Past Bartylus - Tumblr Posts

July 5: burnt | @jegulus-microfic | word count: 1,284

*LAST PART in surgeon x patient au*

previous part, part one

James was embarrassed. So embarrassed. He had walked into Regulus' room without knocking. Again. He wore his cockiest grin and his confidence oozed off of him in waves. He planned to make a move today. Yet, when he sauntered into Regulus' room, the first thing he saw was another man sitting in his lap, cradling his face. Then, the 4 faces of 4 people in the room turned to look at him all at once. James' eyes were drawn to Regulus though. 

James felt his face pale. His eyes snapped to where he saw Regulus' hands resting on the other man's arms. The other man was still holding his face. James could have screamed just then. But, thankfully, he didn't.

James couldn't believe it. Because of course Regulus already had a partner. James hadn't even asked before he started flirting with him. He was a little taken aback from how much seeing this other man affected him. I mean, nothing had happened between him and Regulus yet. They'd just flirted a little. That, however, did not stop James' heart from plummeting straight to his feet. He probably should have expected it though. Regulus was attractive. But, James always went into things with little to no plans, and that almost alwaysended with him getting burnt.

"Woah," the other man on Regulus' lap exclaimed, turning around fully to face James, "who's the Adonis that just walked through the door?" The other man smirked and bit his lip playfully. James looked at him, and instantly hated him a little bit for being decently handsome. James then instantly hated himself for hating the other man.

"Alright, that's enough out of you," said another man, with a mess of blonde hair and dark, slightly sun kissed skin. "Get up off your arse, dollface," he purred to the other man, who was now scrambling off of Regulus.

The other man shoved Regulus' face back his hand and barked out a laugh when Regulus promptly shoved him off. "Ugh, Barty, seriously?" Regulus groaned.

Barty. That was the other man's name. Barty. Huh.

James came to quickly when he realized that he ought to introduced himself to Regulus' visitors. He flashed a polite smile to the other visitor, who hadn't spoken. She was quietly standing by Regulus, and she was holding one of his hands gently, clutching her purse in her free hand. James cleared his throat and spoke, "Hello, I'm Regulus' doctor. Dr Potter, but you can just call me James." He smiled at them all.

The woman holding Regulus' hand was the first to respond. "Hi, James," she replied kindly, smiling back at him. She had the same dark skin and blonde curls as the other blonde man, except she had her hair woven in braids. She extended a hand toward James, which he met halfway. "I'm Pandora."

"Oh, and I'm Barty!" Barty also put his hand out for James to shake, reaching over the bed. As soon as James clasped his hand around Barty's to shake it, Barty blurted, "I'm the best friend." Barty grinned. "He's mine." Barty's eyes glinted madly, and for a second, though James would never admit to it, he felt scared. He let go of Barty's hand.

"Barty." James looked at Regulus when he heard his sharp voice. Regulus wasn't even paying attention to James. He was caught up in swatting Barty with the back of his hand. "Mate, you've got to stop acting like my crazy, possessive ex."

"Reggie! We've been over this! That is exactly-"

"Love." The blonde man spoke up, glancing down at Barty, who was shorter than him by a few inches.

"Alright, alright, I can take a hint," Barty scoffed and rolled his eyes. His face visibly softened, though, when the blonde man put an arm around him.

The blonde man nodded to James politely. "And I'm Evan."

James grinned at them all. Despite the fact that Barty was absolutely bonkers and the fact that Regulus liked that and was dating him, James thought that the 4 of them looked like a little family. 

He cleared his throat. "Um, actually, the reason I've swung by is that I've got to start getting Regulus prepped for surgery. You all can say a quick goodbye, but then, our nurse, Dorcas, can show you to the lobby. The surgery is only about 2 hours, but the anesthesia will take a while to wear off. I recommend coming back tomorrow morning as most patients are pretty out of it after being on pain meds and anesthesia and all that stuff," James explained simply. 

As soon as James was finished, Barty swooped forward and hugged Regulus. He was sure there was no way Regulus was breathing in an embrace that tight but the look of annoyance of his face was priceless. "Don't die!" Barty stood up again. "I'll have no one to torment! But seriously, Reggie, you are not allowed to die." Barty's eyes started tearing up and he sucked in a harsh breath. 

"Good Lord," Evan mumbled under his breath, enveloping Barty in his arms. "See ya, Reg," he said in a normal tone, leaving the room, bag in hand, holding up a now sobbing Barty.

"Bye, Baguette," Pandora cooed in her airy voice, kissing Regulus' forehead, then leaving.

James quirked up an eyebrow at Regulus when the door shut. "Baguette?" 

Regulus groaned. James felt a tingle in his stomach at the sound. He internally chided himself. No, bad, James, bad. 

"She calls me Baguette and calls my brother Croissant because we're French," Regulus explained, rolling his eyes. He wore a smile on his lips though. Regulus shifted his ocean grey eyes to James and scooted over in his bed to make room for him to sit.

James gulped and shook his head hastily. Cleared his throat. "Ah, no, thank you," he mumbled. "Reg, I wanted to apologize for flirting with you. It was unprofessional of me and I didn't realize you were already involved-"

"I'm sorry, what?" Regulus snapped. "What do you mean 'already involved'?"

"I-uh-Barty isn't your..?" James trailed off, then chided himself again. This time it was for not finishing his own sentences.

"No," Regulus said, lips pursed. "He's my ex, but he's also my best friend. And he's very touchy and lovey dovey. Evan is his boyfriend."  After a moment of horrifying silence, Regulus blurted, "I think they're going to get married soon."

James couldn't bring himself to respond. He felt a million times more embarrassed now for some unknown reason. 

Before he could string together another apology, Regulus' hand darted out and dragged James down to sit on the bed next to him. Regulus stared right into James eyes, a million emotions swimming through their murky depths. Then, with no warning whatsoever, Regulus cupped James' cheek and pecked him on the lips. 

James' eyes closed and he brought a hand to Regulus' back. His lips were so, so soft. His hand was warm and held James' face with so much care he could melt on the spot. He leaned in, expecting more, and when he was met with nothing, he opened his eyes. Regulus stared back at him, a centimeter away. Regulus had pulled back from him faster than he had rushed forward to him.

Regulus' face flushed madly and he turned away from James. 

"Get me ready for my surgery, James."

"Okay, love."

Regulus turned back to face James. This time, James was the one bringing his hand up to cup the other man's face. 

James anticipated what Regulus was going to say and before the words left his mouth, James murmured softly, "Don't worry, everything's going to be just fine, love. I'll make sure of it."