Regulus returns to 13, Nuvel Drive on a Wednesday, having spent almost a week with his parents.

It's almost 11 in the morning when Sirius brings him home, and dutiful as ever, Remus makes them tea. Well, coffee for Regulus, and tea for Sirius and himself. They sit at the kitchen table, and as Remus sits down next to Regulus, the familiarity of this house that was completely unknown to him only a month ago strikes him hard. It's sudden and unexpected, like when you look up from a book after having been wholly immersed in it, only to realise that it is indeed a book, and not reality.

A sigh passes from his lips without him realising it.

"I can't believe you had Severus over when I wasn't here," Regulus pouts, somehow draining a third of his mug. Remus will never not be impressed at how he doesn't even flinch at the heat. And the horrid taste. But mostly the heat.

"We'll call him over again, Reg," Sirius shrugs, leaning back against the chair and closing his eyes. Shameless, Remus watches the curve of his chin, its shadow that falls on his throat. The neck of his T-shirt is cut low, and Remus watches how his skin dips into that little hollow right in between his collarbones.

Sirius' collarbones make Remus blush.

Good God.

When Regulus speaks up again, Remus looks down into his mug, breathing in the hot steam of his chamomile as if it's going to burn his sins off of him.

"Well, anything else I need to know about?" Regulus asks flatly, rolling his eyes as he always does. It makes Remus smile.

"Remus got a job," Sirius says, eyes still closed.

Remus almost winces at how fast Regulus' head whips around. "You what? Where? How? Have you started already? Sirius, do you know where? Is it safe-"

"Hey," Remus laughs, patting his shoulder. "Why are you panicking?"

Regulus looks at him with his mouth half open, visibly offended. "Because you... Who knows if it's safe for you to... go outside... and all that. Especially after whenever the Quibbler runs your interview... I'm sure there will be more than a handful of unhappy people, Remus."

Remus bites his lip, rendered speechless. This never occurred to him, or even Lily. What's harder to comprehend is the concern in Regulus' voice. It's just... not right.

"It's at a bookshop," Sirius says, opening his eyes and sitting up straight. "Do you remember Miss Hall?"

"The bookseller who used to bring collectibles over? Mother hated her so much... Is the bookshop hers?"

"No, she's dead," Sirius says, shaking his hair. "It's her sister's."

"Oh. But still, we should go there and see. If it's safe."

"No need, I already did."

Now this, this is new information to Remus. He only vaguely mentioned Miss Hall to Sirius. The one who's still alive, that is. Frowning, he looks at Sirius. "You did?"

"Indeed," Sirius gives him a half smile, and Remus can't figure out what that smile carries. It looks so impersonal. Like a smile you'd give for a photograph you don't care for. "Went there yesterday. She gave me tea and biscuits. Anyway, she has a fireplace registered for the Floo," Sirius adds, turning to Regulus again.

"And?" Regulus frowns, taking another sip of his coffee.

"And Remus can take the Floo. He won't have to step one foot outside, really."

"Splendid idea," Regulus says dryly, "Except we don't have a fireplace period, let alone one registered at the Ministry."

Sirius makes a tsk sound, and his face melts into a wide grin. Remus likes it when he does that.

"Come on, Reg... Are you a wizard or what?" Sirius laughs. "Have you forgotten that we built a whole shop by ourselves?"

"Wait, no, stop," Remus tears his eyes away from Sirius' collarbones, and looks at his face instead. "You can't-"

"Oh yes, he can," Regulus gives Remus a devious smile, his eyes shining.

"And he will," Sirius adds, smiling even wider.

"No, he won't-" Remus curses himself silently, "I mean you won't." He takes a deep breath before continuing. "I can... take a bus." He pauses again, and the silence of the two brothers makes him too anxious to stay quiet. "Please... it's like twenty minutes away. I'll just take the bus."

"Like hell you will," Sirius says firmly, leaning forward a little. His eyes are too intense for Remus to handle. "I'm sorry, Remus," Sirius' voice is softer when he speaks again, and his hands finds its way on to Remus'. "I don't want to force you but... You know it's not safe."

Remus looks at his hands, silent.

"I know," he says quietly, "But if you're building a fireplace for me, then I'm paying for it."

"What?" Regulus gasps, "No fucking way."

"I couldn't possibly relate any more to that sentiment," Sirius smiles at Remus. This smile Remus can read perfectly well. It says, I've won this argument already, but it's cute that you're trying.

"No, I..." Remus hates that he can't even come up with a decent sentence, let alone argue with Sirius and Regulus Black. "You've already done so much for me..." he says, but he knows this is the weakest defence.

"Oh yes," Sirius scoffs, "It was so hard for me to find you an extra bed and give you food. It's left such a hole in my bank account. I've had to borrow so much money and this is going to be my demise."

Remus has never heard a voice so dry.

"Besides, it's our home, you know. What kind of people are we if we make our friends pay for our fireplace?" Regulus adds.

"But you're building it because of me," Sighing, Remus drops his chin on to his palms.

"What could ever have given you that impression?" Sirius looks at him in mock surprise.

"Well... you just... You're only considering building a fireplace now that I need to go to work,"

"Wow," Sirius looks at Regulus, his eyes wide, "Isn't that such a crazy coincidence?"

"There's just no winning with you two, is there?" Remus asks, trying to hide his smile.

"Exactly," Regulus grins, nudging Remus with his elbow. "So why are you even trying?"

***

Author's Note

Hello, hope all is well with you. Just letting you know that I might update in short chapters like this one occasionally. I feel less pressured when I don't have to force multiple scenes into a chapter.

Anyway, vote and comment, please. Numbers matter, I won't lie.

Have a nice day xx