Work Text:
Sirius Black was at the Potters’ house. He pretty much lived there now, after running away from home last year, when he was 16. On this particular rainy afternoon in early August, James, Sirius and Remus were playing board games in the living room, Peter being on a family trip to the country, when the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it!” James yelled, glad to get away from his miserable defeat at their game. He opened the door to see a sopping wet 15 year old with dark hair plastered to his forehead, pale skin, and a haunted look in his eye. He was carrying a small backpack and there was a broom leaning against the wall. “Hi…” James said. “Um, who’re you?”
The boy began to answer, but Sirius chose that moment to come around the corner. “James, who is it? I need to get back to kicking your butt at-” He trailed off when he saw the boy standing in the doorway. “Reg?” He said, an air of disbelief in his voice.
“Yeah… H-hi Siri-” He was cut off by Sirius running at him and pulling him into a huge hug.
“I missed you so much. Why- How are you here?” He asked, letting go of the hug to appraise his brother. “Wait a minute…” Sirius said, noticing the bruises on his brother’s arms and the dried blood and cuts on his temple. “What happened?” he asked, his concern growing. His parents never would have let Regulus come see him, meaning that either Regulus had snuck out or… his gaze was once again drawn to the injuries covering his brother’s body. “Oh, no. What did they… What did you… Crap. Are you okay?” Sirius asked.
Tears filled Regulus’ eyes. “Not really.”
Mrs. Potter’s voice came from around the corner as she walked over to see who was at the door. “Honestly, boys. You don’t need to leave the door open and let all the cold air in. In this weather? Come away from th-” She walked around the corner and saw Regulus. “Who’re you, dear?”
“This is my brother, Regulus,” said Sirius.
“Well come on in, Regulus. The weather’s just horrid out there today. I’ll make you some hot chocolate to warm you up.” Mrs. Potter gestured for him to come in.
“Thanks.” It was all Regulus could do to not break down into tears that very moment, and that one word was all he could manage right now.
Mrs. Potter gave him a kind smile and went to the kitchen to make the drink. Sirius pulled Regulus inside. “Come on, let’s get you warmed up.” James walked inside with them. Once they got into the kitchen, Mrs. Potter told Regulus to sit down and gave him his hot chocolate. She then gave Regulus a blanket and left, sensing that they needed a moment alone, and told them to find her if they needed anything. Sirius looked at James and said, “Finish the game without me, ’kay? I’m gonna stay with Reg for a bit.”
After James left Sirius sat down opposite to Regulus at the kitchen table. He began quietly, his voice uncharacteristically soft. “Listen, Reg. Can you please tell me what happened? I promise I won't tell anyone, okay? But please tell me. You’re really scaring me.”
Regulus is silent for a moment, working up the nerve to speak. “They kicked me out,” he says softly, looking away. A tear streaked down his cheek, and he was powerless to stop it.
“What? Why would they do that?” Sirius bit his lip to keep himself from continuing. Regulus had always been the golden child, and though he was ashamed to admit it, Sirius still was incredibly jealous of his brother. All the years of letters in the mail calling him a blood traitor and being constantly compared to his younger brother rushed through his mind, and a tiny part of him was glad that it wasn’t just him anymore. His parents didn’t love either of them now. No, he thought, Regulus needs me. I’m not going into that right now. “Reg. Please,” he said softly.
“I- I-...” Regulus trailed off. “I can’t. I just- …I-I can’t. You won’t love me either and then I won’t have anywhere to go and I’ll be out on the streets and-”
“Reg, you’re spiraling. I won’t hate you. I promise. There is nothing you could do that would make me stop loving you. Even if you were a Death Eater.” Not that that wouldn’t make our parents even prouder , he thought.
“It’s worse than that… I told them- I-I told them…”
“What, Reg?” Sirius asked, his eyes filled with compassion. Regulus looked away and closed his eyes, causing tears to run down his face.
“I’m gay,” he whispered.
“Oh, Reg…”
“I knew it, you hate me!” Regulus said standing up.
“I could never hate you,” Sirius said, standing and pulling his brother into a hug. “Pretty terrible reason to hate someone, anyway. Especially considering…” There was a smile in his voice now.
“What?”
“I’m pretty gay myself.”