A/N: Gah! I'm tired and I just have to finish this chapter before bed! You know…I really think that my humor only works when I'm tired, because this chapter is fun.

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James felt his heart soar, and he couldn't stop himself from wrapping Regulus into his arm, and pulling the smaller boy against his chest. "Thank you. I…I was so scared that Snape was just playing a joke on me, to get even for all the pranks. I was so…Merlin!" James pulled Regulus even closer, feeling Regulus hugging him back, and smiling.

"I take it this means you still want to try?" Regulus laughed, and James smiled wider.

"More than I've ever wanted anything. I don't expect you to promise anything, and I know that you don't know exactly what you feel for me yet. I haven't exactly been showing you my best side all these years. But I do love you."

It felt so good to finally be able to say that! To finally be able to look at Regulus, and just let the Slytherin see all his emotions and all his love.

James pulled back a little and gently brushed his fingers over Regulus's cheek. He wanted so much to kiss him, to just lean in and taste those lips; but he needed to take things slowly. Not because Snape had ordered him too, but because he didn't want to mess this up. He couldn't lose this. He had needed it far too much for far too long.

"You know," Regulus smiled, "What I thought I was saying to Severus should go for you too. I'm not an excuse to miss class."

James laughed, feeling the nervousness drift out of him. "You're the best kind of excuse. Besides, what better time to come than when everyone else is asleep?"

"Asleep?"

"You honestly think anyone but Slytherins stay awake in class on a day like today?" James smiled, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"Now I know why all you Gryffindors are so thick," Regulus shook his head, frowning dramatically as his eyes shone with amusement.

"No…that's just because Sirius-ness is contagious."

Regulus laughed at that, and James felt an unhealthy amount of satisfaction over something as trivial as making someone laugh.

"Maybe I shouldn't have forgiven him, then. I can't really afford to become thick this year."

James smiled, "I don't know, would it up my chances of getting you to agree to a date next week?"

Regulus looked closely at James, and James held his breath, praying that asking Regulus out wasn't going too far.

"How could we do that without being found out?"

James let out a mental sigh of relief. "Don't worry about it. If you agree, then I have it all planned out. No one will disturb us."

"I have a lot of homework most nights," Regulus leaned into his pillows, "but if we went out on Friday then I should be able to no problem."

James smiled, "Friday it is. Just meet me outside your common room right before dinnertime."

"You know where our common room is?" Regulus raised an eyebrow.

"You look eerily like Snape when you do that," James laughed, and Regulus grinned.

"And yet, you find me attractive all the same? Should I be worried about you and Severus?"

"Gah! Never!" James laughed at Regulus's indignant look.

"Severus is a great person, and he's fairly attractive in his own way!" Regulus glared.

"Don't get me wrong," James held up his hands, "Snape is fine…well, he's tolerable anyway and slowly moving up on my list, but he's still a…well…just not my type."

"You were going to call him a greasy git again, weren't you?" Regulus's eyes were turning slightly cold, and James knew that he was in dangerous territory.

"Honestly? Yeah," James shook his head before Regulus could say anything, "but more out of habit than anything. After everything that he said to me the other day, and everything that he's doing for us, I can't really help but start to feel…that he is less of a prat than I thought he was."

"He's a great person, and my brother," Regulus sighed.

"I know, and I love that he has been there for you, but I haven't really seen any side of him other than a, well, annoying one," James leaned back against the foot of the bed, "Do you really think he's attractive?"

Regulus looked up at James and burst out laughing. "He's…oh Merlin…He's my brother, Potter! I…I'm not attracted…No incest!" Regulus finally managed to get out through his laughter.

James smiled, feeling relieved even though he had sternly told himself that Regulus would never have anything but platonic and brotherly affection for Snape, "Good, 'cause I'm pretty bad at sharing. Only child and all that."

"Merlin!" Regulus said again, looking at James through laughter-filled eyes. James had the sudden realization that Regulus was very much laughing at him, not with him.

Glaring, James defended himself, "You were the one who said he's attractive."

"Yeah, to someone else!" Regulus nudged James in the leg with his foot. "He's not really my type."

"And what is your type then, Cub?" James smirked.

"You know," Regulus shrugged, "Red hair, female…"

James smacked Regulus's leg, glaring lightly. "Ha ha, very funny." It really was though, which made this all too much fun.

"So, what will we be doing on this date of ours?" Regulus raised an eyebrow, and James resisted the urge to snicker.

"A lot more of this, I'd hope. Talking, laughing, plus food," James shrugged, nonchalantly, but winked at Regulus. "Nothing too fun. I have strict rules to follow, you know?"

"So I heard," Regulus muttered, cheeks tinted pink.

James laughed. And laughed. And laughed. Honestly, if Regulus was allowed to laugh at him, then he was definitely going to get payback!