Chapter 13: The Inevitable

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Professor Slughorn bid a kind farewell to all of the students as they filed out of his dinner party. Regulus, Topher and Will stayed behind to do a little extra schmoozing, but were soon given warm farewells as well.

Will pulled Topher and Regulus to a stop down the hallway. "I got some Firewhiskey. I figure since you're heading out for holiday in the morning, we could do some partying tonight," he said to Regulus.

"Yeah, sounds good." Regulus nodded.

"Alright, go get Anthony and we'll meet you in my dorm room," Will said, giving Regulus a shove.

"Why me? How am I even supposed to fi-"

"Library," Topher and Will said in unison.

Regulus rolled his eyes and huffed off in the direction of the library while Topher and Will headed towards the common room. Regulus was still muttering about not fair and always have to fetch as he pulled open the door to the library and headed towards the back. He smiled as he spotted Anthony, sitting exactly where he expected him to be.

Regulus flopped down on the couch in front of Anthony and turned his head to face him. Anthony marked his page and closed his book then laid it on the back of the couch.

"Have fun at the Slug party?" Anthony asked with a smirk.

"Shut up," Regulus said bitterly, though he was laughing. "Come on, Will got some Firewhiskey, we're gonna have a little party." He reached over and tapped Anthony's knee as he stood up and motioned for him to follow.

"I don't drink," Anthony said, not moving.

"You do now. Come on," Regulus said. He smiled down at him and gave him a pleading look.

Anthony looked away and covered his smiling mouth with his hand. "Nope. Not going. You can stay here if you want."

Regulus rolled his eyes and sat back down on the couch, a little closer to Anthony than he had been before. "Why would I want to spend my evening with books instead of getting drunk?" he asked.

"Because, you want to spend your evening with me," Anthony said casually as he reached for his book.

"Full of yourself much?" Regulus asked with a laugh. He leaned back and watched as Anthony opened his book and started reading. "You expect me to sit here and watch you read? How fascinating."

Anthony smirked. "I don't see you leaving," he said in the same casual tone.

Regulus raised one eyebrow at the boy and stood up. "Watch then." He moved towards the door, but stopped when he felt Anthony's hand close around his own. He looked back down at him and licked his lips. "Yes?" he asked, amused.

"Please stay," Anthony whispered.

"Why?" Regulus asked as he sat down again, closer to Anthony than before.

"You're leaving in the morning. It's gonna suck not having you around for two weeks." Anthony put his book back down on the back of the couch.

"You won't be alone. Topher and Will aren't leaving either." Regulus ran his tongue over the tips of his canine teeth and closed them on it gently.

"Topher and Will aren't you," Anthony said as though it were obvious.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Regulus asked, using a tone laced with annoyance. He stared down at his hands in his lap.

"Is that a legitimate question? Are we through playing games?" Anthony raised his eyebrows.

"No," Regulus answered quickly. He looked up at Anthony and grinned. "No to both of those questions." He sat up on his knees facing the boy and reached forward, snagging hold of his glasses.

"Hey!" Anthony cried out as he reached to take them back.

Regulus put his arm out as a shield. "Just back up, I only wanna see them a minute." He slipped them on his face and turned to Anthony. "Damn, your eyes suck. How do I look? Smarter?"

Anthony grinned and reached forward, slowly sliding the glasses off of Regulus. "You look very smart," he said as he folded the glasses and stowed them in his pocket. "You'll mess up your eyes doing that, though."

"Then I'd have to wear glasses and I'd always look smart," Regulus said with a grin and scooted forward.

Anthony nodded and smiled. "You wouldn't want to cover up those enchanting eyes of yours," he said in a teasing tone.

Regulus pouted at him and folded his arms over his chest. "I happen to think that I have very nice eyes, you jerk."

Anthony reached forward and pulled Regulus' arms apart. "I happen to agree," he whispered. "I think they're more than just nice, actually."

"You do?" Regulus asked, looking down and meeting Anthony's eyes, not even noticing that the boy was still holding onto his arms.

"Yeah," Anthony said, smiling. "I think that your eyes are absolutely stunning. I almost couldn't keep from staring at them the day I met you."

Regulus swallowed hard and stared at Anthony, unmoving. "I-I, um...I like your eyes too. They're really...blue." He closed his eyes and pulled his bottom lip into his mouth. He was about to bite down on it when he felt a hand on his face, causing him to freeze.

Anthony rested his hand on Regulus' cheek and brushed his thumb over his mouth, resulting in him letting go of his lip. "That's better. I don't want you to do that, not because of me."

Regulus opened his eyes as Anthony dropped his hand. "Do what because of you? I do that all the time. I've told you before."

"You do it when you want to say something that you can't bring yourself to say. You do it when you're having feelings that you don't want to have." Anthony tightened his hold on Regulus' arm. "For instance, every time someone mentions your brother. See," he said because, as expected, Regulus bit down on his bottom lip.

Regulus shook his head and released his lip; drops of blood pooled instantly. He ran his thumb over it to clean it and took a deep breath. "You think you're so smart," he said bitterly.

"I just watch. Watch you, your reactions to things. I'm sure other people would notice if their eyes were on you as much as mine are." Anthony licked his lips and looked away. "I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable."

"You aren't," Regulus said, quickly. "I'm just...confused." He moved his eyes away from Anthony and sighed. "Why would you pay that much attention to...me?"

Anthony turned back and grinned. "Is that a legitimate question?"

Regulus took a deep breath and looked back at Anthony. "Yes," he whispered.

Anthony shifted to sit up straight and smiled happily. "Finally," he whispered. "It's because I like you. A lot. Not as a friend either. But, you already knew all of that, yes?"

Regulus nodded slowly and dropped his eyes down to his arm where Anthony's hand rested. "Knowing and hearing...big difference." Another bead of blood formed on his lip and he moved his hand up to wipe it away.

Anthony grabbed his hand and pulled it away. He shifted and leaned forward, bringing his face close to Regulus'. "Let me get it," he whispered and pressed his lips gently against the other boy's.

Regulus gasped quietly, but didn't move away. He pushed back, moving his lips slowly, softly against Anthony's. After a moment, he pulled away and touched his lips, a look of shock on his face. He looked at Anthony, not sure what to do or say.

Anthony let out a heavy breath and smiled. He licked his lips, tasting a faint trace of blood and pulled Regulus' hand away from his lips. He slipped his hand behind the younger boy's neck and ran his fingers through the hair at the base of Regulus' head. He pulled him back down and rose to meet him in the middle.

Their lips met again. Slowly, they moved against each other. Anthony ran his tongue over Regulus' bottom lip and he opened his mouth, allowing it to slip inside. Regulus grazed his teeth over Anthony's tongue, causing him to let out a low moan and press his body up against his.

Regulus threw his hands out and thrust them into Anthony's chest, shoving him away roughly. He quickly scooted back all the way across the couch. He put his hands up behind his head and struggled for breath. Anthony widened his eyes and pressed his lips together as he watched. He moved towards Regulus, but the boy put his hand up, signaling him to stop.

"I'm sorry, Regulus. I'm an idiot. I wasn't thinking," Anthony said quietly.

"Just...just stay away from me," Regulus whispered.

"Okay, fine. I'll stay over here until you're okay again." Anthony put his hands up and scooted away.

"No," Regulus bit as he stood up. "I mean stay away from me for good." He shot Anthony a glare as he moved towards the door. "I mean it. I don't fucking want you. Not like that. Not at all."

Regulus stormed into the common room, his face red and his body shaking with anger. Will stepped in front of him, but he stepped around him and headed for his room. He dropped down onto his bed and pulled his pillow to his face. He screamed angrily into the pillow, allowing it to muffle the sound. Elizabeth and Topher stepped up beside the bed.

"Where's Anthony?" Topher asked casually.

"Couldn't find him," Regulus answered, rolling onto his side away from them.

"Baby, what's wrong?" Elizabeth asked, sitting down on the bed.

Regulus got up and walked around the bed. He grabbed Elizabeth's upper arm and pulled her towards the door. He shoved her out of the doorway and slammed the door in her face. Topher, who was now sitting on his own bed, watched as Regulus pulled his covers back harshly.

"Couldn't find him?" Topher asked.

"That's what I said," Regulus growled, not turning around.

Topher opened his mouth to respond, but closed it and shook his head as he laid back.

A Note From the Author: FINALLY! I know, right? But, then he ruins it. Who knows, maybe his Christmas holiday will change his mind. You'll have to keep reading to see how it all unfolds. Any guesses as to what Topher's problem is? Really, he seems a little peeved lately! Hope everyone is enjoying the ride so far. Hit that little button and make my day. :D -Jenna

Now Beta'd by magic139 from the HPFF forums.