Chapter Text
“If you guys hadn’t brought him here, this never would have happened. What were you thinking?” Regulus yells in frustration, throwing his hands around.
“Regulus, he was gonna come with or without us. We just wanted to protect him.” Sirius explains.
Regulus scoffs, “Yeah, and you completely blew it.”
“Okay. Okay, so what are we gonna do?” Evan asks, crossing his arms.
“We are not doing anything.” Regulus huffs. “This is between me and Dorcas. I have to go get James.”
“Regulus, hold on–you’re still going to have to deal with Marlene.” Barty says. “You’re gonna need us.”
Regulus bites the inside of his cheek. “Dorcas said to come alone.”
Pandora sighs, “Regulus, come on.” She pleads.
Evan puts a hand on her shoulder, “She said to come alone. We’ll be here when you get back.”
Regulus looks at them, nodding before turning to head for the restaurant.
—
Regulus pushes through the saloon doors, barging in. He tilts his head, smirking. “I’m back.”
Dorcas looks him up and down. “Loser, party of one. Right this way, please.” She grins, kicking a chair towards him.
He catches it, raising an unimpressed eyebrow at her as he spins it and sits down. “Place still stinks.” Regulus notes dryly.
“Oh, I’m sorry. We’re down a butler today,” Dorcas responds, “Princess.” She spits.
Regulus clenches his jaw. “Where is he?” He demands.
A grin lights up Dorcas’ face. “You know I’ve dreamed of this?” She cackles. “You wanting something from me and me watching you squirm like a worm on a hook.”
“I’m so flattered that you dream of me.” Regulus replies flatly. “I haven’t given you a thought since I left.”
Dorcas slams her hands on the table. “Obviously.” She rolls her eyes. “You have your perfect little life, don’t you?”
Dorcas pushes herself away from the table, gesturing towards the people eating. “Doesn’t she have the perfect little life?” She yells.
“And we’re 20 years into a garbage strike.” She turns her gaze back to Regulus.
Regulus scoffs, "Listen, if you have some kind of score to settle with me, game on. I see no need to bring James into this.”
Dorcas laughs. “It may be a little unnecessary,” She says, “But, oh, it is so much fun. Here’s the deal—,”
“Just like your mother–always a catch.” Regulus smirks.
The smile falls off Dorcas’ face as she sits down, slamming her arm into a wrestling position on the table. “If you win, James is free to go.” She smiles. “Hm?”
Regulus watches her face, calculating and deliberate. He places his own arm on the table, holding her gaze.
“Don’t you wanna know what I get if I win?” Dorcas asks mockingly.
Regulus smirks, “Still dreaming.”
“Last time I checked, your mother thought she had things all sewn up too, huh? How’d that work out for her again?” Dorcas says, a smirk playing on her lips.
Regulus chooses to not grace her with a reply. “How about we just get this over with already?”
“That eager to lose?” Dorcas chuckles.
“You know that whole royal act? Ugh. I never bought it for a second.”
Her voice lowers, “You can stick a crown on a villain, but you’re still a villain.”
Regulus stares at her, unimpressed. “And you can slap a pirate hat on, but you’re still shrimpy.” He says, his eyes glowing an intense gray.
Dorcas seems unaffected that she’s losing. “If I win..you bring me the wand.”
Regulus startles, losing his grip on Dorcas’ hand as she slams his down on the table. He stares down at the table in disbelief.
Dorcas rises in celebration before slamming her hands down on the table, looking down at Regulus. “Now, if you want beasty boy back, bring me fairy godmother’s magic wand to my ship tomorrow at 12 o’clock, noon. Sharp.”
“Oh, and if you blab, you can kiss your baby goodbye.” Dorcas smiles at him, blowing him a kiss before walking away.
—
“There’s no way we can just give Dorcas the wand. She’ll destroy Auradon!“ Sirius yells, pacing back and forth.
“If Dorcas doesn’t get the wand, James is gone.” Evan argues.
Barty huffs, “So we’re going to give Dorcas of all people the wand?”
Pandora sighs. “Isn’t there a way we can give her a fake one?”
“The second Dorcas tests it, she’ll know it’s fake.” Regulus says.
“Okay, so we just need to get James out really fast. We need some kind of diversion.” Sirius replies, biting his lip in thought.
Barty perks up, “What about smoke bombs?”
Regulus thinks for a moment. “Yeah. Yeah, that could work. Okay. Barty, Evan, and Pandora. You guys meet us at Pirates Bay no later than noon. And remember, losing? Not an option.”
Everyone looks at each other, nodding as Regulus continues. “Cause we’re rotten,”
“To the core.” They all chorus.
—
Sirius and Regulus walk through the old alleys of the Isle, reminiscing as they waited for the boys and Pandora to get back.
“—that one was epic. That went on for actual days.” Regulus laughed.
Sirius rolled his eyes. “Like it mattered. They were both undone by true love’s kiss.” He grinned.
“Works every time.” The brothers huff simultaneously.
Sirius goes quiet for a minute. “I really thought that’s what you and James had.” He admits quietly.
He stops in his steps, looking up at Regulus. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Regulus doesn’t meet his gaze. “I’m not coming back, Sirius.”
“I can’t. I really tried to tell you.” He says. ”But, I mean, I saw the way your face lit up when we walked through those dorm rooms for the first time.” Regulus continues, smiling sadly. “And I couldn’t spoil that for you.”
Sirius shakes his head. “If you’re staying, I’m staying.”
“No way.” Regulus scoffs. “Sirius, you belong in Auradon. But I am, and will always be, the boy from The Isle.”
Sirius sighs, looking to the side. “I really had no clue what you were going through.” He shrugs, “I truly thought you were fine. That you were happy. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Regulus looks down. “I didn’t want to let you down, but I couldn’t stay in that place. It was suffocating me. I really had to go.”
“I wouldn’t have stopped you. If that was what you wanted. I would’ve respected your decision.” Sirius whispers, stepping closer to his brother.
“But I’ve changed, Sirius. We’ve changed.” Regulus mutters, looking up at his brother.
“Nothing has to change, Regulus. I’ll always be there for you. In Auradon or The Isle. Even in the space between the two places. I’ll never be out of your reach.”
Regulus blinks through the tears quickly forming in his eyes. “You don’t have to go through this alone, Regulus. I know you have to find your place, but you’re my baby brother. You always will be.”
Sirius pulls him into a hug and suddenly Regulus feels like a little kid again, hiding away in his big brother’s arms when the world felt too much for him.
Regulus sniffles as they pull apart, rubbing furiously at his eyes.
—
Barty, Evan, and Pandora are rushing back as fast as they can with the fake wand in hand, only to be impeded by Remus.
“Oh, hey, you guys. Have you, uh, seen Sirius around anywhere?” Remus asks.
“Uh, actually, he went…camping,” Barty says as Pandora elbows him in the stomach, facepalming.
Remus blinks, “Sirius Black? Sleeping on the ground with no place to plug in a hairdryer? Are you sure we’re talking about the same person?”
Barty shrugs, “You know how…spontaneous he is.”
“Uh huh. Look, if you see him, just tell him to call me back, okay?” Remus sighs.
—
“How does it feel being king now, eh?”
James looks at Marlene, pursing his lips. The girl laughs, pulling tighter at his ropes.
“Give it a rest, Marls. Give it a rest.” Dorcas rolls her eyes, sitting down in front of James. “We don’t want damaged goods.” She smirks.
“You said that I could hook him,” Marlene huffs, narrowing her eyes at James.
“I said, at noon.” Dorcas replies, clicking her tongue.
Marlene pulls out a pocket watch, dangling it in front of James. “Twenty more minutes, James.”
James looks at the watch. “That says eleven thirty.”
“You better hope your boyfriend comes through.” Dorcas says.
“Well, he’s not my boyfriend anymore.” James replies, looking down.
Dorcas raises an eyebrow, surprised. “Leave us alone, Marlene.”
Marlene tilts her head at James. “Nineteen minutes to go now.”
“Go, Marlene.”
James sighs. “I get that you don’t deserve this.”
Dorcas laughs, amused. “This? This island is a prison, thanks to your father. And don’t pretend to look out for me. Because no one’s looking out for me. It’s just me.”
“So this isn’t your mom’s plan?” James asks. “Isn't that her necklace?”
Dorcas huffs. “My mom doesn’t care about me either. Well, not unless she needs someone for the night shift.”
James’ face softens. “Ouch.”
“I don’t need your pity.” She glares.
“No, you certainly do not.” James looks around himself. “You’re very resourceful." He turns his gaze back to Dorcas. “I don’t see you all tied up.”
Dorcas chuckles, standing up. “Alright. So let’s trash talk Regulus.”
James shrugs, “I’d rather talk about you.”
“Mmm. Funny and a gentleman. I really hope I don’t have to feed you to the fishes.” Dorcas replies.
“Well, you don’t. Set me free. We’ll go back to Auradon together.”
Dorcas scoffs. “Oh, so now I get an invite.” She looks him up and down. “Gee, I wonder why.”
“When you brought Regulus, Sirius, Barty, Evan, and Pandora to Auradon, that’s as mad as I’ve ever been in my entire life.” She bristles. “And trust me, I’ve been plenty mad.”
“I never thought of it like that before.” James admits quietly. “That I could’ve hurt the people I didn’t pick. My plan was to start with five kids and bring more people over. I guess I was busy being king.” He huffs. “That sounds lame.”
“I’m so sorry.” James says, sincerity clear in his voice. “You’re a leader, Dorcas. So am I. Come to Auradon and be a part of the solution.”
Dorcas rolls her eyes. “Me? Part of your solution?” She sneers, “I don’t need you. I’m going to get there on my own.”