Jegulus - I'll be good

Part Thirty-Seven

I have just binge watched Reservation Dogs, have you seen it? It's a really great show!

Thank you for your comments, they make me laugh so often!

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Not hiding their relationship anymore sounded like a blessing to James. He wasn't one to hold back his affection, even if it was a little different with Reg, as the Slytherin rarely searched for physical near. But it was still a step further.
When it came to Sirius tho, he wasn't taking it as well as he made it seem. Having his chosen brother being so against his relationship was strong stuff, and absolutely unexpected. After all he had hoped that Sirius would be happy that he was.
It was Saturday, so he decided to pay his parents' grave a visit; he hadn't been there since the funeral, because it was really hard to do. As long as he was at school, he could pretend that they were at home and well. But when he visited this home, it was empty, with covered furniture and loud silence.
His steps became heavier the closer he came to the tombstone that was reaching out to the grey sky, he felt like someone pressed all the air out of his lungs. A wave of grief and sadness threatened to drown him as he leaned his forehead against the cool marble stone.
"Mom, dad... I miss you two so much. The world isn't the same without you anymore and I could really need some advice", James mumbled and ran his fingers over the engraved names. A knot was building up in his throat, while his memories ran wild with little moments he experienced with his parents. He dropped on the ground and leaned towards the stone, staying there in silence for a while and listening to the wind rushing through the trees.
"Lily and I are doing great, we are growing together. And it helps us greatly with our school work too, she reminds me to keep up with the work. She's really awesome", he started to talk, his eyes fixating the sky, "and I would've loved to introduce you to Regulus. I mean of course you know him, but he's so much better if you personally know him. He's super smart and talented, and somewhat cute. We started dating too. With Lily's agreement. It was weird at first, but we are slowly making it work smoothly. It's new and exciting and he's adorable and Lily is very patient. I wish I could say the same about Sirius. He's horribly angry and hates the whole thing, says it's disgusting. Now I'm questioning if it's the right thing, when it causes such a reaction in him even tho he is the most open minded person I know. I really don't know what to do. I don't want Sirius to be mad at me or his brother. What can I do to solve this problem? If anyone would know the answer, it would be you." Of course he didn't get an answer and it would be ridiculous to expect one from a grave. But he wondered why his parents didn't come back as ghosts. Keeping an eye on their son. On the other hand he was glad they had found peace and that they didn't have to see more of the war. He was sure that it was just the beginning. And he definitely didn't like that. For a while he stayed seated next to the tombstone, sinking into his own thoughts.

It was already dark, when something suddenly dropped on his shoulders. When he looked up in confusion, Lily smiled down at him: "There you are. I've already been looking for you and got worried after nobody has seen you since breakfast."
"I'm sorry. I just wanted... I don't even know, I needed advice", James said apologising and stretched his legs, "I didn't get one, but it was good to come here."
The redhead kissed his forehead and ruffled his curls: "The thing with Sirius, hm? He will surely come along with it. He might just need time."
James nodded softly and squeezed her hand: "You're maybe right. It just hits differently when it comes from him, you know. Coming from a society that has very questionable rules and expectations, then being so repulsed by the idea of three people consenting in a relationship. I have just expected something else from him, so maybe that was my fault. I shouldn't have set expectations beforehand."
Lily agreed in silence and they stayed a little bit longer, before heading back to the castle.

Regulus laid with his head in James' lap and was reading for his history essay, James running his fingers through the dark hair and working on a project with Lily. It was calm and silent in the astronomy tower, just the scratching of feathers on parchment and some word exchanges were to be heard. It was really peaceful and something James really needed today.
"Can't I just copy yours from last year?", Regulus sighed and looked up at James with what looked like an attempt of puppy eyes. But because it came from this elegant face it just looked a little bit weird, or maybe because he was such a serious person.
"How are you supposed to learn something when you're just copying someone else's work?", Lily chimed in and shook her head, "that's not how it works."
"That's not true. Writing an essay is also just copying what you read in books...just more summarised", the Slytherin replied, "working smarter, not harder. You know."
James laughed about them and shortly squeezed Regulus' chin: "I'm sorry, kitten, but I have to agree with Lily. If I have learned one thing from Remus, it's that you're learning more if you do the whole work on your own."
The nickname conjured some healthy colour into the Black's face and he mumbled something about how mean they were to him, before ending with: "No more kisses."
"What was that? You want no more kisses? Let's see how long you will keep that up", the Potter chuckled and focused his eyes back at the paper between Lily and him. The redhead was also quite amused about it. It was funny and also cute seeing them together. First it had been a bit difficult for her and played with her insecurities, but now that she saw them with each other and also still got enough time and affection from James, it was a lot easier and she was truly happy for her boyfriend. Plus, she warmed up to Regulus too and thought they could become good friends.
Some time passed in silence again, until James became way too tired to keep on working and even keep his eyes open.
"Okay, I think we can stop this for today. I can't write one more letter or I will fall asleep right on the paper", he announced and put his feather down. His legs were numb too, but he couldn't get himself to tell Regulus to get up.
"I'm not tired", the Slytherin said in a very sleepy voice and put the book down on his chest, "I could pull out trees."
"Mhm, of course. That's exactly what you look like. Fit enough to pull out trees...Idiot", Prongs grinned and bowed down until his face was just millimetres away from Regulus', teasing him with almost kissing him. Stubborn Regulus pursed his lips, very much remembering his own words from earlier and not falling for this trap.
"Dear Merlin, just kiss already, you both look like you're going to implode from being stubborn", Lils let them know with a laugh and started to collect their stuff.
"Not true", Reggie disagreed and squeezed James' waist, before sitting up and stretching his arms, "I'm keeping my word. No more kisses, because you're mean."
James moved his legs in an attempt to fend off the numbness: "That's okay. I know you will give in sooner or later. Nobody can resist James Potter, I'm too amazing."
This made Reg and Lily laugh and they exchanged a look: "Well, we can't disagree with that." Ah, his ego. He loved hearing that, it was definitely great.
"I'll bring Regulus to the Slytherin common room. We meet in the Gryffindor one in a few minutes?", he asked directed towards Lily, who nodded in agreement and picked up her bag, after she had put everything into it.
"Good night, Reggie. See you in a few minutes, Jamsie", she smirked, kissed James' lips quickly and ruffled Regulus' hair before leaving the astronomy tower first. James sighed happily: "She's fantastic." And this time, the Black could only agree too.
James' legs eventually worked again and they left the tower as well, walking down quietly and just enjoying each other's company. Prongs was side-eyeing the Slytherin now and then, who seemed a little bit nervous about walking through the halls holding his hand, even though it was in the middle of the night and nobody was out there anymore. It was fine and James admired his courage for keeping up with it, even though it made him so uncomfortable.
"Here we are", Regulus' voice cut through the silence as they arrived at the entrance.
"Here we are", James agreed and squeezed his hand, before letting go of it, "no chance to get lost anymore."
"As if I don't know the way to my own dormitory after years."
Reg smiled slightly and added: "But thank you for bringing me."
"Anytime, darling", the Gryffindor replied drawling, before grinning and turning around on his heels, "well then, have a good night. Don't let the bed bugs bite you." He walked away not even two steps, before Regulus spoke again.
"Aren't you going to give me a good night kiss?", the Slytherin asked a little bit pouty, which let the Potter laugh a little bit louder than he wanted to.
"I knew it. I knew you would give in."
He walked back to the younger one and pulled him into a kiss that made Regulus really weak. Very much to his satisfaction.
"No regrets", Reggie mumbled and kissed him again, before heavy heartedly letting him go.
"See you tomorrow", James smiled at him, before walking back to his tower.