Barty Asf:

barty asf:

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 2: doctor | @jegulus-microfic | word count: 1,036

*surgeon x patient au*

Previous part, part one

James smiled to himself softly, replaying the day's events in his mind like a movie. He was convinced that this was definitely the best day of his life. James has, of course, had many great days, such as his 21st birthday, and the day he graduated med school. He might be overexcited about this all, but he was sure that this day ranked on the list for best days ever. Oh yes. Yes, yes, yes.

"Potter."

James' head snapped up at McGonagalls' sharp voice. "Yes, Minnie?"

"Are you done daydreaming or will be getting your work done today?" She raised an eyebrow skeptically. 

If he was honest, James had forgotten where he had been. He took snuck a glance of his surroundings and saw he was sitting at a computer with an article on knee bones and joints opened. "Minnie," he scoffed jokingly, "of course I'm getting my work done." He raised his hands innocently. "Just doing a little research, that's all. Plus, I've finished my charts already," James grinned at her.

"Alright, Potter but to let you know, your darn pager's been going off for a while now, it might be important," McGonagall told him curtly, leaving the little room afterward. 

Sighing, James lazily picked up his pager then jumped to his feet when he saw the room.

Regulus. 

James' breathed out in relief that it wasn't a 911 page, nevertheless, he still had a snippet of worry tugging at the back of his mind. However, despite his worries, James was ecstatic. Regulus wanted to see him. Regulus wanted to see him. James smirked. His plan had worked. 

After Dorcas told him that Regulus liked him, James decided to play the card he knew always worked: playing hard to get. And, oh, was it working. 

James was so pleased with himself that he made the grand decision to beatbox as he sauntered to Regulus' room. He bobbed his head to the tune he was making up as he entered the lift. He turned, back to the still open doors, and scanned the papers on the tiny bulletin board in there. 

"James!"

James whipped around at the sound of his name to see Sirius standing behind him, hands on his hips. The doors to lift were closed and Sirius had already punched in the floor number he was traveling to. 

"Christ, Sirius, you scared me!" James blurted out with a chuckle.

"Well, I wanted to have a word with you, actually," Sirius said, smiling, though his eyes told a different story. He took a step towards James. "Dorcas told me." Sirius' eyes flashed dangerously.

James heart seemed to do some sort of backflip inside his chest. "Uh, t-told you, um, what, exactly?" James choked out, scratching his head nonchalantly and suddenly becoming very interested in the bulletin board again. 

Sirius sidestepped and stood in front of James face. James had to look down at him because he was a few inches shorter than he was. If he was honest, Sirius looked hilarious like that, glaring up at James through his curly black bangs with the rest of his long hair tied up in a knot on his head. 

"She told me you've been making lovey-eyes at my little brother!"

"I-"

Sirius fully just put his hand on James' face to stop him from talking. "Mate," he started, "I know that us Black brothers are very, very pretty, but when you're operating on my brother, please try not to focus on our dashing family genes and focus on the surgery at hand and do your job as a doctor." Sirius grinned. "I'd tell you you're picking wrong brother, and I'd tell you that out of the two of us, I'm the one with the magically delicious looks, but, frankly, I'm quite taken with your friend, Remus," Sirius waggled his eyebrows. 

"You're not mad?" James ventured as soon as the shorter man slid his hand off of his face. 

"As long as you don't hurt him in any way, shape, or form."

"Are you, like, giving me permission to snog your brother?"

"Hey!" Sirius gasped dramatically, hand on his chest. "You are talking about my brother! I do notwant to hear whatever nasty plans you have for him!" Sirius placed his other hand on James' chest and gave him a tiny shove. 

James laughed and copied the eyebrow waggle Sirius did. 

"And the eyebrow thing is mine!" Sirius moved his hands to press his palms on James' eyebrows and pushed his head back playfully, laughing while he did so. 

For the rest of the ride, Sirius and James continued to play around and joke with each other. When the lift doors opened, they stepped out in sync and glanced at each other, before bursting out laughing again. 

Sirius made his face solemn. "James, this lift ride has been nothing but utterly life-changing, and, now, I'm afraid I've no choice but to bestow upon you the greatest title of my best friend." He gripped his shoulders. 

James settled his face and responded with equal seriousness, "And I guess I've no choice but to accept." He shrugged with a frown, then couldn't hold his grin for a second longer. 

"Well, best friend, I have got to rush my arse down to the operating room, so, how about we arrange for some drinks later after you get my number from Remus?" 

After that last remark, Sirius took off in a skip to a different hallway. James made a mental note to himself to later ask Remus for apparently his new best friend's phone number. James liked Sirius. He was funny. James liked that. Actually, scratch that. Sirius was hilarious. Even though Sirius seemed to have a habit for invading other's personal space, James really didn't mind. He found it somewhat endearing. 

James slowed to a stop in front of Regulus' door when he reached it, deciding to click his heels on the ground for a dramatic flair. James could be a diva when he wanted to be as well. Before entering, he slapped on his most dazzling, practiced smile that always got onlookers swooning and he ran a hand through his hair quickly. 

His plan: continue playing hard to get.

next part

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.

july 3: boggart | @jegulus-microfic | word count: 654

*surgeon x patient au*

previous part, part one

When James had stepped into Regulus' room he hadn't been ready at all. Regulus had been avidly texting Evan and wasn't prepared at all for James of all people to just saunter in his room. He hadn't even knocked. As a result, Regulus jumped with a start, clutching his chest. He relaxed, but only slightly, when he saw it was James who had interrupted his gossip session with Evan. Regulus hastily turned his phone off, mentally willing Evan not to blow up his notifications while he was busy talking to James. Evan had a habit for freaking out if Regulus didn't respond within 10 seconds. Quite similar to how Barty would freak out if Regulus didn't show him enough love.

A package deal from the beginning, Evan and Barty were Regulus' best friends, annoying as they may be in their own, unique ways each. Evan and Barty had been dating for a solid 3 years, although those 3 years had more than a few break ups and get-back-togethers. Regulus was pretty sure though that despite their overdramatic tendencies, Evan and Barty really did love each other. Pandora and Regulus even had a bet going for who would propose first. 

Regulus raised an eyebrow at James. "Obviously no one's ever taught you to knock?" He rolled his eyes, fighting the tiny smile that was threatening to dawn on his lips. "You scared me like a boggart, James."

James didn't respond to Regulus' quips, he simply went to stand at the foot of his bed, wearing another one of his stupid, dazzling grins. He fluttered his eyelashes just slightly, and Regulus hated that his heart did a flutter at the same time. "You paged?" James asked, voice coated in honey. 

Regulus stiffened just slightly, making a desperate, last-ditch attempt to fix his into something neutral. "Y-Yes." Regulus internally screamed at himself for his stutter. "I've decided I want the surgery."

"That's all you paged me for? Just to tell me that?"

"Yes." Regulus swallowed. For some reason, he wanted nothing more than to drag James closer. But he also wished for James to just leave. Regulus was annoyed with himself and was afraid he might take that out on James. "You can leave now."

James laughed and Regulus could've choked on the sound. "Actually, I have to stay and give you information about getting the surgery," he replied, coming around to sit next to Regulus on his bed. Regulus moved over instinctively without even thinking about what he was doing. He felt his face flush when James' leg brushed against his own. 

"Well, get on with it then," Regulus answered stiffly. 

"The surgery is called Open Reduction and Internal Fixation. In the surgery I'll be setting the bone fractures with some screws. We'll be doing this as soon as possible to try to prevent any further injuries," James told him. 

Regulus nodded. He wasn't really listening due to the... distraction right in front of him.

"After the surgery though, it could take anyway from 3 months to a year for you to recover," James continued, "your knee is gonna hurt, be swollen, and stiff. You might need a brace for it, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there, love. You'll be needing some physical therapy and you won't be able to drive for about 6 weeks."

Regulus absentmindedly nodded again. He hadn't caught a single word.

"Oh, and you'll also be needing a pair of crutches," James added. He poked the tip of Regulus' nose, drawing him back to the present and out of yet another fantasy, where he may or may not have a starring role. "You still with me, Reg?"

Regulus blinked. "Um, yes." Blinked again. "Don't call me that."

"Okay, Reggie," James smiled again when the other boy scowled. "Now, I've got to tell you about the possible complications."

Regulus nodded. It might not hurt to try to focus this time.

next part

june 26: knee | @jegulus-microfic | wc: 695

*surgeon x patient au* ( i am debating if i should turn this into a series?)

"—alright Potter, I'm heading off, I've got an appy scheduled in about an hour but I'm supposed to meet Black in the on-call rooms right now," chuckled Remus with a smirk tugging on his lips as he dropped his remaining charts on top of James'. 

"You're meeting who again?" James tore his eyes away from his charts, which were getting messier by the minute due to James speeding through them at a dizzying rate. He could just barely make out the letters in his handwriting.

Remus' eyes bulged incredulously. "Y'know, Sirius Black, the total Trauma god," he blurted. James shrugged with a sigh. He really did not have time to chat with Remus about his latest guy. James had to go do rounds soon and he still needed to finish his mountain of charts, no thanks to Remus, here. Remus didn't look impressed. "Y'know, the bloke with the long black hair and black scrubs!" Remus said as he was walking away to the on-call room where apparently Sirius Black was waiting. 

James sat and thought for a moment. The hospital where he worked was big so, of course he didn't remember everyone's names. Oh, but he remembered the faces. Okay, yes now he remembered Sirius. Yeah, the one that ran the trauma wing like a ringmaster would a circus. God, he was a funny one. James decided to work extra hard to remember Sirius' name. 

James glanced up at the clock, and jolted straight to his feet. Ughhhh shittttttttttt, he was late. James put his charts aside, pocketed his pen and joined his fellow residents through rounds which went all very smoothly... until he got a patient assigned. 

The patient in question:

Regulus Black, Male, 26, admitted for a knee fracture due to a fall, Head CTs: good, X-Rays: not so good. So, Regulus here just needed a little surgery. 

For James, it would all be a breeze, since A) he dominates Ortho and deals with knee injuries, like, every day and B) he's done this surgery plenty of other times. Really all there is to it is putting in some metal pins to put the broken bones together. Real simple surgery. Only about 2 hours. Not a problem at all.

What is a problem however is Regulus. James legitimately doesn't think he's ever seen such a beautiful person. He was in awe of his porcelain skin, and soft rosy cheeks. And his hair, which seemed to be a natural combination of wavy curls, fell over his forehead and framed his face perfectly. And his eyes— His lips— Oh, but his cheekbones, oh, they could cut glass...

"—Potter, Dr Potter, Dr Potter."

James snapped out of it and swiveled his head to look at Minerva. He coughed and mumbled, "Ah, sorry, Minnie, what, uh, what were you saying?" James swore he felt himself shrink as she pursed her lips in a thin line. 

"Dr Potter, if you are going to keep getting distracted by the patient, then perhaps I should reassign you?”

"No!" James cleared his throat hastily, and lowered his voice, "No, that won't be necessary, Minnie." He stole a glance at Regulus whose face was blank except for the sharp glare he had pinned on them as they spoke. In James' opinion, it was hot. 

Minerva dumped Regulus' chart in James' hands and swept out of the room with a snap, "Don't call me that, Potter." James grinned at her as she closed the door.

As soon as the coast was clear, James shifted his grin to shine on Regulus, who was now just scowling at James. Okay, yeah, James has got this. All he had to do was somehow resist every urge in his mind, and body, and just do his job. Yep. 

“Oh, just get on with this all already. Do your job or something,” Regulus snapped. James couldn’t help but marvel at the sound of his voice and felt his cheeks flush. God. He sucked in a shaky breath and let it out slowly as he set Regulus’ chart down on the side of his bed, running his hand through his hair quickly.

Yeah, this was going to be tough.

next part