fight - jegulus / black brothers - @into-the-jeggyverse - word count: 515
“Mate, I really don’t think it’s that bad.” Sirius said, around a mouthful of cereal. “Just go home.”
James had turned up in tears in the early hours of the morning, reeling from their argument and needing somewhere safe to sleep it off. But It was Sirius’ baby brother that James had walked out on in the middle of the night, so his patience was understandably thin.
“It is that bad, Pads. We don’t do this.” James sighed, eyes still rimmed red and exhaustion clouding his sluggish movements.
Sirius sighed. “Every couple argues, Prongs. It’s normal. Me and Moons argue like, three times a day.”
“This wasn’t just like, me forgetting to buy milk or something.” James took a bite of toast, chewing mechanically. “We do argue. Course we do, Reggie is the most stubborn person I know. This was a proper fight.”
“What was it even about?” Sirius asked.
“I don’t even know!” At Sirius’ raised eyebrow, James continued. “I really don’t. We were just talking about plans for next year and he just… he completely blew up on me out of nowhere. And then because he’s him he started digging into every little thing that I do that annoys him - as if I don’t already know I’m not good enough - then he told me to leave.” James collapsed backwards into his seat, tears filling his eyes. “I really think it’s it, Pads.”
“What d’you mean, next year?” Sirius handed over a tissue for James to blow his nose, as he was just about crying fully again now. “Is something happening?”
“Yeah, you know, when we graduate” James said, like it was obvious.
A moment passed as Sirius thought over James’ words. Two spoonfuls of cereal later he finally spoke, heaving a great sigh before he did.
“He thinks you’re going to leave him.”
“What?” James spluttered. “Why would he-”
“He thinks you’ll graduate and move away and leave him behind. Like I did after high school. So he’s trying to push you away first.” Sirius shook his head, a look of sadness taking over his features. “Fuck, but I really did damage him with that didn’t I?”
“But- I won’t do that. I never even hinted at that! I-”
Sirius interrupted. “Go home. Make sure he knows that. Maybe grovel a bit.” He tilted his head in thought. “Actually, grovel a lot. Get him that weird coffee he likes on the way.”
“Right. Coffee, grovelling. I can do that.” James stood to leave, pausing at the doorway. “For what it’s worth, I think he’s forgiven you.”
“Nah,” Sirius tapped his fingers against the table. “He hasn’t. Not really. I don’t forgive me either.” A pained expression passed over his face for a moment, before he shook his head out and plastered on a smile. “Now go, before he wakes up. Knowing him he’ll be mad you actually left, even though he told you to. Bet he’s expecting you to be camped out on the porch.”
James nodded once, then flew out the door. Sirius was right, Regulus would be pissed he’d actually left.
