Down, Down, Down
Regulus Black hated soccer. The thought of finding thrill in kicking a ball around quite frankly disgusted him. So how did he find himself on a plane full of soccer players? One answer. Barty Crouch Jr.
Regulus hated his brother, loathed him even, but he’d be damned if he let his hatred for Sirius cause him to miss his best mate's life-changing soccer match. Only problem? He would not only have to put up with Sirius but also the imbecile that Sirius claims as his best friend. He hated every single thing about James Potter. His stupid grin, his happy-go-lucky attitude, everything that made him James.
However, he was willing to look past the James and Sirius issue because he was here to support his real family. Barty and Evan were pretty much all Regulus had now. They were there for him when Sirius ran away from home to the Potters, and they were there every time Regulus showed up on their doorsteps after getting a beating from his parents. They showed Regulus what a family should be. He could ignore Sirius and James for a few days, right?
Sirius Black, who was known for his dramatics, gave Regulus a look upon seeing him on the plane. No words were spoken among the two estranged brothers, but their eyes said it all. James Potter, on the other hand, gave Regulus a kind smile. It's a classic James Potter look that reeked of joy.
Regulus ignored his smile and brushed past them to sit next to Barty and Evan, hoping to see as little of James Potter as possible over the next few days.
Regulus hadn’t always resented James Potter. There was a point in time when he worshiped the ground James walked on. All of that changed the day James took Sirius from him for good. Ripping him out of Regulus’s reach, stealing his brother, and bringing him into his family. He could not hate Sirius for leaving, but he could hate James for not taking him too.
Shaking his head, he turned to Evan who had been trying to get his attention.
“Sorry mate. What was that?” Regulus sighed, rubbing his temples.
“Was just checking to make sure you were alright considering…” Evan gestured to Sirius.
Regulus didn’t respond, instead, he put his headphones on and drifted into a dreamless sleep.
James, on the other hand, was wide awake. His mind was racing as he was tapping the armrest fervently. This one match could change his life forever, giving him opportunities that he never thought would be in reach.
“Tap that seat one more bloody time and I swear I will crash this plane.” Sirius snapped, not taking off his silk eye mask to look at James.
"Sorry mate,” James smiles sheepishly. “I just can't stop thinking about what this could mean for us.”
“Stop being sappy. Go. To. Sleep.” Sirius groans. They had been flying for around two hours, and would not land for another three.
“Okay Okay fine,” James groans, trying again to fall asleep. All of a sudden, there was a loud band coming from outside the plane, and he got hit with a feeling that something was very wrong.
Regulus was ripped out of his sleep by the sounds of screaming, and someone violently shaking him.
“Regulus put your bloody seatbelt on,” Barty screamed, buckling his own. “The fucking plane is going down.”
He gasped, trying to get his seatbelt on. He looked around wide-eyed, screams filling his ears.
“Guys whatever happens,” Evan screams, tears filling his eyes. “Just know I love you guys.”
“Evan shut up. We aren’t dying.” Regulus spoke back, trying to keep his voice calm. “The pilots will handle this. It’ll all be fine.”
It would not be fine, Regulus knew that. He just wanted to keep Evan calm.
“Fuck does anyone see Pandora?” Evan gasped, eyes scanning the seats frantically for his twin sister.
Regulus took deep breaths, trying to calm himself. The only thing racing through his mind before they hit the ground was Sirius. The day Sirius turned sixteen specifically. He received a motorbike from the Potters and promised Reg he would take him for a ride one day. That day never came. All Regulus could think of in what he believed were his last moments was how badly he wanted to ride that motorbike with his big brother. And with one final breath, the plane hit the ground, and Regulus’s vision went black.