hi guys, it’s been a minute since i’ve written anything, but here we go! i hope y’all like it :3
purring in your lap, ‘cuse I love you
Regulus has always been perceived as a cold and collected man, completely opposite to his loud and obnoxious brother. People always thought the only thing they had in common was their looks and last name.
The truth was different, though—they were both scared little kids trying to survive in the world that they weren’t sure accepted them; they just had different coping mechanisms. While Regulus tried to hide his pain behind a mask of ignorance and reservation, Sirius pretended to be the happiest, coolest person alive, so no one could notice his scars.
They handled everything this way: their classes, friendships, and love lives. And because the older brother decided to make himself appear as the star he was named after—always the brightest in the room—he had it easier to become friends with someone or ask someone else on a date.
So, while Sirius kept walking around Hogwarts with Lupin’s arm thrown around his shoulders, or Lupin’s hand in his hair, or sat on Lupin’s lap, Regulus was trying his hardest to make his crush at least look at him.
He started off with things that were supposed to be simple and effective, like staring at the boy longingly (‘Reg, why are you trying to burn a hole in Potter's forehead?’), interacting with him in the school’s corridors (‘Watch how you walk, Potter!’), and even trying to leave little gifts for him in Quidditch locker rooms (‘WHO THE FUCK PUT VENUS FLYTRAP IN MY COAT?!’). For some reason, neither one of them worked, so he decided to go a step further.
The whole process started in October and was finished halfway through November. It was honestly perfect timing, he thought.
When Regulus told about it to his friends, they presented a whole spectrum of different reactions.
“You’re fucking mad,” Barty laughed in his face.
“Couldn’t you just come up to him and ask him out like a regular human being?” Asked Evan, shaking his head.
“He’s not a regular human being,” Dorcas added. “He’s a Black; there is nothing regular about him.”
“Hey!”
“I think it’s sweet; you will impress him. I’m sure about that,” Pandora said in her dreamy voice, smiling delicately at Regulus. And that was all he needed—though he loved all of his friends the same, Pandora’s validation was the most important to him.
***
At the beginning of December, Regulus started going out every evening to wander around the castle, hoping he'd meet James somewhere, anywhere. After a week or so of his little escapades, he finally found who he was looking for.
James must’ve been going back to his dormitory after some detention, judging by his muggle clothes, tired expression, and the late hour. He didn’t look like his usual, happy, and shiny self—more like he was on the verge of tears. Seeing the boy like that made Regulus’ guts twist with pity, because why would James look like that?
In that moment the younger boy decided to draw the other’s attention. He made just one little sound, and the Gryffindor looked in his direction immediately. His eyes shone with delight as he spotted Regulus, crouching beside him in an instant.
“Hey, little buddy,” James said gently, offering his hand for the kitten to smell. Regulus started rubbing against it straight away, purring happily at the constant. The older boy just giggled at his actions.
“What are you doing here alone at night? Did you run from your owner?” In response, Reg meowed like he was trying to disagree. Another giggle escaped James’ mouth. “I wish I could stay with you, but I’m afraid if Minnie spots me, I might get in trouble.” This time, the sound Regulus made was sad. James just smiled at him apologetically and stood up, waving goodbye.
Oh no, Regulus thought. I’m not giving up that easily.
He started meowing loudly, almost hysterically, and ran after the Gryffindor. When he got to him, Regulus started manoeuvring between James’ legs.
The older boy chuckled, crouching again. “Oh, come on,” he whispered. “I really have to go, mate.” That didn’t stop Reg from acting dramatically, though. He kept on crying, hoping James would understand that he wants to be taken with him. And, to his utter surprise, James actually lifted him up and cradled him to his chest. “You’re a stubborn little guy, aren’t you?” he cooed while stroking Regulus’ back. He only purred quietly, satisfied with his achievement.
***
The next morning Regulus woke up in a place he didn’t recognise. Everything was in different shades of red—the curtains on the bed he lay on, the quilt he was partially covered with, the walls, even the shoes beneath him were red.
Oh fuck, he thought as realisation hit him—he was in James’ dormitory.
After taking a quick look around and checking if he was still in his animagus form, Regulus jumped off the bed and walked to the door. Unfortunately, they were closed. He shouldn’t be surprised, really.
There were just two ways out, he decided: somehow opening the door by himself or waking up one of the boys in the room.
Regulus started with trying to do it by himself, putting his little paws in the small space between the doorframe and the door itself—it didn’t work.
His second attempt included casting a nonverbal Alohomora, which, unfortunately, also didn’t work.
Third, and last, try was risky, very risky. Regulus took another look around to make sure none of the boys woke up in the last few minutes and very quietly transformed back to his human form. As soon as he was himself again, he snuck out, trying to shut the door without making any sounds. Somehow, this time it worked out for him.
Releasing a deep breath, Regulus turned back into the little kitten and made his way out of Gryffindor’s common room.
***
He kept this going for the rest of December, until it was time to return home for Christmas. Regulus was hoping for a miracle; he wished something would happen to save him from going back to Walburga and Orion.
He couldn’t stay at Evan and Pandora’s house—his aunt would take him home in an instant. I could go to Andy, he thought, but quickly decided it wasn’t the best idea—the two of them were never close, and probably neither one would feel comfortable.
There was one more option, though.
Three days before the break, Regulus walked up to his brother. Sirius was surrounded by his stupid friends, which wasn’t ideal, but he decided it was now or never.
Bracing himself, Regulus walked up to the group of Gryffindors, and after taking a deep breath in, he cleared his throat.
The first to turn at the sound was no other than James fucking Potter. When their eyes met, the older boy gave Regulus the brightest, most earnest smile he’s ever seen. Merlin, he’s beautiful, he thought to himself.
“Hi, Regulus,” James said cheerfully, making others turn their heads in his direction.
Putting on his stone-cold mask, Regulus nodded, muttering a quiet ‘Potter’ in response, and turned to his brother. “Can we talk?” he asked Sirius without any preamble.
The older Black looked at him with a confused expression but nodded anyway. They left the group, walking into the first opened classroom they found.
“What is it?” Sirius asked urgently, as if Regulus walking up to him meant the end of the world.
The Slytherin looked down at his fingernails, swallowed loudly, and only then looked back up at his brother. “I need help,” he started, trying to appear as cool and collected. Unfortunately, the tremble in his voice gave away the nervousness he felt.
Taking a deep breath, he continued, “I need help; I don’t want to go back to Maman and Papa.” The last words were barely above a whisper.
Sirius looked at him, pain and pride mixing on his face. “Wait here,” he said gently, instantly leaving the room, but as quickly as he disappeared, his older brother was back. He wasn’t alone, though.
“Why is Potter here?” Regulus asked, trying to cover his surprise with an offended tone. He knew James and his brother were close, but why would Sirius bring the other guy into a situation like this one?
The black-haired Gryffindor cleared his throat. “You know how I always say I’ll escape from them one day, right?” Regulus nodded in answer. “So, for the last couple of months, I’ve been sending my things, like records and shit, to James’ parents so I could… so I could move in with them.” Sirius looked in his brother’s eyes—they were getting wet and red. “And I was thinking that maybe, if you wanted to, you could come with me?” With his final word, a single tear rolled down his face.
Regulus stared at him with wide eyes. Yes, he was aware of Sirius’ plan of running away, but he never expected to be a part of that plan. Why would he? Since he started at Hogwarts, Regulus felt like his brother hated him more and more with each day. He was convinced that when Sirius finally leaves the prison that was their family house, he would be left alone there to rot in loneliness. Hearing that his brother wanted him to run with him, to have Regulus still by his side, made his heart ache with love and happiness. He could feel warm tears falling from his eyes, could feel his lips turn into a wobbly smile.
Nodding, Regulus whispered, “J'aimerais m'enfuir avec toi, Siri.”
Now full-on sobbing, Sirius ran up to him, embracing him in a tight hug, quietly repeating over and over, “Thank you, thank you so much.”
After some time in the empty room, a third cry could be heard. Both brothers turned in the direction of the sound, noticing James subtly shedding tears, although his looked more like happy ones. Regulus couldn’t help but chuckle lightly.
