Work Text:
James started the tradition.
It’s like this.
On their last Valentine’s day at school, James decided he wanted to do something special for his partners. Only, there was a problem. His parents forbid him to access his trust vault (for “pranking the entire school” his mother says) so he asked Remus for advice. Remus suggested he make something both Lily and Regulus would love, while also having a significant meaning.
At first he couldn’t think of anything. That’s why he decided to borrow some of his friend’s books. Fairytales, romance novels, all that sort. When that didn’t work, he tried asking Marlene and Sirius ideas. Mary was in the room and suggested to serenade them.
“It’ll be romantic!” Mary said. “Especially if you write it especially for them!”
James wasn’t sure about that, but he decided that if all else fails, then that’s what he would do. Or maybe he could serenade them and make something else for them.
After that, James tried asking Regulus’ friends about what he might like (that’s handmade he specifically asked). Barty suggested a painting but James wasn’t quite blessed in that department so he scrapped it. Pandora suggested making a thousand origami cranes since it supposedly make you have a wish. James wasn’t quite sure he could make two thousand origamis tomorrow. Maybe he could do it another time.
“What about a ring?” Evan asked.
James furrowed his eyebrows. “I thought I already told you I don’t have money?”
“Yeah, no. What I meant was, a ring made out of paper?” Evan said. “Pretty sure I saw something like that on one of those books Panda lent to Lucy.”
“Van, that’s a good idea!” Barty said, tone slightly shocked.
“Here, James,” Pandora grabbed his arm. “I can show you how to make it right now!”
And so he learned and made one for each of them. He painted the paper he used before folding it into a paper ring. The colors were silver and gold, with hints of green and red. On the insides, he wrote their initials.
Sirius teased him about how he was essentially proposing to them, asking “when is the wedding?”. It got worse when Peter joined in, saying all sorts of things about promise rings. James wouldn’t say it out loud but they all could see his pink tinted cheeks and how he was holding in a smile.
But the thing was, it was so easy making those rings that he feels as if it isn’t enough to show Reg and Lils that he loves them so much. So he decided to try writing a song, like Mary suggested.
He struggled with it. Constantly writing lyrics on his papers when in class. Often asking Remus or Mary for help. Eventually, he decided he couldn’t write a full song so he would just make a chorus and hopefully a verse if he still had time.
He got so caught up in it that Regulus and Lily even asked him about. When they did, he just smiled and said it was a surprise. They’d indulged him and told him they were excited for the surprise. Although Regulus told him to 'not make it very public again, like last time' with a fond roll of his eyes.
Finally, the day came. James was going to meet up with them at the common room after school. Those hours of fidgeting in class, unable to focus, were so long. When it was the final class of the day, he immediately went to Lily and Regulus grinning. With a dramatic bow, he greeted them and offered his hands.
“Hello to you too, Jamie.” Regulus smiles before kissing him.
“That’s Lady Lily to you, Potter.” Lily remarks jokingly while putting the rest of her things in her bag.
They took his hands each and they spent the whole way to the common room talking about their day. James couldn’t believe he was so lucky to have them both, but here he was. Hand in hand with the love of his lives on their 1st anniversary.
When they arrived at the common room, they went to the corner for privacy. The others knew not to bother them so James can enact his plan but it wouldn’t hurt to have precautions.
“My gifts first.” Regulus says as they sat down, already going through his bags to get his gifts.
“I suppose mine will be next.” Lily says, also taking out her gifts.
“Mine last then?” James smiles.
“Here.” Regulus says. Voice so soft, eyes full of love.
James and Lily open it to see a beautiful painting of a doe and deer under the night sky, with the Leo constellation in full view.
“I didn’t know how to incorporate myself in there so I figured I’d just draw the star.” Regulus says.
“It’s perfect, Reg.” Lily smiles, planting a kiss on him.
“Yeah!” James smiles, also moving to plant a kiss on Regulus. “I’ll hang this in the dorms after this. And when we go back home, I’ll ask mum if we can frame it.”
“I will too! I’m sure my sister will say things but frankly, it’s none of her business.” Lily adds.
“Yours next, Lils!”
They open it and in it was a crocheted bouquet. James could recognize some. Roses, primrose, chrysanthemum, and of course, a yellow lily.
“Lily flower!” James exclaimed, reaching in for a kiss. He was so full of love and thankful at the gifts his lovers have given him.
“This would’ve taken so long, Lils.” Regulus says, also reaching in for a kiss after James.
“Only the best for my boys.” Lily winks.
And then it was James’s turn. He takes out the small boxes he put the paper rings in and gives it to them. Their faces of joy and love was a sight to behold. They thanked him and kissed him and all James could think for a moment was how did I get this lucky?
“That’s not all though!” James says before standing and getting the guitar near them.
“There’s more?” Regulus asks, eyebrows going up to his forehead.
“I made this song!” James exclaims. “But it’s super short because I didn’t have too much time.”
“I’m sure it’s lovely, Jay. Let us hear it.”
He breathes in and begins to strum and sing:
“I like shiny things, but I’d marry you with paper rings
Uh huh, that’s right
Darlings, you’re the ones I want, and
I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this
Uh huh, that’s right
Darlings, you’re the ones I want
In paper rings, in picture frames, in dirty dreams
Oh, you’re the one I want”
He looks and he sees them both smiling so brightly at him, Regulus holding back tears while Lily already let a few ones out.
“That was basically a proposal, Jamie.” Regulus says, voice thick.
“Maybe I am proposing.” James says cheekily.
“Oh, come here, you!” Lily grabs him and pulls him to them. He can’t help the laugh that escapes his lips as he’s surrounded by his lovers, with his friends on other sides of the room and the fireplace emitting warmth. James sits there, thinking that everything will be alright as long as he has this. This warmth and happiness.
The tradition doesn’t start until a few days later, when Regulus gets a letter from his mother. They didn’t need to know what the contents were to know that Reg needed cheering up. So they meet up at lunch, sat on a picnic blanket, near the lake. It was quiet until Lily suddenly slid over two paper rings to them.
“You needed cheering up and I thought this might help.” She says, eyes still on the lake.
They sit there for a moment, unsure how to continue until Regulus sobs and Lily and James panics.
“Gosh, I love you both.” Regulus says, still crying in their arms.
And so it continues. Throughout the years, they would receive or find a paper ring for them.
When they were at school, Regulus would slip them in their pockets, Lily would put it on your table, while James would straight up give it to them personally.
After school, they decided to live together. So rings would be all over the house. On their desks, on the counter, on the couch. Every morning, afternoon, and night. They would be everywhere.
(I am here, the rings seem to emanate. I love you, it seems to whisper.)