A second and moment
It was a week or so later and Regulus was once again at another party. Though this one was not a ball, but a party at one of the houses belonging to Lucius's family. It was a bit smaller than the previous events, the house was large, and grand, and beautiful.
Regulus was currently sitting on the couch with Lucius in the manor, they were both drinking tea. the blonde had his hand on his thigh. and was slowly inching up his leg, it had taken everything in him to not just jerk his leg away. he wanted to throw the cup of tea in his face and tell him to get the fuck away from him. he was sick and tired of this man. he was the most disgusting human he had ever met.
Trying to get out of the uncomfortable position he quickly came up with a solution, he sat his cup down, “fancy a dance Mr.malfoy?” He asked the older one.
the man smiled and nodded. grabbing his hand and pulling him off the couch.
Lucius was leading him to the floor, they had not danced before, and Regulus wasn't the best dancer. but his mother had told him that when he danced with Lucius has to be good, and follow his lead.
They stopped once they were in the middle of the dancefloor, the music was still playing, and people were dancing, though it was mainly the couples. People already married, it was considered intimate to dance with someone more than once.
He watched as Lucius raised his hand and held his waist, before taking his other hand in his. He had no idea how Sirius had done this. He would never marry this man. If it was his choice.
Lucius pulled him close and whispered into his ear, " you are so beautiful."
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Unfortunately James Potter was not invited tonight. So he had no one to distract him from the conversation, and no one to get him out of it because Sirius was not invited tonight either. He knew that Lucius hated his brother, why he wasn’t sure, he had to assume that it was some kind of classism because his brother liked to hang around with those outside of high society.
"I want you Regulus" Lucius breathed out. Regulus tensed. “oh darling, i'm just saying that I have decided that I will ask for your fathers blessing in our union." he told him.
His heart dropped.
"You'll marry me."
He nodded, he could not do anything else.
"You know. I had a feeling that would be the case." Regulus said, and Lucius pulled Regulus even closer. "We should start the preparations soon, I would love for it to be a summer wedding" he told him.
"a summer wedding would be nice" he replied. Regulus did not like summer, he thought it was too hot. He would always end up being miserable anytime he tried to go outside.
Lucius hummed, "we could have it at my manor"
Regulus had been there plenty of times. Lucius did not have a lot of parties, but whenever he did have them they were very grand. To show off. That’s all it seemed his life was.
“Are you going to ask for his blessing soon?” Regulus asked him.
Lucius shook his head, "not yet, I am waiting for the perfect moment. I will make sure we have a private audience before I ask" Regulus wasn't sure if he should be relieved or worried, because when his father said yes, there was no getting out.Thought he shouldn’t be thinking of getting out.
This was what he needed, what his family needed, what he had to do. He was a black. And it was his duty. It was the only thing that he could do.
He finished the dance with Lucius and the man went to go get him a drink. He was glad to get a few moments away from him, he took the chance to walk out onto the balcony, he was a bit overwhelmed, the air was fresh, and he felt a little bit better.
He overlooked the garden, it was barren, not much in it besides the standard shrubs. Whoever took care of it was rubbish at their job.
He heard the glass doors behind him open and close. he did not turn around, he didn't have too.
"What are you doing out here Regulus" the voice said.
Regulus closed his eyes and let out a sigh. "I'm just getting some air" he replied.
"I know"
"why are you here Potter, you're not welcome."
"because Lucius was not going to leave you alone, you looked like you needed help." James told him. Regulus turned around to face him.
“I honestly don’t even know how you got in here. You are an idiotPotter, Lucius will kill you if he sees you here" he told him.
"I can handle Malfoy" James said, and Regulus knew he was probably right, from what he had seen of the two fighting, he would probably win. Lucius was not good in fights, unless he had an upper hand. An advantage. But if it were guns or swords James would win everytime.
James took a step closer to him, Regulus took a step back but his back collided with the balcony. He bit his lip, the bruise on his back had not healed much at all in the last week. Neither had his injuries from his parents, besides the ones the public could see. If they weren’t healed they would’ve never let him out of the house. Told everyone he was sick and couldn’t attend.
“I had to see you Regulus, I know what they do to Sirius. I was worried about what they’d do to you” James told him.
"i have told you before, you cannot do this, it is not your place." Regulus said. “I am not some damsel to be saved, I am a black, I am not a failure.”
James came closer to him, he reached out to him placing his hand on the younger man’s cheek. Regulus flinched. He did not want this. James was too close. He could feel his breath on his skin. He didn’t want them to get caught.
"what did they do?" James whispered.
"It is none of your concern.” Regulus told him. Standing firm. Though he was sure if he could see himself from the outside that he was nothing but firm. He was scared, he wanted out, and James was not helping.
"they will hurt you, regulus, your not happy and i-"
"Stop."
"No."
Regulus sighed, he pushed the man away. “Get out of here before you get yourself in trouble James.” He told the man.
"Please come with me," James begged.
"I can not, and will not. This is my life and it is my decision."
"But is it a decision you truly made?”
“Will you ever stop?” Regulus asked, “you have offered and I have denied, time and time again, why do you keep coming after me when I say no, when I tell you I will never go with you, you are an idiot James Potter.”
James laughed, and smiled, and his smile was contagious. And Regulus had a small smile on his face as well. James's eyes were bright and shining, his hair was a mess and strands were falling over his eyes.
"I'll come back tomorrow, and I'll keep offering and asking and you will keep turning me down. But I will never stop, you will never be rid of me" James told him, Regulus could hear the confidence in his voice. And he didn't know why he believed him.
“And I’ll say no again.” Regulus told him.
“But that won’t stop me, believe it or not Regulus but I care for you.” He said.
They were close again, Regulus didn’t even know when they had become that close again. He looked up at the man, his heart was beating quickly. He looked like a mad man, his shirt unbuttoned at the top revealing part of his upper chest. They were both breathing hard, or maybe Regulus just thought that because James was inches infront of his face.
And in an instant.
a moment.
In a mere second.
He leaned in and kissed James. The man didn’t fight him, he actually leaned in closer once their lips connected .
It was nice, James was warm and it was comforting. It felt right, but also like everything was wrong.
he pulled away.
They were both breathing hard. James went to lean in again, and Regulus pushed him back.
“I have to go.” He said.
Before James could stop him he turned around and ran. Back inside, into the house. Away from the balcony, away from James. He could hear the man shouting his name but he didn't look back, and the further away from the balcony he got the louder the sounds around him were, and he began to relax again.
He quickly made his way through the party, avoiding his parents and Lucius. He went outside and called the footman over with the carriage. As soon as the carriage got up to him he got in and quickly rode off towards his home.
He was so stupid.
so, so, so stupid.
his parents would kill him if they found out. He wasnt supposed to talk to James Potter. But he had gone and kissed him.And running away now wouldn’t made it any better.
He soon arrived at home.
he quickly ran up the stairs to his brothers room lightly knocked on it before opening the door not caring if Sirius wanted to see him or not. When he walked in he saw one thing that caught his attention.
A suitcase on the bed, half full.
And his brother standing there starring at him like he’s just caught him in a horrible act. Which he did.
“what are you doing?” He asked even though he knew the answer.
Sirius didn't respond.
"I can't believe you're doing this." He said. “Please Sirius, don’t.” he spoke again when his brother didn’t say anything.
“Reggie, I can’t stay here anymore” Sirius said to him.
"But you cant just leave. I have no one here besides you" he said, his eyes watering.
“I know.” Sirius said.
Regulus shook his head, forgetting his tears” Fuck you Sirius.” He said. While it was expected, he knew that one day his brother would leave. Though he wished that it would never have to be this way.
“You can’t be mad at me and then refuse to leave with me Reg.” Sirius told him.
He had thought about it. He had. But it was never going to work. His parents were strict and would do anything to make sure he stayed with them. Even if it was just to keep the Black name pure. “We both can’t go” he said to Sirius.
“And why is that regulus? Because you’re so suborn and feel as if you have a debt to our parents. You think that you need to make them proud and owe them something for being a human” Sirius said to him. “You have no reason to stay here other than your own thoughts and beliefs, so please. Come with me before they come home.” his brother pleaded.
"I am a black Sirius. I cannot just run away, I will not leave." He told his brother.
Sirius scoffed and rolled his eyes, "and I will never forgive you if you stay here. So make your choice now, I have a place we can stay, he’s a good man. He would never hurt us. I plan to marry him. And you wouldn’t have to marry Lucius. I’ll be by your side like I always have been.”
Regulus couldn’t breath, he was panicking, he couldn’t make this choice. so he just shook his head muttering no.
Sirius looked at him with pity, “such a fucking mamas boy.” He grabbed his suitcase and walked past Regulus, abandoning him alone .