Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Written for Assignment 5, Elemental Magic, Task 3 - Someone getting burnt

Other Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count - 1630

Pairing - PeterRegulus

Warning - Abuse, both physical and mental, and… angst. This is not a happy fic.

Stained With Tears (I'm Sorry)

He was aware of the pain before he even fully resurfaced. His head was killing him, and he raised a hand to the source of the pain before he even opened his eyes.

When he did open his eyes, pulling his hand from his head to see if there was any evidence of injury, it was to find his fingers coated in red.

Grateful that it was at least only dimly lit, Regulus looked around the room he was in, frowning when he realised that he knew exactly where he was. He just… didn't know how he'd gotten there.

The basement of Grimmauld Place hadn't changed much since he'd last been there, even though it had been a while. He and Sirius used to sneak down there to play when they were kids, when their parents were out at various events.

None of that explained how, or why, he was there now, especially with a bleeding head and an ankle cuff holding him in place.

He tugged at the chair experimentally, to no avail. He was well and truly stuck, and, checking his pockets for his wand, unarmed.

"Oh, good, you're awake."

Regulus' confusion only intensified when he heard the voice of his mother. He blinked up at her as she approached and stood over him. He had to fight the urge to cower away from her in fear, though from the look on her face, it would probably be the safest option.

She was seething with anger, despite her even tone when she spoke.

"Imagine my surprise when I heard the news," she said, eyes flashing dangerously. "My youngest son, dating Peter Pettigrew!"

Regulus swallowed nervously but remained silent. His mother had always been dramatic, but this seemed a lot, even for her. Still, there was a reason he hadn't exactly been open about his relationship.

"Pettigrew! He's a half blood, Regulus, and while that could possibly have been forgiven, he's a nobody! I expect antics like this from your no-good brother, but," she said as she shook her head. "I expect better from you."

"Mother…" Regulus said, trailing off when he realised he had no idea what he was supposed to say.

"I've brought parchment and a quill for you. You'll write him a letter, and tell him whatever was between you is over. I believed you smart enough to be able to manage your own affairs but clearly that was a mistake. Your father and I will begin searching for a more appropriate match for you immediately."

Regulus stared at the parchment for a long moment before he shook his head. "No."

Her glare intensified, and her eyes narrowed. "Excuse you?"

"I said no," Regulus whispered. "I won't break up with him, especially not by letter. I love him, Mother."

Her spell hit him in the chest before he even registered her drawing her wand, and he cried out in pain. A Slashing Hex hit his arm when he raised it to press against his sore chest. The spells kept coming, the onslaught heavy and rough, until Regulus was curled up in the corner, as small as he could get, his arms raised to protect his head as best he could.

When the spells finally stopped, he didn't dare move until the footsteps faded and the door to the basement slammed closed. The parchment and quill were left on the floor close by, waiting for him to give in to her whims.

Tears fell from his eyes as the pain overwhelmed him, but he took a moment to kick away the parchment and quill.

He wouldn't do it, and she couldn't force him too.

…

Peter smiled when he saw Regulus, opening his arms to let the younger man slump against him.

"I missed you," Regulus murmured against Peter's chin, nuzzling his face into the side of Peter's neck.

"I missed you too," Peter replied, pressing a kiss to Regulus' temple. "What have you been doing?"

"Mother has been keeping me busy," Regulus replied, rolling his eyes. "The pureblood mating season is coming up, after all."

Peter snorted. "Mating season. You're not animals!"

"You'd be surprised," Regulus admitted. "It can be very… primal, at the summer events. Men fighting over the 'best' females, women clawing at one another for a chance with the most eligible bachelors. It's a mess."

"Well, at least you know you have me to come home to, right?" Peter murmured, running a hand through Peter's hair.

"I love you."

…

Regulus woke abruptly, instantly wishing he was back in his dream where there was no pain, and Peter could hold him.

There was a bottle of water and a few slices of dry bread beside him, and he wondered, not for the first time, if Kreacher had done that on his own, or if his mother had remembered he was down there. Regulus had lost track of time, but he knew it had at the very least been a few days. He'd been fed and watered six times so far anyway.

He drank half of the water first, and then nibbled on the slightly dry bread.

He wondered if anyone had noticed he was missing yet. He wondered if Peter had noticed. It wasn't a rare thing, for them not to get any time together for weeks at a time, but they wrote to one another frequently.

Regulus wondered where Peter's letters had gone, since no owl could deliver to him here.

A bang above him gave minimal forewarning that he was about to have company, and Regulus propped himself up as best he could in the corner. His injuries from his mother's ire were still painful and though the healing had begun, it still hurt to move.

Walburga walked down the stairs, and looked at him for a long moment, before she looked at the still empty parchment he'd kicked away.

Her eyebrow rose imperially. "I see you still haven't done as I asked. Perhaps another… lesson, might give you some motivation to do the right thing."

Regulus opened his mouth to protest, but the sound that came out was nothing more than a yelp. He didn't know what spell his mother was using, but his skin was burning.

He tugged at the sleeve of the shirt he was wearing until he could see the skin that burned, and sure enough, a perfectly circle burn had appeared on his arm. It looked somewhat like what Regulus would imagine a cigarette burn to look.

He rubbed the skin, almost curiously, wincing when it hurt. A new sting, and then another and another and another, spread around his body as his mother burned him over and over and over.

Each burn was worse than the last and Regulus had to fight himself so he didn't claw at his skin and make it worse.

Finally, she was done, tucking her wand away. "You can end this, Regulus. You just need to do the right thing."

…

"We could come out," Peter suggested, his head pillowed on Regulus' lap. "We could… tell people?"

Regulus shook his head. "You know I can't do that. You know I can't, Pete. It's not… my mother, she's strict and… she wouldn't like this."

"I'm half blood though," Peter pointed out. "It's not like you're stepping out with a muggleborn, or a Muggle."

"You're a male, which is already somewhat problematic, and a Gryffindor, and a friend of Sirius' and… well. You're half and half on your mum's side, Pete. You have your dad's name, which isn't sacred 28, and my mother… she values that. She values power, and appearances, and blood status. She… it wouldn't go well."

Peter nodded and sighed, turning his face so he could press it against Regulus' stomach. "I get it," he said, his words muffled by Regulus' shirt. "I don't like it, but I get it. I love you, and if hiding is what I need to do to keep you, then I'll do it."

"Thank you," Regulus whispered, his relief palpable. "I… thank you."

…

He was going stir crazy. He was still in pain, and it felt like the times between food and water were getting longer and longer each time. His stomach cramped painfully, every wince causing his external injuries to scream out in protest.

His mind was in as much turmoil as his body. Dreams of Peter were a welcome reprieve to the torment, but they weren't enough to make him strong. They weren't enough to force his eyes away from the parchment that would end this.

He spent long hours pondering how his mother had found out. Who had been the catalyst to her going to such extremes to control him? Who had sent his life up in smoke?

"Master Regulus?"

Regulus blinked, and turned his head to see Kreacher holding out a bottle of water. "Mistress will be back soon, Master Regulus. You must hurry and write your letter."

Regulus shook his head weakly. "I can't, Kreacher. I love him."

The house elf shook violently, and Regulus realised he was fighting against orders. "Mistress will kill Master Regulus, sir. Before she lets him disobey."

The elf popped away before Regulus could reply and Regulus closed his eyes, leaning back against the wall. As much as he hated to acknowledge it, he knew Kreacher wasn't wrong. She was merciless and could be cruel.

This was just the first time her vicious nature had been aimed at him.

He shifted across the floor, each movement sending a jolt of pain through his body. The parchment was crisp and dry, and the quill felt unreasonably heavy in his hand.

Dear Peter…

…

"What did you choose?" she asked flatly.

Regulus held out the tear stained letter. "I'm sorry, Mother. I'll do better."

Written for;

Assorted Appreciation; 12. Someone who values appearance/blood status.

Disney - C6. Being kept prisoner

Book Club - Camilla - Strict / Mother / Control

Showtime - 14. Writing a letter

Amber's Attic - 10. Someone merciless

Love in Motion - PeterRegulus

Em's Emporium - 7. "What did you choose?"

Liza's Lodes - 3. A dream or a nightmare

Angel's Arcade - 11. Dark Link - Seething / Regulus / Marauder Era

Bex's Basement - 12. A mother and son

Alphabetti Spaghetti - S - Slytherin

Around the World - 13. Up in smoke

Mythology - 2. Being imprisoned

Pop Figure - Scarlet Witch - 1. Being held prisoner / 3. Red

Women's History - 7. Fear

Cabin Fever 2 - Someone imprisoned

365. 71. Cower

1000. 915. Dramatic