#artist!regulus

you tapped your knuckles against the doorframe, catching regulus’ attention.

regulus tensed, his grey eyes flicking to where you stood. regulus could feel his cheeks grow hot, you, it was you coming in here on your own time—your own will not just your curiosity.

-

regulus had told pandora and evan about the time you two spent together, telling evan when he arrived at his dorm and informing pandora at breakfast making her not be able to take her eyes off of you the entire time you and your friends ate, making regulus constantly nudge her arm or pull a strand of her blonde hair to tell her to stop.

pandora had always accepted regulus’ feelings for you. noticing his longing gazes on you and how he became more and more agitated with james, knowing he was and is upset that james and sirius have a relationship he wanted to have with his brother, but this was just the cherry on top to the point where regulus couldnt stand seeing james in the hallways—just the mention of his name soured his mood.

at first she did think he liked lily, thinking that the redhead that james sang love songs to was his crush and almost confronted him about because james would chase off anyone or anything that got near lily but stopped herself when she noticed that regulus didnt even bat an eye at lily, then something caught her eye.

they were both in the library, regulus was slumped in his chair after quidditch practice then suddenly perked up. pandora hadnt heard anything concerning to earn that type of reacting, so she was naturally concerned for her best friend. though for regulus this was an opportunity to just get a simple glimpse of you, to see if you were smiling or if you were okay. pandora was now flicking her eyes from regulus to you then back and forth.

pandora was taken back by how fast regulus’ face had heated up, his cheeks red and the tips of his ears grew pink. she hoped this is what Xenophilius looked like when he heard her voice. pandora just needed something to solidify her thoughts.

regulus’ sketch book was the thing that solidified her thoughts, he used to show her his newest drawings and would let her touch it whenever she pleased but now he kept it under his watch 24/7, not letting her have access to it and only allowing her to touch it and look in it if he was paying attention.

the time she actually got to see inside of it felt like it was meant to happen, evan had brought her to the slytherin common room to hang out with him, barty and regulus but regulus was gone, they waited up for him but it went late into the night and evan and barty ended up falling asleep on the common room couch. pandora was worried, her minding going wild and it drove her crazy and decided that she had to find him or her worries wouldnt ease.

pandora knew that regulus and mcgonagall set up a little agreement, now he spent a lot of time in there, whenever she wasnt using the room it seemed like regulus was. pandora made her way to the professors room, making sure not to get caught by any prefects or head girls or boys in the process. her nerves settled when she finally made it there, regulus was asleep beside his sketch book, his face on one page of it and his hair covered his eyes.

smiling and walking towards his sleeping frame, admiring him as he looked so peaceful. the only time he truly looked calm and relaxed. pandora almost didnt want to wake regulus up but she needed to get him to bed. before waking him, taking a glance at the sketch— you, it was you. furrowing her brows as she tried to think of where the sketch took place, you sitting down on the grass, then it cross her mind — realizing why it felt familiar.

it was you sitting in the courtyard earlier today, remembering you were with your friends thats why you were smiling and laughing. pandora quickly came back to her senses and woke regulus up, him being too tired to worry about the sketch book when he awoke and just nodded half listening and followed pandora back to his common room then to his bed. pandora had grabbed his things and carried them and told him goodnight before getting evan and barty.

the next day consisted of pandora mentioning his crush on you in the library which he tried to deny at first then he admitted it then the next week it had accidentally slipped from her mouth when her, regulus and evan were in the astronomy tower late at night. evan was a bit skeptical at first but just accepted it as time went on.

-

“would you like some company?” you asked, giving him a soft smile. regulus stood there for a second, processing your words.

“oh uh- yeah” regulus choked out, twitching in a nervous way to scratch at his temple and sniffling a bit. He could hear the little rubber grippers on the bottom of your slippers on the floor as you walked to him, coming closer and closer, way closer than he thought you’d ever get, you were basically bumping into each other.

“It’s still as beautiful as the first time I saw it” you said, a smile growing on your face. Regulus stood behind you, he had his paintbrush in the murky water to his left and his palette on his right.

You picked up his brush, “show me how” you said, looking over your shoulder at him and moving the brush in your hand to fit nicely.

Regulus didn’t move, he was zoned out on you and only came out of it when you laughed and repeated what you said. you looked over your shoulder and nodded your head to the painting.

“c'mon” you teased before looking back to the painting.

Regulus was almost shaking, being so close was intoxicating and it was like every time he wished and hoped something would happen was happening at this moment.

he stepped closer to you, moving the palette to your other hand and then putting his over yours. you smiled and leaned back against him just a bit, it was so lovely to be close to someone, like breathing fresh air after you’ve been inhaling smoke your entire life.

Regulus started to move your hand, painting some flowers he had half done. he could smell your shampoo which made him take deep long breaths. He moved your hand, light strokes on the canvas, watching the paint transfer to it. He brought your hand back to the palette to mix some colors.

Painting more flowers then dipping the brush into murky water then wiping it on his shirt before getting a new color on his brush.

“Are you going to the quidditch game?” Regulus asked, you weren’t wanting to go since you normally went to support James but you knew now wasn’t the right time, the air between you two was so thick and it just felt awkward.

“i’m not sure” you sighed.

“well what else is there to do on a friday afternoon?” regulus joked, it came naturally and he didn’t know why he didn’t feel as anxious as he did 5 minutes ago, you made him feel comfortable even though he always felt anxious around you.

you laughed, your shoulders moving up and downing slightly.

“you’re right. i’ll tell you what, i’ll go and support slytherin only if you promise that you’ll try to win” you said, turning your head to the side to look at him, you smiled.

“what if we don’t?” regulus asked and cleared his throat, he avoided your gaze.

you hummed as you thought.

“you have to wear a gryffindor sweater the next day” you said, hoping that would be on the same level.

“deal” regulus laughed softly, he was still moving your hand, guiding your hand with his, making art.

you were always so friendly, the way you were acting like you had been his friend for months made him feel warm, it was like a glimpse of what your friends had way before he could have it. the opportunity of a friendship blossoming made his lips curl up, not just a best friends brother that you felt the need to greet and be nice to, a real friendship and of course on his end a longing that he would never push onto you unless you felt the same way.

“my father would like you, he really likes art and things like that” you spoke freely, regulus looked at you again and he couldn’t fight the butterflies in his stomach. “hes really into pottery, half the cups in my house are made by him” you added with a giggle.

regulus smiled, “did he teach you?” he asked, his hand still moving yours as he mixed a new color.

“he tried, i was just so terrible” you laughed, regulus wanted to combat the degrading comment.

“everything takes practice” he whispered, regulus grabbed a paint tube and squeezed out more white.

“that's not what i've heard about you-“

regulus paused, his stomach dropping, what have you heard about him? it was evident him and sirius didn’t have the best relationship so what did he tell you, his mind wandered.

“- i heard that you practically came out of the womb with a paint brush and good manners” you finished, a smirk on your face.

regulus forced himself to break from his thoughts and give you a reaction, “now that i can agree to” he said. He had always been told he was a good child but it was never by choice.

hours passed and now you were sitting on the floor going through his paints.

-

“y/n! cmon we aren't going to get good seats” peter grumbled.

it was friday, a week had gone past since you were with regulus, studying had taken over a lot of your time and when you had passed McGonagall's class you didn’t see him but every time you saw him in the halls you smiled, you thought of maybe striking up a conversation but when you saw him there was slytherin boys around him and if you stared too long at least one of them would sneer at you.

you looked around for something green, you knew your friends would say something about it and others would give you weird looks.

“Okay okay im coming stop rushing me” you sighed, running down the stairs.

“What the fuck are you wearing?” dorcas gasped, her hand grabbing the green sweater you were wearing.

“James is gonna be so pissed” peter whispered.

“We have to take risks sometimes right? Lets go” you put your hands on your hips as you grabbed your wand. Remus grabbed peter by the shoulders and pushed him out of the common room.

The wind bit at your cheeks, you could hear cheering and roaring. Slytherin vs gryffindor, the tension was thick. You sometimes hated quidditch, it made people mean and stressed out but thats what others liked about it.

You sat with your friends, odd one out in the red and gold sea of people, eyes constantly wandered to you and a few dirty looks here and there which would be scared off by remus. Pandora noticed you, a slight point and Evan's eyes caught on.

The game started, people cheered and boo’d, names were chanted. James and you locked eyes, his tongue pressed to his cheek and a scoff with a head shake was made.

Regulus’ stomach was uneasy, you were on his mind while getting ready, he couldn’t lose he had been practicing and coming up with strategies for the past week. His muscles strained and sweat poured off of him. He was nervous just getting on the broom.

He couldn’t look in the crowd, he had to focus. The game started quickly and james was already playing rough, almost knocking him into the posts and beams.

Hours passed, they were tied. You chewed on some popcorn that mary got you, dorcas cheered for her girlfriend and knocked over her drink. Remus laid back against your legs, he would sometimes go from watching to writing things down in his notebook. Peter and lilly talked, she held james’ sweatshirt in her lap.

One more point, thats all and slytherin could win. The snitch, it zipped around regulus, his eyes lighting up. James saw it too, he brows furrowed as he went for it.

They were going so fast, regulus looked to the side. It felt like everything slowed once he saw you, your eyes big and you sat up straight. You looked good in green. James knocked into him.

Regulus chased him, catching up to him quickly then surpassing him. Regulus strained as he reached for it almost falling off the broom. His eyes watered from the air.

Regulus closed his fist, he got it, the snitch was in his hand.

Hollers and roars came from slytherin and silence fell over gryffindor. “Fuck” james yelled and sirius caught up to him. James’ chest heaved, his fists clenched.

You jumped and screamed for regulus. Soon later people were leaving the stands, you all went to meet up with james and sirius.

Pandora and evan waited on regulus and barty, you laughed with remus and mary rubbing in that “your” team won.

Regulus was the first to walk out, his hair wet and you smiled at him and walked up to him. Meeting him halfway. Pandora held evan back and gave him a look.

“You did amazing reg!” you said, hugging him tightly. Regulus’ body froze, he’s never felt so good in his life. The pain on his muscles faded when normally if someone touched him he’d be so sore. He could smell your perfume, it was intoxicating. You soft with your touch, so soft he wished you’d press harder against him and never leave.

“I-i- you know im just glad i didn’t lose so i wouldn’t have to wear that stupid thing” regulus tried to joke, hoping it went well.

You pulled away, smiling even more “you know supporting a different team isn’t that bad” you laughed. Regulus rolled his eyes with a smirk, he made eye contact with evan, even smiled and nodded.

“You know id love to see you at the party tonight” you said, fiddling with your rings. Regulus’ face flushed. He went to some parties, never stayed more than an hour though.

“Yeah i’ll-”

“Are you fucking coming y/n we ain’t waiting for ever” james yelled, his hands on his hips and his face flushed.

“Ill talk to you later.” you sighed and waved. Regulus blinked a few times watching you walk away, your head hanging in shame. Remus threw his arm over your shoulder as the group walked away.

–

Music was loud, but the people were louder. It was dark and lights were shining on ceiling and walls. Slytherin’s common room was cold, your arms were chilly as you sipped on your drink.

You watched lily and james, he had her against a wall, a hand beside her head dipping in and out to whisper in her ear. It was hard to swallow. Sirius was going around bumping into people and dancing while peter chased after him.

Regulus watched you a minute before approaching, evan had made him pregame just a little before going to the party.

James was keeping an eye on you.

You smiled when you saw a familiar face walk up to you.

“Hello” regulus greeted.

You laughed, “you’re drunk” you sat your drink down and took his.

“Maybe” regulus smiled. He was barely tipsy but it was sweet to watch you try and take care of him. He rubbed his arm, his eyes on the ground. “i appreciate you supporting me” regulus added.

“I told you i would, you think i just wouldn’t keep my end of deal?” you asked with a soft laugh.

“No i-”

“y/n come here” james ordered sternly, another conversation interrupted, he was doing it on purpose. Regulus scoffed and looked at james.

James grabbed you hand and nodded in the other direction, “i have to talk to you”

You looked at regulus, “ill be back kay?” you smiled and started to follow james.

Regulus nodded, his face dropping and his eyes went back to the floor. He grinded his teeth. James thought he was better than everyone, no doubt his complex was threw the roof. Regulus dug his nails into the palm of his hand.

“James you are being fucking rude” you scolded as he walked you into a room.

“What did i tell you, stop hanging out with that fucker” james huffed, his chest was puffed.

“What the fuck is wrong with you james?” you asked him, throwing your arms out.

James got closer to you, he knew how to fuck with you. His hand pushed your hair out of your face. His voice softened to a whisper.

“You’re too good for him, he’s just gonna use you.”

At the sight of a radiant smile, bronze skin, and golden glasses, all memories from the night before evoked in him. He suddenly remembered making an absolute fool of himself by asking a doctor who just stitched him up on a date.

While he was drunk.

The first thing he did was send a screenshot of the profile and the message that read just a simple ‘Hi’ to the group chat.

i can fix him (i can’t)

Reg

<2 photos attached>

that’s the doctor from last night

what do i do??????????

Barty

skakksjsksjsjsjsjajsjsj

Evan

x2

Pandora

x3

what is he doing in your dms?

Reg

…

i may or may not have asked him out

There was a short pause before his phone started ringing.

“What the fuck do you mean you asked him out?” Pandora asked, amused. In the background, Regulus could hear Barty and Evan laughing hysterically.

“Well, I was drunk, and he was really hot. We should all be grateful I only did that instead of trying to convince him to fuck me on his desk,” he responded, trying to take off the bandage off of the fresh wound without making it hurt more than necessary.

On the other end of the line, he could hear Panda huffing a small laugh. “Yeah, thank god that whore didn’t come out.”

“Any—oh fuck, it hurts—anyways, what do I do now?” Regulus asked again, finally throwing away the old bandage and starting to clean the cut. He hated using disinfectants on any part of his body, really, but on the face, it felt worse than anything.

His friend hummed thoughtfully. “I think you should text him back and see how it goes,” and so he did.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

On Tuesday evening, exactly at 7:36 p.m., Regulus was sitting on a bench in front of his apartment building and waiting for a grey Mercedes to arrive.

After he answered James yesterday, they talked a bit and agreed that Drunk Regulus’ idea about meeting sooner was actually a pretty good one. So he sat there, checking his phone every three seconds, hoping to see a message that would say ‘I’m here’.

He picked it up again when a grey car parked next to him and the passenger’s window rolled down.

“Hi Regulus, come in,” James invited him with a warm smile painted on his lips.

As Regulus took the front seat, the other man reached to the back, pulling a small bouquet of purple carnations.

“What’s that?” Regulus asked, confused. James eyes widened at that.

“Well, I assumed it’s a date, and I thought it would be a nice gesture, but if I overstepped or misread—“

“No, no, no, absolutely! That is a date, and those are lovely, I just—I'm not used to getting flowers.” He could feel his cheeks starting to burn a little when James smiled wildly, like a happy Golden Retriever.

They finally drove away from Regulus' block, heading towards the city center. The radio played some soft, lofi music that, added to the soft humming of the engine, started lulling Regulus to sleep. James must’ve noticed, because he handed his unlocked phone to him.

“Choose the next song; I’ll pick something after you,” the bronze-skinned man told him. Regulus, extremely eager, grabbed the phone and typed in the title he needed to hear right now. Thankfully, the chill music ended shortly after, and an 80s synth-pop melody came on.

“Somebody runnin’ through the field/Somebody shoulda stayed home/Somebody pickin’ up the body of somebody they were gettin’ to know,” Regulus hummed softly to Matty’s lyrics. James whipped his head at a light speed and looked at him with wide eyes. Regulus gave him a questioning look in response.

“First of all,” James began, “is it the one about the school shooting?” Regulus nodded, smirking. “Okay, that’s surprising. Second of all, you have quite a nice voice.” Now Regulus wasn’t smirking, just smiling sheepishly.

After ‘Looking for somebody (to love)’ ended, there was a disco bit, and Reg wanted to whine as soon as he recognised the song. The only thing that stopped him was that sparkle in James’ eyes.

And then the other man started singing.

“OOH, YOU CAN DANCE, YOU CAN JIVE, HAVING THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE!” and Regulus couldn’t help but laugh hysterically. “What? Don’t you like my vocals?” James chuckled, knowing damn well he sounded like a cat in heat.

“Oh no, your vocals are just as lovely as your smile,” the younger man giggled.

They continued to take turns choosing songs, becoming more and more comfortable, and singing louder and louder.

They reached the restaurant as Olivia’s ‘all-american bitch’ was coming to an end.

“Wait here,” said James, getting out of the car and running around it, just to open Regulus’ door. The older man held out his hand in a dramatic gesture.

Reg rolled his eyes, taking the hand and getting out as well.

“Such a gentleman,” he commented sarcastically, yet still, he could feel the warmth spread inside of his chest at this small move.

They walked into the restaurant hand in hand, talking lightly about their favourite type of pasta. James gave the hostess his name, and the woman led them to their table, giving them two menus. Regulus scanned it in search of the cheapest meal, so he could afford it. The restaurant wasn’t really fancy, but it was still expensive.

“15 pounds for Carbonara? Is it made of gold?” He mumbled, but apparently not quietly enough, because James replied, ‘Don’t worry, it’s on me’. This caught Regulus off guard. “What do you mean? I asked you out; I should be the one paying.”

“Yeah, no,” was all James said, and the other man kept looking at him in confusion. “You’re a student; I work full time; it’s only fair if I pay,” he continued, looking up from his menu.

Regulus opened his mouth as if to argue, but quickly shut them back up. “Yeah, okay, you have a point.”

After that, they talked only about what they should order, settling on a lasagna for James, pumpkin ravioli for Reg, and a bottle of rosé.

“So,” the older man started. “What do you study?”

“Oh, um, painting. I’m in art school,” he mumbled in response, taking a sip of his wine. “I’m not gonna lie, I know it won’t get me a lot of money, but I love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else, even if it means I’ll have to eat pesto pasta for the rest of my life.” He couldn’t exactly read James’ face; it looked kind of blank.

“Can I see any of your work?” he asked finally, sounding actually interested. So, of course, Regulus reached for his phone and started scrolling through it in search of the pieces he was most proud of. When James saw the one with the white stag running through a blue forest, he pointed at it and exclaimed, “That. I want that one in my living room,” and Regulus laughed lightly at him. “What? I mean it. How much do you want for it?”

“A thousand pounds!” the younger man kept chuckling.

“Deal.”

“Wait, are you for real?” He looked at the man opposite him in bewilderment, and as the other nodded with a smile, he couldn’t help but smile himself.

It was how the rest of the evening went—they ate, talked, drank wine, and talked some more. They left, again hand in hand, discussing a playlist for the ride home.

They were just a few blocks away from Regulus’ building when he decided to turn the radio down a little.

“Thank you,” he said, turning to James. “I had a really good time.”

“Would you like to do it again sometime?” The other man asked, also turning.

“Yeah, sometime,” he answered softly, pink blooming on his cheeks. He received a small smile back.

When they finally reached his block, Regulus didn’t get out immediately. Instead, he fully turned to face James and looked him deep in the eyes. The older man didn’t break eye contact; he only smiled brightly.

Please, kiss me. Please, kiss me. Please, kiss me.

James reached in his direction, brushing a loose curl from Regulus’ face back behind his ear. Instead of withdrawing his hand, James put it on his cheek, caressing it lightly with his thumb.

They stayed like that for a few seconds (or hours) before James broke the silence.

“Can I walk you to your flat?” and Reg just nodded in response.

They got out of the car the same way they did before. Holding hands, they walked up the stairs to the third floor. As they reached his door, Regulus turned to James again. And once more, James’ hand found its way to Reg’s cheek. The moment was tense, almost tangible. Until-

“Can I kiss you?” The older man whispered, like a secret.

Yesyesyes

Regulus only managed to nod once before he felt soft lips on his. It wasn’t an obscene kiss with a lot of teeth and tongs; it was gentle and sweet, like the first kiss in middle school. It didn’t last long either—far too quick for Reg’s liking. James rewarded him with another sweet kiss, this time on the forehead, before he pulled away with the same bright spark in his eye that appeared during ‘Dancing Queen’.

“Good night, Regulus,” he said softly, taking a small step back.

“Good night, Jamie—I mean James,” the older man chuckled, shaking his head.

            “Cut off the suspense”, Remus said, handing him the box. “You are killing the boy.”

            “Oh, shut up, you”, Sirius rolled his eyes. “This was him at his fifth year, I guess”, he passed the photo to Harry.

            In his youth, Regulus Arcturus was a thinner and slightly taller version of his older brother. It was very easy to say where the genes had come from.

            “He was a very reserved creature, but someone managed to break through that.”

            “Who?”

            “Your dad”, he said with an affectionate, nostalgic smile. “He thought it would be easy, after all, he was already friends with me.”

            “Oh, how wrong he was”, Remus sat on the bed by Sirius’ side.

            “Regulus and I were not on speaking terms at the time, so I cannot give you all the details, but what James told me was that he laid eyes on Regulus one night and it was as if the centre of the Earth had changed. He decided to make a move that very night.”

            “Ugh, that was so stupid”, Remus complained.

            “What did he do? Lit the main hall up with fireworks?

            “Nah, he considered it too pranky, so he followed Regulus into the dungeons after dinner and asked if they could meet by the Lake the following night.”

            “Let me guess: he didn’t show up.”

            “On the contrary. He did.”, Sirius shook his head, staring at the floorboard. “With Rosier and Crouch by his side.”

            Harry stared at Remus, who was ready to pick up the story from there.

            “And they asked where we were”, he pointed at himself and Sirius. “You see, Harry, they thought James wanted a duel.”

            “How did he get out of there?”

            “Well, because they wouldn’t agree that was just a misunderstanding and leaving would be admitting defeat, all of them were ready to wait for someone who would fight by James’ side to pass by.”

            “That was it? They waited?”

            “These people were all about rules. Even the ones about duels. That level of decency probably saved James’ arse that night”, Sirius spoke again. “Unfortunately for them, Minnie found them before we did. She gave them detention and took 15 points from each House. When they were cleaning old trophies, all they could do was to chat.”

            “That was James’ chance. He had to explain to Regulus that what he actually wanted was a date.”

            “And he also had to convince Regulus he was being serious. The hardest part of it all”, they laughed. “He was lucky my brother was feeling mischievous. I had just been disowned and he thought he could get away with anything, so he agreed to go on a public date. He also knew he had some time before school gossip reached his parents’ ears, so he went crazy on future dates, calling James the love of his life and even accepting some PDAs.”

            “That sounds mean”, Harry mentioned, frowning.

            “A little, but James was glad to participate in their disgrace. And deep down, he expected Regulus to run away as soon as he received a letter from home, so why not have fun while he could?”, Sirius scoffed. “That was until Walburga threatened James’ parents.”

            “What did she say?”

            “She would have them killed if he didn’t stop seeing James.”

            “And what did he do?”

            “He broke up with James”, Sirius sighed again. “It destroyed both of them. And we only heard of Regulus again on your parents’ wedding, because he sent a gift with a note. It said:”, he snatched some notes off his pocket. “I want you to be as safe and happy as one can be in this day and age. I swear I will try to buy you as much time as I can. In the meantime, please take care of my heart. It will be in your pocket from now on.”

            “Why are you telling me this?”, Harry stared at his godfather, his expression between confused and angry.

            “Because if I don’t, no one else will”, he answered, simply. “This is a side of your father he didn’t show to the rest of the Order.”

            “And how do you know all this?”

            “I read Regulus’ journal, obviously”, the man laughed, holding the snatched notes. “I gave it to Dumbledore and Moody, maybe there is something useful about Voldemort’s recruiting tactics there, but I decided that my brother’s relationships were off-limits, so I kept those”, he fanned himself with the papers. “Nevertheless, I want you to have the pictures and the drawings”, he gave Harry an envelope sealed with tape. The backside read: J.F.P & R.A.B. – 1975. “Now, Harry, the only bad thing James did to my brother was making him insufferably sappy, so for the sake of your old godfather, please open that when you are back at your dorm, will you?”

            ***

            It turned out Regulus Black loved drawing James Potter, especially during Quidditch practice — Harry noted that as time passed, he fell more and more in love with his muse. As an even more carefree young lad, James would smile all the time, as if he knew he was being watched by an artist.

            Regulus played a bit with photography too, registering snippets of their time together. Amongst the images, there was what Harry was both more curious about and feared the most: an unsent letter. The page had various creases and old damp marks.

            My dear James,

            I want to thank you for the time we shared. I also have to say that I hope you move on. I heard you are getting closer to Lily Evans. I reckon she’ll be good to you. And she will also be able to give you what I couldn’t. A safe life under the Order’s good graces, for starters.

            I was being honest that night: I will do everything in my power to keep your parents safe. That includes receiving a Dark Mark — please, I beg you, do not tell my brother, this is hard enough as it is already.

            I wonder if this isn’t some kind of elaborate torture — they forcing me to watch as you live happily ever after and not only that: they expect me to be ready to manslaughter your family on command.

            Despite all this, I need you to know I love you dearly and that is why I ask you to forgive me for insisting on leaving. And… maybe you could remember me as the lad who fell for you, not your best friend’s younger brother or the idiot who was forced to join the wrong side?

            With all the love in the world,

            Your Reggie.

            “What are you reading, love?”

            Harry rested his head against the sofa, trying to catch a glimpse of who was talking to him, although he knew very well who was it. He smiled, accepting the cuppa and the peck the other man offered him.

            “A letter to my dad.”

            “Oh… from whom?”, Draco snuggled up to his boyfriend.

            “His ex-boyfriend”

            “Wait, your dad was bi?”, Harry nodded with a little smirk. “Tell me all about it. Who was he dating?”

            Harry paused for a bit. Draco was more than well-educated on the Black family tree — he was part of it, for Merlin’s sake! He wondered if telling Draco about the past of a relative would be like poking a wound with a chopstick. Personally, he wasn’t interested on learning anything about the Dursleys.

            “I am waiting for the tea, Potter”, Draco let out an indiscreet laugh.

            “Did your mother ever old you about her cousins?”

            “You and I both know my mother has dozens of cousins, but I presume you mean Walburga and Orion’s sons.”

            “My father’s ex was Regulus.”

            “WHAT? He dated your godfather’s brother? Weren’t they, like, best friends?”, Harry nodded. “Well, I understand his perspective.”

            “What are you talking about?”