Thin White Duke

James awoke feeling as though he had been slammed by a ten tonne truck.  He cracked open his eyes to find himself face to face with a moth-eaten stuffed animal. “Aargh,” he yelped and rolled away only to crash into something sharp and solid. 

“Where the fuck am I?” He muttered 

“Cupboard.” Came a voice 

Startled James jerked upright and slammed his head against a shelf. Moving slowly and carefully he removed his upper body from the floor of said cupboard. 

“If only I’d thought to bring a camera. You look so delightful covered in drool and cobwebs.” The voice mocked. 

Head pounding, James crawled over to the bed and hauled himself upright. Regulus was propped up on one elbow looking only vaguely ruffled and annoyingly clear-eyed. 

“Why are you in my bed?” James asked, swaying slightly, unsure if he should collapse on top of Regulus or ask him to move over. 

“It was empty,” Regulus smirked. 

James groaned. “You either move or I land on top of you.” He said finally. 

Still smirking, Regulus shimmied away from the edge and pulled back the covers. Even through the fog and pain, James marveled at the self possessed young man lying semi-naked in an unknown bed.  “You’re not wearing many clothes.” He blurted. 

Regulus looked down at his t-shirt and shorts. “Well. I don’t usually think to wear robes to bed. Would you prefer me too?” 

James let out a choking noise as he collapsed face first into the warm, vaguely cinnamon and vanilla scented pillow. 

Regulus chuckled “it’s alright. They’re not very comfortable to sleep in.” He paused wickedly as James lifted his head “Or anything else.” He added and rolled out of bed. 

James buried his face back in the pillow and listened as Regulus pulled on jeans, swapped the t-shirt for his shirt, and picked up his shoes, his mind filled with images of Regulus sprawled naked on dress robes, beads of sweat running from collarbone to groin, his mouth finding and licking each trail until his reached his prize and took it in his mouth.  James groaned as his body responded. 

Regulus chuckled again. “Pleasant dreams Jamie,” he said softly and slid out the door, where he collapsed onto the floor torn between laughter and guilt at the sound James had emitted as he left.  

It took several minutes before Regulus was able to make his way down to the kitchen where Lily handed him a large mug of tea. 

“Take a seat. Remus has gone for more bacon and eggs.” She said with a smile and went back to reading her paper. 

Grateful for the hot liquid, Regulis did as Lily suggested, sitting opposite her and reading the same article upside down. Lily looked up and grinned. “Useful skill isn’t it?” She said. Regulus nodded and they lapsed back into a comfortable silence with only the birds twittering outside to break it even when Remus came back.  

It was almost ten past ten when the others began to emerge. First Willow and Tara stumbled in, looking a little worse for wear, followed a few minutes later by Sirius and James.  

“How do you look so refreshed?” James asked, at the same time time Sirius asked “What time did you get up?”

Remus chuckled as he kissed Sirius. “Morning Lover. I was up at dawn. And buying breakfast an hour later.” he said, marveling at how he could still make the cocky young man blush. 

James looked over at Regulus who had nodded in his direction then gone back to his paper. 

“Cup of tea anyone?” Lily asked 

“Don’t suppose you have coffee? Extra strong?” Tara asked as Willow sank into a vacant chair. 

“Freshly brewed.” Remus  said as he handed her a mug and put another in front of Willow. “Milk and sugar are on the table.” 

Tara smiled gratefully. “Out of curiosity, what is in fire whiskey? And is there a cure for hangovers in this previously unknown magical world?” she said 

“No idea about the whiskey, but I’ve brewed a cure for you all.” Pandora said as she breezed into the kitchen through the back door and placed a number of small vials on the table.  

“Doesn’t this take a few days to make?” Lily asked, sniffing the dark liquid curiously. 

“Yep. I started it when we got to Fowey.” Pandora said, pouring herself a cup of tea and then refilling the mug in front of Regulus, who smiled his thanks. 

James watched the interplay and found himself becoming jealous at the easy familiarity between the two. 

“Reggie.” 

“Hmm” responded Regulus absentmindedly, sipping his tea. 

“Does Mother know you’re going out with Pandora?” Sirius continued 

“As far as Mother is concerned I’m about to become engaged to a suitable young woman.” Regulus said without lifting his eyes from the paper. 

“Which one?”

“No idea. Left to come here before she made the announcement.” 

“You still have arranged marriages in this day and age?” Willow said dumbfounded 

“Only the self-important families.” James said harshly, staring at Regulus more confused than ever.  Last night. He was pretty sure that … that that had meant something.  

“Ouch. I haven’t been self-important for a while now.” quipped Sirius and threw an apple at James. 

James laughed, biting into the apple he caught. “So not true.” 

“But I thought” Lily started then flushed slightly as Pandora winked at her. “Oh.” She said “Who’s for a pick me up as brewed by our mistress of magic Pandora?” She continued changing the subject. 

James, Sirius, Willow and Tara instantly put up their hands while the others shook their heads. 
“How do you not need a potion?” James asked after he had downed his vial and felt his head begun to clear. “WOW! This is really good.” 

“Thank you.” Pandora smiled at them all. “I added a couple of extra ingredients to finish off any healing you didn’t see Lily for.” 

Lily laughed. “Don’t worry, they know better than to ignore me when I’m willing to be helpful. Now who is cooking breakfast this morning?” 

“I will.” James said, relieved to have something to focus on. “Who’s helping? And not Sirius, you’re a disaster in the kitchen, or Remus who did it last time.”

“I will.” Regulus said. There was stunned silence. “What? I’ll have you know I’m a decent cook.” 

“He is.” Pandora agreed, sitting down beside Lily. 

“Since when?” Sirius asked, confusion in his voice. 

“Since I decided the only way to get a meal large enough to meet the needs of a growing teenager was to make it myself.”

“Who taught you? What did Mother say? And Father?” 

“Kreacher taught me. Father never noticed. And Mother has never bothered to care so long as I eat what is served for dinner. Which is very little.” 

Willow and Tara shuddered at the cold harshness in Regulus’s voice. So much loathing emanated off him it took an effort of will not to cast a warding spell.  Willow looked at the others. They might have magic but they seemed completely unaware of the dark powerful aura surrounding the pale young man. Tara could see the effort Regulus was putting in to not snap at everyone. She met Pandora's eyes. Pandora nodded slightly. She knew. She would keep them safe.  

As they cooked, James was surprised at how efficient Regulus was in the kitchen, even to the point of washing up as he went. The complete opposite to his chaotic brother.  Which made sense, he supposed. Sirius worked very hard to break his mother’s conditioning, while it appeared that Regulus simply side-stepped the things he didn’t like. James wondered, for the millionth time, what made Regulus tick. 

“Ok Potter, spit it out.” Regulus said when it was only the two of them left in the kitchen. 

“What? Spit what out?” James asked, confused and wishing he had more tea. 

“What’s going on in that tiny brain of yours? You’ve been watching me like I’m some mad creature about to explode or swallow you whole?” 

“Are you?” James blurted

“Am I.. what? Mad or about to swallow you?” Regulus raised a brow. 

“Yes.” 

“Probably.” Regulus said amused at how James managed to flush and then turn pale despite his natural coloring.  “Which would you prefer?” 

James felt his anger rise and glared into the impassive silver eyes before him. “That’s the second time you’ve asked that. Do you honestly care what I prefer?.” 

“ It might be interesting.”  Regulus smirked. 

“Then too bad. You’re a cold hearted bastard. You know that? No wonder Sirius left. I’m going for a walk.” James said no longer attempting to control his anger as he stood to leave . “Please have fucked right off when I get back. You’re not welcome.”

Regular shrugged, using indifference to hide a whirlpool of emotions as James left the room fuming. He was still staring at the newspaper article when Pandora walked in an hour later. 

“I have to go” he said as she sat down beside him.

“That bad?”

“Yes.” 

Pandora felt the wave of emotions before Regulus had a chance to block them into ice again. “Oh.” was all she said and rested her head on his shoulder. They sat like that for some time before she continued. “Let’s go back to our rooms and we’ll make a decision tomorrow” 

Regulus looked at the dark head on his shoulder. “What’s happened?” He asked quietly

“Nothing. Yet.” Pandora squeezed his hand. “Everything is telling me to stay for another few days. I don’t know if you’re meant to stay as well, or why. It's rather discombobulating.” 

“Ok.” Regulus said resignedly. “Three more days. Then I really do need to go back to the real world.”

“This isn’t the real world?” Pandora teased 

“No Pan. This is a fantasy world. One in which Regulus Black is almost a nice guy with an adoring and adorable lover, friends who like him for him and not his money or title, and the probability of a happy future.” Regulus replied, his voice heavy and bleak. “I, however, live in a world where the only thing of value is my family name, and the ability to be feared or followed by those who matter.” He sighed. “Apparate or walk?” He added. 

“Apparate.” Pandora said wishing with all her heart she could give Regulus his fantasy world. 

And they were gone