Rest your head close to my heart
Sirius immediately scooped Regulus up into his arms and ducked into one of the side rooms that were loaded with soundproofing charms for just this purpose. “Hey. Hey, it’s okay. It’s okay.” Regulus had a death grip on his neck. So close to his ear, he could make out that what he assumed was incoherent babble was one word repeated over and over. Whether it was ‘sorry’ or ‘Siri’ he couldn’t tell. “It’s okay, I’m here.” He continued to pace back and forth, whispering to Regulus until his brother was silent. He settled into the chair in the room, stroking the soft hair lying on his shoulder.
Regulus had firmly established a death grip on his robes and buried his head into his shoulder. Every so often, he would feel a soft puff of hot air on his neck. After some time had passed in silence, Sirius shifted and whispered, “Hey Reg.”
Regulus tensed and curled further into his brother’s warmth. “Can you look at me please?” When Sirius talked in that sweet, coaxing tone, so full of love that he did not deserve, how could Regulus do anything else? He slowly turned his face toward Sirius. The smile on his face was one he had not seen in a very long time. “There’s those pretty eyes. I thought they’d hidden forever. Wouldn’t that be nice? Spend the rest of his life just tucked into his brother’s side. But he couldn’t start thinking like that or he would never stop.”
“If you’re up to it, I’d like to ask you some questions. All you have to do is nod or stay still, alright?” Regulus nodded, glad that at least Sirius wasn’t asking him to talk. In this state, he wasn’t sure he would be able to. “Thank you, love.”
Sirius ticked off a mental checklist. Physical safety first, “Does any part of your body hurt?” Regulus nodded. He began pointing to various parts of Regulus’ body.
“Your head?”
A nod.
“Your chest?”
No response.
He worked his way down. Nothing too major—a headache likely from the stress and lack of sleep, and slightly bruised knees that he healed right away. “Good job, Reg!”
“Now the next question may be a little harder, but I need you to be brave.” Immediately Regulus’ heart sank. He knew exactly what was coming. The thought of making a run for it briefly entered his mind, but then he would have to face the outside world and he wasn’t ready for that either. In the end, he chose to remain still.
“I know it’s hard, love. I know. Can you do it for me?” And so he was left with no choice. He nodded slowly but moved his eyes down, away from Sirius, so he wouldn’t have to see that soft expression turn to disgust. “Thank you. First question, were you classified as a little?”
A soft nod was all he could manage. There was no longer any point in keeping up the pretence. To his surprise, instead of being upset, Sirius put a thumb under his face and gently lifted it. “Well done for being honest, love. I’m so proud of you.” Regulus’ breath hitched, and he clutched Sirius tighter. “Do you still have your classification slip?”
He nodded. “Is it in your dorm?” Another nod as he stared intently at the collar of Sirius’ school shirt. “Alright, love. You’re so brave. I’m so proud.”
Regulus’ head dropped back onto his shoulder and his thumb found its way to his mouth. He was clearly out of it and any further attempt at questioning would be counterproductive. Instead Sirius asked, “Are you hungry lovebug?” He received only a small nod but that was enough.
“Okay then, let’s go get something in that stomach, hmm?” Sirius stood up and stretched as much as he could while holding Regulus. Then they walked out of the soundproof room. There still weren’t too many people, which was good. He didn’t know how much stimulation Reg could handle right now. There were a few curious glances thrown his way, but he waved them off with a finger to his lips and a pleading look. Caregivers everywhere understood that expression and left him alone.
He made his way to the sort-of pantry-slash-kitchen where snacks plus bottles were kept. “Alright, love, would you like to choose what you want?” There was silence from the bundle in his arms, and if Regulus hadn’t been looking at him with wide, almost scared eyes, he would have assumed he was asleep. “Alright then.” He looked around and the bottles caught his eye. He didn’t know Reg’s headspace age, but given his behaviour, he was almost certainly young enough for them. It would probably soothe him as well.
He made his way over to the pre-made ones that were kept warm with warming charms. “How would you like to try one of these? They’re quite tasty.” Reg just looked at him slightly dazed. Recognising that he likely didn’t have it in him to respond, Sirius just grabbed a bottle and they made their way back to the room. Then he settled Reg in his lap, against his chest, and began to feed him the bottle.
Regulus was feeling floaty. Not the good kind. It was the head stuffed with cotton, the room around him spinning kind. It felt like he was thinking through a fog.
He knew Sirius was saying something but he couldn’t hear it. Then suddenly they were moving and Regulus hid his head in Sirius’ neck again. The world didn’t have to bother him if he couldn’t see it. He only lifted it when the door behind him shut and all noise was cut out. The lights around him dimmed and they sat down on the same chair as earlier.
“Let’s drink up, bug.” Regulus turned his head to see Sirius holding a bottle, filled with milk. He stared. If he had more energy he would have protested but now all he could do was lie limp as Sirius manoeuvred him into a half-sitting position. The bottle was brought to his lips and he gave it a cautious suck. It was warm, slightly vanilla-sweet and miles better than dry toast and butter. He continued to drink it eagerly, missing Sirius’ fond smile.
By the time it was done, Regulus was once again on the verge of sleep. He wasn’t sure why he was so tired but Sirius didn’t seem to mind and so he didn’t fight it. A few minutes of low humming and pats and he was out for the count.