Chapter 1
Everything seemed almost too good for Regulus lately. And that, of course, meant something was bound to go wrong.
It was a pattern in his life—every time things started falling into place, the universe seemed to have a cruel way of pulling the rug from under him. He wasn’t pessimistic, just realistic. So, naturally, he was bracing himself for whatever disaster would inevitably come next.
Still, there was no denying that, at least for now, life was… good. Almost suspiciously so.
First: He had been with Remus for five months now. Five. Something he never would have expected when this whole thing began. But here they were, somehow making it work. It was still strange sometimes—having someone who actually cared for him, someone who didn’t demand more than he was willing to give, someone who understood him without him needing to say a word. But strange in a way that felt right.
Second: Tomorrow, he was starting university. Medicine, like he had always planned. It was daunting, of course, but exciting too. And, thankfully, he wasn’t going at it alone. Barty and Evan had decided to study medicine as well, because of course they had. They did everything together—sometimes it was ridiculous, but mostly it was comforting.
Third: Living in the same building as them was a dream come true. They were all on the same floor, just a few doors away from each other. It was like something out of a sitcom, except with more illegal substances and questionable life choices. But it was brilliant. Late-night hangouts, impromptu movie nights, the ability to barge into each other’s apartments whenever they wanted—he wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Fourth: He hadn’t seen or spoken to Sirius since moving out of their parents’ house back in June. And he couldn’t have been happier about it. Same with James—fuck him too, honestly. Regulus had wasted enough of his life being in their shadow, trying to prove something to people who had never cared enough to truly see him. Now, he was free. No more Sirius. No more James. Just him, his friends, and his own life on his own terms.
Fifth: He had just gotten back from Japan. Japan. A literal birthday gift from Barty and Evan, because when they went overboard, they really went overboard. It had been incredible—Tokyo’s bright lights, Kyoto’s quiet beauty, late nights and early mornings spent with the people he loved most. It was something out of a dream, and if he let himself think too hard about it, he might just start feeling too lucky. And that would be dangerous.
Sixth: Remus was practically living at his place. Despite the fact that he had his own apartment with Mary and Marlene, he somehow spent more time in Regulus’ than his own. Not that Regulus was complaining. He liked having him around. Liked the way Remus always left a book lying somewhere, or how his coffee mug always ended up next to Regulus’ in the sink. He liked falling asleep next to him and waking up to him. It was domestic in a way that should have terrified him, but instead, it felt natural. Like this was how it was always supposed to be.
So yeah, everything was going suspiciously well.
Regulus just had to wait and see how long it would last before it all came crashing down.
And it all came crashing down the very next day, during the first lecture, seconds after 9 a.m. Regulus’ phone buzzed in his pocket.
Remus: YOU ARE NOT
Remus: Gonna believe me
Regulus frowned, his fingers moving quickly over the screen.
Regulus: What, did you walk into the wrong lecture hall or something?
Remus: Ha, you think you’re funny?
Remus: Take this:
Remus: Sirius is here
Regulus’ eyes widened. What the actual fuck?
Regulus: You’re kidding
Remus: Babe
Remus: I wish
Remus: He’s sitting a few rows ahead of me
Regulus: He can’t even read. What’s he doing in a LIT class?
Remus: I wish I knew, honestly
Before Regulus could respond, a sharp kick landed on his shin.
“What the hell?” Regulus snapped, looking up to find Evan staring at him with wide eyes. Evan jerked his head toward the front of the lecture hall.
Standing there, leaning casually against the doorframe, as if he owned the place, was James. Fucking. Potter.
Shit.
“Oh my fucking god,” Regulus gasped, his eyes wide with shock.
“Oh, shit,” Barty whistled low, leaning back in his chair as if bracing himself for a show.
Then, as if the universe wasn’t cruel enough, James spotted them. The bastard had the audacity to smirk, his hazel eyes gleaming with mischief as he made his way over. Without hesitation, he slid into the row right in front of Regulus, twisting around to face him with a bright, annoyingly charming smile.
“Hey,” James greeted casually, as if they were old friends.
Regulus blinked. Then blinked again. He felt his jaw tighten, and his fingers curled around the edge of his notebook. He opened his mouth, closed it, then finally managed to spit out, “What the fuck are you doing here, Potter?” His voice was sharp, more defensive than he’d intended.
James’ smirk grew wider. “I’m here for my lecture,” he replied, his tone dripping with mock innocence.
Barty snorted, not even trying to hide his amusement. Regulus shot him a death glare before turning his attention back to James.
“You don’t even go here,” Regulus insisted, his voice sharper than he intended. His eyes narrowed, studying James’ face for any sign of a joke, a lie—anything that could explain this madness. “Since when are you interested in medicine?”
James just shrugged, his shoulders loose and relaxed, like this was all some big cosmic joke that only he was in on. “What, I can’t be?” His lips curled into that infuriating smirk, the one that used to make Regulus’ heart race and his blood boil all at once.
Regulus blinked, his brain short-circuiting. This had to be some sort of nightmare. There was no way James—of all people—was here. In his university. In his lecture hall. Sitting right in front of him like it was the most normal thing in the world.
James Potter. His ex. The one who said that he was still in love with him, even when Regulus was already with Remus. James, who used to hold him so tightly it hurt, who used to kiss him like the world was ending. James, who shattered his heart and still haunted his dreams some nights.
And it wasn’t just James. No, the universe wasn’t that merciful. Remus had already texted him, saying that Sirius was in his lecture hall too. Sirius, in the same major.
Regulus felt the world tilt beneath him, the floor threatening to give way. Everything clicked into place, the pieces snapping together like some cruel cosmic puzzle.
James and Sirius were here. Both of them. In the same university. At the same time. After months of radio silence.
They were playing a game.
Just like he and Remus were when they first got together—when they pretended to date just to piss off James and Sirius. When they kissed and fucked only to find that the game wasn’t a game anymore. When they found themselves tangled up in each other, hearts on the line, no more pretending.
This was payback.
Regulus’ chest tightened, a knot of panic forming beneath his ribs. He could feel his pulse pounding in his ears, his vision tunneling in on James’ face. That stupid, charming face.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he glanced down. Another message from Remus.
Remus: This can’t be a coincidence
Remus: He’s doing this on purpose
Regulus’ hands trembled as he typed back.
Regulus: James is fucking here
Regulus: They’re playing us
He looked up, his eyes locking on the back of James’ head. His hair was messier than he remembered, a little longer at the nape. Regulus’ fingers twitched, remembering the feel of that hair beneath his hands, the way James used to lean into his touch.
His chest tightened again, anger bubbling beneath the surface. How dare James come here? How dare he invade Regulus’ life like this, without warning, without reason?
“Holy shit,” Regulus whispered, his voice barely audible.
Barty leaned in, his expression serious for once. “They planned this, didn’t they?”
Regulus could only nod, his throat tight.
James and Sirius were playing a game. And Regulus had no idea what the rules were.
But he was sure of one thing: he wasn’t going to lose.
Regulus was already leaning against the wall, one foot propped up as he watched the other students milling around the courtyard, pretending like his heart wasn’t racing. He took a slow, measured breath, his fingers itching for the familiar comfort of a cigarette.
When Remus finally arrived, looking just as rattled as Regulus felt, Regulus couldn’t help but huff out a laugh. “I feel like I’ve been dropped into some twisted teenage drama series,” he deadpanned. His eyes scanned the crowd, half-expecting to see camera crews hiding behind bushes.
“Tell me about it,” Remus groaned, the lines of stress evident on his face. Without another word, he leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Regulus’ lips, grounding them both for just a second. The familiar touch made Regulus’ chest ache, a painful reminder that they were in this together, no matter how insane it all felt.
They lit their cigarettes in synchronized motions, their fingers brushing for a moment before they both took their first drags. Regulus could feel the smoke curl in his lungs, the nicotine settling his nerves just a little.
Remus exhaled slowly, his eyes slipping shut as he tilted his head back. “He’s already talking to Marls and Mary,” he muttered, his voice low, resigned.
Regulus froze, his grip on his cigarette tightening. Of course, Sirius was. Because of course, his brother would seek out the people who knew Remus best, the people who used to know him too, before he cut himself off from all of them.
He swore under his breath, the words harsh and bitter. “Of course, he is. Why wouldn’t he be?” He ran a hand through his hair, the familiar anger curling hot in his chest. “It’s like some kind of cosmic joke. A fucking nightmare.”
Remus opened his eyes, giving Regulus a sympathetic look. “I didn’t even think to warn them. I didn’t think—” He cut himself off, his jaw clenching. “I didn’t think he’d show up here. I thought I left him behind. Them behind.”
Regulus understood that feeling all too well. He thought he left his past behind, too. But Sirius and James had shown up here, threatening to unravel everything he’d built.
He took another drag of his cigarette, letting the smoke burn his throat before exhaling slowly. “They’re playing a game,” he said quietly, his voice hardening. “They planned this. They’re trying to mess with us.”
Remus’ eyes darkened, his posture shifting. “Then we don’t let them.” His tone was steady, determined. “They want a reaction. They want us to fall apart. We don’t give them that satisfaction.”
A smile ghosted over Regulus’ lips, sharp and humorless. “Yeah,” he agreed, his fingers tapping against his cigarette. “We don’t let them win.”
They stood there in silence for a moment, their shoulders brushing as they smoked. The campus buzzed with life around them, students laughing and chatting as if the world hadn’t just flipped upside down for the two of them.
Regulus flicked ash off his cigarette, his eyes narrowing as he thought about James’ smug smile, Sirius’ knowing looks. “We’re better at this game than they are,” he murmured.
Remus looked over at him, his lips curling into a smirk. “We wrote the rules.”
Regulus’ chest felt a little lighter, a wicked gleam flashing in his eyes. “Exactly.”
He straightened, flicking his cigarette butt to the ground and crushing it under his boot. “We’re not going to make this easy for them.”
Remus mirrored his movements, his cigarette meeting the same fate. “Not a chance.”
Regulus turned to face him fully, their eyes locking. “Let’s give them hell.”
Remus’ grin was fierce, his eyes sparking with mischief. “With pleasure.”
For the first time that day, Regulus felt the anxiety in his chest ease, replaced with something darker, more familiar. If James and Sirius wanted to play games, they’d chosen the wrong people to mess with.
After all, Regulus and Remus were the masters of the game. And they weren’t about to lose.