@jegulus-microfic October 27, Word count 727
Did it turn into a series? Yes, it did. Honestly, I can't help myself.
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.
