Please

Regulus was walking to his last class of the day with Severus and Evan when Severus pointed out Regulus was missing his house bracelet that he got this morning.

“What? It fell off already?” Regulus panicked while looking back and not seeing anything. “I don’t know when it fell off though…”

“It shouldn’t have fallen off. We were all playing around during breakfast and it didn’t slip off your wrist. Someone would have had to take it off you. Unless it got caught on something.”

Regulus sighed as he thought about the day. “I don’t think it got caught but who would have taken it off me? I wasn’t around anyone that would have done that.”

“I wouldn’t doubt it if Potter took it off you during class. He kept trying to get your attention.” Severus grimaces.

“I would have felt it though, right?”

Evan shrugged. He pointed to the door and sighed. “Well, I’m off to Charms. Let’s meet up after class. Library? Bring Pandora and Barty.”

“Alright, have fun.” Regulus waved and walked with Severus. They walked out of the castle and Severus waved at Regulus as he walked into the greenhouse for Herbology. When he walked in, he immediately noticed Barty talking to Pandora and another girl.

“Reggie! This is Dorcas. She’s a Slytherin in our year.”

Regulus looked at the dark-skinned girl and waved. “Hi, I’m Regulus.”

She waved back and then pointed to his wrist. “Did you not get a bracelet? I thought we made enough for everyone.”

“Oh, I did…Uh, I think my friend has mine. It fell off during class.”

Dorcas nodded and looked past Regulus to the group behind him. He turned and looked at them. “Oh, it’s Marlene, Mary, and Lily. They’re my brother’s friends.”

“You know them?”

Regulus nodded. “Yeah, I don’t talk to them as much, but my brother is friends with the three of them.”

“Could you like…get to know Marlene more and maybe ask her to hang out with us one day...?”

Regulus glanced back at them. “Uh…I can try but her friend Lily…she hates me.”

“I don’t know you that well, Regulus, but you seem like a really nice guy.”

“You’d think that.” Regulus sighed and then the class started. The class was quite apart from the occasional laughing. Everyone was in their own worlds talking about anything they thought about.

Once the class was over, Regulus made his way down to the Quidditch field. He waited for a few minutes until James came running over.

“Reg- jeez. Regulus!” James ran up the stairs to the seats, panting.

“You would have thought that a star player on the quidditch team has good stamina.”

“Whatever. I just ran from class all the way over here because we didn’t have practice today. Slytherin is taking the field today.”

“Oh…and you didn’t think to tell me this morning?”

“Well, no. I didn’t know until I got to class when my captain said something to me. Oh, and there is one other thing.” James dug in his pocket, his tongue sticking out of his mouth just a little. Barely noticeable unless you were looking directly at his lips. “You dropped- well, technically, it was poorly tied on your wrist and when I grabbed you earlier, it just fell into my hand…”

Regulus noticed his bracelet. “Oh…thank you.”

James smiled and moved it away from Regulus’ grasp. “Let me put it on you.” Regulus rolled his eyes and put his wrist out. James smiled and tied the bracelet around his wrist. He then pulled his bracelet out of his pocket —having not put his own this morning— and handed it to Regulus. “Now mine.”

Regulus tried to hide his smile as he glared at James. He tied James’ bracelet around his wrist and sighed. “Good? Where should we go to study?”

“The library?”

Regulus’ face went pale at the mention of the library. He quickly grabbed his bags and ran down the stands and out of the Quidditch pitch.

“Regulus, where are you going?”

“I forgot I had to meet my friends at the library! I’m late!”

James sighed as he caught up with Regulus. He pulled Regulus back and stopped. “Let me take your bags. It’ll lessen weight, and you can run there. I’ll just meet you there and we can study after a little.”

Regulus nodded and handed James his bag and then he took off his robe. “Take this too.” James took the robe and bag from Regulus without complaint before Regulus took off running. He ran down the hall and past a few teachers before bursting into the library and finding everyone waiting.

“Where have you been, mate? It’s been a few minutes.”

Regulus panted as he tried to catch his breath. “I forgot- James.” Regulus took a breath, “Study at the quidditch field.” Regulus walked over to Evan and plopped down on his lap. “I’m his tutor. I forgot about this.”

Evan moved the hair that stuck to Regulus’ face and sighed. “You’re heavy, Black.”

“Don’t even, Evan. You weigh so much more than me. I’m not fat.”

Evan laughed and after a few seconds, James walked in with everything. He placed Regulus’ bag on the floor before placing the folded robe on the couch. Regulus glanced at him and motioned for James to sit.

“I still have to help him study, but we can continue to carry on with whatever this is.” Regulus mentions as he rolls off of Evans lap and onto the floor. He took out his potions book and glanced at James. “Make sure you write this down…oh, and this is important. You need to make sure you remember that.”

“Looks like Potter has a new boyfriend.” A girl's voice is heard from above Regulus and James.

“Marlene, shut it.” James groans without looking up.

Regulus glanced up and saw Marlene. “Oh, you’re Marlene…Sirius’ friend.”

She smiled and nodded. “I was just…studying…over there, and then I noticed James walk in and James never studies. I just thought it was weird, so I walked over here and you two sitting close together- I was only joking, by the way. I don’t think James is into dudes.”

Regulus thought to himself with a smile. If only she knew.

“Not that I would, like, care? I mean, he knows this already, but I’m a massive lesbian. Proud and loud, you feel me?”

Regulus nodded slowly and then glanced at Dorcas. The new member and token female of the friend group. She was talking to Barty with a smile on her face as she pointed at Marlene in a not-so-subtle way.

“Who’s the girl?” Marlene asked, following Regulus’ gaze.

“Dorcas. She’s in her first year.”

Marlene hummed and nodded. “Is she the only girl in this boy band?”

“Yup.” Regulus nodded before focusing back on James. “I just met her, but Barty had known her for a bit I’m assuming.”

“I’m going to talk to her…do you know if she’s into-”

“Girls? No, I don’t.”

Marlene sighed and walked over to them. Regulus could tell Dorcas was heavily invested in her since Dorcas didn’t focus on anything else going on around her than Marlene. They were smiling at each other as they talked and laughed.

“James. Focus.” Regulus groaned as James kept getting distracted. Everyone was talking together, and Regulus would join in occasionally.

When James and Regulus were actually focused on each other, the room felt empty except for the two and Regulus had to stop himself from climbing on James’ lap and kissing him. He hated how much James’ lips were addicting and how much he wanted them but then there was the nagging voice in his head that was telling him how terrible things would be if anyone found out about them.

“Regulus, you should switch bracelets with me.” James whispered.

“People will think we’re dating.”

“And why is that so bad?” James sighed and pushed his body close to Regulus. “I want to be able to kiss you in front of people and not hide it…have you any idea on how much I want to kiss your lips right now?”

James leaned close like he was about to whisper something but then kissed Regulus’ cheek. Regulus looked around but no one seemed to have noticed. Regulus smacked James’ arm and sighed. “Don’t do something like that again.” Regulus whispered and then opened his potions book.

“Copy this down. Focus on that. I’m going to the bathroom.” Regulus stood up and started walking away until Evan stopped him.

“Where are you going?”

“Bathroom.”

“Oh, I’ll come with you.”

Evan got up and followed Regulus to the bathroom. Evan didn’t say anything until they got to the bathroom. That’s when he laughed softly and sighed. “You and James. I didn’t think I’d love to see something like that. A Gryffindor? Seriously. I’d understand Ravenclaw but Gryffindor? Does your brother know?”

“I have no clue what you’re talking about.” Regulus says as he walks into one of the stalls. As Regulus tries to use the bathroom in peace, Evan just laughs more.

“You thought no one saw that kiss? On the cheek. Both Barty and I saw it. I just thought it was me but then I looked over at Barty and he looked shocked, meaning he saw it too. That’s actually funny Regulus. It’s cute, but it’s mad funny.”

“Don’t pester me.” Regulus groaned as he flushed the toilet. He walked out of the stall and saw Evan finishing up. He flushed the urinal and then walked over to the sink next to Regulus. They both washed their hands. Evan kept giving Regulus was look with a smirk.

“Cut it out, will you? I don’t know what you think you saw but nothing is going on between us so I would really appreciate it if you knocked it off, Rosier.”

Regulus stormed out of the bathroom and went straight to the library. He grabbed his books and snatched the one from James. “I’m going to my dorm. We’re done here.”

“I didn’t finish writing-”

“I don’t care.”

Regulus grabbed his robe and walked off. He didn’t notice James following him all the way to his dormitory until the door closed behind the two of them roughly.

“What the-” James kissed Regulus and pulled his face close. Regulus pulled away instantly and groaned. “Stop! Get out! This isn’t your house; you’re going to get in trouble.”

“Come on-”

“No! Stop being so annoying! Get out! Now!”

Regulus threw a book that was sitting on his nightstand at the door, right past James’ face. James looked shocked and then nodded. “Fine.”

James opened the door and walked out, slamming it hard behind him. Regulus pulled at his hair and cried softly. He knew something would happen if they were caught and now that they were, things needed to end. He was done with sneaking around. It’s been two days, and he felt like his life was falling apart.

He felt as though he didn’t deserve to be happy. He knew what his mum expected of him, and he was letting himself go. He kept replaying her words in her head.

“You are to get good grades. You are to find a nice girl in Slytherin, no other houses! If you start letting yourself, get influenced by your brother, you will be banned from seeing him! I will kick him out of the house, Regulus, don’t make it come to that. He’s a bad influence on you and I don’t want you to end up like him.”

Regulus was trying to fight his thoughts as he pushed his palms into his face. Regulus didn’t know what to do. He hasn’t had this kind of heartbreak happen to him. He hasn’t had any heartbreak happen to him and he was terrified. It felt like everything in his body was shutting down. He was numb and couldn’t stop crying.

“Regulus?” Regulus looked up and found his brother looking at him. Sirius sighed and sat down next to him. Sirius put his arm around Regulus’ shoulders and pulled him close. “What’s going on? Talk to me.”

“I hate mum…I hate that I can’t be who I want to be…and what sucks is that I hate you…I hate that you got into Gryffindor, you made all these new friends. It’s like you’ve left me behind. Mum threatened me before we left, saying she was going to kick you out if you cause too much destruction while I’m trying to become the new heir of the Black family…she wants you gone and it’s all because of me that you’re not.”

“Regulus…I haven’t left you behind. If you really want to, you could come to me anytime you want to. Remus and I are always together, sure, but you can tell him to bark off if you need me alone. He’s not a jerk, he knows family comes first.”

“That’s rich coming from you. You had the chance to be with me all summer and I Remus more than I saw you. You know how crazy that is? You say family is more important but then leave with your friends. Do you know how many times I’ve seen you walk off with James and Peter? And Remus trailing behind because of his limp? You know how messed up that is? If I had a friend, not even a partner, but a friend that was severely injured due to whatever happened to Remus, I wouldn’t just leave him like that.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Regulus. I really tried to be there for you. I have tried but you never knew what it was like living under mum and not being the golden child.” Sirius spoke as he removed his arm from Regulus.

“Don’t even! You don’t even know what it’s like to be the golden child! Having her trail behind you, having her act like every little thing that happens to you is the biggest deal in the world. The second you were out of the house all summer, she was just pounding into my head about how I needed to be a better child, that what you were doing was not okay. Sure, she babied me and whatever when I was younger but the second you left, it was like I grew up too fast. She hates me, Sirius. Do you think mum wanted a child who just changed their identity in the blink of a flash? She had my whole life planned out when I was a girl, did you know that? She wanted me to wear her wedding dress, she wanted me to have her jewelry. It was like I was in hell!”

“Reggie-”

“No. I want to be alone…”

“Please, just talk to me. What’s going on, what did she do that’s making you freak out like this?”

Regulus groaned. “I don’t like girls! Why do I have to date a girl? I don’t like them-”

“Hey, calm down.” Sirius sighed as he wrapped an arm around Regulus. “What happened? What’s making you upset about dating girls? Is there a guy that you like?”

Regulus felt his tears fall from his face as hot trails of wetness stuck to his cheeks. “James…I like James.”

Sirius laughed. “James? As in like…my friends James? James Potter?”

“Stop laughing.” Regulus giggled and then sniffled as he wiped his eyes. “Yes, James. What’s so bad about him?”

“I’m pretty sure he’s straight, like he’s the straightest person I know.”

“He’s not.”

Sirius cocked his eyebrow as he looked at Regulus. “And how would you know that?”

Regulus blushed softly. “We’ve kissed…a few times.”

“How many is a few times?” Sirius smirked. “I guess that makes sense, he did tell me to check on you.”

Regulus looked up at Sirius. “What do you mean? He told you to check on me? Wait, did he say anything else?”

“No, just that you were upset. He said you walked out on him during tutoring in the library. He was just worried…”

“I want to talk to him.” Regulus mumbled.

“Talk? Or talk?” Sirius smirked.

“No, talk. I need to talk to him, seriously.”

Sirius nodded and got up. “Let’s go to my dorm so you can talk to him. It should just be him in the dorm, he locked everyone out.”

Regulus got up and nodded. Regulus followed Sirius out of the Slytherin house and through the castle to the Gryffindor house. They walked into the common room and that’s when Regulus noticed everyone from Sirius’ room. They really were locked out.

“Just go up and knock. I’m sure he’d let you in.”

Regulus walked up the stairs and to the left. He knocked on the door before speaking softly. “James...? It’s Regulus…”

The dorm door opened, and James pulled Regulus inside the room. Regulus was immediately met with James’ arms around him and James’ head on his shoulder. James was crying. Regulus felt James’ tears fall onto his shoulder.

“Don’t cry…please.”

“What did I do? I’m so sorry-”

“No, it’s okay. I’m just dealing with a lot of stuff, I promise, it’s not your fault…I wanted to talk to you about something-”

“Sure, sure. What is it?”

“I told Sirius…about whatever was going on between us…I want to be with you and not just in secret…I want to be with you and let people know. I just feel like it’s a little too soon because of Lily…and I think that if we do start something, I want to keep it between friends?”

James’ frown became a smile with every word Regulus said. He was so happy that he picked up Regulus and spun him around before practically throwing Regulus on his bed and crawling on top of him. “If this is your way of asking me out, I have to say yes.”

Regulus smiled and kissed James. James didn’t waste any time and kissed him back, bringing their lips into a passionate, soft kiss. They didn’t pull away for a while. Seconds felt like hours while they kissed each other on James’ bed. The bed that he was with Lily on when they first met. The bed that made him hate James at first but how it was the bed that made him fall head over heels for James.

“Merlin! Get a room, you two.” Sirius gasped dramatically. “That’s my brother!”

Regulus and James pulled away from the kiss and looked back at Sirius. Regulus smiled, his eyes squinting ever so slightly which told Sirius it was a genuine smile, and that Regulus was actually happy.

“He’s your brother but he’s my boyfriend.”

Sirius pretended to gag but smiled after lying on his bed with Remus next to him. “We should move our beds so they’re next to each other. It’d give us more room.” Sirius spoke as he looked at Remus.

“Ew. Don’t do that. One of you will be pregnant by the end of the year.” Peter said with a laugh.

“I’m about to be 12, don’t even.” Sirius scoffed.

Remus smiled and pulled Sirius closer. “I love you and all of the sass that comes with you.”

Sirius smiled softly and looked at Regulus. “My boyfriend’s better than yours.”

“Stop trying to make everything a competition.” Regulus groaned as he sat on James’ bed while James lay down, hanging halfway off the foot of the bed, upside down.

“No, I love a friendly competition. I’ll show your brother just how good of a boyfriend I am. So much better than Remus.”

“Hey! Prongs, you want to start?”

Regulus felt happy as he listened to the boys' fight with each other. He couldn’t help but feel like everything would be okay. His mother didn’t need to know that he was dating a guy. She could just lie to her. That’s all that mattered.

“Hey, switch bracelets with me.” James spoke; now sitting face to face with Regulus.

“What?”

“Switch.” James said, holding out his Gryffindor bracelet. Regulus looked at his bracelet and then untied it. He took his wrist out and James smiled as he tied his bracelet to Regulus’ arm. He then held his arm out for Regulus to do the same. “There, now we will always have a little something of each other.”

Regulus smiled and looked at the time. “Oh! Dinner is starting soon. I have to find my friends.” Regulus got up and was about to walk out when James pulled him back. “What? I have to go-”

James kissed his head and hugged him so tightly; it was almost hard for Regulus to breathe. “You should eat with us…”

Regulus looked at the rest of the boys and they nodded. “Only if you have space for five more.”

“Of course.” Remus smiled. “Okay…sure. I’ll have them come with me.”

Regulus turned to James and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before leaving. Regulus made his way down the stairs of the Gryffindor house before he was stopped by Lily. “Oh, you’re Sirius’ little brother, right?”

“Yeah…Regulus.”

“Right! But aren’t you a Slytherin?”

“Well, yeah-”

“So, you know you’d get in trouble if you’re here.”

“Yes, I know-”

“And if I say something to McGonagall, you’ll probably be kicked out of Hogwarts.”

“What? Why would-”

“Stay away from James. He’s mine. He’s not into you. I’ve seen the way you’ve looked at him. He’s mine. You don’t know who you’re messing with.”

“I…”

“Get out before McGonagall hears about this.”

Regulus walked out of the room and sighed. He didn’t know what to do. He wasn’t going to ignore James. James was the only thing making him happy right now, but he didn’t want to get on Lily’s bad side, if he wasn’t already.

In the Great Hall, Regulus had brought everyone to sit with James and his friends. Regulus had told his small group of friends that they were dating. He was enjoying the attention from James too. James kept his arm around Regulus’ waist, holding him close as they ate.

“So, is Regulus also an anima-” Peter started but Sirius immediately stopped him.

“No, he’s not. Shut up.”

“What was that about?” Regulus whispered over to James.

James hummed and looked down at Regulus. “Nothing, don’t worry about it.” James kissed Regulus’ head. Regulus moved his arm and felt a pain right above his chest. He quickly touched his chest and felt around before getting up abruptly. James looked at him confused and grabbed his hand. “What’s going on?”

“I-I don’t know yet…I’ll be back.”

Regulus trapped Evan’s shoulder and motioned for him to follow. Evan put his food down and followed Regulus as they both walked out of the Great Hall. Once they were away from people, Regulus sighed softly. “The tape is starting to pull off and it hurts.”

“Oh…okay, let’s get it off then.”

Evan took Regulus to the bathroom inside of their dormitories. Regulus started to unbutton his shirt while Evan walked out of the room to get all the supplies Regulus needed to get the tape off. It took a while for Evan and Regulus to get all the tape off. Regulus was in so much pain by the end of it that he knew he couldn’t put his binder on.

“I’ll grab you a sweater. You should finish eating.”

“Yeah…okay, I know.”

Evan sighed as he walked out of the bathroom and grabbed Regulus a sweater. Regulus put the sweater on and looked at himself in the mirror. “Everyone is going to notice…”

Evan looked at Regulus and frowned. “No one is going to notice it, I promise.”

“Everyone’s going to think I’m some girl-”

“Regulus, I’m going to slap you if you call yourself a girl or say anything remotely implying that.”

Regulus huffed. Regulus heard the door to his dormitory open and he quickly got up. Everyone should still be at dinner.

“Regulus? Where did you go?” It was James. He came when he realized Evan and Regulus were taking a while. Regulus quickly walked out of the bathroom and walked over to James. James smiled softly and tilted his head. “What’s wrong? Why did you leave like that?”

Just then, Evan walked out of the bathroom and smiled. James looked at Evan and then Regulus. “Nothing is going on between us. Don’t even think about asking him.” Evan groaned before walking past the two boys and out of the room.

“I wasn’t even going to ask. Are you okay though? ¿Le duele algo?- ah, I mean, does anything hurt?”

“No, no, I’m okay. I just…Evan was helping me take off the tape from my chest.”

“Tape? Why were you tapping your chest? Isn’t that going to hurt you-”

“It’s okay for skin. I’m fine, trust me. It was just falling off and pulling at my skin, so I had to take it off.”

“So, you’re not wearing anything under this?” James asked curiously and he placed his arms around Regulus’ shoulders.

“No, I can’t bind my chest right after I take off the tape. It hurts.”

James hummed and motioned for the door. “Let’s go eat. I’m still hungry and I know you probably are too; you didn’t eat much before you left.”

Regulus nodded and held James’ hand as he led the two of them to the Great Hall. It was almost time for the students to return to their dorms, so James made a plate for the two of them to share before walking back out of the Great Hall.

“Come sleep in my dorm tonight.”

“I’ll get caught.”

“No, you won’t. I promise. If Sirius and Remus haven’t been caught sleeping in each other's beds, I doubt they’ll find you.”

“Then…can I meet you there? I’m going to shower and change.”

“Sure.” James smiled. Regulus let go of James’ hand and started walking away. Regulus walked to his room and quickly made his bed look like he was sleeping in it before grabbing clothes and going into the bathroom to shower. Once he was done, he changed and walked out of the bathroom to find Evan and Barty hanging out in the room.

“Where are you going?” Evan asks as he sees Regulus.

“I’m going to sleep in Sirius’ room…”

“Alright. I’ll make sure they won’t find out.”

“Thanks. I’ll be back in the morning.”

Regulus walked out of the dorm room and ran straight to Gryffindors house. He quickly walked in and went to James’ room. When he walked in, Remus and Sirius were making out on their beds that were now pushed together, and Peter was at his desk studying. There was music being played in the background. Regulus noticed that James wasn’t in the room and frowned. He sat on James’ bed and waited for someone to acknowledge him.

Remus pulled away from Sirius and jumped slightly when he saw Regulus looking at him.

“Oh…I didn’t know- sorry.”

“It’s okay. Does anyone know where James is?”

“Bathroom, taking a massive poop most likely.” Peter answered.

Regulus laughed softly and just then, the door opened to the bathroom and James walked out. James smiled when he noticed Regulus sitting on the bed. “You’re here.” James walked over to his bed and hugged Regulus. “I missed you.”

“It’s been a few minutes.”

“Exactamente. Demasiado largo.”

Regulus hummed and watched as James took his shirt off and got into the bed. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Hmm?”

James smiled as he pulled a small box out from under the bed. “Open it.”

Regulus opened the box and immediately dropped the lid. It was only then did he realize all the little holes in it. “A cat..? Whose…whose is it?”

“Well, technically, he’s my family cat.” James started. “You told me that you loved cats but never got to own one. I wanted to let you take care of him while we’re here, so you can get the feel of it. Then, when we’re out of school, we can get a cat together.”

“Oh my Merlin. James is a romantic.” Sirius groaned before going back to kissing Remus.

Regulus had tears in his eyes as he investigated the box and saw the kitten sleeping. It wasn’t even a fully grown adult cat.

“You can pick him up, he’s not going to break.”

Regulus didn’t know how to pick him up. He kept putting his hands into the box, but he never grabbed the cat. James noticed and picked up the sleeping kitten, waking it up in the process. The cat cried as he handed the cat over to Regulus. Regulus held the kitten like it was a baby and could break if he wasn’t careful. Regulus let his tears fall as he laid down with the kitten.

“Baby, let the cat sleep. Eat first.”

Sirius suddenly stopped kissing Remus and looked over at the two. “No, none of that. I will not allow that. No pet names. That’s gross.”

Remus laughed softly and pulled Sirius back into a kiss before parting again and laughing. “Kochanie.”

“I will actually stop kissing you if you keep that up.”

“I’m sorry.” Remus laughed.

James sighed and looked at Regulus who was cuddling the kitten. “Regulus, come on.”

Regulus looked over at James and then he looked at the kitten. “No. I want to sleep.”

“You didn’t eat much. Please come here.”

“James, don’t push him.” Sirius says as pulls away from Remus for the last and final time.

“He needs to eat-”

“Él tiene un trastorno alimentario.” Sirius says as he takes off his clothes and changes into his pajamas.

“¿No pensaste en decírmelo antes? Merlin, Sirius.”

“What?” Regulus questions as he sits up. Sirius gave Regulus a thin-lipped look which Regulus already understood. “What the hell, Sirius! You didn’t have to-”

“Hey, Regulus, calm down. I’m not upset or anything-”

“I wouldn’t care even if you were! That’s not his business to be telling people!”

“Yes, you’re right, but if it weren’t for him, I’d keep bugging you to eat. If you don’t want to eat, that’s fine.”

Regulus sighed and looked at the cat. The cat was still asleep despite the yelling. “He’s still asleep.”

“He’s deaf. He can’t hear anyone yelling.”

Regulus hummed and looked at the food. “I’ll eat some of the chicken…and the potatoes...”

“If that’s all you want, then that’s fine with me.”

Regulus smiled softly when James scoops a bit of the potatoes on a spoon before giving it to Regulus. He takes the spoon and eats the potatoes slowly. They didn’t taste bad. He liked the way they tasted.

The two of them were in their own world, sharing food and talking softly amongst themselves. Remus was reading while Sirius was lying on his chest. “Do you think I’ve made the wrong choice…on letting them be together?”

“I’m sure your brother would have found a way even without your permission.” Remus sighed.

“But…Regulus has a lot to worry about with our family…our mum would freak out if she found out about them. I just don’t want that hurting him. He’s only ten.”

“James will take care of him. You can see how much James likes him, which is quite odd because they’ve only started talking when Regulus got here a few days ago.”

“They’ve talked every now and then when James came to get me from my house. He’s been in the house when mum wasn’t home, and he noticed some of the things Regulus liked. He didn’t specifically tell me he was interested in my brother, he was dating Lily, so I didn’t think anything of it. But he often asked what things my brother liked and just kept asking about him. It was quite weird. Now I know why.”

Remus hummed and looked over at the two. “I hope they last. They’re cute together.”

“We’re cuter.”

“Yeah, sure.” Remus smiled, kissing Sirius’ head then going back to reading his book. Regulus was slowly feeding the cat some food as he ate his food as well.

“Are you going to keep feeding him all of your food?” James asked with a laugh.

“He’s hungry.” James laughed and kissed Regulus’ head. Regulus couldn’t help but smile. “I’m done though; I don’t want anymore.”

“Alright.” James got up to put the plate in the trash and then walked over to Regulus. “Do you want to sleep in the bed alone? I don’t want to push you too far.”

“I’m fine. Get in. Plus, it’s not like it’s going to be any different from the astronomy tower.” Regulus whispered the last part, in homes Sirius wouldn’t hear but of course, with luck not being on his side, Sirius sat up quickly.

“What!? The night he was gone was because you both were in the astronomy tower!?”

“I told you I was studying-” James tried but Sirius cut him off.

“I swear, if you were shagging-”

“We weren’t.” Regulus groaned and pulled the kitten into his chest. He curled into a ball and James sighed. “Get in so I can sleep.” Regulus muttered.

“Eres como un gato.” James laughed before getting into bed. Regulus laid his head on James’ chest and hummed. “Necesitado como un gatito”

“Stop flirting with my brother- ow! Remus-”

“Go to sleep before I suffocate you with my pillow.”

“Fine.”

Regulus giggled softly as he slowly started falling asleep.