fireworks

Regulus flinched as a particularly loud firework went off, right as he'd been trying to make idle small talk with James. As he jumped his flask slipped through his gloved hands, and hot chocolate spilled over his shoes. "Oh, bloody hell…"

James laughed. It was a lovely sound, Regulus realised, already feeling better just at hearing it. "No need to cry over spilled hot chocolate," he said, grinning down at Regulus. "You can share mine." He held out his flask to Regulus, and Regulus smiled, taking a grateful sip.

"Thanks." He handed the flask back to James, and looked back out at the firework display. A few more rockets flew up and erupted in the sky, blossoming into beautiful eruptions of colour. "Thanks for inviting me, too."

James threw an arm over Regulus's shoulders casually. "Thanks for agreeing to come with me."

"When you asked me, I thought my brother and your friends would be here," Regulus admitted.

James laughed again, and Regulus felt his stomach flutter in response. "I didn't want to come with those idiots," he said. "I wanted to watch the display with someone I fancied, really."

Regulus blinked up at James, slightly bewildered. "Wh-what?"

James leaned closer, until Regulus could feel his warm breath on his lips. "Can I kiss you?" he asked hopefully. Regulus nodded and James pressed their lips together softly. The fireworks continued to sparkle and fizz behind them, but Regulus hardly noticed them. All he could focus on was James's mouth moving against his, and his fingers threading between his. When they broke away, James's cheeks were rosy, and Regulus's face was full of heat.

"That was nice," Regulus breathed.

"Yeah," James replied. He looked back at the display, but put his arm back around Regulus's shoulders. "Really nice." He was watching the fireworks with a goofy smile on his face.

Regulus leaned into James, his stomach flooding with happiness. It was the best date ever.

Written For:

- Race to the Top of Mount Potter - Day 3: (setting) Professional firework display

- Writing Club/Gotta Catch Them All: 2. (word) Heat

- Writing Club/This or That - Winter: 13. (clothing) Gloves

- Writing Club/Elizabeth's Empire: 15. (emotion) hope

- Moony's Neon Cafe/Drinks #1: 2. (object) gloves

- Sandwich Time/Cheeses: 6. (genre) romance

Word Count: 324