Chapter 4 (Pt. 1)
The two boys found themselves rested on a gingham blanket, nested in the warm sands.
The sun had slowly faded below the horizon and the winds blew inland.
Regulus wiped whipped cream from his upper lip with his thumb, sending a soft smile James' way.
"I was thinking about going into town", Regulus spoke brushing a piece of hair behind James' ear, "For baby clothes."
"It's crazy to think he'll be here any day now." James muttered his eyes falling to Regulus' bump.
"Crazy good or crazy bad?" Regulus asked curiously as he laid back to look up at the sky.
James hovered over him, blocking the view. One hand was caressing the baby bump and the other made its way to Regulus' cheek.
"It's the most wonderful thing that's happened to me- you're the most wonderful thing that's happened to me." James assured, leaning down- carefully of the bump- to place a kiss to Regulus' lips.
"About the shopping- Sirius and I having training, but I'm sure Remus'll take you." James continued, bringing them back to the previous conversation as he rolled to lay beside Regulus.
"I don't need a babysitter, James." Regulus assured.
James perched himself up onto his elbow.
"I know that", James deadpanned, "He'd only be there in case the baby decides to make an unexpected entrance."
"I think I can manage to keep him inside for an hour or two." Regulus joked.
James sighed, "You always make everything so difficult."
Regulus laughed turning his head to look at James, "You love it."
"That I do. That I do." James admitted with a smile.
***
Regulus left the store, with an outfit and the cutest little hooded blanket.
The outfit was an orange stripped shirt and baby blue overalls that Regulus couldn't resist.
The blanket's hood had antlers, which gave Regulus enough of a laugh to buy.
He figured James would find it as cute as he did.
He hadn't gotten much, but he wasn't really worried about clothes.
Remus had quite the collection of baby clothes piled up- claiming Sirius made him buy it, but Regulus knew better.
Instead of heading back home, he dropped the bags at Sirius and Remus' flat not far from the shops.
From their flat, Regulus trekked to the closest phone booth.
He slid the door closed behind him, slipping change into the box as he placed the phone to his ear with the press of a few buttons.
A ring. Two.
And then the line picked up.
"Hullo."
A soft laugh emanated from the background.
"I hope I wasn't interrupting anything." Regulus teased with a smile.
"Regulus!" Ivan cheered.
Then a crash sounded making Regulus cringe.
"Regulus, love, how are you?!" Claudette's voice came through the phone.
"Alive, but I'm sure you figured that." Regulus joked.
"We heard about your luxurious beach cottage, lucky bastard." Ivan scoffed.
"House shopping not going as planned?" Regulus quizzed.
"Merlin, it's the worst!" Claudette exclaimed, "Shopping with him is like pulling teeth- either the tub is too shallow or the shutters are not the right color-"
"I absolutely refuse to live in a house with brown shutters, Claude." Ivan stressed.
"Then you can live on the streets." Claudette hissed.
Regulus chuckled, which brought their attention back to him.
"I miss you guys." Regulus admitted.
"We miss you too!" They both said in sync.
"Jinx!"
"Double jinx!"
"Triple jinx!"
"Monkey Jinx!" Claudette cheered.
"That's not a thing!" Ivan exclaimed.
"Yes it is!" Claudette spat.
Regulus sighed waiting for them to finish.
"How about I let you two fight this out and we can meet tomorrow at Hogsmeade. By the fountain at like noon?" Regulus suggested.
"Sounds lovely. We'll see you there." Claudette muttered softly.
"Love you guys." Regulus spoke.
"We love you more." Ivan said.
Regulus opened his mouth to say bye, only for the line to go dead.
He breathed a sigh out of his nose, placing the phone back onto its holder before stepping back out into the warm air.
The skies were dark, grey clouds looming over the town preceding a storm that was likely to hit.
Regulus figured heading home was the smartest idea lest he get stuck in the rain.
James would be home any minute, tired and cuddly after a long day- Regulus wouldn't miss it.
Harry had been very silent that day, not a single kick. Which loomed over Regulus like a bad feeling in his gut.
Hands.
A blur of hands flashed through his vision before clamping onto his mouth.
He struggled against the grip, cloth pressed against his lips.
The attacker held his stance only faltering as Regulus turned enough to knee where'd really hurt.
Regulus scrambled away, unsuccessfully, hitting the ground as carefully as possible- crawling as drowsiness hit him.
With one swift kick to the head- and a sound Regulus swore sounded relatively like a crack- everything went dark.