Inspiration: "Take me laser tagging and then push me into a corner and kiss me. then shoot me and walk away."

Fandom: Harry Potter

Tags: m/m, m/f, , fluff, hurt/comfort

Main Pairing: Regulus/Kiara

Side Pairings: James/Lily, Remus/Sirius

Characters: Regulus, Kiara, James, Lily, Remus, Sirius, Marlene, Mary

Additional tags: College AU, Laser tag AU, Reg's a mess, but we love him, Sirius is a child, Remus is done, James is off with Lily, oops I forgot about Peter, Kiara think's Reg is adorable, I agree

Laser Tag or Cold Meat Pie

Regulus could not believe that he let his brother talk him into this. He should be studying or working or really just anything that did not involve hiding in a dark room that smelled like sweat. His head was pounding from the blaring music and dark lights. Fake blaster noises went off startling a curse out of him. He could hear his brother's stupid friends' laughter.

Regulus was going to kill Sirius.

Regulus knew that this was just a game but that did not convince his heart. He knew that the incessant music was affecting his brain and that the pulsing light was to stress him out. He knew that this stupid game was not worth the tense grip of his hands and thudding heart but no one told his brain.

He leaned against one of the questionably painted walls. Even if he would never voluntarily choose this venue for sibling bonding, Regulus was not going to lose. An unfamiliar yell reminded Regulus to curse out Sirius after this was done. The idiot on top of manhandling Regulus into this game invited his friends who in turn invited more. Regulus had arrived far too late to argue with the presence of the Gryffindors. His muttered complaints to Sirius were silenced when Sirius offered to invite Regulus' housemates. The only thing worse than Sirius's House was Severus, his cousins and the peacock with them.

"Reg, why are you hiding? We're on the same team," Sirius yelled from the other side of the room.

A laser blast and an annoyed screech followed after. Regulus tried to stifle a smirk. That was exactly why. The numbskull essentially had a bright sign over his head shouting come get me.

Regulus looked over the half wall he was hiding behind. How no one had fought him for this spot he would never know. The elevated floor was perfect to pick out Sirius' unsuspecting friends. Regulus did not want to be here but he was damned if he did not win. Two people walked under him, their vests blinking a blinding orange. Two blaster shots later and they were yelling and spinning around trying to find Regulus. He ducked down to hide and peek at his screen. Remus and Mary. Regulus felt a tiny flash of guilt at hitting the only one of Sirius' friends who he could hold a conversation with.

A pair of footsteps pushed aside his earlier victory. The person coming up the stairs was quieter than Regulus would expect from a brash Gryffindor. Regulus kneeled behind a well placed obstacle. A flashing orange signaled a player from the team he had just disabled. He hoped this one was not vengeful for their teammates. As they neared Regulus had never been so glad that Sirius had given in on choosing their color. Red would be seen from a mile away while green blended with the black light.

Regulus took a shallow breath and tucked himself farther into the wall. The steps were close. Close enough that he did not have to strain to hear them over the music. Close enough that the light from their vest caught his eye. Close enough. Regulus' finger strained on the trigger. For a game, the stakes felt like life or death.

Closer.

Closer.

There.

Regulus raised the gun and shot a laser at the chest target.

It hit.

Regulus let out a sigh of relief as the hit noise played and the glowing orange lights flickered out. He uncurled from his hiding spot trying to think of a way to deal with the aftermath of the Gryffindor losing.

"Good shot."

Regulus almost gave himself whiplash. He knew that voice. His eyes found the familiar freckles that stood out even in the strange lighting. A thin scar on her cheek pulled as she gave him a smirk.

"What are you doing here?" Regulus blurted out.

The smirk broke out into a full smile. "Remus invited me."

Regulus felt off balance. He had only met Kiara a few times in the library and for some reason his mind could not see her anywhere else. He still felt guilty for taking her spot even though she brushed away his apologies.

"He told me that Sirius wanted to do laser tag with some friends but didn't have enough people." Kiara's eyes flicked to behind Regulus. "I guess that was before James invited the whole quidditch team and Lily's girls."

"Oh," Regulus answered eloquently. "I didn't know you knew him."

Kiara continued to grin. "I had my first class with him. He got up in front of the whole class and pronounced his love to Remus right then and there. The poor boy hid behind my bag for the rest of the class."

Regulus' mind suddenly flashed to a phone call he received a year ago. Sirius had been rambling and red faced going on about some boy in his english class. He never said anything about knowing Kiara.

Regulus relaxed, if there was anything he knew how to do it was slandering his brother. "Sirius has never really learned that there is a time and place for certain things."

Something flashed over her face. "Oh really?"

"Yes, I can't count the times the fool professed his love on some poor unsuspecting victim."

"He seems to think differently now. I'd even bet he's somewhere with Remus right now."

Regulus hoped the strange lighting hid his blush but based on the warmth in his face it was very obvious.

"He wouldn't–the game–they're on opposite sides." Regulus tried to shove away the image of his brother and Remus.

"Oh really?" Regulus could tell she was mocking him. "Well, I don't think that stopped many of them. I mean Lily snagged James within the first few minutes."

Regulus struggled to get his shock under control. His blush was definitely visible now.

"I wonder..." Kiara took a step closer.

Regulus could not think. Another step. She was closer. "You wonder?"

Closer.

Closer.

A press of lips against his cheek threw his brain out the window. Regulus' hands fell limp at his sides. Kiara retreated but Regulus had to tip his head down to see her face. Her lips, he felt their absence intimately, were curled into a slight smile.

"There. Was that alright?" Her head tilted as she waited for his answer.

Regulus took a shaky breath trying to force the words that were on the tip of his tongue. "Yes."

He had meant to be more eloquent.

Kiara's smile grew and then he could feel that smile against his lips. Regulus' heart raced.

He froze but before he could do anything she was gone.

Regulus opened his eyes, that he never remembered closing, and stared at her in disbelief.

The only tell that anything had happened was the ghost of her lips against his own and the blush staining her cheeks. She looked different in the neon orange light. She looked like some goddess who appeared just for a moment in a swirl of vibrant lights.

He opened his mouth to say something, anything.

A laser blaster cut him off.

Regulus looked down at his vest stunned. The glowing green was gone. He looked down at the plastic gun still somehow in his hands. The screen blinked at him. Kiara.

Regulus slowly looked up. There she was, in blinding orange and a plastic gun pointed at his chest.

"Sorry." She did not sound sorry. "We have to win. If I eat one more cold meat pie I am going to kill Sirius."

"What-"

Kiara gave him a sympathetic smile like she knew how lost his brain was. "Sirius started a bet that whichever team wins chooses lunch."

"But-"

Kiara gave him a light peck on his cheek and was gone.

"What?" Regulus asked the void.

He felt slightly light headed, like he was floating a few centimeters higher than he should be. Regulus could almost feel the warmth of Kiara's breath on his lips. He stared at the empty space she had occupied a few seconds earlier.

A laser blast shocked Regulus back into motion.

He felt a rush of adrenaline roll through him. If that was how she wanted to play, Regulus would give it his all.

He happened to like cold meat pies.

-o-

Regulus stripped the sweaty vest off with a disdainful glare.

"Come on, come on, come on. I want to see who won." Sirius tugged on Regulus' arm like a child.

Regulus understood why some people got confused about who was older.

"Come on, come on, come on."

Regulus shoved Sirius off his arm. "You didn't even do anything. You just got shot the entire time."

"Not just getting shot." Sirius gave him a wink.

Regulus pressed his hands to his eyes and begged for anything to take him away from this place. He tried to ignore Sirius' hair. Hair that had been only slightly messy when they went in. Now it was a whole other story.

"Everyone's already waiting for us outside," Sirius needled.

Regulus finished resetting the equipment. He tried to smooth his shirt but the sweat combined with the time made it hopeless.

"You look fine," Sirius grumbled, pulling on Regulus' hand. "Come ooon."

Regulus extracted his arm yet again and started walking. "If you wanted to go you could have gone. I never asked for you to wait."

"But what kind of brother would I be if I left you to drown in your laser vest?" Sirius tried to push Regulus to walk faster but he was determined to make Sirius suffer for one of the most embarrassing experience in his life.

Regulus could feel his cheeks heat at the memory. The only problem was that now there was no flashing lights or adrenaline to blame. Regulus hoped Sirius was more involved with his childish urge to win a pointless game.

Regulus winced as the light of the arcade hit him. He raised a hand to cover his eyes but a headache was already smarting in his temples. He turned away from the blinking arcade games to the group of Sirius' friends. His brother had already barreled into them. Regulus did not have to look at the board to see that their team lost. Sirius' whole body seemed to deflate at the loss only to jump up and congratulate the winners a second later. His mood swings were almost too much for the average observer.

Regulus stopped just on the border of the group. He felt no need to be closer to Sirius' dramatics. He watched from a safe distance as Sirius threw himself on Remus, all but begging for his choice in meal. Remus looked far too fondly on the amoeba that dressed up as a man.

A warm presence slipped next to him. Regulus tried to keep his eyes forward on the tiff. It was a lost cause. He was drawn to the woman next to him. She was just as bright as under the neon light. Kiara's hand fiddled with her necklace as she watched the show with an amused smile. She smiled a lot. Like the joy could not be contained inside her. It poured out in her smiles and in her words.

"Looks like we won." Kiara did not turn but Regulus knew she was talking to him.

"You cheated," Regulus accused.

She finally looked at him and Regulus was taken aback. Her eyes were warmer than the sun. She was just looking at him. Not searching for anything, just him.

"I believe that to win a battle you have to use all the resources available."

"Oh," Regulus breathed out. "Is that all?"

Kiara's eyes flicked down and Regulus could not help but stare at her face. A slight blush at his accusation dusted her cheeks. Her freckles stood out like dark stars and her scars were comets. Regulus never understood why people said space was beautiful. He never really understood the tradition of star names but at that moment he could see it. He could understand how years ago someone looked up at the stars and decided that they would not last a day without them. It was like the stars in the sky had fallen onto her face, bringing their light and warmth with them.

"I apologize if it was too bold of me to assume-"

"No." The word was out before Regulus could think of the consequences. Kiara's eyes met his again and Regulus did not care what happened as long as he could keep looking into them. "No. It was just the right amount of boldness."

"Alright." Kiara let out a breath.

"Would you like to go somewhere? Later?" Regulus felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest as he waited for her response.

"Sure." She nodded over to the others. "Maybe tomorrow? It seems we need to stop the brawl."

-o-

Having to separate Sirius and Marlene did not dim Regulus' mood. Nor did the subsequent meal of far to spicy noodles in the freezing cold.

Kiara's presence right next to him was enough to keep the sun shining in winter.

Everyone huddled in their scarves and hats. Well everyone except the crazies, Sirius only with his leather jacket and Marlene in a vest. Responsible people gave them side eyes as they walked through the park without a care in the world. Regulus found himself tucked between Remus, Kiara and her friend, Eleanor. Eleanor realized they had the same chemistry class and they groused about their upcoming lab. He had been researching that before Sirius forced him on this bonding experience.

Regulus talked with her but his focus was divided. He scrunched his hands in his jacket to keep himself from doing something idiotic. Like grab Kiara's waving hands and warm them with his own. Or to chase the chill with his breath. Or kiss them.

He really needed to pay attention to what Eleanor was saying but Kiara's rambling was the only thing he could hear.

-o-

The street lamps had flicked on a few hours ago. Marlene and Mary wandered off with Docras and Eleanor some minutes ago. Regulus could feel the day ending. The time left dwindled by the second. The trees of the park thinned leading them back to the streets. Regulus wished he could stop time, that he could get them lost in the park so he would not have to return to his room and his work and the real world.

The only thing that kept him moving was the promise of tomorrow.

Sirius huddled next to Remus, finally giving into the chill of the night next to James' car. James and Lily already climbed into the warmer space.

"Nice to see you, Kiki," Sirius let out a shiver, "but I think Reggie needs to get back to his room before he freezes and his roommate kills me."

Regulus glared at his brother. "You-"

"What Sirius means," Remus interrupted the possible argument, "is that we loved seeing you. Are you sure you can't save some time to see us more often? The apartment is only a few blocks away."

Kiara laughed, and chased away some of the chill. "My classes are going to be much more lenient soon. I'm sure Quinn would love to host. She's been bugging me for weeks."

Regulus felt like an intruder in their conversation. He looked from them to Sirius who watched the interaction with an amused smile.

"I know you want more nerdy study dates but I'm freezing to death." That smile looked less amused and more taunting. "Reggie over there looks like he's going to explode."

"I-I'll see you tomorrow, Kiara." Regulus rushed to the car.

Kiara's hand on his arm stopped his movement. "Outside the boat house? I know a nice cafe around there."

"Okay." Regulus watched his breath fog in the air. "Will you be okay getting home?"

"Hufflepuff Hollow is just down the street."

"Oh, right," Regulus winced but could not bring himself to look away from her. "Um-have a lovely night."

"You as well." Kiara raised up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

Regulus raised his hand to his cheek. He walked backwards to the car. He made it part of the way before he tripped on the pavement and threw his arms out to keep himself from falling.

"Goodbye, Regulus." Kiara's farewell was hushed.

She tucked her hands into her puffer. She looked over him one more time, her eyes glittering with laughter. She turned around without much fanfare and made her way down the street.

Regulus watched her until she was out of sight. He felt like he was floating as he walked to the car. Not even Sirius' face pressed against the glass changed that. Regulus yanked the door open and his brother almost fell out of the car. The others seemed to be stunned into silence as he got into the car.

It did not last long.

"What was that?"

"When was this a thing!"

"I've been lied to!"

"Give him a break!"

"Sirius, James, shut up." Remus shoved a hand over Sirius' mouth. Remus let out a yelp and glared at Sirius. "Did you just lick my hand?"

Sirius gave him a sheepish shrug. "Instinct?"

James ignored their bickering and fully turned around in the passenger's seat. He tried to look reproachful but really it just made him look constipated. "Would you like to explain what we just saw there, mister?"

Lily smacked the back of his head. "Stop it. He was just flirting, let him enjoy himself. He's not a kid anymore."

"Enjoy himself?" Sirius asked, "Enjoy himself! My baby brother's not going to do anything. He studies in his room and goes to classes. He's a hermit! He doesn't talk to people. Much less flirt!"

"Sirius, stop yelling in my ear." Remus shoved him away and sadly towards Regulus.

Regulus struggled with the octopus wrapped around him and glared at Remus. "It's nothing. I'm just going to have tea with her tomorrow."

"It starts with tea and then its dates and then its sleepovers and then you'll be married and I'll be old and wrinkly."

"Sirius, shut up. Put your seatbelt on," Lily ordered. She pulled onto the road without caring for a response.

Sirius let out a yelp as he almost fell into the center console. "Evans!"

"Sorry but I need to get back. The girls forgot their keys."

"Why are you driving, you don't even live with us?" Sirius accused.

"Because."

Sirius grumbled and huffed but seemed to give up his argument in favor of snuggling against Remus. Lily met Regulus' eyes in the mirror and gave him a wink. Regulus gave her a wordless thanks and set a mental reminder to buy Lily those crisps she liked so much.

For the first time, Regulus did not feel awkward as a fifth wheel. He watched Lily hold one of James' hands and Sirius lean against Remus without the sharp pang of want.

He had his chance and he was not going to lose it even if that meant getting shot by a laser.

Kiara once she gets into her dorm room and calls Bryan and Tameria: HELP! I kissed him! And then agreed to a date!

Tameria: The boy from the library?

Bryan: The one she talked about for half an hour on our last call.

Tameria: The boy from the library!

Kiara: You both are no help I'm getting Quinn

Sorry if this didn't make super sense for people who haven't read my other work. Kiara is my OC in Daughter of the Crow and if you don't know any of the other names they are probably some of my other OCs. I love them with all my heart but I can't really put the effort to explain all of them right now. If you're interested I can explain as long as it doesn't spoil anything.

Thank you for reading!