Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Notes: Written for the AU Challenge and Competition 100 Points (I ran away from home and you take me in AU) and the 'Can You Do It?' AU Extravaganza (131. Running away from home AU)

Home

The first time Regulus saw him was the summer of when he first moved in with his brother. Regulus was eighteen then, fresh out of secondary school and applying to law school. His admittance was guaranteed in everything but paper, and his acceptance would be reaffirmed in about two weeks time.

After graduation, he intended to live closer to the university. While Regulus could move into the dormitory, the looming threats of late-night parties and pesky roommates pushed him to the alternative choice: a place of his own. Money was not an issue; his parents and his parents' parents and so forth came from old money, and Regulus was of the impression that if he simply wanted to he could buy all the islands in the English Channel and the prime minister wouldn't even bat an eye. Since the apartment complex was the closest to the school without the accompanying flood of students in nearby areas, Regulus opted to move in with his older brother.

While Regulus was in no means close with his family, he didn't despise Sirius. He certainly suspected that Sirius resented him in their younger days, mainly because Regulus chose to stay strictly under their parents' expectations instead of following Sirius in his rebellious streak. For the past decade, Regulus was the apple of their eyes with Sirius the object of scorn.

He suggested it on a whim, thinking he knew the answer, but imagine his surprise when Sirius agreed. Not even a week later, Regulus packed his bags and stood in front of the door of his older brother's penthouse.

Ten seconds or so after he knocked, the door opened to reveal Sirius and his ever present mischievous grin. His grey eyes twinkled as he stepped aside, clapping Regulus on the back.

"Reggie! You little brat, who gave you permission to grow any taller?" Regulus gave a grunt as he was forced into a choke hold, a hand ruffling his hair roughly.

Setting his suitcase and traveling bag down, Regulus glared half-heartedly at Sirius, smoothing the dark tresses down with a scowl.

Sirius barked out a laugh at his expression.

With a sigh, his lips quirked up in a tiny smile, shoulders relaxing from the previous tension. While Regulus had not been scared of reuniting with his brother, he had experienced a small amount of anxiety. It had been two years since he had last heard from Sirius, and that was in a simple birthday card on his sixteenth birthday. It had been eight years since he had last seen Sirius. Once his older brother turned eighteen, he just left the house, cutting off connections with his family, with barely a word of goodbye to Regulus and absolutely none to their parents.

It was relieving to see that not much had changed in Sirius. His boyish face that had ensnared many girls in their youth sharpened dramatically into more mature features. The roguish grin with a bit too much teeth and the five o'clock shadow warned of a wild danger lurking beneath. Regulus still recognized the mischief in his eyes and the rebellious swagger in his walk. If Sirius had been popular with the girls then, Regulus was certain the ladies were practically throwing themselves at him now. A handsome bachelor was one thing, but a handsome, rich bachelor was a whole new ball game. Regulus just hoped he didn't have to catch his brother in any unsavory activities now that they shared a living space.

"Now, let me give a grand tour of this Siriusly awesome bachelor pad," Sirius gestured widely around him, already walking down the hall, leaving Regulus to follow.

He rolled his eyes, grabbing his suitcase and bag.

"Sirius, that joke stopped being funny after the first time."

"Aww," Sirius flashed him a pout, "does that mean I have to Reg-ale you with some new jokes?"

His lips twitched before he quickly schooled his features.

Show any reaction and it'll be over.

"That doesn't even deserve a proper response."

"Oops, did I end up on your Black-list?"

Regulus shot him the most unimpressed look he could muster.

Loud guffaws echoed as Sirius swung an arm around his brother's shoulders, tugging him closer.