Ogdens Finest
Patrolling with Regulus became the only thing that Remus looked forward to. Sure, he had other friends. He studied with Lily and sat with her in the common room whilst Marlene attempted to beat him at chess (she never did). He was making an absolute fortune selling cigarettes - one cigarette for a galleon meant that he was making twenty galleons a pack. It was hilarious taking advantage of the pureblood idiots who thought that they were in charge of the situation. James, of course, attempted to speak to Remus almost daily. Eventually, Remus snapped.
“You don’t fucking get it, James. Sirius didn’t do that because he was sad, or angry. He did that because he could. He’s selfish and arrogant, just like you. I’m fucking sick of watching you pamper him like a spoiled child. For every scar that he has, I have ten. Now fuck off”.
James gave up after that. For a while, Remus thought that he’d awoken some realisation in James, but no. Somehow, the Marauders had become convinced that Moony had taken over Remus, and that’s why he was so angry. In all honesty, Moony was definitely a dominant personality. He whispered in Remus’s head like a bad influence. But Remus loved it. He realised that Moony made him more powerful. He could hear things, and smell fear. He could smell the arousal on Lily when he pawed with her hair, he could hear her heart beating. It wasn’t only her, he could smell most people, and whilst it was nauseating at times, it was very fun.
His hearing was probably what was strongest, and it came in handy. One night before his prefect duties Remus had hopped in the shower before meeting with Regulus, when James and Sirius entered the dorm speaking in hushed voices.
“Maybe he’s jealous Pads, I mean, we all thought he fancied you” James had sighed, laying on the bed next to Sirius. That broke something in Remus. He had fancied Sirius, he’d confided in James. That’s what made The Prank so painful. Remus’s sexuality was something he’d always been conscious of, especially growing up in an all-boys group home. When he’d finally accepted the wolf in him, he’d also accepted the animalistic urges that came with it. Sex was natural, regardless of who it was with.
-
That evening Remus went on his patrol with Regulus. As usual, Regulus was quiet. He was different today though, his hair frazzled and eyes rimmed red.
“Baby Black, are you drunk?” Remus exclaimed, moving closer to the younger boy. He was swaying slightly on his feet, failing to keep his balance. One hand - the one with the signet ring - was clutching a half-empty bottle of Ogden’s Finest Whiskey. Regulus didn’t answer, he just took another swig.
“Right, we’re binning off Prefect duties tonight” Remus mumbled, throwing an arm around Regulus’s waist and leading him out to the edge of the forest. Remus chose to ignore how overwhelmed his senses were at this proximity to Regulus. He smelt of honeysuckle - whiskey and tobacco too. When they got to the clearing Remus let go of Regulus and sat down next to him, leaning against the base of a tree.
“My mother has big plans for this summer. I am to be marked and engaged” Regulus sighed, taking a swig from the bottle. Remus took a drink for himself, unsure of how to answer. He knew of Walburga Black and her ways. When Sirius had arrived at Potter Manor last Christmas he was soaked with blood. To this day he still got tremors from the number of crutiatus curses he took. He chose not to answer, just offering a cigarette to the boy beside him. At least an hour passed before Regulus spoke up again.
“I don’t even like girls. I mean, they’re pretty, sure. But, I don’t feel the way I should when I’m around them”.
His voice was small. Usually, when Regulus spoke in his posh London drawl he demanded attention, even in a whisper. Now, however, he sounded so pathetic. Remus felt his heart clench. Somewhere in his mind, he felt Moony perk up, ‘Comfort the pup’. Remus let out a loud sigh, trying to figure out his approach.
“I know what you mean. Truly I do. It’s not an easy thing to come to terms with. But, eventually, you’ll stop caring because eventually, you’ll be dead, regardless of if you kissed boys or girls”. Regulus was closer to him now. His stormy eyes were big and wet. In all honesty, it was taking every ounce of his self-control not to kiss Regulus right there.
“Have you ever been with a boy?” Regulus whimpered, rubbing some spilt whiskey from his chin. Remus groaned loudly, watching the younger boy’s face contort with curiosity.
“I’ll tell you about it another time, Baby Black. I’m afraid I haven’t got much self-control at the momen-” Remus never got to finish his sentence as Regulus launched forward, his lips meeting Remus’s. He knew. Remus knew it was a bad idea. It was so hard to pull away, so so hard. When he finally did gather the strength, Regulus looked better than ever. His pale face flushed and pink, lips parted.
They walked back to the castle in silence, and for the first time Remus walked Regulus back to his dorm instead of parting ways. Moony was going wild, howling with glee at the kiss. Remus was finding it extremely hard not to touch Regulus. His usually neat hair was messy from Remus’s hands, something that made a great amount of pride swell within Remus.
“Thank you, Lupin. I’m not myself right now” Regulus muttered, standing outside of the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room.
“Call me Remus, Baby Black”.