Regulus POV
Regulus could seriously kill Lily. He could and he wouldn't even feel that bad about it. James didn’t go into the details of why or how the couple split, but Regulus knew it had broken James. He was fairly certain that it wasn’t James who left Lily. If it had been James wouldn’t be in this state. Also, Regulus thought that James would probably have told him before divorcing Lily.
Instead, there was a random call where James just told Regulus he was moving back home. Regulus couldn’t deny that he was just a little bit glad that James was no longer with Lily. It felt like he could breathe again. However, Regulus would give all the air in his lungs to James if it meant that he could be happy again. James hadn’t been happy since he had married Lily. Regulus couldn’t help but be angry at the woman who had dimmed the sun.
And James now was just angry. He was angry at the world. James had always been a happy guy until he met Lily. Then he turned into an empty shell of who he was and now he was just filled with rage at the world and Lily. Regulus couldn't even blame him. James sacrificed so much for a marriage that didn’t even last. This is why Regulus never dated, people suck.
His life now was working and drinking with James.
James really liked drinking now. He had never been the type of guy to pick up people at bars but apparently, that was his new favorite hobby. Which Regulus got, he was no stranger to the stranger hook up but it just wasn't James. This wasn't who James was. James was the type of guy who dated and got into a relationship. He didn’t go for meaningless sex. He was also living in a shitty apartment in Wrigleyville like some sort of twenty-two-year-old. It was as if he had regressed into becoming nineteen-year-old Sirius. Regulus shivered at the thought.
"Oh, he's shooting, he's shooting." Regulus's friend, Barty, said pointing at James talking to a girl across the bar. For the first time in his life, Regulus had an actual friend group that didn’t revolve around James Potter. His best friend was now Barty Crouch Jr. whom he had met through Pandora, Regulus’ childhood best friend. Barty was dating Pandora’s younger brother, Evan. Lastly, there was also Dorcas Meadows, who was in Regulus’ PhD program and who happened to be married to James’ old friend Marlene.
"He's not going to score, he's way too drunk," Regulus murmured looking down at his drink.
"I don't know, Glasses has his ways." Barty snickered. He sucked at giving people nicknames.
"Ass!" Regulus heard called out from across the room. That was never a good sign.
"Guess you were right," Barty said. Regulus was really very grateful that Barty joined him on nights like these. Barty was the first person to fully confront Regulus on the fact that he was obviously in love with James. So when Regulus had explained to Barty that a significant amount of his nights were spent at bars watching James try to pick up people and making sure he didn’t get into too much trouble, Barty had started coming along. He would never admit it, but Barty was a great friend.
"If there's anyone I know well, it's James." Regulus sighed, taking a sip of his drink and watching the woman storm away.
"If you're so in love with just tell him," Barty said quietly. He just didn’t get it. Barty had never tried to hide anything. He had been with Evan Rosier since they were in high school. Those two were made for each other. He literally couldn’t imagine anyone else putting up with Barty’s shit. Anyway, Barty just didn’t know what it was like to be in love with someone and not be able to be with them.
"I can't." Regulus groaned.
"Why not?" Barty asked.
"He's a mess. Just look at him." He pointed to James almost stumbling to the bar.
"So? Fix him with your amazing dick or whatever," Barty suggested.
"We can't start something when he's like this. He just got divorced and he's drunkenly trying to pick up girls. He's been the most important person in my life since I was about three years old. I can't screw our whatever up." He said as James got a drink thrown in his face.
"Well- Hi, Glasses," Barty said as James joined them at the bar.
"So what did you say to that last girl to get her to throw her drink at you?" Regulus asked, regretting the judgment in his voice.
"I'm not entirely sure." James sighed.
"James..." Regulus sighed.
"I'm going to go... over there... for a while," Barty said leaving the two.
"Regulus what?" James said tiredly.
"I think you know what," Regulus said placing his hand on James' back.
"I just got divorced." He excused.
"And for how long are you planning on being sad divorced guy?" Regulus asked.
"I'm not sad divorced guy." He shook his head
"Fine. You're angry whory drunk divorced guy. That better?" He asked
"Yes." James sighed.
"Well okay," Regulus said.
"I just-" James said, then abruptly pulled Regulus in close and pressed his lips against Regulus’. James’ hands moved to his back as his tongue gained entry to Regulus’ mouth. He tasted like alcohol and his shirt was sticky from the drink that was thrown at him. This was what Regulus wanted but not like this. Not drunk James making out with him in a bar in front of a crowd of people. Regulus slowly pushed him off.
"James," He said slowly.
"Oh god." James looked at him with wide eyes.
"It's okay," Regulus said in a quiet calm voice.
"No, it's not. Oh god. I'm going to go." He said getting up.
"James," Regulus said grabbing his hand. "You can't drive and I don’t want you taking a cab alone like this. I’ll go with you, just give me a few minutes to close out our tabs."
"you don't have to do that." He said shaking his head.
"I do. You're my James." Regulus said with a small smile.
"Okay. I'm sorry." He said
"It's okay. I'll be ready in a little bit." He said. “Just, sit here.”
"Yeah, Okay," He said as he sat back down on the stool and put his head in his hands.
Regulus walked over to Barty where the bartender was.
"So am I supposed to pretend I didn't see that?" Barty asked.
"Yes," Regulus responded.