Chapter 2
Dinner at the Potters was always full of a variety of foods setting up the table, strong in flavors and spices. Euphemia Potter cooked with love, whether it was love for her culture of love for her family. she cooked with everything in her.
"James, Sirius I don't you two to stay out too late tonight," Euphemia said sternly, placing the bowl of Chicken Tikka Masala near Regulus's seat.
"But Effie!' protested Sirius, "It's the first bonfire of the summer!"
"Sirius Black," Euphemia placed her hands on her hip, "You will do as I say."
James and Sirius grumbled, but did not protest further, making Regulus snicker to himself.
Sirius scowled. "Stop laughing, you little shit!'
Regulus flipped him off in response, making the older boy shriek indignantly.
James let out a joyous laugh. "Little Reggie came back all grown up."
Both Black brothers frowned at the comment, but for both entirely different reasons.
"Don't call me Little Reggie," Regulus said, his face scrunching up in disgust.
At the same time, Sirius protested, "He's not all grown up!"
Regulus snapped his heard towards his old brother, a warning in his eyes. "Stop it Sirius."
"Oh leave him alone, Reg." Fleamont said, entering the room with another dish of food, "It's hard for Sirius to see you grow up."
"God forbid the day Regulus brings someone home," joked Euphemia while piling up her plate with food.
Sirius grumbled. "I'd like to see him try."
Regulus rolled his eyes, but did not reply, and instead focused on the dishes in front of him. He would not deal with his brother's bullshit today.
"Are the others coming over later?" asked Fleamont, pouring himself a glass of water.
James nodded, a smile forming on his face. "Yeah the group is coming to get ready, and then we are all going to drive over to the beach together."
"Ah can't wait to see Lilyflower, eh?" Sirius teased, waggling his eyebrows.
Euphemia's eyes trailed over to Regulus, who tensed at the name before going back to his food.
"I really think there's something happening between us recently," James said, his words a bit incomprehensible due to the food in his mouth.
Regulus scowled in disgust. "Chew with your mouth closed."
James immediately held up his hand in a soldier gesture. "Sorry, boss. Won't let it happen again."
Regulus rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched upward. "Idiot."
James titled his head, staring intently at the Regulus. "Yeah?"
However, before Regulus could reply, a loud groan broke the duo's staring contest and their eyes snapped towards Sirius, who was glaring down at his phone.
"I asked Marls to bring over eyeliner, but she ran out," Sirius grumbled.
Euphemia rolled her eyes. "You'll live," she turned towards Regulus, "You going with them, or are you staying in?"
"Obviously not," Sirius replied before Regulus could even get in a syllable.
"And why not?" snapped Regulus, narrowing his eyes. It wasn't that he was initially planning to go to the bonfire, but why did Sirius have to say it like it was impossible for Regulus to even consider it?
Sirius frowned at Regulus's tone. "It's just not your scene."
Regulus crossed his arms. "And what if I did wanna go this year?"
"Do you?"
"Maybe."
"You're too little," Sirius insisted.
Regulus's eyes bulged. "Little? You went out to parties when you were younger than I am now!"
"That's different!" Sirius protested.
Regulus scowled. "How?"
"I--Well--"
"See? There is no fucking difference!"
"Language!" Fleamont scolded.
"Boys I think you should calm-" Euphemia started.
Both brothers ignored this.
"What if you get overstimulated?"
Regulus paused at his brothers word, a deep frowning making it to his face. "Why do you always have to treat me so differently just because I'm autistic?"
"I don't!" Sirius's eyes widened, "I just want you to be comfortable."
"And I want to go out without you being so fucking overbearing all the time!"
"Guys!" James cut in, looking back and forth at the two brothers nervously, "Pads I think you should let Regulus go."
Sirius's attention turned towards James for a second. "Shut up James."
"Okay that is enough!" Euphemia announced, clapping her hands together. "We are all going to eat our food and discuss this later without shouting at each other and using profane language, ok?"
She looked at each at them very sternly, receiving a grumble of agreements in response.
Euphemia nodded, satisfied with herself.
Teenage boys were a piece of work.
"I WANNA TEACH YOU HOW FOREVER FEELS LIKE THE GIRLS YOU'VE LOVED BEFORE!"
If there was anything anyone needed to know about Lily Evans it was that she was the biggest Taylor Swift fan. Doing anything, it would be accompanied by listening to Taylor Swift. Working at her parents shop? Doing it while listening to Taylor! Doing homework? Doing it while listening to Taylor! Picking out her outfit with Mary to go to the bonfire tonight? Doing it while listening to Taylor!
"Made you the one I've fallen for," Mary and Lily sang in unison, twirling one another while holding potential floral dresses of choice for the night
Every dead end street
"I'm so glad I saved you from that asshole Snape in sixth grade."
Led you straight to me
Lily giggled. "I landed myself a way better best friend."
Now you're all I need
Mary watched as Lily's cheeks flushed under the warm air and Lily's green eyes flash brightly when they met hers, and she smiled to herself.
I'm so thankful for all of the girls you loved before
"You did get lucky, didn't you?"
But I love you more
The song came to an end causing the two girls to flop onto the bed, a bit out of breath from singing.
A comfortable silence fell between the two as they started up at the celling that had paint chipping off, but it brought peace to Mary.
"Are you going to get with James this summer?" Mary asked curiously, looking towards the redhead.
Lily paused. She didn't the answer if she was being honest to herself. She had always been the biggest romantic she knew; growing up, she would yearn for the day she met her own Prince Charming that would sweep her from her feet. If that wasn't James Potter then who was? James Potter was the epitome of a Prince Charming: charming , funny, kindhearted, confident, intelligent, and good-looking. He hit every checkbox of her childhood dream, but then why was she still hesitating?
Instead of answering with that, she replied, "I don't know."
Because she really didn't know.
Regulus Black's first love was the water. There was something so peaceful about being under water; It felt like he could just be . The world would go so quiet, and it would be like everything else faded away and it was just him. Especially at night with the moon illuminating the water, the gentle night breeze, and where time just seems to be going a little slower.
"Night swimmer, eh?" asked a voice.
James Potter walked up towards the pool, a hesitant grin on his face and his messy hair even more out place than usual.
'It's peaceful," Regulus replied, keeping his voice steady.
"Yeah I get that," James sighed, taking a seat at the edge of the pool.
"You?" Regulus asked, unconvinced. "James 'the biggest extrovert' Potter gets it?"
James hesitant grin turned to a real one. "Everyone needs a break from society sometimes."
Regulus hummed in agreement.
"And I think society needs a break from me sometimes."
Regulus frowned at James's words. "I don't think the world could ever get sick of James Potter."
James's eyes widened for a moment, making Regulus furrow his eyebrows. Did he say something wrong?
Though before Regulus could say something, James's eyes soften considerably and he let out a hearty laugh. "I don't think others would agree with you."
"Yeah well others can go fucking choke themselves."
A fond expression creeps on James's face. "Yeah they can."
For a moment, it's just James and Regulus. Not two separated proper nouns combined with a conjunction, but just James and Regulus. A combined force; two boys who are to be assumed on two different wavelengths having their eyes interlocked, and the rest of the word just fades away.
"James-"
"BONFIRE TIME!" Marlene McKinnon shouts, opening the door with an aggressive yell. She skips out with with her black leather jacket that emphasizes her great presence. Regulus liked her as much as you can like your best friend's arch nemesis. Marlene never actually did anything to Dorcas, it was just a rivalry, so Regulus didn't really have a problem with her. In fact, he thought she was pretty cool. But then again, everyone thought Marlene McKinnon was cool.
"God damn McKinnon," James muttered, rubbing his hand over his racing heart, "Give a guy a warning next time, yeah?"
"Yeah yeah," she paused when she noticed another presence, "Oh hey baby black."
Yeah, Regulus decided Marlene was not so cool anymore. 'Don't call me that."
"You coming to the bonfire tonight?" Marlene asked, checking the time on her phone, "Because if you are, you better shower and get changed under five seconds or you're going to have to walk down by yourself."
"I don't know it depends if Sirius finally lets me fucking go."
Marlene raised her eyebrows. "Sirius isn't letting you go?"
Regulus groaned. "It's fucking ridiculous!"
"Look," Marlene rolled her eyes, "Just because that shithead is being a little bitch doesn't mean you can't go. I mean he's your brother, not your father."
James nodded. "Pads is just looking out for you, but it's still your choice at the end of the day."
"Give me ten minutes to shower and change."
Marlene grinned.