(8/31) prompt: takeout — 1,217 words (jealous james ft. slightly meddling wolfstar) @jegulus-microfic
The second Regulus is through the front door of the flat he shares with Sirius and James, his brother is bolting up from the couch to come toward him.
“Thank Christ, that took fucking ages,” Sirius complains, automatically taking one of the bags looped around Regulus’ fingers.
“You insisted on the Italian place, you know they’re always busy,” Regulus remarks, eyes rolling.
He follows Sirius into the kitchen, nodding at Remus on the couch in greeting as he passes. James is at the sink finishing off a few dishes and when he turns around, he immediately smiles widely.
“Oh, you’re home.”
Stopping to pick up dinner on the way home from work isn’t unusual for him, especially on nights they’ve all got typical plans. Of course, Regulus has other plans tonight, but that’s beside the point.
Still, he nods once at James, a tight smile on his face that doesn’t match the brightness shone to him. Sirius is already rifling through the bag he took, pulling out containers of their takeout and spreading them on the small kitchen table. Regulus sets the other bag down and looks toward the neon clock on the oven, pursing his lips.
“You’re welcome, by the way,” He says snidely to his brother. “I’m running late now.”
Sirius shrugs, clearly unbothered, even as Regulus huffs irritably. Continuing to shuffle through the food, Sirius collects his and Remus’ meals, stacking containers precariously to take back to the living room.
“Late for what?” James asks.
“He’s skipping movie night ‘cause he’s got a date,” Sirius answers for him on his way out of the kitchen.
Regulus resists the urge to swat the small tower of takeout containers out of his brother’s arms. It’s not that he was keeping this date a secret exactly, but he might have liked to share that information himself, for fuck’s sake. Regulus stares with narrowed eyes at the kitchen doorway for a long moment until James is shifting his attention back to him.
“A date? You’re—” He cuts off when Regulus pointedly arches one brow at him. “You’ve got a date.”
It’s not a question anymore in its finality. James’ tone has gone flat, almost unimpressed, and Regulus can’t figure out why.
“Yes, I do,” He confirms.
These last few months since Regulus left home and moved in with Sirius and his best friend have been an adjustment. In that adjusting, though, he and James have gotten strangely closer, developed some sort of friendship of their own. He’s always kept James a little at arms length, considering he’s Sirius’ best friend, first and foremost. Whatever childhood crush had ignited years ago has long-since been snuffed out.
Or so he continues to try convincing himself.
Because of his new, growing closeness with James, Regulus has come to learn some of his tells. The way he bounces on the balls of his feet when he physically can’t contain his enthusiasm. The way he ruffles his hands through his messy hair more when he’s nervous about something.
Or, like now, how his teeth snap together, jaw rolling and his hands clenching, because James is irritated.
“Is there a problem?” Regulus questions.
“No, of course not. Why would there be a problem? You’ve got a date. You’re dating.” James says the word like it’s left an unpleasant taste in his mouth. “That’s— Well, that’s just awesome, isn’t it?”
Grey eyes narrow at him, arms lifting from Regulus’ sides to fold loosely over his chest. “Right.”
“Is it someone I know?” James steps nearer to him, Regulus watching him closely.
“One of Remus’ coworkers. He set us up.”
James’ jaw goes slack as he huffs a dry laugh. He glowers past Regulus in the direction of the living room, his head shaking slowly.
“Fucking Moony,” James mutters beneath his breath.
“I don’t see what the problem is,” Regulus notes.
“I already said there’s not a problem.”
“You’re certainly acting like there is.”
“Maybe I’m just upset you’re skipping out on movie night.” It’s clear the moment that James has said it that even he realizes what a weak excuse that is.
Regulus continues to stare at him in silent disbelief until finally James scoffs, caving.
“Moony knows exactly what he’s doing.”
“What does that even fucking mean?” Regulus implores.
“He probably thinks he’s being some twisted sort of helpful, the bastard.”
Regulus is impossibly more confused now, his own annoyance growing from his impatience. “I don’t have time for whatever this is.”
“Right, because you’ve got a date.” James’ lip curls in distaste, once again entirely unshy in his dislike for having to use the word in this context.
“So what?” Regulus snaps.
He tilts his chin up, keeping eye contact and standing his ground when James takes another step nearer to him.
“So, maybe I don’t want you to go.” James tosses his arms out widely in semblance of a shrug, hazel eyes blazing. “Happy?”
Regulus scowls, on the defense now. “No, you don’t get to do that.”
“Do what?”
“Act like I’m being annoying when you’re the one throwing a fit over me going out with someone. You’re not my b—”
James cocks his head to the side, squinting behind his glasses when Regulus cuts himself off. There’s a long pause between them; tension in the air suffocating as Regulus tries to take a deep breath. Before he can go on, though, James is shuffling even closer, directly in front of him, only inches between them now.
“And if I want to be?” James challenges, knowing exactly what he was going to say.
Which… Well. That’s just. Not the reaction Regulus was expecting at all.
Sure, they’ve gotten closer. He dares to think they���ve even grown affectionate toward each other in some regards, but this? What James is suggesting? Regulus has never even let himself consider it, the time of daydreams about James Potter long behind him.
“What?” It comes out sounding smaller than Regulus would like, the fight drained out of his voice as he looks at James with wide eyes.
“You heard me, love.” James settles a hand at Regulus’ side and he nearly flinches in surprise.
Ultimately it’s Sirius that causes Regulus to startle visibly instead, when his voice carries from the living room: “Are you two done having your little lover’s quarrel yet?
“We’d like to start the movie,” Remus adds.
Regulus takes a large step back from James, who clears his throat awkwardly and lifts a hand to ruffle back through his hair familiarly.
“I, um.” Regulus feels heat color his cheeks as he glances at the remaining takeout containers on the table, a crease in his brow. “Maybe I can… skip the date.”
“Yeah?” God, James sounds so fucking hopeful. It’s just as apparent when Regulus looks back at him again; the brightness of his eyes, the lift of his brows, the subtle smile that twitches at the edges of his mouth.
There’s definitely much more conversation to be had, things to figure out between them now that this is out in the open. Still, Regulus presses his lips together, avoiding a stupid smile of his own, and snatches a container of food from the table.
He half-turns away from where James is fully beaming at him now when he says, “It’s movie night, after all.”
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