Lifeguard

Coping through cases

James

Day 28 

It was two days before they had to go to court.

Sirius' coping methods changed constantly. One moment he was crying, another he was laughing and insisting on hanging out.

While Sirius had moments of quiet, Regulus was quiet the whole time. Silence while doing chores and eating meals. He'd politely anderr if you talked to him, but most of his time was spent in his room. When he wasn't in his room, I often caught him staring at the ground.

Me and Sirius were playing uno while Regulus swept, when Sirius stopped. "James.."

"Yup?"

"What do we do if they win?"

Regulus must've heard him because he stopped sweeping.

"We continue like we are now."

"They'll take us back." Régulai said quietly, because why wouldn't it be quietly.

"They can't. You are adults."

Sirius sighed. "They can."

"What can they do?"

"They have people everywhere." Sirius whispered.

"And yet they've gotten back neither of you."

"They know they can ruin our lives, which is why they wait until they do and then wait for us to crawl right back."

"Which they won't be able to do, and then you won't."

"I don't think I'd be strong enough to stay." Regulus whispered

"No need. You have us."

"I want them in jail, prongs, I do." Sirius ran his hand through his hair. "I just wish it didn't come with the crippling fear that all the power they fought us with our whole life will come crashing down on us with full force."

I kissed Sirius's forehead. "I know, they are strong people who want to hurt you. But we are strong people who love you."

I looked at Regulus and he looked like he was disgusted with the idea that I might go over there and kiss him too.

"I'm not going to sleep tonight." Pads insisted

"I'll sleep with you."

"What about reg?"

"I'll sleep with him too."

Regulus sighed. "No."

"Yeah, reg is right, we don't have a bed big enough."

"Not what I meant."

"We could have a sleepover on his floor."

Padfoot smiled. "ooh, great idea."

Regulus just walked away. 

***

Day 30: court date

For the two nights prior to the day, I slept with Sirius until he fell asleep and then snuck into Regulus' room (with Sirius' knowledge) and talked with him (read: at him) until he fell asleep. He acted annoyed but never asked me to leave. I slept on his floor.

Finally the day came.

The room was the worst. It was boring and lifeless. Why couldn't they have at least made the room look nice? I thought as I waited for things to start.

No, I thought as the Black parents came in. It wasn't the room's fault.

I had barely seen them before today, but now I couldn't take my eyes off them.