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“You think they’re pissed?” James asks with a raised eyebrow while focusing not to trip over his feet when going up the stairs. Like all the times before when visiting his best mate’s shared flat. He can’t help it, they’re so weirdly shaped, dented and creak with every step. He’s worried he might break a leg, again.
“Nah, I don’t think they’ve gotten drunk. I’m more worried that they butted heads again.” Remus swallows the spit in his mouth with a concerned face. Remembering the last time, they left the brothers alone, thinking James and him could enjoy a good night out while the brothers spent it at their flat, having so called bonding time.
Or as Sirius said, “just have a good time with Prongs, Moony. Don’t worry your pretty little head about it, Reggie and I will have a great time. We won’t kill each other, at least not while awake...” mumbling the last part with a slight grimace, which vanishes just as quickly as it appeared. Smiling up at Remus like he didn’t insinuate the night could end with the brothers killing each other. Now that he thinks about it, he couldn’t decide how that would go, or who would snap first and try attempted murder first. But on the other side, he doesn’t really want to know, if he’s being honest.
Taking two steps at a time, Remus waits for James at the top and listens to the creaks of the stairs under James’ careful steps. His own slightly ragged breathing reminding him of his bad shape. Maybe he should start running with Prongs, he’s been pestering him about it since that one incident when they went on their hiking trip last fall.
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During it Sirius found a cool looking stick lying on the ground and since he’s Sirius, looking wasn’t enough and he had to pick it up, of course. Not even a second went by and Padfoot started literal screeching and zoomed past them. James behind him, without even thinking of a reason why they’re even running, typical.
Remus just stood there wondering, not really understanding what just happened, but with those two he stopped trying to keep up ages ago. He learned that after all those years during their time at school. But the moment he heard Prongs screaming, he was done for and sprinted after the two. “A SNAKE!! BLOODY HELL PADS. WHY WOULD YOU PICK UP A FUCKING SNAKE, ARE YOU MENTAL?!”
So, after Reg calmly picked it up and moved it to the bushes -yes, he just picked it up as if it was the sweetest little bunny and not a bloody snake- looking extremely done with them, they could calm down after that ordeal. Remus was tried to catching his breath, bend with his hands on my knees. And James, looking like nothing just happened, said something along the lines "You should work on those running skills, mate. What if we have to run away from a bear someday? Bloody hell, that would be the day we lose you,” while Remus just stared up at him, bewildered how after that, James can think about such unimportant matters, while looking so relaxed after what just happened.
Next to him, Sirius mumbled something about a “poisonous monstrosity”. To which Regulus just deadpanned and uttered, “Stop being a dramatic git, it was just a snake you tosser.” Which, of course, ended in them bickering till the end of the hike.
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“God, I hope they did not, after a fight Reg’s even grumpier than usual,” James says while he hops up the last of the stairs, almost tripping but getting a grip on the railing in the last second. His stomach flipped, he hates those stupid stairs. “On the other hand, that means I can see his cute face being all scrunched up and looking like he wants to wrangle me in my sleep.” Sighing, James imagines exactly that with a wishful face, his eyes clouding over a bit.
Remus hears the sigh and after looking to his left, his suspicions prove him right. James looks like he’s thinking of marrying the man of his dreams and not like he just casually mentions how said men would like to off him while he’s dead asleep.
But then again, it’s nothing new that Prongs has some kind of fascination with people being mean to him. “You really should get that checked out, mate.” Concern lies in Remus’ voice with a hint of amusement. But James doesn’t even hear him, probably daydreaming of Reg twisting his arm again after James upset him or something.
While falling into steps beside each other, Remus takes in the low light of the familiar hall and the slight humming noise they make. He and Sirius have lived here for almost two years now. The creaking and wobbly stairs, the awful slightly yellow walls and the smell of old wood and cigarettes from the apartment next doors all feel strangely familiar. He would even go so far and call it home. It’s perfect, because it’s Sirius’ and his. God, he’s just as gone as James, isn’t he? Just a lot of soddy gits.
“I just hope it didn’t go too bad mate, even though I love my Reggie grumpy. I prefer being able to go to a pub with you without one of them losing an arm. Or God forbid, kill each other.” Grimacing, James looks up at Remus after stopping in front of the flat’s door, meeting his best mate's eyes. Of course, Moony must go and have one last growth spurt in 6th year. Making him slightly taller out of the two of them, even though they had always been at eye level till sixth year.
Remus mouth forms a smile, looking at Prongs. His scars move with it, James notices. He could see the dark circles around his eyes from the last full moon. “Yeah, hope so too, mate.” He rummages through his coat pocket, and his hand emerges with a clinking key, a black eyeliner - probably Pads’ - and a packet of cigarettes. Which has seen better days if James thinks about it, Moony has had a habit of rolling them himself and mumbling about saving money. Always putting them in the same packet, has been for years, which explains its misshapen condition.
His keys clatter, full of different charms. Courtesy of it being a somewhat tradition in their friends' group of gifting each other charms that remind us of the other. A star from Sirius’, who has a matching moon one on his keys from him. An “emotional support stag,” as James put it, one that says “Bisexual icon” from Lily with an addition miniature bi flag next to it and a self-made, black chain out of sturdy wool, that was carefully woven together by Reg himself. The git had the audacity to warn him not to break it while giving it to him, as if Regulus didn’t just gift him the most wholesome charm out of all. Do not tell Sirius he said that.
Remus opens the door to his and Sirius’ flat, jamming the key a little to the right while twisting it. The door has always been like that since they moved in two years ago and no matter how often they told their landlord about it, they’ve never gotten their lock replaced. But it doesn’t surprise him, what can you expect when living in a dingy flat in the middle of London?
The door creaks slightly when Moony pushes against it and when stepping in, James could make soft music playing in the background. After straining his ears, he could make out the voice of Robert Smith. The hall is dimly lit and other than the faint music he couldn’t hear a sound, which could be considered concerning. Since silence is something he associates with Reg but never Sirius.
If he thinks about it, Sirius has always been so loud and open that he kind of fears the silence. Reg in contrast, loves the silence so much he even craves it. While Regulus calmly walks towards it, seeking it and the calmness that comes with the tranquility, Sirius practically runs away from it. So no, the silence doesn’t help the doubt concerning the safety of his boyfriend and best mate, which he already voiced to Remus in the stairwell.
Remus shoots him a look, telling him that they just had the same thought and share the uneasiness creeping up inside the both of them. As they walk down the hall, two coats, a pair of red converse and brown worn-out boots are left behind next to the black loafers and equally black Doc Martens. Which, in James’ opinion, have ridiculously high platforms, but Padfoot makes it work of course. He always does, James isn’t even sure how, but he’s got that magic he supposes. He can hear the slight creak of the wooden floor beneath Remus’ footsteps behind him while walking away from the wardrobe at the entry.
He catches his own reflection in the ridiculous big mirror next to the coats and Sirius’ signature black leather jacket on the wall. His hair is as chaotic looking as always, golden glasses slight askew on his nose a stark contrast to his dark skin. Brown eyes almost vanishing in the dark lit corridor, only really noticeable is his red sweater.
His worry grows when stepping in the perfectly fine living room. Where not a fleck of dust is out of place, other than the completely normal and expected chaos of a flat shared by Sirius and Remus. Which does not aid in tuning down his concerns, it’s way too peaceful. He expected some kind chaos; bickering, with sarcasm laced compliments, icy stare downs, maybe some wrestling. - okay that was only one time but still. -
It’s not that his boyfriend and best mate cannot exist in each other's environment without being hostile, quite the opposite actually. After a lot of hard work and therapy the Black brothers worked out most of their complications and have, fortunately, build an amazing relationship. Sometimes even too strong, they make quite a dangerous team, scarily so. But James is so incredibly happy they could move past their viscous and trauma filled childhood and found happiness in each other and their friend group. James feels Remus tall presence next to him and snaps out of his thoughts.
Remus takes in the domesticity of his living room, books strewn across various areas, on every free platform if he’s being honest. A man can have passions, okay? All the empty cups and his grading papers on the small table in between the brown cord couch and the dark red armchair, facing away and towards the window and its half-shut curtains, in the middle of the room. A plush dark rug underneath them, which they thrifted a year ago to keep their feet warm when winter hits. A big reading light behind the armchair, which lights up the room in a cozy glow and highlights the wall-high bookshelf along the right wall behind said armchair.
The record player on the left wall fills the room with the familiar notes of The Cure and the many vinyls hung up above it reflect the light coming from the other side of the room. Remus takes a deep breath, letting the feeling of being home wash over him. The warmth of their flat like a constant and soft hug as well as the smell of old books, tea and faint cigarettes. And wait, is that pizza? When glancing to the kitchen to his right, he could make out two empty pizza cartons from their favourite pizza place down the street and a newly opened wine bottle. Red and fancy of course, nothing else to expect from the brothers’, and two empty wine glasses.
Other than that, their kitchen too looks completely normal, lit by three candles on the small kitchen island next to their boyfriends’ dinner, accompanied by a small cactus. A welcoming gift by Regulus, muttering to his brother that hopefully he could at least keep a cactus alive. Being a plant lover, Sirius’ constant incompetence with plants astonished Regulus. Though Remus couldn’t say he has a hand for them either, the cactus still stands, two years later.
Remus just opens his mouth while turning to Prongs to ask where the hell the two of them are, only to hear a faint voice down the hall where the bedroom, the guest room and a bathroom are located. The guest room was a surprised, but now completely non-negotiable addition, when they went flat hunting two years ago. It’s mostly used by people who got too pissed at a party, which happens rather often when sharing a flat with Sirius. By James and Reg when coming over and losing track of time or sometimes even themselves, when they’re so focused on each other, - snogging each other's faces off really - and getting their clothes off as fast as possible. In that state they found out rather quickly, that tumbling into the wrong room is not that unlikely. Gosh, he misses Pads he realises.
The voice in question is unmistakable Sirius’; he could recognize it everywhere. No matter how many people are in the room or how far away Sirius is, which honestly is never too far since he too, cannot live without his Moony. Remus is sure he was born with the additional ability to pick out Sirius from everybody else no matter where he is. His loud and animated voice, his unmistakable laugh that always does things to Remus’ stomach, his beautiful, black curls and unforgettable toned silhouette. When he was born, the moon and stars aligned, as well as a gifted ability to find each other in every way possible, Remus is sure of it.
“Reggie, stop moving for God's sake. I cannot work if you’re constantly shifting around like that. Bloody hell, why are you looking at me? Look at the mirror!” Sirius complains from down the hall, accompanied by something falling and sliding along the floor. “Shit!” Some more moving and, “even though I do get why you would want to look at me, I mean have you seen me?” There’s a big sigh and you could practically hear the typical eye roll from one Regulus Black, accustomed to his brother’s theatrics after all those years. “Shut up, I’m not looking at you, why would I? Are you not realizing how getting your head tossed around like that could be uncomfortable? And stop gesturing so much, you almost hit me in the face. Again.”
James looks over to Remus with wide eyes, his gold rimmed glasses reflecting the dim light coming from the living room. His worry still not settled after hearing his boyfriend complaining about his head being tossed around and Sirius hurting him. Though he has to say, the way Reg spoke was almost ... nice? For Reg’s standard at least.
They creep down the hall while, looking at the two closed bedroom doors. Alright, so they have to be in the bathroom. James nods his head towards the half-open door at the end of the hall, glancing at Remus in his peripheral vision. The music fades a little and the bickering from their boyfriends is getting louder.
“Why do you have that many products, Sirius? I get that you need different ones, I do too, but why so many of the same kind just from different brands?” Regulus’ voice sounds strained, like when he’s agitated after James annoyed him just so much before he knows is too much.
There is a pointed silenced, and as James knows with the two of them it was accompanied by a staring contest of two icy faces, so similar but still different. He glances at the countless pictures at the wall, showing them all in their different life stages. He smiles, seeing the one he took in 5th year in front of the big lake near their school.
A younger version of Remus smiling at him, eyes crinkling, and blushing slightly while having one tight arm around Sirius’ middle. Who stood beside Remus on his tiptoes, twisting himself towards him and kissing his cheek while somehow also grinning at the same time. His locks are wild around his face. They look unbelievably happy and in love, if James thinks about it, nothing has changed.
“Wouldn’t you out of all people know why? What kind of questions even is that, do you hear yourself or are you already starting to lose your hearing like Uncle Alphard did?” exclaims Sirius with annoyance, James swears he can hear him huffing.
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“Well, Sirius, then tell me, for the love of God, why you need seven, seven fucking curl creams?! When you obviously only use the pink one. Or why five hair gels, who needs that much hair gel? Or the best one, twelve fucking hair mousses. Twelve, Sirius. And you don’t even use hair mousse, you only use gel. Which you have five of, did I mention that already?” Regulus grey eyes pierced through Sirius’ similar ones, who stopped applying the last of the hair gel to Regs right side of his head. Hands stopping mid movement, mouth closing and opening like a fish out of water.
For a second Regulus closes his eyes, finally some peace, bloody hell. The bright light of the bathroom is almost blinding and he knows it’s the only strong light in the whole flat. They all - fortunately really, because he wouldn’t be able to be here as much as he is if not - collectively agreed that big lights are horrendous. Everywhere but the bathroom apparently, because of course Sirius needs a literal bolt of lightning to do his makeup.
He wouldn’t shut up about it: “I can’t even see myself, how should I be able to do my makeup and sweep my dear Moony off his feet?!” Till Remus himself got a new one, climbed a ladder and installed it just for him to stop whining, and of course because he also has a soft spot for Sirius with make up on. If Regulus thinks about it, it’s probably a kink, if he’s being honest. And if someone asks, no, he doesn’t have an extra mirror with stark bright lightning himself, for when he does use the occasional eyeliner himself.
“Well, you see, I found myself in the drug store and…” Sirius babbles an explanation he couldn’t really be bothered about. He loves his brother, really, but he already spent the whole day socializing at work with annoying clients and coworkers. He does not have the patience anymore, okay? He knows, rationally, that he can’t blame his clients for being a little nervous and strained when coming to the vet because their pets are suffering. He gets it, if his baby would so much as sneeze too much for his liking, he would go through the whole procedure of an in-depth full body exam to check on him. His baby is not suffering on his watch, especially as a vet himself.
He opens his eyes and after adjusting to the horrendous globe of blinding illumination Sirius calls a light, he looks through the mirror in front of him. Sirius is standing behind him, gesturing wildly while somehow explaining why he got twelve fucking hair mousses in his bathroom cabinet. His hair is, gorgeous actually, like always that git. He has to be honest, he wishes his hair looks like that so effortlessly too.
His brother wears a too big, Remus’ probably, Bowie shirt where you can just so make out an album cover with how faded it seems. His left eyebrow piercing raising while he keeps on explaining his over consumption of hair products. His multiple earrings reflecting the light, his ridiculous sword one, a loop and a star shining silver on his right ear. And the other loop, two small stars intertwined - standing for him and Sirius, that soddy git - and a matching moon to his left star one, on his right ear. Symbolising him and Remus’ of course, his brother makes it even more sentimental when explaining that the one representing Remus and him as well as the one representing Regulus and him, are on his left ear, because it’s nearer to his heart. His brother, ever the sentimental one, he hates it, at least that’s what he answered when Sirius told him that. Keeping the blooming warmth in his chest to himself...
The sink in front of him is clattered with all the hair products, when coming up with the idea, Sirius got a hold of every cream, gel and leave-in conditioner he apparently owned. It smelles like it too, all the different scents overwhelming him. Some sweet - like strawberry cream - and some a little citrusy. Different styling brushes strewed in between the countless bottles and sprays next to Remus’ and Sirius’ toothbrushes, which are sharing a cup on the sink next to the toothpaste and soap. As well as all the various containers that are Sirius’ in-depth skincare routine. He glances at Sirius again, who finally finishes his detailed justification. He wouldn’t admit it, but he’s enjoying this evening with his brother.
“And when they don’t work, I just put them in the cabinet and use my old ones,” gasps Sirius, a little out of breath after that whole ordeal. Regulus just looks at him, "...or you could just throw them out so it doesn’t clutter this much? Since you said they don’t work anyways.” Raising an eyebrow, Regulus fixates Sirius’ with a pointed stare and a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips. “I’ve tried countless products too, that’s just how it is with curly hair. But I toss them out as soon as it turns out they are ridiculously shit at doing their job. How can you advertise your product “curl friendly”, when all it does is taking away the moisture? Especially since curls need even more of it, ugh, even professional brands are incompetent. The world is hopeless,” Reg mutters the last part under his breath, great, now he’s irritated again.
Sirius feels the last of the hair gel getting a bit dry and sticky between his fingers, realizing he stopped applying the last of it to Reggie’s hair. After they had the delicious pizza and two glasses of wine, he had the brilliant idea of doing Reg’s curly hair routine after his brother annoyingly expressed how, after walking to their flat, the freshly made hair got completely destroyed by the wind. He gets it, a bad hair day is awful, shit really. But while Sirius allowed the frizz, that by the way is also completely normal for curly hair, and even welcomes it since it fits his whole rockstar persona, Reg hated it. His curls always looking perfectly defined and polished, they're always so shiny. He should ask how he does that….
Anyway, after Reg mentioned, or rather complained about the weather messing his hair up, he had the brilliant idea to redo it for him. He never expected his brother, who out of all people hates when his hair is touched even more than Sirius, to agree to his suggestion. After he suppressed the urge to show his surprise and excitement, he all but swept him up and they wandered to the bathroom to get started.
He soaked Reggie's hair with his water spray bottle, it’s pink of course, and brushed through it carefully. He wouldn’t want to hurt his little Reggie and with the familiar motion a feeling of nostalgia spread through Sirius chest. As children he always did Regulus’ hair, since their parents never cared enough about little Reggie’s hair. Even less, when both turned out to have curly hair. Even though it did run in the family, since Bellatrix and Andromeda also have curls, their mother hated how unruly and improper it looked. Always just brushing through it with force, unknowingly making it even worse.
After a few years, Sirius learned how to handle his curly hair and showed his Reggie how to do it. Even after he was old enough to do it himself, his little brother still came to him asking for “help”, and it became somewhat of a tradition. Sirius’ is sure, that the nostalgia and domesticity that comes with him doing Reg’s hair, made him agree to it without making a fuss in the first place.
Sirius applied the leave-in conditioner to Reg’s hair and brushed it again to disturb it all thoroughly. Then came the curl cream, it smelled like coconut with a hint of vanilla, just as the rest of the products he uses on him. Reg would have his head, if he used products which all smell even slightly different. He would probably smoulder him in his sleep, if he thinks about it. Now he rakes the last of the curl cream through Reg’s black locks, applying more of it than of the cream. While his own hair needs a little more of the curl cream, Reggie’s always needed a little bit more gel in turn.
While scrunching the curls he looks up to meet Reg’s stare in the bathroom mirror, who’s still looking irritated as always. “Oh, I mean, yes, that is an option indeed.” Grimacing his face while answering in thought. Reg smirked before saying, “especially, since you only use this one line of products you’re using right now to do my hair,” with his usual snark. Sirius in turn sputters, “What...how did you…?” He squints at his brothers before continuing. “Alright, you’re right for once. I’ll toss the other products tomorrow, okay? And yes, also all the different hair mousses,” he mutters while looking at the ground.
“I know because the products you’re currently putting in my hair smell the same as your hair always does, so this curly hair line is your standard and you don’t use the other ones. Why do you even buy hair mousse though? It has been destroying your curl pattern since we were teenagers, you never shut up about how it was drying out your hair...” A raised eyebrow accompanies Regulus’ pointed look, curiosity twinkling in his eyes.
His brother lookes up again to glance at him and continues his ministrations in Reg’s hair while muttering something under his breath. “What was that? Since when are you, Sirius Orion Black, able to not screech at a high volume when talking?” gasps Regulus all the while his brother still doesn’t meet his eyes through the mirror. After Sirius pointedly ignored him for another ten seconds, he finally relents and mutters, “Because it smelled nice, okay?” a little louder than his first attempt so Reg can hear him.
Regulus’ pink lips open slightly and twitch into a hint of a smile, “Alright, that does make sense...” looking fondly at his brother, who still ignores his looks and concentrates on the front pieces. Trying to finger coil them just so that they fall perfectly above Reg’s eyes, exactly how he likes and does so himself. The warmth that has been blooming inside his chest since Sirius mentioned his idea of doing his hair, becoming impossible to ignore by the second.
“Thank you, Siri.” The name of adoration slipping surprisingly easy from his lips, being open and vulnerable, especially with his brother, has thankfully become easy again. It took some time, for both of them, but they were finally at a comfortable state in their relationship and could rebuild their brotherly bond. Sirius finally looks up at him, an equally happy expression covering his face, silver grey eyes twinkling with adoration and happiness. “Always, my little star.”
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Sirius gazes into his brothers relaxed face and notices a hint of movement by the slightly open door in the reflection next to Regulus, which is adorned with their towels and a sign that reads: “entry for the lady’s and gay’s.” His brow furrows, turning to the door and stepping aside to get a better look. He can hear Reg making a noise of confusion behind him but tunes it out when he’s met with two faces looking through the gap of their bathroom door, looking at the brothers with pure love. “Oi, when did you two came back? And what's with those faces?”
“Hello, my love,” the deep gravel of his boyfriend’s voice travels through his whole body, awakening a deep sense of recognition and security. His own silver eyes meet deep amber, a smile stretching across Sirius’ face. A breathless “Moony” leaves his parted lips, breaking his grin for a second. But the short moment was broken by a happy “Heya Pads! Missed you too mate!” from the slightly smaller figure standing next to Remus, equally grinning from ear to ear. This breaks the slight trance he was in after seeing his boyfriend, who still gazes adoringly at him and answers Sirius’ question. “We’ve been here for five minutes, give or take.”
James looks to his left, following the voice of his best mate. “Yeah, we were scared of what to expect, honestly. Thought we might need to call an ambulance or something after the last time...” A slight grimace forms on James’ face, his glasses slightly skewing to the left on his nose. “Oh come off it, as if Siri and I constantly fight. You’re exaggerating, making it seem like we’re always trying to off each other...” And oh, he knows that snarky voice. He turns aways from his best mates, who are looking at each other as if they haven’t seen each other for months.
There he is, sitting in all his glory, body twisted to look at them over his shoulder. With his black sweater and dark green slacks, gold necklace reflecting the rather bright light, like it wants him to look directly at the golden J adorned on said necklace. Next to it hangs the silver ring he gifted Regulus not long after getting together, replaced from his dainty finger to the necklace after Regulus bought them matching ones - silver for James and gold for Reg, switching their usual jewellery colour to show their devotion to each other - for their anniversary.
A hint of a constellation peeking out from Reg’s left collarbone where his sweater has fallen slightly over his shoulders, James knows exactly how it looks without the clothing covering it, kissing the black ink on Reg’s body in the moonlight at night. Those pouty lips turned slightly downward, shining in a dark shade accompanied by a pink hue. He’s probably wearing his favourite lip gloss; oh, James wants to kiss him so badly. Yearning for the slight cherry taste of that damn tube Reg seems to carry everywhere.
“Hey, Jamie, how was the pub with Remus?” He opens his mouth to answer his sweet boyfriend but gets rudely interrupted by Sirius. “EWWW, stop that shit right now. Got it? Prongs, stop making moon eyes at my baby brother, that’s disgusting.” He looks like he just walked in on them shagging. Regulus rolls his eyes. “The only one making moon eyes towards his boyfriend is you, Siri, literally.” Oh how James would beg for Regulus looking at him like he looks at his big brother; all snark and annoyance.
“Well, of course I do.” Padfoot states proudly, his anger from five seconds ago already forgotten. Regulus knows exactly how to deceive his brother without him noticing. James huffs out a laugh at his best mate's obliviousness, glancing at Remus who’s chuckling alongside him.
“Sooo, what exactly are you two doing in here?” Remus glances at Regulus after fondly watching his boyfriend being completely baited by his brother without him even noticing. A little confused as to why Sirius’ whole bathroom inventory is spread across the sink, even a few bottles of creams and - is that mousse?? - strewn along the cold tiles. “Sirius is doing my hair,” Regulus states, as if this exact scenario is a daily occurrence and should be completely obvious to James and him.
“Your HAIR? What, how...did you blackmail your brother into letting you do that, Pads? Did you do anything to him??” James sputters, looking confused between his boyfriend and best mate, Remus finds he kind of looks like a fish out of water with his mouth open like that. But he has to agree, even he knows that Regulus hair is off limits. Even James, as his boyfriend, is rarely given the consent of getting to touch Reg’s hair.
Regulus turns so he can see all of them without having to turn his head, his gaze wandering towards his boyfriend looking so confused it’s almost cute, his hair even more chaotic after raking his hand through it multiple times out of sheer shock. He always asks Regulus if he can touch his locks, pouting and looking at him like a kid asking for sweets after dinner when he gets refused.
He doesn’t know why he has such a problem with it either, if it’s the thought of his hair getting tousled after countless hours of him spending his time in the bathroom styling his curls or the trauma of his mother tugging on his black strands as a helpless child, clamping his mouth shut to not let Walburga know it’s hurting. He has no clue. Which means James reaction is completely understandable, but he plays dumb. Just to see how far he can take this.
He looks confused. “...yes? Sirius is doing my hair, why do you look like you have seen an alien landing in this flat in the middle of London?” Regulus glances at his brother, smirking slightly. Sirius catches on instantly, mischief glinting in his eyes. He too turns towards James. “Yeah, why would I blackmail him?” Sirius turns back towards the sink, careful of the products strewn all over floor and around the sink, washing his hands to get rid of the drying hair gel on his fingers.
James just looks at his best mate. “I... what? You’re playing, right? The both of you, you’re so...oh my God!” He gestures wildly, sputtering and not knowing what to say. Rendered speechless after the audacity of his very own boyfriend and best mate. Regulus notices his red sweater, thinking about how soft it is. Especially when James holds him in his strong arms, James’ scent always calming him instantly. Now he feels almost bad for teasing him like that, almost. After a big breath, James glances at him one last time with a helpless look and turns. Walking back towards the living room and leaving Remus, Sirius and him alone in the bathroom, obviously not having it.
Remus looks after James, who’s almost running the short hallway to Pads and his living room. “You’re evil, the both of you. Poor Prongs, once again victim of the Black brothers’ schemes.” He chuckles while turning back, running his right hair through his brown hair. He glances at Sirius, who dries his hands with the towel and puts on all the rings he must have left next to sink before styling Reg’s hair. The silver of the jewellery complimenting his pale complexion perfectly.
His boyfriend turns towards him, a loud laugh coming out of his mouth. The sound warming Remus, now also grinning slightly. “He’ll get over it,” breathes Sirius between laughs, “right, Reggie?” His long hair falling over his right shoulder when looking at his little brother, now full on laughing. “He always does, and if not, I just have to cuddle him at home, kiss him on the cheek and he’ll forget the whole ordeal.” Regulus is also grinning now, looking happily at his brother who's clutching at his stomach.
They look happy, Remus is immensely proud of them for coming so far. Reuniting and mending their relationship as brothers step by step, going to therapy, alone and together. If he heard correctly, Sirius doing his little brother’s hair healed something in both of them, remembering of their time in that wretched house. Where the two of them were the only ones they could count on.
He hears a huff coming from the kitchen, a glass being filled and someone letting themself fall into the couch cushions. “I’ll leave you to it and join Prongs on the couch, alright? We didn’t want to intrude, take your time. James and I will be on the couch.” Pointing behind him Remus glances at both, Sirius slowly catching his breath again after laughing so hard. Fumbling away a tear from the hysteria with the arm he used to hold himself on the counter. “Alright, Moons, we’re almost finished. I’ll just diffuse Reggie’s hair and then we’ll come and join you both.” His boyfriend looks at him fondly.
As Remus answers with a nod, Sirius notices his hair falling in front of his eyes before turning and wandering down the hall. Moony’s steps turn lighter as he turns to his brother, still sitting on the small stool in front of the mirror, has been since they stumbled into the bathroom earlier. They just grin at each other. “Don’t forget the heat protectant, Siri, or the diffuser will not come near me, you understand?” He can hear the grin in Regulus’ voice while his brother turns towards the mirror again, ready for Sirius to finish his hair.
“Yeah, yeah of course I won’t. I might not be as petty with you in most things, but when it comes to my hair, you know I wouldn’t ever do something to damage it. The same goes for yours too, of course.” Their dynamic back in place as well as their banter. Sirius opens the cupboard to get his diffuser and the heat protectant spray, ready to finish Reggie’s hair.
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When Remus looks around the corner he sees James sitting on the couch, glass of water in hand. The glass has a red tint; he and Sirius never bought a whole pack of matching ones. Just like their cups, every glass is an individual piece bought out of sheer impulse - more often by Sirius than him, but still - , he thinks it kind of fits them though.
The vinyl has almost finished; he recognises the starting notes of the last song “End” of the Wish album quietly filling the flat. He smiles softly when walking towards James. “See you’re in one piece, mate. Alright?” James leans on the cushions, his head tilted back and a calm look on his face. “Yeah, they got me good, huh? Bloody hell...”
Remus makes the last few steps before sitting down next to him, his brown jeans a little uncomfortable with his long legs bending. “They’re insatiable,” his head turns to his left to look at James, who ‘s already looking at him. Brown eyes blinking tiredly and creasing at the corners when a smile forms on his face. “Absolutely, and we love them for it.” He returns the smile, the both of them looking so in love.
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