Can I Stay Here Forever?
“What was that?” Sirius asked James as he watched his brother walk away.
“What was what?” James’ face scrunched up in confusion as he looked at Sirius.
“All of that. I just got back on semi-stable footing with Regulus, and you immediately shame him? What the hell man.” Sirius looked and sounded genuinely upset.
“I didn’t lie Sirius, he did choose wrong. And nothing can change that. I don’t get why you’re so upset with me.” James said, starting to get defensive.
“Except he is changing it. He’s with us now, they all are. If I’m going to accept that, then you have to too.”
“You really believe all that? Believe he’s changed?”
“I HAVE to James. He’s my brother. I love him. So I HAVE to believe it. I just. I have to.”
James looked away, wanting to look at anything but Sirius at the moment, I love him too.
Sirius sighed, upset, looking away as well. Knowing the conversation was over for now.
Remus and Peter, who had stayed silent throughout this exchange, glanced at each other not knowing what to say to help. Remus turned to look at James, seeing how conflicted he looked lost in his mind, and started connecting some dots. He was going to figure out what was wrong with his friend.
“What took you guys so long? We already got drinks for everyone.” Lucius just rolled his eyes at Barty’s antics, walking forward to give said drinks to the four.
“Aw, we missed you too Barty. Can’t even go 15 minutes without us huh?” Evan smirked, leaning in towards Barty as he spoke.
Barty smirked back, not one to back down, “Oh no, just you babe.”
The others all simultaneously amused by and used to their antics, ignored them in favor of opening their drinks, thanking Lucius as they did so.
“Truly though, did you get lost or something?” Barty asked when he finally pulled himself away from his and Evans… Whatever it was.
“Of course not, Sev got distracted by a plant he thought he recognized.” Regulus looked at Severus as he made the excuse.
Severus gave a slight nod to him, before going along with it, “It wasn’t what I thought it was, but I just wanted to make sure.” Lucius and Barty accepted this explanation, as it was very on brand for their potion master friend.
“Well anyway, I promised Belladonna I would assist in her shopping this afternoon. Lucius, will you be joining?” Narcissa looked inquiringly at Lucius, who just stared blankly at her for a moment before answering.
“Truthfully, I’d rather not. Belladonna has a tendency to get too into her shopping, and lose track of time. How about I just see you when you return home?” Narcissa laughed endearingly at his response, not upset in the slightest.
“Alright then, I will see you tonight. Regulus and Severus dears, I will see you another time”, the boys each exchanged a smile and small hug with her in goodbye, “Barty and Evan. You boys, do behave, alright?” She arched her brow at them as she spoke.
“Yes mom.” They spoke together, each wearing a grin, while exchanging their own small hugs with her. She rolled her eyes at them fondly as she pulled away.
She waved her final goodbyes as she walked away, leaving the five men to their own devices.
Barty immediately turned towards Evan, wearing a smirk. “So, you wanna go cause trouble somewhere?” Evan laughed as he answered.
“Don’t I always? Lead the way.” With that Barty grabbed his hand and dragged him off.
Lucius sighed, “I should probably go make sure whatever they do isn’t too bad. I’ll see you two later, alright?” He made eye contact with each boy as he spoke. They nodded, smiling at him. Narcissa may be like a mom, but Lucius was definitely like a dad.
Lucius gave them a last small smile before he turned and went after Barty and Evan, leaving it now to be just the two men remaining.
“Well, I promised Apollo and Charity that I would meet with them after I was done with lunch here. Would you like to join?” Regulus looked slightly shocked at the invitation, but smiled gratefully and accepted. He didn’t want to go home yet.
Turns out the place the three were going to meet up was a very comfortable cafe that had a semi library in the back. Regulus immediately loved it.
“Sev!” Regulus turned, shocked by the loud acknowledgement of their presence, just in time to see Severus get tackled by the blonde girl who had yelled out his name. She was followed closely by Apollo Mulciber, a tall dark skinned man, who was still built like a beater.
Severus hugged the girl back, Regulus could see him smile as he pressed his face into the side of her head, pulling away a moment later so he could look at her and Mulciber.
“Hey bug,” He smiled at her before looking towards Mulciber, “Apollo. You two remember Regulus?” They nodded, both sending polite nods Regulus’ way.
“I hope I’m not intruding. Severus invited me.” At this Burbage brightened, smiling at Regulus.
“Of course not! Any friend of Sev’s is a friend of ours. Right Apollo?” She looked over at Mulciber, who nodded his agreement. She walked closer to Regulus while speaking, grabbing his hand to pull him towards the booth they had been sitting at before the two men had arrived.
The other two followed the overexcited girl, taking their seats as she pushed Regulus into what she had just deemed his spot. She sat next to him, Severus on the opposite side of her, Mulciber sitting next to him.
“You two were at lunch with Malfoy, Barty, and Evan before this, weren’t you?” Mulciber asked, looking to Severus for an answer.
“Yes, when the others split off to go do their own things I figured you two wouldn’t mind an extra presence.”
“Of course not, the more the merrier. Besides, I love it when you make new friends.” Charity responded before Mulciber got the chance, smiling brightly at Severus and Regulus.
“Does he make new friends often?” Regulus asked Charity, smirking at Severus.
“Oh, of course not. He’s hard to get along with at first, but we adore him.” Charity either didn’t notice or didn’t care about the glare Severus sent her way. Mulciber hiding a laugh in the crook of his elbow, Severus turning his glare toward him. Regulus, however, didn’t even try to hide his laugh. Severus glared the hardest at him before huffing and looking away from the group.
“Oh come on Sev, you know it’s said with love.” Apollo said, knocking their shoulders together, smiling. Regulus could see Severus fight a smile before he sighed and turned back to them, smile firmly planted on his face now.
“You know I can’t stand either of you, right?” It was obvious neither of them took him seriously, not with the smile he wore.
“Oh please. You love us, you’d die without us.” The three friends laughed.
Regulus found himself smiling at the scene in front of him. I don’t ever want to leave this place, it feels so… happy. In this moment everything feels ok.