Things were always stormy with reggie and James. Not just the weather.
It was storming the day they got together. Alot of things were stormy for them, mainly the weather, but they always got through it.
Regulus sat on the sofa, where he fiddled with his hair nervously, and shifted uncomfortably in the dress his mum had put him in. He hated that he was forced to keep his hair so long. Sirius had been growing his hair out since he was fifteen, ever since Reg finally told him the truth, that Regulus identified as a man. "Look, Reg," Sirius had said, once his hair was past his shoulders. "Boys can have long hair too. So don't feel bad that mum won't let you cut it!"
They had poured over the many Astronomy books in the library to find Regulus a different name - a boy's name. After a bit of back and forth between the two brothers, they had eventually agreed on Regulus Black.
Regulus had had a rough go of it at Hogwarts - being misgendered, people using his dead name, and having to sleep in the girls' dormitories. The only time he had been happy was on the Slytherin Quidditch team, because everyone wore the same uniforms. But now he was out of Hogwarts and had hoped he could finally live his life the way he wanted. Those small glimpses of hope had been dashed once Sirius ran away from home. Sirius was disinherited and burned off the family tapestry. Regulus was now responsible for producing a Black family heir, since he was not eligible to inherit.
Since graduating from Hogwarts, Regulus' life had been a parade of men from pureblood families. Walburga was searching for someone worthy. Regulus had lost count of how many men had come by, looking for an arranged marriage that benefited them. Some of them were just looking for the status that marrying a Black would bring them. Others were interested in the money. Regulus had taken a page out of his brother's book, and had causes enough trouble that they all ran away.
Walburga had stopped giving Regulus any insight into who would be coming to the door. Perhaps she had figured out that if Regulus had knowledge of the suitor, he could figure out a way to scare them off. Most of the men coming by were people Reg knew from school, which meant he knew their weak spots. After all, Regulus was a Slytherin at the end of the day, and he would use every advantage he had if it meant he didn't have to marry.
The door to the parlor opened and Regulus stood up. He smoothed out the skirt of the black satin dress his mother had forced him to wear and prepared himself for the worst. He was a little caught off guard when James Potter of all people walked in, trecking mud everywhere and driping water on the carpet. His mother considered the Potters to be blood traitors, which meant she must have been getting desperate to find someone pureblood still left.
"James -" Regulus said, feeling himself blush.
"Hi Reg," James responded, giving a little wave.
Regulus was so shocked to hear one of these stupid suitors call him by his name. It was almost enough to make him cry in relief. "What are you doing here?"
James shuffled awkwardly on his feet and scratched the back of his neck. "Could we maybe sit down?"
Regulus crossed his arms over his chest. "It's not like it's a secret."
James made a disgruntled noise in the back of his throat. "I knew this was going to be bloody awkward. Look, I'm probably the last person you want to get saddled with after everything that happened with Sirius, but your mum invited me out, and Sirius wanted me to come see how you are."
"Oh," Reg said, rubbing his arm self-consciously. "Well, I'm fine, you can tell Sirius I'm fine."
James took a tentative step forward. "Are you sure, Reg?"
