He knows too much
Reg sat in the room of requirement waiting to see the student who has talked to his anigmus last night telling stories of his past. Regulus couldn't exactly see the face of the person talking as he was refused to look at him. For some reason the story seemed to resonate with him, not being able to shake off the feeling that it was similar to his, he paced around his mind trying make sense of it all. He refused to believe that it was somebody he knew but it just felt too familiar. It made too much sense to not be his. How else would he be able to understand that well? There was no explanation for it and Regulus couldn't dislodge that horrid feeling. The feeling that he knew everything but nothing at the same time. The room was small and cost with a small fire in the corner. A table sat between to armchairs covered in books and some sweets. A bookshelf sat behind Regulus covered in stories and spell books and little items. It had a warm glow and was comforting. Of course it would automatically change to fit the person walking in but it very rarely did. Regulus often came here to spend some time by himself or Pandora or James. Pandora would paint with him and James would listen to him talking about the stars and and their tales.
He would often come here in his anigmus and sleep if he was too overwhelmed as he couldn't trust himself in the astronomy tower. Only poppy knew about the anigmi and room of requirement and would check in on reg if he wasn't in the tower or music room. In the code that they agreed on for full moons (prongs being small problem get the infirmary prepared, Wormtail being urgent problem as he could sneak in, and padfoot being a comfort to moony) he was there to tell Madam Pomfrey which potions she needed to use. He could always tell what potions were needed even when he had never seen the injuries before, it was jut a gift that he had always possessed. It would have been useful to know such spells back when he was younger and under the protection of his brother. He could have healed his brother. He could have helped when he was needed but just didn't know how he could do that. He had watched his brother nearly die so many times that he wasn't fazed by it anymore. Regulus was suddenly kicked out of his thoughts when a sharp knock came at the door. "Come in " he called. the boy walked in and reg's heart stopped. It couldn't be. No not him. Anybody but him. He wished he had left that stone sooner. He wasn't prepared through this. No. He can't listen anymore. He had to pretend to be able to stand it though. He had grin and bare it. Just sit there and listen. It can't be that hard, can it? Why? Of all people he could have talked to last night, it had to be him. The one person he loved most that had left him heart broken. He just had to keep on a façade so that he won't know that the topic would be too much for him. Just keep the mask on for as long as possible. Calm down.
He watched the boy sit down. This time he was staring right at Regulus not breaking eye contact before quickly looking away. It broke his heart that his own brother couldn't look at him for as long as he could James or Remus. It wasn't right. He knew that Sirius couldn't really talk to Regulus for fear of being punished the next time he was forced to spend the holiday with his family. He had the Potters sure but he had to come round to the Black's house one a year or else he would have to cut all ties with those he loved including Regulus. But he couldn't even stare at him for more than 5 seconds without breaking eye contact. Regulus wished that there was another reason even though he knew quite well there was no other possible explanation left. He just had to cope with that fact. No matter how heart breaking it was.
"I received the letter I must say you have wonderous handwriting!" Sirius laughed as Regulus glared at him, not even an ounce of emotion appearing on his face.
"Don't act like you don't have the exact same as me." he muttered. Why was he like this? His brother had always made fun of the little things about Regulus. Whether it is handwriting or the way he walks.
"So who did the dirty work for you?"
" what do you mean? "
"Who was the anigmi that was in the forest last night?"
" I thought you knew better than that Sirius. Do you really expect me to share that! "
"Well I am your brother after all"
"Sirius?" a slight edge appeared in his voice. He didn't mean to let it slip in but he had adopted a couple of things from his mother.
"Yes Reg?" Sirius responded quickly looking up at his younger brother. He had messed up.
"Why did you accept the letter? Did the discussion help or was just another waste of you time?" Sarcasm dripped from each word like poison.
"It was quite nice actually and well I just wanted to see you again but you know in private... " Sirius admitted dating not to look into the stone cold eyes in front of him. A small smile appeared on Regulus 's face.
"I see. Why though? Why can't we talk when in front of others? Are you to scared that I will embarrass you in front of your precious little friends?" He asked in a mocking voice.
"I just wanted to apologise and I don't want them to see that I actually care for you."
"Again why? Do they believe that you can't be weak and are just all mighty and powerful?"
"They might believe that you are evil and not even the slightest bit trustable, part of that might of been my fault and my small amount of resentment towards you staying behind instead of leaving with me."
"I know there is another reason, Sirius. You know you can't hide from me, brother."
"I-I don't know where else to start, Reg! There was too much stuff for me to handle. I couldn't understand why you just couldn't follow me. I was constantly being injured and I couldn't find a reason why you didn't help me! You- You just stood there!"
"I wanted to! I truly did! But I didn't know how! I was 9! I barely knew the basic spells let alone a healing one!"
"I just wanted somebody to love me openly. I wanted to run away for so long then when you said that you couldn't it felt like something was missing once I left that stupid house. I-" Sirius's voice cracked, overpowered with emotions. Regulus knew what his brother had been through and it pained him to see him like this. He felt helpless. He couldn't say anything as it would make it worse and he felt like crap as his brother had truly loved him and saw him as a piece missing when he ran. It was just too much. Once Sirius had left his mother became twice as harsh and strict as she was before. Expecting him to fill in for Sirius. Expecting him to be flawless in every single way.
"You know you can tell me everything else as well, right? That way I can understand just that bit more. Go on. I'm listening I promise. This is a secret for a reason Siri." Sirius looked up in shock. Reg actually remembered the nickname after this many years. He couldn't believe it. He felt a smile creep up on his face. Then he realised that regs stare had softened and now was looking at him . Trying to encourage him to keep talking, a thing Reg knew that he could never do himself as he had nobody else that would listen or understand. It was his fault.
"Sirius are you still here?"
"Yes. Yes sorry just thinking."
"No need to be sorry take as long as you want" Sirius felt comfortable now realising he had nothing to fear in this room.