I love you too, James.

4 — Gerberas and Daisies — An arrangement of gerberas and daisies symbolizes joy, happiness, innocence and new beginnings. Gerberas, with their vibrant colors, represent vivacity and positive energy, while daisies evoke purity and simplicity. Together, these flowers create a delightful combination that conveys a message of hope and optimism, making them perfect for celebrating special moments and bringing a smile to someone's face.

When I opened the Blacks' door, the last thing I thought I would see were dozens of pairs of eyes looking my way, and, unfortunately, most of them had red hair. 

The Weasley family was the one who welcomed the Blacks when they fled their own blood family, they were the ones who practically adopted the dark-skinned people for themselves and treated them as blood of their own, giving them affection and security for many years, until the present day. Today they are a united and loving family. 

For the Black's, the Weasley's were a blessing, angels being thrown into their lives, and I love them for that, so much so that I've lived with them all for years. 

But right now, the Weasley's and their ridiculous number of people per square meter are a curse to me, because they're staring at me as if they could, without much difficulty, measure my height just by looking, so they could make a grave the same size as me in the backyard.   

— Err, hi? — I said, closing the door behind me, however, it sounded more like a question, because I was really confused at that moment, mainly because of the way that family, which was always so noisy, was silently watching me — Where is Regulus? — I asked, noticing that there were all the cousins ​​and Sirius, who was sitting on the first steps of the stairs, but neither Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, nor Ted and Andy and much less Regulus were present, and when the said person was mentioned For me, I received increasingly sharp looks — Um, Sirius? — I called my best friend, but he just had a shit-eating grin on his face, which usually meant trouble for me — Could someone please say something, because I don't deal well with silence and you guys are making me nervous — man request was clearly denied as everyone continued to stare at me, and looking around the room, all my means of escape were being blocked by Weasley's and a bloody Black who was getting closer and closer to losing his title of heart brother. 

— Oh, God, stop it, what did I tell you? It's just James — the tense silence was interrupted by the small red-haired woman, who pushed Bill and Charlie away from the kitchen passage, so that she herself could pass, with her huge pregnant belly. And I thanked God, sighing, because I was seriously thinking about opening the door, which was my only means of escape, and going to wait for Regulus in the car. 

— Hello, Mrs. Weasley, how are you and little Ronizinho? — I asked, being received by a big hug, a little awkward because of her belly, but equally loving, accompanied by a kiss on each cheek, and bending down slightly to kiss her belly and greet the baby. 

— Small? He'll be huge — she said, but had a satisfied smile on her face, running her hand lightly over her 7-and-a-half-month-old belly.

— I'm sure so — it was true, everyone in that family, except Mrs. Weasley herself, were tall, like Fred and George, even at 14 years old, were almost taller than me, and I'm not a short person, and some, like Charlie and Bill, were muscular.

— Oh, dear, is this for Regulus? — She pointed to the flowers that I had forgotten were in my hand, and then I nodded quickly — How lovely, James, it's very thoughtful of you to bring him flowers, I'm sure he'll love them.

— I hope so, Mrs. Weasley — he said, smiling awkwardly at the woman's praise. 

— It's not the first bouquet he's brought for Regulus, Molly, I think this might even be the sixth or seventh — Andy said, also appearing from the kitchen door, being accompanied by Ted and Arthur and I suddenly felt much safer about my physical integrity, and no longer at a disadvantage. 

— Eighth, I counted — Ted said, wrapping his arms around Andy, who leaned against him — James really likes giving flowers to Regulus.

— Yes, there's even a bet going on — she laughed, and I looked at her.

— What bet? I asked. 

— It's about you, big head, you can't know, obviously — Andy rolled his eyes and I rolled along with him. 

— Of course — I scoffed, but my attention was caught by Molly, who was stopping Arthur from taking her to sit somewhere, while touching my arm to get my attention. 

— I'm sorry about my children, I'm sure I raised them right, they just have a little off-track personality, but I'm sure we'll have an interesting conversation when we get home — Molly said, and that made me welcome each time more nasty looks. 

— No, Mrs. Weasley, it's okay — I said, wanting more than anything to get off the bad side of those red-haired demons.  

— Oh, honey, don't worry, I'll deal with it later, but it's nice of you to try to smooth things over for them — she said, and little does she know that I just wanted to get out of trouble. And then, suddenly, she reached out and cupped my cheeks once more, and I leaned over her, so that she wouldn't struggle so much. — You're a charming young man, James, and I'm sure you'll take great care of Regulus, Well, as you've been taking cares of he all these years, I didn't worry about anything at the moment, I just wish you happiness — she said, this time looking directly into my eyes, in such a maternal and comfortable manner, that I almost cried. 

I hugged her once again, this time from the side, and a little tighter than before.

— Thank you very much for your vote of confidence, Mrs. Weasley, it means a lot — I whispered, just so she could hear, and she kissed my cheek. 

— No way, dear — she said, and then let herself be pulled by her husband towards the armchair in the living room, which was previously occupied by Percy, who got up quickly, now leaning against the arm of the armchair, and then, Arthur, from where he was, in the centre of the room, turned to me. 

— She's right, son, you're a kind and charming young man — Arthur said, with his characteristic easy smile, ignoring the soft "When am I not?" from your wife — You are a respectful young man and will have a bright future. Congratulations on Oxford, in fact, I was working when the party took place and I couldn't attend — he wished, extending his hand, which I promptly grabbed with my free hand. 

— Don't worry, sir, thank you — he said sincerely. Everyone knew that Mr Weasley's role in the government was, despite being well paid, demanding.

— We're glad you chose Regulus, son, I hope someday you have what I was lucky enough to have, and as much as I'm sure you already know, I hope you take care of him, son — he said, and his eyes were kind enough to know it was something he wanted from the bottom of his heart. 

But all the other Weasley's that were surrounding him, sending the clear message and “you better look after him, otherwise…” still gave him some goosebumps.    

Then, swallowing hard, I smiled and replied. 

— I thank you for your trust and support, Lord, and I hope that someday we will have something much better than what you have, and I will fight to make that happen — I said, feeling better because of the smile he gave me — And about taking care of him, well, I'd do my best to ensure his happiness, and I'll take care of him as best I can, sir, just don't tell him, I'm not sure he'd like to hear that he needs a babysitter — I joked at the end, hoping to ease the tense atmosphere that was brewing installed in the room with this conversation. 

— Too late — Regulus' voice comes through, and all eyes are drawn to the stairs, where Regulus was not so delicately moving Sirius out of his way.

I felt vindicated. 

Regulus was obviously beautiful. 

With black pants tight on the hips, a tight white blouse with white sneakers with some red details, and to top it off and the cause of my small heart attack, my hockey team captain's jacket, which I was sure I had lost, but apparently I was just robbed.  

Regulus was walking with my name on his back. 

The smile that adorned my lips could outshine the sun. 

— Well, I think I can handle the consequences of this — I said, moving toward him, drawn closer to him, as if he were the damn nucleus of an atom and I were its electrosphere.

— I'm sure you do — he said, laughing when I took his hand, but I knew it was a facade because his cheeks were red. 

— You are handsome.

— You always say that — he replied, embarrassed, looking around at his entire family who were staring at us, but I just didn't care. 

— Well, it's hard not to say that when you're you — he laughed when the blush that was previously minimal ran down his neck. 

God, it was so easy to make him blush. 

— Don't flirt in front of me, otherwise I'll throw up — Sirius said, but I ignored him. He more than deserved it. 

— For you — I let go of his hand to give him the flowers, and he smiled as he smelled them. 

— Thank you — he says. 

— That's sickening, I swear, I'm going to get cavities — said Nymphadora and everyone in the room laughed at the little pest's comment.

— Yes, daughter, I agree. Here, give this to me, I'll put it in a vase, change the last one you got — said Andy, rolling his eyes, approaching and taking the bouquet from Regulus' hand, then pushing us with his free hand towards the door — Go, go, it's your first date, so get out of here.

— Be responsible, and don't do anything I wouldn't do — Sirius shouted from where he was, while Regulus opened the door for me to pass, and I smiled gratefully.

— That's not even remotely a good parameter, Sirius — Regulus said before closing the door, cutting off his brother's protest — So, did they scare you? — he asked as we started walking to the car.

— Completely, I would have run away to wait for you in the car if it hadn't been for Mrs Weasley — I laughed, unlocking the doors so we could get in. 

— I was ready for at least 20 minutes, but they insisted on keeping me up there — he rolled his eyes, putting on his seat belt, and I did the same before starting the car, driving off. 

— In fact, I thought I lost this jacket, like, two weeks ago — I pointed out, and he didn't even look guilty, in fact, he looked pleased. 

— It looks better on me, anyway, and I don't plan on returning it — he warned, turning on the radio and wandering through the stations until he found one that he liked. 

— I never said I wanted you back — I replied, and it was true — I like that you have my name on you.

— You better be happy with the jacket, because I refuse to tattoo your name — he said, and I looked quickly, a little offended. 

— Why? I have a beautiful name. 

— Why not.

— This is not an answer. 

— James, we're not having this conversation. 

— I would tattoo your name — I said, but he only hummed in response. 

— Oh, actually — Regulus said, catching my attention. 

— I love you too, James — he said, and I sighed happily, taking my hand out of gear to squeeze his leg in response. 

We sat in comfortable silence for a while before I remembered anything. 

— What bet is this going on in my name? — I say, suddenly, breaking the silence, and I only have a loud laugh in response. 

Not that I mind. 

—

To tell the truth, my first meeting with Regulus was like many other times we've gone out before. 

We went to our favourite restaurant, Candelo Lounge, because we didn't feel like going anywhere new. It's a simple place, the classic atmosphere of an old diner, founded in the 50s, but it has the best burger in the region, and it's something that none of us mere mortals can deny.

When we got there we sat down in our usual seat, we were greeted by Lolla, the waitress who always serves us, so we simply ordered what we always do, and looks like it always does. We talk, we laugh, we joke, we tease each other, we argue, I steal his potatoes and leave him my juice soda, because I never finish it and he likes it better anyway, and it's good, it's comfortable, and it's so worldly , something we do so often that the meeting title seems to lose its weight. 

And that's not a bad thing, you know? 

There's not that nervous air when you need to meet someone, when you walk on eggshells and try to show the best version of yourself, even if unconsciously, I don't need to praise him because that's what people do on the first date, I praise him because I want him to know how beautiful he is, I don't worry about what I'll say, because he's my best friend, he knows all my secrets and the ugliest parts of me, he's already dealt with the worst versions of me, and he's still here, and he chose to stay. 

In general, everything is the same, the laughter, the conversations, our stupid game of trying to guess the lives of strangers, how we split the dessert because he doesn't like the cream and I don't like the filling, but we both like the dough, the way we played “Rock, paper and scissors” to see who would pay the bill, like every other time.  

But what changes, what makes this really a date, our first date, are the little things, it's the way our feet are intertwined, the way we sit a little closer than usual, the way we no longer look away. , which we didn't even do before, or how Regulus kindly showed a girl interested in me, that I wasn't available, by giving me a light kiss. No one notices the way Regulus holds my hand, or how I push him into the alley next to the diner, so I can kiss him without anyone seeing.

And if anyone noticed, they didn't care.