Choose Us

Just For A Moment

Then

Regulus

Awkward.

That's the only thing I can think of to describe this other than awkward.

Barty and Remus don't get along very well, as we're finding out. Remus has the same attitude as Sirius would in this situation, I think it's because he spends all of his time with Sirius. Barty hates Sirius.

He thinks it's some kind of best friend loyalty thing if he hates Sirius.

"I don't care if you think this is a bad idea, it has nothing to do with you. Literally all you have to do is keep your bloody mouth shut," Barty says to him angrily.

Pandora, James and I are sitting off to the side watching the two of them yell at each other for no reason. We could've dealt with this so much better but the second one of them speaks, the other gets mad. I expect this kind of behaviour from Barty because it's just who he is, but I thought Remus was better than this. He always seemed like the mature one out of them all.

"Look, I know that I can't really do anything about it." Remus shoots James a glare and continues, "Even if I think it's a really big mistake. They can do whatever they want, but I do not want to lie to Sirius."

Big mistake.

Ouch.

James sighs and ignores Remus completely. Instead of responding, he kneels in front of me and forces me to look at him.

"Don't even, for one second, think that I think of us as a mistake." James says firmly. When I don't respond, he tilts my chin up again and says, "Okay?"

I nod my head and swallow, "Okay."

Barty is watching us from across from me and since James' back is to him, he's smirking and he's making an odd face. Honestly, I think he's trying to tease me about it but he's really just making a fool of himself. That is a ridiculous face.

"Don't let this ruin our lovely morning, Regulus. It was perfect, right?"

I nod my head again and say, "It was perfect."

Ignoring Barty so he can't get the satisfaction of a reaction, I bury my head in James' neck for a moment. James gently rubs my back and kisses the top of my head.

James releases me and turns to face his friend. The only thing I can think of is come back.

"Remus, don't think of it as lying to Sirius. Think of it as keeping a secret for me, okay? I really need you to keep this a secret. Everything's still so new and we're- we're still learning how to be together."

Barty sneaks around James and Remus to sit beside Pandora and I. He doesn't say anything, but I know he's dying to make fun of me. Pandora's too close otherwise I'm sure he would be cracking jokes right now.

"You're only asking me to keep this from him because you know it's wrong," Remus says angrily.

James doesn't look back this time. He's too annoyed now to stop and tell me that it's not wrong. I don't want him to stop either. Just get him to agree not to tell Sirius. Merlin, at least for a little while longer. I just want a few weeks of peace before he kills me for this.

Pandora leans her head on my shoulder after Remus' last comment and Barty sat up a little straighter. He's waiting for the sign that he can go in and kick his ass. I'm not going to give him any sign though. It wouldn't really help us if Barty started kicking the shit out of Remus.

"You don't control who you fall for, Remus. You know that better than anyone." James says daringly. Remus scowls at him and I'm trying really hard not to but- well I can't help it. I snort.

Barty and Pandora look at me with confusion as it's obvious I know what James is talking about. Remus doesn't look as confused. Actually he's now looking at James furiously.

"He knows," Remus says calmly. "You told him."

"No-" James begins but is cut off.

"How could you do that?"

"I didn't tell Regulus anything."

"Then how does he know, James? I know Peter didn't tell him. Merlin knows Sirius didn't. They don't even talk to each other."

Ouch.

"James didn't tell me." I cut in. Now I'm just annoyed. What did I ever do to him that he keeps throwing these hits at me? "Of course I know, merlin. He's my brother. I don't have to talk to him to know when he's obviously head over heels about someone. I don't actually have to talk to anyone to know when they like someone. I'm very good at observing people and figuring it out all on my own."

"It's true," Barty adds with a proud smile.

"We call him our little stalker," Pandora says, glancing between Barty and I with a smile. "He's very observant."

It's very nice of them to add on but honestly, I'm not done biting his head off.

"And if you think James told me because we just sit around and talk about you and your bloody secrets every time we're together, you're very mistaken. We don't actually talk about you lot. Bit busy."

Maybe it's misleading because we haven't actually done anything but in my defence, he pissed me off.

James isn't denying anything.

Good.

"One more thing," I continue. Apparently I'm quite annoyed with him right now. More than I thought I was. "It's not wrong. James and I aren't wrong... actually I think we're very right for each other. Honestly, don't pretend like you know anything about me. Or about James and I. You don't even know me. I could be really fucking sweet and lovable and you'd have no idea becasue the only one you're concerned with is Sirius. I get it, okay? Don't you think I get it? He's brilliant. I know. Just don't tell me that the one thing that actually feels right to me, is wrong."

No one spoke for a moment. I'm assuming they're all taking in the lovely words I just spewed out.

Barty starts clapping and Pandora smiles and says, "well said, Reg."

James is smiling like an idiot and Remus is- well he has a pretty neutral expression. I don't know how to take it.

"He's got a point, Moony. You never did try and get to know him." James says to his friend. "I'll have you know, he is in fact, very sweet."

"Oh Merlin, Potter." I mumble and he looks proud of himself.

Barty gasps dramatically and covers his mouth, "Not our Regulus? Sweet?"

Pandora laughs and smacks Barty in the arm to tell him to knock it off. James goes on and on about how fucking sweet I am, and even Remus smiles.

For a moment it feels normal.

For a moment it feels like we're all good friends. Like we've always been friends.

For a moment, I think we all forgot we're not.

It was a nice moment.

And then Evan walks in the room and mumbles "What the fuck?" in surprise. Moment over.