His dark eyes lingered around the gala but often focused on one particular human being. He couldn’t help himself considering Benjy was the only person he wanted to even talk to but he remained seated, forcing himself to look away when he felt he was staring too long. It were events like this one that he truly hated. Events like this one made Regulus face reality as he stared across the room.
His world never entertained the idea of him standing beside Benjy. That was just facts of any pureblood family but his own set of parents specifically held higher expectations for Regulus. Since he was now the soul heir of the Orion and Walburga Black, his life simply became theirs. Once a shadow now had become the sun, expected to shine brightly and never once fall out of the sky. Because of this and this alone, keeping Benjy at a safe distance was not only best but a definite thing he had to do.
Benjy also had his reasons not to be around the Black heir. While he might not be so outright in saying them, Regulus knew what it must look like to be associated with him. It wasn’t like his family was quiet about who they supported and almost immediately after he graduated Hogwarts he was rumored to have the mark. Being around Regulus publicly wasn’t a good look for anyone who opposed the Dark Lord..
However this didn’t stop the younger from stealing glances. Despite every reason on the planet not to love and adore this man, Regulus had fallen deep. Perhaps something he might regret down the line when their worlds would have to collide and destroy one another, but he found himself unable to end the only thing that brought light into his world.
After a moment or so, his attention returned to the drink he was nursing and finished the rest of his glass. Another shitty event all alone. Great.
@cursebreaker-fenwick
