Who: Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and Regulus Black What: Regulus Comes for Dinner When: Backdated: Middle of July; Evening Where: Remus & Sirius' House Rating/Warnings: Family Friendly Status: Complete!
Remus knew that Sirius and Regulus didn’t always get along, but he also had a feeling that part of that was because they rarely contacted each other unless something was happening, so he couldn’t help but insert himself where he could, which was why he had suggested Regulus come over for dinner. After finally deciding on a night, Remus began deciding what to make for their dinner and when the night arrived he was in the kitchen cooking while they waited for Regulus to show up.
Sirius wandered into the kitchen, following the scent of the food that Remus was cooking. He smiled and walked up behind his boyfriend, rested his chin on Remus’ shoulder and slid his arms around his waist. “Something smells good. What’re we having?”
Remus smiled as he felt Sirius’ arms around his waist and glanced back at him as best he could with the other man’s chin on his shoulder, “A pork roast, potatoes and string beans.” He enjoyed these moments with Sirius and leaned back against him a little bit, “I figured it would be easy, because I could just put it all in the pan together and stick it in the the oven.”
“Easy is having a burger and chips,” Sirius replied with a smirk. “You just like showing off your culinary skills and being all cute and domestic.” He playfully nipped at Remus’ ear before walking over to the fridge to grab himself a bottle of beer. “Remind me again why you invited my little brother over for dinner? You know we just usually end up snarking at each other and he aggravates me by trying to flirt with you.”
Regulus understood the sentiment behind Remus wanting to bring the two brothers together, but he wasn’t so sure that Remus understood why they were the way they were. Regulus loved Sirius more than anyone or anything, he would die for his brother, but he wasn’t so sure that sort of love was returned so it was easier, at least for him, to keep his distance. The trouble was, even the distance didn’t take it away and he couldn’t help but resent having to come here to be face to face with his brother. No matter, at least he’d brought some wine. He rang the doorbell when he arrived and slicked his hair back some more, as if any of this would impress any Gryffindor in this house.
“I wasn’t going to make burgers for dinner, Sirius.” Remus said, eyes closing briefly at the nip to his ear and the moment Sirius moved away, he wished he hadn’t, but he knew that there wasn’t much time until Regulus got there, “I invited him, because we’re adults, Sirius. And you know he only does that to get a rise out of you.” At least that’s what Remus told Sirius to try and keep him from getting too jealous, “Just try to ignore it.”
As the doorbell rang, Remus took a quick look into the oven at the roast then headed out of the kitchen, “That would be your brother.” Reaching the door, Remus pulled it open, a smile upon his lips as he moved aside to allow Regulus inside, “Hello, Regulus.”
For a second, Regulus thought Sirius might actually answer the door and was slightly relieved when it was Remus, smiling his smile. Regulus smiled back, cordial, and handed over the bottle of wine as he stepped inside. “Hello, Remus,” he replied. “It’s nice to see you again.” His parents had taught him the art of flattery, but it was genuine at least. It was always good to see Remus.
“Hey Reg…” Sirius took another sip of his beer as he wandered into the other room. He leaned against the wall and smiled, nodding politely. “Remus is still cooking so he can show off,” he teased. “Come on in.”
Remus took the bottle from Regulus, thanking him. “It’s good to see you as well.” He shut the door once the younger Black was inside and shook his head at Sirius’ comment, a fond smirk upon his lips, “Just because you can barely boil water does not mean that I am showing off.” Remus teased.
“Don’t call me Reg,” he said sweetly as he placed a hand to his brother’s chest and placed a kiss to the man’s cheek as a hopefully embarrassing or annoying hello. “Whatever the case, it smells good,” he said to both of them. He knew very well that Sirius could cook. Sirius could do everything. But, in a way, he was glad it had been Remus who did. “So, who’s going to give me the tour? I never got one, you know.”
“I can too cook,” Sirius protested. “I just don’t bother most of the time. Going out is easier.” He arched an eyebrow and gave Regulus an odd look after his little brother kissed him, but decide to shrug it off. “Thought we showed you some of the place last time you came over? And I always call you Reg.”
Remus smirked, “I know. I was teasing. And considering how big this house is, it’s reasonable that Regulus hasn’t seen the whole thing.” Remus still didn’t know why Sirius had bought such a large house when he’d moved back, considering it was just him at the time, but Remus liked it regardless. “Why don’t you show him the rest while I check on dinner and I’ll come find you in a few minutes.” He’d noticed the kiss as well, but assumed it was just another way for Regulus to try and get a rise out of his brother.
Neither of them need to fixate much on the peck that Regulus gave to his brother’s cheek. It was affection without having to give Sirius an embrace as Regulus was not much of one to hug. He gave Sirius a look that said not to question why he’d requested a tour. He could have easily just taken himself on a stroll around the house, but that would have been quite rude indeed. Truth be told, he just liked to see how Sirius lived, if everything was sorted...as much as Sirius Black could be sorted, he reckoned. He looked at Sirius, expectant.
“Alright, come on.” He waved a hand for Regulus to follow him as he started walking deeper into the house. “Living room… most of the books scattered around belong to Remus. In here’s the dining room,” he said, walking through the door to where the table was already prepared for the evening. “The basement we’re going to skip because we really only use it for a certain time of month.” The tour was given quick and Regulus pretended to be interested in it all as he took in where his brother lived. It was clean which was no real surprise and Regulus thought it might have a touch more Remus than Sirius to it, also not a surprise. ‘That time of the month’ was only given a nod; it was something Regulus didn’t wish to discuss. “I never thought you’d settle down,” Regulus said at length, looking at his brother. He was still shorter than Sirius, although not by much and he held himself to his height, a man talking to a man.
“It’s a house… not really settling down. I mean, I still drive too fast on motorcycles and now I’ve got the jet ski. To be honest, most of the time I’m kind of bored and go a little stir crazy. But it’s like I can’t get away from this damned place. Any time I leave for a trip of whatever, I get this compulsion to come back to California.” He shrugged his shoulders and scratched the back of his head. “I dunno… weird.”
Having checked the roast and determining that it was done, Remus took it out of the oven before turning the oven off then leaving the cooking dish on the stovetop, he went to find Sirius and Regulus. He had just come up behind them as he overheard their conversation and he smiled, “I know exactly what you mean. Even when I was away, teaching on the East Coast, it never really felt like home. I always felt like I should come back,” Of course he’d stayed away, because Orange County had held too many memories and at the time he’d been angry at Sirius for what had happened between them, having believed what Peter had told him at the time. “And I think what Regulus was referring to was the fact that you own a home and are in an adult relationship.”
That looked more like the Sirius that Regulus knew. It was sad, to see Sirius Black confined to a relationship, but it had been Sirius’ bed to make, just like Regulus had made his own. When Remus showed up, Regulus realized he was staring at Sirius in some rapt awe, a bit bewildered by the somewhat bemused expression on his older brother’s face. He glanced at Remus, only half paying attention to what the man was saying; Remus didn’t seem to fully grasp what Regulus meant at all. Maybe Sirius didn’t either. Maybe Regulus was just full of shit. Whatever. He didn’t want to talk about it anymore. He smiled at Remus. “Smells good,” he said. “When do we eat?”
“If he’s here talking to us instead of still in the kitchen, then I’m betting now.” Sirius grinned and clasped a hand on Regulus’ shoulder, guiding him back towards the dining room. “But yes… I own a house, have a grown up living with me, and most of the time I can pass as a responsible adult. We’re going to skip the getting a dog thing since I can become one, and Moony’s his own furry little problem.”