Diogenes Said Something About This
“So, James, about the rumors of your next project. A little birdy told me you’d be working on a romance film.”
The interviewer, a friendly but nosy woman in her late forties, sat accross from James. They were filming an interview for Skeeter News, one of the top news companies- one that all interviewees knew to be sneaky. Only agencies who trusted their media training would allow their actors to take interviews. Even then, it’s always a gamble.
James makes eye contact comfortably, taking a sip of his complimentary tea.
“Well Rita, you have some good insight in your team.” He leans back and crosses his legs, arms rested on the arms of the seat; a move he learned that makes his fans on the Internet strangely thirsty.
Rita grins, oddly straight and white teeth reflecting the stage lights. “Oooohhh, anything you can tell us about that?”
“Actually, yes.” James says, tilting his head to the side slightly. He feels confident. He knows he looks good. His stylist is an incredible young artist, who knows just how to style his curls. ‘Meticulously messy’ as they like to call it. That, complimented with the loose white button-up with short sleeves, and the light blue skinny jeans he knows show off his legs wonderfully. Tonks pulled out all the stops for this interview, knowing this announcement was cleared.
James flashes a winning smile to the main camera, dimples and all, with a wink. “I’m going to be starring as one of the leads in Cassettes, directed by two close friends of mine. It’s planned to come out sometime next year.”
The cheers from the film crew make James chuckle. As if they didn’t already know.
“That’s incredible, James! I’m sure your fans are going to be awaiting this impatiently, as they should.” Rita comments. Her hair is tied back into a fluffy curled bun, signature pin curl bangs atop her forehead. Her blue eyes sparkle in mischief, thinly penciled eyebrows raising. “I’ve been informed of some new information on this set, that you yourself may not know.”
James bites the inside of his cheek, keeping a diplomatic smile on his lips. “Well you surely have an ‘in’ on things, Rita.” He says, knowing damn well someone is going to get a talking to from the film manager.
Rita grins. “Only the best from my little mouses. Either way, apparently they decided on the second lead today. Any clue who that might be? Not even I know yet!”
James raises an eyebrow. This is interesting. Lily’s been having a hard time finding someone who compliments the character. It’s also uncommon for her to not tell him immediately. James shakes his head gently and chuckles.
“I haven’t been informed yet, but I’m sure Lily chose someone who fits the role perfectly. I’m excited to work together on our chemistry. I’ve always been interested in trying the romance genre.”
Rita taps her pen on her clipboard,
-
Dorcas Meadowes is a singer. And she loves what she does. So, she gets pretty pissed off when her jam sessions are interrupted.
Though, Regulus Black is lucky, because when he opens the door to her studio; she takes a deep breath and controls her god given right to retaliate.
“Cas. We have a problem.”
That’s rare. A problem Regulus doesn’t stubbornly try to solve on his own? Dorcas didn’t know he could do that.
She takes off her recording headphones and pauses everything. She’s been working on this song for hours now. She might as well put it to rest for the night.
Regulus is standing in her doorway, looking absolutely terrified. He’s drowning in the fabric of his sweater, a deep forest green knit with a white stitched cat in the middle.
“You look….” She holds her tongue, walking up to the very pale and distressed boy. “What happened?”
“I got casted for the movie.” Despite this good news, Regulus looks positively distressed.
“And you look like an overtired cat why?” Dorcas asks, gesturing for Regulus to follow her out of the studio. Dorcas turns off the lights and closes the door behind them.
“It’s… him.” Regulus shivers, his black curls bouncing slightly. Dorcas raises an eyebrow. “James Potter.”
“Are you not over that stupid rivalry yet?” Dorcas asks, unphased, as they walk to the lounge. Regulus groans nexts to her, putting his head in his hands when they sit down.
“It’s not a personal rivalry. The media likes to say it is. But really..” He shakes his head, before flipping over onto Dorcas’ lap. “I’m too tired to explain. There’s a kickoff party tomorrow. Will you come with me?”
Dorcas shakes her head and sighs fondly, running a hand through the boy’s hair. “I’d love to come, but I have a gig tomorrow at the Blacklight. Have any other ideas for plus ones?”
Regulus groans once again. “A few, but they’re all stupid. They have no clue how to behave at a professional cocktail party.”
“Isn’t Lily the director? I doubt she’d make the party truly professional. She probably just said that for appearances.”
Regulus shrugs. “Either way, my other options are Evan, Barty, or… Sirius.”
“That’s certainly a lineup.” Dorcas snorts, and the boy in her lap screams into the pillow next to him. “The most demure of all of them is Evan, and that’s saying something. Though he’d unsettle everyone merely with his presence. Barty would go off the rails immediately. Sirius would be a double edged sword. He’d charm everyone and take the spotlight off you, but he’d also probably leave after fifteen minutes with a random guy.”
Regulus screams into the pillow again.
“Good luck.” Dorcas says, smiling mischievously.
-
Turns out, Dorcas was right. This party is not professional, by any means.
He called Evan, but he was busy with a midterm exam for his criminology course. Texted Barty, and received a voice message from a very high Barty back talking about corn dogs. Finally, Sirius, his last hope. They hadn’t spoken in two years, and yet the second the first ring went through, the phone picked up.
“Reggie! Finally reaching out to your dear brother. I’m guessing you need something?”
He was right, but he didn’t have to say it.
“I need a plus one for a business party. Cocktail, for the next film I’m in.” He conveniently left out James, because he knows Sirius would flip his shit.
“I’ll be there. When and where?”
And so here they are. The Black brothers reunited in a stunningly decorated club.
“Bloody hell, this isn’t a business party. This is a night out clubbing. Who’s the director?” Sirius asks, almost yelling over the music as they walk to the bar together.
Regulus squints at the bright lights as he follows Sirius. His older brother is dressed in a rose silk cocktail dress, hair pinned back in a perfect bun.
“Lily Evans.”
“WHAT THE FUCK?” Sirius yells at him, drawing the attention of other people around them. “What else haven’t you told me about this mysterious film? What next? Are you going to tell me you’re co-starring with some hunk that the intimacy coordinators will struggle to hold you back from?”
“Shhhhh…” Regulus shushes him as they approach the bar. “Well, ok, I wouldn’t say hunk but…..”
“Reggie you little bastard.” Sirius’ smirk is the same as ever. “I’ve never been so proud of you.”
“I’m not sure whether to be grateful or ashamed.”
Sirius orders a round of shots, which they both cheers and shoot back.
“So..” Sirius starts, before cutting off his sentence. Distracted by something in the distance.
“What?” Regulus tried to follow where his eyes are going. “Hello? Earth to Sirius?”
“The gods are real.” Sirius says, breathless. “Excuse me baby brother. I have a duty to fulfill for fate herself.”
Regulus rolls his eyes as he watches his sibling walk elegantly and yet somehow impatiently through the crowd. He ends up next to some tall guy who Regulus can’t see the face of, but his hair is wavy and light brown, and he’s wearing a polo and brown tartan pants. Different than Sirius’ usual pick on a night out, but Regulus hasn’t spoken to him for a couple years, so maybe that’s changed.
“Reg!” A voice catches his attention. A girl with blonde butterfly locs makes her way up to him.
“Oh, Pandora.” Regulus says with a hint of relief in his voice. Of course the director’s wife is here. Still, he’s relieved to see a friend.
“Congratulations on your leading role. But I have to ask.. how do you plan to handle our heartthrob of the year?” Well, she really jumps to the point.
Regulus leans on the bar, exhaustedly. He orders another drink, a smoked peach bourbon cocktail. The man running the bar is cute, maybe his distraction of choice for later. He’s tall and muscular with dark skin and tattoos, hair dyed ginger and braided in cornrows.
“I’m going to do only what’s necessary.” He responds to Pandora. “Strictly professional. I’m a good actor, I can fake compatibility for the big screen.”
Pandora tilts her head to the side, rocking on her feet. “You know, that’s worked for you so far, but James is different. You know how he works with his co-stars.”
Regulus rolls his eyes. “Not with me.”
He takes a sip of his drink, feeling the buzz in his chest. He usually prefers weed, feeling most comfortable when him and his friends are greening out and cuddling on the couch while watching horror movies. But this’ll do.
“I have returned!” His brother’s voice sounds from behind him. Regulus turns around to see not only Sirius, but also James and… the co-director? What’s his name again? Rueben? Riley? “This is Remus, you probably knew that already, but…”
Well, thank god for Sirius’ predictable social patterns. Regulus nods to Remus, who gives him a slight smile. He has a scar across his face, and Regulus can tell his demeanor is very favorable to his introverted inhibitions. He decides he likes this one.
James, however.
“Reggie. Why didn’t you tell me James is your co-star?” Sirius whines. James pats Sirius on the head.
“Its alright Padfoot. Maybe he wanted to surprise you.” James says. And fuck. Exactly what Regulus was afraid of.
James is hot. He’s seen him on screen in some shows lately, but nothing compares to the real thing. Fuck. Regulus can’t believe he’s being like this right now.
James is wearing a red button up shirt and tight black leather pants. And yes, this outfit does wonders for him. All his muscles are showcased beautifully, and the leather might send regulus to an early grave. Other than his body, the biggest issue is that face. The same charming, somewhat awkward grin, fluffy brown hair, styled with what looked like no effort at all. And his eyes. A rich hazel-brown, framed by thick, long eyelashes. He looks impeccable under the club lighting, but Regulus yearns to see him at sunset.
“This feels like highschool all over again!” Pandora chirps. Regulus raises an eyebrow. He knows James and Sirius are best friends, but what does Remus have to do with it?
“Reggie, you know how I went to a different highschool with James after I moved out? Well, we had a small friend group, including myself, James, Remus, and some other guy we shall not name.”
Oh. It’s once again a portion of Sirius’ life he misses out on. “Remus here was our best prankster. He glued toilet paper to this arse of a teacher’s trousers once.” Sirius says. Remus scratches the back of his head sheepishly.
“Oh another topic,” Remus speaks up, a hint of noticeable welsh in his accent. “I’m excited to be working with you two. James and Regulus, I mean. I believe you two fit the characters you’ll be portraying very well. I had a small part in the casting, so when Lily approved you,” He points to Regulus, “as an option, my vote was obvious.”
Regulus takes another sip of his drink.
“Thank you, Remus. Is it alright if I call you that?” Regulus responds. The light-brunette nods.
“Oh bugger off you shits. Stop being so professional, you’re not working right now. Look at Lily for fucks sake!” He gestures to the stage where Lily and Mary are salsa dancing. “Who dances salsa at a business party? Who does a business party at a club?”
“My wife!” Pandora chimes in, looking very pleased with herself. James nods.
“As someone who is familiar with the Lily effect, this is a common occurrence.” He says. Remus nods.
Regulus finishes his drink. He whispers to Pandora. “How early is too early to be socially acceptable to leave?”
Pandora gives him a look that says ‘no shot.’ Regulus sighs.
But little did Regulus know, while everyone continued conversing, a pair of warm hazel eyes were locked on him.