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Challenge list at the bottom.
Nobody Said It Would Be Easy
(but it could have been worth it, for you)
Nobody said it would be easy. Nobody promised him reward without effort.
Of course, nobody told him that when he took the mark on his arm, he was tying himself to a terrifying monster that took as much pleasure in torturing the failures of his army, as he did torturing those he perceived as against him.
He wasn't known for his optimism, but he hadn't expected anything as bad as it actually was.
Regulus' arm was still shaking from the bout of Cruciatus he'd had laid on him, as he cast spells at the corpse left to him by Bellatrix.
Their Lord wasn't happy with Regulus' lack of spell casting on the latest raid, had called him on it at the post-raid meeting, had been perfectly happy to dish out the 'appropriate' punishment.
Now, Regulus wasn't allowed to leave the room until he'd perfected a provided list of torture spells.
This wasn't what he thought he was signing up for. He'd believed in the lie, and that had been his own naivety.
He could only rest in the knowledge that one day, he would find the courage to do what must be done. That which only he could do, for only he had the knowledge necessary.
It was a sacrifice that he could only hope would be worth it.
"You're doing it wrong."
Regulus startled, spinning around to find Rabastan leaning against the wall, arms crossed. Regulus felt his face flare. He'd had a problem with blushing ever since he'd first met Rabastan, the strong figure calling to Regulus like nothing ever had before.
Drawing on his upbringing, he straightened his spine and raised his chin slightly, asking, "What, exactly, am I doing wrong?"
Rabastan walked over, standing directly behind Regulus. He used his hands on Regulus' hips to adjust his stance, before stretching his arm out along Regulus'. Every point of contact burned into Regulus' skin, so hot he wouldn't be surprised to find marks when he eventually stripped to shower.
"You're moving your wand to much. See, like this."
Rabastan moved his arm slowly in a sweeping motion, and Regulus tried to concentrate, he really did, but the burning was getting stronger.
Rabastan stepped away. "You try it."
Trying to center himself, Regulus took a deep breath, taking care not to show just how much he was affected by Rabastan's mere presence.
He cast the spell carefully, barely holding in a gasp of surprise when it worked first time.
Rabastan smiled at him. "I knew you could do it."
Regulus nodded, not knowing what to was surprised by Rabastan's actions as much as he was by getting the spell right. It felt oddly like the older man was trying to look after him.
As though reading his thoughts on his face, Rabastan's smile turned to a smirk.
"I don't mind looking after you, Reg. Call me if you need anything."
Regulus watched Rabastan stroll from the room, suddenly wishing that he didn't know what he knew.
Wishing he would be around to find out just how much Rabastan would be willing to help him.
Written for;
Pairing the Character - RegulusRabastan
Yule Ball - 3. The Champion's Opening Dance - Write about practising for something.
WC, Book Club - Mary Terrafino: (word) care, (action) believing a lie, (word) sacrifice,
WC, Buttons - "You're doing it wrong."
WC, Showtime - Have a Map? - (word) Optimism
Resolutions - 14. Write a fic set in Marauder era
Stickers - Magical Beings - House-Elf - Write about looking after someone
Ways To Say - 77. "Call me if you need anything."
Insane house Challenge - 704. First Line - Nobody said it would be easy.
Writing Month, WC - 518
Dragon Appreciation Month, WC - 518
