A/N: Thank you Calli-flower, Dasauw, ponponpanda17 and Silvertikal for the support!

Chapter Eleven

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~APRIL~

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The paint-roller glided smoothly over the walls as Sirius bopped along the room in a pair of old jeans and a raggedy t-shirt. Paint flecks dotted his skin, clothes and hair but he didn't mind as the music flooded through his earphones. It had been a horrid week and all he'd wanted to do was disappear from the world and focus on redoing his and James' room. Purely for a distraction. He hadn't technically gone off the grid, just changed all his online profiles to 'offline'. He watched messages come through but didn't have the energy to reply.

He couldn't face interacting with anyone just yet. All he wanted to do was hide away.

It was just his luck that his parents had managed to get hold of his address. He'd changed it so many times over the years, he honestly wondered why they even bothered with it. His blood had run cold the moment he'd recognised the stationary with the wax seal on the back. It was an official document, stating that he had been officially written out of the will of his birth parents.

It was a long time coming, he knew that. He'd been disowned long ago, before he'd even started University. He was surprised it had taken them this long to officially cut him off from their money. It did ring two alarm bells in his head though; one was why they had sought to do so now, which made him wonder about whether one of his DNA donors was terminally ill in any way. The other was that they could be using the title and money as a way to oppress Regulus even more, to crush him under the weight of their power and influence. He barely had his freedom as it was, and his parents knew Regulus would crumble if they dangled all that money and security in front of him with the promise that he, too, could be left destitute if they so desired.

It made him feel so violently angry and sick that he had to back away from the outside world. He wasn't even going with James on his evening runs. He just wanted to hide away and get on with their projects. It was going well so far, James' room was basically done, they just needed to assemble and varnish the last pieces of furniture. At least he had a bed. However, Sirius had needed a bigger distraction, so he'd taken a sledgehammer to his own furniture. It had startled James when, at 2am, he'd heard the banging and splintering of wood. He'd rushed in with a crowbar, ready to aid Sirius against his attackers, only to find a mess of broken wood and Sirius grinning maniacally.

Sirius had slept in James' bed that night, although the following morning James had stated 'never again' and that 'you kick worse than buckaroo!'

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He had sent out a message to Regulus, but he hadn't heard anything back from him. He told him that he would meet at their spot -a bench near the Chislehurst war memorial -every day between 3pm-5pm just so that they can talk and try and regain some semblance of communication. It had been okay, patchy at best especially with the lack of freedom during Quarantine, but the sudden radio silence was making him edgy. He was even starting to crave cigarettes again, which only happened when his nerves were knotting around his neck like a noose.

Still, he'd gone to the bench with a book in hand and tried to distract himself with some light-hearted murder mysteries. Moony was always at the back of his mind as he read, but he couldn't bring himself to be 'online' again. Just not yet. He worried that it would invite the rest of the world into his business, and he couldn't handle that right now. Not unless he knew that Regulus was safe and unharmed.

When he grew too irritable to read, he would start to write random thoughts on his phone. It was all nonsequential nonsense, mostly like the things he would have said to Moony if he were talking to him. He needed to get them out and written down. It had only been about eight days now, but his fingers were aching with the lack of typing away to this funny, nerdy bookworm he'd managed to find on the online chatroom.

He made Sirius laugh.

James had commented on it several times to ask what he was smiling at as they watched a show on NETFLIX, and Sirius had shrugged and said it was some dumb article or something. He didn't need James to interfere, not just yet. He liked that it was just him and Moony, in their own little online bubble. He liked getting to know him. He couldn't deny the little stomach flip he got when he saw a message from the guy.

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The song faded out in his ears and before a new one could start, Sirius pressed 'STOP' and stepped back to survey his work. The wall was a deep, rich blue, hovering near 'navy' but not quite as dark. He'd needed to do something while he waited for his feature wall of coloured stripes to dry. He also hadn't wanted purely black walls, so he had settled on the dark blue. He rather liked it. He could already envision sleek black framed posters mounted above his bed.

Yes, he was rather pleased. His muscles ached pleasantly, and the sudden silence made him realise how hard he was panting. Flexing his shoulders, he tugged his earphones out and dug his phone out of his pocket. His insides somersaulted at Regulus' name on the screen.

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Reg (15:22):

I'll meet you at our spot at 4pm.

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Cursing, Sirius glanced at the time. He could make it if he took the bike. Hurrying to James' room, where his clothes were stashed, he quickly changed into his leather gear, snagged his helmet off the desk and hurried out the front door, hurriedly texting James on his way down to the garage.

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He got onto the high street at 3.58pm, his heart hammering in his ears as he parked his bike and unfastened his helmet. His hair stuck to his forehead and the sun was already making him feel warm in his leathers. Tying his hair up into a bun, he trained his eyes down the road until he focused on the bus stop. He saw a familiar figure sitting rigidly on the bench and he felt his insides do a funny twist. He made his way over, trying to appear confident.

Regulus looked up as he approached; Sirius was often startled by how eerily similar they looked, especially now as they'd both grown out of boyhood and into respectable young men. They had the same dark, wavy hair, the same pale skin, clear grey eyes and cut cheekbones and jawline. However, where Sirius carried himself with a carefree effortlessness, Regulus was a rigid as a rock, as though the weight of the outside world was pressing in on him from all sides.

A smile flittered across Sirius' lips as he thought, 'if they put any more pressure on him, he'll turn into a diamond.'

Damn that Moony!

Dropping down onto the bench beside him, Sirius trained his gaze up at the white memorial looming over them across the street. The memorial was striking against the canopy of dark green trees behind it, the single wreath of poppies a stark contrast to the muted surroundings.

"I need your help, Sirius," were the first words out of Regulus' mouth. He had never been one to stutter, not even when he was riddled with nerves. "I need to get out from under their thumb, away from that flat."

Sirius stared at his brother with a raised eyebrow; it wasn't that he disbelieved his brother, it was simply that they'd had this conversation a couple of times over the years. Nothing had ever followed through though. "What's suddenly changed your mind about leaving?"

"They cut you out of the will. Yes, I know about that. As you predicted, they're coming for my blood now."

"I figured it was a power play for them."

"You know them so well, even after all these years away," he said bitterly. "Father's dying."

"Is he?" Sirius tried to sound nonchalant, but there was a tightness in his throat that couldn't be cleared away. "What does he have?"

"Stage 4 kidney cancer. He's wasting away but as formidable as ever. Wanted to whack you one last time."

"Good for him."

"I'd imagine you won't come to the funeral."

It was a statement more than anything. Sirius shook his head, "No, I won't. Not only am I not welcome, but the only time I'd go to see his grave would be to dance on it."

"Sirius."

"Fine, fine. Sorry," he grumbled. He picked at a peeling bit of leather on the hem of his trousers. He crossed his legs the other way and tipped his head back. "So where does that leave you?"

"Well, when he dies, the Estates will go to Mother until she dies. I'll still get the money and stocks and whatever else."

"What about a title?"

"I don't need one, nor do I want it. It makes it harder to go unnoticed."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Point taken, but what does this have to do with you wanting out?"

"He doesn't have long, Sirius. A month at most, if he's lucky. I want out, truly I do. It would just be easier if I was financially independent."

"With your dead dad's money?"

"Don't judge me on this, Sirius!" Regulus snapped, finally turning to glare at his older brother. "You're hardly one to talk! You got left Uncle Alphard's money AND his Estate, small though it was! What did you even do with that manor?"

Sirius shrugged, pretending to inspect his nails. "I used his money to redecorate it, make it into a spa get away and B&B. Two of my University friends are the manager's that work there. Big opportunity for them, high end business and we turned a great profit over the last five years. Enough to see the place through this pandemic crap."

Regulus' face went through a series of emotions, finally settling on outrage, "THAT'S what you did?! Sirius, that estate has been in the family for generations!"

"I'm aware," he stated blandly. "It's also still IN the family, only now it actually serves a function instead of just sitting empty. We make a killing with bridal parties."

Regulus groaned and dropped his face into his hands, "Why must you make everything so difficult?"

"I take what life throws at me and try my best to make it benefit me," he fixed his eyes on his brother. "I don't let the money control me, Reg, I control it. Uncle Alphard may have given me what was left of his money and a dreary old manor, but I chose what to do with it. I made a business out of it; I gave two good friends career opportunities and stability. I earn decently from it, even after all the maintenance, taxes, and bills. You can do the same. I'll help you with whatever you need, but you cannot let that miserable old bitch control you. For God's sake you're twenty-four now, you need to think about what you want to do for the rest of your life."

Regulus let out a sigh and bowed his head, giving a feeble nod over steepled fingers. "I know you're right. You have thrived since getting away from them, even I can't deny that."

"But …?"

"What if I fail at being on my own, Sirius?" Regulus sighed. "What if I struggle, pottering around in an empty flat by myself?"

"It'll be an adjustment," Sirius agreed. "But honestly? How good is Barty's company, really, that you would miss him?"

"I think I'd just miss having someone else there, rather than him specifically."

"There you go," Sirius leaned up and gave him a comforting squeeze on his shoulder. "Look, it will be tricky, but there are plenty more roommates out there, okay? We'll figure that out nearer the time."

Regulus furrowed his brow. "What about now?"

"Now … we meet-up here at least once a week so you don't go mad, and I'll work on a plan of action. For now, just keep playing the dutiful son. You're good at that."

Regulus rolled his eyes.

"Make sure you keep testing yourself regularly, too. I'll give you my old phone next week, then you can text me without our Harpy finding out about it."

Regulus made a face but didn't say anything else. Nodding, he turned to Sirius, "So, what else have you been up to during this pandemic?"

'Ah, onto lighter topics,' Sirius mused as he smirked at his little brother. "Well, there's this guy …"

.

They talked for another hour before Regulus had to get home before Barty finished his online lectures. Sirius had rolled his eyes, but squeezed his brother into a tight hard, burying his nose into the dark wavy hair and laughing as Regulus pushed him away with a small smile. He looped a black mask around his ears and then hurried in the opposite direction that Sirius had come.

As he watched his brother disappear out of sight, Sirius breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't realised how stressed he'd felt until he'd seen his brother sitting there, in the flesh. Sufficiently calmed, he dug his phone out and opened the chatroom app and glanced at Moony's name. Swallowing thickly, he typed a quick message.

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Starman (17:45):

Hey, I'm sorry for worrying you. I'm alive and okay.

Can I call you? I'll be home in about 20 mins x

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Moony (17:48):

I dropped my tea, you fucker.

Okay. 20 mins.

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~0~

[CALLING MOONY]

"Hey."

"Hello."

"Fuck, you didn't sound how I'd imagined you would."

"And how exactly do I sound in your head, hm? A posh twat?"

"I mean … have you seen the way you text? Proper grammar and all that."

"Mhm."

"*sigh* I'm sorry if it felt like I was ghosting you the last week -"

"Eight days."

"-e-eight days, yes. It wasn't just you; I didn't go online at all. I -I needed a break."

"From me?"

"Not JUST from you! I was having a manic episode and didn't want you to deal with that."

"That's not for you to decide."

"No, no you're right. And I get that you're pissed, believe me! Just … it struck me how new our … whatever we are, is, and I didn't want to send you running for the hills by unloading my drama onto you."

"So, instead, you went running for the hills?"

"I mean … sure, it sounds shit when you say it like that."

"It was pretty shit from my end of things, I won't lie."

"I am sorry, Moony."

"That's nice."

"Moony! I don't appreciate the sarcasm! I'm being sincere here!"

"So, what, pray tell, caused you to have this manic episode that meant you had to ignore me -sorry, I mean THE WORLD -for over a week?"

"My brother wasn't responding to me, and I was worried something had happened to him."

"And has it?"

"No. He's fine. He managed to sneak out and meet me today. Although it wasn't a great conversation."

"Why?"

"My dad's dying."

"…"

"Moony?"

"I … sorry. I'm here. Fuck."

"You okay?"

"Yeah, just … fucking shit. Now I can't say anything without coming off as a petty tosser."

"*chuckle* It's fine Moony. Honestly."

"No, it isn't, Star. Your dad is practically at death's door, how can you be so nonchalant about it?"

"I hate the man. He was barely even a father to me."

"Still …"

"No, Moony. A father doesn't beat you with his belt until you can barely walk. A father doesn't sit, smoking, while your mother cuts your hair off when you're a teenager. A father doesn't stub said cigarette out on your arm when you dare to curse at him. A father doesn't lock you out of the house in the pouring rain because you missed your curfew by ten minutes. He was anything but a father to me."

"I … Star, I really don't know what to say. I … fuck, I just want to hug you? Suffocate your father? I mean … either one …"

"As lovely as that is, Moony, I don't think I'd be able to message you in jail."

"I guess you'd have to break me out then."

"Live a life on the run, together. You and me against the world."

"*chuckle* Is there anything I can do?"

"This. What you're doing right now? This helps more than I'd thought possible."

"I've … missed our chats."

"So, have I. I really am sorry, Moony."

"That's okay. I'm sorry too. And hey, it's not like you stood me up for a date or anything."

"True, true, I wouldn't expect you to forgive me for that."

"So, how are things with your brother?"

"He's tense and tired. Going a bit stir crazy. Wants out, a new flat, to get away from our parents and their influence as much as he can. Be independent at the very least."

"Have you thought anymore on that idea I proposed?"

"I have. It's a good one, I'm going to start looking tonight."

"Good. He's lucky to have you."

"I'm lucky to have you."

"Flirt."

"Am I lying though?"

"You haven't even seen me, Star. Not really."

"I liked what I saw."

"Which was nothing!"

"Haha! Well, then I guess we'll just have to arrange a meet-up some time soon."

"You sound far too smug and confident; I don't like it!"

"Liar."

"Dick."

"Mmm yum!"

"Haha! Oh, shut up! Ah, crap. Lily and Dorcas are harassing me to video call them."

"Oh? What for? This is MY Moony time!"

"Your Moony?"

"Our time together. Obviously."

"Yes, obviously. Anyways, it's to discuss the book we've been reading this week."

"Oh, yes, the book club. Which one are you on at the moment?"

"Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik. It's like a reimagining of the whole 'peasant girl can spin straw into gold', except with a twist."

"Is the twist that it's silver and not gold?"

"Don't be a prick! Haha! Honestly, it's a good read. I personally prefer her previous one, Uprooted, but this one is great too. Lots of fae folklore in this one."

"I'll add it to my list."

"You don't have to."

"I like reading the things you've enjoyed. It's like getting a secret insight into you."

"Weirdo."

"Yeah, you know you love it."

"Mhm."

"What's on the list after this one?"

"It's a toss-up between The Beast is an Animal by Peternelle Arsdale, Theatrical by Maggie Harcourt, and The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary."

"From the titles alone, I can guess which one is yours."

"Oh shush, you cannot!"

"Was yours The Beast is an Animal?"

"… Moving on!"

"Hahaha, oh Moony! You can't fool me!"

"Well, regardless, we shall have to find out at the end of the call tonight!"

"You'll tell me if your one gets picked right?"

"And why on earth would you do that?"

"I was just thinking that … if I downloaded the book … we could, read it together?"

"… I wasn't expecting that."

"Heh, I don't have to. You probably read like lightning anyway."

"Oh, I'm not that fast. I'd keep to your pace."

"I'm not an idiot, I can read really fast, it's just … I don't want you to feel obligated to wait for me, if you want to binge the book. Forget it, it was a dumb idea."

"No, hey! I like the idea. Just …"

"Moons?"

"How about this? We can read at our leisure during the day, and in the evenings, we can call the other and maybe … read to one another?"

"Oh, Moony, you are a romantic!"

"Oh, shut up! I retract the offer."

"Wow, do people still say that these days?"

"Git."

"Insanely rude *chuckle* So, Moony. What're you wearing?"

"… I … I'm not responding to that. This is not a gateway for you to flirt, you shameless sod."

"Haha, awwww, does it bother you when I flirt?"

"Well! N-no … I just … I never really know how to flirt … Besides, you can't flirt with me."

"Why not?"

"You don't even know me, for one."

"So?"

"So, you don't know how I look, you don't know my name and you … don't know much about me?"

"All very weak arguments, in the face of it. I like you, Moony. It's really just that simple."

"I guess …"

"Are you saying … You know what? Never mind. I'll stop if it bothers you."

"No, I just -"

"Shall we play twenty questions again?"

"Eurgh, you give me whiplash. Fine. I'm going first this time."

"Fire away."

"If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?"

"Hmm, well that's very left-field of you. Um … I think I'd just like to take a road trip across Europe. Other than France, I've not really been anywhere else, and that was only for a school trip."

"Yeah, France sucks. I did the same, went with my school. All the other years got to go to Brittany, and where did my year end up? Fucking Opal Coast. The school brochure was a picture of an oil rig. How is THAT exciting to me?"

"Hahaha! Fuck me, Moony, you got the short straw!"

"Yeah, it was pretty terrible. We did go bowling and the aquarium, though. I had my first kiss there."

"Oh, you horny teenager!"

"It was sort of romantic, really. We'd wondered off on our own, got to this huge fish tank that took up the whole wall. It was so dark and quiet, just us. Everything was blue. We went under the walkway bridge to get closer to the tank and as we were looking at the huge sharks swimming around, he pressed me up against the glass and kissed me."

"Awww Moony. That's actually adorable. Better than my first kiss."

"Come on, you have to tell me now!"

"Fine. It was James."

"James as in … Jimmy?"

"Oh yeah, I just call him Jimmy to wind him up. He hates it, haha."

"And why was your first kiss with James?"

"We went to boarding school and it was boring as hell. The few openly gay guys were harassed, and the closeted ones were arseholes. I knew I liked guys, but I didn't have the balls to just go up and snog someone."

"Somehow, I can't picture you being nervous."

"Well, I was. So, one night during the summer, I asked James if he'd ever thought about kissing dudes, and he said it had crossed his mind. So, we got a little tipsy and kissed for a bit. It was awkward with too much tongue, but yeah. I confirmed I liked guys, just not Jimmy and he confirmed that kissing guys was okay, but not really floating his boat."

"Fair enough, it's not for everyone."

"Nope! But he's amazing, I'm lucky to have him as a brother."

"I always feel like I missed out on having siblings."

"It's hit and miss."

"So, you've said."

"Ah, well. Experience, isn't it? Okay, my go; which season do you prefer?"

"Oh, easy. Autumn. I can wear any jumper I want without being ridiculed, I can drink hot chocolate till it comes out my eyes, I can stay in and read and listen to the rain. Plus, I love the colours of the leaves. And Halloween."

"Omg, yes! Halloween is fucking amazing!"

"What's the worst outfit you've dressed up as?"

"I once dressed up as Jack Sparrow. Complete with eyeliner."

"That's … dedication."

"Voice getting a bit squeaky Moony?"

"Fuck off."

"What was your best dressed?"

"I've not really dressed up much since my early teens. I once went as Doctor Who."

"Which one?"

"I've gone as Matt Smith and David Tennant."

"A God among men. I, personally, have a soft spot for Christopher Ecclestone."

"Ah, same! I love how blunt and sarcastic he is."

"Same. Plus, he looks fucking hot in a leather jacket. In every era!"

"Did you just liken yourself to a God?"

"Well, if the shoe fits."

"Absolute twat."

"I can HEAR you smiling! Bugger, now I want to binge watch Doctor Who on NETFLIX."

"So, why don't you?"

"It's not fun when it's just me watching on my own."

"Watch it with James then?"

"Bloody Hell, Moony, I want to watch it with you!"

"Oh. Sorry, I don't have NETFLIX."

"That's fine, I can share my account with you, and we can watch it together!"

"You really don't have to …"

"Pleeeeeeeease?"

"I mean … sure? When do you want to watch it?"

"How about Wednesday evenings? Starting tomorrow?"

"Hold on let me check my schedule. Hmm … Cancel dinner with the Queen … ignore scrabble with Elton John … Sacrifice a goat to Simon Cowell … Yes, tomorrow should work for me."

"Brilliant. It's a date!"

A/N: Please let me know what you think! B x