Chapter 9 – How Close Do You Want It?

After walking around a bit, Remus decided to stop somewhere for a drink. As he sat sipping at his second smoothie, a long-legged black girl with gorgeous hair and a bright smile came rushing up to him. "Oh, Remus! Hi!"

Remus looked up and recognised the model, although unable to remember her name or where he had met her. "Um... hi," he smiled tentatively.

She kissed his cheek and sat down across from him. "It's Emmeline. You've probably been introduced to hundreds of people this past month, so I'm not offended or anything if you're having a hard time placing me. We met at a shoot a few weeks ago. The one where you were caught snogging in the back room," she grinned.

"Oh, right," Remus smiled, feeling his ears redden.

She got herself a carrot/pear smoothie and sat down with Remus. "So he just left you here all by yourself?"

"Well, he's very busy, so I won't see him much until tonight, I reckon."

"Yes, of course. He's doing more than one show today, isn't he?"

Remus informed her that he had two more to go.

"Yes, he's very popular among the designers," she nodded. "Everyone wants him."

"Of course they do," said Remus, stirring his drink with the straw. "If I were a designer, I would want him to model all my clothes."

An amused smile played on Emmeline's lips. "All of it? Even the women's?"

Remus kept a straight face, looking directly at her. "Yes, haven't you seen how smashing he looks in an evening gown?"

They both exploded in laughter a few seconds later.

"No, I suppose I could hire you to do the women's clothes. I like you," said Remus once they had gotten themselves under control. "So, do you have a catwalk coming up or are you just here to watch?"

"I only have one show today. Late afternoon, so if you want, you can hang out with me for a few hours."

"I'd love to," Remus smiled.

"I'm so happy for you and Reggie," she said and put a hand on top of Remus'. "You look so happy together - I saw you on the telly at the Awards. And some of the pictures and film clips people have put on the internet. Not that I've been stalking you or anything," she laughed. "It just pops up everywhere and people show it to me. Anyway, I've never seen Reggie smile so much."

Remus had to let it sink in for a moment. Yes, Regulus looked happy, but it was all an act for the media. He started to wonder what would happen when they did break up. Would Remus be stalked by reporters and fans? Would they be critical or sympathetic toward him? Would they pressure him for dirt on the model? He hadn't really thought about that part. He hadn't expected people to be so obsessed with them. "I want to make him happy," was all he could think of saying.

"I can tell," she nodded. "It's funny - he and I are better as friends than we were as a couple. He's certainly a better friend than he was a boyfriend. And it didn't help having his mum breathing down our necks."

"His... his mam is proper hard on him," said Remus, finding it hard to control his curiosity. "Has she always been like that? Well, for the time you've known her, I mean."

"Oh – she's horrid! The mother-in-law from hell, I tell you. She was always on my back, criticising everything about me, making me feel like the ugliest and least talented model in the world. She was a model herself, you know, but we can't all be as good as she was. Not even her son, in her eyes, although most disagree with her. He really is in a category of his own, but she can always find faults with him. He's never ever good enough."

"That's terrible," Remus said. It was becoming clear to him where much of Regulus' frustration came from. Never being good enough and being pressured and humiliated all the time couldn't be healthy. "I guess I have something to look forward to, then," he joked.

"I pity you. And I really hope she doesn't ruin it for you. I hope you don't give up on Reggie because of her. He really needs someone to love him properly. I wish he would just put his foot down and stop taking her abuse. We had a lot of fights about that, me and him. Pretty much the only thing we fought about, really."

"I won't give up on him."

"Good. Perhaps you can get through to him about him mum eventually. And try to just ignore the abuse she throws your way. I can imagine she will be very nasty to you. Even more than she was to me."

"Why would you think that?" Remus asked nervously. Did she know more than she let on?

"Well - you're a bloke, for one thing, and from up north, and not a celebrity or businessman or something. She's a huge snob."

"Ah," Remus nodded. "Well, I doubt she can throw anything at me I haven't heard before," he smiled and took another sip. "But thanks for the warning."

"I'm sure she can. But just try to tune out when she's talking to you. I don't think she's a homophobe, exactly, but I'm sure she's not happy with the prospect of not getting grandchildren she can turn into puppet-models."

Emmeline took Remus on a tour around the premises to see all the stalls and little events. In one of the stalls she spotted a pair of trousers that she was sure were perfect for Remus. She dragged him into a fitting room to try them on.

"Oh, they look ace on you! I knew it! You should really get a pair. Reggie is going to love them!"

"You think?" Remus asked, checking himself in the mirror. He did actually look rather good in them but he was trying to save up as much as he could, so he could get out of the escort business, and he didn't want to use Regulus' credit card to buy clothes for himself.

She nodded vigorously. "You're really going to catch his attention in these! Trust me - I know his taste. Listen, let me buy them for you."

"What? No, no," Remus said and shook his head. "I couldn't ask you to do that."

"You're not asking me to - I'm doing it. Reggie is my friend and I'm allowed to give his boyfriend a gift. Now - take them off so I can go pay for them."

Remus felt bad about this, knowing that Regulus wouldn't appreciate any pair of trousers Remus might wear, like she thought. It would just be a waste of money, but he couldn't tell her that. Maybe he could pay her back as soon as they broke up.

Emmeline payed and handed Remus the bag. "Here you go, love. They're sure to get you laid." She winked.

Remus smiled and gave her a hug. "Thank you."

They went to the large stage a bit later to see Regulus' second show of the day. Lily was still busy, so Remus was grateful to have someone familiar to sit with, and he had already come to like Emmeline a lot.

The first half hour was occupied by women's fashion, and then came a couples-round. Regulus was the first on the runway, walking out hand in hand with his female partner. They stopped at the end, made a few moves, Regulus putting a hand on her waist and looking at her as if he adored her.

Even though it was a part of the show, Remus couldn't help but feel a little jealous. He tried as hard he could to push the feeling away. He was not up for falling for a client again and just be thrown away which, of course, this time he knew would come.

o0o0o

After the show Emmeline said goodbye to Remus because she had to go get ready for her own performance. Remus decided to go get some lunch at one of the food stands. He nibbled at a piece of bread, wondering if Regulus would actually find him sexy in those trousers. "Stop it," he scolded himself.

A text beeped in on his mobile. It was from Regulus.

Have you had lunch yet? If you have, then at least meet me for a coffee. It's strange if we don't spend any time together.

No. I'll have lunch with you, Remus answered and tossed the rest of his sandwich in the bin, saving the rest of his appetite for lunch with Regulus.

Regulus met Remus at the entrance to the private area. "Hello, love," he said and gave Remus a soft kiss. Then he took his hand and guided him through the many people and up the stairs to a large lounge where people were sitting eating or having drinks or coffee. Regulus picked them a spot at the back where they weren't constantly surrounded by passing people.

"What would you like, Remus?" asked Regulus. "Did you have lunch already?"

"I had a bit from a stand but it weren't much because I were hoping you'd have time to eat with me," Remus smiled and caressed Regulus' hand while looking through the menu.

"So," Remus asked while they were waiting for their order. "How are you holding up?"

Regulus shrugged. "I'm alright. A bit tired. It's a lot of work doing three shows in one day. And the last one is my father's brand. I'm looking forward until that one is over. Not that I'm not proud to perform in it," he quickly added. "But it's a lot of pressure and responsibility."

"Aye, I can imagine, but you look mint up there," Remus smiled and rested his chin on his palm. "I enjoy watching you work."

"Really?"

"Aye," Remus said, deciding to play the flirtatious boyfriend. "How you walk and move. Proper intriguing to watch. I can't really take me eyes off you."

Regulus smiled - a genuine smile - and leaned forward to plant his lips on Remus'.

Remus' eyes fell shut and he felt his body heat up as if he had been out in a snow storm and then placed at the fireside.

Regulus finally pulled back. "Have you been on your own all the time?"

"No." Remus smiled and took a deep breath. "I spent some time with Emmeline. She was very sweet to keep me company because Lily had another client to take care of."

"Oh, Emmeline? That's good. She's very nice, as I'm sure you've figured out. So did she show you around?"

"She did. We went to a few stalls and had a drink together. "And yes, she's very nice. Says she's happy for us."

"Yes, she was very excited about it last we talked. We've really been doing a good job, you and I, because she knows me quite well, and if anyone would see through us, it would be her."

"So... when are you done today?"

"Last show is at seven, and after that there'll probably be some press and we have to socialise a bit with important people at my father's showroom. So it will be late until we can go home."

o0o0o

Lily joined Remus in time to see the final show with him. "Walburga is back there 'helping' dressing and instructing Regulus," she told Remus. "Well, both of them. His father is the designer, after all, so of course he's there."

"I feel sorry for Regulus," Remus sighed. "And he'll probably be in a bad mood when we go home so I better watch me mouth."

"Please do, no matter what. He doesn't need any more to deal with today."

The lights went dim and the loudspeakers introduced the show. "And here, the final show of the opening day: London's very own Orion Black!" People were clapping as the light was turned up again. "And, as I'm sure you all know, Orion's own son will be the star of the show. Everybody, here he is: Regulus Black!"

Regulus walked out to loud applause, followed a little later by the other models, one by one.

"Designers love him," said Lily to Remus. "They always did - but you have increased his popularity with the public, Remus."

"Glad I were good for summat," Remus said, unable to take his eyes off Regulus. He was under the model's spell. The clothes fit him so well you would think it was painted onto him, and Remus had to admit that seeing him move up there turned him on a bit and he wondered what his naked body might feel like.

As soon as the show was finished, Walburga was off her chair, darting backstage.

"Now she's off to tell him all the things he could have done better," sighed Lily. "Although everybody could see he was doing a great job."

o0o0o

Regulus was silent on the car ride home. He was exhausted and frankly feeling like crap. No one had the ability to make him feel as worthless as his mother, and she had been particularly bad today. Regulus guessed she was still annoyed with him for the mess he had gotten himself into which resulted in the need for the scam with Remus.

Remus looked at him a few times, trying to figure out what to say to make him smile and feel better. It was clear to him that Regulus was in a very bad mood but he decided to try anyway. "You were grand today," he said with a smile. "Now it's just home for a warm bath and then to bed, innit?"

"Yeah..." Regulus sighed. "Yeah, I'll do that. Have to get up and do another two shows tomorrow."

o0o0o

Remus was already in bed reading when Regulus was done with his bath. He sat on the edge of the bed for a minute, then crawled under the duvet and rolled into a ball. Remus turned out the light so Regulus could fall asleep. Sleep didn't come, though. Regulus was exhausted but the knot in his chest wouldn't let him relax and sleep. After a while he turned to look at Remus, the moonlight giving him a fairly good view. He looked like he was asleep and Regulus decided to move closer, quietly. When Remus opened his eyes at the movement, Regulus froze. "Um... Is it… is it okay if I lie close to you?" he asked. "It's just that I'm cold. It's really cold tonight."

"Sure," Remus smiled. "How close do you want it?" He raised an arm so that Regulus could get really close if that was what he wanted. Remus hoped he would.

Regulus hesitated for a moment, then decided to dive under Remus' duvet and lie on the side, back turned.

Remus tentatively rolled onto his side, facing Regulus' back and putting an arm around him. "Don't want you to get cold, now," he mumbled.

Regulus grabbed Remus' hand and pulled his arm even tighter around himself, then moved a bit, making himself as comfortable in the other boy's arms as possible. "Thank you," he whispered.

"You're welcome, luv," Remus whispered and softly kissed Regulus' hair. It felt good lying like this, with Regulus so close to him. "You just relax and get some sleep."

And finally Regulus could relax. Remus was warm and comforting, and the cold knot in his chest started loosening and allowed him to drift off to sleep.

o0o0o

Regulus slowly woke as rays of sunlight seeped through the venetian blinds, finding himself enveloped in a warm embrace, his nose pressed into Remus' T-shirt. It was nice; a warm, sleepy scent, and Regulus took a deep breath through the nose. He was too comfortable to move, and the alarm clock would go off when he had to get up, so there was no reason go anywhere now.

"You sleep okay?" Remus mumbled softly, running a hand slowly up and down Regulus' back.

"Mm," hummed Regulus. "I did, actually. I hope I wasn't annoying."

"You weren't. I slept very well. I hope I kept you warm enough." Remus had an incredible urge to kiss Regulus but he was pretty sure it would spoil the moment and there was no way he was going to risk that.

"You did," said Regulus, a little smile tugging at his lips. Thinking about what he had done last night, just slipped under Remus' duvet and cuddled up to him, he was surprised that he didn't feel embarrassed about it now. But he didn't. It felt like the most natural thing in the world lying wrapped up in each other like this. It was probably because Remus had a gift for making people feel comfortable; it was the same with kissing - Regulus had to admit that it felt good, and he knew he kissed him far more than was necessary when out in public. He mostly did it just because he wanted to. Because it felt good. Remus was an amazing kisser, who could probably make anyone like it - gay or not. He was a professional, after all.

They lay there for a long while until Remus heard a dreaded sound: the alarm clock. With a sigh, he let go of Regulus who rolled over to turn it off.

Regulus groaned. "Well... just two shows today and I don't have any for the rest of the week, although I do have to make an appearance a few times to socialise. Have to spend some time in my father's showroom. But the hardest part was yesterday." He didn't get up for another few minutes. "I'm actually looking forward to Spain next week. It'll almost be a little holiday. The shoots only take two days but Lily booked a whole week, so we pretty much have the rest of the week to ourselves to do what we want. She probably thought I needed a break after the fashion week and all the shoots I've done recently."

"Sounds lovely," Remus said. He was looking forward to the trip as well. He had never been out of the country so he was quite excited.