A/N: Blast you Hikari for making me like Snape again! I was just starting to convince myself that I hated him after book six and now you go and ruin all my hard work!

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James watched as the Slytherin slowly made his way from the library. Something had happened to him. Regulus's shoulders were slumped, and his eyes were sad, and it broke James's heart.

James closed his eyes. He knew that he should walk away, knew that he should just let Regulus alone, but he couldn't. James was a Gryffindor, and as such he had an unhealthy obsession with cheering people up. Especially when said person also happened to be the boy he was in love with.

"Regulus?" James stepped out of the shadows. "Can I talk to you?"

"Obviously, as you are doing so," Regulus's eyes were blank and James suddenly missed the look from this morning.

"Reg, I just…I really made a mess of things, didn't I?" James gave a sad smile, noticing the look of shock that Regulus was giving him.

Lightly grabbing Regulus's sleeve, the Gryffindor led his captive to an empty classroom. "We can't talk here; there would be too many witnesses."

James opened the door and pulled Regulus inside. He didn't know what to say, but they had to talk. "I…" He wouldn't say he was sorry again. It hadn't helped with Lily, it wouldn't help here. "I shouldn't have told you what I did last night."

James watched as Regulus folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the door. When it was obvious the Slytherin wasn't going to say anything, James sighed and sat on a desk. "I mean…I'm glad that you know how I feel, but I really," James shook his head, "I didn't want to make some drunken confession. I wanted to tell you with all the romance and passion that you deserve."

"This isn't going to happen, Potter," Regulus whispered.

"Reg, I really do love you. I know that this is probably impossible. Regardless of what you have heard, I am not an idiot. I know you probably don't feel the same for me. I know that you are the last of the 'true' Blacks and you have the entire family weighing on your shoulders. I know that you will most likely join the Death Eaters, because that is what everyone expects of you." James lifted his eyes from their previous location on the floor and stared into Regulus's, "But I want you to know that there is someone out there who loves you for who you are. Who sees past all the masks that you wear. Who would gladly go against his friends, his house, his family, if it meant being with you. I love you."

James stood and walked towards the door. He didn't know why he insisted on putting himself through this. As he passed Regulus, he gave the boy a small smile and a light kiss on the cheek, before walking out of the room. Regulus had been trembling. Did the Slytherin hate him so much that just hearing James say he loved him made him tremble with disgust?

James took a short cut to Gryffindor Tower. He didn't want to see anyone right now. He just wanted to curl up and let the life drain from his body. 'Why can't he love me? Why does it have to be this way?' James closed his eyes and leaned against the wall inside the hidden passage. He would just stay here. He didn't want to face Sirius's hate, or Lily's sad understanding. He would just stay here and think about how things should have gone.

He should have told Regulus how he felt years before Sirius ran away. He should have confessed to Sirius and helped the boys grow closer. He should have…he should have been in Slytherin, so that their relationship wouldn't cause a problem. But then, it wouldn't have been him. He couldn't go against his beliefs for love, because then Regulus wouldn't really be in love with James. Regulus would have been in love with a mask.

James slid to the ground with a soft thud. He wasn't sure where to go from here. His parents had died months ago of old age, Sirius hated him for loving Regulus, Regulus didn't love him back, Lily was hurt because he had used her…if he had been the suicidal type, now would be when he would have turned his wand to himself. Too bad he wasn't suicidal. That would make things easier; he could just be the coward and stop himself from having to deal with the consequences of last night.

Sometimes being a Gryffindor hurt more than any bearable pain. He had to be brave, even when he just wanted to die. He had to face everything, even when it was hopeless. James let one tear slide down his cheek before he forced all tears away. He wouldn't cry for this. He was a Gryffindor. He was a Potter. He was strong, and he would prove it.

James moved, fully intending on standing up, but ended up laying on his side. Bugger the rest of the world. He could be brave right here, by himself. James curled into a ball and let his thoughts drift to a world so different from this one.

James smiled, watching Regulus run up to him and wrapped his arms around his lover's waist. "Miss me?"

"Not at all," Regulus laughed, leaning his head up and pressing his lips to the Gryffindor's.

"You're all he's bloody talked about all summer," Sirius sighed dramatically, "I was starting to seriously debate my friendship with you."

James just laughed and pulled his lover closer, "Missed you too."

"Come on, you too, we'll miss the train," Sirius smirked, wrapping an arm around both boys necks and dragging them on the train.

"Siri! Ow! Let me go!" Regulus whimpered, trying to escape his brother.

James elbowed Sirius in the side and twisted his way to freedom. Pulling out his wand, he gave his best glare to his friend, "Let go of my Cub or I swear you'll be pissing green for a month!"

My Cub. James curled into a tighter ball. He had thought the name up during his third year, when he was still taking Astronomy. The Regulus star was the heart of the constellation Leo, and James had loved it. Ever since that day, Regulus had been Cub in his mind. He only wished he had the courage to say the name aloud. He only wished that the name could be accepted by the Slytherin.

James shook his head. He didn't want this. He would sleep; let his dreams take him to a world much better than this one. Closing his eyes, James smiled. Regulus really was beautiful.