Daylight

James roamed the apartment for a while, he shouldn’t snoop into Reg's stuff without permission, but he is gonna.

James found another room filled with books, a very nice and clean kitchen with a bowl of figs in the middle of the table, multiple bedrooms (James had enough restraint to not go into Reg's room), and a large bathroom that didn’t appear to be commonly used so James assumed it to be the extra bathroom. He did find one thing that caught his attention- a small black cat with only one eye. 

“Hi! What is your name buddy?” James asked, but he didn’t receive an answer. The cat had a shocking resemblance to Reg, the same bored look and all. James half expected it to roll their eyes and stalk off, but he just sat there with a frown in James’ arms. It had a cute little frown that some cats have, another resemblance to Regulus. 

 He picked it up and walked back into the main room. He stood there and stared out the window. It was a beautiful view, truly, if you don’t envy you are insane. It looks directly at the Eiffel Tower. There is a balcony, but it is still a bit cold so James opted to stay indoors. But he did stay there for a few breaths, taking in the French scenery. 

After a little while, he got the cat and walked into the kitchen. 

It was a beautiful kitchen. White walls with dark green countertops and a dark green accent wall. Pots hanging above the neat island, figs placed in a wooden bowl. There is an oven with a gas stove above it. Wooden spoons and spatulas next to it. There is a long bookshelf above the sink with a bunch of cool books, some looking quite old and loved.

The kitchen reminded James of an Italian villa he went to with his parents when he was younger. It was warm and inviting. He can imagine spending days in here just drinking tea and baking, trying every recipe in the old books above him.

James recalled hearing something about Regilus owning a home somewhere in Italy. Regulus was a Monegasque, his nationality was Monegasque and when he will win they will play the Monoco national anthem. But he spent a lot of his life in Italy. His mother is Italian so they had a home there. Regulus is very well-loved in Italy. There are rumours of them changing his nationality to Italian for the Imola GP It was sweet seeing the rookie get the attention and love he deserved.

James thought he should make dinner. It was 3:25 and he had no clue when Regulus would be back, but it would be decent of him to make dinner for the two of them while Reg worked. Regulus was housing him for the night. 

He went and looked through the cabinets. There wasn’t a whole lot. Some vegetables and spices, and a few different types of noodles and sauces. James went and looked through the cookbooks, grabbing an old leather-bound book that had ‘Nonna’ written nicely on the front. James remembers Sirius mentioning their Nonna a few times. It has been a sore subject since she passed away. She was a kind lady, unlike her daughter, and she was quite close with the brothers, Regulus most of all. James had heard stories of Regulus begging to visit her in Italy all the time.

James hopped to ask Reg about her someday.

He grabbed the book carefully, scared it would turn to dust if he held it wrong, and looked through the recipes. He lands on Pasta Primavera, looking through the ingredients he smiles when he realises he has everything. 

He grabs a bag of Rigatoni and puts on a pot to boil, the metal is worn and has rust red colour to it. He preheats the oven and gets started chopping carrots, onion, and bell peppers, then seasoning them and adding Oregonian and Thyme. 

He roast the vegetables just in time for the water to start boiling on the stove. He had to learn how to use a gas stove, it was a struggle. He put the noodles in and turned back to the other ingredients.

He heard the door open and keys get set on a table. The footsteps were quiet but echoed slightly through the tall ceilings.

“Oh.” Regulus walked into the kitchen and saw James grating parmesan cheese.

“Oh, sorry. I thought I would make dinner.” James said, a sudden feeling of embarrassment coating his words. He never gets nervous, Regulus is the only one he ever feels this way around.

“No it is perfectly fine, I haven’t had a proper meal in a while.” Regulus laughed walking over to one of the stools near the island James was working at. A vinyl was playing softly in the back, something jazz that James found, it was in French and James had no clue what it was about. But he thought it sounded nice.

“What was the meeting on?” James looked up from what he was doing to see Regulus watching him intently. 

“Oh, just reviewing the Saudi track. Barty wanted to talk over it. It has fewer laps than the others but more DRS zones and a speed trap. Also, they are predicting some rain so Barty discussed what tyres we thought best. Not that we have much say in that, but still nice to talk about it. And the track, as you know, is very fast.” Regulus picks up a fig and fiddles with it. 

He has every reason to be worried, the Saudi track is a very fast track. The fastest ever in F1. But it is incredibly fun.

“Are you worried?” James asked, when Regulus didn’t answer he knew his answer. “What are you worried about? The speed?” 

“That has something to do with it I guess. But if it rains and we rely on speed… Or if someone uses DRS and their grip isn’t good, I don’t want anyone to get hurt. And I know it is F1 and people crash all the time, it is a deadly and dangerous game, but it is so early.” Regulus’ words stumble out in a mumble. James is unsure of how to tell him it’ll be okay, but he tries.

“We all know to be careful, as long as you do your best and listen to your engineer. I have all my faith in you getting a podium, or maybe your maiden win!” Regulus raises an eyebrow at the last words but nods.

“How are you feeling about it?” Regulus breathes out.

“Oh, I am nervous, as I am for all the Prix's. But Saudi Arabia is incredibly fun. It is nice to go a bit faster than usual, as long as you keep your head on, you can get through with no inchedients (Tehe).” Regulus nods and reaches to get a piece of pepper, smiling when James is too slow to stop him. He is an F1 driver, his reflexes really should be quicker. 

“What’d you do while I was away?” Regulus says between bites. 

“Just walked around, did you know you have a cat?” James asks.

“Yes, I am aware.” Regulus laughs, the sound fills James with a weird sense of bliss he has never felt before. He finds himself smiling stupidly, just staring at Regulus. “What?” He laughs again.

“Nothing, you are beautiful.” Regulus turns a bright pink, and James laughs and keeps talking. “What’s their name?”

“Her name is Clytemnestra, but we call her Nessy.”

“We?”

“Me, Barty, Evan, Pandora, Dorcas, Remus. Everyone who lives in Paris or comes around a lot.” Regulus shrugs. “We found her as a kitten in the streets of Monaco two years ago. She only had one eye and I couldn't let myself leave without her.”

“Aww you softy.” James coos.

“Okay, how about you find a tiny kitten on the street missing an eye, following you around like its mother? I am not heartless.” He rolls his eyes causing James to laugh more as he puts to garnishes on the dish.

“Well, the food's ready want to get a drink and eat?”

“Sure, I’ll grab a bottle of wine. They won’t get mad if we have one glass right? The race isn’t for a little while.” Regulus grabs a bottle of wine from the ice box, water drips off it from the heat of his hand hitting the cool bottle. He grabs two glasses that are also chilled and pours them both wine. James grabs it and immediately takes a drink, earning an eyebrow raise from Regulus.

James never drinks wine, so why would anyone expect him to know what to do? It tastes fine to him, the tang of the fermented strawberry hitting his tongue sweetly, it feels like the first day you can comfortably sit outside in the sun after a long winter. 

“This is really good. Maybe I should drink more wine.” Regulus laughs through a drink and James fills with pride. I did that, he thinks, I added more beauty into the world. 

“Well, I know a bit about wine so if you need something actually good, you're welcome to ransack my collection anytime.” Regulus gets up and goes to the table, it is a lovely table. Painted tiles that are all different but still go together.

They spent dinner talking about racing, friends, family(only James, Regulus only spoke about Sirius. That’s fine, James won’t push.) places they’ve visited (James learned that Regulus loves Italy more than James thought) music they like, and movies they love (Regulus’ favourite is Before Sunrise) and what they did before the season started. It was all so domestic, James adored it. Something about watching Regulus do something so normal and human has got to be James’ favourite thing. He doesn’t know why but Regulus in his head is this far-off magical thing.

James has discovered that Regulus bleeds magic in whatever he is doing. The warmth fills everyone and makes you feel like you could float. He has a light that would draw your attention to him, he is a being of power and beauty.

So watching him just causally eating dinner and drinking wine in his home is like a gust of wind gliding through James’ hair. He breaths in deep and restrains himself from closing his eyes. 

They finish and their conversation dies down. Regulus smiles and finishes his glass, he keeps true to his promise and only drinks one, James is finishing his second. What it taste great?

“Well, what time are you leaving tomorrow?” Regulus asked setting down his glass and bringing his plate to the sink to wash. 

“I should probably get going around 9 am, Ferrari is letting me use the jet.” James helped him with the dishes. He felt Regulus’ eyes linger on him till he finally spoke up.

“Yes, that sounds like a good time. I hate flying at night, makes me nervous.” Regulus looks down when James makes eye contact with him.

“Umm, I am going to head to bed, you can watch TV or whatever, you have free reign. Just try to be quiet, please?” Regulus walked out of the room hastily, leaving James like a stag in headlights.

Maybe that’s why Sirius calls him Prongs.

Regulus is a wreck.

Why can’t he just hold one simple conversation with James without getting frustrated?

It is exhausting and makes him feel as if he is about to cry every second they interact. He has got to get better at this.

He left so quickly that it is impossible James doesn’t think that he hates him. Which he does not, he could never.

Regulus sighs and flops on his bed. Staring at the ceiling, it never changes. Regulus likes that. Everything in his life is on the move constantly, he needs something to always be there. Always be waiting for him. 

It is tiring.

The next morning he wakes up at around 9, when he walks out of his room he finds James to be gone. But there is a small note on the table.

Thanks for the lovely night. Never be a stranger.

~JFP

Regulus smiles as he sets down the paper. He feels so content when he is with James. He constantly feels as if he is running and running with everyone, never stopping. There have been only a few people in his life that feel easy, Barty and Sirius being the first. 

But James feels different, like he could simply just exist and it would be enough for James.

Regulus breathes deep and walks to change, race week is up ahead and he needs to be prepared.

“You can pick up the speed, Piccolo.” Regulus looks up at the sky and hesitates as he watches the clouds turn thick and even more grey. They swirl into each other with the speed of his car and combine into a damning threat. 

“It’s okay, just be safe and watch the road carefully. You’re an amazing driver, Reg. I believe in you.” Barty’s voice is smooth as he reads his childhood best friend's mind. Barty can always sense his anxiety, Regulus thanks him for it.

He speeds up his car and activates DRS as fat raindrops fall in front of him, swelling in front of his eyes.

He is in second, right behind James. He should be happy about it, but he really wants his maiden win now. Another deciding factor is his mother and father; both scrutinising his every turn, up in their box. 

He knows what they will say if he does not win, he can not bear to hear their pursuing questions again.

“5 seconds behind Potter. Do you think you can make it? You've finished 44 laps, only six to go.” Regulus nods though Barty can't hear him. He can see James, he is right there and the bright red of his SF-24 is unmistakable. 

He finishes a lap when he hears Barty’s voice come back over the radio.

“Regulus, there has been a crash.” Barty's voice is hesitant and it worries Regulus. He expected this, the rain is heavy and hard to drive in, which is why he is so hesitant to overtake James.

“Ok, who? Are they sending in the Safety Car?” The safety car comes in front of them and they all slow down, but no one is behind him. That is strange.

“Barty, Who. Crashed.” Regulus keeps his voice steady, he sees a red flag wave and comes to a stop, he is now very worried.

“Sirius and Remus were fighting for third, they, they crashed. Remus is responsive but both of them are still in the cars. The rain has put out any threat of fire.” Barty’s voice is low and slow.
“What about Siri? Is my brother okay, Barty?” Regulus’ voice wavers. Barty doesn't answer. “Barty?” He feels the bridge of his nose burn as tears come into his eyes. Formula One is a dangerous sport, some people never have the chance to get out of their cars. And with that thought, Regulus gets out, taking off his helmet before Barty says anything.

He isn't sure what is going on, but he sees James.

Sweet James, who is always the same. 

He picks up his pace and finds himself running.

James is properly horrified. His best friend is currently unresponsive in a totalled car. The rain is heavy and falls on his face, the sky cries when he can't. 

He gets out to make sure Regulus is okay, his best friend and brother are currently in a crash; both still in their cars one being unresponsive. 

James can see his worried face from a million miles away and quickens his walk to get to Regulus. 

Regulus runs to him and wraps his arms around James’ waste. For a moment James is confused, Regulus' hands have gone cold and his face is buried in James’ chest, probably crying. But James gets a hold of himself quickly and wraps his arms around Regulus steadying him. 

“They will be fine, Love. There are people working to free them now.” James tries to keep his voice from straining, he thinks he succeeded, but Regulus doesn't say a thing. 

James feels someone's hand touch his back, he looks up to see Evan, Marlene, Frank, and Peter all with matching expressions as they watch the rookie driver cling to James. James becomes aware of all the others standing on the track. Avery and Snape have matching grimaces as they listen to a pit crew member talk. Grant Chapman is looking around trying to see the crash. James can see a bit of it, he makes sure that Regulus can't. Ted is walking to hospitality. It is announced that the race is delayed due to severe weather and an incident on the track. 

Someone comes and ushers them all to Mercedes hospitality. Regulus is the only Mercedes driver in the group, but no one seems to mind as they all pile into a room silently and sit on couches and chairs. 

James can hear people speak outside, Remus has gotten out and Sirius is responsive. James breathes out and holds Reg tighter. 

“Remus is out and Sirius is responsive. They are going to be okay.” James whispers in Regulus’ ear, he doesn't seem to be comprehending a lot but he just nods and closes his eyes. 

The others are all talking quietly across from them, they seem a bit shaken.

“The race has been delayed till tomorrow, maybe even Tuesday. But everyone is fine.” Pandora, the Mercedes Technical director, walks in. She sees Regulus and her face goes soft as she walks over.

She whispers something in his ear and he sits a bit straighter; not saying anything nor moving away from James but his eyes are trained on Pandora as she explains what happened.

Sirius and Remus were neck and neck for third. The rain was heavy and caused their tyres to slip, they both had C0 tyres and lost their grip. They were going very fast and collided; knocking one another off the track. They were both okay, maybe a bit bruised and shaken up, but their cars were totalled and had both been deducted 5 pts each for dangerous driving. 

Pandora explained this to Regulus better than anyone could, James remembers hearing that they had been best friends since they were both Grid Kids. She lives in Paris, only a few buildings away from him. They probably know each other better than most. 

He had also heard that she went on a date with Lily, but he won't bring that up.

“You are all instructed to go back to your hotels as soon as Sirius and Remus come to see you, there will be no press today.” Pandora stopped talking after that, only squeezed Regulus’ hand and left, saying she would call him later. She also talked a bit with Evan, her twin, about what they would do for dinner. It was decided they would talk to Remus first. 

After that, they all fell into silence. Regulus was now sitting up, his hands fiddling with James’ unzipped suit that hung around his hips. His eyes look raw and red, he must have cried more than James thought. 

James hears the door open and Sirius rushes in, bringing his brother into a tight embrace. 

“Oh, minou, je suis désolée que nous ayons dû te faire peur. Nous allons bien tous les deux. Remus sera là dans un moment. Mais vous avez conduit de façon étonnante et je ne doute pas que vous ferez des merveilles demain.” Sirius’ french was rushed and frayed, his voice wavering. 

“Ils ont dit que tu ne répondais plus, je ne savais pas ce qui t'était arrivé. Personne ne disait rien. “ Regulus eyes began to water.

“Arrêtez, s'il vous plaît. Tu as toujours été trop facile à pleurer. Même quand tu étais enfant, tu voyais quelqu'un de triste et tu te mettais à gémir.” Regulus laughed and hugged his brother tighter. 

Remus came in and spoke to Regulus and Evan, apologising to Sirius for being dangerous. Sirius was adamant that they were just driving fairly and that they both were in the wrong. 

Then the Blacks walked in and James felt Regulus’ muscles tighten next to him.
“Les enfants, je m'attendais à mieux de votre part à tous les deux. Une conduite risquée de votre part, et une conduite médiocre de la vôtre. Ce n'est pas comme ça que vous avez été élevés.” Orion Black’s voice was strong and loud. He walked out leaving his wife.

“Non ci deludete, ci aspettiamo il mondo da voi, ma non lo riceviamo. Lavorate sodo e ricordate il vostro nome.”  Walburga spoke up, The sudden change of language made James look up.

“Mi dispiace, madre. Saremo i migliori.” Regulus’ voice was robotic as if he had practised it. He probably did, James thought. 

“Let’s all go to our hotels and change, then meet somewhere for dinner. I know a place.” Marlene said as she and Peter left. Then Regulus said one last thing to his brother and left with Evan and Remus to find Barty.

“It’s been a day, hasn't it?” Sirius said to James. He looked exhausted. James laughed and they left.

~

The restaurant Marlene found was small but had a lot of options from a lot of places. James still had a feeling of fear in his bones, but it lessened when he saw Regulus. Who had retired to a simple pair of sweatpants and an old hoodie from his F3 carting days? He hadn't even put in his piercings, he looked so casual, it made James’ heart melt. 

This is why James made it a point to sit next to Regulus, which earned a weird look from Barty.

They all got drinks, and alcohol for the lot of them, and chatted. None of the conversations had much meaning but they were simple. No one brought up the race, someone congratulated Regulus on being in second when it was stopped, but that was the end of it. 

They all head back and everyone seems a bit halted but they move on.

The next day they race, not Sirius or Remus due to their cars still being fixed. James gets top podium, Regulus gets second, and Evan gets third. They douse each other in champagne and do interviews with the press. But they all opt to just go home after, everyone tired. 

Australia will hopefully go better.