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“James and I are going to be picking up Remus at around seven,” Regulus says to Pandora over the phone, pacing around the living room. He can hear James cooking in the kitchen and, while he doesn’t know what they’re making, it smells delicious, “We’ll head off after that. I’ll keep you updated the entire time.”
Pandora hums, “Alright, just remember that you’re getting here right as the celebrations for Bastille Day are starting, so you’ll have to watch for that.”
“I’ll warn James about it,” Regulus nods, “Thank you for the reminder. Were we stopping by your place before we go to mine or?”
“That works just fine with me. We can have some food at mine with Sirius before you head out to your place.” Pandora says and Regulus can hear her smile through the phone, “What were your plans for Barty and Evan.” Right, Barty and Evan. It’s been a while since Regulus ran away from France after his blow out with Barty over Evan. He and Barty have had many conversations since their breakup, after Regulus felt comfortable enough to reach out to him and finally tell him where Regulus ended up.
Their relationship improved, from months of talking and apologizing and recognizing their own faults in the argument that they had. Barty admits that he was in love with Evan, that he started noticing his feelings coming back while he and Regulus were still together but he still loved Regulus enough that he didn’t want to say anything and break it off -- he also admitted that was the reason that he got so defensive when Regulus brought it up. It turns out that they got together a couple months after Regulus left, which he did seem to feel bad about until Regulus informed him that he had also moved on and found someone for himself.
It took many, many conversations before Regulus decided that he wanted to see Evan and Barty, before he decided that it wouldn’t hurt that much. And that’s when he finally approached James about taking them to see where he grew up. James suggested that they bring Remus along since he’s been wanting to see Sirius again and Regulus agreed. From then on, Regulus started talking about the trip and planning between the three of them, Pandora, Sirius, and Pandora talked to Evan and Barty for him.
Regulus sighs, “I don’t know. I need to talk to them about it, and probably talk to James. I doubt Remus is going to want to be around them, they don’t seem like his crowd so he’ll probably just hang out with Sirius, which I think is what he’s planning on doing for most of the time.”
“Yeah, and I’m sure that Barty and Evan are going to want to go out drinking. We could go out together, invite Sirius and Remus and I could go with you, or you four could just go.”
“We’ll figure it out when we’re there.” Regulus shakes his head, “I don’t have that many plans so we’ll have time to just sit down and talk about what we’re planning to do each day. The only plan that James and I have is we’re going to leave Remus for a couple days while we go to Chartres and I show them around the town before we go and pick him up and drive back home. That’s the only for sure plan that we have. Alright, James and I are going to eat then get ready to finish packing and get some sleep.”
“Alright, good night Reg.” Pandora hums, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Regulus nods and says his own goodnight before hanging up and making his way into the kitchen, where James is dancing in front of the stove.
He walks up to his partner and wraps his arm around their waist, “I’ve just got off the phone with Panda. We’ll be having lunch with her and Sirius when we get in before we head back to my flat. We’ll have to talk to Remus about what he wants to do, go with Sirius or stay with us. When we get there, I don’t have much plans for France, other than trying our best to avoid Bastille Day celebrations, but we’ll probably go out drinking with Barty.”
James nods, “Are you going to be alright with that?”
“I should be fine,” Regulus breathes, “Barty and I are on pretty mutual ground right now. Are you going to be okay with that? They’re pretty intense in a way that your friends aren’t.”
“I won’t know if I’m alright with it until I meet them, love.” James smiles softly, leaning back into Regulus’ arms, “I’m sure I’ll be able to handle it, though. I’m much better with people than you are.” Regulus scoffs at that but doesn’t do anything to deny it. “I’m also done with dinner, then we can eat. I don’t have much left to pack up, just a couple things that I’ll need to throw in in the morning before we leave and my laptop.” Regulus nods, he doesn’t have much to pack tonight either.
So Regulus sets out to grab their plates and pour themselves something to drink while James finishes up with the pasta that they’re making and the couple eats before throwing a couple more things into their suitcases and head to bed earlier than they normally would’ve, but since they have to get up early in the morning to finish getting everything ready and pick up Remus, they want to get some sleep.
The next morning they’re quick to finish up and change into some comfortable clothes. Regulus hauls out both of their suitcases while James brings out the cooler and box of snacks they’re bringing before hopping into Regulus’ car and figuring out their GPS. When Regulus hops in the passenger seat and gets himself settled in, James pulls out. They hand Regulus their phone and tell him to text Remus that they’re on the way, which Regulus is quick to do.
Jimbo
We’re on our way to you, Remus. We’ve just left the house.
Lily, you have the spare key to check in on Leo, right?
Lily Flower
Of course, you’ve sent me his usual routine as well, assuming that this is Regulus texting us.
Jimbo
How did you guess?
Wolfy McWolf
I’m just getting dressed, so I’ll be waiting outside for you when you get here, thank you Reg.
Lily Flower
At this point, we should just add you to this group chat. You text on it for James enough that it might be more effective.
Jimbo
I feel like I’d need a weird nickname before you guys added me.
Lily Flower
Good point, I’ll be thinking about it
Wolfy McWolf
Maybe we’ll find something for you in France, I’m sure Sirius could conjure something up.
Regulus relays the conversation to James, as he usually does when he’s texting on James’ phone, to which James seems down for Regulus to get a stupid nickname and be put in their group chat. Soon after, they’re picking up Remus after he throws his things in the back of the car, and they’re on their way to France. A whole seven hour trip.
Remus breaks out the muffins that he brought with him from the cafe he stole on his shift the previous day. Their trip is nice and they end up talking about a myriad of topics, as the three of them do, and they get talking about Pokemon which is when Remus randomly shouts, “Regice!” To which James and Regulus’ confusion prompts him to clarify, “Reg’s group chat nickname. Either Regice or Regidrago.”
“Which one sounds more dorky?” Regulus hums, “James, which one do you want more?”
James hums, “Regidrago. I think of his design more when I think of you and one of the Regi breeds.” The three of them agree on the nickname and Remus is quick to add the younger to their group chat.
Wolfy McWolf has added Regulus to the chat
Wolfy McWolf has nicknamed Regulus to Regidrago
Wolfy McWolf
We came up with a nickname for Reg, he is now a member of the group chat.
Lily Flower
Regidrago is cute!
How’s you guys’ trip so far?
Wolfy McWolf
Alright, we’ve just entered France and there wasn’t much trouble
Regidrago
It’s going to start getting annoying here soon, Bastille Day is… gross and it’s just a couple days out.
Usually people start celebrating July 13th, which is tomorrow so everyone is starting to get ready for a night of drinking and partying.
France gets busy as fuck around this time of year, especially Paris. We’re gonna be a little bit slower than expected, I’m sure.
Lily Flower
Well just keep me updated and let me know when you get to Pandora’s
Regidrago
We will.
When the traffic gets bad enough, Regulus and James switch spots so Regulus is the one driving considering he’s more familiar with Parisian roads than James is and they’re pulling up to Pandora’s apartment building before they even know it. Regulus shoots a warning text to his best friend while they’re in the elevator and she opens the door as soon as Regulus knocks.
Sirius gets there a couple minutes after them and pulls Remus into a passionate kiss that the taller man is all the more willing to return and Regulus ventures further into the house to ignore that, because he really doesn’t need to see one of his close friends and his brother making out in the hallway of Pandora’s flat.
They all enjoy a late lunch before Remus goes off with Sirius and Regulus and James head towards where Regulus’ flat is. When he’s parking, James hums, “Sometimes I forget that you actually own a home out here. You’ve been living with me long enough that it’s easy to forget.”
Regulus nods, “It’s probably covered in dust and desolate looking but… I didn’t really decorate it when I lived there.”
“No?”
“No,” Regulus shakes his head, “I grew up in a household where anything could be taken away from us at any point so I’ve learned to not care as much about material objects. My bookshelves and all of my important things were in my room, which only a couple people could enter. My flat is barren, it’s nice and big, but empty.” It isn’t long until they’re in Regulus’ flat, in which he cringes at the pure amount of dust that has filled the space. Most of the food in there is expired or old and the couple decides that they’ll have to go out and grab some more ingredients for tonight considering they both agree that neither of them want to go out for the rest of day after they pick up some groceries from the corner store near Regulus’ flat.
The next day, Regulus finally sits down and calls Barty, learning that he’s also with Evan and the two of them sit on speaker phone but James is still asleep since they were driving for most of the day and were beyond exhausted so Regulus couldn’t do the same, “James and I are here for a couple days before we head over to Chartres. We figure that you guys would want to go out drinking, which I might invite Pandora, Remus, and Sirius for if you two don’t mind. But what other things do we want to do?”
“You could take James around the Clichy and we’ll meet you at our favourite pub out there, that way you guys can get your day to yourselves and you can take them around but still meet us.” Evan hums, “I doubt you’re going to want to do all the things that Bart and I would want to do with the amount of people that are going to be around right now. I can also invite Panda and we can go there with her.”
Regulus hums, “We really chose the worst time of year to come here, didn’t we? That works, when did we want to do that? I could take Remus and Sirius as well and we’ll meet you guys there together.”
“Panda works for the rest of the week so she’s not going to want to go drinking tomorrow or tonight. We could do Friday night?”
“Yeah that- that should work. By then most people will be gathered for the fireworks and we’ll be a bit out of the way. James and I can figure out what we want to do from there.” The three of them figure out times and Regulus texts Sirius to let him know about their plans, telling his brother to meet them at his flat before they go out and Regulus drives them to the area since Regulus’ flat is at the outskirts of Paris.
When James wakes up, it’s about an hour and a half later and Regulus is making them some breakfast. James kisses him gratefully as they grab themself a plate and the cup of coffee that Regulus made for them before the two of them go to sit at Regulus’ table and Regulus explains his plans for their Friday, explaining that Regulus didn’t want to go to the Louvre because it’s busiest during the summer months but there’s another museum that they can go to that Regulus likes. From there, the two of them figure out what else they want to do while they’re in Paris before Regulus takes over the planning for their time in Chartres -- which he already had planned out, that was one of the first things he figured out when the trip was confirmed.
Today, the two of them decide that they’re going to go to the catacombs. At first, James is worried that they won’t find an available tour since they’re deciding on it so last minute, but Regulus reassures them that he knows someone that works as a tour guide that would be more than willing to take them on a private tour if they wanted, which is what Regulus would prefer since this time of year attracts a lot of tourists.
Regulus calls up that person while James is changing and gets a nice time slot for them just before they plan to eat, which Regulus gets them a reservation at Petrelle for a nice date night and since Regulus knows that the restaurant is good. The two of them decide to lounge around Regulus’ flat before they have to leave, resting after their long travel and preparing for a week straight of going nearly nonstop.
Regulus’ friend, Benjy, is waiting for them outside one of the entrances to the catacombs, greeting Regulus with a small smile and going through a quick introduction with James before he asks if the two of them are ready. Benjy does a wonderful job of leading them around and hitting the parts that he thinks Regulus and James would find interesting -- just as wonderful as he’s done before when he’d take Regulus and their other friends around on private tours -- and James seems to enjoy it, making comments and asking questions the entire time.
When they leave, Regulus is quick to wish Benjy a good night and usher James to the restaurant. They get a nice booth near the back where there isn’t quite as much noise and they order their food quickly, having looked at the menu before they left the flat to make their lives much easier at the actual restaurant.
The two of them are sitting across the table from each other, a white tableclothed table holding a candle in the center between them, sipping on their glasses of expensive wine from the bottle that Regulus bought them, talking softly. Well, Regulus is talking softly, James is trying but they’re very excitedly talking about what they saw at the catacombs, which is how Regulus learns of their fascination with skeletons and skulls -- to which he briefly wonders if he should be concerned but figures that it’s probably fine.
When they get their food, James nearly moans, “This is fucking delicious.”
Regulus smiles and interlocks their ankles underneath the table, “This is one of the only restaurants that my parents would take Sirius and I to, and we usually only went to restaurants because they were meeting with some important person that insisted they do the meeting somewhere that wasn’t our home, dining in our house made a lot of people uncomfortable.” Regulus snorts and adds, “Sirius and I were also uncomfortable dining in our home, and we lived there, so I don’t blame them. Anyway, this was one of the only restaurants that my parents deemed good enough for them to eat at.”
“I know you’ve told me quite a bit about your parents and their bullshit beliefs,” James starts, staring into Regulus’ eyes as they pause to take a sip of their wine, “But they seem like the type of people to believe that they blessed others with their presence.”
“They seemed to think so,” Regulus sneers at the thought, “Everyone that they actually interacted with thought that their presence was a curse. But I don’t want to talk about them anymore.” He hums after a long drink of his wine, “Help me remake the memories I have of this place. Replace their shit ones with a new one.”
James smiles at them softly, reaching out to touch his hand with their own, “I’d fucking remake the world for you if I could. Listen, we’ve not been dating long, almost a year at this point, but I… I really like you, Reg. I guess we haven’t really cared that much about the typical timings of a relationship, I mean we decided that you were gonna live with me for a while before we even went on our first date. You met my parents before we even decided what we were as a couple. But just being out here and seeing your friends and brother and everything just…” They trail off when Regulus flips his hand and slots their fingers together, nudging their ankle with his own.
“Jamie,” Regulus smiles softly at his partner, “I love you too.”
“What?” It comes out in a breath and their eyes search over Regulus' face for something.
“I love you too. I know that you were trying to avoid saying it, but I love you, Jamie.”
After a couple seconds, James breaks out into a large grin that pushes up their cheek so much their eyes are almost entirely closed. They pull Regulus’ hand towards their mouth and kisses each of his knuckles before gently flipping his hand over and kissing the center of his palm, “I love you, I love you, I love you.”
Regulus laughs softly, “Don’t wear it out, James.”
“I don’t think I could even if I tried, because I love you and you love me and I’ve just realized that we’ve said I love you for the first time in the City of Love, which is ironic but I don’t really care because you’re so incredibly hot when you speak French and your accent is getting stronger again and it’s kind of making my knees weak and-” they suck in a deep breath, “I think I’m just embarrassing myself at this point.”
The younger shakes his head, “You’re just excited, Jamie. You’re rambling and I think it’s incredibly cute.” Unfortunately, their moment is interrupted by their waiter coming to check on them before disappearing to take care of their other tables.
After that, not much happens at their dinner, just the two of them talking about everything and nothing at all -- before dating Barty, Regulus was always confused how couples never ran out of things to talk about in stories, considering all that he had to base romance on was his parents who were in an arranged marriage and had weeks where they wouldn’t even look at each other -- but he’s learned that it’s easy when you know and trust the person. Regulus has learned that even something as boring as the weather could be interesting if the person that he loves is talking about it, that person once being Barty but now being James.
When they finish eating, they’ve drunk the bottle of wine and James is just just a bit wobbly on their feet but neither of them mind as they wander the streets to Paris for a while, trying their best to avoid the drunken Bastille Day party goers but enjoying the lights of the night. James ends up telling Regulus what it looks like with their astigmatism, explaining that’s why they get stressed driving at night if they’re not familiar with the area because the strands of light are incredibly distracting and make having full visibility at night hard.
Eventually Regulus ushers James to the car where he drives them back to his flat and the two of them get ready for bed, already tired from their adventure and wondering what the rest of their trip is going to do to their sleep schedules -- probably fix them if the two of them are being entirely honest with themselves, they both have the tendency to stay up way later than they should -- before laying down and falling asleep in each other’s arms after one last whispered ‘I love you’ is exchanged between the two of them.
The next morning, the two of them are quick to get ready and Remus and Sirius are knocking at Regulus’ door just as James is finishing up breakfast to the four of them sit around the table and eat together, talking about what the two couples had done the previous day and what they were planning to do for the rest of the trip.
“James and I are going to be getting back here from Chartres on Wednesday,” Regulus explains between bites of the delicious omelets that James whipped up, “then on Thursday, we’re going to be packing up everything I want from here and loading it up into the car while I work on getting my lease terminated.”
“Wait,” Sirius clarifies, cutting his brother off, “You’re officially moving out of here?”
Regulus nods, “It’s been something that James and I have talked about for a while, ever since we started planning the trip. I’m already living in Alfriston full time and I don’t really have much back here other than you guys but… I really like it there and I’m a little sick of Paris, and France if I’m being honest. I want to be with James and my flat is just an extra expense that’s just wasting my money for something that’s only gathering dust. I figure that if I come to visit or something, I can stay with you or Pandora. And I mean, Leo is already living with us in Alfriston so the hard part of moving is done with.”
“You’re really leaving for good.”
“I left for good when Barty and I broke up,” Regulus sighs, “I’m not saying that I’m never going to come back, I’ll always want to be around you and Pandora, and even Barty and Evan sometimes, but I… I want to be with James, I want to live in Alfriston and not have to worry about paying for my flat here.”
Sirius takes a second before he nods, “Does this mean that you’re going to cut contact with our parents entirely?”
Regulus sighs, “I don’t know. I’ve been toying with the idea but haven’t come up with a solid answer for that, I’ll think about it. I really don’t need them and I’m not… I’m not as scared of them and the power that they hold over me in Alfriston. I mean, they can’t do anything to me out there.”
“Do they even know that you’re not still in France?”
He shakes his head, “I’m sure they’ll find out when they learn that I terminated my lease here. I imagine they’ll search for me before they find where I ended up.”
“Which is why you should cut contact with them right now. They won’t even have any way to track you or look for you. “ Sirius says, “This is your best opportunity to have a clean cut from them. You have all the money that they were planning to leave you until their death, which is going to be a whole big situation since there are only two remaining possible heirs to the family if you leave, but we can talk about that later.”
“I know, Siri.” Regulus sighs, “I’m thinking about it. We had two very different relationships with our parents and I’m not as brave as you. I can’t just… do that. Just… just give me some time to think it through and make up my mind.”
Sirius nods after a couple seconds of watching Regulus, “Yeah… sorry for pushing you.”
“It’s fine, I understand. Let’s not let that get us down, though. We’re going to have a good day. Maybe a bit busy, but if we avoid the main areas that the celebrations are going on in, we shouldn’t feel too crowded. We’re meeting the others at the pub we usually go to at seven so we have plenty of time to walk around a bit. I only really want to take James to the Musee de l’Orangerie, the Basilica de Sacre Coeur, and the Arc de Triomphe. Other than that, unless you have any places in mind, we’ll just walk around and find what looks interesting to us at the time.” The other three nod and they set out to Regulus’ car so he can drive them to an area where Regulus can park.
When they get out, the four of them have to walk around a bit before they’re at their first destination, Regulus explaining that they’ve got about an hour and a half of walking before Regulus has taken James to all the places he wants them to see, then a bit more walking before they meet up with the others. He also tells them that they’re able to stop wherever they want since Regulus gave them the entire day, and they can stop for lunch whenever they want to.
When they finally get to the Sacre Coeur de Montmartre and find their tour guide with some time to spare, Regulus takes a moment to revel in the architecture of the building before he goes to watching James’ face as they look up at the building, their eyes flitting around the domed building. He sidles up to his partner, “Have you ever heard of this place?”
James hums, taking a second before they’re able to drag their face away from the building to smile at Regulus, “I’ve heard of it but I don’t know anything about it. It’s… a very pretty building.”
Regulus smiles and takes his partner’s hand, “There’s a beautiful mosaic on the inside that I think you’ll like.” He turns to look at the building, “I’ve been here a couple times and, even though I’m really not religious, I do enjoy walking through here some times.”
“Some of the most pretty buildings that I’ve been to are churches or religious buildings.” Shortly after their conversation, the tour starts and Regulus revels in not only the building -- he falls in love a little bit more every time he sees it -- but also in the expression on James’ face as they look around the building, having been rendered almost entirely speechless.
When the tour is over, since the front of the building isn’t that crowded at this time in the morning, both couples get a picture of them kissing in front of the building -- which Sirius thought was fucking hilarious because the pure amount of religious coworkers he has that calls him a sinner consistently since learning that he was gay.
Eventually Regulus is able to pull the four of them away from the building and down the street they need to go down. Sirius stops in Atelier 16 on their way to buy himself some more rings -- which makes Remus’ face fill with horror at the amount that Sirius is willing to spend on two rings before he explains that he grew up in a family that struggled for money. They’re quick to move on before Sirius can mass buy any more of the store and they continue down the street, James making comments about the area and talking easily amongst them.
They stop into a couple other shops, some souvenir shops before they’re eventually at Musee de l’Orangerie. Upon seeing the first exhibit James asks, “Is this an impressionist museum?” When Regulus nods, they get incredibly excited, “Oh my God. That’s literally my favourite fucking art movement.” And with that information, the four of them walk around the museum, though Sirius doesn’t seem all that interested. Remus and Regulus can appreciate the art but James is bouncing on the balls of their feet the entire time, telling Regulus about some of the paintings that they’re seeing. There was no world where Regulus thought James would enjoy art this much, in fact he only really wanted to come here for himself and maybe Remus, but the fact that they’re so into it -- and probably more excited than Remus and Regulus combined -- makes his heart soar.
They’re out of the museum about an hour and a half later and take a couple minutes to walk to the Place de la Concorde and take a gander at the Luxor Obelisk before finding a place to grab some lunch then heading towards the Arc de Triomphe, making stops into buildings that they think is interesting, where Regulus describes the history of the building to Remus and James but they decide not to get too close to it since it’s at its busiest time right now. They don’t stay long before Regulus takes them to the pub that he normally goes to with his friends when they decide to drink in the area.
Evan and Barty are already there, sitting in a booth, but Pandora’s not with them yet, which Evan explains when they sit down, “Panda had to run home and get changed out of her work clothes. She’s on her way right now and should be here soon. Now, let’s meet your new buddies.”
Regulus rolls his eyes before gesturing to James, “This is James, my partner. And that’s Remus, Sirius’ boyfriend.”
“Damn,” Evan whistles, “You find yourself a partner and and your brother a boyfriend.”
Barty snorts after that, “You’ve got more game than I do.”
Regulus rolls his eyes, “Your only game is your best friends. I’m getting a drink, did you guys want one?” He asks, aimed towards the three he came in with since both Barty and Evan already have drinks. They give him their orders and he heads off. By the time that he gets back, Pandora is sitting next to Evan in the booth, though she does stand up to pull Regulus into a hug before getting herself a drink.
The night is wholly unproductive, the seven continue drinking and enjoy the live entertainment that the pub brought in before Evan and Barty off to dance, Sirius dragging Remus to dance with him shortly after and leaving James, Regulus, and Pandora sitting at the table alone.
“So,” Pandora asks, smiling at James, “What do you think of Paris? And of Barty and Evan?”
James shrugs, “Paris is beautiful, at least the parts that I’ve seen but I don't think I could live here, though I did love the museum that we went to. As for Barty and Evan they’re… a lot.”
“I warned you.” Regulus hums, taking a sip of his drink and noting how close to being finished it is. He finishes it off and stands up to order himself a water since he’s going to be driving whenever they decide to be done, offering to get another drink for the other two. James just asks for a water but Pandora asks for another drink for herself.
When he’s gone, Pandora smiles at James softly, “How has he been?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just in general, you and I both know that he likes to hide things from us if he’s not doing great.”
They shrug with one shoulder, “He’s… I think he’s still a little hesitant around Evan and Barty, even if they’re doing much better. I think he’s a little nervous about going back to Chartres, but I think… I think he’s happy.”
“That’s good,” she smiles, staring off at where her friend has disappeared for a while before turning back to them, “How have you been, darling?”
“I’m doing well, a bit tired from everything, and maybe a bit overwhelmed, but otherwise fine.”
“That’s good. I’m sure that Reg would be willing to cancel any of your plans should you need a break.”
“I know, and I appreciate that.” They shake their head, “But I think I’ll be okay.”
“What will you be okay about?” Regulus asks, putting the waters for him and James down and Pandora’s drink in front of her.
“How I’ll be feeling running around this week.” James shrugs, smiling and pulling him into their side when he sits down. Regulus hums in acknowledgement but doesn’t otherwise say anything.
The group sits at the table for a while, Regulus nor James wanting to dance. Several times Barty and Evan or Sirius and Remus come back to the table for a while, but they’re never there for long. Finally, after a while longer of being there, Pandora presses a kiss to Regulus’ cheek and gives a quick one-armed hug to James before leaving. It’s not long after that that Barty and Evan are pulling each other out of the building with barely a goodbye to any of the people that they’re with.
Once they’re alone, Regulus decides that it’s a good time to round up his brother and Remus and take them all back to his flat. Remus and Sirius stay the night in his guest bedroom and they all head to bed early.
The next morning, Sirius drags Remus off to do their own things and Regulus takes James to see the Seine, which they insist upon going on one of the romantic boat rides, which Regulus grumbles about the entire time, but James knows that he enjoys it even with his grumbling. Then they meander around the store fronts around the section of the Seine they’re in until they can get back to the car.
It’s all that they do with the day, and they’re making sure that they have everything they need for the next part of their trip before heading to bed. The next morning, James makes them some food with what they can work with what’s left in the fridge and the pantry. Regulus and James settle down to eat and take their time with the morning before getting ready and hopping in the car to head to Chartres.
They make a stop at Notre Dame and get some pictures before they’re back in the car -- they would’ve liked to stay longer but it was rather busy and getting hot -- and are heading out to Chartres. It’s not a horrible two hours with the two of them playing their music and talking and laughing and enjoying their time together.
“How busy are we going to be running around here?” James asks as the GPS tells them they’re nearing the town.
Regulus hums, “We’re not going to be doing much each day, just one or two things. I just want to relax here.”
“Works with me.” James smiles, leaning over to skip to the next song because they know that Regulus doesn’t like it. They’re quiet for the rest of the trip to Chartres outside of humming and making the occasional comment or laugh. And it’s not long after that they’re pulling up to the hotel that they’ll be staying in for the next couple of days.
They laze around for the rest of the day in the hotel, talking and laughing and enjoying their time together.
“Tomorrow,” Regulus hums when they’re cuddling in bed, “We’re going to the one place that Sirius and I used to go to so we could escape from our parents. I think you’ll like it. Then we’ll wander around the market.”
James smiles softly at him, learning forward to press their noses together, “Sounds lovely.” After a couple seconds, they hum, “Did you want to get some food?”
“We probably should, but I really don’t want to get up.”
“Room service?” James asks with an amused smirk.
“Probably expensive.”
They roll their eyes, “I would offer to get something for us, but my French isn’t that good and I don’t know any places like this. And you,” they grin teasingly, “don’t like fast food.”
Regulus grumbles, “I’ll make an exception. Unless there’s a good place we can get takeout delivered nearby.”
“I wouldn’t know,” they hum, “I can check around but you’ll have to do the heavy lifting for me, love.”
“I need to teach you French.” Regulus grumbles, pushing himself to sit up, James doing the same just a second later, “Give me your phone.”
“And why can’t you use your own?”
Regulus grins at them, “Because my phone is in my bag on the chair, yours is in your back pocket.” And with that, he pulls the phone out of their pocket and unlocks it, starting to look for a good place to eat nearby.”
“You’re a little brat, you know that?” James smiles, leaning down to rest their head on his shoulder and watch what he’s doing silently.
Regulus’ smile softens and he pauses what he’s doing to scratch through their hair before going bac to his task, “It’s the entitled parents.”
“And probably the servants.”
“Maybe a bit of the servants,” Regulus hums, leaning into their body when they reach around to wrap their arms around his waist, “I would say that it’s the money, but you turned out pretty alright.”
“I have my issues.” James hums, “We definitely have different ways of going about them, though.”
Regulus hums, “At least you went out and started working, a lot of rich kids don’t do that.” He taps on the menu of a nearby place that he and Sirius used to eat at when they were younger and would go out with Barty, Evan, and Pandora, showing it to James, “Does this look good? We’d have to go and order it there and bring it back, they don’t do deliveries.”
James scans over the menu for a moment before they hum, “That works, I could do with a nice walk.”
“What do you want from it?”
They take a couple seconds longer to look over the menu that he shows them, asking what a couple words are before coming up to a section, “Damn, they have Spanish dishes too.”
“Are you really going to be getting Spanish food when you’re in France?” He levels them with a look, “Your mum could make any Spanish dish we’ll come across here twelve times better.”
“I suppose.” They grin, pressing a quick kiss to his shoulder before going back to reading the menu. Eventually the two of them decide what they want to eat from the place and Regulus calls ahead to place their order. They give him his time and he collapses back on the bed, having to work to do so since James is still glued to his back. They laugh at the motion, not fighting him and letting themself be laid backwards.
When it gets close to their time, James forces Regulus off of them and stands up, stretching out a bit and smiling at Regulus’ gaze when he notices the skin of their stomach peek past the bottom hem of their shirt, “I know you like the view,” they tease, reaching out to pull him off the bed, “But it’s time to go.”
Regulus groans, “Does it have to be?”
“You and I both know that I’ll manage to fuck it up if I go alone,” they grin, pulling his now-standing form against their body, “Otherwise I would.”
“I love you,” Regulus smiles, giving them a peck before going to slip his shoes on, James just behind him.
They smile, leaning down to tie up their Converse, “I love you too.”
“You’re a sap,” he says, shoving at their shoulders. He grabs the hotel key and his own wallet and keychain, “Let’s go.”
“You were the one that said it first.” James defends themself, opening up the door and holding it for him.
“And yet you’re the one that holds doors for me.”
James lets out a soft laugh, “Oh, sorry. Did you want me to stop that? Maybe that’s why chivalry is dead, no one wants it anymore.”
He shoves them, “That’s not what I was saying and you know it. You and I both know that I enjoy you doing that for me.”
“Goes back to the servants, doesn’t it?” They tease, pressing the button for the elevator. Regulus just hums, nodding to the couple that walk out of the elevator when the doors open before grabbing at James’ hand and guiding them into it. They laugh but go easily as Regulus presses the button to take them to the ground floor.
They’re out in the open air of Chartres not long after, Regulus dropping their conjoined hands just in case they see someone that he used to know as a little boy -- should they somehow recognise him even with his gender change -- so nothing gets back to his parents about his presence or his relationship. Instead, he ensures that he walks close enough to James that their hands and shoulders brush with every movement.
It’s not a long walk to the restaurant from their hotel, just enough for a bit of a chill to settle in Regulus’ bones, but James seems to enjoy the weather. But soon enough, they’re opening the door to a warm restaurant and Regulus is getting hit with a wave of nostalgia, even down to the smell of it.
“All good?” James leans down to say into his ear when they’re in line.
Regulus nods, “Reminds me of my childhood.”
“Good memories?”
He shrugs with one shoulder, “As good as they can get. It reminds me of Sirius.”
“I’m glad there’s something happy here.”
“Me too.” Regulus nods, and if he wants to say more, he’s cut off by them being next. He spends a couple seconds in an exchange with the cashier, speaking too fast for James to be able to understand with their limited knowledge in the language. Within the next couple minutes, their bag of takeout is in their hands and they’re leaving the restaurant with a called thank you and heading back towards the hotel.
“The sky looks pretty right now,” James hums while they’re walking, the bag of hot food resting by their thigh.
Regulus hums, “It does, could use some clouds, though.”
“All skies could use a little clouds all the time.” They hum, “Unless it’s night.”
The younger nods, “If we were further from the main part of town, I’d try to go stargazing.”
“Wouldn’t that be lovely.” James hums, “We should do that when we get back home.”
Home.
It is Regulus’ home, Alfriston, but it’s still weird to be able to call it that. Knowing that they’re going to be entering the same house when they get back, knowing that they’re going to be emptying their suitcases into the same room and bathroom and laundry room. It warms Regulus from the inside out, helping him combat the night chill.
And then James has to go and ruin it by bumping their shoulder against his body lightly, “You liked that.”
“Fuck you.”
“Watch your language,” they hum, “there could be people you know here.”
“I hate you.”
They grin at him, “That’s more like it. I’m sure some aristocrat would love hearing you say something like that to someone like me, wouldn’t they?”
“You’re the worst.” Regulus scoffs, but he holds the door to the hotel open for them nonetheless.Their face turns smug as they walk through, knowing that they’ve won. Regulus follows just behind them, pressing the button for the elevator for them as well.
“You do know that I have a free hand, right?”
“What was it you were saying about chivalry being dead?” Regulus asks as the doors slide open and the couple steps inside. James laughs, something that makes them throw their head back and their face light up with joy and it sends butterflies soaring through Regulus’ stomach and chest, some crawling up into his throat and choking him a little bit.
Fuck he loves them.
And he can do that. He has someone that he can love and that he can admire in the elevator of a hotel in his hometown. Where he assumed he would be alone forever, or would be married off to some random man that was only marrying him for posturing and money.
Just as Regulus feels like he’s going to say something incredibly stupid, the doors to the elevator slides open once again and they’re leaving it to head to their room.
The food is just as divine as Regulus remembers it when they finally settle down back in their room and get comfortable on the couch in the room, curling into each other. They clean up and change into sleep clothes, going through their routines and climbing into bed, chest-to-chest and legs tangled.
“Every time we lay like this,” Regulus drawls, half asleep, “I can hear your heart and I love it but all I can think about is the Tell-Tale Heart.”
James huffs a tired laugh, “Please don't murder me by lamplight and chop up my body.”
“Oh my God, I love that you can reference this with me.” He groans, “As long as you don’t have a creepy eye and you don’t let me get sick, I think we’ll be all good.”
“I’ll keep you sane, my love.”
Regulus hums, “Not sure how much you can keep that promise,” and James can feel his smile against their heart, “There’s a tale of the ‘Black Family Insanity’ that has yet to shine through Sirius and I. Everyone in my family turns out crazy somehow.”
“Well you two got out of there,” James hums, rubbing their hand up and down his back, “Maybe that means you won't be affected. And even if you were, I’d help keep you with me.”
“You’re fucking gross.” James laughs softly, their breath gently moving Regulus’ curls. Their hand comes up shortly after, sorting through curls and helping guide Regulus to sleep. The two of them aren’t awake for much longer.
And when they get up in the morning, Regulus tells James to wear something comfortable since they’re going on a walk. And before they know it, the couple is showered and changed and ready for the day. Regulus guides them to the car and drives out to a nice area. He guides them to a pathway alone a river.
“This is the Eure.” Regulus explains, gesturing to the river they’re walking alone.
James hums, “France isn’t beating any of the beliefs that they’re nasty.” Then they furrow their brows, “Wait, that sounded horrible. The river doesn’t look like it’s got very good water quality.”
Regulus huffs a soft laugh and shakes his head, “It’s… not great. France really isn’t that good at keeping their water systems clean. But Sirius and I would go up to that bridge over there,” he points to a stone bridge that they’re quickly approaching, “when our parents were gone on business and we’d throw rocks into the river and talk about our issues and bond like brothers were supposed to. Well- we tried, but he and I weren't good at figuring out how we were supposed to function as a family.”
“Reg,” James trails off, linking their pinkies between them.
“You don’t have to be like that,” he shakes his head, and the bridge is just a couple steps away from them, “He and I got it eventually.” He turns onto the bridge and walks to the center of it, hopping up onto the large railing and crossing his legs on it. James joins him a couple seconds later, their legs dangling over the edge and above the water.
The two are quiet for a while before James hums, “My parents and I used to float the Cuckmere to this little area that we liked swimming in. I’ll have to take you one time, we’d just have to borrow my parents’ kayaks.”
“Sounds fun,” Regulus hums, resting his hand just over James’, “Sirius taught me how to swim.”
“Yeah?”
He nods, “Yeah, I don’t remember where we were, but when I was about… five or six, he and I were playing around some body of water. He pushed me in and refused to help me until I made it somewhere near him.”
“And he could swim at the time?”
“Dunno.” He shrugs with one shoulder, “I know he can swim now, but I don’t know how he learned. I just know that’s when I learned.”
“So you fully could’ve drowned and you think on that memory fondly.”
“I don’t know if I would say fondly, it’s just a funny memory and we joke about it all the time now. And I would say I’m a pretty strong swimmer.”
James hums, “Interesting.”
“That’s a nice way of summing up my childhood.” Regulus hums, grabbing a rock that’s come loose from the railing and tossing it into the water, smiling gently at the weird plop sound that it makes. The two of them sit in silence for a long while, just watching the water flow under them and listening to some of the conversations of the people that pass them, Regulus’ hand resting gently over James’ between them.
But eventually, James complains about their ass hurting and stands up, helping Regulus back down from the railing after they’re solidly back on the bridge. Regulus nods and guides them to a nearby market that he and SIrius would go to, the two of them spending an hour or two wandering around, buying a thing or two, and talking to some of the shop owners.
“Regulus? Is that you?” Someone asks, grabbing their attention. Regulus turns around to the origin of the voice, coming face to face with a woman with black hair with bleached streaks in the front.
He furrows his brows, “Cissa?” Regulus takes a couple steps towards the woman, “What are you doing here?”
“I’m out here picking up some food with my son, Draco.” She gestures to the blond little boy that’s holding her hand. She furrows her brows at James, “What are you doing here? Who’s this?”
Regulus hums, “You won’t tell our family?”
“That I saw you?” She asks, “If you don’t want me to, I won’t.”
He nods, “This is James, my partner. I’m taking them around Chartres to see where I grew up. We were just in Paris with Sirius and their best friend.” He turns to James just slightly, “Jamie, this is my cousin Narcissa.”
The woman nods, but she looks a little confused, “I thought you were with Barty.”
“He and I had issues, and I found James instead.” Regulus smiles, “They… they’ve helped me a lot.”
“I’d say, you look incredible.” She smiles, “Well, I’ll give you the warning since you’re out here with your partner, mother and father are visiting your parents. I don’t imagine them walking around town, but I know that Bella is in town here too.”
“Shit.”
The woman hums, “Indeed. I’m sure the Lestranges are wandering around as well. And my husband wouldn’t refrain from telling someone that he saw you. Please tread carefully.”
“We will,” Regulus nods, “Thank you for the warning, Cissa. Enjoy your day.”
“You too.” And with that, the woman is saying something to her son and they’re walking away, disappearing into the crowd. Regulus takes a couple seconds before he nods and asks James if they’re ready to continue. James watches him for a while before nodding and the two of them start to move again.
They continue through the market, find a nice place to get some food, and head back to their car after they finish eating. When they get back to the hotel, they both get into more comfortable clothes and settle on the bed in front of the TV to watch a random movie that they find as background noise.
It’s getting late, and Regulus is yawning when James wraps their arm around his shoulder, “Are you okay?”
“What do you mean?”
They hum, leaning to rest their head on his, “You’ve been different since we saw Narcissa. More quiet, what’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”
“I’m just…” he shakes his head, leaning into their arms, “Nervous now that I know so many people that will know me are around. My cousin Bella and her husband are crazy, Narcissa’s husband isn’t the best person in the world, my aunt and uncle…” he shakes his head again, “It’s all people that know me, or have seen me, as Regulus.”
James nods, and after a couple seconds, “We’ll just have to look out. I don’t know where you’re going to take me, but I’m sure that it’ll be fine. We’re only here for two more days and we’ll just be careful. Then you’ll be breaking contact with your parents, breaking your lease, and we’ll be leaving.” They shake him just a little bit in their arms, “And even if they do see you and report back to your parents, is it that bad. You’re considering cutting contact with them anyways.”
“I guess you’re right…”
James hums, “I know you hate when that happens.” They grin down at him and shove him just a little bit, “But don’t let them ruin your time with me and your time here. We had such a good day and we had a good time going around Paris.”
Regulus nods after a couple seconds, “Yeah, I’ll try. Just don’t let me get caught in my head.”
“I won’t.” They kiss his forehead, “How about we shower and head to bed a bit early?” Regulus agrees and the two of them go to hop in the shower and get ready for the night.
The next morning, bright and early, Regulus takes James to the Musee de Beaux Arts, where they wander around for about an hour and a half, getting some fun pictures and admiring the views of it. When they’re done with that, Regulus takes them on a tour of the Cathedral of Chartres and watches James become enraptured with the stained glass display that they have -- he’s learned that James likes impressionism and stained glass which is something that he’ll keep in the back of his mind for the future.
That’s the rest of their day and they wake up to get a nice breakfast in a cafe that Regulus likes the next morning, heading to the Maison Picassiette and spending some time there. Afterwards, they head back to the hotel and repack their things, getting ready to head back to Paris.
They get to Paris a bit before dinner and take the time to put their things away before heading out to grab some boxes for Regulus to start packing with the next day. James whips them up something to eat and they finish out the night with another movie.
They’re up around noon the next day, deciding how they want to best start packing Regulus’ things away -- although the reason behind it and the concept of it makes James incredibly sad, they’re appreciative of his lack of owning things because it makes packing easier. James gets a start on that while Regulus goes to his meeting with his landlord to negotiate his lease ending.
Regulus comes up about an hour or two later, telling James the details of how it went and what he’ll have to do. They take a break for lunch and continue packing, making sure that they have everything that they’ll need left out for the rest of the day and the next morning, ready to be thrown into the suitcase that Regulus left behind when he ran.
They’re finishing in time for James to start putting together a dinner for them, Regulus, Remus, and Sirius to eat together. Remus and Sirius arrive before they’re finished and settle around in the living room with Regulus, talking amongst themselves.
“It’s so weird…” Sirius says, “I mean, I know that this place is always empty, but now it’s like- it’s real.”
Regulus hums, “I haven’t been here for months, and it’s only real now?”
“Don’t be mean to me!” Sirius whines, “You’re leaving me and that means that I really can’t come over to your flat and make fun of you or almost burn down your kitchen.”
“You can always come to Alfriston.” Remus hums, “I mean, what’s keeping you here?”
“My job.” Sirius groans, “But I mean… you’re not wrong.” The three are quiet for a while before Sirius hums, “I’ll think about it.”
“Well, you don’t have to do that right now,” James hums, “Dinner’s just about finished if you guys want to come grab plates and serve up.” The three all stand up and serve up after James pulls the pan off the stovetop, grabbing a plate for themself just after.
It’s a nice night and a nice dinner full of laughter and joy and everything that Regulus is glad that he can now have, even if it took some shit to get here. During the dinner they discuss plans for the next day and end it off not long after that, the four choosing to hang out for a bit longer before Remus and Sirius head back to Sirius’ place. James and Regulus don’t stay up for much longer after that.
And the next morning, they’re waking up and waiting for Remus to get to the flat with Sirius, making sure that they have everything in by the door and everything that they’ll need immediately is packed away conveniently. Remus and Sirius arrive not long after with some breakfast for the four of them that they eat quickly before starting to bring their stuff down to the car.
When they’re all packed away in the car, Regulus goes to finish things up with his landlord while James makes sure that everything is well packed away and they can still see while they’re driving, allowing Remus and Sirius to have their little romantic moments together. Regulus comes back out not long after, ready to say his goodbyes to his brother and leave.
It’s an emotional moment, one that Remus and James distract themselves for long enough so they don’t have any people intruding on it. And when they finish, Regulus just gets into the car sniffling and wiping at his face. Sirius quickly asks Remus to help out with his brother and pulls James to the side.
“Is everything okay, Sirius?” James asks, voice low.
Sirius nods, “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry?”
“You’ve done a lot for Regulus,” he says as way of explanation, “I mean.. I’ve never seen my brother so open or happy, and he’s so comfortable around you. You were the person that helped him get back into life when the whole thing with Barty happened and you took care of him. I mean, you were the one that made him talk to me and Pandora again, and I’m forever in your debt for that.”
They shake their head, “You don’t have to say that, it’s no skin off my back.”
“But it’s your house and your food, and your life.” Sirius hums, “I don’t know how to express everything I feel for you and how grateful I am for you, but I just… keep him safe, keep him happy, keep him open. Take care of him.” And he pulls them into a hug, “I got your number from Remus and I’ll text you when you get back. I want to talk to you just as a friend, not as your boyfriend’s brother.”
“Yeah, that sounds nice.” James smiles.
Sirius nods and seems at a loss for words, so he pulls away a couple seconds later and pats their shoulder, “Drive safe.”
“I will.” James nods, and gently takes their arms from him, “Take care of yourself.” Sirius nods and the two of them pass something between them silently before James nods one last time and says a final farewell before getting into the car and pulling away, Sirius waving to the three for a while before they’re out of the parking garage.
“How are you feeling, Reg?” James asks once they’re out of Paris and heading back to Alfriston.
Regulus nods, “Yeah, I mean… I’ve been away from them for long enough that I don’t think it’ll be that different. But I think it will hit me when I’m unpacking.”
“And I’ll be there with you.”