Written for mischiefpuff for "Would You Ship This?" game on Tumblr.
Pairings/Characters: Regulus x James
The Wrong Person
The first time James realises he has fallen for the younger Black he is on his broom, wearing his Quidditch uniform in scarlet and gold. He watches Regulus diving for the snitch whispering "Come on," and the prayer is not for the seeker he chose for the Gryffindor team, the little guy he trained every week so he'd be able to win against Regulus. He is angry at himself, because Regulus Black is a little shit who abandoned Sirius, and he tries to ignore the voice that tells him he didn't have a choice.
Second time James realises he has fallen for Regulus Black is when Regulus blames him for stealing his brother, and it breaks his heart to hear spite falling from his mouth. He goes to the common room. Lily comes to him, and he tells her that he has fallen for someone he shouldn't have, and "Why do I always choose the wrong person, Lily?". Lily tells him that there is no wrong or right person, there is only wrong timing and that she believes at one point of time everyone becomes someone's soulmate. The important part is to find the right moment.
Third time James realises he is in love with Regulus Black is the end of the seventh year, and he sees Avery looming over him, with a threat in his mouth. James knows before they are back in the Hogwarts Expresses, he'll make sure Avery pays for it. But as Avery leaves Regulus behind, James gathers his courage to walk up to him. He falters only a second when Regulus gets wary when he sees him, and spits his name in anger.
James kisses him just because he won't be able to again. And Regulus steps back and looks at him in wonder. "Why," he asks. "Because it was time," James answers.
It's Regulus who kisses him then.
The fourth time James realises he loves Regulus Black is when a black envelope is dropped by an owl, sealed with the crest of House of Black. As Sirius reads the letter, James sees his face change with horror and mourning, and he knows the black envelope is for Regulus, for Sirius' brother for there aren't any other Blacks Sirius would cry for.
And when James marries Lily, only a few months later, they both know they'd be standing with different people if they had time.
Still, this round the timing is right for them, and they love each other.
And maybe they love each other because they had seen how they loved other people.