Chapter 1
“They're not losing. It's just begun.” Regulus said into the phone as he filled his glass with water, after looking around in the drinks,
Barty sighed heavily on the other end, “Seriously? Here, now I will lose. I already know.”
Regulus moved forward to observe the field and the players, his gaze carefully studying the movements that appeared before him, “This is just the beginning.”
“You know if nothing happens in the first five minutes of the game they will win.”
“Since when?”
“Forever.”
“You know that's the stupidest thing you've ever said, right? And that was not a foul!” Said Regulus watching the referee awarded a foul against Sirius which was clearly wrong,
Barty made a sound of disagreement, “How much do you bet Potter will score in 5 minutes?”
“I doubt.” Regulus said, although lying. That was a beautiful day. The perfect day. And James would soon score the first goal. “What is Evan doing?”
Regulus heard Barty swallow something that was definitely not water before saying, “He went looking for some sunscreen. He says his skin is too delicate to be burned.”
At that moment a roar was heard that caught the man’s attention. In fact, James, as everyone had predicted, had scored the first goal and the crowd went crazy with joy. “I'm sorry.”
Barty groans out loud, probably sitting down somewhere, “Great. I told you, Buck.”
“It's just luck.”
“You know you lie like shit to me.”
Regulus sat down after greeting a very happy Sirius to see him, so much that he passed by him just to greet him, “And that's a lie. Remember when you thought I wasn't well that time and we forced you to go to the hospital?”
The man clearly heard Barty shrug, or maybe he knew him too well, but still, “I was playing it cool.”
“Liar. You had literally a panic attack.”
“You’re pretty good at being shitty so of course I believed you.”
“Okay, bye.” He shortened when James scored the second goal and passed by him, meeting his gaze for a millisecond and Barty laughed, a laugh that made Regulus smile, as always, too.
“See you soon, Buck. And say hello to Panda and Luna.”
“Will do. You to Evan.”
“If he is still alive.” A pause. “I should probably go and look for him, right?”
“You’re getting better.”
“You’re just like me.” And that was the truth that they both knew, “Bye, Buck.”
“Bye, Bucky.” He answered, closing the call and making himself more comfortable in the chair, waiting for his friends to arrive. And as expected, after a few minutes,
“Did I miss something?” Remus asked as he came running and out of breath as Regulus watched the game in the seat reserved for the players' friends and family on the court, holding up a glass containing a liquid that Remus was almost sure wasn't alcoholic.
“Just in time. Have they been playing for at least 10 minutes? Something like that anyway, and Potter has already scored 2 times.” Regulus said giving a half smile to his friend, who sighed in relief, sitting next to him.
“Are you alone today?”
“I have you, don't I?” Regulus asked as he raised his glass in the air and handed another one that contained alcohol to Remus.
“Don't you drink today either?” Asked him while the man was looking at his hands,
“You're kidding? If Ziana catches me drinking alcohol before the next Friday’s game, and I quote, she's going to cut off my head and I'll have to find the Snitch in at least 5 minutes without it.” Regulus said as Remus smiled.
“Yeah, it looks like a Ziana thing.”
“I'd rather not see if she can actually do it, you know? Because if anyone can do it, it's her.” Regulus said as James scored a goal at that exact moment, then strode past them and waved to Remus, before scurrying back onto the pitch as he rolled his eyes smiling.
“You think they are going to win?” Asked Remus the moment after waving quickly at Sirius,
“I don’t know.”
“A guess? C'mon, I know you have an idea of how this match is going to go.” Remus said as Regulus shrugged, “I think we both know you're more experienced than me at these things.” He then added,
“Quidditch things?”
“Mhm.”
“And I think that even if you've known Quidditch for years, you still don't know which is a foul and which isn't.”
“That's not true.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it's true.” Remus said smiling, “I'm just not as obsessed as you or James.”
Regulus snorted in disapproval, “I'm not—”
“UNCLE REGGIE AND REM!” Said a small enthusiastic female voice interrupting them, as the two men turned around with huge smiles, to see a little girl, just four years old, with long curly blond hair and blue eyes, running towards them, followed by a visibly tired mother.
“Hi, Luna.” Remus said hugging the little girl, who laughed at him and then practically jumped into Regulus' arms.
“Hi.” Said the little girl making herself more comfortable in Regulus' arms and turning to watch the game excitedly. He quickly shrugged at Remus to let him know that the conversation might as well end there.
“Seriously. I don't understand where she got this passion for Quidditch from. It's all your fault, Reggie.” Pandora said as Regulus reached out to kiss her cheek with Luna on his lap quickly, and then sat down next to Remus, who handed her a plate containing dessert while he rolled his eyes.
“My fault? How can this be my fault? Your brother is the one who took her to her first Quidditch match!” Regulus said offended,
“And guess what game my brother and Luna saw? Yours. So it's your fault.”
“Oh sure. Let's blame it on me.”
“Pandora has a point in her favor.” Remus said with a shrug as Regulus looked at him in betrayal and Pandora smiled at him.
“See?”
"You are a traitor, Remus Lupin. And a coward.” Regulus said while Luna attracted his attention by pointing him to a not so clear point of the field, where the audience was now focused on one of the Seekers, who seemed to have seen something.
“Is there something there, uncle Reggie?” asked in a low voice Luna leaning forward and narrowing her small eyes to see if indeed the Seeker had actually seen the Snitch.
“No, ma lune. It was a diversion see? The Snitch flies low today.” Regulus said in the same low voice actually pointing to the little golden ball flying in the opposite direction of where the Seeker had been heading.
“What’s a diversion?”
“It's like when you say something to distract people from what you really mean.”
“Ooooh. Understood. Have you ever made one?”
“It happened to me, yes.” Regulus said as the little girl turned to him with a huge smile.
“Can I ask you something, uncle Reggie?”
“Anything you want, ma lune, you already know that.”
“When will you ever do a diversion in a game can you warn me? I want to see it!”
“Mhmm. And how do I warn only you? I would never want my opponents to notice.”
“Maybe you could...you could do something like wave at me or...wink at me!”
“And could you see my wink from that far away?”
“Yes.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Decided. You will wink at me. Mommy! Can we go to Uncle Reggie's next game too right?”
“How about we ask Evan, my love? I'm busy on Saturday, remember?”
“I forgot! So we can't go to the game?” the little girl asked as a pout was making its appearance,
“I'm sure Ev will be delighted to take you. And maybe you can get Barty to come too, what do you think?”
“Ooooh yeah. Uncle Barty never says no to me.” Luna said satisfied, turning towards the field while Pandora smiled at her sweetly.
“And Barty never misses my games, don’t worry. But, beside that, you aren’t coming to the match on Saturday? And to who will I dedicate my victory?” Regulus asked sadly while Pandora cocked her head with a slightly devilish smile.
“I have an idea. Maybe to a... I don't know, a boy?”
“Okay, shut up.” Regulus said turning to the match,
“What? I said nothing.” the girl said throwing her hands in the air as Remus turned in surprise to his friend.
“Wait, what? Are you seeing someone? Who?” asked Remus curiously as Regulus shrugged, glaring at Pandora, who smiled at him softly.
“I'm not seeing anyone.”
“That's not true. Oh my god. You're dating someone and you didn't tell me?” Remus said offended as the crowd cheered excitedly for the opposing team to raise points.
“Trust me. I don't.”
“I know him?”
“No.”
“Obviously I know him!” Remus said in an even more offended tone as Regulus rolled his eyes and turned to face the field. “Just wait for Sirius to know.”
“Sirius mustn't know anything because I'm not dating anyone.”
“Pandora said the opposite.”
“And of course you trust her and not me?”
“Obviously. It’s Pandora.” Said Remus as if he were stating the obvious, Regulus rolled his eyes. “Come on, tell me who he is. I swear I won't tell anyone. We both know I know how to keep a secret.” Remus said as Regulus gave him a flat look.
“Really, Moony?” He asked sarcastically as Remus rolled his eyes.
“I'll find out.”
“It's hard to discover something that doesn't exist.”
“Don't worry about that.” Remus said as he turned to face the field to smile at a Sirius Black who was greeting him with a huge smile as the audience applauded enthusiastically at this new exchange. Regulus turned to Pandora and gave her a bored look while the girl simply smiled.
As was to be expected, the Pride of Portree won that night, with a lead of at least 60 more points and Pandora couldn't be happier.
“You should be rooting for me,” Regulus said, unable to keep a straight face as the entire crowd cheered his brother's team's victory, including Luna, who hopped enthusiastically, pointing at the players while Remus stood beside her.
“Kidding? I just won 20 Galleons! Barty had bet on their defeat.” Pandora said quickly embracing Regulus while he sighed smiling.
“And I lost 20.” The boy said softly looking down the field as all the players were starting to get off their brooms, except of course, James and Sirius, who were now doing a sort of dance in the air with their crowd cheering behind them happily while Marlene joined them a little seconds later.
“Did you lose 20? Who did you bet against?” asked Pandora curiously as Regulus nudged her affectionately.
“What? I said nothing.” He answered her by imitating the girl's voice while she rolled her eyes, while Luna ran towards her.
“Mommy, can we go downstairs? Please, please.”
“I'll take her.” Regulus chimed in as Luna turned to him happily before taking his hand and dragging him towards the field, followed by Remus and Pandora.
“MOONY!” Sirius yelled as he quickly got off his broom and ran towards Remus, who welcomed him into his arms smiling. “The team dedicates the victory to you. All the team.”
“Are you sure it's not just you?”
“You hurt me.” Sirius said placing a hand over his heart. Remus lowered his head slightly to give him a quick kiss on the cheek as Sirius blushed. James met Regulus's gaze, who mimicked the act of vomiting and James couldn't help but grin openly.
“Gross.” Regulus said looking away from James as Sirius rolled his eyes.
“This is because you still haven't found the love of your life.”
“Nope. I take back what I said before. This is gross.” Regulus said as Luna ran towards James, jumping into his arms.
“That was wonderful, Jamie!” Said the girl as James kissed her cheek softly.
“I dedicate my victory to Luna. Sorry, Moony.” James said as Remus looked at him offended.
“Not forgiven.”
“Oops.” Luna said with a guilty face towards Regulus while everyone laughed, starting to leave the field.
“Luna and I come out from the back door. To be sure. I don't feel like meeting Rita today, I'm too tired.” Pandora said as she gave Regulus a kiss on the cheek and waved at the other men with a smile, before taking a slightly pouting Luna, who waved at them all with a smile on her lips, her blue eyes that looked tired, by the hand and heading the opposite way from where the boys were heading.
“Will you come to the party, Reggie?” Sirius asked happily placing Remus' arm over his shoulders.
“Not today. I go home early. But I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow.”
“But the party is everything! We must celebrate our wonderful victory.”
“I have commitments, Sirius. I am sorry.” Regulus said with a shrug as the men came out and of course they got hit by a lot of flashes and paparazzi. And of course, in the front row, was Rita Skeeter. “Of course the world hates me.” He then whispered as Remus nodded next to him, making a slight grimace which however was replaced by a flat expression as Rita approached first, smiling widely at them, her wand ready to act as a microphone.
“Good evening guys. I just heard you won! Congratulations. Wonderful game like always.” Said the woman talking into her wand, which at this moment was being used as a microphone, of course, before bending it towards them, while the other journalists tried to stretch theirs to be able to say something.
“Hi, Rita.” Sirius said winking at her as Regulus rolled his eyes and started to leave, but obviously he didn't have the space. Great. He should have left out the back door with Pandora and Luna.
“A few words about victory?” the woman asked,
“Good evening Rita.” Said James with a really convincing fake smile and the woman smiled at him,
“Good evening, James. How are you? Words? C’mon, I know you have words for me.”
“For you? Always. Well, I’m good. Very happy actually. It was a wonderful game. A really good match and we are very proud of our team.” James said winking at the other reporters and smiling broadly.
“However, you didn't catch the Snitch, did you?” the woman asked with a sharp look, which however was only seen by the men and not by the other journalists,
“It can happen. Certainly not our Seeker's fault. We simply have bad luck in that area today. However...we won. And we had fun as usual. This is the important, don’t you think?” Said James tilting his head,
“And the victory is dedicated to Remus.” Sirius added as several paparazzi made noises like "awww" or "best couple." Or something like that. Regulus wanted just to leave, really. He hated it when Rita managed to stop him with her gaze. Imagine when his team wasn't there. And Barty or Evan weren't there either.
“That’s so sweet.” the woman said before turning her head and wand towards Regulus, “Regulus? A few words about your brother's victory?” Rita asked then to the man, who was trying seriously not to be noticed.
“Good game.” Regulus said while Rita inclined her head with a half smile.
“That's all? Anything to say to Sirius in particular?”
“You were a little late this time, but I'm sure next time you'll catch my words like you always do.” Regulus said looking at her trying to act as nice as possible, which came off really well (like always), as Sirius moved next to him.
“Shame on me. Next time, you’re right. Guess you guys have to go to some party, huh? I'm sorry if we're keeping you longer than necessary.”
“You are always welcome to our parties, Rita. Will you drop by tonight? We’ll be very happy to see you there.” Sirius asked with a fake smile while Rita fake flattered laughs.
“Who will publish the article next?”
“Will be for another time. I’m so sorry guys, but they're calling us. It was a pleasure. See you around ladies, gentlemen and others!” James said as he quickly pulled his friends through the crowd of reporters and headed for their cars.
“I fucking hate her. What was the point of asking me questions?” Regulus asked in frustration next to Sirius, who sighed. “It’s not even my team!”
“She's looking for some more Black family scandal. With all that Father sickness, she's waiting for us to fight, argue, or for you to kiss Remus.”
“I would tear you apart. And Remus would be happy to kiss me, right Lupin?” Regulus asked turning to his friend who was talking to James.
“It was a secret, Regulus.” Remus answered as Sirius grunted in disgust.
“Stop flirting. That's disgusting.”
“You know what is disgusting?” Regulus asked as Sirius poked him with his elbow.
“Shut up, Reggie.”
“You didn't even know what I meant.”
“Something disgusting.”
“What a genius we have in the family.”
“See you tomorrow night?” Asked Sirius ignoring him,
“See you there, idiot. And congratulations for the victory. You did good.” Regulus said as Sirius smiled at him before walking to the car with Remus.
“Don't forget the 20 galleons, mi amor.” James said with a half smile as he hurried past Regulus, brushing his hand with his own, before joining Remus and Sirius in the car. Regulus couldn't help but smile in the night, before disappearing for appearing in front of his house.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ✩ ☀︎︎☽ ✩ ⋆⁺₊⋆
James had just managed to escape from the party and his curious friends and arrive directly in the garden of his house, accidentally crushing a flower.
“Oh no.” The boy said looking down at the flower that was under his feet, then quickly moving away and bending down to try to fix it when possible. Let's just say that when he wasn't... entirely sober, he sometimes appeared further away or closer than he wanted. But he wasn't drunk. Okay, he'd had a few drinks, but nothing major.
After apologizing to the flower, however, James glanced at his parents' house as always, which was not far from his home and walked to his front door and smiled to see that the kitchen light was on. He entered the house and locked the door behind him, before heading towards the kitchen, his glasses slightly misted up.
“Hi, mi amor.” James said leaning on the threshold while Regulus looked up from his book smiling at him, his expression taking on a tone of amusement seeing that James was drunk.
“Are you…drunk?” Regulus asked in an amused tone,
“I'm not. I just—you know, had some fire whiskey, and something like that.” James said approaching the table, on which there were several snacks that Regulus had taken out of the kitchen cabinets, while Regulus got up from his chair smiling.
“Do you remember how many?”
“Por supuesto. 20. Like the 20 Galleons you owe me for the bet.”
“Very funny, James.” Regulus said while James smiled extending his arm and taking Regulus' waist to pull him towards himself, while the boy smiled following him. “You're cute when you're drunk, Jamie. I always forget it.”
“I'm not that drunk.”
“Really? What do you see?” asked Regulus holding up three fingers in the air as James tucked a curl behind his ear.
“You.”
“Exactly. Sooo drunk.”
“But I'm cute.”
“What? You're not cute. Who said that?” asked Regulus still with the smile on his lips as James furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
“You. Two seconds ago.”
“Non. When have I ever said such a thing?”
“What? I—oh, you're fucking with me. Yeah, I get it. Really divertido. Can I kiss you now?” James said leaning forward but Regulus turned his head and his lips ended up on the boy's cheek. “You don't want to kiss me.”
“I do. But you're drunk.”
“So what?”
“We won't do anything, Jamie.” Regulus said shaking his head slightly,
“You won't even give me a kiss? For my spectacular victory?”
“I thought that for your spectacular victory you wanted the 20 Galleons.” Regulus said as James sighed.
“To hell with the 20 galleons.” James said with such seriousness that Regulus laughed and then James quickly managed to place his lips on the boy's, while the echo of the laughter rang in his mouth, and James could not be happier.
“You're so drunk you're still wearing the Quidditch team uniform.” Regulus said pulling away from the boy's lips and putting his arms around James's neck.
“I thought you liked my uniform.” protested James.
“What?”
“I clearly remember you liking my uniform.”
“Shut up. I don't.”
“You do.”
“You’re so stupid.”
“But you like me.”
“Do you want to see a movie?” Asked instead the boy, ignoring him,
“Would you rather see a movie than go upstairs?” asked James raising his eyebrows in a funny way, while Regulus smiled slightly raising his toes and giving him a light kiss on the cheek, very sweet.
“Oui. I do.”
“Only if I can decide the film. I don't want to see any murders today.” James then proposed,
“Maybe a muggle movie. I know a very nice one.”
“What is it about?”
“It's a happy movie.”
“No murders?”
“No blood.”
“You sure?”
“Oui.”
“Mhm. I am still not convinced.”
“What do you need to convince yourself?”
“We both know what's needed here.” James said with a smirk as Regulus nudged him affectionately.
“How about I make popcorn while you take a shower?”
“Accio popcorn.” James said as he pulled his wand out of his pants as a bag full of popcorn flew in his direction, landing on the coffee table in front of the couch. “Done.” He said satisfied as Regulus rolled his eyes. “...Let's go?”
“I didn’t know they were already ready.” Said instead Regulus and James shrugging his shoulders with innocence,
“Since they're already ready, we can go now.”
“Where?”
“Upstairs.”
“James.”
“For the shower!”
“Do you need a hand to take a shower?”
“A lot. I can never get soap on the back of my head properly and you know it, of course you know it, and—”
“Shut up, you idiot.” Regulus said pushing him towards the stairs while James smiled satisfied.
After the shower, the two boys sat on the sofa, both with their hair still wet and obviously the second after James pulled Regulus towards him, putting an arm on his shoulders giving a kiss on his curls.
“You are so clingy when you are drunk. Do you know that?” Regulus complained smiling as he grabbed the popcorn and leaned more comfortably against James' chest.
“You love me.”
“Watch the movie, James.” Regulus said as the TV turned on the next moment.
“Comments on the game?”
“The Snitch was flying low all the time.”
“Really? That’s weird.”
“Let's hope Saturday is the same then.”
“I'm sure you'll still be able to take it, mi amor.” James said affectionately while Regulus gave a half smile.
“We’ll see.”
“Oh, I definitely will.” He said taking his arm off his shoulders and resting his head on the boy's shoulder, who was now wearing a shirt that James no longer wore.
“Don’t wet my shirt with your hair.” Regulus complained before resting his head on the sofa and making himself more comfortable.
“As if it wasn't mine.” James said smiling taking a popcorn and turning to the movie, “What did I do wrong today?”
“You played good.” He replied,
“Nahh. I don’t believe you. C’mon, tell me so I can be better.”
“You know you’re basically the enemy right?”
James turned to him again, “Enemy? Really?”
“Mhm.”
“Please?”
“No.”
“Pretty please?”
“Nope.”
“Pretty pretty pretty please.”
“Fine.” The boy relented and James leaned in to kiss his cheek happily, “For starters—”
“Merlin, did I do that badly?”
“Honestly? One of your most careless games.”
“I was too busy looking at you.”
“Oh, shut it.”
“On how much gorgeous you are? Never.”
“You're an idiot.” Regulus said blushing slightly as the boy rested his head in the crook of his neck facing the TV,
“Anyway, I imagined it. Even Frank told me I was a little off this time.”
“Even though the conditions were perfect.”
“Aww, do you recognize the perfect conditions for me?”
“For any chaser, James.”
“Now, that's a lie.”
Regulus rolled his eyes, but said anyway, “Maybe.”
“Let me guess.” James continued, “That is not the point, right?”
“Exactly. Talking about the match now.”
“I'm all ears. Do your worst.”
“Well—”
And so the two spent the night, talking, until of course James fell asleep first while Regulus followed him not long after.
After what seemed to them about half an hour although in reality it had been more than four hours, Regulus was awakened the next morning by the vibration of his phone which had been ringing for quite some time now, even though he had actually only heard it at that moment. James was sleeping on the boy's shoulder, while his glasses hung slightly on the boy's nose.
“What?” asked the boy taking the phone and putting it to his ear, still keeping his eyes closed.
“Where are you?”
“Bucky?”
“Evan and I got back early and wanted to surprise you, so we came to field. But guess what we found? A Ziana very pissed that you haven't answered your phone in at least two hours and missed practice?”
“What?” Regulus asked confused, unable to actually understand what his friend had said.
“Where are you?”
“About what—oh. Oh, merde.” Regulus said, suddenly opening his eyes and turning to the clock, to see that Barty was actually right. It was 9:00. And he had just missed at least over half (if not a third) of his last morning practice before Saturday's game.
“Where are you exactly, Buck?” Barty asked again more suspiciously before Regulus ended quickly the call and shoved James hard, who, the moment before, had been sleeping peacefully on Regulus' chest, and now had suddenly woken up.
“What?” James asked with a deep voice still half asleep looking up at Regulus, who was staring at his cell phone in horror. There were at least 20 calls from Ziana, 12 texts from Dorcas and another 2 calls from Benjy. Great.
“I'm late. I'm. Fucking. Late.” Regulus said quickly tying his curls into a messy bun as he searched for his socks.
“Late?” James asked, clearing his throat and running a hand tiredly through his messy hair. “Late for what?”
“We fell asleep. And I'm missing the last practice before the game. Thank you very much, James.” Regulus said rolling his eyes as he bent down to pick up a sock that was under the sofa, unable to find the other. “Where did I put the other one?”
“Accio Regulus' sock.” James said with a wave of his wand before the sock leapt out from behind a sofa cushion and flew into the boy's hand. “Here.” James said with a smile still slightly sleepy while Regulus looked at him flatly.
“Oh yeah. We are wizards.” Regulus said stupidly as he pulled out his wand and pulled his shoes to him, quickly slipping them on.
“I'm sorry I didn't wake up. That's usually my job.” James said with a half smile while Regulus shrugged quickly,
“You are forgiven just because you were drunk.” He said as James smiled as he walked over to him and pulled him towards him, his nose now touching Regulus's gently. “I have to go, Potter.” Regulus said before James laughingly placed his lips on his, quickly and softly,
“Are you going to go to training like this?” he asked innocently, looking through his disheveled curly hair, which had grown longer lately, covering his eyes slightly, but after Regulus had told him that he liked it, and after he ran his fingers delicately through it each time, he didn't had more short cuts like before. Obviously.
“Like what?” Asked confused the boy, while James tilted his head,
“I think…you're still wearing my shirt.”
“I—oh fuck.” Regulus said looking down to see that he was actually still wearing James' shirt. “Accio shirt.” He said as his shirt appeared over the stairs and then flew towards him, while Regulus quickly changed under James' amused gaze.
“See you this evening?”
“If I’m still alive.” Regulus said disappearing the next moment, leaving James alone who laughed, flopping onto the sofa with a sigh closing his eyes.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ✩ ☀︎︎☽ ✩ ⋆⁺₊⋆
“Good evening, Reggie.” Sirius said not turning while he was cooking.Were there pots in the air that he was floating around and stirring with ladles while Sirius had his hair tied back and his back to Regulus, and he was dancing slightly?
“Remus is not back yet?”
“They're having, like, a meeting with all the professors at Hogwarts. Could you pass me the salt?”
“Since when do you cook? You suck at cooking.”
“I am trying to improve my arts.” Sirius said ignoring what his brother said and turning around and taking the salt and oh. Regulus had to turn abruptly away from laughing in his face. Sirius was wearing an apron. With "the most beautiful star in the galaxy is here! (Sirius if you don't understand)" written on it. He wouldn't have held up much.
“Good evening.” James said the next moment leaning against the kitchen door and looking at Regulus curiously, while he tried to hold back his laughter. “What?” He whispered to the boy.
“Sirius.”
“Sirius?”
“Look at his apron. Please.”
“Are you cooking Sirius?” James asked loudly as Sirius turned to him with a satisfied smile.
“It seems obvious to me, Prongs. If it weren't for me, we'd probably starve.” He said before turning around and James turned towards the door, in the same direction Regulus was looking because he had no idea the existence of that apron.
“Don't laugh.” Regulus said softly as James laughed softly.
“What? You don't laugh.”
“If you laugh, I'll laugh too.”
“I laugh because you do!”
“Stop it!”
“What are you two doing there?”
“Nothing!” James replied with a half laugh as Regulus poked him with his elbow.
“I swear—don't laugh.” Regulus whispered as Sirius made what sounded like disgust, then threw something away.
“I'm not. You're the one laughing!”
“Fuck me, Potter, I swear if you—”
“I didn't know that if I laugh you'll too!”
“Oh yeah, like you didn't know it.”
“No I don't, second biggest star in the all galaxy.”
“Shut. Up.”
“The most beautiful journalist in the world has arrived and—what are you doing?” Peter asked looking out to find James and Regulus trying not to laugh by pushing each other while Sirius turned to him and greeted him cheerfully, throwing a confused look at the two boys before turning to avoid dropping a pot. “I see. The apron, isn't it?”
“C'mon, it's—”
“The most beautiful apron in the entire galaxy?” James finished with a huge grin as Regulus nudged him again.
“You haven't seen his pajamas yet.” Peter said with a smile while Regulus looked at him widening his eyes.
“...does he have pajamas like that?”
“Worse.”
“This is what happens when your mother chooses clothes for you.” James said as Regulus rolled his eyes.
“Well, the elves chose them but okay.”
“Seriously?”
“Shut up.”
“Do they still choose them for you?” James asked smiling as Regulus hit him harder.
“Don't be stupid. Have you seen any elves at my house?”
“Um...yes? Kreacher?”
“And do you think Kreacher chooses my clothes?”
“Well... yes?”
“No, of course not. He’s not my servant.”
“Of course he is not, I know.”
“Good, because—”
“...you two really suck at hiding things. I mean, how does Prongs know what your house looks like and who's in it?” Peter asked in a low voice smiling while Regulus glared at him.
“You know nothing.”
“Yeah, well. I've seen more than I know.”
“Thank Potter's wonderful locks.”
“Oi! Peter has the key. It's not the lock.”
“You give too many people your house key.”
“Only 5 people and my parents.”
“Too many.”
“So good material for an article.” Peter sighed as Regulus smiled cruelly,
“Try it and we'll find out if unforgivable curses are really as unforgivable as they say.”
“As if you've never done it.” Peter replied, raising an eyebrow calmly,
“Precisely.”
“Oi! You three! Help me. I—okay, maybe we don't have the dinner.” Sirius said sadly as Regulus turned to him.
“Did the brightest star in the galaxy go wrong?”
“Fuck you. It's a beautiful apron.” Said Sirius ad Regulus laughed before receiving something against him, throw by Sirius.
“I'm so sorry, Minerva wanted that— oh?” Remus said walking into the kitchen, to find everyone cooking except Sirius and Regulus, who looked like they were arguing given their food-stained clothes.
“Hello Moony.” Peter said as James waved at him before putting something into an empty bowl that Peter was holding.
“Moony! Save me from this fool—”
“You moron—”
“Why are you all cooking? Couldn't we just order something?”
“We're almost done.” Peter said as he put some sort of flan in the oven that Remus was honestly a little afraid of.
“You did not!” Sirius said looking down at his now dirty shirt as Regulus smiled.
“I think I just did.”
“You're a fucking—”
“Don't you dare!”
“I will do so much worse, come here you little shit!” Sirius said with his hand full of food as Regulus, with equally dirty hands ran to get away from him as Remus smiled.
“Can I help with anything?” Remus asked Peter and James, while from the other room Regulus and Sirius could be heard arguing,
“You can set the table.” Peter said passing him the plates, while something fell in the other room and the voices of Sirius and Regulus suddenly fell silent.
“That's not good.” James said before going into the hall and finding Regulus and Sirius on the floor, the hall table broken and the two brothers standing still looking at each other.
As soon as they heard the three enter, their heads snapped and Sirius moved slightly and quickly so that Regulus was behind him, as if to defend him. They had the same flat expression. It was almost…disturbing. And it wasn't the first time it happened. Their hands didn't move an inch.
No one spoke for a few seconds, before Remus returned the table to the way it was before with a quick flick of his wand and smiled slightly at Sirius, who held his arms stiffly along his body. “It's okay. Nothing bad happened. I promise you, Pads.” Remus said slowly and Sirius closed his eyes for a few seconds, breathing slowly.
Regulus raised his head and met James' gaze, his expression flat. And Merlin, James didn't think he could feel hatred and a desire for revenge like that evening many years ago, but there they were, the emotions returning. He didn't think he could hate the Black family even more, Walburga even more, but here he was. After all that time, she was still hurting them. How fair was that? And James couldn't do anything to help it. So he raised his chin slightly and smiled sweetly at Regulus, who nodded slightly, breathing through his nose. James clenched his fingers into a fist without even realizing it before loosening his grip.
“I'm sorry. I just—I don't know how it happened. I'm sorry.” said Sirius, opening his eyes and looking up at Remus who approached him slowly, and then gently wrapped his arm around his side, pulling him towards him and casting a cautious look at Regulus who didn’t look at him.
“It's fine. See? Nothing happened.” Remus said and Sirius nodded, running a hand through his hair looking at Regulus one last time. Sirius raised his hand as his friends watched, and formed an A with his right hand before turning his hand across his chest making a couple of clockwise rotations towards Regulus, who just nodded absently.
“Yeah.” He said again breaking eye contact with his brother, while Remus just shook his head, “I can smell a slight burning smell?” Sirius said with a half laugh changing quickly changing the subject and Remus gave him a simple quick kiss on the back of his neck, leading him out of the room towards the kitchen.
“I'll take some time.” Peter said to the two boys then walking out a few seconds later. Regulus looked up at James again, and he stepped closer to him, stopping less than an inch away,
“Can I…?” asked James, spreading his arms, but before he could finish, Regulus tied his arms around him and rested his head on his chest in silence. James placed a light kiss on his curls and then rested his cheek on his head, holding him close.
“I-I'm sorry.” He heard Regulus say after a while,
“Don't be.”
“I just—when I heard—you know, the sound of the table shattering and Sirius there, I was like—there again and—I'm sorry.” tried to explain Regulus not feeling not pathetic, “It's—It’s so pathetic, I know.” He said again and James pulled away from him slightly, then taking his hands in his, while Regulus looked at him curiously. James brought Regulus's left hand to his lips and after running a thumb over the scar that Walburga had given years ago to both brothers in the same place so that they would stop being left-handed, he kissed it delicately, and Regulus closed his eyes just as gently before slowly opening them again.
“It's not pathetic, Reg.” James said in a whisper, kissing his nose. A light touch of the lips. “You are never pathetic.” He kissed then the left cheek. Then the right cheek. “Even if you still have food on your shirt.” Then the forehead. “And hair.” And then the nose again. And Regulus smiled, kissing him on the lips, with a brush of his lips, as James had done until then.
“Thank you.”
“I didn't do anything.”
“You're here.”
“I'll always be here with you, Reg.” James said and Regulus leaned in to give him another kiss, this time one that lasted longer than the others.
“I think if we don't go eat, Sirius will probably go crazy.” Regulus said taking a step back and the next moment his brother's voice was heard clearly,
“Reggie, come and help your favorite brother!”
“It’s crazy how I can read his mind, I swear. Sometimes it makes me shiver.” Said Regulus flatly,
“Are you okay?” asked James instead and Regulus nodded,
“I'm okay. I promise. Thank you.”
“Stop thanking me, please.”’
“Okay.”
“Reggie!”
“Merlin—I'm coming, Sirius!” Regulus said rolling his eyes and joining his brother in the kitchen, who was looking slightly lost at the flan Peter had just pulled out of the oven.
“Does it need to be cut?” Peter asked and Regulus let out a snort.
“Yes, Peter. You have to cut it.” Regulus said taking the fork Remus handed him and poking it to see if it was cooked, which it was, and then taking a piece and putting it in his mouth, starting to chew. Everyone looked at him carefully. Regulus felt a single taste dominate his throat but kept his expression neutral.
“How is it?” Peter asked curiously as Regulus took another forkful and gave it to Sirius,
“I don't know. How is it, Siri?” Regulus innocently asked his brother who put the fork in his mouth and began to eat before becoming alarmed and looking for a tissue or anything to spit out. Having no tissues, he quickly spat into the sink.
“That is the worst thing I have ever eaten. What the hell?”
“Is it due to the fact that instead of the sugar that went in it, you put 4 kilos of salt in it?” Regulus asked coldly wrinkling his nose as he took a drink to get the horrible taste out of his mouth while everyone else was now smiling or laughing.
“I followed what you told me to do!”
“I told you sugar, you idiot.” Regulus said taking his wand and making the mess disappear from the table into thin air,
“I put sugar in it, you little shit!”
“…what shall we eat now?” Peter asked as the two brothers argued,
“Give me 20 minutes.” James said suddenly as an idea came to mind and he turned to Regulus, “Could you help me?” He asked then and the boy nodded.
“Why didn't you ask me? Why Reggie?” Sirius immediately asked offended and Remus replied,
“Because Regulus is one of the best cooks. And James too. I'm sure that if we leave them for 20 minutes they will manage to do something."
“I know how to cook too. Effie taught me something.”
“Not the difference between salt and sugar, apparently.” Regulus commented and Sirius hit him on the arm,
“Shut up.”
“You shut up.” answered Regulus hitting him back harder,
“Good luck.” Peter said as he walked out of the room and into the living room giving up.
“C'mon, Sirius.” Remus said and Sirius started to say something but Remus grabbed his arm and pushed him out of the room while he groaned. “Good luck.” He then said towards James and Regulus, who however were now focused on talking to decide what to do, the sleeves of their shirts already rolled up.
The two loved to cook together when they could. Even though Regulus would never admit it to anyone other than James himself. Everyone knows that if Regulus hadn't become a professional Quidditch player he would have been a chef.
Pandora always talked about how the two of them would open a restaurant in Italy (at Barty's request), and become hugely successful. Regulus would become the head chef (or chef de cuisine, like Regulus pointed out every time because it was more appropriate), while she would be his sous chef. Barty would be the manager (after all, if they opened the restaurant in Italy, and they’ll probably do it, he was Italian for a reason) and the chef rôtisseur (because as he loved to remember every time, he was the only one who knew how to cook a Fiorentina perfectly), Evan would be the garde-manger (Pandora says because his eyes are the same color as ice, even though they have the same eyes as twins, while Regulus does so simply because he is the only one he trusts with the cold storage.) while Dorcas would be the undisputed maître because she was the most beautiful in a uniform and honestly, she was perfect for the role. And of course, Marlene would be with her too. Because, like Dorcas has said, she is a fucking star in a uniform.
After several discussions Remus was still left in a position of indecision as he was unlucky in being with Sirius. (In their last years Remus had bonded a lot with them, even when Regulus and Sirius were not yet speaking to each other, to the point of convincing Pandora to add him into the plan with almost everyone agreeing.)
And that was their plan. And would always be it, even if it was quite unlikely. (There was still a lot of disagreement about what position Sirius should take if he ever took part in the plan, mostly on Barty's side and slightly on Evan's as well.)
Obviously Pandora had also added James when she discovered that there was something between him and James. So she had changed the roles of the restaurant happily (because it was perfect), which they had decided on in their sixth year at Hogwarts during a boring day but never canceled. James would become his sous chef (because come on, he sure knew how to cook and knew what to do in the kitchen with a mother like Euphemia) in Pandora's place, and the girl would become a chef patissier, (who in the first plan was missed because Regulus insisted that she should be his sous.) Anyway. Regulus will tell James about the plan. Maybe one day…
James, on the other hand, had learned everything from Euphemia, who, together with her husband, owned one of the most famous restaurants in the city and had worked as head chef there for years with renamed awards and even a star. He also loved cooking. He cooked since he was…four? Maybe five. Cooking at the Potter’s house was something important and something to do with love, and to do it with people you trust the most.
James smiled widely as he cut up what Regulus and he had cooked to put on various plates.
“Do you think it needs more salt?” Regulus asked suddenly putting a spoon in front of his face, with some sauce he had made,
James tasted it and shook his head, his eyes widening. “It's delicious, Reg.”
“Kreacher taught me that. He says it’s Italian.” Regulus said happily as James brought the plate closer so he could put the sauce on,
“I think he hates me, you know?” Whispered James and Regulus looked at him confused,
“Who?”
“Kreacher.”
“No, he doesn't. He—he has refined tastes?” Regulus said searching for the right words,
“But he likes Barty!”
“Because he has known him longer.”
“Sure.” James said and Regulus smiled at him,
“If you want I can help you to be liked by him.” Said the boy before helping him carry the plates to the table, which the others had already set while James nodded,
“I’m gonna be his favorite.”
“You can try.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” James asked curiously
“Well, his favorite is Benjy. And maybe Pandora. But. Like I said, you can try.”
“Of course it’s Fenwick.” James said flatly signing as Regulus was thinking,
“I think he has never cooked like he cooked the night he met him. Except for Dora.”
“Oh, c’mon. Really?”
“Yeah.” Answered Regulus nodding, “Pretty sure about that, actually. But I’m sure you can…you know, become his friend?” Regulus said shrugged his shoulders as James press his lips into a thin line.
“Have you finished doing your things?” Sirius asked as soon as he saw them entering in the room and Regulus rolled his eyes ignoring him while Remus whispered something in his ear which made Sirius roll his eyes too, who went to sit at the table.
“How are things at Hogwarts? I heard there was an accident?” Asked Regulus after a while curiously while the guys were now sitting at the table,
“Nothing serious. Just a bunch of guys decided it was fun to annoy the Whomping Willow and—woah. This is delicious.” Remus said after tasting the plate cooked by the two of them. Sirius looked at his plate and tasted it and was truly surprised. It was delightful. And it was all done in what, 25 minutes? By James and Regulus working together?
“It's so freaking good guys. You're a great couple of chefs.” Peter said choosing his words carefully as Regulus sent him a not at all friendly look.
“So? Pads? What do you think?” James asked instead, turning towards his best friend who was eating slowly,
“It's okay.”
“Sirius.” Remus said in a bored tone and Sirius sighed,
“Okay, it's good. It's really good. Happy?” Sirius said as James' face lit up happily and his brother gave him a satisfied nod.
“Here's another thing I can do better than you.”
“The only thing.”
“It is not true.”
“It is.”
“I'm better at flying than you, I got higher grades than you in the past, I can cook better than you, and really, I could go on forever.”
“You're no better at flying than me, Reggie.”
“And I have better hair than you.” He concluded ignoring what his brother said, who gasped,
“That is not true.”
“It is.”
“In your dreams.”
“In your nightmares.”
“I hate you.”
“Me too.”
“Oh, I—”
“You both have a fucking great hair, so stop it, and eat.” Remus said as Peter snorted a laugh,
“My hair is prettier.” Sirius said, giving Remus a sharp look, who rolled his eyes,
“Yeah, whatever. Just eat.”
“I told you.” Sirius said satisfied while Regulus looked at him boredly,
“Of course he would have said that, he's your fucking boyfriend.”
“It's just a fact.”
“Oh, really? Just a fact? Pettigrew, who has the best hair?”
“Oh, no. I'm not doing this. I know how it will end.” Peter said and Regulus slowly turned to James,
“Potter?” Regulus asked and James looked at him with wide eyes as Sirius turned to him,
“Prongs?”
“You two have the best hair I know.” James said nodding, looking first at one and then at the other, while Peter was definitely enjoying the show,
“Yes, James, thank you. But who has the best?” Regulus asked, tilting his head and slowly batting his eyelashes and his eyes—oh, fuck, he already knew what he was going to say before he could stop himself.
“Regulus.” James breathed, watching Regulus instantly smile in satisfaction, proud of himself, while Peter laughed softly and Sirius gasped offended,
“Prongs!”
"See? Facts.”
“I'm sorry Pads, I—”
“You were supposed to say me, not him! The betrayal!”
“Well,” James began, looking at Regulus, before turning to Sirius, “Remus said you, so it seemed right—”
“It's not about right!”
“Fact. That's what it is.” Regulus said happily while Sirius shook his head,
“We're even. It's up to Pete to decide.”
“I agree.”
“Wormtail?”
“I abstain.”
“You can’t—”
“I can and I’ll do it.”
“Oh, you can’t—”
“Yeah, you—”
“La la la la la.”