wonderwall

“Oh my God who is on aux right now this song sucks.”

“I think it’s just the store playlist that your mom made.”

“Well it sucks,” James smiled at Regulus, “I’m putting on real music.”

“Knock yourself out.” Regulus called from the other room. He was working on a surfboard that someone had sent in to be repaired.

James had somehow figured out the complicated speaker system in the store with Dorcas’ help.

He came back up the stairs and quiet music filled the store.

Let's lay it out, lay it all on the table

Straight from the top, you called my hand, and I felt labeled

Saw the one past whispers that I hated

Trapped inside a mirror

Changing shapes to shake those labels

“I think you’re too obsessed with this song.” Regulus looked up to see James running and dancing around the various surfboards for sale.

“Being too obsessed with something isn’t real,” James said, dodging a rogue leash on the ground.

“I think in your case it is.” James suddenly appeared behind him. Regulus could feel James silently watching his every move and nodding along to the song. “Are you gonna say anything or just stand there?”

“I'm just gonna stand,” James replied sassily with a shrug, looking up at the pink post-its on the wall. Some were just reminders, one was what days that they had shifts, some were descriptions of boards with phone numbers, but one really stuck out to James. “Hang poster here? What does that mean?”

“Thought the wall looked bare.” Regulus didn’t stop screwing a new fin into the board in front of him.

“Hmph,” James grunted, “Let me see if we have any.” James walked out and onto the main floor of the shop. 

Sure enough, he came back with the Neon Pill poster from the breakroom. “Remember when we went? That was so fun,” He said, while looking around for something to stick it up with.

“Yea,” Regulus said, still focused on his task in front of him. Without a word he handed James a roll of tape that rolled off the table when he first sat down an hour ago.

“Thanks,” James leaned forward in front of Regulus to take down the post-it and put up the poster. Regulus could feel his abs pressed up against the back of his head.

After the poster went up, James returned to his usual singing and dancing around the second floor, leaving Regulus to fix the rest of the boards.

He then appeared in the doorway holding a red and green leash he had found, “Us!”

~*~

“Yess”

“That’s the one”

“If you don’t wear that I will kill you.”

“Barty I think that’s a little much,” Pandora looked over at him.

“I don't,” Barty shrugged, “That’s the best option.”

“No he’s right,” Regulus joined the conversation, “I asked him to kill me if I'm ever about to embarrass myself and we can’t stop it.”

“Oh.” Evan and Pandora said in unison. 

Pandora, Evan, and Barty were all in Regulus’ room while he was giving a fashion show of outfit options for their Fourth of July party. The three were on the bed, backs against the headboard and legs stretched out in front of them. Barty’s hand was intertwined with Evan’s.

“Are you sure?” Regulus second guessed their opinions, “Actually, I’m just not gonna leave my room. I’m tired anyways.”

“Regulus Black you are the most dramatic person I have ever met,” Evan laughed at him.

“Aww is Reggie tired from his long day of scowling and yearning?” Barty teased. Evan and Pandora started dying of laughter.

“I think I actually hate you all.” Regulus flopped face down onto the foot of the bed.

“Reg you don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” Pandora started, “But don’t you think you could benefit from getting drunk right now?” She leaned forward and stroked his back.

“Mph.” Regulus muffled in response. He flipped over so he was now face up, “One of you guys can go down and we can have our own party in here.”

“Reg I’m making you go,” Barty said, “It’s literally only going to be your close friends. They don’t care about your outfit.” 

“Ughhhhh,” Regulus groaned.

Barty leaned to his right and whispered in Evan’s ear. He then did the same to Pandora, who was on his left. They all leaped onto Regulus, crushing him.

 “Get off of me! I’m going to kill you all!”

“No you won’t!” Evan declared, “You love us!”

“Say you’ll go,” Barty said, “Then we’ll get off.” Pandora let out a giggle.

“Fine,” Regulus was desperate, “I’ll go.”

“And you won't pout the whole time?” Pandora was ruthless.

“I will come hang out with everyone and won’t pout the whole time. Are you guys happy? Will you get off now?” Regulus asked.

“Yes,” said Barty.

“REGULUS GET DOWN HERE AND HELP BEFORE I GO UP AND DRAG YOU DOWN THOSE DAMN STAIRS!” The voice coming from the kitchen belonged to James.

“Fuck,” Regulus quickly got off the bed, “I told James that I would help him make dinner. I’ll be back later.”

They all said some form of bye and Regulus ran down the stairs, almost falling.

“Sorry I’m late,” Regulus apologized, “What do you need help with?”

James was good at a lot of things but the one thing he was best at was cooking. He could make a five star meal in the forest if you gave him the right ingredients. Regulus could make burnt ramen. There was a clear skill difference in the kitchen.

When James was cooking, he was very.. particular. Regulus usually described it as ‘Gordan Ramsay coded road rage’. If you got in his way when you were helping him, he would always mumble something passive-aggressive like, “I can handle the rest, can you go set the table?” 

Regulus and Sirius had made a bet at the beginning of the summer that whoever could help James make a whole meal first, got $100. Regulus was getting that $100. 

“Uhh,” James looked around the kitchen, “Can you make the caesar salad while I finish this pasta?’

“Sure,” 

James was wearing a red apron that said ‘Kiss the Cook’ on it. Gladly, Regulus thought. 

He got all of his materials and ingredients and set up a station next to James, careful to keep his distance. As he began mixing up the salad dressing, he felt James watching him. Regulus turned to face him and he quickly whipped his head back to the stove.

Regulus put the bowl of freshly made dressing to the side and began trying to chop the lettuce.

“Um Reg?” James said.

“What?” Regulus asked.

“Why the fuck are you cutting the lettuce like that?” James was laughing, hard. 

“Like what?” Regulus asked.

“Have you ever chopped anything before? Like ever in your life?” James picked up the lid to the pot he was cooking at and placed it on the top.

“No..” Regulus said, embarrassed. James laughed and stepped behind Regulus, grabbing his wrists. 

“Here,” James’ breath was hot on his neck, “Let me show you.” Regulus thought he started levitating off of the ground. His eyes went wide with panic, not knowing what to do with the rest of his body.

“U-Okay,” God, Regulus was an idiot. James began guiding Regulus’ hands in chopping the head of lettuce. “Th-thanks.” James moved back over to the stovetop. Regulus felt his eyes on him once again.

Regulus transferred the lettuce on the cutting board into a large bowl and added the dressing. He mixed it around and placed it on the dining table, The eyes never leaving.

“Do you smell that?” Regulus asked.

“Smell what?” James was oblivious to the smoke coming out of the oven.

“James, something's burning.” James looked down and noticed the black fog.

“Fuck!” He scrambled around for the oven mitts and pulled out a burnt loaf of bread from the oven. His eyes were comically large. Regulus sprinted as fast as he could to grab his phone and take a picture. 

Fuck the hundred dollars, Regulus thought, I just caught James Potter messing something up in the kitchen.

. 

He snapped a photo of James holding the extremely charred loaf of bread with a pure look of panic in his eyes and sent it to a group chat with everyone in it.

Sirius: HA I KNEW HE WAS CAPABLE OF BURNING SOMETHING

Remus: oh no what happened gordon?

Lily: “what’s wrong babe youve barely touched your charred log”

Pandora: mama dat BURN

Peter: Pulling that pic out next time he insults my cooking

Evan: justice for the loaf of bread

Marlene: wait im actually kind of upset i was craving bread

Barty: Evan and i can go get more

Mary: barty is my new favorite

Lily: aww :(

“Hey Reg?” James looked up from his phone.

“What's up Gordon?” Regulus tried to contain his laughter.

“Go set the table.”