Chapter 3
“What are you doing?” Regulus let out a little groan and looked up from the toilet to see Pandora standing in the doorway, hands on her hips and a frown firmly in place.
“‘M being sick, leave me alone.” She pursed her lips.
“Why?” There was a moment of silence where he stared at her, baffled.
“The fuck do you mean why?” She shrugged slightly.
“Didn’t know if it was a relapse type thing but usually you’re more defensive with those.” She pressed the back of her hand against his forehead. “You’re not warm.”
“It’s just anxiety, I'm fine.” Frowning slightly she studied him.
“Why are you so anxious you’re throwing up?” Groaning he leaned over the toilet again, nausea twisting his stomach again.
“I messaged him.” It took a second for it to register but when it did she let out a small gasp.
“You DM’d your brother?” When he nodded she let out a small squeal. “Good job! See, I told you that you weren’t going to die the moment you hit send!”
“I feel like dying.” Despite him only mumbling the words she heard him and frowned.
“Hey now, I don’t want to hear words like that from you, ‘kay?” He shot him a glare, how dare she have so much energy when he was clearly miserable. “You’re going to be fine. When did you text him?” He shrugged.
“Couple hours ago.”
“Have you checked if he’s seen it or replied?” He shook his head. “Where’s your phone? You have to check.” He glared at her again but she seemed intent.
“Kitchen counter I think.” Grinning, she ran off, reappearing a few moments later, phone in hand. She handed it over and he took it, unlocking it and checking the notifications. His stomach twisted again when he saw that he had in fact gotten a reply and he was nearly sick again.
“What is it?” He scowled at her.
“He replied.” She let out a small squeal, then realizing he wasn’t going to elaborate she pouted.
“You want me to go?” He hummed in agreement. “Alright, alright I’ll let you read in peace, but I expect at least a little bit of an update at dinner, which you will be eating.” She stepped out of the bathroom and he leaned over to shut the door before settling against a wall and opening the message.
Hi Regulus. I’m not going to pretend that I know how I feel about this because I definitely don’t. Your apology is accepted. I know that house was hard on both of us and we had very different ways of dealing with the stress. If you’re okay and open to it I’d love to see you again. I’m glad you found me and reached out, I missed you.”
Taking a shaky breath Regulus leaned his head back, letting his eyes close so he could focus on breathing. Half of him hadn’t fully believed that Sirius would respond and the other half was certain he would only answer to scream at him for all the things he’d done and said. Having him say that he had missed him and wanted to see him again made him feel all floaty and excited. He read through it again twice more just to be positive he understood it right before responding.
I'd definitely be open to meeting up sometime maybe. I missed you too.
He only had to wait a few minutes before a response popped up.
Good because I probably would have used all my FBI level stalking skills to find out where you live and just shown up if you had said no.
Regulus had to laugh at that but before he could respond another message popped up.
Not that you have much to go off of on your account.
Regulus hesitated, biting his lip. When he didn't respond for several minutes it seemed to scare Sirius who messaged again.
Shit, sorry I didn't mean to scare you off. It was just a joke.
Please come back.
You didn't scare me off, I was just thinking. If you follow me I can approve you to see private posts but I don't have a whole lot of those either.
Thank fuck, I was about to cry. I can do that.
Moments later a notification popped up that @siriuslyblack had followed him and he clicked the approve button. Frowning slightly he looked through his account, he really didn't have very many posts. His only friends lived in the same flat with him and the only other people he knew were his co-workers and having them on his social media would have been weird.
He really only used his social media as a vague diary, marking special occasions with a picture or two and a small captions, often just birthdays. He had a few random photo dump posts on there too and a screenshot of Walburga's obituary with the caption “the bitch is finally gone” which was both humorous and kind of sad.
Wow, you weren't joking, you don't have very many posts at all.
I post all the time.
I know.
What do you mean you know?”
Full honesty, I found your account months ago I was just terrified to reach out.
There wasn't a response for a terrifyingly long time and he thought that Sirius must be livid at him. In fact there was radio silence for long enough that Regulus had time to be sick again.
Well damn.
Ouch.
I suppose it's valid though.
Sorry. I didn't know if you'd be mad.
Mm, nah.
Well I noticed that. So Remus? Didn't clock you for the type to go for a nerd.
He's hot.
Can you really blame me?
I'm just a man.
Ha.
For some reason I'm getting the vibe that you aren't actually amused.
Which is ridiculous because I'm hilarious.
At least your horrible sense of humor hasn't changed.
Haven't the faintest fucking clue who you're talking to because my sense of humor is flawless.
Mm hm.
So.
What happened after I left?
I don't really want to talk about that today. I've already been sick three times waiting for you to respond and I don't fancy reliving those moments right now.
So don't leave you on read is what I'm hearing.
Fuck you. Please don't.
Alright, alright I won't.
What are you up to today?
Nothing really, it's my day off. Barty's been begging to watch a movie together so we might do that when him and Ev get back from the store.
So you lot live together?
Yeah, me, Barty, Evan, and Pandora. They're a bit psycho but really nice. They're the ones that helped me run away.
…
Damn.
I was going to make a joke about you living with a bunch of poofs
But
I feel like
Maybe I should address the running away part
Eh, nah.
Alright.
Maybe another day?
Yeah maybe. What about you? What happened after you ran off?
I…
Went to James
I don't think you knew about him but we were already friends but I made some more after that
Anyways I lived there while I finished school
That's when me and Remus started dating
And then me, Remus, James, and Peter all got a flat after school
And we've just kind of been vibing
I tattoo which is fun
And… that's kind of it
Yeah
Regulus was suddenly aware that Barty and Evan had returned by the former banging on his door.
“You messaged your brother?”
“Yes, fuck off.”
“Are you talking to him?” He hesitated for a second.
“Yes, now fuck off!” Barty ran off screeching excitedly. He shook his head slightly and turned his attention back to his phone.
Barty and Ev just got back. He's yelling something fierce about me messaging you so I have to go before half the neighborhood knows. I can text you later if that's okay.
Of course that's okay
Just whenever you have time
I should go talk to my friends too
Remus thinks I'm having a breakdown I think
Alright, bye.
Bye