#microfics

~ seven minutes in heaven ~

——

Regulus doesn’t look very surprised when the neck of the empty firewhiskey bottle points to him.

In fact he seems more amused than anything else, meanwhile James is contemplating his likelihood of dropping dead on the spot just at the thought of that cupboard door closing on them.

“Ew - ew - no spin again.” James’ best friend retches. “I am not locking my best friend and my brother in a broom cupboard together–not again. I swear every time we play it always lands on you two.” He groans, still oblivious, as the rest of the circle snicker behind their hands and half empty goblets.

“Those are the rules Sirius.” Regulus points out, his eyes not leaving James’ across the circle. “Wouldn’t want us cheating, would you?” He teases.

“Yeah Pads, rules are important.” James chokes, just as Reg pushes to his feet and crosses the room.

“Right, the boy who enchanted the portraits to sing every time he exits a classroom cares about rules.” Sirius scoffs.

James is about to stutter a reply when Regulus’ hand closes on the fabric of his jumper and wrenches him to his feet, dragging him along to the nearby broom cupboard where they play 7 minutes in heaven at every gryffindor party.

“Relax brother, you’ll get him back in one piece.” Regulus sings as he shoves James inside and slams the door, locking it himself.

“Aw but I like it when you try to rip me apart.” James grins, leaning back against the opposite wall.

“This is a terrible idea,” Regulus mutters as they approach the front door to the grande manor that somehow looks warm and cosy despite its size. “I should go back or find somewhere else to stay. There’s no way they’d want me here-” 

“Reg,” Sirius puts his hands on his shoulders, stopping his rambling. “I promise you they will adore you and very much want you here. And even if, God forbid, they don’t like you for whatever reason, which won’t happen by the way, they would never want you to go back to that horrid place. They want you safe and comfortable, and they know this will be the best place for you. Now, come on. I want to introduce you to them all, I just know you’ll love James.” 

He rolls his eyes at the last part. His brother has told him a lot about his best friend over the years, and nothing has ever given him the impression that he would like that man. Heart leaping to his throat, Sirius unlocks the front door and calls out to announce their arrival, taking his coat and shoes off and Regulus follows suit. 

Instantly, they are surrounded by people each pulling Sirius into a tight embrace before turning to him. 

“Hi,” Regulus says lamely, holding his hand out to who he assumes is Fleamont. 

“Oh, no need for such formalities,” he responds with a cheery grin, dismissing his offer of a handshake. “How do you feel about hugs?” 

“I- uh…” 

“Reggie’s not much of a hugger,” Sirius answers for him. 

“No worries. A house tour instead?” He nods his head. “James, would you take his bags up to his room please?” 

“Sure.” A man a few decades younger who is the spitting image of Fleamont steps forward, taking his suitcase from him and flashing his dimples at him as he smiles. “I’m James.” 

Regulus has never been one for speechlessness, especially not around people he finds attractive, but words seem to fail him as he gazes into the most mesmerising eyes he has ever seen. Fuck Sirius for not preparing him for how fucking hot he is. 

“Regulus,” the woman says softly. “Are you a tea or coffee drinker? I’ll make you one while the boys show you round.” 

“Uh, tea.” 

Prompt: Neighbor AU - @wolfstarmicrofic

WC: 706 words

"Are you my new neighbor?"

Sirius whirls around and sees a boy standing in his new apartment, eyes wide with curiosity. Sirius then remembers that he hasn't shut the door. He is waiting for James's arrival with his last bit of belongings, which isn't much to begin with. The boy must have come through the door without knowing there was a new tenant.

"Oh, hello there." Sirius approaches him, seeing that he hasn't backed down, and crouches down in front of him. "It depends. Do you live in this building, too?"

The boy nods, "We are next door. Next to you."

He points to the left of Sirius's apartment.

"Then, I guess we are neighbors," Sirius confirms with a smile, and the boy beams back at him.

"That's cool! Can I still come over sometime?" The boy's eyes glint with excitement, "I used to come here when I didn't want Da to find me. It's my secret spot."

"Well, as long as your Da allows you to, I suppose? As someone new here, I could use a friend."

"Really?"

"Yeah, you're welcome here all the time, er, Mr…?"

"TEDDY! WHERE ARE YOU?"

A shout from outside startles both of them, and the boy, presumably the Teddy in question, looks a little bit guilty and runs towards the door. "Over here, Da!"

"Oh, there you are. I thought we've talked about this, Teds, no secret spot before school…"

"Sorry, Da. But I heard something, and I wanted to check."

And there he is, Teddy's Da, at Sirius's door, fussing around his son. Hair a mess, tired eyes, half-tucked clothes, long fingers holding up a colorful kid's backpack, and a noticeable scar split across the bridge of his nose. Apart from the scar, this man looks like a copy of Teddy (or Teddy is a copy of him?), but older and wearier.

And hot. Extremely hot.

Sirius stands up too fast, and he feels a little lightheaded. Or maybe it's the effect of seeing this wonderful-looking man at his door. He can never be sure.

Then it comes to him that with Teddy, there must be a Ma, too.

With a clearer mind (and maybe a little disappointment), Sirius follows Teddy to the door to greet his new neighbor.

"Hello, I'm your new neighbor here. The name is Sirius. Sirius Black." Sirius reaches out a hand.

The man snaps his head towards him, and he freezes when his eyes land on Sirius.

Interesting.

"Da?" Teddy calls, looking at his Da with confusion.

"Oh, erm, yeah. S-sorry about Teddy, he's, um… this place was…" The man stammers through his words; his cheeks seem a bit flushed.

"Yeah, Teddy told me about his secret spot. Sorry for taking it away." Sirius flashes Teddy a smile, "But it can still be Teddy's secret spot, only if you and your… missus allow it."

"Oh, no, it's just us—just Teddy and me," the man rushes out.

The urge for clarification. Very interesting.

"Personally, I don't mind sharing my space, but I assume it's a bit dangerous for a kid to hang out with a stranger." Sirius, a little bit bolder now, said, "However, it can simply be solved by not being strangers. How about we grab a cup of coffee sometime?"

The man looks stunned. "W-with me?"

"Yeah. I mean, Teddy too if he wants?" Sirius raises an eyebrow at Teddy, and he nods excitedly and looks up at his Da.

The man seems to be considering.

"I-I'd love to. Yes." Finally, he speaks, a little smile blooming across his face, and warmth crawls up Sirius's cheeks when the man's golden gaze meets his.

"Perfect. Here's my number, we'll keep in touch then, erm…"

"Remus. I'm Remus Lupin." The man fills in while saving Sirius's number in his contacts.

"Remus." Sirius lets the name roll around his tongue and decides that this is the most beautiful name ever.

"Right, I'll text you later." Remus starts retreating to their apartment, "We have to go. Teddy has school, and I have work."

Sirius nods with a smile, "Sure, I'll see you around."

-

Draco falls in love at the crudest possible moment. Potter is nude, for fuck's sake, big clever fingers snug around a steaming DOM branded mug that reads What Would You Say You Do Here?

Christ. Probably designed it himself.

"Designed it myself." Potter beams. "Department had a contest." He transfers the mug to his bedside table and says, "Black, teaspoon of sugar, yeah?"

And Draco, who's never told him that, thinks, appallingly, I love you.

He doesn't say it, of course. He says fuck-all, pulls Potter's flannel (!) sheet higher up his sticky chest, and stares at him in horror.

Potter's face flags. "What?"

"Nothing." But Potter, professional poker of bears, sits beside him and braids their fingers together. "Nothing," Draco doubles down. "Just—coup de foudre."

"Er. Okay. Voulez-vous couchez avec moi?"

Abject horror.

"Bolt of lightning," Draco translates, “swear you’ll never speak French again,” then kisses him to ensure it.

-

“Remus, who is Sirius making out with?”

Remus’ mouth goes dry. He eyes James suspiciously. “Why d’you ask?”

“Shit,” Regulus hisses, making James jolt awake, “Fuck, James wake up.” 

“‘M awake, what’s wrong Reg?” 

Regulus pinches their arm, making them hiss, “It’s light out, I slept through when I was supposed to fucking leave.” “Just stay here and leave in the uniform you wore yesterday.” 

“And how do you fucking expect me to get out of the Gryffindor tower without being caught?” 

James groans, throwing their arm around his waist, “You can take the cloak, but I’m tired and I want to get as much sleep as possible before we have to be in class. Go back to sleep, love.” 

Regulus is silent for a while, then he eventually gives up and lets himself drop back down, curling into James’ grasp, “You’re lucky that you’re warm and have ancient magic objects to save your skin.” 

“Oh, I’m aware.” James grins, their eyes closing and breaths evening out a few moments later. Regulus has no choice but to allow himself to drift off just after him. 

“good girl,” he says grinning stupidly.

when he passes by the living room, his mother calls his name.

he was on his way to his bedroom, hoping both his parents were already asleep. he curses silently to himself and tries to remember what his face normally looks like.

“is this how fast i normally breathe?” he thinks to himself. it feels a bit fast.

his mother has always been a bit of a night owl, despite being an early riser. this was something she passed down to him. in the living room, james finds her reading a book. it’s the one on the harpy’s she’d recently received from him as a birthday gift.

she looks up from it knowingly and says, “go to bed. try not to wake your father. you didn’t drive did you?”

james shakes his head. euphemia looks at him a bit longer and sighs. returning to her book, “i love you. goodnight.”

he says the words back warmly, shoulders going lax and breath returning.

on james’ way back to the darkened hallway, she adds, “there are cupcakes on the counter. you can have one. one, james.”

he grins, padding over to kiss her forehead as she quietly shoos him away.

in bed, cupcake crumbs all over his sleep shirt, he dials regulus’ number.

the younger boy picks up on the second ring.

“james, if you aren’t dying, then you’re single. so help me—“

james cuts him off with soft laughter. “i love you.”

the other end of the line is quiet. then, “i love you too,” and, “i miss you,” a moment after that.

james sighs, brushing the crumbs onto his bed and turning on to the clean side, his arm propped beneath him.

james pauses, biting at his lip, nervous. regulus says his name over the line, prompting him. “i got high at sirius’.”

this time, regulus the one who is quiet. james feels nauseous. then, suddenly regulus is laughing.

“barty convinced me to try some of pandora’s edibles last week,” he confesses through giggles.

james gasps, “regulus! you spend two months at a boarding school and somehow you’re more corrupt now?”

regulus is still laughing as james adds, “what kind of stuff are they teaching you there?”

“nothing interesting, i swear.”

james whines, suddenly needy, “can’t believe you’re a hour away and i can’t kiss you right now. we should be kissing. we should always be kissing.”

regulus sighs, “what about breathing?”

“what about it?”

they fall asleep on the phone in the midst of talking about all the things they’re going to do when they are together again.