get in losers, we're going shopping
Regulus’ pov
When Sirius came knocking on his door the next morning, Regulus was lying comfortably in his bed and had absolutely no intention of leaving the warmth of his bedsheets. His brother had to pick the lock of his door, Regulus had no idea how, before convincing him that Diagon Alley shopping would be wonderful and that Remus and him could go book shopping.
Regulus mumbled something unintelligible and pulled the sheets over his head. He heard his brother sigh and then suddenly the warmth and comfort of his bed was gone. Sirius, the fucker, had accioed his blanked away and was now looking very smug. “Come on Reggie. Don’t forget about our plaaa-haan”, he said cheerfully and well, he kind of had a point with that.
Leaving the bed was hard, and he rolled out of it with a long whine for dramatic effect, but Sirius only chuckled. “Come on, brother dearest. Today is a big day!” With these words his brother left the room, leaving him all alone on the floor and rolling his eyes.
A bit later, after a delicious breakfast and some meaningful glances exchanged by him and Sirius, they were ready to go.
Mrs. Potter had given them enough money to buy a small house, or so Remus said. She just shook her head when they tried to thank her. “Take it already, boys. Buy me something nice too, alright?” Standing in the doorframe, she smiled brightly when she waved them goodbye.
James hugged her one last time, then hurried after his friends. Remus had insisted on them taking public muggle transport instead of the portkey, apparently because “Come on, it will be fun! Don’t you like adventures?”
James and Sirius couldn’t argue with that logic and Regulus was a little curious how it worked. So they walked to the next bus station, took the bus for a while and then boarded the tube. He was kind of terrified but Remus laughed and promised that it was completely safe.
As they arrived at their station and found their way to the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron, James asked him where he wanted to go shopping.
Shit, he thought. He may or may not have ignored the poor bloke since the morning James woke up in his fucking bed. But can you really blame him? That was a horrible experience and he has never been this embarrassed in his whole life. Not that he didn’t enjoy having James in his bed. Quite the opposite, actually, which made the situation even worse.
He had forced James to stay over, because he asked and James was too kind-hearted to say no. And James must have felt terribly awkward and thought Regulus was pathetic and now James was walking next to him, smiling and asking questions.
Which he still hasn’t answered. Shit.
“Um. I don’t know. Maybe I’ll go to Flourish and Blotts with Remus and buy some new books”, he mumbled, not looking James in the eye.
That caused Remus to look at him and rub his neck. “Yeah, about that… I promised Sirius to go to Gambol and Japes first thing.”
Sirius beamed. “That’s right. And then we’ll go eat ice cream. After that” his brother shot him a look, “um, yeah. Then he’s all yours!”
He deflated a little. Book shopping was one of his absolute favourite activities, apart from reading the books, of course.
“I’ll go with you.” He turned to James, who looked a little nervous but, to his surprise, very genuine. Regulus sighed. “You really don’t have to. I can go alone, it’s no problem at all.”
At that, James just looked offended. “I’d like to go with you. Besides, if Pads and Moony are having couple time and Worms has a date-“
“Absolutely, and I have to leave now if I don’t want to be late. See you later!”, Peter grinned. He waved cheerfully before disappearing into the crowd.
“A date?” His eyebrows shot up.
Sirius punched his shoulder playfully. “Now don’t look so doubtful, Reggie! Our boy Wormy is very wanted amongst the ladies”, he giggled. “Or, at least amongst the ladies he tutors in Herbology. Well”, he linked arms with Remus, who was looking at his feet, probably still thinking about James’ couple time comment, “We’re off. Have fun book shopping!”
And with that he turned around, pulling Remus with him. The latter threw them an apologetic smile over his shoulder before giving Sirius his undivided attention.
“Idiots. They should just kiss already. It would make my life so much easier”, James sighed, his hand running through his hair. Regulus could do nothing but stare at him. This would be so awkward. James didn’t even like to read. He was accompanying Regulus purely out of pity. Merlin-fucking-damn it.
“So. Books?” Brown eyes turned to face him and Regulus swallowed. Book shopping with the most beautiful boy on earth. What could go wrong.
“Yep. Books. That’s what we’re doing. Lead the way, if you please”, he cringed and made a gesture with his hands, which James thankfully interpreted correctly and turned away from him, locating the bookstore and beginning to walk away.
Regulus followed, or at least tried to. There were so many people on the street, crowding against shop windows, pushing past each other as they scurried around. Laughing, chattering. Making Regulus loose sight of the mop of brown curly hair. Shit.
He craned his neck, but he didn’t stand a chance to make out James in the crowd. Suddenly, there was a hand taking his, pulling him forward gently. “Come on, Reggie. I’m sorry, almost lost you there for a second.” The smile shot his way was blinding.
Before he knew it, James was pulling him by the hand towards Flourish and Blotts. They walked through the doors and right into the cosy atmosphere of the store. Regulus loved it. The shuffling of pages, the smell of freshly printed books. It made him feel safe.
“Okay, so, I thought I might start on the top floor and then make my way down?”, Regulus proposed, not quite looking at James, still absorbing the nice feeling. Merlin, books up to the ceiling. This must be what heaven looked like. He turned his head to James, still looking at the bookshelves, before he tore his gaze away from them and focused on James.
Who looked at him with big eyes, not responding to his question. “James?” The boy blinked. Shook his head. Blinked again. “Um. Yes. Sounds amazing. I’m right behind you.”
That was not weird at all. Pushing the thought aside, Regulus began making his way to the top floor, up an elegant staircase with curved railings. It didn’t take him long to get lost in all of it. Being in a bookstore could not be an entirely real experience, he thought. There was something ethereal, something magical, Regulus could swear it.
Somewhere between him looking at the classics with the pretty covers and him looking at the newest addition to his favourite series, he began to talk to James. At first, it was just a few comments there and then, pointing at a book and giving a brisk review.
But the next time he snapped back into reality, he found himself monologuing about the plot twist in a book he read years ago, gesturing wildly with his hands and smiling like a maniac.
“And just- I would have never guessed it! But I should have, you know? Like now, it’s so obvious, and there were clues everywhere, but then it happened and it just kind of smacked me in the face. And everything made so. Much. More. Sense. After. Just- wow. This book- I haven’t thought about it in ages. I need to reread it.”
He looked up from the heavy book in his hands. James looked at him like a lost puppy, a stack of books in his arms and a dumbfounded expression.
“Are you still alright? We can leave, if you want. We’ve been here for ages anyway, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind the fresh air. Very well, let’s go. Merlin, have I really been babbling for so long? I’m sorry, really, sometimes-“
“It’s fine. I like listening to you talk. Should I carry this one too?”, the Gryffindor nodded to the books he was already holding with a casualness that made Regulus feel a little weak in his knees. As if James was doing nothing all day long except carrying books for Regulus while nodding thoughtfully. He places the copy, which was really extraordinarily pretty, with coloured pages and all, on top of the stack.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” He was feeling a little out of his depth. Stupid James, making him feel heard and carrying his books.
“Don’t mind at all. Now what do mean by “clues”? I can’t imagine that not being too obvious. If you drop clues, your readers will know what’s going to happen. How did he manage to trick you?” The look on James’ face was absolutely sincere and Regulus swallowed once again. What was he even doing here?
So he tried to explain the genius thing this author did, all while not trying to swoon at James display of strength. (And, well, display of kindness. But these Quidditch muscles definitely were something too.)
The waited in line to pay, and when it was their turn, James had paid for all his books before Regulus could even realize what was happening. The lovely idiot.
“James! I can pay for my own things! I don’t need your money. My family is literally rich.”
“Your family is currently burning your face off the tapestry. You are living in my house. Which you are more than welcome to, by the way”, James cleared his throat, “I just bought you a present. That’s a thing friends do.”
They began walking down the street, which was a lot emptier than before.
“A present? One? That was, what, like 13 books!” He shook his head. “Wait, friend? Since when are we friends? We are not friends.” He poked James’ chest with his finger, quite aggressively so.
James chuckled. The rim of his glasses caught the sun and flashed as he turned his head. “Again, you’re living in my house. I don’t see any harm in being friends. It would make things easier.” He shot a careful look in Regulus’ direction.
“Pah. I am friends with your mother. I am friends with Sirius. I would be friends with your cat, If you had one. But I am certainly not friends with you.” Regulus had aimed for playful, but it did sound a bit harsh. He never had been good with these kind of things. He looked at his shoes, worn out but still deemed elegant enough by Regulus. Very interesting shoes indeed. So dark and shiny.
“Ahem. I mean. Thank you for letting me live in your house. And thank you for the books. But we are not friends.” Shoes, shoes, James’ lovely jumper, James’ lovely face.
The taller boy pulled the corners of his mouth down. Then he pouted. “Aw, come on Reggie. You love me.”
“You wish.” James giggled and the butterflies threw a little party right there in Regulus’ stomach.
“Oh, look! I think I can see them! There, at the ice cream parlour!” And with that, he sauntered along the narrow street, happily waving at what might be Remus and Sirius.