Brides and Blacks

The End

"Would you relax?", Relugus mutters, lifting the wide end of the tie and feeding it down through the neck loop, "It's only a half windsor."

"Sounds elaborate." Remus grumbles, attempting to tug at the fabric around his neck but immediately having his hand swatted away by his best friend.

"It's not. This is literally how an accountant would wear their tie."

"I hate accountants!" He hisses.

"No one hates accountants." Regulus rolls his eyes "You hate paying your taxes, that's different."

"Hardly..." He mumbles, like a child who's lost an argument.

Truthfully Remus doesn't hate accountants. His account used to live in the village over and they went to the same primary school. He's nice enough. Although Remus insists his maths is strong enough that he could keep his own books, Sirius went on a long and painful rant about the things he'd do if Remus ended up in prison for tax evasion. Eventually (as always) he decided it'd be easier to just give in to whatever his boyfriend asks.

"You know, Windsor knots are suited for tall, lanky guys. It uses a little less fabric to knot letting your tie hang longer." Regulus comments, pulling the wide end of the tie downwards and sliding the knot up towards his neck.

"I know you're trying to insult me but it's undercut by how pompous you sound right now."

Regulus hums, "Strong words by the grown man who can't do up his own tie."

"I've never even owned a tie! And I don't want to go about being the man who can style different types of ties. That's objectively pretentious!"

"Bit touchy there Lupin." Regulus slides the knot a little higher, tightening the fabric around Remus' neck in a way that makes him want to be ill.

"...I'm nervous." He grumbles, embarrassed to have to admit something aloud his best friend should already know just by the sight of him. Of course, he does know. But it's Regulus, so he continues acting as if he doesn't actually care.

"Why?" The smile dances across his eyes but doesn't reach his lips, "Do weddings upset you Remus? Have some bad memories tied to one?"

Remus fixes him an unhappy stare but the mischief doesn't leave his friend's eyes. "That's completely different and you know it. What happened to you and James is funny -"

" Funny ?!"

"Yes! It was absolutely funny. It's been three years Regulus we've reached a point now where we can laugh about it."

Now it's Regulus' turn to grumble in annoyance "I've never laughed about it before."

"I know. That's why we do it behind your back." Remus grins. In retaliation, Regulus forces his tie on so tight that the fabric of his white collar pinches his skin. Remus yelps and steps back. This time Regulus' smile does reach his lips.

"Ow! That's not funny." He tugs firmly at the tie, loosening it all the way to the third button, and rubs a hand gently against his now red skin.

"Oh, so you can laugh at my expense but I can't do the same to you?"

"Not when I'm nervous." Remus whispers, avoiding eye contact with his friend by staring directly into the mirror.

His suit is mostly black, with one white and pink flower pinned to the left lapel. A Lilium. His tie is black and thin, standing stark against a clean white dress shirt, the collar of which is way too fucking tight and is making him want to pass out and die before the ceremony can even begin.