Work Text:
'’Reg?’’
When Sirius had woken up this morning, he had known something would happen.
Something weird. Even dramatic, maybe. Yes, he was a drama lover. A drama enthusiast, even.
But he hadn’t quite envisioned his estranged brother knocking on his door at a young 8pm, looking like he was one bad decision away from a breakdown.
‘’What are you-‘’ He cut himself off, opening the door wider to let Regulus in. ‘’A- are you-‘’ He stuttered helplessly, feeling hopelessly out of bounds.
His brother took a deep breath and faced him, eyes gleaming with unshed tears, and Sirius’ brain's kicked into action as he leads his brother to the couch, a hand around his shoulders and sit him down.
‘’Can I get you anything? Water, maybe?’’ He offers hesitantly.
His brother sniffled, leaning back into the couch as he fidgeted with a pillow he’d dragged onto his lap gingerly.
Regulus lets out a sigh; exhaled too long and too harsh, like the weight of something was off of his back and now he didn’t know how to be himself without it.
‘’I fucked up.’’ He speaks up finally. He says it like an animal cornered, voice hoarse. ‘’I told Mother.’’
This, he says like the words had physically refused to crawl out of his throat. He lets out an incredulous chuckle, like he can't believe what he’s said; what he’s admitted.
Sirius lifts a brow, choses to sit besides him to brace himself, and maybe Regulus too, for the impact. Then, unsurely, he lifts a hand to rest on Regulus’ back in comfort, hopefully. ‘’Told her what?’’ He asks softly.
‘’I’m-‘’ he hesitates, something he’s been doing an awful lot. ‘’I’m in love with him.’’
He sits up, leans forward and presses the palms of his hands into his eyes, most probably hard enough to see stars and-'
’James,’’ he adds, almost like an afterthought.
‘’James?’’ Sirius repeats in stunned, awful silence. ‘’James?’’ He says again after a moment. ‘’As in our James? My—James?’’
‘’Yes.’’ Regulus murmurs; confides in him like he’s admitting some grave secret- which, to be fair, is true, but-
"And it's not like I meant to, okay? ’’ He groans, still bent like he’s trying to make himself smaller. His voice is muffled.
Suddenly, he sits up. Stares at Sirius like he’s terrified, eyes wide. ’’And i’m—I’m not trying to take him away, I swear. I’m not. No matter what she tells you, please-‘’
‘’Hey, hey-’’ Sirius shuffles closer, pulls Regulus into his side. ‘’Who said I think you’d take him away? I don’t—I’d never.’’
Regulus doesn’t respond. He’s curled into Sirius’ side in a way he hasn’t in years.
‘’I’d never. Little brother, I’d never.’’ He repeats for good measure. ‘’Walburga said that?’’
‘’Yes.’’ Regulus mutters finally. ‘’Said I was a- a fag, and was glad the brothers were sharing one bitch.’’ He closes his eyes, like he’s trying to physically erase the memories of the day.
‘’Blew up on her after. Said jus’ cause she learned to take it from a man she’s disgusted by, doesn’t mean we’d too.’’
The world goes silent for a second. Sirius’ brain slows down like never before. ‘’You- you said that?’’ He asks.
‘’Yeah.’’
Sirius honest to god cackles.
Leans back with his head thrown back and laughs, taking Regulus with him. Wiping tears from pure joy, he sighs in bliss. ‘’You’ve learnt well, little brother. I’ve taught you well.’’
Regulus, through this whole ordeal had been looking at him like a deer in headlights. Which was amusing considering his dear was a deer—Get it?—Never mind.
‘’Fuck off,’’ his brother mutters, but makes no effort to push him away or let go and Sirius feels like a proud mother.
‘’So,’’ Sirius starts after a beat of comfortable silence. ‘’You and Prongs, huh?’’ He teases, ruffling Regulus’ usually impeccable hair.
‘’Shut up,’’ Regulus groans, blush creeping up."
No, no. Tell me more.’’ Sirius pries with a grin. ‘’How’d that happen?’’
‘’I don't wanna talk about it.’’ Regulus grumbles, leans his head on Sirius’ shoulder and stays quiet.
‘’Fine, fine.’’ Sirius lets out a mock disappointed sigh; turns his head and drops a kiss into Reg’s hair. ‘’I’ll find out somehow.’’
‘’I’m sure you will.’’ Regulus hums, almost amused.
And, yeah, Sirius thinks. It’s been a weird day. But good.