Chapter Text
The cool autumn wind brushed past James’ face as he walked into the coffee shop, fur hood pulled up to block the cold... and, honestly, to hide his expression. Normally, James would opt for something like a protein smoothie or an iced matcha with some sickly sweet syrup, but today he went back to basics. He paid for his cappuccino, and when the fresh cup was finally in his hands, he took a seat in the corner of the shop.
It was in the quiet of the morning that James finally had the chance to really take it all in. When had he ever sat in a coffee shop on his own? It felt strange not to be annoyingly loud or joking about something. Now, there was only stillness.
The stillness gave him time to think about what had happened the previous day—what he’d said to Regulus, and what Regulus had said to him. Regulus’s face, the way he said “I hate you”—it was cruel. And James was pretty sure Regulus knew exactly how much it hurt.
An hour had passed, he was still moping on his own in the cafe: scrolling online, checking if Regulus had posted anything, even a tiny hint on the events from the previous day. He sat, twiddling his thumbs, until he was shaken out of it by none other than Barty Crouch sliding into the seat across from him.
Barty leaned in, “I heard what happened with Regulus,”
James perked up, “ Yeah? What did he say? Is he okay?”
“Mate I don’t know exactly what happened, but he is pissed, give him time though. It should be fine soon enough. You know Regulus,”
“Thats the thing, I don’t know if I do. I really thought I did, he just fucking hates me,”
Barty tapped his fingers on the table, glancing out the window. “Sometimes it feels like your brain’s the enemy, you know? Messing with your head when you least expect it.”
James looked down at his coffee, the steam swirling like his thoughts. “Yeah. Maybe. I don’t even know if it’s real or if I’m just... overthinking everything all the time.”
Barty gave him a nod, understanding. “It’s real. And it’s okay not to have all the answers yet. Regulus is complicated, and I’m his best mate. He might have the ‘fuck james potter’ act on right now, but i think he knows you're not that bad deep down. It’s some weird childhood thing.”
James sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. Sometimes it feels like I’m just waiting for everything to fall apart. Like, maybe Regulus really does hate me, and that’s the end of it.”
Barty leaned back, thoughtful. “It won’t be that simple. You’re both a bit stubborn, yeah? But that doesn’t mean there’s no hope.”
James gave a shaky laugh. “Hope feels like a foreign language right now.”
“Let me be the translator,” Barty replied, smirking. " That was funnier in my head,"
James didn’t answer. Just sat there, tracing the rim of his cup.
Barty didn’t push. He leaned back in his chair and pulled out his phone, scrolling through nothing.
The silence settled between them — not awkward, just... safe.
For once, James didn’t feel the need to fill it.
Barty sighed, patting his jeans as he left his seat, “ I better go, you know, world famous band, got things to do you know,”
James smiled softly as he watched Regulus’ best friend leave.
Barty shoved his hands into his jacket pockets as he stepped out of the coffee shop, the cold hitting him square in the face.
“Brilliant,” he muttered. “No jacket,”
He didn’t regret going, though. Not really. James had looked like he’d been steamrolled by the entire emotional spectrum. Someone had to say something.
Still, it was weird — seeing James like that. Quiet. Uncertain. Not being a loud, chaotic human whirlwind for once.
Barty kicked a stray leaf off the curb as he crossed the street.
“Regulus Black,” he said aloud to no one, “you’re a bloody mess,”
Barty was lost, walking around, staring at the frays of his jeans, he knew who to go see.
“So let me get this straight,” Evan said, stirring his tea way too slowly. “You, of all people, sat there giving James Potter a pep talk over a cappuccino?”
Barty rolled his eyes. “Don’t act like I’ve got a heart or anything. I just didn’t want him to spontaneously combust in public.”
“Uh-huh.” Evan sipped. “And that totally had nothing to do with Regulus.”
“Shut up.” Barty rolled his eyes at Evan’s grin. “ I care about Regulus and James really fucked up. But you know how Regulus can get in arguments, you gotta feel for James aswell,”
“Look at you, caring for everyone,” Evan said, raising a brow.
“Shut up,” Barty muttered, flopping back on Evan’s couch like he lived there. “I’m allowed one emotionally responsible moment per week.”
Evan sipped his tea, unbothered. “Sure. And I’m supposed to act like you didn’t come straight here just to talk about it?”
“I came here because your flat has heating,” Barty said. “And snacks.”
“Mmm. And validation, apparently.”
“You’re so smug, it’s disgusting,” Barty said, stealing a biscuit off Evan’s plate anyway.
Evan shrugged. “You keep coming back though.”
“Don't remind me.”
Evan didn’t answer. He just sank further into the cushions and pretended not to notice that Barty hadn’t moved an inch.
“You’re not kicking me out?” Barty asked, halfway through stealing the last biscuit.
“I’m holding out hope you’ll fall asleep mid-sentence so I can get some peace.”
Barty grinned, mouth full. “Love you too.”
Evan threw a cushion at him. “Shut up and pick a movie.”
The cushion landed squarely in Barty’s face. He caught it mid-fall and tossed it onto the floor.
Evan didn’t move. “You’re disgusting, wrecking my apartment.”
“You’re welcome.”
Evan scrolled through the endless rows of movie thumbnails. “Your movies are so buns. This looks like you watched fight club once and like, madei it your whole personality,”
“Because I did watch Fight Club once and make it my whole personality, and don’t be talking, I pay for these streaming services” Barty said proudly.
“Tragic.”
“Still hot though.”
Evan ignored that, but Barty didn’t miss the way his mouth twitched, like he was trying not to smile.
Outside, rain started tapping against the windows, light, barely there, and for a second, things were quiet. Not in a heavy way. Just... easy.
Evan flicked past a few more movie options before throwing the remote onto the couch. “You know the band’s getting way too invested in Regulus and James, right?”
Barty snorted. “Oh yeah, like Dorcas hasn’t been scheming to set them on a date for weeks.”
“I swear, Pandora’s been sending memes like it’s her full-time job.” Evan shook his head, grinning. “And Sirius is lowkey losing his mind over it. Remus is probably the only one who’s not picking sides.”
Barty’s eyes darkened a little. “You think Remus gets how messy it all is?”
Evan shrugged, “He’s probably just entertained. But yeah, I bet he’s the only one who’s not secretly rooting for some disaster to happen.”
“Classic him, I guess.” Barty chuckled, “Ever the reluctant peacekeeper.”
“Meanwhile,” Evan smirked, “we’re just over here watching,”
Barty laughed, “Best seat in the house.”
About an hour into the movie, Barty’s phone lit up. A notification from none other than James.
James: has regulus said anything about me yet?