice to meet you.”

“You, too,” she said with a knowing grin. “It’s great to see Potter so happy.”

And Regulus could have melted into the floor.

lying - jegulus and wolfstar - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 215

“Never have I ever kissed someone with the last name ‘Black,’” Peter announced, grinning wildly at Remus.

Remus, who had up until this point been able to get through the drinking game relatively unscathed, shot Peter a look. “Traitor,” he grumbled, downing a considerably large gulp of Firewhiskey before planting a kiss on Sirius’s cheek.

“Ah, c’mon, Moony! At least it’s for something good, right?” Sirius beamed, flushing slightly at the show of affection. 

“I’m still going to get him back,” Remus rolled his eyes, though his lips were twitching upward a little.

The three of them were so caught up in their banter that they almost didn’t notice James taking a swig of his own drink.

“Wait, Prongs? You and Padfoot have kissed?” Peter nearly-shouted, pointing towards James, who froze mid-sip like a deer in headlights.

Sirius’s eyebrows furrowed. “No, he’s lying. We’ve never…I mean, we’ve kissed on the cheek, are you counting that?” he asked his best friend, confused.

James choked back the rest of the liquid, then smiled a bit sheepishly. “Erm. No?”

“Then who…?” Peter murmured, tilting his head to the side.

Sirius’s eyes had gone wide, though. “Mate. Tell me it’s Narcissa. Or even Bella. Anyone but…”

Wincing, James jumped up. “Erm. Bathroom!”

And he ran off, leaving Sirius gaping.

gym - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 420 - guys I had to do it, it was too perfect - inspired by my favorite hockey boys

The gym attached to the Quidditch locker room was rarely used–players tended to prefer to go for runs on the sprawling grounds, or transfigure objects into weights to lift in the privacy of their dorm rooms. But sometimes, it was nice to just…get away. So Regulus found himself in the deserted, immaculately clean room one Sunday afternoon, pedaling on a stationary bike, avoiding the world.

So it was extra annoying when the door creaked open and none other than James Potter walked in.

Resisting the urge to let out a snort of fury at being interrupted by his least favorite person in the school, Regulus just rolled his eyes and focused his eyes forward, ignoring when Potter, of course, selected the bike directly next to his. Because why wouldn’t he choose to be as irritating as possible?

And Regulus succeeded in pretending to ignore Potter for a while. Though every cell in his body seemed to be infuriatingly attuned to the older boy’s presence, he was able to stay nonchalant, not speaking a word, not acknowledging him at all.

Until Potter quite purposefully looked at him, then began to move faster. Faster than Regulus.

So, frowning just a little, Regulus decided to move faster, too.

Why did Potter laugh? It made Regulus want to scream, how Potter seemed to be so bloody relaxed about everything. How every time Regulus moved a little faster, the Gryffindor did, too. How, even now, as they were both moving so fast that sweat was dripping down Regulus’s back, he could swear he saw a smile on the older boy’s face out of the corner of his eye. That fucking prick–Regulus wanted to curl his hands around his throat, to pin him to the wall, to press his body against him, to–

Gasping for air, he had to stop his relentless pace, his legs feeling like jell-o, his breath coming in desperate pants. Finally, he turned to glare at Potter, who was sending him a triumphant smile that made every nerve in Regulus’s body grow hot, his stomach go  molten.

“Water?” Potter asked sweetly, offering him a bottle with a little smirk.

“Fuck you,” Regulus gasped, dismounting the bike and walking over to his own water, refusing to do the other boy the dignity of any more eye contact.

“Maybe someday.”

Absolutely flummoxed, Regulus turned to either kiss or kill Potter, he wasn’t sure. But all he saw was the older boy’s retreating back as he left the room, the door swinging shut behind him.

single - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 390

“So…”

James, who had been completely focused on speaking with Regulus as he leaned on the bar, had to blink several times and force himself to look away from the stunning man to find the owner of the voice that was clearly directed at him. Turning around, he found an admittedly-beautiful woman with a confident smile smiling in his direction. “Oh, am I in your way?” he asked, turning and placing a hand on Regulus’s waist to move them both down the bar a bit.

“No,” she laughed, tipping her head back and making her hair fall around her shoulders like a waterfall. “No, you friend over there–” she gestured to Sirius, who was across the room, giving a very obvious thumbs-up, “--told me you’re single. I figured I’d come over and introduce myself.” She smiled again, batting her eyelashes a little.

James’s mouth fell open slightly. He felt Regulus tense next to him, and he instantly knew why: they’d been…talking. Going on outings together, constantly making excuses to meet up. The younger man had carved himself a home in James’s mind and, judging by the way Regulus was reacting to this girl, he had a feeling that he’d done the same for Reg, but….they hadn’t defined anything. It was too new, and Regulus was too skittish. It was hard enough to get him to talk about how he felt about the weather, let alone James. But Merlin, James adored him and was willing to be patient.

Still, this girl was standing here, waiting, asking if he was single. Was he?

“I…no, I’m sorry,” he said decisively, giving her an apologetic smile. “My mate didn’t know, but I’m seeing someone.”

He heard Regulus’s intake of breath, but refused to look over, too nervous to do anything but continue to give the girl a sheepish look.

She shrugged and smiled back. “Figured it was too good to be true! Have a good night, then!” And she walked off back to a group of people that James supposed were her friends.

Heart hammering against his chest, James turned to make eye contact with Regulus. “I…I’m sorry, I didn’t want to assume, but–”

Smirking, Regulus interrupted. “C’mon,” he murmured, grabbing James’s hand and leading him to the dance floor. “I want to dance with my boyfriend.”

James’s knees nearly buckled at that.

wall - jegulus - background wolfstar - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 439

When James awoke to the sounds of early morning, the first thing he registered was that he was not in his bed. It took him a few seconds to remember that he, Sirius, Remus, and Regulus had decided to go camping in the woods by the Potters’ house as a way to enjoy the summer.

It took him a second more to remember who he was sharing a tent with.

The night before, Regulus had used his wand to enlarge one of his pillows and use it as a wall between them, making it very clear that though they were sharing a sleeping space, they would not be doing anything as ridiculous as cuddling. “This is just a necessity, Potter,” he’d said. “Do not make me curse you in your sleep.”

Which is why James was so shocked (and a little scared) to realize next that Regulus was laying half across his chest.

He knew he should say something. To gently shake the boy awake or try to move him so they had some space between them again. But fuck, the warm weight of him on James’s body and the smell of Regulus’s hair…the way he seemed to cuddle closer every once in a while and the soft little breaths he took, so peaceful in his sleep.

James just wanted to drink in this moment.

So he did. For a little while, he allowed himself to have the boy he truly never thought he would, just holding him, adoring him like Regulus deserved.

Until noises from outside told him that Sirius and Remus were awake.

“Reg,” he mumbled gruffly, gently shaking the boy on top of him. “Reggie.”

Moaning a little, Regulus stirred, long eyelashes fluttering open to reveal silver-gray eyes that left James breathless. It took him a moment to realize where he was, but oh, when he did–he went bright red.

“I swear, I didn’t move anything,” James murmured nervously, a bit afraid for his life.

Regulus just faltered, pulling back and scowling. 

But that wouldn’t do. 

Despite his better judgement and the Remus-sounding voice in his head screaming at him to stop, James sat up on his elbow and leaned forward, cupping Regulus’s face in his hand and looking him in the eye. “But Reg? I liked it, though. A lot.”

If Regulus had been red before, he was maroon now.

They didn’t mention it again, and the entire day Regulus was flustered and awkward. But that night? The younger boy didn’t build the pillow wall. 

And before they fell asleep, he curled into James’s side, sighing contentedly in the dark.

James couldn’t help but beam.

block - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 275

Regulus was in an absolutely horrible mood. Stalking through the halls of the castle, ruminating about all of the work he had to do, the sleep he wasn’t going to get, he might as well have had his eyes closed as he walked. He was so busy being anxious that he didn’t even notice the taller boy walk in front of his path, blocking his way.

“Wh-fuck!” he spluttered, not looking up, nearly dropping the books in his hands as he veered to the left, trying to avoid collision. 

But the person who’d almost walked into him just moved as well, continuing to get in his way.

Lifting his furious gaze upward, he began to hiss, “Merlin, get out of the–” only to stop, meeting hazel eyes.

“Hey, Reg,” James Potter murmured, sending him a completely disarming smile.

Regulus faltered, breath catching as he stared at his boyfriend. “Erm. Hi,” he muttered, grimacing. “You’re in my way.”

“One kiss to pass,” James replied with a grin, shrugging his shoulders in a ‘what-can-you-do’ kind of way.

He frowned. “Potter, I–”

“Better move fast, before the toll rises,” James continued, smirking. “Though I wouldn’t be upset at that, to be honest.”

Snorting at the Gryffindor’s ridiculousness, Regulus stood on his tiptoes and pressed what was supposed to be a quick kiss to James’s lips. James, however, quickly reached for his waist and deepened the kiss, stealing Regulus’s breath away. Just as the shorter boy began to lose himself in James’s lips, the taller boy pulled back, beaming.

“See you later,” James drawled, chuckling as he walked away.

Regulus blinked, dazed. What had he been mad about, again?

without - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 268

“So how were the stars the other night?” James asked, smirking a bit as he noticed Regulus jump slightly at his voice.

Regulus, who was already at the top of the Astronomy Tower, turned towards him, crossing his arms. “What?” he asked, rolling his eyes–probably at James’s smug smile.

“While I was busy being tortured,” James said casually, grinning at Regulus’s scoff. “How were the stars?”

The two of them had made a habit out of meeting on Tuesday and Thursday nights to watch the stars together. Neither spoke about why the tradition had started, nor why it kept happening. But it’d somehow become their thing–standing together at the top of the tower and discussing the night sky. Except, this past Tuesday James’d had detention, causing him to miss their time together. He’d warned Regulus beforehand with a note, but it’d still been strangely awful, knowing that he was missing such valuable time alone with the Slytherin.

Regulus shrugged. “Dunno. I didn’t come up here.”

James stared. “Why?” he asked, genuinely curious. Had Regulus been sick?

The Slytherin quickly looked at him, before his eyes darted away, a flush in his cheeks. “Felt weird. Without you.”

It took everything in James not to give a shout of glee. Regulus cared about spending time with him? These feelings, whatever they were, weren’t one-sided? “Careful, Reg,” he said in a playful voice, leaning dangerously close to the younger boy, “say more things like that and I might think you don’t hate me.”

Regulus just threw him a mortified glare. “Fuck off, Potter,” he murmured halfheatedly.

But James just grinned. “Never.”

lines - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 296 - anon request for sickfic...hope it's okay that I took some creative liberties!

He wasn’t feeling well. Head throbbing, eyes blurring, the lines of the textbook he was reading turning into one big scrabble of letters–James needed a break. But with NEWTs just around the corner, he couldn’t rationalize stopping in his studies. Cursing his past self for not taking anything seriously, he knew that this actually mattered–that he needed to do well, in order to get a decent job, to make his family proud, to hopefully, someday, provide for himself and the boy sitting next to him.

Regulus, who was finishing up an essay on Amortentia, shifted and pressed a hand to James’s shoulder. “You should take a break,” he said softly, his voice plucking at James’s heartstrings.

Swallowing thickly, he shook his head. “Few more hours,” he muttered.

But Regulus just frowned. “You look like shit,” he commented, never one to be anything but blunt. “Take a break, James.”

“M’fine,” he muttered, head swimming. He was pretty sure he was coming down with something, but he couldn’t stop to think about it.

“Jamie.”

Inhaling sharply at the nickname, he looked over into wide, silver-gray eyes. “Yeah?” he croaked, feeling the ridiculous urge to cry.

“I need a break. Some sleep. And I…don’t want to be alone,” Regulus said with a smirk, knowing exactly what he was doing. “Come with me, please?”

James narrowed his eyes. Of course Regulus would play on his need to please him, in order to get him to take care of himself. Still, it was working. “Fine,” he sighed, closing his book.

It was as they walked out of the Library that Regulus slipped his hand into James’s. “We can take care of each other, you know. It’s not just you,” he murmured, making James bite at his lip.

Fuck, he was lucky.

picture - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 315

So I got an anon request for mute!Regulus, but I have to say I don't know a lot about being mute. I do, however, know about being nonverbal, because I sometimes go nonverbal when in sensory overload, so I went that route. I know there is a difference between the two, but I hope it's okay that I went in this direction!

Some days, words were impossible. After forcing himself through the motions of life all day, Regulus felt an exhaustion that went deeper than his bones: his very brain screamed for rest. Trying to speak felt like scraping words from his vocal chords with a knife, and it was easiest, on these days, to just hide from the world. How was he supposed to maintain his carefully-constructed mask of indifference when he couldn’t even form the words ‘go away’? People never understood.

Except James.

“Hey, baby,” the older boy said cheerfully, opening the door to the small broom cupboard in which Regulus was hiding and plopping himself down on the floor. 

Normally, Regulus might have felt pressured to look up. But because it was James, he simply leaned over a bit, pressing their shoulders together as he continued to hug his knees and close his eyes. He was distracted, though, when he heard the Gryffindor fishing around in his bag.

Eyelids fluttering open, he saw James pull out a small chalkboard and a piece of chalk, offering it to him with a small smile. “I stole it from Slughorn,” the older boy said with a smirk. “Thought it might help, when you... Don’t feel like you have to use it, though. It’s just…if you want.”

Regulus bit his lip, taking the board and chalk, before scrawling a shaky thanks on the surface. James beamed.

“You know, we could get two. Enchant them to send messages back and forth. Imagine? In the middle of Charms, I can send you all sorts of dirty–” but he cut himself off, looking at the board where Regulus was currently drawing something.

Rolling his eyes, he handed James the board, a picture of a middle finger sketched in the middle. The Gryffindor laughed softly.

“Love you, Reg.”

This time, as a strong arm wrapped around him, Regulus managed a small hum.

strange - jegulus - anon request for figure skater!reg and hockey player!james - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 373 - lmk if you guys want a part 2 to this, of their private lesson!

“Alright,” Regulus sighed, trying to dispel the negativity from his body as he surveyed the group of hulking men in front of him. He’d been simultaneously looking forward to this day and dreading it for ages. “I’m Regulus. Sirius’s brother. And you’re here today because–”

“Because Sirius wants to torture us,” a tall, grimacing man in the back said loudly, rolling his eyes. “Getting a bunch of hockey blokes to try figure skating? Clearly, he’s having a laugh.”

“You mum certainly wasn’t laughing last night, Prewett,” Sirius chirped back with a fake moan and a smirk, causing many people on the team to snort. “C’mon, mate. This could seriously help us.”

Pushing Prewett’s complaints and Sirius’s jokes aside, Regulus nodded, though it pained him to agree with his brother. “He’s right,” he sighed, crossing his arms. “Training in figure skating can help hockey players with agility, balance, edge control–”

“Do we have to wear a dress?” another player piped up, a mean grin on his face.

Regulus frowned, his patience waning. “Go skate laps to warm up,” he murmured, expression icy as he crossed his arms as well. “Slowest has to stay and clean the locker room after.”

Everyone stared, unsure if Regulus was serious or not, until Sirius clapped his hands a grinned. “You heard the man! Skate!”

But as the grumbling team moved to the edge of the rink, one of them stayed, gliding up to Regulus. 

James Potter sent him a grin that made him weak at the knees. “Thanks for coming to help, Reg. Sorry the guys are such arseholes.”

Suspicious, Regulus gave him a small smile. “Go skate, Potter,” he urged, trying not to let on how strangely flustered he was feeling.

“If you ever want to give private lessons…I have a lot of trouble with edging,” James continued, still smiling.

Regulus gaped for a moment, processing the double entendre. Was it an accident, or…? “Go skate, Potter,” he insisted, feeling himself blush, now. “Before I kick you out.”

James just beamed. “Good to have you, Reg. Really.” And his smile was so warm, so genuine, that Regulus almost kissed him. 

Even after James skated off, it took Regulus about five minutes after that to get himself together.

heated - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 418

“Potter, get back in the sky!” someone yelled behind him, but James paid no mind. Penalties, Quidditch games, secrets…they didn’t matter at all right now. The only thing that mattered was the crumpled heap of emerald robes on the ground, a hundred yards away.

Someone’s hands grabbed for him, trying to pull him back. Wildly, heart racing, ears ringing, adrenaline fueling his every breath, he shoved them off, running forward.

Professor McGonagall swam into his line of vision, her long arms flailing.

He ran right by her.

“Reg!” he gasped, voice cracking and shaking. Merlin, why couldn’t he go faster?

But it was Sirius who finally managed to bring him to his senses. “James, stop!” he bellowed, heading James off as he ran onto the pitch as well.

Finally, James faltered, setting his wide eyes on his best friend. “He’s fucking hurt!” he spat heatedly, flinging an arm in the direction of the fallen Seeker, who was now surrounded by the Headmaster, Professor Slughorn, a Mediwitch, and Madame Pomfrey.

“Yeah, and you are supposed to hate him!” Sirius shot back, eyes narrowed as he looked meaningfully up at the huge crowd. “Or at least, not give a damn!”

This made James recoil. 

Fuck.

“I…I don’t…” he stammered, trying to come up with a viable excuse for his rash actions. “I just…”

But Sirius seemed to know. “Look,” he murmured, turning the way they were standing so James had a good view of Regulus, so James could see the way the younger boy was stirring. “He’s fine, alright? He’s got a hard head.”

The pathetic whimper James let out was one he would forever deny came from his lips. “Thank Merlin,” he whispered, watching as Regulus was loaded onto a magical stretcher.

“Go play,” Sirius hissed hurriedly. “I’ll go with him. Take your Cloak after, I’ll let you in the Hospital Wing.”

James’s heart surged with appreciation, his attention turning back to the students zooming above their heads. “Alright. I–”

“Mister Black! Are you coming with your brother?” Professor Slughorn called, beginning to levitate Regulus away.

Sirius turned, but James stopped him. “Wait, I–I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” he began, brain whirling in a million directions. Was Sirius mad? Did he feel betrayed? Was Regulus okay?

But the shorter boy just gave him a half-grimace, half-smile. “I already knew. You’re shit at hiding things, Prongs. Go kick snake arse and we can talk later, alright? M’not mad.”

Anxiety easing slightly, James nodded, clapping Sirius on the back. “Alright.”

alone - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 400 - can be read alone but also a part 2 to this

James Potter looked ridiculously attractive when he focused.

It was all Regulus could think about as the taller man again skated through the drills Regulus had shown him, his face screwed up in concentration, beads of perspiration slowly dripping down his face. 

He had always regarded ice hockey players as brutes. Jocks on skates, ruining the stunning art of dancing on ice. But as James moved? God, it was like magic. He looked magnificent, and Regulus couldn’t tear his gaze away.

He’d never been so distracted while wearing blades on his feet.

Potter skidded to a stop in front of him, out of breath and looking dissatisfied. “I’m still not getting it,” he muttered, lips turning into a frown.

“You’re…improving,” Regulus replied, not wanting to be dishonest. 

“Will you show me again?” the taller man asked, ignoring the comment.

Regulus had also never been this nervous to skate, not when he was nearly alone on the ice. But still, he nodded, pushing himself forward, skating through the drills he knew through muscle memory, gracefully pulling off figure-eights and crossovers that allowed mastery of edge control. A few moments later, he slid to a stop in front of James, satisfied he hadn’t embarrassed himself. “Helpful?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

But the other man just shook his head, looking kind of dazed. “No,” he replied earnestly, chuckling.

Regulus furrowed his eyebrows. “What–?”

But then James was close, far too close to be professional. “I was distracted,” he muttered, eyes flashing with heat.

Regulus felt warmth flare low in his belly, his eyes going wide. “Here,” he replied, moving his slightly-trembling hands down the taller man’s sides to rest them low on his hips. Gazing into James’s eyes, he flexed his fingers a little, grabbing onto flesh hidden beneath clothing.

James gasped, expression going hungry. The air sizzled with electricity.

But Regulus decided that James Potter was not going to get him with a few simple lines. “Keep your hips underneath you more,” he explained, squeezing his fingers again before releasing them.

The taller man looked almost mournful at the loss of contact. “Right,” he murmured, biting his lip.

Regulus decided to throw him a bone. “If you get this…maybe I’ll reward you,” he said lightly, tilting his head. “Maybe. You never know.”

A second later, James Potter was back to his drills, looking more determined than Regulus had ever seen him.

run - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 315

“Did you just run because of me?” James asked softly.

They were both sitting in the garden of the Potters’ house, staring up at the stars. The warm summer air was gentle on Regulus’s aching cheek, still raw from Walburga’s last spell, but he leaned into it, knowing he would never be hurt by her again. Startled by James’s question, he turned. “You make that sound like it’s a bad thing,” he replied, eyebrows furrowed. “I’m out, I’m safe…isn’t that good?”

James gave him a funny look. “Yeah. Yeah, I…it’s the biggest relief I’ve ever felt in my life, honestly. You have no idea how much I used to worry about you, being trapped in that house…” his voice cracked, as did Regulus’s heart. “But…” he trailed off, shrugging. “If you just left for me, it’s a lot of pressure. What if we…dunno, Merlin forbid,  break up someday? What if you resent me, what if you regret it? I didn’t want you to have to choose, or something, I–”

But Regulus, who was currently struggling not to push James back into the grass and silence him with a kiss, pressed a finger to the older boy’s lips. “I didn’t leave for you,” he reassured him simply. “I…” he thought about his answer a lot, because he didn’t want to be dishonest, either. “I won’t lie, I don’t know if I would have left, if it weren’t for you. But I didn’t do it for you. You…made me realize that I wanted to. That I was worthy of leaving, you know? And no matter what happens with us, I won’t resent that.”

James smiled behind Regulus’s fingertip. “You’re worthy of everything,” he murmured softly.

“Then you’ll let me win in the Slytherin versus Gryffindor game in the Fall?” Regulus challenged him, smirking.

He then found himself pressed into the grass, lips on his own.

“Absolutely not.”

tight (again!) - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 180

“Potter!” Regulus growled, striding up to James and shoving him into the wall of the locker room. “That was not funny!” 

James, however, was of course, grinning widely. “It wasn’t?” he asked, eyes sparkling.

Regulus just scoffed, pressing him tighter to the cement. “Throwing a Quaffle at me when I was about to catch the Snitch? What, did you think you’d just get away with it?”

The older boy smirked. “Obviously I didn’t.” He’d been benched for the rest of the game.

“Then what was the point?” Regulus spat, his face only inches from James’s now.

“Stopped you from catching the Snitch, didn’t I?” the Gryffindor drawled, making Regulus’s eyes flash.

“For five minutes! You lot still lost! I–”

But James was chuckling, now. “The best part isn’t that, though. This is the best part.” He shifted, drawing attention to the fact that they were pressed so closely together.

Flushing red and leaping back like he’d been stung, Regulus threw him a scathing look. “I hate you,” he mumbled, grimacing.

The Gryffindor just beamed at his boyfriend. “No. You don’t.”

tight - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 353

“I need your help winning a bet,” Sirius announced, entering Regulus’s dorm without even so much as a greeting.

Regulus, gaping at the fact that his Gryffindor brother was in the Slytherin dorms, took an extra moment to process his presence before scowling. “Why on earth would I help you?” he demanded.

“Because you love me,” the older boy answered, throwing a folded-up piece of clothing at him.

“Nonsense,” Regulus retorted, scoffing.

“Because I know too many of your secrets?” Sirius asked, raising an eyebrow like he wasn’t completely sure that was true.

“And I know yours,” the shorter boy replied threateningly. 

Sirius turned a bit paler at that. “Erm…because it involves embarrassing James?”

Now Regulus was smirking, unfolding the clothes in his hands. “You should have led with that.”

Of course, his enthusiasm died instantly when he looked over the jeans Sirius had given him. “Sirius, these are actually a children's size,” he murmured, eyes flitting over the fabric.

“They’re not, and you know it, you dramatic prick,” Sirius replied pleasantly. “Plus, they’re supposed to be tight. That’s the whole point.”

“What, you want me to wear these to the party tonight?” Regulus asked, already contemplating how long it would even take to put on something this tight. “Why? And what does this have to do with–?”

“I bet Prongs that he couldn’t go half hour without putting his hands on you,” the older boy shrugged, grinning. “He keeps telling me he’s ‘so normal’ about this, and that he promises he’s going to be all cool about it. I’m honestly already over the whole thing, but as his best friend, I also have to prove to him that he’s completely gone for you and with how disgustingly obsessed he is, there’s no way he can go two minutes without being gross about you. Especially if you’re wearing those.”

Regulus felt himself turn red, but he was still pleased. “Yeah, already,” he muttered, grinning.

Sirius’s smile turned sneaky. “Hey. Do you want to make a bet?

That night, Regulus won ten galleons: James lasted roughly thirty seconds before pulling Regulus into a kiss.

deepest - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 351

“Woah…”

It was uncomfortable enough, that James had offered to help Regulus unpack. He still wasn’t sure why he’d decided to stay with the Potters over summer break–it felt like a strange, otherworldly dream that he was here, in the house of the boy he’d fancied since first year, rather than in his own oppressive home.

But here he was. In a guest bedroom in the Potters’. Unpacking his bag and wondering if he’d made the right decision.

And James Potter had, of course, pulled Regulus’s journal from his trunk and was currently reading through his writing.

“Don’t read that!” Regulus snapped loudly, much more sharply than he’d meant to, snatching the journal from Potter’s hand.

Hazel eyes turned to him nervously as James gave him an apologetic look. “Oh, sorry! I shouldn’t have…it’s just…” he shifted from side to side and looked around, as if he, too, was wondering why he was in here helping Regulus instead of goofing off with Sirius. “You write poetry?” His gaze was wide and shocked, and Regulus instantly knew that James knew. He resisted the urge to hide under the large bed. Instead, he trained his eyes downward.

“I…dabble,” he muttered, shoving the journal under his pillow. “It’s…nothing serious, nothing to read into. Please, just forget you saw–

“You’re amazing,” the older boy argued breathlessly. “Those were some of the deepest lines I’ve ever read. Comparing that person to the sun? I…” his eyes held unfathomable emotion as he looked at Regulus, making the younger boy shift and squirm, his heart hammering in his chest. Merlin, James was trying to figure out a way to let him down easy. To say that even though his poetry wasn’t completely abysmal, he wasn’t interested in any man, let alone Regulus, so– “Who…who’re they about?”

Regulus stared. “What?”

“The poems. Who’re they for?” James asked again, his tone almost wistful.

Regulus’s eyes widened. “Erm…I’d rather not say.”

And why did the taller boy look disappointed when he nodded? “Alright,” he replied, throwing him a halfhearted smile. “They’re…erm…lucky, though. So lucky.”

Regulus wanted to scream into his pillow.

tear - jegulus - platonic prongsfoot background wolfstar - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 451

“...’course, then I realized, I should have taken his Knight first, it would’ve left his Bishop wide open,” Sirius was rambling on as he and James sat in the library, pretending to study (Remus and Peter had kicked them out of the common room so they could focus).

“Hmm,” James hummed in agreement, not following Sirius’s story at all. He’d just spotted Regulus a few tables away.

Obliviously, Sirius continued. “You know Moony. He’s bloody brilliant, got a plan six moves ahead. So then he…”

Regulus looked stunning. Head bent low over his book, errant curls falling in his face, James wanted to press a kiss to each lock of hair before tucking them behind his ears. Suddenly, the need to express his overwhelming affection for the boy, to get his attention, overwhelmed him.

“...looked ridiculously hot while doing it, mind, even as his pieces destroyed…”

Inspiration striking him, James decided to tear a piece of paper from his notebook, slowly crumpling it into a ball. Then, nodding along to Sirius’s continued blabbering all the while, he held it in his hand, waiting for the perfect moment. Merlin, he just needed to get those perfect silver eyes to look in his direction. He might die if it didn’t happen.

“...wanted to snog him, or wanted to kill him, I’m still not sure…”

Winding his hand back, and taking the careful aim of a trained Chaser, James lobbed the ball of paper forward–bullseye! Right onto the book Regulus was studying.

Suddenly, both Sirius and Regulus were glaring at him, incensed. James felt a delicious spark of triumph light his body aflame.

“Hi, Reg,” he said with a grin, staring over at the Slytherin. “I like your hair.”

Regulus narrowed his eyes. “Wish I could say the same. Fuck off, Potter.”

“Still on for tonight?” he asked, breathless with the fact that Regulus had gifted him nine whole words of attention.

The younger boy continued to glare. “Maybe. Stop being an arse.”

Blissfully, he nodded. “Only for you.”

It was only once a slightly-pink Regulus looked down at his book again that James turned, beaming, to Sirius. 

Sirius, who looked like he was both going to punch James and be sick right there at the table. “I can’t tell if you were flirting with him or torturing me,” he muttered, lips curling.

“Both,” James chuckled, still riding high from his win. “Now tell me more about Moony’s pretty freckles or whatever, mate. You know you want to.”

Blinking, Sirius was only able to pretend to be upset for a few moments before he sighed. Then he launched back into his story, indeed taking a long time to describe the freckle on Remus’s nose.

stare - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 294

As soon as they got into the bar, Barty let out a laugh so loud and obnoxious that several people nearby turned their heads. Regulus, who was reluctant enough to be there as it was, gave him a look. “Control yourself,” he spat, wrinkling his nose. 

“M’going to be saying that to you in a minute,” Barty shot back, grinning.

But before Regulus could ask him what on earth he meant, Pandora took in a little breath of shock. “Oh shit, Potter’s here!”

It took everything in him not to curse in fury.

They were supposed to be going out tonight so he could forget about Potter. So, for a few simple moments, his mind could be spared from going on and on about the ridiculously, annoyingly handsome and kind older man who had kissed him the other night. But now–of course–Potter was here. In the bar. Haunting him.

“I’m going home,” he muttered, already turning towards the door.

“No!” Pandora insisted, grabbing his elbow. “No, you’re going to stay, and drink, and dance with me, and have fun.”

None of that sounded particularly fun to Regulus, but he sighed in defeat. “Fine. But if any of you do something  embarrassing, like look at him funny or talk to him–”

“What if he’s already staring at you?” Evan piped up, his lips curling into a smirk.

He gaped at his friend. “He’s what?” Unable to help himself, he whirled around and cast his eyes in Evan’s line of sight. Sure enough, James Potter was standing about fifteen meters away, talking with someone, clutching a drink, and staring right at him, a small smile on his face and a glint in his eye.

“Oh, fuck,” he murmured.

This was going to be an interesting night.

drive - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 215

It’s a long drive from their flat in London to Effie and Monty’s house in the country. The type of drive that usually requires they switch spots in the car halfway through, because one or both of them is tired (Regulus) or restless (James) and it just isn’t feasible for someone to be behind the wheel the whole time. 

James takes the first turn without question–he usually does, but this time is even more of a relief, because Regulus has been up late into the night talking with Sirius about Walburga. Her old age has just made her assholery that much worse, and maintaining their carefully-crafted boundaries with their family has become increasingly complicated.

So, exhausted and lulled to relaxation by the hum of the engine and the squeeze of James’s free hand on his, Regulus drifts to sleep within seconds.

He doesn’t wake until they’re turning onto the Potters’ street.

Disoriented, he stretches and looks around, before turning to James. “I…you didn’t wake me to switch!” he exclaims, frowning a bit.

But James, pulling into the drive, just gives him a quick, fond smile. “You needed the rest,” he answers simply, like it is the easiest explanation in the world.

Regulus already knew, but it’s a wonderful reminder: he’s going to marry this man.

block - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 254

“Oi!”

James’s yell from the other room makes Regulus, who is concentrating on his very exciting novel, thank you very much, look up in annoyance. “If it’s a bug, you can kill it yourself,” he calls, rolling his eyes.

But James is stomping into the sitting room of their flat with his phone in his hand, a frown on his face. “Did you block me on Tiktok?” he demands, looking like Regulus killed his puppy.

Regulus, however, just snorts. “Yes. Potter, you sent me like fifty videos a day! It was far too overwhelming, and–”

“I’ll send less! C’mon, Reg, I just found this cute one of a kitten, who–”

But Regulus had already decided. “No,” he says firmly. “Send it to Sirius, he loves that shit. Now let me read, James, I want to finish this chapter before we have dinner with your parents.”

Grumbling, James walks away, still looking distinctly upset.

A few moments later, Regulus’s mobile lights up with a small ding! He ignores it.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

Seething, Regulus again looks up from his book to his phone screen and swipes to the conversation marked ‘mon soleil.’

There are five downloaded TikToks sent to him via text message.

“James!” His voice is annoyed, but he can’t hold back a fond grin.

“Just watch the one with the kitten at least, he reminds me of you! So angry and small!” James calls back, a smile in his pleading voice.

So, sighing affectionately, Regulus begins to pull up the kitten video.

date - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 323

It was always the most awkward part of their nights together. When, long after their Prefects Rounds had ended and they’d just been roaming the halls of the castle for hours, bickering and talking and pretending like neither of them had noticed the time, they inevitably ended up in front of the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room. 

So they both stood awkwardly, James desperately trying to make sense of Regulus’s unreadable expressions, Regulus staring at the floor. 

“Thanks,” James said with a small smile, reaching out for Regulus before send-guessing himself and letting his hand fall pathetically to his side.

Gray eyes flickered to him, clearly confused. “For what? Going on Rounds with you? It’s not a choice, Potter,” Regulus scoffed, crossing his arms.

But James decided not to let him get away with everything that easily. “And the the three hours after that?” he questioned lightly, sending Regulus a teasing grin that hid the pounding of his heart.

“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,” he replied coolly, though James thought–or, perhaps, hoped?- recognized the slight sparkle in his eye. 

“Hm. Alright, then,” he agreed sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

But Regulus looked deadly serious now. “Truly, Potter. If you think these have been dates, you’re even more idiotic than you look.”

Something hopeful shrivelled and died in his chest, and he turned away so Regulus wouldn’t see him frown. “Oh,” he muttered, flushing. “Fine, right. I–”

“Dates involve decent outfits and nice restaurants and at least a single flower, for Merlin’s sake,” Regulus continued, rubbing salt in the wound.

“Right. Of course.” He wanted to go back to bed and sulk. “I–”

“Good, you understand so when will you be taking me on one, then?”

Regulus’s expectant question broke James from his self-pity, making him look over in shock. “I–what?” he asked, amazed.

“A date, Potter,” Regulus repeated, smirking. “When will we be going on one?”

And now James was beaming.

backyard - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - implied NSFW  - word count: 327

It took about three hours after the joy of James’s proposal settled into Regulus’s bones before he started panicking. But once he did?

“Fuck,” he gasped, sitting up in bed, his eyes wide. 

James, who was just as bare-bodied as he was, having been very eager to celebrate Regulus’s acceptance of his proposal, sat up as well and placed a hand on his shoulder. “What it is, love?” he asked, voice soft but full of concern. “Just realized you’re going to be tied to me forever?” he was obviously teasing, but there was a note of true anxiety to the question.

Regulus snorted at that, already calming under his boyfriend’s–no, fiance’s!--touch. “I already accepted that horrible fact,” he replied, flashing James a smirk so he would know he was joking. “No, I just realized: we have to plan a wedding. Fuck, we have to think about location and a guest list and the wedding party and outfits and food and–”

He was cut off by James’s hand on his shoulder pulling him back to the mattress, lips pressing warm to his own. 

“Baby, I would marry you in the backyard in our pajamas, with nobody but my parents and Sirius as a witness,” James murmured, swiping a thumb gently over his jawline. 

Regulus couldn’t resist the little scoff that escaped his throat. Sure, he completely agreed, if it came down to it. But…he also really wanted a gorgeous wedding.

James grinned at him. “However. You seem to have forgotten that we’re doing this together. And we’re pretty good at that. Remember, I would never settle for anything less than you deserve. We’ll have the most beautiful wedding in history, I promise. We can start planning right now, if it’ll make you feel better.”

Regulus grinned. “Maybe not right now,” he murmured, rolling towards his fiance.”

James returned his smile. “Ah, great minds think alike,” he commented lightly.

Soon, Regulus was thinking of much more important things.

ignore - jegulus - anon request for touch starved!regulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 253

It took everything in him to ignore the instinct to run.

To merely finch and not raise his wand, when James reached out for him, eager after having spent several days waiting to meet again, their evenings taken up with friends, studying, Quidditch practice, life.

As always, the older boy paused, his fingers barely touching Regulus’s cheek, his eyes wide. “Sorry, I–I can–” 

Regulus’s heart cracked in half as James began to take a purposeful step back, leaving him cold.

And six months ago, he might have left it at that. Allowed the older boy to create space between them, even as his chest ached and his skin screamed for the gentle touch that it’d been denied for so long. Feelings were so incredibly hard, so unbelievably vulnerable, and something like touch made it all the more difficult.

But now, he was braver. More secure. He knew what he wanted, even if he couldn’t say it. So as James’s hand slipped from his cheek, Regulus captured it and pressed it back to his blushing skin, breathing in the still strange sensation of being touched with love.

Somewhere in the back of his brain, he registered the fact that he was trembling. He tried to put that thought out of his mind. “Hi,” he murmured, closing his eyes and focusing on the warmth of James’s hand on his skin. “Sorry, I just…sometimes I forget.”

Shifting, James pulled him in close, both of them breathing in the other. “Never be sorry for that,” he whispered.

late - jegulus - anon request for touch-starved regulus - slightly NSFW? - cw: nudity but not sexual, ambiguous age but they are overage - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 554

Looking up from re-reading his collection of letters between himself and Regulus for what must have been the thousandth time, James locked eyes with a terrified-looking Regulus standing awkwardly in the hall. “What it is, love?” he asked, jumping up immediately. Regulus was meant to be taking a shower, having just arrived to the Potters’ very late at night after what must have been an awful altercation with his parents. But something, it seemed, was bothering him. 

Regulus worried at his lip, his bright gray eyes flashing with anxiety. “Will you…fuck, this is so stupid…” he murmured, eyes trailing to the ground. He was clearly frustrated with needing something.

So James walked closer, pulling the shorter boy to his chest. “Let me take care of you,” he murmured.

“Just…sit in the bathroom while I shower? S’ridiculous, I’m not trying to…I just need to know that this isn’t a dream,” Regulus muttered, looking disgusted with himself for asking for something so simple.

So James kissed him on the head and reached down for his hand. “Of course, baby. Always.”

But once Regulus called through the closed door to let James know that he was in the shower, that it was safe for him to come sit on the seat of the toilet, it became clear very quickly that he needed a bit more help than that. Thumping noises of dropped bottles of shampoo, soft curses, and tension in the air told James that Regulus was not okay. 

“Love? What’s wrong?” he called over the sound of the spray, deeply concerned.

“M’fine,” Regulus responded quickly, tone low. “Just shaking. I’ll be–”

“Do you want help?”

James offered it before he thought it through. Before he could consider that Regulus was naked, just hidden by a simple curtain. A curtain which James would have to pull aside to help. But he had to make it clear:

“Not in like…an, erm…sexy way. Like…no dirty thoughts, or…or…” he was getting flustered, rethinking everything as he tried to explain that he was not trying to take advantage of his vulnerable boyfriend. “Y’know what? Nevermind, I–”

“No, I…help would be okay.”

So James soon found himself standing at the edge of the shower, pouring shampoo in his hand, completely unsure of how he’d gotten there.

But the thing was, this wasn’t sexual. He’d seen Regulus’s arse a few times before–the few times they’d messed around enough to get to the point of no pants, the few times they’d shared a locker room–and this was so incredibly different. This, slowly massaging shampoo onto Regulus’s scalp while the other boy, facing away from him, sighed and shivering with clear relief–this was loving someone.

James adored it. His chest filled with warmth.

That is, until he heard Regulus’s soft sobs. 

“Reg? Baby, are you–?” he demanded, nearly grabbing for Regulus’s shoulder and turning him, modesty be damned.

But Regulus took in a heaving gasp. “Fuck! Sorry, just—nobody’s done this for me since….before I can remember,” he said in a very small voice, his back muscles twitching as he continued to stifle his tears. “Just…keep going? Fuck, I just…please, James.”

Astonished by this admission, this reality, James silently vowed that the person in front of him would never, ever go so long without being touched so lovingly, so reverently ever again. “‘Course,” he murmured.

lie - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 292

“I have class early tomorrow,” Regulus murmurs, trembling with overwhelming emotion, stepping away just as James reaches out, just as their bodies press too close. Just as Regulus feels something, as his control slips away and he can picture this thing between them going somewhere where his deepest, darkest wishes become a reality. So the words slip from his mouth in quick defense, to stop himself from succumbing to hope.

It’s an easy lie. One he’s been telling for far too long, every time they ‘happen’ to meet up on these late evenings, at the same spot every time. 

The way James’s hands freeze where they lightly rest on his waist tells him all he needs to know: the guilt begins to seep into his bones, but he can’t take it back now. He probably won’t change what he does next time, either.

“Alright, Reg,” James murmurs, turning away and gazing outside of the window of the abandoned classroom. “Sleep well.”

Nodding, he begins to walk away, heart tripping, kicking himself for not being braver.

It’s when his palm is already resting on the door handle that James speaks again. 

“What if you stayed for a few more minutes anyway?”

It’s more of a dare than a question, and something deep in Regulus’s soul jolts with it. He turns again, meeting James’s eyes. “What if I did?” he whispers, challenging him back.

This time, when James steps toward him, pressing their bodies together, he doesn’t move away. Instead, he reaches for him, tangling fingers in messy hair and gasping when their lips meet, his eyes fluttering shut and rolling back with the perfect sensation he’s been hating himself for imagining for weeks.

Thank Merlin he doesn’t actually have an early class tomorrow.

health - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 414

Regulus is furious with himself as he scrawls the quick note, handing it to his owl and faceplanting back into bed. Fuck illnesses. Of course, the first time he gets sick in over a year is the day of his first date with James Potter. The date he’s secretly been looking forward to for ages even as he plays it cool every time Potter brings it up. Cancelling now is devastating–what if Potter thinks he actually doesn’t want to go? That he’s making excuses?

Groaning and fighting against the chills of his fever and the waves of nausea gripping his stomach, he curses whoever gave him this illness, then wrenches his bedcurtains closed and tries to find some fitful sleep.

It’s a few hours of shivering and pain later when the room to his dorm opens. It’s probably Barty and Evan, home early from Hogsmeade, though it’s odd that they’re being so quiet. Neither are very compassionate people, so Regulus can’t resist the urge to peek out of his curtains a bit and check to see if one or both has been Confounded or is being held at wandpoint.

Instead, he finds himself making eye contact with James Potter.

“Er…hi, Reg,” James says sheepishly, holding up a container of something and shifting from foot to foot.

It’s Regulus’s first thought that he hasn’t brushed his hair in over 12 hours. And he’s in his pajamas. “Potter?” he demands, absolutely aghast.

“I hope it’s okay…I brought you some food,” the other boy whispers, making Regulus want to melt.

“You snuck into my dorm…to bring me food?” Regulus repeats dumbly, the haze of his fever not helping with his listening comprehension skills. “Why?”

A fond smile graces James’s face. “You’re sick, Reg. I care about your health, not just taking you on a date.”

And he is sick. He’s sick and freezing and Potter looks so warm in his damn Gryffindor jumper. That’s why Regulus says what comes from his mouth next. No other reason. “Enough to help me get warm?”

He’d meant for Potter to grab him another blanket. To maybe tuck him in with it. But as he finds himself pulled into the Gryffindor’s arms, cradled against his chest, he can’t find it in himself to care. “You’re going to get sick,” he murmurs, pretending to resist even as he sinks farther into the warm embrace.

“Worth it. Best first date I’ve ever had,” James mumbles in his ear.

Finally, he feels himself relax.

pretend - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 298

“Hey, Reggie!”

James’s greetings were always eager–bright, excited, like Regulus was the best part of his day. Perhaps he was, but if that was true, Regulus sort of felt bad for him.

“Potter,” he said back as he joined the taller boy in the corridor–clipped, frowning, no emotion. Hardly any eye contact, even.

But James didn’t let him get away with that. One arm wrapping around his waist, the other moving to cup Regulus’s face in a way that he half-thought was far too intimate for a location where anyone could see them, he pulled the Slytherin close and beamed. “When’re you going to stop pretending you’re not happy to see me, hm?”

This question struck Regulus. Was he really that aloof? Did James really think he was upset to see him? He wrinkled his nose. But actually betraying his happiness, his relief at seeing James Potter in his line of vision seemed so…vulnerable.

Of course, the older boy knew. “Let’s try this again,” he said, his smile softer now. “I’m going to say, ‘Hi, Reggie, it’s fantastic to see you. I’ve been excited to see you smile all day.’ And you’re going to say, ‘Hi, James. I missed you.’ Simple enough?”

Face red, eyes low, jaw set as he tried to stop himself from protesting, Regulus jerked his head in agreement, feeling horribly stupid.

But as James gave him a jaw-dropping smile and murmured softly, truth ringing for every syllable, “Hi, Reggie, it’s fantastic to see you. I’ve been excited to see you smile all day,” Regulus couldn’t help but allow his lips to twitch upward.

“Hey, James,” he replied, still fighting a grin, “I missed you.” It was sickeningly true.

The older boy laughed and pulled him into a hug. “I know,” he said smugly.

“Prick.”

tree - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 280

“What the fuck is this?” James demanded, brandishing a piece of paper and waving it in Marlene McKinnon’s face.

She looked at him calmly. “That’s a piece of parchment, Potter.”

Sirius, who was in the middle of painting Marlene’s nails, chuckled. 

“No, the practice schedule! You changed it! Why–?”

Interrupting him, she let out a scoff. “Why? Because you can’t practice anytime the Slytherin team is nearby! I only had so many choices for slots once I ruled out anytime before, during, or after their practices!”

Now James was red, but he seemed determined to continue the argument. “Not true,” he insisted, crossing his arms. “I am an athlete, McKinnon, I don’t get distracted like that. See, this is why I should have been made Captain, because I obviously know what’s best for the team!”

“And what’s best for the team is to have their best Chaser flying into trees every practice because he’s ogling the Slytherin Seeker?” she retorted lightly, raising an eyebrow.

James didn’t seem to have a reply to that. Instead, he just stood in front of her gaping like a fish. Meanwhile, Sirius started roaring with laughter, nearly upending the bottle of nail varnish he was holding. “A tree? Prongs, is that why you have bruises? You told me you got hit by a Bludger! Fuck, I can’t wait to tell Reg!”

The spluttering Gryffindor seemed to realize he wasn’t going to win this one. “I–that’s not–I just–shit!” he muttered, looking like he was about to throw a tantrum. But slowly, he deflated. “Fine! See you at practice,” James mumbled, slinking away.

Marlene and Sirius just continued to laugh and laugh, tears rolling down their faces.

together - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 227

“So….you’re really together, then?” Sirius asked numbly, eyes glued to Regulus and James’s clasped hands.

The two boys exchanged nervous glances, then James nodded, wondering if it would be a good idea to start running now. “Yeah,” he said a bit shakily. “Yeah, we are. I…like him, Pads. A lot.”

“Are you sure it’s not a prank?” Sirius wheedled, like maybe this would all go away. James winced.

“You actually think Potter would convince me to go along with one of your stupid pranks?” Regulus deadpanned, grimacing. “Absolutely not.”

Sirius frowned, like that much made sense. “No, yeah, that’s…” But he was still staring , eyebrows furrowed, like he couldn’t quite figure something out.

“D’you…have questions?” James asked timidly, because he really wanted to know if Sirius was mad.

“Well, yeah!” Sirius burst out loudly, throwing his hands in the air. James shrank back, expecting the worst, but surprisingly, Sirius turned to his brother. “Reg! You really chose him?”

Without thinking about it, James’s mouth fell open and he yelled, offended, “Oi!”

Regulus, however, began to grin. He nodded towards Sirius and shrugged like he couldn’t quite believe it either. “Mad, right?”

“I thought I was supposed to be the mental one!” Sirius agreed fervently.

But even as James continued to push against the brothers’ teasing, he couldn’t help but grin: thank Merlin, it would be alright.

hat - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 341

“Erm…my mum sent you something,” James said awkwardly, shifting from one foot to another as he looked down at Regulus, as if nervous that the shorter boy would run away.

Regulus’s heart skipped a beat. What on earth could Euphemia Potter possibly be sending him in the owl post? “What?” he demanded, a little too harshly. 

Still looking like he was approaching a very skittish kitten and not a human, James slowly reached into his pocket and withdrew a small gift.

“We said no presents,” Regulus muttered quickly, before thinking. 

They had. It’d been a rule Regulus was quick to set around the holidays, knowing that James would spoil him, knowing that the Gryffindor would make this seem far too real by giving him something terribly, achingly sentimental. He wouldn’t have been able to bear it. Especially since he never would have been capable of returning the gesture–it would have broken him and shattered his willpower.

James just smirked wryly. “You haven’t met my mum. If she finds out I didn’t put this in your hands, there’ll be hell to pay. Open it or don’t, but I’m not going to be the one to tell her no.”

So, a bit weary, Regulus took the lump gift and tore hesitantly at the paper, unable to fathom what Euphemia Potter might give him as a Christmas gift.

His hissed inhale echoed off of the walls in the empty classroom.

It was a hat.

It wasn’t special. One color, with a little bauble on top, dark green and soft. But it was unmistakably handmade, without a hint of magic.

It made Regulus want to cry. So he bit his lip, frowned, and shoved it in his pocket. “Tell her thanks,” he muttered, turning away from James without another word.

That year for Christmas he received hundreds of galleons’ worth of gifts. Expensive clothing and jewelry with his family’s crest, beautiful quills and books about wizarding history. 

None of it was personal.

None of it was handmade.

At the end of the day, he wept.

piece - jegulus -  @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 400

Regulus had noticed the boy around school. 

Fifteen and sullen, Theo Luqman tended to keep his head down, even in the comfort of the Slytherin Common Room. But Regulus knew, because he recognized the signs, that it wasn’t just shyness. 

He also knew that Luqman’s parents were ambitious. They were cruel, and desperately wanted Walburga and Orion’s favor…which said a lot.

He saw Luqman’s haunted expressions when they returned from breaks. He recognized the way he flinched and grimaced and looked down his nose at others but held fear in his eyes. His heart broke when the muscle memory flooded back as he saw Luqman keeping physical and emotional distance from others, looking terrified to give even a hint of his emotions.

He also saw Castor Grady, the irritatingly bright Gryffindor, approach him. He saw Grady fight to extract smiles from Luqman’s sunken face and he winced when Luqman constantly held him at an arm’s length.

And maybe it was because Regulus was in his seventh year now and he had some distance, or maybe he was just a bloody good person now, but he decided to say something.

“Luqman?” he called to the younger Slytherin one day, after watching him again tell Grady to fuck off.

The shorter boy looked up, lip curling in automatic, defensive disgust.

Regulus ignored it. “I know I have no reason to give you a piece of advice but…you really ought to give him a chance,” he said lightly, gesturing to Grady’s retreating back.

Luqman suddenly looked terrified. “I don’t know what you think you kn–”

“I know that if I hadn’t given my ridiculously annoying, infuriatingly happy Gryffindor a chance, I’d probably be dead right now,” he said bluntly, no emotion in his tone. It was the truth, and he felt like he needed to share it. 

Now Luqman was gaping at him, obviously caught off-guard. 

Regulus sighed, pursing his lips, trying to find words. “Look. You don’t have to marry him. Just give him a chance. He might teach you something, alright?” he said a bit impatiently, uncomfortable with emotions.

Clearly shocked that this was where their conversation had landed, Luqman nodded.

“Good.”

Feeling like he’d done his good deed for the day, Regulus headed to the Owlery to write to his boyfriend.

The next time he saw Grady and Luqman together…Luqman had the slightest hint of a smile on his face.

before - jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 325

“I love you, you know,” James mumbled into Regulus’s hair, causing his stomach to drop.

“I…thank you,” he murmured, eyes cast downward, shame cutting off his air supply.

Thirty-two. That was the thirty-second time James had said it, only for Regulus to be unable to respond in kind.

It wasn’t that he didn’t feel the same way. He’d told James that, the first time. It was just…the concept of love was difficult. In his life, it’d come with such constricting expectations and devastating pain. The truth was, he was terrified. Not that he could fully express that. 

So he stood in James’s arms, the silence of the room ringing in his ears as he fought the urge to run or scream or lash out, his whole body rigid. 

Of course, the older boy knew something was wrong. “Love. Talk to me,” he whispered, bringing Regulus back from his fretting.

He pulled back and crossed his arms, turning away. “How many times will you say that before you give up?” he demanded, voice brittle and harsh, tone accusing. He didn’t mean to sound so cruel, but Salazar, the defensiveness was eating at him.

The fear only doubled when James didn’t answer or reassure right away. Instead he paused. “Hm. What d’you think is the most times it’ll take you to be able to say it back?”

Now Regulus was stunned, and a little offended. “I…Potter, it’s not–” he stammered, meeting James’s eyes in fury. “It could be a bloody million, I don’t–” he began, throwing his hands up in the air.

But James cut him off. “A million and one, then,” he said decisively, slowly reaching for Regulus again.

He felt the anxiety and anger slowly leave. “A…oh…” he mumbled, understanding. 

The taller boy smiled softly. “I love you, Regulus. Like really love you. That means I’m not going anywhere. Promise.”

He melted, resting his head back on James’s chest. He was starting to believe him.

flight - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 216

“Brought you a present.”

Regulus’s lofty, teasing voice made James smile before his mind even fully registered that the younger boy had found him at the top of the Astronomy Tower. Turning with a grin, he found himself drowning in silver eyes. “Hey,” he murmured, the shake in his voice betraying his excitement.

“Potter,” Regulus said with a small upward flick of his lips, walking to stop right in front of him.

“You played brilliantly today,” James said honestly, still blown away by how Regulus had looked while in flight. “Kicked arse.”

“Kicked your arse,” Regulus replied smugly, clearly happy with the Slytherin win against Gryffindor in the Quidditch match. 

“Unfortunately. You said you had something for me?” James asked, one of his hands finding Regulus’s hip.

“Hm.” Reaching into his pocket, the Slytherin pulled out the game-winning Golden Snitch, depositing it into James’s palm with a snarky smile. “This way your team might win the next one.”

Letting out a laugh of shock and surprise, James shoved his shoulder lightly, then pulled him into a kiss. “Thanks, love,” he said softly, putting the Snitch in his pocket. “I’ll be sure to keep it forever.”

He said it jokingly, but for every game from then on, he kept the Snitch in his pocket for good luck.