July 18: Fake | @jegulus-microfic | Word Count: 278

july 18: fake | @jegulus-microfic | word count: 278

“You’re not real. You can’t be,” he whispered as the man he loved stroked the side of his face.

“I’m here, I’m here and I’m real and I love you so much, darling.”

Regulus screwed his eyes shut before the tears could fall. “No. You’re fake. It’s fake, it’s fake, it’s f—“

“I’m here, you can feel me, I’m real, it’s not fake, please, Regulus, just look at me,” the other man pleaded quietly, thumbs swiping gently at tears on Regulus’ cheeks.

Regulus opened his eyes and stared at him through the haziness of tears.

And there he was. James. With his tanned skin and dark curls. Eyes so focused on Regulus that one might have thought that he was the only thing James had ever seen in his life. 

Regulus clutched at James’ arms, straining to find a way to get closer. To see he’s really here.

“It’s just me, love. Please, breathe. You’ve known me for 9 years, we’ve been dating for 5 months,” James reassured him. “None of this is fake.”

“It has to be!” Regulus burst out with a heaving sob. “I’m not lucky enough to actually have you in my life. I-It can’t be real. I’m not that lucky!”

“Reg…”

Regulus wrenched out another sob and crumpled into James’ chest. 

“You’re too good for me… I don’t— I can’t deserve this… Please… Don’t leave me, Jamie…”

“I’ll never leave you, darling. You deserve the world, please don’t ever tell yourself otherwise.”

Regulus felt a kiss on the top of his head as he sobbed, curling into James’ embrace.

“I love you, Regulus. I’m here.”

“I love you too, Jamie. Thank you for staying.”

july 15: accept | @jegulus-microfic | word count: 215

Regulus truly believed he was the greatest actor to exist.

Whenever he was home, he’d slip into the character that Walburga and Orion punished into perfection. Pretending to respect them was the only to protect himself from getting punished. 

Whenever he was at Hogwarts, he’d slip into the character of the cold, cruel Prince of Slytherin. He’d pretend to not care about a thing in the world. He was sure that was the only reason his friends stuck with him.

Whenever he was around his brother, he had to slip into a character that didn’t want to just collapse in his big brother’s arms.

The only time when Regulus had been free was when he laid in his bed at night and imagined a world where he could be himself.

That was until James came along.

James was the first person to ever accept Regulus as he truly was. Regulus could cry and scream and laugh and grin and just feel when he was with James.

Around James, Regulus felt so incredibly loved that he wanted to cry. With every touch and word, James made him feel like he was made of pure sunshine. With every kiss and lingering look, he felt like he was finally at home. 

Around James, Regulus never had to act.

June 28: lawyer | @jegulus-microfic | word count: 514

*surgeon x patient au* previous part, part one

James strode through the hallways of the hospital clutching Remus’ unfinished charts in one hand, the other resting on his pager on his hip. James came to a stop in front of the on-call room and inhaled deeply. He pressed an ear to the door to try to see if anything was… happening in there. James didn’t hear anything so he felt it was probably safe enough to go in. He swung the door open and made a beeline for where he saw a tangle of limbs under a blanket.

“Hey, Lupin.” James dropped the charts right on top of Remus, and let out a chuckle when he heard small grumbles omit from under the blanket. 

Remus’ head popped out from underneath and with it the disheveled head of Sirius Black.

Sirius’ eyes bulged and he blushed wildly. 

“James’, mate, what are you on, like, seriously? I told you I’d be busy,” Remus muttered angrily, running a hand through his hair and fixing a glare on him.

“Mate, you left behind all your charts with me and, I’m not going to do them, I’ve got enough paperwork to do already. Plus, the hospital board lawyers’ll have your head if you keep slacking off,” James said flatly. “Oh, hey, Sirius,” he added with a little wave to the other man, who looked a little terrified right now.

Remus turned to Sirius and James heard him murmur, “Love, it’s fine, James isn’t going to tell the whole hospital about us.” Sirius almost instantly relaxed and threw on a lopsided grin, holding out a hand for James to shake. James took it and smiled back. 

Suddenly, James remembered something. “Black, you’ve got a brother, right?”

“Yeah,” Sirius responded.

“Well, he’s admitted here right now, and I’m his doctor, thought you should probably know or something,” James explained.

“Oh,” he waved his hand carelessly, “I forced that little git here. Put up such a fight.” He laughed fondly. “He slipped on a pool deck then fell in and almost drowned, honestly, it was quite hilarious at first, until he started screaming and thrashing around,” Sirius told James, voice more serious now, “So, like the amazing older brother that I am, I jumped in and dragged his arse out. Then, I forced him to come here because his knee was looking pretty rough.”

James nodded and said, “Yeah, his X-Rays showed a couple of fractures so I’m planning on doing an ORIF. That’s an open reduction and internal fixation surgery.” Sirius nodded and gave James a double thumbs up. James grinned. 

Sirius opened his mouth like he was about to add something else but then James’ pager went off, beeping madly, cutting him off abruptly. “Sorry, chat was lovely with you two, Remus— do your charts, mate, and Sirius— I’m taking good care of your brother, don’t worry,” James said, “Right lads, I’ve got to run, 911 page.”

James left the room and immediately checked his pager while shuffling down the hallway. His heart dropped to his stomach when he saw the room he was being called to.

Regulus.

next part

july 4: wings | @jegulus-microfic | word count: 728

*surgeon x patient au*

previous part, part one

Regulus stirred slightly in his sleep. Yesterday had been an emotionally taxing day. What with him discovering he fancied his own doctor and then said doctor flirting right back at him. So, of course Regulus was a bit tired. After James had finished giving Regulus a rundown of everything to expect from getting surgery, he stuck around for another hour, claiming that if anyone needed him, they could just page him. After spending more time with James, Regulus realized that underneath James' outer layer of charisma, was a dumb, funny, sweet, and overall annoying man. Regulus couldn’t help but be intrigued.

Regulus stirred again in his sleep. His eyes slowly fluttered open and he yelped when he saw a face staring down at him.

“Barty!” Regulus cried, jumping back as his friend grinned in his face. “I thought I told you to stop waking me up like that!”

“Hello, past lover,” Barty crooned, clutching Regulus’ face tightly and smacking a dramatic smooch on his forehead.

Regulus groaned, a small smile on his lips. He glanced to the side and made eye contact with Evan. “Mate, how many times have I told you to put a leash on him?” he asked as Evan peeled Barty off Regulus and deposited him in a chair on the side.

Barty smirked evilly up at Evan. “He has.” He bit his lip, eyes dark.

Evan snorted, smirking back down at Barty.

“Christ, Barty, you’re in public,” Pandora chimed in from where she was standing on the opposite side of Regulus’ bed. “Hey, Reg,” she purred, giving him a quick hug.

“How has my favorite past lover been feeling?” Barty sat his head on his fist. 

Regulus rolled his eyes.

Barty shot up from his chair at the sound of his friend’s silence. “You’re not all of a sudden dying now, are you?”

Regulus raised an eyebrow at his best friend.

“Oh, Reggie, tell me you haven’t sprouted angel wings and plan on flying to heaven!” Barty wailed, jumping into Regulus’ lap.

“Barty.” 

The other man looked up from where he had been hugging Regulus’ waist and smiled at him mischievously. Regulus couldn’t help but grin back and respond with a deadpanned, “Oh, yes, actually, I’ve already died and I am a ghost.”

“Reg, but seriously, how are you?” Pandora asked quietly.

“The painkillers they gave me have got the pain down to almost nothing,” he shrugged. He didn’t feel anything, just a twinge every now and then. The power of the medicine honestly impressed him more than anything. He squeezed Pandora’s hand reassuringly to let her know he really was okay.

Barty snapped his fingers in his face to get his attention. “Dollface, you think you might be able to slide me some of whatever they’ve got you on?” Barty quirked an eyebrow up then scowled when Evan hit him on the shoulder.

“No,” Evan reprimanded. “You’ve just gone clean 2 weeks ago.” His eyebrows were furrowed together. “Please, love, you’re doing so good this time,” Evan pleaded, face gone softer.

Barty’s face also softened. “I know,” he murmured, “was just trying to poke a little fun at our boy all hopped up on the hospital’s meds.” Barty pouted innocently at his boyfriend. “I didn’t mean it, Ev.”

Evan nodded stiffly, gripped Barty’s shoulder affectionately, then turned to dig in the bag he had thrown over his own shoulder. “Regulus, I’ve brought you that book we were texting about yesterday,” he said handing him a book with a smooth black cover.

Barty, still sitting in Regulus’ lap, snatched the book first and flipped to the cover page inside. “Ooh, If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio,” he read aloud. He gingerly set the book on Regulus’ nightstand. He moved his hands to Regulus’ cheeks and patted them while saying, “I admire you, babycakes, I wouldn’t have the patience to put up with a single—“

He got cut off by James Potter entering the room. All heads turned in sync to look at James questioningly. Meanwhile, James blushed a deep shade of red, some form alarm and chagrin flashing in his eyes. Regulus couldn’t possibly figure out what reason James would have to be chagrined in this moment though.

“Woah, who’s the Adonis that just walked through the door?” Barty exclaimed from where he was still in Regulus’ lap and clutching at Regulus’ face.

next part

july 17: fee | @jegulus-microfic | word count: 406

Regulus was aware that he was going about 20 over the speed limit. But he was so, so late for his meeting. He didn’t care that he was being a tad reckless. He had to get to that meeting.

When Regulus saw the flashing lights and siren in his rearview mirror, he cursed as he slowed and pulled over. He felt like he might cry. He’s never gotten pulled over before.

He heard the door of the cop’s car shut and he shakily pressed the button to roll his window down. The cop took the hat he was wearing off his head when he reached Regulus’ door, and Regulus really wished he had kept the hat on. Because underneath the hat was probably the most handsome man Regulus had ever seen. Perfectly tanned skin, dazzling grin, piercing eyes, and a mess up dark curls on his head. 

“So,” the cop started, “you know why I pulled you over?”

Regulus nodded, probably too eagerly and managed to choke out, “I was, ah, speeding.”

The cop put his hands on his hips. “Indeed you were, love.” A smile was pulling on his lips. “Before I write a ticket, I’ll need to see your license and registration.”

Regulus dug in his glove compartment and handed over his papers and license. “Is this going to take long? I have a very important meeting to get to,” Regulus pleaded. 

The cop laughed, pulling out a notepad and pen, and Regulus’ heart did a flop in his chest. “Writing the ticket right now, love, don’t worry about that meeting.” 

He handed back Regulus’ papers, fingers brushing slightly. Regulus was ashamed that the small touch had sent lightning bolts up his arm. Regulus quickly stashed the paperwork away, and turned quickly back to the cop. 

The cop tore a piece of paper off his notepad, folded it, and handed it to Regulus, brushing their fingers again. “Make sure to watch your speed in the future, love.” The cop winked. “I’m James by the way.” And with that, the cop retreated back to his car.

Regulus put his window back up and slowly unfolded the paper, expecting a hefty fee.

He blinked. There wasn’t a fine written in the paper. Just a phone number and a note that read:

Let me take you somewhere fancy.

And don’t speed.

Call me- James

p.s. Charming your officers out of a ticket doesn’t work every time, love. 

some people think writers are so eloquent and good with words, but the reality is that we can sit there with our fingers on the keyboard going, “what’s the word for non-sunlight lighting? Like, fake lighting?” and for ten minutes, all our brain will supply is “unofficial”, and we know that’s not the right word, but it’s the only word we can come up with…until finally it’s like our face got smashed into a brick wall and we remember the word we want is “artificial”.