Flu?
Regulus is not a confident person.With his friends? yeah sure,he's as confident as one can be.But Regulus Black,Youngest son of Walburga and Orion Black? Nope,He is not a confident person.So,when he is being practically forced to go to the doctors by his best friend,he insists he is fine,anything to avoid answering hundreds of questions about himself,a stranger knowing more information about him from one look at a computer than almost all of his friends do after years of friendship and having tests after tests done just to say he has a little sickness bug,yeah no thank you.
"Pandora.I am fine" Regulus croaked."Yeah,that's why you sound like you've smoked for fifty years" Pandora spoke with a deadpanned expression."Reg,You need to go to the doctors,they'll give you some medication or something and you'll be good to go" Regulus rolled his eyes before squeezing them shut,clearly having forgotten about the piercing pain through his eyes when he moved them.
"No.I told you i'm f- i'm fine" Another one of Regulus' symptoms was even though he was curled up on the couch,knees tucked up to his chest where he had been all day,his chest wheezed,making him out of breath at times.
"i will call your brother" she threatened and Regulus stared straight at her.Pandora clearly recognised the nature of Regulus' 'i dare you' eyes and snatched regulus' phone off of the small table infront of the couch,dialing Sirius' number.
Regulus leaned forwards,an outstretched arm heading straight for his phone which Pandora quickly pulled away,stretching her arm in the opposite direction to where Regulus sat."No,Dora please.You know he'll be dramatic about it all and drag me straight to the doctors.I'm fine,ugh Dora-" Regulus was cut off by the sound of his brothers deep voice,clearly thick with sleep.
"what?"
"Sorry,Sirius.It's me Pandora" Pandora spoke,climbing over the side of the couch to escape Regulus' arms grasping for her as he shook his head."Oh,Hi Dora,Sorry thought it was Reg" Sirius seemed slightly more awake now,A sigh leaving his lips which Regulus guessed was him getting out of bed so not to disturb Remus."Totally understandable,it is 4am and i've stolen Regulus' phone" Pandora chuckled before slapping Regulus' hand away from her gently."As you do" Sirius joked and Pandora smiled.
"i just need to ask a favour,Your brother is the most stubborn person i have ever met- Stop it- anyways,he insisted for me not to notify you and promised me he was fine but he's sick.Probably flu or something and is refusing to go to the doctors.Now,i would take him but i have work in a few hours and he already woke me up with his coughing and spluttering,would you please tell him to grow up and go to the doctors?" Pandora was not one to mess with,even though she is as soft and sweet as a teddy bear she can be stern when she wants to be.
"He's sick? Reg?" Pandora shifted the phone from her ear,placing it on speaker phone before holding it out infront of Regulus."Speak,Reg" Pandora raised an eyebrow as Regulus shook his head. "Don't be childish Regulus,he won't speak because he knows you'll hear how sick he is,Regulus i will not hesitate to use violence if i have to" They both know Pandora would not stand a chance against Regulus but he sighs before taking the phone out of her hand and holding it in his own,Sirius' breathing becoming more clear through the speaker phone."Sirius?" Regulus spoke,Well,he tried.
"What the hell.Reg,you sound horrible" Sirius gasped,still keeping his voice at a low volume. "oh thanks" Regulus joked,once again his voice coming out deep and hoarse."I'm coming to get you.Put some clothes on" Sirius spoke followed by the sound of doors opening and a soft rustling. "Sirius no-" "do not argue with me Regulus,i rather like having a brother,i'm not having you die of some random virus because you clearly are not fine so chop chop" Regulus shook his head,sighing which was quickly interrupted by a series of deep coughs.
"Fine" The phone beeped as Regulus hung up,pulling the blanket tighter around himself as pushing himself to stand up.Pandora carefully wrapped Regulus in a hug,a hand rubbing his back as he dropped his forehead onto her shoulder."Text me and Let me know what they say.i'm going back to bed for an hour" Pandora whispered and Regulus nodded,lifting his head off of her shoulder."alright.Love you" She rustled his hair before making her way towards her bedroom."Love you" Regulus huffed,making his way to his own room.
Regulus pulled out a black tshirt,that was definitely not his,and pulled it over his head.He pulled on a pair of black joggers before shoving his feet into his converse and making his way out of the apartment complex.
"Good morning,sunshine" Sirius chirped,a bright grin on his face.As much as Sirius was not a morning person,there's one person who hates mornings more than him."How are you my darling brother?" Sirius teased "Piss off" Regulus croaked,slouching into the passenger seat,arms crossed over his stomach."Oof you look worse than you sound" Sirius spoke,pulling off and setting off towards the Doctors office."And you smell worse than i look so you might want to think about that" Regulus joked.It would have been a good joke if Sirius wasn't focused on the hoarse tone of his brothers voice along with the barking cough that followed.
All in all,they arrived at the doctors,Yep "probably Flu".Brilliant.Come back if you get worse blah blah blah.And now they're here.
"Sirius.This is not my apartment.This is your apartment" Regulus huffed,growing more and more tired by the second.The two hours they had spent at the doctors was the longest Regulus had been out of his bed or off of the couch for the past 24 hours. "Yeah.I told pandora to expect you home in week or so and that she's free to visit if she wants.But there's no way on earth you are staying in that dark room of yours by yourself for the next week,if not more" Sirius was now facing Regulus in his seat,arms crossed over his chest."Don't be dramatic,Sirius.And I won't be by myself,I live with Pandora" Regulus stated "No,Pandora's a teacher who works like 8-6 everyday at least so You're staying with me,so we can keep an eye on you" Sirius spoke more sternly now,proving that he wasn't kidding.
"whatever,i just want to sleep,can we go?" Regulus asked,his voice wavering slightly.The two made their way inside,Sirius unlocked the door and Regulus followed him in,he had been there plently of times so he didn't hesitate to lower himself onto the couch,knees pulled into his chest,head resting on the back of the couch."Yeah,see the thing is,i don't have any spare room so you're staying with James across the hall,providing he says it's okay which he will- don't look at me like that,he literally lives opposite me,as in four steps across the hall and through his front door.You'll be fine"
Fuck.
It's not that Regulus didn't like James,of course.The problem wasn't how much he didn't like him,rather more how much he did like him.Obviously,Sirius was oblivious to Regulus' crush on James,Regulus had managed to keep it a secret for three years and yet now he was being forced to stay with the boy he was in love with for a week.Really?
"can't i just stay here? the couch is fine" Regulus whined and Sirius rolled his eyes."That couch is shorter than one of Remus' legs and unless you want to snuggle up with Moony and I,you're staying with James" Regulus groaned before errupting into a coughing fit."Why can't i just go home then? Sirius you're making this a big deal.i'm-" "don't you dare say you're fine.Reggie,You can't genuinly tell me that if i let you go home,you will take painkillers on time and won't just sleep until your flu just magically disappears,which it won't by the way" Regulus stared at his brother before looking down. "Exactly,So you'll stay with James and i'll come and see you everyday,Is that okay?" Sirius was now stood behind the couch where Regulus sat,fidgeting with his fingers.
God help him.
"fine" Regulus grumbled,standing up and sliding his phone into his pocket,just as Sirius' bedroom door opened."Oh,morning Reg" Remus yawned,offering a nod at Regulus."Morning" Regulus replied and Remus turned his head back to Regulus,stopping his journey to the kitchen to frown at Regulus."Flu" Regulus huffed and Remus pecked a kiss onto Sirius' cheek."Morning love,i'm gonna take Reg over to James' then i'll be back and we can get going" Sirius smiled and Remus nodded sleepily.
The knock on the door,echoed down the hall as Sirius and Regulus stood outside of James' appartment.A few seconds later,the door opened to reveal James,his smile dropping slightly as he looked from Sirius to Regulus.James stepped back to let the two in before clicking the door shut behind them.
James wrapped Sirius in a hug,squeezing him tightly,the smile appearing back on his face."alright mate" James stepped away from Sirius before stepping towards Regulus."Alright Reg?" He asked,a frown on his face before stepping towards Regulus,arms outstretched ready for a hug.Regulus placed a gentle hand on James' stomach and-
Ugh,why does he have to have abs?
Regulus was hoping the blush wasn't evident on his already flushed face,God one touch and he's practically weak in the knees.Lord help him.
"He's sick" Sirius placed a hand on Regulus' shoulder who immediately shrugged him off with a scowl."Are you okay? do you need anything?" James asked and Regulus looked over to Sirius."He's embarassed because he sounds like an old smoker" Sirius joked and Regulus' scowl deepened "shut up" he croaked,immediately regretting opening his mouth because Sirius was absolutely correct."Ouch.What is it?" James asked,looking between Sirius and Regulus. "flu...probably" Regulus shrugged,rubbing his knuckles into his left eye."Stop that" Sirius scolded as he swatted his hand away."They're itchy.i'm tired" Regulus replied before continuing to rub his eyes.
"So,what can i do?" James asked because of course the boy,who is literally the physical embodyment of the sun itself,wants to help immediately."Well,i told him he can't stay at home alone because Pandora works all day and he would be by himself.But Moony and I don't have a spare room so I was wondering if you'd let him stay here? i'll come over and check on him and everything,but our couch is too small and he chose not to snuggle up with Me and Moony" Sirius joked and James laughed softly."Yeah,Yeah of course." James nodded and Sirius smiled."Thanks mate,i do have to get to work though,so Reg i will come by in the morning,But i'm just across the hall if you need anything" Regulus just nodded,ducking his head away as Sirius ruffled his hair.
Regulus watched as Sirius left,feeling suddenly rather awkward just stood in the middle of the hallway.He watched as James followed Sirius to the door,saying goodbye before Closing the door shut.
James turned to Regulus with a sigh,"Okay,uh you can take my room,i'll take the couch" James smiled,opening his bedroom door for Regulus."James.It's fine,you stay in your room i can take the couch" Regulus spoke,trying his best to keep his voice loud so James could hear."No,don't be daft,You're sick and my bed is very comfortable,i promise" James pulled a corner of his duvet back,gesturing for Regulus to get in."Are you sure you don't mind?" Regulus asked,making his way across the room."Nah,If it gets uncomfortable i'll just crash with Pete,it's fine" James shrugged,his hands stuffed in the pockets of his joggers and Regulus sat down on the bed,unlacing his shoes before pulling them off.
He sighed,laying down and- wow James wasn't lying about his bed being comfortable.Regulus squinted,rubbing his eyes.The bright light was definitely not helping his headache but James quickly caught on and flipped the switch off,letting the dark fill the room."You need anything,Reg?" James asked but the sound Regulus' slightly wheezed breaths filled the room and James smiled at the sleeping boy before pulling the door closed and making himself some breakfast.