𝑹. 𝑨. 𝑩.

she almost watched him die that night, losing her best friend and the boy she loved more than anything. how could she live? how could she go on with her life knowing regulus wasn't part of it anymore, drown in the dark waters, forgotten by the world, forgotten by the very lord who once promised him a light at the end of this dark tunnel. would his own mother even care that she was the cause of this all? or would she put the blame all on regulus for fighting against what was wrong and immoral. bee doesn't want to think about it but she can't help herself cause when she's not thinking of what could've happened she's thinking about what did happen. because regulus didn't leave that water clean, his trauma, her trauma...bee had to watch him in pain, he wasn't even himself that night after she rescued him, he was delirious almost...as if for a few hours he was no longer part of their world and bee wonders if he even remembers most of the things he said that night.

bee lets out a deep sigh, her soft eyes looking up at him as he reaches up to wipe away her tears. she bites down on her bottom lip, with a nod because she believes him. "you're right, you won't..because I won't allow you to." her words added with a adoring smile despite her tears. "exactly, no more secrets. we'll always be honest with each other." even if it meant revealing she had a big stupid crush on him.

her cheeks are flushed red, blue gaze meeting his green with a warm smile. making out with him, in his bed...during a party with all their friends around. she could only dream about something that amazing happening but the fact regulus so boldly suggests it. "o-oh okay yeah, we could do that maybe even after someone walks in...you know just to be safe." she smiles with a blush.

she chuckles at their conversation about theo, the nott boy truly wasn't a friend of regulus black and not that she blames him. bee cant help but snort at his next words, her smile widening. "you're ridiculous, you know that?" she hums. "why would I possibly want to touch him when I have the coolest boy in school to give all my attention to." plus theo in no shape or form would ever be her type, she tries to say something nice about everyone but theodore made it extremely difficult but if you asked her about regulus she would say a million words to him and none would feel like they were enough.

bee feels flustered at her own confession, her heart feeling heavy because this could easily ruin everything. bee knows regulus would never hate her but the idea of him letting her down easy is the worst possible outcome she could imagine but regulus continues, his fingers fingers wrapping around her wrist as if to stop her from cutting the lavender as he confesses to her that he did want her and that he even wanted her when he was with daphne. "y-you did?" she says her eyes widening. "but why...I mean...she's so pretty and you come from the same background...I guess I just figured you picked her over me." she says dropping her gaze a little.

but before she can be sad about it for too long regulus is picking her up, making her giggle a little as he moves her on top of the counter. she knows her cheeks are probably so red right now, biting down on her bottom lip. as her arms wrap around him, his hands set on her waist. "does it have to just be practice?" she mumbles, cheeks flushing as her gaze meets his own as her hands move up to cup his face, leaning in to kiss him slowly as a soft purr leaves her lips.

Everything about her is warm and sweet, like the flowers she takes care of in the greenhouse. She even smiles through the tears in her eyes and it touches him a little, that she cares so much. “I would do anything to keep you safe, but I promise to always talk to you first, if I can.” He doesn’t want to hurt her again– he still remembers the sound of her broken cries after he almost died. He should’ve said something to her, but he didn’t think he was worth her love. He thought if he did this for her, it would somehow make up for not saying goodbye, even though it tore him apart not seeing her again. It made him crave death, just thinking of never seeing her beautiful face another time. But he knew if he survived he would see her again, and if he didn’t, he would be granted the death he craved.

But it turns out, when you’re drowning, all of that reasoning you did in your head prior quickly ceases to matter. Instead, you fight for your life because your lungs are burning, everything hurts and you want to see her again, no matter what it takes.

It was like a dream come true and it didn’t feel real when she pulled him from the water, her magic having incapacitated the inferi. She was his guardian angel, but she was real and solid, and he would never stop admiring and loving her for as long as he breathed and even after that.

His words are a careful promise; reassurance that they’re even closer now and nothing could ever completely come between them. Regulus has let her in, even though he’s just barely trusted others in his life. Even with Sirius, he held him at arm’s length, hesitating to discuss their parents or what he’s done as a servant of the Dark Lord. It feels as if Bee is the only one he can truly trust, if he’s honest. “If there are no more secrets between us at all, then there’s one I should probably get off my chest,” he muses teasingly. 

But he’s sure she already knows it, because right now she’s blushing because he suggested they make out on his bed. Her words make him blush in return, a little surprised that she’s so eagerly suggesting they could keep making out even after someone comes in. “Maybe we should make out all night,” he murmurs, leaning in. “It would be fun, showing everyone in Slytherin that the most beautiful girl in the school belongs to me.” He touches her again, stroking her cheek with the back of his hand. “Because you already do belong to me, don’t you?” His voice is as gentle as his touch, brushing across her soft skin.

He smiles at her teasing. “You’re just as ridiculous for not telling me you want this with me.” His hands move up her waist, touching her slowly. She’d giggled when he picked her up, cementing the fact he needs to do this again and again to hear that sweet sound. She needs to be all his, forever. He tries to focus on her words, responding to her confusion. He shakes his head at the way she calls Daphne pretty. “I was never attracted to her because I loved you.” The words slip out before he realizes it, making him pause for a moment. “My parents were the only ones that wanted that relationship. All I could think about was kissing you instead.” He always hated when Daphne kissed him and felt guilty when he tried to imagine it was Bee just to survive it and not seem disgusted. He’s only attracted to her; he can’t imagine feeling this way for anyone else. “No one is beautiful like you…like an angel.” He uses his thumb to trace her cheek this time, and then her jaw. Touching her chin, he tilts it up so she’s meeting his warm gaze. “So beautiful I would daydream about kissing you…Touching you.” His hands slide up her back, touching her body almost possessively, like he could claim it now. She’s not just his friend and she never was. “I think about how pretty you are all the time.”

She utters soft words against his lips when he leans in, asking if it just has to be practice. “It’s not only practicing when I want it this much,” he murmurs in response, just before her lips meet his. Her soft hands cup his face, making him moan as he relaxes into the kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist to pull her body against his. Her mouth is soft and pliant, making it easy to deepen the kiss, slipping his tongue against her lips. He’s wanted to touch her like this since they met and it doesn’t feel real, having her soft lips locked with his, moving slowly so he can feel how perfect they are. He finally gets to savor the taste of her, especially when she allows him entry to swipe into her mouth. His hands slide down her body, pausing at her lower back.

He’s distantly aware of the fact he’s standing between her legs, which are on either side of his waist. Her lips are soft and he doesn’t want to break the kiss out of desperation for her. He’s needed this for too long– pined for years, now. One hand slides into her hair, fingers tangling into soft locks and holding the back of her head, urging her to kiss him harder.

she knows how determined regulus is to right his wrongs, almost as if he was putting all the weight of voldemort's crimes on his own shoulders...almost as if he wasn't just a child who was just manipulated, tricked into giving his allegiance to a cult that he didn't truly agree with. she looks at him gently as a sad smile tugs over her lips. "it's not your responsibility to save the world reggie." she says gently, smiling back at him warmly. "you're a good person regulus, despite everything that's happened in your past...and everything that will happen in our future, I don't want you living the life you have regretting your past mistakes." her voice is sweet and gentle, gazing up at him with a warm smile. "but you're not going to do any of this alone, not anymore...I won't let you."

she would stop the world for him and she's pretty sure she can with the amount of power she has...and he would be worth it all too because he's worth it, he's worth all the planets in the galaxy above. bee gives him a warm smile, her gaze meeting his own lovingly. "I would do it again, for you...the thought of losing you? it broke me, I didn't even know I could do what I did that day but I knew that I had to save you even if it meant dying to do so." she never wanted to leave her family behind, they would be crushed if bee just one day never showed up because she drown in that water along side regulus but she couldn't bare the thought of walking through the hallways of hogwarts and never seeing his sweet face again...she wants to throw up just thinking about it, her eyes welling up slightly with tears before she takes a deep breath. "just one thing..." she says looking up at him with soft eyes. "never try to die on me again, no matter what happens during this war...I want you to stick around for a long time." even if that life doesn't end with her apart of it, she wants him to be around forever and if it was even possible she would like him to be around for longer than forever.

she swallows a little bit at his next words, her cheeks flushing the brightest shade of pink as her mouth falls open trying to respond. the idea of being in regulus black's dorm is one she only could daydream about, seeing his space again but for more than just giving him late night snuggles when he was having one of his panic attacks and needed her attention. she knows she's probably a pervert for thinking about being with him that way, maybe it's not even what he meant but she can't help but find her eyes flickering to his lips as he speaks before chuckling nervously. "I...I'd like that." she says shyly but honestly. "i mean, like if you need to get even or just distract yourself from Blaise...so you don't have to bite anyone...yeah...I don't know." how does she even explain her thoughts without sounding desperate.

bee cant help but giggle at his words, her cheeks flushing a little because she knows it's probably mean but so was theo. "small? like his....you know?" she blushes nervously as a soft chuckle falls past her lips. "well maybe if he wasn't such an obnoxious jerk girls would want to touch him...oh no sorry that was mean." she flushes feeling a little bad, covering her mouth instantly as if to keep the mean words in.

however it's the words he says next that take her by absolute surprise, dark eyes widening as she blushes at his words. "w-what?" asking if she had a crush...was it not obvious? that was obsessed with him to the point she almost died for him. bee has always wondered if he knew and just didn't say anything because he didn't want to hurt her feelings. she looks away from his gaze, biting down on her lower lip wondering if she should expose herself or if she should keep when feelings to herself. "I do like someone..." she mutters. "a lot actually, he's got these big green eyes and dark hair." bee says looking up at him with a shy smile. "but I don't think he would ever like me...his last girlfriend was this rich popular girl though she wasn't very nice though, she didn't really understand him either..." bee smiles shyly, knowing it's obvious who she's talking about.

"harry only survived fluffy because they put him to sleep....but I think I could find a way to comfort him, I think he needs a friend. it must be hard to feel different than other creatures." she grins brightly, she knew fluffy wasn't the most gentle creature but she feels like everything had a soft side, even the most scary of slytherin. "professor snape...is so intimidating." she pouts. "but my father did tell me how he used to be cruel to him back In the day and my dad beat him up." she giggles, a soft chuckle falling past her lips as she continues to cut the ingredients. "that's because I have such a lovely teacher."

It’s something that attracts him to her even more, although Regulus gets the feeling he would love her even if she were a muggle. He really is like his cousin Andromeda, much to his mother’s disappointment. It makes his chest ache with a familiar stab of pain just thinking about it– he’s not used to being her disappointment. But just like the sacrifice he made when he decided he would give his life to stop Voldemort, he had to give this, too. He could no longer be the pride and joy of his family. Now he had a new family entirely.

She explains her feelings to him, and how the thought of losing him broke her. It reminds him of the way she clung to him after they made it to safety, crying because he had almost died. He loves her more than he’s ever loved anyone or anything and he wants to tell her, even if it seems inappropriate to now. It makes his entire body ache, just from the strength of his emotion.

The way tears well up in her eyes makes him frown, because it hurts to see her cry. “I won’t ever leave you like that again,” he promises, and genuinely feels guilty that he didn’t tell her on the night he left to retrieve the horcrux. He had planned on surviving the encounter, but he should’ve known better. He should’ve said goodbye at the very least, but he didn’t. Bee deserves better than all of this trauma. “We tell each other everything now.” She’s his best friend, even over Astoria and Evan. She’s his entire soul and now his heart and he doesn’t want to see her hurting like this. He reaches out, brushing her hair behind her ear, his thumb stroking her cheek. None of her tears spill over but he sees them in her shining eyes.

He likes the way she blushes when he flirts with her and he wants more, almost greedy for it suddenly. Her words make the room feel hotter– would she really come with him to his dorm? What would she do, when he had her there? “Would you really be my pretty distraction?” he asks, leaning in. “Then maybe we should make out on my bed until one of my roommates walks in.” He murmurs, fingers brushing against her cheek again. He should let her work, especially with a dagger in hand, but he’s too caught up in flirting now.

The way she adorably covers her mouth after she speaks badly of Theo makes him smile again, overwhelmed with how much he loves her. “Yes, his you-know-what,” he answers, amused. “And no, you’re right…but if you ever wanted to touch him, I would break my promise and die of a broken heart. I don’t want you liking anyone else…” He doesn’t care if he sounds petulant like a child; he knows he couldn’t handle it.

His blood runs cold at first, when she says she likes someone. Why couldn’t it be him? But then she continues, starting to describe him, and he hasn’t felt relief like this since she saved his life. He’s confused when she says she doesn’t think he would like her back, though. “I can show you exactly how much ‘he’ likes you,” he murmurs, his fingers wrapping over her wrist, making her hand pause and stop cutting. “When I was with her, I wished it was you.” His green eyes are heavy, not leaving hers.

He loves her confidence about Fluffy, and the way she’s completely convinced he could be befriended with love and care. Coming from most people, it would be an unbelievable thing to say, but he can’t help but believe in her. What creature wouldn’t want her love? He’s sure she could sway him, if he were a large three-headed dog. He loves how she giggles, too, and the way she compliments him when he tries to compliment her. But he’s already taking the dagger from her pretty hands, placing it on the counter at a safe distance away.

she chuckles softly at his words, biting down on her lower lip. "crocodiles don't actually want to hurt people, their natural prey are usually small mammals, they're mostly harmless and rather avoid people but people step into their homes and often bother them. you'd be quite cranky too if some stranger creature walked into your home and started invading your space." bee points out gently, when she wasn't reading about magic creatures she would read about non-magic, every creature seemed pretty beautiful in its own way. "they're misunderstood, kind of like you and the other slytherin." she smiles.

bee's smile fades at the mention of theodore nott wanting to ask her to the ball, a soft sigh falling from her lips as her light eyes flicker towards the cauldron, sighing softly. "I don't want to go with theodore, he's mean and pushy...he smells of boy and he once made fun of me for my knowledge on puffskeins." bee pouts. she doesn't normally like speaking badly about people but she doesn't understand why regulus would bring up another boy wanting to take her to the dance when she wants to go with him....even if he doesn't exactly know she wants to go with him. her face sours even more at the idea that theo doesn't even know alfie but he has the nerve to want to ask her to the ball, she has half a mind to tell her father, ensure theo sleeps with one eye open for the rest of his life but she wasn't as cruel as theo and she didn't want to hurt him, she didn't even care for him deeply enough to stay on this topic. she blushes at his next words however. "I don't agree with that..." she says gently eyes flickering back at his for only a moment before going back to what she was working on.

she chuckles at his teasing shaking her head quickly "no but I am afraid of getting it wrong and professor snape scolding me for being wrong, him I am afraid of." she sulks a little. there was something so intimidating about the potions professor and bee couldn't count the times he's either almost or successfully made her cry. "and I'll have you know fluffy is a very sweet baby....he does his job very well." she says with a soft hum

potions was just confusing for her, the measurements and how perfect everything had to be or you've just totally fucked up the potion and have to start all over. she feels nervous when regulus leans in to inspect her work but her face starts to feel like it's on fire when he places his hand over hers, his long ringed fingers brushing against hers to adjust the way she's holding it and it's like her throat is closing up. it feels like time stops for a moment, their faces inches apart and everything is in slow motion, he's so close that if she leaned in she could kiss him but before she can get too comfortable he's pulling away. she presses her lips together as if to fight the urge to just grab him and kiss him, glancing away as she holds the dagger the way he showed her and starts to cut the ingredients slowly.

Her words have a weight to them one wouldn’t expect, mostly because he had almost died in the cave while trying to retrieve the horcrux. They’re both very well aware of this fact and it makes him pause, looking away. Gathering himself, he glances back at her again. 

There’s something alluring about her soft, gentle voice, telling him how happyy she is he’s alive. It makes his body feel warm, especially because she was the one to rescue him. How could someone be so powerful and yet so soft all at once? It seems like it would take a special kind of person to retain such kindness in the midst of gaining such immense amounts of power. “There’s much left for me to do, once the war is underway…” he says gently, because there’s no guarantee he’ll survive this. Especially once Voldemort realizes one of his most prized Death Eaters has forsaken him, or if he finds out his horcrux is gone. Dumbledore and the fidelius charm could only protect him for so long– what would happen when one of the other Death Eaters turned against him in a place that was supposed to be safe? He would have to fight for his life, and maybe even hers. Regulus knows loving her is selfish, but it’s one of the only things he has left.

Dumbledore had asked him if there was more than one horcrux, but he couldn’t answer the wizard because he didn’t know for sure. It was only the research he’d done on old family magic that allowed him to recognize the artifact Kreacher described for what it was– a horcrux. Voldemort hadn’t told anyone about it– not that Regulus knew of, anyway. He had wondered himself if there was more than one, and even considered that the diary Lucius offloaded onto Ginny might be another. He told Dumbledore as much, who seemed to agree it was possible, saying he would look into it further. “If there are more, we have to find them,” he says vaguely, trusting she knows what he’s talking about. If Dumbledore knows how to destroy them, he hasn’t shared with Regulus yet. His family grimoire hadn’t contained details on destroying one, but pages were ripped out, something Walburga often lamented. Their family curse, she said, was that they continued to produce ‘fools’ and ‘muggle sympathizers’ despite their noble line.

Regulus supposes he’s a fool and a muggle sympathizer, now. It still stings to think about; how his mother hates him with every fiber of her being. She writes him every week and he hasn’t answered her letters, so she’s realizing something is wrong. Thankfully, she isn’t permitted on school grounds to visit without his arrangement, given he’s now legally an adult. The family tawny owl, Hermit, kept trying to deliver him letters and howlers until eventually he started having breakfast in the courtyard to avoid prying eyes (or ears). It wasn’t until Regulus paid Hermit off and convinced him to stay at Hogwarts that he was sure he wouldn’t be hearing from his mother again for a long time.

But at least he hears from Sirius now, a brother he never thought he would know. It’s partially because of Bee that he gets to have that relationship, because without her he’d be dead. “There’ll never be enough thank yous in the world for what you did for me.” He pauses, studying her with warm green eyes. “You know I would do whatever you asked of me?” His tone is a question, genuinely asking her if she knows that he would.

He listens to her explain crocodiles, finding a soft smile on his lips because he enjoys her. She’s genuinely engaged in what she’s explaining, making a defense for the creatures that he knows most wouldn’t. This is definitely why she was accepted as Hagrid’s T.A., helping him with lesson plans, and he couldn’t possibly love her any more for it. “Yes, I do get grumpy when people invade my space…Like when Slytherin throws parties and Blaise brings the party back into our dorm room. I can’t exactly start biting like a crocodile, but maybe there are other options…Maybe I could invite you back to my dorm room and make it even.” He teases her, wanting to see her blush. Maybe if she did blush, he could tell if she wanted him. He knows it’s irresponsible of him to flirt with her like this, but it feels good and suddenly he wants to do it more.

He laughs at how Bee calls Theo smelly, but then feels a twinge of annoyance at the thought of the Slytherin making fun of her for talking about puffskeins. “He smells bad because instead of taking a bath, he spends his time hating on adorable, fluffy creatures. Makes you wonder how small he must be, if his masculinity is challenged by hearing facts about balls of fluff.” His words are biting, but he knows he’s right. Theo is a loser and he doesn’t even deserve to breathe the same air as Bee, let alone ask her to the dance.

She disagrees that no one is good enough to take her to the ball, which makes him frown. “Do you have a crush?” he asks bluntly. “You probably already had someone in mind, didn’t you?” He feels like a fool suddenly, with his silly note in his pocket.

His chest aches with love for her, listening to her confide in him about her fear of Snape and her defense of Fluffy, the three-headed dog. “You’re the only one who could survive petting a three-headed dog, besides maybe the Chosen One himself…” He uses the moniker only a little sarcastically. “You don’t need to be afraid of Severus. He’s afraid of shampoo, so.” He doesn’t feel particularly bad about insulting the professor, who is nasty towards Bee and several other students who are nothing but kind. Not to mention he was prejudiced and openly so, not even bothering to be tactful about his disdain for muggleborns.

He notices how she pauses when he touches her hand, as if something bothers her. He watches her cut the lavender, wondering what’s on her mind. “You’re cutting those well,” he says, smiling at her. He’s fighting his jealousy about her potential suitors, but just barely.

but this school didn't live up to her dreams the way she had hoped, during her second year she'd been petrified alongside losing her close friend mini, a muggleborn hufflepuff who had been the first and only student killed that year and then the year after that she almost lost the boy who was supposed to be her own happy ending...

regulus black was a slytherin boy who she met during her very first year, on the train to hogwarts in fact. he bought her a bunch of cauldron cakes and she gave him her favorite book on dragons. she knew it was silly for a half blood hufflepuff to have a crush on a boy from one of the most elite pure blooded families in europe but she couldn't help it, something about him just drew her in, from his forest green eyes to the dazzling and charming smile that normally you would only read about in the stories about courageous princes that the beautiful princess falls head over heels for. but this prince was real, he was beautiful and he was everything she ever wanted despite the tragedy of his family and past.

despite the fact he has been fooled into believing a cause that targeted people like her friend mini or her father anakin. bee isn't naive, she knows that those beliefs were wrong and awful when people like her father did deserve to be here probably more so than some of these purebloods. but she also knows that regulus was manipulated, his parents had used his sweet heart and his desire to help others against him, she knows that he was fooled and tricked but he wasn't evil, he wasn't filled with hate towards muggleborns and so she stuck by his side, especially when he decided to defy voldemort even at the cost of almost losing his own life.

but she is her father's daughter and she would do anything to keep the person she loves alive and now today he stands tall, charming, and beautiful despite everything that he's been through and despite everything he's currently going through as it seemed they hadn't been quite finished yet because regulus's name was drawn from the goblet, joining her brother cedric in the triwizard tournament.

the idea makes her stomach turn, it was bad enough that cedric had entered his name in despite the concerns of the skywalker family, but he wanted to prove himself, not only make hogwarts proud but being pride to the skywalker name, prove that half-blood families were just as good as anyone else but then regulus gets entered despite never even entering his own name, what if something goes wrong? what if he gets hurt...she felt sick ever since dumbledore called out their names. but she tried to keep on a brave face, to show support for both hee brother and her dear friend, knowing regulus would only worry for her if she worried for him.

the yule ball is coming up soon, after the first task and at least that's something to look forward to as bee would never say no to wearing a beautiful gown and getting to dance away the night...even if that means she doesn't have a date. it's not like anyone hasn't asked her, being the sister of one of the triwizard champions a lot of guys seemed to want a chance but she told them all she wasn't interested as if she was almost hoping she'd be asked by someone else...someone dark curls and beautiful green eyes but she knew it wasn't really regulus's scene, that he had far too much on his mind to care about a stupid dance so she just decided that she'd go with her friends Instead, neville even offering to give her a dance despite attending with ginny weasely.

bee sighs softly, as she sits here waiting for regulus in the potions room. she kind of hates it in here, the dead animal in jars and just the presence of professor snape lingered even long after he left. but bee needed to get her grade up in the class, as she had always struggled with it where as regulus was perfect at everything even in the sense of willing to tutor the femme.

so she waits for him, trying her best to keep her mind busy as she reads fantastic beasts and where to find them for probably the hundredth time when regulus eventually shows up, his hair as perfect as his uniform as a warm smile grows over her lips.

as they start the assignment bee remembers why she has such trouble with this class, the fact that they have to use animal parts in some of the potions making her sad and it's almost as if regulus senses it as he begins to explain to her how they get crocodile heart. she forces a sad smile, feeling a bit more at ease that at least the crocodile had to die peacefully "but still, poor thing..." she frowns as he dumps it in. "such a cruel world when sweet creatures have to die." bee sighs softly blue eyes flickering up at him."but thanks...that helps."

bee watches the way he cuts, so perfectly and precise. it makes her cheeks flush, biting down on her bottom lip shyly as she tries not to distract herself from his words, nodding along tentatively to what he's telling her. "as finely as possible, got it." she says though she's not very confidently she has the finger work for such a thing and it only makes her nervous when he tells her that she has to do it on her own. "I'll need a few sips of this just to cut this lavender correctly." she says in a nervous chuckle before she gently takes the dagger from him, using the technique he showed her she tries to start cutting but she's feeling unsure of herself, biting down on her bottom lip as the embarrassment washes over her, looking up at him for reassurance. "l-like this?"

None of it is relevant to think about now. The damage is done– people had died. He tries to push it down, because lingering on it will make him sick. Instead, he should focus on trying to help Dumbledore destroy the horcrux. Regulus knows he can’t do that if he doesn’t survive the Triwizard Tournament. He’s also not fond of the idea of dying during the tasks, never getting to tell Bee how he feels for her. But maybe it would be what he deserved, after failing her.

“Everything has to die eventually,” he says gently, looking at her curiously. “Some say the best luck is to die at the right time. At least they went peacefully...” He studies her blue eyes, not wanting to look away. “But most people wouldn’t call a crocodile a sweet creature. I suppose that’s how you get along with Slytherins so well,” he muses, but what he really means is that she still gets along with him well, despite all he’s done. He wants to let it go and stop thinking of it, but it’s weighing on him even more heavily with his note to her practically burning a hole in his robes. He knows he doesn’t even deserve to give it to her.

“I heard Theo was going to ask you to the ball,” he says suddenly, thinking about how the Slytherin was bragging about his plans loudly in the dormitory last night. “I told him you didn’t date people with an IQ lower than Alfie’s and he asked me who Alfie was.” Regulus wasn’t particularly surprised that Theo didn’t pay attention to the name of the only niffler in the school, but it annoyed him all the same. He looks at her again; the sweet, beautiful girl who even felt bad for the crocodiles. “No one is good enough for you.” It’s an indisputable fact that just rolls off of his tongue, a bit unexpectedly.

She tells him she’ll need some of the calming draught just to chop the lavender, which makes him smile. She’s funny when she’s nervous; something he’s always loved about her, especially when she started babbling. “Are you really so afraid of some lavender? You tried to pet a three-headed dog in first year– at least the herbs don’t have teeth.” He’s just teasing; he knows she handles plants in the greenhouse all the time. But for some reason, Potions was different for Bee, almost as if the subject itself put pressure on her. That and Professor Snape, which he understands being intimidated by.

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bexley giggles softly at his words, a soft smile curling on the corners of her soft lips. "I've never been so grateful to be a queen in my life." she giggles softly, she's only teasing. being a queen was one of the greatest honors for a girl on naboo, an achievement many dreamed of but not many would ever get to see especially when she was chosen by the people themselves.

it's almost like a strange little date, talking to him about silly childish things like her favorite color and foods. it's not something a queen often gets to talk about, nobody cares if she likes pink and hates the colors gray or brown or she likes cloud drops but hates carrots. what does that matter? people didn't care to know who she was, nobody could know. but regulus was special, now he knew her deepest secret and seemingly was taking it very well which means she could probably tell him everything and he would listen while looking at her with his intense eyes. "do I?" she giggles shyly. "not sure if it's a good thing or not, sometimes being a queen you must be tough but I'm not so sure that I am...I can barely insult a man properly." she blushes, feeling a bit embarrassed that she is sharing so much of herself but his arm feels nice around her waist, pulling her body close to his own almost protectively.

a shy giggle falls from her lips, her cheeks flushing as she avoids his gaze for a moment. normally bexley wouldn't assume she was this special person with a bright smile and beautiful hair, it's almost like he's describing an angel, like the ones he spoke of earlier. "I do, find you more handsome than anyone I've ever met." she giggles softly, gaze meeting his lips. "I'm usually surrounded by politicians and recently old jedi...but I've never met anyone who looks like you before." she bites down on her lower lip. "but you are rather cocky aren't you?" she teases.

bexley feels like her heart is all in knots, her cheeks flushed a soft shade of pink. "I-i..." she pouts a little. she hated the idea of him saying some pretty tatoonie girl, even if he was within his right to do as he pleased...it's not like he owed her anything. "why would you want to date another girl?" she frowns a little. "do you really want to date another girl?" her blue eyes filling with fear. "It's not that...I don't care...I do care, I like you a lot." she mumbles nervously.

bee feels like she's on fire, her cheeks a bright shade of pink but she feels like she's sweating too. he's so close and flirting with her. it was so tempting to just lean in and kiss him but she knows that she can't take it that far yet, not right now when everything in her life is falling apart and adding on feelings for someone just seemed intense and it's worse than she can't seem to help herself. "make you?"

"yet you are much kinder than a lot of people, I understand your situation is rough and if there was more I could do right at this moment I would do everything...i could because you and your mom have shown me more kindness than anyone ever has." she says as her fingers move to cup his cheeks, her fingers brushing against his soft skin. his fingers move through her hair, tracing against her braid and it makes her blush softly. "she's lucky to have you." bexley hums.

his touch is as close to heaven as she'll ever get, her eyes fluttered closed as she snuggles in closer and taking in his scent. a warm smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she feels herself growing more and more tired....but then he says something that makes her heart flutter, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she's nuzzling her face into his chest. "I like you too." she giggles.

the warmth of her body is making him sleepy, paired with the comforting sound of her giggles. her words make him focus again, bringing him back to her. “why wouldn’t it be a good thing?” he asks, genuinely surprised by the implication. “if more politicians were kind, i guarantee everyone in the outer rim would be better off by now. too many people only care about their own best interest…the problem is no one wants to help each other.” they’re words he really believes, which is partially why he’s racing for her and the jedi tomorrow. “if there are any men around you that need insulting, i’ll be sure to do it for you,” he adds teasingly.

he can’t seem to stop gazing at her with loving green eyes, as if she had hung the stars. “so i don’t have any competition, then?” he teases in response to her explaining she’s only ever around politicians and jedi. “ah, so you only find me handsome because you’re around those stuffy politicians too much?” he knows it’s not what she meant but he likes making her squirm, amusement lingering in his eyes. “what a shame…”

she points out he’s cocky and he can’t be offended by it, both because it’s true and because she’s so cute saying it. “haven’t i earned it, my lady?” he asks innocently, even though he’s not so innocent at all. regulus has been taking advantage of his good looks and capabilities since he was old enough to– each of his assets helped him survive on this planet, so maybe he is cocky about them and maybe that’s okay.

she grows upset at his teasing, frowning and pouting as she asks why he would want to date another girl. it touches him that she has such an honest reaction, even directly asking him why he would do such a thing. she had given him exactly what he wanted; a response that matches how crazy he feels about her already. it makes him giddy, even if it shouldn’t. would they even know each other after tomorrow? or would he become some half forgotten memory of a slave she had once met on tatooine? “no, i don’t want to date anyone else,” he answers earnestly. “i just wanted you to be jealous at the thought of it because i’m greedy and selfish.” he already knows he is and he doesn’t have a problem with it in this instance.

she seems confused when he tells her to shush him, but she’s also blushing, so maybe she has some idea of what he meant. his gaze flickers away, momentarily discouraged. “nevermind,” he mumbles. “forgive me.” why would a queen want to do such a thing, especially in his bed?

he listens to her words about him and his mother, finding them sweet. “i know you would. but just let me help you for now, okay? one thing at a time.” they could hardly end slavery in a night, could they? he wonders again if she’ll remember him in the future.

he’s stopped playing with her hair, pulling his face away from her neck to lay back against the pillow. her face is against his chest, though, and he wonders if she can hear his heart racing at her nearness. his arm is still around her, and he wonders if he should move it, but she doesn’t seem to mind.

it's strange, comfortable she is yet so nervous at the same time but she feels so safe with him, so happy I'm ways she's never felt in her entire life. maybe it's his warmth that radiates off him and rubs off on her. she smiles softly, her eyes flickering to his lips with a soft giggle falling from her lips. "I'll look forward to it." she purrs, her cheeks flushing a soft shade of pink and his confidence was almost infectious. "I'll be there luckiest girl in tatoonie cause I'm sure there are many who would kill to be spun around by you..." she giggles shyly.

it felt like a weight had been lifted, being able to tell him her true identity...she was the nabooian queen, queen amidala one loved by her people but so lonely and lost. in truth she wasn't sure she was cut out for all this but giving up didn't seem like a possibility, she couldn't let people down when she was all they had to believe in. regulus calls her incredible, she never considered herself to be anything special. "I just want to do what's right for naboo I guess I never really thought of it as getting my hands dirty...just doing what's necessary for the good of my people." she smiles softly. she didn't expect praise from him, she didn't do anything special...she just did what she had to do. "It's a queen's duty to protect her people, plus I guess it's not so bad here, I got to meet you." she smiles softly, eyes looking into his own deeply.

a soft chuckle falls from her lips, pressing her lips together shyly as her eyes flicker down for a moment. she did trust him...more than she trusts most people and that's saying a lot because bexley was surrounded by people, everywhere she turns. "I suppose I do trust you, you just have that aura about you I guess.." her words are soft and gentle, looking up at him with bright eyes. "I guess I really like the color pink, it reminds me of flowers and softness...love." she says gently. "my favorite food is bespin cloud drops but I guess that's more of a desert and my type..." she pauses, her yes looking into his own as she bites down on her bottom lip nervously. "my type is charming boys with dark hair and green eyes, a lot of curls..." she giggles softly. "there I go spilling all my deep dark secrets again." she teases, letting a soft chuckle falls from her lips.

bee didn't mean to sound so jealous, of course he had the freedom to do as he pleases...she wasn't in his life until now and she probably won't be again once all is said and done but for some reason it makes her pout a little especially as he continues to talk. "I wasn't jealous..." this was an obvious lie. "I was just curious I guess." she chuckles nervously, her lips curling into a nervous smile blushing a little. he tells her she's beautiful for what felt like the hundredth time and it makes her heart swell just the same, never getting tired of hearing that she was beautiful from his sweet lips even if she wasn't totally sure of it herself. "hush, you can't call me that." she teases chuckling at him calling her 'highness'

"your mother seems like a very kind and understanding woman, you're lucky to have someone like her." bees words are gentle, gazing up at him. she knows what it's like to need a good parent, someone on your side to look out for you and protect you, who loves you unconditionally and if anyone needed someone like that it was regulus, someone to look out for her.

it’s strange to him, how she could be a ruler of her home world, someone wise and knowledgeable in political turmoil and even war. she’s still hopeful and kind, unchanged by those things as most probably would be.

it’s maybe his dream, making the most beautiful girl in the galaxy giggle like this, smiling all because he said he would pick her up after he won the race. “well, none of them have a chance. i only pick up royalty.” his green eyes have a spark in them that reach his lips. he knows he shouldn’t repeat it once they leave the confines of his small bed, but it feels comfortable talking about it here as if they’re safe from the world and in each other’s embrace.

she’s maybe the first person to say that tatooine really wasn’t so bad. he knows it’s not true at all, even if it’s his home planet. but he can tell she somehow means it when she says it, which amazes him further. how could someone see hope in a place that has none? then again, maybe he does that every day just by working to keep he and his mother safe.

his arm is around her waist, feeling the warmth radiating from her as he tries to focus on her words. it doesn’t surprise him that her favorite color is pink; beautiful and soft, just as she is in his arms. “it suits you,” he murmurs, aware that she can feel his breath because of their proximity. being so close to her perfect face is distracting, his eyes glancing between her beautiful blue eyes to her full pink lips. “you remind me of those things.” flowers, softness and love all seemed like bexley staples. he’s realizing more and more that he selfishly wants her love, and to spoil her with bespin cloud drops, whatever those were.

but he’s more occupied with her confession, describing him when he asks what her type is. he smiles, eyes softening. “such a coincidence…i like beautiful girls with kind hearts, soft hair and smiles so bright they could light up the galaxy.” as if to demonstrate, he runs his fingers through her hair, from the base of her scalp to the ends of the soft strands. “yes, but i like knowing i can make you spill them,” he insists. “you must find me more handsome than anyone you’ve met.” he knows how arrogant he sounds, but he doesn’t care. he’s sure he’s right, especially looking into her sweet, flushed face.

she pouts cutely when he agrees that some girls may want him and it strikes his attention, studying her closely. she tries to insist she wasn’t jealous, but she seems nervous as she says it, like it’s not sincere. “so it wouldn’t bother you a bit if i dated one of those girls?” he teases in a low voice, gaze flickering to that adorable pout. “you wouldn’t care at all?” some part of him feels strangely intense about her, as if he needs her to admit she cares.

she chastises him for calling her his highness and he looks at her with amusement, smiling faintly. “well…maybe you should shush me then.” it comes out suggestively, but he doesn’t correct himself, instead gazing into her eyes almost daringly.

he considers what she says, about his mother being kind. “to be honest, i think this life has hardened us… or at least, it seems that way when i meet more open people such as yourself. she spends a lot of time worrying for our survival over anything else and i can’t exactly fault her for it. sometimes there isn’t a lot of food and i think she feels guilty that i do more of the labor than she does.” regulus has always been the one to over-extend himself, be it for their family or for outsiders. walburga only worried about him (and herself).

it makes his breath catch when she compliments him, although he tries not to show how deeply she’s affecting him. she nods to let him know he can continue touching her, so he does, threading his fingers slowly through new strands of soft hair. he feels her braids, touching those too, a slightly coarser texture against his fingertips.

she says she likes it, moving even closer, so he knows he can do what he wants now. shifting into her, he uses the arm around her waist to pull her against his body, hugging her to him. lifting his head, he tucks his face into her shoulder, inhaling her soft, wonderful scent. his face pressed against her warm skin, he allows the smell of flowers to wash over him like another blanket. his nose dragging against her neck, he breathes her in, then sighs, snuggling close. “i like you so much.”

her lips curl into a smile, blushing slightly at his words as she chuckles softly. "you've already helped me so much already." she says gently, resting her head against the pillow as she nuzzles against it to get comfortable. "I know you will do great things some day regulus, outside of podracing...or building droids. with a heart like yours you could probably change the world if you wanted to." bee chuckles, gaze flickering into his gaze. "so don't go breaking your legs out there in the races. you're going to need them when you're running the world." she teases.

"why do I get the feeling you're trying to get me to tell you one of my deepest darkest secrets?" she teases, a soft chuckle falls past her lips. she knows she can trust regulus, even though she barely knows him she knows that he would do anything for her and her cause despite having no idea what he's truly fighting for. "my planet is in trouble, we are under attack by the trade federation and so I need to get to coruscant to appeal to the galactic senate to help us end the humanitarian crisis..." she starts. "I was elected queen of naboo when I was fourteen. making me one of the youngest queens to have ever been selected by the people of naboo...and I love it but it's a lot of pressure." she says softly. "I use decoys for my own protection but you're the only one who knows this, not even horace is aware." she says in the softest tone. she knows there's a risk of telling him the truth, she shouldn't tell anyone but there was no reason why she shouldn't trust him.

she rolls her eyes playfully at his words, letting a soft giggle leave her lips as she shakes her head a little. "you're ridiculous." she teases with a playful smile, biting down on her lower lip. "but you're not wrong, you're special...not even just for a slave, I've never known anyone quite as amazing as you." she's been around politicians and high ranking people for most of the life, nobody was as committed to something they believed in as he was. "I'm glad we met too." she says softly.

bee finds herself bursting out into laughter again, realizing she's probably nveer laughed this much in her entire life but regulus brings it out of her. "oh aren't you modest? I'm sure the tatoonie girls all adore you." she teases, messing up his hair with her fingers. "careful you might make me jealous of your confidence, I've never had that." her tone is soft, almost talking in a whisper as she leans in closely. "or perhaps I'll get jealous of all those beautiful tatoonie girls." she allows her fingers to brush through his soft dark curls until his arm is wrapping around her waist and he's pulling her in closely as their legs tangle together. it makes her heart flutter, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she leans into his touch, letting her fingers move from his curls to his neck, brushing her pads against his skin. "are you sure your mom won't mind? having a girl in your bed? don't tell me this is a common occurrence, hm?" her tone is playful.

her beautiful face is blushing pink, which makes his heart flutter. she looks shy to be in his bed, and why wouldn’t she be? he’s a stranger and a boy at that, who’s around her age. but he secretly hopes it’s for the same reason his body feels warm, overwhelmed by how close she is. his feelings for her are already impossible to deny and they’ve only just met.

her praise lingers in his head, maybe the most important words anyone has spoken. it means a lot to him that she thinks he can change the world, mostly because she’s one of the people he knows he would do it for. “i’m not going to break my legs,” he reassures her. “if i did, how would i pick you up and spin you around after i win?”

he smiles softly in return, because he can’t help it when he sees her smile. “if it makes you feel any better, i wasn’t trying to…i’m just naturally charming. but i won’t complain about you spilling all of your secrets, either— maybe it’s selfish but i want to know you.”

she explains that her planet is under attack and she’s been a queen of naboo since she was fourteen. green eyes widen, not entirely surprised but still amazed that she’s a queen and has been for so long. her regal, beautiful air makes sense now. “i think you’re incredible,” he says honestly. “getting your hands dirty to help your people. most probably wouldn’t step foot on tatooine anyway, let alone for others.” maybe it’s because of her decoys and deception that no one knows it’s her, and there’s less of a risk. but even stepping off of her ship as an unknown on tatooine was a risk— especially for someone as beautiful as she is. there was slave trade here that would do anything for such a pretty face, as much as regulus hated to even think about the dangers.

his gaze softens and he scoots closer to her on the pillow, their faces only inches apart as he takes in every perfect detail of her own. “you trust me,” he observes, and he likes knowing he’s earned a place in her heart. “before you know it, i’ll have you spilling even deeper and darker secrets.” he smirks at her. “like your favorite color, what food you like, what your type is…” he gazes into her eyes, admiring their beautiful blue color and the shape of them. they’re big, filling her pretty face and impossible not to get lost in, especially when she’s laying so close.

he likes the sound of her laugh, but she doesn’t seem to disagree that he’s attractive. if anything she becomes slightly jealous, leaning in even more as her hand gently runs through his curls. it feels so good that his eyes flutter shut, a soft sigh leaving him. then a smile tugs on his lips when he opens them again. “maybe some,” he answers in response to her claiming tatooine girls are into him. he thinks of tia and alinn, two girls in the slave quarters about his age, but he’s never had any interest in either of them despite the looks they cast in his direction. “but there’s no need for jealousy,” he teases, green eyes sparkling. “no one is as beautiful as you, your highness.” he speaks so quietly that no one could hear but her, glancing down at her lips for a long moment as her fingers stroke through his dark curls. it feels good how her hand brushes against his neck, touching him tenderly.

“my mom might feel some way about it, but she lets me get what i want in the end,” he answers, shrugging with a wry smile. it’s not that he doesn’t care that it bothers his mother– on the contrary, he cares a lot about her opinion. but he couldn’t resist the call to help this beautiful girl, and maybe in doing so he could aid her planet. weren’t millions of lives more important than however his mother felt about a queen sleeping in their little home?

“and no, it’s not ‘common’,” he repeats, amused by the implication. “what am i, the dewback everyone gets a turn on?” he’s just joking when he says it, referencing the reptiles native to tatooine, used for travel and hauling. “you’re the first girl i’ve had in my room,” he adds shyly. “or introduced threepio to.” he meets her pretty eyes again, using the arm around her waist to tug her in closer, pressing the fronts of their bodies together. moving his hand up to her soft hair, he plays with it, sliding slender fingers through auburn strands. “is this okay?” he breathes, their faces close. “i like the way you smell,” he murmurs, almost sleepily. he nuzzles closer, their foreheads brushing. he wants to bury his face in her shoulder, but first he meets her gaze, searching for permission. his fingers pause in her hair, playing with it slowly.

bexley is embarrassed as soon as she asks, wondering if what she's asking is too much or strange... they'd only just met and she's asking him to keep her company in his bed for comfort. but she feels safe with him, safer than she's felt in awhile since the invasion on naboo. her blue eyes flicker to her lap with a shy smile. "I just...I thought it would be nice to have some company." she smiles nervously, soft eyes flickering up at him."with everything happening on naboo I haven't been sleeping well, it gets kind of lonely being who I am." being queen was a very hard and very lonely job, noboyd really understands her or what she's gone through. bexley chuckles softly at his words, shaking her head with a warm smile. "my whole career is based off being polite....I promise you that's not it." she teases. "I don't want to put you out of your bed, I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing you're on thr floor....and besides it benefits me as well, keeping me company."

"you're already doing so much for me, I feel like it's the least I can do." she smiles softly. going against his mother's wishes to enter into a dangerous race was a little intense, post people wouldn't dream of going so far especially when the republic had done nothing for regulus and his mother. she wouldn't blame him if he left her and horace for dead but he was going the extra mile, risking limbs and possibly his life for her and her planet. "my hero deserves a good night of rest." she says smiling up at him as she scoots over. "i'd hardly call your face a mug." she teases. she lays down, pulling the covers over her in this small bed as she's turning to face him as her smile grows over lips. his eyes are even more lovely up close, like the green fields of grass back on naboo. "really?" she asks, reaching up to brush her fingers through his hair. "I wish there was more I could do."

“i would like that, too,” he reassures her, because he wants her company just as much. especially in close quarters, where he can feel the heat of her body and gaze into her beautiful eyes. he can’t quite seem to lessen the intensity of his crush, only feeling it grow by the minute. “i’m sorry you haven’t been able to sleep so well...you seem like someone who deserves to.” his words are gentle and earnest as he climbs into bed beside her. she seems like such a caring person, down to her very core, which is something he didn’t see often. paired with her beauty, it made her the most special person in the galaxy. regulus doesn’t have to leave tatooine to know it’s true.

“i would like to help you sleep,” he insists, now that he knows she wasn’t just trying to be polite. “and i don’t mind helping you and your people either. podracing is what i’m good at and i don’t have much purpose on a planet like this one, other than helping my mom… it’s nice to make a difference.” more than anything, he craves to be someone. he wants to change the world with the things he’s good at, ideally to make peoples’ lives better. he wants to help everyone who’s enslaved here. but first he has to escape slavery, which is no small task. he can only hope his racer isn’t crashed tomorrow, because it would take another couple years sneaking parts and rebuilding everything for his eventual escape.

and he had to worry about removing their transmitter chips, which he didn’t have the technology to do just yet. sighing, he turns his green eyes back to her pretty face, wanting to get lost in her beauty as some source of comfort. “you don’t have to be polite with me,” he adds, thoughtfully. “i have thick skin– it comes with the lifestyle. just know you can always say whatever it is you’re thinking, with me.” for some reason he feels more trusting of her than anyone he’s ever met, and besides that he has a desire to be her comfort and make her feel safe.

“your hero,” he repeats, musing over the words and how they feel on his tongue. “none of the other slaves can say they became a hero for a beautiful girl and her planet…i’ve always been an overachiever, though. i’m glad we met.” for him, bexley was a taste of the outside world– of the freedom he would one day reach. the corner of his lips twitch up at the way she insists he doesn’t have a mug. she’s so close to him now, laying on the same pillow as they face each other, both beneath the covers. “i know i’m attractive, don’t worry.” he’s aware it’s one of his assets, living on tatooine. that and his knowledge of things, able to sense peoples’ emotions and inclinations before it would be obvious to others. it’s part of the reason he’s been able to get away with hiding his droid and racer from watto.

he loves her smile, almost staring at it and her beautiful full lips. they’re so close that it’s more intimate than it should be, especially feeling her warmth under the covers. he shouldn’t feel so comfortable with her after only just meeting, but he does, every part of his guard being let down as if he’s come home somehow.

she reaches up, her slender fingers brushing through his dark hair, making him sigh softly as eyes flutter shut for a moment. “you’re doing more than enough right now…that feels good.” he likes being touched by her, feeling her gentle fingers in his curls. feeling safe, he wiggles closer to her, his legs tangling with hers as his flutter eyes open, meeting her own. green eyes hold blue ones, regulus’s face close to hers on the pillow as he wraps his arm around her waist, gently drawing her closer.

her heart had been heavy this entire time, wondering if she would ever be able to help naboo. it's times like these that bee wonders if she's too young to be a queen, holding so much power on her small shoulders as she tries to figure out what's right and what's wrong, most girls her age didn't have to deal with this kind of stress but it was what bexley chose and she knows she has a commitment to make to her people. "thank you." the queen says gently with his words, her eyes soft as she looks back at him. something about that look in his eyes makes her feel safe, like she's really able to put her trust inside of him.

bee could hear his mom trying her hardest to get regulus to hush up and stop, she's trying her best to make her displeasure seem subtle but she's been around adults enough to know what that looks means and she frowns a little. she can't imagine what it must feel like to have your only son risking his life to help others knowing the universe has never done you any favors. "well the republic is foolish." she says gently. "if there's anything I can do to help change their minds I'll try my hardest to do so " she gives his hand a gentle squeeze.

bee blushes at his compliment about her beauty, the fact he's so willing to do it in front of his own mother and horace was crazy enough but then he actually means it as well, making her heart ache as blue eyes meet his gaze with a soft look in them.

once dinner is all finished everyone is saying their goodnight. bee's fingers interlocked with the boys had he takes her towards his room. it dawns on her that she'll really be spending the night in there and it fills her stomach with butterflies. the closest thing she's ever gotten to sharing a room is when her handmaidens would spend the night but this was different, this was with a boy who was really charming and cute as well. how could she ever sleep knowing he was close? a soft chuckle leaves her as artoo and regulus chitchat about her. "I told you I'm no princess." which she technically wasn't but it was cute he was so determined to call her one. "he is a very bossy droid though, that part is true." she teases artoo who beeps at her.

a warm smile tugs on her lips as the enter, it was smaller than what she was used to but lived in, smelling just like him as she walks into the room. he was so kind and caring, already living the life of a slave but wanting to offer his bed to a traveler but he shouldn't have to. "it's wonderful regulus, thank you." she says walking over to sit on the mattress, R2 moves at the end of her bed stationing himself to watch over her as blue eyes flicker back at regulus for a long moment just before speaking up again. "you have a big race tomorrow and if you're going to do your best you probably shouldn't sleep on some floor...I'm sure that jedi blanket is wonderful but, I think this bed seems big enough for two of us....i-if that's okay with you." she blushes shyly, feeling her own heart racing even as she says it. "I just mean, I think I would sleep better in this strange place if I had something familiar next to me and I'm more comfortable with you than I am with anyone else." R2 beeps as if he's offended by that remark which makes bee chuckle. "I mean other than you or course artoo." she smiles back at the small droid before her eyes search for the boys again, hoping he doesn't think she's weird for asking.

he’s about to sit down with the meditation pillow when bexley speaks again, making him turn. her big blue eyes are vulnerable when they meet his, that tentative kindness in them as she offers to share the bed with him.

it makes his heart flutter– did she truly want him in bed with her? she continues on, explaining it would help her sleep better if she had someone she was comfortable with beside her. maybe she was right and it would be better to sleep in a bed the night before the race.

or maybe he just wants an excuse to go along with her request, because truthfully he wants to be close to her. “er, do you really want me to?” he asks a little shyly, glancing down at her body nervously because it’s difficult to meet her eyes when he’s blushing like this. “if you’re just being polite, it’s okay. i’ve slept on much worse than a pillow before.” regulus has slept on the cold hard ground once, when watto wouldn’t let him go home for the night. his mother had been furious and upset the next morning, but she couldn’t show that to their master or they’d both get beatings. “i suppose you’re right about the race, though.” his brows furrow as he considers it again.

taking the blanket, he walks back over to his bed, standing before her. “scoot over, then. if you truly think my mug will help you sleep better.” it’s difficult not to think about how beautiful she is, from that perfectly sculpted face to the braids in her hair. it makes him blush again as he’s crawling into his own bed, settling under the covers beside her. they’re not touching but they’re close in the tiny bed, so that if he shifted a little they probably would be. he glances over at her, green eyes filled with warmth. “having you here is comforting for me too,” he says softly, the sleepiness already lacing through his words. 

she watches as regulus and his mother talk, the worry in the woman's voice for her son safety, it reminds her of her parents and how worried they must be about her right now but she also takes notice to the determination in the boys voice, her blue eyes softening as he is determined to help her out and make sure that he can help her. it takes her by surprise he has such passion, the fact he even cared for her enough to even risk putting himself in harms way for her cause.

walburga eventually gives in, despite her better judgement. "thank you, both of you. the queen appreciates your kindness and if there's anything we can do to repay you once things are settled in naboo..." she would do whatever she could, she just doesn't know what that is yet but she knew there had to be something to get them away from this place.

her hand is still holding regulus's as eyes meet his gaze, a warm yet sad smile on her lips because she still worries for her new friend even as he reassures her that he won't get hurt. "I believe that you are good enough to do anything you put your mind to regulus but it does not mean I won't worry for you." shesays softly, giving his hand a squeeze. "but thank you, again. it means a lot to have a friend like you." she smiles warmly. it almost makes her sad that after this is all over there is a possibility that she may never see him again but bexley wanted to believe that this wasn't the end, that something in the galaxy would allow them to cross paths again. bexley smiles when he calls her a princess again, seeming to have his mind made up as if she was really something special. "you never fail to amaze me and it's barely been a day." she chuckles softly, his hand feels good in hers, warm as he brushes his thumb against her knuckles. it's not lost on the young queen that all eyes are on them but In the moment she doesn't mind it so much.

"but I do have one request." she says gently. "after the race and after you one day leave tatoonie, you have to let me show you the lake on naboo, I wanna be the first to open your eyes to the beauty of it." she smiles.

everyone eventually finishes their dinner, bexley feeling more full than she felt like she had in days due to all the pressure on her, she thanks the older woman for the meal as she's picking up bowls and bexley's attention is turned back to regulus as she offers him a sweet smile. "sounds perfect." the aubru haired girl says gently, taking his hand again. "we will figure this all out tomorrow bexley." horace assures the young girl as she smiles. "I know, we have a really great pilot on our side." the undercover queen responds smiling back at regulus. "come on artoo, we have an interesting day tomorrow." she turns her attention to the small droid who lets out a happy beep and follows bexley and regulus towards his room.

his dark brows raise when she explains she’s the handmaiden for the queen of naboo. he can sense something about the air around her, however– almost like she’s withholding something. he doesn’t press on it, because he can tell she’s keeping something to herself for a good reason. “we’ll just have to get you there as soon as possible.” he can hear the stress in her voice; he can tell this is weighing on her and there are lives at stake. he has the urge to comfort her; wrap his arms around her, but he doesn’t.

he pushes it down, ignoring the feeling and smiling at her when she continues on to thank him and his mother. “we understand it wouldn’t be easy… one planet could only have so much influence on the republic or their reach.” he sounds defeated as he says it, and in a sense he is. the republic doesn’t care about the outer rim and he doubts bexley or her queen would be able to change that, at least not in his lifetime.

walburga seems a little more tight-lipped on this, shooting her son a look of displeasure, perhaps at how easy he’s being on the system that’s keeping them enslaved.

but regulus isn’t thinking about slavery for once; he’s thinking about the beautiful blue of bexley’s eyes and how soft her hand felt against his. he can’t help but feel pleased at her approval, enjoying the wonderful sound of her sweet laugh.

he’s surprised when she offers to show him the lake on naboo some day– does that mean she feels as strongly as he does? he can only dream. “if it’s even half as beautiful as you, it’ll be one of the most breathtaking things i’ll ever see.”

his mother clears her throat, shooting him another look that clearly suggests she thinks he should be more cautious. regulus chooses to ignore it, just like he’s already ignoring the slight concern and interest coming from horace.

his heart races when she takes his hand and for a moment he almost forgets himself, caught up in the radiant beauty of her perfectly sculpted face and meticulously braided hair. remembering himself after a moment, he nods, gently tugging her towards his bedroom.

there’s an electricity in the air between them that’s difficult to deny. he feels it moving through his body, starting where their hands touch, his fingers interwoven with hers for a moment. he reluctantly lets go, glancing at artoo, who had joined them. “i bet you do only the best job, protecting your princess,” he says to him teasingly, to which artoo beeps. “do you even scold the waiters for getting her order wrong?”

the droid beeps as if in agreement– like it was the most obvious answer in the world. regulus smiles wryly, because artoo is the funniest R2-series astromech droid he’d ever met. he supposes he would grow even more enriched if he were constantly in bexley’s presence, too.

turning away from the two of them, he removes one of the blankets from the end of his bed before walking to the other side of the room, over to where a meditation pillow is placed on the center of the floor. “one of my neighbors, jira, gave me this. she said it was from some old jedi offworlder. it’s so soft that it’s even more comfortable than our couch, so… i don’t mind sleeping on it for the night. you and artoo can take my bed.” he gives her a faint, encouraging smile. “it’s not much, but it’s a little softer than my mother’s bed.” she’s probably used to much better, but he tries not to think about that too much.

bee laughs at his next words, saying she seemed like royalty not so much in a funny way but in a nervous laugh because little did he know just how close he was to the truth of her identity. "you might be too smart for your own good." she teases with a soft chuckle. bee offers a smile to the kind droid nodding her head as artoo beeps. "and I'm sure regulus will find you the best parts in all of tatoonie too, you're going to be the most wonderful companion one could ask for. his mother is lucky to have someone so caring." she offers a smile as she looks at regulus this time, blue eyes lingering in his face for a long moment. it's cute to see him so committed to something that's important to him and a droid as beautiful as threepio deserves the effort one just might put in for someone else, she wonders who else he might do that for...hoping one day she can be that special to someone.

her eyes light up when he says he wants to be useful to her, lips curling into a smile as she reaches out to brush her hand against his cheek. "you've already been useful to me. you kept me company during this time and you will never know how much that means to me...I don't usually have much time to listen and enjoy myself." her thumb brushing against his skin as she smiles. "but I would be honored if you one day came back and introduced me to the awesome guy I know you're going to turn out to be...not that you're not already awesome I just mean...you feel like someone who will do amazing things. with your skills and intelligence, I know you will make everyone proud." she pulls her hand back, blushing a little at her own words hoping she doesn't sound like a total freak."you'll be a wonderful pilot just promise to vist me often?"

bee realizes how different their lives are, that plants didn't grow here on tatoonie like they did on naboo. her world must be so fascinating to him, she feels bad but she also finds it pretty sweet. "no magic here just, a green thumb and not much else to do outside of my duties...I don't normally go too far from home so I need to find something to keep my mind busy." she smiles softly "it's either that or spending time with my niffler alfie." she smiles warmly, thinking back on her small friend who was at home waiting for her return. she's enjoying her time with regulus, feeling at peace when with him as her eyes linger on his soft lips for a long moment, wondering if they feel as soft as they look but before she can act on the thoughts the voice of his mother comes up, letting them know that dinner is ready and she smiles back. "thank you."

her gaze finds regulus again as she standing to her feet, a soft chuckle leaving her. "I haven't had a meal in hours I could eat anything right now." she isn't looking for anything fancy and nothing regulus can do will turn her off as she follows him into the next room. they are quickly met with soup on the table, her eyes flickering towards the old jedi as she gives him a knowing smile.

bee takes her seat and focus on her dinner not realizing how hungry she's been this whole time as a conversation starts between regulus and horace. the younger boy quickly points out that he noticed the other is a jedi which sparks her attention, she's already known the boy was smart but to pick out things so easily it almost impressed her. bee only offering a smile back at him as he points out they both seem important. "so the disguise didn't work?" she jokes, knowing her clothes weren't exactlythe norm around here. the two continue to talk about how they're going to get bee and horace off this planet and to their destination when regulus offers to race, and her heart drops for a moment. he'd told her earlier that he broke both of his legs doing this dangerous thing and now he's willing to put it on the line for them? his mother seems to get the same idea as she starts preaching how she hates it but the boy already has his mind made up and horace seems to agree.

bee sets down her spoon, reaching her hand out to rest against his as blue eyes look at him. "are you sure you want to do this? you know you don't have to do such a thing for us....i don't want you getting hurt." she would never forgive herself if something happened to the sweet boy she met on tatoonie, not on her account but they needed to get to coruscant if they were going to plead with the senate. she gives his hand a gentle squeeze as her gaze looks at him softly. "if this is your way of proving to be useful to me you better promise you'll make it out in one piece...or I'm going to be really upset."

she seems to think highly of him, as if he really can accomplish anything he wants and eventually reach her one day, enough so to pay visits. the version of regulus that had always dreamed of escaping tatooine feels a glimmer of hope, because if she believes in him then maybe he isn’t completely deluded.

she’s maybe the kindest person regulus has ever met, from her sweet voice to her reassuring words, even smoothing over something potentially awkward by making it clear she saw no issue with eating food fit for slaves. he wonders what she normally eats; how extravagant her meals likely are. he can’t shake the feeling that she’s a princess from a palace far away, used to wearing beautiful gowns and being tended to by staff. she isn’t like him at all and that’s one of the qualities that intrigues him, along with her intelligence and beauty.

she smiles when regulus points out horace is a jedi, teasing him about her disguise. “no,” he smiles gently at her. “you’re much too beautiful to convince me you’ve led a life like mine.” he glances at his mother unthinkingly, because she’s the other beautiful woman in his life. even in her age, she retains her beauty. when he’d grown up, she always told him he was her miracle. regulus never had a father and it wasn’t something he particularly noticed, especially because many slaves didn’t have parents at all. besides, she was all he’d known.

he remembers wondering if he would grow up to be as beautiful as his mother, or half as resilient. luckily for him, he seems to have been lucky in many ways. although in his opinion he did deserve it, especially if he looked at his lot in life elsewhere.

he hates disappointing his mother; the way her face dims when he talks about racing. but he doesn’t regret his offer; he knows he can win and besides that bexley needs his help. he’s not sure why, but he’s convinced she would do the same for him if she could.

“you have almost died in them,” his mother reminds him, a tremor in her voice from emotion. he can see the anger in her big, brown eyes; anger for not him, but watto and the rest of the slavers. “you know i’ve wanted to put a stop to it. why ask to race?”

“you’re not listening to me,” he snaps, growing irritable even if he understands her perspective. “there’s a race for boonta eve tomorrow. i can win them the truguts so they can get the ship parts they need. i know i can win and i still love racing, even if it’s dangerous.” he looks at her levelly, meeting her gaze. “and you know that, so let me help them.”

she sighs in frustration, averting her eyes. glancing sidelong at horace, she seems to consider regulus’s words before relenting. “i don’t like it, but i suppose i understand. no one else here is going to help any of you– no one is friendly to the republic. no one you can trust.” it’s unspoken, but regulus knows what’s hanging in the air. the hope that the jedi order could repay them; somehow help free the slaves. they were always told the jedi were noble peace-keepers whose justice protected the galaxy. it was never true on tatooine, but that didn’t stop people clinging to hope that something could eventually change.

who was regulus not to help a jedi and what was probably a princess or queen? besides, he wants to and the entire room can tell because of the way he talks to her.

she reaches out, touching his hand with her own and making his heart leap as their eyes meet. she’s so beautiful that it takes his breath away each time he gazes upon her perfect face. “i won’t get hurt,” he shakes his head. “i don’t know how to explain it but this is what i was born for. it’s almost like i have an extra sense when flying… it’s the only reason watto kept putting me in the races.” he moves his hand from underneath hers to take her own and squeeze it. “let me help you.” his tone is as gentle as his touch, his thumb tracing her knuckles gently.

the way she’s looking at him makes his body warm, feeling something he’s never felt before as he gazes into her beautiful blue eyes. he strokes her fingers and answers, “i wouldn’t want a princess to be so upset. don’t worry; i’ll be fine. i’ve been podracing since i was old enough to sit in a racer.”

“we’ll talk to watto tomorrow, then,” horace agrees, even if he seems hesitant.

it’s unspoken, but as they all go back to their soup, regulus can tell everyone had noticed the tension between the two of them. it isn’t until they finish eating and walburga begins to gather their bowls that he turns to bexley again. “come with me to my room. i know it’s a strange situation and none of this is what you’re used to, but i can make sure you have somewhere comfortable to sleep.” the sandstorm is still raging outside, tearing at the outside of the building. regulus is secretly glad, if only because it gives him an excuse to spend more time with her. 

“and feel free to take the couch in the work room,” his mother says to horace, who’s standing up from the table.

"no really, it's okay...you don't have to apologize." she says gently, she didn't blame his mom, most people might be freaked out by the fact a bunch of strangers were in their home. she hates the words, slave and owner...he was a person but an object...it just didn't seem right and she wishes there was something she could do right at this moment, bring him out of this hell. "I wish something would happen to that guy...forgive me I just...I wish there was some way to change this all for you, nobody deserves this especially not someone like you with so much in his life ahead of him." she frowns at the thought. "but thank you, for your hospitality and kindness...this mission hasn't been the easiest and having someone like you has made it far less dreadful I suppose."

threepio is wonderful and she really means it when she says that, she never seen anything like this before...I droid made with so much love and a young boy who made it just for his mom. she smiles warmly at him as he explains to her. "amazing." she says softly. "your mom is truly lucky to have such a wonderful son by her side..." she smiles softly, especially with no father around it seemed like regulus had a lot of this handled even if he shouldn't at such a young age.

she hears the smaller droid teasing the other and bee can't help but laugh a little. "artoo don't be rude." she says gently. "you look lovely threepio, just need a little more work and you'll be perfect, your maker is wonderful." she offers the droid a warm smile. her blue eyes flicker towards regulus when he begins talking to artoo, telling the little droid he's more than just his programming and it brings a smile to her face a soft chuckle leaving her as artoo gets excited by his compliments. "he's the reason we were even able to make it to this planet...he's kind of amazing." she says gently which artoo beeps again as if he's enjoying all the attention.

she blushes at his words, tucking her hair behind her ear as she giggles. "I can't really take you for someone who is very easy to ignore." she purrs. he's handsome and charming, getting her attention wasn't exactly impossible when he was so good at making himself seen. bee follows him to the couch, sitting down near him as she shrugs. "I'm...I guess you can say that to an extent, nothing like droids and podraces though." there's not much the queen can share about herself, thinking about it she's not sure what she is good at other than her duties as a ruler. "I guess I like to paint and garden...it's kind of boring given all the things I could be doing."

“you’re welcome,” he says softly, looking at her for a moment. he’s not used to hearing praises from a beautiful girl close to his own age; it feels strange but nice. other than some in-passing friendships he’s had with some of the other slaves his age in mos espa, regulus hasn’t had much time for relationships such as this one, where they sat in a quiet room talking about their lives and feelings.

her sweet smile moves something inside of him because she’s so beautiful. he could gaze at her all night and it would entertain him; memorizing every plane of her face and curve of her body. somehow he knows he’ll never forget her, even when she leaves forever. “that means a lot, coming from someone who seems like royalty,” he says teasingly, glancing at her eyes to see if there’s any truth to his jab in the dark. something about her made him think princess, and then there was when she spoke of the palace…

threepio seems pleased by her compliment and if a protocol droid could blush, he would be. “how kind of you, miss bexley.” artoo beeps again, as if to add on. “yes, i know. master regulus will cover my circuits, i’m sure of it.”

“i only have to find the right parts,” regulus agrees with the droid. scavenging for the right scraps was a process with everything he’s built.

it makes him happy to hear about artoo’s accomplishments– bexley seemed like she deserved only the best and he’s a competent, intelligent droid. if anyone could get her to coruscant, it was her crew. a pang of longing hits him, realizing he wishes he could be apart of it. “i’ll be useful to you like that, some day. when i can use my piloting skills for something worthwhile.” whenever he escapes this nightmare of a planet, is the part he doesn’t say. he wonders what it’s like to have a home he loves and feels safe in. for him, home is his mother and now threepio.

he notices her hesitation to talk about herself— it must mean she really is someone important. but he appreciates that she seems to answer earnestly anyway, and regulus can easily picture her in a garden. as someone who’s never seen true greenery, he doesn’t find it boring, however. “not exactly. i can work with scraps of metal, but making something organic grow?” in mos espa, they mostly ate fruit, meat, meat substitutes and imported vegetables. there was ahrisa and ruby bliel, consumed to survive the dual suns. there weren’t any large farms; not like the ones pilots and traders talked about from  other planets. “that sounds like magic.” he knows it’s not, but it seems strange enough to be.

it’s then that his mother pokes into the room, clearing her throat to interrupt how fixated the two are on each other. artoo beeps at her in greeting. “dinner is almost ready, reggie.”

“we’ll be there in a moment,” regulus tells her. she nods and leaves, his attention falling back to bexley. “i’m sure it won’t be what you’re used to, from wherever you’re from…” it seems uncouth to say as much, but he almost feels embarrassed somehow, hosting someone so important in his home and being unable to provide her usual comfort levels. not that regulus even knows why she’s important yet— but she’s important to him.

but to his surprise, when he leads bexley out to the dining room, there are bowls of soup waiting for them at the table.

“horace was kind enough to share food capsules with us, so we’re having soup tonight,” walburga explains, waiting for them to take their seats before sitting herself, next to her son.

“we appreciate it,” regulus says to him, giving a tentative smile. it was kind of him to supply the capsules, but it does leave him with more questions about who horace is.

“oh, it’s no trouble,” he says. “i know this is unexpected and we appreciate your hospitality.”

regulus studies the older man, from the poncho he’s wearing to the pouch on his waist. “you’re a jedi, aren’t you?” he asks, somewhat shrewdly. “i saw the weapon on your belt earlier.”

there’s an awkward pause, the older man staring for a long moment. then he laughs, a bit nervously. “there are other ways of acquiring such a weapon. like to kill a jedi and take it from him…”

regulus shakes his head, green eyes serious. “it’s obvious you’re both important people.” he glances at the beautiful girl at his side, wishing once again he was apart of her world.

“well… yes,” horace relents, sighing. “but you mustn’t share anything about us. we’re headed to coruscant on a very important mission.”

regulus already knows this because bexley told him, but he doesn’t say as much. “were you able to find the parts to repair your ship?” he asks, probingly.

“yes,” horace answers. “but watto doesn’t accept republic credits so we’re at a bit of a stalemate.”

regulus considers it for a moment, and then says, “you could get him to give you the parts through gambling. convince him to let me race for you and when i win, give him all of the truguts left after you buy the parts.” watto would only be interested in the currency used by the hutts, not republic credits. “regulus, you know i hate when you race. don’t ask to do it,” his mother chastises, eyes darkening.

"i love racing," he says in defiance, locking eyes with her. "and besides that, i'm the only one that can help them."