For the Alphabet Competition (fear) and the Drabble Game Challenge (RegulusRabastan, "I don't need you to protect me.", for Bex)
"You're leaving," Rabastan observes.
It shouldn't be anything out of the ordinary. After all, Regulus always leaves in the middle of the night. Rabastan can't remember a time over the past year where he hasn't woken up alone, clinging to his pillow like it's the man that he loves.
But there's something different this time. At first, Rabastan can't quite figure out what it is. Then he notices the jacket draped upon chair where Regulus threw it off in his haste. Regulus would never leave it behind, no matter how much of a rush he's in. Rabastan has often joked about how he wouldn't mind being left with the reminder, but Regulus has always been firm.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping?" Regulus counters, pointedly avoiding the question.
"Where are you going?"
This isn't like him at all. Rabastan has caught Regulus trying to disappear before. It's always ended in one last shag for the road. Now, Regulus is cold, distant, and Rabastan is sure that he sees fear in the younger wizard's eyes.
"Go back to sleep, Rabastan."
Rabastan climbs out of bed. He hates seeing Regulus like this. Their relationship may be mostly physical, but it doesn't stop him from caring about Regulus.
His fingers curl around the younger man's wrist, and he pulls him closer. "You're afraid. I know what fear looks like, Reg. What are you running from?"
Regulus closes his eyes. His jaw tenses, muscles trembling gently from the strain. Rabastan studies him, his heart breaking. Regulus is always so above it all. He doesn't know how to handle him looking so broken.
"I can't tell you, Rabastan."
"Why?"
Regulus opens his eyes again, and the pain is almost too much for Rabastan to take. "Don't ask questions. Questions will only put you in danger. Understand that. Please."
"I don't need you to protect me," Rabastan insists. "I need you be honest with me."
"There's something I have to do. Can we just leave it at that?" Regulus asks, his voice shaky.
Rabastan wants to press the matter further, but he lets it drop. For now, at least. "Quick shag for the road?" he asks, swallowing dryly.
Regulus doesn't smile. He simply captures Rabastan's lips with his, and in the kiss Rabastan can taste his fear, his pain. As they fall into bed, tangling in the sheets, he clings tighter to Regulus, but he knows that it won't be enough.
…
He's gone in the morning. No goodbye. No explanation.
His jacket still rests over the chair.
…
Regulus doesn't come back the next night. Rabastan tries to tell himself that it isn't unusual. They aren't dating. All they've ever done is kill loneliness with each other's company.
But Rabastan can feel the finality of it. Whatever it was that scared Regulus the night before was too much. Regulus is never coming back.
Rabastan falls into bed, clutching the jacket as though its owner might somehow appear in it if he wishes hard enough. It smells just like Regulus, and Rabastan doesn't know if that's more comfort or pain.