Prompt 1 - Tolerate
@jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic June 1, Word count 397
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James took off, barefoot, with zero plan. He burst through the door that led to the staircase and descended as fast as he dared, leaping the last few steps of each level, knocking a few seconds off each time. He arrived in the car park just as Reg was getting into his car.
“REG!!!” he yelled, running out into his path. Reg’s car lurched to a halt.
“Move,” Reg shouted out the window, his voice choked with tears.
“No,” James said firmly, folding his arms and planting himself. “I’m not moving.”
“James, get out of the way!” Reg tried again.
“No,” James repeated, and he saw the defeat in Reg.
Reg put his car in reverse and slowed it back into his spot and turned the engine off. James opened the passenger door and folded himself into the low car. They sat facing forward, looking out of the windscreen in silence until James broke it.
“So, your brother is Sirius, huh?”
Reg snorted and then threw his head back in laughter. James held off as long as he could and then joined in the laughing. It was a joke; it had to be. How on earth had he fallen for his best friend’s estranged brother? What were the chances?
“He hates me,” Reg finally said, his laughter dying and sadness replacing the mirth. “I don’t think he’ll ever forgive me, nor I he. I’ll understand if whatever this is,” he motioned between them. “has to end. I don’t think Sirius will tolerate anything between us anyway.”
He looked so lost, so defeated that it made James angry.
“Sirius can get stuffed. He’s not my Mum; he can’t tell me who I can and can’t see. There is something between us and nothing, and no one is going to tell me I can’t find out where this is going. If you want me to stop, then I will, but you’re the only one who can.”
“And what if Sirius gives you an ultimatum?” Reg asked quietly, worrying the ring on his finger, his head low, so James couldn’t see into his eyes. James reached out and tilted Reg’s chin up with his finger.
“Then he’s not the friend I thought he was.”
Reg blinked at him, with heavy, wet lashes and scrambled onto his lap, holding onto him for dear life. James held him, not saying a word.
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