rebel - jegulus - @into-the-jeggyverse - word count: 568
“You know, Reg.” James said as entered the classroom. Regulus was alone, sitting on the floor leaning against the back wall with his head in his hands. “When most people want to rebel against their bigoted parents they dye their hair or get a piercing. They don’t typically stand up on a table in the Great Hall and out themselves in front of the whole school.”
Regulus looked up at James and attempted a sneer, but it fell flat behind the tear tracks and puffy eyes. “Yes, well. I’ve never been most people have I?”
James laughed as he dropped to sit next to him, not quite touching but close enough that he could. “Not even close. You’ve always been unique.”
Regulus scoffed. “That’s just a polite way of calling me weird.”
“Nah.” James placed his hand carefully on the floor between them. “Not that weird would be bad, of course. The best people are weird. I’m weird. But being gay is probably the least weird thing about you, if it helps”
“Right.” Regulus wasn’t looking at James’ face, his gaze focussed on the hand that had been deliberately left within reaching distance. “I’m dead, aren’t I?”
James chuckled. “Well, I wouldn’t go back home for Christmas if I were you.” He inched his hand slightly closer. “Why’d you do it?”
“It’s your fault.” Regulus’ hand twitched, and he stuffed it in his pocket. “Barty saw the note you sent and he spiked me with veritaserum and a compulsion charm. Kept pushing for answers and I… my occlumency failed.”
“Merlin, he’s a right annoying prick.” James moved his hand closer still, his pinky finger brushing against the fabric of Regulus’ cloak. “I know it’s going to be, well, shit. For a while. But it’s not the end of the world you know.”
“Isn’t it?” Regulus finally raised his head to look James in the eye. “At least six of my housemates will have already written to my mother. If I’m not disowned before sundown I’ll be surprised.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing. Your family are horrible, Reg. I’ve been telling you for months.” James moved his hand even closer, picking it up to rest lightly on Regulus’ thigh drawing a gasp from the younger boy. “Sirius is doing loads better since he was disowned. I say you embrace it.”
“Just like that?” Regulus shook his head. “And what, do you imagine we’ll skip off into the sunset holding hands?”
“We could.” James squeezed once and continued. “You know there’s a place for you at my house. That’s never been contingent on us being… well, being us.” He began idly stroking circles with his thumb. “Besides, since everyone knows about you now, maybe we can stop sneaking around so much?”
“You’d out yourself?” Regulus looked at James in disbelief. “James, I can’t ask-”
“Love.” James twisted and reached up with his free hand to gently cup Regulus’ jaw. “I’d have outed myself months ago. I’ve been waiting for you to be ready. You’re not asking, I’m offering.”
Regulus pressed forward to place a gentle kiss against James’ lips, brief but no less consuming.
“Alright” he said when they broke apart. “But promise me. You’ve no need to rebel against your parents, they’re saints. No tabletop confessions, please.”
James grinned. “No promises, baby. I’m allowed to tell the world you’re mine. I’m shouting that from the rooftop.”