The Sun & The Stars - Jegulus Oneshots

Paper Stars [Fluff]

"Reggie?" James asks, perplexed, and walks up to him. He waits for him to say, 'Don't call me that,' but he doesn't. "What are you doing here?"

Regulus shrugs. "I couldn't sleep. I thought the cold might help."

"Does it?"

"No."

"Do you... want to run with me?"

"I'd rather jump into the lake, thank you." He coaxes one of the light balls into his palm and smiles at it. It puts a gentle glow on Regulus's snow-white skin.

"Would you like to take a walk with me then?"

Regulus looks up. The golden light reflects in his eyes. "Okay." He pokes the light ball, causing it to double.

They start wandering through the snow, following the path stomped into it by other students.

"Are you excited to go home?" Regulus asks. He rarely initiates conversations.

"Yes! I miss my parents – and I need my mum's food! No offence to the Elves, but it's not the same. Oh, Merlin, the biscuits we make every year! They are the best in the world. Everybody says so. We always make an extra batch, and I bring it to school."

"That sounds lovely."

James grins and almost asks whether he is excited to go home, too. Then he remembers the "home" he is going to and retracts the question.

"Is there anything you're looking forward to?"

Regulus is quiet for a while. James curses himself for even asking this.

"Our New Year's Eve party isn't completely horrible."

"No?"

He shrugs. "I'm allowed to drink and get to speak with my cousin. It's something."

James hums. He looks back to the castle and their tower where Sirius is sleeping (probably in Remus's arms.)

Sirius ran away from home last year before the Christmas Holidays. He spent Christmas with James's family, and as much as he pretended to love it, James caught him crying more than once. He didn't miss home or his parents. He wanted his little brother. He cried for Regulus, afraid of what he was going through alone at home and inconsolable about not being with him for the holidays.

"Have you ever thought about leaving?" James asks carefully.

"Leaving?"

"Like Sirius."

"And where would I go?"

"To me," James says simply. "To him."

Regulus looks at him. He then scoffs and shakes his head. "Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm not. My parents wouldn't mind. If we can take in Sirius, we can take you in, too. Your parents are horrible. You'd be better off with us."

"Sirius wouldn't want me there. At least I am kind of wanted at home."

"Kind of wanted? No one should be just kind of wanted by their parents. Sirius wants you with him."

"No, he doesn't."

"Yes, he does. He misses you."

"He left me," Regulus snaps. He stops. James watches as he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

"Reggie," James says gently. Daringly, he reaches out and touches his shoulder. "He left your family because he had to. He is gay, he couldn't stay there. He didn't want to leave you. Trust me, I'm his best friend. If anyone knows, it's me."