Ribs
The last of August passed in a blur of colours and ink for the occupants of the Lovegood household. Their days, filled with midnight talks and daily book runs, homemade swimming lessons and new found tattoo addictions.
Evan had indeed joined them for the last week. Regulus found himself breathing a little better for the first time in an eternity. The four of them spent their nights sleeping in Pandora’s bed, their limbs scattered all over each other. If one were to look, none would be able to figure out where the first began and the other ended.
Quite symbolic if one were to ask him.
–
On the other side of England, the same couldn’t be said for the occupants of Potter Manor. Sirius Black was teetering along the edge of insanity. Not once would he have thought his baby brother would be missing.
But he is.
Not once since living with the Potters did he think Wallburga would contact him.
But she did.
The old bint thought Sirius kidnapped the younger boy.
He didn’t.
It was only when his uncle Alphard owled him that he relaxed a bit. Regulus had run away or rather planned his departure down to the slightest of details. Apparently his baby brother owled the older man sometime in July and somewhat explained. The details were scarce from what Alphard told him but then again Regulus was never one for idle conversation.
Even the news of his brother’s safety couldn’t completely put Sirius’ nerves to rest. Especially since the little bugger had up some sort of anti-owl ward that no doubt targeted Sirius and the Potters when they tried.
Which was why Sirius found himself pacing as the Potters landed in King’s Cross, Platform 9 ¾. He could see that while Effie watched him with concern, she also had her eyes out for the younger black brother.
James stood back with Monty, both keeping their eyes peeled for the smaller boy but were much more relaxed than Sirius and by a large extension, Effie.
It was just as Sirius turned to face Effie that he heard it.
His head snapped to the barrier between King’s Cross and 9 ¾ . Three boys and a girl walked a bit away from the column and to the side closest to where James and Monty were.
He recognised the group as Reg’s friends but the boy in the middle with his head thrown back and ink on display, he couldn’t say he’d ever recognize him if it wasn’t for his contagious laughter.
He remembered the vacations with Alphard in Italy playing in the city where toddler Regulus would prance around giving out pretty stones from the beach. He remembered the youthful laughter before Walburga decided her children were above such foolishness.
Sirius couldn’t help but be mesmerised as he watched his brother laugh and joke. His arms lazily waving from their place perched on who he knew to be the Rosier boy and Marlene’s girlfriend’s friend Pandora.
He didn’t realise he had walked closer until Regulus’ eyes met his. The spark of something Sirius couldn’t recognize flashed across the boy's face before the infamous mask of chilled indifference snapped into place.
It was only then did the scar marring his brother’s face became noticeable.
Fuck.
She did that, didn't she?
Fuck…
A soft hand on his shoulder stopped him from either collapsing in the middle of a busy platform or running up to his brother who’s friends had suddenly shuffled to block the boy from his view.
“Mum…”
“I know.”
“She–”
“I know darling. I know, we’ll take care of it when we know the full story. For now give him time.”
“But–”
“Patience, my son, is the greatest virtue in times like this.”
–
Regulus was outwardly laughing at something Barty had said. His arms were strewn across Dora and Ev’s shoulders with the sleeves of his shirt rolled to his elbows. As per usual he was decked in black. On the drive to King’s Cross Dora had somehow managed to snag his coat leaving him in only a shirt and trousers.
By a momentary lapse of judgement he allowed Barty to dress him that morning which was why he walked across the platform with four buttons undone and Evan’s sunglasses on his head blocking most of his curls from his face.
But of course Regulus wasn’t vain enough to think his new appearance was the sole reason witches and wizards stopped to stare at him. The faded white scar covering his eye was much prominent although to those who were actively scrutinising him, the few faint scars on his chest seemed to attract their gaze more than anything. He knew what they looked like, as if he was whipped or possibly cut open by a scalpel yet he couldn’t find it within himself to care just then.
Regulus’ lips were pulled into a lazy grin as Barty continued his tirade. He knew his friends well enough to know that Barty was posed as a distraction that he’d never admit he needed.
Feeling the prickle of unwavering eyes on his skin, Regulus tilted his head back to get a better view of those milling about them. Most averted their eyes as he caught them staring, all except one.
His brother stared at him as if he were the next coming of Morgana and for once Reg couldn’t blame him. However it was only when Sirius began to move towards him did his heart stop and his lungs constricted, the panic was truly setting in. He couldn’t talk to him.
Not now when he knew he’d snap and scream and rage until there was no more blood for him to spill.
Not when he’d most likely end up throwing the darkest of curses and end up a sobbing mess.
At least I’m self aware.
Dora sensed his panic before anyone else could and gripped him hard enough to steady him. On instinct Barty moved to block him and Ev responded by navigating them to somewhere less crowded.
Discreetly Evan grabbed his hand and brought it up to his chest. The strong rhythmic booming of the boy's heart proved to soothe Regulus as always. A reminder that he was alive and the world was unfortunately still spinning. The creeping hands of numbness quickly receded and with a deep breath he was fine.
Not a full blown panic attack but too close.
“Five things you can see.”
Regulus shook his head stating that he was fine but Dora wouldn’t have it. It was a new coping mechanism one of the old ladies in Rosemary’s church showed them when Regulus had a panic attack after mass. Someone had bumped into him and tried to grab onto him to steady him but he wasn’t used to innocent touches.
One of the older women had knelt before him and coached him through the flashbacks. Dora had picked it up ever since. With a sigh Regulus had no choice but to comply even if he was actually fine.
Didn’t mean he couldn't have a little fun.
“The train, Evan, Snape making googly eyes at Evans, Augusta Longbottom’s bloody hat, James Potter staring at me.”
“Four things you ca– wait JAMES POTTER?!?!?!” Barty yelped as Dora glared and pinched him while Reg faintly grinned. “Continue starlight.”
“Ev, Dora’s palm, the wall and the floor.”
“Hear.”
“Barty complaining, a baby crying, suitcases dragging. Two are the same though.”
“Fuck you!”
“Smell.”
“Pumpkin pastries, your perfume.”
“Taste.”
“Barty’s stifling cologne.”
“anddddddddd you’re better.”
Reg rolled his eyes but couldn't help the upturn of his lips. Dora suddenly wrapped her arm around his waist and squeezed, “Oh.”
“What?”
“Sirius was staring. Uncle Alphard must've already told him. Perhaps that's why Potter’s staring a hole into my bloody head.” Regulus blew out a breath and looped his fingers through Barty’s jeans before he could run off and accidentally kill someone.
Fitting for someone who would wear such constricting things.
“Reg –” Barty began but Ev cut him off. “Leave it…for now.”
“It's best to wait until after the first month to appear unsuspecting. Give our prey time to adjust then strike.” Dora curled her fingers and hissed in demonstration.
With the quirk of an eyebrow, Reg decided to leave his friends to discuss their rather homicidal tendencies. Instead he directed his gaze back to the boy standing with his father not too far from his little group.
James Potter’s eyes, Regulus found, were still on him. The most surprising thing about it wasn’t that the older boy seemed to have a bloody staring problem or that his mouth was moving a mile a minute but that for the first time in the years that Regulus had observed him, he was angry.
More like fucking furious.
If anyone were to think back on it, James Potter never got angry. Not when the Evans girl embarrassed him nor when Snape threatened to tell the school about Lupin’s furry little problem. It was just as a known fact as humans bleed.
James Potter never got angry.
“Hmm, looks like loverboy finally noticed our Starlight.”
Rolling his eyes for what must've been the thousandth time that day, Regulus’ lips curled upwards mockingly, “Why Ev, if you wanted my attention so much all you had to do was beg.”
“After all you always beg so prettily, doesn't he Barty?” The boy himself grinned back at Reg before he turned to wink at his boyfriend. Evan was now the only one with parents keeping him on a golden leash. It wouldn’t be worth it if Evan started ‘acting out’ now.
After all, look at where patience and calculation got him, as free as a sixteen year old runaway could be with a mother like Walburga.
It wouldn’t do for Walburga to ruin her reputation even further by contacting him publicly.
“Fuck off the lot of you.” With a roll of their eyes which Evan steadily ignored he continued, “But do tell Reggie, why is James Potter staring at you like he wants to drag you to the depths?”
“He does not.”
“Oh but he looks like he could feast on your soul, my love. Literally.” Dora grinned up at him, her eyes twinkling with the things she somehow just knew.
“Would you please–”
“Or maybe he knows how bad starlight wants to fuck him. What was it again Reg? Ride him into death or something oh so poetic.” Barty smirked as Evan threw his head back with a laugh. Dora at least had the decency to stifle her laughter.
“First of all it was ‘I'd be the faithful devotee to his shrine’, second of all if you're fucking quoting me get it correct.” Regulus snarked before glancing once more at Potter who met his eyes head on. Perhaps Regulus was seeing things or maybe the black family madness had finally made itself known but he could've sworn something akin to worry flashed through the older boy’s eyes.
But then again I did have a fucking massive scar across my bloody face. He wouldn't be worried about me but for Sirius.
Always Sirius.
It was when a woman's voice called out to them did Regulus snap his attention away from James Potter. His eyes were soon drawn to Rosemary who had just walked through the barrier, her lavender skirt swishing about her ankles. The woman, though barely reaching his chin, was quite strong as she pulled them all into her arms.
“Behave yourselves and have fun.” Rosie grinned at the quartet before shooing them onto the train.
But before Regulus could make it too far she pulled him back by his sleeve, “ If any one of your unsavoury relatives try to contact you let me know.” Regulus was about to interrupt but she simply shook her head and smiled, “I know you said you have everything sorted sweetheart, but you are still a child, and one of mine at that. Just know that if anything happens I'm but a whisper away.”
“Thank you.”
“Stay sweet Reggie darling.”
–
James Potter watched as Regulus Black laughed with his friends. He eyed his clothes, his tattoos and by the Gods above the boy's eyes. Merlin, he was beautiful. Who knew freedom looked good in Black.
He watched as people stared at the boy and whispered. No one knew what to make out of the Black heir and they didn’t bother hiding that fact. James knew that Regulus could hear them, he could see it in the way his friends surrounded him, a silent support.
Anyone who ever knew James Potter would always call him loud, friendly and overall just wild. Observant was never one on the list of his traits. Hell most people thought he was one of the most unobservant people next to Sirius which was truly saying something.
But he wasn't, which was quite a surprise for Remus when he found out that his friend knew about almost everything going on in Hogwarts or the ministry. It wasn’t that James actively sought to know these small tidbits of information but rather it was more like a compulsion of sorts to delve into what he hears in the halls.
It always seemed to come in handy with their pranks or blackmail. His mother, though loath to admit it, was truly proud of him on that end.
But that’s beside the point. The point was that James Potter knew things, for instance, Regulus Black took his tea with one spot of sugar and a tip of milk though he took his coffee black. Or that Katie Selwyn broke up with her boyfriend for her best friend and is planning to move in with her after this year.
Hence it was common for James to know things about people that he really shouldn’t. Which was why he had taken up watching Regulus since his third year when he heard of the boy helping out first years even though he was only a second year slytherin himself.
The younger Black brother seemed to come to life when no one but his friends were watching. Hell even Sirius got the Ice Prince treatment.
But James Potter was never deterred when looking for his best friend’s brother. Especially when Sirius left or rather, when Regulus forced his comatose brother through their floo in the middle of the night and demanded an unbreakable vow from James who was the only one to see him that night.
That was the start of his ‘obsession’ as Remus so happily put it when James eventually spilled the beans to the only loophole in the vow. Somehow James doubted that Regulus didn’t know about that little clause. Knowing him he most likely worded it that way, for James to be able to only tell Remus.
A blessing and a curse he supposes. Remus wouldn’t let him live down the fact that he fell for the person most mean to him. That and the irony of it being Sirius’ very complicated younger brother. He would be dead if Sirius ever were to find out about his little crush.
However, with James’ obsession came determination, hence he kept his unwavering gaze on Regulus since then which was how he knew that Regulus was up to something big. Something he only found out this summer.
After all, Regulus was as secretive as James was nosey.
“You look like an obsessive ex.” Remus greeted as he saddled up to him and Monty who nodded solemnly.
“I do not!”
“You do.” His own father and best friend replied in unison. “He’s been ranting for the past ten minutes about Walburga and the stares Regulus is getting. Do take him away from me.”
James pouted as Remus laughed at him and shared a look with his dad. His own father was bullying him at this point.
Ever since he found out that James fancied the boy he and Remus had made it their lives’ mission to bring up the fact that Regulus was indeed related to Sirius and that James basically fell for the boy after one conversation. Not that his dad knew what the conversation was about. He wouldn’t be so amused then.
“Gods and I thought Sirius was bad with his stalking.” Rem caught his breath before herding them over to where Sirius and his mum were. “C’mon then folks, the quicker we board the train the faster some people may catch a glimpse of Regulus in all his glory.”
And oh how James knew that statement was aimed at him but Sirius didn’t have to know about that interest did he…