Chapter 5
It took just over 20 minutes for Regulus to hear a car honking three times in front of the building where he lived. He was already dressed in his coat and scarf — this time to cover the light marks all over his neck — and he was wearing a bonnet and gloves. Today it was colder than usual, it was raining and it felt like it was already night. Black loved days like these, but to stay at home since he was also quite of an easy person to get sick — it’s a surprise he hadn’t been sick this winter yet.
He grabbed his cell phone that was almost dead and left the house as soon as Evan's orange umbrella was in his hands. The way from the door to the car wasn't long, but he wanted to be on the safe side anyway.
“Hi,” Barty greeted with a sweet smile while Regulus got comfortable inside the car.
“Sorry ‘bout the wet umbrella,” he said after carefully throwing it away.
“Nah, it’s no problem,” Crouch stated, turning his attention to the steering wheel while the windshield did its job of pushing snow and water out of his sight, “So, have you already chosen what you’ll eat?”
“No, I’m going for anything you choose,” he giggled nervously when Barty lifted the side of his mouth a little bit.
“I need some Italian food. It’s not the same but it’s close enough,” he said.
“Severus’ father makes Italian food?”
“He tries.”
Regulus shifted on the car seat to get more comfortable, watching the people walk outside the window. The majority of them with umbrellas protecting them from the strong rain — even the snow —, others with, now wet, hoodies and others simply running to their destiny — Black laughs at that.
“One day I have to take you to Italy,” Barty randomly said.
“What?” Regulus turned his head because he genuinely didn’t hear.
“I have to take you to Italy with me one day, you will absolutely love it,” his voice was excited and Regulus couldn’t help but smile.
“I– I don’t think James would let me,” he sighed. James wouldn’t like the idea of Regulus going on a holiday trip with his ex-boyfriend, never.
“What is he? Your owner?” he let out a sharp laugh, “I know you’re a black cat, Reggie, but I didn’t expect you to actually become someone’s pet outside bed.”
“I’m not into pet play”
“Guess I’ve found out another thing that changed during the time I was away,” by now, Regulus knew he was just messing with him because Barty knows he has an effect on Regulus — for example, he was blushing right now.
The trip was a peaceful one, covered in nonsense conversations and even some plans for the summer in Italy as Barty wanted so badly now. Regulus liked it — of course he did. However, he didn’t want to upset James. They seemed fine now, so why would he just ruin that again? It’s obvious James would never approve of his “boyfriend” going to another country with his ex, even if he wasn’t his pet.
Arriving there, Barty insisted that they share an umbrella and Regulus couldn't help but accept having his body hugged by Crouch under that little circle. He felt comfortable even if the situation wasn’t pleasing, because Barty’s grip would always be Regulus’ favourite form of touching.
“Junior!” Regulus saw Severus walking towards them when they got inside the restaurant.
“Snape!” Barty greeted him with a happy smile.
The umbrella was obviously wet and Black was trying his best not to wet the floor of Severus' restaurant — something not very successful.
“I didn’t know you were back.”
“Came back only a few days ago, so don’t worry I didn’t forget you,” he joked, looking at Regulus, “you okay?”
“It’s too wet,” Regulus mumbled.
“Oh no!” Severus interrupted, “There’s no problem, Black. You can leave it here, don’t worry about the floor.”
“Really?” he searched for honesty in the man’s words.
“Obviously,” he let out a nasal laugh, like a happy little breath, “It’s just water anyways.”
Regulus didn’t remember Severus being so nice like this in his teenage years, however, he wasn’t complaining. Maybe a second chance would be cool — even with all the shit Severus did; like calling Lily Evans a slur because she’s into women. The funny part is that he ended up coming out as gay a few years later.
Maybe life teached him, so why wouldn’t Regulus give him a chance?
“I’m happy you guys are still standing,” he said.
“What?” Regulus was confused for a few seconds, “Oh. Oh, no. No. We broke up before he left we’re uhm – we’re just friends. Yes, we came here just as friends. Regular friends,” he nervously giggled, hearing his brain scream for him to shut up. However, it was like he couldn’t control his own mouth, like it was running faster than his brain.
“Oh,” Severus said, dropping the hands he had on his own waist, “I’m sorry– I thought– since you guys used to have da– alright yeah, sorry.”
Barty was the only one who didn’t seem to be awkward. He laughed quietly and touched his own nose before looking behind his shoulder.
“We’re going to table 16, yeah?”
“Of course. What will you want?”
“Fiorentina Steak,” he replied without hesitation and Regulus blinked at him.
No matter how many times Barty would speak in Italian, Regulus would get butterflies every single time — especially if he was insulting someone.
“On your way,” Severus smiled, turning around to go behind the counter, entering the kitchen.
The boy with the black curls was so busy thinking about Barty's Italian that he didn't even notice when he moved to walk towards the table. He looked back, starting to walk in fast steps to catch the taller boy.
When they sat down, the first thing Regulus did was take off his bonnet and gloves, going for the scarf next. Inside the restaurant was warm enough, the scarf would only make him sweat. Regulus was too oblivious to notice when Crouch stared at him with a straight face.
“What?” he gave him an insecure smile.
Was his face dirty? Did he do something wrong that pissed Barty off? Was his hair ugly? Right now, his heart was beating fast, begging mentally for Barty to reply.
“Guess you had a fun night”
He frowned, completely confused for a few seconds before it clicked.
Fuck.
“I–”
“You’re unlucky. I'm very observant but you’re also very lucky at the same time though, those are barely noticeable… poor you,” Regulus could feel the way Barty was mocking in an angry, sarcastic way.
“I’m sorry.”
“Why’d you lie?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’m not mad, Reggie,” he reassured him as he was reading Regulus’ thoughts and concerns, “I just feel a bit ridiculous… sending you messages while you were getting fucked.”
“Don’t talk like that.”
“I’m sorry. You could’ve just said you were with James, I would understand,” he sighed.
“I don’t want to have fights with you.”
“And you won’t. I am not mad at you, far from it. It’s your life and you fuck whoever you want, you’re not my boyfriend anymore.”
Regulus felt his heart being slowly crushed. He wasn’t his boyfriend anymore, that’s the truth and Regulus hates it. He didn’t want James. He wants Barty. Regulus shook his head, forgetting those thoughts.
Now, he’s remembering the time where they used to have dates in this same restaurant, when Regulus hated Severus and Barty was always trying to convince him he wasn’t that bad. The times where they’d share one smoothie with two straws like a dumb straight teenage couple — well, they actually were a dumb teenage couple. Regulus laughs at one memory.
“My nose!” Regulus complained in a laugh.
“You’re cute like that,” Barty laughed, still trying to get Regulus’ face dirty with the strawberry smoothie they were sharing.
“Bartemius Crouch Jr, stop that.” he pretended to be mad.
“Don’t you dare call me by my whole name, Regulus Arcturus Black.”
“Who’s gonna stop me?”
After that, Barty leaned across the table to kiss Regulus. He smiled through the kiss and lifted both hands to Barty's hair and the boy licked the smoothie from the younger one’s nose afterwards.
“You’re okay?” he heard Barty’s voice pulling him to the dark, cold reality.
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologise, it’s fine,” the smile Regulus received was warm and made him feel protected, safe.
The food took a while to arrive, but when it arrived they enjoyed eating and talking about all sorts of things, from the funniest to the most disgusting and as usual, Regulus felt like he was in paradise. Barty’s voice made everything bad about his life go away and Barty’s eyes sent him to a calm, pacific ocean where he knew he wouldn’t drown, where he knew he would be always floating with trust.
It was a storm outside, but that didn't matter because at table 16 where Barty and Regulus were sitting, the hottest of summers was installed.
“Thank you,” he said at his building’s door.
“No problem. Also…” he was hesitant, “Your birthday is in a week and I was wondering if you have anything planned out.”
“I don’t.”
“What do you think of going bowling with Evan, Pandora and Dorcas like the old times?”
“… I don’t feel like celebrating this year.”
“You never do.”
“I know.”
“Will you at least think about it?
Regulus pretended to be thinking. He didn't want to leave the house, or celebrate his birthday because he genuinely doesn't like it, but how could he deny Barty something?
“Alright. I will think about it,” before the boy could jump in happiness, Regulus added, “This isn’t a yes.”
“But it’s still something,” he shrugged with a wide grin.
Black rolled his eyes, “Bye, Barty.”
“Ciao mio amore,” he said, kissing Regulus’ cheek before running towards his car.
Regulus felt butterflies fly around his stomach, both for the kiss and the Italian. He stood there, in front of the door, thinking about the last two years and that’s when he came to the conclusion he had to talk to James. He didn’t know when, but he had to.