Chapter Text
Sirius and Regulus stood stiffly at the large windows looking over the driveway up to the large and luxurious house. Although as Regulus and Sirius grew up and the competition drilled into them by their parents subsided, being home always seemed to negate their friendship. So they stood in silence waiting for James to pick them up. The shiny obnoxiously red jeep pulled up to the house. The boys crashed into the car music blaring. Regulus reached into the front seat and turned down the radio, ignoring James's protest. Regulus flopped backward into the seat,
“Marlene needs a ride today, she's at her dad's,'' Regulus told James.
“How is Marlene,'' Sirius teased, regardless of the many times, Regulus told Sirius he had no intentions of dating his LONG time friend he refused to drop it. It wasn't malicious and didn't bother Marlene; she actually found it quite funny that Regulus didn't see a reason to upset the balance the two brothers had recently found. James and Vieve were the only people who had a real grasp on the black household (that weren't in some way related to them). Vieve or Genevieve's father had grown up with Regulus and Sirius's father Orion. They lived together through college and settled in the same township. James being part of another rich and prominent family was popper enough company to be invited into the home. Of course, their other close friends heard stories and knew things were not quite right in the Black household.
They drove down the road, eventually exciting the gated community and entering the suburbs where Marlene's dad lived. They picked her up and she climbed in her blonde hair tied back. Marlene was similar to James in how she occupied space carrying herself with confidence although James's ego easily mammoth Marlene's. The quality was quite different from the pride that was carried by the two brothers. Regardless many couldn't easily tell the difference. They rolled through the suburbs, Marlene, Sirius, and James chattering away. Regulus has always been more of a listener; he preferred to pick his words carefully. The four decided to stop to pick up coffees. This was the routine most days if times allotted. James pulled into the lot and climbed out. Regulus opted to join him in retrieving the drinks as Sirius was completely dramatic about mornings and Marlene knew Sirius much better than she did James. Although Regulus doubted she would actually mind, Marlene was always at ease it seemed. James and Regulus's friendship had always been...a bit strange. James and him were so completely opposites. Early on in James and Sirius's friendship a lot of regulus and his conversations were filled with silence and small talk. In all honesty, regulus was like that when getting to know most people he just wasn't very aware. Maybe because to everyone else it came off as uncaring and aloof which seemed to be his reputation. James ordered the drinks and they moved to wait for them.
“How's the year going then? Haven't talked much about school,'' James asked, though his expression was hard to read, something that was rare for him.
“You know...you did it all last year,” the answer didn't seem to suffice as James stared expectantly at regulus “um the classes aren't too difficult if that's what you mean keeping up and all.'' Regulus looked to stare at the counter. He knew James had something else he wanted to say but he wasn't going to pull it out of him.
“I...I just mean that guy isn't giving you trouble again is he?” Regulus noticeably straightened but was saved by a clear sweet voice.
“Hey Potter!” both boys swiveled towards the door. A red-headed girl walked over her face sprinkled with freckles. She had a bold blue on her lash line that seemed to coincidentally match the uniforms they all wore at Hogwarts preparatory school.
“Lily!” James' voice was jovial and welcoming, “just our luck, right Reggie?” James flashed a grin. Regulus couldn't quite manage to keep a straight face at James's nickname. James nudged him slightly
“Hm, of course,” he offered his hand “Regulus Black” he smiled slightly.
“As in Sirius,” the girl said as she shook his hand though she was pulling a face, this was disconcerting to Regulus. While he was the first to point out any of Sirius' many flaws he didn't like others doing so (maybe with the exception of James).
“Yea I would suppose so, not a fan?” lily sighed heavily
“Me and Sirius just aren't very in sync when it comes to what's important at Hogwarts s'all,” the line was civil enough but she rolled her eyes obviously. Then Regulus realized this was the Lily on the student council with Sirius, the one who drove him mad. Sirius wasn't the type most would picture in student government but he had spectacular grades and a good enough reputation. Sirius’s role focused on student events and Lily was the junior class president.
“He can be a handful,” James added quickly, Regulus just shrugged. “You walk here Evans?”
“Yea then the bus over to school,” she responded, her voice back to its original smooth sound.
“Want a ride? We've got room for one more,” that's when Regulus realized the way James was repeatedly mussing his hair, his eyes had not left lily since she called his name. James liked her, and now was offering her a seat next to Regulus. Regulus told himself there was no reason for a pit to be forming in his stomach. That the dryness in his throat was a coincidence. The strange ache was radiating from his chest meant nothing.
He turned, muttering he'd be right back then going into the bathrooms. He leaned over the sink. This has nothing to do with James, Regulus thought, this is about her disliking Sirius. It wasn't believable even to him but it was something to pin his denials on so he held on to it. Regulus rubbed his eyes and adjusted his hair before exiting the bathroom James and lily chattering back and forth the site sent his stomach into a flip. James spotted him and gestured to grab a couple of cups they got back on the road lily now between Marlene and Regulus. One thing the Black brothers had in common was their aptitude for brooding and of course, Sirius realized this right away but having the most tact (probably only when it came to Regulus) and decided not to put his brother on the spot. Lily and Marlene actually had a friend in common and were pretty familiar. James kept stealing quick glances back at Lily in the rearview mirror. They pulled up to the stone building and entered. James, Lily, and Sirius going one way to where the juniors' core classes were held and Marlene and Regulus towards the sophomores. Marlene and Regulus headed towards their first period, Vieve joining them halfway there Marlene and her exchanged a look that Regulus deduced had to do with his sudden stormy attitude but decided it best left alone. As Regulus trudged through the day he swallowed his moodiness because he knew it was childish and in all honesty absurd to be pouting over whatever this was.
***
James was searching through his locker for his student ID while Sirius leaned against the wall.
“Aha!” James exclaimed holding up the plastic, then began their walk towards the lunchroom.
“What happened with Reg this morning,” Sirius tried to sound relaxed knowing if James sensed a problem he'd make a big deal. Sirius didn't give James enough credit in this department. While Sirius was exceptionally observant he had a tendency to be a bit self-centered. James was extremely empathetic, Sirius assumed James would treat Regulus like Sirius quite the miscalculation.
“What do you mean?” James immediately realized what was wrong, except he jumped to a different conclusion. Another commonality between James and Sirius...both have an affinity for assumptions.
“Well when you all came back, I dunno he just seemed upset. I mean you know Reg he gets like that I just thought I'd ask...yanno just in case.” Sirius said, and it was true but for the both of them. James decided not to point that out. James also thought that he and Sirius were sharing a similar concern about the previous year although Sirius didn't have all the details.
“Nothing especially out of the ordinary I mean he got upset but it wasn't anything I think anyone but us would notice…” James trailed off
“Us?” Sirius inquired, James and Regulus had become close friends over the years but why would James be set apart from the rest of Regulus's friends? Sirius thought. James cleared his throat
“I just mean like us ya know, me you Marlene Vieve...,” Sirius just hummed in response.
***
The lunchroom buzzed with voices and commotion. James was next to Marlene and Sirius, across the table Regulus leaned effortlessly back arm around Vieve. He wasn't scowling anymore but he seems subdued. Regulus was usually happier to listen to banter rather than participate, but he seemed unengaged, at least to James that is. James unlocked his phone and began to type
James: Are you mad at me or something?
James tried to glance subtly waiting for regulus to respond
Reg: What? Should I be?
James: This morning, something obviously upset you at the cafe
Reg: I'm not and I wasn't upset
James: Come on, can't we just skip this evasive maneuver
Reg: I'm fine really
James: Is it about what I said about last year because I really think we should talk about it?
Reg: I told you before...I do not want to
James: Okay well Sirius asked so I know I'm not making anything up
Reg: Well, what did you say?
Regulus was looking at Sirius now, he wanted to be mad but as much as he did he couldn't. If he was being one hundred percent honest it he would probably ask James if he thought Sirius was upset as well. He hated thinking about it because he should be able to approach his brother when he's upset but there are too many negative emotions tangled between them. They've just truly started to untangle it and neither wanted to push. So that leaves James right in the middle.
James: What the hell do you think I said, I've got no idea what made you upset
Reg: What am I supposed to say
James: This isn't a what your SUPPOSED to say conversation I'm asking you how you're feeling
Reg: we can talk later. After practice, while Sirius is at cross country?
James: That's fine but you're not worming out of it
***
Regulus and Marlene sat at the table in Hogwarts art studio for the first elective of the day. Regulus began sketching absentmindedly. Marlene was collaging a board, “why don't you like Lils?”
“I don't?” regulus responding attempting to sound clueless.
“Don't play dumb Reg,” he didn't respond “you expect me to think what? That somehow James made you that pissy?”
“James is very capable in that department,” he said snarkily.
“Oh please, I have never once seen you legitimately mad at that boy…and you Regulus Black...have a short fuse,” this made him sit back looking at the ceiling. He was searching his mind. He had met James when they were 11. He had joined Sirius class in 6th grade, James could be infuriating but every instance of this had resulted in a scolding from Regulus either accompanied or followed by a smile.
“It's not lily okay she seems perfectly fine,” he quickly decided to share his internal excuse for the squirmy feelings. “She doesn't like Sirius, I know I overreacted I just…” regulus trailed off
“It's okay, I mean...with everything you're a bit overprotective it's okay,” Marlene returned her focus to her work. Regulus considered this maybe he really was just being overprotective. I mean it would be understandable, right? Seeing how their parents treat him...them both. Yes, that made perfect sense.
***
Vieve and Regulus entered Latin, Marlene had gone off to the gym. Of course, Marlene was Regulus's best friend but Vieve understood him better than Marlene did. Genevieve Rivera, the daughter of an established businessman with high expectations and strict rules, and while Sirius faces this too his instinct is to lash out to react outwardly whereas Vieve and Regulus look for ways to adapt. To fulfill the goal and avoid setbacks, Sirius on the other hand wants to make a show of his defiance as if it makes a difference. This argument between the brothers has happened countless times through the years. What's more important, the message or the outcome?
“I'm not gonna try to get you to talk you know, we don't have to talk about every little thing,” she said knowingly
Vieve and Regulus were truly two sides of the same coin. Regulus nodded
“I'm sure it'll work itself out,” Regulus said immediately regretting admitting something was wrong not because Vieve would pry but because now he couldn't quite as convincingly pretend. “Honestly I'm overacting, I know I am so I don't see a point in hashing it out,” Vieve eyed him carefully.
“Want my input?” Regulus debated saying no, but at the end of the day she gave good advice, and like she said she wouldn't push.
“Sure, why not.” Regulus shrugged,
“You're easy to read...just let people check up on you, don't take it as a personal attack,” Vieve smiled at him softly.
“Sounds like good advice, you know it's just... I'd rather not talk about it,” Regulus looked away.
“Didn't say you have to, just don't throw a fit when your friends care,” she said calmly.
“Sorry I'm being moody,” Regulus said, nudging her and letting a smile spread on his face. She was right; he was far too old to be pouting.
“S’alright.” she laughed “you're always a bit moody,” Regulus rolled his eyes in response.
***
Regulus and Marlene walked over the jeep and leaned against it. “I think I'll be asking Dorcas out, what do you think? Maybe a picnic,” Dorcas and Marlene played on the volleyball team together.
“Seems nice, when do you think you'll ask?” Regulus asked her, as James and Sirius approached.
“Probably after our next game we’re hanging out after,” James unlocked the car and the three of them grabbed their sports bags out of the car.
“Sounds like a good plan to me,” Regulus said to Marlene. Marlene gave regulus a quick hug
“See you tomorrow,” and walked off to her ride. the three of them walked to the locker room to change into their athletic clothes. James light-hearted ranted about how Sirius tangled up their yarn in home-ec that afternoon and ‘completely destroyed his masterpiece’. The group then split with Regulus and James heading to the soccer field. Regulus tended to make everything a competition, him and James being the star players didn’t help this. As the team ran through drills regulus focused on James; James being James was completely focused on the sport. The coach called for a water break and the team walked towards the benches.
“You looked good out there,” James said, this caused Regulus to sputter and choke on the water he was drinking, “I mean your form and everything,” he smiled patting his back roughly. If regulus didn’t know better he would’ve sworn that there was a faint blush on James's brown skin.
“Thanks, yea um you too…” regulus hoped desperately the flush from exercise would hide the redness creeping onto his face.
***
Regulus took his time showering after practice delaying this confrontation as long as possible, though he was the lone party viewing it as such. He sighed, rubbing his face and turning off the water. When he exited James was already completely ready to leave. Regulus quickly dressed and they started to roam the halls. After a while, unsurprisingly James was the one who spoke.
“Is he bothering you again?” Regulus stopped walking and James turned to look at him.
“What? Why would you think that?” Regulus's heart was pounding had crouch said something?
“This morning...I thought you were upset cause I brought what happened last year up,” James explained, regulus shifted and started walking again.
“No it’s nothing like that,” Regulus said, James knew from his tone he was shutting him out.
“Well I have no idea what could’ve upset you,” James' voice was evenly measured but Regulus could tell he was frustrated. James couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing wrong why Regulus was shrugging him off.
“What? and all of a sudden I need to rationalize my feelings to you,” Regulus had stopped again; they were in the cross-section of two halls that formed a T-shape.
“That’s not what I’m saying and you know it, stop being an ass Regulus,” James bit
“What are you saying then? accept I have to be upset and I owe…” James cut him off
“Stop, I clearly upset you this morning, unless somehow being in a coffee shop set you off,” James' voice had started to return to its less hostile resting place but not fully. Regulus’s blood was boiling, James was acting as if he could even tell him if he wanted to, as if Regulus had an explanation.
“You’re not my family, you’re not my fucking brother! Stop acting like it and learn how to bud out of other people's lives!” Regulus's voice had risen significantly. A flash of hurt crossed James’s face then he blinked it away, he turned and walked away without another word. “Fuck,” Regulus cursed himself, then without thinking he hit the stone wall next to him, hard. He let out a Yelp as pain shot up his arm.