Abandonment and Exile

"Reg...I swear to the Gods if you don't quiet down we can just as well throw ourselves to the guards!" Remus tried to scold him, having to supress a laugh himself. Adrenaline was really working in weird ways. They had decides to sneak out and actually go to the village for the first time this night, partially out of boredom with the King and Queen gone for a diplomatic something and them half locked up and partially to celebrate that Remus was finally feeling better.

"Alright come on" He took Regulus' hand, practically dragging him through the garden. This was absolutely exciting to them, after all they would finally see the village if everything went as they had planned. They were dressed in very casual clothing, hoping to not be too obvious to the people outside. It had taken a lot of convincing and both Evan and Barty talking to her to get Pandora to allow them to leave and to help them, but here they were.

Once they got closer the the village entrance, Regulus stopped, ripping his hand away from Remus' in the process, and flapping his hands because he is so very happy right now. He can feel his cheeks hurting from the smile and he laughs, spinning around. “Okay, we can go.” He said after a moment, biting his lip to stop smiling but it not working.

Remus watched in adoration as he did that, smiling softly. "Wait...Reg...can I kiss you?" He asked, blushing a little, but feeling like it was a good moment.
“Of course, you don’t have to ask—“

Remus smiled and leaned down to kiss Regulus softly, interrupting him. It was a gentle kiss and it didn't last long, but after they seperated again, Remus put his arm around Regulus' shoulder and walked into the village with him. Some people were still walking around, there were even some market stands. But most of the noise came from one specific place 
"The Grey Beaver" Remus mumbled, reading the sign of the tavern.

“We should go in. Maybe get a drink.” Regulus remarked.
Remus looked over at Regulus and chuckled 
"I am ruining you, bloody hell. But yes. Let's do that" 

As they walked in, contrary to what he had expected, it was not loud in the tavern. The volume was equally distributed and you could still hear your own voice while also not hearing anyone else's conversation. It was beautiful
 “Look at how pretty this is, mon amour.” Being used to the dark colors of the palace, the warm candle light bouncing off the brown felt so cozy. “And it’s not as loud as I was expecting, that’s a relief.”

It felt as if they would be safe here, as if no one really cared for them anyways. Remus noticed something, a chill running down his back and he immediatly looked around. "Reg...Reg there are...there are other werewolves here" he whispered.

"What?" Regulus asked, deliberatly not looking "How can you tell?" "I don't know I just...know." He Eyed them more closely "Not all of them though" he particularly put his eyes on the guy with the long, way dark hair, a similar color to Regulus'. That wasn't a wolf. Wrong feeling.

One of them looked up and smiled at Remus. He was older, around 35, and he certainly looked like a werewolf in the most stereotypical way, yet there was something impressive about him. Something almost noble. He waved the two of them over, but Remus looked at Regulus with a questioning look.

Regulus shrugged "Do you want to meet them?" he whispered and Remus nodded immediatly
"Yes...please" he grabbed Regulus hand and walked over, at the same time the guy with the long hair got up, glass in hand, still looking at the people at the table and running straight into Remus, spillning quite a bit on him. 

"Oh come on..." Remus groaned. The guy had a bunch of tattoos everywhere, just like the other people of that group. His shirt was half open and revealed a large one on his chest. In his face there were some really beautiful piercings.
"Whoops, sorry about that, mate" he drawls, obviously drunk out of his mind.

On one hand, Remus was mad. Those clothes had been borrowed from Pandora. On the other hand, he really wanted to look like that guy right there. He simply resorted to an angry glare while squeezing Regulus' hand.
"Oh...you're beautiful" he mumbled and winked. Remus rolled his eyes, really not in the mood to be flirted with someone right now, especially not with Regulus around. 

"I like the guy, Padfoot. He doesn't give in so easily like all those little ones you pick up left and right" the older guy amongst the werewolves said with a smirk, turning to Remus and Regulus. 
"My name is Greyback, Fenrir Greyback." he introduced himself. He sounded incredibly posh but he wasn't, so much was obvious. Remus was the living testimony to how it was impossible to be posh and a werewolf.

"I'm Remus and that's..." in the last moment Remus came up with something, noticing that he couldn't possibly introduce Regulus by his name and reveal who he was "Fangs" 
He had had the nickname in mind for a while now and it was very convenient to use now. 

"Certainly haven't seen you two around here before. Just coming through? Oh where are my manners? Scabior, scoot your fat ass over here and make some room for our guests. Padfoot, sit down" He pulled the man sitting next to him, albeit a bit away, close to him in a way that made it clear that they were in a way more than friends. 

Remus let Regulus sit down first and then sat down himself and the guy - Padfoot - sat down next to him. Ugh. "So a wolf you are" Greyback remarked "But your little friend there isn't. He's clean...very much so" Greyback looked at Padfoot "What do you think? You used to be one of them cleaner ones, didn't you?"

"Yeah but I grew outta that, Fenrir, you know" Padfoot raised his drink "Where's James?" Remus noticed how Regulus seemed a little uncomfortable, squeezing his hand under the table, trying to reassure him. 

"I do know that, boy. I also know that we are in your old hometown so I am surprised you dare showing yourself. Or maybe I am not. I have known you long enough." 
"This is the one place we are safe. They can't outlaw magic at a place that IS the very fabric magic itself." Scabior mumbled. Remus wanted to ask, but was interrupted but a voice from behind them, someone clearly drunk. 

"Siriiiii~ You owe meeeee~ got a girllll" the boy was slinging his arm around Sirius and Scabior each, completely ignoring Remus and Regulus. 
"There James is" one of the girls nodded "But back to the topic at hand, are you truly not worried about your parents? Sometimes it feels like you act more carefree than you really are, Pads"

--------------

“Can we not talk about my parents right now? Prongs is here.” Regulus stopped breathing. Padfoot was from France, scared of his parents, and his nickname was Siri? That couldn't be a coincidence. Gods, he hopes it’s not him. If it’s him, that means he came back. Was he here for Regulus? Regulus didn't realize he’s crying and staring in Padfoot’s direction until he feels a hand on his.

"Fangs? Hey, talk to me. Do you need to go outside for a moment?" He shook his head, trying to come up with words. Remus’ fingers under his chin makes him look into his eyes. 
“It’s him.” he whispered, almost inaudible. “He’s back.”

Remus looks from Padfoot - Sirius? - to Regulus, back and forth.
"Bloody hell" Remus groaned, pulling Regulus closer, into a hug. Greyback walked around the table, placing a fresh glass of water in front of Regulus. "If you need something, don't hesitate to ask. We all have had our fair share of problems - well maybe Prongs not, but appart from that young foolish prince, all of us"

Regulus had to hold back a sob as he was pulled into Remus’ arms. He wasn't going to cry anymore in public, it wasn't for him. It made him shake. He glanced over Remus’ arm and grabbed the water with a shaky hand, still latching onto Remus. What Fenrir had said just confirmed it. Sirius was back. Did he think of Regulus as much as Regulus thought about him? Did he miss him? …Was he here for him or had Regulus been forgotten?

When Remus spoke up, Regulus froze. He had noticed him getting more tense, but he hadn't expected that.
"Are you really that stupid or just really good at acting?" Remus snapped, but threateningly calm.
All heads turned to them confused, but Remus only looked at Sirius.

Regulus snapped his head over at Remus, very panicked. 
“What are you doing?” he whisper screams. 
Sirius just looks confused, still all over James. “What?”

"You come into your home City while technically hiding from your - pardon my language but - massively fucked up family that you left your brother behind and when he sits two seats away from you you don't recognize him?" 

Regulus wass looking between the two of them, wondering where this was going and hating being the center of attention. It appeared to take Sirius a few moments to understand what Remus said. 
“What are you talking about, mate? Regulus should be with our parents right now.” 

James nudged him, he was definitely more sober. 
“Sirius.” He whispered. 
“What, Prongs?” 
“Take a closer look at who Remus is with.” 

Now Sirius’s eyes were on Regulus. Regulus did his best to avoid eye contact. He wanted to go back to his room with Remus. His brother didn't even recognize him. He could feel his eyes stinging again. 
“Oh…” Sirius speaks quietly. “Hi Reggie.”

Not even looking back, he gets up and runs out of the tavern. Regulus had the back of his hand against his mouth to keep from sobbing as he ran until finding an alleyway he could sit in. Gods, why did Sirius have to call him Reggie again? He had been gone for 6 years. Six! He hadn't seen Regulus as a teenager, he left when Regulus was 13. Did he even have the right to call Regulus that anymore? 

Regulus curled into a ball, sobbing. Remus had probably been right behind him when he left but it hurt too much to be in the tavern anymore. He hadn't recognized him. Did he look that different?? Logically, he knew Sirius was drunk and likely wasn’t even paying attention to Regulus at all. After all, he did look at Remus with lovey dovey eyes. 

Regulus cried harder, realizing that Remus could leave him for his brother if he really wanted to. Regulus was replaceable.

----------

Remus had lost sight of Regulus briefly after following him out the tavern and he could have thrown up from anxiety, but the sobs he heard now showed him were to go. Regulus was in a horrible condition and Remus couldn't get to him quickly enough. Not caring for the already ruined clothes, he fell to his knees next to Regulus, pulling him against him. 

"Oh Reg...Sweetheart...I am so so sorry...I just saw him with all those people...knowing you weren't far no matter where he thought you are.. and how he left you and how he gave up the one thing in the world I would live for...he gave you up, Reg and I could not ever in my life fathom how to do that. 

Because I want to be next to you all the time, every second of every day and seeing someone throwing it away like that makes me furious because you deserve everything, Reg, you deserve the world" the words spilled over his lips without any control over them and in any other situation, Remus would have been ashamed.

"I got you, I'm here. It's okay, you have all right to cry and be angry and sad" he whispered, pressing kisses on the top of Regulus' head. No way would he let go now unless Regulus asked him to. He was going to be here forever if Regulus wanted him to be. He just wanted him to be okay again and as long as that would take, he was here.

Regulus was clinging to Remus' shirt like a drowning man to a piece of driftwood, causing the shirt to cut into his shoulders, sobbing and shaking violently.

"I'm here. I'm here Sweetheart" He whispered, letting him hold onto him, until he noticed how he Regulus was slowly calming down. 
"Do you want to go back to the palace? Or stay here" Remus held up a hand with each option he gave, watching Regulus decide on staying.

They stayed like that for a few more minutes but eventually started wandering the streets, looking around. it was way past sunset but the town was still alive and it was beautiful to see. It reminded Remus of Rome when he would have a chance to go out - although the size of Rome was of course much larger.

Remus felt Regulus nudge him and looked up, spotting two guards seemingly harrasing a shopkeeper. He furrowed his brows 
"Do you really want to intervene? I mean of you do, I can act. I just don't know how well you can hide from then"

“You won’t have to. I can if I must.” Regulus' voice sounded strained and Remus put an arm around him to get his attention.
"Okay, first of all, don't force yourself to talk, I understand you just as well like this, pretty boy" he smiled softly and kissed his forehead. 
"Second of all, I have anger issues and they want to play sometimes" he grinned, that mischievous spark back in his eyes.

Remus looked down at Regulus and kissed him properly before pulling the hood of the cloak Regulus was wearing over his face. "Just keep that down, yeah?" He said before turning, his whole attitude changing suddenly. He turned to Regulus and winked, making it clear that he was going to be acting and not to take anything serious. 

"Oi Fangs, looks like those posh bastards have found a new victim to torment once again. They can never just leave us alone, they are better than us because they shagged their way up into the palace. It's pathetic innit?"
Seeing Regulus nod enthusiastically made Remus almost break character. He was glad to see him like that.

The guards turned around and immediately Remus gestured for the owner to get inside, which he did. 
"Oh don't yah look at me like that, you should really know that no one wants yah here anyways, Boot lickers"
The guards looked at each other and laugh. “Who does this guy think he is?"

"Better than you" Remus said with a confident smirk, crossing his arms in front of his chest. 
"And worth more at that. Both of us. We didn't sell our souls to become tyrants so we can instill terror in people for the validation that mommy and daddy never gave us" he chuckled, knowing full well that both Regulus and he had been providing that validation for each other.

The guards laughed in his face. “Next thing you know you’ll be telling me you’re the king and queen’s son. Honestly, you must be real full of yourself, kid.”
"At least my self worth isn't depending on the fact that I sucked off a general" Remus scoffed

Regulus let put a shocked laugh while the guard looked offended. “I’ll have you know I fought for my position.” he said "Oh I am sure you did, big boy" Remus said sarcastically "And I'm like...the Prince of Rome, I don't know" he grinned.
“The prince of Rome? You mean you’re about to take the throne?”

Did he not listen? Or did he genuinely not know what Rome was?
"Oh you're slow, eh? I can work with that, daddy likey dummy" Remus grinned. He glanced over to Regulus who seemed to just be having the time of his life watching the guard stammer for words.

"Oh what happened to being respectable and strong?" Remus mocked them. He noticed how happy Regulus was and how much it was making him feel better so he was even more encouraged from it.
“I am strong and respectable!” The guard protests. His guard friends have stopped laughing. “Ami, let’s just go back to the castle.”

"He sounds like a whiney toddler throwing a trantum now, doesn't he Fangs?" Remus laughed, turning to Regulus, who nodded in agreement, laughing as well.
Remus was half willing to get into a fight with them and one of the guards looked just about ready to punch him, when an authoritative voice sounded down the alley 

"Are those two giving you trouble?" It was Greyback and standing, the man was even more impressive. With his height he had to be towering over most people and his sheer presence and voice showed that he wasn't going to let anyone bullshit him.

Remus looked back and saw only Greyback, all alone. And Greyback felt...safe. It was weird, maybe a werewolf thing. 
"Nah, they only have a big ego, but they are incapable of doing anything" Greyback came closer 
"Quiet" And somehow, that shut Remus up. No one shut Remus up before but Greyback did with one word.

"You two troublemakers are coming with me." Greyback said and put an arm around Remus to manouver him out of there, but he hesitated to do that with Regulus, waiting for him to show him he was okay with it, which he was. He brought them as far away from the alley as he could before chuckling deeply. 

"I saw that. All of it. It was more entertainment than I had hoped for today" Remus smiled, seeming a bit embarrassed suddenly. "But you can't just go around recklessly insulting the guards, alright? They can do worse things than you two might think right now"

"I just...I did not want to lash out at anyone I care about.. because I was so angry and then-" 
"I know Remus, I know that. The anger just grips you sometimes and you feel like it is going to control you, I just need you to not put the two of you into danger" He had bent down, his hands on Remus' shoulders. 

When Fenrir stepped back, Regulus immediatly put his hand in Remus' hair in a comforting gesture. Remus leaned against the touch, pulling Regulus closer to him. Greyback smiled at them softly, seeing that. 
"Regulus- can I call you that? May I ask you what happened back at the tavern?" He asked gently.

“You can call me that.” he confirms, talking lowly. “Sirius is my brother, I wasn’t ready to see him.”
"I gathered that much. And I understand, I could not imagine running into my family without any warning." something about him was making him seem incredibly trustworthy, he was very charismatic.

Remus held him even closer - if that was even possible - and Greyback put a hand on his shoulder. "He talks about you. A lot. Maybe too much sometimes. Just not when he gets drunk, which is - quite honestly - not rare"
Regulus almost seemed to be falling asleep agaisnt Remus and he held him.
"We'll be here for a while still. Remus, I would appreciate to see you again, it might be good if we two talked. And Regulus, if you want to I can make sure that your brother is on his best manners" Greyback grinned slightly.