Part 2
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REMUS
MOONY
HELP
AGHHHHH
HES JUST SO FJIENENDK
IM GONNA DIE
PLS RESPOND
R E M U S
Read 9:52
you woke me up
Read 9:53
IM GONNA CRY
Read 9:55
you need help.
Read 9:56
REMUS PLS
REMUS DONT LEAVE
REM
RME
REM
REMYM
REMMY*
COME BACK
James sighs, setting his phone down. He’s sitting in his office, lunging while waiting for a meeting. He doesn’t exactly have anything to do, other than absolutely lose his mind. The image of Mr. Reggie with rosy cheeks fills his head, and he can’t stop thinking about it. And his fucking smile… oh James was so gone.
James feels his phone buzz, and instantly checks it.
oh, i thought i should tell you
I told sirius
Read 10:01
WHAT?!
REMUS
REMUS COME BACK
James runs a hand down his face. He feels more disheveled by the minute as he looks down at the time. James curses under his breath. He shoots upright, frantically typing on his computer to log in. 10:02. How? He has a meeting at 10!
He quickly pulls up the online conference room, mind blurring between work and Mr. Reggie.
“Ah, Mr. Potter. So glad you could join us.” His boss mutters, and James gives him a wide smile, trying not to display any rising panic in him.
“Sorry, lost track of time.” He apologizes quickly, “What were you saying?”
His boss continues, and James tries to listen. But he can’t help as his mind wanders back to Mr. Reggie. He thinks of that woman behind him, and instantly gets sorrowed. Who was that? His spouse? Or simply a friend? James miserably thinks that Mr. Reggie had been blushing when he turned away from her. He has to have some romantic relationship with her. Or someone. A man as amazing as that couldn’t possibly be single. God, James is stupid. How could he think he has a chance? Of course he doesn’t. It’s Harry’s teacher, there was no way.
“Mr. Potter.” He hears vaguely, but it snaps him back, “Did you hear me?”
“Um… no, sorry. I think my sound is cutting out.” Jame lies, pretending as if he wasn’t going down a major negative spiral.
He can see his boss fighting back an eye roll, “I asked about our alliances. Who’s strong?”
“Oh, well, ESBA recently sent out a policy that we need to sign.” James explains quickly, “However, so far everything seems to be holding up just fine.”
“Anyone interested in joining?” His boss asks next.
“No recent interviews or resumes, sir.” James answers, as normal as possibly. His boss nods, going back to whatever it was he was saying. James notices Marlene making a pointed glance at him, almost as if she was right across from him, not through a screen. He quickly averts his eyes away from her, intensely looking at his boss as though he were paying attention. He can still feel her star, and shifts uncomfortably in his seat.
The rest of the meeting goes somewhat the same. He doesn’t talk again, which is gracious because he has not been paying attention at all. As he logs off at 11:00, he realizes just how close it is to him picking up Harry. Just great. He thinks, walking toward the door. Another freak out session just waiting for him. Oh how he loves his life.
He grabs his keys and heads out, heaving a sigh as he tries to mentally prepare himself for 5 minutes worth of conversation.
He drives, the song playing on the radio a dull buzz in his ears. He keeps tapping the steering wheel, mind racing far too fast for him to ever be able to catch up. The entire drive is practically a blur, and once again he finds himself lucky to be in one piece when he pulls up to the school. 11:28. He has a few minutes. He takes a few more breaths, although his chest is already tightening. He can feel his stomach trying to twist into knots, which being empty is making him quite nauseous. 11:29. He should probably start walking up now, shouldn’t he? His mind is still racing, and he’s so nervous he feels like he can’t move even if he wanted to. 11:30, he has to go in now, right? He can’t be late. It can't happen. James takes one last breath, stops his car, and walks in.
After a minute, he sees Mr. Reggie. His heart constricts, coming up to clog his throat. He also sees him talking to a woman. The same woman he was talking to this morning. Who stayed all through their talk. The thought of
that fills him with some unpleasant feelings, that he then tries to desperately push down. He can’t help but let thoughts circulate throughout his head. Who is she? Why is she here? Why does Mr. Reggie always seem so happy to see her? To talk to her? Why the hell was he BLUSHING last time?
James tries to push those thoughts to at least the back of his head — where they’ll be less distracting — as he walks up to Mr Reggie. He can see the woman’s face now, pale blue eyes surrounded by dark eyelashes. Even paler skin with a soft pink in the cheeks. The woman waves goodbye, but by that time James is trying to not look like he was invested in their conversation. And then Mr. Reggie turns around.
And oh James is not prepared. Not at all. Mr. Reggie’s cheeks are brushed with light pink, grey eyes alight and surrounded by dark, thick eyelashes. A light dusting of freckles, full red lips pulled up into a soft smile. A jawline so sharp it’s no wonder James feels like he’s bleeding out in the presence of this man. James feels hot all over, and his heart is pounding so hard he fears it might rip out of his chest. Or just simply that Mr. Reggie can hear it. Both options are terrible.
“Oh, hello Mr. Potter!” Mr. Reggie exclaims, and James can’t tell if his heart is expanding or constricting. Mr. Potter.
“Hi, Mr. Reggie.” James responds, and thank the Lord that Harry spots him, running up and tackling his leg. It causes James to sway off balance for a moment, but he regains it quite easily. He squats to fully engulf Harry in a hug, hearing a giggle escape from his son. He spots Mr. Reggie looking, only for a split second, but it’s enough to cause butterflies to swarm in his stomach and for his face to split into a wide grin.
“How was Harry? A pain?” James jokes, rising back up to his full height.
Mr. Reggie laughs, and it might just be the most angelic noise James has ever heard. “No, he was quite an angel. Had a lot of questions today, though. And thoughts. Lots of those too.”
James looks down at Harry, who blinks innocently. “I see.” He says, chuckling a little, “He can be very curious at times. Very blunt too.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed.”
There’s a beat of silence, enough for James’ mind to start running. He thinks about that smile, the laugh, the glance. He doesn’t want to get too ahead of himself, but he feels like a beacon on the inside. He feels like whenever he’s with Mr. Reggie, he can’t stop the smile. He can’t stop the giddiness. He feels like a teenager again, daydreaming and butterflies and just pure excitement whenever he thinks of Mr. Reggie. It’s intoxicating, and he starts to think he wishes Harry never gets bored of art. Just for these couple of minutes. Nothing more than a professional relationship, but he lives for this feeling.
He gets interrupted by this thoughts when Mr. Reggie exclaims, “Oh!”
James blinks a little, trying to bring himself back into reality, staring at Mr. Reggie in pure focus. He doesn’t know what else to do. He’s worried that if he doesn’t focus his mind will wander again. He didn’t even know how long he was standing there.
And then Mr. Reggie has to give him a heart attack. “Could I possibly get your number?” He asks, pulling out his phone.
James chokes on pure air as he blurts out a confused, “What?” much louder and more panicked than he would have liked. He tries to clear his throat, but he finds that his heart has decided to make a nice new home there.
Mr. Reggie’s eyes widen, and he stutters out, “Oh! Oh, no not like– I mean I just– I’m doing this for all the parents. Easier than emails. I’ll text you about anything you need to know, events and such. You can text if Harry might be out, so I don’t worry.”
“Oh.” James croaks out, managing a small laugh, “Yeah. Yeah, okay hold on.” He pulls out his phone, clicking on his profile and number, “There, just type it in.”
Mr. Reggie takes the phone, holding it in one hand while typing the number in the other. James can’t help but notice that Mr. Reggie has painted his nails a dark green, splashed with brighter colours due to the painting he
does. James also can’t help the way his mind screams so fucking attractive a million times over and over in his head. James almost finds himself staring, if not for the fact that he tries multiple different times to look away.
“Alright, that’s all done.” Mr. Reggie says, handing the phone back to James. James takes it, not missing the subtle brush of fingers as the exchange is being made. It makes his heart race, makes his blood boil. It makes him imagine many different things that he should not be imagining about Harry’s art teacher.
“Well, then I’ll guess I’ll get going then.” James says, grabbing Harry’s hand as he puts his phone away, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Goodbye Harry. Goodbye Mr. Potter.” Mr. Reggie gives a wave that sends James soaring into the air, which Harry eagerly returns with a grin. He can hear Mr. Reggie’s faint laugh in the distance as they make their way out, and James swears yet again he couldn’t have heard anything sweeter in his life.
As they’re getting into the car, James feels a soft buzz come from his phone. He tries to bite back the feeling of overwhelming hope that maybe Mr. Reggie has texted, but it comes away. It makes him thoroughly disappointed to read the name on the screen instead. And then a sense of impending doom at what the message reads.
I’m going to your house to get to the bottom of your behavior.
Love you, xoxo
Read 11:37
Marlene’s name is what this message is under. Marlene is about to find everything out. And he knows he’s going to tell her, because he just can’t keep secrets from her for the life of him.
Shit.
***
Just as she promised, Marlene is sitting on James’ doorstep when James pulls up to his house. Of course, being late summer he’s not too worried, but it still stirs guilt in him to see her just waiting. He pulls into his driveway, quickly getting Harry out of the car before walking up to the door, and her. She stands up, crossing her arms and giving him a victorious smirk, as if she’s already won. And James knows she has, and she probably knows too, but he rolls his eyes at her as he opens the front door. He quickly allows Harry to get distracted as Marlene makes herself comfortable on the lounge.
James turns around, crossing his arms as well, “You don’t seriously think we’re discussing this in here, do you?”
Marlene chuckles, getting up, “Alright then. Lead the way.” James laughs as well, but makes his way to his office. Marlene walks in, sitting on the first chair she sees as James closes, and locks, the door. He braces himself, taking a few breaths. He knows Marlene won’t coddle him. She won’t sugarcoat anything.
Which is why the second he turns around she blurts out, “Okay who have you shagged?”
James makes a choking sound as he comes to sit next to her, “No I have not shagged anybody .” Although his voice raises to a higher pitch, and it seems as though Marlene doesn’t believe him as her eyebrows shoot up with his voice.
“Nobody looks that dreamy now if they haven't shagged anyone.” Marlene feels the need to point out, giving him a look with such scrutiny that he almost shrinks under it.
He stutters out, “I-I haven’t shagged anyone.”
“Ohhh, I see.” She rests her chin on her fist, leaning forward and batting her eyelashes, “Who are you seeing?” James rolls his eyes in annoyance. Oh how he wishes.
“I'm not seeing anyone either.” James mumbles, but he can feel the blood rushing to his face. He looks down at his fidgeting hands as Marlene coughs up a laugh.
“Mr. Potter! Are you being a little whore?” Marlene teases, but James just throws his head into his hands and groans, unable to allow Marlene to see him this disheveled.
But somehow he just slips and says, “Oh how I wish he would say that to me.” Another startled laugh escapes Marlene as James digs his head deeper, mortified that he just willingly admitted that.
“James!” Marlene gasps, pushing at his arm, “Who is this man?”
“Don't laugh.” James mutters miserably, finally looking up at Marlene. She has a confused look on her face but nods all the same. He takes a breath before groaning, “Harry's bloody art teacher.”
Marlene pinches her lips together, obviously trying to hold in her laughter. She ends up turning away and slapping her hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking uncontrollably. She eventually turns back, looking at James’ annoyance in his face. She slaps off her smile and says in an incredibly empathetic voice, “I'm so very sorry. It must be horrible.”
James glares at her, “I absolutely despise you.”
“Mmhm, sure you do.” Marlene muses before asking, leaning forward, “So, am I the first person you’ve told about this man?” She seems as though this is the best gossip she’s heard in years.
James rolls his eyes, “No, I told Remus. And then Remus had the audacity to tell Sirius.”
“That bastard.” Marlene gasps, “Telling his boyfriend about his friend's love life.”
James lets out another groan, part because it infuriates him that they aren’t together, part jealous because James wants Mr. Reggie so badly. He does end up muttering, “They’re not dating and you know it.”
Marlene heaves an exaggerated sigh, “Oh I know and how I hate them for it.” James snorts a laughter in agreement, but it gets cut short when Marlene adds, “Oh and don’t think you’re changing the subject. I want this man’s name and everything you know about him.”
James rolls his eyes, lips very much in a pout, but he answers anyway. “Well, I’ve yet to find out his real name, but he introduced himself as ‘Mr. Reggie’ the first class. He’s shorter than me, with beautiful black curls. He has a light bit of freckles on his face, with grey eyes surrounded by fucking gorgeous eyelashes. And his smile oh god–” James swings his head back into his hands, already feeling his blush reforming as butterflies swirl in his stomach.
“You seem to stare at him a lot to know exactly how he looks.” Marlene points out, and James shoves her, still flustered just by the thought of this man.
“Shut up.” He whines, rolling his eyes with a soft smile, and he’s laughing so he feels he isn’t as annoyed as he wants to be at her.
“I also take it he’s not mean to you if he’s smiling at you. Or I assume he is, maybe you’re just that much of a stalker.” Marlene shrugs her shoulders, as if that's a totally plausible assumption. And James can’t argue, because he truly does watch Mr. Reggie as much as possible.
“He is smiling at me, I assure you. Putting on a pleasant expression, and he absolutely adores Harry, which I’m happy about.” James says, then instantly regrets it. God, he’s never going to let this go.
“So that when you marry him he’ll already like your kid.” Marlene guesses, and honestly how can she do that? James wonders if she can just simply read minds.
“Please stop torturing me like this.” James practically begs. He’s digging his hands into his skull, trying to not think about what she just said. Because it’s so true. So unbelievably true.
“Papa?” He hears the faint whisper of Harry through the door, and then the door handle shaking.
“Shit.” He mutters, going to open the door. Harry is there, with a confused, and somewhat sad expression on his face. James squats down in front of him, and he can feel marlene a few feet behind him.
“Hey there, Harry.” He whispers, “What’s up?”
“What were you doing with Auntie Marls in there?” Harry asks, sadness seeping through his voice. It hurts James’ heart more than anything.
“Nothing, adult things. Would you like us to come out now?” Harry simply nods, and James nods with him, “Alright. Do you want to play with us? Yes? Okay. What do you want to play?” Harry starts walking away from the door and he and Marlene follow him. James shoots an apologetic look at Marlene, but she waves it off.
They play with Harry for a few hours, until James convinces him that Marlene needs to go back home to Dorcas. Harry nods, adding that he’s hungry, and then they’re all at the door.
“Hey, James.” Marlene says before leaving, “If you need another freak-out session, you can just text me.”
James nods, “Alright. Good to know.” And then she walks out. James and Harry go back to the kitchen, and start to make dinner.
And in the back of James’ mind, he wonders what it would be like if Mr. Reggie were here too.