Chapter 14
The next day, Sirius arranges to meet up with his brother. His hand trembles as he knocks on Regulus’ door, which opens almost immediately after.
“Get it over with,” Regulus says, closing the door behind Sirius.
“What?”
“You’re going to yell or be dramatic or something. So please, just get it over with.”
“I’m not going to yell.”
“Really?” He replies sceptically.
“It’s just...he’s my best friend! How could you?”
“Believe it or not, Sirius, but not everything’s about you.”
“I know,” Sirius rolls his eyes.
“No, I don’t think you do,” Regulus raises his voice slightly. “I have found a man that genuinely cares about me, and that I care about too. Do you know how rare it is to find someone as remarkable as James? I’m sorry we lied. I’m sorry we hurt you. But I'm not sorry about being with James. I love him!”
“You...love him?”
“I-” Reggie sighs, “Yes, I do. But don't you dare tell him before I get to.”
“I won’t, I promise.” Sirius says earnestly. “I didn’t realise how much you two cared about each other...”
“Well, it’s not like I'm one for advertising my feelings, am I?”
“No, but James is. He's fucking mental about you, Reggie.”
“He is?”
Sirius nods, “You should've seen him after your date the other day. He could not stop smiling, and he was blushing uncontrollably when I asked him about you.”
Regulus follows Sirius as he settles down on his brother’s bed. “You know I only want the best for both of you, right?”
“I know,” Regulus admits.
“And although I do not like it, I suppose I can get used to the idea of you two being together.”
“Wait, really? You’re giving up just like that?”
“I’m not giving up,” Sirius scoffs, offended at the idea someone thinks he'd give up so easily. “I just want you both to be happy. And if you make each other happy...”
“Yes, we do. Or at least James makes me happy.”
“Then, I’m happy for you too.”
There’s a comfortable silence between the two brothers. The fact that they have talked about this with minimal shouting is astounding to Sirius. When they were teenagers, they used to go for the kill. In the worst ways imaginable. Look at how much they’ve matured.
“So, who’s best man am I going to be?” Sirius asks. “I can’t be both of yours.”
“What makes you think I'd want you as mine anyways?”
Sirius gasps. “I’m your brother! You should want me as your best man!”
“Do you want me as your best man?”
“That’s different. I'm not getting married any time soon.”
“Neither am I!”
“Okay, truce?”
Regulus nods in agreement as Sirius’ phone vibrates in his pocket. Probably another message from James. Last night, he couldn't handle all the messages James was sending him, so he turned off his phone. Considering how bad his mental health was yesterday, that wasn't a great idea, but Sirius just needed some space. He needed some time to wrap his head around their relationship.
Sirius’ eyes widens as he reads the message from Marlene.
“What’s wrong?” Regulus asks.
“James passed out.”
“What? Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he’s fine. Apparently, he was out running when it happened. Marlene and Dorcas are taking him to the dorm now. I should probably go.”
“Yeah, of course.”
“I really am happy for the pair of you,” Sirius says just before he closes the door, running to his best friend.
***
When Sirius arrives at their dorm, he can’t stop pacing around the room. James isn’t here yet. He needs to make sure he’s okay. He was a terrible friend, abandoning him like that yesterday. Does he hate him? Sirius would understand. James needed him. He needed his best friend to be there for him when he is struggling, and to listen to his side of the story instead of running away when things don’t go his way.
“You passed out!” Sirius screams as the door slams open.
“Jesus, Sirius. Let him get through the door first,” Dorcas says, before she and Marlene leaves.
James starts, “I’m fine, Padfoot,” as he sits on his bed. “You don’t need to worry.”
“Of course, I need to worry, you’re not taking care of yourself!”
“I am,” James says defensively.
The two boys talk. Really talk. James agrees to confide in Regulus about what is troubling him; Sirius suspects it’s more than just his bipolar disorder. As he watches him leave for Reggie’s dorm, Sirius hopes that he can be happy. God knows if anyone deserves happiness, it’s James Potter.