Chapter 1: The one with a cold autumn evening
Chapter Text
“Told my friends I hate you,
but I love you just the
same.
imgonnagetyouback” By Taylor Swift
It was a cold evening at Hogwarts University. Remus sat on the windowsill at the far end of the library, a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. His headphones were blasting David Bowie’s Starman at full volume. The library was closed, but as a librarian assistant, he had a key. So here he was: perched on his favorite windowsill, reading his favorite book without a single interruption.
For exactly twenty-seven blissful minutes.
Then, his solitude was interrupted by a red-haired girl approaching him with a tense smile. Remus, deeply engrossed in his book and unable to hear her calling his name, didn’t notice her until she tapped him on the shoulder, making him jump.
“Hey, Lils,” Remus said, pulling out one of his earbuds.
“Remus! My favorite person in the whole world, my best friend since middle school, practically my brother—do you know how much I love you?” she said, opening her arms wide for a hug.
With a raised eyebrow, Remus asked, “What did you do, and what does it have to do with me?”
Dropping the act, she sighed and set her bag down on the floor.
“Sooo, my art professor gave us this assignment where we have to pair up, and he’s going to give each pair a location to draw. For me, it’s painting; for others, it’s something different, but you get the idea. Anyway, I came to the library to see if I could work here after it closes. Would that be okay?” She finished with a hopeful look.
That’s it?
"Yeah, Lils, of course you can. I don’t know why you were so nervous—you knew I’d say yes." Remus shrugged, and Lily sighed in relief.
"I’m so glad you said that! So… no takebacks. Oh, and Sirius Black is my partner, by the way. Bye, anwyl!" She grabbed her bag, but Remus caught it quickly, giving her a sharp look.
"Are you fucking serious?" he said, glaring.
"No. But you can," another voice chimed in from behind Lily, making Remus jump. He tilted his head to see the Sirius Black, standing there with that annoyingly sweet smile of his—the kind of smile only an absolute arsehole could pull off.
Lily rolled her eyes, glancing briefly at Sirius before looking back at Remus. "Moony, I swear he won’t light the library on fire again!"
"Lily! He burned a whole aisle!"
"Not on purpose!" Sirius jumped in.
Remus rolled his eyes. "You lit a cigarette in here! And acted like a complete jerk when Ms. Pince banned you for life." He couldn’t stand this guy—spoiled, snobby, probably never had to work for anything in his life.
"You literally have a pack of cigarettes in your bag," Sirius pointed out, gesturing to Remus’s open bag on the floor. "And besides, " he continued, " Pince totally overreacted! I paid for all the books I accidentally burned."
"Lily—do you even hear him? You really expect me to let him come in here, unsupervised?" Remus looked at her like she was insane for even suggesting it.
"I am supervision!" Lily pointed to herself as if it were obvious.
"How can I ever trust you again after siding with him?!" Remus asked, overly dramatic but determined to prove his point.
"Then stay here with us! We’ll be quiet, and you can keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t light the place on fire!" Lily suggested, pulling two packets of chocolate from her bag. "Pretty please?"
Groaning, Remus gave in. "Fine, fine!"
Lily practically threw herself at him, kissing his cheek and whispering, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” over and over.
"Lily! You almost spilled my tea!" Remus huffed, setting down his tea and hugging her briefly.
"I’ll tie his hands if he even thinks about lighting a cigarette in here," Remus said, to which Lily nodded earnestly.
"I’m still here, you know? I can hear you," Sirius scoffed, crossing his arms.
"Wow, I almost didn’t notice you. How’s the weather down there, by the way?" Remus asked sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"I’m tall! I’m even above average!" Sirius replied defensively.
Remus snorted. "Yeah? Above average for what age? Fifteen?" Lily laughed, quickly covering her mouth.
"I don’t know why Regulus is friends with you two," Sirius muttered, rolling his eyes before turning to leave.
"I’ll text you so we can figure out when to meet," Lily called after him, and with that, Sirius walked out.
"God, I hate him," Remus groaned.
Lily shrugged. "He’s nice when he isn’t being a dick."
"Nice? HA! Are we talking about the same person?" Remus asked incredulously.
Lily rolled her eyes and gave him a playful smack on the head.
"Anyway, leave it. Now, tell me—how’s it going with the band? Making progress?"
Remus nodded, pulling his legs up to make room for her to sit. "Regulus almost stabbed me because I wouldn’t agree to play a Taylor Swift song at our end-of-term concert. I swear, ever since he found out she’s James's favorite singer, he’s been obsessed. It was funny at first, but now? God save me."
"Leave him alone! He’s in love," Lily teased, swatting Remus, who huffed and rubbed his arm. "Come on, let’s go to your dorm and make dinner."
As they walked toward the dorms, Lily asked, "So, Regulus is obsessed with Taylor Swift, but you hate her?"
"I don’t *hate* her... I just... ugh, I don’t like the song Regulus picked. Why does it have to be 'cardigan'? Why can’t it be 'my tears ricochet'? It’s obviously the best song on Folklore!" Remus muttered under his breath.
"Are you seriously angry at Regulus because of a song?" Lily asked, giving him a look like she was about to kick his head and use it as a football.
Remus groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Let’s just get to my dorm," he muttered, picking up the pace. Lily followed him, hiding a smirk.
After a few more minutes of walking, they reached Remus's dorm. He unlocked the door and let Lily step in first.
"Reg, are you here? I want to start cooking dinner!" Remus called out, but there was no response. Then, from the kitchen, a loud crash echoed through the dorm.
Lily and Remus exchanged panicked looks and sprinted toward the kitchen.
“What the fuck happened here?” Remus gaped at the scene before them: the kitchen was covered in a thick layer of flour and what looked like a generous amount of oil, and standing in the middle of the chaos were two short, stunned figures—both thoroughly coated in flour.
“I wanted to bake James a cake for winning his first football match,” Sirius explained, pointing to Regulus, who was standing beside him with an unimpressed look. “He wanted to help.”
Regulus huffed. “I was forced to help,” he corrected.
Remus crossed his arms. "Regulus only knows how to make an omelet, and you," he shot Sirius a look, "have burned down the kitchen at yours and James’s place five times. Reg told me, so don’t even try denying it—I’m not going to believe you."
Sirius pouted, crossing his arms defiantly. “Your point?”
Remus raised a brow. "What were you thinking? You two are hopeless in a kitchen, and there wasn’t any supervision! Look at this mess! I am not cleaning this up; you two are." He pointed firmly at both Sirius and Regulus.
Sirius rolled his eyes, kicking at a small pile of flour on the floor. "Oh, for Merlin’s sake, it’s only a little flour."
Remus leaned in, crossing his arms. “You’ll clean this up, or I’ll get James to hide your makeup.”
Despite his oversized beanie and slightly baggy sweater, Remus still managed to look intimidating enough to make Sirius groan and throw his hands up.
“Fine!” he conceded.
Remus sighed, eyeing the flour-covered floor. “Now, how exactly did this happen?”
Sirius and Regulus exchanged a guilty look before Regulus launched into his explanation.
“It’s not my fault!” he insisted, pointing at Sirius. “This idiot started panicking because he got some flour on his shirt, so I threw the whole bowl at him! Now he can’t tell if his shirt is dirty or just white.”
Lily raised an eyebrow. “Reg!”
“Don’t ‘Reg ’ me! ” he protested, pointing at Sirius accusingly. “He dumped the entire bag of flour on me!”
"Both of you, Shut the flip up. Listen to me very closely, Because if you don't I will make your life a living hell for the rest of the year. Am I clear?" They both nodded at Lily who's cheeks were red and she had a wrinkle on her forehead. "Good. Now both of you, take the mop, the broom, and the vecum, and start cleaning. I'm coming back in 30 minutes and if you're not done by then I will cut your hair in your sleep." And with that, Lily walked out of the dorm, Leaving two pouting black-haired boys and a very amused Remus.
Remus leaned against the doorframe, watching as Lily's footsteps faded down the hall. He crossed his arms, barely containing his amusement. Regulus and Sirius, standing amidst the wreckage of flour and oil, exchanged wary glances, silently assessing the damage.
"Well, looks like we’re stuck with this now," Regulus muttered, grabbing a broom with exaggerated reluctance.
Sirius sighed dramatically, running his flour-covered hands through his already messy hair. "I hate it when she gets like that."
"I didn't force you to panic and dump the entire bag of flour on me," Regulus retorted, rolling his eyes.
"Guys, seriously," Remus interjected, sitting down on the couch with a chuckle. "The quicker you clean, the quicker you can get back to... whatever you two were planning before Lily burst in here."
Sirius shot him a sideways glance. "What, you think I’m enjoying this? No. But maybe we can make this a team-building exercise." He gave a playful nudge to Regulus, who simply glared at him in return.
"I'll start with the mop if you promise not to add more oil or flour," Regulus grumbled, grabbing the handle of the mop with a grimace.
"Deal." Sirius raised an eyebrow. "But you're getting the corners."
"Fine." Regulus immediately got to work, swiping the mop across the floor in wide, deliberate strokes. The silence between them was almost peaceful, save for the occasional muttered complaint or Sirius’s exaggerated sighs.
"So, what do you think the punishment will be if we don't get this cleaned up in time?" Sirius asked, looking at Remus.
Remus leaned back, smirking. "Well, considering that Lily has a pretty intense temper, I wouldn't be surprised if she left you both locked in here with nothing but a bag of flour and some cleaning supplies until the whole dorm is spotless."
Sirius rolled his eyes and grabbed a towel to wipe off his hands. "I think we’re gonna need a lot more than thirty minutes for this."
"Tell me about it," Regulus muttered, struggling to wrangle the mop into a bucket. "At this rate, Lily’s coming back to find us buried under flour."
"Just keep cleaning," Remus said, getting up from the couch. "I’ll keep an eye on the time. Thirty minutes starts now."
Sirius groaned again, but Regulus, perhaps feeling a bit of sympathy for his brother’s dilemma, sighed and got back to work. For the next few minutes, the three of them worked in relative silence, the sound of the mop slapping against the floor and the occasional grumble from Sirius and Regulus filling the room.
Remus couldn't help but chuckle to himself, knowing that despite their usual bickering and antics, they would somehow get it together in the end. After all, it was one of those chaotic moments that would make for a hilarious story later.
"Tu es vraiment idiot," Regulus muttered under his breath. Sirius hit his head with the back of his hand.
(you're such an idiot)
Sirius glared at Regulus, though there was no real heat behind it, just the usual brotherly rivalry. "Yeah, well, you didn’t have to make it worse, did you?" He retorted, running a hand through his flour-covered hair, looking like a walking disaster. "Now we’re both stuck cleaning this mess."
Regulus shot him a sideways glance. "Anyway, even if we won't finish cleaning this in time, Wouldn’t be the first time you’ve woken up with a... new look," he added with a sly grin.
Sirius rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress a chuckle. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. You don’t need to rub it in. But you did throw flour at me, Reg. Just sayin'."
Remus, who had been silently watching the exchange, couldn’t help but laugh softly from the couch.
"Shut up, Moony," Regulus muttered, focusing on mopping up more of the mess. "It’s bad enough I’m stuck with this idiot without you adding fuel to the fire."
Remus grinned, still amused by the scene. "Well, I can leave if you’d rather be alone with your thoughts—and your mop."
Sirius groaned. "Please, no more alone time with Regulus and his mop. I’ll never hear the end of it." He nudged his brother again, but this time with a more playful touch. "Come on, Reg, we’re almost done."
The tension eased as the floor slowly began to look less like a disaster zone. Regulus, though still grumbling, was doing his best to scrub away the oil stains, while Sirius, after more than a few dramatic sighs, had returned to picking up the scattered flour with a dustpan. It was teamwork, of a sort, but neither of them was particularly enthusiastic about it.
"Thirty minutes, you said?" Sirius shot a look at Remus, who was, predictably, still engrossed in his book. "How much time left?"
Remus glanced up at the clock. "You’ve got about ten minutes left before Lily comes back to check on you. I’d hurry if I were you."
Regulus let out an exasperated breath but pushed the mop faster. "Ten minutes? That’s barely enough time to finish this corner."
Sirius, grinning now, said, "We’ll make it. As long as Moony doesn’t decide to sit there all day making fun of us."
"I’mnot making fun of you," Remus said, lifting his hands in mock surrender. "I’m just enjoying the show."
"je ne sais pas pourquoi je suis ami avec toi. stupide enfoiré!" Regulus muttered under his breath.
"I heard that!" Remus called.
(I don't know why I'm friends with you. stupid bastard)
The time flew by, and there was already a knock on the door. "Someone's knocking!" Remus called, not taking his eyes off the book.
"Then open the fucking door!" Regulus called back.
"But I'm very comfortable!" Remus smirked as he flipped the page.
"I hope you fuck yourself on a column!" He heard Sirius laughing, and he rolled his eyes.
The knocking grew louder.
"If the door doesn't open in the next 10 seconds, I will break it down and use it to kick your ass!" Lily yelled from the other side of the door.
Oh, for Merlin's sake. Remus stood up and went to open the door.
As he opened it, he was greeted by Lily running toward him with her leg in the air. It all happened in a second—he had just opened the door, and he was already on the floor, Lily on top of him, his ribs aching and burning.
"Oh, fuck," Remus groaned, holding a hand over his chest.
"Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god." Lily quickly stood up, looking shocked and horrified.
"Remus, are you okay?!" She kneeled beside him, looking pale.
"Yep. Yep." He groaned and sat up slowly. "What's going on?" Sirius's voice came from behind him.
"I—I... No one answered the door, so I tried to kick it open! But then he opened the door, and I was already, like, jumping, you know? And I just hit him!" Lily said quickly, and ten seconds later, Sirius was a laughing mess, gasping for air and wiping away his tears.
"Oh please, god, please tell me there's a camera in the hallway," Sirius smirked, mascara streaks under his eyes from crying.
"There is, just down the hallway," Lily muttered, still looking too concerned and shocked.
"Oh, okay, I'll talk to Minnie about it later. Can you stand up?" He asked, offering Remus his hand.
"No! He can make it worse!" Lily slapped Sirius's hand away and placed her other hand on Remus's shoulder.
"Make what worse, exactly?" Sirius looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't know!"
"Then why don't we let Remus decide if he can or cannot stand?" Sirius said with an eye roll.
"I can stand just fine," Remus huffed, annoyed at them for talking about him like he wasn't there.
"Great," Sirius clapped his hands together. "Let me help you up." He grabbed Remus by the arm and supported his weight as Remus slowly stood.
"You okay, sweetheart?" Sirius chuckled as Remus stared at him. All Remus could come up with was a nod.
"See, Evans? Nobody died. He's alive and breathing," he said, releasing Remus's hand. "Let's make a cake!"
Regulus raised an eyebrow and said, "You mean you want Remus to bake a cake while all you do is choose the music."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Remus, do you have an apron?" Sirius asked with a sweet smile.
"Uhhh—ye-yeah, it's in my room," Remus started. "But it's not necessary; it's only a cake. If you know how to—"
"Wear it," Sirius cut Remus off, and by the look on his face, there was no negotiation.
"O-ok," Remus nodded and walked quickly toward his room.
Remus quickly made his way to his room, his mind spinning. He couldn’t quite figure out why Sirius's words were getting under his skin so much. Maybe it was the way Sirius said "sweetheart," or the way his hand had felt on his arm when he helped him up. It was nothing, right? Remus shook his head and grabbed his apron from his dresser, slipping it over his head.
When he returned to the kitchen, Sirius was leaning against the counter, arms crossed, looking at him with that damn smirk on his face.
"About time, Remus." Sirius said, eyes glinting in a way that made Remus's heart skip a beat. He tried to focus on the counter, on the task at hand, but it was hard when Sirius was standing so close.
"You're acting like I’ve never baked before," Remus replied, trying to keep his voice steady as he tied the apron strings behind his back.
"Wouldn’t put it past you," Sirius teased, stepping closer and giving Remus a once-over. His gaze lingered on the apron, the way it fit around Remus’s lean frame. Remus felt his skin flush slightly under the intensity of it, but he refused to look up.
"Can we just get this over with?" Remus said, his tone sharper than he intended.
"Of course, Moony, " Sirius said, voice low and a little too smooth. " You start, I'll supervise."
Remus felt Sirius’s eyes on him as he prepared the ingredients, his movements feeling overly conscious now. He caught Sirius staring a few times from the corner of his eye, and each glance made his skin prickle, a strange tension building between them that hadn’t been there before.
"Stop looking at me like that," Remus muttered, voice almost a whisper.
"Like what?" Sirius asked, his voice purposefully innocent.
Remus’s stomach flipped. He tried to focus on cracking the eggs into the mixing bowl, but his hands were suddenly trembling.
"Relax," Sirius added, stepping closer again, just enough to make Remus’s breath hitch. "I’m not gonna bite."
But the way Sirius said it, so low, so suggestive... Remus didn’t know if he meant it in the way he said it—or something else entirely.
"Yeah, well, you should probably keep your teeth to yourself," Remus muttered, half-joking, though his heart was beating louder than he’d like to admit.
Sirius leaned in, his breath warm against Remus’s ear. "I don’t know, Moony. I kind of like the idea of biting," he murmured.
Remus froze, suddenly aware of the proximity between them. The air felt heavier now, charged with something he couldn’t ignore.
Before he could say anything, there was a loud crash from the hallway. Regulus’s voice echoed from the other side of the door. "Sirius can stop making eyes at My best friend? You’re making me sick!"
Sirius stepped back, chuckling, but the moment was gone. Remus couldn’t decide whether he was relieved or disappointed.
Before Remus could even react, Sirius snapped his fingers and tapped his phone, sending the familiar opening riff of *“Don’t Stop Me Now”* blasting through the speakers. The iconic Queen song filled the kitchen, and Sirius was already swaying to the beat, his movements fluid, almost too smooth as he made his way toward the fridge.
"You’re such a dork," Remus muttered, trying to focus on the ingredients, but he couldn’t stop his eyes from following Sirius. The way Sirius danced around the kitchen, humming along with the music, his confidence radiating off him... it was hard not to notice. The playfulness in his movements, the way his jeans fit just right—it was like Sirius was trying to tease him with every step.
Sirius caught Remus staring out of the corner of his eye and threw him a wink, his smirk widening. "What? You don’t like Queen? You’re not going to start telling me that you hate this song too, are you?"
"No," Remus replied quickly, trying to sound unaffected, though his voice faltered slightly. "I like Queen. It’s just... you."
Sirius raised an eyebrow, the smirk not leaving his face. "You love me, Moony. Admit it." He spun around, taking an exaggerated bow like he was performing for an audience. The dramatic movement made Remus roll his eyes, but it didn’t stop the heat from creeping up his neck.
"Yeah, sure," Remus said, trying to sound casual. "I love how much of a pain you are." He focused on the bowl in front of him, pretending to mix the batter, but he could feel Sirius’s gaze on him. The air between them felt charged again, heavier than it had before.
"Don’t lie," Sirius called, his voice lowered now as he leaned closer, just enough to be close but not too close. "You’re not fooling anyone, Moony. I know you feel it." The song's beat pulsed around them, adding to the charged atmosphere.
Remus stiffened, swallowing hard. "Feel what?" he asked, though he knew exactly what Sirius meant.
"The tension," Sirius replied, his voice quiet now, the playful edge replaced by something that felt a lot more serious. Sirius’s eyes dropped to Remus’s lips for a brief moment, before quickly flicking back up to meet his gaze.
Remus couldn’t breathe for a second, caught in the intensity of Sirius’s stare. The flirtation was so obvious now, but something about the way Sirius was looking at him made his heart race. Was he joking, or was this something more?
The moment stretched longer than it should’ve, until the sound of the song shifted to a different track, and Lily’s voice broke the tension. "For Merlin’s sake, can you let Remus just bake the damn cake without making everything awkward because you want to get laid?"
Sirius chuckled and backed off, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. We’ll save the romance for later." His smirk was back, but there was something in his eyes that made Remus’s pulse quicken.
"Romance?" Remus muttered, turning his focus back to the batter, but he could still feel the weight of Sirius’s attention on him.
Sirius started humming along with the next song, “Somebody to Love,”
Chapter 2: The one with The dinner
Summary:
James's Pov today!
He won his first game, There is a party, of course, Will Regulus be there?
(this chapter is not the party its just talking about it)
(I write this like anyone really reads this help)
Chapter Text
"You know how to ball
I know
Aristotle."
So High School By Taylor Swift
"Prongsssssssss!" Sirius burst into the dorm, flinging the door open. "Yes, love of my life?" James answered with a grin. "Hello to you, too." Sirius winked dramatically before flopping onto the sofa with a huff.
"SO! I was just over at Remus's..." he began, a smug smirk spreading across his face. James narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Is that the 'I just slept with the hot, nerdy guy' smirk or the 'I'm going to make him fall in love with me and then probably break his heart' smirk?"
"I don’t know what you’re talking about," Sirius replied innocently, pulling out his phone and pretending to scroll through it. "Yeah, right," James scoffed. "Save that crap for someone who hasn’t known you since you were eleven and snotty."
Sirius smacked him lightly on the head. "Hey! I was eleven and hot. You were the snotty one." James rolled his eyes, grinning. "Sure you were, Pads. Sure you were."
"ANYWAY!" Sirius continued, undeterred. "I was over at Remus's, and we baked together! It was so much fun. He was all mean and sarcastic, I was all hot and flirty—it was perfect." He finished with a dreamy smile, looking like he was reliving the moment.
James raised an eyebrow, his disbelief was palpable. "Hold on, hold on. Are you telling me you, Sirius Black—the guy who has set the kitchen on fire five times—baked? Without burning anything?"
"Yes, Jamie, try to keep up!" Sirius rolled his eyes, grinning. "SO! He was so hot in his apron. Like, how can someone be both cute and hot in an apron? It’s unfair! And when he reads, he has these glasses. Good god, this man—" Sirius flopped back on the couch, throwing his arm dramatically over his face. "Fuck, I’d let him do anything he wants with me. He makes me all hot and blushing. And I never blush."
"Uh... was—uhm—was Regulus there?" James asked, trying and failing not to imagine Regulus Black in an apron.
"Yeah, the little shit was there," Sirius groaned, throwing his hands in the air for emphasis. "May I just say, RUINING my moment with Remus. Like, I want your best friend to pin me to the wall and kiss me senseless—SO WHAT!?" He huffed dramatically, crossing his arms like the universe had personally offended him.
James could only nod, though he wasn’t really listening. His mind had betrayed him, conjuring an image of Regulus in an apron—a sight he definitely wouldn’t mind seeing again... or at all. He cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to sound casual. "Uh—what were you baking?"
Sirius narrowed his eyes, but luckily his dramatic flair won out over his observational skills. "A cake for you. Obviously. Well, technically, Remus was baking a cake. I was just being charming and looking amazing while occasionally mixing things. Teamwork, Jamie."
"Yeah, right," James snorted. "Was Regulus baking for me too, or was it just you and Remus?" he asked, the question that had been nagging at the back of his mind. Sirius shrugged dismissively. "He tried, but we ended up throwing flour at each other and dropping a bottle of oil. Total chaos. As usual."
James blinked. "H-how?—you know what? No. I don’t want to know. I don’t want to know." He sighed heavily, standing up and shaking his head as if to clear it. "Pasta for dinner?" "Yeah, sure," Sirius replied distractedly, furiously tapping away on his phone.
James sighed again, giving Sirius a mock-disapproving look. "Kids these days." He shook his head dramatically as he headed toward the Kitchen.
James started preparing pasta rose, filling the apartment with the rich aroma of simmering tomatoes, cream, and spices. "Smells good, Jamie!" Sirius called from the living room.
"Thanks! Why don’t you take a shower while I finish this?" James suggested, stirring the sauce. After a few seconds, Sirius replied, "Yeah, okay!" James saw him stroll past the kitchen on his way to the bathroom, shooting him a thumbs-up.
Left alone, James hummed an ABBA tune, the sound of the bubbling sauce keeping him company. As he moved around the kitchen, grabbing ingredients and utensils, he slid from side to side, completely in his element.
"Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight!" he sang, swaying his hips to the beat in his head.
The pasta was finally ready. James poured a generous portion onto Sirius’s plate and served himself the rest, the warm, creamy dish looking as good as it smelled.
Would Regulus want to join them? James wondered, pacing the kitchen. No, probably not. Right? But then again, maybe Remus was out, and Regulus had no one to eat with tonight.
Taking a deep breath, he walked toward the bathroom and knocked on the door. "Hey, Pads!" he called. "Yes?" Sirius’s voice echoed over the sound of running water.
"Do you think Regulus would want to join us?" James asked, trying to sound casual. "I don’t think so!" Sirius called back. "Remus said he’d be cooking for them tonight—but you could always call and check."
James nodded to himself and pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts until he found Remus’s number. He still had it saved from that time Remus had helped him with his homework.
Pressing call, James waited as the phone rang.
“Hello?” came Remus’s familiar voice on the other end.
"Hey, Remus! It’s James—James Potter," James said warmly, smiling as though Remus could hear it.
“Oh, hey, James.”
"JAMES?" a hiss sounded faintly in the background. James frowned, eyebrows knitting together in confusion. “What do I owe the honor?” Remus asked dryly, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone.
“Pads and I were wondering if you and Regulus would like to join us for dinner. I made pasta rose,” James explained, hopeful. There was a pause before Remus replied. “One moment, James.”
The line went quiet, and James heard the muffled sound of voices on the other end. He hummed softly to himself as he waited, tapping his fingers against the counter.
“We’ll be there,” Remus finally said, cutting through the silence. James’s face broke into a wide grin. “Okay! See you soon!” he said cheerfully before the line disconnected.
He tucked his phone away and turned toward the stove, his mind racing. “Alright, gotta make more pasta,” he muttered to himself, diving into action. He worked quickly, grabbing ingredients and setting pots to boil, determined to make enough for all four of them.
Just as the doorbell rang, the pasta was ready. James quickly turned off the burner, washed his hands, and darted to the door. He smoothed a hand through his hair, took a calming breath, and opened it, greeting Remus and Regulus with a wide smile.
“Hey, James,” Remus said, his expression amused as though he could sense James’s nerves.
“Hey, Remus! Hey, Regulus!” James replied brightly. His gaze flicked to Regulus, who was pointedly avoiding eye contact, his hands stuffed into his pockets.
“So! Come on in.” James stepped aside, holding the door open for them. “Where’s Sirius?” Regulus asked as he stepped inside, his voice soft but curious.
“In the shower.” James gestured toward the closed bathroom door just as it opened, revealing Sirius emerging with a towel slung low around his waist and another draped over his neck as he dried his hair.
“Oh! Hey, Reggie! Hey, Remus.” Sirius grinned, entirely unbothered by his state of undress.
Regulus gave a small wave, his expression unreadable, while Remus looked... stunned. He blinked rapidly, his mouth opening as though to say something, but no words came out. His face turned a faint shade of pink, and he quickly looked away, suddenly very interested in the living room decor.
James pressed his lips together to suppress a laugh, watching the scene unfold. “Right, uh, dinner’s ready!” he said, clapping his hands together to break the tension.
“Okay, I’ll just get dressed!” Sirius smirked, tossing the towel over his shoulder as he turned, deliberately swaying his hips for show.
James rolled his eyes, chuckling. “You’re impossible, Pads.” Sirius winked over his shoulder before disappearing into his room.
James led the way to the kitchen, with Regulus and Remus following close behind. “Oh, I hope you like pasta rose?” James asked, glancing back at them.
“I eat anything,” Regulus replied quietly.
“And it’s his favorite food,” Remus added with a reassuring smile, nudging Regulus gently.
“Oh! O-okay, I’m glad!” James grinned, his nerves easing as he set plates on the dining table.
“Okay, let’s eat!” Sirius declared as he strolled back into the room, now dressed in a tank top and sweatpants, looking casual but effortlessly confident. He clapped his hands together, clearly ready to dig in.
James caught the way Remus’s gaze lingered on Sirius’s flat stomach, his cheeks reddening slightly. Fighting back a grin, James leaned closer. “You okay there, Remus?” he asked, smirking knowingly. “Alright,” Remus croaked, his voice strained as he quickly tore his eyes away and focused on the table instead.
“Jamie, that smells amazing,” Sirius said as he dropped into a chair, his tone full of enthusiasm.
J
ames smiled softly at the compliment, his gaze shifting to Regulus. “Would you prefer sitting next to Sirius or Remus?” he asked gently.
Regulus hesitated, glancing quickly between the two before mumbling, “…Sirius.” He moved to the chair beside his brother and sat down quickly, almost shyly.
Sirius’s grin was radiant, his happiness practically lighting up the room.
James couldn’t help but smile at the sight as he took the seat across from Regulus. Remus slid into the chair across from Sirius, though his gaze lingered on him just a moment too long before he busied himself with his napkin.
“Alright, dig in!” James announced, gesturing to the steaming plates of pasta.
“Actually, it won’t be a lot of people,” James added with a shrug. “Only a few friends coming around, and having fun. Sirius wanted to make it a big party, but I wanted to keep it more intimate—just celebrate with my friends.”
“Oh… and that’s it?” Remus asked, his tone a bit more relaxed now.
“Uh, yeah, I think so,” James said with a soft smile. “Let's go watch a movie! I’ll maybe make something to eat. We’ll make a big bed in the living room, and then watch a scary movie.”
“That sounds like fun,” Remus nodded, looking more at ease.
“I hope it will be,” James said, his smile turning a little mischievous. “Sirius chose a scary movie, and he always picks the scariest ones. This guy has no fear.” He shot Sirius a playful glare across the table.
Sirius met his gaze with an innocent smile, his eyes twinkling. “What can I say? I’ve got excellent taste in movies.”
James rolled his eyes at Sirius's confident grin. "Excellent taste, huh? You’re the only person I know who thinks The Haunting of Bly Manor is ‘just a fun movie night pick.’”
Sirius raised an eyebrow, unbothered. “It’s a masterpiece, Jamie. You’re just scared of the dark.”
“I am not scared of the dark,” James protested, though his voice carried a hint of uncertainty. “I’m scared of feeling like I’m being watched by a ghost that crawls out of the walls. But you do you, Pads.”
Sirius chuckled, leaning back in his chair, clearly pleased with himself. “Alright, alright, but you’ll thank me when you’re on the edge of your seat, clutching my arm in terror.”
“Oh, I’m sure I will,” James muttered, though a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He turned back to Regulus and Remus. “We’re making a huge pillow fort, by the way. You’re more than welcome to get comfortable and make yourselves at home.”
Remus’s smile widened at the mention of the pillow fort. “Now that sounds like something I can get behind.” He leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Regulus, who had been quieter than usual, eyed the table for a moment before looking up. “Pillow fort? Really?”
James shrugged, grinning. “It’s a classic. You’ve gotta be in it for the experience, Reggie.”
Regulus looked like he might argue, but instead, he just shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You’re weird.” James laughed. “And proud of it.” “Well, I suppose I’ll give it a go,” Regulus said with a small shrug, clearly giving in to the absurdity of it all. “But I’m not going to enjoy it.”
“We’ll see about that,” Sirius chimed in, his grin widening.
James clinked his glass with Remus’s in a quiet toast. “Here’s to a night full of horror, snacks, and very questionable movie choices.”
As they finished their dinner, the conversation naturally shifted to the logistics of the movie night. James cleared the table, stacking the dishes as Remus, Regulus, and Sirius helped with the tidying up. Sirius, predictably, did most of the work with his usual dramatic flair, sweeping the plates away as if he were auditioning for a role in a cleaning commercial.
“So,” Sirius said, glancing over at James, “what exactly is the plan for when this ‘pillow fort’ is complete? Do we just sit around, staring at each other, waiting for the movie to start?” He raised an eyebrow, clearly joking, but there was something about his tone that hinted at genuine curiosity.
James grinned at him. “Well, no. The fort’s a whole experience, Pads. We’ll pile up the pillows, make it cozy, maybe bring out a few blankets, and have enough snacks to feed a small army.” He paused, a mischievous look crossing his face. “And, you know, we’ll probably end up discussing life’s deepest questions while we hide from ghosts on the screen.”
“Yeah, sure,” Sirius snorted, wiping his hands on his towel. “But when you start asking about the meaning of life, I’m out. I’ve got no answers for you, Jamie.”
Remus chuckled, picking up his plate. “I think it’s less about finding answers and more about just having a good time.” His voice was calm, thoughtful as he set the dishes aside and moved to help James gather up the leftovers. He shot Regulus a quick glance before adding, “You know, there’s something kind of... peaceful about just being with friends, not worrying about anything for a while.”
Regulus, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly spoke up. “I suppose it’s not all bad, hanging out with you lot. Could be worse,” he muttered, though there was an unmistakable softness to his words that suggested he didn’t entirely mind the company.
Remus smiled, his eyes warm. “I think you’re starting to enjoy our little gang more than you let on, Reggie.”
Regulus scoffed lightly but couldn’t hide the faint smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I’m not that easy to win over,” he said, though his tone lacked its usual edge.
“Right,” James interjected with a playful tone, “because you're so hard to win over. I bet you’re secretly addicted to cheesy snacks and over-the-top movie nights.” Regulus shot him a deadpan look. “I do not like ‘cheesy snacks.’”
The night had gone on without incident—aside from the occasional scream from Sirius as he dramatically reacted to a jump scare, and the laughter that followed. But as the movie reached its final scene, James found himself glancing over at Regulus more than once, unable to shake the thought that tonight was different. Regulus wasn’t the same aloof, distant figure he had been when they first met. No, there was something softer in him now, something that James couldn’t quite put his finger on, but he liked it.
The movie had ended, and everyone was slowly getting to their feet. Sirius was already groaning dramatically about how much he hated scary movies, while Remus collected the empty bowls of popcorn. Regulus remained seated on the floor, staring at the TV screen as the credits rolled by. He seemed... quieter than usual, though not in the cold way James was used to. There was a certain calm in him now, a gentleness that made James’ heart flutter in a way he couldn’t quite explain.
“Reg?” James called softly, glancing at him from his spot on the couch.
Regulus blinked and looked up, his gray eyes meeting James's with a brief flash of surprise. He hadn’t expected James to address him directly. “Hmm?”
James couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips. There was something about the way Regulus looked at him now, not guarded or defensive but... curious. Like he actually wanted to be part of the group, wanted to be here with them, even though he had always seemed so distant before.
“Hey,” James said, shifting slightly so he was closer, “you okay?”
Regulus’ gaze flickered away for a moment, but not in the way it usually did. He wasn’t avoiding James, not this time. “Yeah,” Regulus said with a soft smile, his voice quieter than usual. “Just... thinking.”
“About?” James pressed, now genuinely curious. He shifted a little, moving to sit next to Regulus, his knee brushing against his. The contact was accidental, but for some reason, it felt like more.
Regulus paused for a long moment, then sighed, his eyes meeting James’ again. “Just... how strange this all is,” he admitted. “How strange it is to feel... like I belong.”
James blinked, his chest tightening at the words. “You belong here,” he said, his voice steady and sincere. He wasn’t sure if Regulus fully believed it yet, but James did. “You’re part of the group now. You’re one of us.”
Regulus seemed taken aback, his eyes softening. “Yeah?” he asked, his voice almost vulnerable. James wasn’t used to hearing that tone from him, but it made his heart ache in the best way.
“Yeah.” James smiled, his heart swelling with affection for this complicated, stubborn, but surprisingly sweet boy sitting next to him. He leaned in slightly, nudging Regulus’ shoulder with his own. “And you know what? I’m glad you’re here.”
Regulus hesitated, and for a moment, James thought he might pull away, but instead, Regulus shifted a little closer, his breath brushing James’ ear as he spoke. “I’m glad I’m here, too.” He looked over at James, a softness in his expression that James had never seen before. “I didn’t think I’d ever say that, but... it feels good. Being with you all.”
James felt a warmth spread through him at the admission, and without thinking, he reached over, his hand gently resting on Regulus’ arm. The touch was casual, but there was a tenderness in it that felt meaningful, something unspoken passing between them.
“You’re not so bad, Reg,” James teased softly, his voice low, his thumb tracing the back of Regulus’ hand. “Not as scary as you think.”
Regulus pouted lightly, “I’m scary,” he said. "and a bit complicated." He added with a chuckle
James smirked. “I like complicated.”
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The others were talking across the room, but James found himself lost in Regulus’ eyes. There was a warmth there now, a quiet comfort that hadn’t been there before.
Regulus smiled, a small, genuine curve of his lips that made James’ heart skip. “Me too.”
As the laughter and chatter continued around them, James couldn’t help but feel like everything was falling into place—like this was where he was supposed to be. With Regulus.
Sirius put on some random comedy show, saying he needed it.
The silence between James and Regulus wasn’t uncomfortable. It was soft, peaceful, and comforting in a way that made James’ heart beat just a little faster. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this content, sitting next to someone, sharing a quiet moment in the middle of a noisy room. James’ focus was solely on Regulus now, the way his hair fell just perfectly over his forehead, the way his lips curved slightly into a smile when their hands brushed.
“Reg,” James murmured after a while, his voice soft as he leaned in just a little closer. “I meant what I said earlier. You belong here.”
Regulus looked up at him, his gray eyes filled with something unreadable for a moment. He didn’t respond immediately, but his lips parted slightly as if he was about to say something, then stopped himself. James, feeling an odd sense of impatience, waited. He wanted to hear what Regulus had to say. The silence felt like an invitation, and for once, Regulus didn’t shut it out.
“I...” Regulus began, and then hesitated, his fingers curling nervously at his side. He bit his lip, something almost vulnerable in the way he did it. “I didn’t know how to... how to be part of all of this. I didn’t know if I was allowed to be.”
James’ heart clenched at the words. “Reg, of course, you’re allowed. You’re wanted here. No one’s going to turn you away.” He couldn’t understand why Regulus seemed so unsure, but then again, he had no idea what Regulus had been through in his life. The pain, the rejection, the isolation—James could only imagine how much of it had shaped Regulus into the person he’d become. But James had seen enough of Regulus over the past few months to know that he was more than just the cold, aloof figure he appeared to be. He was warm, he was caring, he was... perfect in a way that James wasn’t ready to fully admit just yet.
Regulus shifted, his eyes dropping to his lap as if he was avoiding James’ gaze. “I’ve never really had... friends. Not like this. I never knew what it felt like to just... be. To not be judged.”
James’ breath hitched in his chest. “You’re not being judged here, Reg. Not by me, not by anyone.” His words were steady, but his heart was pounding. He wanted so badly to pull Regulus into a hug, to assure him that everything was going to be okay, but he knew that might not be what Regulus needed. Maybe, just maybe, all he needed was someone to listen. And James was more than willing to be that someone.
Regulus slowly lifted his gaze, his gray eyes meeting James’ once again. The vulnerability there made James’ breath catch in his throat. There was something raw, something real in the way Regulus was looking at him, something that made James feel like he was seeing a side of Regulus that no one else had seen.
“Do you ever think about how things could have been different?” Regulus asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “If things had... turned out differently, you know?”
James swallowed, his mind racing. He could guess what Regulus meant—about how things could have been if he hadn’t been raised the way he was, if his family hadn’t been what they were, if he hadn’t been so alone for so long. But James didn’t want to make assumptions. He wanted Regulus to say it, to share his thoughts without any judgment or pressure.
“I don’t know,” James said honestly, his voice soft. “I try not to think too much about the ‘what ifs.’ I focus on what’s right in front of me. Right now, you’re right in front of me, and that’s what matters.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Sirius was laughing with Remus, but it felt like James and Regulus were in their own little world, their shared silence louder than any noise around them. James couldn’t help but reach out, his hand brushing lightly against Regulus’ arm once again, a gesture that felt both bold and comforting at the same time. Regulus didn’t pull away.
“I’m here,” James added quietly, his voice filled with sincerity. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
Regulus blinked, his expression unreadable for a moment, and then he nodded, his lips quirking up into a small, almost shy smile. “Thanks, James,” he said, his voice low, the words almost drowned out by the laughter and chatter. But James heard them. He heard them loud and clear.
Just then, Sirius bounded over, plopping down onto the couch beside them with a dramatic sigh. “You two are awfully quiet over here. I thought we were watching a movie, not having a therapy session.”
Regulus rolled his eyes, clearly not bothered by Sirius’ interruption. “I wasn’t having a therapy session, Sirius,” he said dryly. “I was just... talking.”
“Yeah, I know,” Sirius said with a grin. “And it’s adorable.” He reached over to throw an arm around James’ shoulders, pulling him into a half-hug. “I’m so proud of you, mate. You’re getting the Regulus Black seal of approval. That’s not easy to get.”
James chuckled, his face flushing slightly, but he didn’t mind. “I don’t think it was as dramatic as you’re making it sound,” he replied with a grin.
Regulus shot Sirius an amused look, but there was something softer in his gaze, something affectionate. “Maybe you should be the one getting a therapy session, Pads,” he teased, earning a dramatic gasp from Sirius.
James couldn’t help but laugh, and for the first time in what felt like ages, he felt completely at ease. The tension he’d been holding in his chest, the unspoken thoughts that had been swirling around in his mind, seemed to melt away with each passing second. He glanced over at Regulus, and for a moment, the world seemed to fall away. It was just the two of them, in this quiet, comfortable moment.
Regulus met his gaze again, and this time, there was no hesitation. No walls between them. Just a simple smile, small but real, like the beginning of something new. James felt his heart flutter, his breath catching in his chest, as he realized, maybe for the first time, that he wasn’t just thinking about the possibility of something more with Regulus.
Maybe it was already happening.
Notes:
HOLY MOLY WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?!
lol
yayyyy Jegulus!
cya next time3>
-Katie-
winterblues27 on Chapter 1 Thu 14 Nov 2024 05:49AM UTC
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