Regulus always hated his birthday. His parents would throw him a party every year, but it was just an excuse to have one of their Death Eater dinner parties and there would be nobody there for Regulus. Every year he ended up staying in his room during the entire ordeal, at least after Sirius left. Before then his brother would always be with him, and he didn’t hate it as much. This year was exceptionally worst though. He may have his brother back as well as a boyfriend and a whole new group of friends, but he’d just been disowned and that was not the most amazing feeling. He was planning on staying back that summer as he had nowhere else to go but the Potter’s welcomed him at their house last minute. He'd been there for about two weeks, and he’d never felt more at home. He’d been in a generally good mood but today everybody noticed the change.
Regulus woke up already feeling like shit. He turned over to cuddle up with James only to realize his boyfriend wasn’t there. He decided to get out of bed and go look for him but didn’t seem to be able to find him anywhere. Actually, he couldn’t find anybody in the house. James’ parents were out of town for a couple weeks so they could give the boys some privacy, but it was still strange that he didn’t see anyone especially since Remus and Peter were there too. Regulus decides to grab himself a glass of water and go down to the pool to see if he might find them there or if they’re out. As he walks by the ledge of the empty pool, he thinks he sees something out of the corner of his eye but ignores it and keeps walking down. Suddenly, he feels a pair of hands on his back as he gets pushed into the water. He grasps for air as he comes up to the surface, panicking. When he finally catches his breath, he climbs up the steps of the pool and stops for a minute to compose himself. He sees Sirius laughing and coming over to hand him a towel with the others walking behind him.
“It’s not fucking funny Sirius. You know I can’t swim.”
Sirius looks taken back for a second, “Come on Reg I only pushed you into the shallow end. It’s not like you’re gonna drown.”
Regulus snatches the towel out of his hand as he makes his way back into the house. He knows it’s silly, but he’s always had a fear of drowning. It’s been a constant since he was a child and for that reason he never learnt how to swim. ‘Great fucking start to my birthday’ he thinks as he walks into James’ room and starts getting out of his soaked clothes. When he finishes getting into his clothes for the day, he hears a light knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Remus walks in looking worried, “That was a shit thing Sirius did. I’ve already chastised him about it, so it saves you the trouble. Are you alright though?”
Regulus gives him a weak smile, not having the heart to be annoyed at someone as sweet as Remus. “Yeah, Rem. I’m good.”
Remus gives him a sweet smile and walks up to him, giving him a kiss on the cheek, “Happy birthday, Regulus. I didn’t get you anything because I know you don’t like celebrating your birthday, but I thought just saying something wouldn’t hurt.”
“Thank you. Love you, Remmy.”
“Love you too, Reggie.” Remus says whilst he walks backwards to leave the room.
Once he’s gone, Regulus sits on the bed and lets out a loud sigh. The last thing he wanted was a big thing for his birthday but knowing James and Sirius there was definitely something planned. If Remus remembered, then so did they and they were likely just going to try and play it off. Regulus decides to just shrug it off and go about the rest of his day as normally as possible.
The entire day goes by, and nothing happens. Nobody else comes over, no surprise party, just nothing. Regulus starts to get annoyed because he doesn’t much enjoy late nights when they involve parties, and it seems like that’s what this is going to be since nothing has happened yet. He’s been asked multiple times throughout the day if he’s alright, annoyance clear on his face. He has no choice but to say yes because he doesn’t want to ruin anything for anyone else. Come 10 o’clock, they’ve all had dinner and it hits Regulus. There’s no party. They’ve forgot his birthday. He must have some sort of look on his face because for the hundredth time today, James asks him if he’s alright.
“Yeah, I’m great. I am tired though, so I think I’m just gonna go to bed. Goodnight.” He forces a smile and walks off to James’ room. He can hear a chorus of goodnights when he shuts the bedroom door. He takes his time changing into his pyjamas and getting into bed, still in disbelief over the fact that they forgot his birthday. He lays there for what must be almost an hour without being able to get to sleep. He’s restless and sleep deprived when he decides to talk to them about it, his annoyance bubbling up even more as he stomps out of the room and into the living room. The boys just stare at him.
James begins to talk, “Hey, babe. Thought you were going to s- “
“I cannot believe you fucking idiots forgot my birthday! I mean Remus remembered but I could get over it if he didn’t same way I can get over it with Peter but you two? My brother and my boyfriend, really? At first, I thought you were going to throw me some stupid party but then I realised you just completely forgot. I also thought that maybe I should just let it go especially since I don’t even like my birthday, but I can’t. Not with you two.” Silence. Regulus lets out an incredulous laugh, “So you have nothing to say then?” There are tears forming in his eyes at this point and Sirius must notice because he quickly gets up and hugs Regulus tight.
“I am so sorry, Reg. I have no excuse, but I am so, honestly sorry.”
Regulus lets the tears fall. “No, it’s fine, I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I’ve just had a shitty month and I think I was finding any reason to have a go at someone. But this is also the first year I have you back on my birthday and I think I’m feeling a bit too sentimental.” He lets out a small laugh.
Sirius wipes his tears and kisses him on the forehead. “I love you so much, Regulus. I wish you’d mentioned it earlier. But for what it counts, happy birthday.”
Regulus laughs louder, “God no. You would have made a massive deal out of it and that’s not what I wanted for sure. But I love you too and thank you.” He looks past Sirius and at James, “I am actually going to sleep now because this has tired me out. Goodnight, guys.”
“Happy birthday, Regulus.” Peter makes sure he says something before Regulus goes to bed. Regulus smiles at him and gives him a nod as a thanks. He gets into bed once again and is about to drift off when he hears someone come in the room. When they get in the bed, he realises it’s James from the way his arms immediately come around Regulus’ waist.
“I’m sorry, darling. It completely slipped my mind. I know that’s not good enough but it’s a bit late to do anything about it now. So even though it’s late, happy birthday, my love. Let me make it up to you?” James starts kissing up his neck.
Regulus smiles to himself and turns over to face James. “You know you can’t try and make up for every wrongdoing with sex, right?”
James shrugs his shoulders and briefly kisses Regulus’ lips. “I love you so fucking much.”
“I love you too, James.”