Chapter 1
James was sweating from the hot summer sun on his back.
He was lazing about on a beach in the south of France, where his mom and dad took him for summer break. They arrived just yesterday, but James already wished to go back. It was less warm in London. It was surprising how well he could handle the warm air in Spain, where he was from, but not here, in France.
James’ mom was grocery shopping with James’ best friend and brother, Sirius. They weren’t related by blood, but they were as close as people could possibly be. Sirius and James met in middle school, where they were put in the same classes for all of their years and bonded over being troublemakers. They went to the same highschool now. James and Sirius were both 17, but they had the minds of two year olds sometimes.
James didn’t know where his dad was. Fleamont Potter was a busy man. It wouldn’t surprise James if he found his dad working back in their vacation home.
So James was left all alone. He didn’t really mind being alone, it gave him the opportunities to meet new people. He was looking around the crowded beach and smiling at different people. There were kids laughing and screaming, chasing each other and building sand castles. There were parents who were looking at the kids lovingly and there were adults who were glaring at the kids. There were people sleeping in the sun, people reading, people talking to each other.
There were two girls who were talking enthusiastically with each other, one’s head in the other's lap. The girls looked like they were absolutely smitten, but no one around them seemed to notice. James did. James notices a lot of things when he’s alone.
There was one specific boy that caught James’ attention. The boy had messy, dark blond curls with seemingly natural highlights in it. His head was hidden in his arms and he looked asleep. The difference with most sleeping people and him was though, that he didn’t have any shade, so his back was in the full sun.
Before James really realised what he was doing, his feet were moving towards the boy and he gently nudged his shoulder. The boy turned around and glared at him, his eyes half opened in a sleepy haze. They were a greenish-hazel, with brown and yellow tones. James smiled at him. ‘Hi there stranger. I saw you sleeping and I thought, maybe you should find some shade to sleep in so you don’t burn. The sun’s pretty dangerous,' James explained as the boy frowned and yawned.
'Parles-tu français?' Do you speak French? Well yes, James did speak French. James was stupid enough to think the boy was English. He had to remind himself constantly he was in France. 'Oui je parle français,' Yes I speak French, James reacted. He knew he had an accent and the boy noticed it too, raising his eyebrows slightly.
'Tu n’es pas d’ici je suppose?' You’re not from here I’m guessing? James shook his head. The stranger rolled his eyes and turned around, his back facing James. He was surprisingly enough not yet burned from the sun. James wondered how long the stranger’s been sleeping in the sun if he didn’t burn yet.
'as-tu besoin de quelque chose de moi ou tu ne pars tout simplement pas?' Do you need something from me or are you just not leaving? James frowned and the stranger turned back around to face him, his face bored. 'Je suis juste curieux de savoir comment tu n’as pas encore brûlé. Je veux dire que tu dors ici depuis un moment,' James said, fidgeting with his hands a bit. I’m just curious how you didn’t burn yet. I mean you’ve been sleeping here for a while.
The stranger’s lips turned up in a small grin. 'Oh donc tu me regardes depuis un moment?' he asked James, his hazel eyes boring into James’ brown ones. Oh so you’ve been staring at me for a while? 'Euh non... je voulais juste dire-' Uh no... I just meant- James stopped himself when the stranger started chuckling softly. His grin widened a bit and he sat up to properly face James.
'Je joue juste avec toi étranger, pas de soucis,' he said as James’ cheeks pinked and the stranger observed him. I'm just playing with you stranger, no worries. 'Je- euh... Je le savais,' I- uh... I knew that, James said, only now noticing that the boy was surprisingly muscular. He didn’t have a muscular build with broad shoulders, but he had a nice looking six pack and he looked like he must be strong.
The boy raised his eyebrow again. 'Vous y amusez?' Enjoying yourself there? James’ eyes shot up to look at the stranger again, his cheeks now red from embarrassment. 'Désolé.. je euh…' James trailed off. Sorry.. I uh… The stranger shook his head, softly chuckling. 'Tu es mignon quand tu es énervé tu sais,' the stranger said, his eyes trailing over James’ body carefully. You're cute when you're flustered you know. James smiled at him as he stood up. 'Attendez ici, d'accord ? Je vais te chercher de la crème solaire. Je reviens dans une minute,' James said, feeling the need to make sure the boy didn’t burn himself. Wait here okay? I'm getting you some sunscreen. I'll be back in a minute. The boy nodded softly and James ran off towards the house. He was lucky it was close by.
When he ran in he found his mother and Sirius back, unpacking in the kitchen and talking animatedly.
Sirius frowned when he saw James rush to untie his red converses. 'Why are you in such a hurry James?' Sirius asked as James threw his shoes down and bounded up the stairs. 'Sunscreen!' he yelled back as an answer, running into his room and grabbing it, running down the stairs again and starting on his shoelaces.
'James, you don’t have to be in such a hurry for sunscreen, it’s not like you’ll die if you don’t use it for three minutes longer. Take a breath,' Sirius said, laughing softly. 'No, it’s for this boy I met. He was sleeping on the beach and he needs it, but I don’t want to forget where he was so I need to hurry. I don’t want to make him wait too long,' James explained hurriedly, standing up when he was done tying his shoes.
'Ah, so you’ve found your summer love? That’s quick James,' Sirius said, still laughing as James opened the door and frowned. 'No, I’m not in love. I just want to make friends,' James said as Sirius nodded, still chuckling softly. 'Sure Jamie, whatever helps you sleep at night,' Sirius said before James nodded and closed the door behind him hurriedly, running back to the beach.
James was completely out of breath by the time he was on the beach, so he stopped running and walked the rest. He was sure he was fast enough to remember where the boy was. Though when he looked around, certain to have found the right spot, the boy was gone.
James looked around for him and walked up and down the beach, but the boy was nowhere to be seen. When James really couldn’t find him anymore, he walked back home crestfallen.
Sirius frowned when he returned so quickly and he motioned towards the sunscreen in his hands.
'Didn’t find him then I assume?' Sirius said as James shook his head sadly and started untying his shoes again.
'That’s terrible James, I’m sorry,' Sirius muttered as James shrugged. 'Maybe he left because he thought I was boring,' James muttered back. 'No, I’m certain that’s not it. And if it was, he’s not deserving of you. You’re wonderful to be around James. Anyone should be lucky to have you in their life.' Sirius said, nudging his shoulder with his own and smiling at James. 'Thank you Sirius. But not everyone thinks like that,' James muttered back.
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Regulus was stuck with Barty for the entire vacation.
Regulus and Barty were friends, so most people would think Regulus would be happy to be with him the entire vacation, but he wasn’t.
It was a month ago now, that Regulus had broken up with James because he was scared James would break his heart. It was two weeks ago now that James kissed another boy at a party to celebrate the end of term. That same night Regulus had kissed Barty to piss James off, but James didn’t seem to care much.
Regulus did care about the kiss. More than he let on, really.
He found it weird that he enjoyed kissing his best friend so much even though he was still terribly hung up on his ex.
So no, Regulus wasn’t particularly happy to hear he was spending this entire summer on a cruise with Barty, sharing a room, dining together and getting no peace whatsoever. Regulus’ other best friend, Evan, was currently in the south of France in his second home. His parents left him there, but they themselves are also going on the cruise.
With no one to care for or about Evan, he has the freedom to do anything he pleases.
10.09 AM
Ev, please kill me
10.10 AM
Why should I kill you?
10.10 AM
Barty’s being annoying
10.11 AM
Sounds like a you problem
Regulus sighed deeply and turned his phone off.
Okay, so admittedly, Regulus knew Evan had had feelings for Barty. He didn’t know that Evan still had these feelings when Regulus kissed him, nor did he know Evan had actually asked Barty out and Barty said he wasn’t ready for a boyfriend.
An hour later Regulus was boarding a plane with Barty and their parents. Barty was chattering his ear off and Regulus couldn’t wait to finally sit and put his headphones on. 'Hey Reg, did Ev text you today? He promised to text everyday so we’d know he was still alive but he keeps ignoring my texts,' Barty muttered, frowning at his phone and showing it to Regulus.
Regulus pushed his phone away and sighed. 'Ev texted me ten minutes ago Barty. He won’t die, he knows how to cook and he has his fathers credit card so he can dine out whenever he pleases,' Regulus explained for what felt like the hundredth time. Barty frowned. 'Do you think he’s having fun? Being on his own I mean,' Barty said as Regulus rolled his eyes. 'Evan is probably having a blast. There’s a big chance he’s getting either drunk or high every night. Or both,' Regulus muttered as they took their seats and Barty sighed sadly.
'I wanna get drunk and high with him,' Barty answered as Regulus rolled his eyes again. 'Too bad Crouch. Now shut up. I didn’t drink coffee today and I’m very close to throwing you out of the plane.' Regulus put his headphones on as he heard Barty react to him in a string of mean words Regulus cared nothing for.
If there was one thing Regulus knew, it was that this vacation was going to be a long one.
Regulus got three songs of silence and rest before Barty pulled his headphones off and frowned at him.
Regulus shot him an angry look, but Barty ignored it. 'Reg, why didn’t we get to stay with Ev again?' Barty asked as Regulus sighed deeply. 'Because Evan didn’t want us to, remember? He’s mad at us,' Regulus snapped, his energy way too low to be dealing with Barty. 'He didn’t tell us why he’s mad though. He rarely tells me anything anymore. It’s like he’s ignoring me,' Barty muttered. 'Maybe that’s because he is ignoring you Barty. Now leave me to my music and shut up,' Regulus said to him.
At that exact moment, his phone lit up with a message from Evan.
10.39 AM
Reg I have a question
10.39 AM
What do you want?
10.41 AM
How do you extinguish a forest fire?
10.42 AM
What the fuck did you do now?
10.43 AM
I may have accidentally set the trees in the garden on fire…
10.43 AM
You’re so stupid
10.46 AM
Gee, thanks. I called firefighters over here by the way
10.47 AM Wow, so you can use the last remaining braincells in your empty ass brain?
10.53 AM
Okay now that’s just mean Reggie
10.53 AM
I am mean
10.53 AM
Very much so
Hey, do you know who talked to me on the beach yesterday?
10.54 AM
No Evan, I am not a psychic
10.54 AM Wait a second the hot firefighter is asking my number
10.55 AM
Of course he is
Regulus rolled his eyes and looked at Barty who was staring out of the window. He sighed deeply and nudged Barty. Barty looked his way and frowned. 'What’s wrong Reggie?' Barty asked as Regulus’ eyes turned sharp. 'Don’t call me that,' he said irritated as Barty shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. 'I wanted to ask you what’s on your mind. Because you’re never this quiet and you never stare out of a window with such passion,' Regulus said to him. Barty shrugged again.
'I don’t know Reg. Just thinking about what I could’ve done wrong to piss off Ev. I mean, we could’ve been with him for the next four weeks,' Barty complained as Regulus nodded. 'Well, maybe you should think about it a bit more. I mean I know what you did wrong. Him being mad has to do with me too, though he does talk to me,' Regulus said as Barty frowned. 'He only still talks to you because he has no one better to talk to,' Barty said as Regulus pursed his lips.
'He has Dor and Panda, has he not?' Regulus said as Barty shrugged. 'I guess..' Barty went back to staring out of the window after that. Regulus turned back to his phone where a new message from Evan showed up.
11.13 AM
Okay I’m back
Where was I?
Oh right, the beach boy
11.14 AM
Yes, the beach boy
11.16 AM
Okay, so picture this yeah? I’m sleeping casually on the beach because I was reading and feel asleep
11.16 AM
Yes, go on
11.19 AM
So, I’m still asleep and someone shakes me awake and I’m like ‘wtf, let me sleep in peace’ so I glare at the person and it’s JAMES POTTER
11.20 AM
What? James is in France?
11.20 AM
Not just in France, he’s right here
In the same town I am
11.21 AM
Okay… That’s weird
Go on
11.22 AM
Yeah, so I look at him and he starts talking to me like he doesn’t know me and I frown
And in my head I’m going loke, what’s going on?
lik*
luke*
like*
11.23 AM You need typing lessons, Evan
11.24 AM
Yeah yeah, you want me to go on or not?
11.24 AM
I do.
Go on.
11.25 AM
So I ask him if he speaks French, because I wanted to know how stupid he was
And he just starts talking to me in French
And then he proceeds to act like he doesn’t know me at all
But then he ran to his home to get me sunscreen and I left
11.29 AM
→ So I ask him if he speaks French, because I wanted to know how stupid he was
Okay first of all, why would you do that?
Second of all, he’s stupid so he probably doesn’t know you anymore
And third of all
→ But then he ran to his home to get me sunscreen and I left
Why would you do that?
11.34 AM Because I wanted to fuck with him?
He was very nice to me and I’m sure he’ll look for me everywhere now that he doesn’t even know my name
11.35 AM Wow Evan, I’m impressed
11.36 AM
Is that sarcasm? It sounds like sarcasm
11.37 AM It is
11.38 AM
Okay in that case I’m ignoring it.
But you know what the funniest thing was?
11.39 AM
No, but I’m guessing you’re telling me now
11.40 AM
Yes I am
He was staring at me
Like, full on mouth open and red cheeks
And when I pointed it out he started blushing even more
11.42 AM
And you’re happy about that? Because I’m not
11.43 AM Why? Jealous that your ex lover is making his way around French boys?
11.44 AM
I’m not jealous
11.45 AM
I know for a fact you are Reggie
11.46 AM
Shut up
11.47 AM Okay
I was planning on going into town to look for James anyways
11.50 AM You do that.
Oh Ev
Don’t go thinking James loves you, I can confirm he doesn’t
11.52 AM
I never said he likes me Reggie
I just said that he’s moving on from you because you dropped him
11.55 AM
Sure, whatever
11.56 AM
Bye Reggie
Have fun with Barty
11.57 AM Fuck you
11.58 AM
No thanks, I’d rather fuck James
11.59 AM
Excuse you?
Evan ignored him after that.
Regulus was fuming. Barty looked at him amused and asked him what was wrong, but Regulus ignored him.
12.13 AM
I sincerely hope you drown in the sea Evan
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Evan grabbed his tote bag and locked the front door, walking towards the scooter he bought with his dad’s credit card and starting it.
He was fifteen. Too young to be driving a scooter and he didn’t have a licence yet, but he didn’t care much. He was turning sixteen in a little over a week anyways.
Once he was in the town he put his scooter down and locked it up so no one except for him could take it.
He entered the small, local supermarket and said 'Bonjour!' to the kind cashier who was working today. While making his way through the store, he texted the groupchat with Reg, Pandora, Dorcas and Barty in it. Pandora called the group the Skittles, because she loves skittles and she also loves her friends.
Evan thinks it’s quite adorable.
1.19 PM ~ You
How are you holding up in the cold of Sweden Dor?
1.21 PM ~ Dor(a) the explorer (of McKinnon)
It’s great so far! Me and Marlene are very happy with our choice of going somewhere where it’s cold and snowy instead of cold and rainy like Britain
1.22 PM ~ You
I can imagine yeah
And you Panda? Having fun in Ireland with your grandparents?
1.28 PM ~ Pandaaa
It’s lovely! They have a huge garden filled with flowers which they let me pick for my room
1.29 PM ~ Reggie babyy
Sounds like you’re having fun
Any chance you could kidnap me?
Please?
1.30 PM ~ Dor(a) the explorer (of McKinnon)
Is Barty that bad?
1.30 PM ~ Bart (mr. Grandpa)
→ Please?
I’m not that bad!
1.31 PM ~Reggie babyy
He is
I’ll never forgive Evan for leaving me alone with him
1.31 PM ~ Bart (mr. Grandpa)
Fuck you Regulus
1.32 PM ~ You
It’s your own fault Reg
1.33 PM ~ Pandaaa
🍿🍿🍿🍿
1.33 PM ~ Dor(a) the explorer (of McKinnon)
Can I have some of that Panda?
1.33PM ~ Reggie babyy
No tf it’s not. you’re mad at me for no reason whatsoever and then you make us go on a fucking cruise with our parents.
1.33 PM ~ Pandaaa
→ Can I have some of that Panda?
Here you go *gives popcorn*
1.34 PM ~ You
I have a reason Regulus, you knpw that dam well
kniw*
kno*
know*
1.35 PM ~ Bart (mr. Grandpa)
ffs Ev learn to spell
1.35 PM ~ Dor(a) the explorer (of McKinnon)
Do you know why they’re fighting @Pandaaa?
1.35 PM ~ Pandaaa
Go private, I’ll tell u
1.36 PM ~ You
→ ffs Ev learn to spell
No, go back to sleep.
Isn’t it like 6.30 where you guys are?
1.36 PM ~ Reggie babyy
7.30 actually
1.37 PM ~ You
Wait, I just remembered I didn’t care.
1.38 PM ~ Reggie babyy
You’re acting like a fucking hypocrite
1.39 PM ~ You
Frankly, I don’t care.
Go fuck yourself Regulus
Or Barty for that matter I don’t care
1.41 PM ~ Bart (mr. Grandpa)
That’s why you’re mad? Oh my god Ev
It was one kiss!
1.41 PM ~ Reggie babyy
→ It was one kiss!
That’s what I told him!
1.41 PM ~ You
→ It was one kiss!
Was it though? Because I know for a fact you snuck into his bed after we went to bed the very same night
1.42 PM ~ Bart (mr. Grandpa)
Oh fuck you Evan!
1.43 PM ~ You
You have Reg to do Barty
Evan ignored his texts after that, because he was on his way to pay for his groceries. He knew that they were blowing up his phone right now but he didn’t care for it much.
The cashier rang up all his stuff and he paid, just in time to be called by Reg.
'Yes?' Evan asked, still irritated. 'Get over yourself you ignorant fucking asshole,' Regulus’ voice rang through his speaker. 'I don’t recall me being the asshole here actually,' Evan retorted. He heard someone talking in the store, but ignored it and steadily walked on through the town.
He didn’t go into any shops he passed like he normally would. He was too busy arguing with Regulus in rapid French so Barty wouldn’t understand them on the other line. When he found his scooter he yelled 'va te faire foutre regulus!' before hanging up. go fuck yourself regulus!
He angrily started to look for his keys, but some stranger tapped on his shoulder. 'Quoi?!' he yelled out of irritation and anger. What?! The person looked at him startled as he turned around and found James.
Of course it’s fucking James Potter again.
'Oh c'est toi. Salut.' Oh it’s you. Hi. James smiled at him and Evan frowned. 'vous euh, vous avez perdu vos clés. Dans le magasin,' James explained as Evan looked at his keys dangling between James’ fingers. you uh, you lost your keys. In the store.
Evan nodded and grabbed them, but James pulled his hand away before Evan could grab them. 'Quel est ton nom? Je veux juste connaître ton nom, je ne promets rien d'autre.' What's your name? I just want to know your name, nothing else I promise. Evan frowned and grabbed his keys, his hand brushing against James’ as James moved his arm over his head, too high for Evan to reach.
'Merde. Donne-moi juste mes clés.' fuck. Just give me my keys. Evan glared at him, but James shook his head. 'Je m'appelle Evan. Maintenant, donne-moi mes clés,' Evan said, irritated thoroughly. My name is Evan. Now give me my keys. James grinned softly. 'Evan…' French pronunciation. 'Evan?' The English one. Evan shook his head softly. 'Evan.' Both. James frowned, a bit confused. 'C'est joli. Et ça te va,' it's pretty. And it fits you, James said, his grin replaced by a small smile. 'Pourquoi? Parce que je suis jolie?' Evan asked, a small grin on his lips. Why? Because I'm pretty? Evan didn’t expect James however, to agree with him.
James nodded and Evan felt his cheeks reddening slowly. 'C'est incroyablement ringard de ta part de dire.' That's unbelievably corny of you to say. 'Pourtant tu n'as pas l'air de t'en soucier beaucoup.' You don't seem to mind it much though. 'Que puis-je dire ? J'aime les gens ringards,' Evan said, his grin spreading. What can I say? I like corny people. 'Alors je suis parfait pour toi Evan,' James said, stepping closer to Evan and dangling the keys in front of his eyes like he was some cat. Then I'm perfect for you Evan.
'Peut-être que tu l'es ouais. Quel est ton numéro?' Evan asked him as he grabbed his keys when James wasn’t focused. Maybe you are yeah. What's your number? 'Laisse-moi le mettre dans ton téléphone,' James said as Evan stared at his phone screen which was still blowing up with texts from the group chat and Barty and Regulus. Let me put it in your phone. 'Non, tu peux me le dire ou tu peux baiser tout de suite. Dis moi en anglais je comprendrai.' No, you can tell me or you can fuck right off. Tell me in English I'll understand.
'Uh, okay…' James muttered his number, after which Evan nodded and smiled at him. 'Au revoir James,' Evan said as James frowned. 'I didn’t tell you my name?' He asked as Evan smiled at him mischievously. 'I have my ways of figuring that kind of thing out,' he said while starting his scooter, his French accent more clear than he was used to.
James gaped at him. 'You do speak English?' he asked, flabbergasted as Evan hummed in agreement. 'Had to keep it interesting, didn't I?' he said, grinning and putting his helmet on. 'Wha? Hey! Wait!' James yelled as Evan drove off and he ran after him.
Evan heard James stop after a minute though. Too bad he thought. I rather liked talking to him.