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James Potter was suffering and Regulus Black was to blame. Again.
Across the crowded Gryffindor party, Regulus was dancing on a couch. If you could even call it dancing. It was as suggestive as a mating call, and to James’ dismay, it was attracting every other alpha in the room.
He couldn’t say exactly what it was about the moody, demanding younger Black brother that always drew him in. Obviously, Regulus was attractive. The entire school knew that. He had turned down more confessions last year than Sirius or James. It wasn’t just physical. His devastating looks were rivaled by his sharp tongue. The omega was whip-smart with a wicked sense of humor.
Tonight, though? There was something animal in the air. It could have been in the way he moved, eyes closed and arms raised, languorously seductive. Or how his trousers were hanging off of him, featuring both the dimples pressed into his lower back and the sharp, raised hip bones in the front.
James ached for a taste. He wanted to bite the little omega, claim him so thoroughly that the world would know who Regulus belonged to without question.
So, when Barty Crouch wrapped his hands around Regulus’ waist and started grinding, James had to come up with a diversion.
A pointy elbow in his side broke the trance. His gaze swivelled up to where Remus raised his hand to his own throat. James realized he’d been growling and cleared his throat with a cough.
Crouch needed to go, and Regulus needed to stay.
James relaxed his posture, throwing on the signature, lighthearted grin that would sell the act. Walking to the drink table, he grabbed a full handle of Blishen’s Firewhiskey, slung an arm around Sirius, and whispered, “I bet Moony would love to play a game of truth or dare.”
“Too true.” Sirius grinned, knowing that the alpha would certainly not. He slapped James on the back, cupped hands around his mouth, and yelled, “Truth or dare! If you’re not playing, it’s time to go.”
A spell lowered the music and changed the lighting. Sirius began walking around to each group and repeating himself before apologizing with a shrug. “Sorry, nothing I can do. Moony’s rules.”
“Hey! Wait up,” Remus sputtered, chasing after Sirius. With a cheeky wink in his direction, Sirius picked up the pace.
As the common room began to empty, James found Barty and Regulus still dancing. Aiming for casual, he padded over. When James got close, Regulus opened his eyes, as if he knew there was a predator approaching. But the minx didn’t stop grinding. If anything, he played it up, wrapping his arm around Barty’s neck and smirking at James.
“Hi, Reg,” James said happily, pretending Barty didn’t exist. To his delight, even though Regulus was on top of the couch, James stood at Regulus’ eye level.
“Hello, Potter,” Regulus said. James heard the unspoken “don’t call me that” in his tone, a phrase Regulus had whined repeatedly during his first few years at Hogwarts. The Marauders saw Regulus as an extension of Sirius, which meant closeness was a default. “You remember Barty,” he said, gesturing to his friend.
“‘Lo, Crouch,” James replied in acknowledgement. He refused to look up at the beta behind Regulus and or where his undeserving hands were grasping pale hips. “We’re playing truth or dare,” James said, gesturing to where Sirius was gathering a group. “Care to join?”
Ever so sweetly, Regulus looked up at Barty and asked, “Wanna play?”
“A bit childish, isn’t it?” Barty teased.
James learned nothing from the silent conversation between the two younger men, but it worked out in his favor.
“Nah, I have to head back,” Barty said. He gave James an unreadable look. “Better take care of him.”
“Oh, fuck off,” Regulus said, swatting at Barty, who was already climbing off the couch, laughing to himself.
James smiled at Regulus and outstretched a hand to help him step off. Regulus ignored the offer, instead planting both hands on James’ shoulders and using his whole body to gracefully jump. James’ hands flew to his waist, fingers deftly sliding under the fabric of Regulus’ shirt, as he lifted him. Everything about him was toned and tight, down to that slutty little waist. A whiff of Regulus’ peachy, fruit-forward omegan scent almost knocked him out.
Then, as quickly as it started, Regulus sauntered off without a word to join the others.
He’d used James as a human step stool and left him behind.
A fond grin split James’ face.
His omega was terribly cute.
“Rules are as so. Turns are taken in order, but you can ask whoever you want. You can either pick truth, dare, or shot. You can’t hear the dare or be asked the truth first and then go for the shot. It’s just the third choice,” Sirius explained once the group had assembled. He pointed at the full bottle of firewhiskey surrounded by shot glasses that were spelled to stay chilled. “Booze was generously procured and provided by Prongs, so everyone say, ‘Thanks, Prongs.’” He reached across the circle to pat James’s knee. “She’s going to a good cause, mate.”
James lifted his cup high. “Hear, hear.”
The Marauders, plus Lily, Mary, Dorcas, Marlene, and Regulus refilled their drinks and began the game. The first few rounds of questioning were innocuous. But as they drank more, the group became increasingly creative.
“Peter, truth, dare, or shot?” Mary asked.
“Uh…dare?”
“I dare you to do an impersonation of Marlene’s meltdown when we lost the Quidditch Cup last year,” she said.
“Hey,” Marlene protested as her drink sloshed on the floor. “We were robbed!” Dorcas pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
Peter ignored her. “Easy. James, give me your jersey,” Peter said, making grabby hands.
Reaching up with one hand, James pulled his shirt off from the back of the neck.
Across the room, Regulus’s face went pink.
“Lily? Truth, dare, or shot?” Sirius asked.
“Truth,” Lily said.
“Who is the most attractive person in the room?”
Lily grumbled, but wrapped her arms around Mary, who froze at her touch.
“Sorry,” Sirius said. “I didn’t catch that. Who did you say it was?”
She rolled her eyes, then enunciated, “I said it’s Mary.”
“Ah, I heard you that time. Thanks!”
“James, truth, dare, or shot?” Peter asked.
“He’s gonna say dare, why even ask?” Marlene scoffed.
“Okay, then, truth,” James said, sitting up and laughing when Marlene stuck out her tongue.
“Huh. Wasn’t expecting that,” Peter said, looking around the room. James recognized the glimmer in his eye when he finally asked, “What does Amortentia smell like?”
Regulus Arcturus Black. Regulus Arcturus Black in heat. Regulus Arcturus Black in heat and in James’ bed. Regulus Arcturus Black in heat and in James’ bed, surrounded by a nest reeking of their combined scent.
“Uh. It’s been a while, but I think it was fruity.”
“Yeah, I bet it was,” Remus said under his breath.
Peter just nodded and smirked at his drink.
“Moons?” James prompted.
“Dare,” Remus said easily. James knew Remus would choose that. Even though he was more cerebral than the rest of them, he had too many secrets to freely offer the truth. But James would get it out of him anyway.
“Excellent. I dare you to tell Padfoot his fifteen best qualities.”
Sirius clapped with glee as Remus groaned.
“Oh, Merlin. Fifteen? What did I do to deserve that?” Remus groaned.
“Nothing, his head just isn’t quite big enough yet,” James said.
Regulus snorted loudly, then covered his face with his hands. Remus’ look promised revenge, but he obeyed, moving to sit next to Sirius as he spoke quietly into his ear. James considered it a win.
“Sirius? Truth, dare, or shot,” Regulus asked.
Sirius was hanging off of Remus’s shoulders, wholly captivated by Remus’ private words. Sirius’ hand was petting the alpha’s thigh. Pink was climbing up Remus’ neck, but he kept explaining.
Dawn’s light filtered in through the windows, so Remus had certainly exceeded fifteen compliments by now.
“Sirius!” Regulus repeated.
Remus nudged him and Sirius finally looked over.
“Huh? Is it my turn?” Sirius asked.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Marlene said, handing over the half-empty bottle. “Just give him the shot.”
“Regulus?” Dorcas asked innocently.
He raised an eyebrow at his friend. “Dare.”
“Go sit on Potter’s lap for the rest of the game. He looks cold without his shirt.”
James grinned and leaned back, hands flat against the floor behind him.
“Nevermind. I’ll drink,” Regulus said, reaching for the bottle.
Snatching it first, Dorcas held it away from him. “Nope. Too late. You know the rules.”
“The rules are made up,” Regulus argued.
“Oh, Sirius! Your dear brother is trying to cheat,” Dorcas sang.
Sirius didn’t turn away from Remus to say, “Reggie, c’mon. Be a good sport.”
“Fine,” Regulus huffed, walking across the room and plopping down in James’ lap without a word.
“Hi, there,” James whispered. “Thanks for volunteering to keep me warm.”
“Shut it, Potter. I didn’t volunteer, you dolt.” Regulus made himself comfortable, then punched his arm. “You know that’s not how the game works.”
James couldn’t help but flex at the impact and Regulus quickly pulled his fist away. Thank you Quidditch practice, James thought.
“Well, I appreciate it either way. I really was getting cold and I don’t think Peter plans on returning my jersey any time soon.” At some point, Peter had remembered the stash of Chocolate Frogs he’d hidden in the room, and had gone to the couch with them. He was currently nodding off, chocolate smeared across his lips.
Showing Regulus the evidence, James stuck out his arm. “See? Goosebumps.”
They might have had more to do with the omega who had taken up residence in his lap than the temperature, but Regulus was none the wiser. With a frown, he grabbed James’ arm to inspect them closer.
“Idiot.” Regulus leaned back in James’ lap, sinking into his torso, and wrapped James’ arms around him tight. When Regulus lay his head back, tucked between James’ shoulder and neck, his chest rumbled in satisfaction.
“Oh,” Regulus breathed, freezing for a moment before relaxing even deeper into James’ hold.
Soft, satisfied peach wafted from Regulus as he drifted off, curling into James. Not even ten minutes later, he was out cold. James luxuriated in the scent and the warmth, allowing the omega to sleep. James was in awe that Regulus felt safe enough with him to do this. He was going to remember every moment of tonight.
The rest of the group quickly lost interest in the game. Before Dorcas followed Marlene to bed, she stopped in front of James, and asked, “You two okay?”
“He’s out. You’re staying here right? Should I carry him back to the Dungeon?” James asked softly, studying his small form. His dark hair looked impossibly soft.
“No, that’ll wake him up and he never sleeps like this. Just bring him upstairs with you.”
James’ heart kicked. “Are you sure? I don’t mind taking him.”
“It’s fine. But no funny business,” Dorcas said.
“Never,” James said seriously. “I would never.”
“Yeah. I know. He does too. That’s why he trusts you. Don’t let him down.”
Dorcas nodded and smiled. “He’s so cute like this.”
“He’s always cute,” James found himself arguing.
Tucked in his arms, James carried Regulus to his room. He couldn’t wait to have the sweet scent of happy omega seep into his covers. James wanted to smell Regulus every time he crawled into bed for the rest of his life.
As he grabbed his wand to close the shades, Regulus mumbled. “James?”
“Hey, sleepyhead,” James said, suddenly nervous. “The game’s over. You fell asleep. Do you want me to take you back now?”
“No. I’m staying here,” Regulus said, voice heavy with sleep.
“You want to sleep in your brother’s bed?” James offered. “You want pajamas?”
“No,” Regulus readjusted his grip around James, getting comfortable again. He ducked into James’ neck and inhaled, bones turning into jelly.
Delighted that his scent was calming Regulus, James slowly began to rub his back and ventured, “Is it…do you want to come to my bed, Reg?”
Regulus hummed, “Okay, we can share.”
James’ stomach flipped. “Do you want it for yourself? I can sleep somewhere else.”
Pressing his index finger against James’ mouth, Regulus shushed him. “Shhh. No more talking. Bed time.”
“Okay,” James chucked. “Bed time.”
Heart racing, James tucked Regulus under his covers and climbed in next to him. Regulus latched back onto his chest, tucking his nose against James’s scent gland, rubbing the tip up and down.
“Reg?”
“Smells so good,” Regulus mumbled into his skin.
“Oh,” James took another deep breath, as fireworks exploded inside of him. “You smell really good to me too.”
“Fruity?” Regulus asked.
James tightened his grip, pressing a kiss to the crown of his head. “Yeah. Fruity like Amortentia.”
James felt Regulus smile against his cheek.
“Thought so.”