Start of Something New

Regulus

The crowd is cheering which causes our gaze to break. I took a deep breath and peered at the throng of people now waiting for us to sing the next part. Fuck. They are all watching us with excitement written on their expressions. I—I can’t. This is fucking terrifying. Shit. This is bad. So bad.

“It feels so right,
To be here with you
Oooh”

I look back at him and saw him eyeing me. He must have seen the fear in my eyes because he tried giving me an apologetic smile. He eyed the people surrounding us and gave me a shrug to probably tell me ‘we have no other choice. Let's just finish this.’

The corner of my lips lifted a little, he must have seen it because he winks at me. My eyes widened when he started towards me, wiggling his eyebrows and took my hand to bring me closer to him. Then he encourages me to dance with him. I tried taking my hand from his hold and leans away from him while shaking my head. He only laughs at my ministrations and sways the two of us.

“And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart,
The start of something new.”

He lets go of my hand and pulls his jacket off then hands it to someone he knows. He got a thump on his back from everyone who recognizes him when he came back. He flashes a grin at me then he sets up an act pretending to be a rock star.

“Now who’d have ever thought that
We’d both be here tonight
And the world looks so much brighter (brighter, brighter)
With you by my side (by my side)”

It startled a laugh from me with how he acted when he ad-lib. He tilted forward a little like how those rock stars do with their microphone stand, eyes closed and shaking his head a little. He opens his eyes and watches me and my eyes widened a little when I saw a smile making its way to his mouth. I cover my mouth with the back of my free hand to hide my smile.

“I know
that somethings are changed
never felt this way
I know if we'll feel
this could be the
start of something new
it feels alright
to be here with you
oooh”

He again reaches for my hand and tries to twirl me with little effect. We continued our singing while he’s having the best time of his life and I, watching him, forgetting for a minute what my parents instilled to my mind, body and soul. Letting this window of happiness envelope me into a tight embrace. And then there’s my mothers’ voice, dictating the things I should do, the things I should’ve done better, the things they pressured me to achieve, echoing in my head. There’s no escaping from them, as what they’ve told me over and over again.

“You can do better than this Regulus.” She always say after seeing my report card. She expects me to have straight A’s but I got a B+ on my social studies.

“Don’t slouch. Straighten your back and don’t look down. You are no peasant, you’re the heir of our household.”She always tells me to never slouch, it’s unbecoming of me. Keeps telling me I’m the heir when they realize Sirius is a rebellious one, someone they could not tame.

“You love your mother, right Regulus? And if you truly love me, you would listen to every word I tell you.” Manipulates me to do her bidding.

"You’re a disgrace to this family. I shouldn’t have let you and your brother be close to each other. You wouldn’t have been like this. I love you Regulus, how can a mother watch her son turn out to be an abomination?” When she found out I could not be the heir she wanted. The one who’ll provide her another heir. It’s not that I couldn’t, I just wouldn’t. I’m fucking gay.

“It’s fine. You can be an abomination. I’ll let you only if you’ll marry someone from a respectable family. Provide an heir to our family and I can spare this nonsense. There is no leaving us Regulus. Not you nor your brother. We may not with you physically but we’ll always be inside your head.” She whispers to my ears before the night we, Sirius and I left our house. And she’s been right. I can never escape them.

I close my eyes when her voice echoes in my head and gives an involuntary shudder. I felt him sway us from side to side, I shake my head a little and opened my eyes. He has this shit-eating grin plastered on his face and his eyes twinkles, like the stars whenever the sun left them for the day. Who would have thought that the sun himself has stars for an eye. His smile is infectious that I didn’t realize my body betrayed me. I twirl when he tries again and the corner of my lips tilted upwards involuntarily, forming a genuine smile I never thought I could manage. Let me have this, just for a little bit of time.

“Stop this nonsense Regulus Arcturus Black. Stop it this instant! Emotions are beneath us! We are the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. We don’t have petty emotions such as happiness.”

“Happiness is not petty.” I tried reasoning out in my head.

“You are only the heir to our house. Not the head of our family. You don’t get to decide what is or what is not needed from you. I do.” Now its Fathers voice I can hear.

“Not the heir. I’m not the heir you fucking psychopaths.”

I came out of my head when I felt someone touches my face. I didn’t even realize I unintentionally closed my eyes. I sighed and opened them to see hazel brown eyes with flecks of green surrounding it’s irises staring straight at me. I released a small gasp when I felt the impact of the concern laced in his eyes.

“Now who would ever have thought that,
We’d both be here tonight.”

He must’ve taken pity at me when he felt me flinches and leans away from his touch. Understanding written on his face, he disregard the earlier interaction and acts like nothing untoward happened.

He did this known dance step where you extend your arms then the girl would twirl on your arms until she reaches your side. And he looks so stupid doing it but it made me huff a laugh.

When the closing part came, he stops in front of me with a soft smile and stares at me with a fond look. ‘what’ I mouth at him but he shakes his head, smile still sitting on his face.

“And now
Looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart,
The start of something new.
Ooh, yeah”

After the song, we still didn't break our gaze with each other. I only notice the distance between our bodies when I felt his breath on my face. My cheeks warm after acknowledging that we're only a feet away from one another. My head inclined up a little because he’s a head taller than me. I can see the way his eyes scan my face and settles on my eyes. It feels like he’s trying to read me through my eyes. I may have control with my body but my eyes often shows what I am trying to conceal.

Though him, his face gave him away. For every emotions he sees on my eyes, he gives a reaction. When he sees the fear on my eyes, he seems concern. Then when anger appears, his brows furrowed. Sadness, lips tilt downwards. Happiness, eyes twinkles. And finally, when I settled on impassiveness, he opens his mouth to maybe ask me something.

“Prongs!”
“Reggie!”

My eyes widened and a small gasp escape my mouth when I heard my brother and Barty’s voice. He snaps his mouth shut instantly. It broke us out of our daze and it was like we were poured hot boiling water that it made us jump away from one another.

I didn’t have time to inquire what Sirius’ wants because Barty wraps his arms around my shoulder and gave me a half embrace. I flinch a little from his touch but he doesn’t waver and tightens his arms. I relax into his hug and sigh. He kisses my temple then whispers on my ear,

“You’ve been enjoying yourself, aren’t you Reggie?”

I shove him away from me which dislodged his hold on my shoulder.

“Shut it!”

“Reggie, are you blushing?” He coos at me which earned him a smack on his head. He huffs a laugh then places his hands on my waist and kisses my forehead. I close my eyes and leans on him.

“Reggie! Ugh! Oi Crouch, get off of him. Stop touching him and giving him kisses.” I heard Sirius tell off Barty which he didn’t listen to. Instead he sends a smirk on Sirius’ direction and ducks his head to peck my lips. A snort escape from me which causes the two of us to laugh.

I heard Sirius fake a gagged so I glance at him and saw the guy who I was singing with earlier looking at Barty and I with his brows furrowed. Like he’s trying to distinguished something from us. He must’ve been thinking about the way I flinch from both of them.

“Ugh! I can’t take that image from my mind. Why would you taint my baby brother, Crouch? He’s so innocent! He’s my baby!” Sirius and his dramatics.

“Not a baby.” I said at the same time Barty spluttered and say,

“Regulus? Innocent? That’s fucking hard to believe, Black.”

I sent a glare at him. His smile only widens and says,

“Not a baby but definitely my baby.” He winks at me then slaps my arse.

“Don’t—fuckin—do that—again—or I swear—to your—fathers name—--”

“Fuck Reggie! Stop it! Fuck! Ouch!” He said trying to get a hold of my arms but I didn’t let him stop me and continues on hitting him.

“I’ll kill—you with—my hands—idiot!” I told him in between my hits on his body. Ignoring his protest and gave him a kick on his shin for the last blow.

“Fuck Reggie! Fuck! Stop, you bitch!” He says sending me the dirtiest scowl he can manage while holding out the smile slowly coming into sight. I can see the mischievous glint on his eyes.

“Didn’t know you’re into spanking Reggie dear. Not just a Daddy kink then. Should’ve told me you’re a power bottom.” He said after a while and licks his bottom lip, sending me a seductive look. If I didn’t know him better, I wouldn’t have heard the teasing he tried hiding in his voice. Probably to taunt Sirius.

“I have no interest in knowing what my brother’s kinks are. Ew. That’s bloody disgusting, mate.” Sirius says and fake gag to emphasize his point.

“Your face is gross. And don’t call me mate. We’re definitely not a mate. I’m shagging your brother, does that make you my brother-in-law?” Barty asks with a genuine curiosity written on his face. I kicked his shin for the second time around which earns a yelp from him. If it’s in another circumstances, (preferably without the handsome bloke standing beside Sirius with a neutral look on him) I would’ve laugh at the comical look my brother is giving Barty.

“We’re absofuckinglutely not shagging. What’s wrong with you? That thought is giving me the chills. I hope you know you’re revolting. Why am I friends with you again?” I eyed him curiously.

“Because if not for us, darling, nobody can stand you.” Pandora suddenly appears beside me and kisses my cheeks then gives it a small tap.

“Nobody really wants to be friends with you Reggie.” Evan appeared on Barty’s other side then places his arm on his shoulders and hands me the book I was reading earlier before he snatched it and heads toward the kitchen.

“They all prefer the other black brother so we only took you in because of pity, Reggie dear.” Dorcas said while positioning herself in between Barty and I then wraps her arms on our waist while giving the two of us a kiss on our cheeks. I saw Sirius eyeing us suspiciously.

“Seeing you lot gives me a headache. I’m not sure anymore who’s with who. Are any of you a couple?” Sirius asks after a while of eyeing us.

“Who says we’re not in a polyamorous relationship, Black?” Evan asked with a serious look on his face.

“I—You—Wha-- ? Reg?” Sirius spluttered looking for something to say.

I manage to maintain my face impassive while Evan’s having trouble holding his laugh, clearing his throat repeatedly while covering his mouth with his hand. Dorcas only shakes her head and gives Sirius a condescending look while Pandora hides her face on my neck and I can feel her shoulders shakes while laughing silently. And then there’s Barty, who’s outright laughing, body bent forward while thumping his knees.

“That’s bloody hilarious. Fuck.” He says in between his laughs. Sirius turns his gaze at me and gives me a mixed of confused and annoyed look. I cleared my throat then smacks Barty’s head.

“Shove it, Barty.” I look at Sirius then shakes my head. “We’re all friends Siri. Just like you and your lot. Well, these two—” I pointed to Evan and Barty who gives me a questioning look. “Are you and Remus to us before you entered a relationship.” I can hear their protest but chose to ignore them. Sirius nods his head, understanding what I mean.

“What’s that suppose to mean?” Evan says but a blooming flush starts from his neck is making its way to his cheeks.

“What the fuck are you on about?” Barty said looking straight at me, body turn towards my direction looking annoyed yet due to Evan’s presence, he looks somewhat content. I only shrugged in response. Pandora lifts her head then looks over at Sirius.

“Oh. Who’s this with you?” She ask, an innocent look plastered on her face. I gave her a sideway glance and she returned the gesture. She sends a smirk at me then focuses on Sirius when he starts to speak.

“Right! Everyone, this is my best mate, the hero of my story, the day to my night, the thorn on my side, James Potter.” Sirius bows like a servant while this James Potter rolls his shoulders and tilts his head up while waving his hand. We all gave them a dry look. When Sirius straightens up, he gave us a shake of his head.

“There’s no pleasing you lot. I now understand why you chose each other.” He nods his head solemnly. I rolled my eyes at his dramatics.

“Oh shush Black. You’re just sad that we don’t tolerate your dramatics. Unlike our Reggie’s dramatics over here. Yours aren’t even consider enough to be called a drama.” Dorcas tells him bluntly.

“Ah? Excuse me? What the heck are you on about? Me? Not dramatic enough? Do you have proof about Reggie being dramatic than me?” Sirius place a hand on his chest and acted offended when in reality, there’s a glint of teasing on his eyes.

“Well, have you really met your brother? You know, Regulus I’m-going-to-die-if-the-spider-is-not-dead-for-the-next-ten-seconds Black?” Barty speaks without a beat. “Remember that Reggie? That was when we had our sleepover and you were taking a shower on my bathroom while I lie on my bed. Not even an hour later, he was running out of the bathroom screaming his lungs out, take note: naked like the day he was born just because there was a spider on the sink. Five fucking feet away from him.” And of course, telling everyone that story. I hide my face on Pandora’s hair feeling the warmth on my cheeks.

“Hey! Don’t embarrass your friend like that.” Dorcas chided Barty. “Wait until he’s not here so that he wont get mad at you.” She proceeds to tell Barty, raising her hand for a high-five. I sent a glare to her which she ignores and turns to James and extends her hand for a shake.

“Dorcas. Nice to meet you, Potter. A senior right?”

“You sit behind me on our Calculus. How can you not know me?” James said after a stretch of silence eyeing her hand and not shaking it. He shot Dorcas an incredulous look.

“Not interested and definitely not my type.” She smirks at him then withdraw her hand and puts it inside her jeans back pockets.

“Don’t mind her. I’m Pandora. Junior, I’m in class with Reggie over here.” Pandora didn’t offer her hand but gives him a smile while her arm hooks on mine. Head resting on my shoulders. James’ shot a glance at me then clears his throat and looks at Pandora.

“Ah. Nice to meet you Pandora. Uhm—That’s nice. I mean, you and him being on the same class. You know.” He stumbles over his words and looking flustered afterwards. Sirius swats his hands in front of us.

“Stop that! Whatever you are doing, stop it. Jamie here is sensitive.” Tapping James’ head lightly. “He’s not use to the world’s reality. You have to be gentle with him.” He acted to whisper the last part and shot a glance at James while doing so.

“You wanker. Don’t ruin my image, Pads. They should think I’m cool, you know. Since they didn’t know what I get up to at school.” James said proudly while swinging his arm on Sirius’ shoulders.

“Not sure if you can really get something up.” Barty said in a low voice that only some of us heard which causes us to laugh a little.

“Ohh-kay! So Prongs, since we've establish who Dorcas and Pandora is, by the way, she’s our cousin. I’m going to introduce you to the two dumbass left. Well, except for my brother but I’ll introduce him last. This one is Barty Crouch Jr. Son of our beloved mayor.” We snorted when we heard his words about Barty’s father. He’s NOT a lovable person.

“And then this one is Evan Rosier, our third cousin, once removed.” He continued ignoring our reaction with his earlier statement. He points to Evan which made Evan wave his hand and gives a small nod.

“Once removed my arse. Why not make it removed all together? Right, Reggie?” Evan turns to me and wiggles his eyebrows. I squinted my eyes at him.

“Yeah, ah— ahem—nice to meet you two.” James said then turns his attention to me. “You too, Reggie.” He shot me a small smile then winks. I cleared my throat then looks over at Sirius who’s giving James a curious look.

“Prongs? Are you flirting with my brother? In front of me?” Sirius asks, crossing his arms and raising his eyebrow giving James an intimidating look. James had a coughing fit then tries to clears his throat repeatedly.

“No? Ahm—What are you talking about Pads? Why would I do that? Ahem—so, I’ll see you guys at school then?” He shot us the question, obviously trying to get rid of the attention Sirius is giving him.

“Ditto.” I said to him without sparing a glance at his direction and continued speaking, my attention solely on Sirius. “Anyway Sirius, I’m leaving. It’s actually getting pretty late. See you at our flat, yeah?” I told him then starts to turn to make a leave.

“Wha--? Reg! Who’s driving you home?” Sirius asks suddenly when his brain already processed the change of subject.

“Oh. Don’t worry about it, Black. I’ll get him home safe and sound.” Barty says placing his arm on my waits then pushes me forward to make me start walking.

“Goodnight Siri. Have fun. Don’t drink too much.” I yelled over my shoulder towards Sirius. Arms still hook with Pandora, started towards the exit to head home.

Leaving all these people enjoy their night and closing the window of time given to me for a short while.