Chapter Text
The back of the library was their favourite place to hide. No one wanted to study amongst the dusty tombs that lined the stacks here. With no natural lighting and only a shabby old sofa to sit on, it wasn’t drawing many students. Which was perfect for the two of them.
Remus shifted on the sofa next to Regulus, sighing heavily. He leaned over to read the cover of Regulus’s book and nodded with approval. Pulling out his own from his bag, he folded his legs underneath him. “Good choice,” he said quietly.
“Mm-hmm,” Regulus hummed in agreement. He flipped the page and stuck his finger in between to mark his spot. “What are you reading?”
“Step by step dog training,” Remus muttered, side-eyeing Regulus with a smirk.
He snorted with laughter, shoving Remus’s shoulder. “No, really.”
Remus held up the book so the cover faced him. He was actually reading a dog training book. Regulus lost it, shaking with silent laughter as he dropped his face into Remus’s shoulder. It was entirely too ridiculous for words.
“Wh-Why?” he gasped out, flailing a hand at his face.
“I think it will be rather useful information,” Remus replied, sticking his tongue in his cheek.
Regulus took a long, deep breath before facing him again. “Please, explain.”
“I want to teach Padfoot a few tricks, but he’s very impatient,” Remus said, arching an eyebrow. “Especially when he starts barking. I need a quick signal to make him stop.”
“Oh good luck with that,” Regulus huffed, rolling his eyes. “When you sort it out, teach me. I can’t convince James to shut his mouth unless I put something in it.”
Remus’s eyebrows shot up his forehead. “Oh?”
“Stop! That’s not what I meant!” Regulus whisper-shouted, swatting his shoulder. “I carry sweets in my pockets-” He halted mid-sentence and tilted his head to the side. There was a strange sound coming from the stacks behind them, a shuffling sort of noise.
“Yep, he’s been hiding there for a good twenty minutes now,” Remus said, nodding slowly.
“Such a prat,” Regulus shook his head. “I told him to let me read in peace an hour ago. He can’t sit still for a whole minute and it’s very distracting.”
With a bemused huff, Remus nodded. “I know the feeling. That’s another reason I’m reading the book.”
He peered over Remus’s shoulder, squinting at the text. “You have me intrigued, what does it say?”
Remus began reading aloud, “Successful behaviour modification via operant conditioning requires positive reinforcement and repetition. For behaviours you wish to encourage, offer rewards. For behaviours you wish to discourage, ignore and walk away. Attention is a reward.”
“Oh, so the sweets I’m giving him are just encouraging him to talk to me,” Regulus mused, chewing his bottom lip thoughtfully.
“Mm-hmm, sounds like it,” Remus agreed. “You should give him the sweets when he’s quiet.”
“Does it list other rewards? Food, obviously. Attention…”
Remus flipped ahead in the book. “Food, attention, affection, and praise are the most effective rewards. Knowing what your pet prefers is vital.” He slid his finger down the page and hummed quietly to himself. “The signal should direct the pet to a location or a movement. Oh, I see. So, if you want him to spin, twirl your finger. If you want him to sit, point to the ground.”
“Interesting,” Regulus replied, tapping his lips as his gaze landed on the stacks again. “I wonder if it works on people too.”
“I don’t see why not,” Remus replied, shrugging.
Regulus smiled mischievously. “Let’s find out.”
Stretching his arms over his head, Regulus released a low groan. The shuffling in the stacks quieted immediately. He then rubbed at his neck and shoulders, wincing at the stiffness. “I’ve been sitting here too long, Remus. My shoulders are sore,” Regulus announced.
He sighed with delight when a pair of warm hands replaced his, smoothing over his neck and shoulders. Dropping his head back against the sofa, he smiled up at James. “Oh, hello. That feels amazing.”
“I live to serve,” James teased, grinning eagerly.
Regulus lifted two fingers to his lips and tapped twice. “Can I have a kiss?”
“Of course!” James enthused, leaning down. He kissed him twice, then nuzzled into his neck.
He ruffled the taller boy’s curls affectionately as James sighed into his neck. Smirking at Remus, Regulus whispered in his boyfriend’s ear, “Good boy.”
Remus sucked his cheeks in and averted his gaze, clearly trying not to laugh. Within seconds, his shoulders were shaking and his face fell into his open book. The flush climbing his neck burned his skin bright pink.
*****
Regulus trailed James down the hallway, watching him crack jokes with his friends. They were loud and obnoxious, as usual, drawing the attention of the entire student body. When the other three separated to head up the stairs to the dorm, James turned to the right instead. He had quidditch practise today and was wandering out to the pitch.
Quickly, Regulus rushed out the side entrance and bolted down the side of the building. He slowed his steps and regulated his breathing. If he timed it right, James would appear directly in front of him in 3…2…1…
“Hey! I was looking for you earlier,” James greeted him, lifting a hand to wave.
“You were?” he asked, pausing to glance around the lawn. No one was out today, the sky was cloudy and threatening rain. Only a quidditch-obsessed Captain would find this weather fly-worthy.
James nodded. “I wanted to see if you’d be interested in a date to Hogsmeade this weekend.”
“Oh, that sounds nice,” Regulus agreed. He reached out and tugged on James’s tie, pulling him closer. After another quick check of the surrounding area, Regulus lifted two fingers to his lips and tapped twice. “Kiss?”
James hummed approvingly and cupped his cheeks with his hands. He kissed him soundly then pecked at his lips a second time for good measure. Regulus smiled, stroking his hands up and down James’s back. When James rested his cheek against Regulus’s temple, he whispered into his ear. “Good boy.”
*****
Gryffindor’s parties were always loud, raucous affairs, so he rarely agreed to attend. Regulus hated the noise and the crush of people who constantly bumped into him. He suspected it was on purpose, but he couldn’t prove it. The only reason he’d agreed to tonight’s invitation was because he wanted to test the kiss signal.
The number one thing that held Regulus back from enjoying PDA was the nervous fumbling that added an embarrassing level of awkwardness to the interaction. Of course he wanted James to kiss him and hold his hand in public, but it was mortifying to imagine everyone watching them. He wanted it to be as effortless for the two of them as it was for straight couples.
While this little behaviour modification game he’d started was largely a joke, it occurred to him a week in that it might be helpful. Already, he’d redirected James to quietly lay his head in his lap while Regulus was reading, rewarding him by massaging his scalp until he fell asleep. He’d also lessened the mindless chatter by feeding James sweets when he sat next to him without speaking for a while.
It was all done very casually, so his boyfriend didn’t catch on. Whenever James kept quiet for longer than a minute, he offered him a sweet. Slowly, over the course of one hour, he upped it to five, and then ten, minute intervals. James accepted the sweets, chewing them happily with a delighted grin. Completely adorable.
Here, in this chaotic common room, James definitely wouldn’t hear him ask for a kiss and he wouldn’t be expecting the request either. It was the perfect testing location. In addition, Regulus inadvertently trained himself to expect the kiss after the taps, so he wouldn’t be caught off-guard.
“Regulus! Over here!” Sirius shouted, hands cupped around his mouth.
He waved at his brother in acknowledgement, then dodged past the groups of Gryffindors crowded around the room. Sirius and his friends were hoarding a sofa next to the refreshments table. Remus, Peter, and James were settled onto the cushions with Sirius perched on the arm.
“There you are,” James said, reaching for him when he stepped closer. “I was about to lead a search party to look for you.” He immediately jumped up from the sofa and settled Regulus into his seat.
Regulus smiled gratefully at him, pleased when his boyfriend rested his hip against the arm next to him. James covertly dropped his hand to his side before softly touching Regulus’s shoulder. He then slowly trailed his fingers up to the nape of Regulus’s neck, lightly stroking circles against his skin. This was as subtle as James could manage, but it was comforting nonetheless.
The music blared around them, blocking out most opportunities for conversation. Remus and Sirius were talking directly into each other’s ears, while Peter studied the wizard’s chess game being played at his feet. After about thirty minutes of gathering his courage, Regulus reached for James’s leg. He splayed his fingers over his boyfriend’s knee and adjusted his position on the sofa, pretending not to notice the warmth spreading up his arm at the contact.
James looked down, blinking rapidly at his hand’s placement. Just as Regulus began to second-guess himself and pull it back, James covered Regulus’s hand with his own. He linked their fingers and smiled to himself. A charmed sound escaped Regulus in response, but thankfully it was drowned in the music.
A little while later, Marlene appeared in front of the sofa and pointed at James. “Captain! We need a toast!” she shouted, gesturing at him to stand up. She spun away and bounded back over to the corner with Mary.
Before James could move, Regulus squeezed his hand. His boyfriend met his eyes, eyebrows raising in question. Breathing in deeply, Regulus tapped two fingers to his lips. Automatically, James leaned down and kissed him twice, then squeezed his hand and followed Marlene.
He made it all the way across the room before it occurred to James what just happened. Regulus caught the moment of recognition dawning on his face and fought back a grin when his boyfriend’s face lit up with pure joy. James abandoned the entire team to sprint back to his side.
“You don’t mind? It’s alright…in front of everyone?” he asked, leaning over the arm to speak directly into Regulus’s ear.
“Yes, just don’t draw too much attention,” Regulus answered, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek.
James shimmied with excitement, then promptly snuck one more kiss before sprinting back across the room. Regulus flushed, covering his cheeks with his hands as several people turned to stare. He ignored them, overwhelmed in the very best way.
Remus leaned across Peter and nudged Regulus’s knee. Glancing up at him, Regulus caught the congratulatory wink before he sat back in his seat. Regulus smirked back at him, noting the unusually calm state Sirius was in, with Remus’s hand tucked into his back pocket.