idk either to start cackling bc they're my babies or sobbing bc they're my babies
Love - @black-brothers-microfic - wc: 534 - Starchaser
James says I love you like it’s his second nature.
He says it when he hangs up the phone with Sirius. When Lily hands him his coffee. When Remus fixes his collar before a meeting. When Marlene passes him a pen. He even says it to Peter when he remembers to order extra fries with his lunch.
Regulus has noticed.
More importantly, he’s noticed that James has never said it to him.
It shouldn’t bother him. He shouldn’t care. He’s not the kind of person who expects grand displays of affection or casually tossed I-love-yous. But James is. And yet, with him, James never says it.
And it’s driving Regulus insane.
At first, he tries to justify it. Maybe James just doesn’t say it to boyfriends. Maybe romantic love is different. But that theory dies a miserable death when James shouts “Love you, mate!” over his shoulder at the barista who gets his order right.
So that leaves only one conclusion:
James doesn’t love him.
Oh, he likes him. He kisses him. He holds him at night. He reaches for him first thing in the morning. But he doesn’t love him. Not the way Regulus wants him to.
Regulus wants to be okay with that.
He’s not.
So one night, after spending way too long lying awake staring at the ceiling, Regulus decides he’s just going to say it. Not because he expects anything in return, but because he wants to. Because if James isn’t in love with him, that doesn’t mean Regulus isn’t utterly, helplessly in love with him.
So the next morning, when James is still warm and half-asleep next to him, Regulus gathers his courage and says, “I love you.”
James goes still.
Regulus expected that. He expected a slow blink, maybe an awkward exhale. A thank you, maybe, if James was feeling particularly cruel. He did not expect James’ face to crumple as he lets out a choked breath and buries his face in his hands.
Regulus panics. “James—”
James surges forward, pulling Regulus into a crushing hug, and that’s when Regulus realizes—he’s crying.
“Jamie, what—”
“I love you,” James gasps against his neck. “I love you so much, I—fuck, I’ve been so scared.”
Regulus goes stiff. Scared?
James pulls back, rubbing at his eyes, failing miserably at stopping the tears. “I wanted to say it, I did. But it’s—fuck, it’s you, Reg. It matters with you. And I was scared, because no one’s ever—” He cuts himself off with a wet laugh, dragging a shaky hand through his hair. “No one’s ever loved me back before.”
Regulus stares. Then promptly bursts into tears.
Because of course James loves him. Of course he was just being an absolute idiot about it.
James makes a wounded noise before wrapping him up again, and they fall into a mess of limbs, choked sobs, and pure, unfiltered relief.
They take turns babbling I love yous between sniffles, hands clinging desperately, neither one letting go.
And when they finally pull apart, noses red, eyes puffy, James looks at Regulus like he’s something precious. Like he’s something James never thought he’d have.
“I love you,” James says, and this time, it’s everything.
Author notes: This is loosely based off a text post I saw. @leeny-leens @accio-sriracha @rosiesangel
its giving me to my bsf in a caring but also "ur so stupid and forgetful" way <3
did you sleep well tonight? (I love you) we should do this one day (I love you) did you eat? (I love you) I brought you this because it's your favorite (I love you) have you taken your vitamins? (I love you) I made this for you (I love you) did you get home safe? (I love you) I made you some tea (I love you) how's the project that you're working on? (I love you) don't forget your umbrella (I love you) take my scarf (I love you) I'll wait with you (I love you) I'll wait for you (I love you) (I love you) (I love you)
elon musk did a nazi salute twice at the inauguration, and republicans are defending him.
trump revoked executive order 11246, which prohibited discrimination.
trump put all dei employees on leave to be fired.
trump banned all lgbtq+ flags from being hung in government buildings.
trump rolled back biden’s executive order to lower prescription drug costs for people using medicare and medicaid.
trump rescinded the $35 cap on insulin, and prices are expected to rise to $1500 a month.
trump ordered the national institutes of health to cancel their review panels on cancer research.
when sean hannity asked trump about the economy, he said “i don’t care”, after campaigning with the economy as his main talking point.
trump has withdrawn the us from the world health organization.
trump is ordering health agencies to stop reporting on bird flu and halt publications of scientific reports.
trump has pardoned over 1500 people who stormed the capitol on january 6th.
trump changed mount denali back to mount mckinley.
trump signed an executive order to rename the gulf of mexico to gulf of america.
trump shut down cbp one, an app which granted legal entry to 1 million+ immigrants.
trump is allowing ice raids at churches and elementary schools.
trump announced plans to declare a national emergency at the us-mexico border.
trump signed an executive order to expand the use of the death penalty.
trump disbanded the school safety board that works to prevent school shootings. it was comprised of survivors, educators, and gun violence prevention advocates and formed after the school shooting in parkland.
trump withdrew from the paris climate act.
trump revoked all protections for transgender troops in the us military.
trump rescinded executive orders made by biden that benefited and protected women, lgbtq+ people, black americans, hispanic americans, asian americans, native hawaiians, and pacific islanders.
trump is attempting to make it legal to refuse to hire or fire pregnant women.
multiple state legislators are drafting bills to allow the punishment for abortion to be the death penalty.
trump pardoned 23 individuals convicted under the freedom of access to clinic entrances (FACE) act for their anti-abortion activism, including oftentimes violent protests at abortion clinics.
trump signed an executive order allowing deportation of foreign students who they believe express support for hamas or hezbollah.
trump announced that the us government will from here on out only recognize male and female as sexes. intersex is not legally recognized anymore.
trump refused to swear on the bible during his inauguration.
andy ogles drafted a constitutional amendment to allow trump to be president for a third term.
georgia republican congressman mike collins called for the deportation of new jersey born mariann budde, the bishop who urged trump to “have mercy” on the lgbtq+ community and immigrants during a service at the national cathedral.
amazon revoked protections for lgbtq+ and black employees.
every single republican told us we were overreacting. trump swore he had nothing to do with project 2025 yet continues implementing details outlined in it. not a single person has the right to tell us we’re being dramatic anymore.
hope the possibility of cheaper eggs and gas was worth it.
not be cackling over here
Evan: (Huffs and runs a hand across his face) I don't know what to do Reg! He keeps flirting with me like it's nothing, but..
Regulus: (Puts his book down and looks at Evan fully) But you want it to be something?
Evan: (Sighs) Exactly...
Regulus: (Props his head on his hand) Flirt back then
Evan: (Evan looks at him incredulously) You're fucking with me
Regulus: (Returns the look) Nope, now go
Evan: . . . . . .
Evan: (Groaned and begrudgingly stood) Fine, but I'm blaming you if this goes to shit
Regulus: (Smirked and followed Evan to the common room) We'll see about that
~ ˚.⋆ ✮ ˚.⋆ ~ ˚.⋆ ✮ ˚.⋆ ~ ˚.⋆ ✮ ˚.⋆ ~ ˚.⋆ ✮ ˚.⋆ ~ ˚.⋆ ✮ ˚.⋆ ~
Barty: (Smirks mischievously as Evan walks in with Reg following) Fuck, Ev, you're looking hot in those clothes
Evan: (With a straight face) Boiling actually, s'why I wouldn't mind if you took them off of me
Barty: (Goes bright red and tries to respond with equal flirtatiousness but fails miserably so he just sips his drink shakily)
Dorcas: (Grins and chuckles softly) Merlin, Ev, I think you've broken Barty
Evan: (Smirks ever so slightly) Hmm, I bet I could fix him in one night with me
Barty: (Chokes on his drink and goes a darker shade of red if possible)
Regulus: (Walks past Evan and whispers as he goes) Told you so
<3
James : *hugging regulus from behind* remember when you told me to go to the pharmacy?
Regulus : yes?
James : they’re out of my ADHD meds for 5 days
Regulus : oh my god
James : it’s going to be a fun week
Regulus : I’m going to Sirius’
James : in sickness and in health reggie
me too girl no worries
it’s amazing how I can turn a great day into a really shitty one, in the span of twenty minutes.
wolf "you drew stars around my scars" star
ALSO NEW RHEME WHAT THE HECK THEYRE ALWAYS SO BEAUTIFUL
AHHHHHHHH TYSM <33 ILY 🥰
tbh good on him I would too
james took his glasses off whenever snape walked by so he didnt have to see his ugly ahh mug
I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere-- Chappell Roan my beloved
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