THE PHALLIC LOOKING TEA POT
The flat was chaotic, but in a comfortable way. Boxes were scattered everywhere, and the air smelled faintly of new beginnings. Regulus couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic as he moved from box to box, helping Sirius and Remus unpack. The whole situation seemed so surreal, yet here they were—Sirius, who had fought for this freedom, finally moving into a place of his own with Remus by his side.
Sirius and Remus were in the living room, the two of them laughing over a stack of books Remus had packed. Remus was holding one in his hands, shaking his head.
“Are you really going to keep all of these?” Remus asked, glancing over at Sirius with an amused look. “I swear, you’ve packed every book you’ve ever read.”
Sirius looked up from his boxes with a grin. “Of course! You can never have too many books. You never know when you'll need to reference something, or—” He paused dramatically, grinning even wider. “Or when you’ll need to show off your knowledge of every wizarding joke from the last century.”
Remus rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at his lips. “You’re impossible, you know that? We’re going to need more shelves if you keep this up.”
Sirius shrugged nonchalantly, tossing another shirt into the dresser. “We’ll make room. If we run out of space, we’ll just get more bookshelves.”
Remus sighed, shaking his head but clearly fond. “Well, it looks like I’ll be the one trying to organize everything then.”
Sirius raised an eyebrow, eyes twinkling mischievously. “I’m fine with that. Just don’t blame me when your perfectly organized shelves look like this in a week,” he said, motioning to the chaos of his unpacking.
Remus chuckled and continued arranging the books. “I suppose I’ll have to learned how to live with the mess.”
Meanwhile, in the corner of the living room, Lyall Lupin was doing his best to check every cupboard and corner of the flat. His eyes narrowed in suspicion as he inspected every nook and cranny. Regulus couldn’t help but overhear his mutterings. “There better not be a boggart in here. Remus, you did check the attic, right?”
“I checked, Dad,” Remus called from the kitchen, though the smile in his voice suggested he wasn’t too concerned.
Hope Lupin suddenly appeared in the doorway, looking exhausted but determined. “How in Merlin’s name did you two manage to get this much stuff and still not have enough kitchenware? I swear, one would think you two would have some sense by now."
Sirius grinned sheepishly. “I’m sorry Hope. I'm not exactly known for my domestic skills.”
Hope raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Well, now you’re going to have to make do. There are cupboards full of stuff here, but I’m still wondering how you two are supposed to make dinner without any pots.”
Regulus tried to ignore the conversation, focusing instead on the spot on the floor he was determined to clean. He’d just about given up on the idea that the flat would ever look perfect, but when he thought about his father coming by later, he knew there was no way Orion or Walburga would approve of the mess. He wasn’t about to give his mother more reason to criticize Sirius for not having his life together.
Sirius was standing nearby, watching Regulus scrub the floor. “You can leave that, you know. It’s fine.”
“No,” Regulus said with a determination that surprised even him. “I’m doing this. It has to be perfect. Dad's coming over later, and I can’t have him seeing this place looking like it’s... well, like it’s a flat, you know?”
Sirius raised an eyebrow. “A flat’s supposed to look like a flat, Reg.”
Regulus didn’t answer. He couldn’t bring himself to stop, not when he was still convinced that his father would find something to criticize. Before he could get the floor any cleaner, the old chimney suddenly burst with a loud crash, followed by a cloud of ash. Regulus looked up just in time to see Peter stumble into the room, looking absolutely mortified.
“I’m so sorry!” Peter exclaimed, waving his arms frantically. “I was just—just coming in to help, and I—well, I...”
“Peter!” Sirius groaned, rubbing his temples. “Did you just—?” He looked at the ash now spread across the floor, mixing with the dust that Regulus had just spent the past few minutes cleaning.
Peter stood in the doorway, frozen, as if trying to make himself invisible. “I didn’t mean to, I swear! It’s just... it’s a mess out there already. You’re all in here doing work, and I thought maybe I could—” He glanced nervously at Regulus, who looked exasperated, and then at Hope, who immediately yelled toward the other room. “Lyall! We’ll need some magic in here, the living room looks like your mother's ashtray!”
Regulus was about to grab another cleaning potion when the unmistakable sound of someone apparating in echoed through the room. He turned, and to his surprise, James stood there, holding a box of sweets with a smile that seemed to light up his face as he greeted everyone.
“Congratulations on the flat, you two,” James said, nodding to Remus and Sirius. “It looks great.”
Lyall entered the room and immediately started waving his wand, clearing the ash from the floor.
James was in the middle of his sentence when he finally noticed Regulus standing there. His words faltered and he froze, eyes locking with Regulus’s.
Regulus’s breath caught in his throat. He hadn't expected to see James today, much less have their eyes meet like this.
James blinked, the box still clutched tightly in his hand. He seemed momentarily disoriented before forcing a smile. “Uh, Hi Regulus... Hi,” he said, his voice suddenly quieter than usual.
Regulus swallowed. “Hi, James,” he replied, unsure of what to do or say. It was strange, seeing James here after everything that had happened. His stomach twisted a little, but he forced himself to remain composed.
James paused for a moment, as if unsure of how to proceed, before quickly continuing, “So... anyway, just thought I’d drop by with these for the new flat.”
Lyall, noticing the tension, moved towards the kitchen, muttering something about needing to check the cupboards. The silence between Regulus and James stretched out uncomfortably, and Regulus shifted on his feet, his eyes finding the floor as his heart pounded.
“I didn’t expect to see you here today,” James added after a moment, his voice softer.
Regulus nodded, his throat tight. “Yeah, I’m just helping out.” His voice was steadier than he felt, though his mind was racing.
Then, just as the silence grew even more unbearable, Remus cleared his throat from the other side of the room.
“Right, well, I’ll just finish unpacking the rest of the boxes,” Remus said, glancing between Regulus and James. He gave James a pointed look and then quickly walked off toward the hallway.
Sirius, who had been hovering near the door, gave a small nod to James and then followed Remus into the kitchen with a silent Peter acompaning him. James and Regulus were left standing alone in the living room, their silence pressing in around them.
James opened his mouth, clearly about to say something, but before the words could form, the sharp crack of apparition echoed through the room. Both he and Regulus turned to see none other than Orion Black standing there, dressed impeccably as always. His cold, calculating eyes softened slightly as they landed on Regulus.
“Regulus,” Orion said, his voice steady, “where is your brother?”
Before Regulus could respond, the rest of the group seemed to sense the arrival and trickled back into the living room. Sirius entered first, looking both curious and cautious, with Remus and Peter following closely behind. Lyall and Hope appeared a moment later, curious about the commotion.
Orion stepped forward, holding something large and pink. Regulus blinked, trying to process it. It was a teapot—bright pink with an exaggeratedly phallic spout. Regulus raised an eyebrow in disbelief, but Sirius’s eyes widened in delight.
Orion held out the teapot to Sirius. “Here,” he said, his tone unusually casual. “I wanted to give you a gift for the new flat. I went to a shop and asked for the gayest thing they had. This was it.”
For a moment, there was silence. Then Sirius burst out laughing, clutching his sides as he took the teapot from his father. “This is... this is amazing. Thank you, Dad,” he said, still laughing as he threw an arm around Orion in a rare show of affection.
Orion patted Sirius awkwardly on the back. “You’re welcome. I figured you’d appreciate it.”
Sirius pulled back, still grinning, and held the teapot aloft like a trophy. “This is going straight on the mantelpiece,” he declared. He turned to the group. “Everyone, behold the finest contribution to this flat.”
Orion, seeming satisfied, cleared his throat. “So, will you be introducing me to your in-laws?”
Sirius straightened up, his grin softening into a fond smile. “Of course. Come on, Dad.” He gestured to the others. “This is Hope and Lyall Lupin, Remus’s parents. Hope, Lyall, this is my father, Orion Black.”
Hope, despite looking a little pale, stepped forward first, offering a warm smile. “It’s lovely to meet you, Mr. Black. Welcome to the chaos.”
Orion inclined his head politely. “Thank you, Mrs. Lupin. And please, call me Orion.”
Lyall stepped up next, extending a firm handshake. “Orion Black, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said with a grin. “I’m surprised to see you here—I didn’t take you for the social type.”
Orion’s expression lit up in a way Regulus rarely saw. “I’m not much of one,” he admitted, “but I couldn’t miss this. Especially since I heard the Lyall Lupin would be here. I’m a great admirer of your dueling record.”
Lyall blinked in surprise. “My dueling record? You’ve followed my matches?”
“Of course,” Orion said, his tone suddenly animated. “You’re a legend in dueling circles. That win against Macmillan in ’58—masterful. The way you disarmed him while simultaneously shielding yourself? I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Lyall chuckled, clearly flattered. “I wasn’t expecting to run into a fan today. Thank you, Orion. That match was one of my most challenging.”
The two men launched into a spirited conversation about dueling techniques and strategies, their voices growing louder and more animated with each passing moment. Hope, meanwhile, leaned closer to Sirius and whispered, “He’s surprisingly charming.”
Sirius chuckled. “Yeah, he has his moments. Especially when he’s not yelling at me for setting something on fire.”
Regulus, still holding a cleaning potion he had forgotten to put down, watched the scene unfold. It was bizarre to see Orion Black—a man he had always associated with sternness and rigidity—fitting so naturally into the Lupins’ warm, chaotic atmosphere. And yet, here he was, talking about defensive spells with Lyall like they were old friends, while Hope kept interjecting with dry humor that even made Orion crack a smile.
Sirius sidled up to Regulus and nudged him with his elbow. “Well,” he said, smirking, “if this isn’t the most surreal day of our lives, I don’t know what is.”
Regulus allowed himself a small smile. “It’s... unexpected, I’ll admit.”
“Unexpected? Reg, our father just gave me a pink teapot with a very phallic looking spout and is now bonding with my boyfriend's parents over spellcasting. This is beyond unexpected.” Sirius shook his head in disbelief. “But, honestly? I don’t hate it.”
Regulus glanced at James, who had been silent since Orion’s arrival, and noticed him watching the scene with an unreadable expression. Before Regulus could think too much about it, Hope interrupted with a laugh.
“Well, if this is the energy we’re starting with,” she said, gesturing to the teapot, “I’d say this flat is going to be very well-lived in.”
Sirius grinned, raising the teapot like a toast. “To chaotic beginnings!”
...
Once everyone else had gone, the flat grew noticeably quieter. Orion had left first, announcing his departure with a sarcastic remark about returning to his “lovely wife,” which earned a laugh from Sirius. Hope and Lyall followed shortly after, Hope reminding Sirius and Remus to eat properly and Lyall giving them a final once-over for any lingering boggarts. Peter had been next, pausing at the fireplace to ask James if he was coming along.
James, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, barely tore his gaze away from Regulus. "I'll head out later," he said casually, though his eyes remained locked on Regulus’s back. "I just want to make sure Sirius and Remus have everything they need."
Remus, who was nearby sorting books into a small bookshelf, glanced at James with raised eyebrows. “Oh, sure,” he murmured just loud enough for Sirius to hear. “You’re here for us. Very convincing.”
Sirius smirked but said nothing, instead grabbing a box labeled Bathroom Supplies. He handed it to Remus with a pointed look. “Come on, Moony,” he said. “I need your expert organizational skills in the bathroom.”
Remus rolled his eyes but obliged, hefting the box as he followed Sirius down the hall. “I’m not organizing your hair products again,” he grumbled as they disappeared into the other room.
Left alone in the living room, Regulus and James were engulfed in an awkward silence. Regulus immediately turned his back, pretending to be engrossed in the contents of a nearby box. He carefully picked up a stack of records, examining the titles as if they held the secrets to the universe.
James hovered for a moment before stepping forward, grabbing a random item from the box and setting it on the coffee table. After a few seconds of fumbling, he puffed out a breath and crossed his arms. “We need to talk.”
Regulus didn’t flinch. He didn’t even look up. “There’s nothing to talk about,” he said, his voice steady but quiet, as he continued sorting through the box.
James’s jaw tightened, and he moved a step closer, his presence suddenly feeling heavier in the small room. “That’s not true, and you know it.”
Regulus picked up another record and placed it on top of the stack he’d made. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied, his tone carefully neutral. His fingers lingered on the edge of the box, gripping it a little too tightly.
James stared at Regulus’s back, his frustration bubbling over. “We need to talk about the kiss,” he said firmly.
Regulus didn’t pause as he reached into the box, pulling out another stack of records. His voice was calm, detached. “There’s nothing to talk about. You said it yourself—it was a mistake.”
James took a step closer, his voice rising slightly. “It was.”
Regulus froze for half a second, the only sign that the words had landed harder than he let on. Then, he straightened and began walking toward the small shelf in the corner, records in hand. “Then I rest my case,” he said coldly, not looking at James.
James followed him, his tone more insistent. “That’s not what I meant.”
Regulus slid the records onto the shelf, his movements deliberate and precise. “What else could you possibly mean?” he asked, his voice sharp as a knife.
James hesitated, watching Regulus for a moment before blurting out, “I meant that the kiss shouldn’t have happened because I was dating Lily. She’s a great girl, and she didn’t deserve that.”
Regulus turned sharply, his eyes flashing with something between anger and hurt. “Don’t worry,” he said, his voice icy. “I’m not going to tell anyone. Your perfect reputation is safe.”
James groaned, running a hand through his hair. “That’s not what I’m saying, Regulus! Can you please stop assuming you know what I mean and just listen to me for once?”
Regulus glared at him but didn’t say anything, crossing his arms instead.
James took a deep breath, his voice softening as he tried again. “I stand by the fact that I shouldn’t have kissed you. But it’s not because I didn’t want to. I did. I do. A lot, actually.”
Regulus’s glare faltered, replaced by something more uncertain.
James stepped closer, his hazel eyes locked on Regulus. “The problem wasn’t the kiss—it was me. I was committed to Lily, and that wasn’t fair to her. But I’m not anymore. There’s nothing keeping me from telling you how I feel.”
Regulus opened his mouth to speak, but James cut him off, his voice trembling slightly as he rushed forward. “I like you, Regulus. I... I love you. I didn’t realize it before because I always had you around, and I took it for granted. But when you lost your memory, I felt like I lost you. And it hurt more than I ever thought it could.”
Regulus blinked, his expression unreadable as he stared at James.
“And then that day in the Astronomy Tower,” James continued, his voice quieter now, “I realized just how much I care about you. But then summer started, and you weren’t there. My life has been miserable without you, Regulus.”
The room fell silent. Regulus stood completely still, his arms hanging limply at his sides. James waited, his heart pounding in his chest, his gaze searching Regulus’s face for any kind of reaction. But Regulus said nothing.
James sighed, his voice trembling slightly but steady with determination. "What I’m trying to say, Regulus, is that I want to be with you. I want everything. The holding hands, the secrets, the kisses, the honesty—whatever you’re willing to give me, I’ll take it. Because I need you, Regulus. I feel like... like I can’t breathe without you."
Regulus’s heart clenched painfully as he felt a tear roll down his cheek. He hastily wiped it away, turning his face slightly to avoid James’s gaze. His chest felt heavy, a crushing weight of guilt and despair. James doesn’t know me, he thought. Not this version of me. He’s in love with someone else—the Regulus who belongs here, not me.
James stepped closer, his voice softer now. "Regulus?" He reached out, his fingers brushing against Regulus’s cheek to wipe away the tear. The gentleness of the touch made Regulus’s breath hitch. "What’s your answer?"
Regulus bit his lip, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. He felt like he was being torn in half. "I can’t," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
James frowned, confusion and hurt flashing across his face. "Why?" he asked, his tone urgent but not harsh. "Why can’t you? What’s stopping you?"
Regulus turned away, his shoulders trembling slightly. "You wouldn’t understand," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
James didn’t let the distance last long. He stepped in closer, so close that Regulus could feel the warmth radiating from him. His voice was gentle but insistent. "Try me," he said, his hazel eyes locked on Regulus. "Whatever it is, just tell me. I’ll understand, I promise."
Regulus turned back to face him, their eyes meeting. He could see the sincerity in James’s gaze, the overwhelming love and determination that made his heart ache even more. But still, the words felt impossible to say. How could he tell James the truth? How could he explain that he wasn’t the same person James thought he loved?
Regulus turned to head for the door. “I need to go.”
“You can’t leave, not like this!” James called after him, but Regulus ignored him, pushing the door open and stepping out the flat and towards the street. His steps were hurried, his breath shaky, as he tried to put as much distance as he could between himself and James.
“Remus! Sirius! I’m going after Regulus” James yelled into the flat before following Regulus out, jogging to catch up.
“Regulus!” James called, his voice carrying down the quiet street. “Where are you going?”
Regulus kept his pace steady, his back rigid as he replied, “I’m leaving.”
James quickened his steps, catching up and matching Regulus stride for stride. “You can’t just walk away from this,” James said, frustration lacing his voice.
Regulus stopped abruptly, spinning to face James with red-rimmed eyes, his tears making tracks down his pale cheeks. “Leave me alone,” he pleaded, his voice breaking.
“I can’t,” James said, his tone resolute as he stepped closer. “You’re part of me, Regulus. I can’t live without you. If you don’t feel the same, that’s fine. But I’m not giving up—not on you, not on us. I’ll fight for this until the day I die.”
Regulus’s lip trembled as he looked away, unable to meet James’s gaze. “You don’t know what you’re saying,” he murmured.
“Then tell me!” James shot back, his voice rising in frustration. “If I don’t understand, then make me understand.”
Regulus froze. There was no way out of this. He realized, with a sinking heart, that he would have to tell James the truth. He drew in a shaky breath and turned to face him, his voice trembling as he began.
“I’m not the Regulus you know,” he said quietly. “I don’t belong here. I’ll never get my memories back because they’re not mine to recover.”
James frowned, his confusion evident. “What are you talking about?”
Regulus took a deep breath, forcing himself to continue. “I came from a different reality, James. One where there was an evil wizard called Voldemort. He wanted to dominate the wizarding world, and I...” He faltered, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I was one of his followers.”
James’s eyes widened, but he stayed silent, letting Regulus continue.
“I had a Time-Turner, and I used it to travel to the future,” Regulus said, his voice tight with strain. “In that future, I found out that Sirius was sent to Azkaban. That you were killed. That I was killed.” He paused, his breath hitching. “I couldn’t let that happen. I used the Time-Turner to try to stop it—to rewrite everything. That’s how I ended up here.”
James stared at him, his face unreadable as Regulus rushed to finish.
“I’m not the Regulus you love,” he said, his voice breaking. “I’m not the person you think I am.”
James stepped forward, his gaze intense. “You’re wrong,” he said firmly.
Regulus blinked at him, startled. “What?”
“You’re wrong,” James repeated. “There’s only one Regulus Black, and he’s standing right in front of me. You risked everything to save Sirius, to save me, to save everyone. That’s who you are. Brave, selfless, and the person I—” He stopped, taking a shaky breath. “The person I love.”
Regulus shook his head, his voice trembling. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”
James cupped Regulus’s face, his thumb brushing away a tear. “I know exactly what I’m saying,” he said. “If I lived a hundred lives, with a hundred different versions of myself, I would choose you every time.”
Regulus stared at him, his heart hammering in his chest. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know if there was anything to say.
Regulus looked at James, his expression filled with frustration and pain. “You’re not thinking straight. Everything you think you know about me—it’s a lie. I’m not the Regulus you think I am.”
James stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. “That’s not true,” he said firmly. “I know you better than anyone, Regulus.”
He started listing things, his voice steady but charged with emotion. “I know you hate mornings and drink your tea without sugar. I know you reread your favorite books until the spines are falling apart. I know you hum when you’re concentrating, even when you don’t realize it. I know you love star charts and the constellations because they remind you of something bigger, something more.”
Regulus froze, his breath catching as James continued.
“I know you pretend not to care, but you care deeply—about Sirius, about your family, about people who barely deserve it. I know you stand up for what’s right, even when it terrifies you.”
James took a step closer, his voice softening. “Those things? They’re still true. You’re still you, Regulus. The Regulus I love. The same Regulus standing right in front of me.”
Regulus didn’t respond, the weight of James’s words settling over him, leaving him silent and vulnerable.
And then, without hesitation, James closed the distance between them and kissed him fiercely, pouring every ounce of his feelings into that one moment.
Regulus kissed James back, his heart pounding in his chest as the flood of emotions overwhelmed him. Tears welled in his eyes, mixing with the intensity of the kiss. For a moment, he forgot everything—his doubts, his fears—just giving in to the connection between them.
But the sound of heavy footsteps broke the moment, and they pulled apart quickly, both of them breathless. Sirius stood in the other side of the street eyes wide, looking both surprised and irritated.
"What the bloody hell are you two thinking?" he shouted, still panting slightly. "Running off like that, leaving me worrying where you went? You can't just disappear like that!"
Regulus and James stood in there a little disoriented, their faces flushed. Before they could say anything, Remus appeared beside Sirius, giving them an amused yet slightly exasperated look.
"Reckon we're interrupting something, eh?" Remus said with a soft chuckle. Sirius shot him a sharp glance, his tone becoming more serious.
“Go make out inside the flat," Sirius grumbled, crossing his arms. "People in here aren't exactly friendly with… well, you know."
Regulus blinked, the reality of their situation dawning on him again. He and James exchanged a quick look, the gravity of the world around them momentarily weighing on them. Regulus nodded, his voice quiet. "Right."
James gave him a small, understanding smile, and they both turned to head back to the flat away from the potential hostility of the world outside.
As the door to the flat clicked shut behind them, the tension between James and Regulus was palpable, though the intensity of the outside world seemed to fall away. They made their way back into the living room, finding the space quieter now that Remus and Sirius were there.
Remus looked at the two of them with a knowing smile, a twinkle in his eyes. "I always knew the two of you would end up together," he said, his voice light but sincere. "You’ve both been dancing around it for so long, it was only a matter of time."
Regulus stiffened, the words hitting him harder than he expected. He glanced at James, who looked just as unsure, but there was a hint of something softer in his gaze—a vulnerability that Regulus had never seen before.
"Not everything is as easy as you make it sound," Regulus muttered, rubbing his thumb across the edge of his sleeve. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was still something he wasn’t understanding—something missing between them. He wasn’t sure how to bridge that gap, how to truly believe that James might really feel what he said.
Sirius, who had been busy making tea, finally broke the heavy silence by holding up the absurdly pink teapot with the unmistakably phallic spout. A grin spread across his face as he addressed James. "And you," he said with mock seriousness, "get to be the first one to drink out of this masterpiece. My dear old dad truly outdid himself, didn’t he?" He snorted, pouring the tea with exaggerated care. "It’s practically a work of art."
Regulus couldn’t help but glance at the teapot, his face flushing a little. He snorted despite himself. "Really, Sirius? You had to bring that out now?"
Sirius gave him an exaggerated shrug. "What can I say? It’s a family heirloom now." He set the teapot down on the table and motioned for them to sit. "You two have a lot to figure out, but first, some tea."
James sat down, a half-smile still playing at his lips, but Regulus remained standing, still processing everything. He caught himself fiddling with his sleeve again, not quite meeting James’s eyes. He could feel James watching him, but he didn’t have the strength to look back.
Sirius, who had been silently watching the exchange, gave a knowing sigh. "You two will work it out. I’ve got faith in you."
The room fell into a heavy silence once more, and though Regulus didn’t feel quite ready to believe in James’s words, there was something in his heart that warmed at the thought of being close to him. He wasn’t sure what it meant yet, or if it was even possible, but James wasn’t giving up on him. And maybe, just maybe, Regulus didn’t want to give up on him either.
Sirius poured himself a cup of tea, the absurdly pink teapot still on the table. "Just don’t make me wait too long for the next chapter," he said, raising an eyebrow at them both. "Honestly, you’re both bloody hopeless."
Regulus looked up at James again, feeling a flicker of hope. It wasn’t everything, not yet, but maybe it was the start of something.
Tea and Titles
The four of them sat in the small living room, cups of tea in hand, the pink teapot with its unmistakable spout perched proudly on the table. Sirius leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes darting between James and Regulus, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"So," Sirius began, his voice light but probing, "what are you two now? Boyfriends? Secret lovers? Tragically star-crossed soulmates?" He raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying himself.
Regulus, who had been staring intently into his tea, froze. His cheeks flushed, and he glanced briefly at James before looking away again. "I don’t know," he murmured, his voice barely audible.
James, unfazed by the question, set his cup down with deliberate care. He turned to Regulus, his expression soft but confident. "I know what I want us to be," he said, his tone steady. "I want to call you my boyfriend. If you’ll let me."
Sirius’s smirk widened, and he immediately turned to Regulus, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, Reggie," he said, drawing out the nickname in a teasing tone. "Are you going to let him? Or are you going to keep poor Potter here in suspense?"
Regulus hesitated, his mind racing. He could feel all their eyes on him—James’s, full of hope; Sirius’s, brimming with playful curiosity; and even Remus’s, calm and watchful. His fingers tightened slightly around his teacup, and for a moment, he thought about retreating, about letting his doubts swallow him whole.
But then he glanced at James again—at the warmth in his eyes, the quiet determination in his expression—and something in him softened.
"Yes," Regulus said finally, his voice quiet but firm. He looked at James fully this time, his cheeks still flushed but his gaze steady. "You can call me your boyfriend."
Sirius let out a whoop of laughter, raising his tea cup as if in a toast. "Well, it’s about bloody time! I was starting to think we’d all die of old age before you two sorted yourselves out."
Remus chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You’re one to talk, Sirius."
James, ignoring them both, smiled at Regulus, his eyes bright with unspoken emotion. "Good," he said simply, and the single word carried more weight than any long speech could have.
Regulus ducked his head, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth despite himself. For the first time in a long while, he felt a flicker of something close to peace.