In A Rush

flashback 

9 years ago

February 2nd 

“Sirius.” Nothing. “Sirius.” Still nothing. “Sirius!” James whispered-screamed. 

Sirius snapped out of his daydreaming. “Huh?” Almost entirely. 

“Who’s that boy hitting on your brother?” James asked, tilting his head to his side, signaling for Sirius to look. This, apparently, made Sirius pay attention fully and interested. They were on their first break between classes of the day. Usually, Regulus joins them, except today he didn’t. He and Marlene, but she was spending a little time with Hanna, her girlfriend. Regulus was just there, at a table with this other boy, chatting and giggling and all smiles. It was disgusting, James was about to throw up here and now. Sirius, on the other hand, looked delighted. Traitor. James! Stop, he doesn’t know. Right, of course. 

“Why, isn’t that something?” Sirius grinned, looking at James now. 

“Yeah.” James shrugged. 

“Reggie looks completely unaware, though.” Pete stated, in between bites of his apple. 

“Oh, god, Pete! You’re so right!” Sirius exclaimed. “We have to help.” He declared, like it was something they would do, no explanations needed, no questions asked.

“Nuh-uh, Six” Lily interfered, shaking her head. “Don’t you dare do this” Thank god for Lily Evans.

Sirius made a puppy face that James was used to seeing in Reg’s face. Sometimes James forgets they are brothers and do some things in a way that only they can. Seriously, James doesn’t even see the resemblance between them, to him, Sirius is someone completely different from Regulus, especially physically, not looking alike at all. I mean, it isn’t because they are brothers that they are the same person. While everyone looks at Regulus and sees an extension of Sirius, James sees someone else, not related to his best friend at all. Just, Regulus. Beautiful, smart, funny, cute, sarcastic Reg. His Reg. Not Sirius’ brother. Reg. Just Reg. 

“Why?” Sirius frowned.

“As far as we know, Regulus hasn’t dated anyone yet, which means you don’t know his preferences” Lily explained. Sirius looked completely clueless of the point she was trying to make. She sighed. “You don’t know if he likes boys for you to play matchmaker, Sirius. And if he does, you should wait until he does something about it! Not you. Him.” 

“She’s right.” Mary smirked, and completed, “As always.” 

Lily shot Mary a warm ‘thank you’ look, that Sirius grimaced just looking at. “You two are pathetically boring,” He said. “But that’s my point, don’t you get it?” 

“No.” James said casually, earning surprised glances from everyone. Well, that’s a first. James always agrees with Sirius, even when he’s being unreasonable. At least at first. It’s like a thing they have. Sirius does the same for James. “I mean, I don’t know, mate” He corrects himself, his cheeks blushing hard from the slippery. “Articulate it. Explain your point, we’re listening.” James smoothly says, gesturing for Sirius to continue. 

“Right. What I mean is, Reggie hasn’t had his first kiss yet! That’s a chance. He just needs a little push.” 

“What’s wrong with this kiss thing?” James asks, making a face. “I haven’t had mine either! You know this.” His voice sounded a little upset, because, well. James can’t lie to save his life. He is as transparent as a piece of glass. 

“There’s nothing wrong with it.” Peter interferes. Everyone knows James, he won’t have his first kiss in a party hook up. He wants it to be special. Blame it on the fifteen year romantic ass he was. Actually he was waiting for Lily, but that was way before Regulus. Now he wants him. He wants his first kiss to be with feeling, with fierceness, with passion. They know it. Except for the Regulus part, that only James and his heart know. 

“Yes.” Sirius agrees, firmly. James knows it. He knows there’s nothing wrong with it, but hearing they say it makes it easier. Why is it so hard to be a romantic these days? Hook up culture sucks. Unless he hooks up with regulus, then it doesn’t suck. 

“Ok. My point. Regulus needs someone to give him a little push? I mean-“ Sirius stops himself and shrugs, looking at the floor. “-I think he wants to do something about it, you know? But I guess he just doesn’t know how? Therefore we,” he gestures his index finger in a circle motion, “can help,” Sirius finish his reasoning. And like every other stupid idea he had and wanted them to proceed with the thing, he convinces them to help Regulus find someone. Right. As if Regulus needs someone. He doesn’t, he’s perfectly fine on his own, and if he ever needs someone, hello? James is right here!!!

###

“Hi, Reggie!” Sirius greets his brother, making a fuss on his way into the bedroom.

 Sirius and Regulus have been living with James for a year now. To their birth mother, they were a disappointment and wouldn’t be missed if they left. So they did, one night they gathered their things and showed up at James' door. Euphemia and Fleamont gladly took them in as if they were their own. Walburga, the previously mentioned birth mum, didn’t care enough to go after them. So here they are, with a new pair of folks that actually care. They became a family in their own beautiful way. Both of the Black brothers have their own rooms in the Potter manor. But who says they use it? Sirius practically lives disturbing Monty in his office claiming he’s there to help get the job done (he does, sometimes) and, honestly, Monty never complains, he loves the company. When he isn’t with Monty, he is with Effie. Gossiping about literally everything, especially James. Oh, they love to talk (bad) about James. Regulus, on the other hand, lives in the house library or in James’ room. laying all over his pouf with a book in his hands. James doesn’t mind, never did. He enjoys the company and their silence. It's not awkward, it’s comfortable. Feels like home. Sometimes, Regulus sleeps there. Too tired and lazy to go to his bed, he just puts his book aside and falls asleep. James never forgets to throw a blanket over him. He always looked so angelic and small in that big pouf, James found it hard to not observe. Don’t take him for a creep. He was just a kid that cared too much, felt too much. 

Regulus, who was with a copy of ‘The Picture Of Dorian Gray’ opened in his hands, looked up at his brother barging into the room. “Yes?” He sounded annoyed, oh yeah. Almost forgot: If you’re not Effie or Monty, don’t interrupt Regulus in his reading. His glare kills. 

“Oh isn’t that interesting?” Sirius now directs himself to James, who was doing homework in his bed. Yes, he has a desk. Yes, he wants to stay in bed. Don’t judge. 

James arches his brows, in a clear motion that he doesn’t get where Sirius is going. 

Sirius rolls his eyes, going back to Regulus. “Oscar Wilde, Reggie?” Sirius asked, making his brother blush. 

“What about it?” Regulus replies. Sharp and clear. James smiles. 

“Nothing. Forget it.” Sirius states. “But! I have something to tell youuuu”

This catches Regulus and James’ attention. Hum. “What?” They both ask at the same time, curiously. 

Sirius makes a dismissive gesture to James “You already know, mate.” Do I? “So. Reggie. That boy you were talking with today. Adam?”

“Arthur.” Oh, that. 

“Right. He likes you, you know?” 

Regulus narrows his eyes at his brother. “What do you mean?” He asks, keeping his composure and his voice steady. But James can see he is a little bit nervous about the matter. Sirius sees it too, so he softens his voice to continue.

“What I want to say is” Sirius stops, making a dramatic pause, “he wants to snog your face off!” 

Subtle. James thinks, not being able to stop resting his hand on his forehead, already giving up.

“Oh. I knew that.” Regulus answers, going back to his book, looking unperturbed by the whole thing. That reaction surprised both Sirius and James. 

“You did?” James asks, suddenly sitting straight and listening with so much attention.

Regulus nods, diverting his eyes from his book to quickly glance at James. He goes back to the book immediately, slightly smirking at the face James made, clearly having fun with this situation. 

I missed the part where this is funny? 

but then he glanced at Sirius. 

Oh, right.

If I made a face close to whatever is stamped in Sirius’ now, it is indeed funny. 

Sirius pulls himself together and clears his throat. “Right. So you wanna go out with him?” 

Regulus closes his book and eyes his brother, trading glances between him and james. He sighs. Looks a little exasperated. Oh. “Maybe?” He breathed. “I don’t know.” 

Oh. 

There wasn’t a threat of sarcasm there. Regulus wants to do this. Right.

Shit, that hurts.

But whatever helps Regulus be happy. 

“We can help? If you want?” James offered. 

Regulus smiles. Oh this smile, makes James’ knees feel weak, he couldn’t stand up now if his life depended on it. “That’d be good.” Whatever makes Regulus happy. “But don’t let Sirius plan. His plans suck” he chuckled, crawling to the bed next to James and gesturing for Sirius to come too. Regulus wrapped them both in a group cuddle, fondness all over his face. If James wasn’t a little bit heartbroken right now, he’d be setting fireworks off with his beaming. And they stay there until Monty comes looking for them with a cook hat on, saying dinner is ready. 

###

“What’s his name again?” Sirius whispered to James as they both walked the hallways of their school to in order to find Regulus’ boy. So, they were going to do it. Talk to the boy, I mean. Hint that Regulus likes him too. Looking back now, James knows it was a stupid thing to do. Like, what the fuck? But, yeah. They did it. 

James sighed. “Arthur. His name is Arthur.” 

Sirius frowned. “Why do I feel you’re not completely on board with this?” he asked bumping shoulders with James. A concerned look in his face. 

James ponders his options. He can’t lie to save his life, especially to Sirius. But is right now the moment to do this? Fuck, being a teenager in love is soooo hard (it’s not). “I’m not. On board, I mean” James shrugs. 

This surprises Sirius, who suddenly stops and grabs James’ wrist, making him stop too. “Why?” It’s soft and thoughtful. God, they really know each other. What to say, how to act. They were born to be brothers. James locks his arm in Sirius’, carrying on with their walk. 

“I don’t know. Don’t have a good feeling ‘bout it” he remarked. A lie, but not entirely. He just doesn’t like Adam. Arthur. Whatever. 

“James. Don’t lie to me.” Sirius narrowed his eyes on his best friend. 

“Am not, just don’t like the guy” 

“Uhum, right.” Sirius left it. James knows he'll find out later, so he will deal with this later. 

“Oh. There he is. Oi! Adam!” Sirius shouted, claiming the guy’s attention. Adam quickly looked around looking for who was causing the fuss, blushing a little when he saw the Sirius Black and the James Potter coming right in his direction. He looked confused, though. 

“Uh. Hi?” Alfie greeted, a hint of outrage in his voice. What the hell? 

“It’s Arthur, Sirius!” James whispered in his friend's ear, pretending to be civilized, but in fact he was very much pleased that Sirius didn’t care enough about Archie to remember his name. Ha, funny one, this Six. James loves him. 

“So.” Sirius puts on his big brother voice, involuntarily, the one James knows is supposed to scare away little shits that want to hurt Regulus somehow. “I see you're hitting on my brot-“

Aaron interrupts him, shushing him with a hand in his mouth. “Shut up!” Abram hissed. “Are you crazy?” He asks, making James’ stomach hurt. Ew. Disgusting bloke. 

“What?” Sirius queries, suddenly a ten times scarier than before. 

Aidan, apparently, doesn’t give a fuck for his life, because he just shrugs and says, “look, i’m not like this, you know. I don’t want your brother. Never did. So stop whatever you’re trying here. You have nothing to worry about”.

This leaves both Sirius and James open-mouthed. 

James doesn’t think twice before snapping at Aldred, “Yes. We won’t have to worry because you aren’t coming near Regulus again. He doesn’t need a prick in his life.” James puts his hand on Alexe’s shoulder, giving him a firm squeeze as he continues, “Try and come after him, you will regret it.” James doesn’t even wait for an answer, he just take’s Sirius by the arm and drags him outta there. 

Sirius only says, “you tell Regulus”.

James whines. Fuck. 

“Yes, mate. Fuck.”

Did I say that out loud? 

### 

“Well, Reg. That sums it up. I’m sorry” James says, letting Regulus rest in his arms as they hug. Regulus hadn’t said a word, he just went straight for James’ arms the moment he realized what happened with Arthur. 

“I-I get it though.” Regulus whispers, playing with the curls falling from james’ head. 

“No. Don’t even think about it.” James asserts. “He is a fool not to want you.” He declares, like it is the most obvious sentiment in the world. 

“You think?” his words were muffled from the proximity of his mouth and James’ neck. 

“I know, Reg.” I really know. 

Regulus smiles at the crook of his neck, hugging James harder and not letting go.