Chapter One
James Potter knew Regulus was drunk before he even picked up the phone. Regulus never called after midnight unless he was drunk. Regulus never called unless he was drunk period. It was a strange arrangement that had started years ago. Whenever he was too wasted to make it home alone, James was the one Regulus would call. They weren’t friends by any means, they didn’t talk outside of those nights. It only happened once every few months, but whenever he called, James would abandon whatever he was doing to get Regulus.
On this occasion, James was asleep, but by the time he had swiped to accept the call he was already pulling on a hoodie and grabbing his keys. He knew what was needed of him. “Hey,” his voice was gravelly, still groggy from sleep. What he didn’t expect was someone other than Regulus to respond, a deep voice he didn’t recognize.
“Is this Potter?”
This made James nervous. Regulus was not somebody who would hand his phone to a stranger.
“Where’s Regulus? Is he okay?”
“Calm your tits, he’s fine… Kind of.”
“Who is this?”
“It’s Evan, Barty’s here too.”
Oh. James knew Barty and Evan, they were Regulus’s friends, good at dealing with his intoxicated mood swings. But if they were all together, why did they need James to come? “Sorry, why are you calling? Just that, you know… if you’re there?” It was three in the morning, James was not nearly awake enough to form sentences.
“I don’t know, man, he’s just asking for you. I think you should come.”
James heard someone else grab the phone.
“Dude, he’s being all moody and depressed and shit.” That was Barty. He didn’t like James, neither did Evan but he was better at hiding it.
“Yeah, he’s always fucking moody.” Regulus got depressed a lot, James knew that, and he knew Barty knew too.
“Potter, he wants you to be here, are you fucking coming or not?”
“Yes, yeah, I’m coming. Where are you guys?” Of course he was going. James always went.
“Hogshead.” Barty hung up before James could say anything else.
When James pulled up outside the bar, Regulus, Evan, and Barty were all waiting for him. Regulus sitting with his head leaned against the brick wall, Evan beside him, and Barty standing a few feet away smoking. As soon as James stepped out of his car, Barty stomped out the cigarette and went to stand in front of Regulus, in a protective stance. It was clear he didn’t like James, and yet when Regulus had asked for him, he had called. He was about to let Regulus get into the car with James, but he stood between them as if about to start throwing punches.
“Um, hi.” James was utterly confused. In the dozen of past instances, Regulus had been alone when he called. If he was with Barty or Evan then they would all get drunk together, and all go home together. James had always assumed that he was a last resort call, that all the times Regulus had called, everybody else was unavailable. This night seemed to prove that theory wrong.
“You look like a fucking idiot.” Barty, of course. He wasn’t wrong though, James had left his apartment wearing sweatpants, a bright pink hoodie, and now that he took a minute to look, crocs.
“Okay, and? You actually are one.” James also hated Barty, not for any particular reason, he just didn’t have the energy to be pleasant to someone who clearly wanted to rip the limbs off of James’ body.
“Fuck you, Potter, if you’re such a fucki-”
“Barty, shut the fuck up!” Evan interuppted, Barty shut up. “Potter, can you just take him home?” He gestured towards Regulus, who had not moved at all since James had gotten there.
“Yeah, can you help get him up?”
Together James and Evan lifted Regulus by the shoulders and led him to the car. Barty stood silently, eyes glued to the ground. After Regulus was sitting in the passenger seat, James turned back to the other two. “Do you guys need rides?”
Barty glared at him as if James had suggested all of them go to a chapel and get married right then and there. “Do we look like we need fucking rides?”
“I mean, kind of? It’s four in the morning and you’re drunk on the side of the road, an hour from your flat. I don’t mind dropping you off somewhere.”
Barty went to open his mouth again but Evan kicked his shin, shutting him up. “We’re fine, just don’t let Regulus kill himself or anything.”
“I’m not going to let him fucking kill himself.”
“I would if I had to look at your fucking face. And don’t try to kiss him either cause he’s drunk.” Barty started ranting.
“I know he’s drunk, I’m not gonna kiss him!”
“But you want to, you admit it?”
“For fuck’s sake can you just be normal for one goddamn seco–”
A loud horn cut them all off, including Evan who had been attempting to cover Barty’s mouth with his own hand, unsuccessfully. They all turned and saw Regulus pulling his arm back from the driver’s side of the car. James turned to leave, but Barty stopped him. “Wait!” He grabbed something from his pocket. James looked like he was about ready to starting hitting someone. “Here’s Reg’s phone. Give it to him, just not now.” Barty handed the phone to James.
“Why can’t I give it to him now?”
Evan had to physically hold Barty back as he tried to step towards James, shouting something like. “Fucking idiot… mind your fucking business… little bitch!” James just got in the car and drove off, throwing Regulus’s phone in his own pocket.