CANNONBALL ⇒ jegulus

FORTY FOUR

James stares at his phone for an eternity the second he sees the sender of the text he has just received.

The Leaky Cauldron at 5pm, don't be late, don't waste my time, probably best you don't even reply to this.

James shakes his head in disbelief. "Hey, no phones during band practice, we have an album to write," Sirius' voice interrupts him.

James can't tear his eyes away from the phone, no even to offer suggestions for an album title. "Uh....yeah, one second," He presses 'dial' before he can even process his actions. He holds the phone to his ear, holding up a hand to Sirius. "Erm, I'll be back in a second. It's my mum," He lies.

Once outside the room, James sighs. The phone continues to ring on the other end. James waits, unwilling to give up just yet. But once the phone rings out, he sighs much heavier than he had moments before. He drops his hand to his side, shoving his phone back inside his pocket.

Checking his wrist watch, James discovers that it is currently half four. He has barely two hours to prepare himself. He swallows, he's going to have to break it to Sirius that he's leaving early.

Reentering the room, James pauses Peter's series of album title suggestions. "Hey, mum wants me to help her with something at three, do you mind if I head now? She's being impossible, m'sorry, I wish I had more notice," He isn't sure if it's exactly an award worthy performance, but he had tried.

Remus shares a glance with his boyfriend. "Give Effie out best, eh?" He raises an eyebrow.

James nods. "I always do, don't I?" He grins, collecting up his jacket and guitar. "I'll see you boys later. Our first performance since arriving home from tour, it'll be good," He says.

"It'll be brilliant," Peter agrees. "Enjoy whatever it is you mum's having you do for her, Prongs," He says.

"Don't forget our show set at seven!" Remus calls out, reminding him. James hollars a cheeky reply about never forgetting a damn thing before he grins wildly, exiting the building and rushing to his car, quick enough to ultimately be seen as suspicious.

Regulus is already sitting at a table in the corner by the time James arrives. His features are illuminated by the dim lighting of the café, Winter has really caught up to them now as the skies have begun to be dimmer and dimmer at an earlier hour.

Winter brings change. Their son is going to be born at the end of November. And Regulus and James appear to be at war, James having fired the first shot.

Once James approached him, Regulus looks up. He looks tired and bored, his eyes heavy with something. "Reg..." James breathes as he trails. He is unsure of what he can even say. "H-hi, um, how are you? How's the sprog?" He offers, taking a seat opposite Regulus.

James hasn't seen Regulus in a few weeks and somehow the younger man looks different to him. He looks exhausted but there is still that aura around him, that glow. James wonders I'd he will ever be allowed admire that glow ever again.

Regulus purses his lips. "M'fine, he's okay too," He replies quietly, his tone cold and etched with something.

The the Regulus that James is speaking to is the Regulus that James had first been introduced to all those years ago. The passive, cold one who doesn't really give anyone much to work off of in a conversation. He is blunt and direct and prickly. And James has brought that back to Regulus. He has ruined the open version of Regulus he had somehow gained access to. He is now left with a Regulus who guards himself as a defense mechanism.

"I...Regulus, I don't even know what to say, I'm so sorry-"

"Don't," Regulus puts his hand up and oddly enough it is effective in silencing James. "I didn't ask you to meet me to apologize, I don't want to hear your bloody apology," He snaps. He pauses before sighing, rubbing a hand at his temple, as if soothing an ache in his head. "Here," He takes something out of his pocket. "I just thought that you should have this. It's the last one before I deliver him," Regulus says swiftly.

James stares at the new sonogram. Their son has grown quite a bit, he looks longer than he ever has before. Picking up the sonogram between his fingers. James glances back up to Regulus.

"Are...are you sure?" James almost whispers, fearful that Regulus may take the sonogram away.

Regulus nods. He exhales deeply. "Mmh, just...just show your mum or something," He remarks casually. A waitress interrupts whatever Regulus may have said next in order to take their order.

"Um, do....are you hungry?" James asks.

Regulus shrugs, eyeing the menu. "I was craving some pasta, think I'll order that," He answers.

They order their meals. Regulus orders plain pasta while James settles for some form of burger. As soon as the waitress has left, they are plumaged into that strange silence once more.

"Regulus, I...I just want to tell you how sorry I am. I never meant to hurt you, I swear, and I know that you don't want to hear it right now, but I'd do anything to turn back time and take it all back," James promises. "I love-"

Regulus rolls his eyes. "If you can acknowledge that I don't want to hear it and you continue to try to make me hear it, then I care even less about what you have to say," Regulus grits.

James senses his obvious irritation and half wonders if there is more to it than Regulus is letting him believe. James runs a hand through his hair. "Alright...okay, I respect that," He tries. "Just...just let me pay for the food, yeah? It's the least that I can do for you right now,"

Regulus shrugs. "I'm not going to let you do that," He replies shortly. "I don't want you to grovel, I just wanted you to have the last sonogram picture,"

Their food arrives and neither say much else as they awkwardly chew their food. Regulus is quiet and hardly touches his pasta, even after claiming he had been craving it. James notices this, he looks up at Regulus, who rests his chin in his palm, staring off into the distance.

James clears his throat. "Everything alright? I mean...erm...despite the obvious issues," He tries to offer a smile but Regulus just stares at him with a blank expression. "I thought you really wanted pasta,"

"I'm fine," Regulus retorts curtly. "I just don't feel so good right now,"

James arches an eyebrow. "Oh?" He asks, trying not to let any essence of worry slip into his tone. His mind instantly travels to their baby boy.

"Do you want me to take you home? You must've walked earlier, I...I can drop you home if you want me to, you should probably get some rest, after all, y'know," James rambles. He can't help but watch Regulus, how he seems to breath heavily through his nose, his eyes flickering a little bit.

"You're probably exhausted, I'm sure we could get these put into takeaway boxes if you'd like-" James is cut off by Regulus letting out a quiet gasp. "What's happening?" He asks, finally allowing the worry to slide into his tone. Regulus just stares past him, seemingly unable to accumulate words. James reaches across the table, hesitantly taking Regulus' hands. He's shaking a little bit.

"Hey, hey....hey, Regulus," James utters. "Hey, just look at me, hey, it's going to be okay, what's going on?" He asks quietly, ensuring that Regulus maintains eye contact with him.

Regulus swallows. It is loud and James briefly wonders how Regulus had made such a frightening noise as he had dome so.

"James," Regulus starts shakily. He shakes his head before, "My water broke,"

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hope you all enjoyed!! Over 1300 words! So sorry for the delay in updates and especially for the cliffhanger but I hope you liked it. Please let me know what you thought! 💞😋💛💗 sorry it's a little short!,