Bright Water

When James was a child, his mother told him that the water looked so bright because the sun was shining on it. He didn't understand what she meant back then. But the moment he found Regulus kneeling beside a small kitten, he understood the meaning of his mother's wise words.

June 1982

The wind blew through the quiet streets of London, only interrupted by the sound of their footsteps and occasional laughter. The air was filled with a blend of floral scents and a light breeze from a nearby lake. A faint hum of insects in the warm evening air and distant laughter from open windows created a sense of peace and camaraderie. James lightly kicked a small stone on the road and glanced at Sirius, who walked beside him with his hands deeply buried in his beloved black leather jacket. They had left Frank and Alice’s – their newlywed friends – house a little over a fifteen minutes ago. Alice had served a delicious multi-course dinner to celebrate their new bought house, which she proudly presented with Frank's help. They had sat at a long wooden table in the couple's cozy living room, surrounded by soft lamps and familiar pictures. Laughter had filled the room as stories were shared, and old memories were revived. Sirius and James had left the house with a warm feeling in their stomachs, walking slowly down the quiet street where the streetlights cast long shadows on the asphalt.

Tired of the silence and desperate to break it, James said, “That was a good dinner, wasn't it? Alice really has a talent for pies!”

Sirius nodded. “Yeah, and Frank seems to be thriving in marriage. It's good to see them happy.” They walked in silence for a while before James suddenly stopped in front of a poster plastered on the wall of a nearby cinema. The colorful poster announced the premiere of 'Star Trek 2,' and James' eyes lit up at the sight. The neon yellow light from the cinema sign reflected in his glasses, giving him an almost dreamy look. He turned to his best friend and clapped his hands excitedly, almost squealing with delight.

“Look there! 'Star Trek 2' is coming out tomorrow!”

Sirius raised an eyebrow and looked at the poster. His face shifted from curiosity to a kind of dissatisfaction when he saw his younger brother Regulus' name among the actors. He tightened his lips and looked away. He had hardly seen Regulus since he was 16 and Reg was 15. Regulus had hurt parts of him that Sirius didn't know could be hurt. Regulus had chosen them over him.

"Oh, great. Another reason to avoid the cinema." Sirius tried to sound playful, but his voice cracked.

James, who had known him since they were 11, immediately understood why Sirius was reluctant to see the film.
“Come on, Sirius. It's 'Star Trek'! We love that series. Plus, I've heard the movie is really good. Can’t we just go and see it without thinking about who's in it?"

The sound of Sirius’ dramatic sigh brought a genuine smile to James’ face. “Fuck you, James! You're really using my weakness for sci-fi against me, aren't you? How low can you go, Prongs?”

“I’m willing to go as low as it takes to get you to come along. Come on, it'll be fun.” James still smiled, but this time it was a more teasing smile. The kind he knew would make Sirius consider it. And he was right. Sirius frowned and looked back at the poster.

"What if he finds out we’re saw it? I don't want him to think I'm there to support him."

"He's in Hollywood, he’ll never know. And honestly, I'm more interested in the film than in him.”

Sirius still looked skeptically at the poster. James could see how his friend wrestled with the thought of supporting his brother, even indirectly. But he also knew that Sirius' love for science fiction and his stubborn nature would win out in the end. Sirius’ face went from frustration to consideration. He turned to James with a half-smile, his eyes glinting slightly in the faint light from the street lamps.

"Okay, okay. But if it gets too much, we leave. And you owe me a big beer afterward!”

James laughed. “Deal. And popcorn with extra butter, right?"

Now Sirius laughed too. They started walking again. This time in silence, but a comfortable one. After a few minutes, it was Sirius who broke the silence. “What if he’s actually good in the movie? I’ll never hear the end of it."

James shrugged. “If he’s good, then the movie is just even better. If not, then we have something to laugh about afterward. It’s a win-win.”

“You always have a plan, don’t you?” Sirius laughed before continuing, “I just hope it doesn't end up annoying me more than necessary."

"We'll see. No matter what, we've had a good evening. That's what counts."

The warm June evening was filled with a pleasant breeze, welcome against James' face as he and Sirius walked down the quiet street. The stars began to twinkle in the sky, and the soft glow of the streetlights gave a feeling of calm and safety. James cast a quick glance at Sirius, who walked by his side. Sirius’ face was lit by a relaxed smile, indicating deep satisfaction. It was clear he had enjoyed the evening and the warm hospitality that Frank and Alice had shown. James had lived with Sirius since he was sixteen, and it was a joy for him to see how Sirius considered himself part of the family. James broke the silence again with a smile and a light laugh.

"So, what do you think of Frank and Alice’s new house? I think they’ve done a really good job." He looked at Sirius with a satisfied glow in his eyes.

Sirius laughed lightly and nodded. "Yeah, it’s really impressive. I remember when we were younger, and they lived in a small apartment. Now it’s like they’ve got a bloody castle!"

James laughed along, but then his face became a bit more serious. "Yeah, it's really a huge change. But they deserve it, they've worked so hard."

Sirius gave James a crooked smile and nudged him with his elbow. "You know what I found most interesting? How Frank still talks the same way. He can talk about soccor for hours without running out of breath."

James laughed, a heartfelt, relaxed laugh. "I know what you mean. I think he could hold a whole debate about techniques and still be as enthusiastic as when we were in school."

Sirius nodded with a laugh. "And then Alice, who always manages to turn every dish into a fucking adventure! I’m still fascinated by her ability to make everything taste like magic."

James looked at Sirius with a crooked smile. "Yeah, she really has a gift. I think we all have something to learn from her ability to make ordinary things feel special."

They walked a little further, and James could feel how Sirius’ relaxed attitude and smile affected the mood. They had talked about simple, everyday things, but there was a feeling of deep connection between them.

“Well ... I asked Alice if she would still help with our concerts, you know, now that she's married. She said yes.”

Sirius squealed, “Really? I love having her around! We’d be lost without her and Frank!”

As they approached James’ house-their-house, Sirius turned to him with a small smile. James could see a sense of relief in Sirius' face, an indication that he enjoyed the warm and relaxed air between them. James couldn't help but notice how Sirius’ eyes shone with well-being. It was clear that Sirius appreciated this time where they could share their thoughts and laugh together. It was a part of their friendship that James always cherished.

They walked up the driveway, and James noticed the quiet joy radiating from Sirius. Sirius had always had a knack for making any moment special, and today was no exception. As they reached the entrance to James' house, James took out his keys and began to unlock the door. Sirius looked at him with a small, grateful smile, showing how much he appreciated the warm and welcoming atmosphere that filled James' home. James opened the door and was greeted by the familiar scent of home, a mix of books, a hint of coffee, and the cozy, warm light from the indoor fireplace. They walked in, and James could feel a slight excitement in the air from the day's conversation and what they had planned for the next day. He headed toward the living room, and Sirius followed. James noticed how Sirius’ shoulders slowly relaxed and how his face filled with a peace that could only come from being around people he loved and trusted.

"Hey, I have something you might like," said James, pulling a small box from the cabinet. "I found some old film equipment that I thought we could look at. A bit of a nostalgic end to a good evening."

Sirius' eyes lit up with curiosity, and he looked at James with an attention that showed his interest in what James had planned. James had found his father's old projector and some 8mm films that he thought would be a fun way to end the evening.

"Nostalgia? That sounds like a fantastic idea," said Sirius with a broad smile. "Let's see what your father recorded."

James set up the projector, and they began to roll the films. It was a mix of old home videos and nature documentaries, and they laughed together as they watched clips of James as a child chasing butterflies and playing football with his father. It was a break from the day's activities and a reminder of the simple joys they could find in small moments.

Sirius and James sat close on the sofa. It was rare that they had such quiet, relaxing moments together, and James greatly appreciated them. Sirius looked at James with a grateful expression, and James knew they both enjoyed this time together. When the movie ended, James looked at Sirius with a satisfied smile as he began to get ready for bed.
"Goodnight, Sirius. I look forward to tomorrow," James said, patting Sirius on the shoulder. "We have an exciting day ahead of us."

Regulus Black sat in front of the mirror in his bedroom, examining his reflection critically. His room was a symphony of dark colors, with black and dark green dominating the decor. On his nightstand lay a book and a pack of cigarettes, a testament to his melancholic nature. Regulus's piano stood in the corner, covered in sheet music and scribbles from his recent attempts at composing. His left hand, adorned with silver rings, tapped lightly on the table's surface as he waited for Pandora to finish with the makeup. Pandora Rosier stood beside him, her hands working quickly and precisely. She was deeply focused, her eyes darting between the various makeup products and Regulus's face. Her long hair fell around her shoulders, and her calm, almost dreamy expression created a soothing atmosphere in the room.

"Reg," Pandora began cautiously, "you know you look amazing, right?"

Regulus raised an eyebrow and glanced at her. "Do you mean that, or are you just trying to reassure me?" His tone was sarcastic, but there was a gentle warmth in his voice that he only used with his closest friends.

Pandora chuckled softly. "I really mean it. You have that mysterious, captivating aura that no one can ignore."

Regulus shrugged lightly and let a rare smile play on his lips. "Thanks, Pandora. I’d probably manage without you, but it’s nice to have you here."

Pandora smiled, her hands continuing their work. "You’re right, you’d do fine. But I’m also happy to be here."

Regulus regarded her for a moment before turning his gaze back to his reflection. "Imagine being a Black and having to worry about something as trivial as makeup," he muttered half to himself. "But I want to make a good impression tonight."

Pandora nodded understandingly. "You’ll do fantastic, Regulus. This is your night."

Regulus let out a sigh. He could feel the weight of expectations from his family, but also his own hopes and dreams. "I just hope everything goes well."

Pandora reached out and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Of course, it will go well, Regulus. You are your own toughest critic."

Regulus took a deep breath and nodded. "You’re right. As always."

Pandora smiled and returned to her work. "Let’s finish up. You’re going to dazzle the world."

She carefully applied eyeliner to Regulus. Her own reflection was almost as focused as his. Regulus glanced at himself in the mirror and shrugged. "Do you think they’ll notice anything?" he asked dryly, referring to his polished appearance.

Pandora rolled her eyes but smiled slightly. "If they don’t, then they’re blind," she replied, reaching for another makeup brush.

He smirked slightly, but his face otherwise remained neutral. "As long as they don’t die of boredom."

Pandora laughed softly, a sound that filled the room with brief warmth. "You know you have that effect on people, Reg. They never quite know what to expect."

He rolled his eyes, but a hint of satisfaction was detectable behind his sarcastic facade. "Perfect. It’s always good to keep them on their toes."

She stepped back to examine her work and nodded with satisfaction. "Done. What do you think?"

Regulus let his eyes scan his reflection. His dark clothing, adorned with subtle yet elegant details, stood in stark contrast to his pale skin and silver jewelry. Pandora's makeup highlighted his already intense eyes, giving him an even more enigmatic appearance. His black shirt and dark green jacket with detailed embroidery, which Pandora had found specifically for this evening, made him look like a shadow ready to step into the light.

"It works," he said shortly as he stood up and stretched a bit. His skin still felt cold under his clothes, but his heart was racing with anticipation. He reached for a cigarette, but Pandora grabbed his wrist and shook her head lightly.

"Not yet. You need to be ready for the premiere first."

He pulled his hand back and nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But afterward..."

Pandora nodded and packed up her things. "Of course."

He looked at Pandora. A girl he had known since his early teenage years, a girl who didn’t question bruises, but understood. A girl who was always ready to help, a girl who was no longer a girl but had transformed into a young, beautiful woman. She would find happiness one day.

"Thank you, Pandora. For everything."

She nodded and packed up her things. "Always, Regulus. Always."

Regulus cast one last glance in the mirror, adjusted his hair, and walked toward the door. He was ready for the premiere of 'Star Trek 2,' ready to show the world who he truly was. He could feel the nervousness mixing with excitement, but he was determined to make this evening unforgettable.

He stepped out of his room, ready to face the world with a confidence as sharp as his gaze. They walked through the large, old building that had been his home for the last couple of months. That was over now, he could finally go home. His shoes made almost no sound on the polished wooden floors. Pandora walked by his side, her own steps light and almost floating. She cast quick glances up at Regulus, observing his calm exterior and knowing that behind it lay a volcano of emotions he never allowed himself to show.

When they reached outside, a limousine was waiting to take them to the premiere. Regulus paused for a moment to enjoy the cool air against his skin, feeling its cold kiss on his already cold skin. He closed his eyes and inhaled the fresh air that only summer rain could create. He leaned into the scent and momentarily forgot the outside world.

"Are you ready?" Pandora asked gently.

Regulus composed himself and nodded. "As ready as I can be."

They walked together to the car, and the driver opened the door for them. Regulus got in, followed by Pandora. As the door closed behind them and the car began to move, Regulus leaned back and closed his eyes for another moment. He knew this night would be a challenge, but he was ready. Ready to face the world with an impenetrable facade and a heart that beat for what he loved most: art, drama, and the eternal quest for justice. With a sigh, he turned his gaze to Pandora and said with quiet determination,

"Tonight is not just a premiere; it’s my chance to prove that what dwells in the shadows can shine brighter than any star. So let the shadows dance and the stars shine – for tonight, for the first time, I am no longer just part of the backdrop, but the very performance itself."