Chapter Text
-Reggie, come on! We’re gonna be late!
Regulus grumbled something in response. A very exasperated Sirius grabbed his suitcase, his wrist and dragged him along to the elevator. James, Lily, Peter, Mary and Dorcas were waiting in a car to bring them to the airport. You see, it was almost James and Lily’s wedding, and they were celebrating it in Texas, because that was where Lily was from.
-Everyone settled? -Lily called out from the drivers seat- Okay, let’s go!
Surprisingly, given the amount of time Regulus took to get ready, they arrived at the gate on time and were able to board the plane.
Sirius was seated next to James (of course) so they had plenty of time to plan the bachelor party. As James’ best friend and adoptive brother, Sirius was in charge of every little detail.
-I say we go to a local bar, like, very local, not something for tourists, what do you say?
-I say that’s brilliant mate! My bachelor party is in very good hands.
-I just want to do whatever's best for you man, I love you so much.
-I love you too mate.
-Hey -Lily chimed in- If you wanna marry Sirius instead just say so.
-Lily -James held her hands- You know I love you, and you are the love of my life, but Sirius will always be my other half.
-Oh, I know that, he made it very clear the moment I met him. -she said jokingly.
The flight passed slowly, but surely. When they landed in Austin, the heat took them all off guard, except Lily.
-Well come on guys, we still have a forty-five minute ride to my hometown.
Sirius flopped down on his bed. Regulus carefully deposited his bag on his own, with all the restrain their dear parents had forced into him.
-Stop staring at me. -said Regulus, as he sat on his bed.
-I’m not staring at you. -said Sirius who was, in fact, staring at him.
He was worried about his little brother. He and James were a thing, back in high school, before Lily was even in the picture.
Regulus sighed, and turned his head towards him.
-I’m fine Sirius.
-No you’re not.
-No, seriously, I’m fine.
-Ha! Siriusly.
-I hate you. -he said, unimpressed.
-No, you love me really. -Sirius got up from where he was lying on his bed, grinning wildly- Gimme a hug!
-Stay away from me, you maniac.
-Hug!!!
And he jumped on Regulus, crushing him on his bed.
-Argh!
Someone knocked on the door.
-Is everything okay? -asked a rather anxious sounding Peter.
-Yeah, everything is perfect! -yelled Sirius.
-Get off me, you idiot! -Regulus shoved him on the floor. Sirius fell with a loud thud, and started laughing.
Peter passed a head in the room.
-Oh. -he stared at Sirius for a second, then turned to Regulus- Regulus, would you mind lending me a tie? I can’t find mine.
-Sure. See Sirius -he said, turning to his luggage to search for said tie- Peter is a smart man, he has priorities. Now get ready for James’ bachelor party or whatever.
-It’s here.
Sirius pointed at a bar, a rather common looking bar. Very local, nothing fancy.
-Okay so the plan is to get absolutely wasted, all right? Let’s go.
When they got in the bar, a few heads turned. There weren't probably a lot of strangers going here, given the way people looked at them. Funny, Sirius thought, some people are actually wearing cowboy hats. Interesting.
They got their first round of drinks and sat at a table. Pleased, James looked around, and his eyes widened as they fell on the corner.
-Oh my god.
The others turned to him.
-There’s a mechanical bull.
-No. -said Regulus flatly.
-Whyyy? -James whined.
-Because we are returning you in one piece to Lily tomorrow.
-Pffff. You’re not funny. Is this not supposed to be a night of fun and irresponsability?
-Fine, but if you’re injured, I won’t help you.
-Come on Sirius!
They got up and ran to the mechanical bull.
-Hiya, -said James to the bull operator- can we ride that?
-Sure kid, hop on!
James jumped the ring, and swiftly got on the bull.
-Yee haw!
The bull shook him back and forth, left and right, turned in one direction, then in the other, so much that poor James was catapulted on the padded floor. He got up, laughing, and replaced his glasses.
-Okay Sirius, your turn.
-All right, look what a real cowboy looks like.
He tied his hair, and jumped in the ring, as James jumped out. He tried to get on the bull, but couldn’t. It was too high. Well, this was embarrassing. Oh the others would never leave him alone after that. He jumped again, hands placed on the back of the bull. Still too high. Just as he was about to admit his defeat, someone else jumped in the ring. He turned around only to find the most attractive man he had even seen in his entire life. Lovely curls framing the sweetest hazel eyes, paired with a cocky grin. The man looked him up and down.
-Need help sweetheart?
Sirius was feeling his cheeks growing red.
-Hum -he mumbled. Oh yes very smart Sirius, now he is totally charmed by your witty spirit.
The man just chuckled. He placed his hands on Sirius’ waist, lifted him off the ground, and delicately placed him on the bull.
-There you go.
He turned around, but before he could get out of the ring, he stopped and turned again. He took the hat on his head, and placed it on Sirius’ head.
-Have fun sweetheart. -he said before walking away.
Sirius opened his mouth, but before he could say something, the bull started so he had to shut it, hold the hat and hold himself on the bull.
Fuck, this thing really is difficult.
He was tossed left and right, up and down, forward and backwards. He held on as much as he possibly could, but after a particularly sudden turn, he slid on the side of the bull and lost his grip on the handle.
-Ouch.
He stayed splayed on his back.
-This is rigged -he complained to James who was helping him up.
-It’s not, accept your defeat against the machine.
-No, I’m better, and I have better hair, so I win.
-Still, you fell.
-Don’t worry, I’m already plotting my revenge.
Getting out of the ring, he noticed that almost everyone was staring at him.
Weird. He thought. Do I have something on my face? Is my hair all over the place? Oh no, not my hair!
He nervously put his hair in place as they approached the bar.
-Hey Pete, is something wrong with my hair? People keep staring at me.
-No it looks fine, I don’t know why they’re doing that. -he replied, brow furrowed.
-I think I know why -intervened the bartender- The hat you wearin, it’s that boy’s, Lupin. Quiet boy, that one. Have not seen him with a lady ever. Yet all the women here are crazy ‘bout him. Must be the mysterious looks. Consider yourself lucky young man, a hat is something special ‘round here.