A/N: A holiday present for you: An extra chapter! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year :)

Chapter 8 - It's not Supposed to be Fun

Regulus slowly woke, finding himself comfortably snuggled up to a warm body, his face nuzzled into the crook of the person's neck. Then he wondered who he was sharing a bed with. Had he taken somebody home last night? No. Remus. Remus had been sleeping in his bed for the past month! He froze, desperately hoping that the escort was asleep so he could move away without being noticed; but no, the other man's breathing was not the slow breathing of someone asleep. Regulus pushed himself back and stared at Remus. "I... I thought you were a bird! I mean, I dreamt I was sleeping with a bird!"

"It's fine," Remus said. "You were moving around quite a lot in your sleep as if you had a bad dream again but you settled down when cuddling up to me so I just let you."

And that answered Regulus' next question: why Remus hadn't pushed him away. So Regulus just mumbled 'I'm sorry' and moved over to his side of the bed, curling up into a ball.

"What did you dream about?" Remus asked in a soft voice. "You seemed rather uncomfortable. Not quite like last time, but a bit."

"Nothing special, just... a bird... like I said."

"Can't have been a proper nice bird, since you got that upset."

"What?" said Regulus, turning his head around to look at Remus. "I wasn't upset. I was just... I dreamt we were cuddling. I don't remember anything before that."

"I see," Remus said. "Lucky bird."

Regulus blushed furiously and looked away. "What do you mean?"

"You just seemed rather clingy so I thought it were a bad dream, but now that you say you were just cuddling, she must be very special to you, so that's why I said 'lucky bird'."

"Don't tease me. It wasn't anyone special. I just haven't been with anyone for a while. I guess I miss it, or something."

"Me too," Remus mumbled, lying on his back and looking up at the ceiling.

"You miss it?" said Regulus in surprise. "Sex? I mean, when it's your job, isn't it nice to get a break from it?"

"I miss the intimacy. Sex with someone who matters and who isn't buying me." Remus sighed. He didn't know why he was telling Regulus this but he felt like Regulus had had it all wrong from the beginning. Like Remus didn't have any feelings at all.

"Right. Emotions, of course. That's not the same as sex. I get that. I haven't really felt anything for half of my girlfriends, if I have to be honest... Probably why it hasn't lasted long. Sex quickly gets boring when there are no feelings involved."

"Aye," Remus said in a pensive voice. "I barely remember how it feels. I haven't been in a real relationship in forever." He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Sorry... I shouldn't be bothering you with this."

"What? You're not bothering me. I'm the one who asked." Regulus was quiet for a second. "Have you ever had feelings for a costumer?"

Remus took a deep breath and then nodded. "I did, once. He was a regular and I thought it started to mean summat to both of us. Well, it did, but more to me than him, it turned out." He bit his lip nervously, feeling Regulus' eyes on him. "He'd say all these wonderful things to me – how gorgeous and beautiful I were, how I were too good to be an escort, how I deserved so much better, and that. I thought he wanted to give me that. Then one night I opened my heart to him. Told him I loved him and would stop escorting, anything to be with him. He panicked; explained that he couldn't leave his wife and he had to stay in the closet because of his lifestyle and job and a million other excuses. He were scared I would try to make him leave his wife; that I would contact her or summat and out him to the rest of the world. He broke my heart, of course, but I told him I'd never do anything to ruin his life or hurt him. I didn't manage to convince him, though. He offered me money to keep me quiet, and that hurt me feelings more than anything."

"I'm so sorry, Remus," said Regulus and reached out to gently brush Remus' hair away from his forehead but quickly retracted his hand when realising what he was doing. "What a twat. Leading you on like that."

Remus sent him a small smile, appreciating the sympathy. "I thought that was it and I wouldn't hear from him again, but then one evening he rented me for someone else."

"Someone else?" said Regulus, perplexed. "Like a friend or what? Why?"

"He didn't tell me it were someone else. I thought it were him I was going to see, but when I arrived at the hotel room it weren't him."

"But why? What happened then?"

Remus rolled onto his side, facing away from Regulus. "I'm tired. I would like to get some more sleep"

"Okay. Didn't mean to be nosey."

"It's fine..." Remus said softly. "You're weren't."

o0o0o

"Big fashion show this weekend, Remus. London Fashion Week," said Lily as they sat down for a cup of tea in the garden. Regulus was away on a shoot and Remus had taken a day off to relax. "Regulus will be on two successive days and modelling for several brands – including his father's."

"So the spotlight will really be on him."

"It will. He's very good, you know. He really shines on the runway."

"I'm sure he does," Remus smiled. "So is there anything you want me to do other than being the supportive boyfriend?"

"Not really. The usual. You will have to meet his parents, though, and they're a piece of work, just so you know. But they know about you, so you don't have to trick them. But of course you all have to stick to the act in public."

"Well, when I met Mrs. Black the last time, I got the vibe she felt like she'd just stepped in dog shite and wanted to change her shoes and throw the other pair away. I think it'll be most difficult for her to keep up the act if I stay around her too much."

Lily sighed. "Yes, she's not exactly... Let's just say she's not my favourite person in the world. But don't let her get to you, and don't complain about her to Regulus, like we've talked about before."

"I won't. I want him to be happy and if that means me belting up half the time we're around each other, then so be it."

"Is it still that bad? Is he still so difficult on a daily basis?" Lily said, sounding sad.

"We...we've had moments where we had a grand time, but aye, he's still difficult sometimes, but I'm not here to teach him to love and be nice to people. I'm just the boyfriend for a few more weeks. Well… to be fair, he hasn't been so bad since the award show." He sent her a sad smile and said: "I'll probably have to delete me Twitter and Instagram, and that, when I'm done here. I don't want to follow the story or see pictures after this."

"What do you mean?" asked Lily. "Why?"

"I just don't. I don't want to think too much of me time here when it's over." He didn't want to tell her that he had developed feelings for the model and it would hurt seeing Regulus' life go on without him, especially when he eventually would get a new girlfriend.

"I'm sorry this is such a horrible experience for you. I really thought he was starting to treat you better. He has a good heart, though, Remus. He's just complicated and doesn't really know how to behave and deal with his issues."

o0o0o

Regulus was stressed and sullen the day before the fashion show and Remus thought it best to stay out of his way to avoid any conflicts.

The model sat down on the bed at night for a long time before getting under the covers, just staring into thin air.

"Are you okay?" Remus finally asked after debating with himself whether he should disturb or not.

"Hm?" said Regulus, pulled out of his reverie. "Yeah, of course. It's just going to be a couple of long days. A bit hectic. Sirius, unfortunately, will not be able to make it to keep you company, but Lily will be there, of course. You can stick to her as much as possible, although she's going to be busy much of the time. She has a few other clients apart from me. You can move around on your own, of course; you know how to act and deal with people, so I'm not worried that you will mess something up, it's more so that you don't feel abandoned and bored. There will be a lot of people you have already met as well. I'm sure some of them will be delighted to spend some time with you. You're very popular."

Remus hesitantly put a hand on Regulus' shoulder, hoping it wouldn't be unwelcome. "Just don't push yourself too much. I hope you'll have fun and I'm looking forward to seeing you on stage."

Regulus let out a dry laugh. "It's not supposed to be fun. It's work."

"You should still enjoy your work. Makes it easier," Remus commented.

"Yeah? That your experience talking?"

Remus bit his lip, feeling that familiar knife stab at his heart. "Thanks for that remark..."

Regulus sighed and got into bed and under the duvet. "Well, good night." He was quiet for so long Remus thought he had fallen asleep, but then he said, "Don't let my mother get to you. Try avoiding her when we're alone. She'll behave when there are other people around and she has to keep up the act."

o0o0o

The fashion show was huge. There were little shops set up everywhere, every brand worth anything was represented. There were food stands and bars and the halls were buzzing as hundreds and hundreds of people were milling about. Regulus quickly moved through the sea of people towards the private area meant for models, designers, staff and relations. He found his dressing room and closed the door behind himself, Remus and Lily.

"So, are you ready?" Lily smiled, placing both hands on his shoulders. "There will be thousands watching."

"Of course. It's not as though I haven't done it a hundred times before."

"You're on three times today; first round in two hours, so we best get a stylist in here before going to the common room for dressing."

Right when Lily had left to go find a stylist, Walburga Black marched in. Regulus spun around, about to bark at whomever walked in without knocking, but his mouth fell shut when he saw it was his mother.

Remus got to his feet, not sure if he should stay or leave, but decided to stay put until he was told otherwise. He gave the woman a polite nod and smile as she looked at him.

"Oh... you're here," was all the greeting she gave Remus before turning her attention to her son. "You look tired. Haven't you slept well? You know how important it is to get enough sleep!"

"I'm fine. I'll just get a cup of coffee and I'll be wide awake."

"You shouldn't drink coffee - it stains your teeth. How many times do I have to tell you?"

"Doesn't much matter, since I get them bleached on a regular basis anyway," mumbled Regulus.

"It's better to take some caffeine pills," said Walburga, ignoring Regulus' comment. "I'll get you another prescription if you're out."

"Why don't you get me some cocaine while you're at it? That'll really wake me up," snapped Regulus, but regretted it the second the words had left his mouth.

"Don't you talk back to me!" she hissed and narrowed her eyes. Remus thought she looked like she wanted nothing more than to slap Regulus, judging by her flexing hand.

"I'll get you some coffee," Remus offered, hoping to break the tension.

Walburga sent him a glare. "I just told him no! Are you deaf?"

Remus sat down again, deciding it was best not to disturb any further.

Regulus didn't say anything else. It was rare that he talked back to his mother in more than sullen protest, and when he did, she was quick to set him straight.

Walburga stepped up to him and looked him over. "What's that?" she asked, touching his neck. "You got a scratch! How can you be so careless - especially when you knew the show was coming up? You are presenting your father's new collection - don't you think he deserves your best effort?"

"It's nothing a bit of foundation won't cover..."

She snorted and proceeded to yank his T-shirt over his head so she could take a look at his upper body. "You've got too thin. You should put on a pound or two."

"What?" said Regulus, looking at her. "Last month you told me I was too fat!"

"Yes - I told you to lose a pound or two, and you've lost twice that!"

"I'm not too thin," he protested. "I look fine. It's just a bloody pound..."

She popped the top button of his jeans and pushed them down enough to expose his left hip. "Look - your hip-bone is too pointy," she said, tracing a finger along the line of the bone. "It's unattractive. And it's not just a bloody pound, Regulus - you know that in this business details mean everything!"

Regulus just stared at the floor, feeling his cheeks burn with the humiliation of Remus being there to witness this.

"Do you understand what I'm saying?" she asked, lifting his face with a hand under his chin.

"I won't be topless, so nobody is going to notice," he said in a quiet voice.

"Perhaps not. But you have that swimwear shoot in a few weeks, yes? So you best put on that pound before that."

Regulus just nodded and dropped his head again when she removed her hand.

Remus couldn't believe what he was witnessing. It was one thing that this woman was mean and insolent toward people like Remus, but she was treating her own son as if he were her property and had no dignity. He had to concentrate on keeping his mouth shut, because he instinctively wanted to speak up for Regulus.

Luckily, Lily returned with a stylist, saving Regulus more embarrassment.

"Oh, hello, darling," the stylist beamed at Regulus, clearly knowing him from previous events. Regulus gave her a small smile and a mumbled 'hi'. Then her eyes fell on Remus. "Oh, you must be Regulus' new boyfriend! I've seen you on the news - you two are such a lovely couple."

"Hi," Remus smiled and shook her hand. "Thank you."

Walburga started to interfere as soon as the stylist began working on Regulus. "I know, Mrs. Black," she sighed whenever Walburga came with a remark. "I do know how to do my job."

"He looks grand, I think," Remus said, forgetting not to meddle. He just felt so bad for both Regulus and the stylist.

Walburga turned her head, likely to spit an insult Remus' way, but then seemed to think better of it, with the stylist being there. "Well, of course you think he looks great. You're smitten with him, aren't you? Of course you are. That's how it is... young lovers," she said, sending a forced smile the stylist's way. "Why don't you use a darker shade?" she commented. "That one makes him look so pale."

"Walburga," said Lily. "I have a few things I would like your opinion on - why don't we go talk about that now? I have a busy schedule, as I'm sure you know, but I have some time to spare right now."

Walburga ended up agreeing and left with Lily, who was clearly doing this to get her out of Regulus' hair.

"Thank God," sighed the stylist, rummaging in a drawer for a fitting hair product. "I know it isn't my place to meddle, Regulus, but your mother is a piece of work. And the way she treats you –"

"You're right," Regulus cut her off. "It isn't your place."

The stylist didn't say anything else, although it was clear that she had a few more sentences formed in her head about the mother.

"Do you want me to get you some coffee still?" Remus asked.

"Yes, please. That would be nice," said Regulus. "And just take your time. No need to hurry."

Remus was away for quite a while, and Regulus figured he had picked up on his wish to get him out of the way for a bit. And Remus was probably relieved having an excuse to escape the farce. It couldn't have been very comfortable having to listen to his mother when she was behaving like that.

Remus came back shortly after the stylist had left. He placed a cup of coffee next to Regulus. "There you are, luv," he said and smiled at him in the mirror. "You look mint."

"Yeah... Tell that to my mother," said Regulus and took a sip of the coffee.

"I would, but she might bite me head off," Remus joked and sat down. "She were proper hard on you..."

Regulus took a few more sips from his cup, the hot coffee making him relax a bit. "That's just the way it is. It's a tough business. If you're not perfect, then you're told, and not necessarily in a nice way. My mother was a supermodel not too long ago - a very, very good one. Beautiful and perfect. Filling her shoes is close to impossible."

"Do you have to fill her shoes? Don't you want to be known as Regulus and not Walburga Black's son?"

Regulus looked at him in puzzlement. "I am known as Regulus. And a Black. It's my duty to do my part for the family. Sirius is too selfish to care - he has always done whatever he wanted. At least he's famous - and not least for his good looks, and he dresses well, which is why my parents aren't completely unhappy with him. If he had chosen a common profession, I think they might have disowned him."

"You just don't seem happy with your job," Remus commented. "But it's not my job to tell you what to do with your life. Would just be a shame to wake up one day and think: this were not what I wanted for meself but now it's too late to change it."

"Yeah... I bet you know the feeling. Or perhaps you're happy with your job, which is brilliant, I suppose."

"I'm not happy with it at all," Remus replied bitterly. "So I reckon I'm not really one to talk, am I? I just thought you had more options than me." He got up. "I better go find me seat so you can get ready for the show. See you on stage."

"Right. Give Lily a ring or send her a text. She will take you up front and sit with you. I'm sure she's done with my mother soon. I suspect she only made that stunt to ger her out of our hair."

o0o0o

A fashion show wasn't something Remus would ever have thought he would find the slightest bit interesting, but sitting in the audience waiting for the show to start, he felt butterflies flutter around in his stomach. He was excited to see Regulus really work. He had only been to a couple of photo shoots, and there he had been too busy talking to Regulus' colleges to pay much attention. They had front row seats right in front of the longest runway where the models stopped, turned to both sides and then spun around to walk back again. Mr. and Mrs. Black were seated close by, but thankfully far enough so that they didn't have to socialise with them, and Lily had made sure to let Remus have the seat farthest from them.

At precisely 11 a.m. the lights went out and a colourful intro began on the large screen behind the stage, dramatic background music and patterns of colours were zig-zagging across the screen as well as a beautiful animation of the fashion week logo. A loud voice welcomed the audience to the show. Then, the lights came on, and the music changed to something upbeat as a long line of models (both male and female) came out, flashes going off from cameras all around the scene.

"That's one of Regulus' exes," Lily whispered to Remus, pointing at a stunning brunette walking by in a long green dress.

Remus eyed the beautiful girl, suddenly feeling jealous and insecure about himself. Perhaps she was the one from Regulus' dream?

"It didn't end well," Lily continued. "She cheated on him. He was quite upset. He was very fond of her."

"Oh? Do they still work together or is she just in town for this?"

"They're both supermodels, so of course they occasionally have jobs at the same events; especially big ones like this. Practically all British supermodels make an appearance here. But he won't do shoots with her anymore. Oh, there we have him," smiled Lily as Regulus approached. He was wearing charcoal slacks and a green polo, and had an ash-grey cardigan casually slung over his shoulder.

Remus gawked at him. The clothes suited him perfectly, as expected, and it was impossible not to be intrigued by his beauty. Reggie is the perfect model. He always has that sour look plastered on his face and that's how they have to look on the runway, Sirius' voice echoed in Remus' mind.

Regulus re-emerged on the scene ten minutes later in a new outfit, and this repeated itself for the rest of the hourlong introduction show.

"That was the first show," concluded Lily. "Next brand is on in 30 minutes, I think, but Regulus isn't doing that one, so he has a break now. Well... as much of a break as he's going to get," she sighed, noticing Walburga getting up and making her way rather aggressively through the spectators.

"Should we go save him?" Remus asked.

"I can't keep luring her away," sighed Lily. "Besides, I have to go see one of my other clients now. Here - Regulus asked me to give you this." She handed him a credit card. "Buy what you want. Food, drink, whatever you fancy."

A/N: Second half of the fashion show coming up :)