Chapter Text
Regulus Black had never done anything remotely like this. The thought alone was making him question his sanity- no, actually scratch that. If he was actually doing this, he most definitely was not sane. Before his disownment, he’d likely have died before the thought of this would’ve crossed his mind. He knew if he’d had any type of dignity left in him, he’d turn around and stop this before it started.
Unfortunately for everyone else, though, it seemed he’d stopped caring about that.
So he walked across the school grounds, nearing the quidditch field. He was quite familiar with the field, he’d played on the slytherin team for two years now, but he never neared it during the other team’s practice times. This would have to be an exception, but it seemed to be an exception for much more than just that.
His hands found his tie, loosening it so he had the idea that he could breathe once again. A deep breath in, another breath out. Oh, he was already starting to regret this. His contemplating if he should go back to his dorm or not was cut short as the gryffindors started pouring out of the changing rooms and headed back to the castle.
Regulus noticed their stares, it was hard not to, but he couldn’t blame them for being surprised or curious as to why he was there. He’d done his best to stay out of public spaces as much as possible since the school year had started, only coming out of his dorm for classes and rushed meals. There were enough rumours going around because of his disownment, he didn’t need people talking more about him.
On the other hand, though, he wanted them to mind their own damn business.
It seemed like simultaneously an eternity and a mere second before the person Regulus wanted to speak came out. For some godsforsaken reason, of course, they’d decided to come out last of the whole team. That saved Regulus the embarrassment of having to say something in front of more of the team's members, at least, the less people he spoke to the better. Though with what he was about to do, perhaps that was an odd way of thinking, but the duality of man he supposed.
James Potter seemed confused as he spotted Regulus standing at the edge of the quidditch field, a smile appearing on his face as the equally confused looking blonde girl said something to him. Regulus recognised her only because he knew Dorcas had been saying out of character things about the girl, though he knew his brother had been friends with McKinnon for years now.
The both of them slowed to a halt as they neared Regulus, Potter giving Regulus a warm smile that Regulus thought was much too happy for seven in the morning. “Regulus, hi, are you looking for Siriu-”
Potter started, but Regulus shook his head and watched the polite confusion on his face as he cut in, “No, actually, I was hoping to speak to you.”
Potter shared a barely hidden confused look with McKinnon, who grinned at him through her confusion and seemed to get the hint more than he did. She flashed Regulus a dramatic smile before waving as she walked away, almost falling over her own feet as she did so.
Regulus frowned as he watched her join her other teammates, what Dorcas saw in her, he didn’t know, not that he had the best track record for his romantic life.
His attention was drawn back as Potter cleared his throat, an annoying way to get people’s attention Regulus found, but effective nonetheless. Potter raised his eyebrow, not bothering to hide his surprised expression anymore apparently. “So? You wanted to talk to me? Is there something with Sirius, did something happen-”
“Sirius is fine, Potter, if you could kindly stop talking about him, it’s much too early for me to deal with your awful codependency.” Regulus sighed, steeling himself for his next words as Potter looked a mix of offended and expectant. He needed to get this over with, he’d already made up his mind, and it was too late to stop now. He’d panic about it later, he’d be fine, he told himself. “I came here to offer you a proposal, actually.”
“A… proposal? That sounds so formal, you’ve lived in my house for weeks, Regulus.” Potter said, despite the fact that Regulus had kept their interactions close to zero during his unwilling stay there. That he’d had to stay with Sirius and the Potters due to his parents disowning him hadn’t been willing nor pleasant for him, nor did it mean Potter knew him suddenly.
“Yes, a proposal, Potter. Now if you could go without interrupting me, please. I came here to ask if you’d be willing to pretend to date me.”
The absolute shock on Potter’s face almost made Regulus not regret saying the words as soon as they left his mouth. His mouth opened, then closed and didn’t open for a few long, silent minutes. Regulus didn’t mind silence, but he doubted he was used to shutting up for this long. It took another few moments when he’d opened his mouth again for words to come out, his voice uncharacteristically uncertain and shocked, “Repeat that?”
“Fake dating. I want you to pretend to date me.”
Potter just stared at him, and Regulus briefly wondered if he’d simply stop talking again. Much to his disappointment, he did not. “What? Why? Huh? Why would- Why would you want that? And why would you ask me?”
Regulus waited another moment, partly to let Potter’s shock sink in, and partly to prepare himself. He’d thought it over plenty enough, but he was really regretting ever entertaining the thought. No turning back now, he thought, so he kept his expression carefully neutral as he stared straight ahead at the shocked boy in front of him. “Because you’re desperately in love with Lily Evans, disgustingly straight, I can be transparent about this to you, and I don’t feel like leading someone on?”
Potter huffed, like those weren’t good enough reasons. “And why are you doing this again?”
Regulus stared at him blankly in response.
“Right, so you want to… fake date me, for reasons unknown, because I’m straight and like a girl?” Potter paraphrased, the shock slowly subsiding into disbelief.
“Yes, that’s about it.”
“And how am I supposed to- Did you talk to Sirius about this?”
Regulus rolled his eyes, running a hand through his wavy black hair, “What did I say about the codependency? Yes, obviously I talked to Sirius about this.”
“And… he agreed?” Potter asked slowly, either because he was trying to process this information, or because he was (unsuccessfully) trying not to annoy Regulus.
Regulus just nodded slowly as his answer.
“I just- why? I meant why are you wanting to do this not why would he- no, wait, actually, why would Sirius condone this? Should I agree to this? Why should I? Wait, no, ignore that I know you won’t answer. Why-”
“Potter.” Regulus interrupted, if only to stop his rambling, “I’ll give you a few days to process this. Give me an answer when you’re ready.”
When Regulus turned around to leave, Potter caught his arm, “Wha- You can’t just dump that on me then leave!”
“Wrong, I can and am. I have class, so I recommend you take this time to consider my question, and get back to me when you’ve made up your mind.” Regulus replied, giving a harsh glare for the touch, and pulling his arm loose so he could walk away.
Oh, he was definitely going to panic about this later.