ACT FIVE: Part Two

                                    

                                          

Chapter Notes 
warnings for this chapter: drug use (a few characters get a little high, nothing too heavy, just a lot of giggling, and it's the only time it happens), and an abundance of fluff with a few little bittersweet moments mixed in. oh, and also james having a firm grasp on consent! enjoy! :) 
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Regulus' friends are laughing at him. 
"And—and after all of that," Barty wheezes, "you've ended up becoming his boyfriend for real!" 
"You fought so hard, and for what?" Dorcas chokes out, nearly crying, curled up as she cradles her stomach. 
Through her giggles, Pandora manages to get out, "I told you there'd be no use in trying to stop it. Oh, you're hopeless." 
"He—he got you. James Potter got you!" Evan crows, leaning over against Barty as they laugh uproariously. 
"Regulus, two weeks ago," Dorcas announces, setting her face into a pout. "Oh, James doesn't love me. He doesn't want me. It's not real. He's in love with Lily Evans." 
"He fake confessed his love for me," Barty declares dramatically, pressing the back of his hand against his forehead before promptly dumping himself over in Evan's lap. 
Evan cups his face in his hands and curls over him, gasping loudly. "Oh, I'm so heartbroken. I had to end things with him. After all that time he spent being absolutely besotted with me, I knew I'd never know true happiness, because it was all a lie!" 
"Evan, I have to tell you, I'm deeply in love with you and want to spend the rest of my life with you," Barty announces, reaching up to cup his cheeks in return, staring deeply, soulfully into his eyes. 
"No, I don't believe you," Evan replies solemnly. "I simply do not accept it. There's no way it could be true, because it's everything I want, and I'd never get to have what I want." 
"But love, you could have me, if only you'd have me," Barty insists, stroking his cheek. 
"Have you? How can I have you when you belong to another?" Evan asks, sighing sadly. 
"No, I belong only to you," Barty chokes out, then clears his throat and blinks. "You know, I should tell you, I'm actually very attracted to you right now." 
"Oh, shut up," Evan says with a laugh, rolling his eyes and pinching Barty's cheeks, his gaze warm. 
Barty stares up at him. "You think I'm joking, but I'm not. Oh, won't you be the Regulus Black to my James Potter?" 
"Without question," Evan assures him, winking, then he ducks in and smacks a kiss to Barty's forehead. He's still chuckling when he straightens up, and Barty grins. 
"You're all awful and I hate you," Regulus says. 
Dorcas sighs and puts her cheek over on her fist. "Sorry, but what are you expecting? You've been a mess about James for months, Reg, and then you show up just casually stating you're dating now. Again, but for real this time. I mean, honestly." 
"I realize that this is embarrassing, but if you could all try being supportive for once," Regulus grumbles. 
"Oi!" Evan protests. "We've been nothing but supportive this entire time, from beginning to end." "Obviously we're very happy for you," Pandora says, "but you can't expect us not to find the humor in it. Regulus, it's quite literally the most ridiculous thing any of us have ever done, and Barty once broke eight laws personally set by his father just because he was bored." 
"And I got away with it, too," Barty mutters. He sighs. "I reckon this means you'll be going for Easter break next month, and I'll be left here all alone."