A/N: Come on you guys! Surely there is someone out there who finds the idea of a James/Regulus fic at least the slightest bit interesting!

Title: Come What May

"Sirius?" James called as he walked up the stairs to the boy's dorm, later that night. He had learned long ago that, if the dorms had been empty for over an hour, you had to knock before entering. Otherwise you might just see more than you bargained for.

"We're decent James," Remus called from where he was sitting by Sirius on their beds- the two of them having long ago pushed their two beds together into one big one.

James smiled and walked into the room, "I was hoping that I gave you two enough time to do…whatever, before I came up here." James sat down on his own bed, which was right next to Sirius' and Remus'. "I need to talk to you, Sirius. About Regulus."

Sirius grunted, but didn't look up from where he was adjusting his socks. His thoughts from earlier were all coming back in a rather unpleasant way.

"Listen," James sighed, not knowing where to begin. "He needs you. He needs his brother. And you need him too. If you guys can't put aside your differences, then you know exactly where he'll end up. He'll end up following the path your parents want and becoming a Death Eater. But…if you two can drop all the crap that's built up between you, then he might just see that he has other choices. That he has a reason to leave the path your parents laid for him. And you'll have your brother back; the one I know how much you miss. I know it won't be easy, but he's willing to try. Are you?"

James said it all very quickly, not wanting to be interrupted. He held his breath, waiting for Sirius to respond.

"I…" Sirius bit his lip, looking up a James. He had honestly been expecting Prongs to ask if it was okay that they dated. Now that he was turning it into something about Regulus, Sirius didn't know how to respond. "How do you know he isn't already a Death Eater? How do you know it isn't to late?"

James didn't hesitate, "It's never too late. I can't say whether he is a Death Eater or not, I don't know. But it's never too late, until after death. If he has already gotten the Dark Mark, then talk to him. Let him know that he has options, that he could be a spy, or go into hiding. But let him know that whatever he choices, he has a brother there for him. He needs you. And you need him."

"Well, how do you know what I need?" Sirius offered, lamely. It was harder for him to say, at that moment, which he hated more James, or the fact that James was right.

James smiled, "Because I know you. I know how much it kills you that Regulus doesn't follow you everywhere anymore. That you two can't share secrets anymore. That you can't…" James laughed, daring to voice what Regulus had told him yesterday, "Spend hours sprawled out on the roof looking at the stars. I know you want this just as much as he does."

Sighing, and deciding it was probably best if he didn't ask how James had come to learn what he and Regulus had done when they were younger, Sirius looked evenly at his best friend and partner in crime. "Fine. Fine, I'll try it. Where should I start, oh great all knowing deer of the forest?"

James laughed, "Tonight. McGonagall and Slughorn gave Regulus permission to stay in Gryffindor tower for the holidays. I'm supposed to meet him and bring him up in a few minutes. It was supposed to be a surprise for you, but I figured, in light of today, you should know. Now bow before the all-knowing deer!"

Sirius looked for a moment like he didn't know whether to hug Prongs or punch him, so he settled on sticking his hands in his pockets. "Well…this should be sufficiently awkward."

"It will only be awkward if you guys make it that way," James smiled, getting to his feet to go meet the young Slytherin. "Just be yourself around him, and forget (for now) everything you've both been through."

With that, James left the room.

Regulus stood exactly where he'd promised James he'd meet him, fidgeting nervously and playing with the sleeve of his robes. Professor Slughorn had promised that the house-elves would bring up all of the things he would need for the day every day, so he didn't need to worry about packing and to have a good break.

Which had, unfortunately, left Regulus with nothing to occupy his mind but questions. Would Sirius be okay with this? What would they do if he wasn't? What if he wasn't really going up at all? What if James never showed up? What if it was all just an elaborate prank on their part?

Regulus felt suddenly ill. If this was a prank he'd fallen for it completely, and he didn't know what he'd do when they told him it was.

"Hey," James smiled when Regulus jumped. "Sorry, Cub. Didn't mean to scare you. All ready?"

"I wasn't scared. Just because I'm not in your house doesn't mean I'm easily scared." Regulus responded, hoisting his backpack full of homework off the floor. "Lead the way, fearless Gryffindor."

James laughed, "Alright, fearless lion cub."

James turned and started up the stairs, "Is that all you're bringing? One backpack? I know I'm used to living with poofs who pack their life into an overnight bag, but that seems a little on the light side for a week."

Regulus shifted uncomfortably. "Professor Slughorn said that the house elves would bring up whatever I needed for the day. He told me not to worry about anything and to have a nice week. Oh, yeah! And he sent you this." Regulus reached into the backpack and pulled out a bottle labeled 'Madam Rosemerta's Finest Oak-Matured Mead'. "He's says its for taking the last remaining Slytherin off his hands. I think it's actually a bribe."

James laughed, taking the bottle, "I think I like that Head of House of yours."

James wrapped his arm around Regulus's shoulder, "I talked to Sirius. He's agreed to be good and to try and make things work for you two."

Regulus snorted, trying not to laugh. "You make us sound like a couple instead of brothers."

"Well, if the shoe fits," James laughed, "You two act like an old married couple some times. Always bickering. But you can't live without each other…at least not happily."

Regulus made a face. "Incest. So wrong." He shook his head, following James up the stairs. "Gees, how far away is this tower of yours?"

"Pretty far, that's how we all stay so thin," James winked, "We work out a lot. Here we are." James said as they came to a painting of a very fat and very pink lady. "Meus Frater Semper Remanebis." The portrait swung open.

"I'm Head boy, I picked the password," James answered Regulus's questioning look.

Shaking his head, both in amazement that someone would paint a lady that fat and that James would pick such an ironic password, he followed James without question. At least McGonagall wouldn't have to worry about him telling the other Slytherins where the Gryffindor common room was. He'd never be able to find his way to and from the tower on his own.

James smiled, "Sirius and Remus are in the dorm room, but they promised to stay decent."

James led the way up the stairs and opened the door to their room. Remus lay beside Sirius on their bed, gently tracing patterns across Sirius's stomach. James cleared his throat and both boys looked up.

Regulus was studying his shoes. He would not feel awkward. He would be confident. He wouldn't be embarrassed, or say anything about his brother's sexual orientation. Especially when he was questioning his own.

Mentally, he slapped himself. He was NOT thinking about that. James was being nice to him because he wanted him to go back to being Sirius's little brother. There was NOTHING between them. He only wished he believed that.

Remus smiled at the two, a small blush on his cheeks from being caught by new eyes. He sat up and grinned at Regulus. "Welcome to the Dormitory. Your bed is over there, go ahead and make yourself at home." Remus said in a very friendly manner. Sirius looked from James to Regulus skeptically, but brought himself to smile at the pair, including his very small looking brother.

Regulus walked over to the bed Remus had gestured to and placed his backpack on it. Then, not knowing what else to do, he flopped over on the bed. To his surprise, he sank into the bed. "Whoa!"

James laughed, leaning against the doorframe.

"Why so surprised?" Sirius questioned, "Do they make you sleep on slabs of stone down there or what?" Sirius grinned at looked at Remus. "That would at least explain Bella's attitude." He whispered to his companion, who chuckled and looked at the younger Black child warmly. "Well Regulus, now that you're here, what do you wish to do?"

"I don't know," Regulus said, sitting up. It wasn't that Slytherin beds weren't comfortable, because they were. They just weren't so…poofy, was the word he decided on. "What do you do up here for fun?"

"Exploding snaps is one." James answered.

Remus rolled his eyes. "I normally read books, and Peter usually spends time laughing at Sirius and James when ever they play that horrid game." After Remus finished he noted the mock-hurt looks on Sirius' and James' faces. "Ok, not horrid, but it can get annoying." Remus said exasperated.

"We play that," Regulus said, sitting up. He ran his hand through his hair. "Do you guys have a chess set? I love playing Chess."

James nodded and so did Sirius. Remus sighed, obviously a little disappointed that the young Slytherin hadn't chosen books and he walked over to his book shelf to find a suitable choice of entertainment. Sirius, meanwhile, grabbed a set from underneath James' bed and he held it in the air triumphantly. "Who's playing first?"

James shrugged, "Doesn't really matter to me, I'll kick both your arses before we're through."

Regulus said nothing, but smiled wickedly. James Potter had no idea what he was in for. The year when Sirius had been in school but Regulus had still been at home, he had constantly played chess against anyone who would give him a second glance, including the portrait of Phineas Nigellus. He had gotten good.

Remus decided to make himself comfortable on the bed next to his lover and started to read while using Sirius' stomach as a pillow. Sirius smiled at his brother's wicked grin and wondered mildly what the stupid deer had gotten himself into this time.

James sat down across from Regulus and smiled. Winking, he said, "Don't worry, Cub, I'll go easy on you."

"Cub?" Sirius and Remus asked simultaneously.

James just smiled and shrugged, leaving Regulus to explain.

"My star." Regulus explained, color creeping into his pale face. "The heart of Leo. He doesn't think I'm a lion yet, but only a cub." Regulus waved his wand and the pieces instantly jumped into place. "White goes first, Potter."

Sirius laughed at the nickname, but made note of it in his mind, adding to his theory about his best mate and his brother. Remus shrugged and made a little 'it's cute' comment before being absorbed in his book. "Cub? Yeah, I can agree with that. Just a cub. Not dangerous, and still relies on it's mum." Sirius didn't mean it in an offensive way, but he realized to late that it could be taken that way so he kept his face in an almost mocking smile.

"And he's cute like a little cub," James laughed, trying to lighten the mood, "plus his hair looks like the start of a little mane." James reached over and lightly pulled on a lock of the younger Black's hair. He didn't like being this affectionate with the boy in front of Sirius, because Sirius would know instantly how James was feeling…and James wasn't sure that he wanted Sirius to know how he felt towards Regulus before he himself was sure.

Regulus smiled a bit and moved his pawn two spaces. James, he decided, would be a difficult opponent if only because he was distracting. "At least," he said without looking at Sirius, "a cub doesn't have to worry about where its next meal is going to come from." He'd wanted to say that at least a cub still has a mother, but didn't dare.

Sirius snorted. "I don't have to. My Remmy always provides." Sirius said wickedly. Remus blushed and moved his book closer to his face. Sirius grinned at his accomplishment before turning his attention back to the game. "James, you have NO idea what a trap you've gotten yourself into." Sirius snickered, imagining his friend's demise.

James shifted on the bed, so that his foot was now touching Regulus's. He moved his pawn forward. "I happen to be an excellent chess player and will soon whoop Cub's arse. You will rue the day you decided to play with me," he said that last to the boy opposite him.

Regulus felt the back of his neck go red as he dropped his pawn. He KNEW James didn't mean it that way and hated himself for even thinking it. He realized, however, that he could play just as dirty as Potter if he wanted. He was Black. Black's did not lose.

Carefully, he shifted his weight so that his leg was now slightly over lapping James's, and instantly wondered if this was going to be more distracting for him or James. He made his move.

Remus quickly glanced at the pair playing chess and Sirius' theory suddenly came into his focus. Was it true? As he turned his head to look at the pair he confirmed it. Something was going on between those two, and there was no way to deny it.

Sirius tried to ignore it and let his mate and brother...play in peace. "James, honestly, this game is going to be more than you bargained for." Sirius was trying to drop hints to his friend, but he decided it didn't matter to the love-struck stag. He was long gone.

James was suddenly having trouble breathing. All Regulus had done was move his leg, and now…James just wanted to lean over and run his fingers through the boys' hair again. He shouldn't be thinking like this. This was Sirius's brother. A Slytherin. But…Regulus was pretty attractive. He had all of Sirius's charm, and good looks, but there was an innocence there that Sirius never had. And Regulus was just so…cute.

James smiled and quickly made his move; he then leaned back on his elbows and took Regulus's foot in his hands. Pulling off the shoe, he started to gently message the boy's foot, making sure that he didn't tickle him.

Regulus froze. James hadn't just…he wasn't really giving him a foot massage. Shaking his head to try and rid it of the pleasure induced fog it was in, he leaned forward to make his move, making sure his face was only inches from James's as he did so. "Cheater."

Sirius moved his head to not look. He wasn't seeing this. His temper raged to his face and he cleared his throat and counted to ten. Remus snorted and tried to distract Sirius by looking up at him and promptly putting his face right next to Sirius'. Sirius blinked and expected something very pleasing, but only got a book in his face.

"This is really an excellent book." Remus said brightly.

James's heart sped up at Regulus's closeness. He had the sudden urge to kiss the boy, and that really wouldn't go over well. Regulus was probably straight anyway…and Sirius would kill him. So, instead, James kissed Regulus's big toe, "I'm in Gryffindor, I would never cheat." And he made his move.

Regulus tried to keep himself from groaning. Potter just wasn't getting it, was he? Regulus was, however, acutely aware of the fact that his brother was still in the room and didn't dare make James understand.

"Would to. I've played your Quidditch team, James. They cheat." Regulus hoped that calling James by his first name would be a sufficient distraction for the trap he'd just set.

Sirius turned to see what was going on, his protective side kicking in. Remus, however, would not let him. He either had his book in his boyfriends face or he had his own face distractingly close to Sirius'. "No really. It's called Henry the Fifth, or as I've heard it said, Henry Five. It's fascinating really..." Remus vainly tried to continue the conversation.

James smiled at Regulus's use of his first name…but that just wasn't good enough. Use of a first name wouldn't distract this stud- Stag, he meant stag. James pulled Regulus's foot dangerously close to his own crotch, smiling, "Our team doesn't cheat any more than yours does." And he moved, "Check."

Regulus was completely speechless. He felt dizzy, and simply could not think of any kind of response. Numbly, he knocked over his king. James had won…but he was going to pay for it later. Regulus vowed that much as he tried not to stare at James.

Sirius heard a clunk and he gently shoved Remus out of the way to see what it was. To his immense relief it was just Reggie's king. Oddly enough, Regulus had resigned. What had gone on between those two while Remus was distracting him?

He took one look at the faces of the pair and he was about to pounce on the two when strong arms wrapped around his waist. He was pulled sharply back into Remus's arms and the lover turned Sirius' face so he could kiss him and take his mind off of the scene in front of him- hopefully.

"You gave up?" James asked, puzzled. He was really enjoying this game. Enjoying the excuse to flirt with Regulus without the boy freaking out and hexing him. "You weren't in check-mate. Just check. Why'd you quit?" James was starting to worry that he had gone to far and disgusted his newfound friend.

Regulus shook his head, trying to get his brain working again. "I…I couldn't see the way out. You're just better then I am, I guess." James, he realized, would never know what it took for him to say that. He wanted to ask James to play again, but didn't dare. He didn't know what he'd do to freak James out if he did.

James shook his head, that wasn't how he wanted to win. "It's Sirius's turn now…but maybe later you'll play me again? This time I promise not to cheat, as long as you don't."

Regulus laughed and nodded. "Alright, I promise. But, for the record, you started it. So…am I playing Sirius now or are you?"

"You. This is about your relationship with him," James smiled at Sirius, "Me and him get along fine. And you started it." James stood up and let Sirius take his seat, noticing the weird look that Sirius gave him.

For his part, Sirius didn't know how he felt about James and Regulus's casual flirting. He knew it made him mad, and jealous, and…uncomfortable. He just wasn't sure why. At least he knew that he wasn't a homophobe, Sirius grinned at the thought.

Regulus couldn't help it. He grinned at his brother. "Prepared to lose, big brother?" He stopped suddenly, realizing what he'd just called Sirius. He hadn't done that since he was eight-years-old. He felt color spread across his cheeks, and busied himself rearranging the board. He wondered as he rearranged the pawns if there was a limit to how many times a person could blush in a day

Sirius pretended that he didn't hear Regulus's slip. It was nice to know that Regulus was getting comfortable enough to let something like that slip, and it made Sirius's mood lighten with hope. Hope for the both of them.

"I don't prepare to lose," Sirius smiled, feeling a little more comfortable than before, "But you should."

Regulus grinned wickedly. "Slytherins don't lose," Regulus said, winking at his brother, "and neither do Blacks. Of course…that really isn't possible is it? We can't both win, can we?"

Sirius's smile was a bit forced now, "Unless it's a stale mate, but I doubt that will happen. Last time we played you were absolutely pants at chess. And me and Jamie practice a lot."

"Don't," James said through gritted teeth, "call me Jamie." He then turned to Regulus, "That is one of your brother's many bad habits. Please make it a point not to adopt the name, as I hate it!"

"Last time we played," Regulus pointed out, "I wasn't even quite nine yet." Regulus made a mental note of James's comment, and decided to find a better nickname for him. "Your move, Sirius. Hey James? What about Jim? How does Jim sound?"

James shook his head, trying not to smile, "Better than Jamie."

"I like Jamie," Sirius whined, giving James puppy dog eyes. "I can call you Jamie, right Jamie?"

"Save the eyes for your boyfriend," James was really laughing now, "And, no."

Still resolved to find a good nickname for James, and ignoring the inexplicable stab of jealousy, Regulus made his first move. "Do you all have nicknames? I know Remus is Moony. I hear you guys call him it all the time."

Remus smiled slightly, obviously not as absorbed in his book as everyone thought. "James is Prongs, Sirius is Padfoot, and Pete is Wormtail. Don't ask how we got them…it's a marauders secret."

James smiled, hoping that Regulus didn't take to calling him Prongs. He didn't know why, but he really wanted the boy to come up with a name for him that only he would use. Not something so common as "Prongs."

Regulus nodded. He was curious now, certainly, but also knew the futility of the situation was in. They were not going to tell him. He added Prongs to the mental list of things not to call James, and moved his knight to capture one of Sirius's pawns.

Sirius smiled, noticing that his brother didn't ask about the names. The boy was growing up. Not too long ago, being told not to ask guaranteed that he wouldn't let it drop. Sirius mentally frowned, that wasn't "not too long ago", that was years ago. They had missed so much of each other's lives. Sirius moved his bishop to capture Regulus's knight.

"So," Sirius started, not really knowing what to say. He just knew that he had to say something, before it was all too late, "got a girlfriend?" He immediately regretted that comment, knowing that James would be hurt if the younger boy did have one.

"Nope," Regulus answered easily, taking Sirius's bishop with a well-placed pawn. He really wasn't sure what to think of the question, but decided to leave it as it was. "The only girl that talks to me is Narcissa."

James smiled at that, "Do you fancy any girls?"

Sirius looked over at his best friend, wondering if he should have a talk with the bespectacled boy. Wondering if he should give his blessing. He wanted to see both boys happy…but with each other? He honestly wasn't sure about that.

"Or any guys?" Sirius added, winking, "If you're anything like me, that is." He wasn't sure that he should ask, but he wanted to be Regulus's brother again, and a brother would ask.

Regulus shrugged, not committing to anything. "Girls are to giggly," there. That was answering without really answering at all. He moved his Castle to capture Sirius's Queen.

Sirius laughed, "I agree, that's why I love my Remmy. No giggling." He moved a random piece on the board, not having any set plan at the moment.

Remus snorted, "You love me because I…Never mind." Remus muttered something that sounded suspiciously like "Forgot there were children present."

James laughed, noticing that Regulus had not specified against fancying boys. He knew that he shouldn't be thinking it, but a part of him wondered if Regulus could fancy him. Another part of him kept screaming that he was STRAIGHT and fancied Lily Evens. But…straight things bend.

Regulus moved a pawn, carefully avoiding James's eyes. He wasn't sure if he fancied James, but he certainly enjoyed him. He'd certainly had a VERY physical reaction when James had touched him, but he'd never fancied anyone before. He wished, suddenly, that he could talk to Sirius about it, but they'd been enemies for so long that he didn't know if he could.

Sirius noticed his brother's silence. He had to be a good brother, he needed to be. And right now, being a good brother meant talking about the things that Regulus was worried about. But he couldn't do that in front of James and Remus. Sirius remembered when he had first started questioning his sexuality…he had no one to confide to, because he was so afraid of their reactions. If Regulus was really starting to fancy James…Sirius didn't want him to go through the questioning alone. But he still didn't know how he felt about the two.

Sirius heaved a mental sigh; he knew what he had to do. He had to put his own feelings aside for once in his life and focus on what his brother needed. And what his brother needed was a brother. A real one.

Suddenly brightening, Regulus moved his Bishop. "Check," he said gleefully, wondering if that was some kind of record. Maybe he would try to talk to Sirius later. Maybe. After all, Sirius fancied boys so at least he couldn't hate Regulus for it. Could he? Unless Sirius saw it as another way of Regulus trying to beat him. Regulus frowned, and stared at the board.

Sirius grumbled under his breath and moved his king to a safer position, "When'd you get so good at this?"

James smiled, leaning back on his elbows. This little reunion might just work to mend the brother's bond. He hoped so. He was really starting to like having Regulus around, and not just because of the physical reaction he was having to the boy. Regulus was fun, and easy to joke with. He was pretty easy on the eyes too.

"When you were here, and I had nothing else to do," Regulus said off-handedly. He moved another piece. He was beginning to wonder when his life had become so much like a chess game. Trying to keep both his parents and Sirius happy. Trying to the bidding of The Dark Lord when he didn't really believe it. It was a careful balancing act that he wished he were as good at as actual chess.

James frowned, realizing for the first time just what being a Black child meant. It meant no real friends. Only having people around to help you reach your goals. Sirius had broken out of that habit, and James had never stopped to think about what growing up must have been like for Regulus. Why hadn't he ever considered it before?

Sirius moves a chess piece, not sure what to say to Regulus's comment. He hated going home to Grimmauld Place, and loved leaving there. But that always meant leaving his brother behind. Even when Regulus came to Hogwarts, Sirius left him behind…Sirius had outgrown him and left him behind with all the rest of his childhood. But now?

"Well, now you have someone to practice with," Sirius whispered, meeting Regulus's eyes, "Anytime you want."

Regulus couldn't help it. He instantly grinned. "You mean it? You'll really practice with me? 'Cause I bet Severus 3 galleons I could beat him when he got back, and I know I can if you and James help me!"

Sirius let out a bark of laughter at his brother's enthusiasm, "I promise."

"Me, too," James said immediately, loving the idea of more time spent with the Slytherin…and the idea of helping someone beat Snivellus. Too bad he had promised he wouldn't cheat next time. But the time after that?

Regulus, grinning now from ear to ear, casually moved a piece. "Checkmate."