#and he hates that Regulus seems to hate him

[pandorasopenedbox3]

Regulus pushing all of James buttons because he hates James positive attitude on everything.

And suddenly James snaps and he’s yelling at Regulus and Regulus can’t tell if he’s turned on or wants to cry bc being on the other side of James potters anger is both hot and scary.

[oh-phoenixx]

"Baby" - Jegulus microfic @into-the-jeggyverse - 396 words

-

Pet names, in Regulus’s opinion, were gross. Every time he heard his brother’s boyfriend call him ‘sweetheart’, he wanted to vomit. He had to leave the room whenever Evan and Barty were flirting because they did nothing but use disgusting pet names. 

James, on the other hand, loved pet names. He would call Regulus every pet name under the sun, not minding that Regulus only called him ‘James’ or ‘Jamie’ in return. Coming from anyone else, Regulus would have hated this. He would have been put off the entire relationship, really. 

“Morning, love,” James greeted with a grin, kissing Regulus’s head and then sitting down next to him. 

It only took two seconds for Barty to clock this and burst out laughing. “Sorry, did he just call you ‘love’?”

“Yes? What about it?” Regulus responded through gritted teeth and a glare. 

“Nothing, nothing, Mr. Pet-names-are-gross-and-I’ll-never-let-anyone-use-them-for-me,” Barty laughed.

James turned to Regulus, eyebrows furrowed and bottom lip jutting out. “You don’t like it when I call you ‘love’?”

“I-” Regulus looked between James and Barty, trying to decide if reassuring James was worth his humiliation. “It’s fine when it’s you,” he mumbled, hoping Barty couldn’t hear. 

James’s pout turned into a huge grin. He kissed Regulus’s jaw and nuzzled into his neck. And, yes, Regulus believed it was worth reassuring James, even though Barty was most definitely going to mock him for this later. 

Despite being okay with James calling him silly names (‘okay with’ is an understatement, to be honest), Regulus refused to do the same. He was Regulus Black, for Merlin’s sake. James was a perfectly acceptable name, and it was pushing it for Regulus to even call him ‘Jamie’. This is why it was a shock to both of them when, one morning:

“Baby, come back to bed,” Regulus whined tiredly.

James’s brain seemed to short-circuit for a moment, spinning around rapidly to look at Regulus. 

Regulus hid his face in the pillow, repeating, “I didn’t say that, I didn’t say that, I didn’t say that.”

James just tilted Regulus’s face towards his and kissed him, smiling so widely you’d think he’d won the Quidditch cup. This was worth the humiliation, too, Regulus thought, seeing James this happy.

If Regulus let the term slip out every now and then, most especially when he needed something or when James was angry, that could stay between them.

[siriusblackdevotee]

Regulus takes extra steps to avoid touching people, including his own friends and best friends. He'd flinch a bit if someone accidentally brushes past him but when Sirius just casually ruffles his hair, he doesn't even register that.

this goes for everyone else in the family (Narcissa, Andromeda, Bellatrix) too but unlike Sirius and more like Regulus, they tend to be reserved with their affection so it seems like Sirius is the only one that gets a pass.

All their friends straight up hate Sirius for that too because he's never physically affectionate with Regulus but he's the only one that can get away with touching him and it gets on the nerves of literally everyone.

In their eyes, Sirius was granted a divine gift and just...kicked it away.

[pretty-little-mind33]

James Potter x Slytherin!fem!reader

Summary: Being friends with benefits with James Potter isn't all you want, it just takes you a while to come to terms with that reality.

Genre: a mix of everything

Warnings: reader and James are 18, suggestive, sex, friends with benefits, misunderstanding trope, reader and James are both delusional lol, reader is stubborn and headstrong, James x Lily, hint of enemies to lovers

ask: [...] like give me the angst of wanting to be detached but feeling insecure when you see him with someone else (or vice versa) or the hurt comfort where you both start to fall for each other but don’t know how to deal with it!

~ thank you for requesting my dear 🫀anon. Sorry this took forever ~

JAMES POTTER MASTERLIST

When the four infamous Gryffindors saunter into the Common Room to attend one of the Slytherin parties, no one is surprised, at least not since Sirius and Regulus Black reconciled their differences.

Tonight is Regulus's 17th birthday, which meant Sirius had made James promise he would be on his best behavior. 

However, the latter doesn't seem to be doing a good job as his eyes are trained on Severus Snape and Lily Evans, who are standing much too close for his liking. James downs his fourth fire-whiskey and turns to Remus, shaking his head drunkenly.

"What a pompous prick," he slurs, his cheeks turning pinker. The collar of his chemise is overturned and Remus sighs, fixes it for his best friend.

"He isn't hurting anyone," Remus mutters.

James rolls his sharp hazel eyes, glaring at the couple in the corner. He hates how Lily laughs at whatever stupid joke he's telling her. He hates how happy she looks with someone who isn't him. Ever since their break up a few months ago, James's patience with Severus has been almost non-existent.

He walks forward, his shoulders squared, and walks right into you. 

His drink spills all over your blouse, causing you to gasp. 

"Sorry," James grumbles but he doesn't even glance your way as his gaze remains fixated on Lily.

You snap your head up, glaring at him. You feel embarrassed as James's drink is sticky. He doesn't seem to care as struts over, successfully breaking up Lily and Severus' conversation, and leaving you alone. Your gaze narrows.

"You good?" Daniel, the guy you've liked for a while, asks, coming up behind you as he returns from the loo. You don't answer him, simply watching as James embarrasses himself and shoves Severus away. "He's a twat, even outside the pitch," Daniel grunts, crossing his arms and sending James a dark look.

You knew of his rivalry with James Potter but honestly, you couldn't care less at that moment. All that matters is that Daniel's attention is on you as he inspects your blouse. You shrug. "He's a dick. C'mon,"

You lead Daniel up the stairs, to a secluded corner near the dormitories. Daniel leans against the wall, frowning a little as he senses your hand slide up his chest and your lips hover close to his neck. He catches your wrist and laughs, his gaze sharp on yours. 

"You're joking, right? 'M not gonna sleep with you, Y/l/n. You're not that kind of girl." 

You snatch your hand away from him, an expression of hurt spreading across your features. "I'm not what kind of girl?" you ask, narrowing your gaze at him. Daniel's eyes watery from his laughter and you feel even more stupid. 

"The kind you sleep with," Daniel shrugs, "It's not a bad thing, let's go back to the party,"

"Do you not think I'm pretty?" you interrupt, the drinks you'd had rushing to your head as your eyes narrow. When David looks like he could burst into laughter again, you don't give him much time to explain himself as you run up the stairs to your dorm.

You've never felt as stupid as you do now. You slam your door shut, collapsing onto your bed as you hug your pillow. Tears threaten to spill but you don't let them. Daniel McLaggen can fuck himself.

You're the kind of girl someone fucks.

You are. 

Wiping your tears, you stand and rush down to the Common Room again. This time, you simply walk by Daniel and you don't even bother turning to see his expression when you brush him off as you make a beeline towards someone who you wouldn't have even considered otherwise.

You only think of him because of Daniel's previous words.

James Potter stands to the side now, having been pulled away by Remus, still fuming. Without thinking you walk up to him. He turns his gaze, his eyebrows creasing. 

"Can I help–"

"Can I kiss you?" you blurt out, cheeks burning. You needed to ask. You couldn't just ambush him without consent. Still, James looks just as shocked as he would have if you'd simply kissed him. His jaw falls open and he clears his throat. 

"Is this some kind of joke?" he asks, uncharacteristically nervous. 

You shake your head, resisting the urge to make sure Daniel is watching. You keep your eyes on James. "It might make Lily Evans jealous," you try and convince him, although you aren't even sure if she'd care. 

James thinks abut it for a moment.

"Oh, well, okay, sure," James says with a small nod and you move closer, wrapping your hand around his tie. Without wasting time, you pull him into you and crash your lips onto his. He tastes like fire-whiskey and raspberry pastries but you don't care. You move your hand to his hair, tighten your fingers in his curls, lips moving in sync with his. Once James kisses you back, his hands find your hips and he holds you steady. 

He's a pretty damn good kisser. 

Soon, one thing leads to another and you wake up in his dorm room. Your clothes are scattered around the floor. Thank Merlin he's Head Boy or you'd have his roommates to worry about. James is still sleeping, his arm tucked under his pillow as he snores lightly.

Sitting up, you hold the sheets over your naked body as the events of last night play in your mind. You look at James, biting the inside of your cheek. You shouldn't have taken things this far. All to prove yourself to some arsehole? No, this shouldn't have happened. 

Your gaze softens. James looks so peaceful in his lip. You resist the urge to touch his hair.

Cursing, you promise yourself it will never happen again as you sneak out of his room.

And still, week after week you find yourself twisted in his sheets again and again. 

Turns out, fucking around with James Potter is addictive.

* * * Four Months Later * * *

"Hiya, love," James announces happily, plopping himself onto the chair in front of yours in the library. He's loud so you shush him, your finger pressed to his lips as he leans forward over the small desk. You don't look up from your book. You need to pass Potions and you don't have time for distractions. 

James smirks against your finger. "Whatcha workin' on?"

"An essay, now be quiet, you're annoying me."

James laughs and lays his head on his arm, his dark curls falling over his features as he draws small little hearts near your hand as you write. He's teasing you on purpose. Looking up, you narrow your gaze. "What's your problem, James?"

"Are you coming over tonight?"

The question causes you to flush and you look away, focusing on your essay again. You think for a moment, letting his words wash over you. It is Thursday, meaning you usually meet him in his dorm. Your cheeks burn. 

"Hmm," you nod and then push his hand away, "now bugger off, you're being such a knob." You keep your voice calm and steady, knowing James has too much power over you.

In all honesty, you're still not used to this; being friends with benefits with James Fucking Potter. You're barely friends, it's mostly all benefits, or at least that is what you like to think. It makes the situation so much easier when you're riding him in his room and he's muttering praises in your ear.

It helps keep the lines clear. 

Lines that James loves to blur.

That evening as he snaps your bra open and presses kisses on your chest and stomach, he makes conversation; "Will you come to my game tomorrow?" he asks hopefully, still kissing you. 

You gasp, arching and running your hand in his hair as you lean into his mouth. "U-um, yeah–sure."

He pulls away and sends you an adorably stern look. "I'm being serious. Please come. I want you there."

Your chest rises and falls as you gently rock your hips against him. "I said I would," you whisper, annoyance lacing your tone. James senses your frustration and smirks. He leans forward and wraps his strong arms around your back, attaching his lips to your nipples. 

"Good," he says with a devilish smirk. 

You moan in response.

You didn't think you would actually go. Going to support James, the Captain of the Gryffindor team as a Slytherin, was too close to girlfriend activities for your liking. Plus, you'd stopped trying to make Daniel jealous months ago so there was no reason to be there.

Only, James asked you and in the moment, that seems reason enough. 

The game is loud and you feel a little awkward sitting in the Gryffindor section instead of the Slytherin one. James's friends are rambunctious and one practically bumps into you as he cheers loudly. You move closer to the balcony edge, leaning against it as you focus on the game.

Your eyes drift to a familiar figure in the distance. He's holding the quaffle under his arm, his dark hair is even messier than it usually is and he's clearly an experienced flyer. He throws the quaffle into the hoop and scores. Cheers erupt around you and you straighten up, a small smile forming on your lip. James does some, obnoxious, victory flips and your smile can't help but grow. 

Instantly, you feel embarrassed and you control your smile. You shouldn't be smiling so hard at James Potter. Your heart is pounding and unwanted thoughts swirl into your mind. You spend the rest of the game pretending you're not looking at James. 

Once the game ends, you wander around the Gryffindor Common Room at the after party. You'd promised yourself you would congratulate James and then leave immediately. Only you've been in aimlessly wandering around for thirty minutes and you still haven't found him. You're beginning to become annoyed.

Where the fuck is he? 

Finally, you turn a corner and see him. Well, you see his back, but that's unmistakably his jersey. You open your mouth to call his name as you walk forward but your voice dies in your throat. Someone's hands are in his hair. Your heart sinks and you suddenly feel like throwing up. 

James twists his body as the girl comes into view. Your nose scrunches in disgust. Lily Evans? Why is Lily Evans kissing your James? Just as the thought pops into your mind, another wave of nausea washes over you. James isn't yours. If anything, he'd only been passing time with you when he wanted Lily back all along. 

Your breathing is labored as you watch Lily kiss him.

No. This is so wrong. You shouldn't be crying over him.

You back up, turn around and rush out the door before James or Lily could see you. You wipe at your tears, focusing on anger instead of sadness. 

Fuck this. 

* * *

James hasn't seen you in three days and he's becoming worried. You haven't answered any of his Owls, you crumple up any note he writes to you in class, and you avoid him outside of classes.

He doesn't understand what he did wrong. 

He'd waited up for you after his game. He'd had this entire speech planned, some stupid, love-sick confession of his feelings, and yet, you never even showed up. He wants to be angry with you but he can't bring himself to be. He can never stay angry with you even when he tries. 

However, it seems like you're angry with him because when he coincidentally sees you on your way to Honeydukes and he calls your name, you spin around and glare at him. "Leave me alone, Potter," you spit and that wild look he usually loves so much, now scares him a little. Still, he runs up and his hand brushes your arm. 

You turn around again and shove him. With a thud, James falls to the ground. He hadn't expected you to push him and he lost his balance on the mud from the morning rain. "Oi, bloody hell, woman! What is your problem?" 

You're standing over him now and you look furious. 

"You're my problem!"

"Me?" James scrambles up, dusting the dirt from his jeans. He looks at his Converse and they're covered in mud. Great. He looks back up, an expression of hurt obvious on his face. He doesn't have time to worry about his shoes when you're this upset. "I don't understand! What did I do?"

You're breathing heavily, your gaze locked onto his. The truth is too hard to admit. 

"Just, leave me alone," you snarl again, turning back around. James catches your wrist and turns you towards him once more. You're a little surprised but you don't push him or pull away. Instead, the air around you both feels thicker.

"I like you," James blurts out.

Your chest tightens so much it hurts.

"Don't lie to me," you say, your voice hoarse. 

James looks flabbergasted and he moves forward, taking your other hand in his. "What? I'm not lying. I wanted to tell you after my game but you never came—"

"I did come, you tosser!" you snap and James's brown eyes widen. You've never looked more beautiful, even if you do look like you want to kill him. You push your index into his chest. "I came to the game and I saw you play and I even stayed afterward like an idiot because I wanted to see you. And you know what I saw?"

James shakes his head. He's a little petrified.   

"I saw you kissing Lily Evans. Lily Evans of all people! And what's worse is that I shouldn't have been surprised because it was always her. I should have known—"

James blinks and out of all the things he could have said, the only thing that slips from his mouth is, "Y/n. Did you listen to anything I just said?"

That only angers you more because you look like a vein on your forehead could pop at any moment. "What?! James, did you just listen to what I just said?!"

"I never kissed Lily. She kissed me," James says matter-of-factly and then leans in so his face is close to yours. "Now what did I say?"

"That isn't how that works! You both kissed!"

"Nope. I did not. Now, what did I say?!"

"Don't patronize me," you hiss.

"Y/n."

"You said you like me but—"

James places his index on your lips, cracking a small smile. "Exactly. I like you, not Lily. I told her as much after she kissed me. She means nothing to me anymore. My heart belongs to you and only you."

Your lips part under James's finger, your eyes still wide and a little glossy. His words swirl in your chest, warm and so so dangerous. "You're such an idiot," you whisper against him, his confession finally sinking in. You push him away. "I don't believe you. Why should I believe you!?"

"Because it's the truth. You drive me crazy." James moves his hand and cups your cheek. He's staring at you now like you're the only person in the world who matters. You feel like he's stared at you like this before, you just never knew what it meant.  

James moves a little closer, his large hands framing your face. "I have felt like this for months. Months. And I've been meaning to tell you. I like you. I want you. Not just in my bed as a passing fancy, not to make anyone jealous, but just because I want you."

Your heart catches in your throat, and you know you should say something—anything—but instead, all your defenses come crumbling down as you crash your lips into his and kiss him. 

James responds instantly, hands curling around your waist as he lifts you slightly off the ground and hugs you, his lips still on yours.

Once you finally break apart, his forehead finds yours, and he mutters, "So, does this mean we can finally be done pretending we're just casual now?"

You scoff. "Is that what we were doing?"

James smiles, his dimples appearing as he nuzzles his nose into yours. "Mm, it was," he whispers.

You smile gently. "It suppose was, wasn't it?"

He leans in and kisses you again, smiling against your mouth. "I'm yours. If you'll have me. I am completely and wholeheartedly yours."

"Does that mean you promise to stop being such a knob sometimes," you say and shoot him a pretend annoyed look, keeping him close.

James grins. He raises an eyebrow and wiggles it playfully. "No promises," he teases but he leans in and kisses you again, a silent promise. A promise that he loves you, he loves you more than anything.

[crescenthistory]

Where Padfoot Lays His Head

Summary: Inspired by @thewriterghost's reblog of my last animagus!reader fic, this is just a sweet drabble of Whiskers comforting Padfoot:,)

Words: 1.7k

Warnings: not proofread, fem!reader, your marauders/animagus name is whiskers, walburga black, black family dynamics and trauma, vaguely implied abuse, sirius spiraling into self-loathing, platonic physical affection, romantic!regulus x reader but platonic!sirius x reader is the main focus, background platonic!moonwater

Note: this is based on the same reader from Feline Touches, Sweet Like Honey and Padfoot vs. Whiskers, sirius' beloved almost-sister-in-law that he has frequent (loving) sibling squabbles with

Sirius pretended he didn’t feel the humiliation burning through his veins from his friends’ worrying looks.

Stop looking at me, stop caring so sodding much.

His internal begging was all for naught; this was apparently what he signed up for when he strolled into the train compartment that housed the largest smile Hogwarts had ever seen and his pack of make-shift slightly-fucked-up-but-lovable friends.

Most days, Sirius was grateful to the bone for the family he had been able to assemble at Hogwarts, stretching from his boyfriend to his boyfriend’s childhood best friend to his biological brother and the boys that became his brothers. However, on days that Walburga Black, the hag to end all hags, sends him a Howler berating him for leaving home over the summer, few sentiments besides anger, self-loathing and isolation remained in the young boy’s body.

When he eventually stops reeling and wallowing, all this attention would make him feel warm once more, especially when he sees they didn’t stop showering him in it even as he retreated perhaps a bit rudely from it. Right now, though, it just kept the wound open and Sirius was sure the infection would kill him this time around.

He was sure of that every time.

It became evident quickly that he would not be able to get away from his friends. James was practically glued to his side from the moment he left the Great Hall after Walburga ruined everyone’s lunch. His brown eyes were so wide beneath his glasses and Sirius was sure he could almost see tears in them as he swung his arm around Sirius’ shoulders and kept telling jokes like his life depended on it. Remus was not much better. He had learned by now not to soften his touches when Sirius was in these moods – on the contrary, harsh, direct touches helped ground him – but his hands rarely left his being, as if he would fall apart without him. Even Lily tuned down her playful banter with him, swapping it for concerned questions and checking in on him throughout the day. Sirius loved them all, but he hated it.

Even Regulus showed him more compassion than normal, though he didn’t say much. His entire being seemed to radiate I get you, I understand more than anyone, because frankly he did. Even as hearing Walburga’s voice must have rattled Regulus too, he didn’t show it, instead holding space for Sirius, carrying what was supposed to be his burden.

Humiliating. 

All of which to say, Sirius did what Sirius does best; he ran from them all, in the one form none of them would be able to hold a conversation with him in.

Padfoot had turned out to be a blessing that way. Sirius picked up on it from you, who only ever was in your animagus form when you felt particularly well or horrifically poorly. Difficult to ask how a dog is feeling, yeah? 

He laid in front of the common room fireplace, stretched out in a position that showed he was ready to pounce should anyone try to pet him. Around him, his friends were cuddled up on the sofas and armchairs, chattering lowly amongst themselves and playing the occasional game of wizarding chess. Padfoot had his head placed on his front paws as his gaze flickered all over the room, unable to settle. His nerves always seemed to transform with him, manifesting as the most anxious dog Gryffindor had seen.

Perhaps the only one, but the sentiment remained.

Their stares were still on him, penetrating and with downturned frowns over their faces. Stop it, stop it, stop it. He couldn’t string too long sentences together in his dog brain – part of its fantastic appeal right now – but that sentiment remained steadfast.

You were sat in Regulus’ lap opposite the fireplace, murmuring something in his ear as you both intermittently looked at Padfoot. Your hands were playing with his hair, lips almost grazing his skin as you talked, even pressing the occasional kiss to his cheek, his jaw, his ear. Love. Padfoot loved love and he loved his little brother getting to experience it so wholly, even as he laid here, destroying the moment with the same misery that haunted any children raised by the Black family. He felt as if he was sucking the joy out of the room with his wallowing, yet he couldn’t stop himself.

Padfoot couldn’t help the low whine that escaped him at the darkness swirling around inside him. Upon fearing having to meet the gazes of anyone who caught the noise and see the goddamn sympathy and pity in them, he brought his paws up to cover his eyes, pathetically hiding within himself.

Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad.

In his internal chanting, he didn’t notice when the chatter died down a bit, nor did he see the glances exchanged. He felt the footsteps reverberating through the floorboards, suggesting somebody was walking away, but he didn’t register its true implications. Leave, was all he could think. Good, leave. Go.

What he did notice to its fullest extent was when a few moments later, soft fur collided with his own as something was rubbing against him.

A bit too quickly, almost too violently, Padfoot’s head snapped up from beneath his paws to see what this intrusion was – only to come face to face with a white-and-grey cat, blinking slowly at him. His mouth fell slightly open, and he thought a complaining bark may be on its way out, but then you – Whiskers – butted your head against the side of his neck, caressing him with your feline body.

The adventures of Whiskers and Padfoot were a running joke, especially one Remus and Regulus loved to team up to tell. Whether it was chasing each other around, hunting rats – preferably Wormtail, but any would do – and mice or playing with the house elves, you two loved to conduct mischief together in the one form you could never be properly caught in. There had been the occasion where you cuddle or pet one another, but it was rare and usually unspoken, attachment growing deeper and softer without either properly addressing it. 

So, this was not necessarily out of left field, but it surprised him nonetheless. He couldn’t say it wasn’t quite welcome, though.

You had started purring as you walked up and down his body where he was laid in front of the fire, soaking up the warmth he was bathed in and oddly calming the vibrating nerves within his own body. Whenever you reached his head, you bumped your snout against his, rubbing the space between your ears all over his face.

Cats are weird, Padfoot thought. Like it.

Mere minutes ago Sirius had been surveying his friends and his effect on them intently, digging himself deeper into his self-inflicted hole. Now, his attention was captured by the much smaller animal beside him, and he didn’t see how most conversation had stopped to witness the interaction. Lily and James looked at them in almost shocked awe, both having been snapped at and ran away from when they attempted to pet Padfoot themselves. Regulus and Remus, however, sat there with soft, knowing smiles – seeing the girl they loved most go for it with no fear and comforting their favourite dog. Remus would deny it to anyone who asked, but there were tears in his eyes.

The next time Whiskers came up beside his face, you stayed there, leaning yours against his. You laid your body down over the paws Padfoot had previously rested his own head on and made yourself comfortable in a position no one but a cat could possibly conjure up. From there, you began cleaning his fur like you were his personally-assigned cat mother, licking the strands in their correct direction. When his face was too far away, you lightly brought your paw up to his snout to bring him further towards you.

Despite being placed in front of a fire, warmth didn’t truly spread through Sirius before now. When he brought his head down, he laid it on top of you and let it rest there across your midsection, careful not to hurt you, as your upper body curled around his head. You continued cleaning up his fur as you purred loudly, easing the tension from Padfoot’s poor body.

A cuddle only animals could come up with, an embrace Sirius would deny anyone today, yet like this, it just worked.

When his eyes became heavy, Sirius let them fall. You continued your ministrations without hesitation, carefully and slowly tending to Sirius face, only stopping occasionally to nuzzle your forehead further into his fur and purr even louder. 

He didn’t quite fall asleep, he rarely did as Padfoot, too alert and awake in this form, but he let himself fall into a place of tranquillity. Walburga’s harsh words seemed almost funny in their anger now, and Sirius’ own spiral was becoming a thing of the past. 

Would he still be red-cheeked tomorrow and avoid his friends’ eyes for the first half of the day? Perhaps, but they would reel him into their arms and hearts regardless. Would he sputter and fall back into his evil cycle of thoughts if anyone brought this specific moment up? Without a doubt, but that’s why they would not, at least not before he settled. 

Padfoot was suddenly safe in the Gryffindor common room. He was safe with this warm weight over his paws and beneath his head, he was safe with love being quite literally carded into every strand of fur on his body. He was safe with the hearth behind him and his pack in front of him, quiet voices further lolling him further into a state of peace.

Padfoot was safe – maybe even loved.

Across the room, Remus and Regulus had gravitated further towards one another, as theirs were the only eyes who never left the scene of cat-dog-solidarity displayed before them. 

Regulus bumped into Remus’ arm with his elbow and whispered, “He doesn’t like cats, he says?” with a knowing smirk.

The other boy huffed a laugh at that, lips remaining softly upturned. “I believe he has an exception or two to that rule.”

[iamgonnagetyouback]

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀────۶ৎ christmas

synopsis: ever since you married regulus, you knew holidays were a bit complicated for him. so when the potters invite you both for christmas, he panics the whole way there, convinced sirius secretly hates him. but between toddler harry’s antics, warm welcomes, and an unexpected gift, maybe this christmas isn’t so bad after all content warnings: heavy emotions, crying (so much crying), brotherly angst & reconciliation, regulus overthinking everything, fluff overload author's note: i literally sobbed while writing this

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ᡣ𐭩 words.ᐟ 2,301

Regulus Black rarely trembled. He was a man of precision, poise, and well-practiced restraint. Yet here he stood, fidgeting with the cuffs of his tailored coat, staring at the warmly lit Potter residence as though it were a dragon’s lair. His free hand clasped yours tightly, clammy despite the biting chill of December air.

“Amour,” he began nervously, his tone a mixture of urgency and dread, “are you certain the invitation was for me too? Perhaps Lily and James only meant you, and it would be terribly awkward if—”

“Reg.” You squeezed his hand, cutting through his spiral. “You’re overthinking this. They invited both of us. Lily wrote your name herself, remember? In that beautiful gold ink? You’re family.”

His jaw tensed, his grey eyes darting to the door and then back to you. “Family,” he echoed softly, the word heavy with doubt and hope intertwined. “It’s been years. Sirius—he’s—what if—”

“What if he’s been waiting for this moment?” you interrupted gently, reaching up to cup his face. His eyes softened, the worry in them breaking your heart. “You’re here because they want you here. And so do I. Sirius will come around, love. And if he doesn’t, you’ll have me to hex him. Alright?”

A ghost of a smile flickered across his lips, though his fingers still fidgeted. He leaned into your touch for a moment, taking a deep breath before he muttered, “I still think this might be a mistake.”

“It’s not,” you assured him, squeezing his hand again as you turned to knock on the door. Before your knuckles could meet the wood, his voice stopped you.

“Amour, wait,” he said quickly. “Are you absolutely certain? What if—”

You silenced him with a pointed look, raising an eyebrow. “Regulus Arcturus Black, if you ask me one more time, I’ll drag you inside myself.”

He opened his mouth, then closed it, nodding reluctantly. “Alright,” he whispered, though his grip on your hand tightened as the door swung open.

Lily stood there, her radiant smile lighting up the wintry evening. “You’re here!” she exclaimed warmly, pulling you into a hug before turning to Regulus. Her arms wrapped around him without hesitation, her genuine affection clear. “Regulus, welcome.”

He stiffened at first, his posture rigid and uncertain. But then, slowly, he returned the hug, a quiet “Thank you” escaping him. You could see the way his shoulders began to relax, the faintest sheen of tears in his eyes as he pulled back.

“Come in, come in,” Lily urged, her excitement genuine as she ushered you both inside.

James appeared next, his grin as boyish as ever. “Look who decided to join the fun!” he teased, clapping Regulus on the shoulder. “About time, mate.”

“James,” Regulus greeted stiffly, his voice carefully polite but uncertain. He glanced at you, and you smiled encouragingly. James didn’t seem fazed by Reg’s formality, stepping aside with a welcoming gesture.

Before anyone could say more, a small figure darted out from behind James, a mop of black hair bouncing as the toddler jumped forward with a loud “BAH!” aimed directly at Regulus.

Regulus froze, staring down at the child with wide eyes. Harry, oblivious to the tension, pouted, his tiny face scrunching in disappointment. “He’s not scared!” he whined, looking up at James for confirmation.

“Oh no,” Regulus said suddenly, his voice low and serious. He stepped back dramatically, clutching his chest as though struck. “You’ve frightened me terribly!” His grey eyes widened in mock terror, and his hand shot to yours for support.

Harry’s pout disappeared instantly, replaced by an elated giggle. “I scared him!” he cried, jumping up and down with glee. “Mum, I scared him!”

“You sure did, darling!” Lily laughed, beaming at her son.

James ruffled Harry’s hair with exaggerated pride. “Great job, young man. Now, go on, bring your uncle and aunt inside.”

Regulus froze at the word, his gaze snapping to James. He seemed to falter for a moment, swallowing hard as emotion flickered across his face. Then, a tiny tug on his coat brought him back.

“Come on, Uncle!” Harry demanded with a toothy grin, his little hands pulling insistently.

Regulus stared down at him, his breath catching. Slowly, hesitantly, a small, soft smile crept onto his lips. He bent down and lifted Harry into his arms, the toddler laughing as he looped his arms around Reg’s neck.

You watched, your chest tightening with emotion as tears pricked your eyes. The sight of Regulus, holding Harry so tenderly despite his nerves, was enough to overwhelm you. He turned to you, his smile shy but genuine, and you couldn’t resist leaning in to kiss both his cheek and Harry’s.

“See?” you whispered against his ear. “You’re exactly where you belong.”

Regulus didn’t reply, but the tear that slipped down his cheek as he carried Harry inside said everything.

The warmth of the Potter home enveloped you as you wandered into the kitchen, leaving Regulus in the living room with Harry still babbling excitedly in his arms. The sound of laughter and soft music filled the air, and the smell of something sweet baking teased your senses. You stepped inside, only to pause at the sight before you.

Peter Pettigrew and Mary Macdonald stood by the counter, hands brushing as they decorated a tray of cookies. Peter was a blushing mess, his usually pale cheeks bright pink as Mary whispered something that had him grinning like a schoolboy.

You cleared your throat loudly, hiding a smirk as they jumped apart, the spatula Mary had been holding clattering onto the counter. Peter looked like a deer caught in headlights, and Mary’s blush matched the rosy frosting she was piping.

“Am I interrupting something?” you teased, leaning against the doorframe.

“Bun!” Peter exclaimed, his voice a bit too high-pitched as he tried to regain his composure. “You’re here! We were just… uh, baking! Cookies!”

Mary rolled her eyes fondly but recovered quicker, smiling warmly at you. “Welcome, sweetie. It’s so good to see you again.”

“Good to see you too,” you replied with a chuckle. “And no need to explain. You two are adorable, by the way.”

Peter fumbled with the tray of cookies, muttering something under his breath as Mary handed you a warm one to taste. “Here, try these,” Peter said eagerly, watching your expression with nervous anticipation.

You bit into the cookie and hummed appreciatively. “Delicious. Seriously, you two make a great team in the kitchen. And overall.”

Peter blushed, but before he could say anything, Regulus stepped into the room. His presence seemed to shift the energy, quieting Peter’s usual bumbling nature.

“Regulus,” Mary greeted him brightly, her grin widening as you gave her a nod. She quickly plated a few cookies and handed them to him. “Here, try one. We’ve been working on these for ages.”

Regulus took the plate with a small, reluctant smile, glancing briefly at you as if for guidance. He picked up a cookie and took a careful bite, pausing as the flavors settled. Then, to everyone’s surprise, his lips curved into the faintest smile.

“They’re wonderful, Mary,” he said softly, nodding in approval.

You raised an eyebrow playfully. “And?”

Regulus hesitated, his gaze flickering to Peter, who was looking at him with wide, hopeful eyes. “...And Peter,” he added with a slight smirk.

Mary and Peter both grinned, looking utterly pleased with themselves. “Thanks, Regulus,” they said in unison, earning a chuckle from you.

The lighthearted moment was interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open. You turned to see Remus stepping in, his tall frame illuminated by the kitchen lights. He smiled warmly, his gaze soft as it landed on you.

“Dove,” he greeted, pulling you into a quick hug. “You look lovely as ever.” Then, turning to Regulus, he nodded. “Glad you made it, Regulus. Sirius will be joining in a minute.”

Regulus stiffened at those words, his hand instinctively seeking yours as his usual calm façade faltered. After exchanging pleasantries with Remus, he pulled you aside, his voice dropping to a frantic whisper.

“Did you hear him?” Regulus asked, his panic barely contained. “‘Sirius will be joining in a minute.’ That’s code for ‘he’s furious I’m here.’ I knew this was a mistake. Oh, Merlin, I should leave. I’ll just make an excuse—would they believe me if I said Barty accidentally set Evan on fire?”

You tried not to laugh, gently placing your hands on his shoulders. “Reg, no one’s furious you’re here. Sirius might be dramatic, but he doesn’t hate you. And yes, they would believe that excuse, love. But just stay with me, okay? You’re doing fine.”

Regulus opened his mouth to argue, but the sound of a door opening again silenced him. Both of you turned as Sirius stepped into the room, his grey eyes instantly locking onto you.

“Doll,” Sirius greeted with a grin, pulling you into a quick hug and pressing a kiss to your forehead. “Missed you.”

“Missed you too,” you replied, giving him a warm smile.

Then Sirius’s gaze shifted to Regulus. His expression softened slightly, though his tone held a quiet intensity as he spoke. “Can I talk to you alone, Regulus?”

Regulus tensed beside you, his hand gripping yours like a lifeline. His wide eyes darted to you in panic, but you just smiled reassuringly and leaned in to whisper, “You’ve got this.”

You blew him a quick kiss before stepping away, leaving him and Sirius alone in the kitchen. As you walked out, you caught Sirius glancing at you, his face unreadable, before turning back to his brother.

Sirius leaned against the counter, his arms crossed as he studied his brother with a carefully neutral expression. Regulus, for his part, was stiff as ever, his fingers twitching slightly as he tried to suppress his nerves.

“So…” Sirius began, dragging the word out. “You’re here.”

Regulus raised an eyebrow. “I am. And you’re here.”

Sirius’s lips twitched upward in a small, begrudging smile. “Merry Christmas, by the way.”

Regulus shifted on his feet. “You too.”

An awkward silence settled between them, the kind that years of estrangement couldn’t quite fill. Sirius scratched the back of his neck, clearly searching for the right words. Finally, he cleared his throat.

“I actually have something for you,” he said, his voice softer than usual.

Regulus blinked, startled. “You… do?”

Sirius nodded, his usual bravado muted as he turned and disappeared into the hallway. Regulus stood frozen, glancing back at the kitchen door as if considering fleeing, but before he could, Sirius returned. In his hands was a small package, wrapped haphazardly in parchment and tied with a crooked ribbon.

“Here,” Sirius said, shoving it toward him. “It’s, uh, not much.”

Regulus stared at the package, his brow furrowing. “I wasn’t aware there was going to be gift exchanging.”

“There’s not,” Sirius replied quickly, waving him off. “Just take it, alright?”

Regulus hesitated, then reached out and accepted the gift with the same care one might use to handle a priceless artifact. He carefully untied the ribbon and peeled back the paper, revealing a neatly folded sweater inside. The soft fabric was midnight blue, and embroidered on the chest was a constellation—the Regulus star, shining bright—and a black dog stitched beside it, looking up toward the stars.

For a moment, Regulus just stared at it, his fingers brushing over the stitching. His throat tightened, and when he finally looked up, his eyes were glossy with unshed tears.

“I…” he began, but his voice failed him.

Sirius, clearly uncomfortable with the silence, began rambling. “I, uh, had some help from Remus, of course. I’m rubbish with sewing—nearly stabbed myself a dozen times. And the constellation—Remus said it should be accurate, so we looked it up in one of his star charts, and—"

The rest of his sentence was cut off as Regulus surged forward, wrapping his arms tightly around Sirius. A quiet sob escaped him as he buried his face against Sirius’s shoulder, his grip firm and unyielding.

Sirius froze for a moment before exhaling shakily. A small smile tugged at his lips as he returned the embrace, his own tears slipping free as he clung to his younger brother.

They stayed like that for a long moment, the tension between them melting away in the quiet of the kitchen.

When Regulus finally pulled back, his face was tear-streaked but calmer. Sirius gave him a lopsided grin and clapped a hand on his shoulder.

“Come on, Reggie,” Sirius said, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m pretty sure dinner’s ready. And you know how James gets when people are late to the table.”

Regulus nodded, wiping his face as he smiled faintly. “Alright.”

Together, they stepped into the kitchen, their bond mended in a way neither had expected when the evening began. Everyone glanced up as they entered, noticing the tear tracks on both their faces, but no one said a word. Instead, they simply smiled and made room for the two brothers to join the gathering.

Regulus slid into the seat beside you, and Sirius took his place next to Remus. You gave Regulus a soft, knowing smile, gently squeezing his hand under the table. He squeezed back, his heart lighter than it had been in years.

The room soon filled with laughter as Harry began reenacting his earlier “scare” on an unsuspecting Remus, who pretended to faint dramatically. James and Lily chuckled, Mary and Peter exchanged amused glances, and Sirius leaned back in his chair, his arm draped casually around Remus as he laughed at Harry’s antics.

As you looked around the table, your hand still intertwined with Regulus’s, you couldn’t help but think that this was what Christmas was truly about—family, love, and finding light even after the darkest of times.

Merry Christmas, indeed.

© iamgonnagetyouback ⋆.˚ please do not copy, translate, or repost any of my work.

[my-castles-crumbling]

gay - @rosekillermicrofic - background dorlene - slightly NSFW - word count: 385

“Okay…” Pandora thought for a moment, tapping her chin, before she lit up. “Gayest thing you’ve ever done. Go!”

Regulus rolled his eyes. “I am gay,” he scoffed.

“Still,” Pandora insisted, crossing her arms and sinking farther into the couch he was inhabiting, by far the most comfortable one in the small flat Barty, Evan, and Regulus shared. “Most of us are. The point is to make fun of ourselves.”

“Fine,” Regulus sighed. “I painted my nails while watching Drag Race once. That’s…pretty gay,” he shrugged. “Cas?”

“I made a boob-shaped mug in pottery class in year 11,” Dorcas replied, grinning. “The teacher was not amused.”

“I once convinced myself that it was normal to want to snog the life out of the girl I hated, because I hated her that much,” Marlene offered, laughing.

“‘Course, she did. And now she’s dating her,” Dorcas piped up proudly, pulling Marlene in for a kiss.

All eyes turned to Barty and Evan, the only self-proclaimed straight ones in the group. Barty spoke first. “Evan,” he said simply, his voice casual as could be.

“Wait–what?” Dorcas asked, voice incredulous. 

“I did Evan. It was pretty gay,” Barty clarified, shrugging. Evan just nodded in agreement, face blank.

Regulus gaped, along with everyone else. “You two have…?” 

“Yeah. What, like…twenty times, now?” Barty said, turning to Evan, who nodded again, biting at his cuticle. “It’s bloody brilliant, really. Much better than any girl I’ve been with, don’t you agree, Rosie?”

“Hmm.”

“Think we’ll just be fucking each other from now on,” Barty said bluntly, nodding to himself like this wasn’t earth-shattering information for the whole group.

Regulus let out a puff of air. “So you’re like, da–?”

But Dorcas cut him off with a ‘shhhhht!’ and a fierce look, clearly telling him to shut up. They’d all been waiting for Barty and Evan to figure their shit out for years, and it seemed that she thought asking if they were dating was pushing them too far at one time. And none of them wanted the two to backslide into one of their many fights. “Nevermind,” he grumbled, rolling his eyes. “Yeah. That’s very gay. Especially for two, erm, straight people. You win.”

Hooting and cheering, Barty and Evan smugly gave each other high-fives while everyone else chuckled to themselves. Idiots.

[epsilonblack]

Sirius found the letter buried in a drawer beneath old birth certificates and pure blood family trees. It was crinkled and yellowed, not meant to be read. Not by him.

"Male, by parental choice," it said. Words clinical. Detached.

He read it three times before the words lost shape, swimming behind the sting in his eyes. His hands trembled, the paper fluttering like wings caught in a storm.

He had always known something didn’t fit quite right. The mirror never felt like a truth teller. His body, his voice, his bones, none of it quite belonged the way it seemed to for James, or Remus, or even Regulus.

But this? This was a decision. A fork in the road taken without him.

“They chose for me,” he whispered into the silence of the room. “They looked at me and decided what I’d be.”

Anger bloomed like fire in his chest. How could they? How could they hold that power and never think to let him hold it too?

It wasn’t that he didn’t love being Sirius. It was that Sirius should have had the choice to become himself. Not be sculpted by parents who only saw heirs and legacies.

He stood at the mirror now, shirt lifted, fingers tracing the lines of his body, not hating it, but questioning for the first time what it could have been. What it might still be.

Later, when he told Remus, voice cracking around the edges, he braced for confusion. Or worse, pity.

But Remus just listened. Quiet, steady.

“That was never their choice to make,” he said, voice like a grounding spell. “But it’s yours now. Whatever you want. However you feel. You’re still Sirius. And I love all the versions you’ve ever been or will ever be.”

Sirius breathed out. Shaky. Relieved.

James found Sirius on the Astronomy Tower. Legs pulled up, arms wrapped around his knees, hair tangled from the wind. It was too late for him to be up there alone, too cold not to have cast a warming charm. But Sirius hadn’t. He just sat there, eyes locked on the stars like they owed him answers.

James didn’t speak right away. Just sat beside him, shoulder to shoulder.

Sirius didn’t look at him. “You ever feel like your body isn’t really yours?” he asked softly.

James blinked, thrown by the quiet vulnerability. “Not… not really. Why?”

Sirius pulled a folded parchment from his coat pocket, crumpled from being read too many times. He handed it to James without a word.

James read it once. Twice. And slowly, his throat tightened. “Sirius—”

“I didn’t know,” Sirius interrupted, voice shaking. “They made the decision before I could even speak. Before I could be anything.”

He laughed, bitter and wet. “I always thought there was something wrong with me. That I wasn’t man enough. That maybe I was just broken.”

James looked at him, really looked. Sirius’ face was red, jaw clenched like he was holding back a scream. But the tears still slipped free, traitorous, and aching. He wiped at them harshly.

James put the paper down and wrapped an arm around him.

“You’re not broken,” he said. “You’re Sirius. You’re my brother. You’re the best person I know.”

Sirius choked on a sob and leaned into him, burying his face in James’ shoulder.

“I didn’t get to choose who I was supposed to be,” he whispered.

“But you do now,” James murmured. “And no matter what you choose, I’m not going anywhere. Alright?”

Sirius nodded, clinging a little tighter, as if he’d finally allowed himself to be held. The stars above kept shining, but for once, Sirius didn’t need them to light his way. He had James.

The next few weeks passed in subtle shifts. Nothing dramatic. Sirius didn’t burst out in the common room with a declaration or change his name overnight. But something in him loosened, like a thread finally freed from a too tight knot.

He started experimenting. Borrowed eyeliner from Marlene. Let Lily charm his hair into waves. Wore his shirts a little more open. Painted his nails black one day and didn’t say a word when someone asked. When Remus told him he looked cool, Sirius smiled like it actually reached somewhere deep.

The Marauders noticed, of course. James was the first to start referring to Sirius as “our hot mess of chaos and beauty.” Remus started calling him “love” instead of “mate” without missing a beat. Peter was awkward for about a week, then shyly asked if he could learn to braid Sirius’ hair for him.

Sirius didn’t always know what he wanted to be called. Some days, he was fine with “he.” Some days, “they” fit better. Once, when Remus called him “gorgeous girl” as a joke, Sirius surprised himself by not flinching.

But the important thing was that no one made him pick. Not right away. Not at all.

One evening, when they were sprawled out in the Gryffindor common room like always, Remus reading, James practicing wand twirls, Peter sketching something chaotic, Sirius spoke without warning.

“I think I might be both,” he said. “A boy and a girl. Or neither. Or something… in between.”

Remus looked up. “Okay,” he said, like it was the simplest thing in the world.

James grinned. “Mate, you could tell me you were a sentient cloud and I’d still throw hands for you.”

Peter blinked. “Do we still call you Sirius?”

“For now,” they said. Then smirked. “Unless you want to call me Empress Black.”

James clutched his heart. “I kneel, my liege.”

Remus rolled his eyes but leaned over to kiss Sirius’ temple. “Whoever you are,” he said quietly, “you’re ours.”

Sirius, for the first time in a long time, felt like maybe that body, however complicated it was, was finally starting to feel like theirs.

[oh-phoenixx]

"Boost" - Jegulus microfic @into-the-jeggyverse - 1074 words

-

James had never struggled much with his self-worth, his view of himself. But he had not realised until recently how dependent his pride was on other people’s opinions. So, when James was studying alone with Regulus, and the younger boy did nothing but insult him, he needed a little boost to his confidence.

With a Hogsmeade weekend coming up, James was going to ask someone to be his date, and who—besides Regulus—could say no to a face like his? Now, James hadn’t intended to do this in front of Regulus, it just worked out that way. He spotted Tracy in the library, and realised that she was a girl, at the very least.

“Hey, Tracy,” James called. “Wanna come to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?”

Tracy smiled at him and nodded. “Sure.”

James Potter was back in the game, ladies and gentlemen. When he looked back to Regulus, James saw that he was fuming, clutching his quill with a grip hard enough to turn his knuckles white.

“What? Did you want to ask her?” James scoffed.

“No,” Regulus muttered. “Shut up.”

“Wow, great comeback. I’m wounded, Reggie,” James mocked.

Regulus did not say another word for the majority of the study session, simply glaring at James occasionally. James didn’t know what his problem was. The only reason James was studying with Regulus was as a favour to Sirius. Regulus had asked for Sirius’s fifth-year notes, but Sirius had thrown all of his away and knew that James still had some. Out of the kindness of his heart, and his love for Sirius, James had offered to go over them with Regulus, as his handwriting was somewhat…illegible. Despite his generosity, Regulus did not seem at all grateful that James was giving up his time to be here.

“What the fuck does this even say?” Regulus muttered. “How can you possibly have handwriting this awful?”

“Sorry, Mr. I-Write-In-Cursive-Because-I’m-A-Pretentious-Git,” James grumbled. He took the page. “That clearly says unicorn blood!”

“How was I supposed to read that?” Regulus whisper-shouted. “The ink is smeared across the page!”

James frowned at the parchment. “Yeah, I reckon I wrote this one with my left hand.”

“Why would you do that?” Regulus questioned, eyes narrowed as if James was losing his mind.

“I’m ambidextrous,” James said with a grin, though he knew realistically it wasn’t a brag. He was ambidextrous in the sense that both hands were equally as shit. 

Regulus just groaned and took back the parchment, continuing to try to decipher James’s handwriting, as he refused to just have it read to him, because ‘I’m not a toddler, Potter. I don’t need a bedtime story’.

On Monday evening, when the two next studied together, James felt somewhat uncomfortable. Strangely, it had nothing to do with Regulus, but with Tracy constantly looking over and smiling at him. James did not like to be this person, he hated being in this position, he hated when people liked him and he didn’t like them back. He felt guilty about leading them on and guilty about breaking it off or rejecting them. There was nothing wrong with Tracy; she was nice, funny, and smart. James wanted to like her back. But his mind seemed occupied, and he didn’t know why.

“For Merlin’s sake,” Regulus sighed. “You could just go if you’re so occupied.”

“Huh?”

“That girl is eye-fucking you,” Regulus mumbled, face hidden by his hand rubbing his forehead as he wrote.

“No, she’s not,” James muttered. “And I’m not interested, anyway.”

Regulus, for some reason, seemed to relax a little at this. They got back to work and James tried his best to ignore Tracy. But, on the way out of the library, Tracy stopped him to talk about the next time they could see each other. 

James had a small, minor, tiny problem with wanting everyone to like him all the time. Sure, they were exceptions, like most of the Slytherins. He was a Gryffindor, of course they weren’t going to like him, it wasn’t anything personal. But he had a genuine and all-consuming fear of disappointing people. So, he did the most logical thing. He said: “Uh, sorry, I realised I’m, uh, gay.”

“Oh.” Tracy’s face fell, but she quickly put on a smile. “Good for you, James. Sorry for bothering you.”

As she walked away, Regulus raised his eyebrows. James winced. “I didn’t want to hurt her feelings!”

“You know if you ever date another girl she’ll realise you were lying,” Regulus pointed out.

“I wasn’t lying, per se, I was…obscuring half the truth,” James defended. “I’ll just have to find a good guy, then.”

“Too bad Lupin’s taken, I think he’s the only datable person in your entire friend group,” Regulus scoffed.

“Hey, I have very fuckable friends,” James protested, then grimaced. He had a strange instinct to protect all of his friends, though he wasn’t sure any would be happy to hear that he thought this, except maybe Sirius. “Ooo! You could pretend to-”

“No.”

“You don’t even know what I was going to say!”

“I could pretend to be your boyfriend?” Regulus asked, eyebrows raised. When James nodded, Regulus shook his head. “First of all, that’s an awful cliché. Second of all, fuck off.”

James groaned and followed after Regulus as he started to walk away. “Come on, you owe me one.”

“I didn’t ask for your help,” Regulus said.

Now, James didn’t want to get too arrogant or anything, but he was a very persuasive person. He was confident that he could get even Regulus Black, certified-grumpy-piece-of-shit, to listen to him. And, sure enough, after delivering a long and charming monologue about all of his good qualities (Regulus had called it pestering, but potato whatever), Regulus gave in.

So, that evening, Regulus and James walked into the Great Hall together. Regulus turned and left a chaste kiss on his cheek, and oh. Oh, this would be a problem. James stuttered out a goodbye, his face almost seeming to burn where Regulus’s lips had been.

“Bye, Jamie,” Regulus bid. Of course, James knew the nickname was just for show. But, fuck, that didn’t change the way his stomach flipped. He suddenly understood why they called them butterflies.

James sat down at his usual spot, right next to Sirius, face red and realising a lot of things at once.

“What the fuck was that?” Sirius hissed.

“I think I’m in love with your brother,” James answered dumbly.

[hoaxriot]

annual christmas parties… and punches! ✸ regulus black

summary. you bring regulus to your familes christmas party. hugs are given. songs are sung. punches are thrown. kisses are shared.

pairings. regulus black x potter!reader

Regulus Black knew of parties, of course, his family had thrown a lot of them but this was different. The boy sat in the living room watching you as you stood in the hallway talking with a family member, everyone was getting along, everyone seemed comfortable. Sirius was even comfortable enough to be snuggled on the couch with Remus as they talked to the Potters family.

Regulus Black had never felt so out of place.

You noticed when you looked over your aunts shoulder, his fingers gripped onto his drink. Him constantly looking around, Marlene had left him apparently. You excused yourself from you aunt and made your way back to him.

You smiled as you approached him, “Hi, my love,” Your voice was quiet as you sat beside him. He smiled back, “Hi,” his voice was quiet but sad, causing you to frown. You so badly wanted to reach out and grab his hand but now his brother and Remus were approaching so you brought your hand back to your lap.

“Hey, little brother.”

Regulus head snapped up, he was still getting used to being close with his brother, “We’re going outside to… yeah.” He stopped to say smoke but your family was behind him, Sirius was hinting for him to join so you nudged him before you stood up.

“Bring spray, mom will kill you if you bring that smell in.” You said patting his shoulder as you walked away, Regulus stuttered as Sirius pulled him up. You looked over your shoulder to see that Regulus was giving you pleading eyes.

“Sweetheart, your mom needs help with the food,” your father said as he passed you. You smiled walking to the kitchen. When you entered she was looking out of the small kitchen window, she was smiling causing you to look.

Regulus was laughing with the boys causing you to smile too, “You love him, hm?” Euphemia said from beside you making you snap your head to her, she was looking at you with her knowing look.

“Wh-wh—“ you choked on your words as she tilted her head, “Yeah, I think I do.” You whispered as she cooed bringing you into a hug, you groaned as you fell onto her chest with a smile.

She pulled you away with a smile looking out the window before at her daughter again, “I’m glad because you’re happy but also because you’re showing him true love.” She spoke grabbing your face, you smiled.

“Now c’mon, help me with— oh my god, James!” She cut herself off with a yell causing you to jump, you followed her eyesight out of the window again but James stood in front of Regulus with his fist clenched as Regulus held his face, as everyone inside and outside started at them in shock, Regulus punched James.

That sent you out of shock as you ran outside, pushing James as he stepped towards your boyfriend again. “Stop,” you yelled as Sirius walked past you to his brother. James glared at you pushing your hands off of his chest.

“Merlin, sunny. Him?” His voice was full of disgust as your parents walked out of the house, “James!” Fleamont gritted out as he approached his kids, you stepped back with tears in your eyes. “Whatever it is, you couldn’t have waited until everyone left?” Your father stepped in front of James as your your mother grabbed your arm.

James shook his father’s hands off, “Whatever it is, she is dating him, dad.” Your brother pointed at Regulus, looking back at you. He shook his head in shame making the tears fall.

“Okay, chill out, Prongs.” Sirius stated, James scoffed.

“Chill out? You have no problem with this?”

Euphemia snapped her head to look at Sirius, “do not answer that.” She scolded , Looking at her husband, “Deal with him.” Looking at James, you hated the feeling as you walked into your home and your family staring at you. You heard the yelling outside as your mom brought you into the kitchen.

“You didn’t tell him?” She spoke softly, bringing her chair closer to soothe you.

You breathed out, “I never knew how, I wanted to, I did. But he has no right to act like that towards him.” You said, your mother could feel your emotions flowing through you but mostly anger.

“Sweetie, I know, he does not but please take a deep breath in,” she said waiting for you too, once you did she smiled. “Now out.”

The kitchen door opened, “Oh, darling.” You mother cooed, you looked up seeing Regulus with Sirius standing beside him, Remus stood awkwardly behind them. Euphemia left your side to care for Regulus who avoided eye contact with you, you watched his every movement as Remus took your mother’s seat. You flinched when Regulus would wince, Remus grabbed onto your hand.

The door opened once again but you didn’t look, “sweetheart,” you fathers voice caught everyone attention. “Go talk to your brother.” He said, you gave him a look.

He gave you a look, everyone in the kitchen knew you and your father could talk through looks for hours, Sirius was freaked for the first time when he witnessed it.

He cleared his throat, “enough with that, sunny. Go.” His voice was stern, you rolled your eyes but stood up. Fleamont smiled as you walked passed him, he made sure to listen for the back door before he sat down.

You shut the door behind you looking at your brothers back, he knew it was you, he always did but this time he didn’t turn around.

“I really don’t wanna talk to you,” he said without looking at you, you bit your lip.

“Jamie, I’m sorry.”

“It doesn’t mean anything, please just go.”

Your eyes filled with tears, he had never once told you to go. Yeah, you two had fought— sometimes literally, never had he been like this and it made you feel horrible. You opened the door, one of your cousins called your name, you put on your best smile as you approached them, luckily no one asked about what happened for the rest of the day. You were grateful but now as everyone left, you looked for Regulus and he was nowhere to be seen.

“Mom, have you seen Regulus?” You asked as she sat beside you, she shook her head. You frowned looking at James who was back to smiling and laughing with his friends. You mother watched, she hated when her kids argued but this was the worst she’s ever seen it and she’s seen a lot.

You and your mother watched as Sirius and James did horrible karaoke to Christmas songs, you grimaced as they made everyone join. You snuck out of the room as they began to sing, horribly at that. Seeing Regulus through the windows, sitting outside in a small jacket as he watched the snow.

He looked up as you opened the door with a shiver, you said nothing as you sat beside him. The two of you sat in silence for a few minutes before you spoke up.

“I’m sorry,” you murmur afraid if you spoke louder you would start to cry again. Regulus looked at you but regretted it when he met your teary eyes. “It’s not your fault,” he whispered. You smiled softly, “kind of is.”

He laughed under his breath, “Kind of is, but also mine.”

You laughed, “you’re not mad at me, are you?” You dared to ask, he looked at you again with a shocked look. “Why would I be mad at you? Your brother punched me.” He smiled but you frowned, he brought his hand to your face, it was freezing but you didn’t say anything.

“My love, I’m not mad at you. I’m hurt… I’m hurt because your brother doesn’t approve of us and I was terrified that if he didn’t that you would leave me.” He confessed blinking hardly, you stared at him.

“Love, I would never— is there something in your eye?” You asked looking at him oddly, he rubbed his eyes harshly. “Something like that.” He mumbled, you moved his hands from his face.

“Are you crying?”

Regulus let out a scoff wiping his face, “wha- no! I think snow fell in my eye.” He sputtered out, you laughed.

“You’re crying! Holy shit. You’re crying at the thought of me leaving you.” You wanted to laugh and cry at the thought of, Regulus tried to deny but ended up letting his head fall onto your chest as you wrapped your arms around him. “Yeah, I am.” He admitted though it came out muffled, you smiled kissing his hair.

The two of you sat with each other for a while until he said something, “Love, I can’t hear you.” You spoke as he brought his head up.

“I’m freezing, your skin is cold.”

You laughed as he sat up, “I’m cold because it’s snowing out and my freezing boyfriend is laying on me.” You said grabbing his hand to pull him up. He intertwined your fingers after he stood up, the two of you walked into the house hearing laughter upstairs.

Your parents saw the two of you, “Sweetheart,” You looked at your mother who jerked her head. “Go upstairs and warm up, I’ll be there in a second.” You said pecking Regulus’ lips letting go of his hands as you approached your parents. They both said nothing as they looked over your shoulder.

“What?” You laughed looking over your shoulder, your laughter faded away seeing James sulking on the couch. He had a drink in his hand but just stared at it, you bit the inside of your cheek. Turning around your parents looked at you, without saying anything they told you to talk him, again.

You turned around, James looked at you but quickly turned back— he actually turned his body away from you making you laugh as you sat beside him.

“Jamie, seriously I’m sorry but that’s unnecessary.” You said as he scoffed.

“It’s totally unnecessary when my sister has lied to me for months.”

You laughed again, “I didn’t lie, I just didn’t tell you—“

“So all those times I asked where you were and you said somewhere, you were there and not with him?”

You were quiet, you could tell James was actually upset and just covering it up with being dramatic like he always did.

“James, please just look at me.”

“I really don’t want to, you make me sick.”

“Fucking hell, James I swear just look at me and talk to me, I’m sorry! It hurt me to not tell you but look at how you reacted! I was terrified of that, I was terrified of how you looked at me today because I never want to lose you.” You cried causing James to turn around, his eyes filled with tears seeing his sister cry, it always happened.

“You’re never gonna lose me, sunny. I’m just hurt you couldn’t tell me.” He sighed, you frowned.

“It’s not all about me, Jamie. I love him,” you glared at your brother as he rolled his eyes. “I do, Jamie. Please, I’m not gonna do this with you.” You said with a sigh, sniffling James looked at your pleading eyes.

James Potter hated seeing his sister cry, every time you did he made her tell him why and if someone had made her cry. He would prank them for years or even punch them because they broke up with her, just anything he could do to because they made you cry.

Now he was them, he watched as tears continued to fall down your red cheeks. His heart broke thinking of you thinking you would lose him.

“Sunny,” he whispered wiping your falling tears, bringing you into a hug, you sighed softly.

“You’re not gonna lose me, sunny, never.” He said into your hair, you pulled away.

“Okay,” you nodded.” “But that’s not it.”

James licked his lips, “I know, I’m sorry for doing that and saying the things I did to him.”

“I don’t need that apology.” You said as he looked away, “James, you don’t have to love him but just- just please tolerate him.”

“Fine.”

You smiled kissing his cheek as you walked away, walking into your room seeing Regulus tucked underneath a pile of your blankets causing you to laugh. He peeked from them, he smiled as he pushed them to the side as you laid on top of him then bringing them to lay on top of the two of you.

Without a word, Regulus captured your lips onto his. You smiled into the kiss bringing your hands to his hair as his fell onto your hips, “I love you,” he muttered into the kiss.

[prythiansprincess]

— wicked games.

NAVIGATION // inbox. tags. writing. library.

pairing: regulus black x reader x theodore nott.

song inspiration: wicked games by the weeknd.

author's note: happy thirsty thursday babes. please enjoy this delicious little fic I cooked up whilst deep in a state of delusion.

You hated him. 

Absolutely loathed him. 

There were no words in the English language that could properly describe the pure wrath that Theodore Nott awakened within you. As a Gryffindor, you were well aware of the stereotypical fiery temper attributed to your house that you were currently living proof of, but you just couldn’t help it. The animosity between you and Nott seemed to bring out the worst in you.

When you first started dating Regulus, you attempted to make peace with the Slytherin, but Nott seemed hell bent on waging war against you. More often than not, the two of you had to be pulled apart from tearing each other to pieces. Regulus knew better than to fight your battles for you, but he did find it amusing to watch you hand Nott his annoyingly arrogant arse on a silver platter.

“Nott’s just so…ugh,” you ranted as Regulus lifted you up onto the marble counter. “And he makes me feel like blegh.” 

Your boyfriend settled between your legs, carefully dabbing at the wine stain on your brand new white shirt. The tasteful little addition was courtesy of the aforementioned menace, who accidentally knocked his drink over across the table at the exact spot that you were occupying after you mercilessly beat him at tonight’s poker game. 

 “Theo annoys the fuck out of you and you want to kill him?” 

“Yes, exactly!” 

Regulus hummed as he unbuttoned your blouse, his slender fingers making swift work of the article of clothing. His cold hands felt soothing against your feverish skin, sending shivers down your spine as he skimmed the underwire of your bra. The wine had seeped right through, staining the pink lace with crimson. 

“Sounds to me like you’re frustrated, mon amour.” 

You were, but for an entirely different reason now. The anger coursing through you gave way to desire, its heat simmering to a boil just beneath your skin. Regulus stared intently while you traced the shape of his wine stained lips. Holding his breath, your boyfriend groaned as you pressed a soft kiss against his mouth, fingers sliding up to those pretty curls that felt like silk beneath your touch. 

The heady taste of red wine and cinnamon mixed and mingled as you swirled your tongue against his, gasping into your boyfriend’s mouth as he gripped your thighs and pulled you towards him until your legs instinctively wrapped around his midsection. You were drunk off of Regulus, his taste and touch and scent as intoxicating as the wine dancing on your tongues.

“I’d be more than happy to help, love,” Regulus murmured as his lips skated over your throat. “Let me take your mind off of things, yeah?” 

“Yes please,” you breathed as Regulus spread your legs wide open. 

The cold kiss of his rings caressed the inside of your thighs. You watched through a heavy lidded gaze as your boyfriend knelt in front of you, his handsome face marked with mischief. As he peppered kisses at the junction of your thighs, something dark and possessive flashed through his pretty green eyes, piercing you in place. 

It felt obscene to witness him like this. The sight of Regulus Black on his knees was heaven. Dark curls falling over lust blown eyes, looking up at you through thick lashes as he gripped your thighs. Regulus watched, cocking his head between your legs before he kissed the top of your knees. 

Butterflies erupted in your stomach as he lifted up your skirt, bunching the fabric around your waist before slowly tugging your panties down to your ankles. Patience had never been your strong suit, but you didn’t dare rush your boyfriend. Instead, you savored the kisses that he pressed against your skin, his soft lips like satin on your calves, knees, and thighs. You held your breath in anticipation, your body buzzing with desire as your boyfriend licked and sucked and marked every surface available to him.

Regulus chuckled as you bucked against his mouth, eager for friction. His eyes were blown out with lust as he glanced up at you. “Spread your legs for me, sweetheart.” 

You jolted as he patted your thigh, but obeyed nonetheless. With a pleased smirk, Regulus hooked your legs behind his shoulders and came face to face with your soaked cunt. 

“So wet for me,” Regulus hummed as he ran a finger through your folds. “That’s my good girl.” 

The words unlocked something inside of you. It didn’t matter how many times your boyfriend called you that, it never failed to turn you on. “Reggie, baby,  please…”

“You know I can’t resist when you beg, mon amour.” 

Without another word, Regulus obliged your plea. The first lick had you keening, your soft and breathless moans echoing through the bathroom. Your boyfriend smirked before yanking you over the edge of the sink and burying his head between your thighs. Your cunt ached for him, clit throbbing as he easily worked you with his mouth and lips and tongue. He licked and sucked like a man starved, eating you out until your back was arched against the mirror, fingers scrambling for anything to hold onto. 

It always amazed you that Regulus, a man who took great pride in restraint and discipline, completely lost any semblance of control when it came to you. There was something hedonistic about the way he feasted on you, his dark curls plastered to his sweaty skin, his slender fingers gripping the meat of your thighs, his mouth glistening with the evidence of your arousal. 

Regulus unleashed was fucking divine. Your boyfriend knew your body like the back of his hand and he put that knowledge to use, curving his fingers inside of you and chasing the action with his tongue. 

“God, Reggie,” you panted as he flicked his tongue over your swollen clit. “Baby, I’m going to —“ 

“Hey lovebirds, stop defiling the loo,” interrupted an irritatingly familiar voice. “I need to piss!” 

You cursed under your breath as your mood instantly soured. The presence of Nott on the other side of the door killed any chance of you ever coming. The twat truly had a special talent for spoiling what would’ve otherwise been a fantastic orgasm. You groaned, frustration and anger bubbling up inside of you all over again. This was fucking personal now. You were going to take his bloody head off for it. 

“You know that’s exactly what he wants, right?” Regulus mused as he helped you off the counter. 

“To cockblock me? Yes, I’m perfectly aware.” You said with a scoff. “He’s only doing it because he can’t accept that he lost to me.” 

“I don’t think he’d be this petty over a poker game, love.” 

“I’m not talking about the game,” you responded, hopping off the counter and smoothing down your skirt. “I’m talking about you, baby.” 

Regulus raised a brow. Clearly, he wasn’t convinced, but you were. You knew the real reason behind Nott’s antagonism, which began when you started dating your boyfriend. 

“Theo still has a thing for you,” you explained. “Honestly, I can’t blame him. I’d pine after you, too.” 

Your boyfriend chuckled. “You’re being silly, darling. Theo and I had a fling in fifth year, but it never went anywhere past that. He’s not the relationship type.”

You knew all about the short-lived fling. After all, there were no secrets between you and Regulus. 

“Don’t remind me. You could’ve done so much better than Nott. At least aim for a Riddle, babe.” The pointed look you sent his way earned you an amused smirk. “Anyways, that’s not the point. I’m not saying that Theo wants to date you. I’m saying that he wants to fuck you and I’m standing in the way of that. That’s why he hates me. I took his toy away.”

“I’m a toy now?” purred Regulus as he pinned you against the sink. “You certainly do enjoy playing with me, don’t you, darling?” 

You groaned as he squeezed your arse. “This is exactly what I mean. If I lost you, I’d do everything in my power to get you back too, which is why Nott has been a bloody pain in my arse since we started dating. He’s infuriating. I don’t know how you ever put up with him.”

“Well, there are ways to shut him up.” 

You sighed. “My methods would send me straight to Azkaban.” 

Regulus considered your words for a moment. “You just have to think a little more creatively, darling. The thing about Theo is that he’s a tease. He gets off on it. The more you react, the more he’ll keep pushing your buttons. Maybe you need to start pushing back.”

Curiosity sparked within you. “What are you saying, Reggie?” 

The smirk on his face all but confirmed your suspicions. “I think you know exactly what I’m saying, love.” 

The common room was filled with drunk ramblings and boisterous laughter by the time you and Reggie returned to join your friends. The two of you settled in just as Enzo started taking bets for the winner of the next game. As the drinking picked back up again, you decided to rise to your boyfriend’s challenge. 

“Surprised the two of you even came back,” Theo whispered salaciously. “You seemed a little busy back there.” 

“We were,” you replied with a cheerful smile. “But I’m in the mood for a different game now.” 

Nott blinked as you leaned closer, twirling the end of his tie between your fingers. Confusion was etched all over his face, but you didn’t miss the shaky breath he released when you tugged him down to eye level. 

“You should know that I intend to win.” 

The moment was broken before anyone noticed, but it may as well have been written all over his face with the way Nott flushed crimson. Curious blue eyes landed on you before Theo cleared his throat and directed his attention to Enzo. 

“Setting the trap, I see,” Regulus murmured in your ear as you settled into his lap. “Just be gentle with him, yeah?” 

A smirk curved against your lips as Nott shot another confused glance your way. “No promises, baby,” you replied with a giggle. “You know I like it rough.” 

Your boyfriend’s laughter rumbled in his chest as he rested his chin on your shoulder. “Let the games begin.” 

You started off small. Just a few lingering touches and coy glances that could’ve otherwise have been brushed off by the wine. For the most part, the only person who seemed to take note of the slight shift in your demeanor was Nott. 

“You’re in a better mood,” Theo remarked suspiciously. “Regulus finally managed to knock the stick up your arse, I take it?” 

On any other occasion, you would have threatened to shove your wand up his arse in retaliation, but instead you threw your head back and laughed. To his utter astonishment, you flashed Nott a charming smile and placed your hand on his chest. 

“Oh that’s too funny, Theo.” You batted your lashes at the stunned Slytherin, smirking slightly as his gaze darted between your face and hand, which was still firmly pressed against him. “You’re a riot tonight, aren’t you?” 

“Seriously, what’s happened to you?” Theo muttered. “That comment would’ve earned me a curse or a hex. A slap, at the very least.” 

“Is that what you want?” You asked in a low, sultry voice. Theo tensed as you twirled his tie between your fingers. “Do you want me to be mean to you, Theo?” 

“Yes — I mean no —” You watched in amusement as Theo stuttered over his words, his cheeks flushing progressively deeper to reflect his flustered state. “I don’t know what you’re playing at, but I’ll warn you now. You won’t distract me from winning the game.” 

“Good luck, Nott,” you said with an innocent smile. “You’re going to need it.” 

Despite his warning, your ploy was working better than you could've imagined. Even when Enzo began explaining the rules of the game, you could feel Theo watching you. Regulus smirked as you settled on his lap, proud of the progress that you were making. Thanks to his suggestion, the night was finally starting to get interesting. 

As the game went along, you were unsurprisingly in yet another deadlock with Theo. The two of you were tied for first place at this point while the others lagged behind. You watched as Theo rolled the dice, smirking when he rolled to his advantage. He counted out each number and advanced his character on the board, putting him precisely one step ahead of you. Petty fuck that he was, Nott knocked your piece over as he set his own down. The pink bunny that you had chosen tumbled to the floor and underneath the table. 

“Oops.” Theo smirked as he glanced over at you, his demeanor conveying that the move was both spiteful and intentional. 

“That’s okay,” you responded cheerfully before crawling on your hands and knees to retrieve your character. 

The piece had landed on the far end of the sofa, prompting you to crawl towards Theo. He tensed as you reached across, your body pressed against his while you rummaged beside him. Positioned sideways over his lap, the strategic move gave Theo an ample view down your shirt as your perky breasts spilled out of your red lacy bra. Your thigh brushed against his arm as you wiggled around and nearly put your arse in his face. 

“For Salazar’s fucking sake,” Theo muttered under his breath as he snatched the pink bunny from underneath the table and handed it to you. 

Nott couldn’t meet your gaze as you happily retrieved the piece from the palm of his hand. He was nearly frozen when your fingers made contact, his entire body coiled with tension while you smirked. 

“Thanks, Theo.” 

He nodded begrudgingly as you crawled back into your boyfriend’s lap. Regulus patted your arse in congratulations as Theo grew redder by the second. 

“Mate?” Mattheo asked. “Did you hear what Malfoy said?” 

Theo snapped out of his reverie. “What?” 

“It’s your turn, you dolt,” Draco responded with an eye roll. 

Winning after that was like taking candy from a baby. It was entirely too easy to pull an otherwise obvious move over Nott given the fact that he appeared seconds away from crawling out of his own skin. The prat kept having to readjust himself the more you messed with him. The sight was satisfying to say the least. 

After your unchallenged victory, a joint was passed around amongst your friends. Combined with the ego boost that came with toying with your supposed enemy, the weed left you feeling loose and relaxed.

When it was your turn to take a hit again, you inhaled deeply and kept the smoke in your chest before tapping on Reggie’s bottom lip. Your boyfriend happily obliged, those kaleidoscope eyes trained on you while you tipped his chin and blew the smoke into his mouth. With a low growl, Regulus finished you off with a filthy kiss that had the rest of your friends hooting and hollering. 

Dazed, you smiled softly and wiped the gloss from your boyfriend’s mouth. You were vaguely aware of Theo’s gaze burning holes into you, but the desire to rile him up was superseded by your desire for Regulus. The more the two of you smoked, the touchier you became. 

Regulus lounged lazily on the couch, long legs splayed out in a sexy manspread. His tie hung loosely around his neck, barely covering the love bites you’d left on his throat last night. You traced the marks with your fingers possessively, following the trail down his collarbone. Your boyfriend pressed soft kisses against your neck while you unbuttoned his shirt, red nails stark against his pale skin as you ventured lower. 

By that point, your friends had left to raid the kitchen pantry. Only you, Regulus, and Theo remained. 

The waves of the Black Lake lapped gently against the stained glass windows, its murky waters bathing the common room with green ripples. The air was thick with smoke, making it hard to see through the haze. Across the couch, Theo murmured something, but it barely registered as you straddled your boyfriend. 

Regulus abandoned the conversation with Theo as you positioned yourself over his erection, groaning while he pulled you in for a heated kiss. Present company forgotten, you parted your lips for Regulus and gasped when he slid his tongue inside and licked the roof of your mouth. Smoking was quickly replaced with making out. 

You couldn’t get enough of Regulus. He felt like silk and tasted like sin. 

You could tell by the way his cock twitched in his pants that he was thoroughly enjoying this. Even more so when Theo squeaked in surprise. Regulus grinned against your lips before lifting your skirt up slightly and squeezing your arse, giving your audience a sneak peek of your red lacy panties.

“God, you’re so hot, baby,” you murmured as you kissed his neck. With a smirk, you glanced over your shoulder and found Theo staring at the two of you with a dazed expression. “Isn’t my boyfriend sexy, Theo?” 

Theo blinked. “Uh, yeah. Yeah, Reg is a good looking guy.” 

You tapped a finger against your chin. “You’d know all about that. You had a crush on him back in fifth year, didn’t you?” The panic in Nott’s eyes made you grin. “I guess we have more in common than you think.” 

He looked like a deer in headlights. You fucking loved it. “Hm? Um, briefly. That was ages ago though.” 

“Oh, but who could forget?” You hummed as you sucked at the hollow of Reggie’s throat. “Do you remember his sweet spot? Right here, it’s his weakness. The first time I made him whimper, I nearly soaked myself. Was it the same for you?” 

“I — you — you know?” 

“Of course. Reg and I tell each other everything,” Theo gulped as you held his gaze. “We’re good at sharing.” 

Nott readjusted himself on the couch, his eyes not quite meeting yours. 

“For instance, Reg told me about your little game. He said you get off on riling people up. Is that why you’re always being a pain in my arse, Theo?” 

“No…” Nott said rather unconvincingly. “You’re…you two are together.” 

Regulus shook his head. “That’s not what she asked, Theo.” 

Theo gulped. “Fine. Maybe I do enjoy driving you mad.” 

You chuckled. “You hear that, babe? He finally admits it.” 

Your boyfriend smirked as you slinked off of his lap. He gave your arse an appreciative pat before you strutted towards Theo. Those piercing blue eyes locked onto you, tracing every step with unveiled scrutiny. He held his breath as you draped yourself over his lap. 

Regulus leaned back from where he sat, fully enjoying the show. While he thoroughly enjoyed putting one on for Theo, you knew that watching you drive his friend to the brink would turn him on even more. Your boyfriend loved watching almost as much as he loved being watched.

“Tell me, Theo,” you drawled as you traced a line down his chest. “Does making me angry make you hard?” 

Theo sucked in a breath as you palmed his cock through his pants. He was hard as a rock, which all but confirmed your suspicion. 

“It does, doesn’t it?” You said with a smirk. “You’re such a little brat. I bet you touch yourself after we argue.” 

As if on cue, his cock twitched against your palm. Theo blinked rapidly, his eyes heavy lidded as he looked up at you. “Fuck…what — what’s happening?” 

“You played your games,” Regulus answered. “Now Y/N is playing hers. I should warn you, she isn’t gentle or forgiving.” 

Theo groaned as you licked a stripe against his neck before sucking down harshly. “You’re not the only one who knows how to tease." You slid your hand down his boxers and stroked his cock, rubbing the precum over his tip. “I’m going to play with you until you beg me to stop. Even then, your pretty tears won’t stop me, Theo.” 

Theo panted as you stroked him slowly. “Oh fuck, please, bella.” 

“You’re so hard, Theo. I bet it hurts, huh?” His cock throbbed in your hand as he nodded. “Do you need help, pretty boy?” 

“Yes,” Theo moaned. “God, yes. Touch me, please.” 

“So you do know how to be polite,” you teased. “Good to know.” 

His eyes nearly rolled to the back of his head as you began pumping him in your hand. You could taste the desperation emanating from him as his hands twitched at his side. Theo’s fingers brushed your thighs, but the action was full of uncertainty. 

“Do you want to touch me, Theo?” 

Theo nodded eagerly. You smirked before taking one of his hands and sliding it up your thigh. He held his breath as you moved it further up and guided him to squeeze your arse. Theo groaned as you continued jerking him off, his breaths growing ragged while you carried on with your exploration. He was mesmerized as his rough, calloused hands made contact with soft skin, stopping briefly at your hip before sliding over your stomach until he reached right below your lacy red bra. 

Licking his lips, Theo looked to you for direction. You moved his large hand up to cup your breast, closing your fist around his so he could squeeze your tit. Behind you, Regulus finally left his spot on the couch and pulled your blouse all the way off. He placed kisses over your shoulder and peeked at Theo, who watched the whole thing with his mouth gaped open. 

When Regulus unhooked your bra and revealed your bare tits to Theo, he growled. 

“Touch them,” Regulus commanded.

Theo didn’t need to be told twice. Both hands cupped your breasts, massaging and kneading the soft tissue with a hungry look in his eyes. He looked at your boyfriend, awaiting instructions. 

Regulus seemed to understand exactly what he wanted. “Kiss them.” 

Theo released a shaky breath. His watercolor eyes burned holes into your skin as he wrapped his lips around your nipple. You moaned at the sensation, causing you to grip his cock tighter. Theo took that as a positive sign and continued to lick and suck at your tits, alternating between the two and tweaking and flicking the one his mouth wasn’t on with his fingers. 

Without warning, Regulus tugged your hair back and tilted your chin so he could claim you with a searing kiss. At the sight, Theo bucked against your hand desperately. Watching you make out with Regulus earlier had already caused him problems, but seeing it up close almost had him cumming in your hand. 

When you felt Theo getting close, you released his cock and leveled a disapproving expression at him as he whined. 

“I didn’t say you could cum,” you said meanly. “ I told you, you’ll regret teasing me.” 

Theo sounded pained. “Please, please, I’m sorry. I’ll be good. I’ll do anything you want.” 

You and your boyfriend wore twin smiles. Regulus chuckled darkly. “You can watch me fuck her until she cries and then maybe we’ll think about letting you cum.” 

You brushed Theo’s hair back, his waves soft and luscious between your fingers. “Can you do that for us, pretty boy?” 

“Yes,” Theo answered immediately. “Yes, I’ll be good. I promise.”

“We’ll see about that,” Regulus said.

He smacked your arse and smiled. “Ready, my love?”

You nodded before positioning yourself on your hands and knees on the couch. Theo held his breath as you braced yourself against his chest and arched your back as you looked back at your boyfriend. 

“Ready, baby.” 

The sound of metal clinking against stone echoed in the common room as Regulus shed his belt. He stroked himself before rubbing his cock through your wet folds, making obscene sounds as he teased you with his tip. Your pussy clenched and squelched in anticipation, eager to have his cock inside of you. 

Regulus leaned over to kiss the base of your spine before gripping your hips and easing himself into your pussy. His cock stretched your walls, the delicious drag summoning butterflies in your stomach. You wanted to keep him there forever, nestled in the comfort of your warmth. 

Once Regulus was fully sheathed, you gasped for breath and braced yourself. Theo panted as you clawed at his chest, drinking in the sight as Regulus began to move. His pace was slow and steady, testing your patience as he toyed with you, but luckily, being with your boyfriend taught you the importance of restraint. As Theo would soon learn. 

Speaking of which, the Slytherin was at the edge of his seat as he watched Regulus fuck you. His gaze darted between you and your boyfriend, surveying the seamless way your bodies fit together. You rocked your hips back slowly and followed the torturous pace Regulus set. 

What you really wanted to do was slam all the way back so you could feel him in your guts, but you knew that your boyfriend would reward your discipline like he always did. After a few more shallow thrusts that had you keening for more, Regulus finally took pity on you. 

Gripping your hips, Regulus pulled his cock out of you before slamming all the way back inside. You cried out as Regulus pumped in and out of you, burying himself over and over again into your throbbing cunt. The snap of his hips was brutal yet so satisfying every time he hit your sweet spot. 

"Tu prend ma queue tellement bien, mon amour.”

Regulus praised you for taking his cock, his sweet words contrasted by the animalistic way he fucked into you.

“You feel so good, baby. I love the way you stretch my pussy.”

Theo cursed under his breath, a mixture of English and Italian that sounded entirely unintelligible to you given the fact that Regulus was currently fucking you dumb. You bunched up the material of Theo’s shirt, your face twisting in pleasure while the sound of skin slapping against skin echoed in the common room. 

“You didn’t even set a concealment charm,” Theo marveled. “Anyone could walk in and see us.”

Your cunt fluttered at his words, making Regulus chuckle. “That’s what makes this so fun,” drawled your boyfriend. 

Nott’s eyes widened in return. “Reggie likes the thrill of getting caught. There isn’t anywhere in this castle that we haven’t fucked before.” 

“You two are absolutely mental,” Theo grunted. “Though I am learning that madness really fucking turns me on.” 

“Of course it does,” you sighed, caressing his cheek. “You’re just a horny little slut, aren’t you?” 

“Oh, fuck…” 

Judging from the way Theo cursed, your suspicion that he’d be into degradation was entirely spot on. That was the thing about brats. They just wanted someone to put them in their place. You would gladly knock Theodore Nott down a few pegs and maybe peg him too if the opportunity arose. 

Smirking, you sucked on Theo’s earlobe and elicited a rather delicious whimper out of him. He tilted his head as you trailed kisses along his neck and jaw, sucking harshly at his skin so he’d be reminded of how easily you could turn him into a desperate mess for days to come. Theo chased after your lips, but you dodged every attempt and relished in his frustration. 

“You need a lesson in restraint, pretty boy.” Theo pouted, making you laugh. You wrapped your fingers around his throat and smirked when his pupils dilated. “Maybe I should tie you up, hm? Walk you on a leash until you learn to behave?”

Theo shuddered at the thought. Interesting. You tucked that tidbit away for later. 

“Pay attention,” Regulus said with the snap of his fingers. “We’re about to get to the good part.” 

Regulus tugged at your hair and picked up the pace. You arched your back, tits bouncing in Theo’s face as Regulus fucked you doggystyle. He drove deeper and deeper with each thrust and leaned over to play with your clit. His fingers worked you up to that sweet release, stimulating the bundle of nerves until you felt that familiar heat spreading through your body. 

You came nose to nose with Theo, your lips nearly touching as your ragged pants landed on his cheek. “Reggie, oh my god, fuck m’so close…” 

Your boyfriend responded with hard, sharp thrusts and turned his attention to Theo. “Kiss her while she cums.” 

Theo nodded dumbly before smashing his lips against yours. The kiss was filthy and sloppy, making it evident that Theo was dying for contact. You panted against his mouth, getting lost in the taste of Theo. He swallowed your screams of pleasure, dominating your tongue with his while you came. When the orgasm settled, Regulus pulled out of you and kissed your cheek lovingly. 

“Good girl,” he murmured as he patted your arse. 

His cock was coated with your cum and Theo licked his lips at the sight. Regulus smirked. “Do you want to taste her on me?” 

“Fuck yes,” Theo mumbled excitedly. 

You leaned against the cushions, thankful for the much needed break as you watched Theo go down on your boyfriend. Just as you suspected, Theo was all too eager to please. He knelt in front of Regulus, peering up at him as he licked at his tip. The groan that rumbled through his chest made you chuckle. 

Regulus tipped his head back as Theo took him to the back of his throat. He bobbed his head up and down, relishing in the taste of you left on your boyfriend’s cock. He sucked him clean, your juices dripping off of his chin while he gagged and groaned. You could only describe the act as greedy. 

“Have you been thinking about this, Theo?” You asked as he licked your boyfriend’s shaft. “You’ve been dying to fuck Regulus again, haven’t you?”

“Yes,” Theo breathed. “But I want to fuck you too.” 

“So greedy,” you teased. Theo sighed as you stroked his cheek. “What makes you think I’d let you fuck me after all the shit you’ve pulled, hm?”

“Because it would give you power over me,” Theo answered. “I’d be completely at your mercy.”

You smiled. “That’s right, pretty boy. Do you know what turns me on more than anything?” 

“No,” Theo responded, hanging onto your every word. “Tell me, please.”

“Control.” 

Regulus smirked as you came up behind him and kissed his cheek. “Reggie, baby, don’t you think Theo deserves some kind of punishment for his smartass mouth?” 

“What did you have in mind, mon amour?” 

“I think you should fuck his mouth until his pretty little throat is ruined.” Theo shuddered at your words while Regulus smiled. “Lay on your back, Theo. Show us what you can do.”

You watched with amusement as Theo laid down on the sofa, his head hanging off the arm. Regulus tapped the tip of his cock against Theo’s lips. He parted them willingly, breathing through his nose as your boyfriend stuffed his length down his throat. Theo gagged as Regulus thrusted deeper, pretty eyes brimming with unshed tears while he struggled to breathe. 

You couldn’t help but think that he looked pretty like this. Spreading your legs wide, you rubbed your clit and watched your boyfriend destroy your nemesis. Theo glanced over at you, his mouth watering even more at the sight of you pleasuring yourself to him being ruined. 

“Use your hands, Theo,” you guided. “Reg likes that.” 

Theo released your boyfriend’s cock with an obscene pop. “I remember,” he retorted sassily. “I know what Regulus likes, thank you very much. Did you know that he likes it when you slide a finger in?” 

You merely smiled. “Of course I do.” Theo yelped in surprise when you wrapped your fingers around his cock and squeezed. “Keep fucking talking back, Theo. I’ll sit on your face until you suffocate, you little brat.” 

His voice was breathy as you held him in a death grip. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.” 

“That’s cute, Theo,” you said with a smile. “Remember that attitude because I’m about to fucking tear you apart.” 

Theo held his breath as you tugged him towards the couch. Those watercolor eyes were black with lust as you straddled his lap. He gasped when you grinded against his cock, spreading your wetness all over his shaft. You tugged at his hair and kissed him roughly, sliding your tongue against his while Theo gripped your hips. 

When you bit his bottom lip, Theo whimpered in response. You chuckled darkly. “So fucking pathetic. You talk up a big game, but all it takes is a little grinding and you’re nearly cumming your pants.” 

“It’s not my fault,” Theo murmured. “You’re so fucking hot when you’re mean.”

“Yeah? You like being degraded, Theo?” You taunted as you raked your nails over his chest. ”I’m going to have so much fun toying with you. After all, that’s all you’re good for, isn’t it?” 

Theo felt lightheaded as he nodded. “Yes, yes, I need…” 

You put your fingers up to his lips and shushed him. “Aw, sweetheart, I don’t give a fuck what you need. This is about what I need.” 

“What do you need, bella? I’ll give it to you. I swear to god, I’ll give you everything I have.”

“I need you to fucking behave and do what you’re told for once.” Theo whimpered as you grabbed his chin. “You’ll be a good little pet for me, won’t you?” 

“Y — yes. I’ll be so good.” 

From behind, you could feel Regulus watching the two of you. You knew he was touching himself by the soft, shallow breaths that echoed in the room. You bit and licked and sucked a trail of love bites down Theo’s neck, making sure that your marks littered his skin. His hands roamed your body, eagerly touching and feeling as much as you allowed. 

“Take your boxers off.” 

Theo obeyed diligently and discarded his underwear on the floor. He looked up expectantly, waiting for your next command. 

“Touch yourself, Theo.” 

He pumped himself in one hand, establishing a frantic pace. You frowned and grabbed hold of his wrist. “Slowly, like this. I need you to show me that you can be patient.” 

Theo blinked, his expression dazed while he followed the rhythm that you set. “That’s it. Stroke yourself just like that.” 

He seemed entranced as you observed him with a small smile. Theo whimpered your name when you replaced his hand, pumping him slowly before rubbing the tip of his cock against your folds. 

“Oh god,” Theo moaned. “Fuck me…”

You grinded on his tip, barely letting him slip in and out of your pussy. “Do you think you deserve to be fucked?” You tilted his chin and forced him to look at you. “Cause I don’t think you do. You haven’t earned it.” 

“I want to earn it,” Theo said. “What do I need to do, bella?” 

“I’m so glad you asked,” you said as you ran your fingers through his hair. “I want you to sit still while I grind on you and get myself off. No whining, no complaining. Just look pretty and let me use your cock. Can you do that for me, Theo?” 

He bit his lip, eyes shiny with desire. “Yes.” 

“Good boy.” 

You didn’t miss the way his pupils dilated at the praise. Humming, you rocked your hips and let the tip of his cock brush against your clit. Theo gazed up at you as you braced your hands on his shoulder, pushing him down as you grinded against him. The friction the action created was delicious. Heat curled deep in your core the more you rubbed your clit against his shaft. 

Theo gripped your hips, his lips parting so he could lick and suck at your tits as you continued to use him. His eyes rolled back as you switched to bouncing on his tip, letting him glide through your folds just enough to feel pleasure. With a swift flick of your fingers, you felt yourself getting closer and closer. 

“That’s right, darling,” Regulus murmured, his breaths ragged. “Cum all over his cock.” 

Your boyfriend’s words sent you into a tailspin. Before you knew it, you were cumming again. The orgasm rocked you like a wave, crashing over your body with an intensity that set your nerves alight. Underneath you, Theo whined and whimpered. He was so sensitive that it hurt. 

“Your pussy feels so good, squeezing me so tight,” Theo breathed. “But I need more, please. I want to bury my cock inside of you. I want to cum until I pass out.”

“I don’t give a fuck,” you snapped. “Brats don’t deserve to cum.” 

“Please, please,” Theo begged, his voice hoarse. His eyes were shiny with tears. “Please, Y/N. I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t be a brat anymore. I’ll be good. I’ll be so fucking good for you. I promise.” 

“You hear that, Reg?” You called to your boyfriend. “Theo promises he’ll be good. If he breaks that promise, then you have every right to bend him over and spank him until he’s sore.” 

Regulus smirked. “It would be my pleasure, mon amour.” 

“Yes, yes, please…” 

“I love when you beg.” You licked his tears and chuckled. “It’s like music to my ears, Theo.” 

“Please, please, fuck me.” Theo begged. “I want you. I need you. Please, Y/N.” 

“Aren’t you just adorable?” You taunted as you kissed his cheeks. “Don’t worry, pretty boy. I’ll put you out of your misery.” 

Theo watched through a heavy lidded gaze as you lifted your skirt up. His large hands settled on your hips as you eased down on his cock, taking inch after inch while he cursed. He released a shaky breath once he was all the way in, his chest heaving as he looked up at you in awe and wonder. 

“Che cazzo,” Theo grunted. “You feel so fucking good.” 

“You do too, pretty boy.” You clenched your walls around him, making Theo choke on air. “Do you feel that? You’re stuffing me full.” 

“Dio mio, you’re going to be the death of me.” 

“You don’t even know what you’re in for,” Regulus said as he slipped behind you. Your boyfriend bunched up your skirt so Theo could see how full of him you were. “She’s going to ruin you.” 

“I want it,” Theo pleaded. “I want you to ruin me, bella.” 

With that, you rode Theo hard and fast. He could barely catch his breath as you bounced on his cock. You were relentless, you were vicious, and you fucked Theodore Nott like you hated him. It was everything he ever wanted and more. 

Theo felt out of control as he watched his cock slip in and out of you, taking him over and over again. The sounds he was making were incoherent, but it was clear that he was out of his mind with pleasure by the way he whimpered and whined.

“Aw, honey, are you already close? I haven’t even shown you half of what I can do.” 

Regulus chuckled. “Take it easy on him, love. He looks like he’s about to pass out.” 

“I know he can take more,” you said. “Isn’t that right, Theo? Don’t you want to be a good boy for me?”

Theo barely managed to rasp out a pathetic yes. It was cute, really. “That’s what I thought. See, I knew you could. Under all that sass, you just want to be degraded and used like the fuck toy that you are.” 

“Yes, yes, oh god.” 

You giggled as you placed a kiss on his lips. “Look at you, all fucked out. Is this all it takes to shut you up? All you needed was for me to ride your cock until you can’t even remember your own name.” 

“Fuck, yes. Yes, use me. Abuse me. Do whatever the fuck you want,” Theo mumbled deliriously. “You own me, Y/N.”

A smile graced your lips. You had him right where you wanted him. “Tell me how much you like being used.”

“I fucking love it,” Theo admitted. “I love when you put me in my place. It’s bloody sexy.” 

“You’re lucky I’m even letting you touch me.” 

“God, I’m so lucky,” Theo groaned. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you…” 

You punctuated each declaration of gratitude with a hard grind, bouncing on his cock while he thanked you for fucking him. The ego boost was enough to make you cum. 

“You’re such an obedient little fuck toy,” you praised. “Don’t you love being fucked? It’s all you’re good for.” 

Theo moaned. “Am I good? Have I been good for you?” 

“So good,” you reassured. “My good boy.” 

“I’m so — I’m so close. Can I cum, please? Please, please, let me cum.” 

You kissed him deeply as you rolled your hips. “Go ahead, sweetheart. But keep those pretty eyes open, Theo. we want to watch you cum for us.” 

Theo obeyed and kept his eyes on you, his nose brushing against yours as he panted into your mouth. 

“That’s it, pretty boy.” Theo shuddered as you bounced harder. “Come on, give it to me. I know you want to. I know you want to be so fucking good for me, Theo.”

“Oh fuck,” Regulus moaned. His wrist flicked over his cock and you tugged at his hips so you could put your mouth on him as he came.

The filthy sight triggered Theo. As promised, he kept his eyes on you while he finished. Those pretty dead eyes came to life as he rode out the high and emptied himself inside of you. His cum painted your walls, filling you to the brim and stuffing you full.

Theo collapsed against the sofa, his head lolling over the cushions as you slowly eased off of his cock. A question formed on his face as he held your hips in place.

“What is it, Theo?”

“I want to taste myself on you.”

You smiled and kissed his forehead. “Come get it then, sweetheart.”

Despite the strenuous activities you were previously engaged in, Theo was as energetic as ever. He knelt before you and settled between your thighs, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. You could feel both of them dripping down your legs. 

The first few licks were exploratory as Theo gained his footing, but as he established a steady pace, he had you keening in no time. Your back arched off the sofa when his tongue and fingers worked your pussy. He held your hips down while he feasted, the moans spilling out of his mouth reverberating through your clit.

“So good, Theo,” you keened. “You’re so good at eating my pussy.”

“Say it again,” Theo pleaded. “Please, tell me how good I am for you.”

You ran your fingers through his hair and smiled down at him, maintaining eye contact. “You’re so fucking good for me. My pretty boy.”

“Fuck, fuck, fuck…”

You came at the same time, the orgasm crashing over you even harder than the last. Theo made a mess of himself, his cum sticky and smeared all over his toned abs. His head dropped in your lap as he gave himself over to the orgasm. The thought of bringing Theo to his knees and making him cum just from eating you out made you glow with pride.

Without having to ask, Regulus helped you put your clothes on and supported you as you stood on shaky legs. Grabbing hold of your wand, you conjured a basin and a washcloth and began to clean Theo up. You made sure to give him plenty of aftercare after such a draining experience. His eyes fluttered open as you peppered gentle kisses all over his face. 

“You did so well,” you cooed, stroking his cheek. Theo preened at the praise and attention. “I’m so proud of you. You’re my good boy.”

“You both did so well,” Your boyfriend praised. He kissed both of your foreheads which made you smile. “I knew you could play nicely.”

“Don’t get used to it, baby.”

Theo still looked a little out of it as Regulus brushed his hair back. “You alright there?”

Theo blinked, nodding through the post-orgasm haze. “Y — yeah. Yeah, I think so.” 

“You did a lot better than I did when she first edged me like that. I passed the fuck out.” 

Blue eyes widened as Theo looked up at you. “I…how… that was — fuck.”

Your boyfriend only chuckled. “Trust me, I know.” 

You straightened Theo’s shirt and helped him tug on his boxers and trousers back on. “Oh hush, I didn’t even use the collar on him.” 

“The collar?” Theo asked with a slight breathiness as in his voice. “What the fuck do you two get up to?”

“That’s a secret, Theo,” you murmured as you kissed his forehead. “But if you behave, you might find out.” 

As you settled back on the sofa, your friends began to trickle back in. Enzo and Mattheo fought over the stack of snacks they had nicked from the kitchens while Blaise, Draco, and Pansy trailed behind looking exasperated. Tom completely ignored everyone and retreated back to his dorm. 

“We found gummy bears!” Enzo announced excitedly before him and Mattheo dug right in. “You want some, mate?” 

Theo shifted in his seat, fidgeting as you leaned over to fix his tie. “Oh, this one has had his fill of treats tonight. Haven’t you, Nott?” 

You smirked as he tried to hide his flush. Regulus chuckled as you snuggled against him. “Play nice, mon amour.” 

“If I do, will you let me keep him?” You teased and winked at Theo. 

“Yes,” Theo nodded excitedly. “Please god, say you’ll keep me.” 

[colouredbyd]

Sweater Weather

Regulus Black x fem!reader

synopsis: Regulus, notoriously bad at expressing love, spends an entire fall knitting you the world’s ugliest sweater, yet you wear it anyway

warnings: fluff, insecurities, ugly sweaters, regulus being a love sick softie, and even more fluff

w/c: 4.7k

a/n: i love soft reg <3 (not proofread)

masterlist

There is a softness to winter mornings at Hogwarts that you adore, a kind of stillness that feels almost sacred. Frost clings delicately to the windows, tracing lacework patterns across the glass, fragile and intricate, as if the castle itself is caught in the delicate grasp of some ancient enchantment.

Breath mists in the chill of the corridors, curling like pale wisps of smoke, mingling with the warmth of whispered secrets and stolen laughter that flutters from the lips of students bundled in scarves and heavy cloaks.

You love it—the quiet magic of it all—the way the world seems to slow and hush beneath the weight of fresh snow, footsteps muffled and echoes softened, as though the very air is holding its breath. And you love how that magic seems to linger on your skin, settling there like snowflakes that refuse to melt, shimmering faintly in the early morning light, a fragile reminder that even in the coldest months, there is beauty.

Regulus hates it. You know this because he tells you, every single morning, his voice low and sharp-edged, threaded with the kind of irritation that never seems to thaw.

There is always something to complain about—the cold that seeps through stone walls and nips at his fingers, the brightness of sunlight reflecting off snowbanks like shards of glass, the way the castle seems to creak and groan with the weight of frost.

He mutters his grievances beneath his breath, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his robes, shoulders hunched against the chill as if the very air is an inconvenience meant solely to test his patience. His scowl is etched into those fine, aristocratic features, sharp and unyielding, like it was carved there long ago and never quite managed to fade.

And yet, despite his endless grumbling, he still meets you by the stairwell every morning, just as he always has, waiting with the sort of resigned sigh that makes you laugh when you catch it.

His presence is constant, unspoken, as if written into the rhythm of your days—the shadow that lingers just a step behind you, the steady heartbeat of winter mornings that would feel incomplete without him.

When you bound up to him, cheeks flushed from the cold, hair tousled by the wind, you greet him with a smile that is impossibly bright for such an early hour, eyes shimmering with the warmth he pretends not to crave.

And though he greets you with a grimace, lips pulled into something almost petulant, you have seen the way it softens when you are not looking. It is fleeting, barely there, the ghost of something gentle that flickers at the edges of his expression before he smothers it with a practiced indifference. But you catch it sometimes, that brief surrender to warmth, and it is enough to make you believe that maybe winter is not so harsh after all.

You met him through the Marauders. They were your closest friends, the ones who tugged you into their mischief and laughed with you until your sides hurt, but Regulus had been the curious exception.

Sirius had never been quite able to understand it, always watching the two of you with narrowed eyes, as if trying to solve a riddle that kept slipping out of his grasp. Remus would only chuckle and shake his head, while James insisted it was just “some sort of cosmic prank.”

But you knew better. You always had.

There was something that tethered you to Regulus Black, something unspoken but deeply rooted, woven through your days like threads of silver light. It lingered in the quiet spaces between conversations, in the gentle pauses where words were unnecessary, where silence became a language only the two of you could understand.

It was not grand or ostentatious; there were no sweeping gestures or declarations shouted into the wind. Instead, it was soft and unhurried, a kind of devotion that thrived in the delicate moments—those fragile, fleeting seconds where time seemed to hold its breath.

It was in the way his hand would linger just a heartbeat too long when he passed you a book, fingertips brushing against yours with a softness that felt almost accidental, yet always intentional.

It was the way he would walk on the outside of the pavement whenever you wandered through the cobblestone streets of Hogsmeade, his gaze sharp and watchful, his hand hovering near your back when the crowd grew too thick, like he was ready to pull you closer at the first sign of trouble. He never spoke of it, never gave name to the way his touch felt like a promise, but you felt it all the same—steady and unyielding, like the pull of the moon on the tide.

There was no need to pin it down with words, to shatter the fragile magic of it by making it solid. It existed in the spaces between breaths, in the glances that lingered just a moment too long, in the way his fingers would brush the back of your hand when he thought no one was looking.

It was there, unbreakable and steady, carved into the marrow of your days together, silent and certain as the turning of the seasons.

Regulus Black was a storm cloud personified—dark and swirling and distant—but you had always liked the rain. He once told you, during a particularly bitter October, that he adored your cheerfulness. You had only laughed, nudging his shoulder and remarking that his grumpiness was practically medicinal for you, like a tonic that kept your head from floating too far into the clouds.

He had not smiled, but his eyes had softened, just a bit, just enough for you to see it. It was the closest thing to affection you would get from him, and you had treasured it like a secret.

And perhaps that was why, despite the way he huffed and scowled and complained, he always waited for you by the stairwell every morning.

He would be there, hands stuffed into his robe pockets, expression fixed into that familiar look of begrudging patience, but he was there—always. And perhaps that was why you always came running, cheeks flushed and eyes bright, breath puffing out in soft clouds of frost as you bounded up to him as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

He would roll his eyes at your cheeriness, mutter something about "too much energy for this hour," but you had seen the way his shoulders relaxed the moment you came into view, the way his gaze would soften ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly, like the first thaw of spring.

And maybe that was why, even when the corridors were crowded and the air too frigid to feel your fingertips, the world seemed a little bit softer with him there, even if he would never admit it. You felt it in the way he would shift his books to his left arm just so his right could hover protectively at your side, guiding you through clusters of students without a word. You felt it in the way his gaze would flicker to your hands sometimes, brow furrowing if you forgot your gloves, and how, without fail, the next morning a pair would be waiting for you, no note, no explanation, just the softness of wool threaded with silent concern. He would brush off your thanks with a scoff, cheeks a touch pinker than usual, but the warmth lingered all the same.

But as the weather grew colder, so too did Regulus begin to act a little strange.

It was subtle at first—a missed breakfast here, a hurried excuse there, nothing glaringly obvious but enough to leave you tilting your head in quiet confusion.

His presence, once so steady and familiar, began to slip away like fog burning off with the morning sun. You would catch glimpses of him in the corridors, his gaze flickering away too quickly when you tried to meet it, his hands buried a little deeper into his pockets as if holding onto something secret.

He would disappear for hours, sometimes entire evenings, and when you asked him where he had been, his responses were clipped but gentle. "Busy," he would say with the smallest of smiles, brushing off your questions with a kind of practiced patience that left you with a thousand more. His eyes would soften, though, just for a moment, as if he wanted to say more but couldn’t quite bring himself to unravel that thread of secrecy.

More curious still was the time he had begun spending with Pandora. It was not unusual for them to share the occasional conversation—Pandora was sweet and curious, a bit like bottled stardust, fluttering around with wild hair and ink-smudged hands, always speaking in riddles that left you smiling and a little bit bewildered.

But now they seemed to be together constantly. In the library, heads bent over something you could not quite see. By the greenhouses, hands moving in gestures that spoke of plans and secrets. You would see them huddled together in the courtyard sometimes, her hands gesturing wildly as she spoke and his head bowed in concentration, nodding along with something you could not hear.

When you asked him about it, his gaze would flicker to you with something unreadable before he smoothed his features back into something softer, more familiar. "Nothing important," he would say, voice quiet and unyielding, before changing the subject with a soft sort of insistence that left no room for prying.

But you saw the way his hands would flex at his sides after you asked, the way he would glance at you out of the corner of his eye, like there was something caught in his throat that he could not quite bring himself to say.

And though you trusted him—you always had—a part of you could not help but wonder what secrets this autumn had coaxed from him, what fragile thing he held in his hands that he was too afraid to show you.

He still met you in the mornings, still walked you to your classes and stood with you in companionable silence by the frost-covered windows.

He was not distant, not cold—just different. A touch more secretive, a little more preoccupied, and when you asked him if everything was alright, he would only smile and tell you not to worry, and you would pretend that you were not worried at all.

Regulus shuffles his feet, cheeks dusted a delicate pink against the bite of winter’s chill, and his hands tighten around the fraying cloth bundle he cradles behind his back as if it is something precious, something breakable.

His eyes flicker to yours, soft and uncertain, before flitting away again, skimming over the frost-bitten hedges and the towering spires of Hogwarts that rise like shadowed sentinels against the pale, wintry sky. Snow drifts lazily around you, swirling in gentle spirals that catch on the hem of your cloak, the world hushed and still, as if holding its breath just for the two of you.

"I wanted to..." He pauses, the words slipping from his lips like fragile things, delicate and unsure, barely loud enough to be carried by the breeze.

His shoulders tense, and he straightens almost instinctively, like he is bracing against some unseen force, eyes dropping to the patch of snow between your feet. "I wanted to make you something. For the cold."

His voice is so soft, so uncharacteristically tender, that it takes you a moment to process it.

Surprise flickers across your features, warm and bright, your eyes softening with the kind of gentleness that always seems to unspool something tightly wound inside of him.

"For the cold?" you echo, your voice light with disbelief and something else—something softer, sweeter—that threads through the space between you like a whisper.

He nods, gaze still fixed on the snow as if it holds the answer to something unspoken. "You’re always complaining about being cold," he murmurs, so quietly it is almost lost beneath the whisper of the wind. "I thought… I thought maybe I could help."

There is a tenderness in the way he says it, a kind of careful vulnerability that makes your heart ache just a little. He shifts his weight, rocking back and forth with a nervous energy that is so uncharacteristic, his knuckles white where they clutch the bundle, fingers flexing as if bracing for impact.

"It’s... it’s not good," he rushes out, the words stumbling over one another in their haste to escape. "Not even close to good, actually. It’s probably the ugliest thing you’ve ever seen, and I wouldn’t blame you if you hated it. I wouldn’t—" He swallows, voice faltering just a little, his gaze still fixed on the snow at his feet.

"I wouldn’t even be upset if you didn’t want to wear it."

You watch him, the way his hands tighten and loosen around the bundle, the way his eyes flicker with that nervous, flickering light, and your heart softens with the weight of it.

He is bracing himself for rejection, for ridicule, and the realization makes your chest ache with something warm and tender.

You tilt your head, a soft smile curling at the corners of your mouth as you watch him ramble, his voice a little higher than usual, his hands fidgeting like he can’t quite find the right place for them.

"Regulus, my love," you say gently, and his eyes snap up to yours, wide and startled, silver flickering with something like hope and fear and every unspoken thing he’s never quite managed to say. "I’m sure it’s perfect."

His mouth opens, then closes, his gaze flickering away as if he is struggling to decide whether or not to argue. "I—no," he says finally, shaking his head with a furrowed brow.

"It’s really not, amour. It’s—Pandora helped me, but she said I knit like a drunk troll, and honestly, I think she’s right."

A laugh bursts from you, bright and sudden, the sound curling through the frostbitten air, and his expression softens just a bit, the corners of his mouth twitching as if suppressing a smile.

"A drunk troll?" you repeat, voice laced with mirth, and he rolls his eyes, cheeks flushing deeper, the pink spreading like watercolors beneath pale skin.

"It’s bad," he insists, voice dropping to a murmur, softer now, like a confession whispered against the edge of dawn, fragile and almost transparent in the chill of the morning. "Really bad. I just… I just wanted you to be warm."

You step closer, the snow crunching beneath your feet like the soft crackle of embers, and reach out without thinking, fingertips brushing against his knuckles where they grip the bundle with a desperation that is almost sacred. His hands are cold, trembling just slightly beneath your touch, and when he looks up at you, eyes wide and uncertain, it is like staring into something raw and unspoken, something delicate enough to shatter.

"You made something for me," you whisper, voice feather-light and trembling at the edges with wonder. The words settle between you, soft and gentle, curling into the spaces left empty by winter’s chill. "How could that ever be bad, Reggie?"

He blinks, and for a moment, it seems as if the frost caught in his lashes might melt from the heat in your gaze.

His blush deepens, spreading like the first flush of dawn to the tips of his ears, and the sight of it, of him standing there with snowflakes caught in his hair and cheeks dusted with pink, is something almost ethereal. Like a painting come to life, brushed in soft hues and fragile light.

"Because you deserve beautiful things," he says quietly, the words so soft you almost miss them, like they are meant for the snow at his feet rather than for you.

His gaze drops again, lashes casting shadows on his cheeks, and his grip on the bundle tightens, knuckles white against the fraying edges of the cloth. "And I don’t know how to make beautiful things."

His voice is so gentle, so unbearably tender, that it feels as though the air itself stills to listen. There is a vulnerability in his words, a kind of delicate confession that unfurls between you like petals in bloom, and for a moment, you cannot speak, cannot breathe, because Regulus Black is standing before you with frost in his hair and his heart in his hands, and you think you might never want to be warm again if it means staying in this moment a little while longer.

You want to tell him that he is wrong, that everything he touches is beautiful because he is beautiful, but the words tangle in your throat, heavy and aching. So instead, you just squeeze his hand, gentle and reassuring, and offer him the only thing you can: the softness of your smile and the unyielding warmth in your eyes.

"Show me?" you ask softly, and he hesitates, eyes flickering back to yours, searching for something fragile and unspoken. His hands tighten around the bundle, knuckles pale, and for a moment you think he might refuse.

But then he takes a breath, a trembling thing that ghosts white in the morning air, and nods.

"Yeah, sure, 'kay," he whispers, voice cracking just a little, eyes shining with something raw and tender. "Okay."

The cloth slips away slowly, unfurling like the petals of a flower, and there, nestled within the worn fabric, is a sweater.

It is not perfect—the stitches are uneven in places, and one of the sleeves is just slightly longer than the other, but it is yours.

It is your favorite color, threaded with hues that catch the winter light and turn it into something soft and gentle. There are places where the yarn loops a little too tightly, where the fabric bunches just slightly, but you can see the effort in every knot, the tenderness in every crooked seam.

He had made this for you, painstakingly, deliberately, as if weaving together the very threads of his heart.

Your hands move without thinking, reaching out to trace the fabric, fingertips brushing over the soft, uneven stitches with something close to reverence.

It is warmer than you expect, soft and inviting, and you look up at him with eyes that shimmer in the morning light, filled with something that makes his breath catch. He is watching you carefully, nervously, like he is afraid you might laugh or turn away, his hands now empty and fidgeting at his sides. His gaze is fixed on you, searching, waiting, as if bracing for rejection.

"Regulus," you breathe, voice feather-soft, and he stiffens, jaw clenching just slightly. "You made this for me?" The words are almost a whisper, delicate and fragile, as if saying them too loudly might shatter the moment entirely.

His gaze drops to his feet, and he nods, just once, barely more than a tilt of his head. "I—I know it’s not good," he murmurs, voice small and cracking at the edges. "I tried to fix the stitches, but it just… I couldn’t get it right. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to wear it."

You do not even let him finish before you are slipping it over your head, the fabric catching on your hair before settling around your shoulders, heavy and warm and perfect.

It smells like him—like cedarwood and parchment and the faintest hint of mint. You pull your hands through the sleeves, letting them hang just a bit too long past your wrists, and then you look up at him, beaming, bright and unrestrained.

"It’s perfect," you say, voice brimming with something soft and unyielding, something that catches in your throat and makes your heart ache.

"It’s perfect, Regulus." You twirl in place, laughing as the hem flares out just a little, catching the light like the glimmer of frost on snow. "I love it," you add, more earnestly, the words spilling from your lips without hesitation. "I love it so much!"

He stares at you, eyes wide, cheeks flushed, and for a moment, it seems as though he has forgotten how to breathe. But then his gaze drops to the sleeve, where your fingertips are brushing against a small, messy patch of thread—a sun, unevenly stitched, its rays crooked but unmistakably bright.

You pause, running your fingers over the stitches, and then you look up at him, eyes glimmering with curiosity and wonder. "A sun?" you ask, voice gentle, reverent. "Why did you…?"

He looks away, fingers fumbling at his sides, the blush creeping down his neck. "Because," he begins, voice low and unsteady, the words coming slowly, like he has to pull them from someplace deep inside his chest.

"Because you are my soleil," he says softly, eyes flickering back to yours, and his gaze is so earnest, so tender, that it makes your breath hitch. "Mon rayon de soleil dans l'hiver," he continues, voice turning delicate and fragile, like glass spun too thin. (My ray of sunshine in the winter)

And for a moment, everything else falls away—the snow, the cold, the distant towers of Hogwarts. It is just you and him, standing there in the hush of winter’s breath, the sweater warm against your skin and his eyes soft with something unspoken, something infinite.

His words wrap around you like the sweater itself, warm and fragile and threaded with something achingly tender.

Something catches in your throat, the soft ache of yearning and something deeper.

And when you look back up at him, beaming, cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling, he stares like he has never seen anything quite so beautiful in his life.

The sweater drapes over you like it was made from sunlight and spun with care, each thread a testament to hands that worked quietly and patiently in the stillness of winter nights. It is imperfect, a little rough at the edges, but you love it more for that—the way it hugs your shoulders, the way it spills just past your wrists, the way it smells faintly of cedar and parchment, unmistakably him.

When you look up, your smile is incandescent, eyes shining with something that catches the fragile morning light and makes it feel like the first breath of spring. Before you can think twice, you are in his arms, pulling him close with a burst of warmth and laughter that rings out like music against the frostbitten air.

Regulus stiffens at first, the way he always does when affection is given too freely, too brightly, but his hands find your back, tentative and soft, fingertips grazing the fabric he crafted with his own hands.

His touch is gentle, almost reverent, like he is afraid you might slip away if he holds too tightly. But you do not slip away. You hold on, and he melts into it, his breath warm against your shoulder, steadying himself in the cradle of your embrace.

You pull back just enough to see his face, and your smile only widens, brilliant and unrestrained, cheeks flushed with something deeper than the cold.

"I love it," you whisper, voice trembling with sincerity, and then louder, bursting with joy that cannot be contained, "I love it, Regulus! It’s perfect!" The words spill from your lips like sunlight through cracked glass, filling the space between you with something pure and unyielding.

"I absolutely love it," you insist, the words tumbling over each other, bright and breathless.

"It’s my favorite thing I’ve ever owned." You spin then, arms stretched wide, the sleeves fluttering like wings, and snow dusts the air around you in shimmering spirals. Laughter spills from you, ringing out across the courtyard, and you look so alive, so impossibly beautiful in your joy, that he is struck silent.

A blush blooms across his cheeks, crawling up his neck to the tips of his ears, and he turns his head away, gaze dropping to the snow at his feet.

But he cannot hide the way his mouth quirks up at the corners, the way his eyes soften when he looks back at you, just for a moment. "You—you don’t have to say that," he murmurs, voice so quiet it almost disappears into the crisp morning air, but you shake your head firmly, sending snowflakes scattering like stars.

"Are you kidding me?" you laugh, spinning once more for good measure, the sweater flaring around you. "I’m going to wear this every single day," you declare, your hands smoothing over the uneven stitches with the kind of tenderness reserved for something sacred.

"It’s beautiful, Regulus! I don’t care what you say. I’ve never loved anything more."

There is something in your voice, something bright and unyielding and real, that makes him pause. His eyes flit back to yours, searching, waiting for the catch, for the punchline, for the hesitation that never comes. You are looking at him with so much light, so much unguarded joy, that it sends his heart stumbling in his chest, unsure of its rhythm.

He shifts his weight, a flicker of nerves flaring in his gaze, but you do not let him pull away—not this time. You catch his hand in yours, fingers curling around his with gentle insistence, grounding him there with you, in this moment. And for once, he does not resist. For once, he stays.

You press up on your toes, hands still clinging to his sweater, and you kiss him. Softly, sweetly, the kind of kiss that is more sunlight than heat, more promise than demand. His breath stutters, and he freezes for just a moment before he melts into you, the tension unraveling from his shoulders like loose threads.

When you finally pull back, your eyes are sparkling, cheeks dusted pink, and you’re still holding onto him as if you are afraid he might disappear with the snow.

"Thank you," you whisper, and it is so gentle, so full of something tender that he forgets how to breathe.

"You’re… you’re really going to wear it?" he asks, voice cracking just slightly at the edges.

Your laughter spills out, bright and unrestrained, tumbling over itself like sunlight streaming through fractured glass.

"Are you kidding? I’m never taking it off. Not even in the summer. I’ll suffer just to wear it," you declare, eyes shining with mischief, voice threaded with a warmth that cuts through the morning chill.

The words are exaggerated and dripping with dramatic flair, but you mean them, every last syllable. He must know you mean them too, because the blush that sweeps across his cheeks blooms all the way to the tips of his ears, spreading like wildflowers beneath the frost.

And you don’t.

Through frost-laced mornings where your breath fogs the air in delicate tendrils, through snow-dusted afternoons where the sky hangs heavy and gray, you wear that sweater like it is armor, like it is a piece of him you get to carry with you.

Even as the threads begin to pull loose, even as the sleeves fray and unravel at the edges, you wear it proudly, shoulders squared and chin held high. It becomes part of you, woven into your everyday

And every time Regulus sees you in it—bright and beaming amidst the gray wash of January, cheeks flushed with cold and eyes alight with joy—it is like watching sunlight crack through a frozen lake.

He will never say it, not in words, but the way his gaze softens, the way his shoulders ease just a little, is enough. You are enough.

What you do not know is that Regulus begins knitting another one. This time in secret, this time with softer wool that glides smooth and easy over his fingertips, this time with the precision and patience of someone who has learned that good things are always worth waiting for.

His hands work in steady rhythm, each loop and pull a silent promise, each stitch woven with the quiet hope that this one will be better, this one will be worthy of the way you beamed up at him like he had hung the very stars for you.

He does not rush. He takes his time, lets the winter days bleed into each other as he perfects the weave, his fingers aching and his brow furrowed in concentration.

He pictures you in it sometimes, wrapped in its warmth, cheeks flushed with that same bright joy, and it is enough to make him press on, enough to make him believe that maybe, just maybe, he can make something beautiful after all.

[crescenthistory]

hihi i love ur work sm <3 could you pls do a barty crouch jr sunshine x grump except the reader is the grump? ik barty isnt rlly sunshine like but he seems a lot more outgoing and energetic when compared to the reader. for the prompt could it be a.6 where the reader is just being her usual grumpy self and barty sort of mocks her? if the idea doesnt sound so appealing u dont have to do it i understand !! (also ignore the fact i submitted this earlier but forgot to put the prompt lmfao)

hi sweetheart! first of all, no i will not ignore your earlier ask because what you said about my writing was soso sweet and i think about it daily<33 i am a truther of barty being the sunshine in these dynamics because his chaotic energy needs a bit of a grumpy counterpart which is why i'm also a bartylus truther shhh so i'm in love with your idea, thanks darling xx this was so fun to write, why is he like this

Prompt: A.6 "Aren't you just a sweetheart?"

Words: 2.4k

Warnings: not proofread, fem!reader (she/her pronouns used), you are in gryffindor sorry and marauders!bestie, mostly barty pov so it's sassy and biased, banter/bickering, language, some innuendos/suggestive jokes, they do not kiss physically but are making out in barty's head tbh, jegulus appearance my loves, a little bit of bartylus snuck in there

Note: i love their dynamic here, might write some more blurbs with the same storyline/concept

continuation can be found here <3 and here

Barty could not believe Regulus had betrayed him on such a carnal level.

Becoming chummy with Gryffindors in general should be considered a cardinal sin, but shagging one on the regular? Insisting that shagging was a “crude term” for it and insisting Barty accept that his best friend, stupid wanker, is actually in love with and dating James Potter, the epitome of Gryffindor bravado?

Absolutely unacceptable. Arguably a hate crime, and he told Regulus as much, only to be met with an eye roll as the black haired boy continued to drag him along to where his new boyfriend was sitting in the Great Hall, surrounded by friends.

“Well, if it isn’t Baby Black?” A girl called as Regulus approached the group, hauling Barty along with him. Others around smiled and greeted Regulus – not Barty.

“Shut it, McKinnon,” Regulus grumbled, sheepishly taking the seat on James’s left that he had saved for him. Barty could spot a slight pinkish blush creeping up on Regulus’s cheeks when James murmured a hey love and kissed his cheek.

Barty could puke at the sight.

Nevertheless, he shoved some Gryffindors further down the table to take a seat beside Regulus. For whatever reason, he had believed it necessary to bring Barty with him every single time he meets James’s gnarly pack, so Barty assumed the role of protective friend while still making it exponentially clear that he disapproves.

“No acknowledgement for me then?” Barty looked around the table who were in one degree or another cooing at the fresh couple. All except Sirius, who, like Barty, was faux gagging at the sight.

It’s a new low for Sirius Black to be your one ally.

“Make yourself note-worthy, and we’ll say hello to you, Junior.” The gruff voice came from you, who conveniently was sitting opposite Barty this morning.

You were thus far the most tolerable of James’s friends, mostly because you had yet to be as loud and obnoxious as the rest, despite the red and gold around your neck. You had yet to say almost anything at all, but what you did say had a habit of drawing a snort from Barty. Mostly because it was never particularly kind.

Your eyes didn’t leave the crossword puzzle you were working on as you ate, shutting out the bickering around you, yet somehow picking up on Barty’s comment. 

Intriguing. 

“I take great personal offence to that, darling.” Barty's voice was incredulous but he sported a contradicting wicked grin, happy at the opportunity to wreak a bit of havoc if he must be seated here.

“Ew.” You looked up at that, eyes narrowing at the pet name he gave you. He decided then and there, that was the only way he would refer to you from now on. “And good. Maybe it can help you build some character.”

“Oh, come on,” James butted in, finally drawing his eyes from Regulus – who he had sneaked an arm around before the boy could protest at the public display of affection – and looking at his dear friend and his disgruntled friend-in-law. “Be nice to Junior, he slithered here all the way from the comforts of his dungeon.”

“So did your boytoy, Potter, so watch your mouth.” Sirius, James and Regulus all winced at the word boytoy, though for very different reasons.

“And so I am being nice to him,” James retorted, squeezing Regulus as he looked down at him. “Aren’t I, love?”

“Shut up,” Regulus whispered.

“You’ve already said that today, Reggie,” McKinnon replied with a sly grin. “Find another comeback, why don’t ya?”

Regulus just rolled his eyes at her while Sirius bumped his shoulder into hers in a sign of approval.

“Anyway.” Barty drew the attention back to him as he spoke up, but his eyes were trained on you. “Build some character you say? What character would you like me to be, baby?"

You sized him up, clearly debating whether to follow James's advice or take Barty's bait. The latter seemed to win.

"Someone less disruptive would be a great start."

"That would hold more bite if you didn't willingly surround yourself with this lot," Barty laughed, waving his arms a bit too theatrically towards your friends, some of which were scowling at him, others nodding in agreement. Barty swore he could hear James whisper fair under his breath.

"Willingly is a bit of a stretch." You side-eyed Sirius beside you with a sly grin, who took a few seconds to process your sentence. Once he realised, he gasped and swatted at your arm for the disrespect.

Barty was enjoying himself much more than he expected.

"Aren't you just a sweetheart?" His grin never faltered as he continued his one-sided staring contest with you. As if you were the only thing in the room of notice, as if your friends weren't right there and needed to be won over by him as well.

“I can be,” you drawled, fighting to keep your face neutral. “You just gotta earn it."

Barty tilted his head, eyes narrowing with interest as he studied you. There was something undeniably magnetic about your sharp tongue, the way you seemed to remain so unbothered by the chaos swirling around the table.

He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table, inching just a bit closer. “And how do I do that?”

Finally, you locked eyes with him properly, levelling him with your stare. Your expression remained impassive, but there was a flicker of something—curiosity, maybe?—beneath your cold exterior.

"That ship sailed so long ago, you can't even see it from harbour, Junior."

"Good thing I can swim." Barty winked at you, and part of him thought he caught you look flustered for half a moment as his comments grew flirtier by the minute.

“Fine by me, easier to drown you if you jump in the water willingly."

Barty barked a laugh, unphased by your words. "Don't threaten me with a good time." He could feel Regulus giving him a look from his right, but Barty ignored it. He was far too entertained by you now. “Tell me, do you give everyone such a warm welcome, or am I just special?”

Your lips twitched, but you held your ground, flicking your eyes back to the crossword in front of you. “You’re just annoying.”

Regulus groaned softly, clearly wishing he could disappear into the floor. He wasn’t exactly thrilled about having to subject himself—and by extension, Barty—to the whirlwind that was James Potter and his pack of friends, but he also wasn’t blind. He saw the way Barty’s attention had shifted, how your sharp, biting comments had hooked him in a way nothing else had managed to. He could practically feel the chaos brewing.

James, ever the peacemaker, clapped his hands together. “Right, well, now that we’ve all sufficiently insulted each other—again—how about we chat about something less murder-y?”

“No promises,” you murmured, flipping a page of the Daily Prophet as you continued working through the puzzle.

“Good efforts, Potter, but I fear she's just too intrigued by me” Barty sighed, leaning back in his seat as if exhausted by the mere prospect of attention. “I have that effect on people.”

“Oh, sure,” McKinnon chimed in, rolling her eyes. “We’re all positively obsessed with you.”

Sirius, looking entirely too pleased with himself, gave you an exaggerated wink. “I’d pay good money to see her put you in your place, Junior.”

“And I’d pay good money to see you mind your own business,” you retorted coolly, not even sparing Sirius a glance. Neither boy seemed sure if the comment was meant for Sirius or Barty, but didn't let that deter their entertainment.

Barty watched the exchange with open fascination. He couldn’t help but admire how easily you held your own amongst this overzealous group, considering their tendency to overwhelm people with their loud, boisterous energy. You were like a still, cold lake amidst a storm, unbothered by the wind and waves crashing around you.

He leaned closer to Regulus, his voice dropping slightly as he muttered, “I like her.”

Regulus, still recovering from the emotional whiplash of being dragged between Barty and James’s worlds, gave Barty a flat look. “Don’t.”

Barty’s grin only widened. “Too late.”

It became a strange, almost delirious routine for Barty to be swirled into the life of James Potter and Co. He minded it less and less, irritation soothed almost instantly once he saw you.

He sought you out every time Regulus brought him along, plopping down beside you on the common room couches, leaning on your chair at the library, catching your eye in the hallways. You presented begrudgingly, always rolling your eyes and scoffing, but your resolve crumbled slowly and the smile you were fighting became more insistent.

You and your dry retorts, you with your books or puzzles in hand, you and your knowing looks that grew more affectionate.

Barty was thoroughly fascinated.

"Don't screw this up for me please," Regulus would whine as the two of them walked back to the Slytherin dorms with just a few minutes left before curfew. They had dragged out their time sprawled across the couches by the fireplace at Gryffindor.

This time, as most times of late, Regulus hadn't asked Barty to come – he hadn't needed to. While the two usually spent most of their time together, Barty had practically been glued to his side as of late, ready to jump on the opportunity to see you.

"I won't," Barty dragged out the words with annoyance, as if he had said them a thousand times as of late. "Don't worry your pretty head so much Reggie, James won't care that I'm bantering with his bestie."

"It's not just the bantering I'm worried about," Regulus muttered, but Barty caught it clear as day. He gave his friend a look that demanded further explanation.

"You clearly fancy her, Barty!" He just blinked, as if to say and? Regulus groaned. "Just don't mess anything up with her to the point where she gets so angry she doesn't want to see you anymore. I don't want to have to deal with managing my time between you and James because she wants you dead."

Barty sighed dreamily at those last words, whispering wouldn't that be hot? Regulus gave him a corrective slap up the back of his head.

"I won't okay, I won't!" Barty was the one grumbling now, trying to deal with the infatuation in his stomach, just aching to go back and bicker some more with you, while also calming his best friend down. "I don't want to actually like hurt her or anything, I just like getting a little rise out of her."

Regulus paused before the entrance to the Slytherin common room, levelling Barty with a glare. He realised then that he seemed to have a type of person he prefers to associate with, because you had given him that same look earlier when you debated each other about who should get to sit in the comfy chair. He suggested you just sit in his lap in the chair – a great compromise, really – and a beautiful blush crept up on your face when you scoffed.

"If she will make you happy, please do go for it. But be careful, please." Regulus's tone of voice was intent, leaving little room for argument.

Barty still found some, of course, but he was soft for his friend and gave way.

"Fine, don't worry, I've got it under control," he all but whined. "It's not everyday stoic Regulus Black begs me for anything, so fine."

There was a smile on Regulus's face when he shoved him then, finally stepping into the Slytherin dorms to call it a night.

You were in the library the first time Barty got you all to himself.

It was a Saturday afternoon when Barty found himself wandering through the library, absentmindedly scanning the rows of books. He wasn’t really paying attention, more so killing time before his next Quidditch practice and possibly looking for some trouble, when he spotted you in a far corner. Much better.

For once you were free from your larger than life friends, nose peacefully buried in another one of your books as you twirled your quill before your fingers. Barty knew you were waiting to scribble something in the margin, and a surprisingly soft warmth sprouted in his chest when you did. A small smile tugged at his lips as he made his way over to you, leaning casually against the bookshelf beside you.

“Fancy seeing you here, sweetheart.”

You didn’t even bother looking up. “If you’re here to annoy me, I’ll hex you. Finally got some peace and quiet."

Barty laughed, taking the seat across from you without invitation. “You wound me. What makes you think I’m here to annoy you? Maybe I just wanted some quality company.”

“Quality company?” you echoed, raising an eyebrow as you finally looked up from your book. “And yet you chose to sit with me.”

“Exactly,” Barty replied smoothly, flashing you a grin. “You’re the most interesting person in this castle, and I’m bored. I’m sure you can entertain me.”

You gave him a long, appraising look, as if trying to figure out what his angle was. “You really don’t know when to quit, do you?”

“Nope.” His characteristic cheshire cat grin was playing across his features, and you ignored the stirring it caused inside you.

A pause stretched between you as your staring contest prolonged, and for a moment, Barty thought you were going to ignore him, go back to your book, and continue the delicate balance of biting banter and cold indifference that had marked all your previous interactions.

Then, much to his surprise, you closed your book with your fingers keeping your page. You leaned back in your chair as you regarded him with a calculating gaze. “Fine. Though if you’re so desperate for company, then you tell me something interesting. Junior.”

Barty blinked, not having expected you to actually engage. His grin grew and he felt pride bloom in your chest as you began to sport your own.

"Oh, I'll tell you anything you want, if it'll keep your attention on me, sweetheart."

[fictionalsimp09]

Karma - Jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - 397 words - AO3

“I’m going to kill that wanker,” James says as he stomps into the dorm and flops dramatically on his bed. 

“I’m in,” Sirius looks up from the homework he is half-arsing. “Who are we killing?” 

“Regulus, of course. That boy has got on my last nerve,” he grumbles. “One day, he’ll get exactly what he deserves, and I’ll be laughing as he is karma’s next victim.” 

“And I thought Sirius was the dramatic one. What’s he done now?” Peter asks exasperatedly, having had enough of hearing about how much James hates Regulus. 

“What hasn’t he done? He’s just rude and mean and ignores me.” 

“That’s nothing new,” supplies Sirius. 

“He’s a dickhead, and I-” 

“Hey! Only I am allowed to insult my brother like that.” 

“I hate him.” 

Remus sighs. “No, you don’t, Prongs.” 

James immediately sits up. “What does that mean?” 

“Think about it.” He explains, “You’re upset because he won’t talk to you without being rude and cold. You always stalk him on the map and follow him around; you’ve memorised his timetable without him even telling you it. It’s pretty obvious you don’t hate him.” 

“If it’s not hate, then what?” 

“Love,” Sirius shrugs. “Or at least a very strong crush.” 

“I- I don’t-” he stammers. 

“This is just like when you liked Lily,” Peter adds. “Except this time, it’s more stalkerish since you’re not in any of Regulus’ classes.” 

“I don’t like Regulus,” James protests. “Sure, he’s drop-dead gorgeous, has amazing hair and eyes I could get lost in, but he’s annoying and threatens to hex me. He pinned me against the wall once with his wand to my throat and he can never seem to get away from me faster no matter how hard I try to get his attention-” The room is completely silent as the marauders all wait for him to notice his own feelings. “I have a crush on Regulus,” he whispers eventually. 

“A bloody obvious one,” Remus mutters. 

“Do you think he likes me back?” 

“Definitely,” Sirius answers. 

“Are you sure?” 

“I know my brother, Prongs.” 

“I- I have to go.” James runs out the dorm to the library - where he knows Regulus always is on a Tuesday afternoon - to confess his feelings for the Slytherin. How could he have been so oblivious to his own emotions for so long? Well, it’s better late than never. 

[northlt03]

Amortentia (Jegulus)

Regulus didn’t smell. It drove James insane sometimes. 

He didn’t smell after quidditch practice, or even after just waking up. It was another one of those things about him that made him seem “perfect”. James hated it. 

Regulus was so much more than the image he presented himself to be, but he’d gotten too lost in playing the part, maybe that’s all he’d become. 

Every single “imperfection” had been driven away by his mother. Not just for Regulus, but for Sirius as well. The Black family had an image to maintain, high society they had to live in. They couldn’t accept body odor, crooked teeth, or any blemishes on their skin. 

James didn’t know how they did it. But none of the Blacks had any negative body odor. No matter how much they sweat. 

It’s not to say they don’t have a particular smell. According to Slughorn, everyone had a distinct smell, something unique about them. 

Sirius smelled like wet dog fur, James knew this because he slept in the bed next to him and every night Sirius turned to padfoot in his sleep. 

Narcissa smelled like spring, like her namesake— narcissus. Strangely intense, yet cool and floral. James had only placed the smell last year when they had grown the flower in herbology. 

Walburga black smelled like roses, James imagined that’s what the queen of hearts from Alice in Wonderland smelled like. It was suffocating if you had the displeasure to be near her, like a thousand thorny plants squeezing your windpipe. 

James wasn’t padfoot, he didn’t memorize smells. But it’s hard not to notice how his closest friends smell. It made him feel warm, to be surrounded by so many people he loves, all with a distinct smell. 

Remus smelled like chocolate, like wet fur, wooly sweaters, a warm fire and old books. James could tell that’s what Sirius was smelling in his cauldron right then. That’s the reason he was thinking so much about smells in the first place. 

Sixth year brought with it responsibilities, but also more advanced potion making. James always wondered why he didn’t drop potions when he had the chance. 

Sirius was blushing so hard, his skin tone matched the pink potion. James had to stifle his own laughter as Remus tried to go over the recipe once again to make sure they had made it correct. They were all paired up for this particular class. Sirius and Remus at one cauldron and James and Peter next to them. It used to be Sirius and James together, but after one too many pranks in the classroom, Professor Slughorn had separated them. 

“Clockwise!” Remus corrected Sirius just before he could have ruined their potion. They were the second ones to finish their potion so Slughorn was already making his way towards the boys. “Bloody hell, Sirius. Stop overmixing it”

James exchanged a look with Peter. Why had he let Sirius pick Remus while pairing up again? Oh that’s right— Wingman duties

James was nowhere near as great as Lily or Remus or even Snivellus in potion making, but he managed. Mostly he used Remus’ notes and applied common sense. It drove Remus insane sometimes, how much work he’d have to put in to memorize something, only for James to make an educated guess about it. James couldn’t really explain how he knew stuff, he just did. Call it pattern awareness, or whatever. 

“So from the way Moony was yelling at Padfoot, I’m guessing we have to stir it clockwise?” James raised an eyebrow.

Peter only snickered as he watched their other two friends bickering like an old married couple. “What’d you think Moony smells, James?”

“Wet dog” James replied easily, “And that awful old leather jacket Padfoot refuses to throw away,”

“I bet Sirius smells chocolate and wool” 

James had known Peter for years, they'd had baths together when they were babies, learned how to ride a bicycle from James’ father, spent ten christmases trying to make gingerbread houses and so many more memories. 

That’s all to say, James knew what Peter smelled like. He had a distinct cologne he swore worked wonders on the ladies, and as stereotypical as it was for the rat to love cheese, he really did. 

So if James was in love with his best mate, that’s what he would have smelled. 

But instead when he dared to take a whiff of the potion (after coughing violently because it was pretty strong), all he smelled was broom wax, old books and paint. 

“Mmmhmm” Peter grinned, “Camembert, and candy. Smells so great I’m hungry now. And you?”

“Old books” He frowned, “And paint”

“Careful, Pads might think you’re in love with Moony too”

James wasn’t sure what he was expecting. He was glad he didn’t smell lilies, relating to his old embarrassing crush. It had been months since he had obsessed over Lily Evans and even thinking about that time made him cringe. 

James had quickly realized he had no idea what love was supposed to be. He grew up watching his parents so immensely in love he’d been in love with the idea of love and the idea of Lily Evans. And ideas are dangerous things to be in love with. 

For his sake and Lily’s, he was glad he stopped liking her. 

But after Lily… well, there had been someone James had grown a liking too. And he couldn’t help the disappointment when he didn’t smell Regulus in the potion. He took a few more whiffs, just to be sure. But to no avail. The potion still smelled the same. 

James wasn’t sure why it bothered him so much. Maybe he was just incapable of loving. Because he couldn’t smell Regulus, that had to mean he wasn’t in love with the boy as he had previously thought. This was clearly a Lily situation again. And that bothered James. Mainly because he wanted to be in love. Not just because of his fantasy of being so in love with someone, but also because Regulus was so lovely. 

He was witty and sharp, beautiful and sarcastic, knowledgeable and petty, headstrong and stubborn but also sweet and funny. He seemed to positively glow under James’ praise. James loved it when he flushed pink, James loved it when he shot back a retort, when he smiled a secret smile for only James, when he dragged his long fingers over James’ skin— touch for the sake of touch. James loved every single thing about Regulus, the way his eyes crinkled when he tried to stop himself from laughing at one of James’ bad jokes, the way he sneezed, the way his lips parted, the way he tasted so sweet when they kissed, but most of all, James thought he was in love with Regulus.

He wasn’t sure what smell he was searching for. He knew Regulus didn’t smell. He didn’t have a signature smell like Peter’s cologne. But James was still disappointed. 

He wanted to make Regulus feel loved, he wanted to be in love. He had said it once and Regulus had said it before. 

Three simple words. 

And what if they were a lie?

A knock on the door made Slughorn change directions. He had been heading toward James and Peter’s potion to check it, but he walked toward the open door. 

James would have recognised those curls anywhere. 

Even before Regulus was fully visible, stepping into the doorway, eyes searching the class, James was grinning. Who cared what the stupid potion said? The potion could be wrong. Maybe James and Peter brewed it wrong. 

All that mattered was that Regulus lit up James’ world, it genuinely felt that way. Just passing him in the hallways, getting to stare at him as he stared at the stars, just listening to him talk about astronomy or his favorite paintings felt like a reward to James.

So yeah, fuck the potion. 

James Potter was in love with Regulus Black.

That’s when he spotted the paint splattered on the edges of his otherwise neat robe. He was handing a book he must have borrowed back to Slughorn. His eyes landed on James and though he tried to keep his composure in thanking the professor, James grew ecstatic at the acknowledgement.

The effect Regulus had on him really had to be studied. 

Just before he left, he sniffed the room, his eyebrows furrowing in that Regulus Black way as he mock glared at James. He had the face of an aristocrat but the mind of an artist. Maybe he was both.

James was thankful his table was the closest to the door and the others were too busy either bickering, fawning over their potion or still completing it. 

“You smell, Potter” Regulus scrunched his nose in disgust, turning to walk away, “Didn’t you shower after quidditch? It’s disgusting, it’s a wonder the whole room isn’t gagging with how strong it is, even your sandalwood perfume can’t mask it.”

James could barely say anything before Regulus had walked away. 

Paint splatter, the old books in the room of requirement and Regulus’ personal collection, the broom wax from when James had watched him polish his broom before a match against Hufflepuff. 

Slowly the pieces floated together and James thought he had started floating too. He felt light, like a floating lantern, a ball of warmth in his chest. 

And what had Regulus been talking about? James twisted his ankle his last game. Madam Pomfrey hadn’t cleared him to fly the whole week, he had been moping about not being able to play. 

When he looked at Peter, his friend was looking back with an amused look. 

“Fucking hell, Prongs”

“Don’t tell Padfoot”

[my-castles-crumbling]

detective - jegulus - @black-brothers-microfic - word count: 287

It was too early. That was James’s first thought as he registered the incessant ringing of his phone. But his second thought was that someone must be dying if Sirius was calling him at nine in the morning on a Saturday.

“Hello?” he asked blearily, picking up the phone and almost talking into it upside-down.

“James? Have you seen Reg?” Sirius demanded as soon as the line connected, sounding very concerned.

Looking to his right, James hesitated. The man in question was just starting to awaken, curly hair half in his eyes, adorably grumpy expression making it clear he wanted to kill his brother for waking them both up. However, when Regulus seemed to figure out what was going on, his expression changed from perturbed to horrified, eyes widening as he shook his head in warning. Very firmly, he mouthed, ‘I’m not here!’

“Erm…no,” James said, wincing. He hated lying to Sirius. “I’m assuming he’s at his own flat. Why? Is everything okay?”

Sirius paused before sighing with relief. “I just…I took his hair dryer with me to Moony’s. You know, the really nice one Barty gave him? And this morning, I broke it, and-”

“Sirius, what the fuck?” Regulus burst out, face red with rage.

However, this was the absolute wrong reaction.

“AHA!” Sirius exclaimed, sounding like an old-time detective, yelling so loudly he could be heard even as James pulled the phone away from his ear. “I knew you were hiding with James! It’s time for brother bonding, so get out here in ten minutes or I will break your hair dryer!”

And, as the line clicked, Regulus groaned, falling back into bed. “I’d like to be an only child,” he mumbled into the pillow.