Croisé
Regulus was staring at the ceiling. He knew that he should at some point drag himself up.
Remus had already awoken and was rustling around for something outside the curtain.
Just say something!
“Good morning Regulus.” Remus said, popping his head between the curtains and climbing in to sit across from Regulus on the bed.
Regulus sat up quickly, “How the fuck did you know that I was awake?” He asked, blinking at Remus, who had started laughing.
“Did you know that you’re a blanket hog?” Remus asked.
Regulus looked at him with a puzzled look playing across his face.
“I am actually very tidy, thank you very much.” Regulus said, crossing his arms.
Remus blinked before his face broke out into a smile, “No it’s an expression, it means that you take all the blankets while you are sleeping.” He explained.
Regulus’ cheeks turned a deep shade of red, “I thought you were calling me a pig.” He said softly, pushing the duvet off his legs and stretching, “If I were to call anyone a pig it would be Sirius.” Remus said.
“You wouldn’t be wrong.” Regulus said, running a hand through his curls, which he was sure looked absolutely insane. Remus chuckled, “I knew that you would agree.” He popped his head back out of the curtains.
“Did you hear that Sirius? Regulus agrees that you’re a pig.” Remus called.
Regulus heard Sirius drop something before cursing in Italian.
“My own flesh and blood against me!” Sirius said, Before Regulus could roll his eyes, Sirius was poking his head into the curtains. “I would not take your side if you were the last person on the planet.” Regulus said.
Sirius looked at Remus, “Do you see what I have had to put up with my entire life?”
Remus looked between the two brothers, “Honestly I’m going to have to side with Regulus because I know what it’s like to live with you.” He said pointing at Sirius. “Ti ho detto che è difficile convivere con te.” Regulus muttered.
“Traitors! All of you!” Sirius shouted, before disappearing between the curtains. “Hey James! Am I terrible to live with?” Regulus could hear Sirius calling James.
Regulus rolled his eyes before looking back to Remus, “I feel like James is the worst person to ask that question to.”
Remus nodded, “They really are one and the same.” Regulus laughed, before stretching again. “Thank you again for letting me stay here.” He said. Remus nodded, “I understand not wanting to hear that shit.” He said, his eyes glossing over as if he was remembering something and then shuddered.
“That looks like a story that I both want to hear and don’t want to know about.” Regulus said, gathering his sweater and pulling it over his head. Remus shook his head, “Trust me, you really don’t want to know.” Regulus nodded, “I’ll take your word for it.”
“It’s for the best, you need to keep your sanity.” Remus explained, Regulus flashed a smile, “What makes you think I was sane to begin with?” He was going to say something else, but the curtain surrounding Remus’ bed was yanked back, causing both of them to jump.
“Just so you both know, James says that I’m not difficult to live with.” Sirius said.
“Congratulations, would you like a medal?” Remus deadpanned. Regulus laughed, which caused Sirius to whip around to look at him, “Di cosa stai ridendo?” He asked, placing his hands on his hips. “Forse sto ridendo della tua faccia.” Regulus retorted.
“Abbiamo la stessa faccia.” Sirius said, crossing his arms over his chest. “You wish you had a face like mine.” Regulus responded. Remus burst into a fit of laughter, “That’s not fair! We came from the same place.” Sirius argued.
Regulus pushed himself out of Remus’ bed, “You keep telling yourself that. Remus, thank you for letting me stay, but I fear that I must leave before I tear all the hair out of my head.”
Remus nodded, “I totally understand, I’ll meet you in the studio later?” He asked, making a point to ignore Sirius’ whining. Regulus nodded, “I’ll text you when I’m heading there.” He turned to where James was sitting up on his bed, feeling his breath catch in his throat.
James had no right to look like that when he first woke up. His already mussed hair was sticking out at odd angles, and the light from the window was hitting his brown eyes just right, causing them to appear a warm shade of brown. His tan skin had a warm glow to it, making him appear godlike, as if he was shrouded in perpetual light.
It was so unfair.
Regulus felt Remus tap him on the shoulder, snapping him out of the trance that James had seemed to put him in. “James asked if he could join us later.” Remus said, smirking slightly. Regulus knew that Remus had seen him gaping at James. “If he promises not to talk so much I guess he can,” He said, turning and leaving the dorm before he could hear either one of them respond.
As soon as the door closed behind him, he let out a deep breath. He really should have told Remus that, no, James can’t tag along. But he was a weak, weak man for James Potter. He started his walk back to his own dorm, he wanted to know when the switch had flipped between hating James and actually being able to tolerate him, to whatever he was feeling now.
He was still thinking about it when he pushed the door to his dorm room open,
Immediately met with the sight of Barty’s bare ass.
“Jesus fucking christ!” Regulus yelled slapping a hand over his eyes, “Put on some fucking clothes Barty!” He shouted, his hand still covering his eyes.
“Do you know how to knock Reg?” Barty asked, Regulus could hear that he was making no moves to cover himself. “Knock? I fucking live here!” He said, blindly grabbing at anything to throw at him.
Regulus could hear Evan moving around somewhere within the room.
“You can uncover your eyes now, he’s finally covered.” Evan said, Regulus hesitantly dropped his hand. He was met with a bright red Evan and a shit eating grin from Barty.
“What the fuck?” Regulus asked again, still embarrassed about what he walked in on. “I thought that the two of you would have been fully clothed.”
Barty shrugged, “We didn’t think you would be back so soon.” Evan cleared his throat, “I would like to not be included in that ‘we’ statement.” He paused, “I tried to tell him that you would be back any minute.” Regulus rolled his eyes, striding over to his things and gathering his clothes for the day.
“Just, please god don’t let it happen again.” He said, walking into the bathroom and slamming the door, before leaning his back against it. He took a deep breath before turning on the shower, and stepping into it, scrubbing his hands over his face, as though that action would scrub the image of naked Barty out of his mind.
He really couldn’t catch a break.
After his admittedly too long shower, he dried and dressed quickly.
“I’m coming out of the bathroom and I swear to everything that is holy, Barty you better be fully fucking dressed.” he shouted through the door before pushing it open.
Evan was sitting cross legged on his bed, Barty, who was still very shirtless, was laying across his lap.
“See, that’s what you should have done before coming in here the first time.” Barty said, grinning at Regulus from his upside down position across Evan’s lap. Regulus bent down to pick up a pointe shoe, and tossed it directly at Barty’s head. “Chiudi quella cazzo di bocca.” He muttered.
The pointe shoe hit Barty square in the forehead, causing him to pout and rub at his forehead.
Evan started laughing, “Barty, learn to stop talking three words before you end a sentence.” He said, not looking at all sorry for Barty. Regulus sighed, shoving things into a bag and shouldering it, “I’m going to find Pandora, I’ll see you two later.”
“Amusez-vous bien!” Evan called as the door was closing. Regulus rolled his eyes, heading down towards the canteen, he decided to take the stairs to give himself some space to breathe and get his thoughts in order. He didn’t know exactly what he was going to say to Pandora, but he knew that she would rip into the other boys with a viciousness that only Pandora Lovegood was capable of.
He sighed one more time before arriving at his destination and pushing the door open. He immediately spotted Pandora, sitting next to a sullen looking Sirius and Remus. He moved across the distance quickly, before setting his bag across the back of a chair and sitting down.
“You look like hell.” Pandora said, pushing food towards him. Regulus threw her a glare, “Thanks a lot, I have been through hell, and let me tell you, it looks like Barty’s bare ass.” He said, stabbing a sausage with his fork.
His comment was met with a spluttering from Sirius, an amused look from Remus and an angry Pandora.
“I told them to get dressed before you showed up.” She frowned, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. Regulus put his fork down, rubbing at his temples.
“You mean to tell me-” Pandora cut him off, “Yep.” She said.
Regulus sighed loudly, “I’m going to murder them in their sleep.” He said, Remus laughed again. “It would be totally justified.” Sirius nodded eagerly, “I agree, do it.” He said.
Regulus shot his brother a look, “You have no right to talk.. Lest we forget all-” Sirius glared at his brother, “Non dire un’altra parola.”
“Perché? Non vuoi che Remus senta?” Regulus said, smirking at Sirius who was slowly turning a deep shade of red. Remus looked very interested at that, and leaned his elbows onto the table, “I heard my name, are either of you going to enlighten me into what you are talking about?” He asked.
Sirius shook his head, quickly standing and excusing himself from the table. Exiting the canteen quickly, Regulus and Pandora exchanged a look, “What was that all about?” Remus asked, raising an eyebrow. “That would be what we like to call a ‘Sirius moment’. He really is quite dramatic at times.” Pandora explained.
Remus nodded slowly, “At times is a bit of an understatement.” He said, which made Regulus laugh, “You are more than correct.” Pandora smiled, and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Well, I must be off, Lily and Marlene need help with something,” She explained, giving Regulus a quick kiss on the head before floating out of the room.
“You can really tell she’s a dancer.” Remus said, as they were both watching her leave. Regulus nodded, “She really amazes me.” He said. He watched as the door closed behind her before turning to face Remus, “You ready?” He asked.
Remus nodded, pushing his chair out front the table. Regulus followed him. He was a little bit nervous for James to be joining them for their weekly dance session. But to be fair, Regulus and James hadn’t been practicing for their duet, which was mostly due to Regulus finding every excuse in the book to not meet up with him.
It wasn’t his fault that he could barely look at James without losing every ounce of sanity that he had.
Which was going to make the next few hours incredibly hard to get through.
Hopefully Remus’ presence was going to tether him to reality.
The two boys stayed silent for most of the long trek to the room that they always used. “I want to apologize for Sirius’ behavior this morning,” Regulus finally said as they turned the corner. Remus chuckled softly, “It’s rather endearing that he’s always been like that.”
Regulus rolled his eyes, “You would call getting woken up at all hours of the night because he ‘had an important question that absolutely couldn’t wait until sunrise’ endearing?” He said, “Have you fallen down recently? I think you might have a concussion.”
Remus laughed, “Again, I am glad to know that those three in the morning questions have always been Sirius’ style, I was concerned that it had just started when you guys arrived here.” Regulus sighed and shook his head, “Unfortunately that has always been Sirius’ style, he doesn’t know when to shut the fuck up.”
“He calls it a gift.” Remus comments, “More like a curse.” Regulus huffs.
A part of him really missed when Sirius would come to his side of the room to ask questions, and later to his bedroom, when Regulus took the spare bedroom down the hall after he started his transition. It was always something incredibly silly that Sirius could have easily googled, but it made Regulus happy that Sirius always asked him.
He sighed. Remus looked at him carefully; Regulus knew that he wanted to ask him what he was thinking about, but right as he was opening his mouth, James rounded the corner on the other side of the hallway.
And it felt as though all the air in Regulus’ lungs had been punched out of him.
When the fuck did seeing James start doing that to him?
“Remus! Regulus!” James called, waving a hand over his head, as if they didn’t see him coming. “Hi James! So glad that you could make it.” Remus said.
Regulus couldn’t breathe right when James looked like that.
His emotions and his brain had apparently lost all sense of listening to what Regulus wanted.
James was wearing a skin tight shirt that was slightly cropped, Regulus could see whispers of James' incredibly toned stomach, which again, not fair.
“Regulus, aren’t you going to say hi?” Remus asked, pulling Regulus back into his body. Again, Regulus was extremely grateful that one of his best friends was here, just so he wouldn’t make a total ass out of himself.
“Hi James, glad you could make it.” He said, hoping his voice didn’t come out strained. James smiled brightly, which made Regulus sure that his voice hadn’t sounded horrible. “I’m so glad you guys let me tag along, we can even start brainstorming what we wanna do for our duet.” James said, pushing the door to the studio open.
Regulus swallowed down his fear, he really just needed to start dancing, he needed to take his mind off James who he knew was watching his every move.
He moved swiftly to a corner, digging through his bag for his phone. Remus got to choose the music last time, so it really only would be fair if he got to pick this time.
“Damnit Reg, I wanted to pick this time.” Remus protested, coming up behind him. “You chose last time, and the time before that and the-” Remus cut him off, “Okay, okay I get it, I always choose the music, by all means choose away.”
Regulus smiled proudly, “Thank you.” He said, turning all his attention to the mass amounts of playlists that he had. He frowned to himself, trying to find the playlist he always listened to when he danced back in France.
“Do you listen to anything other than classical music?” Remus asked, as the sounds of pianos and violins filled the space. Regulus flipped him off, bending down to start his stretches, “Not everyone wants to dance to David Bowie.” He said, looking at Remus pointedly.
“Your loss.” Remus said with a shrug. Regulus sighed loudly, before standing up and walking back over to his phone to change the music, “You both better thank me for changing the music.” He grumbled, hitting shuffle on his main playlist.
“I didn’t even say anything!” James protested pulling his leg off the barre with a grace that Regulus didn’t know that he was capable of. “But you’re friends with Remus so you fall into the same category.” Regulus said, crossing his arms.
He stared at James, daring him to say something else, as the swells of Fleetwood Mac filled the room.
“See that’s what I’m talking about!” Remus said, clapping his hands and pulling Regulus’ eyes away from James. Regulus flipped him off again, “Who wants to go first then?” He asked, his eyes darting between James and Remus.
Neither of them made a move to volunteer, so Regulus sighed and moved to the center of the room. “Honestly, you two never seem to volunteer for anything.” He said, placing his feet carefully into first position.
He let the music devour him, taking three deep breaths before pushing off and beginning to dance.
Turning off his mind was the best part of feeling the music flow through him.
He was communicating all of the words that he was too scared to mutter aloud.
Regulus stopped as soon as the song ended, wishing it was a little longer.
He was breathing hard, finally allowing himself to look up from the wood floor, to meet Remus’ eyes, “Did you work your bullshit out of your system?” He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Regulus just scowled at him. “I’ll have you know, that I will never work my charming personality out of my system.” He said.
Remus rolled his eyes, “My turn.” He made his way to the center of the room, Regulus stepped back allowing him the space that he was asking for. Reluctantly realizing that he was standing next to James, a bit too late to go to the other side of the room as Remus had begun dancing.
Regulus watched for a while, he was truly amazed at how flexible Remus was. One of their first dance days together, they had compared how flexible they both were, and came to the conclusion that they were evenly matched.
“You really are breathtaking.” James’ voice cut through Regulus’ thoughts, immediately pulling him back to earth. “Cosa?” Regulus asked, his gray eyes meeting James’. “I said that you really are breathtaking when you dance, I mean you’re always breathtaking.” James said, scratching the back of his head.
“Just, extra, when you dance,” He said, looking down at the floor. Regulus didn’t know what to say, but felt his cheeks heating up. “Grazie..”” Regulus said softly, finding the tips of his shoes incredibly interesting.
He couldn’t bring himself to look back up into James’ deep brown eyes.
“I just wanted you to know-” James was cut off by Remus, “Oye! You two, stop flirting!” Regulus’ head snapped up, looking at where Remus had stopped dancing, he had a wide smile on his face, “You wish Lupin!” James called back, sticking his tongue out.
Regulus rolled his eyes, “I’ll have you know that we weren’t flirting.” He said, holding Remus’ eye contact and daring him to look away first.
Remus shrugged, “Whatever you say Reggie.” He turned to James, “I believe that brings us to your turn.” James nodded, stepping into the middle of the floor.
Remus slotted himself next to Regulus, “I really don’t think that he was flirting, I don’t even know if he would want to date someone like me.” He said, digging into the wood with the tip of his toe.
Remus had been the first and only person he told about being Trans, he was terrified that Remus would reject his friendship.
But Remus being the type of person that he was, had instantly accepted him, pulling him into a big hug and thanking him for trusting him with that information.
“You don’t know that, you’ve only been here a month and a half. You need to give people a chance, Reg.” Remus said, bumping Regulus’ shoulder lightly with his own. “The whole world isn’t always doom and gloom.” He said. Regulus rolled his eyes, “Thought we were on the same page about the world sucking.”
Remus laughed lightly, “Most of the time, but there are a few things that I make exceptions for.” He explained, Regulus nodded carefully, “And you want my brother to kill me and then you?” He asked.
“What do you mean?” Remus asked, he had stopped laughing. “I mean that you are encouraging the relationship I don’t want with James, who he has attached himself to.” Regulus said.
“Why would that make Sirius kill you?” Remus asked, Regulus sighed loudly. “He’s incredibly protective of me, so therefore, maybe he would kill James instead of me.” He paused, “But he would kill you cause you encouraged it, either way, you’re dying.”
Remus sighed loudly and rolled his eyes “You’re incredibly dramatic you know that right?”
“It’s kinda like my whole thing.” Regulus said with a shrug.
“Psst hey! Remember me? I’m here too!” James’ voice came from across the room. The two boys turned away from their conversation to stare at James who must have stopped dancing in the middle of their conversation.
He was breathing a bit heavily, his hands placed on his hips as he stared at the two boys.
Remus grinned, he turned to face Regulus, “Watch this.” He whispered. Regulus nodded slightly. Remus looked back at James, “Do you mind? I was trying to ask Regulus here on a date.” He said, crossing his arms over his chest.
Regulus blushed slightly, but tried to keep his composure, “I was about to say yes.” He added. Remus turned to wink at Regulus, before turning back and staring at James.
James was trying to keep his own composure, opening and closing his mouth, before Remus burst out laughing, “I’m fucking with you.” He said, doubling over in laughter.
Regulus was smirking, “You are so… Ugh what’s that word..” He paused, trying to run through English translations in his head. Remus turned his head to look at Regulus, “Gullible.”
Regulus nodded and turned back to face James, “Gullible.” He said, the letters feeling foreign in his mouth as he struggled to sound it out properly. Remus nodded, James flipped him off, “You’re a fucking dick.” He said, rolling his eyes.
The two boys started bickering between themselves, Regulus took the opportunity to sit on the ground to start putting on his pointe shoes, which took him the entire duration of whatever the fuck Remus and James were arguing about.
Regulus stood, waiting a couple of moments before clapping loudly to get the other boy’s attention. “James, I believe that I owe you a dance.” Regulus said, once he was sure that he had gotten his attention.
James’ face lit up, “You want to dance with me?” He asked.
“Um.. I meant that I was supposed to show you the Esmeralda variation.” Regulus said, biting at his bottom lip. James’ face fell slightly, and Regulus actually started to feel bad. “But we can start working on our duet right after.” He said quickly.
James’ face lit up, as he nodded. “You two are gross.” Remus commented, Regulus spun to look at him, “Remus Chiudi quella cazzo di bocca.” Remus laughed lightly, “It sounds much nicer when you insult me in Italian.” He said.
Regulus flipped him off, “What did he say?” James asked, “Fuck if I know, I’m just assuming that he was insulting me.” Remus said with a shrug. Regulus sighed loudly, “I hate that you know me well enough to know that I was insulting you.” He said, rubbing his hands through his hair.
Remus winked and waved his hand, “Alright show us what you so rudely interrupted our conversation for.” Regulus shot him a glare, muttering under his breath and handing his phone to Remus, “When I tell you to, hit play.” He said, moving to take his position in the middle of the floor.
Regulus took a deep breath, positioning himself in the starting position of the Esmeralda variation.
“Vai avanti” He nodded towards Remus, “I am going to assume that you want me to start the music.” He said, Regulus rolled his eyes and flipped him off. “You don’t have to be rude.” Remus said with a laugh before the music clicked on.
Regulus closed his eyes and took a deep breath, before launching himself into the dance.
He loved moving through the steps of this dance for a couple of reasons, the first one being that it was such a controlled variation, you had to really focus on your skills to make sure that your leg was going high enough.
Regulus prided himself on this variation, back in France his instructor would always use him as an example of how to do it correctly and make it look flawless and easy.
The second reason, Regulus loved it.
It was one of the hardest to get correct.
In fact Regulus had come home with his feet bleeding on more than one occasion trying to perfect it.
And all of that blood, not to mention the tears and sweat, made it all worth it.
Especially when he had finished, and both Remus and James’ jaws were practically on the floor.
Regulus took another deep breath, before looking over at the two boys, placing his hands on his hips carefully. “How the fuck do you balance like that?” James asked, who seemed to recover from his shock sooner than Remus.
“Magic.” Regulus said, waving his fingers. Remus was nodding slowly, “I knew you could dance but that.. That was.. Wow.” Regulus smirked, “It must have been absolutely showstopping if the well-read Remus Lupin can’t even think of words.”
Remus rolled his eyes and flipped him off, “I was going to compliment you but now I am never going to compliment you ever again.” James was looking between the two, “I knew that you were talented, but I didn’t know that you would be able to do something like that.” James said, trying to get the two boys to stop glaring at each other.
Regulus pulled his eyes away from Remus, “And to think, you had nothing nice to say to me the first time we were in class together.” Regulus said, crossing his hands over his chest. “I think.. That was a thank you? I’m not sure though.” James said, frowning.
“That was the closest thing to a thank you I think you are ever going to get from Regulus, his heart is basically a fucking cactus.” Remus said. Regulus flipped him off, “I am more than capable of saying nice things.” He said, Remus rolled his eyes, “yeah if your name is Pandora Lovegood.”
Regulus looked at Remus, offense playing across his face, “Hey, Pandora Lovegood happened to be on my side at every point of my life.” He said, “And I was in America, yes yes, I know how this rant ends.” Remus said, waving his hand.
“Oh fuck off Lupin.” Regulus said, a grin making its way across his face.
James stood off to the side, with his hands placed carefully on his hips, watching Regulus and Remus interact. “You would think that you and Remus were brothers, not you and Sirius.” He said, a smile curling at the ends of his lips.
“You clearly haven’t been around us when we fight, it gets pretty ugly.” Regulus said, breaking the staring contest with Remus. “I don’t think I want to see that..” Remus commented, Regulus shook his head and laughed, “You really don’t, one time, Sirius got so angry he backed into a vase that had been in our family for generations.”
“He backed into it?” Remus asked, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow at him, “Somehow I don’t believe that..”
Regulus rolled his eyes, “Fine, I may have helped by pushing him gently.” He admitted.
“How do you push someone gently?” James asked, leaning forward. Regulus scowled at Remus, “My brother is extremely dramatic, he will tell you a different version of the story where I violently shoved him.” Regulus said, hoping to deflect the conversation.
“How do we know that you didn’t do that?” Remus asked, his arms still crossed as he leaned against the wall. Regulus threw up his hands, “I guess you don’t, however I would think that you would believe me Remus.”
Remus held his hands up, which caused James to laugh. “Listen, I’m not here to point fingers or anything..” Regulus interrupted him, “But you are here to point fingers.” He finished.
“If the shoe fits.” Remus shrugged.
“Ti mostrerò dove si adatta la mia scarpa.” Regulus muttered.
James looked thoroughly amused, opening his mouth to respond when a loud bang sounded from the door of the studio.
Regulus turned, through the tiny window, he could see the wild curls of his best friend.
“Oh for sucks sake.” Regulus said, stomping over to the door and pulling it open, “Can I help you?” He asked, he had only expected Pandora to be standing there, but now he could see both Barty and Evan standing behind her.
Barty, of course looked very smug, Evan looked a bit horrified that he had been caught in the act of snooping.
Pandora, of course, was shameless, she wore a huge grin, her eyes flicking back and forth between Regulus and the other two boys.
“I told you that the room wouldn’t be on fire!” She announced proudly.
Regulus rolled his eyes, “Can I help you?” He asked again, crossing his arms and leaning on the doorframe.
“I was using you to prove a point.” Pandora said, mirroring Regulus.
“I feel like we overstepped, je suis désolé.” Evan said, turning on his heel and marching down the hallway. Barty looked between Regulus and Pandora, “How are things going with lover boy?” He asked, looking over Regulus’ shoulder and waving at James.
Regulus felt his cheeks heat up, “Remus and I are fine, thank you so much for checking in Barty.” He shot back.
“That isn’t who I meant and you know it.” Barty countered, a small smirk playing across his lips.
Before Regulus could answer, Remus appeared coming to his rescue.
“Barty, Pandora, to what do I owe the pleasure?” He asked, his calm voice washing over Regulus, who felt the tension drop out of his shoulders.
“We just came to see if you guys would like to join us for lunch?” Pandora asked, grinning up at Remus. The taller boy smiled warmly, “The pleasure would be all ours.” Remus said, “Let us just pack up, and we will meet you out here.” He said, before patting Regulus on the shoulder and walking back into the studio.
“Yes, Reg, you should probably go see if James needs any-” Regulus closed the door in Barty’s face before he was even able to get the entire sentence out.
Regulus had only ever contemplated murder twice in his life, once of course for his parents, and twice, when Sirius had stolen his favorite pair of pants.
And now, the third time, Barty.
He took a deep breath before moving swiftly to his things so that he was able to get them together so that they could all go to lunch.
Shit.
All of them, going to lunch.
He had been so angry at Barty’s stupid teasing that he had just agreed to sit down to lunch with James, which he really did not want to do.
But he had already agreed, and he would never hear the end of it from Pandora if he bailed.
He sighed loudly, shoving everything into his bag and shouldering it as quickly as possible.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me for a few more hours.” James said, appearing next to Regulus, like a particularly clingy spirit.
“Unfortunately for me, but wonderful for you I’m sure.” Regulus deadpanned.
Remus laughed, “Are you sure that you’ll be able to stand being around Regulus’ bright, cheerful, mood?” He asked. Regulus sighed loudly, James smirked, “I’m a big boy Remus, I’m sure that I’ll be able to handle it.”
Regulus moved away from the two boys and walked towards the door muttering to himself.
Pandora grabbed his arms, looping her arm through his, “Before you say anything, Peter and Sirius invited everyone, apparently it’s off campus though.” She explained, leaning her head on his shoulder.
“It’s fine Panda, I will shout my frustrations at Barty, who doesn’t know how to keep his mouth shut.” Regulus said, shooting Barty a dirty look, who shrugged, “I’m calling it like I see it, I don’t know what else to tell you Reg.”
“Will you be able to see it when I take a pointe shoe to your head?” Regulsu muttered, as he allowed Pandora to start leading him down the long hallway.
“I heard that!” Barty called after them.
“That’s because I wanted you to!” Regulus called back, hearing the tell-tale signs of Barty running after them.
Pandora laughed lightly, “Barty, I would stop while you're ahead, Regulus will beat you every single time.” Barty pouted, “Evan would back me up.” He said.
Regulus rolled his eyes, “That’s because he’s head over heels in love with you and therefore it’s an unfair comparison.”
Barty opened his mouth to respond, “You can’t say anything as a counter because you know it’s true.” Pandora said.
By the time they met Sirius, Peter and Evan in front of the academy, Barty had long forgotten about commenting on things he apparently “sees and tells”.
Because the minute he sees Evan he throws himself into his arms.
Regulus rolled his eyes, “Gesù cristo, is this going to be our life now?” He asked Pandora. She shrugged, “You were a part of the plan to get them together.” Regulus looked offended, “Part of the plan? You’ve known them for long! Don’t drag me into this.”
Pandora waved her hand, “Yes well, You’re my best friend so, whatever my plan is, you are involved no matter what.” Regulus wanted to say something to counter that, but a look from Pandora stopped him in his tracks, “Don’t even try, you know it’s true.”
He sighed, knowing that once Pandora got any idea in her head, there was nothing that he could say that would change it.
Sirius jogged over to where they were standing, “You know I really thought that you wouldn’t say yes.” Regulus rolled his eyes again “I’m really starting to regret it.” He said, Sirius tucked a strand of hair behind his ear, “Stop being a little shit.”
“That’s like asking a fish not to swim.” Pandora cut in, “Entrambi fate schifo cazzo.” Regulus muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. “Smettila di essere incazzato non ti ucciderebbe sorridere.” Sirius said.
“Actually I’ll drop dead.” Regulus said, raising his eyebrow. Sirius rolled his eyes, “And you both say I’m the dramatic.”
Pandora sighed loudly. “I would say that you are both incredibly dramatic and it gets pretty irritating.” She turned to look at Regulus, “Honestly, you are in a whole new country, a new place, and you haven’t left campus, so live a little.”
Regulus rolled his shoulders back, “Fine, I will try to have a nice time, but I make no promises.” He sighed, “How are we even getting to where we are going?”
Pandora furrowed her brow, “I’m pretty sure at least two of them have a car.”
“As long as Barty doesn’t drive, I’ll be fine.” Regulus said, Barty bounded over to them, “Bold of you to assume that I drive and am not a passenger princess.” He said, tugging Evan along with him. “The last time he was behind a wheel, he somehow almost crashed my car, and we were in an empty parking lot.” Evan explained.
“In my defense! That pole came out of nowhere!” Barty said, pouting at his… Boyfriend? Regulus didn’t know if they had put labels on what they were yet.
Evan sighed and rubbed his eyes with one hand, “Barty, it was a parking lot, all that surrounded us were fucking poles!”
“You aren’t any better, the last time you drove us anywhere, you got lost!” Pandora said, pointing at Evan.
Regulus shifted his weight, “So I changed my mind, I think I’m going to stay here, I don’t think I trust any of you to drive.” He said, turning around to walk back into the academy.
Pandora grabbed his arm, “Come on Reg, where is your sense of adventure?” She asked, a glint in her eye.
“Does adventure have to include death or getting horribly lost?” He asked, Sirius was laughing, “Reggie, do I have to bring up how you drive?”
Regulus thought for a moment, “I know Remus drives. I will be going with him.” He said, walking swiftly over to Remus, Sirius’ laugh still sounding behind him.
“Hey Reg, did you learn about Evan’s terrible habit of getting lost?” Remus asked, Regulus nodded, “Please for everything that is holy let me ride with you.”
Remus laughed, “You’ll have to deal with your brother and James.” He explained.
He really couldn’t catch a break.
“That is a sacrifice that I am willing to take.” He finally said.
Regulus stared at his feet, waiting for the groups to be formed, which he wished that he could say took only a short amount of time, but it took way too long. If he had been in charge, it would have taken fifteen minutes.
When everyone had finally decided who was driving and who was riding with who. He was finally able to throw his dance bag into the boot of Remus’ station wagon.
He made eye contact with Sirius, knowing what was coming next, he moved quickly, trying to grab the passenger side door handle before Sirius reached it. But Sirius always played dirty, bumped Regulus out of the way with his hip.
“Oops, scusa, avresti dovuto essere più veloce.” Sirius shrugged. Regulus glared at him, “I will burn everything you love to the ground.” He said, narrowing his eyes at his brother, before moving to get into the backseat of the car.
He was happy to see that Peter was also joining them in Remus’ car, at least he wouldn’t be stuck next to James for however long the car ride was going to be.
Peter was already sitting by the window behind the driver’s seat, tapping away on his phone. Regulus slid into the car, tapping Peter on the shoulder, “Nice to see you Pete!” He said smiling.
“I saw you this morning, but it’s always nice to be around people that don’t screech at all hours of the night.” Peter said, placing his phone in his lap. Sirius whipped around to look at the backseat, “Oi, I’m sorry that I have a lot to say!”
Peter and Regulus looked at each other and rolled their eyes, “You know what, James would agree with me.” Sirius grumbled turning back around and crossing his arms over his chest.
“What would I agree with you on?” James asked, sliding into the seat next to Regulus.
“That you screech at all hours of the night?” Peter said.
“Oh yeah, neither of us really have volume control.” James said, pushing his hair out of his eyes.
He wasn’t wearing his glasses again.
Regulus shook his head, he needed to stop noticing when James was and wasn’t wearing his glasses.
“Everyone needs to quiet down, you’re going to give me a migraine.” Remus said, once he had finally gotten in the car. Regulus caught Sirius’ pout on the mirror, and rolled his eyes.
“It’s not as bad as the god awful noises that come from Pete’s side of the room.” James said, bumping into Regulus’ shoulder.
Regulus made a face, “Remus could you speed up? I want to duck and roll out of the moving car cause it would be easier to handle than this conversation.” He said, leaning forward away from the two boys he was sitting between.
Remus laughed, and shook his head, “I promised Pandora that I would get you to the restaurant in one piece.” He said, “And to be honest, she scares me a little, so I want to make sure that I don’t go against her wishes.”
“You’re no fun.” Regulus grumbled sitting back.
It was going to be a long day.