poly!marauders X reader (INCLUDING PETER)
Before everyone gets together, it's wolfstar with immense guilt for individually having a crush on James, and it’s James and Peter having a crush on the same person (you) but Peter feels like he can't compete with James so he’s resigned himself to letting James have you.
James makes an honest effort to get your attention but he goes about it in the wrong ways. Meanwhile Peter is more subtle and careful with your heart and feelings.
James is loud and brash and makes very grand, very public gestures and declarations in the middle of meals and at quidditch matches. He succeeds in one of his goals, which is to make you blush, but that's all he's managed to do besides embarrass you.
Peter remembers your favorite sweets and brings you some every Hogsmeade trip along with a heartfelt note about everything he saw and did that he thought you might like to hear about.
While James is scoring goals in quidditch and dedicating them to you (despite you being in the opposing house which in turn makes the rest of your house glare at you making you shrink into your scarf to hide away), Peter is always offering you to sit with him and Remus in the gryffindor stands and casting a warming charm over you to make sure you don’t catch a cold. He always brings snacks too. He just wants you to be taken care of and he loves to see you smile.
James and Peter are both completely taken by surprise when you ask Peter out. But how could you not when he’s been so sweet and caring to you.
You go to Hogsmeade together and he takes you all the places he always wrote about in his notes.
He’s nervous and shaky, stuttering every now and then which turns his face an endearingly delightful shade of pink for most of your date. He almost throws up when you hold his hand.
The whole time James is in the dorm with Remus and Sirius lamenting about how it could have gone so wrong. Meanwhile Sirius and Remus are hiding their longing for James from him and each other, while mutually finding his pacing and pouting adorable in its own right.
When Peter returns that evening with your lipstick staining his cheek and a blush steadfastly refusing to leave his face, James knows he couldn’t have won your heart. He watched as Peters and your relationship blossomed from shy smiles and tentative hand holding to bolder kisses when departing for classes and gentle but clear PDA in hallways and joint classes.
James didn’t sulk for long, Sirius and Remus had managed to cheer him up pretty well, and he truly was happy for Peter to find someone as gentle and kind as you. But sometimes the bitter disappointment did eat at him when he was alone at night. Of course he felt guilty every time he saw Peter's face, knowing he couldn’t truly just be all the way happy for his oldest friend. That his friend's happiness came at a loss for himself was a tough pill to swallow sometimes.
When those feelings came up, James couldn’t help but hate himself a little, believing himself to be a terrible friend to still want his friend's partner for himself.
He combats those feelings of guilt and envy by throwing himself into pranks and spending time with Sirius and Remus. Which does make Peter feel like he’s being excluded, but they did still include him when he wasn’t busy with you and he supposed that being in your arms was a better way to spend his time anyway. But it did still weigh on him a bit when he would see the other three with huge grins on their faces, looking at each other like they had a secret only they knew.
James did eventually realize that the envy he was feeling wasn't only directed at Peter “getting you,” but also at you for being able to be with Peter. He missed his friend, and more than that, he was realizing that he was starting to want to be with Peter himself.
This revelation was compounded when developed feelings for Remus and Sirius as well.
Queue quadruple guilt spiral.
His best friends who are already in a relationship together and his other friend who is in a relationship with someone so perfect for him it must have been written in the stars, and he wants that person too!
So he distances himself from all of them for a while, just to get his head on straight and let these feelings dissipate.
Sirius especially is hurt and afraid that James learned of his own feelings so now he's distant. Remus is worried about the same thing and the freak out spiral that he has is like a bomb went off in the dorm. When Sirius finds him crying on the floor surrounded by clothes and books strewn about, clutching the janky mittens that James knitted for him for Christmas, he knows they need to talk about their feelings.
The two of them clean up the dorm and snuggle up in Sirius’ bed (closest to James’) and they put everything out on the table. Loving James, Loving each other above it all, seeing James tear himself apart over Peter is agonizing for them both and they don’t even know that James has feelings for Peter yet.
They decide not to ambush James with their feelings, and they want to reassure each other that no matter what it’s still the two of them together. So they wait.
James thinks he’s got a handle on his feelings and decides to end his isolation. The second he sees Sirius and Remus cuddled up by the fire, looking so cozy and together, he almost walks right back out of the common room. But he’s spent 2 weeks Getting It Together™ so he takes a deep breath and walks over to sit by them.
Everything seems to go fine, and then Remus breaks the silence. Him and Sirius had been talking. James immediately panics, thinking they figured him out and they’re ending their friendship and going to call him a freak for loving his friends the way he does. He is beyond shocked when Remus tells him they want to bring him into their relationship. That they're both in love with him too. He almost cries (he does cry, the others panic). He rushes to them, crowding their space and laughing so brightly all the weight lifts from Sirius and Remus’ shoulders. They hug back and, like they can’t get enough of James in that moment, run their hands through his hair and pinch his cheeks and clutch at his sweater. Sirius tears up, telling James they thought he was distant because he figured them out and was upset about it. They all have a good laugh about it because they were all worried about the same thing for no good reason.
James’ mind is a bit blown at the idea that he can have not just one but 2 of his favorite people in a relationship with him, that they can all be together and no one gets left out. He can’t believe more people don’t do this. He says as much and the other two laugh at him and look at him with so much fondness they feel like their hearts are going to explode.
When they tell Peter, he feels conflicted. He's happy for his friends but he’s jealous that it's yet another thing they're doing together without him. But then he feels ridiculous because he has you and he loves you.
So so so much guilt.
Now that the poly discussion has been had, James is more open with the others about his crush on Peter. And you for that matter.
Sirius and Remus are not open to it at first. But then they think about it more and it makes sense that the four of them be together. It's always been them. But Peter has you. And he’s so happy with you. They can’t take that from him, from either of you.
James does admit to having feelings for you as well but again Sirius and Remus are reluctant because they don’t know you that well. You had been reluctant to spend much time with James after everything that happened between the two of you.
You do deem it safe to engage with the rest of the marauders once James becomes part of Sirius and Remus’ relationship, so you and Peter spend more of your time with them now.
Sirius finds you interesting, especially if you find him funny, or indulge him in his dramatics.
Remus finds you to be very genuine. You genuinely love Peter. You genuinely want to take care of your friends and loved ones. You genuinely find them interesting and fun to be around. And he finds you to be seriously clever and lovely.
James is just as besotted with you as he always was, he’s just more respectful of your energy and relationship, as well as his own partners and their reluctance to pursue you.
It all comes to a head one evening after Gryffindor wins a quidditch match. There’s a party in full swing; base thumping, lights low, spirits high, and alcohol flowing. Sirius is several firewhiskys deep when he drags you from Peter's side onto the dance floor.
People are bumping into you, there's the faint lingering smell of sweat and alcohol permeating the air around you, and Sirius’ hands have taken permanent residence on your waist.
You move together to the music and Sirius spins you out and back into his chest for a little dip. He’s grinning wildly, and your laugh is like music to his ears. He would give anything to stay in this moment with you forever; your smile warming his insides far more than any alcohol he’s consumed.
He doesn't quite realize what’s happened until Peter is wrenching you from his grip and his lips separate from yours.
You look mortified. Peter has tears shining in his eyes. You turn to him and upon seeing his distress, lead Peter out of the party, out of the common room, and, Sirius fears, out of their lives forever.
Peter sobs in your arms while you reassure him, until he realizes that you’ve literally just been assaulted by his friend and he shifts gears. He holds your face and checks you over for injuries. He reassures you he’s not upset at you, just feeling betrayed by one of his closest friends. He’s unsure of how to make this situation better so he just apologized to you. He kisses the top of your head and holds you close to his chest the rest of the night.
Between the Incident and James joining Wolfstar's relationship, Peter feels super alone and abandoned. He finds solace in you, as always, but tensions are high in the dorm when they're all together. As a result, Peter spends most of his nights with you in the room of requirement.
Eventually, James can’t take it anymore and begs the two of you to sit down with them and discuss what happened, and why. After all, he felt it was his fault, he put the idea into Sirius’ head about you.
James and Sirius and Remus have already had it out with each other. They agreed that they should talk to you, apologize, try to get back into your good graces before they move any further with anything regarding their romantic feelings for you and Peter.
When they get you to sit down with them, it’s tense. Peter is holding your hand so tight he leaves indents when he lets go. He’s apologetic, just nervous. His palms are sweating and he’s constantly wiping them on his pants. You are just as nervous, worried that you’ve altered Sirius’ relationship with his partners, even if it wasn’t exactly your fault.
The conversation goes well, it’s hard to explain why Sirius did what he did without letting on their feelings for the two of you.
His excuse is that he just got caught up in the moment, but Peter is still suspicious. Why would getting caught up in the moment, dancing with you, lead to him kissing you?
Sirius stammers, caught off guard.
James “word-vomit” Potter loses it in that moment and it all comes tumbling out. How he loves you, loves Peter, loves Sirius and Remus and all the guilt he’s felt and how he’s brought it up to his partners already about having Peter join but he has you and then he thought to have you too but they weren't keen on the idea and he’s just felt so guilty for not letting what he has be enough for him and he always wants more more more.
You and Peter look at him with wide eyes and jaws dropped. Sirius is beet red and Remus has facepalmed so hard there’s probably a mark.
No one knows what to do now. Everyone is completely silent and staring at each other.
Remus breaks the tension first. He explains how their relationship already works, equitable affection, not always equal, but sustainable to each person. He explains how they have weekly check-ins with each other, more often if there’s something bothering them. He explains how, yes, all three of them have feelings for each other and now Peter as well. He explains how Sirius and James like you too but he hasn’t explored his feelings for you himself yet. He also mentions that they were planning on bringing this up to the two of you much later.
You are clearly overwhelmed with all of this. It shows very clearly on your face. James feels awful that he seems to only be able to upset you.
Peter gets swept up in his thoughts of “wait, you all want me?” and you’re like “who wouldn’t want you? You're wonderful.” and James, trying to make up for all the upset he’s caused, and to lighten the tension, goes “Lesbians probably wouldn't want him.” which does make you laugh. The sound makes James’ heart soar in his chest.
You are a bit apprehensive about the prospect, but Remus assures you it’s not as complicated as it seems. You ask about how this would work if Remus isn’t sure about how he feels about you. He reassures you it’s not like he’s repulsed by the idea of being with you, he just doesn’t know you like that yet.
You’re caught up on ‘yet’ as you look over at Peter. He’s been silent the entire time. You rest your hand on his arm and smile at him. You ask what he thinks about all of this. His voice isn’t much more than a whisper when he tells you that he’s worried you would feel abandoned if he wanted to go for it.
You assure him that as long as you take it slow with the others that you aren’t going to hold him back from being loved and cherished by more people.
James tears up at your speech. He’s been friends with Peter for a long time and he’s so glad that Peter has you.
So you and Peter agree to join James, Sirius and Remus’ relationship as a couple.
There is an adjustment period where you're still getting to know the other three, Remus especially. But Peter fits right in.
They dote on him the way you do and you love to see it. They take it slow with you, always aware and respectful of your boundaries and needs. They take you on plenty of individual dates as well as dates as a whole group.
Eventually James has the realization that only Peter and Sirius have kissed you. He hardly thinks this is fair and he tells you as much on your next date. You’re very amused by his pouting, and you kiss his cheek.
He tells you that doesn't count, and he holds your face gently when he presses his lips to yours. It's simple, easy affection.
When you pull apart, his grin stretches wide across his face. You brush your thumb across the apple of his cheek as you gaze at each other. You spend the rest of the date with his arm around your shoulders trading jokes and easy smiles.
When you get to kiss Remus it's much the same. Gentle and sweet as sugar. It’s probably your 5th or 6th date, and he’s become very aware of what exactly attracts his other partners to you.
He holds you with both of his hands, one cupping your cheek, the other on the side of your neck.
His lips are chapped, but they taste like chocolate and it’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever tasted.
Months after your talk with everyone, the five of you go to Hogsmeade together, five wide on the pavement, everyone holding hands or walking with an arm thrown around each other's shoulders or waists. Laughs are shared, smiles are wide, everyone is happy and together.
