Rings of Intrigue

The opening ceremony yesterday had been an eye-opener, but it was not just the grandeur of the event or the anticipation of the competition that had left a lasting impression on James. It was Regulus, the quiet, enigmatic presence that seemed to pull at him, making it impossible to look away. He was nearly embarrassed by how much space Regulus had preoccupied in his brain. It had been no longer than a day and James could not let the man leave his thoughts, no matter how hard he tried.

The following morning, James headed to the gym with Mary. As they walked through the village, passing other athletes preparing for the day ahead, James felt a strange sense of anticipation building inside him. He found himself scanning the crowd of athletes with a specific purpose, his eyes seeking out Regulus, even though he knew he should not. Despite his best efforts, his gaze sought out the younger Black brother as if drawn by some invisible force. But no matter how hard he tried he could not find Sirius's younger brother anywhere.

“So, are you watching Sirius’s competition today?” Mary asked as they entered the gym. James nearly laughed at this. Would he, Sirius’s best friend, be watching his swimming competition? Did Mary even need to ask?

“Mary, he is my best friend that I have known forever. Do you think I would miss this?” James answered, chuckling. Without a word Mary began laughing, making James laugh as well. After about a minute, the two had calmed down from their laughing fit.

“God, well you know, maybe you had other things planned.”

“Well, Mary, my plans are to watch Sirius swim later today. You really should come, maybe even bring Lily if you would like.”

“Yeah, I will ask here,” Mary replied as they stepped into the gym.

After the two had changed into their gym clothes and walked over towards the stair masters it did not take long before James spotted him. Regulus was standing near the free weights with his teammates. The moment James laid eyes on Regulus, a strange tightening gripped his chest.

Regulus was talking with Barty Crouch Jr. and Evan Rosier, two other members of the French team. James knew their names from the news who had loved the two new upcoming fencers. The trio seemed engrossed in conversation, their expressions relaxed and familiar. From the way Barty leaned in, his posture casual yet intent, it was clear that he was in some capacity flirting with Regulus. The sight made James’s stomach twist. Perhaps it was the easy camaraderie between the three, the way Regulus laughed at something Barty said, his expression momentarily lightening from its usual cool detachment. That laugh, rare and genuine, sent an unexpected pang through James’s chest, a pang that felt uncomfortably like jealousy. He wanted to make Regulus laugh, he wanted to be the reason that the pretty face of his lit up.

James tried to shake the feeling, tried to remind himself that this was absurd. Why did he care who Regulus was laughing with? And yet, he did care. Too much. The thought of Regulus and Barty, standing so close, sharing private jokes and easy smiles, gnawed at him. It felt like a betrayal of something that had not even begun—a foolish notion that he had no right to entertain.

"James? You okay?" Mary's voice cut through his thoughts, pulling him back to the present.

James blinked, realising he had been staring. He tore his gaze away from the trio and turned to Mary, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I’m fine. Just… thinking."

Mary raised an eyebrow, her expression one of mild concern. "You sure? You’ve been a bit off since we got here."

James wanted to brush it off, to pretend that everything was fine, but the weight of his thoughts made it difficult. He knew Mary was observant, that she could sense when something was bothering him. But how could he explain this? How could he put into words the confusing mix of emotions swirling inside him?

"Yeah," James repeated, his voice firmer this time. "Just got a lot on my mind. Sirius’s competition, you know."

Mary did not look entirely convinced, but she let it go. "Well, we should probably warm up, maybe you will feel better afterwards."

As they began their stretches, James could not help but sneak glances in Regulus’s direction. The younger Black was now focused on his workout, lifting weights with a quiet intensity that only seemed to add to his allure. Each movement was precise, controlled, and there was something mesmerising about the way Regulus carried himself, a quiet confidence that seemed to draw people in without effort. Yesterday Regulus had seemed shy and out of place, but now with his friends by his side he was a different person. He was not the angry person who had started the fight the first day or the one yesterday who tried to impress his fellow French team mates in the gym.

James tried to focus on his own exercises, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Regulus. The memory of that laugh, that brief moment of unguarded emotion, played over and over in his mind. It was a side of Regulus he had not seen before, a glimpse of something more human beneath the cool, composed exterior. And it made him want to see more.
But the sight of Barty leaning in close, his hand brushing against Regulus’s arm, pulled James back to reality. There was something undeniably intimate about their interaction, something that made James’s chest ache in a way he did not want to acknowledge. He knew he was being irrational, that he had no claim over Regulus, but the jealousy burned all the same. The internal conflict grew with each passing moment, but the more he tried to push the thoughts away, the stronger they became. There was something about Regulus that was different, something that James couldn’t quite define but knew he needed to explore.

As they finished their warm-up, Mary nudged him playfully. "Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been quiet today."

James nodded, trying to sound more convincing this time. "Yeah, I told you I was fine."

"Right," Mary said, though there was a knowing look in her eyes. She followed his gaze once more, and this time, James knew she’d caught on. But instead of saying anything, she simply smiled. "Let’s focus on the workout."

James nodded, grateful for the distraction. But as they moved through their exercises, his thoughts kept drifting back to Regulus, Barty’s lingering touch on his arm, and the laughter they shared. The tension in his chest grew, and he realised that this—whatever this was—was not going to be easy to ignore. This would just add to the already enormous part of his brain that Regulus was already occupying. He watched as Regulus and Barty moved through their workout, the way they seemed so comfortable around each other, so in sync. Every shared look, every small touch, felt like a punch to James’s gut. He told himself he was imagining things, that there was nothing between them, but the doubt lingered. What if there was something more? What if Regulus had already chosen someone else?

The thought made James’s heart sink, a heavy, uncomfortable feeling that settled in his chest. He had no right to feel this way, no reason to be jealous. Regulus was different from anyone he had ever been drawn to before, and the idea of losing him before he even had a chance felt unbearable.

As the minutes ticked by, the gym started to empty out, athletes finishing their workouts and heading off to their next activities. Regulus, Bary and Even had left the gym only minutes before James and Mary wrapped up their session. James’s mind was still elsewhere, his thoughts tangled up in a mess of emotions he did not know how to untangle. "James," Mary said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder as they wandered towards the exit. "If you need to talk about anything, I’m here, you know."

James looked at her, seeing the concern in her eyes, and felt a pang of guilt. She was right—he was not himself today, and it was because of something he could not even admit to himself, let alone to anyone else.

"Thanks, Mary," he said, managing a small smile. "I’ll be fine. I just hope Sirius is okay and that he will do well.

Mary nodded, but her expression remained worried. "Okay. I’m sure Sirius will do well. But don’t hesitate if you feel like speaking about anything else, alright?"

"I won’t," James promised, though he was not sure if he could keep that promise. “Also, I think I'm going to have a shower here.”

“Okay, well I’ll see you later then.”

As they parted ways, Mary headed back to the village while James stayed behind. He however found himself wandering aimlessly. His mind was still a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, and he knew he needed to sort through them before they overwhelmed him completely. Without really thinking about it, James headed for the locker rooms. The gym had mostly cleared out by now, and the locker room was quiet, a stark contrast to the noise and activity outside. The silence was a welcome relief, giving James the space he needed to think.

He found an empty bench and sat down, running a hand through his hair in frustration. This was not like him—getting so caught up in something, or someone, that it distracted him from everything else. He had always been focused, driven, especially when it came to competition. But this… this was different.
Regulus was different.

James leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes as he tried to make sense of his feelings. Was it just attraction? Was it something more? And why did it hurt so much to see Regulus with someone else?

The more he thought about it, the more confused he became. He had always been confident in his decisions, in his choices, but now he felt like he was standing on the edge of something he did not fully understand, something that scared him more than he cared to admit.

But one thing was clear—he could not ignore this, no matter how much he wanted to. Whatever these feelings were, they were not going away. And that meant he needed to figure out what to do about them.

After a few minutes, James stood up and headed for the showers. The water was hot, almost scalding, but it did little to ease the tension in his muscles or the turmoil in his mind. He stood under the spray for a long time, letting the water wash over him, trying to let go of the thoughts that clung to him like a second skin.
When he finally stepped out of the shower, the locker room had a couple of athletes sitting on the bench and chatting, the sounds of the village outside muffled by the thick walls. James dried off quickly, pulling on his clothes with a sense of purpose. He did not have all the answers yet, but he knew he could not stay. He walked out of the gym and headed to the pool where Sirius’s competition was starting in just under 30 minutes.

–

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Olympic Village, Sirius Black was having a morning of his own. He had arrived at the poolside for a final practice session before his upcoming race, the water glimmering invitingly under the morning sun. As he approached the edge, he spotted a tall man, with a lean, almost wiry frame, dressed casually in a commentator's uniform. His hair was a tousled mix of brown and honey, with curls that seemed to have a mind of their own. There was something almost enigmatic about him, a quiet confidence that contrasted sharply with the exuberant energy of the athletes around them. His eyes were striking—a deep, contemplative hazel that hinted at layers of complexity and intelligence. It had to be the commentator Lily had mentioned and next to him was another shorter man, also dressed in a commentator uniform. The two were discussing the day's schedule, but Sirius could not help but notice how his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the warm expression contrasting with the usual seriousness of his demeanour.

The shorter man noticed Sirius approaching and with a quick nod of understanding, he excused himself, mumbling something about needing to get to the commentator's booth, leaving Sirius and this mysterious man alone by the water. He turned his gaze towards Sirius, who suddenly felt the breath hitch in his throat. This close, the man was even more striking, his presence understated yet magnetic.

"Hi," Sirius said, the word coming out more breathlessly than he intended.

"Hi. You're Sirius Black, right?" The man asked, his voice calm and smooth, a perfect match to the image Sirius had formed in his head.

"Yeah, that's me," Sirius replied, trying to sound casual. "And you are?” Sirius asked as his voice trailed off.

“Remus, Remus Lupin,” Remus answered with a smile plastered across his lips. “I’m guessing you’re ready for your race?"

"More or less," Sirius replied, trying to sound casual, though his heart was pounding in his chest. "Are you here to commentate?"

"Yes," Remus said, nodding. "Peter and I are covering this event. It should be a good race—lots of strong competitors." As they spoke the building was beginning to fill with spectators and the other swimmers.

Sirius chuckled, the tension in his chest easing slightly at the easy flow of conversation. "You mean Regulus, right? He’s been in top form, everyone is predicting him to win this and go straight to semifinals."

Remus tilted his head, his smile widening just a fraction. "He is impressive, but you’ve got a reputation too, Sirius. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out."

There was something in the way Remus said it—his voice soft but firm—that sent a thrill through Sirius. The air between them seemed to crackle with an energy that had nothing to do with the upcoming race. Sirius was not used to feeling this kind of nervous excitement, not before a race and certainly not because of someone he’d just met.

"I’ll try not to disappoint, then," Sirius said, unable to keep the grin off his face. He wanted to stay and talk more, to ask Remus about himself, to get to know the man behind those piercing eyes and that calm demeanour. But the race was looming, and Sirius knew he needed to focus.

"Good luck out there," Remus said, his smile lingering. "I'll be watching."

Sirius smiled back, his heart pounding. "Thanks. I'll try not to drown."

Remus laughed, the sound echoing pleasantly in the open space. "That would be a sight."

"I’d better go," Sirius said reluctantly, gesturing towards the pool where the other swimmers were starting to line up. "Can’t keep the competition waiting."

Remus nodded, though there was a glint of something in his eyes. "Good luck, Sirius. I’ll be watching."

"Thanks," Sirius replied, feeling that familiar rush of adrenaline as he turned to leave. But as he walked away, he glanced back over his shoulder, catching one last look at Remus before heading to the starting blocks.

The momentary distraction lingered in Sirius’s mind as he took his place on the edge of the pool, his feet pressing against the cool tiles. He was usually so focused, so in the zone before a race, but now his thoughts were split between the man he had just met and the brother he was about to compete against. He threw his towel, which he had thrown around his shoulders, onto the bench behind him. He pulled down his swimming goggles and began stretching.

Though, one thing was clear, he was distracted—seriously distracted. Standing at the edge of the pool, his heart still fluttering from his brief encounter with Remus, Sirius tried to focus on the race ahead. But the memory of those hazel eyes and that soft smile lingered, throwing off his concentration. Before they had to step onto the block Sirius’s eyes scanned his competition. Of course Regulus was there representing France and Frank, who was one of James's close friends, stood right next to him. However, other than that Sirius had no idea who the others were, only hearing their name in passing.

A whistle blew a long echoing tune and Sirius stepped up onto the block, taking a deep breath. He placed his hands on the end of the block, leaning forwards and adjusting his left foot to be behind him. This was it. The second of silence before Remus or his friend would begin the race.

Oh, Remus. Sirius thought once again drifted off towards the pretty man that he had met only today. Before Sirius could fully compose himself, Remus’s voice beamed through the speakers and the starting signal echoed through the stadium. In his distraction, he missed the beat, reacting a split second too late. Instead of launching himself into the water with his usual precision, Sirius’s foot slipped on the wet surface. In an instant, Sirius found himself plunging into the water with far less grace than he was known for. The stadium erupted in gasps, followed quickly by laughter as Sirius surfaced, floundering for a moment before he found his rhythm. The race was already in full swing, and he was several strokes behind.

Cursing under his breath, Sirius pushed himself harder than he ever had before. The water rushed past him, his arms and legs moving in perfect synchronisation as he fought to close the gap. But it was no use—Regulus was already far ahead, his strokes smooth and effortless as he glided through the water like a shark.

By the time Sirius kicked off the other side of the pool's wall and reached the final stretch, he had managed to claw his way into third place, an impressive feat considering his disastrous start. But as he touched the wall the reality of his situation hit him. Regulus had won, and Sirius had not—just because he had been too distracted by a fleeting encounter with someone he barely knew. As Sirius surfaced, gasping for breath, and looked up to see Regulus standing at the edge of the pool, his victory smile only added to the sting of defeat. The entire stadium seemed to pulse with excitement, the energy of the race still crackling in the air. Sirius hauled himself out of the water and threw his towel back over his shoulders, his muscles aching from the effort, but his mind was elsewhere. Remus had been watching, and Sirius wondered what he thought of his performance. He had to be disappointed.

Sirius glanced towards Regulus that was already being congratulated, a smug smile plastered on his face. The crowd was cheering, but Sirius’s ears were ringing with the memory of that laughter, with the sting of defeat. God he felt so stupid, that little slip up had nearly lost him a spot in the semifinals. Though Sirius had been fast, maybe not the fastest but still fast. There was no doubt in his mind that he was not going to qualify for the semifinals but only time would tell. Today was only the first heat of many and the possibility of him not ending up in the top 16 with the fastest time was scary to think about.

As he made his way to the changing area, he ended up walking past none other than his baby brother, who was now preoccupied talking with Barty and Evan, the three of them laughing together. The sight only fueled Sirius's frustration, the weight of the loss settling heavily on his shoulders. He changed quickly, trying to shake off the lingering disappointment. But then, as Sirius exited the changing room, he heard a voice behind him—calm, steady, and somehow soothing despite the chaos around them. "That was an incredible recovery."

Sirius turned to find Remus standing there, his expression unreadable but his eyes filled with something that made Sirius’s chest tighten. "Do you really think so?"

"Of course," Remus replied, his tone gentle. "You showed real determination out there. Third place isn’t anything to be ashamed of and a time of 48.42 seconds is still good."

Despite everything, Sirius found himself smiling. "Thanks," he said, feeling a warmth spread through him that had nothing to do with the race.

Before he could say more, James appeared, his usual cheerful expression as he placed his arm over Sirius's shoulder. "Sirius, mate, you were so good. Holy shit, the way you slipped and still managed to end up third. I am so proud!”

“James, I love you and I really appreciate the recognition, but I was just speaking to Remus here,” Sirius answered, jestering to Remus.

“Oh, sorry. Hi, I’m James! You are really pretty,” James babbled and reached for Remus's hand to shake it. Remus, not used to James's energy, could do nothing but blush and shake James hand back.

“Also we need to go Sirius! I know I’m kind of destroying your chances right now but you promised to help me with that errand, remember? I’ll meet you outside," and with that James turned around and began walking out.

Sirius’s heart sank, but he could not back out now. With a regretful sigh, he turned back to Remus. "I’m sorry about him, I love him, but he can be. A lot. But maybe we can talk more later?"

"I’d like that," Remus said, his eyes locking onto Sirius’s with an intensity that made Sirius’s cheeks heat up.

"Great," Sirius said, grinning despite himself. "Sorry and I’ll see you around." The race might not have gone the way Sirius had planned, but as he left the pool, there was a new kind of determination burning in his chest—one that had nothing to do with winning or losing, and everything to do with the enigmatic man who had completely thrown him off his game.

–

The same morning, when Regulus entered the gym he was not feeling like himself. The opening ceremony yesterday had been a spectacle, a grand display of colours and light that left him with an odd sense of detachment rather than awe. He should have been overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all—athletes from all over the world, each with their own dreams and aspirations, each striving for glory. But instead, Regulus had found himself lost in his thoughts, weighed down by the tension he carried with him everywhere he went.

The day had dawned too early, and with it came the awareness that today was the day—the 100-metre freestyle heat. It was not just any race; it was the race against Sirius, his older brother. The very thought of it was like a stone lodged in his chest, heavy and unyielding.

When he walked out of the dressing rooms, he spotted Barty and Evan near the free weights. A familiar, almost comforting sight. The two had been his closest friends for years, their bond forged through countless hours of training and competition. They were more than teammates; they were the closest thing to a family that Regulus had ever allowed himself to have.

"Finally," Barty said with a grin as Regulus approached. "We thought you were going to bail on us."

"Never," Regulus replied, though his voice lacked the usual sharpness. He tried to shake off the lingering tension, forcing himself to focus on the here and now. He could not afford to be distracted, not with so much at stake.

Evan handed him a towel, raising an eyebrow. "Are you ready for today?"

Regulus nodded, though he was not entirely sure if he was answering the question or trying to convince himself. "Of course, otherwise all those years of training were unnecessary."

They started their workout, the familiar rhythm of lifting weights and stretching helping to calm Regulus's racing thoughts. Barty, ever the joker, started their usual routine of banter, making offhand comments and jabs that Regulus returned with a smirk. It was a game they played, a form of flirting that had long since lost its edge, turning into something more akin to a private joke between friends.

Yet, as they bantered, Regulus felt eyes on him. He did not need to look to know who it was. James Potter. The weight of that gaze was almost palpable, like a warm presence pressing against his skin. It was not the first time he had felt it, and it certainly would not be the last. But today, it felt different—more intense, more invasive. He stole a glance in James's direction, catching the other man staring at them. A strange emotion flickered in James's eyes, something Regulus could not quite place but had a nagging suspicion about.

Regulus leaned closer to Barty, lowering his voice just enough to make it seem conspiratorial. "You’re such a tease," he said, his tone light, though his words were laced with a subtle challenge.

Barty chuckled, leaning in as well, their shoulders brushing. "Only because you make it so easy."

Their banter was harmless, nothing more than the comfortable exchange of two people who knew each other inside out. But to an outsider, especially someone like James who did not know the history behind their interactions, it might look like something more. And maybe that was why Regulus did not pull back, did not shy away from the little touches and smiles. Maybe, in some twisted way, he wanted James to think there was something more between him and Barty. Maybe it would make things easier if James thought that.

Because the truth was, there could not be anything between them. Not with James. Not with anyone. But especially not with Sirius’s best friend.

When Regulus glanced back at James, he saw a flash of something raw in his expression—jealousy, hurt, confusion. It made Regulus’s heart clench painfully, but he forced himself to look away, to focus on the weights in his hands and the rhythmic counting in his head. He had to stay focused.

After a few more sets, Regulus wiped the sweat from his brow and glanced at the clock. It was time to go. The swim meet was approaching, and he needed to get ready, both physically and mentally. He grabbed his towel and slung it over his shoulder, signalling to Barty and Evan that he was done.

"I’ll see you both at the pool," he said, his voice calm and steady, betraying none of the turmoil that churned beneath the surface.

As he left the gym, he could not resist one last glance in James’s direction. Their eyes met, and for a split second, everything else faded away—the gym, the competition, even the heavy weight of his unresolved issues with Sirius. But then Regulus forced himself to turn away, to walk out without another word. He could not afford to be distracted by James, not today, and not ever.

–

The atmosphere at the pool was electric by the time Regulus arrived. The stands were filled with spectators, their cheers and shouts echoing off the high ceilings. Regulus could feel the adrenaline starting to build in his veins, his heartbeat quickening as he walked to the locker room to change. The quiet solitude of the locker room was a welcome reprieve from the chaos outside, a chance to gather his thoughts before the race.

As he pulled on his swim cap and adjusted his goggles, his mind drifted, unbidden, back to James. He tried to shake the image away, but it clung stubbornly to the edges of his thoughts. He could still feel the weight of James's gaze from earlier, the way it had burned into him, making his skin prickle with awareness. It had been a long time since someone had looked at him like that—as if they saw something more than just the polished, controlled exterior he presented to the world.

But it was impossible. Any flicker of interest he might have felt had to be smothered, buried deep where it could not cause any damage. His relationship with Sirius was already fraught with tension, and the last thing he needed was to complicate things further by getting involved with James. Besides, there was a part of him that knew he did not deserve whatever it was that James might offer. Not after everything that had happened between him and Sirius.

As he stepped out onto the pool deck, the noise hit him like a wall, but he welcomed it. It was easier to focus on the roar of the crowd, the shimmer of the water, the feel of the cool tiles beneath his feet. He spotted Sirius at the other end of the pool, speaking to one of the commentators, his familiar grin plastered on his face. Regulus felt a pang of something— regret, longing, he was not sure. There had been a time when they had been close, when they had been brothers in more than just name. But that time had long since passed, buried under layers of resentment and silence.

He took his place at the starting block, positioning his feet just so, his hands gripping the edge as he leaned forward. The seconds before the start always felt like an eternity, the tension so thick he could almost taste it. But in those moments, everything else fell away—the worries, the fears, the gnawing sense of inadequacy. All that mattered was the race.

The whistle blew, and in a flash, he was airborne, his body slicing through the water with a precision born from years of practice. The world above the surface faded into a muted blur, leaving only the rhythmic pull and push of his muscles, the steady beat of his heart, the singular focus on reaching the other side.

For those few precious seconds, there was no Sirius, no James, no tangled web of emotions. There was only the race, the pure, unadulterated drive to win.

He powered through the water, his strokes smooth and efficient, his body moving in perfect harmony with the current. The turns were crisp, the push off the wall powerful, each movement bringing him closer to the finish. And despite everything, despite all the noise in his head, he found himself pulling ahead, inch by inch, until he could no longer see Sirius beside him.

And then, all too soon, it was over. He slammed his hand against the touchpad, the sound reverberating through the water as he broke the surface, gasping for air. This time, he knew—he had won. The deafening roar of the crowd confirmed it. Regulus had beaten Sirius.

He pulled himself out of the water, his muscles trembling with the effort, and grabbed his towel. He glanced over at Sirius, but his brother’s face was unreadable. There was no triumphant grin this time, no cocky smirk. Sirius just stared back at him, and for a moment, Regulus thought he saw something like pride in his brother’s eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Without a word, Regulus turned away, heading for the locker room with the cold, distant expression he had perfected over the years. Winning felt good, yes, but it was hollow, the victory overshadowed by the wall that still stood between them.

–

The congratulations were loud and immediate as Regulus exited the locker room. Barty and Evan were there, grinning from ear to ear as they clapped him on the back, their words a mix of praise and teasing.

"That was some race," Barty said, his eyes sparkling with pride. "You actually beat him."

"Bloody brilliant," Evan added, his tone just as encouraging. "We knew you had it in you."

Regulus managed a small smile, accepting their congratulations with a nod.