#oh regulus

@jegulus-microfic October 27, Word count 727

Did it turn into a series? Yes, it did. Honestly, I can't help myself.

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Regulus followed James inside. He couldn’t believe how stupid he’d been. He’d seen James walk into the bistro and freaked out. He’d wanted to get there first, find a good seat, and check the menu and drinks list out, but then James turned up early, and his entire plan was in shatters. He’d turned down the alleyway and let his panic take him. 

But somehow, James had found him and made everything all right. 

“Tea, coffee?” James’s voice snapped Regulus out of his thoughts. 

“Erm— Tea is fine. Thank you,” He blurted quickly, embarrassed that he’d zoned out. James didn’t bat an eyelid and busied himself with the kettle. 

“Make yourself at home, everyone does,” James added, waving Regulus towards the living room. Regulus didn’t move. Maybe if he came back, he’d feel more comfortable, but right now, he wanted to stay close to James. 

He began to wring his hands together as he realised he’d walked willingly into a stranger's flat. He’d only med James once, for crying out loud. And even that had been fleeting when all he’d done was order James about as he drew him. “Do you think you could get some plates down for me?” James’s calm voice brought him back again. He flushed with embarrassment, but James just pointed at the cupboard directly behind him. “Please,” James’s smile made Regulus feel calmer. He tried to return a smile, but it fell short. He spun around and opened the cupboard.

“Big or small plates?” He asked nervously. 

“Two small ones, please,” James said as he opened the fridge and began filling his arms with food. “Follow me,” James said, before walking back into the living room. Regulus followed. James carefully laid out the food on the coffee table and directed Regulus on where to put the plates. “Sit down.” He told him. “I’ll go grab the teas,” And before Regulus could open his mouth, James was gone. “Sit,” James urged, as he came back through, and Regulus did as he was told.

James began piling food onto both of their plates: pork pies, tandoori chicken, mini scotch eggs, thick slices of crusty bread coated in butter that Regulus hadn’t even seen him get and of course, slices of cheese to make sandwiches with. James handed over the plate, and Regulus began to eat. “Sorry, I should have let you get your own,” James apologised around a bite of pork pie. 

“No, it’s fine, I don’t mind,” Regulus glanced up at him before returning his attention to his plate. Honestly, he was glad James had done it. He would have worried over how much he was putting on his plate otherwise, and this way, he could just enjoy himself. 

“Let’s put some noise on, shall we?” James said before picking up his TV remote and turning it on. He put on some mundane show about a ghost hunter who, with a team of other hunters, went to old properties and tried to find out if they were haunted or not. It was not something Regulus would have picked to watch, but after about ten minutes, he was laughing along with James when the presenters were all freaking out over nothing. 

They finished up their lunch and drank their tea and Regulus found himself quite relaxed. James gathered the leftovers and plates, taking them back to the kitchen. When he returned, he had a whole packet of chocolate hobnobs that he opened and offered to Regulus. Regulus took a deep breath and took one. “More tea?” James asked. Regulus nodded. 

He nibbled on his biscuit while James made more tea. “So, do I get to see the finished drawing then?” James called through from the kitchen. 

“Erm, yeah,” Regulus picked his bag up from where he left it and took his sketchbook out. He’d just sat back up when the front door opened and a loud voice called into the space.

“Honey, I’m home!” Regulus looked up at the man in the doorway and felt his blood run cold. His brother Sirius Black stared back at him as a beaming James walked back through with two steaming cups of tea. 

“Hey, Pads, this is…” James started to introduce Regulus to Sirius, but Sirius cut him off. 

“Oh, I know exactly who he is. Hello Reggie,” Regulus swallowed, this was not going to go well.  

@jegulus-microfic July 10, Word count 719

“Stop complaining Reggie and get your shoes on! You are going, we always go. It’s tradition at this point,” Sirius ordered, throwing Regulus’s shoes at him. 

“Your friends always go, not me,” Regulus groused. He did not want to stand in a crowd of people and cheer James Bloody Potter on while he ran his marathon and then keep moving to different points along the run to continue to cheer him on. It was a lot of sweaty work, the only bit worth it was going to the pub afterwards. “Why can’t I just meet you at the pub?” He asked, staring down at his shoes. 

“Because it’s what family does, Regulus,” Sirius said kindly, wrapping an arm around Regulus’s shoulder. “Now put your shoes on and let’s get going, or we won’t be there in time to see him off,” Regulus grumbled about it, but wanting to keep Sirius happy he put his shoes on and followed him out of the door. 

The start line was heaving, and he was already getting overwhelmed by the cramped conditions and the noise. At least he’d put on a long-sleeved t-shirt. He wouldn’t have coped at all if strangers touched his bare skin. 

He could just make out James near the front of the runners. Some reality star made a stupid little speech that had Regulus rolling his eyes, then they raised the starting pistol into the air and squeezed the trigger, screwing their eyes shut at the pathetic bang, and they were off.

“WOOOOOHOOOOOO, GO PRONGS!!!!” Sirius cheered loudly, swinging off Remus’s arm. James winked at them as he passed, already overtaking three other runners. He had on the tightest running gear known to man. Regulus felt a tingling in his stomach. That was new. He shook his head and followed Sirius and his friends to the next stop to see James. 

They made it just in time. 

“COR POTTER THEY’VE ALL GOT A RIGHT GOOD VIEW OF YOUR ARSE!!!” Remus yelled out this time. James put a bit more of a sway into his running, wiggling his arse and blowing kisses at them over his shoulder. 

“Come on!” Sirius grabbed Regulus just as James blew one right at him. He was actually quite attractive now that Regulus thought about it. 

They got to the next stop with plenty of time before the runners caught up.

“THAT’S RIGHT, POTTER, PUMP THOSE THIGHS!!!” Peter yelled over the crowd. James burst into laughter but put a bit more effort into his run and easily outstripped the front-runners. 

“Alright, last stop Reggie, right at the finish line,” Sirius grinned at him excitedly. 

Sirius literally pushed people out of his way to get them all to the barrier separating them from the runners. “Quick put these on,” Sirius said, handing out black t-shirts. He didn’t give Regulus a choice and pulled it down over his head, trapping his arms to his side. He tried to get his arms through the holes, but Sirius was still holding it down, so he didn’t take it off. 

The patter of a single pair of trainers slapping against tarmac came from the corner. James Potter appeared, eyes locked on the finish line.

“YES JAMES!!!” Sirius crowed as James neared them. James’s eyes flickered over his friends. When he got to Regulus, he missed a step but recovered quickly. He ran towards them and stopped in front of Regulus. He reached over the barrier and grabbed his face between his hands and planted a kiss on his lips before sprinting for the finish line, beating the second-place runner who’d managed to catch him up.