Reminiscing.
From the moment James saw Sirius he knew Sirius needed him. And James needed him the same. He talked while at the table and Sirius listened, James finally found someone who didn't get annoyed when he talks.
Soon Peter joined them and then Remus, and soon all four of them were together. James couldn't be more happier, soon owls came with letters. James was curious to what Sirius' mother said but was to distracted by his letter from his mom.
He opened it quickly and smiled softly at his mother's words, always so kind. He looked up at Sirius and frowned. 'He got a howler, oh no.' James thought, he watched as Sirius got up and left. James was worried so he got up and followed him, he didn't want Sirius knowing he was there and getting mad so he stayed behind and was quiet.
James was horrified by what the letter had said.
"SIRIUS ORION BLACK!! HOW DARE YOU GET SORTED INTO GRYFFINDOR, THAT IS DISGRACEFUL TO THE BLACK FAMILY NAME AND YOU WILL BE DISCIPLINED ONCE YOU ARE HOME!"
Walburga Blacks voice rang from the letter.
James felt so much sorrow for Sirius, is this how dark purebloods work? So what if he was sorted into Gryffindor, he was still her son. Sirius didn't eat dinner after that.
James saw how Sirius seemed more closed off than before, he didn't like it. How could someone say that to their child? James couldn't understand it. James wasn't meant to understand it, but he did understand he had to help Sirius.
When they were unpacking their trunks James noticed how Sirius didn't have much stuff, how odd. When they went to bed that night, Sirius had his curtains closed. What happens behind closed curtains stays behind closed curtains.
The next morning Sirius seemed better, he talked a little more, made more snarky comments, more small smiles. Peter seemed to try to be less awkward around him, Remus was still the same but more sarcastic comments. James talked enough for all 3 of them though, Remus seemed to mind because he was reading and Peter seemed to be trying to study a map of the castle. But Sirius, Sirius didn't mind at all, James loved that.
Sirius kept eyes on James 95% of the time. The other 5% he was distracted by whatever comment Remus or Peter made, but still, he payed more attention then anyone. He nodded along, he hummed in agreement when James said something, he answered questions James had, he made comments that made James laugh.
James loved this, he loved being able to talk and actually have someone listen. James found someone who listens, James had longed for someone like this. James found his person.
James noticed things about his friends, small and big things. He kept a mental list.
Peter got shy around adults, he was shy in general but James had known that for a long time. Peter liked snacks and chess, he liked watching James practice quidditch.
Remus was quiet, James had a feeling he would just have to get him to open up more. Remus loved playfully insulting Sirius and getting him riled up. Remus loved chocolates and ate like he hasn't for an entire month each meal. He always disappeared on a full moon though, and had anger issues.
Sirius was like a paradox, his hair curled but just at the tips of it. Sirius love his hair and didn't eat much, and if anything that said or involved his family he would shut down. He was loud and fun and confident, he was definitely a flirt and a tease but James found it hilarious. He had scars that James only seemed to notice, James only noticed because he payed a lot of attention to Sirius, and you could onky see them rarely. Sirius seemed to like bantering with his friends and disliked the Slytherins a lot, and he also seemed to hate being told he's like his family. He was an interesting paradox.
In a way, Sirius was exactly like a star, Remus was the moon, and Peter was like the Earth. Always in the same solar system but never close enough, James could settle for being in the same solar system forever. James was observant and kind, he also thought he was loud and could be a little obnoxious at time. They never seemed to think he was loud or obnoxious, in his book, that made them his favorites.
Remus tough them muggle things that he knew, like smoking or music, and James favorite, gum. It was simple and small but James loved it, every time Remus got a new pack of cigarettes James would make Remus get him gum. Remus didn't mind, at least James hoped he didn't.
Sirius would show James new records, muggle music, Sirius seemed to love it. Especially ABBA, James didn't know much about ABBA besides music but he gladly listened with Sirius. Sirius would always get so excited when he was showing James, how could he say no? Sirius also liked to gift them things, even Peter occasionally. He would find pretty rocks in the courtyard and immediately want to give it to one of them, James found it adorable honestly.
Peter taught James how to play chess really good. James never cared for chess but Peter wanted to show him so he learned. James convinced the house elfs in the kitchen to let Peter in, Peter loved to bake. He made new sweets for them all the time. Sometimes he made enough for all of Gryffindor, if he wanted to he could for the whole castle. But Peter likes keeping it simply for his friends or house mates. James listened when Peter talked about new recipes and foods he'd like to try, James didn't know hownto cook or bake but it seemed like lots of fun.
James loved learning new things about his friends, and spending time with them. He felt so warm around them, like nothing could be bad if he was with them. They made him feel special.
They watched him at quidditch, they listened when they explained things they didn't know, they gave him sweets, rocks and other little things, gum, but most importantly, time. They would always listen even if they were busy. The other people James knew, didn't have time for him. Sirius, Remus, and Peter made time for James.