Auction: Bill/Regulus
Assignment 1 - Quidditch - Task 3 - Creaothceann: Write about getting hurt while doing something fun
I already know that there ain't no stoppin'
Regulus feels envious when he looks at Remus and Sirius. Not because of any attraction to Remus. Though he has the right look about him, Regulus doesn't feel the spark that Sirius does.
Because when they met Remus, blood was dripping down from his fingers and it was clear in his expression that he was debating whether to hide the knife, or whether he could take them both on and clearly leaning towards the second option.
But somehow Remus had resisted.
That's when Regulus saw the hearts in Sirius' eyes as Sirius fluttered his eyelashes and offered to help Remus dispose of the body like a professional does, and that's when Remus had hearts in his own eyes as Sirius talked him through the process, and taught him they forgot Regulus was even there.
Regulus is happy for his brother. He really is. He enjoys them talking about their days, and the darker deeds of their nights. Remus lives by a code - his first killing, a man who had hurt him, but that awoke something inside of him. Sirius just wants the power that killing involves, though he only kills bad people - it's the rule that Charlus insisted they follow - and he's more than happy to allow Remus to choose the victims. Though Sirius choose their mother of his own accord without disclosing why to Remus, and Remus was eager to accept that he may never know why Sirius made that choice.
Regulus hates hunting alone. He's always hated it. He likes it when it's him and Sirius. When Remus is so drained that he can barely move because he's over-exerted himself, it's Regulus' turn to get back to what he and his brother know. He likes that his brother has someone in his life, and Remus is like them. He's vicious to an extent that Regulus would be absolutely terrified had he been on the other side of that knife. He's tagged along every now and then. He's seen first-hand the darkness behind the mild and quiet librarian.
The wedding is beautiful. No one here - besides James Potter - knows the activities that these two get involved in. Though Charlus knows what Sirius does, he'd be shocked to find out that Remus is cut from the same cloth, as it were. James, the lawyer, who silently hands copies of files to the pair for those cases where the bastards get away with their disgusting deeds and James needs someone taken care of.
James knows that the brothers can't help themselves. So take out the worst of the worst. Justify each life that is taken. Have a reason.
James stands at Remus' side, despite being Sirius' best friend. He's gotten along well with Remus, approving of the strict code Remus follows, and that he reigns Sirius in, guiding him down the best path that a serial killer could go down. They take out the scum of the world. They silently keep people safe in their own way.
The people there have no idea of the lives the men lead, and that amuses Regulus in a way. To them, Sirius is an artist and Remus is a librarian. They have a nice little house together. They go to the pub and have drinks with friends, and Sunday dinners with family. Remus goes to church with his mum every other week.
They hide so well.
Then he realises that they aren't the only ones here who feel like that. Regulus reailses this the moment he meets the other man's gaze. The man is taller than Regulus, despite only being around twenty-one years old, and he's the friend of a friend of a… well, Regulus doesn't know all of the details.
Regulus just recognises the look in the man's eyes. The hint of coldness, that is hidden by a friendly smile, a casual laugh. The man is handsome, and it's the laugh that first catches Regulus' attention. It's the eyes that keep it. The man chats with some other red-heads, and it's clear they're family. The youngest, a girl, hanging onto his arm and looking up at him like he's the best brother ever.
Regulus can't look away, and it's something that Sirius clearly notices, because moments later, Sirius walks over to the group.
"Bill, just the guy," Sirius says. "I want to introduce you to my little brother, Regulus." Bill politely walks over, but there's an added curve to his lips as he looks over Regulus.
"I'll cut to the chase," Sirius says, quietly. "I think you two will find you have a lot in common." He casts a knowing look between them. "A lot." How he stretches that word out with the emphasis is beyond Regulus, but Bill's gaze shifts between him and Sirius and Bill is curious.
Sirius glances at Regulus as he turns, and there's that look in his eyes. The wild desperation because he needs to do what he loves to do. As Regulus has been informed, sometimes just getting Remus to bed can take that desire away for a week or two. Maybe it's getting Remus into their bed that he wants to do, because it's sometimes hard to tell.
It's his wedding night, so Regulus is unsure if they'll even go out and kill anyone. Though he knows that sometimes the high of their extra-curricular activity makes the sex even better, so maybe Sirius and Remus will hunt tonight. His gaze follows his brother for a moment, and he can see by the way Sirius takes Remus' arm that Sirius is feeling the buzz. The need. Remus' lips curve upwards and Regulus knows that they'll be walking the streets. His gaze finds James, and he gives James a nod, and James nods in return. He'll provide them with a target.
"Regulus, is it?"
Regulus' eyes dart back and he looks Bill Weasley over. Bill is younger, but he's not a kid. There's something in his gaze that tells Regulus that he's watched the life drain from someone, at least once. That he wants to see it again. He's wearing a grey suit with a sky-blue bowtie, and his red hair is too long, pulled into a plait down his back. He doesn't look all that threatening, but Regulus knows otherwise.
His gaze is intense, fixed on Regulus.
"You should call me sometime," Bill murmurs. "I like taking long walks in the night." He smiles as though this is an amusing joke, and Regulus' lips twitch a little at it. He knows what Bill is hinting at and realises that behind the confident facade, maybe Bill can't recognise the signs as easily. Or perhaps he's still learning. Maybe he's only felt it once.
"I enjoy that too," Regulus comments. "Perhaps we can take a walk together?"
Bill looks uncertain, and Regulus moves closer. Bill's eyes widen, and there's hope there.
"I'm an excellent teacher," Regulus adds, and Bill can take that anyway he likes. Regulus writes his number down and passes it over, hoping Bill contacts him. The ball is in Bill's court now.
Their walk is quiet, but that's okay. Not every hunt is successful. They make their way through the park and Regulus tosses the now-empty fish-and-chips wrapper into the bin.
"Thanks for that," Bill says.
"Anytime," Regulus replies. "I'm thirty, you know?"
"I know," Bill confirms. "Not that much older. You're pretty good looking for an old man."
Regulus laughs softly. "I'll have you know that I can outmatch someone of your age."
"Try me," Bill murmurs cheekily. "I could take you. I'm surprised you could even walk this far."
"First of all, I'm incredibly athletic, so fuck you," Regulus says, earning soft laugh from Bill. He laughs too, enjoying the banter. He had been a little worried that Bill may be put off by the age difference, but Bill seems to have no issues.
Regulus nudges the other man with his shoulder as they walk. He's a few inches shorter than Bill.
"So… you teach?" Bill asks. There's a shake in his voice, though it could be from excitement. It's hard to find people to talk to about these things. He talks to Sirius and Remus. Not James as much because James just doesn't quite understand. Bill may not have anyone else to talk to and this is his way of breaching the subject.
"Yes, but not a subject you'll find in a classroom," Regulus replies. "Anything I teach is more… let's say hands on if that's your preference. A little more complicated."
"Maybe you can teach me a few things?" Bill requests.
Regulus smirks. He can see a dark shadow underneath the tree in the distance. "Maybe you can show me what you're capable of right now?" he suggests. "I hope you have morals, Bill."
"Morals?" Bill checks.
"Someone hurt me once, and Sirius didn't like that. He protected me in a way that meant that person would never harm me again. Someone hurt him, and they deserved bad things…" he trails off. "I'm not a good person, but I believe that there are people who are much worse. I don't want to become like them."
"So you protect the innocent?" Bill checks.
Regulus grins. "If that's how you want to view it, then yes. As it's been explained to me, we could become monsters, or we could hunt them. I justify what I do because I know that by… satisfying my cravings, I'm also saving someone else. It's a balance. Perhaps others wouldn't view it that way, but it's how I see it." He lets out a soft sigh. "We can only do the best we can."
"Do you ever wonder if you'll feel guilt one day? "Bill checks. "If one day you'll just be… broken? Or are we already broken?"
"Those are questions I can't answer," Regulus admits quietly. "Those are things you'll have to learn about yourself, Bill. But I know that I was not built to break. My past has told me that, and that's something me and my brother have told ourselves constantly. You need to ask yourself if this will break you. Did it break you the last time you did this? The first time?"
"The last time was the first time," Bill tells him, just as quietly as Regulus had been. "It didn't break me, it made me feel free."
Regulus understands that feeling all too well. "You're new to this. One life at your hands, but there will be more, and I'm here to help you."
"I did great," Bill insists, defensively.
Regulus shakes his head. "There's no shame in admitting that you don't know," he tells the other man. "We all started somewhere. I'm not here to judge, merely to enjoy, to guide. To share the experience."
Bill's smile sends a shiver through Regulus and he's hoping to bring Bill home tonight, after this.
They're almost in line with the shadow now. Regulus can see the movement out of the corner of his eye.
"You're in charge," Regulus whispers. "I've got your back." As much as he wants this himself, he also wants to watch Bill work.
Regulus likes to draw it out, Sirius is erratic, and Remus is calculating and vicious. What is Bill's style?
"Just sit back and enjoy the ride, Mr. Expert," Bill teases.
"Oi, you two faggots better stop right there," comes a snarl. There's a glint of a knife as a man approaches. "Wallets. Phones. Valuables, and maybe I'll consider letting you leave. Though maybe I should run you through with this, don't need your type around."
Regulus can see the man's eyes. This man has never taken a life before even if he has attempted to. He's weak and can't take that final step out of fear. Regulus is confident that this is the man attacking gay couples. It's why they chose this park, because the man keeps returning and, based on this man's comments, this is the person they're looking for.
Bill is hesitant upon sight of the weapon, but Regulus smiles slightly.
"I can hear people coming," he says, shifting his weight sideways and away from Bill a little, causing the man's gaze to follow him. "You'll get caught, you know?"
And it's that easy to distract the man who attempts to listen, his eyes fixed on Regulus because even though Bill is a bit taller, something inside of the man has realised that Regulus is the threat here.
One day they'll realise that about Bill, but this man hasn't just yet, and suddenly Bill moves into action. He's not quite fast enough, the movement have him lunging, and the knife catches Regulus' arm.
This just enthuriates Bill. his hand slides around the man's head from behind, fingers splayed over the guy's throat, forcing his chin up. "Drop the knife." he growls, and the man does, scared.
Regulus retrieves it quickly, before wrapping up his arm. There's thankfully no blood on the ground, but there is a bit on the knife, so he wraps that up and puts it away for safe-keeping. He much prefers his own knife.
He turns his gaze back to Bill who is waiting for Regulus, and it's cute that he's waiting. Regulus considers how Bill is going to do this. Strangulation, perhaps? After a moment, it's clear that Bill is just using this to scare the man, and there's a glint of Bill's own knife. It gently pierces the skin and the man lets out a sound.
"Hush now," Regulus murmurs. "Or it'll get much, much worse." He leans against the tree where the man had been hiding only minutes ago, and he listens for people, watches for phone lights, as the man fights against Bill.
Bill is an artist with his carvings. They're extraordinary, and Regulus is very much the art-lover.
Back at Regulus' apartment, the clothes are tossed in the washing machine, and lips meet over and over again, as the pair struggle to focus on what needs to be done. Bill is too worried about Regulus' arm, gently cleaning it, checking if it needs stitches before binding it up. It hurts, but Regulus can see why Sirius loves these moments with Remus so much.
Showers are taken, clothes forgotten and Regulus shoves Bill onto the bed, quickly following, his lips finding Bill's again. He ignores the slight ache in his arms as he puts his weight onto them. He takes a moment to look at the other man. He's beautiful, and Regulus smirks.
"Good work today, beautiful," he murmurs. He reaches for Bill's hands. "These hands could kill me," he comments.
"But they won't," Bill hastens to add.
"I know. But you better put them to work." He leans in, covering Bill's body with his own as their lips meet.
He can't wait until their next date. It'll be his turn to show Bill how he likes to work. Or even the following date when they both work together and combine their talents.
It's going to be beautiful.
2500 words :)
Writing Club
Bromance to Romance - (trope) Partners in Crime
Written in the Stars - 20. (quote) Desire shouldn't be contained, it's unnatural. - Lucifer
This or That - 14. (Trope) Murder husbands (or wives or couple, you do you)
Book Club - 1. Nick: (emotion) excited, (object) pillow, (word) extraordinary
Showtime - 19. Opening Up (Finale) - (dialogue) "We can only do the best we can."
Film Festival - 18. Dialogue: "Just sit back and enjoy the ride, Mr. Expert."
Lizzy's Loft - 18. Warriors - Awake at night and scheme
Elizabeth's Empire - 20. Carnage: (color) red
Angel's Archive - Sky Blue (colour)
Amber's Anime - 7. (trait) curious
They Said What? - 20. [Keeping Up With The Kardashians] "First of all, I'm incredibly athletic, so fuck you." - Khloe Kardashian
Lyric Alley - 17. I was not built to break
Artist Appreciation - 1. Slow Hands: Prompt - (dialogue) "Those hands could kill me." / Title: I already know that there ain't no stoppin'
Buttons - Object: Knife, Emotions: Understanding
Fight Club - Stage 4 - (Character) Bill Weasley
Gobstones - Brown Stone: Crime / Accuracy: 9. (word) complicated / Power: 6. (dialogue) "There's no shame in admitting that you don't know." / 17. (relationship) mentor and mentee