"Alright, what the hell happened?" Regulus practically throws Remus on a the couch. He sits down in front of him, one leg on top of the other. James squeezes in between Remus and Mentos. The cat momentarily lifts her head to give James a how dare you look, then goes back to licking its belly. James inches a little closer Remus, who's practically vacuuming his lip into his mouth.

"Did he fight with you too?" James asks in a much quieter voice, a comforting hand on Remus' back. Remus shakes his head, looking at the scars on his hands. "Then what happened? Did he yell at you? I swear, I'll kill him-" Regulus is cut off by Remus speaking,

"He didn't."

He looks at Remus for a minute and lets out a loud sigh. "Then what? He kissed you?"

Silence.

"Shit," Regulus rises from his seat. "You two kissed?"

"Ha, I told you so," James scoffs at Regulus. "I know you did, Potter. I just didn't think it would happen so soon."

"Well, it did, so you better pay up. Ten galleons, Reg. Come on," James grins, holding his hand out. Remus looks up in horror. "You bet on us kissing? What the hell, James?"

"We bet on you kissing this month," James shrugs. He ruffles Remus' hair. With a pout, Remus moves away.

"Well, it doesn't matter. He didn't like it anyway." He says quietly.

"Wait, what?" Regulus frowns.

"He said we shouldn't."

"Oh, for fuck's sake!" James yells, throwing his hands up. Mentos jumps into the air with a hiss, and disappears under Remus' dining table. "Great, now you've scared the cat," Regulus rolls his eyes, sitting back down.

"Fuck the cat," James mutters, wrapping an arm around Remus. "We know that Sirius is practically Remus-sexual by this point. We have to find out why he-"

The all-too-familiar hum of Sirius' motorbike puts an end to their conversation. "This conversation is not over," Regulus says, just in time for Sirius to walk in. He doesn't meet anyone's eyes.

"Right," Remus stands up. "Let's go outside, then."

***

"So? Maybe I just don't want him," Sirius says nonchalantly, not even looking up from his book. Regulus cups his mug of coffee, letting its pleasing warmth spread from his fingers and up his hands.

"You know you do, though," he takes a sip. Sirius doesn't say anything, just keeps his eyes focused on his book. "Sirius," Regulus calls. Sirius looks up, "What?"

"You can't run away from your feelings forever,"

"Maybe I can't. But I can try." Sirius turns back to his book.

Regulus bites his lip nervously. He wasn't expecting that. "But why? What's wrong with Remus?"

"I don't like him."

"Yes you do."

"I said," Sirius says slowly, "I don't like him."

Regulus watches him with widened eyes, not quite used to that bitterness in his voice. "You're going to regret this, Siri," he says softly, taking another sip of his drink. "I don't care," Sirius shrugs.

"But you do, Sirius," Regulus' lips quirk up in a small smile. "This is bothering you. Isn't that why you've been reading the same page since I put the kettle on?"

***

Magical is quite a mundane term for a wizard who dabbles in the arts every passing day of his life. For a wizard, it doesn't really carry the same awe or delight it would for a Muggle. But it's the one word Remus can use to describe watching the small shop slowly transfer into the real world from rough sketches of ink on parchment.

After almost a month, it stands proudly in Remus' garden, pressed to the side of his  house.

"Would you look at it," James grins, slinging a hand over Regulus' shoulders. Regulus immediately pushes him off. "I do not wish to associate with peasantry," he says, turning his face up. "You tell him, Reg," Sirius laughs. James sighs loudly. "Fine. At least Remus loves me. Don't you, Re?"

"Uhm," Remus looks at the brothers. Catching Sirius' eyes, he quickly looks away. "Do I?" He asks.

Regulus bursts out laughing.

"So this is how it is," James gives a solemn shake of his head. "I see you've made your choice."

"You guys need to start a drama club," Remus laughs, going over to James and giving him a big hug. "I nominate Sirius as president," James pats Remus' back.

"And I second it," Regulus says. "Good," Sirius shakes his hair. "Objections, Lupin?"

"I'm not even a member," Remus says, his cheeks turning pink.

Things have mostly returned to their previous equilibrium. James and Sirius treat each other with the same easy going manner they used to, and Regulus is back to his normal don't fuck with me self. It's just Remus who seems to have any memory of what's happened, with his cheeks starting to blaze at every mention of Sirius' name.

God, he can't get that kiss out of his mind.

Not that he wants to, anyway.

"As president," Sirius clears his throat, "I appoint you an honorary member."

"Whatever," Remus blushes, turning away. "I'm going to make tea. Wash your feet and come inside."

***

It takes another week for the shop to be ready for opening. Lupin's Potions, says a board that hangs at the front. This one has a full sized apostrophe freely placed between the n and the s.

"Thank you so much to all of you," Remus beams at his friends. "I really don't know how to... this is so nice of you all."

"Praise Merlin, he's going to cry," Regulus says out of nowhere.

"I'm gonna cry too," Sirius says from beside him, wiping at his eyes. "I can't handle this," James says, grabbing the Sirius and Remus into a hug. Sirius pulls Regulus in as well. Arms around each other, they watch the shop slowly darken as the sun leaves the sky.

"Alright," Remus wipes his cheeks. "Let's go out somewhere for dinner. My treat."

"Like the Leaky Cauldron?" James asks.

"Ew, please no," Regulus pulls a face. Sirius laughs at him.

"Let's go to McDonald's," Remus grins. Silence follows. "Wait, none of you know McDonald's?" Remus feels like he might faint with shock. The three boys stare at him in silence.

"Right, we're going. Oh my God, I can't believe this..."

Half an hour later, Regulus is staring at a life-sized statue of Ronald McDonald. "Strange," he mutters. "Looks like your ex," Sirius says casually. James looks at Remus with wide eyes. "He really went there," he whispers so that only Remus can hear.

"At least I kept him for more than two weeks," Regulus gives Sirius a dirty look. "Why get fucked by one man when you can get fucked by a dozen?" Sirius retorts, shameless. Remus chokes on his breath. "Not at the same time," Sirius clarifies, seeing James' horrified look.

"Let's just go get the food," Regulus grabs Remus by his hand, pulling him inside. For A Saturday evening, it's not so crowded.

"What even is this," Regulus stares at his chicken nuggets in disgust. James shoves a handful of chips in his mouth. "Mmm, so good," he says after swallowing them.

"The best things in life," Sirius says solemnly, "are always salty." He provides further clarification with examples. "Crisps, chips and Oscar Wilde."

"Oscar Wilde is his religion," Regulus tells Remus with a roll of his eyes. Now that Remus think about it, he really isn't surprised.

"Can I have the pepper, please? This chicken looks so bland," Regulus frowns, " And where's the cutlery? What is wrong with this restaurant?"

"Relax, Karen," James laughs. Regulus gives him the eye. "This isn't that kind of restaurant, Reg," Remus tells him gently. "Besides, you're not meant to eat nuggets with a fork. And there's no pepper."

"Reg, you know that nuggets are finger foods..." Sirius laughs.

"Well-cooked nuggets," Regulus says primly, "these are so greasy they could power your bike for a week."

James chokes on his chips. Laughing, Remus pats his back. James takes a sip of his coke to help him swallow his food. "I almost feel bad for poor Sirius," he shakes his head.

"I'll get you a fork, wait," Remus quickly goes to the counter and asks for a fork. Handing it to Regulus, he sits back down.

"Thank you so much, Remus. You're amazing," Regulus smiles at him. His smile disappears a moment later. "Look, I don't wanna be that person, but-"

"Then please don't," Sirius cuts Regulus off. Regulus pokes his tongue out at him. " No tongue display at the dinner table," Sirius wags a finger at him. "This fork is plastic. And it's flimsy. And this nugget is harder than my heart." Regulus shrugs.

"Alright, you big fuss," Sirius rolls his eyes. "Just let me feed you."

"Have you washed your hands?"

"Of course I have," Sirius picks up a nugget. "Then you may proceed." Regulus opens his mouth. He takes a bite out of the nugget, and pulls a face. "Is it that bad?" Sirius laughs. "Let me see," he eats the other half, slowly chewing it. "Wow," he says when he's done. Suddenly, he goes completely still. "Do you hear that?" He frowns.

"What?" Remus asks. The boys all fall silent, listening for whatever Sirius heard.

"The sound of this chicken crying in its grave, begging for some flavour."

Regulus groans, covering his face with his hands. Remus and James turn to each other. As soon as they make eye contact, they both burst out laughing. "That was so good," James laughs, wiping his tears with the back of his hand.

"Eat it with the sauce," Remus advises, still giggling. He tears the cover off the small container of BBQ sauce for the two brothers. Sirius dips a nugget in it and holds it out for Regulus.

"Oh my heavens," Regulus gasps after eating it. "It's so good!"

Sirius quirks an eyebrow, searching for any hints of sarcasm. Finding none, he tries some for himself. "This is heaven," he moans. The sound makes Remus think of things he doesn't want to repeat.

"That's what she said," James smirks. Sirius' shoulders give a little shake as he tries to contain his laughter.

"Here, have the rest of my chips," Sirius tells James after a while. Remus sees James and Regulus glance at each other briefly. "Sure, mate. Thanks," James nods.

"So," Sirius clears his throat, "Since Remus' shop is done, I think we need to celebrate."

"I thought that's what we're doing right now," Remus raises an eyebrow. Cursing at himself, he looks down to hide his blush when Sirius turns his gaze towards him.

"Well, yes. But tomorrow's Sunday. And there's a party in central London."

"Don't we need invitations?" Regulus asks.

"Not that kind of party," Sirius shrugs.

"Oh, one of those filthy alcoholic-infested parties where you find your fuck buddies," Regulus rolls his eyes. Remus is starting to think he's given himself some kind of challenge for eye-rolling. Today's eye-roll challenge : Fifty-five before midnight.

"Exactly," Sirius grins. "Those are the best kind. Of course you can't come, Reg."

"I don't want to, anyway," Regulus crosses his arms.

"Neither do I-" Remus starts.

"Oh no, you must," Sirius smiles at him, and Remus' whole world sways a little. Shit.

"Oh, okay," he says. "Can I bring Lily?" James asks. "Yeah, bring her." Sirius shrugs. "Bring the whole neighbourhood, if you like."

The rest of dinner passes amid more laughing at nonsensical jokes and eye rolling.

They walk all the way to Diagon Alley, from where James takes the Floo straight home. The others go to Remus' place. When the boys crawl out of the small fireplace, they find four hungry cats expecting to be fed. After giving the closest one, Mittens, a cursory pat on the head, Regulus excuses himself to go to the bathroom.

"Let me help," Sirius offers when Remus starts pouring the cats some food into their bowls. "Can you get the milk from the fridge, please?" Remus asks. Sirius does as told. Quietly, he watches Remus pour it into four saucers. He helps keep them next the cats.

He doesn't move when Remus comes to stand in front of him. "Sirius," Remus says. "Yeah?" Sirius replies, voice soft. "Move," Remus tells him. "Huh?" Sirius blinks. "Oh, yes, of course." He quickly moves away from the fridge so that Remus can put the milk back.

"I... I'm going to uhm, drop Regulus off at Grimmauld Place.. And uh, go home. It's been a long day." Sirius rubs the back of his neck.

"Sirius," Remus calls, stopping him mid turn. "What is it?" He asks.

"Come back here," Remus takes a step closer. Sirius looks at him, eyes shining. He stays silent, biting his lip. "You said nothing will change," Remus presses on, "So come back. Stay the night with me."

Sirius looks at him for some time. Remus can't tell if it's just a second or a minute. They're trapped in a bubble impervious to time, unable to speak or move.

It's Regulus' footsteps that pull them out of it.

"I'll be back," Sirius tells Remus, his cheeks colouring just the slightest. "I won't take long."

***

Author's Note

This chapter's almost twice as long as usual. Shit's going to get real good, guys. On a complete unrelated note, I just got spooked by my own reflection. It might help to note that it's 2am.

Anyway. Vote and comment.

All the love,
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