Chapter 2
Sirius was following Remus who was running through the aisles like it was a race while he felt like he was chasing the white rabbit in a maze through the bookshelves while holding an honestly ridiculous pile of very heavy books.
Remus was apparently too determined to empty the library and humiliate the rest of the students during his NEWTS. Sirius smiled to himself, his chest puffing out with the pride he felt at how smart and determined his boyfriend was. His arms were already starting to tingle with cramp though.
“Moony, my love, chaleur de ma vie, I think we have enough books for the rest of the school year.”
The taller boy turned his head towards him assessing the mountain of books in his arms with a calculating look.
“Besides” he added before Remus could argue against that ”I think if you take just one more book Madam Pince won't leave you alone until you return them. You know how protective she gets about these things.”
Remus' eyes went from Sirius to the book he was about to reach for at least ten times until he let out a resigned sigh.
“Fine. Let's go.”
They both made their way to the back of the library, the far end from the entrance and Madam Pince's desk. It had happened before that Sirius was too restless and usually used to hum under his breath, tap his wand against the table or stand up out of nowhere and start pacing up and down while reading his book, leading to everyone giving him dirty looks for being a distraction and Madam Pince trying to kick him out. Well, it wasn't his fault his brain would need his body to move in order to concentrate.
When they got to the table area by one of the windows Sirius saw his brother at the table near the one they always use surrounded by parchment and books.
Sirius was about to call for his attention when he saw a boy walk over and sit down in the free chair next to Regulus. His brother didn't even look up from the parchment he was writing on as James walked over to him and brushed aside a lock of hair that was falling over his eyes and seemed to be bothering him. Regulus then leaned closer to James, barely leaving any space between them.
Of course all of that could be normal for anyone but not for Regulus. It wasn't that he absolutely despised physical contact, it was more that he was rather selective about who was allowed to get close to him, not to mention the even smaller amount with which he initiated that contact.
But here he was, looking so comfortable and confident around James, unconsciously gravitating closer to him as if it was an invisible energy pulling him into the other boy's orbit. As if it was the most natural thing in the world and he had no intention of fighting against it.
On the other hand his friend who was just as restless as him seemed so peaceful next to Regulus, he didn't bounce his leg under the table, he wasn't distracted playing with any object within reach, he didn't make noises that could be annoying to others. He just stood there reading a book that didn't look like it belonged in the Hogwarts library looking completely absorbed in it as if it were one of his slates filled with quidditch strategies, his arm and leg resting against Regulus' as a point of contact.
They looked so peaceful. Sirius wondered for a second if it was possible before shaking that thought off.
Okay, James and Regulus seemed comfortable with each other so what? They probably became friends while planning the prank or something. Sirius was always sure they would get along once Regulus gave James a chance.
His boyfriend's voice finally catching up with him pulled him from his thoughts.
“Great, I have to give Regulus his ancient rune work he asked me to look over. Wait here for a moment, shouldn't take too long.”
“Wait, I'll go too. James probably knew I was coming with you and that's why he's with Reggie, they're still going on with 'the charade'.”
“Not again.” his boyfriend wailed as he pinched the bridge of his nose “All you're going to do is interrogate them and make them uncomfortable and then Regulus will yell at you, you'll be offended, James will be stressed and I'll have to listen to everyone complain because no one listened to me in the first place.”
“Oh Moony, you're so dramatic. Don't worry, I'm going to subtly and casually unmask them.”
“No offense dear but I don't think you'd be able to be casual even if you tried. You spent two years in denial about us but after we kissed for the first time you tried to go and buy an engagement ring in Hogsmeade with James.”
“How did you find out about all that?” he squeaked, feeling a blush creep up his neck and cheeks.
“Pete told me,” he shrugged nonchalantly.
“Damn, that boy doesn't know how to keep a secret. But what he doesn't know is that I actually did buy a ring and it's tucked away in a safe place until I decide it's time.”
He winked at him and took advantage of the initial shock that kept his boyfriend glued to the floor for a few seconds to march in the direction of his best friend and his brother.
Neither noticed until he dropped all the books he had been carrying onto the table with a thud.
They both looked up, James with an expression of surprise and his brother with one of annoyance.
“Pads hey.”
“Prongs, Reggie, what are you doing here?”
“Jumping rope” Regulus replied completely serious. “What do you think you're doing?” he said pointing to his brother who was settling into his seat and starting to open a random book.
“Studying” he shrugged unperturbed at his brother's sarcasm.
“Here?”
“Why not?”
“Because you're a pain in the ass and James needs to study and I'm sure it'll be impossible for anyone to concentrate within a ten meter radius if you two are together.”
“Are you calling me a bad influence?”
“Yes.”
“You're hurting me Reggie” he said as he held his hand to his chest as if he was having a heart attack. His brother didn't seem impressed. “ I mean, it's not like Prongs really needs to study."
“Actually...” James was scratching the back of his neck like he always did when he got nervous “I'm studying for my transfiguration NEWT.”
“That's in a few months, since when do you study so far in advance?”
James looked slightly uneasy as he closed the book he had been reading. “Well, a couple of months ago I started sitting with Regulus in the library and he was sermonizing me about being more responsible and said that if I wanted to stay I had to work. He helped me find techniques to concentrate and motivate me to study” He sent Regulus a look with a small complicit smile. “Since then I started studying early and it's helped me quite a bit. I'm no longer on the verge of collapse two days before any exam or hand in.”
“I see” hummed Sirius looking at both of them suspiciously. It sounded like a reasonable story. Perhaps too convenient, it almost sounded like it was a pre-arranged story.
“And James forgot to mention that if he finishes at least two of his lessons in a study session I'll let him kiss me in the History section” Now his brother was looking at him with his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised as if challenging him.
“Reg!” whined James with completely red and hid his face in his hands.
“Nice try Reggie but I still don't fall for it” Sirius stuck his tongue out at him mockingly.
“Wait” James stopped him looking in his direction in disbelief. “You really still don't believe us? Sirius we're not fucking around. We're actually dating.”
“Pads, leave them alone will you?” interjected Remus for the first time.
Sirius ignored him “Then kiss.”
“”Pardon?” squawked James and Regulus in unison.
“Yeah, if you're a real couple then I guess there won't be a problem with kissing.”
“No, we're not going to kiss in front of you just so you'll believe us. Fuck off.” Regulus stood up with a red that was probably more out of anger than embarrassment and began to gather his parchments and quills and stuff them into his bag while James stacked their books.
Before he left he leaned close to his ear “Cut the crap or I'll repeat the snake thing or worse” he let the silence stretch out “I'll write to mom.”
Sirius gasped and tried to catch his brother by the robe but he was out of reach before he turned around.
He sank into his seat cross legged sulking but with a hint of victory still there.
“Sirius...”
“Did you see that Moony? I was right.”
“What part of all that just happ- You know what? Forget it. What is the snake thing?”
“Oh. That. When we were 5 and 6 once I ate one of Reggie's cookies because his were better since he was Kreacher's favorite. And at the time he didn't say a word and acted like nothing happened but later that Christmas he asked for a snake stuffed animal. What I didn't know was that shit turned into a real snake. It wasn't dangerous at all but you can imagine my fear when I got into my bed that night and felt a snake slithering across my body. Then Regulus came into my room completely relaxed, picked up the animal and told me that if I ever bothered him again next time the snake would be real. Ever since he was a kid he's been a revengeful little shit.”
As he told his story his features softened and a smile spread across his face.
“What the hell?”
Sirius let out a laugh at his boyfriend's sincerely horrified expression.
“Oh my sweet summer boy, it's so obvious that you're an only child.”
He deposited a soft kiss on her lips and picked up a book from the pile without bothering to notice the title, completely relaxed and satisfied knowing he was right.