"You know, Barty, we've spent all this time together. You'd think by now I would've broken you, wouldn't you? You're still your father's son though, aren't you, Barty? I can see it in your eyes—you don't want to let me go, you couldn't possibly do that, but you don't want to disappoint him. I thought you'd given up on pleasing him. You surely don't love him."
Regulus spoke in a taunting voice, holding his wand loosely, pointing it casually in Barty's direction. He gulped, muttering a reply.
"I—He's my father, Reg. I've tried to get away from him, turn my back on him. He's got eyes and ears everywhere, though. I'm surprised he doesn't know about you yet. But you know the power he's got in the Ministry, I've got to be careful where he's concerned."
He moved nonchalantly out of the line of Regulus' wand, but the latter kept it trained on Barty.
"He's more important to you than I am." It wasn't a question, and Barty couldn't truthfully deny it. "I'm not asking you to put me first, Barty. I'm asking you to choose someone. Him or me."
Barty stuttered, "Reg… You-you can't possibly… You know it's not that easy. He might be my father, but he still hates me. He could—and would, knowing him—have me arrested if he so desired. Not to mention how badly he despises your family. He's under the impression you're all criminals and murderers and Dark wizards. Don't look at me like that," Barty snapped, and Regulus quelled his scathing look. "You know I don't think that way, but that's just how he is.
"Look, Regulus. You're important to me, but it's different. You're the one I go to when I'm sick and tired of dealing with him. You're the one person who can keep me sane. Father's a madman, I swear."
"If I'm so important to you," Regulus started, his lip curling. "Then prove it. Kiss me."
Barty shot him an incredulous look. "What d'you mean, Reg?"
"You heard me. Kiss me, Barty."
"What exactly will this prove?"
"I dunno. Nothing, everything. Depends."
"On what?"
"On if you'll actually do it."
Regulus smirked as Barty leaned forward, pressing his lips against those of his friend. Barty watched Regulus' face for any sign of emotion, watching as his eyes widened in shock then closed as he kissed Barty back.
"Convinced yet?" Barty asked as he pulled away.
"Not quite. Maybe one more go."
x
For the Journey to Hogwarts Challenge (Ollivander's Wand Shop: Write about your OTP using the quote "Kiss me, and you will see how important I am." –Sylvia Plath for inspiration) and for the Represent that Character Challenge.