Chapter 15
The Summer Holidays go by quickly. Oliver and Barty are already in the Great Hall when everyone else starts arriving from the train. Oliver is expecting Regulus, Evan and Dorcas to sit at the other end of the table away from Oliver and Barty considering Oliver and Barty are already sitting together. And, as Oliver hates to be reminded of, Regulus and he can’t be seen together outside of the dorm. That’s what Oliver is expecting. What actually happens is that Regulus doesn’t stop walking until he’s at Oliver and Barty. Oliver raises his eyebrows at Evan and Dorcas as Regulus sits down. They’re both grinning as they sit down next to Regulus opposite Oliver and Barty.
“What’s this about?” Oliver asks. He doesn’t want to bring attention to them but Regulus does remember that they’re not allowed to be friends in the eyes of others, right?
Regulus gives a small, barely there smile. “Mother thought that your open display of distaste towards Potter, the fact you stayed here over the holidays with Barty, and that you’ve had everyone use Sol as your last name since Christmas was enough proof for her that you are no longer affiliated with them.”
Oliver blinks at him. “Cool. Okay, sure.” He turned to Evan and Dorcas. “What did he say?”
Dorcas snorts. “Want me to dumb it down for you?” Oliver nods and Regulus rolls his eyes, unimpressed. “Well, sweetie, The Bitch decided that you were good enough for her only heir. She’s decided to stop being so pissy about you and him being friends.”
While Regulus scrunched up his face at Dorcas’ wording, Oliver lights up. “Wait so I get to be friends with Regulus again?” Oliver asks.
Regulus nods. “You do.” Oliver punches the air while his friends give varying amused responses. “Apparently she deemed that good enough of a rebellion against your family to let me be seen with you,” Regulus says while reaching for some bread. He’s scowling but Oliver can see the underlying relief and relaxation in his shoulders. It’s been three months since they’d last had a meal together and it was the longest three months of their lives. They’ve continued to be good friends in their dorm and away from prying eyes but this is good too. This is so much better. Oliver is happy.
Once the First Years have been sorted into their houses and the Feast is over, Oliver and his friends walk to the Slytherin Common Room. Pandora’s with them as she babbles on about fairies. Not true fairies, the ones in muggle fairy tales. She seems enamored by them. Oliver’s walking just behind Regulus and Barty, Dorcas at his side. From where he’s walking, Oliver can see the way Regulus and Barty brush their hands together as they walk. It makes Oliver smile. He doesn’t try to hide it. He doesn’t have to hide his joy when it comes to Regulus anymore.
Classes start like normal and a whole month passes where James doesn’t try to get Oliver back into the family. It’s a bit strange considering James hadn’t let it go since Christmas. But Oliver is happy that James is letting him be (at least that’s what he’s been telling himself). Oliver had noticed that Remus had been sitting with James, Sirius and Peter in the Great Hall recently and Dorcas had said they’d seemed fine in their classes now. Oliver didn’t bring it up. He didn’t want to know. (He very very much did.)
“Hey,” Remus says softly. Oliver looks up from his book to see him standing with Lily. Lily looks kind of annoyed but it’s a playful kind.
“Hi,” Oliver replies. He sets his book on his lap. He has his legs kicked up to rest on the table. “What’s up?”
“Remus betrayed us,” Lily says as she collapses into one of the chairs at the table. Oliver raises an eyebrow at her obvious teasing while Remus groans. He sits down too.
“I did not betray anyone,” Remus says. He runs a hand down his face. “Merlin, you’re so dramatic, Lils.”
Lily gasps and puts a hand over her heart. “I am not dramatic, Lupin, don’t you even dare.”
Remus rolls his eyes and Oliver smiles softly. He’s missed this. Remus smiles back at him before a guilty look crosses his face. “We do need to talk though, Ollie.” Oliver nods for him to continue. Remus clears his throat and glances at Lily who gives him an encouraging smile, the teasing out of her system. “I have... forgiven Sirius.”
Oliver sighs dramatically and throws his head back. He’s being extra dramatic to make it clear that he’s teasing. “Remus John Lupin.” Oliver tilts his head back down to be looking at Remus. He looks unimpressed. “I cannot believe you would do something like that to me. Betray me so greatly.”
Lily nods in agreement. She’s leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed. “I know right? How could he.” She tuts and shakes her head disapprovingly.
Remus rolls his eyes again. “I am not betraying anyone,” he assures. “I just...” He looks down and Oliver can just make out the pink dusting his cheeks. “We talked. At the Potters.” He glances up through his lashes at Oliver and when he doesn’t make a big, negative reaction like he bets Remus was expecting (Oliver wasn’t going to flinch away violently when his family was mentioned. He wasn’t that traumatised), he looks down at the table. “We talked about the ring he got me for my birthday and we talked about the whole prank thing and how it was really bad and he shouldn't have done that.”
“I talked to him too,” Lily pipes in. “Punched him in the arm really hard. It was awesome.” She shrugs. “I mean, Remus didn’t tell me what it was about, just some really messed up prank gone wrong.” She frowns and looks down. “Severus isn’t talking to me anymore because of it.”
Remus looks guilty as he turns to her. “Lily-”
“I know it’s because of you,” Lily says. She meets Remus’ eyes. “I don’t know what Black did but it had something to do with Severus and he hates you lot even more because of it. Which means he hates me more because I want to hang out with you.”
“I’m still sorry,” Remus tells her. She doesn’t try to argue anymore, she just nods. She knows that Remus needed to apologise for it. She’ll let him have it this time. Remus turns to Oliver who hasn’t said much. “But I will be comfortable back in my dorm again and...” He gets a guilty look on his face again and Oliver wants to slap it off his face. He doesn’t. He wants to. “And I’ll be hanging out with them more.”
“And me with Mary and Marlene,” Lily says, turning her nose up a bit at the prospect. Oliver raises an eyebrow at her and she shrugs. “We’re working through it.”
“That doesn’t mean we don’t want to hang out with you anymore,” Remus adds. “We still want to talk to you and hang out with you.”
“Oh!” Lily sits forward. “I’ve been meaning to ask. I’ve been seeing you with Regulus around the castle. What happened with the whole “I can’t be seen with my best friend and it’s ruining my life” thing?” Remus nods to indicate he wants to know too.
Oliver smiles. “His mother has finally comprehended the fact that I want jackshit to do with Sirius or James.” Remus tilts his head in a silent question. “We get to hang out all the time now, not just in the dorm.”
Lily smiles brightly. “Yay! I know how much that was messing you up.”
Oliver nods. He doesn’t say anything else and neither do the others. They sit in a comfortable silence for a moment, just enjoying each other’s company. Then Remus leans back in his chair and shifts in his seat. He’s trying so hard to look nonchalant it’s making both Lily and Oliver struggle to hide their laughter. “So how were your holidays?” Remus asks.
Oliver smiles at him. “My holidays were good. Do you know Isla Weller and Toby Skies?”
Lily and Remus both hum in thought. “Both our year, on the Slytherin Quidditch Team?” Lily asks. Oliver nods. “Yeah, I think I remember being introduced to them.” Oliver raises his eyebrows in question and Remus turns to look at Lily, equally confused and curious. Lily looks away, pink dusting her cheeks. “Isla’s close with Pandora because they both like Divination. I met her and Toby when I went with Pandora to a meeting for her Divination study group.”
Oliver’s mouth opens but he doesn’t say anything. He closes his mouth and makes a face. He glances at Remus who meets his gaze. They both break out into giggles and Lily hides her face in her hands, mumbling “Shut up” under her breath. She doesn’t deny their obvious implications about her and Pandora so they assume she wants them to know, or doesn’t not want them to know.
“Proud of you, Evans,” Oliver says. She takes her hands from her face and nods gratefully. Remus bumps their shoulders together and Lily smiles at him. He smiles before looking at Oliver.
“Why’d you ask if we knew them?” Remus asks.
“I spent a good amount of time with them during the holidays,” Oliver explains. “I am starting to see that I may be neurodivergent and Regulus introducing me to coffee has not been helping with that.” Remus snorts and Lily raises her eyebrows in a ‘really?’ gesture when Oliver said ‘may’. He rolls his eyes. “Okay, I am extremely neurodivergent and Regulus got me addicted to coffee which makes me have so much energy I don’t know how to dispel it properly so Isla and Toby offered to play some Quidditch with Barty and I so I didn’t explode from the caffeine in my system.”
Lily hums in understanding and Remus nods. “So your holidays were good?” Remus asks.
Oliver nods. “They were, yes. I had fun here. And Barty was a big help.”
“Oh, how’s he and Regulus?” Lily asks. Oliver blinks at her and she grins. “I’m very observant.”
Oliver sighs but he’s smiling. “They’re good, as far as I know. They missed each other a lot during the break. They’ve also been getting more comfortable with each other recently and I’m super proud of both of them.” A knowing look passes over Remus’ face but it’s gone before Oliver has time to decipher it.
“Are you going to be okay to still be seen with us?” Lily asks. Oliver looks at her and tilts his head, confused. “I mean, you were okay with it before because we were mad at Black and all that crap. Now that we’re not as pissed-” Remus gives her a look and she rolls her eyes. “He hurt you. He is not getting off that easily.” Remus opens his mouth but Lily beats him to it. “Once he buys me a ring, maybe I’ll consider being more civil with him.” Remus gives her a deadpan look but she ignores him as she turns back to Oliver. “Isn’t it different? Mother Dearest isn’t going to freak out because of that, is she?”
Oliver opens his mouth but pauses. His eyebrows furrow. “Mother Dearest?”
“It’s condescending,” Lily explains, not an ounce of guilt anywhere in her. “It’s what I call Black’s mother because if anyone were to ask, it’s totally a term of endearment.” Her eyes flash with something akin to mischief and Oliver is so proud.
He smiles before shaking his head. “She shouldn’t be so pissed at the fact I still hang out with you two that she makes Regulus stop hanging out with me again. I think it’s mostly just that you guys can’t bring Sirius around me. Or my brother. That wouldn’t end well, I think. Too much yelling. And I’m not hanging out with them for Regulus, so now that I have him, I don’t plan to let him go. Ever.”
Both Lily and Remus nod in agreement. They understood how much Regulus meant to Oliver.
Oliver and Regulus continue to grow further apart with their brother. Classes are normal and so are the trips to hogsmeade. Oliver never gets to find out Dorcas’ Gryffindor crush but he isn’t that upset about it. Dorcas doesn’t bring it up so Oliver doesn’t ask. Lily and Remus don't hang out with Oliver in the library as much as they did before the holidays but it’s okay because Oliver has Regulus, Pandora, Dorcas, Barty and Evan to keep him company whenever he needs it. They don’t even have to go into the Restricted Section to hang out anymore. Most of the time they’re just sitting in the back of the library away from prying eyes instead of locked up in the Restricted Section.
On November 19th, Oliver stays up late reading one of the muggle books Remus had brought for him. It was a book called Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and, so far, Oliver was in love. He was about halfway through the book when he heard a startled yelp and then heavy breathing from somewhere in the dorm. Oliver’s eyebrows knit together as he flicks out the light of his wand. He pulls open his curtains to try and figure out what was wrong. Typically the boys didn’t sleep with their curtains pulled but Oliver didn’t want to wake anyone with the light of his wand so it was easy to see who the ragged breathing had come from.
Regulus was sitting up in his bed, a trembling hand clutched in the front of his nightshirt. It was one of Oliver’s. The sound of Oliver’s curtains being pulled open made Regulus’ head snap in that direction. Regulus’ eyes go wide but Oliver isn’t acting any different than normal. Oliver is sitting on his bed, his covers bundled in his lap and he’s relaxed. It helps Regulus not freak out too bad.
The moon is streaking light into the room and it’s enough for Oliver to see the way Regulus’ hands are shaking so badly. It’s also enough to see that his cheeks are red and puffy, obviously from crying. Oliver tilts his head and opens his arm in the form of a question neither of them want to ask. Regulus has never been good with touch, Oliver knows this so he wouldn’t be surprised if Regulus rejected the physical affection Oliver was offering, he just hoped Oliver knew that it was physical affection because Oliver didn’t think he could handle it if Regulus thought it was anything else.
Regulus’ eyes locked onto Oliver’s open arms and stared for a moment. Then he nodded. He made no move to get up but he had nodded so Oliver slowly got out of bed. He gave Regulus enough time to change his mind if he was uncomfortable but he made no move to. Actually, he scoots over in his bed to give Oliver room. Oliver climbs into Regulus’ bed next to him and holds him as he starts to cry again. It isn’t loud and he doesn’t sob but his body shakes and his hands are still curled into the fabric of his shirt. Oliver rests his chin on Regulus’ head and holds him as they both lie on their sides.
Regulus falls asleep first after no more than an hour. Regulus’ breathing has calmed and his tears have stopped. Oliver presses a kiss to Regulus’ head, lulling the boy even further into a peaceful sleep. Oliver lies there a few more moments before he too has been pulled into a peaceful sleep.
In the morning, Oliver wakes up in his own bed. He is honestly confused. Had it all been a dream? It was a Saturday morning so the others let him sleep in. When he looks around, Regulus is the only one in the dorm. He’s sitting on the floor at the end of his bed with his study material scattered around him. “Mornin’,” Oliver says as he rubs his eyes.
Regulus tenses. He freezes but doesn’t turn or even acknowledge Oliver. Hm. Maybe it wasn’t a dream.
“Reg?” Oliver tries softly. He pushes off his blankets and pads over to where Regulus is. Regulus’ shoulders are bunched up near his ears and Oliver sighs. He sits down next to Regulus and just stays there, waiting for Regulus to make his move. If he wanted Oliver gone, he would go, no questions asked, but if Regulus needs Oliver then he needs to tell him.
Eventually, Regulus takes down his shoulders and straightens his back. He turns to look at Oliver and the two just stare at each other. Regulus’ gaze is locked to just under Oliver’s eye. He doesn’t like eye contact and Oliver isn’t about to force him to meet his eyes. Regulus takes a deep breath. “It’s just you.” Regulus speaks softly and Oliver gives him a soft smile.
“Just me,” he promises. “We don’t need to talk about it.”
“I don’t want to,” Regulus confirms but he doesn’t close himself off and Oliver does his best not to grin because PROGRESS!!! By the way Regulus rolls his eyes, he isn’t doing a very good job. “I hate you.”
“Of course you do,” Oliver hums. He bumps their shoulders together and Regulus doesn’t flinch away (progressssss). “But if you ever change your mind, I’m here. Always.”
Regulus nods. “I know.” He turns back to his study material (Merlin, Regulus. Fifth year just started, why are you already studying for OWLs?). Oliver continues to look at him, just the side of his face now. “I really do know,” Regulus adds without looking away from his piece of parchment.
Oliver smiles. “I know,” he says softly. He rests his head on Regulus’ shoulder, to which he does tense a bit but he relaxes so Oliver doesn’t pull away.
They sit like that for a good while until Oliver wants to shower. When he gets out, Regulus holds out a plate with two waffles on it along with some fruit. Oliver cooes at Regulus about how much he totally loves Oliver.
“You’re in love with me,” Oliver says around a mouthful of waffle. Regulus just rolls his eyes. “You’re a great guy, Regs, but I just don’t feel that way about you.”
Regulus scrunches up his nose and it’s so adorable. Regulus is just like a cat. “You are ridiculous, Sol.”
Oliver hums as he shoves his fork into his mouth. Regulus looks at him for a long moment. Oliver raises his eyebrows and Regulus sighs. He reaches behind him and hands a mug over to Oliver who gasps. He sets his plate down and makes grabby hands for it. Regulus rolls his eyes because he was already going to give it to Oliver. Oliver knows that but it’s so much funner to use the grabby hands. Regulus has a small smile on his face as he goes back to his studying. Oliver yaps on about Pride and Prejudice. Regulus has already read it. He doesn’t say anything.
They don’t speak about it again but Regulus does shoot him a smile whenever they lock eyes for long enough. It doesn’t stay the two of them in the dorm for long. Barty is quick to arrive, kissing Regulus before ruffling Oliver’s hair. (Oliver fake gags as he watches their affection and Regulus rolls his eyes. There’s an underlying emotion there, or an underlying purpose of that eye roll but Oliver couldn’t quite figure that out yet.)
The rest of their rag-tag group of weirdos arrived with Barty. They found themselves draped across the dorm. Oliver has stayed on the ground with Regulus, who had abandoned his studying in favour of curling up in Oliver’s lap as a cat, Barty’s hanging half off of Oliver’s bed with Evan sitting on Oliver’s bed (they both have perfectly good beds right there, why do they need to sit on Oliver’s?) with Leaf’s bowl in front of him. His hand was submerged in the water so Leaf could lay on it. It was cute.
Pandora’s sitting at the end of Barty’s bed with Dorcas in front of her so she can braid her hair. Pandora’s the only one allowed (and capable, let’s be honest) to do Dorcas’ hair, let alone touch it. If anyone else tried, she’d either bite their fingers off or curse them into oblivion. Perhaps both, there really is no telling. After Dorcas’ hair has been perfected, Dorcas stretches and then turns into her animagus. She curls herself up on the floor next to Oliver and Regulus. Regulus’ small paw bats at Dorcas’ nose but she ignores it.
Pandora stays atop Barty’s bed, perfectly content to stay there. It was nice. Oliver ends up falling asleep while leaning against Regulus’ bed.
Oliver comforting Regulus when he wakes from a nightmare becomes a pretty standard thing. Whenever Oliver notices Regulus wake up from a pretty bad nightmare, he’ll climb into the bed when Regulus nods to tell him he can. Sometimes Oliver isn’t awake and doesn’t hear when Regulus wakes up with ragged breathing and tears tracks on his cheeks. It took some time but Regulus has gotten the courage to climb into Oliver’s bed whenever that happens, seeking the comfort his best friend brings. Obviously Oliver doesn’t mind this and welcomes regulus into his arms every time.
Neither says a word when it happens. Sometimes Oliver will murmur reassurance into Regulus’ hair but other than that, they don’t speak during it and they don’t speak about it either. However, Regulus has been more open to Oliver’s affection. He doesn’t flinch away from the hair ruffles or the side hugs. Oliver’s seen Barty give him side eyes every once in a while but he doesn’t outwardly seem upset about how close Oliver and Regulus have become.
Sometimes when Oliver isn’t awake or he doesn’t hear when Regulus wakes up from a nightmare, Regulus gets the courage to climb into Oliver’s bed, seeking the comfort his best friend brings. Of course, Oliver wakes up when he feels the shifting of his mattress. He welcomes Regulus into his arms every time.
One night a few days before everyone needs to leave for the Christmas Holidays, Regulus doesn’t go back to sleep, no matter how long he stays in Oliver’s arms. After about an hour of this, Oliver speaks up. They’re both lying in Regulus’ bed, Oliver’s fingers carding through his hair while Regulus’ face is pressed into Oliver’s shoulder. “Do you want me to get you a sleeping draught?” Oliver whispers into the quiet dorm. “I’ve still got some from the last time I was with Poppy.”
Regulus shakes his head. His fingers bunch in Oliver’s but he doesn’t say another word. His breathing picks up and Oliver doesn’t know what to do. He mumbles soothing things as the hand that isn’t in Regulus’ hair starts to rub circles into his arm. Regulus sits up and pulls his knees to his chest. Oliver’s hands fall away and he slowly sits up too.
“Reg?”
Regulus takes a deep breath and rubs at his eyes with the back of his hand. “I- I think I’m ready to talk about it.”
Oliver’s mouth snaps shut and he furrows his eyebrows. He slowly nods his head as he pulls his legs up to cross them underneath him. He says nothing so Regulus can speak when he feels he can. When he does, his voice is wobbly but Oliver doesn’t judge him, he doesn’t snicker, he doesn’t even move. He’s scared he’ll dissuade Regulus if he does.
“Typically my nightmares are different,” Regulus starts. “That does not mean they are not similar. They are made up of flashes of my friends, my brother, my cousins- just the people I care about. The nightmares are always of them getting hurt because of me.” He squeezes his eyes shut. “I think Sirius thinks that him leaving made it easier on me back home. Which is so fucking wrong.” Regulus laughs humorously. “The difference between Sirius and I is that I didn’t rebel like he did. I play the Obedient Heir, whilst Sirius was outward with his rebellion. Mother and Father have no reason to harm me because I do what I’m told. However, sometimes I will take too long to do something or they just feel like they have to get their anger out so they take it out on me. No Sirius to take the blows for his little brother anymore,” Regulus huffs out another laugh but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Oliver feels himself die a bit inside.
Regulus doesn’t start to speak again so Oliver takes a deep breath. “I-” His voice catches, and Regulus turns his head to look at him. It’s the first time in this entire conversation that Regulus hadn’t been staring off into space. Oliver looks down at his hands. He doesn’t have all of his rings on right now but he does have the sunflower and bee engraved ring Regulus had given him for his birthday and the moth carved ring Pandora got him that flapped its wings every now and then. Oliver’s eyes trace the way the wings flutter. “My parents weren’t- they never-” He huffs angrily. “I don’t have to worry about my parents punishing me, I never have. Our families they’re- they’re so different and I find it difficult to know what to say in a situation like this-” Oliver blinks. He looks up and his eyes unfocus against the wall. “Oh,” Oliver breathes out. He hadn’t meant to say that. He hadn’t realised it was true until that moment.
“Oliver?” Regulus tries to get his attention. Oliver turns to look at him and a small smile blooms on Oliver’s face.
“I don’t want to say that wrong thing,” Oliver tells Regulus. “I never do, not when it’s you. Not when one wrong word could mean that I lose you forever.”
Regulus frowns, a crease forming between his eyebrows. “Oliver. That is ridiculous. You could never “lose me” because of a poor choice of words.”
Oliver shrugs. “It’s happened before. You used to hate me-”
“I didn’t-” Regulus bites his tongue and Oliver stops. Regulus hadn’t meant to interrupt. Oliver waits to see if Regulus wishes to continue. Regulus sighs and rests his chin on his knees. “I didn’t hate you,” he says in a quiet voice. “You were just so- so nice and you didn’t immediately hate me despite the bad things I’m sure my brother and yours have told you about me and my family.”
Oliver rolls his eyes. “Now that’s ridiculous.” Regulus narrows his eyes like he doesn’t understand what he means. “I would never think less of anyone because of their family or their house.”
The crease between Regulus’ eyebrows becomes more prominent and he looks so much like a child that Oliver tries not to get whiplash. “I was so sure you would hate me.”
Oliver shakes his head. “I didn’t hate you. I don’t hate anyone.” He fiddles with his sunflower ring. “Sometimes I hate how I don’t hate anyone. I don’t think I have the ability to hate anyone.” He shrugs. “It’s just how I was raised.” He looks to the side and finds himself frowning. “The way I was raised... I grew up being told that people weren’t inherently good or bad, that there were only people who made good or bad decisions. I used to think that was factually incorrect because, how could there be people who believe things like Blood Purity and say such horrible things about Muggleborns or Half-Bloods and yet still have the ability to do good.” He looked at Regulus and his frown lessened into a small, grateful smile. “I don’t believe that anymore because of you, Regulus.”
“Me?”
Oliver nods. “Yes, because of you. You grew up in a household where you were told that Blood Traitors like my family were to never be associated with. You were moulded to believe that there were only good and bad people and your parents were the ones to pick and choose which category people were put into. But you chose not to listen and you still became friends with me.”
“I was bullied into that,” Regulus points out.
Oliver shrugs. “Potato, Tomato.” Regulus snorts and Oliver smiles. “You chose to be my friend and you chose to fight when it mattered. You chose to stay in the dorm and you let me stay here too.”
“I wasn’t just going to let them kick you out,” Regulus says. He sniffs. “You’re kind of my best friend and the only reason I can handle those two.” He gestures vaguely to the other side of the room where Barty and Evan are sleeping. Barty’s snoring softly. Oliver smiles as he watches them for a moment.
“Does Barty know about any of this?” Oliver asks carefully.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Regulus sighs. “I could barely handle it when I found out I liked him, let alone have him be aware of just how much I like him and care about him and want him to be okay. My life at home isn’t... It’s not a good place to be yourself, Oliver. I hate how I am. I thought there was something wrong with me. I still do.” Oliver looks over to see tears brimming his eyes. “My sexuality, it isn’t- I always thought that having crushes was stupid and I didn’t get what people meant when they were talking about them. Then I started dating Barty and-" Regulus groans, shoving his face into his hands. "It sucks."
Oliver hums. "It does." He huffs and props up his arm on his elbow so he can drop his chin into his hand. "Merlin, does it suck."
Regulus takes a few more moments before he speaks, voice muffled by his palms. "I think I'm going to break up with Barty."
Oliver blinks. "Wait, what?" He isn't sure if he heard that correctly. Surely he couldn't've... could he?
Regulus takes his hands from his face and frowns. "I don't think either of us are in the head space for it. Besides, I just- I don't think I can."
There's something else that Regulus isn't telling Oliver. So he waits patiently, the hand not supporting his head fiddling with his sheets.
"I think he likes someone else," Regulus whispers. Oliver blinks, back straightening, his hand falling.
"What?" How could Regulus think that? Barty wasn't that type of person. Certainly not. As Oliver flicks through his memories (ignoring the obvious jokes), he can't find anything where Barty would like anyone other than Regulus.
"I think..." Regulus' cheek flicks in a way Oliver knows he's worrying it between his teeth. Despite the thoughts rushing through Oliver's head, he lets Regulus find his words. "I think I do too."
Oliver stays silent for another moment. "You think you... what?"
Regulus huffs exaggeratedly. "I think I like someone that's, you know, not Barty."
Oliver waves his hands around. "Well yeah, I got that part, but who?"
Even in the dark Oliver can tell Regulus' cheeks flush. "That, I will not be telling you." Regulus groans and lets his legs drop from their position pulled to his chest. “Fuck me, Ol. I feel so...” He trails off as he tries to find the right words.
“Bleh?” Oliver supplies and Regulus nods solemnly. Oliver nods back and exhales deeply out his nose. “Yeah, feelings’ll do that to ya.” He stretches out his arms. “They suck massively, Reggie. You get used to it though.”
Regulus groans as he covers his face with his hands. “This does suck.” Oliver hums. He pats Regulus’ head.
“I’m always here, though,” Oliver says. “Always. Whatever you need, I’ll be here. Just call and then I’ll-” Oliver cuts himself off with a strangled noise.
Regulus opens a gap in his fingers so he can look at Oliver. “What?”
“I-” Oliver looks at Regulus. “I sounded like- And you were-”
Regulus just continues to look at Oliver like he’s going crazy but then his eyes shoot open wide. “We were acting like our brothers,” Regulus whispers, horrified. The two of them stare at each other, both mirroring the other’s horrified look. Then they both burst out laughing. Oliver clutches his stomach as he doubles over. Oliver is breathless with how hard he’s laughing and Regulus grabs his arm to help stabilise them both as he cackles too. It’s the first time Oliver’s heard a full, pure laugh from Regulus and the circumstances are ridiculous- they’re so ludicrous and yet they’re both laughing so hard.
The laughing causes Barty and Evan to wake up. Barty’s grumbling and Evan just looks confused. “What the fuck is goin’ on?” Evan mumbles while rubbing his eyes. Barty mumbles about the time under his breath.
Neither Oliver nor Regulus respond and it confuses the fuck out of their dormmates. Oliver’s stomach hurts and Regulus is fully slumped against Oliver as his cackles quiet down to uncontrollable giggles and Oliver is having the time of his life. His laughter stops and he grins while he holds up Regulus’ giggling form. When Regulus finally quiets down, he locks eyes with Oliver’s and they both fall into a fit of laughter again. Barty smiles fondly before flipping them both off and lying back down. He holds his pillow over his head to drown out the noise. Evan still just looks so fucking confused. Oliver’s never been happier.