#marauders microfic

[isabel-lillah]

april 21 - prompt: run - @jegulus-microfic - word count: 307

Okay, so Regulus might be hiding from his friends right now. But it's for a good reason.

Pandora keeps insisting he's overworking himself with studying for their exams, while Regulus keeps insisting he is not. The rest of their friend group has similar mentality as Regulus (meaning exhaustion doesn't matter as long as you pass the exams), but not all of them can avoid Pandora for the entire afternoon, so Regulus left on his own.

Barty is going to kill him for this once he comes back.

In Regulus's defence, leaving the castle, and Pandora's fussing, was integral to his sanity. He also left a note saying he's taking a walk, so his friends wouldn't have to worry. He figured it was a good enough idea.

What might not have been the best idea, though, was to take the walk in the Forbidden forest. Especially not when he's this exhausted.

Because there's no explanation other than complete exhaustion for staring eye to eye with a stag.

They've run into each other over two minutes ago and have been staring at each other the entire time.

"Pandora's right, I need to go to sleep," Regulus mutters, shaking himself out of the trance, before slowly turning around and tripping.

Before he can hit the ground, a strong body supports him.

"Thanks, deer," Regulus whispers, not knowing whether to find his own joke funny or not. Either way, the stag seems amused, so he decides to count it as a win and never tell a soul he actually said this.

As a stag and an overworked, tired teen started their way out of the forest, Regulus mustered enough energy for one last statement: "You know, deer, you feel weirdly like James. You guys have the same aura."

And if Regulus wasn't so exhausted, he would swear he saw the stag blush.

[ecstarry]

@jegulus-microfic / resist / 290 words / @fromagony

It was just ice cream. The weather was unbearable, and James had assured Regulus that some refreshment would ease them. So, Regulus simply obliged. They were at the Potter’s beach house, and Sirius and Remus had gone for a swim. However, James insisted he would much rather go for a drive and a treat.

So here they were, James wearing a simple white shirt—a dangerous choice for someone whose favorite flavor was chocolate—under a heat that was sure to melt his ice cream entirely in minutes. Regulus ordered a lemon popsicle, but he could barely pay attention to his own treat as a luscious scene started unfolding in front of him.

James’ tongue was stained with chocolate, the ice cream melting faster than he could eat it. Brown smudges adorned the corners of his lips, making them look even more inviting. Regulus cleared his throat as he watched James's tongue spread across the flat surface of the cone. James looked up once he heard the sound. 

James fucking stared at him as he tilted his head to catch some drops of ice cream with his tongue, preventing them from making a mess.

Resist. Resist. Resist. 

“You okay? Is the heat getting to you? You look a bit flushed Reggie,” James said with a smirk. 

“Fine. Have you finished making a spectacle of yourself or can we go back to a place with an air conditioner?” 

“Always such a princess,” James teased, almost as if he was daring Regulus. 

Regulus took the bait. He leaned in, close enough to see drips of sweat on James’ neck, licked his thumb, and wiped the corner of James’ lip with it.

“You got kind of messy there,” he remarked, playing the game right back.

more microfics here

[outromoony]

Forgive me, Peter (is it something I did?)

Marauders microfic from Peter's POV | 2.2k words

ao3 link here

James was Peter's whole world when they were young.

The moment they met, Peter knew James was different from any other kid he'd ever met. He was kind, and didn't make fun of Peter because he didn't know how to play certain games or was in bad shape for sports. James was always so kind to him, so patient. They will spend hours and hours playing by themselves in James's garden because the other kids didn't want to play with Peter, but James said he preferred to play with him anyway.

They lived very close to each other; in fact, they were technically neighbors. Peter only took a six-minute walk from his house to James's, and they will see each other every day. James would show him everything he knew about Quidditch and discuss his favorite teams, and in return, Peter would teach him how to play chess and vent about his older siblings at home. And James will listen, he will always listen; and for the first time in his life, Peter felt like his voice deserved to be heard, that his opinions and feelings mattered to someone other than just himself and his own shadow.

That was, until they got on that train.

The Hogwarts Express was everyone's dream. Peter could remember his brother and sister talking about it nonstop when they came back from Hogwarts for their first break. Peter was excited about it, but it also made him anxious. When he received his letter, he couldn’t actually believe it at first. He knew he had magic since he was nine, but still, his aunts and brother loved to point out that it was weak, that even if he wasn't a squib, his magic would never be strong enough to even do anything relevant with it. Peter could not avoid feeling as if there had been a mistake, as if he didn't belong there. But just three feet away from him, there was James, smiling at him reassuringly and fondly as he awkwardly walked towards the train.

James had always been his anchor, the one and only person who could keep him grounded when he felt too low about himself. James would assure him he was wonderful, and that being his best friend was the best thing that had ever happened to him.

And James might have been Peter's anchor, but perhaps Peter had always been James's shackles.

The moment James met Sirius Black, Peter knew his relationship with James was never meant to last.

They were still friends, of course. James never wanted Peter to leave his side, and tried to get him into conversations. But Peter knew since the beginning of their Hogwarts journey, that Sirius was everything James wanted Peter to be, even if he never said it out loud.

Sirius was loud, that was the word that described him the best. He was loud, and so, so alive. And for Peter, who had always felt a little bit dead inside, that was like looking directly at the sun and getting a little blinded by its light. He tried, he really bloody tried, but he couldn't change who he was, how he felt, how he acted. No attempt was enough to get James to talk or look at him the way he did with Sirius Black.

When he was sorted into Gryffindor, he was so surprised that he tripped on his way to the Gryffindor table. Everyone clapped, and amidst all the loud noise, he could hear Sirius whistling and James shouting his name. Peter smiled nervously and sat between James and Remus. James gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder, and Remus just gave him a quiet nod. Peter didn't even look at Sirius when he called his name.

Peter Pettigrew had never been brave. He never felt like it, and his family reminded him every day how much of a coward he was. Since he could remember, he had always been afraid of making friends, and his parents needed to talk to the other kids for him to be able to have someone to play with. His siblings needed to force him to do new things like flying a broom, and his aunts scolded him when he refused to try new food. When he became friends with James, he became that force he needed to start opening up a little. James never forced anything into him, always respected his boundaries and tried showing him the light of life. He succeeded, of course, James always did; but when Sirius came into his life, that light started to banish little by little, wound by wound.

He knew from the beginning of his life that he would never be anyone's first choice. He knew it and accepted it. At least, he thought he did. His parents will always choose any of his siblings, just never him. His siblings will always choose each other, and James... oh, James. He really thought, for a period of time, that he was James's first choice, but now he realized that would never be the case, not while Sirius Black was still breathing.

He even tried getting close to Remus. The boy was quiet and liked reading. Peter initially thought that perhaps he was reserved with everyone, not just with Peter. But, fast enough, he realized that wasn't the case. Sirius, somehow, had broken that shield Remus always carried with him, cracked his mask, and got him into his most vulnerable human form. Remus loved Sirius, he loved him in a way Peter quite never understood, but again, he really never understood what was so special about Sirius Black that was leaving him completely alone, what was so special about him that he could just take everyone and everything away from him, even James.

He never intended to hurt him, to hurt any of them. Even after seven years of feeling like he was just something less than a sidekick for his friends, he still was something to them, at least he wasn't alone, at least James hadn't given up on him after everything. He never intended to do any harm, but Peter had always been weak, manipulable. The Dark Lord gave him what he had been craving his entire life, an opportunity to be someone, to do something important, to be someone's choice.

So he did it, he started working as a spy for the dark side. At first, it was alright— great, even. Voldemort chose him as one of his most loyal followers, he even sat next to him in the meetings with the rest of the Death Eaters. He felt like he was important, like he had done something right for the first time in his life, and for the look in Voldemort's eyes when he looked at him, he had.

The first time it actually hit him was when the news of the McKinnons reached his ears.

He had never been close to Marlene, not like Remus or James were, but he knew her; he knew her more than any of the people that had died in the war. He knew that her laugh was the loudest out of everyone in the Gryffindor tower, he knew she loved playing Quidditch just as much as James did, and that she loved reading some weird muggle books, which she would later recommend to Remus. He knew she loved music, especially rock, and she and Sirius would annoy everyone in the common room by singing and shouting lyrics left and right from their favorite rock bands. He may not have actually known her that well, but he saw her breathing and living for so many years, and because of him, she was dead.

He tried swallowing the feeling of guilt, tried pretending as if nothing had happened, and continued doing what the Dark Lord asked him to. That was the first time Peter actually realized how badly he had fucked up, and he was now trapped. He couldn’t back off now, but still, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was always meant to end up like this.

When the prophecy came, Peter was the first person Voldemort asked for information.

He wanted every possible location of the Potters, their schedules, any piece of information that could help him get to them. And for the first time since he had joined the Death Eaters, he lied to the Dark Lord.

That was probably the bravest thing Peter Pettigrew ever did in all his pathetic and miserable life. He lied, he lied about everything he knew, about every piece of information he had. He lied as much as he could, until he couldn’t anymore.

James and Lily now knew about the prophecy, and Dumbledore had sent them into hiding. Those were the exact same words he told Voldemort when he asked again about the whereabouts of the Potters, but when the Dark Lord asked about the type of magic they were using to hide, Peter couldn't even think of a good enough lie, so he told the truth.

He knew that if the Potters or Sirius were suddenly found dead, it would be his fault, but none of that happened. Voldemort didn't know who the secret keeper was, Peter had had enough decency to keep that piece of information to himself, but he knew that the first suspect would be Sirius Black, James's best friend and Harry's godfather.

Sirius apparently had the same thoughts, because one night after a meeting, after everyone was already gone, Sirius asked him to be the new secret keeper.

He apparently had already told James and Lily about it, and both of them agreed. Sirius was the most obvious option, and nobody will ever suspect him.

"Is it because I look weak?" Peter wanted to ask him desperately. "Because I look incapable?" But he didn't say it out loud, because maybe he was; maybe he was weak and incapable and a coward, and maybe he'd always been.

After he became secret keeper, Voldemor knew. Peter wasn't sure how he knew it, but he did. Maybe he could read his mind, or maybe he'd never been really good at pretending, but in that moment, when Voldemort asked him the location of the Potters, Peter knew it was over.

Because he was a coward, after all.

He could have begged for James's life, just like Snape did for Lily's. Perhaps, that would have been the last decent thing he could have done for him. But deep inside, Peter knew that it was in vain. Snape never knew Lily the way he knew James, or even Lily herself. They both loved so hard, so intensely, so deeply, and they were so brave, something Peter never had been. They loved so much, and Harry was just the person they loved the most in the world. They wouldn't let their child die without a fight, and then Voldemort would kill them all three.

The moment it happened, Peter felt it in his bones, in every cell of his body, in every beat of his heart.

James was dead.

Peter never thought it was possible to feel absence so deeply in your soul you felt like your own shadow had been torn away from you. He felt it all, but at the same time he felt nothing at all—not when the Dark Lord was gone, and he had lost everything.

Sirius Black gave him a new reason to run: he was going to kill him, he had promised. With every single step he took, he could feel Sirius's breath on his neck like a sharp knife threatening to cut him open, and he deserved it; he knew he did.

But he didn't want to die.

So he ran and ran, until his lungs were full of memories, and regrets, and fear—oh, so much fear. He was terrified of dying.

It was just a matter of time until Sirius found him, he knew he didn't have much time. He had promised to kill him, and if he knew something about Sirius Black, was that he was always true to his threats.

So he did the only thing that crossed his mind—the only thing that gave him an actual shot to survive. He hid among the Muggles, even though he knew Sirius would find him anywhere, and when he inevitably did, Peter was ready.

He caused an explosion that killed probably hundreds of muggles; he wasn't sure, but he didn't care that much. Sirius was there in the explosion, but he didn't die; Peter's plan had never been to kill him.

He held his breath, and without thinking too much, because if he did, he might never be able to do it, he cut one of his fingers. The pain was terrible, the blood was everywhere, but when he transformed into his rat form once again, the pain was already gone, so was Peter.

And he ran once again—he ran away from the life he used to have, the life he would never have again. He ran from his guilt, from his bad decisions, and from every time he betrayed himself.

He ran and never looked back; that was the one thing he always did the best.

He was a coward, after all.

[that-bitch-kat3]

a letter to petunia

This is more Lily and Petunia nonsense that I wrote the other night. This one is a letter that Lily wrote to Petunia when the Potters went into hiding. My AO3 is here if you are interested.

Petunia, 

I don't think that you will ever have to read this but I'm writing it just in case. If you are reading this it means that the worst has happened, and for that I am sorry. I'm also sorry for all the things that I have left unsaid, and for all the broken pieces of us that I will never be able to piece back together, but there are some things that I want you to know. 

The first is that I love you. I know that we haven't been close in years, and likely we never will be but I need you to know that I never stopped loving you. You were there for me and protected me when we were small. I know we were forced to grow up too fast and I know that you tried to shield me from that. You shouldn't have had to do that. 

I know we fought but when I think of you I remember the happy days of our childhood. The summer days were spent at the neighborhood pool, or riding our bikes by the creek. I miss those days and everything that came with them. I miss when we loved each other out in the open, when you were the other half of me, completing me in a way only a sister could. 

I know I didn't do enough, and I know that I left you in that house. I'm sorry. I don't regret doing it because it led me to who I am. It led me to James and brought me Harry but I am sorry that there wasn't a way that I could find myself and not lose you. 

When we were young I thought you were the most beautiful person in the world and I hope that one day you will be able to look back at our childhood and see yourself the way that I saw you. Beautiful and brave. 

This war that I got myself caught up in is terrifying, and I can't let you get caught in the crossfire, but Pet I'm scared. I'm scared that I'll die and my life won't mean anything. I'm scared that I lost you for nothing. I'm scared that every terrible thing I thought about me, and you, and us is true. 

I know that you pushed me away because you were scared. Scared of us being different, and scared of losing me. I know because I pushed you away for the same reasons. I forgive you for what you've said and what you've done and I hope one day you will be able to forgive me. 

If you get this letter it means that I'm dead which means that James and Harry are too. I want you to know that if I'm gone and they are too you are the last piece of me. I think that you'd be sad if that happened because I would be sad if I lost you again, but I don't want you to be sad forever. I mean to be sad for a little bit, you know I always loved the attention, but don't be forever. 

Go and live and be happy. Find what it is in life that makes your heart sing and do that, and when he is old enough I hope that you will tell Dudley about me. Tell him about your magical sister who you sometimes hated but who always loved you. Tell him that I loved him even though I never met him, and tell him how good you were back then. And then tell yourself that even though everything is broken you were always enough for me. 

All of my love, 

Lily Potter

[bellaxisworld]

april 19 @jegulus-microfic prompt: class. word count: 461

Regulus is walking to his next lesson when an invisible hand latches onto his wrist and drags him into a broom closet. He’s sputtering, cheeks flushed and eyes flashing in anger before he realizes only one foolish man in this castle would dare to lay a hand on him. His heart flutters in his chest.

It’s dark in the closet, and he’s caught off guard when warm hands frame his face and pull him into a gentle kiss. Regulus melts into him, chest pressed to chest, beating hearts thundering in tandem as he floats away, tugged gently into the clouds he frequents when he’s held so lovingly, when he's kissed with something akin to worship. It’s Regulus’ favorite thing to do—to kiss this boy, to feel him move and sigh under the palms of his hands, to touch and touch and remind himself this moment is real. He loves kissing James Potter more than breathing. 

Unfortunately for him, he has a difficult time articulating his devotion and adoration of James. But he thinks James knows, anyway. Regulus thinks he looks at James with so much love in his eyes, it would be impossible not to. 

“Jamie,” he whispers between kisses, and he feels the smile against his skin. He allows James to pull him closer, and he thanks the universe for the mere strength it takes not to crumble as James practically devours him in kisses. He’s a mess, limbs loose and heart hammering as he lets James take, and take, and take. Regulus simply can’t be faulted if he wants James’ mark on him forever. He’d let James take gory little bites out of him, consume him whole, just to taste him on his lips; he wants James' bitemarks scarring his skin. Regulus doesn’t want to exist if he can't exist as a monument of James, as an altar of their love.

They break apart for air and he leans his head against James’ shoulder, pressing little kisses against his skin. He breathes in, and he hopes every inch of his lungs are coated in the essence of James. 

Regulus reluctantly pulls away, straightens his robes, rights James’ tie, and picks up his fallen bag. He fixes a stern look at James, refusing to melt at the sight of his bright smile. “I can’t believe you’re pulling me into closets for a mere cheeky snog. Have some class, Potter.” 

James shakes his head fondly, because they both know Regulus appreciates it every time he drags him away, pulls him into comforting arms to escape into a bubble that’s only for them.

Regulus softens, crowding James again to pepper his face in quick kisses. He takes great pride in the blush on James’ cheeks as he reaches for the door.

more microfics posted on ao3: here.

[werewolfwhispersandwizardsshouts]

Apologies-a jegulus microfic

Lily Evans was so confused when in their 6th year when James stopped bothering her. Maybe he'd finally got the message.

She was even more confused when 2 weeks into the term he came up to and apologised for bothering her all this time.

She was super confused when he apologised to barty for punching him when he insulted Remus in first year. And even more when he actually began to take an interest in pandoras weird theories. Regulus was the only one who ever cared about things like narggles.

She was extremely confused when James began trying to make friends with evan and dorcas.

And incredibly confused when he succeeded and became friends with all the Skittles.

But one day she's at a party and there in the corner she sees James and Regulus making out. And she realises that's why this is all happening that's why James apologised.

The next day, she walks up to Regulus and simply says, "I'm so sorry"

[adharastarlight]

Tis The Season

Eight: Music

Jegulus smut with maybe... some plot? Sirius doesn't know (just like if you know me irl? you dont) about jegulus at all... anyway, there's a reason James always has his music on too loudly

“Turn the music down, James!”

The brunette heard his best friend's yell echo from across the hall but he wasn't listening. He was also one hundred percent sure that Sirius would rather hear the possibly too loud bass of his music than the noises his little brother was making.

“Sh-shit, Jamie, fuck,” Reg managed the words between gasped moans, nails digging into the older boy’s back.

He cursed, “that's it, baby, you're so fucking perfect.”

The younger whimpered, arching into him further and throwing his head back, exposing that beautiful neck. That neck he knew he wasn't meant to mark. But it was right there. It was taunting him. Regulus let out a gasped moan when his boyfriend started sucking and biting at his neck. He would've said something, that it was a bad idea maybe, if he wasn't slowly going insane with bliss. A slightly louder moan tore free from him, almost animalistic, when James reached between them to rub circles against his clit, slowly, faster, faster, fuck.

“So good for me, angel.” James grunted at the nails scratching down his back, his hips stuttering slightly, “I'm so close, fuck.”

“Jamie, merde.”

The brunette moaned into his neck, against the skin he'd probably bruised by now, cursing as his boyfriend came, clenching around him. His hips lost their rhythm as he came, pressing fleeting kisses against Reg's neck and shoulders and collar bones as he slowly lowered himself to lie on top of him.

Regulus let out a soft huff as the older man's weight pressed into him and reached up to card his fingers through his hair gently, “hi sweetheart.”

He smiled and reached over for the remote for the stereo, turning down the music and pressing a kiss to the other's temple, “you need to find a way to be quieter, angel.”

“We've music and you like it when I'm loud.”

“Sirius yelled for me to turn it down, he'll catch on at some point.”

“That's his problem, not mine.”

James laughed softly, “it'll be your problem when your boyfriend is hung drawn and quartered, my love.”

“He wouldn't hurt my boyfriend!”

“I mean in his defence, he has no idea-”

“...Stop making excellent points.” He kissed his nose and tugged on his hair gently, “I liked the new mixed tape.”

“I thought you would.”

Reg smiled, about to reply and ask when he'd made it, but a holler came up the steps again. Followed by impatient stomping on stairs.

“James! You arse! It's your bloody turn to cook dinner! What the fuck are you doing in here?” The handle of his room twisted but the door remained closed, the brunette muffling his laugh in his boyfriend's neck. “Why the fucking hell is your door locked? Prongs! Come and make dinner you arse!”

“Go.” The younger whispered it into his hair, shushing the protest he knew was coming, “I'm fine, my love, I'm great actually. I'll be even better if my brother doesn't come barging in here. Go on.”

“Prongs!”

“Coming, I'm coming! Chill, Pads.” He pulled away reluctantly and kissed the figure smiling under him before rolling out of the bed and tugging on his boxers and joggers. He chuckled softly when his boyfriend lobbed his tee at him, lowering his voice to a whisper, “what's this for?”

Regulus grinned and tugged the duvet over himself, “you've scratches.”

“You're such a cat.”

“And you're such a stag, now shoo.”

The older boy scoffed and tugged on the tee before slipping out of his door, making sure it closed behind him before his best mate could look in, “you're very impatient, Pads.”

Sirius scanned him curiously, but merely shrugged and started walking downstairs, “what were you even doing? You're all flushed.”

“Pull-ups, sorry about the music, didn't realise how loud it was when I was in the moment.”

“It's alright, you're lucky Reggie doesn't mind that kind of music.”

“Yeah, really lucky.” He smiled to himself and clapped his mate on the back, “right, what d'you want for dinner?

***

“Reg!!! It's dinner!”

Regulus groaned at his brother's holler and rolled out of the bed he'd buried himself back into after his quick shower. He grabbed his shirt from the side and cursed under his breath at the state of it. They'd maybe been a little frantic to get the clothes off earlier.

“Regulus!”

“I'm coming you grumpy old dog!” He called back, reaching into his boyfriend's wardrobe for one of his tees which fell just above his knees, foregoing his boxers and trousers because… making said boyfriend suffer was awfully good fun.

James looked up as the younger boy walked into the lounge and almost choked. He also almost dragged him back up to his room. He was starving, but the plate in front of him had never looked so unappetising.

“Finally! What took you so long, étoile?”

He shrugged and settled into his spot, the one between James and the arm of the sofa. Which he honestly had made his, before he actually knew where the man who would become his boyfriend sat. He could feel the probably-not-subtle eyes running over him and smiled, “dinner looks good.”

His brother nodded and flopped into the armchair near them, picking up the remote, “I love mum and dad but I might love eating in front of the tv more.”

Regulus nodded and forced a shiver, tugging the blanket over himself and the brunette, “me too. It's far more relaxed.”

His boyfriend grinned at him and moved his hand to his inner thigh, brushing against where he'd expected to find boxers and stifling a groan by stuffing a mouthful of pasta into his mouth. He glanced at his best friend whose attention was affixed to the screen and dipped his hand between his thighs, brushing lightly against his clit.

“Oh, Reggie, Pandora called.”

He raised an eyebrow at his brother, ignoring the teasing touches as best as he could, “she did?”

“Yeah, asked about going to the city centre tomorrow, the library. I said you'd call if you couldn't go but otherwise meet her there at eleven.”

James waited for the moment his boyfriend opened his mouth to pinch his clit, just hard enough to elicit a sharp inhale.

“Oh, yeah, that's great. I'll definitely g-” he forced back a moan as a finger slipped into him, curling up to brush his gspot, “go-oh.”

Sirius glanced over at the stuttered word and furrowed his brows, “you okay, Reggie?”

“Yeah, yea-” he clenched his jaw when his boyfriend repeated the motion and had a sip of his water, smiling sheepishly at his brother, “hiccups, sorry.”

He shrugged and turned back to the tv. James waited a moment to ensure he wasn't going to turn back around and pushed a second finger into him, curling and stroking until he was fairly certain the it other's teeth were grinding together. He leaned over slightly, whispering against the shell of his ear, “so pretty and desperate for me, angel. In my shirt and nothing else. Practically begging me to fuck you, hm?”

Reg let out a quiet whimper, making sure his voice was just as quiet when he replied, “is this you - fuck - teaching me to be quiet?”

“Mm. You're doing so well, baby.”

“Fuck, Jamie, please.”

The brunette smirked and rubbed his thumb against his clit, moving his fingers just too slowly, “if you're quiet you can come whenever you want, angel.”

He bucked his hips into the contact slightly before nodding, biting his lip hard enough to draw the faintest blood to hold back a moan when his boyfriend sped up. His shoulders slumped into the sofa behind him as he focused on being quiet, only a quiet gasp leaving him when he came, head thrown back slightly, back arched up the tiniest amount.

James drew his hand back and waited until his boyfriend was looking at him to suck his fingers clean. He smirked at the almost silent whimper, mouthing ‘good boy’ and watching the younger boy crumble on the spot.

They were going to need louder music.

[vini213]

@jegulus-microfic’s prompt: Warmth (130 words)

At some point James and Regulus started a habit of sharing a bed, spending their nights together.

Regulus found he enjoyed the warmth of another body beside him, basking in the heat James radiated. He enjoyed how James always cuddled up to him, swaddling him in comfort.

James found he liked how Regulus leaned into him when he wrapped his arms around him. He liked how it was just for him to see past Regulus’, at first impression, cold demeanour.

They would awaken in a tangle of limbs, day starting bright as they met each other’s eyes and a smile was brought to both their faces.

To Regulus, James was the sun, shining as the morning arrived.

To James, Regulus was a star that twinkled even as the daylight appeared.

(thought up most of this in my exam after giving up on attempting more questions, great use of my time)

[sixlane]

so sweet

Bartylily microfic | 1.4k words | NSFW

for india @certifiedl0verboy because they said the world needed barty and lily getting high and sharing a costco cheesecake, and also han @honeybcj because the image of barty and lily shotgunning hasn't left my head in days <33

Lily opens her fridge and stares. The cool air and soft light leaks out into the empty kitchen as she contemplates how she became this person. The type who, completely unprompted and for no good reason, buys a whole Costco cheesecake for herself. 

The soft, round monstrosity sits on the bottom shelf of her fridge, taking up so much space she was forced to shove her yogurt into the vegetable drawer. The thing stares back at her, mocking, taunting, begging to be left to mold when she inevitably fails to eat it all. 

The sound of a key in the door snaps her out of the silent stand off.

Fuck, Barty’s home.

She can already imagine his confused smile and snarky comments when he opens the fridge for his nightly Red Bull just to come face to face with Lily’s unexplainable decision. It’s not like they’ve been roommates for long, or friends for that matter. They keep it cordial, stay out of each other's way, smoke the occasional bowl and watch old seasons of America’s Next Top Model, but this seems a little too close to soul-baring for comfort. 

Lily sits down at the table with a glass of water, tries to act casual, tries not to look at the fridge. 

“Hey,” Barty says, dropping his keys on the counter.

Lily nods her head, taking a sip from her glass. For a minute she thinks she’s in the clear because he’s already started to leave the room, but he doubles back at the last minute, realizing he’s forgotten something. 

He pulls the fridge open, reaches down, and stops, just for a second, before grabbing his energy drink and letting the door fall shut. 

Lily pretends she hasn’t been watching him this whole time.

He pops the top on his can, takes a sip and gives Lily a once over. “You having a party or something?”

“Will you leave me alone if I say yes?” Lily deadpans, though she can feel her face heating up. 

“Nope. Then I’d probably have to ask why I wasn’t invited.” He walks over to lean against the island, just a few feet between them, and looks down at her. He takes another sip.

“Ok look I needed more laundry detergent so I went to Costco and obviously I had to look in the bakery section and it was just sitting there. So. I bought it.” Barty’s smile widens as she explains until he’s just grinning at her. “What?” she asks, defensive.

“So you just bought the whole thing for yourself?” He says it curiously. He’s not judging, but she can hear the ulterior motive in his tone. 

She raises an eyebrow at him. “Spit it out.”

Barty huffs a laugh. “One second.” He sets his drink down and heads toward his room, leaving Lily to wonder what his plans are. She can never quite read him. He likes to play up this persona of his, effortlessly carefree and nonchalant, but she has always sensed something just below the surface. She notices it in the way he remembers her work schedule, the way he seems to have eyes in the back of his head. 

When Barty comes back, he’s got a bag of weed in one hand and his grinder and bowl in the other. He holds them up, mouth quirked in a dangerous way, waiting for her response.

Lily reflects the smile back at him. “I like the way you think, Crouch.”

So, Lily grabs the cheesecake, two forks, and some napkins, while Barty packs the first bowl of the night. They light up next to an open window in the living room, inhaling as the warm breeze kisses their cheeks and slides through their hair.

They wait until they’re properly high before digging in, and as Lily brings that first bite to her lips, allows it to settle on her tongue, she swears it’s the best thing she’s ever tasted. 

“Fuuuuuck,” she moans. “This was the best decision I’ve ever made.” She licks the back of the fork, wanting to savor the tangy goodness, and she doesn’t miss how Barty watches before he huffs a laugh and shifts his focus to take a bite of his own.

“God,” he says around a mouthful. “What does Costco put in this shit?” 

“It’s fucking amazing right?” 

It’s at that point that she notices a bit of cake smeared across Barty’s lower lip, so she leans over and wipes her thumb across it. It happens before she can even register she’s done it, but she fully commits, sticking her thumb in her mouth after, tasting sweet and something else.

“You use Aquaphor?” She asks.

Barty stares at her. Red eyes slightly widened. “You can identify Aquaphor by taste?”

Lily smiles with all her teeth and reaches into her back pocket to produce the tube she takes with her everywhere. 

“Put some on,” he says before picking up the bowl for another hit.

She looks at him suspiciously. “Why?”

“Just do it.” He sparks the lighter and breathes in deeply. 

She brings the tube to her lips and smears some on, watching his chest expand behind his t-shirt.

He holds the smoke in his lungs but motions for her to come closer and oh. She sees where this is going. 

The realization doesn’t stop her from leaning in anyway.

Barty’s lips ghost over hers and he breathes the smoke into her open mouth. She inhales in turn, taking the air from his lungs into her own. 

It’s intimate, she thinks, in a way that not many things are. To hold a vital piece of someone else inside yourself. To pass it back and forth with such care, not letting anything slip through the cracks. 

And that thought is what causes Lily to close the barely-there distance. To allow their lips to push together. To allow herself to fully taste the leftover sweetness and Aquaphor and Red Bull on Barty’s tongue, which he doesn’t waste a minute before sliding into her mouth.

It’s sloppy and uncoordinated where they lean over the half-eaten cheesecake between them, and Lily pulls back before her arms give out underneath her. 

They stare at each other for a moment, both smiling and laughing like idiots. 

It’s so easy between them, always has been.

“One more?” Barty asks.

“One more what?” Lily volleys back, eyebrow raised.

“Bite,” He says motioning toward the cake, sly smile across his face.

She rolls her eyes affectionately but nods, leans forward as he scoops another piece, sure to get some of the buttery crust on his fork. He holds it out for her to take but before she can, the pile of cake and graham cracker falls right onto her left tit.

Lily stares down at it, mouth agape for a second before she starts giggling again. Because it’s funny. Everything is so funny she can’t help herself.

That is until Barty’s tongue is dragging itself along the skin there, collecting the cake and making way for his teeth, which bite hard enough to leave a mark. 

He stares up at her as he does it, gauging her reaction. He gets the all clear when Lily fails to stop the needy whine that leaves her throat.

Barty trails his mouth upward, leaving open-mouth kisses along her neck until he reaches her ear.

“You taste so good,” he whispers. Voicing out loud the thoughts she’s been having all night.

Lily lets the corner of her mouth tug up. “You have no idea.”

“Fuck.” He reattaches to her neck and his hands find the button of her pants, dexterous as they undo it and work the zipper down. He reaches beneath her underwear, letting his long fingers slide through her wetness, collecting some before he brings them to his mouth, sucks sinfully and stares her down the whole time.

The haze around Lily’s thoughts sharpens to want, and Barty must see the change in her eyes because he smiles devilishly around the digits before replacing them where she needs them most. 

“So fuckin’ sweet,” he says, circling her clit lazily, not enough pressure to really get her there.

“Please…” she begs, arching into him, trying to push harder against his fingers. She’s too far gone not to act as desperate for it as she is. She wants his fingers inside of her, wants him to lick every inch of her, put his mouth in places it probably doesn’t belong.

“Shhh princess,” he coos. “Just enjoy the ride.”

Once they finish, Lily twice and Barty all over her stomach before licking her clean, Lily will realize they left the cheesecake in the living room under the open window.

Oh well, she was never really going to finish it anyway.

[isabel-lillah]

april 20 - prompt: green - @jegulus-microfic - word count: 204

"What's your favourite colour?" James and Regulus were, as usual, sitting at the top of the astronomy tower when Regulus asked.

James laughed at the randomness of the question: "What? Why do you ask?"

Regulus stopped looking out the window in favour of turning to James. The older boy smiled at the ease with which the Slytherin was there, at the moment. He used to be so tense and short worded, James worried he would never manage to get behind the carefully built walls Regulus normally hides behind. And yet here they are, just a few months later, talking about colours.

"We always talk about the depressing stuff, I don't know the random details about you. Come on, what's your favourite colour?"

He's right, of course. Them talking started with James trying to crack through the mask of Regulus Black and continued with Reg trying to crack through James's walls.

They just skipped the stage of talking about stuff like favourite colours.

"Green. The deep forest kind, you know what I mean?"

Regulus turned his head back towards the Forbidden forest: "Yeah, I do. It's soothing. The same way dark blue is. The deep ocean blue kind."

"Your favourite?"

The younger teen smiled: "Yeah."

[ecstarry]

"Regulus' collection" a microfic for my love, @bellaxisworld

Regulus had been collecting them for a while—his Sylvanian Families collection, that is. It all began with gifts from Sirius. The first one was a little raccoon, and Sirius had carefully wrapped it for him before leaving for school ten years ago. Each time his brother visited for the holidays, he would add another one to Regulus' collection.

He had never felt embarrassed of them, not until now, at twenty-one years old, with a shelf displaying them in an apartment where his brother’s hottest friend would be coming over. They were about to host their first dinner since leaving their parents' home, and Regulus had gladly obliged, anything to make his brother happy. But now, as those little shits looked back at him from the dustless shelf, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

Regulus had been crushing on James for as long as he could remember. They had seen each other not more than three times, which meant he had experienced the warmth of the sun in close proximity that same amount of times. And Regulus hated the cold.

When Sirius insisted on them living together, he was also adamant about their home feeling like a place where they both existed. It was actually his idea to have his collection on display. Now, Regulus wonders if his brother's plan had been to humiliate him all along.

He tried discreetly covering them with anything, even willing to shove them all inside a drawer. But as he grabbed the first one, his brother stopped him.

"What are you doing, Reg?" Sirius laughed a little as Regulus blushed.

"Nothing, but I just don't want your friend to think I'm lame," Regulus replied quietly, his gaze stuck on his shoes.

"Remus has seen your collection millions of times, Reg. It's just James who—" his brother stopped talking, and Regulus dared to look back at him, guilt all over his face.

"Reggie, do you care what James thinks?" Sirius' tone was much more gentle than Regulus had expected.

"So what if I do?" and at the response, Sirius' eyes softened.

"No, fuck no. Don't look at me like that. I don't like James or his stupid smile."

"Reg-"

"I know, I know! Of course, I care what James thinks, now help me hide them, but be careful!" Regulus started delicately placing them in a drawer, but Sirius' grip stopped him once more.

"Do you want to know a secret?"

"Sirius, we don't have time-"

"James has a collection of his own."

Regulus smiled but quickly called his brother's bluff, "you're just trying to make me feel better."

"I would never lie about a Sylvanian Families collection! I swear on Moony!" Sirius drew a cross around his heart.

Before Regulus could protest any longer, they heard a knock on the door.

It was James. Handsome and perfect James, who brought flowers and exquisite wine for dinner.

It was James. Adorable and kind James, who complimented Regulus' collection all night and insisted it was much better curated than James'.

It was James. Lovely and breathtaking James who would one day have a shelf next to Regulus' for his own collection.

[theheartofthestar]

Prompt 23 - Teacher AU

@wolfstarmicrofic - April 23rd, 467 words

Quiet evenings turn hectic as exams approach. This is true every year, ever since he was a student walking these same halls, and will continue to be so long after he retires.

Remus' door was always open for students to come up and clear up whatever questions they might have, but aside from the occasional gaggle of younger students who eagerly wanted to make sure they got a spell right, and the handful or older students who stopped by for tea and biscuits sometimes, his office hours were spent quietly, and alone.

Now, however, close as they were to finals, with the promise of summer breeze making them open the castle windows as the sun went down, and the idea of finally lounging by the lake under the sun, students tended to panic, and Remus could reliably expect a queue outside his office's door.

"Please call the next student in when you leave" Remus said gently to a third year Hufflepuff, whom Remus had had to spend fifteen minutes reassuring that finals would only cover what was in the syllabus.

There was a soft rap of knuckles against the door, even when it was open.

"Good evening, Professor, have you got a moment?" The familiar voice made him look up immediately, heart jumping in his chest the same way it had done a thousand times before, ever since they were nothing more than children.

"What are you doing here?" Remus said with a smile, standing up to go around his desk as Sirius walked into the office.

"You know, I was just around the area" Sirius shrugged and threw him a dazzling smile that did nothing to hide the blush that spread over his cheeks. "Your students let me cut the line, too"

"Oh, did they, now?" If only they weren't at school, he would drag Sirius to the desk and make him blush even harder. But they were, so Remus had to be happy with leaning in and pressing a soft, almost innocent kiss to the corner of Sirius' mouth.

"I'll stop by the kitchens and let them send up some dinner for you" Sirius said softly, nothing more than a whisper.

"You're a blessing" Remus hadn't felt hungry before, but his stomach rumbled just by the sound of dinner. He lowered his voice even further to ask,"Is the line long out there?"

"Extremely, you are either very popular or they are really scared" Sirius laughed around his answer, but kept it to a whisper as well.

"Both. Always both." It got Remus a snort in return.

"Will you come home tonight?" Sirius' smile was softer, eyes giving him the once over. Remus knew Sirius always worried about him during this time of the school year.

"Yes, love," Remus whispered, "I'll always come home to you"

-

(you can read more of my work here)

[murderoushagthesequel]

Gifts

from @jegulus-microfic's prompt, camera (295 words)

ok i struggled with the title on this one, there were a few options... i think this one is nice for now. but enjoy!

“Happy birthday!” James says quietly, handing a small package to Regulus. “You’re thirteen now!” The school year is almost over, and James won’t see him again until September. Sirius will probably find a way to sneak over to his house, but James knows Regulus won’t leave Grimmauld until autumn. So he tried his best to get him something special. James can’t explain why, but seeing a smile on Regulus’ face brings him more joy than anything. 

Regulus, as he always does, carefully examines the package with great focus on his face. James loves it. He carefully pulls back the string and uses two fingers to peel back the paper. When he sees what’s inside he gasps and puts a hand over his mouth.

“James-”

“Oh I almost forgot,” James cuts him off. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small black case. He picks up the gift and places it inside the case, and it transfigures itself into what appears to be an ornate jewellery box. James transforms it back and returns the gift to Regulus. 

“They’ll never know,” James reassures. Regulus looks up at him with a rather frozen, awestruck stare before breaking into a smile. Oh, how James missed his smile.

“You got me a muggle camera,” he whispers. James nods, feeling a smile spread across his own face. Regulus very carefully wraps the camera back in its paper and sets it to the side before flinging his arms around James’ neck and squeezing. James has never been hugged by Regulus before but he never wants it to stop. “Thank you,” Regulus whispers.

“It was my pleasure,” James responds. And he is graced with possibly the greatest gift in the world in return, even though it isn’t his birthday. Regulus giggles.

[bellaxisworld]

february 21, @jegulus-microfic prompt: attack. word count: 607

Barty and James were usually fine when interacting with each other. Typically, they’d bicker and fight a little, but there was a friendly tone to it.

Today, though—Barty was quickly frying the very last nerve James had, and he was about to implode. James was going to make a mess—cause chaos and go on a warpath if Barty did not get his fucking hands off Regulus’ waist. 

From across the room, James’ eyes were on Regulus, as they always were, and Barty was being handsy. 

Regulus and Barty were friends—and they were close, and Barty loved causing mayhem. Regulus wasn’t leaning into Barty’s touch, but he wasn’t pushing him off, either. And Regulus looked stunning, as he always did to James, his head was thrown back in a lovely laugh and James couldn’t handle the fact that Barty had a front row seat to Regulus’ beauty and he didn’t.

James was fine with the fact that Regulus had friends, of course—he encouraged it, he wanted Regulus to have a life full of the love he deserved. But Barty—Barty was touching Regulus in a place James’ hands should be. Barty was infringing on the space that boyfriends take up—and Barty was not his fucking boyfriend. 

James was simmering, stewing in his possessive anger by himself until Barty’s hand distinctly squeezed Regulus’ waist, and James shot up. He stalked over and shoved Barty’s arm to its rightful place at his side. Barty’s grin was feral—he just wanted to play. James turned to Regulus who had an annoyed look on his face—but his eyes were bright and James knew he liked to play the game just as much. He grabbed Regulus' hand and shot a hex Barty’s way, dragging Regulus out of the room. 

Barty cursed and shouted, “It’s just a bit of fun, Potter!”

“Fuck you, Crouch,” James shot over his shoulder—but there was less of a bite to it. 

Regulus had a smirk on his face as James dragged him into the corridor and James knew he was feeding into exactly the type of game Regulus wanted to play. 

He didn’t care one bit. 

Regulus was grumbling(James saw right through his fake grumbles) when James pulled him into a large, hidden closet and put up a silencing charm. Regulus didn’t have time to react before James was lifting him to his height and cutting off his words in a kiss—Regulus melted against him, opening his mouth in a gasp and James breathed him in, accepting graciously, every bit of breath and life from him, full and full and full of everything that was Regulus. 

Regulus was panting against him when James moved to his neck, fingers grasping at shoulders and biting into flesh. 

Regulus yelped when he felt James’ teeth on his neck, biting and nipping at skin, making marks. “Jamie—James, fuck—you’re attacking me!” 

James hummed. “Be glad I’m not attacking Crouch right now—he’d likely have a different kind of bruise on his neck, like the shape of my handprints. He might also wind up dead.”

Regulus blew out a shaky breath and tightened his hold on James. “You possessive bastard.” 

“If someone’s going to touch what’s mine, if they’re close enough to see these bruises—they better know they’ll never have you the way I have you. They can’t touch you where I touch you.” He sucked a bruise onto Regulus' neck and he could feel the broken noise against his lips. 

“James—fine, okay, just keep, fuck, kissing me—”

“Always, baby, always.” And Regulus showed off every mark on his neck proudly.

part of a microfic collection on ao3(21/29): february, i'm yours.

[nikholascrow]

Destined - Word count: 211 - Evan and Regulus friendship angst

Regulus made it halfway up to the astronomy tower before he broke down. It was sorta poetic honestly, spiraling on a spiral staircase. Sobs racked his body, his lungs hurt. It was Sirius’ birthday and he couldn’t even work up the courage to walk across the great hall and give him a gift, his own brother. Instead he’d spent the entire day watching Remus Lupin smile at him, Peter Pettigrew laugh too loudly at his jokes, and James Potter pat him on the back, his replacement Sirius’ new brother.

He stayed there on the staircase for what felt like hours until Evan found him, puffy eyed and still sniffling. He hated looking weak but Evan had seen him worse. Evan was always there. He'd been there when Sirius turned eleven and left for Hogwarts, he’d been there when Sirius ran away, and when Regulus found out Sirius had been adopted by the Potters. And here he was again. Sitting next to Regulus, rubbing his back slowly, not saying a word, not judging him. Because that’s who he was who he’d always been. Sirius may have been destined to live out in the sun, but Evan and Regulus were made for the depths below, they were drowning but they were drowning together.