why music ruins your life

James never thought he and Regulus would fight out of all people. He had fought with Sirius before but not because of tiny little things. Or Sirius didn't make him just hang out with him daily to prove his loyalty. He trusted James. On the other hand, Regulus couldn't have been more significantly different. He needed comfort, a lot of it. James was still getting used to balancing the life he had and now has which was being a professor, and also balancing the stuff he had going on with Regulus.  

He didn't realize that sometimes being a professor might affect your energy levels and maybe perhaps your communication levels, because you wasted them all talking to students. James didn't quite get how Regulus was doing it all until he realized how insecure he truly was (childhood issues of course). James had a tendency to always be there for someone even if it's their fault, and James had yet to realize this but, every single thing that happens between you and someone is a process that every relationship has to go through to flutter. Or else you just love the idea of a person, not the person itself.

It all started the morning after Regulus and James hung out with Remus and Sirius.

James liked it was a Friday and sunny but it was gonna rain later in the evening. He and Regulus made up that James should go by bus and Regulus would just walk thirty minutes. Because they aren't quite sure it would be good if the rumor between them grew larger. But it didn't annoy James that Regulus wanted to be discreet with the whole thing. After all, Regulus cared very much about his reputation. 

But sometimes being perfect all the time can come as a curse. 

The bus drove abnormally fast today so James got to the college earlier than usual, but somehow Regulus walked faster than the bus. But James didn't waste any time chatting with Mcgonagall or even Pandora. Because it was close to the end of the semester and he had totally forgotten he was going to evaluate them. So James quickly gathered the material and wrote a test which for college standards was quite easy, he didn't do it so that students can see him as a god but as a person who went through so much studying in his college days, he could have appreciated if a professor was understanding, that people who do well in the test doesn't mean they understand completely the curriculum they just have a talent of remembering things quickly. 

On the other hand, Regulus wrote the hardest tests known to mankind. He rather believe that only students who paid serious attention deserved to pass. 

James finished preparing for the test in about an hour or so and went next door to see what Regulus was doing. And he was just on his laptop checking off some emails. 

"What made you come in here Professor? Did I do sometimes  wrong?" Regulus said sarcastically as he quirked an eyebrow, 

"Nothing in particular," James started, and smirked "I just think you are really pretty" 

Regulus pretended not to blush and looked away quickly so that James couldn't see his lips turn into a downward smile. 

"See you later" James murmured in his ear and kissed his forehead. 

The bell rang and James quickly trotted out of Regulus's classroom and back into his bulky one. The students came clamoring in quickly and James after giving the instructions for the test said some assuring words to the students/

"Well class it has been nice knowing you, after this test, I shall transform into a different person," He said gloomily "And prepare your arses because your gonna get your arse kicked by this exam" 

Students laughed as they turned over the test and started writing, meanwhile, in Regulus's classroom, it was all very serious. 

"If I see anyone cheating," Regulus shouted "You shall be dismissed"

Of course, the two prominent students of Regulus class Harry and Ginny exchanged worrying glances and a fist bump. 

"Cheers" Whispered Ginny as they flipped over the exam to start.

"Cheers mate" Responded Harry equally amused.

-

After James was done with the two first hours of his classes he decided to pay Pandora a visit since it was almost lunchtime. Pandoras's art classroom was just across Regulus's. It was to ask Pandora for some concept art for the concert he was planning for the end of the year. 

"Weird seeing me here isn't it" James smiled at Pandora as he walked into the classroom.

"Quite" Pandora responded returning the smile back unlike Regulus who just stares at him when he smiles at him.

"I was just gonna er," James pointed to a random drawing that he was gonna use as a reference size for the posters "Will this fit on the wall"

"Yes, I'm sure it can. I measured it yesterday" Pandora grabbed the poster and lifted it up close to the wall so James could see how it was supposed to look.

"Fantastic, I shall come by and get them by Monday next week?"

"Of course, I'm gonna finish it by the weekend, If you need more posters I'll ask my students who are majoring in graphic design, to make some for you" Pandora offered generously. 

James didn't expect Pandora to be this kind to him.

"Okay, I'll make sure to come by" 

Just about when he was leaving he noticed one of the student's drawings, it reminded him weirdly of Regulus. Pandora coincidentally pointed out the drawings. They were made by the first years who looked terrified when both professors were admiring their work. 

"How cute," James commented pointing at one of the cats "That one looks like Reggie" 

"It does actually" Pandora laughed. 

Regulus just finished correcting when he stepped out of the classroom, he saw from across the hall that James and Pandora were laughing. What could they be laughing about? 

He usually doesn't get mad this often but it seems like it was having a bad day. And he got weirdly angry at James. 

When James, finally came out of the classroom Regulus confessed to him. 

"I see you laughing quite happily when you're with Pandora, you never do that with me" Regulus uttered, his gaze was so scary that even James couldn't keep up.

"What are you talking about? I always laugh when I am with you, how does that make a difference"

"I don't know," Regulus shuttered panicking "You seem more happy with her"

"Regulus are you mad? it's not my problem that you have jealousy issues, not everyone is gonna run away from you as Sirius did"

Regulus's face went pale like chalk and his eyes watered at the thought of Sirius.

"Pardon me, Professor Potter" Regulus ran to his classroom and quickly shut the door. 

James shouldn't have said that.

But he really thought it was a really dumb idea to be mad about.

-

Sirius loved that Remus had every response to every question he could ever ask. Sirius could go blabbering for hours on end and Remus wouldn't say a thing. Remus quite enjoyed the company of Sirius's loud talking. It brought him comfort weirdly. 

"Moony, do you reckon my little brother and James have been shaggin' since they first met?" Sirius asked looking over at Remus. 

He flipped a page of the book he was reading and said "I think they are quite different from one anothe' it makes take a while before they actually understand all the differences. Not to mention, the difficulties of sustainin' a healthy relationship"

"How come you know everything?"

"Lots of thinkin', my love"

Sirius smiled and tossed the book Remus was reading to sit on his lap. 

"I'm just worried, James will hurt Reggie. Because well," Sirius sighed "He doesn't think before he says. Obviously, I don't care because I know James was just saying what he thought at the time, and it wasn't anything personal. But Reggie might take it to heart" 

Clearly, Sirius was the only person that knew Regulus and could read him like a book. 

"Opposites attract they say, the more they fightin' the closer they are gonna be" 

Sirius didn't respond, he just sat there thinking about all the interactions Regulus had with James.

"Can a person truly change one?" Sirius asked after a long silence. 

Remus paused to think then uttered "it gives excitement and will to live. Not necessarily change, because every little change is forced by yourself for your own good. Yeah people can affect yer' but that doesn't mean your gonna change just because they tell you to, It needs will"

"What kind of hope are you talking about?'

"Just like, every time I felt sadness or defeat," Remus started "I saw you, and suddenly every bad feeling I had disappeared" 

"Just like that?" 

"Just like that"

Sirius gets it now.