Chapter Text
The Black siblings each had their own unhealthy ways of dealing with the trauma from their unfortunate childhood; if you could even call it that. They had people to talk to, and they were moving on, but healing is hard, very hard. Their friends were there as much as possible, getting them through each moment, and they were okay. While their days were mostly good, even years out of their harsh house there would still be a struggle, thankfully they had a support system.
The brothers, while different in their acts both wanted the same thing. To forget, and move on, but that was never going to happen and no matter how hard they tried to distract themselves from those painful memories, they would always be there in the back of their minds, ready to ruin them at any moment. It burned each star as they fought tirelessly to reclaim the thoughts in their minds.
Sirius, as predicted, worked to destroy everything their mother had tried to do, ruining themself in the process. The ridges that adorned their doll-like skin were visible to everyone so no one could ever forget what that monster had done to the people she called family. They had never meant to create a problem with it, all they wanted was to get back at his mother and the Black family, but they were a Black too no matter how many times they tried to deny it. Thus taking themself down in their slowly developing habits.
Regulus would never admit to anyone how close he kept his mother's lessons to his heart, remembering every word she had spoken. Those were his rules, and he strived to follow them. So each day he woke up and followed his mother's rules, looking for a semblance of control in what would always be hers. Only the smallest amount of food past his lips, keeping him perfect, always perfect. Always Pure. He was Regulus Black if he didn’t follow the rules who was he? If he wasn’t being punished he would become sloppy. Regulus couldn’t afford to get messy, he had earned every bit of love from the Potters, and knowing what it felt like, he would not let it go.
Unfortunately for the ones who loved them, the boys had a stubbornness to be matched. Their partners although amazing, were not equipped to handle these children’s mental battles. Try as they might, these boys would always need more than what they could offer.
James tried to be there and respect everything Regulus needed but, was much too oblivious to notice Regulus slowly disappearing into himself, his skin becoming sickly and his body shutting down. When the habit became dangerous James couldn’t help. The guilt of forcing food into his lover while he begged him to stop was too much, he was worried. Regulus was good at lying and James couldn’t recognize it. James, couldn’t be firm, and Regulus needed rules.
Remus on the other hand struggled to take a step back from the controls and allow Sirius to be sad. They needed hugs and Remus wasn’t sure how to allow that in the schedule he had created to make Sirius get better. Remus was there from the beginning and try as he might was not able to coddle Sirius. Remus was not good at judging that his partner needed help from someone who was there to listen. Remus didn’t understand how to put down his ruff exterior and liked rules and strict regulations. Sirius knew that Remus tried but they really just wanted a hug (no matter how much they denied it).
Not to say that either of these boys wasn't amazing, they just weren’t what their partner needed. They were each ready to give up anything for their friends, they were simply useless in their own partners' battles.
Thankfully each had a skill set that was perfect for their best friend.
James always had open arms for Sirius, who in the duration of his years at Hogwarts spilled any secret they could think of. James needed no explanation when Sirius cried their heart out, speaking of the horrors of their past house, expressing their craving for pain and blood. James was there, rapping Sirius up in a blanket and making drinks, there to coddle no matter what Sirius said. James loved Sirius and would help him get better, no matter what.
Remus, as stubborn as an ass was prepared to sit at a table for three hours, as Regulus struggled to choke down half a plate of food, denying the tears in his eyes. He was there to yell and create rules. Remus was always there he didn’t get put off by the hospital room, or vomit. He could work for hours on negotiating food and win every time, by never budging. He would be there, Regulus would get healthy Remus was sure of it.
Thank Merlin for those two, or our star-boys wouldn’t make it through breakfast.