cheat
It starts with a game of Codewords.
“You’re cheating, I know you are!” Sirius exclaims, jumping off the couch and pointing accusingly at Regulus.
“I did not cheat!” Regulus responds with equal ferocity, outraged at the accusation.
“Then how are you so good at this?” Sirius spreads his arms out in front of him for dramatic effect, motioning at the board game they have spread out on the living room table.
Regulus doesn’t like his tone, and when it comes to his brother being defensive is a habit. Perhaps that's why he responds with, “Maybe James and I just understand each other better than you and Remus.”
Regulus didn’t actually believe this to be true. In reality, Sirius was just shit at giving clues and Remus, who could never tell Sirius no, still agreed to let him be spymaster every time they played. And really he wasn’t sure why him and James were doing so well either. Regulus would say something and James would somehow know exactly what he meant. That has been happening a lot lately.
“That’s not possible. You’ve only been dating for a couple months. Remus and I have been together for years. Plus, Prongs was my best friend first, so if anything I probably know him better than you do.” His brother did have a talent for hitting him where it hurt.
“So that’s how it’s always going to be? I’ll always be second best,” Regulus spits at him, the words burning his throat on the way up. Old habits die hard.
“You know that’s not what I meant, Reggie. Stop putting words in my mouth.” Sirius’ expression is stuck between angry and disappointment. Regulus hates that he put that look there.
James jumps in before they say something else they’ll regret later, saving Regulus from himself once again. “Alright, how about we switch to a new game? Cluedo anyone?”
“Not unless you want the answer to be Sirius Black killed James Potter, in the lounge, with a pencil,” Sirius says, turning his glare on James. Remus gently takes Sirius’ hand in his and pulls him back onto the couch. Regulus sends James a grateful look.
They put on a movie instead, and things are better. They’ll try board game night again next month.
—
Later that night Regulus is sitting in the middle of the bed, watching James walking around the room getting ready for bed.
“What’re you thinkin bout?” James says, poking his head out from the bathroom, words half garbled around the toothbrush in his mouth.
Regulus doesn’t respond. James spits and glances at him again. Once he’s done, James comes over and climbs onto the bed as well.
They sit crossed legged, knees touching. Mirrors of each other. Regulus stares at his hands in his lap.
“Sometimes it feels like you can read my mind.”
“I know you,” James says, like it’s that simple. Regulus raises his right hand, palm out facing James. James raises his left hand and presses them together. James’ hand is bigger than his, James’ fingers slightly bend over his own.
“Yeah.” Regulus doesn’t think he’s ever let himself be known before. There has always been this invisible wall between him and the world. He never thought anyone would care enough to listen and then stick around afterwards.
Regulus spreads his fingers apart. James interlaces their hands together, brings them to his mouth, and kisses the back of Regulus’ hand.
“Let’s go to sleep, love.”