Poppy
Regulus moved slightly before jolting awake. What happened? Why isn’t he dead? Is this some shitty after life? He had felt himself die. He let go of reality. How is he here?
Regulus didn’t notice that his breathing was beginning to get incredibly quick. He didn’t notice the thick bandages wrapping around his forearms. He didn’t notice the papers on his side table that had a certain name on it.
“Oh, sweetheart, please calm down,” a soft female voice called out. Poppy. He has also seen her a handful of times, been in here himself even less. He flinched when she laid a delicate hand on his shoulder. He brought his arms to his head. He knew he didn’t have to hide from her, but he wasn’t exactly thinking at the moment. “Come on, Black, please calm down,” Pomfrey tried. Regulus flinched again hearing the name, Black. He didn’t want to be a Black anymore. He didn’t want to be a Death Eater, or, hell, a pureblood.
“It’s okay; you’re okay. Nothing’s going to hurt you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” Regulus tried to find comfort in her words. He couldn’t.
He instead forced himself to breathe slower. He felt his throat close up, and his hands shook. But, he was able to calm his breathing though. He didn’t realize he had tears in his eyes until he looked at Poppy. “Good job, do you want to try to eat something?” Pomfrey praised. Regulus nodded because that’s what he was supposed to want.
He watched his she walked away before he looked around. He froze when he saw the bandages around his forearms. Oh, of course, how else would he have lived? He pushed the voice, that said this meant everyone knew about the dark mark sitting on his arm, to the back of his head.
“You’re still recovering, so the most I can give you right now is soup. I hope that’s okay.” She sounded so nice. Regulus took the bowl with shakes hands. He nodded his head in a silent thanks. He forced the soup into his stomach. He really didn’t want to eat, but he knew he needed to. He ate as much as he could without throwing up. Eventually, he went to sit it on the side table. Just then did he realize that there was someone else’s work in his side table. He tried to find a name, but he practically jumped back when he heard footsteps approach.
He was about to tell Poppy how nice the soup was when someone, that definitely wasn’t Poppy, opened the door. He just froze, staring at him. He couldn’t move his mouth to say something because, against all odds, Sirius was standing in front of him right now.
“You’re awake,” Sirius whispered, seeming just as surprised to meet Regulus’ eyes. Regulus just nodded slightly. He forced the tears, threading to appear in his eyes, away. “Thats good,” Sirius mumbled. He looked away. Regulus continued staring at Sirius. He definitely wasn’t trying to be sure he was real. He’s had way too many dreams about seeing Sirius.
“Uh,” Regulus tried to think of something to say. “Who- Who found me?” Regulus mumbled, finally looking away. That was the only thing really running through his head.
“I- um, I did, Regulus,” Sirius admitted. Regulus snapped his head to Sirius. He can’t be serious. He couldn’t imagine what Sirius saw, just how bad it looked to him.
“I’m sorry,” Regulus stated, looking away from Sirius again. Guilt filled his stomach. “I didn’t mean to, uh, for you to, you know, find me.” Regulus stared at his lap. He fought back tear that threatens to gather in his eyes.
“Don’t apologize, I’m so happy I found you. I’d rather have witnessed that then wake up to hear about it.” Regulus felt his eyes start burning, so he shoved the heels of his hands into his eye sockets. God, why did Sirius have to be such a good brother now?
“Still,” Regulus said stubbornly. He felt so guilty about his brother having seen that mess. He couldn’t imagine what Sirius thought of him now. He flinched when he felt hands wrap around his wrists, pulling them away lightly. He looked up to see Sirius sadly looking down at him.
“I love you, Regulus. I know I never told you, but I do. I’m sorry I left.” Fuck, fuck, fuck, this wasn’t real. Regulus just turned away it wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real. Sirius would never say this to him.
“You’re lying; you’re not real,” Regulus mumbled. He saw Sirius’ face twist in confusion then shock. He waited for the weird stuff that came with telling someone in your dream that you knew you were dreaming.
“Regulus,” Sirius whispered softly, “I’m here. I promise I’m not going anywhere. Im going to stay here until you get better.” Regulus hated the way he longed for that to be true. He just shook his head. Lies. He’s lying.
“Stop. Stop. Stop,” Regulus began quietly muttering, over and over again. He brought his hands back to his face. He pushed them back against his eyes. He rocked back and forth slightly. He couldn’t help himself. He hoped his parents wouldn’t find out.
Regulus snapped his head up. It didn’t matter if this was actually real or not because there was a chance it was. He looked at Sirius, and he was terrified. “Does she know?”
Sirius stared at him in confusion, and that just made Regulus more frustrated. “Does mother know?” Regulus shouted. He felt his hands begin shaking. He was unsuccessful. She had to know. She’s going to punish him. He’s going to be taken out of school.
“Yes,” Sirius whispered looking away. Oh my fucking god. What is he supposed to do? He started looking around the room, frantically. He needed to do something. He had to get out. He had to run now. He began getting up when he felt hands grab his shoulders, and he choked back a scream.
“Calm down, they’re not coming now. From what I know, they’re planning to keep you home after Christmas break,” Sirius informed him. Regulus felt his breathe continue to speed up. He needed somewhere to go. “Regulus, breathe, you’re going to be okay. I have an offer, you don’t have to take it, but would you want to come live with me at James’?” Regulus held his breathe; what was the catch? “I already talked to James, and he talked to his parents. It’s alright with everyone,” Sirius rambled on. Regulus couldn’t stop the tears that rushed down his face.
“Are you being serious?” Regulus asked, hopefully. Sirius just nodded. Regulus reached out with his hands, trying to signal to Sirius he wanted a hug. Sirius gave in. Regulus relaxed into Sirius’ arms. Oh my god, he’s leaving. He’s leaving his parents.