love spirals

5

James only snatched a look at the headline before Sirius slammed down his phone and it went black.

BLACK BROTHERS REUNITED AT PARTY!! - UK AND FRANCE COLLECTIVE??

"What the actual fuck!?", Sirius exclaimed.
"Sirius, dear!", Euphemia scolded him with a frown. "Do we really need to set up a 'no phones at lunch rule' now?"

But Monty saw the horror on Sirius' face and put a hand on his wife's shoulder: "I would certainly like to know what happened."
Peter chimed in: "Me too!"

Sirius picked up his phone again rather hesitating and read aloud: "The most scandalous face at this party was certainly Regulus Black. Blah blah. The question about the brothers' relationship does arise as well as the consideration of what that may bring for the upcoming free skate of the European Championships.
Another familiar face was Mary Macdonald, whose loyalty to the French team seems to sway as well..."

James shook his head unbelieving and caught his parents sharing a concerned glance.

"What kind of tabloid published that?", Peter asked sarcastically.
"The ISU newsletter," the dark-haired boy countered.

"How bad do you think it is, Sirius?", Monty wondered.
"Well, I do advise all of us to avoid journalists as much as possible. Let's just hope that Regulus and Mary are smart enough to do the same and not stir this gossip any further. If anyone picks up on it – let's say the judges – we will face an examination for competition manipulation. Lily and James may temporarily be disqualified which means, no European Championships at all."

James looked at him unbelievingly: "This won't happen, right? And, France would be disqualified as well!"
Sirius shrugged: "I would have preferred to avoid all this... we shouldn't have invited them."
"We" was obviously directed to James and he shrunk a little in his chair.

Euphemia cleared her throat and tapped Sirius' shoulder: "Dear, you worry too much. I'm sure that whoever wrote it, did not think of the consequences this would have. It's just speculations after all."

James saw the switch in his friend happen, as he realized something, muttered a second "fuck" and left the room with a growl that sounded distinctively like "How could he?"

James' parents were left stunned, as the other boys jumped up as well and followed him into his bedroom.
James frowned: "Sirius?"

"What the hell is he doing?", Peter asked confused.
The question was answered as the dark-haired boy turned the phone in his hands and pressed the volume button.

"Sirius!" Remus sounded happily surprised on the other end of the line.
"Don't," Sirius interrupted him flatly. "Why would you do that? Is friendship not worth anything to you? Do you need to push your career so badly?"
James could hear Remus' confusion.

"What happened? What career?"
"I thought you liked me. Or was it all a bluff to destroy me – destroy us – now?"
"Sirius," Remus inhaled sharply. "I like you. I don't want to destroy any of you. Now, what are you talking about?"

Was Sirius blushing? No, James must have imagined that, because his friend already had himself under control again.

"The article? Published in the ISU newsletter this morning? Please tell me you have nothing to do with that!"
"I do not."
"And I'm supposed to believe that?"
"And I'm supposed to be listening to all these accusations that are based on nothing but suspicion?"

Sirius stilled. James didn't like the look on his friend's face as he whispered: "I have to go", ended the call and fled James' room once more.

"Well, Pete. I guess that is the end of the get-together."
The blond boy smiled at him and clapped him on the shoulder: "Not your fault. And besides, I have a date later today, so I probably should get ready... Will you look after Sirius?"
"Yes, of course. And you have a great time!", James winked at him.

He waited, listening to Peter's steps recede and him calling out a "Goodbye, Mrs Potter. Thanks for lunch!" before the front door closed shut behind him.
Then he got up and knocked at Sirius' bedroom door: "Padfoot?"

Sirius didn't respond, so James sat down in front of the door and waited.
It didn't take long until he heard an unsure "Prongs?"

They were children's nicknames, but Sirius and James found comfort in them in moments like this. Peter – having been called Wormtail – wasn't all too fond of the associations, but James had seen his hidden grin when they had referred to him as "rat".

"It's me," James confirmed.
"Come in."

Sirius was lying on his back in the middle of the room, staring at the ceiling: "I acted exactly like my mother."
James sighed and lay down next to him: "No, you didn't."