@wolfstarmicrofic
October Prompt 3 [Bonfire]
Warnings: reg is a confused boi, a bit of angst
A/N: Aroace Regulus, my beloved <3.and I think this is the longest one I've written. This might not be accurate. I'm not aroace myself, so I'm sorry if I got something wrong!
The crackling bonfire cast a warm glow over the group. James animatedly recounted the highlights of his latest date with Lily, who nestled comfortably against him. Peter sat nearby, listening intently.
Marlene and Dorcas roasted marshmallows, their playful banter filling the air. Evan lounged with his head resting in Barty’s lap, eyes half-closed, but a smile played on his lips as Barty complained about studying for the umpteenth time to Remus.
Remus leaned back against Sirius's legs. Sirius perched on a tree stump above him, effortlessly charming as he cracked jokes and joined in the stories.
Across the circle, Regulus frowned at the couples, arms crossed. Sirius looked at his brother, wanting to go to him but hesitating.
With a sigh, he tapped Remus's shoulder and caught his eye, nodding toward Regulus, silently asking for support. Remus offered an encouraging smile, nudging Sirius gently. "Go," he said.
And who was Sirius to ever question his words?
“Hey,” Sirius began, “Mind if I join you?”
Regulus shrugged, “Not like I could stop you,” he replied.
The brothers had only just started to mend their relationship, so Sirius felt a need to be careful. “What’s on your mind?” he asked.
Regulus stared into the flames. “I don’t know,” he admitted, “Everyone here is so… wrapped up in their feelings. And I don’t… understand.”
Sirius frowned. “You don't understand feelings?"
"I don't understand romantic feelings. There was this guy a year above. I—I thought I liked him. He was charming, and everyone else seemed to think he was perfect. I thought maybe I should feel something for him, too.”
Regulus shook his head, frustration creeping into his voice. "I tried. I really did. I wanted to feel that spark, that excitement everyone talks about. But I just... didn’t."
Sirius didn't know what to say to that. He didn't know how to understand.
Regulus turned to Sirius, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "How did you fall in love with Remus? What told you?"
Sirius paused, surprised by the question. "It wasn’t an overnight thing, really. It crept up on me."
“At first, it was just his laugh. I remembered hearing it across the common room, and it would make everything else fade away. Then, it was the way he listened—like he genuinely cared about what I had to say, no matter how stupid. It made me feel seen."
“And then?” Regulus pressed, trying to understand something foreign to him.
“Then it was the little things,” Sirius continued. “The way he’d always remembered my favorite snacks or how he’d nudged me when I got too loud. But it was more than that. I wanted to be there for him, to support him when he was feeling down. I wanted to share my world with him.”
Regulus still looked puzzled. “But how did you know it was love and not friendship?”
Sirius chuckled. “I think it was when I realized I constantly thought about him, more when he wasn't around. I wanted to know everything about him, not just the surface stuff. I always wanted to be around him and felt this warmth in my chest whenever I saw him smile.”
Regulus furrowed his brow. “And it just clicked for you?”
“Yeah,” Sirius said, nodding. “It clicked when I realized I didn’t just want to be his friend; I wanted to be something more.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way about anyone. Not even close.”
Sirius placed a hand on Regulus’s shoulder. “That’s okay, you'll figure it out. You have all of us to help you."
“I just wish I understood it better," Regulus mumbled.
“If we all understood each other and ourselves, the world would be a hell of a lot different,” Sirius said.
Regulus sighed heavily and looked at his older brother. "You quoting that from Lupin?"
They sat together for a while before Sirius got up and turned to his brother. "Come on," he nodded toward the others.
Regulus frowned. "Are you sure?"
