Chapter Text
I'll be honest
Lookin' at you got me thinkin' nonsense
Cartwheels in my stomach when you walk in
James often wonders how beautiful it is that everything is interconnected in this world, like if someone didn’t do that one thing then they probably wouldn’t have met that one person or went to that one place or read that one book or seen that one movie or ate that one sandwich or met that one barista, or bought that one shirt. Every single thing is interconnected and dependent on each other, for one action to fall and lead into another, leading to this domino effect of action caused by that one single action.
He often thinks about his own ‘ one ’ action that led to where James is right now. That one dare that led to the life James has right now; the life he could have only dreamt of before, the life he wouldn't change for anything. This life with the best parents and the three best people James could ever meet in any lifetime.
His ‘ one’ action that changed the course of James' life goes back to that one summer night of fooling around with Remus and Pete.
The two had found a song demo he recorded on his phone, ‘
girl crush’
(The song is still one of James favourite, one that he keeps very close to his heart) but the thought of singing it in a pub full of people, was too daunting for a 18 year old James, even with the constant assurance and persistence from his two best friends, so Peter, always the smarter one, gave him a dare, “Sing the song at the Hog’s Head. I mean, only if you want to, I would understand if you can’t though.”
And Pete knew what he was doing, challenging him like that, because James is a very competitive man, he just simply could not back down from this dare and so he agreed.
After a lot of begging (and bribing) James convinced Remus to play the bass with him, after all he was James’ ‘Emotional Support Lanky-Man’.
Together James and Remus took the stage, and as soon as James took ahold of the mic, all the nerves disappeared. Singing in front of the mass of strangers felt no different to singing in front of his friends in his parents garage, it just all felt so natural to him, and with a sense of calmness and adrenaline. James started off the chords on his guitar and sang.
“I've got a girl crush….”
The performance went way better than James expected, and after singing just one song, the two were on a high, and grinning at each other, they went on to sing another song, and another and another. Somewhere along the night, they pulled Peter up too, and the three friends continued singing, just having fun together on stage. With a final round of applause, the trio stepped off the stage, with wide smiles.
Just as they were going to walk out the door, James heard his name, and he turned around, coming face to face with a ghost from the past. The face of the man, James knew all too well, the face James waited every year at the train station to see. James lurched forward, took that face in his palms, not believing what he was seeing, determining if this was real or not, passing his hand over the face, his cheeks his hair his hands, tracing his finger over the torn and barely there thread bracelet on his wrist, and James knew it was him.
It was Sirius, his best friend.
James hugged him,tightly, very tightly, but Sirius hugged him back with the same vigour, both holding onto each other, as if a moment away and the other would disappear. James conveys all the love and concern of the past 4 years in that hug; for all the unsaid words and questions be answered in this one hug. Neither one showing any sign of letting go, only pulling apart when Peter forcefully does so, in lieu of hugging Sirius himself. Peter unwraps from him to let Remus hug him too, which eventually turns into a group hug of the three of them.
Reconciling with Sirius was not at all difficult. It was easy for the four to fall back into old patterns, now with the continuation of Sirius. The four practiced in James parents garage, and often performed at the Hog’s Head and other local pubs for fun. They never thought to make it a profession and were thinking of applying to the same uni, when one morning at 8 a.m James got a call from ‘Lumos Records’, who asked to meet them. Apparently their head had heard them playing in the pub and now wanted to sign it, and the rest is history.
James is brought back to the present with the snap of fingers from Remus who, now that James realised, was speaking to him, “Yeah sorry, you were saying moony?”
“How was dreamland?”
“Very pleasant, Thank you very much.”
Remus chuckles as he shoves his phone towards James, “Look at this, you know I have asked you and Sirius to stop doing this so many times, like you don't always have to lift your shirt up to wipe your forehead always.”
Looking at the fan edit, containing slow motion shots of James wiping off his sweat and smirking at the camera while performing on stage, James chuckles saying, “I am just giving the people what they want, Moony.”
“Giving what? Content for thirst traps?”
Giving a small shrug, James gives Remus a cheeky smile, “I mean if that's what they want.”
Laughing, “Whore.” Remus goes back on his phone, seemingly typing out a post, and the consequent notification chime from James’ phone only indicates that he just tagged James in a post too.
Remus Lupin ☑ @remus.lupin •
<1 tiktok link attatched> <1 image attached of james looking at the tiktok and laughing>
Narcissistic Bitch.
- Otrtbs @otrtbs
moonchaser post!!
- JamieLuver @whyistarchaser
REMUS LUPIN REPOSTED MY TIKTOK ASAGSDHJKSA
- Alex @dreamteas
HELLO???
- Peter Pettigrew☑ @peterpettigrew •
+1
James Potter ☑ @james.potter •
No Comments.
- Marlene☑ @mckinnon.marlene •
No one asked you pretty boy
- Peter Pettigrew☑ @peterpettigrew •
Oohh. The girlies are fighting.
Chuckling james closes the phone as he looks out and sees that they are about to arrive and fixes his suit. Watching Remus do the same for himself.
Looking at each other, with a count of three, the two take a long breath, flash a smile at each other, then get out together. Immediately the flashes meet his eyes and the unstoppable clicking of cameras ring in his ears as James relaxes a palm across his chest and the other waving at the camera. This is met with an immediate increase in the clicking of cameras.
Walking along with Remus to the steps of the red carpet, the two keep their eyes in front, barely giving the camera attention, with smirks in places and heads straight. James chuckles thinking about all the edits that would be made from this single walk by James and Remus. Remus turns towards James, hearing him laugh and raising an eyebrow in question. James ducks his head to whisper the same thought in Remus’ ear, who also chuckles in response.
Standing on the red carpet, posing for photographs, James thinks about the life he is living right now, and He wonders when it would all get too boring, for while James loves it- loves touring with his best friends, performing in front of an audience who adores them, wearing clothes he probably never would have the courage to wear normally and just having fun while getting paid to do- he sometimes does feels that this life is getting too… monotonous. That everyday is almost the same; wake up, go for a run, interview, perform, interview, camera flashing, perform, sleep, wakeup and the cycle goes on again. And don't get him wrong, James is very grateful for everything that has happened, but his mind has been itching to do something, try something new, anything, just something to break the same cycle.
Just anything, anyone.
“Hello, we are now joined by two members from ‘the Marauders’,” the interviewer says to the camera, “James Potter and Remus Lupin, hello, how are you tonight?”
“Hello, we’re good, how are you?” James asks, taking the lead in the conversation as they have been media trained to do so.
“Oh we’re fine, better now that we get to interview you,” the blonde’s partner, Smith, chuckles as he answers. His partner rolls his eyes and continues.
“So a quick fit check, you guys look very handsome, what are you wearing?”
James grins at Remus, who gives a small eye roll at the question because in the van, their Publicist was going on and on, reminding them of the things they are wearing. and Remus was busy playing on his phone at the time, so he knows absolutely nothing.
“Well I am wearing a suit, custom designed by the extremely talented designer, Rahul Mishra, you should most definitely check his collection out, I mean look at this suit, see, these engraving of an anatomically accurate human heart?” James finishes of showing of the lapels of his suit piece to the camera proudly.
Smith looks at the suit with stars in his eyes, admiring the handiwork, “That is one of the finer suit pieces of the evening that we have seen, on theme and absolutely gorgeous! I would be sure to check out Mr. Mishra’s work!”
The blonde hums appreciatively at the suit before turning towards Remus, who already puts his hands up in surrender, “One name, Alexander McQueen, that's all I know.”
The interviewer once again nods appreciatively, “Are you guys excited for the premier? What do you think, what are you expecting?”
“Oh we are really amped up for the movie, the title, the cover and the trailer? All in itself is so intriguing and disturbing, so all in all very interesting. Now take all that and add Barty Crouch Jr. in the mix? You are guaranteed a masterpiece.”
Remus leans forward to insert his viewpoints too, “Oh and Alice Fortesque, the leading actress, I am really looking forward to seeing her in the film.” At the mention of her name, James lights up, “Oh Alice! Yes, she seems lovely.”
“When did you even talk to her? We just got here?”
“I met her last week at Fabian's house.” James gives off an excuse quickly and a look that James hopes Remus understands as i’ll-tell-you-later, because Remus already knows that Fabian wasn’t even in LA at the time. James had instead gone to Frank's house (who is dating Alice but spilling that to the media is a big no.)
Chuckling, Remus wraps his arm around James' shoulders, “This man, honestly! He knows everyone in the industry, you name the person and James would be like, ‘Oh I am meeting them for coffee tomorrow’ or 'No, I just went out with them for drinks last weekend.’ He knows everyone and anyone!”
James opened his mouth to protest Remus’ statement but the interviewer just laughs and doesn’t give him time to respond by asking him another question,
“Oh well, you can't help but adore James now can you?” Smith asks as Remus nods solemnly and James shies away from the camera at the suggestive tone of the interviewer.
His blonde partner swats her sheets at him and continues , “Now, while we love you both, we were wondering where the rest of the band is?”
Giving a hurt look towards the camera Remus clutches his heart in mock hurt and says “Aren't we enough for you?”
Flustered, the interviewer backpedals and tries to correct her words as James interrupts her anxious rambling and saves her from further embarrassment. “Oh he's just messing with you, love! And to answer your question, Peter won't be joining us, as he is currently busy celebrating his parents anniversary with them, while Sirius will be coming, just not with us, but with-”
Suddenly the clicking of cameras and screams increase immensely, cutting James off who turns to see what happened.Well, he should have guessed it, after all who could it be other than the Black brothers, standing together on the red carpet looking like royalty.
Finishing the interview, with a thanks, James raises his eyes to look at the two brothers. Sirius in all his glory, the wind behaving as a paid character, blowing his hair just right creating this unattainable air around him, alongside Regulus who-
Who James hasn’t seen in 2 whole years,
Who seems so different to the Regulus James met before he became so busy with his films.
Who looks absolutely regal in the dark emerald green suit.
And James believes the two brothers belong there, as Hollywood royalty. The two brothers being completely unattainable standing on the red carpet, heavenly, just like their namesakes - stars - outshining anyone and everyone. The others just mere specks of dust, the flashing of cameras not blinding them for a second. Their heads held high with that signature smirk on their faces - like they know the effect they have on people, and they own up to it, with no shame.
James turns to Remus, only to find his friend staring at the brothers too, more specifically, the long haired brother with awe in his eyes as if he himself put the stars in sky. James shakes his head at the two lovesick idiots and turns to look back at Sirius, just as Sirius looks up in their direction. He gives them a wide smile, the practised smirk gone, his real smile in place. He beckons James and Remus closer to him, who move forward to him.
Reaching them, James gives Sirius a hug and walks over to stand next to him as he gives Remus a hug,
“Hello Regulus” James greets Regulus, smiling brightly at him. Regulus nods and greets him back with a simple ‘Potter’.
“I saw Tennet the other day. I really loved your work with Christopher Nolan. Great movie.”
“Wow, didn’t realise you had the intelligence to understand it honestly,” Regulus says back at James who only laughs in response at the insult, after all, many things might have changed about Regulus, but he is still the same.
After a few pictures, Remus and James move forward leaving the two brothers to get more pictures clicked and interviews be taken.
Barty and Alice come at the end of the movie, speak and go, but James doesn’t even notice it as his mind is still flabbergasted by what he just watched and he can't do anything but clap at the phenomenal acting by both of them.
Walking out the hall, the trio is guided to another interview, which unfortunately is being conducted by none other than Gilderoy Lockhart, a man all three of them hate with a burning passion.
“Hello, James, Sirius and Remus! So good to see you three here today!”
“Hello Lockhart! Pleasant to see you too,” Sirius replies politely.
“Oh it must be, I'm sure! I was actually thinking of inviting you to my birthday party, it's on the 3 rd of Feb! And not to make it about me but I was thinking of-” Sirius shares a look with James that says ‘kill-me-now’ while James responds with a simple ‘me-too’. Remus watches the exchange and gives an eye which says ‘you guys are idiots-but-same’, “-of this storyline theme of my career, starting from all key moments of my life, and then how it progresses, and I feel you guys should be featured a bit too, after all , and I am not taking any credit here, but I believe that our first interview really helped boost you guys and put you out there you know!”
Barely suppressing a groan, Sirius answers with all the fake enthusiasm and sincerity he can, which miraculously, Lockhart doesn’t pick up on, “and we are always grateful for that interview, especially because it helped us bring this strong connection with you, you know? I feel like you really get us.” Sirius says as sincerely as he can, as he speaks to Lockhart more about his birthday plans, “and Barty Crouch! You should invite him too! Fabulous movie he did there!”
“Oh Crouch Jr, yes, you know his father actually met me at this-”
And James cannot take more of this rambling and while thinking of a way to interrupt Lockhart without seeming rude. Remus Lupin, his knight in shining armour, their saviour cuts in, “ I am extremely sorry for interrupting you but I see Barty and Alice there and I would really like to congratulate them before they get swept up in another interview you know, hope you understand, it was a pleasure to talk to you, as always.”
“Oh sure sure! You must, and I do hope to catch up with you guys sometime! It's been a while right?” Lockhart asks flashing them his ‘million-dollar-smile’. He shares this conspiratorial look, as if they have been friends for years, and all this is an inside joke between them, the three treat it as such anyways and with matching smirks, they say their thanks and move forward.
They don't get to talk to Barty but Regulus slides over to them and invites Sirius and them to Bartys house for this little celebratory party he is throwing. With nothing better to do, James and Remus agree to go.
The three meet Barty at the party, expressing their congratulations as James sings praises of the movie only to be distracted when he spots Alice, who he walks over to hug and congratulate.
Hugging her a quick hello, James doesn’t wait to let her talk as he starts, “Alice! That was phenomenal, such a stellar debut performance, honestly!”
Alice shies aways from the praise as the two go to sit on a couch.
“Oh stop it, you're too kind.”
“No, I mean it, one of the most disturbing films I have seen no doubt, but one that I thoroughly enjoyed, especially both of your acting, gave me chills honestly.”
“Oi James, stop hogging my girlfriend.” Frank Longbottom comes to sit at Alice’ side, giving her a kiss on the forehead as he ruffles James' hair in greeting.
“I would never, Frank.“ James says mock offended and the three chat for a while, until someone comes and whisks Alice away in conversation, and Frank follows her around like a lost puppy, honestly, James is so happy for Frank, especially whenever he looks at the couple, because they remind him so much of his own parents-, the picture perfect couple for the ‘best friends to lovers’ story. and James adores it, especially because Frank has always been like a big brother to James in this industry, guiding him, telling him the ins and out, teaching him, so yes, James is very happy for Frank, for finally getting the girl he has been in love with for years, at which James chuckles out loud.
“Wow Potter, I knew fame made people crazy, but chuckling to yourself at a party full of people, is new even to me.”
His mood, already happy, elevates even further at Regulus' voice, who slides in to sit next to James on the couch.
“Regulus Regulus, hi again.”
Regulus just tilts his head to the side to look at James in response as James too turns around and continues on, “And I wasn’t going crazy alright? I was just people watching, and I was happy, chuckling as you saw, at my friends being happy.”
Giving a small laugh chuckle “Didn’t think you were one to just silently observe people, I mean, is sitting calmly even in your dictionary?”
“Ha ha ha, but But really see it's just beautiful, look there,” pointing towards Remus talking to Pandora while stealing glances at Sirius and smiling softly , “-two people” James say nodding his head towards Remus and then Sirius, who is drinking with Barty barty and Marlene marlene, while looking at Remus in between and giggling to himself, “who are so disgustingly in love with each other, looking at each other when the other is not watching, and you are the only person who knows that they are watching each other and stealing glances of each other, the only person in the entire room, physically watching the sickening chemistry between the two idiots. Quite lovely no?”James asks, getting a smile on his face watching his two friends.
Regulus hums in agreement agreeance, as he finally turns his heads away from James’ side to look at his brother, and he speaks, “I think I get it, I too love people watching, just looking and dissecting the looks they share with their partners, friends, family, it is beautiful, look there at Dorcas, she is talking to Gideon but her body is slightly tilted to the side to look at Marlene marlene in between, who is sitting dangerously close to the edge of the sofa, on the softa, and Dorcas dorcas is ready to reprimand her and pull her up when she falls, it’s disgustingly cute. So I do agree with you when said, people watching is so fun and magical in its own way, because you are observing things that no one else, it's your unique experience, shared between you and the emotion in the gaze of the person you are looking at, like the two of us, we are both looking at people around us, in the same direction, yet we both saw completely different things, so it's amazing you know, even while looking at the same things we both had our own experience with the people around us and i believe- Sorry I am rambling aren’t i?” Regulus stops himself and averts his eyes, a slight pink dusting his cheeks.
James turns to look at him and he says quietly, “it's alright, I like you rambling.” At which Regulus turns back to look at James, the two look at each before realising that they are looking at each other, at which they immediately look away, James clears his throat as an awkward silence surrounds them.
Hating the silence, James clears his throat again, to break the silence but Regulus beats him to it, “You have a cold Potter?”
Chuckling at Regulus' constant insults, James continues undeterred, “No, but I was going to ask you what are your plans now, after this big secret film project you've been shooting for the past year, what are you going to do now, take a break probably?”
“Yes, the ‘big secret film project’ I will not tell you about, like anything at all, no matter how nonchalant you act.”
James sighs in defeat, at the way Regulus so quickly clocked James in, and his tactic, “Well sue me for being curious. You’ve been gone for like gone like a year and you won't even tell anyone the director’s name, I mean it has to be Marvel marvel no?”
Giving a contemplating nod, “Hhmm Marvel, could be, you know how strict they are with their policies and secrets and all.” Then he smiles slyly, “or it could not be Marvel. I mean Disney has some pretty strong NDA’s too you know, could be a Disney project too. Or no what if it’s another Nolan project, that man has some crazy ideas sometimes. You know like he has always wanted to experiment and drop a film without any trailer or promotion.”
“Regulus! You are killing me here. You know that? You just named the two most important and my favourite film franchises, Disney disney and Marvel marvel? You just killed me. Congrats.”
At which Regulus gives off a sarcastic congratulatory fist bump in the air to which James gives a very offended look, “Ouch Black! Ouch. First you don’t answer my question, and then you celebrate my death? really feeling the love.”
“There wasn't any love to begin with, so you obviously would have felt nothing.” to which James just puts a hand on his heart in mock hurt again as Regulus continues on “and to answer your question, I don't have time to take a break, I mean a week of doing nothing is the only break I have, after which it’s constant interviews for promotion of like 3 different movies, starting off with ‘Lady Bird.”
“You seem a little busy.”
“Only a little.” The two laugh , “And what about you, how do your mornings go nowadays as your tour is starting in a few days, I assume you're a little busy too.”
“Yeah a little, I wake up, go for a run, grab choc chip muffin from Deathly Delights for Sirius, come back, have breakfast, have a songwriting or practice session, then interview, dinner, sleep and then the cycle continues.”
“A little busy got- wait did you just say you run from your house to Deathly Delights everyday? That’s like 9-10km everyday?" Regulus sits up straight looking wide eyed at James in disbelief who just shrugs.
“I mean not everyday, but like every other day or every two days, I try whenever I can.”
Slack jawed Regulus shakes his head not believing James at all, “Oh come of it James, you do not have to show off with me, fine I won't tell Sirius, tell me you run to the bakery then what, take a cab back right?” Regulus says furiously nodding , trying to get James to agree with them, he doesn’t.
James just laughs as he shakes his head in negative, “No no, I really do it, used to be a pain in the ass in the start but I continued on and eventually built up the KMs, now I can do 10-13 Km. And it’s actually very fun, I really love it, it makes me feel relaxed and helps me sort my head out at times.”
“10Km James!! That's mental. I bet you're bluffing right now, I am 105% sure.”
“What's gonna Make you believe me? – oh, bet right! Let's make a bet.”
“You know what yeah, okay, what are the stakes?”’
“Uhh you decide, because you're gonna lose, so.”
“Very pompous of you Potter, but sure, if I win you'll have to say whatever I ask you to say in an interview, like you'll have this earpiece in and just say whatever I say?” James agrees with a laugh.
“And if I win?”
“I don't know, I owe you a favour?”
“Are you sure Regulus, a favour without any limitation is risky innit?”
“Ehh I’ll i'll be fine” Regulus says, sticking out his palm for James to shake on the bet.
The two continue to talk for a while until ultimately they are dragged to the dancefloor and with everyone dancing around, James thinks back to the moment they shook hands, and hopes that maybe Regulus is that thing he was thinking about earlier, the change, the break in the cycle.
James
[7:03] Congratulations Mr. Black, you now owe me a favour. Oh and good morning.
Regulus
[9:04] What
[9:04] Good morning?
James
[9:10] Oh Look who’s awake and trying to act like he doesn't know what i am talking about.
The bet? That I won?
Regulus
[9:11] Potter, don't insult my intelligence,
You think I'll just take your word for it?
James
[9:13] I am glad you asked, because I come bearing receipts,
[9:14] <1 image attached>
A selfie of me and my steps, before the run.
[9:15] <1 image attached>
The route I took, screenshotted from my health app.
[9:16] <1 image attached>
A selfie of my and my step counts
after
the run!
[9:16] Believe me now, Regulus?
Regulus
[9:17] How?
[9:17] Potter
[9:18] Wow, Okay, I just woke up.
James
[9:19] Oh, Sleeping Beauty, enjoy one last week of laziness
Regulus
[9:21] Call me that again Potter and see what happens.
James
[9:22] My apologies Mr. Black
Regulus
[9:23] What is the favour you want to encash?
James
[9:24] I’ll encash it in another time
Regulus
[9:25] Works for me.
James
[9:26] Now gotta go before Sirius throws my phone away
Byeeeee
Seen.
James
[22:34] <1 image attached>
Reminds me of you
Regulus
[23:00] That’s a cat James.
James
[23:04] Hehe I know
Regulus
[23:05] Did you just fucking giggle over text?
James
[23:05] No
Regulus
[23:06] You're impossible.
James
[23:07] I’ll take it as a compliment :)
Regulus
[23:07]You shouldn't.
James
[23:07] :(
Seen.
“Regulus! No, you are supposed to add the onions first!”
“Who cares. Tomatoes, onions they are all gonna go down and mix in anyway.”
“But now when you add the onions they won't get crisp, like they would have if you added onions before the tomatoes.” James chides Regulus through the laptop screen, who looks so stressed in stress, it's a bit funny, actually very funny.
And to think they are just making scrambled eggs.
“It's alright, but next time, onions go first okay?”
“Right, got it.” he says, his focus already shifted to the eggs he is supposed to whisk and after a struggle of 20 minutes, scrambled eggs are finally made.
Regulus plates the dish and cleans up the kitchen, while James gets ready for bed and as Regulus takes his plate to the table, James goes to lie down on the bed, balancing his laptop on his knees.
“You know I'm still not in favour of you having just scrambled eggs and leftover take out noodles for dinner.”
“I’ll be fine, I am used to way less while filming.”
“Well you shouldn't,.” James says with a pointed look towards Regulus, who averts his eyes as the two have had countless discussions about the extremely self neglecting and unhealthy behaviour practices by Regulus while working on a new project.
“Yes-Yes, whatever.”
Deciding to drop the topic, James asks, “So ready to have the second best scrambled eggs you'll ever have?”
“Second best?”
“The best would be when you have the scrambled eggs I make, because I add onions before tomatoes, you know.” James replies cheekily.
As assumed Regulus rolls his eyes in response and takes the first bite, and like every time whenever Regulus makes a dish instructed by James, James loves to see the journey of emotions that takes place on Regulus face, from awe at the taste to a content smile to the little pride in his eyes at cooking something successfully, James loves seeing it, and it brings a small smile on his face too.
“This is actually really good, I did not know scrambled eggs could be this good too? And I made them!”
“Your welcome, Regulus.”
“Thank you, James.” Regulus replies, rolling his eyes, again, and James smiles at it, again.
The two continue to chat while Regulus eats the food and continue their conversation as Regulus sits on his sofa, when suddenly Regulus looks at the time and forces James to go to sleep who argues but Regulus wins, as always,
“Fiiine, good night Regulus.”
“Night James.”
“Okay, this is very random, but my heart just broke,” James sets the phone on the counter and bends down to untie and put his shoes away as he continues on, “On my run today, I took a different route, and I came across this toy shop and they had these Lego lego sets on their showcase, and guess what they had? A special edition, Infinity War Lego lego set! Those had sold out ages ago, and this shop had one! It was absolutely marvelous, so I turned towards their door to buy it, immediately as I should, but, guess what! They are closed for a week, or could be two! The owner is out travelling somewhere, what kind of excuse is that like? Regulus it was such a beautiful set, and now it's gone, probably forever-“ and James finally looks up to face his camera and sees Regulus, barely awake rubbing sleep from his eyes, bundled up in a comforter.
“Good morning to you James, I'm doing good, how are you?” Regulus says sarcastically from his bed.
And James feels guilty at waking Regulus regulus up, yes, but he also thinks that Regulus looks so adorable, wrapped up in blankets, hair all messy, eyes barely opening, all of it is such a stark contrast from the put together Regulus everyone always sees, because this Regulus is just so different, so real, so human and James adores him it.
Then realising that he just woke him up, James sheepishly smiles, apologising to him, “I am very sorry Regulus, I didn't even see the time, I was just soo, I got so excited about the Lego lego set and well we were talking about them yesterday, and I called you, and I- I am very sorry-”
“Jeses, calm down, it's alright, I'll just go back to sleep right after this call.”
Now, voice in a whisper James replies, “Yeah you do that, bye, good night or morning, bye.”
Confused Regulus asks “Why are you whispering?”
“So you fall back to sleep faster.” James replies, still whispering.
“Idiot.” Regulus whispers back as he cuts the call.
Vanity Fair Interview
“Hell Vanity Fair, it's Peter Pettigrew, and we're the Marauders marauders, and today we're gonna test how well we know each other. Are you guys ready?”
“Born ready baby.” Sirius remarks, leaning back on his chair as Peter asks the first question,
“Okay first question, what's my least favourite day of the week?”
“You have a favourite day of the week ? Bloody mental that is,” Siirus exclaims at the same time Remus pipes up, “Thursday.”
Offended Sirius turns to Remus, “Thursday, who likes Thursday that’s so-”
“You just said it's mental having a favorite day of the week, now you're mad that it's Thursday?” James asks incredulously as Peter laughs and writes his answer on his board.
“No, it's just- why the fuck would Thursday be anyone’s favorite when you have Saturday saturday right there!” Sirius exclaims to James,who just shakes his head and turns to Peter to answer “Yeah Thursday.”
“And it is…. Thursday!” Peter turns the board, showing his answer as Remus and James high five hi fi right in front of Sirius’ face, who scowls at them “I don’t accept the answer, nope, sorry.”
“Aww, sorry Sirius, now, oh I like this one, what is my favourite plant to keep and take care of?”
“Bonsai” “Bonsai” “Boonsaiii” three identical voices answer him and Peter nods in affirmative, giving a thumbs up to the three.
“Next, what is one thing on my bucket list right now?” Peter writes a long answer on his board as Remus tries to peek, with James swatting his shoulder, “No peeking.”
“Visit Rome, especially that one church, I don't know the name of,.” James answers.
Sirius suddenly claps, excited at his answer, “Oh no-no James, it's going to Adele's concert, he mentioned that.” Peter points toward it, nodding his head “Oh that, that too, that, always, but it's closer to what James said.”
“Have an India tour. You’ve been begging James to take you for a while,.” Remus answers.
“Aww, you guys do know me, I mean you all are kinda correct, but sadly not the answer I wrote.” Peter turns his board to show a ‘Italy tour’ written on it, “Though, James was very close, so he gets a point.”
“That’s not fair! This game is rigged, honestly,” Siriusn declares petulantly.
“Now, my last question, when is my mum's birthday?”
“Oh! I know it, I know it, I know it, it's February 17th,." Sirius answers proudly.
James shakes his head and answers, “27 th February.” confidently as Peter turns to Remus,
“Oh, I was just waiting for James to answer because I know he’ll be correct,” at which Sirius lets out a gasp in mock hurt, “ ,so 27 th February.”
“And you’ll be correct, it is 27th February.”
At which Sirius throws up his own cards, pointing towards the producers behind the camera, “It’s a plan to make me look stupid innit. This is all rigged, I am pretty sure it's 17 th you're all wrong, Peter, you should be ashamed you don’t know your mothers birthday, and you have successfully been gaslit by James to believe another date, be ashamed.”
Laughing Remus stands up to take Peter's place, “Now first question, what was my full time job before the band?”
“You worked at a bookshop.”
“Cashier/helper at the book shop.”
“My moment to shine, step aside guys”, Sirius exclaims, spreading his arms around, as if clearing the space as he answers, “An informer slash sometimes cashier, at La Lune bookstore. And, that's how you answer it my boys.” Siirus finishes off proudly.
“And and you are all correct, you get 1 point each.”
Sirius immediately shouts in protest “1 point? I gave you that long ass answer!”
“Yeah and you were correct, just like James and Peter.”
“But I was more correct!”
“Ehh, still 1 point.”
Sirius stands up again, throws his cards, again, “Fraud, Vanity Fair, fraud.” As he pretends to give a threatening glare behind the camera’s.
Ignoring him Remus continues undeterred, “Next, my favorite childhood actor or actress?”
“I refuse to answer anymore, as a sign of protest in this absolutely unfair game.”
“Paul Rudd.” James answers, half sure in his answer because it could also have been Jennifer Anniston.
“Jennifer Anniston.” Peter answers as if reading his mind.
And the three turn to Sirius, who answers reluctantly but still confidently, “Meryl Streep.”
Remus smiles and turns his board to show ‘Meryl Streep’ written on it “Happy Sirius?”
Sirius just turns his nose up in response.
“Now the last question, my favourite color?”
“You don't have one.” Peter exclaims.
“Is that your answer?” Remus asks, confusing him at which Peter just gives a firm nod, “Alright.”
“Yeah, no color, you don't have a favourite.” Sirius answers.
And then James smiles to himself, “Oh you do, it is a silver blue color, this steel-blue-grey color.” smirking at Remus, James answers, hinting at Sirius’ eye color as Remus hides his blush by looking down at his board.
“James is right, it's a blue grey color.”
Sirius goes to sit at Remus’ place, “So first question, “What is my full name?”
“Sirius Orion Black” Remus and James and Peter, all three answer together.
Sirius tuts and smirks at the camera “Well, well, well, happy, I mean I am sad to break it to you, that you're all wrong, it is Sirius Orion Black the 3 rd , so, no one gets a point!” he exclaims happily and very cheerfully, the three groan at his pettiness, knowing arguing will get them nowhere.
Leaning back Back, now getting in the game Sirius asks, “I like this game now.
How many languages do I speak?”
“Oh, hell, umm 5” James answers and Remus nods, “Yeah 5.”
“Wrong, 6, you guys forgot English.” Peter smirks at them who groan at the very obvious mistake.”
“Correct-o, Mr. Pettigrew.”
“Now, where was I born?”
“France” all three of them answer, “Very good, all of you get a point, and a bonus if you can tell me the exact place?”
“The Black manor in Lyon.” James answers.
“I knew you would get it, extra points for James Potter everyone!”
“Lastly, what is my favourite curse word?”
“Fuckwit”
“MC”
“Bitch”
“I feel like you curse a lot, and you love cursing so it's kind of like all of them.”
“Well all of you are right.” and he turns the board to show ‘all of them’ written in bold letters.
James takes his seat, “So the first question, in an emergency who am I calling first?”
“Your mom.”
“Ephie!”
“Your mother, he’s a big mama boy at heart guys,” Sirius says to the camera and James smiles, wearing the statement as a badge of honour.
“What's my favourite film franchise?” James already knew that everyone would get a point for it.
“Marvel, spider man.” a chorus of voices reply and James smiles.
“Everyone gets a point, I just really love spider man, and I also love Andrew Garfield a lot, so!”
Remus chuckles, “Well, we know what answer we are gonna say, if the next question is about your celebrity crush.”
And James owns it “Always.”
“Now the last question, what is my love language?” James has to think very hard, as he contemplates what to write on the board, so he just writes, ‘All of them’ on board because he can not pinpoint any one of them.
Peter starts of ”Words of affirmation, Quality Time, Physical Touch,”
Remus adds to it, “and acts of service and gifts!”
Sirius adds on “I feel like, all of them, like any love language there is? You.”
“Yeah. I guess” James says, flipping the board to show his answer.
“Oh what can we do, you're such a lovely guy James.” Sirius says as he comes up to hug James.
“Aww, Sirius!” The two continue to hug as the producers declare James the winner, at which Sirius pulls apart in hurt, but James just pulls him close again, and the two stay like that.
Peter laughs at the two and turns to the camera, addressing it as he wraps up and says, “Well that was very fun, thank you for having us Vanity Fair.
Tickets sale is now live, check out the link in the bio in the official Marauders marauders instagram account. Thank You so much! Bye.”
“Regulus hi, hello, hi” after not having talked to Regulus for a week, James suddenly feels nervous, when Regulus comes to pick Sirius up for their ‘bi monthly meet up’ before Regulus goes to London for his interviews and stuff.
With Regulus’ work starting back up. Their calls have reduced to zeroes, with only messages exchanged because both of them have been so busy, James feels weird hearing Regulus’ voice after such a long time, and talking face to face.
“Hello James.”
“How, er, how are you?”
“James, why are you being weird?”
“I'm not being weird, what do you mean? I'm totally normal, totally chill.”
“Alright if you say so” Regulus levels James with a stare that makes him even more nervous for unexplainable reasons.
“You know Sirius got this plant yesterday, as his attempt to grow a life, he was so convinced that this plant would be the one, the one that breaks the curse of plants dying by Sirius’ hand, but Sirius is a miracle worker, and he managed to kill this plant too.
It was a snake plant! One of the most difficult hardest to kill plants to kill, but Sirius is all about doing things no one has done.
And honestly it and it just speaks about the society as a whole, you whole you know, how we, how we are responsible for killing majority of the plant population for our selfish needs, Honestly honestly humans are just so selfish, they kills plants for what? Make houses, factories, we take from them when they give us. Absolute monsters honestly, and to think of its small actions such as Sirius’ killing of an innocent plant that affects us all too, it's all, I mean we should do something, no? like something about-”
“James the fuck are you talking about?” Remus interrupts James’ ramble, and thank god for Remus Lupin, because, what in the actual fuck was James even talking about, he himself doesn’t know, he just got so nervous and jittery when Regulus continued to stare at him, and he just started talking random stuff and then he couldn’t stop because the stare just kept getting more intense and James just went on and on like some idiot.
“I think I had too much coffee, Moony.”
“Yeah, I think so too.” Remus says, giving him a confused look.
Saved by Sirius who comes at that moment and with an elaborate kiss on James cheek, bids them adieu and goes out with Regulus., as James just mumbles a small bye and Remus shakes his head, laughing at him and walks away.
And the click of the door closing. James gives himself a hard slap for his stupidity, then rubs his cheek because the slap hurts.
After a while James sits down on the sofa to write down this song forming farming around in his mind, and Remus comes to sit next to James too, who has been staring at the same spot for the past 15 minutes, the empty space next to the lyrics he already wrote down,
But I can't help myself
When you get close to me
Baby, my tongue goes numb
Sounds like ____________
James turns the book to face Remus and points at the empty space prompting him to fill it, who reads over the rest of the song, circles a few words , write over a few lines then comes back to the empty space on hand, thinking hard he simply writes ‘blah blah, bleh bleh’ and smiling shoves the notebook back to James, who laughs out loud reading the changes and the addition, shoving Remus playfully, the two then continue tweaking and trying some words and potential tunes the rest of the day.
All the while James is thinking of how whenever he and Regulus talk, he always loses his chill and ends up talking nonsense .
And I can't find my chill, I must have lost it
I don't even know I'm talkin' nonsense (oh)
I'm talkin', I'm talkin', I'm talkin'