Author's Note: I intend to make a habit of giving shoutouts to people who review, but I'm not sure that AeroBabe's review counts, since it's been given in an official capacity. Nonetheless, I appreciate your... appreciation! (:
Understated
By the end of his fourth year, Regulus is hopelessly in love, but he's a Slytherin, and a Slytherin doesn't just walk up to someone and tell him he loves him. So Regulus does the Slytherin thing and waits for the opportune moment.
Ironically, the opportune moment occurs because of Sirius and his Gryffindor cronies. It's just after the fifth years' written Defense OWL, and Regulus witnesses the Marauders dangling his soulmate upside down in the air. Severus's own best friend walks away after he calls her a Mudblood – it's not that much of an insult, and Regulus wants to roll his eyes, but he's too busy working out how to get to Severus before Potter can think of something really nasty.
Regulus knows, unlike the Evans girl, that it would be wholly inappropriate to defend Severus, so he hexes Sirius instead of Potter. Predictably, Potter drops Severus and turns to Sirius. Regulus hovers for another moment to make sure Severus has time to right himself, but tempting as it is, he doesn't stay to see what curses the other boy follows up with. Instead, he starts walking back to the castle.
Severus catches up with him just inside the doors, grabbing his arm roughly and pulling him into a side room.
"What was that?"
"I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about," says Regulus in his best Black voice. "I have every right to hex my prat brother whenever I feel like it."
Severus straightens, not loosing his grip on Regulus's arm, and stares at him for a moment. Regulus feels a thrill run through him at the sight of those fierce black eyes. It's as if they're boring into his very soul.
"I can't argue with that," says Severus finally, though he still looks suspicious. Regulus hides his disappointment when Severus releases him and steps back. "But if you dare tell them…"
"Tell them what?"
The eyes are back again, appraising him with – amusement? Surely he's reading that expression wrong.
"You're very different from your brother," Severus observes.
Regulus can't help but smirk. "That's an understatement."
Their eyes lock for a third time. Impulsively, Regulus takes a step closer, then stops. There is a long silence.
"I'll see you later," says Severus at last, the words rife with meaning, and he walks away, leaving Regulus behind to gasp for breath in the sudden absence of his life force.