Marauders Rare Pairs ♦ Fic: The Hard Way, Part I
Title: The Hard Way
Author: deathlydragon
Pairing: James/Regulus
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 10.433
Prompt: #69: dirty little secret
Warnings: Dub-con, underage.
Summary: James is frustrated with his life - especially with his love life. Regulus Black turns out to be a great distraction.
Author's Notes: The story takes place during James’s sixth and Regulus fifth year. Hope you enjoy it! I’d really like to thank L. for the beta!
With full force, James slammed the bat against the Bludger. The loud bang reminded him of a skull breaking. James would rather break skulls at the moment. Grimly, he watched the black ball disappearing in the distance, turning and aiming at him once again. He reached back, and with the bat positioned over his shoulder, he waited.
The Quidditch pitch was deserted. No team held practices at the moment, so it was the perfect opportunity for James to get rid of a dozen packets of aggression that a lot of people sent him today. The largest was of course a gift from Lily Evans.
“Bloody bitch!” James hit the Bludger again, like he wanted to hit Lily Evans, like she had hit his heart, and positioned to beat off the next stubborn attack of the stupid ball. It got more aggressive with every hit.
“Having a bad day?”
James turned to the voice that dared to annoy him in the very wrong moment. He was surprised to find Regulus Black standing behind him. Sirius’ younger brother held his broomstick in one hand and a small golden ball in the other. His forced emotionless expression deserved a hit with the bat James had borrowed.
“What the - ouch!” The Bludger had sneakily taken the chance to hit James in the back. The collision threw James on the ground, and the Bludger was able to hit him again, almost breaking his spine in the progress.
“Oh, dear…” Regulus lunged out and threw himself at the Bludger but also on James’s hurt back. The pain nailed James onto the ground, even when Regulus got up with the Bludger struggling to get out of his tight grip. Regulus carried the ball over to a wooden box and locked it away.
“What was that about? I thought you’re a Chaser, Potter.” Regulus came back to crouch down next to James. He touched the small of James’s back.
“Ouch…” James moaned and pressed his face in the short grass. As if he had not lost enough of his dignity today, he was now saved by a bloody Slytherin, and not just any Slytherin, but the brother of his best friend.
It might be his lucky day.
“Let me guess… anger management training?” Regulus rolled James’s robe up to examine the injury. His hands were cold as usual, and an ice bag was exactly what James needed at the moment. He moaned again.
“The entire school’s talking about Lily Evans turning you down. That’s worth an ‘ouch’ as well.” Regulus pressed his palm on James’s spine, as if he wanted to hurt him on purpose. “Madam Pomfrey should take a look at this.”
“Fuck you,” James groaned. “I don’t need some incapable medi-witch to tell me I should be more careful. I’m James Potter. I can heal my own bruises.”
“Can I watch you trying to reach that spot?”
James flashed a warning look over his shoulder. Regulus’ face stayed blank as always, although James thought he saw a soft blush on the pale cheeks as Regulus rolled James’s robe down again to cover his naked skin.
“Why do you keep disgracing yourself in front of her?” Regulus asked. “If you were in Slytherin, she’d go out with you. She’s got a thing for Slytherins.”
“Fuck you, Black.”
Regulus rolled his eyes and got back to his feet. He left James lying in his self-pity on the ground and picked up his broom. The Snitch had escaped his hand and sight when he had come to James’s rescue.
“What’re you doing here all by yourself, anyway?” James asked, watching Regulus leap onto his broom. He was a good flyer, very elegant and focused on his task. Much better than Gryffindor’s new Seeker, but not as good as James was on this position. Too bad being a Seeker was so boring, yet so important. James would gladly sign a petition to get rid of the Seeker and just install a clock to end the game.
“The pitch’s available today,” Regulus said. “Except for that seething Gryffindor close to explosion. I’m allowed to search my Snitch, which actually escaped me because of you.”
James jumped to his feet, a smooth motion that sent arrows of pain through his body, but he was too proud to show that, instead he increased the pain when he stretched pointedly unaffected.
“I’ll help you,” he offered generously.
Regulus did not look too keen on that.
“I need the distraction,” James explained. “And you get free training with the best Quidditch player at Hogwarts. We both have something from it.”
“I’m a better Seeker than you could ever be,” Regulus replied coldly.
“Bet on it?” James Summoned his broom and hopped on it when it was still flying. He knew it looked cool, but it was not worth the pain.
Regulus’ always straight mouth twitched. “Alright. Always love scratching your ego, Potter.” And he kicked off from the ground, closely followed by James.
*
“That was surprisingly lots of fun,” James said as they landed on the ground, the Snitch finally stopping to struggle out of Regulus’ hand. “I hope you’re not insulted that I’ve let you win.”
Regulus stowed the Snitch in the chest pocket of his robe. “I’m insulted that you don’t possess enough brain to excuse your loss with your injury.”
James casually supported his weight by leaning on his broomstick. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Not a single muscle in Regulus’ face twitched as he rolled his eyes, cold as always. He headed for the locker rooms.
“Hey.” James ignored the throbbing pain in his back and caught up to Regulus, not only to block his way but to grab his arm. Regulus stared at him, as if James just pulled out his wand and not only touched him. His grey eyes looked more appealing the larger they grew. James grinned. “It really was fun. Thanks for the distraction.”
Regulus’ expression turned back to the common emotionless mask. Because James would love to see his huge eyes again and already had one hand on Regulus’ arm, he pulled him against his chest and hugged him.
“You’re alright, mate. If you were in Gryffindor, we’d be friends.”
“Thanks.” Regulus patted James’s back, so low that he caught the bruise and made James crouch in pain. His face was not blank anymore, but so full of malice that James would have nearly missed the red spots on Regulus’ cheeks. “See you around, Potter.”
James watched Regulus hurrying from the pitch, a young naïve Slytherin, who had spent way too much time around his Gryffindor brother and apparently James Potter.
“I’ll show you that not only a slug could fall in love with me, Evans…” James flung his broomstick over his shoulder and followed Regulus.
The Slytherin locker rooms were no foreign terrain. He and Sirius had placed their dungbomes here rather than in the Hufflepuff locker rooms. And how could he forget that one winter day when he’d stolen all the Slytherins’ clothes while they were showering? Watching them hurry back to the castles in nothing but towels was a pleasant enough memory to produce a patronus.
James left his broomstick next to Regulus’ and made his way towards the showers. The sound of running water greeted him when he reached the door. Cautiously, he pushed the door a crack open and peered into the room.
Regulus was right in front of him, innocently soaping his body. A nice, slender body. His shoulders were not as broad as Sirius’, but well-toned. And his skin was so pale that it seemed like he had never seen the sun in his entire life. Perfectly flawless skin…
For a brief moment, James wondered if it was normal that this sight made his mouth go dry, then he realised that he had no time to think about anything. He needed to prove Lily Evans wrong.
“Hey.” James made Regulus jump around and instinctively throw his soap. It was almost too slippery to catch, but James managed to grab it. He smirked. Regulus’ face twisted into a weird mixture of surprise and respect. James threw the soap back at Regulus.
“P-Potter?” His normal composure was apparently hiding in the pile of clothes outside in the locker room. Regulus searched for a towel, but the only ones were lying in the shelf right next to James. He turned his back to James, as if this would protect him from the piercing look. “You are aware of the fact that I’m not wearing anything?”
James wanted to enjoy the pale skin taking a dark red tone when his glasses started fogging up. Sometimes, he hated those portable windows. “Don’t worry. You don’t have anything to hide. Uhm… I wanted to ask you a favour.” Without giving Regulus the time to collect himself, James strutted forward and pulled his robe over his head. “Could you take care of that bruise?”
Under Regulus’ raised eyebrow, James pulled a small stool in the middle of the room and sat on it, his back facing Regulus. He was still wearing his boxers, shoes and socks deliberately abandoned at the entrance of the shower.
“I think I could,” Regulus said, and sadly, he walked over to the shelf, his back always turned to James, and grabbed a towel. “But why would I do that?”
“Remember that one time when all your clothes disappeared? It was my idea to leave yours here,” James said and winked. It was a brazen lie, because Sirius had threatened to use his supernatural charisma to steal Lily Evans from him if he ever dared to humiliate Regulus. The mystery of brotherly relationships was something James would never understand.
“It was?” Regulus also took his wand from the shelf and came back to James. By now, James had wiped over his glasses and could take in the sight of Regulus’ blush spreading down to his chest. “It’s not the fact that your back hurts, and your ego is so big that it prevents you to enter the hospital wing?”
“Oh, Black. Why not consider even more absurd options? Maybe I just wanted to take a good look at your backside.” And what a nice backside it was. Boys were not allowed to have such intimidating effects on him. Considering that he had already found the perfect woman it was no wonder that he was searching for a male equivalent outside his mirror.
“I don’t know how to heal this. Looks too… disgusting,” Regulus said. He disappointed James. This was the perfect opportunity to flirt with him, and poor Regulus was too focused on pretending he would not like James.
“Tip your wand at the injury and say ‘episkey’. A simple bruise should vanish within a split second.” James felt Regulus’ ice-cold and wet fingers on his back. The shower was running and the wetness and warmth made the air too thick to breathe properly.
“Episkey.” The tip of Regulus’ wand poked into James’s spine, certainly trying to elicit some more pain before the injury disappeared with a prickling sensation. James did not offer the courtesy of another painful moan. Instead he looked over his shoulder and grinned at Regulus.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Regulus moved to turn around, so James caught his wrist and held him back. He pulled Regulus down to him.
“No, really.” James placed his hand on Regulus’ neck when they were so close to feel the other breathing. “Thank you.”
Regulus jerked away. “What’re you doing?”
“Come on.” James followed Regulus, who moved back against a wall like a fawn trying to escape the predator. The stream of the shower soaked Regulus’ towel and dragged it lower. Regulus was too busy trying to keep the towel from slipping down to shove James away as he supported his weight next to Regulus’ face on the wall. James removed the wand from Regulus’ trembling fingers. “I’ve seen you looking at me.”
Regulus only briefly looked James in the eyes, then his gaze drifted to James’s mouth. “Then you need new glasses.”
“Then why aren’t you pushing me away?” James smirked as he left Regulus speechless. He leant closer, waiting another torturous moment before he kissed Regulus.
It worked much better than trying to kiss Lily Evans. Regulus’ mouth opened hesitantly but willingly under James’s lips. He even touched James without attempting to shove him away. His fingers wandered over James’s arms to his back and started to wrap around him. James took that as an invitation to draw Regulus closer.
Regulus was a few inches smaller than him and fitted perfectly against James’s chest. The only thing in the way was that annoying towel. James reached for the wet fabric and suddenly, he was only kissing air.
Regulus had jumped back against the wall and again turned his back to James. He crouched a little, obviously trying to hide how James made him feel, but the lust was obvious in his expression and underneath the strained towel.
James grinned. This was almost going too well.
He embraced Regulus from behind and let his hand travel down and back to the towel.
“P-Potter, you shouldn’t -”
“I only want to thank you properly,” James rasped into Regulus’ ear, feeling a shudder going through the body he was holding. “For being such a good Slytherin…”
“I don’t want -”
“You do.” James proved his point and ripped the towel away. He found Regulus’ cock almost fully hard and took it in his hand. Regulus squirmed in embarrassment. James did not feel discouraged by this reaction, since Regulus made no move to get away from him. “I’ve seen you looking at me out there. You missed the Snitch twice because you were looking at me. And the way you stretched on your broom, with that wood between your thighs. Don’t tell me you didn’t want me to see that.”
The water pattered down on them and streamed over Regulus’ tensed shoulders. James kissed his neck, moved closer and pressed tightly against Regulus’ backside. Regulus leant his forehead against the wall. He moaned softly as James gave his cock a determined stroke from the root to the tip, and more gasps escaped him as James’s hand picked up speed. The noises sent waves of arousal through James’s body. He was harder than he’d ever been in his life, and slowly started to move up against Regulus, seeking friction for his own cock. Frantically, he pushed up between Regulus’ cheeks.
Regulus came with a soft cry that echoed from the shower walls. His release was washed from James’s hand in a few seconds. Panting heavily, Regulus supported his weight on the wall. James slammed him hard against the tiles, spurred on by the urge to quickly follow Regulus’ orgasm.
He lost once more against Regulus, because ruining his boxers was not as hot as clinging to the wall, still trembling from the hot waves of climax. Then again, the sight of Regulus, wet, out of breath and wearing nothing but soap, was a prize only a winner would get.
“Thanks again,” James said breathlessly. “Brilliant distraction, Black.” He turned Regulus’ head around to kiss him goodbye.
*
Sirius was James’s best friend since they first laid eyes on each other in the Hogwarts Express. He knew when something was off. And lately, James was behaving strangely. His failing attempts to court Lily Evans, despite her ended friendship with Snivellus, did not seem to pull him down as usual. Her latest rejection to attend Slughorn’s Christmas Party with him had not sent him straight to the Quidditch pitch with a borrowed Beater bat. He sat right next to Sirius in the Great Hall, busy scoffing eggs and bacon.
“You… uhm, want to hex Slytherins? Or Bertram Aubrey? Make fun of Gudgeon’s eye patch?” Sirius asked, brow knitted in confusion.
James declined all these brilliant offers by shaking his head.
Sirius shrugged. It had to happen that James stopped taking every rejection so seriously, and it was better for him. James was so sensitive when it came to Lily Evans. Sirius would not call himself James’s best friend if he had not noticed the heart breaking under the arrogant façade again and again.
“Hi.”
Sirius turned around to the source of the voice, grinning brightly at Regulus’ sight. He loved that Regulus finally realised that they were still brothers, even with Sirius’ name being nothing but a brand mark on the family tree.
“Hey, Reggie! How’s it -”
“Potter, I’d like to know if you’re planning to attend Professor Slughorn’s party.”
Sirius was shocked that his brother completely ignored him. He looked at James for help.
“Don’t think so,” James muttered and shoved a huge pile of eggs in his mouth. “Hate those parties.”
Regulus’ expression darkened. “Alright, I get it,” he said and disappeared as quickly as he’d appeared.
Sirius frowned. “What was that about?”
“What do I know? He’s your brother,” James said, munching.
“Yeah, and if you fuck with him, I’m so going to kill you.”
James spluttered his food over the entire table, showering Peter with eggs and bacon. Sirius’ frown deepened.
*
Slughorn’s party was annoying as always. The food was awful, the punch lacked alcohol, and the guests were greasier than Snivellus’s hair. James did not know why he had allowed Sirius to drag him along until he discovered Regulus at the buffet.
He looked absolutely gorgeous in his midnight-blue dress robes and with his black hair shining, as if the silver moonlight reached him through countless layers of stone. James’s mouth was drying once again. He needed a drink, and Regulus was coincidentally standing next to the punch.
“Hey, there.” James had crept up to Regulus and breathed the words into his ear. He noticed the hairs in Regulus’ neck shooting upwards, but Regulus clung to his pride and pretended not to be effected by James’s presence.
“Potter. I thought you didn’t want to come.”
“I didn’t know such a titbit would wait for me.” James’s voice was laden with lust, and he inhaled deeply, breathing in Regulus’ scent. He smelled better than freshly soaped in the shower, if that was even possible. A fresh, intensive scent with a hint of citrus. “You look good enough to eat.”
“And you could’ve at least tried to comb your hair.” Since Regulus was still not turning around, it was now obvious that he had watched James before. “So, where’s your date?”
“Dragged away by Old Sluggy.”
Regulus looked around and seemed confused to find Sirius forced to talk to Professor Slughorn and a guest about whom James did not care at all. He cared too much about Regulus’ magnificent eyes that focused on him. Regulus’ eyes were incredibly beautiful, like a thousand crystals that had consolidated to the purest grey James had ever seen.
“I assume you don’t have a date,” James said.
“The one I wanted was unavailable.”
“How can anyone be unavailable for you?”
Regulus wanted to laugh, and as always he pressed his lips together rather than gifting James a simple smile. “Did you just throw one of the pick-up lines from your Evans-repertoire at me?”
“Hey, I’m just trying to get a drink. Do you mind getting me one?” James grinned contently when Regulus filled him a glass with punch. He nipped at the glass and licked his lips. The quick flick of his tongue made Regulus gulp so hard that James gave him the glass back. “Need a sip?”
Regulus took James’s glass and emptied it, then put it back on the counter behind him. “What is this about, Potter? You made quite clear you weren’t interested in spending time with me tonight.”
“You asked me with your big brother sitting right next to me, Black. At the moment, Sirius is too busy not slipping on anyone’s trail of slime.” James lifted his hand to Regulus’ temple and stroked a strand of sleek black hair away. “I might be interested in spending time with you now.”
Regulus’ eyes shifted to the side, but they did not focus on Sirius, instead found the only one in this room overshining him. Lily Evans stood on the other side of the room and tried to escape Snape and his unimaginative apologies. James could tell what Regulus was thinking.
“The only one in need of distraction is you, apparently.” James left Regulus at the buffet and slowly made his way through the crowd to the exit. He would have bet the entire content of his parents’ vault that Regulus had followed him, and three steps out in the corridor, someone grabbed his sleeve. The widening grin was hard to suppress, but James managed it and turned with a simple questioning expression around.
Regulus avoided his eyes. “The party is so boring that I need a distraction from it.”
James did not waste another second and pulled Regulus with him. The corridor was deserted but filled with the music from Slughorn’s office. When they reached the door of the Potions classroom at the other end, only a soft drumming was still audible. James hastily checked for some lost students before he shoved Regulus into the Potions classroom. He followed him and locked the door behind them.
“Here?” was the only word Regulus managed before James sealed his lips in a hungry kiss. He framed Regulus’ face and forced him backwards until they bumped into a table. The collision drew a surprised noise from Regulus’ lips and loosened their tight barrier. James’s tongue immediately swept forward and devoured Regulus’ delicious mouth. He tasted like the punch, yet better.
During the last days, James had spent more nights imagining pining Regulus down on a table than doing the same with Lily Evans. The realisation that he did not have to waste dreams with Regulus but could have him in reality whenever he wanted came far too late. Like this, his dreams could stay reserved for Lily Evans.
Regulus let out a small whimper. He wrapped one arm around James’s back and dug his fingers into James’s dress robes, searching for something to hold onto. Their grinding against each other shoved Regulus higher on the table, and some forgotten vials clinked under the jerky movements.
James fumbled for the buttons of Regulus’ robe. The midnight blue fabric was soft and looked extremely good on Regulus’ perfect body, but without anything hiding his flawlessness, he looked even better. When he discovered another annoying layer of fabric under the buttons, James growled in frustration. He abandoned Regulus’ wanton mouth.
“Turn around.”
Regulus’ eyes widened. The grey seemed darker, and for the glimpse of a second, James was reminded of Sirius’ eyes. The thought of his best friend was not wanted, and James shook his head to get rid of it. By the time he freed his head again, Regulus had hesitantly gotten to his feet and turned around. James rammed him against the table and pressed Regulus’ torso on the wood, simultaneously fumbling for the seam of the dress robe with his free hand. He pulled the robe over Regulus’ backside and yanked his underwear down.
“Gorgeous.” James kneeled down and breathed a kiss on the firm, round cheek. He ran his hands from the narrow hips over the slim thighs and up again, getting back to his feet.
Regulus looked at him over his shoulder, visible question marks in his eyes, layered with curiosity. James leant over Regulus, burying him under his body as he reached for one of the vials that stood dangerously close near the edge of the table. He uncorked it with his teeth and spit the fastening on the ground.
Regulus watched James sleeking his fingers with the pale yellow potion. “What is this?” he asked.
James smelled at his fingers, pretending he could not tell the potion just by the look of it. “Just a simple elixir to ease pain. I care more for the lubricating effect, at the moment.”
“I don’t think I am re-”
“Oh, you are.” James proved his point by moving his finger between Regulus’ cheeks. Regulus let his head fall back on the table and drowned the low moan that escaped him when James rubbed and circled his hole.
“Alright,” Regulus gasped. “Alright, just… oh!”
James had not waited for permission and eagerly slid his finger into Regulus’ arse. Regulus stiffened a little and clawed to the edge of the table. A tortured grimace defaced him and strained noises of pain made it through his clenched teeth. James did not let that stop him and slid his finger in and out steadily, added a second and eventually a third finger. His body was still half on top of Regulus’, and he felt the tensed muscles relaxing. The noises changed to thrilling moans and sighs.
Filled to the brim with excitement, James withdrew his fingers. Again, Regulus looked over his shoulder, just in the right moment to watch James shedding his own robes. His grey eyes darted to James’s cock and grew larger at the sight.
“Are you going to -”
“Yes, I am.” James positioned himself right behind Regulus and spread his cheeks.
“I - I don’t - ngh…” Regulus bit his lip as James pushed into him. He cautiously made his way forward until he was fully seated and almost losing his mind. It was hard to listen for any painful noises or just watch Regulus’ expression with the foreign heat surrounding him and drawing him farther in.
James closed his eyes, shutting every possible bad conscience out, and started to move his hips. He reached around Regulus and found his cock squeezed in between his body and the table. James wanted to touch it, feel the hardness, like steel hidden under a layer of silk, but the rough movements of his hips kept Regulus on the table. He withdrew his hand and shoved it under Regulus’ robe, rubbing his palm over the small of Regulus’ back in a soothing motion.
Not allowing any new distractions, James slammed into Regulus. He had to concentrate hard not to come right away. The heat inside of Regulus pulled the orgasm out of him after shamefully few thrusts. James moaned loudly, nearly screamed as he came, and collapsed on top of Regulus.
He’d never gone this far before. Only ever imagined how it would be. And he could not allow a Slytherin to see him vulnerable, so he pressed Regulus onto the table a little longer while collecting his composure.
Regulus did not move. He gasped for air with his face red like a tomato. His cheek had rubbed over the table until the wood had left small scratches behind. James took a closer look at Regulus’ body after he released him to get dressed. But Regulus quickly let his robes fall to his ankles, hiding his damaged skin, and sank on the floor.
If he attempted to hide his vulnerability, then he failed completely.
James tapped his wand at the mess Regulus had left on the table and let it vanish. Out of the corner of the eye, he watched Regulus watching him. He felt bad, and on the other side he felt extraordinarily good; in the end he was confused.
The door in his back was tempting, just leaving and never thinking about Regulus’ helpless eyes again. James ended up slumping down next to Regulus, misusing the table as backrest. The distance between them was strangely huge, and Regulus made no move to shorten it.
James doubted that it had been okay. Maybe Regulus had not liked it. Maybe James had hurt him. Maybe there was a bunch of Slytherins waiting for Regulus to tell them everything and laugh at him.
James hated to feel this way.
“Hey…” Regulus’ voice was hoarse, but still capable to give James every tottering bit of his conscience back.
James smiled. “Hey.” He cupped Regulus’ blushing cheek and felt muscles trying to twitch into a smile.
“You’re not telling anyone… about this,” Regulus said, too serious to ever let a smile happen. “Okay?”
James realised that this fear made sense, giving his reputation to use every opportunity to make fun of Slytherins. But Regulus did not feel like a Slytherin. Primarily, he was Sirius’ brother. And he was hot like a boiling cauldron.
“I’d only have good things to say,” James began, but quickly added, “I won’t tell anyone, if you don’t tell Sirius.”
“Only Sirius?”
“Only Sirius.”
Regulus was confused, although he seemed to like the idea that James gave him more space to interact. Maybe it was not a good idea, but it allowed him to put his arm around Regulus and kiss him again.
And maybe it was not a good idea to get addicted to Regulus’ lips…
...continue to Part II
Author: deathlydragon
Pairing: James/Regulus
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 10.433
Prompt: #69: dirty little secret
Warnings: Dub-con, underage.
Summary: James is frustrated with his life - especially with his love life. Regulus Black turns out to be a great distraction.
Author's Notes: The story takes place during James’s sixth and Regulus fifth year. Hope you enjoy it! I’d really like to thank L. for the beta!
With full force, James slammed the bat against the Bludger. The loud bang reminded him of a skull breaking. James would rather break skulls at the moment. Grimly, he watched the black ball disappearing in the distance, turning and aiming at him once again. He reached back, and with the bat positioned over his shoulder, he waited.
The Quidditch pitch was deserted. No team held practices at the moment, so it was the perfect opportunity for James to get rid of a dozen packets of aggression that a lot of people sent him today. The largest was of course a gift from Lily Evans.
“Bloody bitch!” James hit the Bludger again, like he wanted to hit Lily Evans, like she had hit his heart, and positioned to beat off the next stubborn attack of the stupid ball. It got more aggressive with every hit.
“Having a bad day?”
James turned to the voice that dared to annoy him in the very wrong moment. He was surprised to find Regulus Black standing behind him. Sirius’ younger brother held his broomstick in one hand and a small golden ball in the other. His forced emotionless expression deserved a hit with the bat James had borrowed.
“What the - ouch!” The Bludger had sneakily taken the chance to hit James in the back. The collision threw James on the ground, and the Bludger was able to hit him again, almost breaking his spine in the progress.
“Oh, dear…” Regulus lunged out and threw himself at the Bludger but also on James’s hurt back. The pain nailed James onto the ground, even when Regulus got up with the Bludger struggling to get out of his tight grip. Regulus carried the ball over to a wooden box and locked it away.
“What was that about? I thought you’re a Chaser, Potter.” Regulus came back to crouch down next to James. He touched the small of James’s back.
“Ouch…” James moaned and pressed his face in the short grass. As if he had not lost enough of his dignity today, he was now saved by a bloody Slytherin, and not just any Slytherin, but the brother of his best friend.
It might be his lucky day.
“Let me guess… anger management training?” Regulus rolled James’s robe up to examine the injury. His hands were cold as usual, and an ice bag was exactly what James needed at the moment. He moaned again.
“The entire school’s talking about Lily Evans turning you down. That’s worth an ‘ouch’ as well.” Regulus pressed his palm on James’s spine, as if he wanted to hurt him on purpose. “Madam Pomfrey should take a look at this.”
“Fuck you,” James groaned. “I don’t need some incapable medi-witch to tell me I should be more careful. I’m James Potter. I can heal my own bruises.”
“Can I watch you trying to reach that spot?”
James flashed a warning look over his shoulder. Regulus’ face stayed blank as always, although James thought he saw a soft blush on the pale cheeks as Regulus rolled James’s robe down again to cover his naked skin.
“Why do you keep disgracing yourself in front of her?” Regulus asked. “If you were in Slytherin, she’d go out with you. She’s got a thing for Slytherins.”
“Fuck you, Black.”
Regulus rolled his eyes and got back to his feet. He left James lying in his self-pity on the ground and picked up his broom. The Snitch had escaped his hand and sight when he had come to James’s rescue.
“What’re you doing here all by yourself, anyway?” James asked, watching Regulus leap onto his broom. He was a good flyer, very elegant and focused on his task. Much better than Gryffindor’s new Seeker, but not as good as James was on this position. Too bad being a Seeker was so boring, yet so important. James would gladly sign a petition to get rid of the Seeker and just install a clock to end the game.
“The pitch’s available today,” Regulus said. “Except for that seething Gryffindor close to explosion. I’m allowed to search my Snitch, which actually escaped me because of you.”
James jumped to his feet, a smooth motion that sent arrows of pain through his body, but he was too proud to show that, instead he increased the pain when he stretched pointedly unaffected.
“I’ll help you,” he offered generously.
Regulus did not look too keen on that.
“I need the distraction,” James explained. “And you get free training with the best Quidditch player at Hogwarts. We both have something from it.”
“I’m a better Seeker than you could ever be,” Regulus replied coldly.
“Bet on it?” James Summoned his broom and hopped on it when it was still flying. He knew it looked cool, but it was not worth the pain.
Regulus’ always straight mouth twitched. “Alright. Always love scratching your ego, Potter.” And he kicked off from the ground, closely followed by James.
*
“That was surprisingly lots of fun,” James said as they landed on the ground, the Snitch finally stopping to struggle out of Regulus’ hand. “I hope you’re not insulted that I’ve let you win.”
Regulus stowed the Snitch in the chest pocket of his robe. “I’m insulted that you don’t possess enough brain to excuse your loss with your injury.”
James casually supported his weight by leaning on his broomstick. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Not a single muscle in Regulus’ face twitched as he rolled his eyes, cold as always. He headed for the locker rooms.
“Hey.” James ignored the throbbing pain in his back and caught up to Regulus, not only to block his way but to grab his arm. Regulus stared at him, as if James just pulled out his wand and not only touched him. His grey eyes looked more appealing the larger they grew. James grinned. “It really was fun. Thanks for the distraction.”
Regulus’ expression turned back to the common emotionless mask. Because James would love to see his huge eyes again and already had one hand on Regulus’ arm, he pulled him against his chest and hugged him.
“You’re alright, mate. If you were in Gryffindor, we’d be friends.”
“Thanks.” Regulus patted James’s back, so low that he caught the bruise and made James crouch in pain. His face was not blank anymore, but so full of malice that James would have nearly missed the red spots on Regulus’ cheeks. “See you around, Potter.”
James watched Regulus hurrying from the pitch, a young naïve Slytherin, who had spent way too much time around his Gryffindor brother and apparently James Potter.
“I’ll show you that not only a slug could fall in love with me, Evans…” James flung his broomstick over his shoulder and followed Regulus.
The Slytherin locker rooms were no foreign terrain. He and Sirius had placed their dungbomes here rather than in the Hufflepuff locker rooms. And how could he forget that one winter day when he’d stolen all the Slytherins’ clothes while they were showering? Watching them hurry back to the castles in nothing but towels was a pleasant enough memory to produce a patronus.
James left his broomstick next to Regulus’ and made his way towards the showers. The sound of running water greeted him when he reached the door. Cautiously, he pushed the door a crack open and peered into the room.
Regulus was right in front of him, innocently soaping his body. A nice, slender body. His shoulders were not as broad as Sirius’, but well-toned. And his skin was so pale that it seemed like he had never seen the sun in his entire life. Perfectly flawless skin…
For a brief moment, James wondered if it was normal that this sight made his mouth go dry, then he realised that he had no time to think about anything. He needed to prove Lily Evans wrong.
“Hey.” James made Regulus jump around and instinctively throw his soap. It was almost too slippery to catch, but James managed to grab it. He smirked. Regulus’ face twisted into a weird mixture of surprise and respect. James threw the soap back at Regulus.
“P-Potter?” His normal composure was apparently hiding in the pile of clothes outside in the locker room. Regulus searched for a towel, but the only ones were lying in the shelf right next to James. He turned his back to James, as if this would protect him from the piercing look. “You are aware of the fact that I’m not wearing anything?”
James wanted to enjoy the pale skin taking a dark red tone when his glasses started fogging up. Sometimes, he hated those portable windows. “Don’t worry. You don’t have anything to hide. Uhm… I wanted to ask you a favour.” Without giving Regulus the time to collect himself, James strutted forward and pulled his robe over his head. “Could you take care of that bruise?”
Under Regulus’ raised eyebrow, James pulled a small stool in the middle of the room and sat on it, his back facing Regulus. He was still wearing his boxers, shoes and socks deliberately abandoned at the entrance of the shower.
“I think I could,” Regulus said, and sadly, he walked over to the shelf, his back always turned to James, and grabbed a towel. “But why would I do that?”
“Remember that one time when all your clothes disappeared? It was my idea to leave yours here,” James said and winked. It was a brazen lie, because Sirius had threatened to use his supernatural charisma to steal Lily Evans from him if he ever dared to humiliate Regulus. The mystery of brotherly relationships was something James would never understand.
“It was?” Regulus also took his wand from the shelf and came back to James. By now, James had wiped over his glasses and could take in the sight of Regulus’ blush spreading down to his chest. “It’s not the fact that your back hurts, and your ego is so big that it prevents you to enter the hospital wing?”
“Oh, Black. Why not consider even more absurd options? Maybe I just wanted to take a good look at your backside.” And what a nice backside it was. Boys were not allowed to have such intimidating effects on him. Considering that he had already found the perfect woman it was no wonder that he was searching for a male equivalent outside his mirror.
“I don’t know how to heal this. Looks too… disgusting,” Regulus said. He disappointed James. This was the perfect opportunity to flirt with him, and poor Regulus was too focused on pretending he would not like James.
“Tip your wand at the injury and say ‘episkey’. A simple bruise should vanish within a split second.” James felt Regulus’ ice-cold and wet fingers on his back. The shower was running and the wetness and warmth made the air too thick to breathe properly.
“Episkey.” The tip of Regulus’ wand poked into James’s spine, certainly trying to elicit some more pain before the injury disappeared with a prickling sensation. James did not offer the courtesy of another painful moan. Instead he looked over his shoulder and grinned at Regulus.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Regulus moved to turn around, so James caught his wrist and held him back. He pulled Regulus down to him.
“No, really.” James placed his hand on Regulus’ neck when they were so close to feel the other breathing. “Thank you.”
Regulus jerked away. “What’re you doing?”
“Come on.” James followed Regulus, who moved back against a wall like a fawn trying to escape the predator. The stream of the shower soaked Regulus’ towel and dragged it lower. Regulus was too busy trying to keep the towel from slipping down to shove James away as he supported his weight next to Regulus’ face on the wall. James removed the wand from Regulus’ trembling fingers. “I’ve seen you looking at me.”
Regulus only briefly looked James in the eyes, then his gaze drifted to James’s mouth. “Then you need new glasses.”
“Then why aren’t you pushing me away?” James smirked as he left Regulus speechless. He leant closer, waiting another torturous moment before he kissed Regulus.
It worked much better than trying to kiss Lily Evans. Regulus’ mouth opened hesitantly but willingly under James’s lips. He even touched James without attempting to shove him away. His fingers wandered over James’s arms to his back and started to wrap around him. James took that as an invitation to draw Regulus closer.
Regulus was a few inches smaller than him and fitted perfectly against James’s chest. The only thing in the way was that annoying towel. James reached for the wet fabric and suddenly, he was only kissing air.
Regulus had jumped back against the wall and again turned his back to James. He crouched a little, obviously trying to hide how James made him feel, but the lust was obvious in his expression and underneath the strained towel.
James grinned. This was almost going too well.
He embraced Regulus from behind and let his hand travel down and back to the towel.
“P-Potter, you shouldn’t -”
“I only want to thank you properly,” James rasped into Regulus’ ear, feeling a shudder going through the body he was holding. “For being such a good Slytherin…”
“I don’t want -”
“You do.” James proved his point and ripped the towel away. He found Regulus’ cock almost fully hard and took it in his hand. Regulus squirmed in embarrassment. James did not feel discouraged by this reaction, since Regulus made no move to get away from him. “I’ve seen you looking at me out there. You missed the Snitch twice because you were looking at me. And the way you stretched on your broom, with that wood between your thighs. Don’t tell me you didn’t want me to see that.”
The water pattered down on them and streamed over Regulus’ tensed shoulders. James kissed his neck, moved closer and pressed tightly against Regulus’ backside. Regulus leant his forehead against the wall. He moaned softly as James gave his cock a determined stroke from the root to the tip, and more gasps escaped him as James’s hand picked up speed. The noises sent waves of arousal through James’s body. He was harder than he’d ever been in his life, and slowly started to move up against Regulus, seeking friction for his own cock. Frantically, he pushed up between Regulus’ cheeks.
Regulus came with a soft cry that echoed from the shower walls. His release was washed from James’s hand in a few seconds. Panting heavily, Regulus supported his weight on the wall. James slammed him hard against the tiles, spurred on by the urge to quickly follow Regulus’ orgasm.
He lost once more against Regulus, because ruining his boxers was not as hot as clinging to the wall, still trembling from the hot waves of climax. Then again, the sight of Regulus, wet, out of breath and wearing nothing but soap, was a prize only a winner would get.
“Thanks again,” James said breathlessly. “Brilliant distraction, Black.” He turned Regulus’ head around to kiss him goodbye.
*
Sirius was James’s best friend since they first laid eyes on each other in the Hogwarts Express. He knew when something was off. And lately, James was behaving strangely. His failing attempts to court Lily Evans, despite her ended friendship with Snivellus, did not seem to pull him down as usual. Her latest rejection to attend Slughorn’s Christmas Party with him had not sent him straight to the Quidditch pitch with a borrowed Beater bat. He sat right next to Sirius in the Great Hall, busy scoffing eggs and bacon.
“You… uhm, want to hex Slytherins? Or Bertram Aubrey? Make fun of Gudgeon’s eye patch?” Sirius asked, brow knitted in confusion.
James declined all these brilliant offers by shaking his head.
Sirius shrugged. It had to happen that James stopped taking every rejection so seriously, and it was better for him. James was so sensitive when it came to Lily Evans. Sirius would not call himself James’s best friend if he had not noticed the heart breaking under the arrogant façade again and again.
“Hi.”
Sirius turned around to the source of the voice, grinning brightly at Regulus’ sight. He loved that Regulus finally realised that they were still brothers, even with Sirius’ name being nothing but a brand mark on the family tree.
“Hey, Reggie! How’s it -”
“Potter, I’d like to know if you’re planning to attend Professor Slughorn’s party.”
Sirius was shocked that his brother completely ignored him. He looked at James for help.
“Don’t think so,” James muttered and shoved a huge pile of eggs in his mouth. “Hate those parties.”
Regulus’ expression darkened. “Alright, I get it,” he said and disappeared as quickly as he’d appeared.
Sirius frowned. “What was that about?”
“What do I know? He’s your brother,” James said, munching.
“Yeah, and if you fuck with him, I’m so going to kill you.”
James spluttered his food over the entire table, showering Peter with eggs and bacon. Sirius’ frown deepened.
*
Slughorn’s party was annoying as always. The food was awful, the punch lacked alcohol, and the guests were greasier than Snivellus’s hair. James did not know why he had allowed Sirius to drag him along until he discovered Regulus at the buffet.
He looked absolutely gorgeous in his midnight-blue dress robes and with his black hair shining, as if the silver moonlight reached him through countless layers of stone. James’s mouth was drying once again. He needed a drink, and Regulus was coincidentally standing next to the punch.
“Hey, there.” James had crept up to Regulus and breathed the words into his ear. He noticed the hairs in Regulus’ neck shooting upwards, but Regulus clung to his pride and pretended not to be effected by James’s presence.
“Potter. I thought you didn’t want to come.”
“I didn’t know such a titbit would wait for me.” James’s voice was laden with lust, and he inhaled deeply, breathing in Regulus’ scent. He smelled better than freshly soaped in the shower, if that was even possible. A fresh, intensive scent with a hint of citrus. “You look good enough to eat.”
“And you could’ve at least tried to comb your hair.” Since Regulus was still not turning around, it was now obvious that he had watched James before. “So, where’s your date?”
“Dragged away by Old Sluggy.”
Regulus looked around and seemed confused to find Sirius forced to talk to Professor Slughorn and a guest about whom James did not care at all. He cared too much about Regulus’ magnificent eyes that focused on him. Regulus’ eyes were incredibly beautiful, like a thousand crystals that had consolidated to the purest grey James had ever seen.
“I assume you don’t have a date,” James said.
“The one I wanted was unavailable.”
“How can anyone be unavailable for you?”
Regulus wanted to laugh, and as always he pressed his lips together rather than gifting James a simple smile. “Did you just throw one of the pick-up lines from your Evans-repertoire at me?”
“Hey, I’m just trying to get a drink. Do you mind getting me one?” James grinned contently when Regulus filled him a glass with punch. He nipped at the glass and licked his lips. The quick flick of his tongue made Regulus gulp so hard that James gave him the glass back. “Need a sip?”
Regulus took James’s glass and emptied it, then put it back on the counter behind him. “What is this about, Potter? You made quite clear you weren’t interested in spending time with me tonight.”
“You asked me with your big brother sitting right next to me, Black. At the moment, Sirius is too busy not slipping on anyone’s trail of slime.” James lifted his hand to Regulus’ temple and stroked a strand of sleek black hair away. “I might be interested in spending time with you now.”
Regulus’ eyes shifted to the side, but they did not focus on Sirius, instead found the only one in this room overshining him. Lily Evans stood on the other side of the room and tried to escape Snape and his unimaginative apologies. James could tell what Regulus was thinking.
“The only one in need of distraction is you, apparently.” James left Regulus at the buffet and slowly made his way through the crowd to the exit. He would have bet the entire content of his parents’ vault that Regulus had followed him, and three steps out in the corridor, someone grabbed his sleeve. The widening grin was hard to suppress, but James managed it and turned with a simple questioning expression around.
Regulus avoided his eyes. “The party is so boring that I need a distraction from it.”
James did not waste another second and pulled Regulus with him. The corridor was deserted but filled with the music from Slughorn’s office. When they reached the door of the Potions classroom at the other end, only a soft drumming was still audible. James hastily checked for some lost students before he shoved Regulus into the Potions classroom. He followed him and locked the door behind them.
“Here?” was the only word Regulus managed before James sealed his lips in a hungry kiss. He framed Regulus’ face and forced him backwards until they bumped into a table. The collision drew a surprised noise from Regulus’ lips and loosened their tight barrier. James’s tongue immediately swept forward and devoured Regulus’ delicious mouth. He tasted like the punch, yet better.
During the last days, James had spent more nights imagining pining Regulus down on a table than doing the same with Lily Evans. The realisation that he did not have to waste dreams with Regulus but could have him in reality whenever he wanted came far too late. Like this, his dreams could stay reserved for Lily Evans.
Regulus let out a small whimper. He wrapped one arm around James’s back and dug his fingers into James’s dress robes, searching for something to hold onto. Their grinding against each other shoved Regulus higher on the table, and some forgotten vials clinked under the jerky movements.
James fumbled for the buttons of Regulus’ robe. The midnight blue fabric was soft and looked extremely good on Regulus’ perfect body, but without anything hiding his flawlessness, he looked even better. When he discovered another annoying layer of fabric under the buttons, James growled in frustration. He abandoned Regulus’ wanton mouth.
“Turn around.”
Regulus’ eyes widened. The grey seemed darker, and for the glimpse of a second, James was reminded of Sirius’ eyes. The thought of his best friend was not wanted, and James shook his head to get rid of it. By the time he freed his head again, Regulus had hesitantly gotten to his feet and turned around. James rammed him against the table and pressed Regulus’ torso on the wood, simultaneously fumbling for the seam of the dress robe with his free hand. He pulled the robe over Regulus’ backside and yanked his underwear down.
“Gorgeous.” James kneeled down and breathed a kiss on the firm, round cheek. He ran his hands from the narrow hips over the slim thighs and up again, getting back to his feet.
Regulus looked at him over his shoulder, visible question marks in his eyes, layered with curiosity. James leant over Regulus, burying him under his body as he reached for one of the vials that stood dangerously close near the edge of the table. He uncorked it with his teeth and spit the fastening on the ground.
Regulus watched James sleeking his fingers with the pale yellow potion. “What is this?” he asked.
James smelled at his fingers, pretending he could not tell the potion just by the look of it. “Just a simple elixir to ease pain. I care more for the lubricating effect, at the moment.”
“I don’t think I am re-”
“Oh, you are.” James proved his point by moving his finger between Regulus’ cheeks. Regulus let his head fall back on the table and drowned the low moan that escaped him when James rubbed and circled his hole.
“Alright,” Regulus gasped. “Alright, just… oh!”
James had not waited for permission and eagerly slid his finger into Regulus’ arse. Regulus stiffened a little and clawed to the edge of the table. A tortured grimace defaced him and strained noises of pain made it through his clenched teeth. James did not let that stop him and slid his finger in and out steadily, added a second and eventually a third finger. His body was still half on top of Regulus’, and he felt the tensed muscles relaxing. The noises changed to thrilling moans and sighs.
Filled to the brim with excitement, James withdrew his fingers. Again, Regulus looked over his shoulder, just in the right moment to watch James shedding his own robes. His grey eyes darted to James’s cock and grew larger at the sight.
“Are you going to -”
“Yes, I am.” James positioned himself right behind Regulus and spread his cheeks.
“I - I don’t - ngh…” Regulus bit his lip as James pushed into him. He cautiously made his way forward until he was fully seated and almost losing his mind. It was hard to listen for any painful noises or just watch Regulus’ expression with the foreign heat surrounding him and drawing him farther in.
James closed his eyes, shutting every possible bad conscience out, and started to move his hips. He reached around Regulus and found his cock squeezed in between his body and the table. James wanted to touch it, feel the hardness, like steel hidden under a layer of silk, but the rough movements of his hips kept Regulus on the table. He withdrew his hand and shoved it under Regulus’ robe, rubbing his palm over the small of Regulus’ back in a soothing motion.
Not allowing any new distractions, James slammed into Regulus. He had to concentrate hard not to come right away. The heat inside of Regulus pulled the orgasm out of him after shamefully few thrusts. James moaned loudly, nearly screamed as he came, and collapsed on top of Regulus.
He’d never gone this far before. Only ever imagined how it would be. And he could not allow a Slytherin to see him vulnerable, so he pressed Regulus onto the table a little longer while collecting his composure.
Regulus did not move. He gasped for air with his face red like a tomato. His cheek had rubbed over the table until the wood had left small scratches behind. James took a closer look at Regulus’ body after he released him to get dressed. But Regulus quickly let his robes fall to his ankles, hiding his damaged skin, and sank on the floor.
If he attempted to hide his vulnerability, then he failed completely.
James tapped his wand at the mess Regulus had left on the table and let it vanish. Out of the corner of the eye, he watched Regulus watching him. He felt bad, and on the other side he felt extraordinarily good; in the end he was confused.
The door in his back was tempting, just leaving and never thinking about Regulus’ helpless eyes again. James ended up slumping down next to Regulus, misusing the table as backrest. The distance between them was strangely huge, and Regulus made no move to shorten it.
James doubted that it had been okay. Maybe Regulus had not liked it. Maybe James had hurt him. Maybe there was a bunch of Slytherins waiting for Regulus to tell them everything and laugh at him.
James hated to feel this way.
“Hey…” Regulus’ voice was hoarse, but still capable to give James every tottering bit of his conscience back.
James smiled. “Hey.” He cupped Regulus’ blushing cheek and felt muscles trying to twitch into a smile.
“You’re not telling anyone… about this,” Regulus said, too serious to ever let a smile happen. “Okay?”
James realised that this fear made sense, giving his reputation to use every opportunity to make fun of Slytherins. But Regulus did not feel like a Slytherin. Primarily, he was Sirius’ brother. And he was hot like a boiling cauldron.
“I’d only have good things to say,” James began, but quickly added, “I won’t tell anyone, if you don’t tell Sirius.”
“Only Sirius?”
“Only Sirius.”
Regulus was confused, although he seemed to like the idea that James gave him more space to interact. Maybe it was not a good idea, but it allowed him to put his arm around Regulus and kiss him again.
And maybe it was not a good idea to get addicted to Regulus’ lips…
...continue to Part II