"Shit, shit, fuck!" Regulus stamped his foot in irritation.
James had just invented today as the perfect day for dinner with his parents, of course with Regulus presence.
Well, Regulus was really happy with this turn of events, that's tor sure.
He didn't want to agree, but James kept irritating him by repeating all over again that he has to accept, that he will break his heart and all of that and in addition those nicknames...
"Reg the Egg," he said and Regulus was already killing him with his gaze, however, James did not stop "rude muffin," he huffs "AreAyBee," he continued this embarrassment "come on, mean chip agree, pretty please," he insisted "sedgy Reggie," he muttered, crossing his arms like a child.
So now Regulus was getting ready to go to the Potter mansion and meet his boyfriend's parents, wonderful isn't it?
He certainly felt prepared for it and all.
"James I'm going to die today and I'm not kidding," he's contacting with James quickly via floo.
Was he stressed? Pff not a bit.
It's just a regular meeting with your other half's parents, a little thing.
"Why is that, love?" James grins at him, maybe because he's making fun of him, finding his stress funny, or maybe because he loves him, or maybe because Regulus has no top and exposes his chest to him. Maybe all from the above.
"What should I wear," it's not a question, it's a requirement, a demand.
"For me, you don't have to wear any–" James starts with a goofy grin, but he is interrupted by Regulus's hiss.
"If you finish that sentence, you can forget that you'll have anyone to introduce tonight," he states. "You understand?" He clicks his tongue. "Because you won't have a boyfriend anymore," he explains clenching his teeth. "Give me the answer I want."
"It's cute that you're so stressed Reggie," James grins in a sweet way of his "put on those black pants Sirius bought you the other day and that favorite sweater of yours, you look cute in it, it's just a simple dinner, you'd look silly dressed in a suit or a fancy dress robes, it's not the 18th century for you to dress up to meet my parents they would feel offended," he shakes his head. "I'm sure that mom will wears the simplest flower dress and dad if it goes well, he won't be in tracksuits but jeans, I'm going like this," he says turning around and presenting himself, dressed in black pants and a red sweatshirt with a golden "J " on the back, his favorite sweatshirt (given to him by Regulus for his birthday).
"Thanks," Regulus sighed.
"All right, love," James smiles slightly. "I'm sorry that I let you know so late and you don't have a chance to prepared yourself, but," he sighed "you know, my mom just kept asking 'when will I get a chance to meet that wonderful, greatest boy our Jamie keeps telling us about?'" He imitates his mum's voice, which amuses Regulus, who drops his sullen expression and smiles slightly "and somehow it came out that I said today, I'm so sorry," James scowled.
"It's okay James," Regulus shakes his head, he sat on the ground by the fireplace and looked into James's eyes "you're right, I'm stressed," he was unhappy with this fact, so he winced "but I want to do it. I just know it's important to you and I don't want to spoil it, I want it to go well and at the moment I can't even choose an outfit and," he takes a deep breath "it's just your parents and I don't want to look like a fool in front of them."
"How am I supposed to look at someone who created such a flawless and wonderful person and not get down on my knees thanking them?" James adds with a wide smile in that dramatic high voice of his.
"Fuck off," Regulus huffs.
"I know Reggie," he adds more calmly "you want to do well and I know you will," he assures softly "and you're not tempted to seek their approval because you already have it," he informs "we have their blessing so we can get married whenever you want," he announces with a shrug. "I think they know me well enough to know that I can choose good people and trust me that I made a good choice with you and I know I did, so they know it too," he just smiles.
"Okay."
"They just want to meet you and I know that they will love you, because you are the best thing that ever happened to me Reg," did the smile ever leave James' face? Regulus stared at him, biting his cheek to hold back tears.
"I love you," he confesses quietly.
"I love you," James replies, something tender in his eyes "don't worry about anything, the only thing you can be afraid of is my dad's unfunny jokes," he informs amused "or mom's soup is too spicy but I already asked her to be careful with spices today," he assures with a smile. "I'll be at your place in five," he waves to his boyfriend.
"In five what?" Regulus snorts.
He went to the closet looking for that sweater and pants James was talking about.
"One," Regulus heard behind his ear and jumped in surprise "oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," James mumbles and kisses him on the cheek.
Regulus flipped them over and pulled James into a real kiss.
Regulus changed quickly, James helped him and cast a spell ironing his clothes. Reg stood in front of the mirror, wand in hand, casting a spell to arrange his hair properly.
"Have you got something for me?" Reg asks, fixing his hair again.
Regulus loved that about James, how he always tried his best and how he always made a short poem for him when he noticed Regulus was stressed.
It helped Regulus clear his mind and focus on something else, it helped him to calm down, and James was very happy when he could help him and in addition he always got a smile and a kiss in return and it's probably the best gift he could imagine.
"Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
The kettle is pretty,
And so are you," James recites to him a poem he has created. Regulus bursts out laughing.
"That's lovely," he grins so James recites another one.
"Daisies are pretty,
Daffies have style,
The thing is beautiful,
And so is your smile," he grined.
Regulus hugs him tightly, falling into his arms.
"You're amazing, you're wonderful, you're incredible, you're the best, James," he kisses his nose "you're so lovely."
"Aww, you're so sweet Reg," James kisses his cheeks. "Ready to go?"
"Just let me find my cologne and we can go," he assures calmly, although he is not calm at all.
James inhales its scent as soon as Reg comes back from the bathroom, cuddles up to him and sniffs him, he loves the smell of him, soon after he laughs to himself remembering a funny situation with this particular cologne.
It's the last year of Hogwarts, Sirius comes to James' bed and frowns, James looks at him curiously as Sirius buries his nose in James's pillow, sniffing. 'Why does your bed smell like Regulus?' He asked then and James was confused 'because he slept here?' James asked hesitantly already running towards the exit, knowing that he would not get a headstart from Sirius. Who would have thought Sirius's sense of smell had sharpened from this whole being a dog.
"I look good?" Regulus asks, examining himself in the mirror.
"You look stunning, love," James smiles at him "it'll be fine," he assures, taking Regulus's hand in his and kissing his knuckles.
"I hope so," Regulus exhales.
He was nervous, of course he was stressed. Regulus was never good enough, there was always something wrong with him.
He wasn't satisfying even for his own parents how was he supposed to be enough for someone else?
Always perfect, never good enough.
So he was stressed.
He'd heard a lot from James about his parents, and he wished he could take it easy, but he couldn't.
Breath in.
Breath out.
Inchale.
Exchale.
It will be good.
It will be okay.
And they crossed the fireplace.
"Hey Bibo," James greets the elf "could you tell my parents that we are here?" He asks politely.
Regulus looks around inside this masion, it's a very large house, they are now in a spacious living room, the glass windows reveal a beautiful, lush garden.
It's a warm and welcoming home, one that you walk in and feel loved and surrounded by it, it's a cozy home.
It's full of photos and family heirlooms, lots of colors, but it all fits together in a strange way. It's a beautiful house.
"They are already waiting Master James, sir," informs the elf which pulls Regulus out of his thoughts "Bibo is to lead," he informs leaving and waiting for the guests to follow him.
James squeezes Regulus's hand reassuringly and they move forward.
They go out onto the patio which Regulus finds odd but dining outdoors sounds a lot like James so it makes sense.
"My boy!" Cried Fleamont cheerfully, getting up from the chair and almost knocking over his wife sitting on its back, Effie shook her head in amusement and joined her husband.
Fleamont was already enclosing James in a tight hug.
"Oh, and look," Effie smiles tenderly "who's with you today, just look at that pretty face," her gaze is so warm and her words so kind. Regulus feels his lungs shrink "honey I've probably heard your name a million times but just for the record, will you introduce yourself?"
"I'm Regulus Black, ma'am," he says, his voice steady even though he's trembling inside, he just doesn't fit here, he's not like them. He's not–
He keeps his eyes down, it's a sign of respect, Regulus knows how to behave with traditional purebloods but with Potters? Regulus knows how to treat older wizards, he learned it all his childhood, how to show respect, but how to behave around the Potters, who weren't even remotely like the restrictive bloodlines?
"Oh, my boy, there's no need to do it, honey traditions traditions but don't be stiff, you're like family now," she shakes her head and smiles slightly. "I'm Effie, James' mum, you can probably guess, you're a smart boy, James said so, so yes, and that's my husband, Fleamont," she turns to the side but won't meet her husband there, Fleamont and James have moved off the terrace onto the grass and both of them are bent over something. "Flea, leave that poor gargoyle and come say hello!" She called after him.
"Love, James and I made a bet on it's color, it's important!" He says seriously, Mrs. Potter raises an eyebrow. "I'm coming, I'm coming!" He corrected himself.
"Well, that's the way it is with them," she shakes her head "how do you present yourself to our guest Fleamont, your only son brings home the love of his life and you don't even say hello. The poor boy will take us for some madman yet," she lectures him. "And you James, don't leave him alone, he'll get stressed!" She also turns to her son "well, forgive me Regulus," she smiles apologetically.
"Oh, I'm sorry love, my mom probably managed to stress you out in those few seconds for all eternity," he says with feigned concern he even puts his hand to his heart. Regulus fights his smile.
"Your mom is a really nice woman, she's nothing but polite. I know who you got it from," he smiles politely.
"And I still haven't introduced myself." Fleamont scratches his chin "Fleamont Potter," he smiles at the boy.
"Don't bow," James whispers, touching his arm so Regulus just nods. "So what? We're going to eat?" James proposes.
So they sat together at a table on the patio, on wooden benches covered with colorful cushions and woven armchairs.
"So Regulus," Fleamont begins as they wait for their food. Regulus swallows the stress as he looks up, his heart beating fast, James joins their hands under the table, reassuring "does our James treat you well?" The man asks, and the question shocks Regulus, leaving him with his mouth open. He had expected to be asked about himself, not about James.
"Well," finally he manages to say something. "He treats me flawlessly, really," he just smiles. And that one smile is enough for them to see the love for their son that Regulus had "you did a really good job raising him," he praises.
"Oh, you're so kind honey," Mrs. Potter smiles "how did you two meet," she decides to ask.
"Effie James talks about it every day," Fleamont notes amusedly.
"Well, I want to know the other version," she smiles kindly at Regulus.
"Well, no big deal when I was eleven I was going to Hogwarts and I was forced to sit with my brother's insufferable friends," he recalls with a small smile "but as for when James stopped being my older brother's obnoxious friend, that was a year ago actually," he frowns "we sat at a picnic by the lake, lots of people really," there were Marauders, Skittles and Valkyries, lots of people. "James decided to give me a daisy wreath that had been spitting from the moment we sat on the ground, which was about two hours," he bite his tongue "and then he put it on my head," he couldn't hold back his smile anymore "and what can I say, at that moment I knew I was head over heels," James grined, he was beaming.
"Then I'm proud I taught him how to weave wreaths," Euphemia smiles fondly.
"James tells a different story," Fleamont notes, something tender in his gaze.
"Yes, which one?" Reg asks curiously.
"It's different every time because every day I fall in love with you all over again," James tells him with a grin.
"Don't be so smooth," his dad laughs "he says about how he accidentally ran into the wrong locker room at the end of sixth year and saw you shirtless," Fleamont talks and Regulus blushes as he hides behind a cup of water.
"Well, that's true too," James shrugs,
"It's such a shame you didn't visit us sooner, dear, you're such a nice boy," Mrs. Potter smiles at him, it's new, it's weird, it's nice.
"Yes, I'm sorry about that too but I didn't have the opportunity," he admits "but now that I live with Sirius, I have the opportunity and I'm very happy that I took it," he smiles politely.
"By the way, how is Sirius?" Effie asks.
"He's her favorite," Mr. Potter informs him as if to whisper.
"That's so true," James admits, feigning heartache.
"It's not true!" Effie is indignant.
"He's always the favorite child, what can I do," Regulus sighs heavily.
"I'm so sorry, that's not–" Fleamont opens his eyes wider.
"He's kidding," James soothes.
"Oh. I'm sorry," Regulus sees his mistake.
"You're still at Hogwarts, right?" The topic of conversation changes. "Last year?"
"That's right Mrs. Potter," Regulus nods, surprised by this they talk over dinner.
Dinners were always quiet in his house.
"Oh please, call me Effie," she asks with a polite smile.
"I won't," he shakes his head, Euphemia raised an eybrow. "Oh, sorry, was it rude? I didn't mean–"
"It took him four years to start calling me James instead of Potter," James explains "he's so old-fashioned," he sighed dramatically "don't think he'll switch quickly, he didn't even call Sirius by name until he was about 5 years old," he sticks his tongue out at Regulus, he loves to tease him.
"Because I couldn't say "r"!" Regulus defends himself.
"I don't know how 'brother' could be any simpler," James snorts.
"And it's not like he ever introduced himself to me," Regulus snorts indignantly.
They laughed.
"What would you like to do in the future, Regulus?"
"I actually already have a scholarship system and an apprenticeship at the Ministry of Magic, Horace Slughorn recommended me to the Potions department so basically I'd like to continue this."
"Regulus is a potions genius, always at the top of the list of the best students, he even skipped a year," James says with delight "definitely a favorite in the slug club," he adds teasingly.
"What can I say, it's good to be good at what you like," he smiles shyly.
"I don't believe! Finally someone I won't tire of talking about aconite," Mr. Potter grins widely.
"It's actually a really interesting plant," Regulus agree "it has many uses, and combination with moonlight–"
"From the first phase it can creates a great–" Fleamont entered his sentence, finishing his thought.
"Healing potion," they ended together, both with big smiles.
"Please, boys, not while eating," Mrs. Potter sighs.
The evening passes in a wonderful atmosphere, it's very nice and Regulus feels good.
"One last question before you disappear," Mrs Potter looks into Regulus' eyes which stresses him out "what makes you know you love my son Regulus?"
Regulus takes a moment to think, he looks at James and frowns, then turns to Mrs. Potter.
"He makes me smile," it is what he chooses to say.
"I think that's quite a good reason," Mrs. Potter smiles fondly.
"It was lovely to meet you, come by as often as you like," Fleamont ads.
"Of course," Regulus nods.
"Let me give you a hug," Mrs. Potter spreads her arms, Regulus would never let a stranger hug him, but Effie doesn't seem like a stranger at all, he's drowning in her embrace. It's such a nice feeling.
James also says goodbye to his parents. Together with Regulus, holding hands, they disappear into the fireplace, back in Regulus' room.
"If you grow old like your dad, you're never leaving," Regulus informs solemnly "he's beekeeping age like fine wine," he ads.
"I will totally tell him that the next time we meet," James smirks mischievously.
"Don't you dare," Regulus hisses. "I'm glad that I meet your parents today," Regulus decides with a slight smile.
"Oh, you love me so much," James grins.
"I do," Regulus nods.
"This is no time for wedding vows now," James informs seriously, Regulus bursts out laughing.
"I love you so much," Regulus shakes his head.
"I love you Reg," James smiles.