emptiness is safe

“Oh”, she said, tucking some hair behind her ear so it was out of her line of sight while she scanned about the area. To her relief, there seemed to be a booth in the back corner, somewhere away from most patrons that were currently in the pub, and even those who where sure to arrive. “Um, it looks like there’s an empty spot in the back”, she told him, sure he’d appreciate the lowest chance of being seen together. “We could sit there?” 

— ✴︎ Regulus nodded, “ er, we, um, if you don’t want to sit in the back, we don’t have to ? ” it came out as more of a question, but he did mean it. Regulus wished his anxiety would go away so he wouldn’t keep panicking over saying or doing the wrong thing. “ I, uh, I’m more worried about someone saying something rude to you, than about them seeing me, ” he added. 

At this point, Emily was kicking herself for not allotting more time between the end of her shift and meeting up with Regulus. All of her eye makeup had been cried away, and she was still in her archaic looking candy stripper uniform. There was part of her who just wanted to head home, knowing that nothing would probably happen between the two of them, like ever, and it would just be easier to nip it in the bud. However, he’d put a smile on her face on one of the darkest days she’d seen, and the sight of his face was something she’d missed. With her cloak wrapped around her tightly, Emmeline walked through the doors of the Three Broomsticks, scanning the pub for the youngest Black.

— ✴︎ Regulus had settled at the bar to wait for Emmeline, and he stood when he saw her, smiling widely and walking over to her. “ Hi, ” he smiled, relieved she’d actually come. He wasn’t sure why she still wanted to associate with him, but it was a relief to not have been ditched. “ I wasn’t sure if you’d prefer to get a table or not, so I haven’t got one yet, ” he said, glancing around the pub. It wasn’t too crowded yet, so they had plenty of option.

“you sure you’re prepared to take on five kids and a nine-month-old?”

— ✴︎ “ ...I don’t know ? ”

“and then there’s the added sickness that comes along with the cold too and when you’re dealing with kids all under the age of ten who are all sick, it’s not fun.”

— ✴︎ “ Oh dear, that doesn’t sound fun. I’d be happy to help out, if you ever need a babysitter. As long as I don’t have to stand outside in the snow. ”

molly relaxed every so slightly as regulus wrapped an arm around her shoulders, a sigh of contentment pushing past her lips. “they love getting dirty, that’s for sure. their favorite is definitely snow, though.”

— ✴︎ Regulus chuckled, “ oh, I don’t think I’d be able to handle that. I’d get too cold too quick and everyone would have to go back inside when it snows. ”

      But Regulus shook himself from his anxious thoughts. He was going to enjoy spending time with Emily, not obsess over his anxiety. Regardless of what happened with other people, he was going to enjoy spending time with her. He’d liked her for as long as he’d known her, and he honestly couldn’t imagine that she’d feel the same, but at least she hadn’t rejected the idea of catching up.

@heiress-of--slytherin

Sirius couldn’t take his eyes off Remus as he approached. He looked different, more grown up from what he could remember of his little brother. Sirius gestured to the chair for Regulus to take a seat, to relax so they could actually talk. This was going to be awkward either way. 

“Hey erm… good I guess? You know, everything going on its not great,“ Sirius said. Questions were racing through his mind. What side was Reg on? Was he fighting against Sirius? He couldn’t ask them, not yet. “Everything going on I wanted to check in, I know we have problems and issues but you’re still my brother Reg.”

— ✴︎ Regulus settled in the chair across from Sirius, observing his older brother. He looked the same — older, of course, than he did the last time they’d spoken — and Regulus wondered how much had changed for him, since he’d left home. 

      “ Yeah, em, I’m sorry. About Dumbledore. He was a good wizard, ” Regulus said softly. He bit his lip, anxiety beginning to surface. He wasn’t sure Sirius would forgive him. He didn’t think he had reason to. “ Yes, yeah, I’m glad you did. I’ve been wanting to see you for a while, now, ” Regulus nodded. “ I’ve missed you. ”

“And that’s why I try never to get involved in any kind of politics.” But here he was, part of a friggin Order designed to keep the best of the political order safe. He looked over at Regulus and sighed in return, “Then you should tell him.“ he whispered, “Somehow, someway… Just let him now. We could be dead tomorrow. Don’t you think life’s too short to love it without telling your own brother you miss him?”

“Oh he wasn’t perfect.” Peter smiled, “In his younger years he said one or two things that earned him a smack on the back of his head.” Peter blew out some smoke, “Yea. It’s not what I need but it’s the closest thing I can get right now.”

— ✴︎ Regulus shrugged, “ it’s hard not to be involved, ” he said. “ And I think, even if it’s easier to be uninvolved, is it really better, in the end, to have avoided it ? ” Regulus continued. He nodded, “ perhaps I’ll owl him, ” he mused. “ Life is far too short. ”

      “ Well, no one is perfect, but he was better than I was, ” Reg shrugged. “ Well, if it’s the closest you get to what you do need, it’s sort of like needing it, ” he chuckled.

molly smiled softly, noticing regulus looking at her youngest. “i love the cold and i love the rain, but i’ve come to appreciate warmer weather since i’ve had kids.” she rested her head against regulus’ shoulder. ron’s eyes drooped every so slightly from being in such close proximity of his mother at nap time.

— ✴︎ Regulus stiffened momentarily when Molly leaned her head against his shoulder, but he relaxed quickly, smiling a little and slowly wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “ I bet they like the rain and snow. It was always fun to play in, ” he watched the kids playing.

when regulus sat down next to her, molly scooted ever so slightly towards him. ron looked over at him, big blue eyes peering at the unknown person, his thumb in his mouth. “who would have thought at this time of year we would be getting such nice weather.”

— ✴︎ Regulus smiled, looking at the child, “ I didn’t think we would. It’s nice though. I prefer warmer weather. ”

“I’ll tell Narcissa, then.” Between Draco and her own social calls, it was always better to consult Narcissa before inviting anyone over the manor. Lucius took his coffee from the witch working the cart, and stepped aside for Regulus to place his order.

While Lucius was certain his meetings would go well, he was also sure that many people working for the Ministry would take poorly to his presence on a day like today. Regulus didn’t have his reputation, but being a Black might also make him a target for some of their unkindness. Not that he thought the younger wizard couldn’t handle it, but on occasion Lucius caught himself wanting to look out for the young Death Eaters to-be. Some of them, anyway. “If anyone gives you trouble today, ignore them.”

— ✴︎ Regulus nodded, “ thank you, ” he smiled. He stepped forward to order his coffee quickly, smiling at the witch. He shook his head, “ I’m sure things will be fine, ” he shrugged. He hadn’t really thought about it, but he knew that it was a possibility that others might give him a hard time just because of who he was.

A bright smile spread across her face and she wasn’t even phased at the red blooming on her cheeks. “No, no”, she said a little too quickly. “You’re absolutely fine. You weren’t rambling whatsoever. I’d love to get a drink, or, or whatever you’d like. I get off in about thirty minutes, if that’s alright.”

molly laughed and looked up at regulus. “you can sit down if you want, sweetie.” she looked back at her kids and smiled. “it’s such a nice day, it’d be hard not to be.”

— ✴︎ Regulus smiled, “ thank you. ” He sat down beside her, “ I suppose you’re right about that, ” he grinned.

“Mother will be pleased to know her lessons are working then.” Alecto sighed gently, bored already of feigning upset. Her mother had taught her from a young witch to be able to fake interest and emotion. “You’re in his good graces? You must be special Regulus, my parents claim he is rather hard to please.” Alecto had only met the Dark Lord the once, and that was her initiation.

Peter would be the first to admit he wasn’t the sharpest wand in Olivander’s, but even he could twig when something sounded a little off. He let out a huff of breath and looked at the other for a few moments, “That’s dangerous talk.” he said softly, “And this is a dangerous meeting.” He should be running away but he was so tired, so desperately tired of forever being scared and jittering to and fro… If he could take a few moments of quiet here than he would. Merlin knew the fear would be right there waiting for him the moment they were done. “He misses you.” Peter added after a moment, “He won’t talk about it, but he does.” Whether it would be a comfort to the other he didn’t know.

“I can imagine.” This was such an odd conversation he could almost believe it was a dream, made it a little easier to speak, “Hating someone for how they were born is fucked up on so many levels. Twisting kids into that hatred is even worse.” He lit the other’s cigarette and took a drag of his own before wincing as he blew out smoke, “I don’t smoke often.”

— ✴︎ Regulus shrugged, “ everything political is dangerous, ” he pointed out. But he nodded. He shouldn’t be voicing a changing opinion openly. He sighed, when Peter mentioned that his brother missing him. “ I miss him, too, ” he murmured. “ I’ve always missed him, ” he sighed.

      “ Yes, ” Regulus nodded. “ I wish I’d ignored it the way Sirius did, ” he sighed. He took a drag of the cigarette once Peter lit it, shutting his eyes as he inhaled. “ Me neither, but sometimes we need it, ” he shrugged.

After everything that had gone on, Sirius had caved and been in touch with his brother. People were dying and Sirius would never forgive himself if something happened without making amends with Regulus. He missed his brother, more than he could ever explain. Sirius regretted a lot of things in his life, the biggest regret was Regulus. He never should have left him in that house, with his spiteful parents. 

All that, was the how Sirius ended up sitting in a pub, at the back with a drink in his hand, waiting for Reg. They had agreed to meet up and talk. Sirius had no idea how things would go. Either a full screaming match or sobbing hugs. They were too alike, willful. For the first time, Sirius was going to try and listen to reg, give him a chance instead of just getting angry with no reason. “Hey,” Sirius said, when someone approached. 

@rcgulusvrcturus

— ✴︎ Regulus hadn’t expected a response, let alone a meeting with Sirius, but he was grateful. He should have followed him out the door, even if he couldn’t have moved in with the Potters, he could’ve at least been a better brother. He missed Sirius, and he wished he could go back and change the way he’d acted. 

      Regulus stepped through the doors to the pub, glancing around the room, he smiled, walking over to where Sirius was already sitting in the back. Whatever happened, they could at least say they’d tried. And he got to at least see Sirius, at least. Without the intention of ignoring what he had to say. “ Hey, ” Regulus smiled as he approached the table. “ How, er, how are you ? ”

“they are great kids.” molly smiled and picked up her youngest, who cuddled into her immediately. the weasley kids took their nap time seriously. “i’m not so sure about the great parents thing, though.” she, was of course, teasing.

— ✴︎ Regulus chuckled, watching as she lifted the youngest up. “ Pffft, nonsense, ” he laughed. “ They’re so... happy. ”