Come Back...Be Here

Champagne Problems

Regulus is jet-lagged, grumpy, and hung over. The glaring Spanish sun is not welcomed as he steps off the airplane. Suddenly regretting wearing trousers and a jumper, he groans with contempt. At least he remembered to bring sunglasses, he thinks, as he puts them on. Barty on the other hand, looks positively peachy. The bastard. He’d drunk last night too but hadn’t gone as hard as Regulus had, apparently. He was also smart enough to wear shorts, which is just bloody fantastic for him.

“Would you stop?” Regulus snaps.

“I’m not doing anything.”

“You’re being annoying.”

“I’m literally just walking!”

“You’re too happy.”

“I’m on vacation.”

“You’re here to pretend to be my boyfriend to make me look less pathetically alone,” Regulus tells him. “Not to relax.”

Barty scoffs and shakes his head. “First of all, I’m here to make your ex boytoy jealous, don’t even try to deny it.”

Regulus immediately opens his mouth to deny it. Barty holds his hand over his mouth. He bites it.

“And secondly,” Barty continues, unfazed, “you told me all I had to do was essentially hold your hand while we sipped mojitos on the beach. That sounds like relaxation to me baby.”

Regulus doesn’t say anything else; doesn’t have the energy to argue. Doesn’t really know what to argue about anyways. He had told his friend it would be a walk in the park, or rather on the beach, to pretend they were dating. It isn’t really fair of him to make Barty just as miserable as he is, though it still annoys him that the man doesn’t have the bloody decency to at least not grin like a lunatic when Regulus is suffering right next to him.

The pair manages to get through customs and wave down a taxi easily without Regulus wringing Barty’s neck. Barely.

Once in the taxi, Regulus stares out the window as his friend chats away about how Spanish people are far better looking than British. Regulus doesn’t really listen, mostly due to the fact that Barty is an absolute slut and will hump anything with two legs- meaning his judgement of who is and isn't attractive is clouded. And because, his head is still pounding like a bitch.

Why had he thought it would be a good idea to drink that much before travelling? Oh, that’s right, because he thought he could forget about this inevitably disastrous week with his ex-boyfriend and said ex-boyfriend’s wife. He’s barely seen James since they ended things. And those few times he had, he’d been all over Lily and pointedly ignoring Regulus.

James’s aloofness to their whole relationship was what angered him the most. Regulus doesn’t want anything to do with him anymore but, well, who did he think he was, to just ignore Regulus after how things ended? He had begged Regulus not to leave him, yet when it was done, it was like Reg had the black plague. James, not even making eye contact with him. Then, he’d started dating Lily. Which was just bloody predictable. The one person who always made Regulus insecure in their relationship, had ended up being exactly who James ran to after they ended. Only a couple months after it ended, mind you. Granted, it hadn't even been a proper relationship between them- they'd never made anything official but still. It was bloody annoying.

He’d gulped down whisky and tequila like it was water last night, trying not to fall back into the past. He’d been unsuccessful, obviously. His mind drifting back to that horrible night that changed everything.

***

“I’m sorry but I just can’t. I can’t do it anymore.”

“Regulus listen to me; you don’t mean that. I can help you. We can work out whatever is going on-” James pleaded, grabbing for his boy’s hand.

Regulus snatched it away and turned his back on his favorite person in the world. He couldn’t bare to look at him when he did this, but it needed to be done. It was the only way.

“You can’t help. You never could,” Regulus snapped. “Fuck James, you have this obsession with fixing other people’s problems. Why is that? Is it to appease your guilt for having the perfect family, the perfect life? Is it to boost your own ego? God, just stop, stop. You’re not a doctor, James. You’re just a loud mouthed obnoxious 17-year-old.”

***

That was the last time James had looked at him like he meant something. It doesn’t bother him, though. Potter doesn’t mean anything to him either. It was just annoying. The fact that he was the breaker-upper, and James was the breakie (fuck you) yet still managed to find a happy ending. Regulus was supposed to be the one who moved on and found someone new. Except, it’s been 14 years, and nothing. Yes, there’s been a few blokes who have managed to hold his attention for more than a couple months, namely Evan Rosier, but none of them ever lasted.

He is secretly afraid he’s not capable of love. Of course, he’s never said that out loud. He has a reputation to uphold. Which is just indifference really, but it stops his friends from looking at him with pity. Most of the time.

***

They arrive to their destination, after a grueling car ride with Barty's incessant rambling. It turns out their destination is a bunch of cozy looking bungalows facing a sandy beach. Regulus curses Sirius under his breath. The tosser had assured him they would be staying at a luxurious vacation spot, not some slightly upgraded version of a hobbit hole. If there isn’t a full bathroom in the little shacks, he is hopping on the next plane.

Barty lets out a low whistle. “Holy shit Reggie, you didn’t tell me we’d be staying in such fine accommodations!”

Regulus narrows his eyes as they both get out of the cab.

“Sirius told me it was a five-star vacation... spot.”

Oh.

“Your eccentric hippy gay brother? And you didn’t think to question him?” Barty cackles.

Valid point. He is still going to have a strong word with the idiot though.

They drag their suitcases through the sand to the biggest bungalow that has a sign out front indicating that it’s the office. The building- if you could even call it that- is surprisingly spacious and beautiful for being made out of stick and clay. It has a charming hand-crafted wood seating area inside, next to the front desk. Sitting at the desk is a man with an easy smile.

“Hi there, we’re here to check in with the Black-Lupin party,” Regulus informs the front desk receptionist.

“Of course,” The man says in a thick Spanish accent. He looks through some books for the name. Regulus wonders why they don’t have a computer for that. Then he notices that the only form of technology in the place is an old-fashioned landline sitting on the desk. Weird.

The name tag pinned to his white t-shirt reads Javier. He has a mess of brown curls tied back in a ponytail and his fingers, which Regulus notices because...well what else is he supposed to look at? His fingers have chipped black nail polish but that’s not what get Regulus’ attention, it’s the three long nails on his right hand carved to sharp points. Odd. Hot? He looks to only be a couple years younger than Regulus maybe 27 or 28.

Barty leans against the desk in an obvious show of checking him out and Reg elbows him. Barty only gives a sideways smirk and waggles his eyebrows. He should’ve known his friend would be the worst fake boyfriend. The slag was far more concerned with getting his dick wet than helping a friend.

“You are Regulus Black plus one, yes?” Javier finally asks, raising his head to meet Regulus’s eyes.

He blinks and then frowns at the, admittedly very attractive, receptionist. Jesus, the way he said his name... and those dark eyes staring into his soul? Stop it. You are better than Barty.

“Uh,” He clears his throat. Barty chuckles beside him. “Yes, how did you know?”

“You look like your brother, Mr. Sirius Black-Lupin.”

And in one single sentence all his attraction to the man is gone. A bigger boner killer has never been uttered. Before Regulus can give his signature sneer and biting remark, the man continues.

“Perhaps more good looking though,” Javier gives him a wink before handing each of them a key.

Oh well-

Maybe Barty had been right about the Spanish.

Barty coughs and this time Regulus is the one receiving an elbow to the side. He glares at his friend, and Barty raises an amused eyebrow. ‘Shove it,’ He mouths back and holds up two fingers.

Javier is oblivious to the damage he’s caused and starts talking about their bungalow suit and rules for the retreat.

At the words “no phones or computers” Regulus starts listening.

“Sorry,” Barty raises a hand to stop the man, “Javi, may I call you that?” Javier opens his mouth, but Barty doesn’t stop. “Great. As pretty as you are Javi, it’s not quite enough to distract me from what you just said. No phones? What do you mean?”

Javier smiles politely. “This is a, how do you say? Unplugged retreat. We are all about getting you back in touch with mother nature, yes?”

Regulus and Barty gape at him. What the fuck? Regulus is going to kill him.

“Apologies,” Barty raises his finger and squints, “I’m just having a difficult time understanding what that means exactly. Surely, we can go on our phones in our rooms.”

“I’m sorry sir, the only place that has service for phones is this office,” Explains Javier, looking slightly concerned now. “There is no WiFi anywhere on this island.”

"WHAT!?” Barty yells.

Regulus pushes him aside and he goes to sit down with his head in his hands. Javier looks after Barty and then focuses his wide eyes on the man in front of him.

“Do you mean to tell me,” Regulus puts his hands on the counter, leaning as close to Javier as he can. “That my asshole brother roped us into attending a weeklong trip to Spain, with hardly any way of contacting home, without telling us?”

“Uh...” The poor receptionist looks terrified for his life.

Luckily for him, he’s saved by Sirius, Remus, and their daughter Dara, barreling in at that moment.

“Brother! You’ve made it!” Sirius raises his arms in greeting.

Regulus turns his seething glare on his brother. Sirius, commendably, doesn’t back away but he does drop his arms and his face falls. Remus comes to stand next to his husband, placing a hand on his shoulder. Dara isn’t fazed in the slightest by Regulus’s look. She runs up to her uncle and wraps her arms around his waist.

“Hi Uncle Reg!” She grins up at him.

Regulus can’t stay mad with her big brown eyes excitedly gazing up at him. Her fluffy curls, which are sticking up out of the ends of two buns on top of her head, tickle his chin. He smiles at her and decides he will have to chew his brother out later.

“Hello Dar,” He hugs her back tightly. “How are you? You having fun yet?”

“Yes! Papa and I have been combing the beach all morning for microplastics,” She exclaims, pointing at Remus who is holding a jar of what looks like tiny colorful beads.

She’s the brightest person he’s ever met, never failing to entertain. And he’s not just saying that because he’s her uncle. At age nine, she won her school’s science fair with a very realistic, replica of what a body can look like after years of smoking. She’d been trying to make a point to Sirius. She’d succeeded. Now, at only 11, she was preparing to take her GCSEs at the beginning of next term. Her goal was to be in university at 17 but they all know she will get in sooner.

“Well, that does sound like...fun,” He responds with a chuckle.

“Who’s that?” His niece points to Barty who is now pacing back and forth, talking animatedly to someone on the phone. Probably trying to tell everyone he knows that they, tragically, won’t be able to get a hold of him for the next week.

“That is uh...” He doesn’t know how to introduce him. As his boyfriend? God, he doesn’t want to lie to his niece, but Sirius and Remus are standing right there. “Barty.”

Sirius and Remus exchange intrigued looks. This was going to be interesting to explain.

“He looks frustrated,” She comments with concern.

“He probably is,” He replies, giving Sirius a raised eyebrow to let him know it was his fault. Sirius smiles innocently.

Dara frowns and says, “I hope he can work it out.”

As well as having a huge brain, Dara also has the biggest heart. Her passion for science started when she found out Remus has a disease called fibromyalgia. She wants to come up with the cure for it. Regulus doesn’t doubt she will.

“Glad you and... Barty could make it,” Remus says with a weird, knowing expression.

Regulus furrows his eyebrows but nods at him, nonetheless. What was that look? What does he know?

The two have grown close in recent years, surprisingly due to the man’s fibromyalgia. Remus had flippantly mentioned one day about not being able to do certain tasks and Regulus, being a physiotherapist, insisted that he start coming to his practice for treatment. Now, they are more like brothers than Sirius and Regulus.

“So, you and Barty? Really?” Sirius tilts his head, amused. “Can’t say I’m shocked exactly but you two have been friends for so long, I thought that’s all you were.”

“Yes, well...” Regulus begins, as arms wrap around his waist from behind.

“Oh, you know how it goes, drunken one night stand that turned out to be more than just one night,” Barty says, rather obnoxiously.

Regulus’s eyes widen and he chokes out several coughs. Fucking Barty. They really should have discussed their story on the plane. Barty loves adlibbing and there was no telling how far he’d go.

His ‘boyfriend’ gives him a few comforting taps. “You alright there, babes?”

“Mhm,” Regulus gives an uncomfortable smile. He pinches the arms clutching his torso.

Sirius looks slightly nauseous and Remus just as uncomfortable as Regulus.

“Right,” Remus shifts awkwardly. “Happy for you two, just maybe next time, not in front of the 11-year-old eh, Bart?”

“Are you talking about sex?” Asks Dara. She’s standing next to Remus now and looks up at him, then to Regulus in curiosity.

All their jaws drop in unison. Remus guffaws and Sirius looks horrified.

“Did you tell her?” Sirius turns to his husband accusingly.

“Me? If it was either of us, it would definitely have been you.”

“I would have discussed it with you before I did that!”

“You think I wouldn’t?”

“I watched a documentary,” says Dara simply. “I am 11 you know, kids at school talk about it.” She’s already lost interest in the conversation and is twiddling with something in her hands. The couple stare down at their daughter, even more horrified.

“Documentary? On what?” Sirius’s voice goes up an octave.

“Kids your age?” Remus asks right after.

“On Netflix. And yes.”

Silence. If this wasn’t Regulus’s niece, he would be laughing. As it is, he is only holding back a small, amused smile, far more concerned with what she has been exposed to at such a tender age, of course.

“Sharp kid,” Barty remarks. Regulus slaps his hand.

“What kind of stuff are they putting on Netflix nowadays,” Sirius mutters, wiping a hand down his face.

“Educational stuff from the sounds of it,” Barty snorts. They all glare at him.

“No more Netflix for you,” Sirius declares, with a slightly manic laugh as he pats his daughter’s head.

“And no more...no more hanging out with those kids,” Remus adds, sternly. Probably already trying to figure out how he can expel every single kid that has ever talked about nefarious things around his daughter.

She nods without looking at them, still focused on what looks to now be a metal stick figure in her hands.

“They’re probably going to teach her sex Ed in school soon anyways,” Barty points out helpfully.

“You don’t need to talk anymore,” Regulus says.

“What? Frankly, I’m surprised you haven’t talked to her about it yet,” Barty says, not reading the room at all. Like usual. “At that age we were getting up to all sorts of things. Isn’t that right Reg-”

“OKAY,” Regulus shouts abruptly, going pale. “I think we should go settle into our room now, don’t you think.”

Sirius’ jaw drops and he looks between the two rapidly. “What?”

“Doesn’t matter Sirius,” Regulus goes to grab for his suitcase a few feet away from him.

“At eleven?” Sirius whisper-yells, scandalized.

Barty laughs, thoroughly enjoying the drama he just started.

“Oh yeah Reg used to-”

“I didn’t do anything,” growls Regulus.

“Eleven?” asks Sirius, voice cracking.

Remus places a hand on Sirius’s back and rubs it gently. “Let’s give them some time to settle in, Pads. I’m sure you both want to get cleaned up after the trip?” He turns his head to give the pair both pointed looks.

“I’d love a shower,” Barty agrees, going to pick up his suitcase. “I’m sure Reg would too.” He winks overdramatically at Regulus.

He really did not know when to quit.

“Yes, we should both take showers. Separately,” He replies sharply with his best ‘I’m going to kill you’ look.

Barty shrugs nonchalantly. “Whatever you want babycakes.”

The hell was babycakes? He grits his teeth.

“He’s not usually like this,” he says, barely holding the irritation from his voice.

Barty comes back over to rest his head on Regulus’s shoulder, suitcase in hand. They look at him doubtfully.

“Well, he is,” Regulus relents, “he’s just more so, because of...Spain.”

“I’m just surprised you’re letting him call you babycakes,” Sirius sniggers, apparently already getting over the eleven incident.

“I will hurt you.”

“You have a thing for pet names Reggie?” Sirius teases him. “I never would have pegged you as the type.”

“Oh, he definitely does,” Barty squeezes his ass making him jump. “Isn’t that right lover?”

Sirius bursts out laughing. Regulus rolls his eyes. It would have been easier to show up single.

“Like you and Remus don’t call each other the most ridiculous pet names there are,” Regulus says.

“What? Moony and Padfoot?” Sirius laughs. “Those are nicknames James and Peter call us too.”

“No, not those.” Regulus studies his fingernails. “I distinctly remember hearing honey bun at one point. Oh, and can’t forget Snookums. SO cute.”

Barty cackles and slaps his knee. Sirius narrows his eyes and Remus puts an arm around his husband to hold him back. Regulus raises an innocent eyebrow.

“You little-” Sirius raises a finger at his brother but right then a group of people walk into the office.

“Padfoot, Moony! What a spot you two picked, truly, you’ve out done yourselves with this!” James Potter yells in greeting, with a huge grin.

“Prongs, you bastard,” Sirius laughs, giving him a big hug followed by Remus.

James greets Dara next with a “Hey munchkin!” but she ignores him in favor of heading to her cousin Harry.

Lily, Peter, a pink haired woman, and another woman Regulus vaguely recognizes, walk in close behind James and Harry. They all greet each other and exchange introductions.

Regulus and Barty stand in the background awkwardly. Well, Regulus is awkward. Barty tried to go greet the group when they’d arrived, but Regulus had clamped his hand tight around Barty’s when he saw James.

James, ever-observant, finally notices the pair while he’s talking to Sirius. His face imperceptibly falls but Regulus can see it. James’s facial expressions haven’t changed a bit over the years.

Regulus tightens his hand on Barty and he can see James’ eyes flicker down to the interlocked fingers for a few seconds before meeting Reg’s eyes. It’s like the world stops when their eyes meet. For Regulus at least. The last time they’d seen each other was Sirius and Remus’s wedding ten years ago. It had been...interesting, to say the least. He had hoped to never have a repeat experience. Obviously, that was wishful thinking since they shared a Sirius, so their paths were bound to cross eventually. But still.

James was rather an ass the entire evening. Barely looking at him, regardless of the fact that they were both in the wedding party. It all came to an uncomfortable head at the end.

***

“So just stand there, please. Yes, right next to him, don’t be afraid to get close.” The photographer told them.

Sirius, being the ponce he was, insisted on getting pictures of every combination of the wedding party that was possible. That meant Regulus and James were forced to stand together next to Sirius and Remus. James hadn’t even looked at Regulus, just lifted his head slightly higher when Regulus stood next to him. Regulus rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything as he stood rigidly, a few inches away from James.

The photographer was not satisfied with that. She insisted they move in nice and cozy with each other. Her words, not Regulus’s. James stiffened when their arms touched.

“I don’t think it’s completely necessary we be touching, is it?” James asked the photographer.

Sirius looked at him with a perplexed expression.

“You alright Prongs?”

Regulus shook his head and looked away. Of course, make sure that he’s okay. Don’t stand up for your own brother.

“Fine. Just...” James shifted and took a sip of the champagne he was holding. “It’s nothing. I’m just hot and sweaty. Let’s take the picture already.”

Remus and Sirius looked at each other, then to James, then over at Regulus.

“Let’s just take the picture,” Regulus repeated in agreement.

“Great. Now, big smiles!”

The camera flashed several times and James never relaxed. Regulus didn’t give him the relief of moving away, either. In fact, he rested an arm on James’ shoulder. It was a bit of a stretch due to the height difference, but it was worth the look on Potter’s face.

He flushed red hot and shot away from the group.

“I’m suddenly feeling very ill.” He rubbed his face, knocking his glasses crooked.

The poor bloke did look a little green. Regulus smirked in triumph. If he wanted to act like a dick, he would have to deal with the repercussions.

“Alright mate, you want some water?” Sirius went over to a nearby table that had reusable water bottles set on it.

“Cheers,” James raised the bottle to his lips.

“I think we got enough pictures of the four of us, thanks Jen.” Remus gave a gracious wave to the photographer.

She smiled in understanding and moved on to capture candid photos of the guests.

James was staring at the ground as he took sips of his water. Sirius patted his back worriedly. Regulus sniffed aggressively and decided he needed more wine.

“I’m getting another drink.” He turned away from the trio and set out to the open bar.

Sirius found him a few minutes later.

“What’s going on?”

“You’ll have to be more specific.”

“What did you do to upset James? He’s been weird around you all night and, now that I think about it, every time your name has been brought up for the last few years, he gets all moody.”

“You’re just going to assume I did something?” Regulus took a big gulp of his drink in favor of eyerolling, again. “Very typical of you brother, blindly taking his side over everyone else. Props for being consistent, I suppose.”

“Don’t be a knobhead, Regulus,” Sirius said, exasperated. “James wouldn’t have done anything to you. Besides, you’re not the one acting like a dodgy squirrel, he is.”

“A dodgy squirrel? What does that even mean?”

Sirius threw his hands up. “I don’t know but you get the point! Something happened between you two in school, didn’t it?”

Regulus was silent as he nursed his wine glass. He thought about denying, lashing out, lying. In the end, he decided deflecting was his best option.

“Ask him,” Regulus said. “Like you said, he’s the one acting weird so you should ask him what the problem is.”

“I have. He’s changed the subject every time.” Sirius rested his arms on the bar top.

He studied his brother as though to find the answers to all his questions on his face. He’d have to search for the rest of his life, Regulus’ face wasn’t going to betray anything. It never did. A trick he’d picked up from his mother dearest, he supposed. Thanks mum.

“There’s your answer then. It doesn’t matter.”

“Reggie, this is my wedding. I’m supposed to be having the most memorable night of my life and instead I’m here trying to work out the issue between my brother and my best friend.”

“Okay? I didn’t ask you to.”

“Regulus!” Sirius exclaimed with a frustrated groan. “If you don’t want to talk about it with me that’s- well it’s not fine because I am dying to know what’s going on-but I’ll ignore it in favor of focusing on my new husband. Just please try to be nice to James. Talk to him. I’m sure whatever happened can be worked out with a conversation.”

Regulus scoffed at that. “Yeah, I’m sure talking will solve it all.”

“Just try, for me.” Sirius patted him on the back as he got up from the barstool. “Consider it a wedding present since I know you didn’t get me anything.”

“I-” Sirius raised his eyebrows. “Yeah, alright.” Regulus conceded.

One glass of wine and shot later, Regulus had enough liquid courage to confront-sorry, speak to James. Unfortunately, the man was dancing with his wife, because of course he was, because that’s his wife and he should be dancing with her. Nonetheless, Regulus stared at them in contempt. It wasn’t that he wasn’t happy for them. He was glad James had found someone that would treat him how he deserved but- oh who was he kidding? A part of him wanted James to be just as lonely as he was. Not that he was lonely, he was perfectly fine. He was just alone. That’s what he meant. Alone. Alone and lonely are totally different. Regulus Black was not lonely.

Anyways, Lily and James were laughing like nothing else in the world bothered them. He studied them as their hands wandered up each other’s backs and into hair. Regulus clenched his jaw tightly. He should have taken another shot. Or five.

Obviously, he needed to get laid. He’d thought perhaps there’d be someone at this sodding wedding to take home, but alas, almost everyone was taken, or he wasn’t interested. Couples danced all around him, or kissed in corners, or giggled together in hushed whispers or in louder drunken laughter. He was never going to show up to an event solo again.

Sirius and Remus were dancing as well. And when Sirius was spun around by his husband, his eyes locked on Regulus. He tilted his head slightly towards James and Lily. Regulus shook his head; no way was he interrupting them while they danced. Preferably, they would dance the rest of the night and then Regulus wouldn’t have to talk to James at all. Sirius nodded sternly at him and mouthed the words ‘wedding present’. Damn, he knew the tosser would make him regret not buying anything.

 Clenching his fists several times, Regulus walked up to James and Lily just as the slow song was ending.

“Oh, hello Regulus! Such a lovely reception, isn’t it?” Lily said as she noticed him first.

“It is,” Regulus agreed, giving her a brief smile. “Do you mind if I steal your husband away for a moment?”

James locked eyes with Regulus for a split second before he coughed and looked at Lily. “I don’t think that’s-”

“Oh, uhm...sure,” Lily said at the same time with a shrug. “I’m quite parched anyway.”

“Lily,” James looked at her like a deer in headlights.

“Are you alright, love? Do you want more water?” She asked as she was just turning to go.

“I- yes?” James responded helplessly, glancing between her and Regulus.

“I’ll just talk to him while you get the water, thanks Evans,” Regulus said to her as he started to pull her husband off the dance floor.

When they found a corner that was mostly secluded, James finally yanked his arm away, coming to his senses.

“What do you want Regulus?” James spat.

Regulus folded his arms and leaned up against a tree that was next to him. He studied his face for a minute. So, he wanted to be like that did he?

“What. do you want.” James demanded, taking a step towards him. His face was red now, all the color returning to it after the incident on the dance floor.

“Fatherhood looks good on you,” Regulus commented as he gave him a lazy once over.

“I- what?” A very baffled expression crossed his face.

“Sirius told me we have to work out our ‘issues’ for him,” Regulus said in response. He didn’t feel like explaining why he had just said that or what he meant by it because even he didn’t know.

“What?” James asked again.

“Are you deaf now? Sirius wants us to reconcile our issues.” Regulus tilted his head and looked to the side, irritated. “He guilt-tripped me into coming over to you.”

James shook his head looking even more confused. He gazed over Regulus’s shoulder to where the party was going on. Seeming to make his mind up on something, he looked back at Regulus and nodded.

“Okay, go ahead then.”

“Me?” Regulus scoffed. “What about you? You think you’re innocent in this?”

“Yes, I do actually,” Replied James petulantly.

“Of course you do,” Regulus said.

“I am not the one in the wrong here, Regulus. I wasn’t the one who- well I didn’t start our issues.” James looked away from him again. “I’ve moved on; you can’t hold that against me.”

Regulus let out a loud disbelieving laugh.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“You know what it means,” James sighed, apparently already tired of this conversation. Or of Regulus, more likely. “You’ve been staring at me and Lily all night. I’m sorry things turned out the way they did but I’m happy. I hope you find happiness too and... I hope when you do, you can see the hurt you’ve caused others.”

Regulus gaped at him speechless. Unfuckingbelieveable. He really didn’t think he’d done anything? The asshole thought he was completely in the right and on top of that, accused Regulus of not being over him? The fucking audacity. His lips turned into a snarl.

“You are so full of shit Potter,” Regulus took several steps towards him, stabbing his finger out at every word.

James backed up looking uneasy.

“I’m not jealous of you and you’re perfect fucking family. Really, I’m so happy for you. Congratulations on the teen pregnancy and marriage at 18, by the way! I’m sure that’ll work out just grand for you. If I was staring at you and Lily at all, then it was only to try and work out how many years I think you’ll last. My bet is five, at the most.” Regulus had him backed up against a wall and was up in his face now. James, to his credit, didn’t flinch at the words being spit at him but he did look like he wanted to bolt.

“And if you think not even looking in my direction and becoming pale when I’m near you, is any better, think again. If I was a truly jealous and spiteful person who couldn’t ‘see the hurt, I cause others’,” Regulus threw his words back in his face, “then I’d say you were the one with the unresolved feelings for me.”

He paused and stared James right in the eye, unblinking. James gulped and looked down.

“But I’m not. So I won’t.”

Regulus finally gave the man some breathing room as he took two steps back. He brushed his jacket down and adjusted his suit cuffs, primly.

James slouched a little against the wall. He didn’t say anything. Didn’t look up from the ground either.

“And one more thing.”

James raised his head.

“Tell Lily thanks for letting me have you for a few moments.” James stared at him in surprise. Finally meeting his eyes for more than a second, for the first time that night. Something significant passed between them in that moment but Regulus did not stick around to dwell on it. To hell with talking out their problems, he knew that would never work. He wanted nothing to do with James Potter and James Potter wanted nothing to do with him.