Chapter Text
The newly named Potter-Lupin-Black household woke to a thudding sound at the door as if someone was knocking but very softly in an almost sophisticated manner. James Potter of course was the only one awake since the sun had hardly finished rising, so he opened the door with ease.
When he saw knights from the kingdom in front of him James nearly ran to the other room to grab his sword but quickly found that the men and women in front of him meant no harm. “A letter from the king,” the woman stated, handing James a letter with a deep green wax seal on it. The knights rode away on their horses before James had a chance to ask how they’d even found the cottage.
“Who was at the door?” Remus asked, rubbing his eyes as he left his and Sirius’ bedroom with a yawn.
“I don’t think you’d believe me if I told you,” James said with a grin, handing Remus the letter. “Here. I haven’t opened it yet.”
Remus looked at him strangely before seeing the seal on the letter, his eyebrows raised in anticipation as he opened the envelope. “King Regulus Black formally invites you, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, James Potter, and Lily Potter to the first-ever, Autumn Charity Ball, in which all townsfolk from neighboring kingdoms alike can join us in celebration of our newfound unity, peace, and prosperity.”
“Holy shit,” James said. “We’re going to a ball! With royalty and aristocrats and all those other hoity-toity people!”
“Who says we’re going?” Remus replied. “I don’t think we’re cut out for that sort of thing. Besides, where would we get the clothes? It’s a formal event isn’t it?”
“Remus,” James sighed, pointing at the letter. “Do you really not understand what this means?”
“That Regulus took over the kingdom and that Walburga will stop killing and torturing people?”
“Well yes, obviously, but this is about more than celebrating Regulus’ newfound leadership it’s about celebrating us. We’re finally free! We don’t have to steal anymore, or- or run from the knights, or worry about anything really. Regulus has done so much to help us, shouldn’t we repay him by going to his charity ball thing?”
“I don’t know. I just- I don’t really think I’d fit in with that sort of crowd. What if I use the wrong spoon to eat the fruit and everyone laughs at me? What if I don’t wear the right cufflinks with my jacket and I look like an idiot? What if I-”
“-First of all, I’m sure nobody is going to make fun of you for your utensil habits,” James said. “Second of all, Sirius would want you there. Even if it makes you uncomfortable or nervous or anxious, you should still go to support him. I’m sure he’s nervous to go back to the castle too after everything that went on there both before and after we met him.”
Remus sighed. “You’re right,” he said. “Christ, why are you always right about these things with Sirius? You usually give terrible advice.”
“Because Lillian’s pregnancy has awakened something in me. Perhaps I’m a bit of a love whisperer now.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“Maybe,” he said. “But not when it comes to love.”
“Good morning, boys,” Lily said from across the kitchen. She looked like a goddess so effortlessly with her fiery hair rolling down her shoulders and her hand wrapped loosely around her stomach.
“Did you sleep well, my love?”
“It’s a bit hard getting used to sleeping on land, but I’m managing,” she replied, with a tired smile. “What’s that?”
“An invitation from Regulus,” James replied, eagerly handing it to her. “We’ve been invited to a ball, Lily. A fucking ball!”
“I take it that means you’d like to go?” she asked.
“Do you not want to? If you don’t we definitely do not have to go-”
“-No, no I want to go,” she said. “I’m just amused by how thrilled you are.”
“How could I not be? We get to see how the other side lives! It’s going to be incredible. I can feel it in my bones.”
Finally, Sirius emerged from the bedroom, trying to flatten his tangled hair with his fingers as he walked into the room. “What’s wrong with James’ bones?” he asked, clearly still partially asleep.
“They’re exploding from excitement,” James replied, walking over to Sirius to place the letter in his hands.
Sirius’ eyes scanned the letter quickly before a strange expression fell onto his face, somewhere between anxiety and uncertainty. “Wow. Regulus always talked about wanting to do something like this. I never thought he actually would.”
“Do you not want to go?” James asked, clearly distraught by how unexcited Sirius was.
“No, I do, I just never really had a whole lot of fun at the balls my parents used to throw, always introducing me to bigoted family members and girls they wanted me to marry,” Sirius said. “But this time it’ll be different, right?”
“Exactly,” James said. “Because we’ll be there with you making sure you have the time of your life, to make up for all the other shitty balls you were forced to go to.”
“Are you sure? You guys really don’t have to go if you don’t want to-” Sirius said, making eye contact with Remus. He could tell that James and Lily wanted to go, but Remus hadn’t said anything yet. He didn’t want to force Remus into his world if he wasn’t up for it. After all, the majority of the people in his “world” were gigantic assholes.
“You’re crazy if you think I’d ever pass up the opportunity to have the bloody prince on my arm. I mean come on Sirius-”
“-Alright, alright,” Sirius replied. “But if we’re going to go you have to let me style you so we can coordinate. I’m afraid nothing in your current wardrobe, although very sexy and charming, will do for the ball.”
“So off to the seamstress after lunch then?” Remus asked.
“You took the words right out of my mouth.”
The halls and various dining rooms of the castle were decorated with warm, gold and red lining the walls in the spirit of autumn. This was much brighter than the usual decor which often took the shade of a dark green or gray, and Regulus found that it fit his new vision for the kingdom perfectly.
“This is incredible,” Marlene said, wearing a stunning purple dress much more comfortable than her stiff knight armor. “I never thought I’d see the day when common folk could enter this castle.”
“It’s wonderful isn’t it?” Regulus said. “Everyone looks so happy.”
“Of course they’re happy,” Mary chimed in, coming from around the corner with two beverages in her hands. One for herself and one for her lover. “We have the best king in the world.”
“Regulus!” Sirius yelled, shoving past the crowds of people to hug his brother fiercely. “This is- God this is bloody incredible! I knew you’d make a good king but this is just- wow.”
“I’m glad the party is to your liking,” Regulus replied. “It’s good to see you back on your feet again. Only you could bounce back so quickly from such an ailment.”
“Well, mother did always say I was annoyingly resilient.”
“Are you engaged?” Regulus asked suddenly, noticing the glimmering of silver in his peripheral vision.
Sirius shrugged with a smile, turning his back to Regulus for a moment to beckon Remus to come their way. “Regulus, I'd like you to formally meet my husband, Remus Lupin.”
“Husband?”
“Well, not officially since we cannot marry legally, but we might as well be,” Remus interjected. “I hope you don’t mind my intrusion into the royal family, King Regulus.”
“Oh, would you stop with that! I told you to just call me Regulus when we were friends and now that we’re family you still won’t!” he laughed. “If you continue to call me king I will continue to call you captain.”
“Fine,” Remus said. “We can call a truce, but I make zero promises about James.”
Of course, right on cue, James Potter came barreling into view. “King Regulus!”
“James,” Regulus replied stiffly. “A pleasure as always.” James bowed before the king in response, before shoving another pastry from the dessert table into his mouth. Lily was beside him in a gorgeous light blue gown, the tulle of it stretching around her baby bump effortlessly.
“Marlene! Mary!” Sirius said suddenly when the two women walked toward the group, sipping on champagne. “I’m so happy for you both, truly.”
“Thank you, love,” Mary replied, embracing Sirius in a hug after he and Marlene did the same. “We’re both very happy for you too.” She gestured toward the ring before winking at Remus. He couldn’t help but smile.
The group of friends turned family spent the rest of the evening dancing, eating, and laughing. James had a bit too much to drink, Sirius spent nearly an hour teaching Remus how to waltz properly, and Regulus mostly watched over the crowd with a smile on his face. Everyone looked as at ease as he felt with the kingdom in his hands.
Perhaps Sirius had been right all along.
“How are your feet not tired yet?” Sirius asked, Remus’ face glistening with sweat and glee. His clothes were an olive-green color that made his eyes sparkle with a swirling paisley pattern that could only be seen in the light. Although Remus had been skeptical about the fancy outfit, Sirius could tell that he felt as good as he looked.
“You ask that like I’m not a retired pirate captain.”
“Fair enough,” Sirius responded. “I love the sound of that y’know- retired. The retired prince and the retired pirate captain, living out the rest of their days calmly in the countryside, living off of the land.”
“I love the sound of it too,” Remus said, moving back slightly to lift their joined hands over his head.
Sirius laughed and let Remus spin him in circles before he was dipped below Remus’ waist. “I never taught you those moves.”
Remus scoffed playfully. “I have danced before, Sirius. I may be a criminal but I’m not an animal.”
“Are you sure about that? Do you not remember last night?”
“Not ringing any bells I’m afraid,” he replied. “I’m afraid you’ll just have to remind me.”
Sirius had a smirk on his face, looking as adorable and seductive as ever. “I’d be delighted.”
After their night of fun, Remus woke up in Sirius’ old bedroom, alone, yet warm. The room was lavish and crafted beautifully. It was as if he was sitting in a painting rather than present in a real room and although Sirius probably hated it, it did remind Remus of him in so many ways.
The floors were a beautifully stained wood covered in unique spots and scratches that matched Sirius’ skin. The sheets on the bed were a cool gray that was soft under his fingertips much like the tender look in Sirius’ eyes when he reciprocated words of love. The curtains were black and made of silk similar to Sirius’ hair that piled on his shoulders and fell around his collarbones flawlessly.
Despite Sirius’ absence at that moment, he was still there in essence, but that was not enough.
Remus got out of bed, fighting against his body’s protests, and eventually found his way into the backyard where Sirius was laid out on the ground in the center of the garden. His hair was splayed out in all directions and his white sleeping shirt would probably end up stained by the grass beneath him though Sirius did not care.
He made his way over to the prince, shutting the backdoor behind him as he walked slowly. Without a word, he laid down beside Sirius on nature’s lush green carpet and let the other man roll into him.
Since Sirius had met Remus, he started to notice the gifts the Earth had given him more than ever before. He found sunsets more beautiful and wished he was a painter so he could replicate them. He found himself smiling at the warmth of the sun on his skin and enjoying how blades of grass felt on the bottoms of his feet.
He’d been stuck in a cycle of surviving and merely getting through the day for so long, but now he was finally allowed to live, and Remus had been the one to revive him.
He took comfort in how nearly everything wonderful in life reminded him of his lover, the moon, the smell of the flowers, even the color green.
That was the craziest part of it all to Sirius, how drastically his opinion of green had changed because only months prior, there was no color he hated more. It was the staple of the royal family, a rich dark green that would bring unease to those facing their wrath. Though now when Sirius looked at the leaves on the trees and the stems of flowers all he saw was the man he loved staring back at him.
Remus had such stupidly perfect eyes that Sirius could get lost in for the rest of his life if he was able. They were a gorgeous hazel-green color that shimmered in the sun, revealing flecks of gold near his pupil and a beautiful deep olive around the rim of his iris. Even his damaged eye was beautiful as if his left eye was the palette of colors a painter had used to create the right.
Everything about Remus was a work of art and Sirius was utterly in love with every crack and crevice of him, just his essence was enough to make the prince swoon.
The freckles on his skin were constellations and the scars on his skin were lines in the sky formed by shooting stars. Sirius had always loved astronomy and nature, so sue him for falling in love with Remus, a man who was as alluring as the night sky and as charming as the Earth’s flora.
Remus cuddled into Sirius further, letting himself bask in the warmth of the prince. He let his eyes flutter closed when he felt a hand run through his hair. Sirius couldn’t help but smile so wide his jaw ached.
“Can I tell you a secret?” Sirius asked. Remus hummed softly in response, indicating that Sirius should continue. “I think I’m in love with you.”
“Is that so?” Remus asked, teasing.
“It is, I’m afraid. There’s no getting rid of me now,” Sirius replied with a sparkle in his eye that could only be the handiwork of Aphrodite herself.
“Well in that case,” he began, shifting so that he could look the love of his life in the eyes before saying tenderly, “I’m in love with you too.”