Finishing

"Fish and chips."

Sirius felt the corner of his mouth twist.

"My treat," Regulus continued, acting as if what happened hadn't just happened, yet the way he twitched said otherwise. "Bonus if there's curry to go with the fish and chips."

"Reg?" Sirius asked.

Regulus babbled on as they exited Hogwarts grounds, Dumbledore having whispered to Sirius he should keep an eye on him, simply because their former headmaster noted what Sirius did — that Regulus wasn't okay, whatever that apparition of their mother said.

"Regulus?"

Regulus turned, smiling. "Please? I really like fish and chips. It's really good with curry to dip them in, and I really need to get out of my headspace right now, Sirius. Can't go home until I do."

"And where is home?" Sirius asked.

"That?" Regulus stiffened. He looked at the ground. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to tell you where I currently live."

"That's not what I meant. Home?" Sirius let out a sigh. "It's not just the place you live. But I think? Well, you've already had others ask that you not cut yourself off from us. Now I'm asking."

Regulus' eyes blinked, but he did not focus.

Sirius frowned. "Look. I know I'm the last person you'd want to hear that from, given I cut you off."

"Fish and chips is a start?"

Sirius stared, watching Regulus shift from one foot to another.

"I really like fish and chips," Regulus said. "It's popular among Muggles, you know. She'd throw an absolute fit, us eating what's known as a poor man's food. Well, historically speaking? Please Sirius? Let's eat, and we can talk? Or I can try to?"

"Okay," Sirius said.

And then Regulus babbled out all sorts of suggestions for fish and chips shops.

"You must really like fish and chips?"

Regulus laughed, or tried to. They headed to one of the shops and soon had fried fish, sliced potatoes, and a strange sauce in front of them, which Regulus dove into with gusto while Sirius frowned. "It really is good, Sirius."

Sirius watched Regulus lick his fingers on his right hand. "Alright." He dove in, then shrugged. "Not bad."

"I'll make my version for you sometime."

Sirius froze, eyes blinking. "You cook."

"And without magic," Regulus said, smiling.

"How do you feel?"

"What do you mean?"

"With all the horcruxes taken care of?"

Regulus frowned. "Unsure, to be honest." His forehead wrinkled. "Can I ask something?"

"Yes."

"How was he defeated? How did the war end?"

"How did it end?" Sirius frowned, then he let out a deep breath. "Ah. You aren't aware. He killed the Longbottoms. Alice and Frank."

Regulus stiffened, hands lowering. "I liked them,"

"Well, please don't let this be a turn-off. Things have happened. People you know are gone, or locked up," Sirius said. "But isn't it better you know, than you wonder who is or isn't gone?"

"Probably," Regulus said.

"Something the matter?"

"Well, their dying doesn't quite explain why he was defeated?"

"Oh," Sirius said. "The Boy-Who-Lived?"

"Who?"

"Their son, Neville, he's..." Sirius started saying, then he paused. "Regulus, is there something the matter?"

"Ah, no," Regulus choked out. "Nothing you should worry about. At least for now."

"Is it?"

"Well, grandfather did say he hoped these were all we needed to find," Regulus said.

"They are," Sirius said. "I mean, what else from the school could he have turned into a Horcrux?" He took a deep breath. "Changed my mind. I'm enjoying fish and chips, I think."

"Really?"

"Because I'm doing it with you," Sirius said. "So, please? Don't cut me off? Not like I did you."

"I don't," Regulus said, smiling, taking another bite of his food, holding up his finger. He swallowed. "I'll try."

"You'll try?"

"Not good with the people thing, so I'll try. I'll try more than I did before," Regulus said. "I've learned some people skills. Still have a lot to learn."

"Ah," Sirius shook his head. "Eat. And it's done, Regulus. Don't go worrying about things you don't need to. Actually, what worries have been going on in that head of yours? You don't need to worry, because I'm here. I'm going to be there for you."

"Sure," Regulus said. "And yeah. This is nice."