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James had never felt more out of place in all his life. He had always thought himself as coming from money, knowing full well that he would get a hefty inheritance when his parents passed. But now that he was standing among the Black family dynasty, he was a pauper in comparison. 

Every single person oozed wealth: from the diamond studded adornments they wore to the conversations they casually had about purchasing entire sports franchises. The occupants in the room felt from a different realm. 

James didn’t know why he had agreed to come to Great-Grandmother Florence Black’s 105th birthday party. Sirius was only going at his grandmother’s insistence, and great-grammie Flo was so kind as to extend the invitation to any of Sirius’s friends. James was pretty confident that he was only being dragged along purely because he was a relatively famous Quidditch player and Sirius thought that might sway some of his extended family to welcome him back into the family. And into their wills. 

The party was being held in the back garden, which felt more like a private park. There were floating trays of appetizers that cost around 10 galleons per bite. The flowers adorning the place looked as if they were made of solid gold. A bubbling fountain offered an ambient background noise to the idle chatter of the guests. 

  Sirius, damn him, had abandoned James during a conversation about James’s latest loss to the Magpies in favor of showing off his intelligent fiance to some great-aunts. It had taken James ten minutes to excuse himself properly from the gentlemen and retreat inside the manor to find the loo. Inside was a maze of rooms, each one decorated with furnishings worth a small house. He meandered along the corridors, peeking into rooms until he had found a library. Hundreds of books on the wall with plush reading chairs and a large mahogany desk. James was entranced by the unexpected coziness of it all. It was a place he could imagine Sirius and his brother playing in when they were young. 

Sirius had told childhood stories of the Black brothers roaming this manor with his cousin as if it was their playground. Regulus would have probably loved this room in particular, James thought. He could almost see an eleven year old Regulus sitting in the window seat, nose in a book. 

James was a little disappointed that he had not seen Regulus today. Not that Regulus would speak to him anyways. Since the day that Regulus arrived at Hogwarts, James had been equally frightened and fascinated by the younger Black sibling. Regulus had a commanding presence about him that drew James to him. It turned into a bit of a crush in his fifth year that never really faded as they got older; it settled into the back of James’s mind to reappear whenever Sirius mentioned his name. 

Regulus, in turn, never seemed to have an opinion of James. He could count the number of conversations they had had on one hand, despite having known each other for almost a decade now.  

James was mulling over Regulus’s absence when he heard the unmistakable sound of heels on marble. He inwardly cursed at his moment of quiet contemplation being interrupted. 

He turned to see a young lady in quite a revealing black dress for a 105th birthday party. The woman was absolutely stunning, to the point that if it weren’t for the ebony colored hair, James would have thought he had encountered a veela.

“Well hello there,” her voice drawled, “I don’t think we’ve met.” 

A shiver ran down James’s spine as an uneasy feeling settled over him. A part of his brain was screaming at him “DANGER, RUN” and he didn’t know why. But never one to be rude, James stuck out his hand in introduction. 

“James Potter.”

“Valerie Xuntis. You aren’t a relative are you?” she questioned.

James gave a nervous laugh. “Uhm, no. I am a plus one.”

The woman gave a toothy grin, her teeth so sharp he briefly wondered if she had filed them that way. 

“I knew there was no way you could be one of us. You seem so…innocent. And lost.”

“Oh, well I uhm, was just looking for the latrine, but stumbled upon this beautiful library” James explained. “The whole manor is breathtaking, actually.” 

“Indeed. Would you like me to give you a tour?” Valerie took a step forward, crowding James back against a desk, “I can show you all its secrets.”

“Er, that’s okay. I really should be going-”

As James attempted to politely decline, Sirius appeared in the doorway.

“There you are James! I’ve been looking for you,” his best friend exclaimed, wasting no time in inserting himself between James and the woman.  

“Just needed a moment,” James replied, ever grateful for his friend's perfect timing. 

“It’s quite a lot, isn’t it?” Sirius said casually, though his eyes flashed a warning. Apparently James intuition was right. This woman was dangerous. 

“Remus and my Aunt Elizabeth are having a rousing conversation about gardening,” Sirius continued, “I had to leave before I perished from boredom.” 

The faux veela stepped around Sirius, undeterred by his interruption. “Ah, then you must not be the boyfriend I heard about,” she said pointedly to James. “Lucky me.”

Sirius’s expression turned stony as he finally turned to address his relative. 

“Valerie. I see you have met my brother-in-law.”

James had known Sirius since they were eleven years old, and over the years Sirius had dragged him into many lies. This lie blew all the others out of the water. It was so out of pocket that a look of bewilderment flashed across James’s face before composing himself. Not before, it seemed, Valerie had noticed. 

Her eyebrow arched. “Does James know he’s your brother-in-law?”

“Future brother-in-law,” James corrected quickly, “And I didn’t know we were telling people yet, Sirius. “ 

Sirius’s eyes grew wide. “I’m so sorry, I thought Regulus had written to Mother about it. He said he was going to!”

“He hasn’t as of yet, we weren’t going to announce it until after the party.”

“Regulus is going to be so upset with me,” Sirius said with a pained look. “I really thought he had.” 

Valerie eyed the two, appearing unconvinced.

 “Regulus has been keeping a secret engagement from the family?” she asked, skepticism dripping from her voice, “That doesn’t sound like something he would do.”

“You must not know him,” James replied at the same time Sirius said, “That’s exactly what Regulus does.”

“Apologies,” she said sweetly, “Where is Regulus, by the way?” 

“On his way,” Sirius replied, “He unfortunately had some business this morning, but assured great-grandmother he would come as soon as he could. Did he give you an estimated time of arrival before you left for our place?” he asked James. 

“Sadly he didn’t have one,” James responded. “I just hope it’s before we cut the cake. You know he would be devastated if he didn’t get a piece.” 

Valerie looked between them, arms crossed against her chest. 

“How long have you and Regulus been together?” 

“Oh gosh,” Sirius said, looking at James, “You started dating, what, seventh year? That was four years ago.”

“Yes, but we broke up after leaving Hogwarts,” James said, thinking about his highly publicized relationship he once had with a model. He didn’t think Valerie would know of it, but to cover his bases he said, “Long-distance, you know, it’s a killer. We reconnected shortly after he left Hogwarts.” 

“Yes and then you were in this weird limbo,” Sirius continued. 

“Travelling all the time for Quidditch," James offered, “Also does a number on your relationship. We were keeping things very casual.”

  “It finally stuck, when? Last year?”

“We’ve been together exclusively for a year or so when I popped the question two weeks ago,” James added. 

“I heard it was a beautiful moment,” Sirius replied, “Wish I could have seen it. I need the loo, James?”

“Me as well, could you show me where it is?”

“Gladly. Valerie. Always a pleasure.”

“Wonderful to meet you,” James nodded, as the two made a hasty retreat. Sirius led them along a series of corridors before reaching a door for the bath, pulling James inside. 

The door shut behind them. 

“Hey Pads, what the fuck was that?” 

Sirius let out a nervous laugh. “I’m sorry. I saw Valerie moving in on you and I panicked.”

“Who is she?” 

“Some kind of cousin, I don’t know, but trust me: you do not want to get entangled with her. Every guy she sees ends up drugged, obliviated, or dead.” 

“I wasn’t planning on it, I literally only told her my name.”

“Sure but she was planning on it. I could see it by the way she looked at you.  It doesn’t matter if you're married, gay, uninterested; Valerie gets what she wants through any means necessary. But she has always been a little intimidated by Regulus, so I figured if she thought you were his, she would back off. 

James considered this; Regulus was intimidating. Hell, James was terrified of him sometimes. Which also led James to believe that Regulus was going to be furious with the two of them for telling someone that he and James were engaged. 

“Okay I see your logic. But how are we going to get out of this one? Any chance that Valerie will keep what she knows a secret and I can get out of here right now?”

Sirius pursed his lips, considering what lay before them. 

“Yeah, no, likely the entire family now knows of your engagement.” 

“SIRIUS.”

“I know it seems bad, but it’s really not. Doesn’t it sound exactly like Regulus to hide a relationship for years and not tell anyone? And our mother is not here; Father’s side of the family hates her. It’s doubtful the news will get back to her until at least tomorrow.”

Sirius seemed to be missing one big blinding issue with this lie.

“Regulus isn’t going to go along with this.”

Sirius smirked. “Ah, that’s where you are wrong. Regulus will definitely go along with this to save face.”

“Even so-”

“Look, it’s just for a couple of hours. We already established that you two are on and off, so in a few weeks I’ll tell people you broke it off. Easy.”

James was not so sure. 

“But Regulus already hates me, I don’t want to give him a reason to hate me even more.”

Sirius gave an amused expression, looked like he was going to say something, and then shut his mouth again. Finally he said, “Regulus won’t blame you. He will blame me. Trust me on that. After today he will likely go on pretending you don’t exist.”

James was incredibly uneasy as he exited the loo and made his way back to the party. Part of him felt as if he should go home, leaving Sirius to deal with the aftermath of this mess he made. However from what Sirius made Valerie out to be…she might come and find him. And James was very easy to find these days.

All eyes were on him as he made his way through the throngs of guests who had doubtless heard by now that James was not-so secretly engaged to the young Regulus Black. 

 The gossip had not, however, reached the gaggle of older ladies Remus was 

entertaining. 

“Hello James,” Remus greeted warmly as he approached, “Have you met Great-Grandmother Florence?”

“I haven’t yet had the pleasure,” James extended his hand. “Congratulations on your recent birthday.” 

Great-Grandmother Florence held on to his hand. “Thank you, and who might you be?”

“James Potter,” he replied, hesitating before adding, “I am Regulus’s fiance.”

Remus held in his look of alarm well, the only betrayal being the slight head snap in James’s direction.

“Orion’s boys sure know how to pick them,” another older lady said, putting her hand on James’s arm. “Such handsome men.” 

“Thank you,” James smiled. “Remus here definitely is, though I am not sure I can say the same for me.”

“Where did Sirius run off to?” Remus asked, his eyes holding a thousand questions. 

“Not sure,” James replied, though he very much knew that Sirius had apparated to cut Regulus off before he arrived. James continued polite small talk, while silently spiraling out of his mind. He was almost positive that Regulus would either refuse to show, or worse, come and throw James and Sirius under the bus for this elaborate and insulting charade. James had come up with a rough escape plan while half listening to the discussion on the proper time to plant peonies when Sirius made his reappearance, no longer alone. 

Regulus stood as beautiful as the first time James had seen him at the age of twelve. Dark hair, pale skin, freckles dotting under his grey eyes. He wore a suit that complimented how he held himself; with elegance and grace. When people saw James in the street, they looked because he was famous. When people saw Regulus, they looked because he carried an air of importance.

James lost himself for a moment as he took in the fact that Regulus had actually chosen to come. Regulus met his gaze and, for the first time in the years that James had known him, he smiled at him.

“Hello darling,” Regulus said as he approached, holding out his hand. James took the cue, taking it and instinctually bringing it to his lips and kissing it softly. He gave it a small squeeze before letting go. 

“You finally made it. Everything went alright?”

“Yes, yes you know how Dave loves to talk. Luckily I was able to get him out the door and get over here before dinner commenced, and more importantly, cake.”

James did not know who Dave was, however he did know that Sirius must have told Regulus exactly what the two had said to Valerie, down to the letter. 

“Regulus, dear, it’s so good to see you,” Great-Grandmother Florence said. “Congratulations on your engagement, and to such a fine young gentleman.”

“Thank you, Grandmother,” Regulus said sweetly, looking over at James with affection, “I would call myself lucky, but luck has nothing to do with it. I handpicked him myself.”

There was a ripple of polite laughter, and Regulus stole another glance as if he just couldn’t help himself. If James had thought Regulus was beautiful before, it was nothing compared to this warm and smiling Regulus. This was a Regulus he had never seen before; a Regulus that was in love. 

But Regulus wasn’t in love, James reminded himself, though it was difficult to believe when Regulus was talking about James in such high regard. 

“He has everything else I need,” Regulus said in response to an aunt remarking on James’s self-proclaimed lack of a skill in the garden. “Steady employment, polite manners, and he bakes. We will have to send you some of his treacle tarts sometime, won’t we mon cœur?  They are James’s specialty and absolutely heavenly.”  

Treacle tarts were his speciality, and James didn’t have the faintest idea how Regulus knew that. 

“I love tarts,” said an aunt, “Where did you learn to bake?”

“My mother,” James replied, “We used to bake together every Sunday to pack in my father’s lunches for the work week.” 

The ladies awed over this admission, tittering about what a gentleman James was. 

“You must excuse us,”  Regulus said, pulling on James’s hand, “I’d like a moment to speak with my fiance before dinner commences. Happiest of Birthdays, Great-Grandmother.”  

James found himself being led inside the house once again. Regulus brought him down an empty corridor and up a set of stairs to a quite ugly pink bedroom with lace adorning all the furniture. The fact that James was in such a setting with Regulus Black of all people was a bit surreal. 

Regulus had let go of his hand when he shut the door and was now casting a silencing charm.

“You think the charm is necessary?” James asked, “Surely no one would follow us.”

“I know my family Potter.”

Despite having always been called “Potter” by Regulus, the name felt foreign after being referred to as “darling” and “love”.

Regulus made no move to start the conversation he had dragged James here to have. James shifted awkwardly on his feet under the heat of the expectant stare. 

“Thanks for coming,” James said finally, earning a scoff from Regulus. 

“It’s my great-grandmother’s party. I was planning to attend.” 

“Yes but thanks for coming, uhm, under these circumstances.” James nervously fiddled with some lace hanging from the bedframe. “I am a bit surprised you are agreeing to go along with this….I’m not quite sure why I’m going along with this to be honest.”

Regulus crossed the room to look out the window which James assumed boasted views of the garden party below. “Despite how ridiculous this charade seems, I promise you that Sirius was right to keep you away from Valerie. That is the only reason I agreed.”

“To make me seem unobtainable?”

“To guarantee you won’t become a victim.”

Somehow coming from Regulus made the gravity of the situation much clearer. 

“What would she do? Slip-me a love potion?”

“Perhaps. Or imperio you.”

James shuttered a little. “Okay. Then our story has to be airtight.” 

“Agreed. When did we start dating?”

“My seventh year. Broke up for a little bit afterwards because of the long-distance. I, erm, dated someone when I first started at Puddlemore and it was quite publicized. Figured it would be safer to say we were broken up, in case some of your family heard of that.”

Regulus nodded. “When did we get back together?” 

“We reconnected after you left Hogwarts, but were on and off for a while until about a year ago.”

“The constant traveling was hard for me,” Regulus added. “But eventually I realized that I would just have to make the moments where you were here count more.” 

“Okay,” James agreed, “And then two weeks ago I proposed to you…what’s your dream proposal?”

Regulus twitched. “What?”

“I mean have you ever thought about it? You know, to make the story seem more realistic.” 

“...I vaguely have, I suppose.”

“And?”

“...let’s say you proposed to me in Athens.”

“Athens?”

“Yes. Athens. At the Parthenon. You surprised me with a trip to Greece. I like history.”

“Alright, Athens it is,” James agreed. “Romantic.”

Regulus started towards the door suddenly. “We better get back before the Aunts start spreading rumors on what we are doing. I trust your lying abilities to keep up with me.”

James caught his arm. “Wait-before we go out I want to go over boundaries real quick.”

“Boundaries?”

“Yeah..like, erm… physically.”

“Oh. Yes of course.”

An air of awkwardness lay thick between them, the always collected Regulus seemingly unsure how to proceed.

“Well I don’t mind if you parade me around a bit,” James finally broke the silence. “Let Valerie know that I am taken. I’ll leave it up to your discretion on how you want to do that. Obviously it’s a family party, but I’m okay with any, like, affectionate touching. Or kissing if you…yeah.”

“Okay.”

“And if you don’t mind, I could do little things to cement that I am in love too. Just small things like kissing your cheek or a hand on you while sitting or-”

“That’s fine,” Regulus cut him off, “I’ll leave it up to your discretion as well.” 

“You trust me?”

Regulus seemed to consider the query for a moment before giving a resolved: 

“Yes. I trust you.”

“Cool. Thank you. For doing this for me and keeping me from the clutches of your scary cousin.”

The corner of his mouth twitched in amusement. “It’s giving me the chance to brush off my manipulation skills. Shall we?”

James offered his arm. 

“After you, my love.” 

…

The tables in the garden were now filled while the party guests sat themselves down to dinner. Sirius waved the two over from a table where he was sitting alongside one of the gentlemen James had been speaking with earlier along with a woman assumed to be his wife. They said their hellos as they approached the table, James pulling out a chair for Regulus. 

Sirius turned to Remus. “Why don’t you do that for me?”

“Because Remus was not raised by my mother,” James said, sitting down next to Regulus. “She would personally see to my destruction if I were to fail to treat Reg anything less than royalty.”

“That’s a smart lady,” the wife said, “I’m Alora. And I heard you already met my husband, Gauthier.” 

“Though you did not mention that you were engaged to family while we were discussing Quidditch,” Gauthier said. “Perhaps I wouldn’t have critiqued you so.” 

“We weren’t planning on telling anybody yet,” James replied, “But we made the mistake of telling Sirius.”

Sirius held his hands up. “I plead the fifth.”

The couple laughed, and small talk about the party and the weather began. Regulus stayed quiet, nodding in agreement and noises of disapproval when required.  

“It feels like I already know you, James,” Alora said. “Gauthier must have told you what big fans we are of Puddlemore.”

“Yes, he did. Spanning several generations in the family, I hear.”

“I apologize if my husband gave you any unwanted advice,” Alora laughed, “He fancies himself smarter than the coaches.”

James waved her off, smiling. “Don’t worry, I always accept constructive criticism to improve my game. The Magpies lost was brutal.”

“What were your critiques of James’s game, Gauthier,” Regulus asked. Gauthier, who previously was quite vocal on exactly what James had done wrong, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Regulus had seemingly not lost the ability he showed during school to reduce a person to tears with few words. 

“Oh, it was just silly suggestions,” Gauthier said, his voice unsteady, “Nothing you should really consider, James.” When it was clear Regulus expected a better answer, he added, “James is such an excellent flier, I think he should drive more to the posts himself.” 

“I see,” Regulus said, holding Gauthier in an unsettling gaze. “In my opinion, James shows he is a brilliant player by refraining from ‘driving to the posts himself’ and instead utilizing his team to create plays that have a 70% more success rate.”

“Of course-” Gauthier started, but Regulus wasn’t finished. 

“Puddlemore was at a great disadvantage last week with both the starting keeper and seeker out with flu. It showed skill that our chasers still scored as much as they did with such a disadvantage.” 

James tried to hide the surprise on his face at the thorough analysis and the compliment to his game.  

“Best not to question Reggie,” Sirius laughed, cutting into the tension. “Surely you remember that Regulus played at Hogwarts? Plus he’s attended every home match James has ever played in. Makes me listen to the away ones on the radio. He knows the game better than anyone.”

Regulus shot a quick murderous look in Sirius's direction. James had had no idea that Regulus had been to any of his matches, let alone all of them. The idea that Regulus had been secretly a fan of his for years was exhilarating. Then again, this could be all part of the lie that Sirius was adding to.

Both husband and wife looked taken aback by Regulus’s outburst, and James was about to soothe things over with offers of tickets to the next game when the reason for this entire charade walked up to their table. 

“I hope you all don’t mind if I join you,” Valerie said, not waiting for a response as she slid in the empty chair between Remus and Alora. Gauthier pulled his wife’s chair closer to him. Alora avoided eye contact completely. Sirius reached out to grab Remus’s hand, but he needn’t worry; Valerie’s attention was entirely on James. James cleared his throat. 

“Not at all.” 

“Perfect,” she grinned, baring her teeth once again. 

A hand wrapped around his under the table and James took it as a lifeline to still his nerves. 

“Valerie.”

Regulus emphasized each syllable of her name, giving off a silent challenge. There was clear hesitation with her next move. Apparently she was a little afraid of Regulus.

“Regulus, I’m delighted to see you finally made it,” Valerie replied, “I was beginning to think you had left your fiance here for the wolves.” 

Regulus kept his cool demeanor, sitting straight but comfortably. He picked up his glass of champagne with his free hand and swirled its contents as he refused to break her gaze.

“I had business to attend to. But I am here now.” 

“Thankfully before dinner,” Alora piped up, and as if she summoned it, the first course arrived. James was grateful for the excuse to look down and away from the woman sitting across him and focus on the greens placed in front of him. 

The other occupants of the table also seemed eager to have an excuse to avoid speaking with Valerie. The previously cheerful Alora now ate quietly with the occasional side glance over to her husband. 

James, once again, began to spiral. There was no way that the two of them (four including Sirius and Remus) could keep this lie afloat in front of someone who was scrutinizing their every move. At this point James was sure that Valerie wasn’t even interested in James, but more so interested in tearing apart this lie that she was confident they were telling. 

He felt a nudge against his shoulder and looked up from boring a hole into the table cloth. Regulus’s eyes were alight as he gave James a small smile. Had his eyes always been that bright? 

“Don’t worry,” Regulus leaned over to say in his ear, “You are doing great, mon cœur.”

James smiled back, his hands shaking a little less as he took a bite of salad. 

Valerie watched the moment with extreme interest, deciding now to make her first move. 

“I noticed neither of you are wearing rings.”

It was blunt, but Regulus took it in stride. 

“We both agreed to forgo them for this party, as our engagement was supposed to be private until I told my parents. But here we are,” he glared in Sirius’s direction. Valerie wasn’t finished, however, and rapidly fired questions, each met with an easy answer from Regulus. 

“Why were you keeping it a secret from your parents?” 

“They were never aware that I was dating James. I barely speak to them.”

“Then why wait to tell others?”

“I was hoping to avoid a howler or unexpected visit from my mother. Alas, it was bound to happen sooner or later.” 

“When did you get engaged?” 

“It’s been about, what James? Two weeks?”

“Yes about,” James replied, feeling way less confident in his answers than Regulus was. 

“He proposed over a weekend holiday in Athens.”

“How beautiful,” Alora tried to pipe in, but Valerie was not done. 

“Have you set a date for the wedding yet?” 

“We are not making any plans as of yet, we are in no rush, right James?”

“No rush at all,” James agreed. “I don’t really care what we do, as long as it ends with you as my husband.” 

“And that Remus and I are a part of it, right?” Sirius asked with fake earnestness. “As the best man of course.” 

“You’ll be lucky to get an invite,” Regulus scoffed, “I am just directing this at my brother, Remus, you of course will be a witness.” 

“Hey! Without me, you wouldn’t be together in the first place!” 

That statement was more true than anyone at the table realized. James elbowed Regulus a little bit. 

“You know he’s right, love.”

  “You met at school then?” Gauthier asked, finally entering back into the table conversation after an entire first course of quietness. The salad plates were taken away and replaced by entrees. Each plate seemed catered to the specific person, despite James not being aware of telling anyone his preference. The mash looked absolutely heavenly, but a look over at Valerie’s plate made the eagerness dissipate. She was already cutting into her rare steak, the red juice leaking out. 

“James was my friend first,” Sirius stated, “I would just like to make that known. Remus, James, and I were roommates at Hogwarts starting first year. Those two,” he said waving his fork at James and Regulus, “Did not occur until we were in our seventh.” 

“If you don’t mind me saying,” Valerie interrupted, “You two are the most unlikely pair.”

James shrugged. “You know what they say, opposites attract.” 

He knew that they did, in fact, look as different as could be. James with his cheery personality and Regulus was his cold one. Even the way they looked was polar opposites; warm brown skin versus Regulus’s ivory white. But James had always thought that the two complimented each other. Or they would if they were together. Which James had to remind himself for the hundredth time that they were not. 

Alora decided to make it all the more difficult by asking a question that was both easier and a thousand times more difficult than any of Valerie’s questions.

“What drew you to Regulus, James?”

It was such a loaded question with an answer too deeply intrinsical to give to a stranger. He thought for a moment on how he could proceed. He could, of course, make up some nonsensical reason about being attracted to mean people. Or he could tell parts of the truth and Regulus, having the understanding that everything James said was part of the greater lie, would be none the wiser.

“Regulus was the most beautiful mystery I had ever laid eyes on,” James said, settling on the latter. “It was love at first sight. Though I wouldn’t admit it for years, in fear that Sirius would kill me.” 

Sirius shook his head. “You had no reason to be scared of me, I would have been fine.”

“Darling, that is a lie and you know it,” Remus said.

“Okay maybe I would have been a little disgusted, but I wouldn’t have killed him.” 

“What changed?” Valerie asked, her tone bitter. “Why were you suddenly no longer afraid of Sirius's ‘wrath’?" 

“I decided to pursue him,” Regulus cut in, “James never would have had the guts to ask me out, but I wanted him. And I always get what I want.” 

“It didn’t take much persuasion,” James smiled, leaning over to kiss Regulus’s cheek. “I have always been weak when it comes to Regulus.”

Valerie looked on at them with furrowed eyebrows. Apparently pulling their story apart was more difficult than she anticipated. 

“And what drew you to James?” Alora asked, leaning in. It was funny that the story was not to satisfy these two other relatives, but both husband and wife were enthralled by it. 

 “Like James, I think I always had feelings for him,” Regulus replied thoughtfully. “Since before I even saw him, my brother’s tales of his “best mate” felt like he was describing an angel walking among us. Unlike James, I confused my feelings for resentment. He was brash, annoying, attractive, yes, but his ego was uncontrollable.”

James put his hand over his heart. “Please darling, keep telling everyone my faults.”

Regulus looked over at him and gave him that smile that was making James weaker every time he received one. “You can’t deny it, mon cœur. You were so very Gryffindor back then.” 

“When did that change?” Alora asked. 

Regulus reached over and put his hand over James’s. James turned his so that he could intertwine their fingers. He too wanted to hear what Regulus was going to come up with next. 

“When I was in my sixth year, I went to one of his matches and he played phenomenally. I hated to admit but I was in awe. I knew that James was going to make history in his lifetime. I suddenly, most desperately, wanted to be on good terms with him. I told myself it was because in the future, I could use someone with all the connections he was bound to have. I made a plan that that night I was going to go to the Gryffindor party and give him my accolades” 

 Regulus had the table captivated with his story. James was struggling to act like this was not new information, feeling himself leaning in to hear more. 

“At the party, I found him snogging someone else. I had never felt such an anger take over me. I seriously considered hexing the two apart. I left in a rage. After cooling down, it was clear to me that I didn’t just want to use James as a connection to greater things. I wanted him to be mine and mine alone.”

“I don’t think I’ve heard that story before,” Remus said, genuine interest reflecting in his face. Sirius, however, was nodding along as if he had heard this story dozens of times. He seemed more interested in his cream corn than the conversation. 

“I typically tell an abridged version,” Regulus replied. 

“Well,” Alora said, impatiently, “What did you do next?”

James was wondering the same.

“I found him the next day and started to speak to him. And I continued to orchestrate bumping into him under the guise of it being incidental until I finally asked him if he would like to see the stars. That’s when I had him.” 

James wished that this was all true. He wished Regulus had invited him to see the stars. He would have said yes. He would have lay up there for hours on the roof with Regulus, talking until James had gotten the courage to kiss him. 

“But it didn’t last,” Valerie interrupted, bringing James to the reality of this being a story for her sake and her sake alone. Valerie, who took a bite of her steak with an aggression of one biting their enemy. She dragged out the seconds as she chewed, fully aware that she had the occupants waiting for her to continue. Finally she took a long drink from her glass. “You did say you were on and off, didn’t you James?”

James swallowed nervously. “We were…but…”

“I called it off,” Regulus interrupted. “I won’t lie, I had some issues with sharing James with the world. I am sure it’s no surprise that I am a jealous man. You understand, don’t you Valerie? You’ve dated your fair share of Quidditch players.” 

Valerie sneered at the subtle jab at her extensive dating history. “I’m not insecure enough to feel jealous of others.”

“I get it,” Alora said, earning a glare from Valerie, “The strains that must put on a relationship. To have so many fans lusting after your partner.”

“I only had eyes for Regulus, though,” James said, “I tried to date others for a bit, but as soon as Regulus reappeared in my life, I knew I had to do everything to keep him.” 

Regulus squeezed his hand under the table. “We’ve had our ups and downs, but we are here now and that’s all that matters.” And then, aimed in Valerie’s direction, “I am not letting you go. Ever.” 

Valerie stabbed her steak again. 

“Now how about you two,” Alora said, turning to Sirius and Remus. 

Sirius happily took over the conversation, detailing the two’s gradual falling in love. James, meanwhile, focused on making small gestures to sell his and Regulus’s story more. He gave knowing looks towards Regulus at appropriate times that Regulus returned as if they were sharing thoughts only the two of them knew. He put his hand on Reuglus’s shoulder, his wrist, his thigh when speaking to him. At one point he leaned over and whispered that he wondered if Great-Grandmother would let them take home the leftovers, especially the cake.”

“Mmmm, I bet you do. And I know just what we can do with all that frosting,” Regulus whispered back into his ear, his breath tickling his ear. James felt the heat rise in cheeks. He shifted in his seat and pushed back thoughts of Regulus’s tongue on his skin.

In a way all of this was torture to James; being with Regulus in a way that James had been fantasizing about since he was a teenager. There was a voice in his head that he needed to keep his wits about him, but the masochist in him said that he should indulge in the moment. So that’s what he did as the table was cleared and the giant cake was wheeled out. Everyone stood up to sing to Great-Grandmother, James putting his hand on Regulus’s waist. Regulus leaned back into the touch, brushing his back against James’s chest.  

Each layer of the five tier cake was a different flavor, and James was delighted to snag a chocolate mousse while Regulus settled for salted caramel. Free from the confines of the dinner table, James was no longer feeling as anxious. He stood to the side with Regulus, Remus, and Sirius, chatting happily. 

“Love, you have to try this,” James said, sticking a forkful out to Regulus, “Do you think I 

could replicate it?” Regulus took the fork in his mouth, humming softly in agreement.

“I’m sure you can figure it out. If you want I can ask for the recipe?”

James lit up. “Would you? Not to think too far ahead, but this has wedding cake potential.”

“Up to discussion,” Regulus replied, “I’m going to get a drink, would you like one?” 

“Please, a sparkler.”

“Me too!” Sirius shouted as Regulus departed, but the look that Regulus gave him left little hope that Sirius would get his drink.

“You seem to be fitting in just fine in the Black family,” Sirius grinned, “despite things.”

“Think your parents will think the same?” James asked.

“Merlin no, they hate you.”

“Yeah, I am sure they do,” James said, unaffected, “Ah well. I suppose yours and Great-Grandmother’s opinions are the only two that matter.” 

“You two really are perfect for each other,” Remus admitted. 

“They are,” Sirius agreed, “And I, for one, can’t wait to see what will happen with you next.”

“Me as well.”

As if she was waiting for Regulus to leave so she could swoop in, Valerie appeared beside James.

“It’s been so wonderful to get to know you, James.” 

James avoided making eye contact, focusing on his cake. 

“You as well.”

“I hope we will be seeing much more of each other, since you’ll be family.”

“Yes, erm, of course. I’m sure we will see each other at Great Grandmother’s 110th birthday.” 

 “And the wedding,” she added, “If it ends up happening.” 

“I wouldn’t hold your breath.” 

And as if Regulus was James’s saving grace from now on, he appeared with two drinks in hand. 

“Not that James and I will get married. We will be getting married. But the chances of you getting an invite are slim. Capacity issues, of course.”

Regulus faced James head on, turning his back on Valerie and creating a barrier, blocking her entirely. 

“Thank you,” James said, taking the cup. 

“Of course. Anything for you.” 

Regulus was looking at him with big grey eyes and the thought crossed James that in front of him was the most gorgeous man in existence. And for this moment, he was James’s. 

He reached out to graze his finger against Regulus’s cheek, unable to stop the words from tumbling from his lips.

“I love you.”

Regulus drove the nail in James’s coffin by leaning forward and kissing him so soft and so swift, but enough that James could taste him when he pulled away. 

“I love you too, mon cœur.” 

There was a cough from beside them and Sirius was looking at them with amusement. Valerie had disappeared. 

Regulus glared at him annoyed. “Yes?”

“Nothing. Just wondering where my drink is at.” 

Regulus rolled his eyes and pulled on James’s arm. “C’mon. There are a few more people you must meet before we depart. “

….

An hour later James and Regulus were making their rounds, saying goodbye to the extended Black family. Valerie had not been seen since being told off by Regulus. After promising Great-Grandmother to visit soon, Regulus and James made their way to the floo.

“Are you coming to mine?” Regulus asked sincerely. James nodded quickly, not only because he didn’t want his time with him to end, but because he had a lot of questions for his fiance. 

Regulus repeated his address thrice to James before leaving, even though James had engraved it in his brain the first time. 

James found himself in the sitting room of Regulus Black’s loft. It was cozier than James had anticipated; perhaps seeing all the antiques adoringing the Black manor, James had expected something more posh. Instead there was a well worn sofa and armchair, a fireplace, and overflowing bookshelves. Pushed to one side was a writing desk, covered with parchment in neat piles. 

“Are you a writer?” James asked, earning a snort from Regulus. 

“We are engaged, yet you don’t even know what I do for work?”

James shifted nervously on his feet. He realized there was a lot of normal stuff that he didn’t know about Regulus, that he probably should have. 

He did know what he tasted like though. 

That was something. 

“I am in publishing, I write more as a hobby,” Regulus supplied, gesturing to the sofa. “Please sit. Would you like anything? Tea? Coffee?”

“Water is fine,” James said, settling on the couch and looking at the book that lay open on it. Regulus disappeared to the kitchen, returning in a moment with two glasses for the both of them. He handed one to James, sitting in the armchair. 

James fidgeted. It felt surreal that after all of that, Regulus was still more of a stranger than a friend. 

“So,” he said, but trailed off, unsure how to proceed. 

Regulus set his glass on the coffee table in front of them. 

“So,” he responded. 

“I suppose we should talk about what just transpired,” James said. 

“Should we?” Regulus asked.

James nodded slowly. “Yes because…I don’t know if it was just me, but I felt like that was… a lot. And not entirely fantasy. Unless I am crazy and you are just a crazy good actor, and if you are then props to you and I can just leav-”

“You are not crazy, James.” 

James let out the breath he was holding. 

“Good. That’s really good. Because I was feeling things.” 

“Good things?”

“Really good things.”

Regulus smiled to himself. This one felt even better than the ones at the party, because James knew it was genuine. He was desperate to know what else was genuine.

“Let’s play a game,” James said.

“A game?”

  “Yes, to help us sort out the real from what we made up. We can take turns asking whether something that was said was a truth or a lie.”

Regulus considered James' proposition. “How do you know I won’t just lie again?”

“I’m trusting that you won’t.”

Regulus looked like he was going to argue again, but James cut him off. “C’mon Regulus. I know you are curious. Promise me you won’t lie.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Great,” James grinned, “Do you want to go first?”

“Did you really fancy me the moment you saw me?”

Oof, James thought. Regulus was going out of the gate swinging. But if he was going to get answers out of Regulus, James had to be 100% truthful as well. 

“That’s mostly true. I didn’t know what it was, but when I saw you at the sorting ceremony in your first year, I was instantly fascinated with you. I didn’t realize I fancied you until I was 15.”

Regulus nodded, betraying no notion to how he was feeling about that admittance of truth. “Okay, your turn.”

James took a more subtle approach. “Do you really like my baking?”

“You’re serious? That’s the question you are asking?”

“Yep. Do you?”

“Yes, of course I like your baking. I will visit Sirius for the sole purpose of eating what you have left him.”

James was happy with the answer. “Can I ask one more related question, then you can have your turn? What’s your favorite?” 

“Your brandy snaps. I will eat the entire platter.”

“Noted. Alright, what’s your next question?”

Regulus did not have one at the ready this time, pausing to mull over before asking, “Were you actually scared of my brother?”

“One-hundred percent. Absolutely terrified.”

“Why?”

“Have you met your brother? I once got socked in the eye for eating the last of his gummy snakes. He also is very protective of you. I could just imagine how the argument would have gone if he found out I fancied you. He must have mellowed, he didn’t seem to mind as much as I thought he would, tonight.” 

“Perhaps he’s gotten used to the idea.” 

“Perhaps he-what?”

“Ask me another question.” 

James did not waste his second question. 

“Why would Sirius be used to the idea?”

Regulus sighed. “Because Sirius already knew that I fancied you. He’s known for years.”

“Wha-years? When did you start fancying me?” 

“It’s not your turn James.”

“You can’t just give me that answer and not elaborate.”

“That wasn’t said in the rules of your game.”

James huffed. “Fine. Your turn.” 

Regulus took his time thinking of another question. 

“Did you ever get over you fancying me?” 

“Regulus, do you think I would be here if I did?” 

“Mmm that’s not an answer.” 

James shook his head grinning. He got up from where he was sitting and crouched in front of Regulus, looking him directly in the eye. In those bright, cold eyes that were warming as the day wore on. 

“No. I never stopped fancying you. Every time I think I have moved on, I run into you again and I am brought back to where I was at 15; unable to get you off my mind.” 

Regulus leaned forward, taking James’s chin in his hand. He tilted it up, a small smirk gracing his lips. 

“Good.” 

Regulus pulled James harshly forward, pressing his mouth to James’s. James leaned into the kiss, crawling up until he was bracing himself above Regulus. Their mouths moved against each other in a silent argument and resolution all in one. As Regulus reached up to run his hand in James’s hair, James pulled back. 

“My turn,” he said, settling back into the cushion now next to Regulus. Regulus gave him a murderous glare, but James was no longer terrified knowing how soft he could be. 

“When did you start fancying me?” James asked. 

Regulus rolled his eyes. “I told you at dinner. Sixth year.” 

“That was true?”

“...yes.”

“All of it?”

“Yes.”

James tried to think back to when that could be. What match it could have been. Who had he been so distracted by that he didn’t notice the object of his desires watching him from across the room?

“And Sirius knew about it?”

“He clocked me so fast, I had to threaten him mercilessly not to let it slip to you.”

“I wish he had. I wish you would have come and found me like you said you had. I wish you had brought me to see the stars.” 

“I wish I had too. But I wasn’t ready for that then. My family hated you, I had hated you until that moment. It was a lot to handle.”

James mulled this over in his mind. 

“Can we stop this game now?” Regulus asked. 

James grinned, “Not yet. I’m counting that as your last question. But I have one more?”

Regulus groaned, impatiently. “Fine. What is it?”

“Do you really think I am a brilliant Quidditch player?” 

Regulus let out a snort, sitting up so he could pull himself over James this time. James’s head hit the armrest, as he looked up into Regulus’s face. 

“I attend every single Puddlemore match. What do you think?”

“That you are a really big Puddlemore fan.”

Regulus brought his head closer, his breath tickling James’s lips as he whispered. 

“I was actually raised a Magpies-”

James caught his lips before he could finish the sentence. 

….

-Two Years Later- 

Despite having attended multiple family parties a year, James still felt intimidated whenever he was amongst the Blacks. However it was much easier when the event in question was his own wedding reception. 

James had been widely accepted into the Black family by most of it’s members. Of course there was a few that didn’t take to him: Uncle Thackery was a diehard Chudley Cannons fan to the point where he wouldn’t be in the same room as James. And Regulus’s parents of course were noticeably absent from today’s celebration. 

But Regulus didn’t care, so James didn’t care. He had told Sirius once that he only really cared that he had Sirius’s and Great Grandmother Florence’s blessing. Sirius was sitting next to him at the banquet table, and Great-Grandmother Florence was chatting with James’s mother not far over. There was nothing more he needed. 

His new husband had disappeared from him briefly, but now made his return with a devilish grin on his face. 

“Where have you been?” James asked, leaning over to kiss his cheek. Regulus grabbed James’s left hand, running his thumb over the wedding band. 

“I was getting the family gossip,” Regulus replied, causing Sirius’s head to perk up and lean towards them. 

“Spill it,” his brother said. “I saw Aunt Kathryn and Aunt Anne whispering earlier.” 

“Someone we know has been arrested on suspicion of using the imperious curse on a ministry member.” 

James frowned. “Who?”

“Our dear cousin Valerie.”

Sirius leaned back in a hearty laugh, drawing the attention of others around the room. 

“It’s such poetic justice. On your wedding day!”

  “I do believe it’s the best wedding gift we have received,” Regulus smiled. 

James couldn’t have agreed more.