A/N: And here is where the real James/Regulus action starts. Whoo!

Now James scowled, "Stupid chess set." He then looked up at the boy across from him and noticed that his breathing had sped up. James smiled and, knocking over his king, leaned back on his elbows and accidentally slipped the fingers of his hand up Regulus's pant leg and touched the skin just above his sock.

Regulus's breath caught in his throat, and it suddenly felt like the world was spinning very quickly. He felt rather light headed, and so layback on the bed. "I think I'm done with chess for now," he said, even as he asked himself what that was all about.

James smiled, wanting nothing more than to pull the boy into his arms and lay cuddled up to him. "That's cause it's late. We should go to bed." Why did they have to have an extra bed? Why couldn't all the beds be full so that James could offer to share his with Regulus? Bloody Peter having to go home and visit his mother!

Regulus nodded mutely, shaking his head like one who'd just been awaken from a very vivid dream. He stumbled over to the bed that was his for the holiday, and pulled his pajamas out of his backpack, a long with his sketchpad and a wide assortment of pencils. Holding the silky green pajamas in one hand, he looked over at his brother. "Where should I change?"

"Where you're standing is fine," Sirius laughed. The Gryffindor boys always changed in front of each other, but he already knew how awkward that would be tonight.

James blushed slightly at the mental image he got. Trying to ignore it, he stood and pulled his shirt over his head. He then proceeded to dig through his trunk for his pajama bottoms (he never wore a shirt to bed).

"You change in front of each other?" Regulus asked, using all his self-control so that he didn't turn and look at James. Even as he said it, he realized it was a dumb question. Of course they did! Remus and Sirius were boyfriends, and James and Peter were straight. Well…at least they did like each other. Regulus was no longer so sure about James's sexuality, but had already decided that was a good thing.

He was not, however, accustom to changing in front of other boys. Slytherins changed in the bathroom. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see James shifting through his trunk. The waning moonlight filtered through the frost-covered window and reflected of the perfect muscles on the other boy's bare arms and perfectly formed back. He was tanned, but not brown, and well proportioned. Regulus felt a longing deep inside himself, and groaned inwardly. If things could get anymore awkward he would die of shock. He had no idea how he was supposed to change and hide that at the same time.

James finally found his pants and stood. He glanced over at where Remus and Sirius had already drawn their curtains and headed to bed. He hoped they remembered the silencing spell. They sometime forgot and James didn't have the heart to break them up in the middle…yeah. He didn't want to listen to that again. He glanced over at Regulus, who was still standing there awkwardly.

"You don't have to change in here, if it makes you uncomfortable," James hated saying it, because he really wanted the chance to see more of Regulus's body. But he didn't want the boy to feel uncomfortable either. "There's a bathroom over there," he pointed to the door. James began to undo his pants, watching Regulus out of the corner of his eyes.

"No," Regulus managed to gasp before turning around to face the wall, "no it's alright. I'll just…change here." Closing his eyes, Regulus stripped on his shirt. He would not turn around. He would openly stare at the other boy, and certainly wouldn't reveal how he felt until he was absolutely certain James returned his…er…feelings.

James watched Regulus's back. "Cub?" He let his pants fall to the floor so that he was now only in boxers. "You don't have to prove anything. You don't have to stay here if you don't wanna'. I won't think any less of you and Sirius and Remus won't even know." James pulled on his pajama bottoms. He could see how tight the muscles were in Regulus's back and he suddenly felt guilty for not just telling the boy to change in the bathroom in the first place. He didn't want to traumatize or embarrass Regulus.

"No," Regulus said. He did have something to prove. He had to prove to himself that he could fit in here. Prove that Sirius didn't have some great quality he was lacking. Prove to himself he was strong enough for James. He opened his eyes and blinked. "Have you seen my shirt?"

Remus whapped Sirius hard on the shoulder, "you prat. You accioed his shirt over here?"

James shook his head, "No." He walked over to sit on Peter's bed, right in front of Regulus. "You don't have to prove anything," he said again, this time in a whisper. He knew that Regulus didn't agree with him, he could read it in every knot in the boys back. "You're wonderful as just you."

Sirius smiled and kissed Remus's neck, "I meant to accio his shirt over here. If somebody doesn't do something to help those two out, they'll dance around their feelings forever."

Regulus gulped and managed a weak laugh. "Yeah, well, it doesn't matter now. I'm half changed as is, and my shirt seems to have vanished. Would you mind helping me look?"

James smiled, "You don't need it. Change your pants and lay down, I'll be right back."

Curious and slightly embarrassed, Regulus did as he was told. He waited until James had turned his back before quickly changing into the silken green bottoms and climbing under the scarlet blanket.

James pulled a bottle out of his trunk and walked back over to where Regulus was lying. "Role over," he commanded, smiling when Regulus obeyed with only a questioning glance. James sat down, straddling Regulus's lower legs. He pulled a bit of the vanilla smelling oil onto Regulus's back and began to rub it in.

Regulus was confused, and would have protested but found that he was rather enjoying the sensation. Even though it was painful, it felt good too. It was a rather curious feeling. The smell of whatever it was James had smelt good too, and was somehow soothing.

"I can see his knots from here," Remus hissed from where the were still spying behind the curtain.

James smiled down at the boy, trying to make this the best message that he'd ever given anyone. True, he didn't give many messages, but he gave them enough to know what he was doing. James let his eyes wander over Regulus's exposed skin, enjoying the sight. The boy was so beautif…James's hands suddenly froze. He stood, and pulled Regulus to his feet. "I need to talk to you," James whispered, dragging the boy into the bathroom and locking the door.

Regulus was beyond confused as James shut the door. The tile was cold against his bare feet. He shivered slightly and looked a James, "Okay…what do you need to talk about?"

James looked at Regulus, then trailed a hand down the boys arm until their hands were clasped. He pulled the arm up and looked down at the tattoo that was resting, harmless seeming, on the skin of the boy's left forearm. The Dark Mark.

Regulus let out a nearly inaudible gasp, and tears welled up in his eyes despite himself. "I can explain," he whispered hoarsely. That wasn't entirely true. How could explain the pressures at home to be everything Sirius wasn't? How could explain that to not be a Death Eater in the Slytherin house was a fate worse then death? There were no words for it…and now James was going to hate him.

'As he should,' Regulus thought bitterly. It wasn't that he wanted to be a Death Eater. In fact, he hated the idea, but Sirius's leaving had left him no choice. He would never tell Sirius that, but the expectation to be a true Black had taken it to that level since his departure.

James didn't know what to do. He wanted to hit the boy in front of him. He wanted to go hit Sirius, because a part of him knew that Sirius shared the blame in Regulus's fate. He wanted to yell, to throw things. He wanted to pull Regulus into his arms and hold him tight. But all he could do was ask, "Is this what you want with your life?"

Regulus was officially crying now, the tears falling freely. He would have been embarrassed, but for some reason the fact that it was James made all the difference. He sobbed, but didn't pull his arm out of James's grasp.

"No, but you have to understand. I didn't have a choice. I don't want to hurt anyone, but she said…she said that if neither of her sons were true then she would kill herself. I couldn't be responsible for her death! And if you're not…they make fun of you. They fill your bed with snakes, or call you filthy things. They say they'll kill you and everyone you love. I don't want to lose…I couldn't say no."

James wrapped his arms around the boy before him, suddenly very aware of just how young they all were. Despite everything that they had all been through, all the Marauders, Regulus, and every child in this school, they were still just children. And they were still just trying to do what was right with the little control they had in their lives.

"Ssshhh," James whispered, kissing the top of Regulus's head, "I'm so sorry, Cub. So sorry that we didn't do this truce sooner, before you ever had to go through this pain. But…I'll find a way to help. I don't know how, but I'll find something. I won't let you suffer alone anymore." James wanted to cry out his frustrations too, but he needed to be strong for Regulus.

Regulus leaned his head against James's bare chest, allowing his tears to soak his skin. He sniffled, pulling himself as close to James's as possible. "I don't want to be alone anymore. I don't want to do this by myself."

James smiled sadly at the boy, "You don't have to deal with this alone. Me, and Sirius, and Remus will help you anyway we can." James squeezed Regulus in a tighter hug, wishing that he could take away all of the pain. Wishing that he could give Regulus back his childhood, the childhood that he never really had.

Regulus remained silent until his tears had subsided, and the awkwardness of the situation fully hit him. He pulled back, suddenly blushing and looking down at his toes. He realized that some of the tiles were yellow, and thought that was really an ugly color for a bathroom.

James smiled at him, "How 'bout we finish your backrub and then get some sleep. I don't think I got all of the knots out of your muscles yet." James knew that Regulus probably needed the massage more than ever now that he had spent the last ten minutes crying. Plus, he really wanted to give it to him, because it would help calm both Regulus and himself down. Giving a massage was nearly as relaxing as getting one.

Regulus nodded following James out. He was now subconscious about his arm. What if Sirius saw it? What would he say? He wished for his shirt, at the same time glad he didn't have it because the backrub was really very nice. He lay back down, closing his eyes and beginning to picture what he would draw for James, and many other pictures involving his newfound friend and confidant. "Hey, Jay-Jay? Do you think if things had been different, you and I could have been friends sooner?"

Regulus relaxed slowly at James's touch, his blue eyes fluttering closed. "Thanks," he whispered sleepily, "for everything. Really."

James smiled, "Don't fall asleep, yet. I'll get you one of my shirts to sleep in. Don't want your brother finding things out the way that I did." James jumped up and ran to his trunk to grab a shirt. He walked back over and handed it to Regulus, "Goodnight, Cub."

Regulus gratefully took the shirt and slid it over his head. "Thanks, Jay-Jay. Good night."

James leaned over and gave Regulus a quick kiss on the cheek. He headed to his bed and lay down, but he couldn't sleep. There was too much on his mind. What was he, gay? Bi? What did he really feel for Regulus? Did he still feel attracted to the boy, knowing that Regulus was a Death Eater? Did he still want to pursue a relationship with someone who might have to hurt people that James loved? James moaned in frustration and buried his head in his hands, letting tears flow unchecked. He didn't have to be strong for anyone while alone in his bed…he could let his feeling out as he felt them.

James pulled his pillow to his chest, wishing that he could ignore all this. Wishing that he didn't have to deal with the confusion. A part of his was angry that Regulus jumped into his life, took away all the things he thought he knew about himself, and then allowed James to discover that he was a Death Eater. A part of him was mad at himself for allowing himself to fall for the boy. A part of him was even a bit disgusted with himself for thinking like he was about another boy. He wasn't prejudice, obviously, he just didn't want to have all this confusion. He just didn't want to have all this confusion. He hated not knowing who he was anymore.

Regulus lay curled up on his side, listening to the soft noises of the room. What did he do now? The fact that James might stop caring about him had nearly killed him in those few terrible moments. Obviously his feelings for James ran deeper then they should after just two days.

It was just that, people didn't care for Regulus. They cared for what he was surely, but not who. Everyone, even Andromeda, had sometimes forgotten that he had feelings too. James knew though, and cared.

'Still?' Regulus wondered to the silence, closing his eyes. 'Do I even have a chance now? I've never felt like this about anyone before. If he can't love me I don't…I don't know if I could stand it.'

James heaved a trembling sigh, wishing that he could understand what he wanted, what he was. James had always, before, known exactly who he was and where he stood in life. James punched the pillow. Why did he have to feel like this? Why couldn't he just figure out what it was that he wanted? James closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep, to just forget everything and let dreams take him.

Why wouldn't sleep come so he could have a few hours of peace? He just wanted to dream of a place where the one you fancied was kind and uncomplicated and fancied you back…and where it didn't matter so much if that person was male or female. He just wanted to dream of the life that he'd never live, because in this world, things weren't simple. Ever.

Regulus heard James shift, and wondered what he was thinking about. Was he wondering about how things had spiraled out of control so fast? Or was he thinking about Evans? Regulus had no way of knowing. With a resigned sigh, he allowed himself to drift to sleep.

James pulled himself out of bed and walked quietly to where Regulus lay sleeping. He pulled the curtains open slightly and looked down at the boy. James slipped inside and knelt beside the bed, wishing that things were different. Wishing his feelings away. Wishing that Regulus would feel the same. Wishing that now covered mark on the boys left on had never corrupted that perfect skin. Wishing that life was simple. James placed a small kiss on the boy's forehead and returned to bed, finally drifting to sleep.

When Regulus woke up the next morning, Remus was already moving about the room getting dressed. Regulus's own clothes lay neatly folded at his feet. Regulus sat up slowly and watched the other boy curiously. If he hadn't been his brother's boyfriend, Regulus would never have guessed Remus was gay. There was no outward sign that Remus would fancy boys at all. So how had Sirius known to let Remus know he liked him?

"Good morning," Regulus said tentatively.

Remus smiled over at Regulus, "Morning. It's odd to see someone else up so early. James, Pete, and Siri always sleep in a while when they can." Remus stepped into the bathroom to change, not wanting Regulus to see the scars that monthly transformations gave him. When he walked back into the room, Regulus had changed as well. "Sleep well?"

"Fairly," Regulus lied easily. He wasn't going to admit what had happened to Remus. He hated that James knew, and there was no way he would let Sirius find out... "You?"

Remus smiled, "Always…at least now." Remus glanced at the bed where his lover was still curled up in sleep. "Any progress with James after we nodded off?"

"Not really," Regulus said with a shrug. "I got a massage. It was nice, but that was it."

Remus smiled, wondering why it was that Regulus would deny his feelings to his brother, hide them from James, and yet spill them easily to Remus. Most people were like this with the werewolf. They just trusted him not to tell, or laugh, or do anything else equally embarrassing. "A massage is progress. I don't think he's ever given one to any of us…and I'm known to have horrid backaches." Remus purposefully pouted slightly.

Regulus smiled faintly; half wishing he hadn't said anything. But then, Remus had already seemed to know. He looked over at where James was still sleeping. "Can I ask you something…if you promise not to laugh."

Remus smiled his most sincere-you-can-trust-me-with-anything smile, and said, "Ask away. And I'm dating Sirius, there is nothing that you can say that would make me laugh at you after dealing with his quirkiness for so long."

Regulus sighed before rushing a head, "how do you know when it's the right time to tell someone you like them? I mean, Sirius is gay. I've always known that, probably before he did. But you…you can't tell. How did Sirius know it was okay to tell you?"

Remus sat down on the end of the bed Regulus was using, "I don't think he did know. He's always been a bit spontaneous and one day he had had enough of dancing around each other. He just walked over to where I was reading, sat on my lap, and kissed me," Remus laughed a little, "He said that he figured that if I wasn't, I would push him away and he would know for sure."

Regulus sighed, rolling his eyes at his brother's past behavior. "Typical Sirius." That didn't, however, help him very much. Even if he'd known James for longer than two days he would never kiss someone until he was absolutely sure they wouldn't hate him for it.

Remus smiled, "Wondering how you can tell if James fancies you?" He already knew the answer, but if Regulus didn't want to talk about things so directly, then Remus wouldn't push him. If pushed, he knew the younger Black boy would back out and refuse to talk about it again, and that would get them nowhere. Regulus really wasn't all that different from Sirius.

Regulus froze momentarily, but nodded. "I thought maybe he did…but then something happened that makes me not so sure. I mean, how can you know? And, well, what if he doesn't know? 'Cause I'm not really sure. It's only been a few days…it's just to fast."

Remus frowned, "What happened to make you not sure of his feelings?" He knew that he probably shouldn't ask, but…they had been doing so well when he and Sirius finally fell asleep. James had been massaging Regulus's naked back, how could that go wrong?

"I don't want to talk about it," Regulus said, pulling his knees up to his chest. "Just something stupid, and now I don't know exactly how it has changed things because I don't know how they were in the first place. I just know they're changed now."

Remus's frown deepened as he thought. James had been massaging Regulus's naked back, and then something went wrong. It could have been a million things, but one made more sense than the rest, "Did you talk to him about whatever went wrong?" Please let him, just this once, be wrong about something. Because he wasn't sure what James's feelings would be now if Remus was right.

"We kind of talked about it, and he seemed okay with it at the time…but what if he's changed his mind about it?" For the first time since then, Regulus felt like he was going to be sick. If James changed his mind, he would tell Sirius. He did not want to think about what would happen if Sirius found out.

Remus nodded, "If James isn't okay with whatever it was, you'll know as soon as he wakes up. James can't hide his emotions very well, and there's one way you can always know if he's upset with you. When he first wakes up, talk to him. If he doesn't talk back, it means he's upset and afraid to snap. If he talks back, then things aren't as bad as you fear." 'Please let James know how to deal with this,' Remus thought sadly, 'because I don't have a clue.'

Regulus nodded mutely, being not entirely sure he wanted James to wake up because once he did there would be no denying the problem. He flopped back on the bed, feeling defeated. "How long is Christmas break again?"

Remus laughed, "Don't worry, James fan…"

"What about me?" James asked sleepily, climbing fully dressed from behind his bed curtains.

Regulus jumped and sat up. He said the first thing that he could think of. 'Hi! Sleep well?"

James blinked slightly, "You are one of those evil, early risers, aren't you?" James was not a morning person.

Regulus blinked. "Sometimes. I can sense when someone else is up. If someone else is up, then I get up. It's something I can't help." Regulus offered a weak grin. James had talked to him, at least, but had it been a fluke?

James sighed and walked over to the bed Regulus and Remus were sitting on. He sat. Then, feeling uncomfortable sitting, lay his head down in Regulus's lap and his feet on Remus's lap. He hated mornings. He would wake, pull on his cloths, and stumble out of bed without ever even realizing he was awake. "I hate mornings. Why do we have them anyway?" James didn't make much sense in the mornings either.

Regulus stared at Remus with wide eyes. Was he supposed to take it that James having his head in his lap was a good thing? Not that he was complaining, but if it were a bad thing it was an odd bad thing.

Remus smiled encouragingly at Regulus, "We have mornings so that I can finally get some reading in before Sirius wakes to distract me…though reading doesn't seem likely this morning."

James mumbled unintelligently and nuzzled against Regulus's leg. "I hate mornings," he said again, "We should Avada Kedavra whoever invented them."

"I don't think we're allowed to," Regulus said a bit unnecessarily. The way James was moving his head tickled, and he had to try not to laugh. Feeling more relaxed now, he leaned back against the pillows, and absentmindedly began playing with James's hair.

"Like that," James smiled and turned into the caress.

Remus smiled, then pulled James's feet off his lap and laid them on the bed. He winked at Regulus, and then walked inside the curtains that surrounded his and Sirius's bed. Seeing Regulus and James reminded Remus of how he and Sirius were before they got together, and right now he just wanted to cuddle up to his mate and enjoy the warmth of Sirius's body as he slept.

Regulus smiled, though more at James then at Remus. James had soft hair. You wouldn't think it looking at it, but it was. Soft like down feathers, Regulus thought to himself. He continued his gentle stroking, enjoying running his fingers through the soft black strands as James seemed to be receiving it.

James opened his eyes and looked up at Regulus, then let his gaze travel across the boys shoulder and down his left arm. He shouldn't be here, letting Regulus do this to him. He shouldn't be enjoying it. He should get up and walk away from this, walk away from Regulus. He should…James swallowed. He didn't know what he should do…but nothing that he should do seemed to go with what he wanted to do.

Regulus pretended not ton notice what James had been doing because he really didn't want to see. He did not want to think about what James was. He wanted badly to pretend that it wasn't there. Wanted to pretend that he hadn't given into everything and not been so afraid.

No, he would just keep playing with James's hair. Stroking softly and persistently, he would show James that he was still human. Show him he was still the same person he had been when they decided to become friends. The Mark changed the decisions he would have to make, but it didn't change him as a person.

James looked up at Regulus again, and all the thoughts of last night came back. He was suddenly, very awake. This was wrong. Letting Regulus do things like this when James was still so uncertain was wrong and unfair to the Slytherin. It had to stop. "Let's go have breakfast," James whispered. He wanted to cry again, from frustration and confusion and just the unfairness of life. But daylight forbid tears, and James wasn't strong enough to break that rule…the only rule that he had ever set for himself.

Regulus sighed deeply. Was it so irreversible? It wasn't fair to lose something he hadn't had in the first place. He nodded slowly to James, looking away so he wouldn't see the tears that were building up in his eyes as how unjust it all was. He didn't even want to be a Death Eater. He just wanted to be a normal kid, with a normal family, with people that loved him. He didn't ask for any of this.

Though Regulus tried to hide them, James saw the tears and the sight made his heart break. James sat up, his mind having a fast and furious debate. When Regulus moved to get up, James pulled him back down, right into his lap. He pressed his lips softly against Regulus's, and just preyed that the boy would okay. He wanted, more than anything, to take away Regulus's pain. And sometimes getting what you wanted meant doing what you wanted and just not thinking about it.

Regulus was taken completely off guard, and at first just froze. Then he loosened up, and began to kiss James back. He tasted good. Tasted like cinnamon and pumpkin juice. It was an intoxicating taste.

Remus, who had been watching through a crack in the curtains gently, shook his lover awake. "Padfoot, you're going to want to see this."

Sirius opened his eyes blurrily and glared up at Remus, then looked over to where his mate was pointing. The sight made his tense, and then as his memories caught up with him, he smiled. "I guess yelling 'About time' would ruin the moment, wouldn't it?" Sirius whispered, watching as his best friend pulled his brother closer.

James had to focus very hard not to moan when he felt Regulus begin to return his kiss. As it was, his hands wrapped themselves around the boy's waist of their own accord. James lightly licked Regulus's lower lip, wordlessly asking the Slytherin to deepen the already perfect contact. His mind was yelling something at him in the background, but right now James was content to ignore it.

"Yes," Remus said, grinning, "it would."

Regulus opened his mouth obligingly. 'Why haven't I done this before?' Regulus wondered. This whole kissing thing was really very pleasant. One of his hands found its way back up into James's hair again, wishing suddenly that there wasn't so much space between them. Even a little space was just too much.

James pulled back, "Can we have breakfast now?" He smiled and placed his forehead against Regulus's, not really wanting to move from this spot. But his stomach was grumbling and they really should talk about things before they did anymore kissing.

Sirius burst out laughing, albeit quietly. "He really knows how to ruin the moment too, doesn't he? We should tutor him on being more romantic."

Remus snorted, more then a little amused by the half pleading half exasperated look on Regulus's face, "I'm sure he had his reasons."

Regulus shook his head slightly to try and clear the pleasure fog that had overcome him. "Yeah…okay. Breakfast probably is a good idea, right now."

James smiled at the look on Regulus's face, glad to know how much the boy wanted this. "I can think of better ideas right now, but my stomach is protesting. And we should talk first." James leaned in and kissed Regulus again, this time quickly, to let the boy know that the talking wasn't a bad thing.

Sirius frowned and whispered furiously, "Skip the talking and just enjoy yourself for once, you git! Why can't he ever just let a good thing happen?"

Remus shrugged and smiled. "Despite popular belief, you and James are not the same person. James does think about important decisions for a long time before rushing ahead."

Regulus blushed and nodded, getting to his feet beside James. "After you…I'm to lost to find my way to the Great Hall from here."

James smiled, then reached down and took the Slytherins hand. There was hardly anyone still here during the holidays, so James didn't have to worry about someone seeing them holding hands before they could talk about whether or not to make their feelings public knowledge. "Follow me, kid, and I won't lead you wrong."

Regulus grinned wickedly, allowing his slightly Slytherin side to show, "and here I was hoping that was exactly what you were going to do."

Remus choked from behind the curtains.

James blushed lightly, "Maybe later." With that he let the way out of the room and down to breakfast.

Sirius growled, "He better not mean that. I can live with him going out with my brother, but I will not allow him to corrupt him."

"It seems to me," Remus said in a barely audible voice, "that he is already corrupted."

Regulus loved that he had made James blush. Something about having the power to do that thrilled him, and besides James was rather adorable when he did that. He gave James's hand a gentle squeeze to let him know it was all in good fun as they continued down to the Great Hall.

"Better not be corrupted," Sirius growled, "Or I'll have to kill all the Slytherins." He chose to ignore the fact that he wouldn't have cared less day before yesterday.

James pulled Regulus into a seat next to him at the Gryffindor table. He pulled food on his plate at random, his eyes on the younger Black boy. "So…I guess the most pressing question is will you be my boyfriend?"

Remus chose not to comment, instead kissing Sirius gently behind the ear. "Come on. Lets join them for breakfast. The need chaperones for the time being."

Regulus blushed a little. When James put it that way it sounded awkward. Still, he nodded enthusiastically. "If that's what you would really like…yes."

James smiled; he really wanted to kiss Regulus again. "I'd really like that." The smile faded, "You know, if this is a public relationship things are going to get difficult for you."

Sirius stood up and began to strip, letting Moony grab some clean cloths for him.

Remus handed Sirius a puppy dog sweater and a pair of jeans. "Come on, then."

Regulus sighed. That thought had occurred to him in the middle of the night when he'd woken up from a nightmare where Bellatrix was chasing him with a pitchfork. He threw back his shoulders and lifter his chin. "I don't care. It's worth it. Besides, it's not like it will be that much easier for you."

James smiled sadly, "It will be easier for me. There are certain people that you know," James discreetly touched Regulus's left forearm, "that would be very unhappy to hear about our relationship."

Sirius smiled at his boyfriend, before kissing him deeply. A few minutes passed before they left the tower and headed to breakfast.