A/N: For Gamma because everything about this fic is entirely her fault. The pairing, the sick!Rab head canon, the lyric used. Thank you, darling.
"Just get away from me. Please just stop touching me."
-Evelyn Evelyn, "Evelyn Evelyn"
He tries not to look at his brother as he packs his bags. "Stop staring," he grumbles, tossing the last of his clothes carelessly inside.
"I don't want you to leave," Rabastan says flatly, sitting on the older boy's bed, arms folded tightly across his chest like a spoiled child preparing for a tantrum.
"Yeah, well, I don't have much of a choice, do I?" Rodolphus counters, jaw clenched. "I'm getting married, and I highly doubt Bellatrix would wish to live with my parents."
Rabastan makes a wheezing sort of noise, and Rodolpus instinctively looks up, fearing a coughing fit. But Rabastan only stares at him with eyes like a lost puppy, pleading with him without saying a word, getting his hooks in. Rodolphus forces himself to look away, scowling as he tries to find some way to busy himself.
"You don't have to marry her," the younger boy reasons. "I don't think she's any more thrilled about the wedding than you are, so she wouldn't mind if you called it off and stayed here. With me."
Rodolphus closes his eyes, digging his nails into his palms, trying to keep his judgment clear. Part of him wants to agree. Why run into the arms a woman who will never love him when the only person he truly loves is sitting on his bed, within arm's reach? It would be so easy to ignore his duty to his family, to give some feeble excuse and stay where he's always belonged.
But still, a hateful voice in his head says that he's glad to leave. He's spent too many years playing his brother's keeper, always forced to put Rabastan first.
Rabastan is ill again. Sit with him, would you?
You can't treat your brother like that! He's fragile.
Rabastan needs you.
Look after Rabastan.
Now freedom is within reach. One walk down the aisle. A simple exchange of vows neither of them mean. A sham, a charade, but it will still be freedom.
"You know that I have my duty," Rodolphus says at last.
Rabastan climbs to his feet, moving behind the other boy, arms snaking around his middle. "Rubbish. You've never cared about that before."
Rodolphus turns, shoving his brother roughly. "Stop touching me!" he yells, shoving the clinging boy again, aiming to hurt him. "Go away!"
Rabastan staggers back, tripping and crashing onto the floor. He peers up at his older brother through damp eyes, lower lip trembling.
Now would be the perfect time to walk away. Let Rabastan hate him. Sever the ties and let it be over.
But Rodolphus can't. He kneels beside Rabastan, pulling him close, fingers running through his hair as he breathes whispered apologies into Rabastan's ear. "I can't stay," he says, his voice softer now. "You know I can't."
"Please. Mother and Father-"
"You can stay with Bellatrix and me. We'll be together, Rabastan. Always together. I promise," Rodolphus whispers, placing a gentle kiss on the other's lips.