Party Games

Party Games

Severus scowled, partly for effect and partly because he was having a bloody terrible time and wanted nothing more than go home and work on his latest Potion. Why on earth was he here?

An elegant blonde swirled past, complete with adoring train.

Ah. Lucius.

Severus had absolutely no problem taking orders from the man. Cold, ruthless and frighteningly clever, he was an excellent leader.

But the man was obsessed with parties.

Severus loathed parties.

He hated large groups of people at the best of times, and being forced into a room with perhaps fifty other revolutionaries - for they were, in the best sense of the word - was about fifty more people than Severus knew how to cope with. People. Who cared about people? Potions were far better. You knew where you were with carefully balanced ingredients. People were messy. People were unpredictable. So far his determined scowl had kept everyone out of his way. Just a little while longer and then he could slip away...

"You look as bored as I feel."

Severus' head snapped round. Dark hair, dark eyes, insufferable grin - for a heartbeat he was convinced that bastard Black had snuck in just to make his night even worse - and then his rationality kicked in and he actually looked at the man standing next to him.

Wrong Black.

"Must be the company," he said silkily, willing Regulus to leave him alone. He had rather liked the younger boy in school, finding in him a like mind - and a like loathing of Sirius - but had not seen him for years. Remembering his last year at Hogwarts, he was suddenly unsure that he wanted to renew that acquaintance. It could be...complicated. But Regulus was leaning in to talk to him, his presence blotting out the rest of the party.

"Want to have some fun, Severus?" the younger man asked, eyes alive with mischief.

"I have no interest in your idiotic party games," Severus replied, but there was no conviction in his voice. Regulus had always led him into trouble with incessant pranks, usually featuring a certain group of Gryffindors. It had been fun to have an ally. Times might have changed, but it appeared Regulus had not and God knew he was bored witless...

"Who said anything about games? I have something much better in mind. Come on, Severus. You know you want to," Regulus purred in his best seductive tones. Severus looked into dancing eyes and felt the hairs on the back on his neck rise and didn't trust himself to speak. Damn his teasing! This was what had made his last year a living nightmare and he could not stand going through it all again. Better to just leave it well alone. Severus shook his head firmly and refused to make eye contact. The other man stared back for a moment, then sighed and walked away. Severus watched him leave and refused to feel disappointed.

Half an hour later and Black was back.

"Still bored?" he asked, smiling. Severus shrugged awkwardly, unwilling to admit that he was both relieved and pleased that Regulus had come back. "Come on, I promise I won't hurt you," Regulus said, grabbing Severus by the hand. Before he could protest he was being pulled away, through the throng of people and onto a quiet balcony.

The sounds of the party faded away and Severus breathed deeply, tasting the cold night air. Much better. The silence stretched out and he stole a glimpse at the dark man next to him. Regulus was staring at the stars, face screwed up in concentration.

"What are you looking for?" he asked.

"My star," Regulus answered. "It's brighter at this time of year." Severus swept his gaze over the sky, but the thousands of burning lights seemed all the same. It was incredibly still and peaceful, but Severus could feel a tension radiating from his companion.

"So what's this fun you keep rabbiting on about?" he asked, in an attempt bring Regulus back to earth. Regulus stared rigidly above him for a few heartbeats, then switched his attention to Severus, who shivered slightly under the intensity of his gaze. The tension thickened and Severus suddenly wanted to flee from those dark eyes - eyes that burned like the stars.

And then, in a quick, fluid motion, Regulus broke the stillness and closed the gap, lifting his face to Severus' and pressing soft, insistent lips against his own.

Severus froze, too surprised to do anything, too surprised to feel anything.

Receiving no response, Regulus pulled away and all but fled to the other side of the balcony.

"I-I'm sorry...I...Gods, I just..."

Severus watched his mouth dispassionately as he stumbled over explanations, hearing none of the words. He had kissed him. Actually kissed him. Regulus.

"Why?" he said, cutting across Regulus' babbling. Regulus paused.

"Because I like you," he said stupidly, then blushed. "Because I want you."

Severus considered this carefully, ignoring the fear on Regulus' face. With the same air of detachment, he walked over to Regulus, lifted the younger boy's chin and kissed him fiercely. Unlike Severus, Regulus responded eagerly, moaning slightly when Severus pulled away.

"You're right," Severus said curtly. Regulus stared blankly, trying to remember the conversation before. Severus leant in, watching the way Regulus' pupils dilated, his eyes becoming as black as his name.

He lifted his hand and trailed it lightly across Regulus' lips, before bending his head to kiss him again.

"This is much better than a party game."