Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

Ficus Lyrata

Their tea gone cold before them, my parents continue to stare at me as though I just told them I've brought home a pet basilisk.

"... What's 'a Reggie?'"

Nodding and looking down, I fiddle nervously with my place setting, "You remember Sirius, of course. Reggie or Regulus - Reggie for short - is his brother."

"Coming to visit ..."

Glancing back up, I shift my attention between the two of them, "Theoretically, yes. If you'll permit it."

Clearing his throat and shifting back in his chair, my father Elliot stares at me, "... A boy."

"Right."

"... You've got a boy in your life."

Two, actually, and we're all mad for one another

But lately it's so very complicated -

And one of them's out of the picture

Though I'll be damned if that's long-term

But in any event, let's ease them into this, yes?

My voice, wavering as I held his gaze, "I do."

His eyes widening as big as saucers, he repeats himself, this time his voice no more than a faint whisper, "... A boy."

Winking at me, my father Liam reaches his hand over and taps Elliot's supportively, "There, there. We knew this day would come, yes?"

But still in visible shock, my father Elliot tilts his head to one side, studying me thoughtfully, "A ... a real boy?"

Trying not to laugh, I nod, "Yes, dad; a real, living boy."

"... A boy who's not a friend ..."

"I mean, we're friends, sure. But we're also much more -"

At this, my father Liam suddenly straightens up in his seat, hands held out in front of him, "Alright! We quite get it, no need to add extraneous details!"

Sliding back in my own chair, I sigh and smile, momentarily forgetting myself as I think of Reggie, "... He's so unbelievably lovely."

My father Elliot, head still tipped as though frozen in time and space, continues to stare at me in stunned disbelief, "... You've never had a boy before. Never, ever."

At this, my father Liam chuckles impishly, "None that we've known about -"

His head whipping towards Liam, Elliot scowls, "She's NEVER had a boy!"

Trying not to laugh at this, I shrug matter-of-factly, "Well ... I do now."

Leaning towards me, Elliot hesitates, "... And ... this boy ... your boy ... your real, more-than-just-a-friend boy ... is Sirius's brother?"

I wince knowing things are about to get quite a bit more complicated. After all, my parents know all about Sirius's family situation, his background.

"... Yes."

"And what does Sirius think of all this?"

Freezing, I open my mouth to speak, but shut it just as quickly. Lost for words, I glance between the two of them guiltily.

My father Liam's eyes widen with sudden understanding, "... Ahhh."

"Ah," I echo back lamely.

Clearing his throat, Liam brings one hand up to his chin, leaning towards me, elbow pressing against the tabletop, "Right. Because I thought ... and forgive me if this sounds ... ill-phrased ... but I was under the distinct impression -"