Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Barty sat in the driver’s seat of a large black van that Regulus had insisted them renting outside the old black manor, blowing smoke outside the window he was about to take in another drag when he heard a heavy sound coming from the manor. In hast he put out the smoke and began calling Regulus back with violent motion.

“Regulus! Regulus for the love of Christ get out of there” he screamed blaring his horn as loud as he could.

“Would you shut up I can here you just fine you know,” Regulus speaks in an annoyed tone through the earpiece, “I’m almost done,”

“Reggie, I told you this would be a bad idea actually I told you this would be a suicide mission”.

“And I said, how lovely,”

Barty could hear the downpour of gasoline through his earpiece and got instantly more nervous.

“Listen Reg you know I love a jolly good bad decision but not when it comes to your mother, she’s evil incarnate,”

“Oh, I know,”

“Good ok so maby it’s taking it a tad too fur setting her house on fire,”

“One could say that” Regulus said in between opening bottles of gasoline, “however I for one could care less Barty that women made my life a living hell since the day I was born did you know once she even threatened to throw me out the window. Yea you see the one to your far left yep that one,” Barty peered out and saw the height of the window as well as the pointed spikes at the bottom ready to shish kebab whatever unlucky soul lands on it.

“Nine,” Regulus said from the earpiece.

“What?”

“I was nine at the time,”

Barty muttered “Bloody evil incarnated,”

“Precisely now start the engine I’m coming out,” As Regulus came running out of his childhood “home” Barty stepped on the gas urging him to come in.

“Is everything set,” Barty said flooring his way out of the dark alley, Regulus had him park. Regulus said no words merely checked his watch as the seconds slowly began to tick down. Within five seconds they felt a jolt and regulus smiled to himself.

“Everything’s set,”

As the two of them drove back to the corporation regulus saw his old residence be ingulfed in flames, the same weapon his mother used to torture him with his whole life, he watched as every part of that dreadful house came crashing down in a fit of fire and ash. He smiled peacefully to himself as Barty drove them far away from the scene of arson. For the first time in his life, Regulus was safe from the flames.

As Regulus and Barty pulled up to cooperation they were faced with the ugliest sight at their arrival.

“Mr. Black, Mr. Crouch,”

“Mr. Malfoy,” Regulus was as calm as summer rain stepping out of the vehicle.

“Are you quite aware you are only to rent the company property for company orchestrated assignments?” Lucius asked in a strict questioners tone.

Regulus said no words simply met Lucius back with a poker face.

“I was informed that not 20 minutes ago from the manor boy of the Black estate that the whole thing miraculously burst into flames.”

“Oh, what a shame,” Regulus replied in a sarcastic tone, “so many happy memories burnt into ash,”

Lucius looked at him with the same strict look, “Mr. Black I know it was you,”

Poker face

“And I know you helped him Barty,”

“My Mr. Malfoy what a conclusion you have come to,” Barty said almost taunting Lucius.

“You boys are not to forget that this is my company. You both are skilled, and I’d be lying if I said you’re not some of my top men however that doesn’t exempt you,”

“Certainly blondie,” Barty said a smirk plastering wider and wider on his face.

“My office the both of you 10 minutes don’t be late,” with that Lucius turned back away into the building.

After returning the car and equipment Regulus and Barty stood outside Lucius’s office waiting to be called in.

“So, what do you think that old bat wants now,” asked Barty.

“Whatever it is I’m sure it’s going to be dreadfully boring,” Regulus said his eyes fixed as he fiddled with one of his rings. Soon they heard the creak of the door from which inside Lucius echoed his voice.

“Mr. Black, Mr. Crouch do come in,” Regulus and Barty entered to see Lucius sat at his desk opposite him being two other boys, Regulus knew the blond. Evan Rosier, they had been friends in school along with Barty and if his memory hasn’t rotted he could have sworn that he nd Barty had something going on at one point. The two boys glanced at them giving a quicky smile to Barty which Barty courteously returned.

“Sit, sit,” Lucius nudged “Mr. Black, Mr. Crouch this is Mr. James Potter and Mr. Evan Rosier from criminal execution. Mr. Potter Mr. Rosier, Mr. Regulus Black and Mr.  Bartemius Crouch here work in criminal development.” The four boys said nothing but just looked at each other to get a firm grasp of who is who. “You four are the top men in your respective departments and I seem to be in need of your assistance,” Regulus gave Lucius a suspicious glare. Daring to question his words before they even escaped his mouth. “You four are going to work for the next couple of months for a robbery,”

“A robbery?” questioned James.

“Yes Mr. Potter,”

“Sir that’s literally our job description we commit crimes and felonies twice a week minimum I don’t think you have to make such a show out of it,”

Regulus tried to keep himself from chuckling. Not bad Potter.

“Well James this one is quite grand. I want to pull of two extremely elaborate robberies. An estate robbery and a bank robbery,” Lucius’s gaze slightly verted to Regulus, “I suppose you know what I’m talking about Mr. black,”

“I-“

“Mr. Black,” Lucius began cutting Regulus off, “came to me with a plan when he first joined, a great plan if I do say so myself Regulus. I however, was unable to execute it as I didn’t have the resources. So, I asked Regulus to drop the case,” He folded his arms on the table and fixed his stare on Regulus, “you didn’t do that did you?”

“No, sir.” Regulus said with a straight face facing Lucius.

“Oi, you never told me about any of this,” Barty turned to him clearly annoyed.

“Shut it, Barty.”

“Anyhow,” Lucius began retreating back to his seat, ”we have the resources we need now. Regulus I believe you know more about this plan then I do,”

“Maby, because I made It you prick,” Regulus muttered under his breath it seemed only James heard him as he was trying to suppress a smile of his own.

“I give you the men around you today, Regulus. You said this was a four-person mission, so . Just one condition,”

“What is it blondie?” Regulus taunts

“For this plan to work and I’m sure you know this too, you must be smart with your resources so, you must with work with Mr. Potter and Mr. Crouch is to work with Rosier.”

They all looked around the room slightly confused and a bit disappointed. Barty wasn’t as he was sure Regulus would deny the suggestion.

“Done,” and with that he was gone. Barty followed after him quickly while James and Evan waited to be dismissed.

“Reg are your for real, is-is this for real?” By now James and Evan were out of the office standing by Lucius’s doorframe.

“Yes, Barty I am,” Regulus said turning back to face them, “as much as it pains me to say princess Elsa in there speaks truth. I did approach him with a plan, and I have every intent to go forth with it I suspect you’re in Barty. It’s something you’d like, and James Evan I can’t express how much I encourage you to be on board with this.” Without missing a beat Regulus walked away just about walking slowly enough to tell them all to meet him at his office 8am sharp the next morning. James and Evan looked at Barty for confirmation and all he had to do was give them a sincere nod, they knew Regulus was serious very serious.

Chapter Text

Regulus sat at his desk, his hands gliding over keys of a keyboard, a serious look sat on his face. Meanwhile, Barty was pacing left to right around Regulus’s office pestering Regulus for information he was sure he wasn’t going to get.

“Reg seriously what’s going on seriously just tell me already,”

“Patience Bartimus,”

Barty scrunched up his face as Regulus talked. He always hated his full name.

“I’ll explain everything when James and Evan get here,”

“But their late and I’m here so tell me now,” Barty pouted.

“I said for them to be here at 8 it’s 7:50, they have ten minutes until their late,” Regulus was always a stickler for punctuality.

Just as Regulus seemed to finish up whatever he was doing the door creaked open ravelling James and Evan at the other end.

“Sit,”

“He’s bossy,” James joked eyeing Barty who he did not get a reaction out of.

“I’m vigilant James not bossy,” Regulus replied still not looking up from whatever he’s doing. The four of them sat in silence for a couple minutes until Regulus finally finished his work and looked up to regard them.

“My apologies for the wait but it was work that needed to be done,”

“Is he always going to be this formal,” James tried again this time looking to Evan who he did get a reaction out of.

“Yes Mr. Potter I am,” Regulus stared back blankly, “Anyhow I’ve instructed you all to meet me this morning as goldy locks is going to have on a particularly let’s say tricky assignment with each other,” no one said anything the three simply silently regarded each other with equally puzzling looks. Regulus sighed and turned his laptop to show the work he had been doing when James and Evan came in. 

“An estate robbery and a bank robbery this is our assignment.”

“But that’s dead easy,”

“Yes, Rosier it is expect this is not Lucius’s plan it’s mine. The four us will be in two groups me and James and you and Evan,” Regulus said pointing his finger at Barty, “the two robberies are to take place at the same date and time and should be executed in such a way that it would be next thing to impossible for the authorities to solve. Barty, Evan you both shall be stealing these,” Regulus points at the screen,”

“What are those,” Barty asked.

“Those are diamonds  worth 8 million apiece. There are five in total that you must steal. They are being kept in the largest bank in the city, Gringotts behind an intricate safe, le verrou dans le temps,”

“The lock within time,” James looks up.

“You know French Potter?”

“A bit,” he says slightly smiling at Regulus. Regulus smiles back at him this is the first time James ever got a smile out of him.

He drops the smile soon enough and goes to reach into his pocket for something, “One of the five diamonds shall be placed in here,” Regulus says holding up a green silver encrusted locket which had the face of a serpent on the front and back. The three of them marvel at it for a short while before Regulus puts it away in one of his drawers.

“One of you would need to be there actually cracking the safe, Barty that would be you. Evan you would be behind the scenes pulling the strings making sure things go smoothly on the day it will also be you who is our first getaway driver for the night.”

“What about us,”

“You and I James we got the estate.”

“Who’s esta-,”

“It will take place at the same time as the bank robbery. We will have to go undercover and infiltrate a party thrown by the owner of the estate the night of. Black tie. Then we would have to get through the usual CCTV, Laser beams and a safe of our own. Ours is simpler however a simple password safe. But inside that safe Is more money than the four of us could ever dream of in our lifetimes.”

“Back up, Reg didn’t you grow up like stupid rich,” Barty cut in.

“My family had money, but it was old money it was for boasting rather than spending we were to just sit in it all day looking pretty. This money however is new money, fresh money it hasn’t gone through thousands of years of corruption its just sitting there practically begging someone to use it. And I assure you the estate owner has no plan on using any of the money themselves. So, it’s ours for the taking.”

“Cool so who’s the owner?”

“You don’t need to know that just yet Potter. We will split the money and diamonds four ways, so we all get our fair share.  I will explain everything else about all of this in detail and soon, but I have to know if your’re all on board.”

“I am you know I am Reggie,”

“Thank you, Barty. James, Evan are you guys in?”

“Can we have some time to think about it?” Evan asked.

“You have till dawn tomorrow the sooner I know the better,” James and Evan nodded in agreement. James and Evan quickly left after leaving Barty and Regulus to discuss all the information they were yet to be entitled to just yet.

“So, Potter this thing Regulus has going, you up for it?” Evan said passing James a cup of coffee.

“I don’t know, it’s kind of sketchy,”

“James our entire field of work is sketchy,”

“Yea but there’s something Regulus isn’t telling us.”

“There is a lot of Regulus isn’t telling us and he won’t be saying anything else unless we agree to this. He pulled stunts like this a lot back when we were in school,”

James paused for a moment almost in shock, “You never told me you went to school with Regulus,”

“Mhm and Barty,” Evan hummed.

“Evan Rosier it’s like I don’t even know you,” James gasped dramatically.

“Well James I don’t really know about your childhood either. Tell me where your friends ended up.”

“In a field of work that is actually legal,”

“That’s piss boring,”

James laughed into his coffee thinking again about Regulus.

“Fine I’m in, at least he’s cute,” James muttered the last bit.

“Sorry?” Evan looked at him puzzled.

“What?” James replied sweetly smiling back at him.

Chapter Text

“Ok Black we’re in,” James said casually strolling into Regulus’s office the next day.

“Splendid, where’s Evan?”

James looked around, “Not really sure if I’m being honest but I’m here.”

“I can see that.”

“So, what’s this grand plan of yours?” James said sitting down in the chair closest to Regulus.

“I’ll tell you when the others get here,” Regulus looked frazzled. He was constantly moving, and he hadn’t looked James in the eye since he entered his office. Regulus hadn’t looked at James in the eye at all. Never. Not once.

“Did you know Evan in school?” James asked out of the blue.

“Not that it’s any of your business Potter but yes we were good friends.”

“Why’d you stop?”

Regulus shrugged, “Just grew apart, I guess. Barty kept better contact with him then I did but even that faded after a while.” Oddly enough this seemed to disappoint James. “Oh don’t look so tortured Potter, your seriously telling me you still keep in contact with your friends from school.”

“I tried,” James muttered.

“James there’s no point muttering around me. I hear everything.”

“That’s really cool you know.”

“My sense of hearing?”

“Yea,”

“Well you know it’s another beautiful piece of trauma that I picked up being raised in the noble of house of black.”

Noble house of black. James hadn’t heard those four words in a long time.  Before James had the chance to say anything back Barty burst in with Evans wrist in his hand.

“Reg Evans in.”

“Good so is James now sit all of you and Barty close the door.”

“Yes mum.”

“Barty” Regulus taunted. Barty shut his mouth and closed the door meanwhile Evan took a seat next to James. “Good now that your all here let me explain how this is all going to work.”

------------------- 

“Sirius, Sirius for the love of god padfoot wake up,”

Sirius had fallen asleep on his desk again. This was not an unusual occurrence but today it was not acceptable.

“Mooney what the hell let me sleep.”

“No Sirius this is a big case, and we need the whole team awake.”

“Your mean.”

“I love you too. Now Evans care to catch Padfoot up with the case.”

“Sure Remus,” as the tall redhead stood up from her seat and stood at the head of the table, Sirius attempted to wake himself up and bring himself back to reality because Remus was right. This was a very important case.

“Now as most of us know there is rumour that the Malfoy crime confederation is going to strike again no one knows when or what the details of this crime is but we know that it involves the agency’s most skilled thief. Regulus black.” Sirius was definitely awake now.

“Reggie, he’s still caught up in that mess,”

“Yes Sirius he is but there’s more,” Lily said looking at Sirius with eyes of sorrow, “it is said that James is to be apart of this operation as well.”

“James,” Sirius whispered.

“James,” Lily confirmed.

James and Sirius had been the best of friends in school an unstoppable duo. James had taken Sirius in when he ran away and stood by every shitty decision Sirius made in his life. Sirius however could not return this favour. In their seventh year of Hogwarts James started getting Sirius and the rest of their friends into bigger and bigger schemes. One day not long after graduation he had informed them all about his new job offer at Malfoy crime confederation. He said there would be places for all of them and how excited he was for the future. Sirius who had already done two years of work for his criminology degree tried to get James to change his mind. Trying so clearly to point out the red flags in this corporation. Unfortunately, he didn’t try hard enough. Soon James got involved with more and more risky business. Until one day Sirius found himself arresting his best friend. That was only three years ago. For three years Sirius had carried with him the guilt of not being able to save James. His best friend. The man who saved him over a hundred times. He couldn’t save once.

“Sirius,” Remus spoke breaking him from his trance, “are you going to be ok on this case?”

Blinking back tears Sirius looked straight at the whiteboard in front of him which had hazy notes scribbled on probably by Dorcus. “Tell me what we know.”

Chapter Text

Regulus never messed around and he took whatever job he did very seriously. So that’s how he found himself at the head of a conference room table with a binder as thick as the bible laid in front of him while Barty, James and Evan sat in scattered seats around him. Patiently, waiting for him to reveal the secrets which held so very close to him.

“Now that I know you are all on board let me make one thing clear. You’re on board. You can’t quit after this. You’re here now, you’re here till the end. Do I make myself clear?”

Regulus took the silence as a yes.

“Good. Evan, Barty we will start with you,” as he opened the binder Evan and Barty edged closer peering to see into the pool of notes Regulus had written in the margins of an ink stained typed paper.

“The verrou dans le temps is a safe within a safe. Its practically a large steel circular room and it rests inside a room which is guarded by 24 highly trained guards at all times. This room is accessed via fingerprint.”

“Who’s fingerprint?” Evan sked

“My very own blood. Bellatrix Lestrange nee black,” Regulus said pulling out a picture of his cousin.

“Wait Reggie is this,”

“One of the black family safes, yes Barty it is.”

“Wicked,” Evan glanced over noticing Bartys’ eyes twinkle with mischief.

“Regulus how would we get your cousins fingerprints?” asked Evan.

“Leave that to me Rosier. You have your own concerns," Evan reacted to this with a cautious look of confusion, "What do you mean?" "What you didn't think you'd just be the getaway driver did you? Once Barty get's into the room he will still have to cross a digitalized fire wall to get to the safe. Lucius told me you can hack and so the firewall is yours to talk down," "Got it," Evan nodded "Now Barty  you will enter the room not through the door but the air vents once your in the room you will have only five minutes to crack the safe. If you take even a second more things can go horribly wrong.”

Barty looked up from Regulus’s plans to see worry grow on Evans face. “Don’t worry Rosier, I’m said to be the best safe cracker of the age.”

“Smug crouch,” Evan snapped back.

“It’s not being smug if it’s the truth,” Barty said with a grin plastered on his face.

“If you two are done flirting then I’d like to get back to the plan thank you.” Regulus chimed in.

Evans face grew red.

“Once you crack the safe pocket the diamonds remember to put one in the locket that’s very important,”

“Ok how am I supposed to get out then?” asked Barty.

“You don’t have to worry about that. Evan does,”

“Me!” Evan looked shocked.

“Yes Barty has to worry about getting in and stealing the diamonds it’s your job to get him out after that,” Regulus replied

“Oh, and how in the name of god am I supposed to do that Regulus,”

“I’ll show you,” Regulus said not skipping a single beat. Evan brushed this off as Regulus kept explaining the plan.

“Once you get out you are to immediately get in the car and you both will leave the area as fast as possible. You will both arrive at a warehouse which is plenty far away from the bank and if you did your jobs right. The authorities couldn’t trace it back to you if they tried.”

“All good Regulus just one question. How the hell am I supposed to get Barty out!”

“Calm down Rosier, I’ll show you. I don’t plan on committing this crime for a few months we have time,”

“This is insane,” Evan said storming out of the conference room. Regulus pinched at his eyebrows clearly annoyed at the inconvenience. “Barty I can’t deal with this right now. It’s too bloody early.”

“I got it Reg,” Barty said almost half way out the door

 ------------------------

“Oi Rosier slow down mate,” Barty said barley catching up to a fuming Evan.

“Barty,” Evan said turning around. He had clearly been caught off guard.

“Chill mate or have you forgotten Regulus. You remember his stunts,”

“I remember them being planned out. He always thought of every last detail never dared to leave anything to chance,”

“He hasn’t changed,”

“Then what was all that about,” Evan said his anger not dying down.

“I’m sure Reggie has a plan.”

Evan started to calm down as he looked down at his shoes, “You still call him that?”

Bartys shoe’s stepped closer to Evans, “You still look at peoples shoe’s when your nervous?”

Evans head almost instantly shot up and he put some distance between him and Barty. “Well, I guess that answers my question,”

“I guess it does,” Barty said smiling back at him, “I’m kinda happy about this you know. It feels like we get a second chance,”

“A second chance?” Evan looked at Barty cautiously.

“Yea,”

“Barty if this is about out sixth year-“

In their sixth year Evan and Barty dated. Like they really dated. Holding hands in the corridors. Love notes passed around in lessons. Dates in near by towns and ditching lessons to make out in supply closets. Barty and Evan had been madly in love. True love. The love that isn’t petty. The love that is honest. The love that really did feel like you were dating your best friend. Regulus used to joke that one day they would get married. They were so madly and hopelessly in love. Until one day they weren’t.

Before Barty could even get a word out Evan cut in, “Cause I really don’t want you to bring that up.”

Barty closed his mouth silently, “Of course not.”

After their sixth year Evan stopped loving Barty. He still wanted him as a friend and they didn’t stop being friends because they broke up. Evan just stopped being in love with him. After their sixth year Evan stopped loving Barty. Barty had not.

Chapter Text

“Should we go see if he’s ok,”

“No, no Barty can handle him,” Regulus sighed flicking through the binder.

“So um, what about us,” James asked.

“What- oh right yes our part in the operation” Regulus stuttered almost as if James had caught him off guard.

“We can wait till Barty and Evan get back first,”

“No that would be stupid, it would waste time besides our operation is something completely different and doesn’t affect them whatsoever,” James noticed the defensive tone in Regulus’s voice so he met him back with a simple nod and smile.

“Ok, so what are we doing,” he said like an eager child.

“So,” Regulus began opening another spread in the binder, “we are to steal right under Malfoy’s nose. He has this  large charity event coming up in a few months. Its black tie and invitation only luckily for us I have that man wrapped around my finger, so I secured an invitation weeks ago. You James will be my plus one,”

James liked the idea of that, even though it was just business.

“This event will be hosted in one of his many manor homes, he has a safe in each one and due to let’s just say a happy accident I happen to know where this certain safe is. Lucius isn’t completely stupid however he knows about the business he got into, and he knows that he associates with thieves. So, one of us must stay visible to his guests at all times so as to not alert suspicion.”

“Will he really be able to notice two people missing?” asked James.

“He would be able to notice one, so we must work in shifts.”

“Jeez Regulus you really had to give us the harder mission,”

“What you think you can’t pull it of Potter. Because if that’s what you think feel free to leave. I will not have you ruin this James,” Regulus said retreating from the binder. His back straightening to his full height as he met James’s eyes with a scared look of tension.

“What no god no Regulus. I-I was just kidding right having a laugh that’s all. Don’t worry this will all go to plan,” James said resting one of his hands on Regulus’s shoulder in an attempt to ease his worry. Regulus brushed his arm of as soon as he could and immediately went back to his plans.

“Good so that plan is that I will be the one who actually cracks the safe and steals the money.”

“What so I’m just the getaway driver. Like Evan is that all you have use for us?”
“Oh Potter don’t be so dramatic you and Evan are both here because of the skill sets you have ok if it was a getaway driver, I needed I would have just pulled some bloke of the street and offered him handsome cash. Besides I can crack safes in mere minutes,”

“Ok so I guess it’s not personal.”

“No James, it’s not.”

“Sirius love you have to get some rest,” Remus came over to Sirius holding a large mug of what Sirius hoped was whiskey. He was disappointed to find it was just tea.

“Mooney it’s fine I’m fine,” Sirius said clutching his hand in an attempt of reassurance.

“Sirius your going to kill yourself trying to figure out more about this case.”

“How could this be happening Mooney how. James and Regulus. The both of them. How?” Sirius said ducking  his head down in defeat. Remus set the mug aside and held Sirius tight pressing kisses on his head and face.

“I didn’t save them Remus, I didn’t save him,”

“Shh, I know, I know,” Remus said softly still kissing his face.

“Maby,” Sirius said slightly pulling away.

“What, what are you thinking Sirius,” Remus said a worried look on his face.

“What if this is my second chance. What if this time I can save them. At least James,”

“Padfoot, you know how much I want that but-“

“But nothing Remus. This is my chance. I’ll take on the case. Find them and then maby just maby I can save them. I can save James…

Remus I really miss him,”

Remus cupped the back of Sirius’s neck pulling him into a soft kiss, “I know padfoot, so do I,”

“So, you’ll help me,” Sirius said looking hopefully at Remus.

Remus should have said no. in every other circumstance he would have said no. But the truth was he couldn’t he really did miss James. James Potter had been there for him every day since first year. The boy was kind and never cared how he looked like or who his family was, he was just kind. Ever since his mother died James was the first person to show Remus unconditional love. Not Sirius, James and he blames himself just as much as Sirius does himself for James being lost.

“Ok,”

Sirius grinned happily before going into kiss Remus again. A short while later they pulled away and all Remus could see was Sirius’s eyes. The eyes that twinkled like stars and that always used to remind him of big black dogs. He saw those puppy eyes stare at him in a way he had seen before, in a way he knew meant the next words out of Sirius’s mouths would not be good ones.

“What is it darling,” Remus said brushing Sirius’s hair out of his face.

“What if he already made his choice Mooney?”

“Sirius whatever happens you have to do this ok. If not for anything then for the fact that you get to see your best friend after three years.”

“And my brother.”

“Yes but and I say this with love you and Regulus both need to go through intensive therapy before even trying to open that chapter again, for the safety of all human kind. But your right it will be nice for you to see him,”

Sirius laughed grinning to the floor when he looked back up all he could see was his eyes. The eyes which looked like they had little moons embedded in them. The eyes Sirius had loved since their fourth year. The eyes that made time stop every time he looked in.

“I love you Mooney,”

“With the moon and stars,”

And they stayed like that, looking into the others eyes, looking into the others home.

Chapter Text

Barty didn’t want to admit it. He didn’t want to admit it at all. He didn’t want to admit that even after six years he cared for Evan. He didn’t want to admit how his heart skips a beat every time he saw him around at  work. He didn’t want to admit how hard he cried the night Evan suggested they should break it off. Barty has never been one to show his emotions. Something he learnt from his father when he was very young was that the more emotions a man shows the less security he has in. so, no Barty didn’t want to  admit he still loved Evan. He didn’t want to. So, he didn’t, and he got pretty good at it too. Sometimes he forgot he and Evan were anything more then colleagues and old friends. This was because Barty knew he never had to actually make conversation with Evan. To him he was just another colleague who worked in a different division then him. That was until he was called into Lucius Malfoys office one day with Regulus. He expected nothing of it until he opened the door and saw him sitting right in front of Lucius’s desk. Evan Rosier. He was still as perfect as he had always been. His hair had grown a bit longer, and his hands a bit stronger but he was still Evan. The same Evan who Barty used to skip classes with. Who he used to take out on dates to bookshops. The same Evan who held his hand and wiped his tears after every awful fight he had with his father. He was still Evan.

Now Barty found himself thinking of Evan more then he had in the past five years. Barty didn’t want to admit it but he wanted him back, he wanted Evan back. There was no doubt Barty tried after they broke up in their sixth year. He even tried a bit when he first joined the company. But Evan showed no interest. Not a single time. Yet, Barty knew that sixth year wouldn’t be the end for him, for them. Everyone in the office knew Barty was a flirt. He had been since his third year of school and this habit didn’t fade away as he entered adulthood. Every blue moon or two when he was trying to chat someone up Barty would notice Evan, out of the corner of his eye just staring at him. Not a stair which he wished no one would notice. But a stair which made him know he wanted you to notice. Barty never took Evan for being jealous, and he still doesn’t. not really but he knows that If he is ever going to ever have a chance with Evan again. Jealousy is the only card he has left to play. In fact, it’s the last card in the deck.

“Reggie!” Barty screamed barding into Regulus’s flat.

“Bloody hell Crouch what the fuck are you doing in my flat,” Regulus jumped nearly dropping the wine glass he was drying.

“We need to date,”

“Get out,” Regulus spoke pointing to the exit.

“No, no I mean not really. But like fake. We need to fake date.”

“Bartimus, are you pretend asking me out to be your pretend boyfriend,” Regulus said mocking Barty.

“Reggie I’m serious,”

“Ok sit down what’s the matter with you,” Regulus said getting out another wine glass and a new bottle of cherry. As he poured Barty began slowly explaining his stream of thought. “So let me just get this straight. You want us to fake date so you can make Rosier jealous and then win him back even though you two have barley spoken since School.”

“Yes,”

“Right,” Regulus paused before quickly downing his cherry, “have you ever just tried being nice to him. Maby get to know him again,”

“As a matter of fact yes Regulus I have and trust me jealousy is the only thing that even has the slightest chance of working. And I do know him, you know that. We still go out for drinks sometimes with him.”

“Ok you have a point there.”

“Thank you. So?”

“So?”

“Will you do it. Please, I’ll be your best friend.”

“You already are my best friend you cunt.” Regulus replied dryly.

“Please.” Barty exaggerated.

Regulus sighed before pouring himself more wine. “Fine,” he downed it.

“Yes!” Barty exclaimed before downing his own.

Chapter Text

The next day at work while Regulus was meticulously planning the crime of a lifetime Barty set out on his own plan. His aim, Evan Rosier. Regulus had gotten to work before him, like usual and was in the break room with Evan and James going over notes for the plan, when Barty came and sat next to him swinging an arm around Regulus’s shoulder. Regulus who seemed to get the hint fairly quickly didn’t shove Barty off. He didn’t engage. He just went about explaining the plan as he was before and just let Barty slightly hang of on him. Much to Barty’s dismay it wasn't Evan who first took notice of this but James. A small frown etched onto his face the minute Barty put his arm around Regulus. Barty didn’t pay any mind to this. He brushed his fingers softly on his shoulder as Regulus kept speaking, Bartys eyes fixed on Regulus only slightly deviating to steal glances of Evan. God stop looking at the bloody plan Barty thought. Look at me just look at me.

As Regulus finished explaining the plan Barty turned himself to properly face Evan and James. Regulus turned with him giving him a brief kiss on the cheak. Blink and you would have missed it. Now Evan noticed.

“So Evan do you know get how your going to get Barty out of the safe?” Regulus turned back slipping casually back into conversation.

“Yea Reg thanks.” Evan responded his eyes now fixed on where Barty’s arm lay, still draped around Regulus.

“Hey random question, what- what is this?” James asked pointing at Regulus’s shoulder his eyes also on Barty.

“What?” Barty stared back innocently, “Potter I don’t know what you mean?” James looked over at Regulus in hopes of an explanation. Hopes which were very shortly crushed.

“Neither do I James, are you feeling quite alright?” Regulus cluelessly. Barty was so thankful for his best friend.

“I- no never mind.” Barty and Regulus shared a short grin at their successful victory over confusing James.  

“Well I must be going now I have a meeting in five minutes. I’ll see you both around,” Regulus said, before slipping of he kissed the side of Bartys’ head and Barty noticed Regulus giving him a thumbs up underneath the desk. Barty really was very thankful for his best friend. As soon as Regulus was out of ear shot Evan stood up and made his way to the coffee machine muttering under his breath.

“So when did you start fucking Regulus Barty?”

Barty was taken aback at this and he nearly tripped out of his seat, “Sorry?”

“Oh so your not an item,”

“What- no we are but Evan that doesn’t mean I need to be shagging him. You of all people should know that.”

Evan hummed, “Knowing you, it must have slipped my mind. My question still stands though, how long,”

Barty said the first thing that came in his mind (this idiot), “Four months. Going strong.”

“Really,” Evans eyes widened in hysteria, “four months and Regulus Black is that outwardly affectionate. He really has changed since Hogwarts,”

“I guess he has Rosier,” Barty smirked fixing himself back on his chair,

“Clearly,” Evan said before walking away in a strop. Barty turned back to a very confused James who looked like his mind was putting together a particularly difficult puzzle. Barty looked at him equally confused before James stood up and left, saying that he needed to go check on Evan.

 -----------------------

“Oi Evan mate you alright,” James said catching up to Evan who was still stropping off.

“When did they start dating,” Evan turned around swiftly which almost made James fall back on himself.

“Um didn’t Barty say they’ve been together for four months. So, I’d say since October,”

“James you nutter I wasn't actually asking,”

“Oh, sorry,” the thing about James is he doesn’t really understand social ques he never has. For some reason in James’s mind everything that is said to him he takes literally.

“It’s fine your good,” Evan sighs

“Are you good?”

“Yea just, ugh those two. Barty mainly he just bothers me,” Evan said biting down on his lip rather aggressively.

“Ok I may be wrong but I’m getting the slight hint that you and Barty used to date. Or was it Regulus?”

“Barty,” Evan admitted almost shamefully

“Right so I suspect that was jealousy rearing his ugly head.”

“No, James you don’t understand me and Barty, that was years ago and we’ve been friends for much longer. I don’t like him like that. Not anymore,”

“Sure mate whatever you have to tell yourself”

“Potter,” Evan said sternly

“Alright, alright,” James said holding his hands up as he was being convicted of a crime. He dropped them with a slight laugh thinking it was the end of the conversation. For the second time that day, James was wrong.

“You know I bet their lying,” Evan burst out, picking up the break in the conversation

“What?”

“Barty and Regulus, I bet this is one of Barty’s elaborate schemes to get me back,” James eyed him curiously, “I’m serious did you know he even asked me out a few times when he first joined the company,”

“Really,”

“Yea, so I wouldn’t put it past him.” “James,”

“Yea,”

“Your my best mate right,”

“Yea of course,”

“Cool and best mates would do favours for each other right,”

“Rosier?”

“We need to fake date,”

James knew exactly where Evans mind was, “Sure,”

“Wait really?” Evan was surprised by James blind trust, “no follow up questions?”

“Let’s just say I have my reasons,”

Evan grinned, “Regulus?”

“How did you know?”

“Oh James your great mate but incredibly obvious. You agreed to this job because you thought he was cute,”

“You heard that?”

“Yes James I did. Well whatever your reason I’m grateful. I can’t wait to see how bad this riles Barty up. Danm sodders going to be sorry he even messed with me.”

“Evan,”

“Yes James.”

“I do have one question,”

“Go on,”

“You want to fake date to get back at Barty. Who’s fake relationship is bother you, but why would it be bothering you if you claim to not like him?”

“I-I, I don’t know James, it just does.”

“Ok, and your sure this relationship between the two of them is fake like absolutely sure.”

“Trust me. I’m sure.”

“Ok,” James said nodding agreeably.

“Relax James it’s all just going to be a bit of fun and hey if you get lucky maby you may even end up making Regulus jealous,”

“Does he get jealous” James asked

“Depends on the block but hey you never know if you try right,”

“Wow, I really have had an effect on you Rosier,”

“You really have Potter,”

Chapter Text

“May 6^th,” Regulus said standing at the head of the table.

“May 6^th,” James said his eyes meeting Regulus’s, “what’s May 6^th,”

“D-day Potter,”

“Oh yeas” Barty said in excitement.

“What, Barty you get this?”

“Yes, you numpty. D-day, day of crimes,” Barty said excitement growing in his eyes.

“But that’s in-“

“Three months,” Regulus said cutting James off, “we have three months to know what we’re doing and do it perfectly. No slip ups, no mistakes. We can’t afford that.”

“So, Reggie you finally going to tell us everything you’ve been keeping from us?”

“Evan if you knew everything, I’ve been keeping from you then I’m afraid I would have to kill you, but I will tell you everything you need to know regarding the plan.” Regulus said opening the binder of plans he had made. “Now listen up and listen close,”

“He hates repeating himself,” Evan said whispering into James’s ears, which quickly caught the attention of Barty who swiftly went to put his arm around Regulus.

“Barty, Evan you both know what your doing and Evan I have explained to you how your going to get Barty out of the vault.” Barty and Evan both nodded dutifully as Regulus looked at them for confirmation. “James, I have also explained what we are doing so I assume you got that under control”.

“Yes,”

“Good now all we need to do in theory is figure out the trimmings for everything, so,” Regulus said flipping to find a certain page in his binder, “Evan, Barty you both need to be at the bank by the time me and James walk into Malfoy manor. Barty you and I will need to reach our respective safes at the exact same time this is crucial.”

“Why?” Barty asked half raising his hand as if he was in school.

“Well Barty as I said you will have five minutes to steal from your safe because after five minutes that fire wall goes back up and then oh then darling you are very much in danger.” James winged at the way Regulus called Barty darling and tried not to cringe when he softly stroked his cheek. “As will I,” Regulus continued, “instead of a fire wall I will have a plane of laser beams which I will have to cross the deactivator being on the other side of the plane.”

“You think you’ll be able to cross Reg,” James asked.

“Yes, I’m actually quite flexible,”

“Mm I can testify that,” Barty murmured which was met by Regulus slapping his hand and James and Evan staring back at him slightly traumatized.  

“Moving on Barty if your done being a horny little git then I’d like you to know we both have to get to the getaway cars at 1am sharp that leaves us all plenty of time to go to our respective warehouses where the money will be kept until we can transfer it to separate accounts. Is everyone clear,”

“One thing these warehouses how do we know the cops aren’t just going to stumble across them?” asked James.

“An old friend owns them I know I can trust her to keep things quite, she goes by the name Pandora Lestrange,”

“What is she Bellatrix’s sister or something?”

“Bella married into the Lestrange family and so she is a distant relative to Pandora if anything. Don’t worry she’ll have us covered.”

“May 6^th,” Sirius said standing at the head of the table.

“My 6^th,” Remus said his eyes meeting Regulus’s, “What’s May 6^th,”

“D-day Lupin, one of our undercover detectives tipped me off about large sum of money going into two warehouses on May 6th”.

“And you think it has something to do with James and Regulus,”

“I don’t think moony I know,”

“Sirius-“

“Remus don’t doubt me ok I know what I’m doing,”

“Do you?” Remus eyed Sirius his eyes hungry with rage. Sirius had been getting so wrapped up in this case he had been getting stiff and mean and oblivious. The man couldn’t be reasoned with.

“Yes, I do” Sirius eyed him back his eyes challenging every word Remus said to him.

“It’s ok Remus you don’t have to be mean to your husband I’ll do that for you.” Lily said lightly patting Remus’s arm.” Sirius back off ok I know that this case is a lot for you but that doesn’t mean you can be mean to moony. His questions are valid. Are you sure that this tip is correct. And who is this detective who tipped you off anyway. We need to know these things Sirius.” Sirius took a deep breath and composed himself before talking to Lily because he knew what everyone knew. Lily Evans was not to be fucked with.

“Yes I’m sure she told me the name of the man who booked the warehouses was a Regulus Black. Pandora Lestrange that’s the detective who tipped me of. You all know Lestrange. You know we can trust her,”

Lily looked taken a back, “Lestrange, she was good friends with Regulus back in school wasen’t she?”

“Yes, but she has been working undercover cases with us for many years. I know we can trust her.”

“If you’re sure Sirius,”

“I’m sure Mooney,”

Chapter Text

“So Reggie can we go please say we can go,” Barty said enthusiastically pointing at a flyer on his desk

“Is this the urgent meeting that I just had to attend Bartimus,” Regulus looked unimpressed by Barty’s childlike charm.

“Yes Regulus it is, so can we go?” what Barty was pointing at was a large poster advertising Lucius’s Malfoy’s high class style charity gala. Black tie event and open to all of his employees.

“Well, we’re going to have to aren’t we. We have to keep up appearances as the crime edges closer.”

“So that’s a yes. You said yes!” Barty squealed getting even more excited. One thing which Regulus knew very well about Barty is that he loved any excuse to dress up and put on a show. A black-tie gala was screaming his name in every way it could.

“Yes Barty,” Regulus sighed, “that’s a yes.”

Barty nearly leaped from his seat in joy. He will never admit this but Regulus always loved seeing Barty happy he used to have so little to even smile for, so I makes Regulus genuinely happy to know he still has the ability to laugh and smile and get excited about silly little work events. “And James and Evan too,”

“Hoping to get Rosier drunk on champagne and shag him in a bathroom stall are you,” Regulus said grinning

“Reggie! I am shocked and offended that you would suggest such profanity. Oh, I feel faint,” Barty said while dramatically flinging himself onto his chair. Regulus laughed as Barty faked a nervous breakdown. “alright I’m done now I’m going to go find them and tell James the good news. He will be so happy to know I convinced you.”

“What you and Potter talking about me behind my back,” Regulus eyed Barty as he made his way out.

“Always,” Barty said winking at Regulus before leaving to go find James and Evan.

Barty was having a really good day before he went out into the courtyard and found James and Evan huddled up together practically snogging beneath a tree. He felt hurt. Betrayed. When did that happen. Why did it have to happen. Shit. Shit. I was so close. I ruined it. Its ruined. I lost him to bloody James Potter. Barty walked over to them anger growing with every step until he was directly above James and Evan. “Well don’t you two look cosy,”

“Hello Barty,” Evan said smirking him a smile pulling at James’s hand as he attempted to slide away.

“Evan it’s rude to keep people hostage if Potter wants to get away from you, let him,” Barty snapped drawing attention to their hands.

“He doesn’t want to get away from me,” Evan snapped back.

“Are you sure about that,” Barty said shamelessly.

“I-I don’t want to move away,” James muttered trying not to get crushed by the tension he finds himself between.

“James blink twice if you need help mate,”

“I-“

“Crouch what the fuck brings you here my ask,” Evan cut in not letting James speak

“I was coming to tell James that Regulus agreed to us all going to Malfoys gala.”

“Wait really?” James said brightly feeling his tension slip between the cracks

“Yea,” Barty said equally as happy. Something Barty immediately found amazing about James was he too loved any excuse to go to flashy events. He loved people and loved socialising with them. Barty found this strange at times, but he understood James’s need to be seen.

“What gala?” Evan said turning his head to James.

“Lucius is having this charity event in form of a gala I suggested to Barty the other day we should all go all four of us.”

“Oh, and when were you going to mention this to me,” Evan said visibly annoyed.

Barty groaned in a teasing way at Evan, “Trouble in paradise, such a shame I’ll come back later,” he said before turning away.

“Fuck you Crouch,” Evan screamed.

“Give me a time and place Rosier and I’m all yours,” Barty yelled back, as he walked of Evan sat in that comment feeling his face slowly grow an uncomfortable shade of red.

“Evan mate your blushing,”

“Shut it Potter,” Evan said still staring into the space Barty just was.

“Would you just admit that you fancy him,” James said looking annoyed.

“No,” Evan said before getting up and heading inside.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

“Hello Regulus,” James said sauntering in Regulus’s office with that awful lovely smile.

“Potter,” Regulus murmured barely regarding him.

“I here Crouch told you about Lucius’s gala?”

“He seemed stupidly excited it for it,”

James smiled to himself, “Yes well about that I’ve come to actually talk to you about the gala what a coincidence,”

“Mm I’m sure,” Regulus hummed while he finished filling some reports, “what do you want James?”

“I was thinking,” James said eagerly closing the door letting himself fully enter Regulus’s space, “would you maby want to be my date. For the gala,”

Regulus stared at him blankly, “James. I have a boyfriend,” Regulus spoke calmly not forgetting the role Barty cast him as.

“Oh,” James said disappointment growing on his face, “right yea shit sorry I sort of forgot.”

“Ok but aren’t you with Evan. Barty just came in a second ago winning how you both were snogging in the courtyard.”

“Whining?” James said looking confused, “why would he be whining?”

“He doesn’t think it’s really appropriate for work,” Regulus said not missing a beat. Keeping his cover up and covering for Barty as best as could.

“Hm wouldn’t expect Barty of all people to be a prude,”

“You’d be surprised,”

There was a pause. A pause in the conversation. A pause in time. A pause in life itself. Where it was just James and Regulus. Just James and Regulus staring at each other. At their eyes. Black met brown in a comfortable silence, which they held with no objection. However, Regulus was never one for comfort and pulled his eyes away when he felt himself sink too deep. Regulus always had a fear of drowning.

“Right well I-I um better go,”

“Goodbye,” Regulus said trying to look at anything else but James’s eyes. He had lovely eyes. This proved however to be his undoing as after his eyes the next place Regulus chose to observe was his lips. Oh wow. He had really nice lips. No. Regulus thought to himself. No not today, not doing this today. “Goodbye James,” Regulus said promptly shutting the door in his face.

Chapter Text

Sirius came storming into the room, rage in his eyes and a A3 poster in his hand. “He’s throwing a ball,” he said slamming is down on the glass table.

“Pardon,” Dorcus said tilting her glasses down to look at the poster

“Malfoy he’s throwing a fucking ball. For all of his criminal buddies. Regulus and James will be there I’m sure of it.”

“Sirius-“

“Remus, I’m sure of it,”

Remus sighed, “So I’m guessing you suggest us going,”

“Precisely,”

“Yea that’s not happening,” Marlene said cutting in

“Excuse you McKinnon, this is my case,”

“Yea and I’m not letting you blow it Sirius,”

“What are you on about,”

“It’s your case which means whatever happens, happens under your watch, under your authority, so if someone fucks up it’s on you,”

“That’s exactly why I should be there bringing them in myself,”

Marlene’s gazed softened as she explained to Sirius why this would not be in his best interest, “Padfoot this your best friend and you brother. Two people who you share quite complicated feelings with. Sirius you know you’re feeling, you know when their out, their out and I don’t doubt for a single second that if you go to this thing that your feeling are coming with you.” Sirius’s face soured at Marlene’s words.

“You she’s not wrong Sirius,”

“Thank you, Remus,” Marlene said sitting back down.

“You know what fine I won’t go. Marlene, you go,” Sirius said huffing, still looking noticeably pissed.

“Charming, I’ll bring Dorcus,” she said shining a grin at the girl sitting next to her, putting her arm around her seat.

“Seriously, your bringing forensics to a bust,” Sirius said eyeing Dorcus.

“Black you forget I’m forensics by choice. I did my time at the academy just like you and Marlene, so shut up and sit down you prick,” Dorcus said who looked like she really didn’t care that Sirius wasn’t in the mood. When she tells someone of. She tells them of.

Sirius sighed as he took a seat next to Remus rubbing his foreheads, “Right yea sorry Dorcus I-I’m just really stressed about all this,”

Dorcus’s lips twinged up into a polite smile, “That’s ok Sirius,”

“And beside,” Marlene said inserting her voice back into the conversation, “don’t think of taking forensics on a bust Sirius think of me taking a pretty girl on an extravagant date,” she said still grinning at Dorcus. Dorcus immediately brushed her off thanking the gods that her skin was dark enough to hide the blush that she felt appear on her face.

“Don’t enjoy yourself too much McKinnon,” she snapped back, always witty in her response

“No promises Medows,” Dorcus sat there in the safety of Marlene’s dopey looking eyes for a beat longer than she should have before she turned her focus back to Sirius.

“Sirius how do you plan that we get in?”

“Lucius has a tone of criminal minds coming to this little soiree so as long as you two keep a low profile you should manage to slip by unnoticed.”

“Shame and here I was thinking that I could go in that new blue suit Remus got me for my birthday,” Dorcus tried hard not to flood her imagination of Marlene’s figure in a sharp well cut suit. She always had an appreciation for fashion. Now more so if she gets to focus on Marlene’s fashion. “I guess cocktail dress it is. What about you Medows I know your disappointed you can’t show up in one those fabulous dresses you make.”

“Oh, I promise Marlene. I won’t disappoint,” Dorcus said now grinning back. Marlene unfortunately did not have the same safety net as Dorcus when it came to blush. So Dorcus’s grin turned into a full-fledged smile as she notice the colour of Marlene’s face slowly alter from her normal faded peach to a light shade of burgundy.

“Another,” Barty said slamming down his shot glass gesturing to the bartender.

“Rough day,” he asked pouring Barty more whiskey.

“Let’s just say you can keep these coming,” Barty said downing the drink swiftly. Regulus watched in dismay as he swished around his Farley full glass of red.

“I’ve lost him Reg. To James Potter of all people. I mean that’s, that’s just embarrassing. What does James have that I don’t,”

Soft lips, lovely eyes, a smile which gets you suspiciously smitten, warmth, a strange but nice sense of humour, sense of boundary

“Nothing Barty,” Regulus said taking a drink.

“I just never saw it coming, like Evan and James they barley know each other,”

“I mean they have been working together for quite a while,”

“Not helping,” Barty said downing another drink

“Right, I see sorry,”

“It’s fine it’s just ugh Reg when I saw them today they were practically sewn together. They were so close. James basically had him in his arms. I- I-,”

“You want to have him in your arms,” Regulus said finishing Barty’s sentence for him

“You know everything Reggie,” Barty whined.

“Yes, I do that sometimes,” Regulus said patting his head, “You know he asked me out you know,”

“Evan!” Barty said his head shotting up from the countertop.

“No, you nitwit James, he asked me to Lucius’s gala,”

“Oh, what did you say?”

“No of course. I told him I had a boyfriend,”

“You do?!” Barty said looking genuinely shocked.

“Barty,” Regulus said guesting at himself.

“Oh right forgot about that,”

“Apparently so did James,”

“If we weren’t fake dating, just  out of interest, would you have said yes,”

“Barty,” Regulus looked at him with warning sign eyes.

“Come on Reg, I’m sad and pathetic,”

Regulus sighed into his drink, “Yes”

Chapter Text

James looked around cautiously as Regulus led him into a dark damp room, chilled wind flying through his hair a shiver ran down his spine as he noticed the figure of Regulus in front of him grow smaller. “Um Reg where are we,”

“Shut up,” they moved in silence for a while longer until James felt himself bump into a figure as the room filled with light. He felt his eyes sting from the sudden gust of light and stepped back to notice the figure he had bumped into was Regulus who did not look best pleased. “What yourself Potter,” James looked down rubbing the back of his neck embarrassed enough not to be able to meet Regulus’s eyes.

“Yea erm sorry,” he said as he looked around to observe the room. It looked like a large warehouse decked out in cardboard boxes and model furniture. “Reg where are we?”

“Lucius Malfoys manor home,” Regulus bluntly staring James in the eye.

“What! James said stunned turning swiftly back to face Regulus, “Reg I-“

“Model James this is a model for how his manor will look the night of the robbery. You don’t really think Lucius lives in such a dump, do you?”

“No but I just-. Never mind what are we doing in a model of Malfoys house?”

“We well you are here to train. Practice,”

“For the job?”

“No Potter for the ballet. Yes for the job,” James’s out began again with a vomit of stutters and flustered words but Regulus did not have the time nor patience to deal with James Potter forgetting to function. “We will map out the times, work exactly as if it were the real thing and sort out any kinks if necessary.”

“Right why am I here again aren’t just the getaway driver?”

“Yes and no,” Regulus replied as he walked around the room, “you are in charge of getting us out but your also a decoy and a supervisor.” James gave Regulus a curious look. “James I basically trust you enough to over see the nitty gritty so if anything is to go wrong I trust that you can handle it. Can you handle it?”

“Yes,”

“Good, so let’s begin.”

They started first by Regulus explaining the model and what everything represents. He showed James the whole warehouse and explained that this was as good as the real thing. He told James not to spend longer than five minutes chatting someone up and to always keep moving. He told James to keep track of the time and gave him a compact pocket watch. “Be very careful with that my cousin Narcissa gave that to me when I was young. She was one of the good ones.”

“Trusting me with something valuable, are you?”

“Yes, so help me James if you make me regret it,” Regulus snapped as a warning to James. This proved opposite as James only found himself being even more attracted to Regulus then he already was.

“Did anyone ever tell you, you look very hot when threatening someone,”

“No,” Regulus said and just moved along. He showed James a list of guests that were accepted the night of the job and informed James of all emergencies exits. In case of fire. Finally Regulus gave James a gun and showed him how to properly fire it.

“Reg?” James said looking like a scared child at the weapon Regulus had just placed in his hand.

“It’s a precaution James, these sort of jobs can get risky,”

“I am not killing anyone,” James said as firmly as he could his hands still shaking with the gun in it. Regulus ignored the comment and kept on showing James it’s features and how to aim. “Reg, I don’t need to fucking know this,” James said getting precedingly angrier, “I’m thieve but I’m not a murderer,”

“Soon you’ll see that those to thing have a cross section. It’s small but it’s there,”

“Reg,”

“James it’s for your ow safety now shut up and aim,” James felt his entire body tense up and his palms felt sweaty as he attempted to aim at the target Regulus had provided in front of him. He turned the safety off. Just as Regulus had shown him. He held his posture tall and kept the gun a good distance away from his face. Just as Regulus had shown him. He took a breath. Just as Regulus had shown him. He shot. Not as Regulus had shown him. His eyes slammed shut as he heard the noise of the bullet leave the vessel and flinched as it barley grazed the target. He kept his eyes closed for a long time. They were closed until he could feel Regulus’s fingers wrap around his own lowering the weapon from his hands.

“Reg I can’t do it,”

“Well, you’ll have to learn, here,” Regulus moved himself to fit comfortably around James guiding James’s body with his own back to the right form lowering the gun back up near their faces’. James breathed deeply as he felt Regulus fix his arms to properly aim at the target. Before he shot. before Regulus spoke. He closed his eyes. Feeling how close Regulus really was, feeling his warm breath on the crook of his neck and his fingers which delicately wrapped around his own.

“Keep your eyes open when you shoot love,” Regulus whispered as James turned his safety off. This time when he shot he still missed the bullseye but he did manage to get a proper hole through the target. At this progress Regulus swiftly moved away keeping his gaze towards the target so as not to meet James’s eyes, “It’s not good but I can work with it,”

--------

“Crouch! Crouch! Where the fuck are we,” Evan hissed as he felt himself being tugged deeper into a dark room by Barty.

“Sweetheart have some faith would you,” Barty joked leading him further in.

“In you, ha that’s a joke your probably the last person I would have a faith in,”

“You know you were never this bitter towards me back in school,”

“Barty,” Evan said in a warning tone.

“Ah we’re here. Rosier welcome to a dupe version of the black family bank,” Barty said flicking on the flickering lights. Evan backed away as soon as he realised how close he and Barty were.

“What the-“

“Regulus has asked me in being in charge of our training,”

“What training?”

“I’m glad you asked.” Barty proceeded to take Evan round the whole area showing him what ever thing was and what it all meant. Gave him a watch telling him to always keep track of time.

“Wait Barty this is my watch?” Evan said examining the black trap on.

“Erm yea it’s one of the things you gave me back in sixth year?” Barty said looking around the room not wanting to meet Evans eyes. His eyes of dull grey. The calmest thing Barty ever new in the world was Evans eyes.

“You kept this?”

“Yea,” Evan stared at him for a moment specifically his hands, specifically the little charm bracelets he’d started wearing in third year. He started wearing them to piss of his father but then he just stuck to them. Evan always did find them cute. He averted his gaze when Barty caught on, “um so show me the dupe of the safe you’ll be breaking into. He showed Evan through a passage into the room with dupe. It was just a circular cylinder made out of cardboard but Barty new it reflected the real thing quite nicely.

“So um did Regulus tell you how your getting me out of that,” Barty asked

“Yes,”

“Can you tell me?”

“No,”

“No, why not?” Barty whined.

“Reg’s orders he says its important you don’t know what’s happening until it happens,”

“The way I trust Regulus sometimes when I really shouldn’t ,” Evan let out a small laugh which Barty immediately latched onto, “Was the that a laugh Rosier did I actually manage to make you laugh? Did I bring you joy Evan.” Barty joked.

“Shut up,” Evan said still chuckling lightly, “I still hate you,”

“Yes, I’ve been meaning to ask about that. Why do you, hate me I mean,”

“You’re annoying, you want leave me alone every time I walk into the office now a days your just there with your smug looking smile. It’s frustrating,”

“You notice my smile Rosier,” Barty said grinning at him.

“Shut up Crouch,” Evan said foolishly turning to face Barty this proved to be their undoing because there he was. Oh, how he was so lovely even after all these years he was just so nice to look at. Evan didn’t want to. Lord knows he didn’t want to, but he somehow instinctively felt himself lean in closer to Barty his hands creeping down to play with Barty’s charms. As soon as Barty felt the brush of Evans fingers on his wrist he almost instinctively went to tangle their fingers together. He felt a comfort he hadn’t felt since he was 16. God it's been to long since I’ve held your hand. Evan however did not share this thought. He didn’t let their hands linger pulling away after a beat or two. He gave a light cough shifting hid focus to the floor as he moved away from Barty.

"so um how long do u reckon it will take u to crack that thing," Evan said gesturing towards the safe

"Oh," Barty said looking dismayed as he looked over to the model, "not long, let me show you,".

As Barty walked away Evan felt a hole in his heart. One he hadn't felt since he was 16. One that was the shape of Barty. He had only one thought. The same thought he had all those years ago. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Chapter Text

“Black, Black come in Black,” A voice spoke through Sirius’s earpiece.

“Pandora what do you want I am literally on duty right now,”

“What duty?”

“A stakeout,”

“Then you got time,” Pandora responded bluntly, “I have news on the younger Black,”

“Reggie,” Sirius said fumbling his binoculars, an action which his partner seemed not to approve of,

“Eyes on the building Black,”

“Right yea sorry Pete,” Sirius said picking up his binoculars and bringing his focus back on the ware down building up ahead, “sorry about that Pandora, what have you found,”

“Well the younger Black rented out two more warehouses from me yesterday evening and I as I was going to give him the keys this morning I noticed that he had men setting up what seemed to be a mini shooting range,”

“What on earth for?”

“I don’t know but it definitely has something to do with whatever he and Potter are up to,”

Sirius sighed, “Yea ok thanks Pandora,”

“No problem, Black I’ll inform you if anything else happens,” Pandora said before disconnecting the line. Please. He thought, Sirius needed as much information as Pandora could get him, especially today. Tonight, was Lucius’s gala the one that he expected James and Regulus would be. The one Marlene and Dorcas are to attend. He is still slightly pissed at Marlene for not letting him go but he knows that it’s smarter to let her go instead. He knows, but he will never admit

“What was that about?” Peter asked.

“Nothing, don’t worry about it Pete,” Sirius said brushing him off.

“It’s about James and Regulus isn’t it?”

Sirius half turned to face him, ”How did you-“

“People talk, I listen,” Sirius kept his gaze almost frightened about how much he knew,

“Who else knows,”

“Apart from your team, just me.” Sirius seemed to be slightly comforted by this, “don’t worry Black I’m good at keeping secretes,” Peter winked before turning his focus back on the building.

Yea, Sirius thought. That he is.

Chapter Text

Marlene paced nervously outside Dorcas’s flat picking at her nails as she awaited Dorcas to come out. The door creaked open, and Marlene looked up to see Dorcus all dressed in  satin green dress, handmade as almost all her clothes were. Her braids were decorated with gold accents and a snake necklace dangling from her neck. She was definitely not abiding Sirius’s don’t draw attention to yourself rule.

“Wow,” Marlene sighed still taking the sight of Dorcas in, “You look gorgeous you really outdid yourself this time,”

“Thank you, Marlene you look nice to,” Marlene felt really under dressed compared to Dorcas, everyone always does. She still wore a suite but one that was a deep navy and less refined her hair was up in a loose bun which was held together by a sword hair pin. Really, she looked quite breath taking. Dorcas quickly felt herself staring and averted her gaze as soon as she realised, much to Marlene’s disappointment, “So um we should go now, best to get there before James and Regulus.”

“Right yea let’s go,” As Dorcas turned back around from closing her door she caught a glimpse of something yellow behind Marlene’s back.

“McKinnon, what do you have there,” Dorcas said leaning up against her closed-door frame.

“Um what, I- what do you mean,” Marlene said trying to act confused.

“Behind your back, what is it,” Dorcas said pointing.

“Oh, um Lily told me you liked sunflowers so,” Marlene said pulling out a bright yellow sunflower.

“Marlene we are going to an event for work this is not a school dance.” Dorcas said trying to hide her smile.

“I know but I have sunflowers growing in my garden and I just thought why not,” Marlene said with a soft smile as she gave the flower to Dorcas. With a soft sigh Dorcas took the flower letting herself feel all light and giddy as she smelled in the sweet scent.

“Thank you, it’s beautiful, let me go put it in water so it doesn’t wilt, and I’ll be right out,”

“Ok,” Marlene said her smile growing bigger.

“Right ready,” Dorcas said coming back out of her flat.

“Ok let’s go or else we really will be late,”

----------------------------------

Regulus looked into the mirror with annoyed as he proceeded to fuss over his tie. It didn’t matter how many balls that his mother made him and Sirius attend when they were kids, Regulus always had the feeling of being suffocated by a tie.

“You look beautiful Reg,” said a voice behind Regulus. Regulus immediately whipped his head around to see James Potter standing at his door frame with a smug smile plastered on his face.

“James what the fuck how did you get in my flat!”

“Barty gave me his set of keys,”

“I should have never gave Barty keys,” Regulus murmured to himself, “How long have you been standing there?”

“10 minutes,” James responds calmly.

“10 minutes. You just stood there watching me for 10 minutes,”

“Yes,”

“James that is very creepy,”

“Your nice to look at,” Regulus turned back around so to block his face from James’s as his face began to flush with blush.

“Where’s Barty and Evan,”

“Well Barty almost insisted that he, go get Evan and so he told me to get you,”

“Not surprised,” Regulus murmured under his breath.

“What?”

“Nothing I’m ready anyways let’s go,” Regulus said walking out of his room. James followed as he walked out to his kitchen to get  drink of water and in the brightly lit kitchen, Regulus got a proper look of James. He wore a  what seemed to be a cheap but still stylish cut suit, it was red, a dark  a red so dark that it's borderline black with various gold accents at his shoulders. James smiled when he noticed Regulus staring at him,

“Your staring love,” at this Regulus slightly chocked on his water before scowling back at him.

“Save those comments for your boyfriend now come on we’re going to be late,”

---------------------------------

As Marlene and Dorcas got out of the cab, they both froze at the usure size of the building. Wow, Marlene thought, Malfoy really does have money. They walked in arm in arm and Marlene immediately started studying her surroundings. It was a skill which she was taught in the academy for missions, but she ended up making it a habit in every new environment she stepped into. Even though she would never admit it, because her instructor Albus Dumbledor was a bitch, this little trick saved her a life more than once. She noticed how the ceilings were high, how people stood in groups no bigger than four, she noticed how everyone was dressed incredibly formal, she noticed the waitstaff scurrying about to get ordervs out into people’s hands, she noticed how almost everyone their had a drink in their hand. She noticed how she couldn’t see Lucius. Dorcas noticed something too. Regulus Black and James Potter. They could only see the back of their head as they were taking to other men but Dorcas new it was them. As soon as she realised, she alerted Marlene who was still scoping out the room. It was a light nudge of the elbow but Marlene almost immediately looked over and saw them. Dorcas managed to just about ask if she knew who the other two were before glasses of aged scotch was being shoved into their hands. They made sure to retreat into a nearby corner before talking to about them again. They had to be very careful here. Two members of law would not be treated with kindness at a party of thieves.

“The blond one is Evan Rosier and the one who has his hand on Regulus’s shoulder is Bart Crouch jr. they both work with Regulus and I’m guessing whatever James and Regulus are up too, so are they.”

“So that is four arrests we have to make. Not just two,”

“Yes,”

“Which means that for tonight they all get away free,”

“Yes, we wouldn’t want to take two in and alarm the rest,” at saying this Marlene briefly felt her eyes lock with Evan, who seemed to be looking at her and Dorcas with a curious gaze. She sifted her eyes quickly to Dorcas and whispered in her ear her hand up in Dorcas’s braids.

“Um McKinnon what do you think you’re doing?” Dorcas asked clearly confused.

“Shhh Evan, he saw me like directly saw me. I’m trying to give an illusion of an intimate moment so he will at least look away long enough for us to go farther away,”

“Farther? Aren’t we suppose to keep an eye on them,”

“Yes but we are not to draw attention, meaning we have to see them but they shouldn’t really be seeing us,”

“Oh, well we’ve mucked that up nicely haven’t we,” Dorcas sighed out a laugh trying to ease Marlene who looked quite tense.

“I’d say that was mainly you Medows, people can’t help but stare at you,”

“Well for tonight McKinnon I’m all yours,” Marlene always had fun flirting with her friends however she was taken a back when Dorcas very boldly flirted back. “Your turning red sweetheart,” Marlene had to get out. Now, without even realising she had backed herself into a corner with Dorcas standing right In front of her. And God she was breath-taking. She had to go before she really drew attention to them.

Marlene have an exasperated laugh before dropping her hand which had made its way down to Dorcas’s waist, “Funny Meadows I’m going to get another drink, possibly see if I can spot Malfoy as well.”

“Marlene you are taking me with you. I may have done my time at the academy but I’m in forensics for a reason If someone strikes up a conversation with me God knows I’ll muck it,”

“Ok calm, breathe you’ll be fine. Come on let’s go make our rounds,” Marlene said sticking out her arm which Dorcas took dutifully.

-------------------------------

By the time James and Regulus got to the event they saw that Barty and Evan had beat them to it. Barty was dressed in a suit of deep green and Evan in navy. They both had drinks and their hand and they looked to be chatting up a women not much younger then themselves. Barty shifted his gaze as soon as he saw James and Regulus walk in the door. He waved his hand over gesturing for them to join the conversation. Regulus being well trained in such events went right over to Barty slipping a hand round his waist.

“Hello darling,” Barty said responding to Regulus. The women who he was talking to waited patiently for an introduction before lightly coughing to get Bartys attention, “Ah Regulus, James may I introduce to you a miss Mary McDonald.”

“Hello,” Mary said before reaching her hand out to shake James and Regulus’.

“Lovely to meet you Mary,” James said. Mary gazed over as Evan put his arm around James’s shoulder.

“The pleasure is all mine Potter, Evan here couldn’t stop talking about you,” at this James staired at Evan with a confused smile which Evan returned sweetly as if to say trying to keep up the illusion help me out would you. “Well Barty, Evan I see you two have found company and I need to go finish my rounds, James, Regulus I’m sure I’ll be seeing you,” Mary said before turning away to the opposite side of the room.

“Where’s Elsa,” Regulus asked after Mary left.

“Don’t know me and Evan saw only a brief glimpse of him when we first got there. Oh my god his hair was in a braid Reg he was actually Elsa, wasn’t he Ev,” Barty said gleefully his eyes turning at Evans. He turned to see Evan was not looking at him. Not even looking at James, he just seemed distracted. “Oi Evan what you are looking at,” Barty said clicking his fingers in front of his face. Evan kept his gaze to a certain dark corner of a room. Where he saw two women pressed rather closely together, he had caught the gaze of one. She wore a suite a similar colour to his own and her hair was pinned up by a hair pin. In fact the only way Evan could tell that this was in fact a women was the look of her hands which dangled near the other women’s. Evan only really looked away when she noticed the blond women stair into the darker women in front of her, her hands moving up to the girls hair.

“Evan,” James said giving him a nudge, “You alright?”

“Yea,” Evan said bringing his focus back to his friends, “Regulus you see those two women in the corner, do you know them,” Regulus turned to see the two of them who were clearly sharing a moment. Regulus couldn’t say he did recognize them per say but the women in blond, there was just something about her that seemed familiar.

“Can’t say I have Ev, why?”

“No reason,” Evan said keeping one of his eyes on the women in the corner who now seemed to be moving away arm in arm.

Chapter Text

James was a fucking idiot. That was the only thought in Regulus’s mind. This man is so stupid. Regulus doesn’t know why he agreed to stay as long as he did. In fact, he is really regretting his decision. He stayed backed up against a painting at the back corner of the hall as he saw James move from women to women across the floor. It was just him; Barty and Evan had slipped of earlier into the night. Barty’s probably going to make his move now. He thought. Good for him, I’m sick of all the pining. So, he watched alone, a drink  moving in his hands as his eyes remained fixed on James who moved around chatting up women and making very important businessmen swoon with a simple smile. It bothers Regulus. He doesn’t know why. He shouldn’t give a danm at all, but he does. God help him he does. He looked up from his cup to see James coming towards him. Tipsy but not really drunk.

“Hey Reg that party’s out there what are you doing here all backed up into a lonely little corner,” James said moving in on him with that dopey smile that Regulus doesn’t quite know if he hates or loves. Both if he’s being honest.

“Not one for a party James,” Regulus said staring back down at his glass. When he looked up, he noticed that James was much closer than before. He didn’t know if he wanted James to move away.

“Come on Reg. I promise you’ll enjoy yourself if you let yourself try,”

“James, may I remind you I did not even want to come in the first place. I am here out of obligation, nothing more.” Story of my life. He thought thinking back to the number of balls and events he ad Sirius had been dragged to when they were younger. He stopped that thought quickly, he hasn’t thought about anything to do with Sirius in a long time.

“Please come Reg, I miss you,” James said trying to tangle his fingers with Regulus’ free hand.

“I’m right here James. You can’t miss me if I’m literally right here.” Regulus said pulling his hand back.

“Really I think I can,” James said grinning wider.

“You like social events. I don’t. Go enjoy the party James just grab me when it’s time to go.”

“What about Barty and Evan?” James mumbled.

“Ah yes, I think they can make it home on their own. However, I’m sure if you want Evan, I can surely find him for you,” please don’t want Evan. Barty really needs a win.

“No, it’s ok, are you going to be ok here,” James said getting even closer to the point where his mouth hovered at the tip of Regulus’s nose. So close Regulus could practically feel his warm breath on him. Regulus tried to step back before realising that he was up against the wall and that wouldn’t be a possibility, so he went for lightly pushing James aside, which he did without complaint.

“Yea,” he said giving a polite smile back as James turned to go join the Party.

---------------------------------

Regulus had been right earlier when he said that Barty would try and make a move on Evan, because the minute he got a moment alone with him. That was exactly what he did. The night grew later, and Barty had lost sight of the two women Evan was talking about. All four of them had their fair share to drink and for Barty that meant his curiosity and boldness only grew. It had come to the portion of the night where it was custom for lovers, or more so business partners to share a dance or two on the floor. James being tipsy on whiskey himself went right for the first women he saw. Barty didn’t know her. Neither did James most likely yet he went anyway. Barty couldn’t care less for what James Potter did when he was drunk. Much the same couldn’t be said for Regulus but Barty chose to deal with that drama a separate day. James had gone to dance and Regulus made his way to the bar, which left him and Evan standing in the secluded corner where they all once stood. Evan didn’t get bold when drunk, instead he got honest. All most like he was under truth serum he could not lie with a drink in his hand. Barty found this to be much more entertaining than he expected.

 It was just light flirting at first. It could almost be passed of as friendly, but as the night grew darker and the drinks grew stronger, Bartys gestures and words grew with his confidence. He was leaned up against a doorway not far from the bar which Evan was coming back from, drink in hand ready to proceed with whatever game Barty had been playing with him.

“Back so soon Rosier, my you can’t just help but resist me,” Barty said breaking out Into a grin as Evan came to his side.

“Keep it in your pants Crouch,”

“Mumm I rather not,” Barty hummed.

“Barty,” Evan said trying to look disappointed. But he couldn’t. He couldn’t help but look so very fond.

“Come Evan, let’s go,”

“Go where may I ask,”

“The gardens you always loved a nightly walk did you not,”

“Yes, but Barty-“

“But nothing, come on I’m sick of watching James flirt and Regulus sulk,” Barty said cutting him off.

Evan sighed into his drink, “Yes fine come on,”. Barty’s grin grew wider as he took Evan by the hand running to find the first exit he could.

Lucius always had beautiful gardens. Barty knew this not because he thought Malfoy had a thing for flowers. But because of his wife. Regulus’s cousin. Narcissa always kept roses, petunias, lily’s, hyacinths, and daisies on her dorm shelf. Barty used to see Narcissa bring back bouquets upon bouquets of flowers when they were still in school. He never found out who they were from, but he was comforted by the fact she didn’t loose this part of herself when she married Lucius five years ago. The garden was vast and dark yet the stars in the sky manage to lite their way perfectly. Barty noticed Narcissa signature flowers every few rows or so and he smiled every time his eyes caught glance of them. They also smiled everytime they caught glimpse of Evan.

Lovely, lovely Evan Rosier.

“What are you looking at Barty,” Evan said still looking forward.

“You,” Barty said without hesitation.

“Why?”

“Because you are nice to look at,” Barty said letting his hand drop to were it slightly brushed up against Evans.

“You are quite the flirt Crouch,”

“Only for you Rosier,”

“Mmm are you forgetting you have a boyfriend Barty,” Evan said turning around to face him and. Oh. Oh, he had. He had completely forgotten this thing with Regulus which was stupid because it was his idea. But that didn’t matter not when Evan was so close that Barty could kiss him without even trying and.

Oh

He did.

Barely blinking through Evans words, he clutched his hand in support pulling himself forward to let his lips meet Evans. Half expecting Evan to pull away, smack him then never speak to him again Barty was pleasantly surprised when not only did Evan not pull away but he met him halfway. Sinking into the kiss, deepening it with every passing second, he raised his hand to frame Barty’s face holding him up by his jaw. Barty dropped his drink on Lucius’s freshly mowed grass. Letting the red seep through the green. He wrapped his arms around Evan. Hoping. Praying. Begging, for this moment not to end. He wanted to live here. Right there with Evan in his arms. Finally. He thought. Fucking, finally. They both stayed there for moments longer, not wanting to leave the safety and comfort of each other’s grip. Barty felt the brush of Evans lips one his own before he felt his hand drop from his jaw. Opening his eyes, he looked at Evan who’s gaze seemed to be fixed right below Barty’s eyeline. His hand now cupping his neck.

“Barty,” Evan breathed out softly,

“Yea,” he responded equally as gentle. Evan looked up his eyes meeting Bartys. A sad expression fixed on his face. Barty looked at him with confusion.

“Evan?”

“I’m sorry,” he said before forcing himself of Barty again. Taking him in with a sense of greed that seemed to lack before. Sorry? Barty thinks. Why on gods earth would he be sorry about this. That was the last thought Barty felt himself have before completely giving himself to Evan. Giving into every needy demand he made.

Chapter Text

It was a quiet on the ride home. Quiet in the sense of Marlene was at work, particularly important work, and no matter how much she wished she wasn’t she was. She was undercover tonight and so was Dorcas they both had done this before so they both knew as soon as they got into that large black limo Sirius provided, they would be made to cough up every single detail of the night. Dorcas jumped right into this, clearly missing field action she spoke into the speaker set between them clearly, she told them about who was present and who was not. She told them about any suspicious behaviours they may have picked up on and a list of criminals that their district had been trying to track down for months. Armed officers should be on their way by the time Dorcas finishes. By the time she passed out she turned to see Marlene who was very clearly drunk close to passing out on the seat next to her. “Marls you alright,” Dorcas said lightly prodding her arm.

“Hmm yea I’m dazzling,” Marlene said lazily shifting in and out of consciousness.

“Mmm I’m sure. Are you sure you’re going to be able to make it back home in one piece?”

“We’ll see,” Marlene said shifting in her seat.

“You know if it’s any trouble you can spend the night at mine. We’ll have to drop me of first anyway so if you’re up for it,” Dorcas offered. And oh, Marlene was so glad she did. Her eyes seemed to grow wider at her request as she moved her gaze to meet Dorcas.

“Really, if, you’re sure?”

“Yea, what are friends for,”

Friends she thought. Friends that’s all you are. That’s all she thinks you of you as. As delirious as Marlene was, she found herself agreeing with little persuasion. Dorcas promptly let the driver know of the change of address and they both sat the rest of the ride in silence.

When they pulled up to Dorcas’s flats Marlene quickly reminded herself that Dorcas lives a few flights up which meant the bane of her existence even when sober. Stairs. Marlene held onto Dorcas as they climbed up the short flights of stairs until Marlene felt herself be shoved in through a door into Dorcas’s flat. It was modern but still somehow homey. Marlene caught glimpse to the flower she had given her earlier in the night, it lay droopy in a vase which had a bit too much water. To the side of her couch lay a corner of different wools, hooks and knitting needles. Dorcas’s bookshelf was stacked full of novels but also a fair share of cassettes and pattern books and Marlene’s nose filled with the faint smell of eucalyptus and lavender.

“Right let’s get you to bed,” she heard a voice speak in her ear. Dorcas took her over to her bedroom and sat her on her bed. Marlene didn’t realize how much she was really leaning on Dorcas until she was left on her own. She fell almost instantly on impact alone. Dorcas shrugged it off carefully removing Marlene’s jacket and shoes laying them on her desk chair. She stepped out for a moment and returned back with two pills and water.

“Have this, chug this,” Dorcas said passing her the pills and cup. Marlene did.

“Good again,” Dorcas said pulling out another glass of water from almost nowhere. Marlene did. Dorcas made her do this a few more times until she went out saying she was going to get them something to eat. That’s when Marlene really realised where she was. As soon as she got a moment alone she realised what had happened.  Shit. She thought. Shit, shit, shit.

Marlene didn’t have the best relationship with alcohol. She had been getting better but she always did worse when she was other people who were drinking and who were encouraging her as well. She realised she had gotten drunk. Messy drunk and she realised that it was poor Dorcas who was now left to take care of her. No. she thought. Absolutely not, I will not let this absolute goddess deal with me being a messy drunk more then she already have to. Marlene stood up from the little balance she had and went to go slip her shoe’s on forgetting her jacket on the chair. She opened the door and as soon as she did the sweet smell of cinnamon filled her nose.

“Where do you think you’re going,” called Dorcas from the kitchen.

“What are you making,” Marlene said going to join her.

“Cinnamon rolls. They are good hangover food I keep a batch on me at all times,”

Marlene hummed into a smile moving into Dorcas. She smelled so sweet, “I like cinnamon rolls,”

“I’m glad now answer me where are you going?”

“Er right um I didn’t really think you’d want to deal with me in this state longer than you have to, so I thought I’d just go home,” Marlene said moving away slightly.

“Marlene, are you mad you are in no shape to take yourself home. Stay the night then you can go back home in the morning when you’re sober. Obviously, if you’re not comfortable staying here then that’s fine but let me at least take you home you shouldn’t be driving and I don’t want you walking alone at this time of night,”

Marlen smiled at Dorcas’s concern, “Aw Medows you care about me,”

“Shocker I know!”

Marlene gave a small grin, “Ok I’ll stay,”

“Good or else I would have done all this work for nothing now go back in my room and in the front drawer to your right is a pair of joggers and a hoodie they should fit you fine, I’ll be there soon,”

“Ok,” Marlene said slipping back into Dorcas’s room with a smile.

 She felt herself be overcome by this feeling of safety and warmth as she slipped into Dorcas’s clothes. Dorcas was her hight if not slightly taller, so her clothes fit her perfectly her hoodie being only just bigger than her. She sat on the bed holding the collar up to  her face breathing Dorcas in. her clothes were softer then Marlene’s and she felt special in them.

“There you are come on cinnamon rolls are ready,” Dorcas’s voiced pierced through the silence which Marlene found herself in. she normally hates when this happens. Not now thought. No, she found herself quite pleased that the silence broke. Dorcas lead her out to sit on her beige stained sofa as she brought out tea and two cinnamon rolls.

“Here this should help with the hangover tomorrow,”

“Thank you,” Marlene said smiling while taking bites of the pastry. They tasted as sweet as Dorcas smelled. They finished the tea and pastry in a comforting silence both tired from the night they just had. As Dorcas began clearing away a thought passed Marlene’s mind.

“Dorcas you only have one bed,”

“Yea,”

“And I’m here tonight,”

“Yea,”

“So where will you sleep,”

“Couch,” Dorcas said with a polite but awkward smile.

“Oh, but I really should take the couch I mean it’s your house,”

“Yes, but you’re the one who’s going to be hungover in the morning. You’ll need a proper bed when you do, besides my couch will do fine,”

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Yes now of to bed with you we still have work in the morning.”

 Marlene agreed and went off not having the strength to argue her any further. She slipped into Dorcas bed and as soon as she pulled up the covers she was gone. She feel immediately into a deep sleep, she hadn’t realized how truly tired she was. Not long after Dorcas came in with extra blankets only to see Marlene already deep asleep. She looked so comfortable, so safe, so warm. Dorcas sat beside her aimlessly threading two of her fingers through light wisps of her hair. The motion became addicting. Intoxicating. Soon she found her self asleep right next to her, gripping Marlene’s arm while her other hand rested at the cup of her jaw. Neither of them made it to work on time the next morning.

Chapter Text

After Barty and Evan began making out in Lucius’s gardens they didn’t stop until they were back in Barty’s flat. They had only just breaking apart so Barty could focus on the road and not end up killing them but as soon as the car stopped in the driveaway Evan lunged at Barty ready to take him right there and then in the car. Not even bothering to shuffle into the back seat. Even though Barty was 100% ok with letting Evan take him at any time, anywhere he managed to get the boy up stairs into his flat. Barty lived in the ultimate bachelor pad no sign implying that he was ready or even welcoming to a relationship at the moment. Evan didn’t care. all he wanted was Barty, and he wanted him now. As Barty shoved him against a wall and started roughly placing marks down his neck Evan got the quick realisation that. Oh no. he has a boyfriend. Oh no that boyfriend is Regulus. Regulus is fucking terrifying. He’ll have me killed for this surely. But oh, oh it didn’t matter at all Barty made him feel so fucking good. Except it did matter. He hated that it did, but it really did.

“B,” Evan said moving his hands into Barty’s hair. He hadn’t called Barty B since sixth year. He didn’t even mean to it just fell out like he couldn’t help himself. It was almost instinctive. This however proved to be his undoing as Barty just proceeded to melt into him more then he already was. “B, B, Barty,” he said more firmly pushing him off. Barty looked like a kicked puppy dog. It broke Evan.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“Yes, and so did I,” Evan said giving him a knowing look. Except, Barty didn’t know he had no clue what Evan was talking about.

“I don’t get it,”

“Barty, you have a boyfriend,”

Shit. Yea he does. How does he keep forgetting that?

“Um I-,”

“Doesn’t matter I shouldn’t have kissed you,”

“I kissed you Ev,”

“Don’t call me that,” Evan snapped.

“What? Ev?”

“Yes you haven’t called me that since sixth year,”

“What like you haven’t called me B since sixth year?”

“Crouch,” Evan said in warning.

“No, no I don’t get it you clearly still have feeling for me clearly,” Evan scoffed, “so why do you keep shutting me down.”

“Barty, you have a boyfriend,”

“So do you,”

Shit. Yea he does.

“Yea well that’s different,”

“How actually how Evan,”

“Cause it fake!” shit. He wasn’t supposed to say that. Shit, shit. Before the words even properly left his mouth Barty crashes into him his hand coming up to cup Evans face. He meets him halfway, or maybe he tugs him in, he isn't sure. All he knows is that maby he was supposed to say that because Bartys lips were once again on his and he felt so fucking good. They found a rhythm to each other a single movement they shared and at that moment Evan felt like whole world could just fall apart right under their feet and none of it would matter because Barty was right here. However, he couldn’t be that naïve, he couldn’t make that mistake not again. He shoved Barty of him again slower this time, gentler, brushing Barty’s bottom lip with his thumb almost as an apology.  “B,” he said softly.

“No,” Barty shook his head.

“B,”

“No,”

“Barty I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,”

“Why though, just why,” Barty didn’t think it was fair for him to be asking Evan all of this knowing his situation.

“Bart I-,”

“No you know what I don’t even want to know let’s just keep kissing,” he said moving in on Evan only to be met with Evan pressing his lips into a thin line in attempt to block the kiss. He pulled back dropping his hands to fiddle with his bracelet, “Sorry,”

“It’s ok,”

“Look Ev I don’t know why, and I don’t know if I want to know why but just that means we can be together right if you are technically single,”

“Technically I am but technically you are not,”

“Regulus, right,”

“You both are happy aren’t you,”

“Yea,” Barty lies. He doesn’t know why though I mean the whole fake dating was done to get Evan and there he is, Evan is right there. Why is Barty still going with this.

“Exactly it’s just all the alcohol, it must be getting to our heads,”

“Right,” Barty says moving further away.

”I should go,”

We’re good right,”

“Yes Barty we’re good,” Evan says giving him a small smile. As Evan slips out of his flat Barty heads for his small wine cellar. If he wasn’t drunk before he certainly is going to be now.

Chapter Text

Much to Regulus’s delight it didn’t take long for James to come back to him asking him if they could leave. However, this was not before he got way more then drunk and was practically slurring his words as he talked to Regulus. Regulus who was now in a better mood after seeing Barty slip of with Evan earlier in the night, and who was also full of his fair share of alcohol, found this strangely amusing.

“Reg,” James slurred as he tripped over himself trying to get to Regulus, who was still in the same corner as he was before.

“Woah James are you ok,” he said offering James an arm to steady himself upon.

“Mhm,” James hummed as he held on to Regulus’s arm, “can we go home now,”

“Yes, I think it’s best if we do,”

Regulus quickly realised that the task of getting James home is harder then he thought. He managed to get James into the cab with a minimal amount of effort as he basically just shoved the guy in the back seat. As he pulled away trying to shut the door he felt a tug on his hand.

“Stay with me Reggie,” James said looking up at him smiling like an absolute idiot. Strangely enough Regulus got into the seat next to James without having to be asked twice. He gave the driver the address of James’s flat and felt the knock of James’s head on his shoulders as soon as the car began moving. James took a quick power nap on Regulus’s shoulder which didn’t do him much good as he was even more whiney when he was rudely awakened by Regulus shaking his head.

“James, James get up you live here get up,” James fussed trying to flick Regulus’s hand away, “James I will just leave u in this strangers car if you don’t get the fuck up.”

“Mmm fine,” he said lifting his head up.

“Will you be able to get up by yourself?”

“Nope,”

“Ugh fine,” Regulus groaned while removing his seatbelt, “This is it for us, thanks Tom.”

“Ok,” replied the driver.

“Ok let’s get you out you big pile of muscle,” Regulus said trying to get James out of the car. As soon as he got him out the driver zoomed of. Well shit. Regulus thought, I guess I’m making my own way home. With a lot of effort, too much effort if your asking Regulus he got James up a few flights of stairs and into his flat. “Bed now,” Regulus ordered dumping James on the couch.

“Where will you go?”

“Huh?”

“I mean the uber driver just went zoomies so how you gonna get home?”

“I don’t know James; I’ll figure it out. First, I need to make sure your in bed and safe,”

“Aww you want me safe.”

“Fuck off Potter,” James laughed as he made his way to his bedroom. Regulus waited outside while he waited for James to change.

“You know,” James said walking out of his room, “You could just stay here for the night.” Regulus laughed,

“Oh, absolutely not.”

“Why?” James said looking hurt.

“For one I don’t have any clothes and I don’t plan on sleeping in this fairly expensive suite.”

“You could wear my clothes,”

“James you’re like five inches taller than me,”

“So?”

Regulus sighed, “Look James I don’t have time for this get into bed, so I can go home,” James walked towards Regulus grabbing his hands and entangling their fingers.

“Reg, I want you to stay,”

“James,”

“Please Regulus,”

Regulus sighed, “Fine,”

“Yea,” James said his eyes filling with glee.

“Yes, I’ll stay.” Of course, he will, he is so pathetic when it comes to James.

Regulus let James into his bed and sat next to him one arm around him as he waited for James to get comfortable. James practically melted against Regulus’s frame, sinking into him, fluttering his eyes shut as Regulus’s hands made their way into his hair. Lightly pulling at is as he brushed it through. Regulus shouldn’t be doing this. He knows he shouldn’t be doing this. James has a boyfriend and technically so does he, but oh, oh it just didn’t matter because James is just so beautiful. He always is but more now then ever. In truth Regulus really didn’t mean to stay, he was going to wait till James fell asleep and then just leave but somewhere between running his fingers through James’s hair and James slowly nuzzling into the crook of his neck he felt himself be limp. His spine eased and he slouched his head to rest on James’s. at some point in the night Regulus felt himself drift off, overcome by the warmth of just laying next to James potter.  Even when the sun came to peak through James’s red velvet curtains and Regulus felt aware of where he was and what he spent the last night doing he still couldn’t get himself to leave. James was just so warm. He’ll explain it to Barty later, however hopefully he hopes that Barty had enough luck with Evan that he will never have to.  James and Regulus both stayed by each other for a long time, not even speaking, just breathing. Listening to each other’s breaths in and out. They listen and they matched it. For the early hour of dawn James and Regulus just existed with one another.

Chapter Text

Sirius loves his job, he loves the career he has thrown himself into, however he happens to love his moony more, so imagine how Sirius feels after being woken up from the arms of his husband by Pandora because there has been an advance on the case. Sirius takes this case seriously but he never understood Pandora’s need to get things done as soon as possibly even if the case is not particularly time sensitive. All he wanted was danm sleep.

“Love, love,” Remus spoke softly into Sirius’ ear lightly shaking him.

“What,” Sirius groaned back in response.

“Pandora is on the phone she has the briefs from Dorcas and Marlene from last night plus some extra information about the case.”

“Could you take it,” Sirius groaned shoving his face into his pillow.

“I got the brief, but Pandora insists talking to you about the next bit.”

“Fine,” Sirius whines getting up as Remus hands him the phone. His face turns slightly into a grin as Remus nips a kiss to the corner of his mouth as he goes of to get them breakfast. “What is it Lestrange,”

“I have advances,” Pandora says over the phone.

“Yes, I know get on with it then,”

“Your crabby,”

“You took me away from moony,”

“You have attachment issues,”

“And abandonment issues, thank my parents for that will you,”

Pandora chuckles before getting on with the task at hand, “So I’m sure Lupin has told you about the debrief,”

“Not yet but he will when I hang up and Dora if you’re going to use out last names at least get Remus’ rights Lupin-Black,”

“Too much effort also how will people know if I mean you or him when I say it, never mind you get that information while you can, in the meantime I think I got the date of the crimes,”

Sirius sits up in his bed, ”Go on,”

“ Malfoy is to have a huge charity gala held in a weeks’ time on the fourth, I suspect that’s when Potter and the younger Black will strike.”

“And so will we,”

“Exactly now I don’t know who out of the three the younger Black is working with will be with him but it’s safe to assume that it will be crouch, the other two will be over at the bank,”

“So this will be a four people mission at the least,”

“Yes, so you and McKinnon,”

“And Remus and Lily,”

“Ok and we will have some of the other uniformed officers on standby, safe to say you and Lupin will handle the younger Black and Crouch?”

“Yes,”

“Ok then I will hold a meeting soon to brief you all about the mission. Over and out Black,”

“Over and you Lestrange.” Sirius after hanging up the phone waltz into the kitchen where Remus stood making chocolate pancakes. “Oh how I love when you cook for me,” he said sitting on the small kitchen island.

“What did you get from Pandora,”

“She has the date of the crimes, and we settled the teams for the busts,”

“You and me-“

“Lily and Marlene, she also asked me to ask you about the brief from last night,”

“Right,” Remus said setting pancakes in front of Sirius, “all four of them were there but Dorcas and Marlene didn’t get much of a sign of Malfoy,” Sirius hummed in response while eating, “and they got the names of a few other convicts and fugitives,”

“Good, hey moony your really good at cooking do you know that?”

“Yes, padfoot you tell me every time I cook,” Remus says with a smile.

“Well, it’s true,” Sirius says before pulling Remus into a kiss, “I love you,” Sirius says softly putting a small amount of distance between them

“With the moon and stars,” Remus says softly gazing into his dark eyes before closing the distance that Sirius had made.

-----------------------

Needless to say the next day at work is strange for Dorcas. Everything goes as normal, she has meetings, she goes to lunch, interacts with some of the colleagues she is closer to, checks in with the lab and make’s sure they’re on top of everything. Just a normal day, except it’s not just a normal day because on normal days she drives to work alone not with Marlene. On normal days she wakes up alone not with Marlene nuzzled into her neck. On a normal day the sight of Marlene McKinnon doesn’t make her want to run into her and smother her with kisses. So, no, this is not a normal day.

Dorcas is in the lab testing blood for DNA for case for the opposite department when she here’s the voice of her assistant in the background,

“Miss. Meadows you have visitor,”

“Tell them to go away Stewie I am really quite busy,”

“Yes, um well I did but she was quite adamant,”

She

“She?”

“Yes a Miss Marlene McKinnon she says she’s a personal friend of yours,”

Dorcas sighs ,”Let her in Stewie,”

“Thank you Stewie,” Dorcas here her voice as she walks into the lab,”

“Hello,” Dorcas says not turning to meet her eyes.

“Hi what’s all this,” Marlene said talking a place next to Dorcas.

“Blood samples, don’t touch that,” she said wavering her hands so Marlene doesn’t touch chemicals. They are silent for a while.

“Um so did you here that Pandora figured out when the whole bust is going to be,”

“Next week, isn’t it?”

“Yes, did you here I’m going to be a part of that bust,”

“I assumed you being Sirius’s partner and all.”

“Yea well um- Dorcas,” Marlene said her voice softening.

“Yes,” Dorcas responded not turning away from her work.

“Could you, um could you look at me please,”

No, no I really can’t. she took a deep breath and turned to Marlene yet still not meeting her eyes.

“Are we good?”

“Yes of course,”

“Right just erm it feels like your kind off avoiding me and I- I get it last night was unflattering for me but I really hope me being a drunken mess didn’t ruin are friend ship. I really care about you,”

And I love you.

“Yea Marls I know, I don’t worry we’re ok,” orcas backs away as Marlene goes in to hug her, “erm sorry I’m gross like I am full of chemicals,”

“Doesn’t bother me,” she says as she pulls Dorcas in. Dorcas stands there paralyzed while in Marlene’s arms. Even after last night her hair smells so sweet and her head fits right into the crook of her neck. She hates it. She loves it. As Marlene pulls back leaving the lab Dorcas just stands there. Stands there and wishes she never left.

Chapter Text

Evan didn’t really have time to think much about Barty with the crime dawning on them, time itself has been moving faster since Lucius’s party and what happened after Lucius’s party.

Much to his dismay the world was not going to stop spinning on it’s axis because Evans love life was a mess. So, the next morning he wakes up, in his own bed. Like always. Brushes his teeth thinking about the way Barty’s lips felt against his. He thought about how the jig was up. He won there was no reason for him to be dating, or fake dating James Potter anymore. He won. But he hadn’t even though he wasn’t dating James, Barty is dating Regulus. So, he doesn’t win. He still can’t have him.

 But he doesn’t have time to fret about matters of the heart when he’s late for work. He enters his cubical, being met by a miserable stack of papers. Turns out no one really tells you about the paperwork before you start working for a felonist. He’s typing away the letters from his keyboard when he hears the sound of his best friend coming in with coffee.

“Hey mate looked as if you could use this,” James said placing the black liquid in front of Evan.

“Thank you, oh and James it’s over.”

James choaks on his coffee before looking back up,” I’m sorry what?”

“I’m breaking up with you,” Evan said bluntly.

It didn’t take James long to catch up because soon his hand was at his heart as he faked fainted to the floor, “Oh Evan, you wound me, how will I ever recover,”

“Mmm you’ll live,”

James picked himself back up before focusing in on Evan, “So how’d it go with Barty?”

Evan was caught of guard, “How did you,”

“Oh come on you sneak off with him last night and then I find out we’re over, come on something must have happened,”

Something did

“Nothing happened, yet all you need to know is it worked. We won,”

“Sweet,”

“How about Reg,” James’s face turned a quick shade of pink before he slipped out the cubical. Evans eyes widened in curiosity, “Potter get back here. Hey. What happened. James. Tell me everything you bastard.”

-------------

Evan is anxious on his way home. The crime happens in a weeks’ time. He’s scared and stressed, so what does he do. He goes to the bar. As he walks in anticipating his first steps to alcoholism, he notices a familiar voice from across the table.

“Whiskey,”

“Just straight,” he hears the bartender.

“Whiskey,”

no

please no

not now

not today.

He turns his head to see Barty already knee deep in alcohol. As he got his drink, he scooched along the stool next to Barty.

“Hey,”

“Evan hi,” his head snapping up from his arms.

“You, ok?”

“Mhm,”

“B?”

“No, Evan don’t.”

“Don’t what,” Evan said cautiously noticing the hint of anger in Barty’s voice.

“Calling me that. Pretending that you give a danm about me,”

“Barty-“

“Because if you did you wouldn’t have made out with. Given me that chance of hope for us. You wouldn’t have ruined me like that. You wouldn’t. You knew I still like you; you knew I never stopped. You knew and you still did that Evan.”

“Barty,”

“And you know the worst part,”

No, Evan didn’t know the worst part and he was not about to find out. Before Barty would even finish the sentence Evan had his lips on his own. His hand in Barty’s hair quickly moving down to cup his face. He knew it was wrong. He knew Regulus would have him fired then kill him, but he didn’t care. all that mattered was Barty.

“Ev, Ev,”

“Shhh don’t speak,” Evan said pressing in on him harder. Evan wanted to kiss it away. All the doubt, all the fear. He thought that maby just maby if he had Barty for just a little longer, he could have fixed it. Fixed everything that he had been breaking since their schooldays.

“Evan,” Barty said again, louder this time. No response. “Evan!” he pushed Evan of him still holding him between his legs.

“Yea,”

Barty searched his face, “I’m not dating Regulus,”

What.

“What?”

“It was fake all fake.”

“Why?”

“For you,”

“I say again why,”

“I don’t know maby I thought if you saw what you were missing, I’d” and that was it Evan pulled Barty back into the kiss because he was right. He was so right. The kiss was softer this time leaving a small strain on Barty’s lips which Evan wanted to kiss all over again. “I thought I’d get you back,”

“You did. You have. I’m here,” he said smiling resting his forehead against Barty’s, “you know what’s funny?”

“What?”

“I got really pissed when I noticed you were with Reg so I kinda asked James to fake date me so I could spite you,”

Barty let out a tired laugh, “And he let you,”

“Oh, yea once he knew what was in it for him,”

“And what was in it for him?” Barty teased raising an eyebrow.

“Regulus,”

“No shit!”

“Yep, why do you know something,”

“No but Regulus is going to find this shit hilarious,”

Evan kicked Barty with warning, “Don’t you dare James will murder me.”

“Like sunshine is capable of that,”

“Oh no do not underestimate him. James Potter can be a bitch when he needs to be,”

“Ok Ev,” Barty said laughing more softly into Evans skin.

Chapter Text

Pandora stood at the head of the table clicking her pen purposefully on the clip board next to her. Either side of her sat Sirius black, Remus Lupin, Lily Evans, and Marlene McKinnon. This is the team. Pandoras team. In 4 days’, time they would be sent after four of the most notorious criminals in the country. This was a complicated plan, one where there was no room for messing up. They had one chance at this bust, a chance they could not blow.

"So, the bust will bd four days from now," heads turned across the table to face Pandora, "The young black and we are assuming Crouch will be at Malfoy manor around 7pm and Potter and Rosier will be at the Lestrange family bank. Black, lupin you both will handle the manor. Evans, McKinnon the bank."

"Ok Dora now give us that plan your cooking up in that beautiful mind of ours," Lily said eagerly leaning in towards her.

"Flattery is not gonna get you anywhere with me Evans," Pandora said trying to ignore the flush in her face.

"Mmm i think your face says otherwise,"

"Lily shoot your shot with pandora later we don't have time for this," Sirius cut in, "Dora the plan."

"Yes so. I have reason to believe their gonna start the crime at the same time, so we want to be on sight and set up at least an hour prior. Lupin, black you both will be undercover in the crowd."

"Pandora its invitation only and i doubt Malfoy would want the cops in his home,"

"Are you seriously that stupid lupin that you think that i wouldn't have considered that,"

"Hey, don't be mean to moony,"

"Black can it, he’s your husband not mine therefore I can be mean to him if I want. Lupin, blacks brother has asked me to be there the day of the bust helping them to make sure things move smoothly. He doesn’t know where my true loyalties lie obviously so i will be able to help you to get in. Just stick to dark corners till it’s time for the bust."

"So how are we actually handling this," asked Remus.

"I got this," Sirius held a hand to pandora before she got the chance to speak, "standard protocol states that we are to spot and cuff, take them back to the station and that’s where we'll really deal with them."

"Ok but don't you think Malfoy will have like guards,"

"Obviously Remus but not to worry my moonbeam I’m very good at my job," Marlene laughed at his self-praise. "Rude McKinnon,"

"My bad,"

"Anyway," Sirius said redirecting his attention back at Remus, "uniformed officers will be waiting outside so we should be able to handle them  long enough to get them outside."

"Ok"

"It will be ok Remus, i promise," Sirius spoke softly bringing his hand to his lips to press in a soft kiss.

"Thank you, star," Remus said smiling back.

"Ok now that Remus and Sirius are done being gross," lily said eyeing them, "Dora what about us.''

"McKinnon, Evans you guys have an easier job".

"Oh boo" Marlene whined. Pandora eyed Marlene like a disappointed mother before continuing.

"You both will be stationed outside the bank ready to grab them as they come out,"

"Why can't we get them before as their going in. I mean that would be way more efficient don't you think," asked lily.

"No, crouch and rosier have to make it in. If their caught before then they will Enform Potter and Black and they will know somethings wrong. Black is very good at his job so he will be planned for mishaps. We can't risk that,"

"Oh, so Reggie can be good at his job," Sirius whined. Pandora only gave a small smirk back.

"Do you all understand," Pandora sighed in relief when she was met by a wave of agreement. She put her smile away soon as she felt the buzz of her phone in her back pocket.

------

“So, the crime will bd four days from now," heads turned across the table to face Regulus as he put his phone back in his pocket.

“Who was that boss,” asked James batting his eyelashes foolishly.

“Pandora,”

“Oh, did she give you the code for the bank?” asked Barty.

“A while back yes, that call was just some confirmations. Nothing any of you need to concern yourself with,”

“So mysterious,”

“Shut up James, anyway as I said the crime is soon so you three take the next three days off. Review the plan rest. I don’t want any panic attacks on the job. You are all dismissed,” Regulus returned back to his computer to finish some busy work for Lucius as he clocked his co-workers leaving.

“James, you coming?” he heard Evan down the hall.

“Yea just gimme a minute.” A sense of worry worked its way up his spine as he heard Potters footsteps creep nearer. “Hey Reg, can we talk?”

Regulus’ first thought was easily. No. he has been avoiding James Potter like the plague since Lucius party. He even left his house before James the morning after too avoid uncomfortable conversation. Thankfully, Potter seemed to be getting the hint and had been acting as normal as he could in group situations and not seeking him out. That was until this.

“What do you want James,” he said eyes still fixed on his screen. He wasn’t even sure what he was looking at, but he couldn’t risk being trapped in James’ gaze.

“Um well I was wondering if we were ok,”

“Why wouldn’t we be,” Regulus said looking up. This was a challenge. A dare for James. A warning not to mention that night.

“Well, you’ve kind of been avoiding me since Malfoys ball,”

James potter can’t take a warning to safe his bloody life. “We’re fine James,” he said getting up from his seat to get something from the cabinets near the door. As he stood to walk away, he felt the grip of James’s hand on his wrist.

“Reg,” Regulus kept his eyes on his wrist, “Regulus,”

“What,” James stared back at him eyes full of despair, “James,” he started yanking his hand back, “let me make something clear we are nothing, you are a co-worker nothing more and once this job is done you won’t speak to me ever again,”

“That’s not true,”

“Potter that isn’t a question it’s a statement. This is the last job I do for Lucius,”

“What do you mean,”

“I mean after this I’m gone; I’m getting the fuck out of here. My father pulled me into this business I never wanted any of this.”

“You didn’t have to go down this path Reg, Sirius he-“

Regulus stopped he froze, everything went quiet.++ Sirius. He hadn’t heard that name in a long time.

“What did you just say,”

James met his eyes with a confused look, “I was saying how you can make your own choices. I mean for gods sake Reg you’re a grown man,”

“Sirius you mentioned Sirius,”

James now looked uncomfortable, “Yea,”

“How, how do you know him. Do you talk to him. What does he know about me?”

“Regulus what are you talking about?”

“Answer me,”

James sighed, “He was my best friend for a long time. I haven’t talked to him in three years Reg,”

“What why,” Regulus didn’t understand this. Before Sirius ran away, he used to speak of his friends like they were more his family then Regulus ever was.

“He arrested me,” James doesn’t know why he was telling Regulus this.

“What?”

“Listen Reg this is a long story. Can we deal with this later please.”

Regulus saw the stress the topic had brought to James’s honey eyes. His lovely eyes, “Yea James ok.”

James huffed taking a step back, that’s when Regulus realised how close they had actually gotten ,”So, we’re good,”

“Yea James we’re good,” Regulus said walking closer to James. Regulus gave James a soft kiss on the cheek before turning away. The kiss was innocent, a gesture from Regulus to show James that they really were ok, because they were. Weren’t they?

 He cursed under his breath as he walked out the building to his car, he had never been one for physical affection. Or any affection. His parents taught him that the only thing that mattered was respect and Regulus knew James respected him. He knew he didn’t need James to like him. He  could care less if James was in discomfort or pain. Or at least that’s what she thought.

All they way to Barty’s flat Regulus couldn’t shake the look of James’s face that day in the shooting yard. The pain he was in when Regulus handed him the gun. And the flinches he let out every time he shot. regulus wanted to keep James Potter safe from the world. He knew he couldn’t, and he knew he shouldn’t waste his time trying. But something about James in pain just didn’t sit right with Regulus.

Chapter Text

“Bartemius Crouch, you let me in right now!” Regulus pounded at his door.

“Reggie what the fuck,” Barty said opening the door, moving aside as Regulus stormed in in panic.

“I did something really stupid Crouch. Really stupid.”

“What, what did you do?”

“I kissed James Potter,”

“You WHAT!”

“Barty do you still have that really expensive wine your father gave you for Christmas, a few years back,”

“Already got it,” Barty said cracking open the bottle in the kitchen, “now explain please.”

“Well, you know James spent the night with me after Lucius’ party,”

“Yea and I remember you avoiding him like the plague after.”

“Yea and then today after the meeting he stayed ack to ask me if we were like on good terms and-“

“Are you?”

“What?”

“On good terms I mean,” Barty said taking a drink from the bottle they had been passing back and forth.

“I don’t know,” Regulus dropped his head on the kitchen island.

“Reggie,” Barty said looking down at Regulus, “why did you kiss James?”

“Don’t laugh,”

“You know I will Reg,”

Regulus took another drink before beginning again, “I guess I just wanted to. I only kissed his cheek but God I wished I had kissed elsewhere.”

“Dirty,”

“Barty,” Regulus warned.

Barty let out a laugh before speaking again,” You know I bet Potters ecstatic,”

“What,” Regulus said snapping his head back up.

“Evan told me that Potter has quite the crush on you,”

“You and Rosier have not been dating five days and it’s already affecting me,” Regulus said looking bored, “you’re welcome for that by the way,”

Barty laughed at the smug looking boy, “Yea, yea. Well, you’re used to it.”

“Don’t even sixth year was hell for me,”

“Oh, Reggie, you love us really,”

“Whatever you need to tell yourself Crouch,”

“So,” Barty began taking a drink, “what you going to do?”

“Nothing, I’m gonna finish the job. Get my money and then leave for Calais the night after. James Potter doesn’t fit into all of this,”

Barty clenched his heart in betrayal, “and you’re going to leave me all alone.”

“You’ll have Evan, and I will come back to visit,” Regulus said looking around the flat, “speaking of which you didn’t shove Evan into a closet when you heard me coming did you,”

“No in fact he went home just 10 minutes before you came. I have matured enough not to shove people into closets,”

“Who would have thought, “Regulus laughed.

-------------

“Evan, Evan, Evannnnnn,”

“What James,” Evan said opening the door.

“Reg kissed me,”

Evans eyebrows shot up as he took in James’ words, “Come in,”

“I stayed after the meeting today to like check if we were good cause he’s kinda been avoiding me since Lucius’ party,” James began jabbering on as Evan let him into his flat.

“Wasn’t that the party you spent the night together because-“

“Because I was drunk mess. Yes. But that’s beside the point. He kissed me!”

“Where?”

“Cheek,”

“Really!” Evans eyes bulged wide.

“What? What?” James panicked.

“Listen it’s been a while since me and Reg have been close, but he doesn’t usually do affection. Like at all.” James’ eyes grew wider to match Evans as he spoke, “holy shit he must really like you,” James leaned back on the wall smiling to himself.

“Holy shit …

He must really like me,”

Chapter Text

May 6^th, 2023, the day Regulus had been waiting for since he joined Lucius’ company. They day he had been waiting for since his father came into his room and told him his brother had ran away, that it was now up to him to take over the family business. He cried that night, 100 tears. Some of those tears he said was in morning of Sirius. Some was mourning the life he had lost now that he was to take over, but most of all the tears he shed were for himself. At his pathetic Ness. He always wanted to make his father proud. At seven he wanted his father to pay attention to him instead of Sirius. At 17 he wanted his father to notice his grades and be proud of him. Now at 23 Regulus’ father had been death, and for a quite a while yet he still had that need to make him proud. Regulus wasn’t proud of the things he did in the name of Orion, but he couldn’t stop. This would be the last piece of the puzzle , after this he was done, after this he could put his family behind him forever. He waited anxiously in his office as his team filled in one by one.

James came first, looking incredibly flushed and honestly sort of adorable. He attempted to make small talk with Regulus, but all of the boys focus was making sure everything went right. Barty and Evan came together, Evan looking equally as worried as James, yet Barty moved with ease. Always so sure of himself and most importantly of all, sure of Regulus.

“You ready Reg,” he sked placing a firm hand on Regulus’ shoulder.

He nodded in response before speaking, “We go over the plan one more time,” he said making his way to his desk, the others following close behind him. “We shall arrive at the venues at 12am. Barty you will enter the bank no later than 12:20, around the same time me and James will be entering the ball. Barty as you find your way in, Evan will be taking down the laser trail and as soon as that’s done Evan you will remove my firewall. Me and James will have one dance before I slip away so as not to avoid suspension,”

That’s new, James thought.

“Barty you and I will enter the safe rooms at 12:30 sharp. We both have five minutes to unlock, get the stuff and go. James at 12:40 you will be waiting for me by the fire escape. Evan that is when you get Barty out,”

“Yea how is that going to happen again,” Barty asked.

“Sorry Crouch, but I can’t tell you. Don’t worry Evans got it,” Barty turned to Evan who kissed his hand in comfort trying to assure the boy that he was safe, “If all goes to plan, we should all be at the getaway cars not later the five past one. We shall rendezvous at the warehouses around half past. Are we all clear,” Regulus was met with a wave of confirmation, “I just want to thank you all for the work you put in. even though the real work is still yet to come. I’m happy with what we’ve done so far,” he said looking down at his hands.

“Never one for the sentiments are you Reg?” asked Barty.

“No, now let’s go,” as his team filled out, he caught James’ eye as he made his way out. “James,” he grabbed the boys arm freezing him in the spot.

“Yea Reg,” the older boy looked down at him. Regulus looked up standing on his tip toes to bring their faces closer.

“Be careful Jamie,” he said bringing their lips together to a kiss. It was innocent enough, but James felt like as if he had been flying.

“Yea Reg, you too,” James said softly brushing his thumb over the boys bottom lip. Regulus was about to go dance with fate, but in that moment when he had James right there in his reach, nothing could touch them.

-------------

Time was moving faster and faster for Sirius’ liking. It felt like just yesterday he was in school with his best friend, talking excitingly about his brother and his life. It felt like just yesterday he was telling James he thought they boy with the scars in their chem class was cute. But it’s not yesterday. Today Sirius finds calling the cute boy with the scars his husband. He finds that James isn’t here with him. Today, he finds himself loading himself into a cop car because in meet hours he will be seeing his brother again, because he will be arresting him. Sirius has been telling himself for months that he is ok. That this is ok. But it’s not, not really. No one should ever have to be put in a position where they have to arrest someone they love; Sirius knows that personally. Why couldn’t he just save James the first time.

“Pads you good?” Remus said putting an arm around his husband.

“Yea,” he said looking at the back seat filled with guns. Guns. He thought. Just like last time “Rem,”

“Mhm,”

“This is going to be ok isn’t it,” this was the first time Sirius was really showing how uncomfortable the case was making him.

“It’s going to be ok love,” Remus said spinning the boy around into a deep kiss. Sirius had been 16 when he finally got the nerve to kiss Remus. Remus hadn’t been his first kiss, but he was by far his best one. When kissing Remus Lupin, it always felt like the world fell away from under his feet. Nothing else mattered if Remus’ lips were on his own. How could it?

“Are you two done snogging,” Marlene said coming back from her own car.

“Be easy on him Marls. This can’t be easy for Sirius,” Lily added coming to stand next to Marlene.

“I’m fine,” Sirius huffed pulling away from Remus, “I’ll be fine.”

“Will you?” questioned Lily.

“Yea,” Sirius said glancing back at the cop cars. Letting the weight of the situation hit him once last time, “let’s go make a bust,” he said opening the door of the driver seat , signalling Remus to get in.

“Yea,” Marlene said turning around to her own car, “let’s go make a fucking bust,”

Chapter Text

Regulus and James didn’t talk on the drive to the manor. No words were exchanged as they parked the car into a close by alley and walked towards the house. James being in his element took charge of socialisation. Regulus had given him a list of people he was allowed to talk and no one else, Regulus wasn’t having anyone risking the success rate of his plan. As the boys made their way round the hall Regulus felt James go tense whenever his body brushed against the gun that was strapped to James’ side. He was still a questionable shot, but he had been getting better after the lesson with Regulus. Regulus kept a close eye on the time and the pager which would tell him when Evan deactivated the firewall. The boys had arrived a bit earlier and even though Regulus made it very clear that falling behind schedule wasn’t an option. He would never argue with being early.

The ball had already started, and couples were dancing throughout the hall. He turned to James pulling him into the dance floor. Saying to get it over with sooner rather than later in the night. When James found himself close enough to Regulus, to where he could hear the boys breaths he found himself asking why the sudden change in plan.

“No change in plan Jamie but I’m afraid that Elsa may get suspicious if we don’t make a proper appearance. He would never admit it, especially not to my father but Lucius has always known me to be more powerful than him. He’s always known that it wouldn’t take much for me to destroy him. So he always has a need of keeping me under his eye,” James tried to ignore how the way Regulus talked about crushing their boss made him feel. It was an unhealthy kink by far, but James didn’t have to admit that.

“Is that why you’re going of to France. To be with your father,”

“My father’s dead James,” Regulus said his face not shifting from the state of neutrality he had been wearing all night.

“Oh,” James said turning Regulus in his arms, “I’m so sorry,”

“Don’t be. My father was a cruel man. I’m sure you know that from my brother,”

James had really hoped that the topic of Sirius wouldn’t come up tonight, “I just-“

“Don’t worry about it amour,”

The small box flashed three small, red flashes around 12:23. Evan was ahead of schedule. He let James know that they were ready to go in as he adjusted the earpiece, which would help him communicate with the three boys. As Regulus made his departure from James, he felt a tug at his arm.

“Be careful Reg,” the boy whispered.

“You too James. You, too. I’ll see you soon,” Regulus squeezed James’ hand like a promise as he went off towards the safe room.

He sneaked towards a few dusty vents; his lungs being filled with ash in the process gave him an uncomfortable reminder of Grimmauld place. Of how he felt every time his mother made him dance with the flames. He stepped in front of a large hallway. And faced the multiple shards of light sitting in front of him in miss matched patterns. He was slightly concerned that Evan hadn’t taken them down, but it didn’t bother him much. The laser precaution was easy for him to go through, but he would have preferred not having to snap his back, tonight. As he made his way through the force field, he took a minute to thank all the times his father made him practice such things as a child. Turns out Orion did something worthwhile after all. As Regulus made it throw the laser fields, he was met with a keypad which would open the steel doors in front of him. The boy was taken aback. This was new. It wasn’t in the plans or blueprints. He wandered maby if Lucius knew more than he had let on. Five dots flashed above the screen showing that it was a five-letter combination. He tracked his brain trying to recall every conversation he had ever had with the man. He went over years of information but what stuck out to him had nothing to do with Lucius at all. A name came out to him. The name of his own cousin.

Narcissa Black was due to marry Lucius when Regulus was still in school. Regulus had heard the rush of engagement happened due to speculations of Narcissa being with child. She had lost the baby in her last trimester and the wedding therefore had been called off. Regulus was close with his cousin before she went of with an Alice Forctues. He had known how devastated she and Lucius had been at the loss of the child. He remembered Narcissa talking to him about what she was going to name the kid.

Draco. It was five letters. A long shot, but Regulus had to give it a shot. his hands tremored as he brought them to the keypad. D-R-A-C-O. he stood there shaking as he looked at the keypad. He needed this to work. It had to work all it was all for nought. The years of work he had put in. it would all be for nothing. The air finally left his lungs as the keypad accepted his answers and opened the doors.

Thanks, Cissa, he thought walking into the room.

He pulled out a can of hairspray from his bag and tested the air. Even though Evan had informed him that the force field was down he still thought it good to check. He checked his watch. 12:30. Right on time. He sent a signal through his pager to Barty before informing the other two boys that he was in. he waited for Barty to page back which luckily only took a few short minutes.

“Evan,” he spoke into the earpiece, “Start the clock, now,”

“3…2…1…” he heard Evan count back, “you both have five minutes. Make it count.”

Make it count. Regulus had to make it count.

Barty was better at it, but Regulus never struggled with safes too much. He worked into the pressure of the situation allowing Evans words to swallow him whole. Make it count. As Evan announced the three-minute mark he found himself with the lock of the safe in his hands. The next moments were fast. Regulus was in and out of the safe before he could even give his mind a second to process.

“James meet me outside now,”

As James heard the boys voice, relief fled over him knowing that the boy had done it. That he was safe. He wrapped up his conversation with the man he was talking to and made his way out the fire exit. He met Regulus again near the drainage pipes. The boy said no words just proceeded to pile himself and the money into the van.

“Everything go smoothly?” he asked.

Regulus looked up to finally meet his eyes, “Yea,” a smile flooded over him, “yea Jamie it went alright.” Without thinking he crashed into James. Bringing the boys lips into his own. He smiled into the kiss letting the relief of victory wash over him. He hadn’t won. Not yet, but he was halfway there. James pulled away reluctantly still keeping his hands tightly around Regulus’ waist. Once again, no words were exchanged, the boys just looked at each other. Let the whole world fall away because it was just them.

As they filed into the car Regulus called for Evan, “Were on our way out, how about you guys. Barty, did you get him out.” James heard a tinge of worry in Regulus’ voice as he asked about Barty. Regulus heard huffs of breath from the other end, and he wondered if he had interrupted something he shouldn’t.

“Yea, Reg he’s out. He’s fine,” the relief in Evans voice calmed him more than his words and he took a breath before giving the next order. It was 1am.

“Alright we rendezvous at the warehouse,”

Barty caught the change in Regulus’s language, “Warehouse. Singular?”

“Oh yea, there’s been a change of plan,”

“Change of plan?” asked James.

“We will all go to the warehouse which was once designated for me and James. Barty, Evan take a different route,”

“But why,” asks Evan.

“I’ll explain everything when get there,” Regulus said before signing off. In truth he wished he wouldn’t have to tell him because if he did something had gone very wrong.

-------------------

Barty and Evan were quite on the drive to the bank. They had been doing well since the day at the bar and didn’t want to really consider the risks they were taking with each other. They had gone over the plan briefly as of Evans wishes, needless to say the boy was worried. Before leaving the car, Barty clutched Evans hand tight before leaving a kiss on his palm.

“Be careful B,” Evan whispered the moment he heard the car door shut. As Barty left the car, Evan moved to the backseat were all the tech had been set up. After disarming his own firewall, he took care of Regulus’. He checked the time as he paged the boys pager. 12:23am. He was ahead of schedule, a fact that brought him more comfort than he would ever admit.

Barty melded with the shadows as he made his way into the bank. He cautiously made it through the long hallway towards the keypad Regulus had told him about. He went towards his pocket pulling out the slip of paper with the password. It was one word.

Andromeda.

The galaxy perhaps? He thought as he typed into the safe. He didn’t know why Bellatrix would use the name of a galaxy as the code to her safe, growing up Regulus always showed an interest towards the sky and stars, but Bellatrix never seemed like she cared less. Maby, she changed.

He made it through the steel doors and didn’t even bother checking if the firewall was down. Evan had already paged him and even though he knew Regulus would still want him to check, he had confidence in his boyfriend. When he made it face to face with the safe, he got overwhelmed. Barty’s father made him learn the art of safe cracking religiously since he was five. Barty’s father was never soft with anything so the lessons he had been given as a child thoroughly scared the shit out of him.

Standing in front of the le verrou dans le temps  Barty was back. Back in that cold dark room he had been forced into countless times as a child. Sitting with goggles on his head and a notebook in his hand. His father had left him int there for days at a time sometimes only feeding him just enough to keep him alive. His mother hatted Crouch. Snr for the treatment of her son but Barty knew that his mother could do nothing to save him. No one could. So, he saved himself.

Barty saw his pager light up signalling that Regulus was ready. He signalled back rubbing the sweat from his forehead.

“Evan,” he heard Regulus in his ear, “Start the clock, now,”

His heartbeat calmed as he heard Evan’s voice coming in“3…2…1…” he heard Evan count back, “you both have five minutes. Make it count.”

Make it count. Barty was going to make it count. He sat at the safe for a mere five minutes before he heard the click of the clock. Oh, if father could see me now. He walked into the safe as Regulus had instructed. He was shocked to see something new. Right in front of him lay the five diamonds he had been told about. Each stone laid on a velvet red cushion, just how he had imagined, yet there was something different. Over the rocks lay a thin translucent glass box, which looked as if to be opened by code.

“Regulus,” he spoke into the earpiece.

“What’s wrong Barty?” Regulus’s voice sounded tired, like he was exerted so Barty assumed he had already began his escape. He needed to hurry up.

“The safe, I’m in. I see the diamonds but there’s another layer of protection,”

“What!”

“A thin translucent box lying over the diamonds. It’s password activated.”

“How many letters,”

Barty counted silently before logging back on the line,” eight,”

“Eight,” Regulus repeated, “Eight.

Eight

Eight

Eight,” he paused. “Eight,”

“Yea Reg eight do you have any idea of what it could be?”

“Narcissa!” he almost screamed, “try Narcissa.”

“The sister of course,” said Barty. He typed in each letter trying to rub of the sweat from his fingers on his shirt. He sighed in relief as the glass came down revealing the precious stones, “it worked Reg. it worked,”

“Thank fuck,” he heard from the other line, “I’m nearly out. I’ll signal when I get back to James,”

Barty grabbed the diamonds and careful placed them into his bag remembering to place one into the locket Regulus had told them about in the first meeting. After placing the lost stone in his bag, he looked out towards the entrance of the safe. Stay in, Regulus had told him on one of the meetings. Regulus told him after the diamonds were in the bag he was to stay in the safe. Barty immediately called bullshit as he refused to die in the name of his friend. Regulus had assured him the Evan would get him out and as much as he trusted his boyfriend a part of him still wanted to make a run for it.

However, he knew this was foolish. He knew how calculated Regulus was and so he took a large breath before going over to shut the door. He changed to the private line with Evan and let him know of his progress.

“I’m in,”

“Good, I’m on my way. Just hold on B.” Barty waited anxiously in the safe fiddling with his bracelet that looked to be on its last life. He was staring up and for the first time realised how high the roof of the safe really was. Three Eiffel towers could staked directly on top of each other and there would still be wiggle room. Not long after the call Barty felt his feet get damp. It was being flooded.

“Evan, Evan. Get me out now!” he panicked.

“I am. Has the water not reached you?”

Barty stammered, “The- wait your doing this. On purpose. Evan, are you trying to kill me,”

“No Barty I am trying to save you,” as Barty looked around, he noticed as the speed of the water got faster and his legs kicked as he rose with the tide. “When you get to the top press the red button on the left. The lid will come of, and you will shoot up, right into me Crouch,”

“This is no time for jokes,” he said still fighting with the waves.

“No joke Barty. That is literally what will happen.”

As Barty reached the top, he pressed the button and first felt himself being pulled under. Maby Evan was trying to kill me. He didn’t have long to think though as the next second he felt his body be thrusted into the air and he was only lucky he landed on something soft.

“Barty get off of me,” Evan groaned underneath him.

“Sorry, sorry,” the boy said getting up and pulling Evan to his feet.

“Your safe?” Evan asked.

“I’m safe,” He reached out and touched Barty’ cheek, his thumb brushed across his lower lip. He couldn’t help it when he leaned over and kissed Barty, it had been a natural reaction even thought it wasn’t necessarily the time. Evan was disappointed when Barty pulled away first.

“Ok, Ev let’s go before Regulus kills us,”

“Mmm I’d never let him kill you,” Evan said guiding them out to the car.

“Ok Ev,”

Once they were back in the car Barty seemed adamant on kissing Evan. Getting lost in him. Making it up to all the times he just wasn’t there. It wasn’t graceful at all, really it was all tongue and teeth, but Evan didn’t have a word of complaint. Barty’s hands had been lost in Evans locks when they heard the speaker sound of with Regulus’s voice.

 “Were on our way out, how about you guys. Barty, did you get him out.” As much as they were relieved that their friend was safe it was 100% a mood killer. Evan peppered sweet kisses on Barty’s face before going to answer him in the intercom.

“Yea, Reg he’s out. He’s fine,”

“Alright we rendezvous at the warehouse,”

Barty caught the change in Regulus’s language, “Warehouse. Singular?”

“Oh yea, there’s been a change of plan,”

“Change of plan?” he heard James.

“We will all go to the warehouse which was once designated for me and James. Barty, Evan take a different route,”

“But why,” asks Evan.

“I’ll explain everything when get there,” Regulus said before signing off.  Barty and Evan eyed each other for a moment. Question and suspicion feeling their silence. In the end they knew they would listen to Regulus. He hadn’t made  bad call since they were 14 yet they still had the right to reason.