For the Most in a Month Competition and the Magical World Tour Challenge ("Sometimes you make me feel so fucking useless.")
"Sometimes you make me feel so fucking useless."
Regulus looks up, brows raised. "I'm sorry?"
"You go out. Won't tell me what you're doing. It's like you don't trust me," Barty says.
Regulus takes a deep breath. Really, he would love to be able to tell Barty the truth. He's been carrying this burden around with him for what feels like forever, and it would be a relief to let someone else know.
But Barty is not the same boy that he knew once. The innocent Ravenclaw with hope in his eyes has long since become something new, something darker. Regulus can see the madness in Barty's eyes. He's so devoted to the Dark Lord now that even his love for Regulus cannot sway him.
"Do you not trust me?" Barty demands.
"Of course, I do," Regulus says, but he knows that it isn't quite true. "I- Our master has sworn me to secrecy. He would know if I told you what I'm doing, and he would punish me."
Barty's eyes widen at that. He leans in closer, grabbing Regulus by the arm, a wild grin on his lips. "You've been chosen for something? Something important?"
"Something that could win this war quickly," Regulus says carefully. "But you mustn't tell anyone even that. I'm putting us both at risk just telling you that much."
Barty pulls him closer, pressing a kiss to his lips. "This is splendid! Of course you would be chosen for something great," he says.
Regulus swallows dryly. He hates lying to Barty. They've told each other everything since they were eleven. But it's a secret he has to keep. If Barty knows the truth, he will try and stop Regulus. And, really, as terrified as he is of what he's sure has to be done, he doubts that it would take much to convince him not to follow through with it.
"I'm doing this for us, Barty. Everything will be better."
At least, he hopes that much will be true. He's the one who has lead Barty down this terrible path. If he can do this, if he can make things right, maybe he will find forgiveness in the end.
