I’m always running from something, I push it back but it keeps on coming
Regulus didn’t know what was happening. The world moved like sludge. Everyone passing him by like some decoration, paying just enough attention to avoid him. No one thought it would be useful to fill him in though. Instead he wondered about his day in the pocket of silence he’d been left in. He knew something was wrong. Not just because of the way everyone was acting, he could feel it deep inside him…something had changed irrevocably. Still, for now he enjoyed the harmony, might as well.
He found out eventually, later that day when things had calmed down. His father taken ill. A nasty one too, the kind that sucks the life out of you far too fast. Right now they were making plans to transport him to a temple. You knew it was serious if they started talking about bringing someone to the cella of a temple. They were long past that point here.
Regulus didn’t know what to do, so he didn’t do anything at all.
He didn’t say goodbye to the stranger that called himself his father.
He didn’t cry. He didn’t feel upset when the man collapsed on the steps of the temple and didn’t get up again. Didn’t start breathing again.
The first coherent thought Regulus had all day was the realisation he was the paterfamilias now. Now there was something to cry about
•••
Evan padded through the training ground until he got to the gladiator dorms. A man opened the door for him and hurried away. He knew he was an imposition. He wasn’t supposed to be here, wasn’t supposed to interact with gladiators. He was a senator though, no one was in a rush to cross him. He stood in the doorway, practically blocking the tiny thing entirely. A couple of gladiators looked up and he cleared his throat to address them, praising them for a good performance. He left quickly. He knew Barty had got the message. He disappeared into a small weapon storage room, just like clockwork the door swung open again a moment later.
Barty grinned but it was half hearted as he shuffled his feet. It felt strange to see him shy. Evan cursed as he cast his mind back to the games.
“Who’s to say I don’t love you.”
Barty hadn’t reacted well to that, rushed away immediately. Well here was the aftermath. Barty didn’t come to meet him, he walked to the centre of the room and stopped. Evan did though, surging forward quickly, he couldn’t bare to be stood this far from him. He just needed- needed to be closer.
“What brings you here?”
Barty cleared his throat. Evan opened his mouth and shut it again. ‘You. You because I’m crazy about you. You drive me insane. I love you, I love you, I love you. I can’t breathe knowing you’re upset with me. Are you upset with me? I can’t tell. I need to know, please tell me because I need to fix it. I can fix it.’
“We need to talk.”
Evan said instead.
“Look I’m- I’m sorry for leaving so soon I just-“
“I meant it you know?”
Evan stepped closer, just the tiniest fraction. Barty didn’t budge an inch, instead his eyes locked on Evan. It sent a fucking chill through him the way Barty was looking at him.
“I meant it. I love you. I’m in love with you.”
“No you didn’t.”
“Yes I did. Yes I do. Barty you’re-“
“Evan you can’t mean it. I’m not- look we’re not- I’m just an affair to you, you can’t possibly…”
Barty trailed off.
“Is that what you think? All you think you are to me?”
“I can’t do this anymore Evan. I can’t-“
“Barty wait-“
“No. No I don’t like you. I never liked you. I can’t believe you fell in love with me. That’s fucking pathetic honestly. I only did this to get money. A fucking senator. A senator showed interest in me. Of course I was gonna take advantage of it. But I don’t actually care about you. I can’t be asked to keep going with this fucking charade.”
Barty laughed harshly, clenching his right fist slightly. Evan clocked the movement immediately. A feeling of relief washed over him as soon as he saw it.
“Liar.”
“What?”
“You’re lying. You clenched your right fist, you do that every time you feign a direction when you’re fighting. It’s your tell.”
“I’m not-“
“Love don’t lie.”
Evan’s voice darkened. He was sick of this shit.
“I can’t-“
“Barty! Tell me.”
“Fine. Fuck I’m being sold. Orion is dead. He was the one who wanted gladiators and now he’s gone and I’m being put on a fucking bidding market.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. And I ran away from you at the games because I love you too and I can’t- I can’t deal with that but now I’ll have to deal with that and on top of that the fact that I’ll never see you again. And I just-“
Barty took a shaky breath, grabbing a shield from next to him. He began to punch the wall with a shielded hand, yelling out in frustration as silver pounded against brick.
Evan reached out his arms, wrapping them around Barty from behind. Barty dropped the shield, melting into Evan immediately.
“You love me.”
Evan noted softly, pressing a kiss into Barty’s cheek.
“Yeah but fuck Ev wrong thing to focus on.”
“No its not. You love me. I love you. We’re in love.”
“And we’re never going to see each other again. So what’s the point.”
“Because I’m not letting you get sold. I’ll buy you myself and then I’ll free you.”
Barty scoffed.
“Subtle that would be, senator who has no gladiators suddenly buys the one who, by the way, he already attends all the games of and often speaks to in private. There’s only so much that can be covered up, even by you.”
“I’ll figure something out. You’re not being sent away. You’re gonna live with me one day, just wait and see. And we’ll do whatever we want in peace, just the two of us.”
“Yeah and how d’you plan on doing that?”
•••
It was about midnight that Evan showed up at Regulus’ house. Regulus was awake, of course, running in the garden when he the warning approach of footsteps.
He saw a flash of ivory hair and knew who it was immediately, jogging over to meet him.
“Evan?”
“Reg. We’ve been friends forever right?”
“Yeah?”
Regulus cocked an eyebrow questioningly.
“And I’ve never asked you for anything before. And I hate that-“
“Ev spit it out.”
“Ok but you can’t ask questions. Barty-uh Bartemius. The gladiator. Could you free him? He’s going to be sold otherwise and…he just can’t be.”
“I technically can. I have the power to now. My mother will definitely object though. Bartemius is one of our best fighters.”
“Reg please.“
Evan begged, tears were shining unshed in his eyes.
“Evan I want to, believe me. I think having slaves is horrifying. More than anything I want to free them all but my mother-“
“I’ll help you leave.”
Evan blurted out quickly.
“What?”
“Escape. If you have anywhere to go, anywhere you want to go…I’ll get you there. Just name it.”
“Rome.”
“Done.”
“Just one condition Reg…”
Evan added.
“Take Dora with you. You don’t have to marry her but if you don’t someone else will. Someone worse. I’ll come find you. She can live with me once I do. I’ll just need a few months to get everything sorted for myself.”
Regulus was already nodding before Evan was done speaking.
“Of course. Meet me here at five tomorrow.”
Evan nodded quickly before hurrying away. Leaving Regulus to the cold night air. He breathed in and began to run, screwing his eyes shut as he listened to the pounding of his own footsteps.
I’ll see you soon Sirius.
•••
Regulus woke up the next day and looked around the small little cell of a room. I’ll never see this place again. He wasn’t upset.
He went about his day as usual but he could practically hear the thumping of his heartbeat. The only thoughts that filled his mind were stories of Rome he’d heard from Sirius as he’d recounted his time there, tagging along on his parents business trips. Regulus had never gotten to go on those, even once it had become clear he was the new heir to the business his parents had been more…protective with him. Clearly trying to avoid history repeating itself with their second son. Funny how that was turning out. At four he headed to the gladiator training grounds and Barty Crouch Jr was taken out of the training arena. He’d never go back in it again. They stood awkwardly waiting in the garden, Regulus was shifting his weight from foot to foot. He knew his mother was out organising the affairs for his father’s funeral. He knew she wouldn’t magically pop out at a random corner and punish him. Still he couldn’t help but feel she would. Kept glancing behind his shoulder just in case.
“So…”
Said Barty awkwardly.
“So?”
“You and Evan are friends?”
Barty asked, leaning back against the wall of the garden.
“Yeah. I’ve known him my whole life.”
Regulus replied, then paused, seized slightly by curiosity.
“How do you actually know him?”
Barty furrowed his brows before replying.
“He came to congratulate me after a win one time, likes my fighting style I guess. We got to talking and then he just kept coming back I guess.”
“He goes to everyone single one of your games.”
“I fight very well.”
“I’m sure.”
“You’ve never been to one?”
“I don’t like the idea of pitting humans against each other to fight like circus animals.”
Regulus replied simply, he’d always hated it even as a young child. Didn’t feel the same buzzing bloodlust everyone else seemed to have.
Finally Evan arrived, Pandora in tow. Regulus’ grip on his satchel tightened. He’d packed a few things, nothing big and no clothes considering how small it was, but the few sentimental objects he had were in there. Also Barty’s pileus.
The four of them headed in stony silence to the forum. Freeing slaves wasn’t usually a public affair but they’d need witnesses or Regulus’ mother would probably try and discount it. Also Barty was a famous figure, a lot of people would probably be thrilled that the ceremony was public. They walked through the city tensely. Regulus could practically feel the pileus burning a whole in his back by the time they got to the forum.
Regulus turned to look at his friends, he could see the grin he wasn’t even trying to bite back, the glint of joy in Evan’s eyes, the hope that glimmered in Pandora’s. He drew in a deep breath, he pulled the pileus out the bag and placed the satchel down. People were starting to look now at the platform they had stood themselves on. He turned to address the gathering crowd.
“Many of you know Bartemius. Brave and talented gladiator who has captured the attention of millions in his games. Today we reward him for his bravery!”
His voice was loud and booming, he just hoped the forced power covered up the tremor, the strong stance covered the fact that he was shaking. Barty kneeled in front of him and Regulus turned, slowly placing the cap down onto his head.
“Bartemius. I now declare you a freedman!”
The crowd cheered and whooped and Barty took a large flourishing bow. Regulus exhaled shakily, stepping back into the shade. It was done. Next step is Rome.
•••
Walburga Black was not pleased to say the least.
“I am the paterfamilias. I am in charge now. It was my decision to make.”
“I see the power has gone to your head Regulus. Pity, I thought we had raised you better than this.”
A lot of pain followed. Regulus didn’t scream this time though, instead his mind took him somewhere far away from the bloodstained floor he was lying on, his mind took him to Rome.
And in the middle of the night under the cover of the stars and sky. A carriage took him there too.
“I can’t wait to never have to come back here.”
Pandora turned to him, eyes shining. For the first time since she’d been five he saw her look truly carefree. She had the same expression as when she’d pressed her first flower.
“I hope this place burns in hell.”
He replied with a grin as the carriage sped away and the life that had plagued him grew smaller and smaller until it was just a blot in the distance. He felt a laugh bubble up inside him and just let it, throwing his arms out as he felt the midnight breeze whipping softly against his curls. The thrum of cicadas was loud in his ears and the air around him was cold and fresh. So this was what it felt like then? Freedom…