The Morning After
June
Amaya Potter has been woken up many times in many unpleasant ways, however until today she could confidently say she's never been woken up by a screaming Marlene confronted with the sight of Barty and Evan getting busy on her kitchen counter. The last fifteen minutes have been super confusing for Amaya. Marlene passes the still slightly groggy girl with a hand holding each of the men's ears and drags the towards her main door.
"you know the no hanky-panky rule when in a radius of others. you both are banned from the apartment for the rest of the day. go home and tire each other out. nasties." Marlene huffs shoving them out without a chance to speak.
Marlene turns to face the confused four in the living room and the four on the steps and smiles.
"good morning my loves, what shall we do for breakfast?"
Everyone shares a bewildered look before Dorcas, Lily, Remus, and Sirius join the others in the living room. Sirius and Remus join Regulus and James on their couch, it dawns on Maya then that Regulus and James cuddle on said couch throughout the night, and she decides to pocket this for later. Pandora is sat on the couch with Maya and Marlene tosses herself down between them. Dorcas and Lily cuddle up on the love seat trying to steal one another's warmth.
"mymy, please tell my girlfriend that I miss her." Marlene smiles from her spot next to Maya.
"mymy, please respond to Marlene and tell her she wouldn't have to miss me if she hadn't crawled into Sirius and Remus' bed this morning whispering secrets."
Maya giggles at Dorcas who sends Marlene a look that says "bitch".
"is that who climbed into our bed this morning, I just assumed it was James due to the giggles." Remus smirks.
James splutters while Sirius seems to look confused before turning to James.
"Where did you sleep last night James?" Sirius asks.
"he slept on this couch, I was with Maya and Pandora until they literally kicked me off in the Marlene caught Evan and Barty fucking again scandal" Regulus supplies.
James looks less pale but slightly disappointed that Regulus lied, which surprises Amaya so much that she stands abruptly.
"Jamie, we're going to treat everyone to coffee this morning remember?" Maya urges.
Recognizing the look in his sister's eyes James jumps up as well. "yes that's right everyone text us your orders!"
"I'll come with get everyone burritos" Remus smiles.
Amaya asses him and James before nodding and grabbing her keys, she exchanges her leather jacket for one of Remus' sweaters that get passed throughout the friend group. For a drummer in a band, Remus picks the best sweaters at thrift stores and clothing swaps.
Amaya gets into her Jeep passenger seat making James take the back as Remus drives.
"am I correct in assuming we're going to be questioning mr.potter on this breakfast run?" Remus asks.
"you're quite correct Mr. lupin," Maya muses before turning to face her brother
"Mr. potter is there anything you'd like to confess?"
James smiles, smiles brighter than the sun, a smile Remus saw back in school when James was obsessed with Lily before they both realized they preferred the same sex.
"reg and I slept on that couch together, willingly, I just don't know why he lied." James' smile falls.
"I can guarantee you regulus did not lie to hurt you Jamie." Maya comforts.
"no I don't think he meant to hurt you at all, I think he just didn't want to say anything before he talked to you." Remus smiles.
" and I dragged you away like a cunt." Maya huffs turning back into her seat.
They drive to the coffee shop and grab everyone's orders, Remus orders from the burrito truck outside. While they're waiting for the burritos Amaya comes to a realization.
" wait a damn minute, if you and Reg get together I'm going to be stuck here alone with Barty and Evan, no absolutely not you can't take both Black brothers with you." Maya crosses her arms as she sets the coffee down on a table.
"Ami, I couldn't convince Reg to leave with me if I tried." James chuckles.
Amaya nods at him as Remus comes over with two bags of burritos. They climb back into the jeep and head back to Marlene and Lily's.
...
As soon as the three left, Sirius grabbed his brother and dragged him to the balcony.
"Why is it always the damn balcony." regulus grumbles.
"elaborate," Sirius states.
"This balcony has brought me nothing but realizations in the last twenty-four hours."
" and what realizations are those Reggie?"
" that your best friend is probably the love of my life and I hate how happy that makes you."
Sirius gasps out a laugh. " reg, I want you to be happy, if prongs makes you happy then, of course, I'm going to be happy about it. If he hurts you though I will kill him."
Regulus smiles softly. " I really think I might love him more than I previously led myself to believe, Sirius when you sleep with Remus and no I don't mean sex, I mean when you just cuddle up at night with him how do you feel?"
" like I'm home." Regulus takes a deep breath and turns to face Sirius head-on.
"Jamie feels like home." Regulus admits.
Sirius looks at Regulus, really looks at his baby brother, and sees the fear and devotion equally shown in his eyes. Regulus is shaking slightly like he's unstable now that he's admitted to Sirius that James Potter is the object of all his affection. Sirius grabs Regulus and wraps him in a hug so tight, Regulus thinks he might sob.
"I am so proud of you." Sirius mumbles.
"I'm proud of you too, even though you are taking James on tour and leaving me here." Reg pokes.
" don't be a prat." Sirius smiles.
They stay there hugging until Pandora slides the door open, she steps out still in her glittery top and flare jeans from the party, her face has been washed and she's sporting a hairstyle suspicious of Bellatrix's influence. Pandora brings a joint from behind her ear and lights it, taking a drag before offering it to Regulus.
"the others are about to join us out here, Remus, James, and Maya just got back and everyone wants to elevate before we feast." Pandora muses.
Sirius nods and takes a drag before heading inside to get his own joint from Remus's room.
Remus, Lily, and Marlene got their apartment fresh out of uni, as none of them were ready to live alone. They've each had their partners move in since, and the apartment is commonly known as the stoner's den. Not everyone in the friend group smokes, so those who don't typically spend the first couple hours of their morning after parties at Andromeda or Narcissa's places. Lily, Marlene, and Dorcas are the next to join them on the balcony all dressed in sweaters stolen from Remus over the years. Marlene takes the spliff from Regulus and sits on the floor of the balcony. James, Remus, Amaya, and Sirius join the balcony and everyone enjoys their session in peace before heading back inside to have breakfast. Jokes are passed while everyone drinks their coffee and eats their burritos, once the food is finished and the trash is cleared away, everyone sits around the living room until James' phone goes off. James checks his phone before turning to face the group.
" Peter and several others are on the way." The room is silent for several moments before Maya jumps up,
"I call first dibs on the shower!" she runs towards the bathroom and locks the door.
Regulus' phone dings a moment later and he laughs before getting up and grabbing her bag from the floor.
" forgot her bag did she?" Lily chuckles.
" you know our my lils, she'd lose her head if it wasn't attached to her body." Marlene giggles
Peter and is entourage consisting of; Sybill, Narcissa, Alice, Frank, Fabian, Gideon, and Mary walk into the apartment while Lily is in the shower. Mary ventures to join her fiancee while the rest settle into the living room with everyone else. Alice joins Marlene and they start discussing how many streams their new album has gotten since being released last night. Sybill drags Peter to sit with the rest of his bandmates and Sirius. Narcissa and Frank sit next to Regulus and Pandora and Fabian and Gideon join Maya and Dorcas on their couch. Fabian and Gideon fall into the discussion of fashion quite easily.
" our director said he's fairly confident that this movie is going to secure us an invite to award ceremonies this year, maybe you dora and Trix should keep that in mind." Gideon smiles.
"wait, you're in the movie too?" Maya asks confused.
"Technically he's my stunt double, I'm out of stunts for six months." Fabian supplies.
Maya slightly frowns before giving her full attention to Fabian.
"What happened?" Maya asks.
"I messed my shoulder up a little bit, actually would you take me to get ice?" Fabian smiles.
"come on Romeo let's go get you some ice." Amaya giggles which causes Gideon and Dorcas to stop their conversation on materials and gawk at Maya.
Fabian just smiles smugly at his brother before following Maya into the kitchen. Once they're in the kitchen his smug look falls into one of wonder.
"Not that I'm complaining but why are you being so nice to me?" Fabian asks.
" I wasn't especially mean to you, I was scared of you and so I became cold to you because you're fun and you love with every bone in your body and I didn't want to hurt you or be hurt by you." Maya softly speaks.
Fabian moves towards where she's closing his bag of ice, he takes the ice from her slowly before setting it down on the counter, he grabs her hand gently giving her time to pull away if she wanted to. She doesn't, instead she grips his hand steadily in return. She smiles at him shyly and turns so she has him trapped between her and the counter.
"If you want me to be mean to you, all you really have to do is ask," Maya says in a slight whisper.
" what if I want you to be nice to me?"
" whatever you wish, you need only ask." Maya smirks.
Fabian chuckles. "so you have read some of your script."
" yeah, apparently my character makes out with some redhead." Maya muses.
Fabian gasps and quickly turns them so that Amaya is now trapped between him and the counter. He lightly tickles her until she calls uncle and they're both left catching their breath. Maya leans into Fabian's chest matching his calmer breathing. He rubs his hands up and down her back as she melts into him more. Amaya thinks she could make a home right there. Right in between the spaces of his chest, she could just step right in and make herself a home, where she'll never be scared or forced to be this sunlight for everyone else. Fabian would let her, she thinks, which causes her to sigh. His hands slow on her back and he hums into the top of her head.
"what's on your mind?"
" I don't want to run away from you anymore, but can you be patient with me?" Maya whispers.
A smile grows at the corners of Fabian's mouth "Whatever you want princess, you need only ask."
Maya sighs and hugs him tighter until James enters the kitchen.
"sorry to interrupt but I need to steal my sister." James grimaces.
"all good mate." Fabian nods at James and untangles himself from a whiny Maya.
Fabian exits the kitchen and James hops up on the counter in front of Maya. He swings his feet before meeting his sister's eyes. James has always loved Amaya's eyes, they're green but lighter than you would initially perceive. James sometimes thinks in another life he and Amaya might be forest animals. James often gets off track so when Maya lightly swats his knees he's not surprised.
"right sorry, one of our tour stops is in New York and I know how much you and Reg love New York City so I'm hoping Frank can secure the dates soon enough that you can talk to your director and maybe fly out for it?" James questions.
" of course jamie, I'll be there either way, so will Reg." Maya smiles a little confused.
" well, we're also debuting some new songs in New York." James chuckles while rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
" ah so you want reg there to hear you profess your love to him."
" I also want you there. Remus and I we've been working on a song for you." Maya pauses at this.
James has never once dedicated a song to her, if she's been the muse for some of his songs he never once has admitted it to her. Maya is both extremely flattered and nervous. Why now, what had she done recently to make James write a song specifically for her? James sensing his sister's oncoming panic laughs and smoothes his hand over her curls.
" Ami, breathe, it's nothing bad and I've been working on it for a while I just couldn't finish it alone."
" Jamie, you've never once admitted to writing a song for me so excuse me if I panic slightly." James chuckles and presses a kiss to her forehead.
He stays there with his lips just resting on her skin breathing in the smell of his best friend. The smell of vanilla, something floral and sweet washes over him, immediately reminding James of their mother and bringing him comfort. Amaya wraps her arms around James' waist and leans into him. That's how Sirius and Regulus find them. Tangled together like usual, basking in one another's safety. Regulus used to think the amount of affection they openly shared was alarming but after living with the Potter's since he was fifteen he gets it now. Fleamont is a very physically affectionate man, always with a hug or affectionate rub to share. Euphemia is no better, demanding hugs every time she sees one of her children, including anyone in the friend group. Regulus remembers the first time Bellatrix met Effie and how in less than five minutes Bella was crying into the older woman's shoulder. Effie held her the whole time strength unwavering as she provided a safe space for Bella to fall apart. Regulus remembers how Effie takes such care in putting them all back together again. Effie maybe James' mum but she is in a way everyone's mother. Regulus and Sirius silently join the Potter siblings in their hug, no words are said but the feelings of dread and excitement are still felt.
...