Avoidant

“Lakehouse vacation, baby!” James yells as he enters the common area.

Sirius looks up at him and sighs “And tell me why I can’t come.”

“Sorry, sweetie. My mom’s picking who’s going.” James plops down next to Sirius and rests his feet on his lap.

“Stop sweet talking my boyfriend,” Remus replies and kisses Sirius’ neck.

Sirius smiles “He was mine before yours.” James replies.

Peter proceeds to try to braid James’ hair but fails miserably “Go braid Sirius’ hair!” James tells Peter who inevitably gets James’ hair a bit messy and tangled.

“Hell no,” Sirius replies and ducks his head into Remus’ arms.

“You all suck,” Peter grumbles and instead goes to Remus.

—

“What is wrong with Regulus,” Barty asks, his head in Evan’s lap.

“No idea.”

Pandora’s phone rings, Pandora picks up her phone and puts it on speaker “What the fuck is wrong with Regulus?” Dorcas asks on the other line

“How’d you know,” Pandora asked.

“He just keyboard smashed and sent it to me then told me to fuck myself??”

“No idea, he just threw his phone across the room then picked it up and went to his bedroom,” Evan replied.

“Don’t you guys live with him?” Dorcas asks.

“We don’t stalk him, Dorcas.” Pandora bites back.

“Yes, we do,” Barty replies.

“Yes, we do,” Pandora confirms.

“Whatever, when you learn what happened, text me.”

“Kay, kay. Bye, Dorcas. We love you.” Pandora says.

“I love you guys, too,” Dorcas replies and hangs up.

“Woah wanna go check on Reggie, sweetheart.” Barty looks up at Evan.

“First, don’t call me that. Second, yeah, obviously?”

“Great! Let’s go, love!”

“I told you not to call me that.”

“No, you said to not call you sweetheart.”

Evan sighs and just resigns in his seat.

“Aren’t we going?” Barty asks as he looks up at Evan.

“No, I just had this revelation that he’s probably locked himself in his room.”

“Right. Maybe we should text him.”

<EvanFuckingCrouch>Regulus.

<BartyFuckingRosier>REGGIEEE!!

<ThatOneStar>Fuck off.

<DorcasMcKinnon>Gossip.

<PandorasBox>We can hear you throwing things around, Regulus.

<ThatOneStar>Potter sure has some nerve.

<EvanFuckingCrouch>What?

<ThatOneStar>He’s such a fucking prick.

<BartyFuckingRosier>We don’t have time for your yapping, Regulus. Get to the point.

<PandorasBox>Be kind to Reggie.

<DorcasMcKinnon>Choosing favourites is unfair.

<ThatOneStar>Effie called me.

<DorcadMcKinnon>Who?

<PandorasBox>Potters mother.

<EvanFuckingCrouch>And? What did she want?

<BartyFuckingRosier>Was it about that horrible breakup of yours?

<ThatOneStar>No, in fact, it seems like she is unaware that Potter and I have indeed broken up.

<DorcasMcKinnon>Oh! Interesting. This sure is some good material.

<PandorasBox>Pardon?

<EvanFuckingCrouch>Are you sure?

<BartyFuckingRosier>You’re lying. SHUT UP, LMAO.

<ThatOneStar>You know what she asked me?

<DorcasMcKinnon>We can’t read your mind, love.

<BartyFuckingRosier>What Dorcas said.

<PandorasBox>Be kind to Reg.

<EvanFuckingCrouch>Don’t disrespect Reggie like that.

<ThatOneStar>She asked me to go on the Potter family vacation.

<PandorasBox>Come again?

<DorcasMcKinnon>And you said no, right?

<BartyFuckingRosier>Tell me you said yes, please.

<EvanFuckingCrouch>Stop it, Barty.

<BartyFuckingRosier>Whatever you say, daddy.

<DorcasMcKinnon>Ew.

<PandorasBox>Regulus, what did you say?

<ThatOneStar>I said yes. What else was I supposed to do? She thinks we’re still together.

<EvanFuckingCrouch>You could’ve told her that you had broken up.

<ThatOneStar>She isn’t my mother. I am not handling the turmoil of her getting mad. It is Potter's fault for not informing his mother.

<DorcasMcKinnon>You’re his ex-boyfriend. You have every right to tell her you have broken up when she thinks you aren’t.

<BartyFuckingRosier>For once, I agree with Meadowes.

<DorcasMcKinnon>McKinnon. Get that right.

<EvanFuckingCrouch>You aren’t even engaged.

<DorcasMcKinnon>She’s my future wife.

<PandorasBox>Whatever you say. Let’s get to the important matter at hand.

<BartyFuckingRosier>Wow, so Reggie is more important than listening to Dorcas yap about McKinnon?

<EvanFuckingCrouch>Shut the fuck up, Crouch. You know that it is.

<BartyFuckingRosier>Whatever you say, sweetheart.

<EvanFuckingCrouch>I told you not to call me that.

—

James goes back home and immediately receives a message. He tilts his head down and opens his phone. A startled yelp leaves his mouth.

<Regulus Ex🤮>James, we need to talk.

James closes his phone and screams, he opens it back up and instead leaves his and Regulus’ chat to the Marauders chat.

<SpiderMan>REGULUS TEXTED ME.

<JoeMama>WHATTT.

<TheBetterStar>>You’re lying.

<MoonysTheName>What About?

<SpiderMan>HE SAID WE NEEDED TO TALK.

<TheBetterStar>That cannot be good.

<MoonysTheName>Ignore him, Prongs.

<JoeMama>What if he wants to get back together?

<SpiderMan>He’d never want that.

<TheBetterStar>Ask him what he wants.

<SpiderMan>No, you do that. He’s your brother!

<TheBetterStar>And he’s your ex-boyfriend!

<SpiderMan>Ugh! Fine!

<MoonysTheName>He so wants him.

<JoeMama>Definitely.

<TheBetterStar>It’s a bit pathetic, LOLL.

—-

James sighs and opens his and Regulus’ chat

<Regulus Ex🤮>James, we need to talk.

<James>About what?

<Regulus Ex🤮>You’re going on a vacation?

<James>What?

<Regulus Ex🤮>It’s over text just reread what I just wrote.

<James>Yes, I am. Why?

<Regulus Ex🤮>Did you ever think to inform your parents we had broken up?

<James>Pardon? Yes, I did, I told them.

<Regulus Ex🤮>Really? You did?

<James>Yes.

<Regulus Ex🤮>Don’t lie to me, James.

<James>We don’t work that way anymore.

<Regulus Ex🤮>You didn’t tell your parents, did you?

<James>No, I didn’t.

<Regulus Ex🤮>And why is that?

<James>None of your business.

<Regulus Ex🤮>Actually, it is.

<James>Get to the point, Regulus.

<Regulus Ex🤮>Your mother, Euphemia.

<James>Yes, I am aware of what my mother’s name is. What’s the problem?

<Regulus Ex🤮>She invited me.

<James>This isn’t funny, Regulus.

<Regulus Ex🤮>This isn’t some kind of joke.

<James>Okay, fine. So, what? You said no, right?

<Regulus Ex🤮>No? Was I supposed to?

<James>Yes?! What the fuck, Regulus!

<Regulus Ex🤮>How was I supposed to say no when she had told me she wanted me to surprise my ‘boyfriend’? You fucking idiot.

<James>What the fuck.

<Regulus Ex🤮>Yeah, well. Just act surprised when you see me there.

<James>You aren’t coming!

<Regulus Ex🤮>Shut the everliving fuck up, Potter. It isn’t your choice or mine, so suck it up and stop being a little cunt. Annoying, miserable asshole.

<James>What the heck.

—-

<SpiderMan>IS THIS WHAT I GET FOR THE ONE TIME I SAID THE FOOD WAS TOO BLAND, EUPHEMIA POTTER.

<TheBetterStar> WHAT HAPPENED.

<MoonysTheName>It’s probably something stupidly hilarious for us but horrible for him.

<JoeMama>It’s the best type of entertainment when it’s that genre.

<SpiderMan>Mommy dearest, what the fuck.

<JoeMama>Shut up, James.

<MoonysTheName>Get to the point.

<TheBetterStar>Stop stalling.

<SpiderMan>She invited Regulus to the vacation.

<TheBetterStar>THAT’S WHY I COULDN’T GO? SO A CHEAPER VERSION OF ME COULD?

<MoonysTheName>Knowing Regulus, he probably said he’d go.

<JoeMama>100% no doubt.

<SpiderMan>These are going to be two long weeks.

—

Regulus bangs his head against his door and breathes in then builds up the courage to text James.

<Regulus>James.

<James>Regulus.

<Regulus>I don’t want to go.

<James>Okay?? Then don’t go.

<Regulus>I can’t just suddenly not go when Effie wants me to surprise my ‘boyfriend’.

<James>Okay! We get it. Geez.

<Regulus>I’m still on your private, by the way.

<James>Twitter?

<Regulus>Yes. I can see every post.

<James>Oh. You can?

<Regulus>Yes.

—

Oh, James feels horrible. He doesn’t hate Regulus per se just holds a grudge against him.

Maybe he shouldn’t have said all those things on Twitter, but in his defence, it was right after he had finally stopped feeling sad and had instead replaced that emotion with anger and unjustified hatred.

The hatred was a bit justified if he did think about it, but he had never once dreamed of ever hating Regulus.

He did think of beating the shit out of him but never in his right mind would he say he hated him because he didn’t.

He cannot believe he had forgotten to remove him from his private. In all reality, he still shouldn’t have said the things that he did even if he knew Regulus was no longer in his private.

Because what he had said was wrong, painful and just outright disrespectful.

He didn’t really say anything that wasn’t true, but saying things that are horribly true behind someone’s back is easier said to other people than the person you are complaining about, especially if they are your ex.

James got a notification from his phone and looked down, Regulus had texted him again.

He opened the message and was surprised to be met with an apology.

<Regulus Ex🤮>I’m sorry. Although this is not my fault and is entirely yours for not being in the right mind and not informing your parents that you and I have indeed broken up, I do not wish to ruin your so-called Potter Lake house vacation, so, I guess what I am trying to tell you is that whilst we are on the vacation, we act civil and pretend to still be a couple.

Nevertheless, the apology was far from sincere, James had no problem with that since it indeed was his fault for not informing his parents that he and Regulus had ended things.

<James>Alright. Thanks, Reggie.

<Regulus Ex🤮>Don’t call me that.

Regulus had told James not to call him Reggie a million times when he was still yet a child but he had never once told him to not call him Reggie in their adulthood, he supposes that they had broken up and Regulus no longer wants to hear his name being used in that sense by James. James is quite surprised by that development, his chest feels a little tighter.

<James>Got it. So we act like a couple?

<Regulus Ex🤮>As much as it hurts me to say this, yes. We act like a couple.

<James>So I can call you Reggie whilst we’re with them?

<Regulus Ex🤮>I suppose so.

<James>We act like how we did before?

<Regulus Ex🤮>James, how many times do I have to tell you, yes.

<James>Alright, bye, Regulus.

<Regulus Ex🤮>Goodbye, James.

—-

Regulus throws his phone across the room and huddles up in his bed.

He doesn’t want to go through the same pain he had when he and James had broken up, yes he had been the one to end things with James but it had been for a good reason. After all, he’d never called it quits with James if he was oblivious.

James huddled up with a girl, her face to his chest and his face to her ear, a kiss to the head and a stroke to her lower back, dangerously close.

He had meant to go surprise James that day, he had just gotten the limited edition Spider-Man keychain, and when he had seen the whole interaction he had simply turned away and left.

He always knew he wasn’t good enough for James, but for James to quite literally cheat on him in the open was a bit too confident even for James.

He had only told his friends, he hadn’t even told his brother, since his brother would probably never believe him anyway.

He had considered it, of course, but Sirius was more of a brother to James than to him anyway, right?

After Sirius had left the house it was he who was the sole heir to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, he had taken the role of taking care of the manor in his father’s disappearance and the events when his mother was away.

He never liked that house, old, creaky and traumatizing.

Sirius had left because he had refused to join the same organization his parents were in, it was technically a cult if he was honest.

He hadn’t liked to admit that since he was also once a part of that organization that he so much despises now that he had matured.

A young boy with nowhere else to go, not even his older brother that he had once loved and adored. His older brother had abandoned him, a shell of the man he once was, this wasn’t the brother he knew. The brother he knew would’ve taken him with him and promised to never let anyone hurt him again.

He would’ve promised that he would never let their parents harm them again.

But that was not what the brother he knew did. He might’ve wrongfully painted a portrait that spoke of only kindness and compassion, but that was not what the brother he knew was.

The brother he now knew was a man empty of kindness and compassion towards him and instead had directed all of his old love for his younger brother to his new brother and friends, replacements that Regulus had no chance of comparing to.

He now hated the brother he knew, the man that he now knew was a man that would enjoy watching Regulus rot in the depths of hell for merely shits and giggles.

Regulus pressed his eyes against his knees and couldn’t stop thinking of all the things that he hated.

He hated James, and Sirius, and his parents. He hated his life. He hated every aspect of every single moment he took a breath, although nothing compared to the hatred he had felt towards himself.

Regulus sighed and instead decided to pack.

He didn’t like to wear anything that was short.

He hadn’t let anyone touch his body nor even see it, no one except James. And James

James had seen scar after scar, imperfection after imperfection and he had and instead called them all perfection.

And yet James had spouted lie after lie.

A trustworthy man had somehow flipped a switch and had become the complete opposite, when Regulus had put his trust in James to see the body he so much hated he had never expected him to break his trust and instead cheat on him with a woman who was the epitome of perfection.

Of course, new scars had developed in the time he and James had ended things, Regulus after all hadn’t let James see every nook and cranny of his body, he instead had somehow been inflicted with more scars than James had ever seen.

At the time of them being together, he had still lived with his parents. He had only moved out a few months after he had discovered James had cheated on him and could no longer handle the pressure from his parents and the pain of a loss so painful he could barely breathe.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t live without James. It was that it had finally been confirmed that he was not good enough for anyone let alone a sunshine of a person.

He hadn’t wanted to die alone, he hadn’t wanted to live his prime hood alone and sad. But that’s the catch with Regulus, right? He had always been alone no matter the situation.

A lonely man who was never complete.

And by the time he had thought all of that he had finished packing.

His clothes were only long-sleeved. It was irrationally since this was a lake house vacation, under the sun.

Nevertheless, he doesn’t really care.

He flops back on his bed and closes his eyes, that night he dreams of a dreadful night where he takes his last breath in awe.

—

James had stood in front of his family car, a familiar figure appearing in his peripheral vision.

James turns his head and sees Regulus after months of not seeing him, Regulus looks as gorgeous as he remembers, a bit skinnier but nonetheless a gorgeous man.

He gasps in faux shock “Reggie?”

He sees Regulus’ eyes dim but smiles “James!” Regulus says and opens his eyes for James to come hug him.

James runs towards Regulus and spins him in a hug “What’re you doing here?”

“Surprise?” Regulus replies, a smile on his face, a smile that only James can tell is fake.

“I missed you,” James says.

“Me too,” Regulus says and hugs James tightly.

James tenses but hugs back “Regulus already came?” They hear a female voice say.

“Mom! You knew Regulus would be here?

“Of course I did, I’m the one who planned the surprise.”

“Yes, thank you, Effie.”

Effie smiles and goes back to Monty.

Regulus backs up from James and dusts of imaginary dust.

“Regulus.”

Regulus walks before James “What.”

“Can you at least act like we’re still together.”

“Pardon? That’s what I am doing. Wasn’t it I that formed this plan?”

“It’s obvious that you’re horribly tired of me.”

“Well, yeah. Because I am.”

“Can you just I don’t know look happy?”

Regulus turns around and smiles wide and happy, James’ breath catches in his throat, the same smile that James had not seen directed towards him in months. A frown and an angered look were the only expressions he had gotten from Regulus in months. That’s the same smile Regulus had on only for James, the big and wide one, the happy one. The one that looks like the world has just begun yet had just ended “Like this?” Regulus’ face goes back to his stoic one.

And James almost forgot it was all an act.

“Yeah..perfect. Thanks.” James replies and goes to walk next to Regulus.

Regulus slowed his pace to match James he latched his hand to James’.

James stiffens but quickly loses all the tension and holds Regulus’ hand back.

James and Regulus end up in the house.

“James! Regulus! You’ll be sharing a room, obviously.”

“Ah, yes. How many beds?” Regulus questions, a small smile on his face.

“One, is that a problem?” Monty asks, concerned.

“No, not at all,” Regulus replies.

“Uh, where’s our bedroom?” James asks.

“Just straight ahead, you can’t miss it, there’s only two bedrooms anyway,” Effie replies.

“Thank you, Effie, Monty,” Regulus says and heads off to his bedroom.

James hugs his mom and dad “One day I’ll tell you guys.”

“What? Tell us what?” Monty asks, suspiciously.

“Nothing!”

James says and runs off to his and Regulus’ bedroom.

When he enters the room he sees Regulus laying a thick comforter on the floor and his stuff beside it.

“What’re you doing on the floor?”

“I’m not sleeping on the bed with you.”

“Then I’ll just take the floor.”

“You’re ridiculous. It’s your vacation.” Regulus rolls his eyes. “Lock the door.”

James does as he’s told and instead sits on a bed that is way too big for one person.

“Are you sure?” James asks.

“Don’t make me say it twice, Potter.”

“Okay,” James says and lays on his bed while Regulus lays on the floor.

Regulus, sleeping on the floor? Impossible. That man’s back is as fragile as paper.

James gets on one elbow and looks down at Regulus “Are you su—“

“Yes! For goodness sake! Oh my God! I can’t handle sleeping on the floor because I can’t handle you ramming into me! That’s fucking outrageous!” Regulus says and turns away from James and pulls the blanket atop of himself.

“Jesus, I didn’t say that,” James replies and turns away from Regulus.

James can’t help but think that Regulus is acting like a child. They can share the bed even though they’ve broken up, so what?

He didn’t have to bring up sex in it, James was just being considerate, obviously, Regulus’ back would hurt after sex, but it doesn’t mean it’ll hurt like that if he slept on the floor.

He’s such a bastard.

—

Regulus gets up and leaves the room, it feels suffocating in there.

He sits outside under the setting sun, the moon is high in the sky already, and the sun is almost gone in its shade.

The moon shines brightest when it’s overshadowing the sun, standing bright and tall in the midnight sky with no trace of the object that normally overshines it.

Regulus turns on his side and closes his eyes, the moon is already in the sky, and he hears Sirius is visible tonight.

He doesn’t bother to turn around and try to look for it. He’ll never find it again.

—

Regulus wakes up early, the sun slowly overshining the moon once more as it ascends to the sky.

He sits upright, his neck killing him from the way he had slept in the chair like that.

He enters the kitchen and makes tea. He sits down and blankly watches nothing as he sips on his tea.

Once he’s done with his tea he cleans his cup and leaves it on the drying wrack as he makes another kettle of hot water and leaves the house.

He walks across a tree-lined street as he makes it down to the lake.

He lies on the edge of the lake, one hand in the lake and the other on the grass.

He closes his eyes and can’t seem to think of anything but the sun.

—

James wakes up and looks around to find Regulus nowhere in sight, Regulus had left their room that night but he had expected to find him on the floor, he doesn’t know if Regulus had returned and left early or not but he senses that he hadn’t come back the whole night.

He gets ready and then walks downstairs, he sees his parents drinking tea.

“Did you make the water, dear?” Effie asks.

“No?” James replies as Monty slides him a cup of tea.

“I guess Regulus made it then.” Monty shrugs and they continue their talk about whatever they were talking about before James had entered.

Regulus made water? And enough for all of them not only for his parents? Unlikely.

“James!”

James looks up startled “Yeah?”

“Where’s Regulus?” Effie asks.

“Oh, what? I don’t know.” James replies.

“You don’t? Maybe he went out.”

“Yeah, maybe..” James replies and finishes his tea.

He shakes his head and decides to look for Regulus.

“I’m going to go look for Regulus.”

“Alright, take your time,” Monty tells him and goes back to sweet-talking his wife.

James leaves the house barefoot and walks across the tree-lined street to finally make it to the lake where he knew he would be.

He walks closer to the lake and spots Regulus. Lying on the grass, one hand in the lake and the other clenching the grass.

He’s asleep.

James walks quietly to Regulus.

Regulus is a very light sleeper, which James, obviously knows. He’s slept with that man continuously times to know that he wakes up with the slightest noise.

And just as James is about to reach he tumbles down.

“Fuck!” James yells and immediately clasps his hand over his mouth.

“How stupid can you be,” Regulus says, his voice a whisper and gentle.

He sits upright and instead washes his face and leans forward to the lake.

“What do you want, James.”

“Nothing.”

“Then why are you here.”

“It’s my lake.”

“True that,” Regulus replies and stands up, wobbling and leaning against a tree, lightheaded but he soon gets his composure and walks back to the house.

“Wait, where’re you going?” James asks.

“Where else? To the house.”

“Oh.” James replies and quickly walks next to Regulus “You made the water?”

“Yeah, no shit,” Regulus replies, snarky as ever.

—

Regulus heads straight to the shower, feeling refreshed but dirty out in the grass.

Regulus takes off his shirt and is about to do the same to his trousers until the door opens.

“Yes, mom! I’m coming!” James says and turns to look inside the bathroom.

“Oh—Regulus.” James stiffens as he sees Regulus’ chest.

“What happened…to—your, uhm—chest..?”

Regulus feels his throat close up, his stomach sinking deeper than ever. His heart beat in his ears. He can’t breathe.

“I—James,” Regulus says, picking up his shirt and covering his chest.

“Regulus..?” James’ voice sounds broken.

Regulus breathes in low and deep “Leave, James. Please.”

“Tell me what happened.”

“James. I don’t want to talk about it, please, leave.”

“Regulus.” James extends his arm to touch him but Regulus flinches back.

“I didn’t think you were this stupid. Can’t you figure it out yourself? Leave.”

“Regu—“

“Leave!”

James gets cut off and nods, he slowly turns around, closes the door and then footsteps of sprinting can be heard.

Regulus sits on the ground, trying his best to ground himself but failing miserably, nothing ever goes right with him and James.

Can’t a grown man knock before entering? That insufferable idiot.

—

James sits on his bed, looking down at the ground where a thick comforter is placed.

He’s never seen Regulus that bad, he’s seen his body, and he’s worshipped that man’s body like it was his holy grail, he loved that body inch by inch, from the top to the bottom.

Regulus never let him see his full body but he had let him see most of it and those parts that he had seen had never been worse, yet so beautiful.

He looked unbearably, breathtakingly handsome,

He felt horrible, his rising hardness more visible than ever.

He was so turned on yet so concerned, what did the man he loved go through?

And that immediate thought had calmed him down so much to the extent that he felt this horrible bile rise to his throat.

He needed to get to the bottom of this. At the end of the day that man, his ex, was still his best friend younger brother.

James is thrown out of his own thoughts by a door opening, he jolts and looks up.

Regulus.

“Regulus—“

“I don’t want to talk about it, James.”

“What happened?”

“I said I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Why not.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’re my ex-boyfriend?”

“I still care about you, Regulus.”

“If you cared you wouldn’t have—“

James inclines his head “Wouldn’t have what?”

“Never mind.”

“No, no. Tell me. What did I do that was so bad that you can’t tell me?”

“Oh, really? Now you don’t know the reason we broke up? It’s been four days here and I already want to kill myself.”

“D-Don’t joke about that, Regulus.”

“It’s not a joke.”

“Why? Am I that horrible that you would want to kill yourself just to escape two weeks away from me?”

“I just—I don’t like you, alright?”

“Why? What did I do?” James’ voice cracked, his throat slowly closing up and his stomach feeling stuffy.

“You know what you did.”

“No, I don’t! You never explained the reason for us breaking up!”

“I didn’t think I’d have to with the way you were so confidently doing it.”

“Doing what!”

“I fucking hate you, Potter.”

James scoffs “Yeah, I think we got the idea.”

“You do, don’t you? That’s great. I didn’t know you were capable of understanding.”

“Oh? I didn’t know you were capable of communicating.”

“I didn’t know you were capable of sticking up for yourself.”

“Oh, yes, you do. You’ve seen me do it multiple times, especially with you, pretty boy.”

“Don’t—Don’t fucking call me that.”

“What, pretty boy?”

“It sounds like shit coming from that shit-eating mouth,” Regulus responds and lies down on the floor, his wet curls laying gently on the pillow.

James can’t help but stare at that slight skin between Regulus’ oversized shirt and his boxers.

“Regulus?”

James heard a sigh from Regulus “Yes?”

“Will you ever tell me what I did wrong?”

“I don’t think so, James.”

“Why not?” James asks, realizing Regulus is vulnerable.

“I just—I can’t bring myself to utter the words.”

“Of what I did?”

“Yeah,” Regulus replies and turns away from James.

“Okay.”

James stares at Regulus' black curls.

“Stop staring.”

“Mum made lunch.”

“Not hungry.”

“It’s almost dinner time, are you going to eat dinner, at least?” James asks.

“Yeah, probably,” Regulus replies and turns to face the ceiling, he puts his hand in the air and stares at it.

“Regulus?”

“Must you talk so much?”

“You used to like that.”

“Yeah, when you were a respectable man.”

“Aren’t I still am?”

“Not after what you did.”

“After I caused our break up?”

“Shut up, James.”

“Don’t wanna.”

“Jesus Christ. You are one insufferable man.”

“You’re such a fucking brat.”

“And you’re such a fucking cunt.”

“At least I can communicate my problems.”

Regulus goes quiet, his hand falling to his side as he just stares at the ceiling “Why’re you acting like you don’t know what you did?”

“Because I don’t?”

“I hate men like you the most.”

“Like what?”

“Like you, a man who knows that they had done something bad but refuses to admit it.”

“For fucks sake!”

“I’m going to sleep now, James.”

“Whatever.”

Regulus turns around and pulls the blanket over his head as he slowly closes his eyes and drifts off to sleep.

James stares at the lump on the floor, Regulus sleeps much more than he used to before.

—

Regulus wakes up at an unruly time of night, he checks his watch, two am.

Regulus gets up and gets out of the house, the darkened sky and the sound of cicadas.

He walks along the path of grass, sits down under a tree and stares ahead.

One star shines brighter than the others and he hates the thought of that. He looks down at the floor instead.

A cat in the distance. He gets up slowly and walks to it.

“Hi,” Regulus says quietly, he sits down on the floor crisscross, extending his hand to it.

The cat stares at Regulus’ hand and takes a step closer to sniff it.

The cat must declare Regulus safe because he walks to him and lays down on his lap.

Regulus soon finds out the cat is a boy and decides to name it after his favourite uncle, Alphard.

Regulus lays down on the grass and plays with Alphard for God knows how long, he somehow finds himself laying his arm over the cat and falling asleep.

—

James once again wakes up and finds Regulus gone.

He walks outside, looking at the barely risen sun, some stars are still visible.

He walks for quite a long time until he finds a lump sleeping on the grass.

He sighs a chuckle, Regulus slept on the grass again.

He walks closer to Regulus and finds a cat sleeping between his arm and chest.

James pays himself down for his phone and snaps a quick photo before shaking Regulus ever so slightly.

“Regulus, wake up.”

Regulus slowly opens his eyes, face to face with James.

“James?”

“Regulus.”

“What’re you doing here?”

“Came to find you.”

“That’s stupid.”

“I’ve always been stupid for you.”

“Shut it, Potter,” Regulus says and gets up, holding the cat in his arms.

“Woah, woah. What’re you doing with that cat?”

“He’s mine, I found him first.”

James can’t help but find it a little adorable that Regulus is overprotective when the thought of taking the cat away hadn’t even occurred to him.

“I wasn’t going to take him anywhere, Regulus.”

“Whatever,” Regulus replies and holds the cat close to him until they reach the house.

—

Regulus opens the house door, slips off his shoes at the entrance and then sits down on the floor with Alphard.

“Regulus?” Monty asks, he turns the corner and looks down at Regulus.

“Monty,” Regulus says and looks up at him.

“Uh, are you—who’s cat is that,” Monty asks.

“Regulus’.” James says, as he enters the house while slipping off his shoes.

Effie rounds the corner and sits down next to Regulus “What’s his name?” Effie asks.

Regulus cocks his head “Alphard.”

“Your uncle,” James says.

“Yes, my favourite uncle,” Regulus affirms.

“I knew Alphard,” Monty replies.

“Unsurprising, you’re old,” Regulus says.

Monty acts like an invisible knife had stabbed him right in his gut “How dare you, Regulus.”

Regulus looks up at Monty then looks down at his cat “You’re still handsome, nonetheless. Don’t worry.” Regulus replies while patting Alphard.

“Are you trying to get another Potter, Reggie?” Effie asks, smiling.

“What oth—oh, you mean James. I’d take Fleamont.” Regulus replies.

James acts hurt “You’d take my pops over me?”

“The truth hurts, huh?”

“I still got my charm, sorry, kiddo.” Monty pats James’ shoulder in comfort.

“Doesn’t do much if you don’t mean it.” James rolls his eyes.

Monty laughs and sits down next to Regulus, petting Alphard.

Alphard hisses at Effie and Monty and gets closer to Regulus.

Regulus looks up at them, looking smug “He likes me.” James says.

Regulus gives him an annoyed look “Shut up, James.”

“Hey, hey. What’s wrong? Sad he likes me more, pretty boy?” James replies, a smirk on his face.

“You’re incredibly aggravating,” Regulus replies and cuddles with Alphard.

“But you like that,” James says and shrugs.

“Shut up, James.”

“Listen to your boyfriend, James.” Effie reprimands.

“Yes, what Effie said.” Monty agrees and tries to persuade Alphard to like him.

Regulus’ eyes darken as he holds Alphard closer to him.

“Fine, fine,” James says and sits down next to Regulus.

Regulus gives him a disgusted look but goes back to petting his cat.

“Why so glum?” James teases.

“You’re so frustrating,” Regulus says and gets up and goes to his and James’ bedroom.

“You can’t ever be civil with him?” Effie asks.

“Nope,” James says, popping the p.

James gets up and wakes to his and Regulus’ bedroom only to find it locked when he makes it there.

“Regulussssss” James elongates his name.

“Shut up, James!”

“Are we going to recreate the frozen scene?” James asks, bumping his head against the door.

“For fucks sake,” Regulus says and opens the door.

James smiles and enters the bedroom.

He finds Alphard has already claimed Regulus’ spot as his own.

“How come it gets to sit on your place but I don’t,” James grumbles.

“One, he’s a he, not an it. Second, I don’t like you. Third, you’re my ex. Fourth, I don’t like you.”

“You just said you didn’t like me, like, three times.”

“Okay, and?” Regulus questions, one eyebrow raised.

James takes a deep breath in and then speaks “We can never act friendly towards each other because you won’t explain the reason for our break up.”

“You’re such a fucking asshole, I cannot believe you’re still acting like you don’t know why.”

“Because I don’t! What was so horrible that you had thrown our two-year relationship away?!”

“Oh, I don’t know? Maybe, I don’t know, just, maybe, I had seen you—“ Regulus cuts himself off and takes a deep breath.

James tilts his head in confusion, an eyebrow raised “You’ve seen me do what?”

“Just admit it, James!”

“Admit to what?!” James yells, messaging his temples.

“That you fucking cheated!”

James’ heart drops, his stomach hurts “What?”

Regulus scoffs “Act oblivious all you want, you’re pathetic.”

“Wait, Regulus, what—I don’t understand.”

Regulus starts collecting his things “You’re a poignant excuse of a human being.”

“No—Regulus, please, talk to me, make me understand, I need you.”

“No, you don’t.” Regulus shakes his head.

James feels his throat tighten, bile rising, and his stomach feels like it’s filled to the brim and yet it doesn’t, he feels empty, he doesn’t understand. When has he ever cheated? Had he unintentionally cheated?

“Regulus, I want—“

“What do you want, James.”

James tries to speak but his throat tightens and swells, he can’t breathe, he had never expected that an explanation would hurt so much.

“You can’t even speak in this situation, what do you want from me, James?” Regulus looks up at James, his eyes gleaming with a layer of tears.

“Regulus—please, I swear, I don’t understand.”

“That’s that then,” Regulus replied and left the room with Alphard.

James sits there, his own thoughts consuming his every breath, he can’t seem to focus his breathing.

They ended up lasting a week and three days before Regulus left.

James exits his bedroom and finds his parents staring at each other in confusion “What happened?” Monty asks.

“Regulus—“ James’s voice hitches “He, uhm, left.”

“Yes, we saw that,” Effie replies.

“We meant, why did he leave?”

“Because—“James considers if he should say the truth or not, it had been far too long for him to avoid this matter “We aren’t together.”

“What?” Effie asks, his eyebrows furrowed.

“We, uhm, we’d been broken up for six months.”

Monty scoffs “No, you haven’t?”

“Yes, we have. I just couldn’t find the heart to tell you guys that Regulus and I had ended things.”

“What did you do.” Effie questions, his voice hard and demanding.

“I didn’t do anything!”

“Then the reason was?” Monty asks, his cup of coffee warming up.

“He,” James coughs, his eyes burning “I didn’t know until now.”

“What do you mean?” Effie questions.

“He broke up with me and never told me why until just now.”

“Okay, what was the reason?”

“He says I cheated,” James says, tears falling to the ground.

“You did what?!”

James shakes his head “I didn’t, I swear, at least I don’t think I did.”

“What do you mean you don’t think you cheated?!”

“He—apparently saw me cheating, I swear, I don’t know what he’s talking about but he refuses to explain.”

“He must’ve misunderstood.” Monty sighs.

“I cannot believe you didn’t tell us,” Effie says.

“I—I’m sorry.”

“No, go apologize to Regulus and ask what you had done wrong.”

“I know, I know,” James replies, wiping his tears away.

“You know we love you, right?” Effie comforts.

“Yeah,” James’ voice cracks “I do, I love you guys, too,” James says and goes to hug his parents.

Effie and Monty hug him back, they stay like that for a few minutes until James lets go and goes to his bedroom.

James locks his bedroom and gets his phone out.

<James>Regulus, can we please talk about it?

James waits a few minutes and finally gets a reply.

<Regulus>There’s nothing to talk about, James.

<James>Please, Regulus.

<Regulus>No.

<James>Will you ever tell me what you saw me doing?

<Regulus>Stop it, James.

James closes his and Regulus’ chat, his eyes filled with tears, he opens his group chat and takes a deep breath.

<SpiderMan>Did Regulus talk to any of you, yet?

<TheBetterStar>What? What the fuck happened?

<MoonysTheName>What do you mean, James?

<JoeMama>Oh, oh, this isn’t good, telling Sirius his little brother might possibly not be okay? Danger.

<SpiderMan>Nothing.

<TheBetterStar>No, shut the fuck up, James. It’s not nothing, what’s wrong with my brother? Is he okay? What did you do to him?

James takes a deep breath in and closes his eyes, his head is killing him.

<SpiderMan>He’s fine, Sirius. I didn’t do anything.

<TheBetterStar>James, for goodness sake. You better start talking.

<MoonysTheName>Let’s calm down, sweetheart. Take a softer approach.

<TheBetterStar>No.

<JoeMama>Woah.

<TheBetterStar>Is Regulus hurt? James.

<SpiderMan>He’s upset with me. He stormed off

<JoeMama>Why would he ever not be upset with you? You aren’t together anymore.

<TheBetterStar>Regulus doesn’t storm off like that over nothing.

<SpiderMan>Fucks sake. He explained why we broke up.

<JoeMama>He did?

<MoonysTheName>What was the reason?

<SpiderMan>I don’t want to talk about it.

<TheBetterStar>Too late. Fess up.

<SpiderMan>I’m going to kill you.

<TheBetterStar> Try me.

<SpiderMan>I apparently cheated.

<JoeMama>What? Lmao, are you being for real?

<MoonysTheName>You’d never do that, though.

<TheBetterStar>I’m still mad at you but I at least know you’d never cheat.

<SpiderMan>Exactly. I never did, I swear on my life.

<TheBetterStar>Then why didn’t you explain that you didn’t?

<SpiderMan>I tried, I tried so hard.

<MoonysTheName>Well, you better quickly find a solution to how you’ll be explaining that.

<JoeMama>Is Regulus okay?

<SpiderMan>I don’t know, and I don’t know how to.

<TheBetterStar>I’ll text Reggie.

<SpiderMan>Thanks, Pads.

<TheBetterStar>Anything for you, plus he’s my younger brother.

—

<KysBarty>Barty.

<Barty:3>Reggie? You okay?

<KysBarty>Cannot believe I am asking this of you, but come pick me up.

<Barty:3>Why? Are you alright?

<KysBarty>Goodness sake, can you please just come?

<Barty:3>Yeah, of course, send me your location?

<KysBarty>Thank you, Barty.

<Barty:3>Any time, Reggie.

—

Regulus is sitting crouched under a tree, his chin on his knees, Alphard next to him and his bag on his shoulder.

He pets Alphard, slightly smiling, puffy eyes present and undeniably there.

Regulus gets a notification on his phone and sighs, he gets his phone out.

He opens his phone, Sirius texted him.

He tilts his head and opens the notification.

<Siri!!☆>Regulus, where are you?

<Reggie!!★>Fuck are you talking about.

<Siri!!☆>I heard. You know James would never cheat on you.

<Reggie!!★>No, I don’t.

<Siri!!☆>What did you see that day?

<Reggie!!★>Shut up, Sirius.

<Siri!!☆>No, I love you, but you are being unreasonable, I understand you don’t want to experience that again by explaining to James but what if it was just a misunderstanding?

<Reggie!!★>No, you don’t understand.

<Siri!!☆>Alright, I’m sorry. Will you at least tell me a little bit?

<Reggie!!★>I saw him, with a girl.

<Siri!!☆>Okay? And?

<Reggie!!★>You don’t know what they looked like.

<Siri!!☆>Then explain.

<Reggie!!★>Shut the fuck up, Sirius.

<Siri!!☆>No, James is obviously not okay and most importantly, you aren’t okay.

Regulus sighs, it’s not like he doesn’t want to tell Sirius, he just doesn’t know how to tell him.

<Reggie!!★>They were so close, so fucking close. If you saw the way he held her, you’d understand.

<Siri!!☆>Thanks, Reggie. You okay?

<Reggie!!★>Yeah, fine.

<Siri!!☆>I love you, don’t ever forget that, okay?

<Reggie!!★>I know.

          ILoveMyBf hearted a message
                    from KysTutorials

<Reggie!!★>Idiot.

<Siri!!☆>:D.

        KysTutorials hearted a message
  from ILoveMyBf.

Regulus puts his phone back in his pocket, a soft smile on his face, his head leaning down on the tree while petting Alphard.

He hears a honk and flinches, he looks up and sees Barty.

He shakes his head, a laugh on the tip of his tongue, he picks up Alphard and gets in the car.

“What the fuck. Who’s cat is that.”

“Mine. I found him.”

“Where?”

“The lake.”

“Of course you did and of course you took it in.”

“Him, he’s not an object.”

Barty laughs “I love you.”

Regulus tilts his head “The fuck?”

“I thought you needed it.”

“I’m telling Evan.”

“Yeah, like Evan doesn’t love you. He loves you more than me.”

“He literally fucks you. I don’t think so.”

“So, what happened?”

“Nothing.”

“It doesn’t look like nothing.”

“James is a fucking bitch.”

“Yeah, I think I’ve already got that.”

“He refuses to admit that he cheated.”

“Oh, why’s that?”

“I don’t know, why are you acting like Pandora.”

“How dare you! I act nothing like Pandora!”

“You’re acting all helpful and shit, you normally laugh.”

“Yeah? Well, this is my best friend we’re talking about.”

“Ew.”

Barty laughs “We’ve kissed.”

“And fucked, doesn’t mean you can get all cutesy with me.”

“That was once, we were drunk.” Barty smiles.

“You were very eager.” Regulus smiles “Very giddy.”

“You’re very enticing.” He laughs.

“Am I?”

Barty clears his throat “Anyway, maybe he hadn’t cheated?”

“Why are we talking about this,” Regulus grumbles.

“Because you need to solve your problems.”

“But this isn’t a problem. We’re not together anymore, there’s no reason to solve this so-called problem.”

“He still likes you, it’s so painful to watch.”

“No, he doesn’t.”

“I swear on my father's life.”

“Motherfucker, you don’t even like your father, that’s worth, like, two cents.”

Barty laughs “At least it’s something.”

“Swear on your life then I’ll think about it.”

“I swear on my life he still likes you.”

“If he doesn’t, I get your head as a mantlepiece.”

“Why not Evan.”

“Because I’m the one who’s going through this, not your husband.”

“So unfair.”

“Sure.”

“So? You’ll talk to him about it?”

“Fine, but only after Evan swears on his life, too.”

“How dare you ask that of my husband.”

“He’s not your husband.”

“You called him my husband not two minutes ago.”

“I don’t give a fuck.”

“Twat.”

“Wanker.”

“No boyfriend.”

“Kill yourself.”

“After you.”

“Shut up. I’ll do it, alright?”

“And that’s how you get a boyfriend.”

“Don’t make me strangle you.”

“Sure, babe. Right after I get Evan’s permission.”

“Whore.”

“I’ve been a whore.”

“You’re a cheap one at that.”

“I’ll have you know I’ve only whored myself out for Evan, at least I still got my boyfriend.”

“Is that your only come back.”

“Don’t make me make you walk.”

“I’d have your head before you’d do that.”

“Pussy.”

“Don’t say that in front of Alphard.”

Barty rolls his eyes and flicks Regulus’ forehead.

“That hurt, you bitch.”

“It was supposed to hurt.”

—

It’s been three weeks since Regulus had promised Barty he’d talk to James. He was planning to, truly, it’s just—well, he thought about it and had realized it had been too late, even if James hadn’t cheated, it was too late. He wouldn’t be able to handle being in a relationship.

Regulus was walking back to his apartment when he bumped into someone, he looked up and to his horror was met face-to-face with none other than James Potter.

Regulus tried to quickly escape to avoid him but James had already gotten a hold of Regulus’ arm.

“Regulus.” James briskly says.

Regulus closes his eyes, tightly “What?”

“Please—let’s,” James’ breath hitches and Regulus can feel his heart pounding, his heart feels heavy in his chest.

“Let’s what?” Regulus questions, his throat hoarse.

“Can we please talk about this all? Please?”

Regulus feels much heavier than he had the days before “I don’t want to.” Regulus looks down at the floor, his voice quiet and stern.

“Please, I just want to explain, I didn’t cheat, I would never.”

“Then what did I see?”

Regulus looks up at James and suddenly he wishes he had let James explain the first night he had confronted him about it “What do you mean?” James asks.

“Her face pressed to your chest, your mouth to her ear. Your hand was so close, so dangerously close to a place that it shouldn’t be.” Regulus felt his eyes well up, and his throat hurt.

“What? When was that?” James asks, his face saddened and confused.

Regulus feels rage but pushes it down “The day we broke up.”

James tilts his head and suddenly his eyes light up “Oh my God,” James smiles.

Regulus is beyond angered by his smile and tries to get James’ grip off “What the fuck?”

“No, I’m sorry!” James smiles wider “She’s my friend, she’s lesbian. She was crying and I was comforting her after she had gotten into an argument with her girlfriend.”

Regulus doesn’t believe that lie for a second “Learn how to lie better.”

James’ smile drops “Wait—what? No, I’m not lying, Regulus. Please.”

“Let me go, James.”

“Marlene, you know Marlene!”

“The girl in your quidditch team?”

“Yes! That Marlene.”

“I don’t know shit about her.”

“She has a girlfriend, everyone knows that.”

“Well, I haven’t. Let go of me, James.”

“Ask anybody, they’ll tell you Marlene is dating Dorcas.”

Regulus’ eyes widen “Ah, fuck. Marlene McKinnon?”

“Yes, that Marlene!”

“James, please, how am I supposed to know that the girl you were ‘comforting’” Regulus air quotes “Was Mckinnons?”

“Ask Marlene, ask Meadowes, ask literally, anyone,” James says, obviously a bit frustrated.

“James, I don’t have the time of day for that, now, let me go.”

“No.”

“James, what the fuck? Let me go now.”

“Not until you promise to ask them, sorry, Regulus.”

“You’re such a fucking bastard, fine, alright?”

“Great,” James slightly smiles, hurt evident in his eyes but relief overpowering it.

“Let me g—“ Suddenly Regulus is pulled into a hug, Regulus stands there, his arms awkwardly on both sides of his body, not knowing where to put them he hugs James back.

James pulls back and smiles “Let’s talk after you’ve talked to them, yeah?”

“Shut up, James.”

James pouts and sticks out his tongue.

“Put your tongue back inside unless you want me to cut it off, you unruly dog.”

“Sexy.”

Regulus feels oddly hot and quickly walks away.

—

James slides down the alley wall, his face in his hands.

“Jesus Christ,” James whispers under his breath.

His face was all red and flustered, he couldn’t feel anything but the unbearable sensation of his growing hardness.

He shouldn’t be as aroused as he is, yet when Regulus had looked up at him, the only thing he could remember was when he would look up at him whilst they were in bed, it was hurtful yet so right.

James sat there and thought of butterflies and rainbows until everything had gone down except the remaining sadness he had felt.

He got up and proceeded to walk back to his apartment.

—

Regulus does not in fact stick to his promise, it’s been a week and he hasn’t gotten the courage to ask if it truly was Mckinnon who was with James that day.

Truly, he knows that if James hadn’t cheated that day then he would’ve cursed at himself for breaking up with the love of his life, as if he doesn’t already do that enough.

He also knows that he would get hope, hope that somewhere in James’ heart Regulus would be forgiven and they would be able to move on. And he does know, he does that James would get back together with him in a heartbeat.

But he feels so immensely guilty that he can’t let go of his pride and apologize. That he can’t stay friends with him then date him again. Because if they were to stay friends then he knows he wouldn’t be able to contain himself and he’d try everything to explain to James that he truly had no idea and that he is matter of fact still in love with him.

He does want him, he does. But he doesn’t if James had cheated on him.

So, he decided to do it today. He calls Dorcas and waits, it rings twice and then Regulus hangs up the phone.

He calls again, and it rings three times “Regg—“ and then Regulus hangs up the phone on her.

He calls again, it rings once “Reggie? Are you okay?” Dorcas asks, her voice small.

“Yeah, peachy. The day James and I broke up.”

“What’s up?”

“Where was McKinnon?”

“Why?”

“Just—tell me.”

“We had an argument and she had stormed off somewhere.”

Regulus doesn’t know what he’s feeling, relief? Shock? “Where exactly?”

“Ahh, I smelled broom polish and..you? Eucalyptus, yeah, I smelled Eucalyptus. Although I wouldn’t know who smells like broom polish, I had for some reason thought she went to you since I could slightly smell Eucalyptus.”

Regulus’ lungs fill with air and don’t seem like they want to leave.

“Broom polish?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“I don’t use Eucalyptus shampoo.”

“You don’t? I’ve always smelled it on y—oh, James.”

“Yeah.”

“Mystery solved, Marlene went to Potter the day you broke u—what the fuck.”

“Shut up.”

“Ah, fuck. Regulus. Potter didn’t cheat on you that day.”

“Yeah, thanks, I think I’ve solved that myself.”

“Well, uhm. Good luck on getting your man back, I guess?”

“Ew.”

“Operation get James Potter back is a go.”

Regulus hangs up on her.

He calls Sirius next.

It rings once “Reggie! Is there a problem? Send me your location.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Oh, then what is it?”

“The day James and I broke up, where was Mckinnons?”

“She came to our dorm and James answered, she seemed like she was crying so James took her out in the hallway for privacy since it was after-hours.”

“Fucking hell.”

“What’s wrong?”

“You really think James didn’t cheat on me?”

“That’s such a stupid question, Regulus. Of course, I don’t.”

“Alright,”

“Call me if you need anything, alright? I love you, Reg.”

“Yeah, love you, too, Sirius.”

“Oh my God, I knew you lo—“

Regulus hangs up the phone.

He walks out of his room to the kitchen where Barty and Evan are passionately making out whilst Pandora is eating her pasta and staring at them.

“What the fuck?” Regulus asks as he sits down next to Pandora.

“Yeah, they’re disgusting. It’s like they’re putting a show on for us while we eat.”

Regulus takes Pandora's fork and starts to eat her food “They’re ill, lord.”

Pandora side-eyes him then lays her head down on the counter and just stares at Evan and Barty.

“It’s quite unpleasant.”

“Yeah, so I’ve decided to try to get James back. Albeit a stupid decision it was for me to break up with him and then try to get him back, I’ll try my best.”

And this is when he gets the attention of Barty and Evan.

“What?!” Barty yells.

“Shut the fuck up, Regulus. You’re lying.” Evan whispers.

“I knew this would happen.” Pandora rolls her eyes.

“You’re taking my advice?”

“You came up with this, Barty?”

“Erm, no, definitely not, Ev. I would never.”

“No, I did this because of James.”

“What?” Pandora questions, her eyes darting across the room to Regulus.

“I’ve realized that in fact he hadn’t cheated on me and he was just comforting Dorcas’ girlfriend.”

“Marlene?” Pandora asks.

“I think so?” Regulus tilts his head.

“I don’t know if I should laugh or cry,” Evan replies.

“Why not do both?” Barty says.

“Shut up.” Regulus snaps.

Evan and Barty make a gesture as if they have locked their mouths and thrown the key away.

Regulus gets up and leaves the apartment, phone in hand.

He opens the apartment complex door and realizes that it’s pouring. He sighs, thinks about going back five floors and decides to make a run for it.

He takes a deep breath and runs out of his apartment, immediately getting soaked.

After about ten minutes he makes it to James’ apartment complex.

He goes up the elevator three floors and makes it to their apartment.

He knocks on the door.

“I’ll get it!” He hears from inside.

James is facing him “Regulus?”

“James.” Regulus gasps, James looks inside his apartment and closes the door.

“What’re you doing here?”

“Do you—“

James smiles “Do I what?”

—

James leans on the door, a smile on his face, Regulus came to see him.

“Do you, uhm—still.”

James is holding back his laugh “Are you trying to ask me something?”

“Obviously.”

“Wait, a second. I’ll get you a towel.”

“No, I don’t need it. I’ll just say this and leave.”

James frowns “Why won’t you stay?”

“Ugh—fuck! James, because I don’t want to, okay?”

“Will you come back later?”

“Maybe? I don’t know.”

“Okay but—“

“No. Let me talk.”

“Okay.”

Regulus sighs “I’m sorry.”

James’ eyes widen, and his heart feels lighter “What?”

“I’m sorry for assuming you had cheated on me.”

“Oh, well. Uhm—it’s alright, I guess.”

Regulus clears his throat, no longer staring at James “Do you—“

James smiles widely “I like you. Again.” James laughs “You wouldn’t turn me down after breaking up with me, would you?”

“And why wouldn’t I?”

“Don’t you like me?”

“Ew.”

James pouts “Isn’t that what you were trying to tell me?”

“No.”

James pulls Regulus into a hug “You don’t want to be called mine once again?”

“I—No, I do.”

James smiles into Regulus’ shoulder “Won’t you go on a date with me, then?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Operation win Regulus over, part two, a success.” James kisses Regulus’ shoulder.

—

“What the fuck is that name.” Regulus sneers.

“What should I call it then?”

“Does it have to have a name?”

“Yes, duh?”

Regulus sighs “Keep that name.”

“Great!”

“James?” Regulus looks up at James.

“Yeah?”

Regulus holds James by the collar and pulls him into a kiss, James’ hand immediately lands on his hip and the other on his lower back.

Regulus pulls back “I don’t want to see you ever looking like you’re cheating, understood?”

“Yep, whatever you want.”

“That’s good.”

“Can I get another kiss?”

Regulus furrows his eyebrows but gives him another.

They stumble through the door into the apartment, lips pressed together.

They make it to James’ room, Regulus tugs on James’ collar, unbuttoning his shirt.

“And you were so avoidant only to act like this later.”

“Shut the fuck up, James.”