sleepy

𝙞𝙢 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙

[allaroundstar]

ok its been 9 days again; time to get writing, sigh. (jkk)

[allaroundstar]

storm - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - july 8 - 470 words

 The fluorescent lights of Terminal 4 buzzed with a dull, draining hum. Outside the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the sky was a violent, bruised purple, sheets of torrential rain slamming against the tarmac. Thunder rattled the thick glass every few minutes, followed by the sharp flash of lightning illuminating rows of grounded aircraft.

James Potter stared up at the departure board, his heart sinking lower as the letters flipped, glowing a mocking, bright amber: FLIGHT 204 – DELAYED.

He let out a heavy breath, running a hand through his already messy hair. He’d been traveling for a week on a grueling business trip, and all he wanted, all he had been thinking about for the last seven days, was getting back to their quiet, slightly drafty flat and into the warmth of Regulus’s presence.

Pulling out his phone, James scrolled to Regulus’s name and quickly typed: Delayed again. Looks like the storm is holding everything up. I’m so sorry, love.

He didn’t expect a fast reply; Regulus was usually asleep by this time on a stormy night, likely curled up under three layers of blankets. But barely a minute later, his screen lit up.

I figured, Regulus’s text read. The news says the weather is miserable over the city. Are you alright? Have you eaten?

James smiled, a sudden wave of affection washing away the exhaustion of the airport terminal. He leaned against a pillar, typing back with one hand. Just airport food. I miss you. I wanted to be home before the worst of it hit.

Don't be dramatic, Potter. It's just rain, came the swift reply. Then, a beat later: The flat is too quiet without you. The kettle is loud.

James’s chest tightened. He knew what that meant. Regulus hated storms, even if he would never openly admit it. The loud cracks of thunder always made him tense up, a lingering habit from a childhood spent in a house where loud noises usually meant trouble. Without James there to distract him, to wrap an arm around his waist and pull him close until the noise faded, Regulus would just be sitting there, enduring it.

I'm coming home the second they clear the runway, James texted, his tone softening. Put on one of my old jumpers. The thick wool one.

I already am, Regulus replied.

James stared at the message, a soft laugh escaping his lips despite the grim surroundings. He could picture it perfectly: Regulus engulfed in fabric that was too large for him, sipping tea, waiting out the thunder.

Glancing back at the boarding gate, James settled into a plastic chair, keeping his phone held tightly in his hand. The storm outside was raging, but as long as he had the steady glow of the screen and Regulus on the other side of it, he could wait out any delay.

[allaroundstar]

sweat - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - july 7 - 390 words

The summer afternoon had reached its peak, and the heat in the back garden was stifling. Regulus had been sitting on the shaded porch, trying to focus on his book, when James finally walked back from the makeshift pitch at the edge of the grounds.

James had thrown his jersey over his shoulder, leaving his skin bare to the bright July sun. His torso was deeply tanned, the sharp lines of his muscles and chest defined by the harsh, direct light of the afternoon. A sheen of sweat caught the sun, making him practically gleam as he wiped his brow with the back of his hand, completely unaware of the effect he was having.

When Regulus looked up from his page, the sight hit him like a physical shock.

His breath caught sharply in his throat, his lungs suddenly refusing to cooperate. A rush of heat that had absolutely nothing to do with the summer weather flooded up his neck, coloring his cheeks a brilliant crimson. His fingers tightened so abruptly on his book that the pages crumpled slightly under his grip. He felt a sudden, electric jolt travel straight down his spine, leaving his entire body feeling momentarily paralyzed.

James caught sight of him and gave a bright, easy wave, his smile completely effortless. "Hey, Reg! Got a spare water bottle?"

Regulus tried to speak, but his voice failed him entirely on the first attempt, coming out as a faint click. He swallowed hard, forcing his gaze to remain fixed on James’s face rather than letting it wander downward again.

"In... in the cooler," Regulus managed to get out, his voice a bit tighter and higher than usual.

"Perfect, thanks," James said cheerfully, jogging over to the porch. As he stepped into the shade, a wave of heat and the clean, sun-baked scent of him washed over Regulus, making Regulus's heart hammer against his ribs like a trapped bird.

James grabbed a bottle, entirely oblivious to the absolute crisis Regulus’s nervous system was currently enduring, and pressed the cold plastic against his own flushed neck with a satisfied sigh.

Regulus quickly looked back down at his book, the words blurring together into a meaningless smudge. He took a slow, deliberate breath, waiting for his racing pulse to steady, while the memory of the view remained burned into his mind.

[allaroundstar]

sunny - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - july 6 - 350 words

The summer heat was brilliant and absolute, turning the sprawling lawns of the Potter estate into a vibrant canvas of bright green and gold.

James was entirely in his element. He was currently sprint-jogging backward across the grass, kicking a slightly deflated football between his feet with practiced ease. "Come on, Reg! You've got to at least try to tackle me!"

Regulus walked at a much more dignified pace, though a rare, genuine laugh escaped him as James tripped over his own feet, barely recovering his balance. "I am not chasing you across the entire grounds in this weather, James. It's a biological hazard."

"Chicken!" James grinned, abandoning the ball entirely. He turned and bolted straight toward Regulus, his arms outstretched.

Regulus’s eyes widened in mock alarm. "Don't you dare"

Before he could finish, James collided with him in a whirlwind of laughter and flying grass, scooping Regulus up by the waist. The momentum sent both of them tumbling onto the soft, sun-warmed grass. They rolled a few feet before stopping, tangled together in a breathless heap.

James ended up propped on his elbows directly over Regulus, his glasses crooked and his dark hair sticking up in every direction. The bright afternoon sun caught the gold flecks in his hazel eyes, making them dance with pure mischief.

"Caught you," James panted, his smile completely dazzling.

Regulus lay beneath him, his chest heaving slightly from the sudden exertion. His pale skin was flushed a beautiful, warm pink from the sun, and his usual guarded expression had completely melted away, replaced by a soft, breathless smile. He reached up, his fingers gently straightening James’s glasses.

"You're completely ridiculous," Regulus murmured, though there was absolutely no bite to his tone.

"Yeah, but you like it," James replied easily, leaning down to press a quick, affectionate kiss to Regulus’s nose.

Regulus rolled his eyes but didn't deny it, instead bringing his hands up to rest comfortably against the back of James's neck. Above them, the sky was a perfect, cloudless blue, and for the rest of the afternoon, the heat didn't matter at all.

[allaroundstar]

shade - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - july 5 - 506 worlds

The beach was a chaotic symphony of crashing waves, shouting, and the distinct smell of coconut sun cream. Virtually the entire Gryffindor and Slytherin cohorts had descended upon the shore, quickly dividing the sand into zones of high energy and absolute lethargy.

Out in the surf, Sirius and James were currently engaged in a highly competitive, splashing water fight against Evan and Barty, while Peter cheered them on from the shallow water. Further up the beach, Lily, Marlene, and Mary were aggressively trying to construct a massive sandcastle, fiercely defending its perimeter from Remus, who kept casually trying to kick a stray football near it just to annoy them. Nearby, Pandora and Dorcas were lounging on brightly colored towels, completely engrossed in a shared magazine, occasionally calling out critiques of Sirius’s terrible diving form.

Eventually, the relentless afternoon sun became too much for James. Panting, his hair dripping wet and plastered to his forehead, he jogged up the burning sand toward the sanctuary of a massive, striped beach umbrella.

Sitting cross-legged underneath it, entirely out of the sun’s glare, was Regulus. He was holding a book, looking cool and perfectly content in the shade.

"Mind if I crash your oasis?" James asked, offering a crooked, breathless grin as he dropped onto the edge of the towel.

Regulus didn't lift his eyes from the page, but a tiny, barely perceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You're getting sand on my towel, Potter."

"It’s a beach, Reg. It’s sort of part of the package deal," James teased, though he carefully shook out his legs to avoid tracking more sand over. He grabbed a dry towel, rubbing it vigorously through his messy hair until it stuck out in every possible direction.

Regulus finally closed his book with a soft sigh, turning his head to look at James. His expression softened immediately. Without a word, Regulus reached out, his cool fingers gently catching James by the chin.

James went entirely still, his heart doing a familiar, ridiculous flip.

"You missed a spot," Regulus murmured. He used the edge of his thumb to gently swipe away a patch of damp sand that had stuck to James’s cheekbone, just beneath his glasses. His touch was light, deliberate, and incredibly tender.

James leaned into the touch instinctively, his grin turning soft and entirely fond. "Thanks."

"You're an absolute menace," Regulus replied softly, though he didn't pull his hand away immediately, his thumb lingering against James's jaw for a second longer before dropping back to his lap.

Down by the shoreline, a sudden explosion of laughter broke out as Sirius lost his footing and fell face-first into a wave. James chuckled, but he didn't look away from the shade of the umbrella. He shifted slightly closer, his shoulder pressing comfortably against Regulus’s.

"It's nice up here," James said softly, looking out at the glittering ocean, then back at Regulus. "Much better view."

Regulus just rolled his eyes, reopening his book, but he didn't move away from the warmth of James’s shoulder.

[allaroundstar]

melt - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - july 4 - 436 words

The July sun was entirely unforgiving, turning the pavement into a furnace and the park's ice cream truck into the most popular spot on the grass.

Four-year-old Harry had been holding his prize, a massive, brilliant blue raspberry scoop perched precariously on a waffle cone for less than three minutes before tragedy struck. The heat was simply too fast. With a soft, devastating plop, the top-heavy scoop slid entirely off the cone, landing squarely on the hot grass in a sticky, melted puddle.

Harry froze, staring down at the blue grass in absolute horror. His lower lip began to tremble, and within seconds, big, silent tears welled up in his bright green eyes.

"Oh, sweetpea," James said instantly, dropping to his knees in the grass right beside him. He pulled Harry into his side, completely unbothered by the stray streaks of blue syrup already transferring onto his own shirt. "Hey, it’s okay. It’s alright, Haz."

Regulus knelt down on Harry's other side, sighing softly but with a gentle edge to his voice. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a clean handkerchief, immediately starting to wipe the sticky blue drips from Harry’s small fingers.

"The sun is just a bit greedy today, Harry," Regulus murmured softly, his thumb gently wiping away a tear rolling down the boy's cheek. "It wanted a taste, too. But there is absolutely no need to cry over spilled cream."

Harry let out a small, hiccuping sob, burying his face directly into James’s shoulder. "My... my blue one," he mumbled into the fabric. "It's gone."

"I know, mate. It was a spectacular ice cream," James said, rubbing comforting circles into Harry's back. He looked over at Regulus, offering a quick, conspiratorial wink. "But you know what? I think that means we just get to try again. And this time, we have a secret weapon."

Harry sniffled, peeking out from James's shoulder with wide, curious eyes. "A secret weapon?"

"A cup," Regulus answered, tapping Harry gently on the nose. "The sun can't knock it out of a cup. And if it melts, it just becomes an ice cream soup, which is far superior anyway."

The prospect of 'ice cream soup' seemed to do the trick. Harry's tears slowed, his expression shifting from devastation to deep, thoughtful consideration. "Can I get chocolate this time?"

"You can get whatever flavor you want, corporate chef," James laughed, hoisting Harry up onto his shoulders. Harry immediately held onto James's messy hair, his tragic loss already completely forgotten.

Regulus stood up, brushing the grass off his trousers and tossing the ruined cone into a nearby bin. He looked up at James and Harry, a rare, genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Come on then, let's go before the truck drives away."

[allaroundstar]

hot - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - july 3 - 573 words

The mid-afternoon sun was relentless, baking the crowded park grounds and sending waves of shimmering heat radiating off the grass. Even in the shade of a large oak tree, the air felt thick and suffocating.

Regulus sat rigidly on the edge of the picnic blanket, his arms locked around his knees. He was wearing a heavy, dark long-sleeved button-up shirt, completely buttoned to the collar. Sweat damp against his neck, and his breathing was shallow, but he remained tightly wound, refusing to loosen a single button.

James, who had long since discarded his own overshirt to reveal a sleeveless top, noticed the tense line of Regulus’s shoulders. He quietly moved closer, sitting down beside him on the grass so their shoulders brushed.

"Hey," James said softly, his voice dropping below the ambient noise of the park. "You're burning up, Reg. You're shaking a little."

Regulus swallowed hard, keeping his eyes fixed on his shoes. "I'm fine."

"You're not," James replied gently, completely devoid of his usual loud teasing. "It’s boiling out here. You don’t have to freeze yourself out of comfort."

Regulus’s fingers tightened on his own sleeves. The heat was making his skin crawl, but the thought of removing the layers of exposing the shape of his chest, the binder underneath, or the body he constantly battled with felt entirely impossible. The dysmorphia was a heavy, suffocating weight, telling him that safety only existed behind layers of thick fabric, no matter how much he overheated.

"I can't," Regulus muttered, his voice barely audible. "I'm not... I can't just take it off, James."

Understanding softened James’s expression. He didn't push, and he didn't make a scene. Instead, he shifted his position to block Regulus from the view of the rest of the park, creating a small, private space just between the two of them.

"Look at me," James murmured.

Regulus hesitated, then slowly lifted his head. James’s hazel eyes were steady, completely grounded, and filled with nothing but warmth.

"You are entirely safe here," James said, his voice firm and reassuring. "If you want to take the shirt off, you can. Nobody is looking, and even if they were, there is absolutely nothing wrong with your body. You're beautiful, Reg. Every single part of you."

Regulus let out a shaky breath, the praise hitting him like a physical wave. "It doesn't feel right."

"I know it doesn't feel right in your head right now," James said, reaching out to gently touch Regulus's wrist, giving him the option to pull away. Regulus didn't. "But I promise you, it's okay. If you want to change into a lighter t-shirt, I have a spare one in my bag. Or if you just want to unbutton this one, you can. You don't have to hide from the heat just to feel safe."

Regulus looked down at James’s hand, then back up at his face. The absolute sincerity in James’s eyes seemed to quiet the loud, critical thoughts in his mind, if only for a moment.

Slowly, with trembling fingers, Regulus reached for the top button of his shirt. He undone the first three, letting the cool breeze finally hit his collarbone. He didn't take the shirt completely off yet, but the suffocating weight lifted just enough for him to take a deep, full breath.

James gave him a bright, supportive smile, keeping his hand anchored on Regulus's wrist. "See? One step at a time. I've got you."

[allaroundstar]

daylight - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - july 2 - 434 words

Lily adjusted her sunglasses, gesturing toward the sprawling, sun-drenched park filled with picnic blankets, smoking grills, and an overwhelming amount of red, white, and blue.

"Alright, boys," she said, leaning against a wooden picnic table. "Welcome to a proper American Fourth of July. No magic, just hot dogs, terrible lawn games, and massive explosions in the sky later tonight."

Regulus Black looked distinctly unimpressed, shielding his pale eyes from the glaring July sun with a hand. "And the purpose of this is celebrating independence from... us? Well, Britain?"

"Exactly," Lily grinned, handing him a brightly colored plastic cup. "So try to look a little less like a colonizer, Reg. Drink your lemonade."

James Potter, however, wasn't looking at the crowds, the flags, or the massive grills. He was looking entirely at Regulus.

The bright afternoon light caught the sharp line of Regulus's jaw, softening the usual defensive edge he carried around. He had rolled up the sleeves of his dark shirt a rare concession to the sweltering heat and his dark curls were beautifully messy from the breeze.

James leaned his chin in his hand, completely tuning out Lily’s enthusiastic explanation of sparkler safety. The sun was baking the grass, filling the air with the scent of sweet clover and charcoal, but in James’s mind, the sun had already set.

He was completely lost in a daydream.

He envisioned the park hours from now, swallowed by the cool, dark summer night. The air would be vibrating with the loud, echoing booms of the fireworks overhead. In his mind, brilliant bursts of emerald green, gold, and crimson would light up the dark, casting dramatic flashes of color across Regulus’s face.

In the middle of the grand finale, while everyone else was staring upward, James wouldn't be looking at the sky at all. He’d reach out, his fingers catching Regulus’s jacket, pulling him close. He could practically feel it the sudden catch of Regulus’s breath, the warmth of his skin, and then closing the distance to press a soft, lingering kiss to his lips under a canopy of falling sparks. Regulus would complain, surely, but he wouldn't pull away.

"James? Earth to Potter."

Lily’s voice shattered the illusion. James blinked hard, the brilliant night-sky colors instantly evaporating, replaced by the harsh, blinding reality of mid-afternoon sunshine.

Regulus was staring at him, one eyebrow raised in mild amusement. "Did the heat finally fry your last remaining brain cell, Jamie?"

James felt his cheeks burn a shade of red that rivaled the flags fluttering nearby. He offered a brilliant, unabashed grin, not breaking eye contact. "Just appreciating the view, Reg. Happy Independence Day."

[allaroundstar]

sky - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - july 1 - 570 words

The Astronomy Tower was always colder than the rest of Hogwarts, but tonight the chill bit straight through James Potter’s Gryffindor cloak. He didn’t mind, though. He liked the quiet up here, a rare commodity when you spent your days dodging Filch and your nights sharing a dormitory with Sirius Black.

But Sirius wasn't the reason James had snuck out under his Invisibility Cloak tonight.

Regulus was already there, leaning against the stone parapet. A silver-and-green scarf was wrapped tightly around his neck, and his shoulders were tense against the vast expanse of the ink-black Scottish sky.

"You're late," Regulus said without turning around.

James pulled off the cloak, letting the cool night air hit his face. "Had to dodge Mrs. Norris near the trophy room. You know how she gets." He stepped up to the edge, leaving a respectful foot of space between them. "How did you know it was me anyway?"

"You walk like you own the castle, Potter. Even invisible, you're loud." A faint, breathless smirk touched Regulus’s lips, gone as quickly as it came. He turned his gaze back up to the heavens.

James looked up too. The sky was remarkably clear, a velvet canvas spilled over with brilliant, glittering diamonds. "So. You said you wanted to show me something?"

Regulus lifted a pale hand, pointing toward the constellation Leo. "There. Do you see the reverse question mark? The lion's mane?"

"A lion? Subtle, Reg. I knew you secretly harbored a deep love for Gryffindor."

Regulus rolled his eyes. "Shut up and look at the base of the blade. The brightest one."

James adjusted his glasses, focusing on the piercing, blue-white point of light pulsing at the heart of the constellation. "Yeah. I see it."

"That's it," Regulus whispered, his voice suddenly sounding fragile, stripped of his usual pureblood armor. "Regulus. The Little King. The Heart of the Lion."

James shifted his gaze from the star to the boy standing next to him. The starlight caught the sharp angles of Regulus’s profile, casting deep shadows under his eyes. There was a heavy weight on the younger Black's shoulders these days, a dark, impending shadow that James didn't fully understand but desperately wanted to pull him out of.

"Irony at its finest, isn't it?" Regulus let out a bitter, quiet laugh. "A Black destined for Slytherin, named after the brightest star in the lion's heart. My mother always hated coincidences."

"I think it suits you," James said softly. He reached out, his hand hovering for a fraction of a second before gently resting on Regulus’s shoulder. Regulus stiffened at the contact, then slowly, almost imperceptibly, relaxed into the warmth of it. "You're a lot brighter than you give yourself credit for, Reg. And you don't belong in the dark."

Regulus didn't look away from the star, but James saw the way his throat swallowed hard. "Sometimes the dark doesn't give you a choice."

"There's always a choice," James insisted, stepping just a little closer, his voice fierce with stubborn conviction. "Look at it up there. It doesn't matter how pitch-black the rest of the night is. It still shines."

Regulus finally turned his head, his gray eyes searching James's face, looking for any sign of mockery. Finding none, his expression softened into a genuine, fragile smile.

"Thanks, James."

They stood together in the quiet of the tower, the biting cold completely forgotten, watching the little king shine on.

[jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic]

July Prompts

Hello and welcome to the Discord Server Into-the-Jeggyverse's Microfic blog! Here are our prompts for July!

If you would like to know more about the server, or about the server's Jegulus Bingo, please see the server's tumblr: @into-the-jeggyverse

Please note that while there is NO AGE MINIMUM to participate in the microfics, you MUST be 18+ to join the discord server.

See the microfic rules here!

See June's prompts here!

[allaroundstar]

okay so i got my computer charger and i have decided, im too lazy to do the rest of june, but i will do july 1st to now. so expect something around 9 pm est.

[allaroundstar]

my computer charger broke and until i get a new charger no micro-fic updates. but i should be back soon ish.

[allaroundstar]

ao3 curse 🫱🫲 my depression

(best friends)

[allaroundstar]

right - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - june 19 - 333 words

The heavy, suffocating silence of Grimmauld Place always made the drawing room feel smaller than it was. Walburga Black sat rigidly in her armchair, her sharp eyes tracking Regulus as he stood near the fireplace. Orion sat across from her, a looming, silent enforcer of the family’s expectations.

"You are wandering down a path that does not exist for a Black, Regulus," Walburga said, her voice dropping to a low, dangerous purr. She smoothed the front of her dark robes. "This... fixation on James Potter. It is a fundamental misunderstanding of your duty. A temporary confusion."

"It isn't a confusion, Mother," Regulus said, his voice tightly controlled, though his hands clenched inside his pockets.

"Do not interrupt me," she snapped, her gaze hardening. "We have tolerated your eccentricities because you have always known where your loyalty lies. Right and wrong are very simple concepts in this house. Right is ensuring the longevity and purity of our bloodline. Wrong is throwing your future away for a fleeting, unnatural sentimentality."

Orion leaned forward, his expression carved from stone. "A man of your standing marries a suitable witch. He secures the family name. That is the natural order. Anything else is a delusion you must rid yourself of."

"They call it love, Regulus, to trick weak minds," Walburga continued, her tone shifting to something mimicking maternal concern, a manipulation Regulus knew all too well. "But it is a weakness that will leave you isolated. We are trying to save you from your own poor judgment. Potter is a distraction. You will align your behavior with what is expected, or you will find out just how cold the world can be without a family behind you."

Regulus looked from his mother to his father, the weight of their conditional affection pressing down on his chest. They spoke of right and wrong as if they could rewrite the very fabric of who he was, leaving him to choose between the life they demanded and the truth he couldn't change.

[allaroundstar]

change - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic- june 18 - 279 words

The applause in the grand ballroom was deafening, but from the stage, Regulus Black only had eyes for one person in the crowd. Clutching the heavy, polished award in one hand, he adjusted the microphone with the other, waiting for the cheers to subside.

"Thank you," Regulus began, his voice steady but carrying a rare, raw warmth. "There was a time in my life when I thought receiving an honor like this would require me to hide away the most authentic parts of myself. I grew up believing that who I am was something to be corrected, or at least kept in the shadows."

He paused, looking directly at the table near the front where James Potter sat, beaming with a smile that could outshine the stage lights.

"But the truth is, I am a gay man, and that is as unchangeable as the stars in the sky," Regulus continued, a proud murmur rippling through the audience. "And trying to change that would mean denying the best thing that ever happened to me."

Regulus gestured gently toward his husband. "James, we’ve been together for years now. You’ve seen me at my absolute worst and stood by me through every triumph. Your love taught me that I didn't need to alter who I was to be worthy of happiness. This award has my name on it, but my life’s greatest achievement will always be building a life with you. Thank you for loving me exactly as I am."

As Regulus stepped back from the podium, the room erupted into a standing ovation, led by James, who was already wiping away a stray tear, his eyes full of nothing but pride.

[allaroundstar]

embrace - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - june 17 - 357 words

James felt like he was trying to read a map written in a language he hadn’t quite mastered yet. For the longest time, his world had been defined by loud, easy-to-categorize certainties. But lately, his feelings didn't fit into neat little boxes. He didn't just like one gender, or another; he realized he was drawn to people for who they were entirely, their soul and energy, completely transcending the traditional lines. Discovering he was pansexual felt liberating, but it also came with a quiet, lingering anxiety about how to actually navigate it.

Regulus, as usual, was the quiet anchor to James’s chaotic storm. They were sitting by the Black Lake, the late afternoon sun casting long, golden shadows across the grass.

"You're thinking so loud I can barely hear the water," Regulus said softly, not looking up from his book.

James sighed, plucking a blade of grass. "Just... thinking about how to exist like this. It feels right, calling myself pansexual. It fits. But how do I actually embrace it without feeling like I'm doing it wrong?"

Regulus closed his book, placing it carefully on his lap. He looked at James with an intensity that always made James feel entirely seen. "There is no 'wrong' way to be yourself, James. You spend so much time trying to be everything for everyone else. Queerness isn't a performance you need to rehearse."

"I know," James muttered, looking down at his hands. "It's just new."

"It's new, but it's still you," Regulus corrected gently, reaching over to place a hand over James's. His touch was cool, grounding. "Embracing it doesn't mean you have to change who you are. It just means you stop apologizing for how deeply you care about people. You see the world with a wider lens than most. That's not a burden; it's a gift."

James looked up, the tension in his shoulders finally melting away. Regulus’s fingers laced through his, a silent promise of solidarity. For the first time, James didn't feel the need to have all the answers. He just needed to breathe, to accept the warmth beside him, and to let himself simply exist.

[allaroundstar]

born - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - june 16 - 266 words

The fire in the Potter-Black drawing room crackled softly, casting long, warm shadows across the rug where eight-year-old Harry sat cross-legged.

Regulus looked up from his book, his gaze softening as he watched Harry trace the intricate patterns on the carpet. "You're quiet tonight, starlet. What’s on your mind?"

Harry hesitated, tugging at the hem of an oversized sweater. "Papa? You told me once that the healers thought you were a girl when you were born. But you weren't."

"That's right," Regulus said gently, setting his book aside. He knelt down on the rug to meet Harry's eyes. "I’ve been me since the very beginning. The words people used for me just didn't match who I actually was inside. It took time, and it took courage, but I had to be true to myself."

Harry looked up, green eyes wide and fiercely determined. "I think I'm just like you, Papa. Everyone calls me a girl, but I don't feel like one. I want to be a boy. I want to be trans, just like you."

A breath hitched in Regulus's chest, a profound wave of warmth and fierce protectiveness washing over him. He reached out, gently cupping Harry’s shoulder.

"You don't have to want to be anything, Harry," Regulus whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "If you tell me you're a boy, then you are a boy. And your dad and I will love you, support you, and stand by you every single step of the way. You're our son."

Harry’s face lit up with a brilliant, relieved smile, leaning forward into a tight, safe hug.