Chapter 4 – It'll Be Loads of Fun

A good month had passed and Regulus seemed to have settled in okay in the apartment, even having come to terms with the fact that they didn't have a housekeeper. However, he was quite a challenge for the others, being very high maintenance – as James put it when he had to say it politely. Also, the brothers were fighting a lot.

"What do you mean, the food I bought isn't good enough?" Sirius barked and slammed the fridge door closed. "It's good enough for everyone else! If you don't like it then why don't you do the shopping for once? You haven't done it once since you got here!"

"It's junk! It's a wonder you lads aren't all blobs of lard. And there are so many things you can't get here. I would kill for some marmite..."

James made a retching sound. "That stuff is the most disgusting thing I ever tasted! Sirius had some once. No sane person would willingly put that in their mouth."

Remus hated it when everyone ganged up on Regulus (although, to be fair, Regulus was usually the one starting it). "Maybe we could get a little bit of everything so everyone is happy?" he suggested. "I mean, Regulus is also chipping in for food so it's only fair that he gets a say."

"Alright, I'll go shopping," said Regulus moodily. He still tried to worm his way out of cooking when he could, both because he thought it was a bit beneath him but mostly because he was embarrassed that he couldn't even boil an egg. Remus had been so kind to offer to help him on the few occasions he had agreed to cook, and that was nice, especially because Regulus very much liked spending time with him alone. He was drawn to Remus, both because he was nice and interesting, and because Regulus found him quite attractive. It was such a pity that he couldn't make a move, but he just wasn't ready to come out to his brother and friends. It had been a catastrophe when he had been outed back home. Not that he thought he would be treated like that here – seeing that the others were perfectly fine with Remus being gay – but Regulus just couldn't deal with it right now. Also, it would no doubt lead to questions about how his parents were taking it. Sirius knew them, after all.

"Want me to tag along?" offered Remus.

"Alright. If you want," shrugged Regulus, trying to sound as if he didn't really care if Remus came or not.

o0o0o

In the store Remus asked Regulus if there was a particular British dish he would like to cook.

"Shepherd's pie would be brilliant," said Regulus. "But I forgot the recipe..."

"I've never tried it," said Remus. "But we could find a recipe on the internet, I'm sure. Is it difficult to make?"

"Um, a little," said Regulus, having no idea how it was made.

"Do you want to cook with me?" Regulus asked as they walked home. "Just so you can learn how to make it yourself. In case you like it."

"Sure," smiled Remus. "I'd love to help."

o0o0o

"Shepherd's pie?" said Sirius when they came home. "Sounds good! I haven't had that in years. Too bad it's you who's cooking, though. It probably won't taste right."

"Well, you aren't getting any with that attitude!" snapped Regulus. "Of course it will turn out right. I'm British, aren't I?"

"That doesn't mean you're born with the ability to cook British dishes," said Sirius. "And your record so far isn't impressive. Your food has only been edible because Remus helped."

"Well, if you don't like my food, then don't eat it!" growled Regulus at his brother. "I'm not forcing it down your throat."

"Give him a break, Sirius," said Remus, actually getting a little irritated with his friend. "It ain't like you're the master chef here either. He'll do fine. Just give him a chance."

"Fine. I can't wait to taste the result," said Sirius and went into the living room, slumping down on the couch next to Peter, swinging his feet up on the coffee table.

Furiously, Regulus slammed the door to the kitchen behind him. "Bloody wanker," he mumbled. He could see Remus looked uncomfortable. He always tried to make peace when someone was arguing.

Remus unpacked the grocery bags and placed the ingredients for the pie on the counter. "Don't let him get to you. He just likes to push your buttons," he said and sent Regulus a smile. He had noticed the past month that that was exactly what Sirius often did. He wasn't sure if it was something he did unconsciously or on purpose.

"Yeah. You'd think he had grown out of that, wouldn't you?" said Regulus. He took out his smartphone and found the recipe they had shopped for. If they followed it closely then perhaps it would turn out okay.

Remus leaned in so he could read the instructions as well. It was a good excuse to get close to Regulus. "If you chop the onions and carrots I'll peel the potatoes. When you're done chopping we'll brown it with the lamb." He found two pots and a large ovenproof dish, then put water in one of the pots and turned on the stove before starting on the potatoes.

Regulus watched Remus as he worked, not really hearing what he said. He liked watching him. When he dropped a potato on the floor and bent down to pick it up, Regulus' eyes were glued to his bottom. A very cute bottom, he thought, especially at this moment. Remus turned his head as he straightened up and Regulus' eyes snapped up, hoping to God the other boy hadn't noticed him staring.

Remus plopped the potatoes into the boiling water and dried his hands in a tea towel. "There." He leaned against the counter and smiled at Regulus.

Regulus tried not to look too blatantly but he couldn't help himself. He had become increasingly taken with Remus since he came, until it had become very frustrating living with him without being able to even tell him he was gay. He knew Remus desired him (that was pretty clear with how he was practically devouring Regulus with his eyes and how he blushed every time they got eye contact), so Regulus would only need to reach out and take what he wanted – but there was a price for that which he wasn't prepared to pay.

Remus forgot to breathe for a moment, surprised and very turned on. Regulus' face was just a few feet from his and he was looking at him with those dark gray eyes. Remus swore they were even darker than usual. Suddenly he couldn't control himself any longer; he stepped forward, grabbed Regulus' face with both hands, and pressed his lips to his in a desperate kiss. The boy seemed to freeze in shock but then his hands grasped Remus shirt and pulled him closer while kissing back enthusiastically. Remus' brain shut down, heat pulsing through his body and his senses going on overdrive.

Suddenly the door opened and they jumped away from each other. Remus quickly checked the potatoes as if nothing had happened.

"Do we got anymore chips?" asked Peter and went to one of the cabinets.

"We're cooking! You can eat chips after dinner if you're still hungry by then!" Remus barked and pushed Peter out the door. "Now get out!"

Looking shocked, Peter left and the door was slammed behind him.

o0o0o

"What - did the little demon bite your head off?" laughed James as he saw the perplexed Peter returning from the kitchen.

"No. It was Remus..."

"Remus?" said Sirius, looking incredulous. Peter sat down, looking miserable, and Sirius put an arm around him. "Don't take it so hard, Pete. Remus is probably just tired and cranky from that huge workload and now he has to cook dinner twice a week as well because he needs to help my brother so he doesn't burn the place down. Also, it must be quite a strain having to work with Mr. high maintenance."

"Still... I didn't do nothing," mumbled Peter.

o0o0o

They didn't speak except about the food while they continued cooking. Regulus was embarrassed. Had he really just kissed Remus? What kind of idiot was he? He didn't need this. Hadn't he had enough trouble with it at home? When Remus gathered plates and cutlery to lay the table, Regulus stopped him. "Er... Don't tell the others, yeah?"

Remus looked at him for a moment and then nodded, feeling his stomach drop. "Sure... I won't say nothing,' he said and took the plates to the living room.

James stopped Remus on the way and asked him what had happened in the kitchen. "You kinda hurt Pete's feelings."

"I'm sorry, but we worked really hard on this food so he shouldn't go stuffing his face with chips right before dinner."

James reached out to touch Remus' forehead. "Are you feeling sick, Remus? You look flushed. I tell you, you're working too hard."

Remus felt himself blush even harder. He nodded. "I might should go to bed early and get a good night's sleep. Maybe that'll help."

They started eating, but Regulus was no longer interested in Sirius' reaction. He could only think of the kiss and how good it had been. It had sent the blood hammering through his veins.

"This is bloody good, actually," said Sirius in surprise and took another bite of the pie. "Well done. Almost as good as the ones Kreacher used to make."

"Thanks," hummed Regulus. It wasn't too bad, he thought, although he had to admit that Kreacher's was still a good deal better.

"Anyone wanna go to a party on campus?" asked James as he returned from the kitchen with a couple of beers. "Gideon told me about it. I'd nearly forgotten."

"Totally!" beamed Peter.

Remus snapped out of his daydream about Regulus and looked over at James. "I really should get to bed early or at least get some work done."

"Oh, come on, Remus. It'll be fun!" said Sirius and slapped him on the shoulder. "And Reggie – you've got to join us. It'll be loads of fun!"

Regulus bit his lip and glanced at Remus, then back at Sirius. "Er..."

"Come on, Reggie," said Sirius excitedly. "I've never been out partying with you! I don't even know what kind of partyer you are; if you're the quiet bloke in the corner or dancing on the bar."

"I'm neither, thank you very much," said Regulus.

"Don't be such party poopers, you two," said James.

"Alright," sighed Remus and glanced nervously at Regulus, hoping that he would come as well.

"Brilliant!" beamed Sirius and then turned to send pleading eyes at his brother.

"Okay. If it makes you happy," said Regulus.

o0o0o

After dinner they all started getting ready. Regulus was in his room deciding which clothes to wear when his brother stuck his head in and tossed him a towel. "Bathroom's free now if you need it."

Regulus decided to wear nothing but the towel around his waist on his walk through the apartment to the bathroom, hoping that Remus was in the living room. Regulus didn't know why he suddenly felt like showing off. He had always been a very discrete person, but for some reason he really felt like tempting Remus.

Remus looked up from the book he was reading when Regulus pranced through the living room, and his jaw nearly hit the floor. It took a moment before he realized how much he was staring, and he quickly raised his book to hide his blushing face.

James and Sirius laughed as soon as Regulus had closed the door to the bathroom.

"Like what you see, Remus?" asked James. "Since I'm straight as a nail I couldn't tell how hot he is, but judging from the color on your face I'd say it's very."

Remus gulped, still hiding behind the book. Was he really that obvious?

"Of course he's hot," said Sirius. "He's my brother."

"You're so full of it," said James and threw a pillow at Sirius.

"Hey -" said Sirius suddenly. "Why don't you gawk at me like that when I walk around the flat half-naked?"

"He's been desensitized, dude,"" said James. "When you've seen something a thousand times it gets old."

"Are you telling me that this body is getting old?" said Sirius, pointing to his own chest.

"That's what I'm saying," grinned James and tried to make a run for it, but Sirius was on him in a second.

Remus had to jump for his life not to get squashed under them as them stumbled onto the couch.

"Remus likes the young and fresh model," gasped James, struggling for breath while Sirius was pressing him into the couch. "He doesn't want second hand goods. Is your brother a virgin? Fresh meat, Remus," he grinned.

Remus felt his face turn even redder so he left the living room to go find some clothes so he was ready to take a shower when Regulus was done.

"I don't know if he's a virgin," said Sirius, finally letting James go and sitting up straight. "It wouldn't surprise me."

"Really?" said Peter. "He's 18! And good looking, too, so scoring must be easy for him. Why would he be a virgin?"

"Because he's uptight," said Sirius "He refuses to talk about birds when I ask him about it. And you know Emmeline from the diner? She's pretty hot, but he turned her down the other day when she'd finally picked up the courage to ask him out."

"Maybe she just ain't his type. Maybe he got standards, unlike you who'll jump anything in a skirt," grinned James, backed up by applause from Peter.

Sirius stuck out his tongue.

"I wonder what his type is," speculated James. "Maybe we'll find out tonight at the party."

"Yeah. It would be good for him to hook up with someone. Maybe that would loosen him up a bit," said Sirius and leaned back on the couch.

Peter nodded. "Yup. That would definitely be doing us a favor."

Regulus came out from the bathroom half an hour later, buttoning up his royal blue satin shirt, his hair shining black and falling in perfect cascades around his face.

"What the hell took you so long?" growled Sirius, who had knocked on the door and yelled for him to hurry up several times the past twenty minutes.

"I had to make myself presentable for the event, didn't I?"

"You're not a bird," said Sirius. "Only birds and homos take that long in front of the mirror. No offence, Remus."

"Well, Sirius, it takes a long time getting a clean shave when you have such a heavy beard growth," James grinned, knowing how it bothered the younger Black when hinted at how young he looked.

Remus eyed Regulus in admiration, wishing the others weren't there so he could tell him how amazing he looked in that shirt, and maybe even ask for another kiss.

"Hurry and take a shower, Remus," said Sirius. "Thanks to Reggie you only have ten minutes."

o0o0o

There were a lot of people at the party and a cheerful atmosphere. They found a table in the middle of the action where many of James' and Sirius' study-mates were sitting. Regulus was impressed with just how many people seemed to know the two, but then again, he had to admit that they both seemed to have an aura of charisma around them; especially when they were together. Sirius had always been like that, Regulus remembered from school back when he was in the early grades and Sirius one of the big kids.

"That's my brother, Regulus," Sirius informed a girl who was smiling at Regulus.

"He's really cute! You can totally tell he's your little brother," she said and fluttered her lashes at Regulus.

Remus felt a knot form in his stomach. He was sitting next to Regulus, but the girl squeezed herself in between them, forcing Remus to scoot over.

More girls payed attention to Regulus.

"Oh, Sirius - why didn't you bring him sooner?"

"I love your accent – it so British!"

"Yes, it would be strange if I spoke Australian when I'm from London," commented Regulus.

Remus sat moodily sipping at his beer. Well he kissed me and not you stupid girls.

"So are you as good as your brother?" flirted a short brunette leaning toward Regulus. She was one of many girls who had had a fling with Sirius.

"Of course I am," said Regulus before realizing what she meant by good.

"Wanna show me?" she said and leaned even closer.

"No, he doesn't!" Remus blurted. The girl turned her head to look at him in surprise.

"I said I was as good as Sirius," said Regulus, pleased with Remus' apparent jealousy, "Not that I was as promiscuous as him."

"Well, I would still like a go," said the girl and puffed her lips. She was quite drunk, that was clear. Peter was staring at her. Or rather at her cleavage.

Remus almost couldn't take it. He just wanted to push the girl away from Regulus and take him for himself.

"I'm not a ride at an amusement park!" said Regulus harshly, having had enough of the girl's antics. "There - have a go at Peter," he said, giving her a push in Peter's direction. "I think he's dying to give you a ride. For free and everything."

Peter caught the girl as she stumbled into his lap and sent Regulus a grateful smile.

Remus was glad that Regulus had rejected her but still needed a little break, so he got up and went to get another drink at the bar.

"I think I'll have another drink," said Regulus and got to his feet. "Better have Remus buy it for me." It was a good excuse because Regulus wasn't 21 and he didn't look anywhere near it, either.

Remus sat causally at the bar stirring a drink when he spotted Regulus approaching him. "Hey," he smiled at the young Brit. "Can I buy you a drink?"

Regulus nodded. "Gin and tonic, please." He handed Remus a couple of dollars. "What are you having?"

"Vodka and juice."

"What's up with you, anyway?" asked Regulus. "You seem... I don't know. Upset."

"I'm not upset," said Remus and bit his lip. "I just... well... That girl hanging on you like that… she just got on my nerves."

Regulus smiled to himself. He knew it, of course, but he enjoyed hearing it, nevertheless. "Well... I didn't lead her on, did I, now?"

"No, you didn't, but she was still annoying," mumbled Remus. "She really wanted you."

"Yes, that was obvious. American birds are so pushy!"

"Yeah... when they see something they want they ain't shy about it," Remus sighed and took a large gulp of his drink before putting the glass down. "Well... let's go back to the others before they start wondering where we went."

They found Peter trying his best to charm the short brunette, and Sirius flirting heavily with a blonde girl with a pixie cut. James was entertaining a group of freshmen with a tall tale about something that had happened in his first year.

"Doesn't seem like they missed us all that much," smiled Remus and looked at Regulus as they sat down at the table. He leaned toward Regulus and asked: "How's the drink?"

"Good. Very British," said Regulus. He missed home terribly and that was part of the reason he made such an effort to find British food and drink. "Americans aren't big fans of G & T, are they?"

Remus shook his head. "I never had one," he said and wondered how it would taste on Regulus' luscious lips.

"Have a try," said Regulus and handed Remus his glass.

Remus took a sip and licked his lip before handing the glass back to Regulus. "It's not bad," he smiled.

Regulus watched his lips as he licked them. He was getting a bit drunk and it made him want Remus. A lot. He finished his drink and stood up. "Lads - I think I'll go home. Didn't sleep much last night."

"Already?" said Sirius and looked at his watch.

"Yes, I'm tired."

"I'll walk you home," said Remus. "I'm pretty beat too." He looked at the others. "All that work I've been doing lately, you know…"

Regulus had counted on Remus leaving as well. It was clear that they were on the same page.

A/N: Thanks to Guest for the review :)

Sorry for being such a tease and cutting right here, but the chapter was getting long...