Word Count: 384
Written For:
- Gringotts Prompt Bank: (quote) "But in the goodbye bed, with my arms around your neck. Into our mouths the tears crept, just kids in the eye of the storm." - Daniel, Bat for Lashes, (dialogue) "They will ignore you until they need you."
- D&D (BEANS story submission)


The Goodbye Bed

But in the goodbye bed, with my arms around your neck.
Into our mouths the tears crept, just kids in the eye of the storm.

oOo

"I don't want you to go."

Barty's whisper was rasping, hoarse from hours of crying. It was dark, but in the dim shadows he could see Regulus lying across from him, his long fringe hanging into his eyes.

"I have to," he murmured back. He turned onto his side so that he was facing Barty, and reached up to cup his face in his hands. "I have to, Barty."

"No you don't. It doesn't have to be you!" Barty whined, gripping Regulus's upper arms. "You don't have to put it on yourself. Just forget about the...about the horcrux. Someone else will destroy it..." his voice tailed off, and Regulus dipped his head towards Barty's. He pressed his lips firmly against his, preventing any more words from slipping out.

Barty melted into Regulus, kissing him back softly. He wrapped his arms around Regulus's narrow torso, and relished in the sensation of his long fingers threading through his dark blond hair. He knew that Regulus was putting on a brave face; trying to act strong in front of Barty and anyone else who paid attention, but Barty knew better. He could taste the saltiness of his tears slipping into their kiss.

When they separated, they were breathless. Barty could see Regulus's dark eyes glittering wetly through the dark, and the sight caused his throat to burn uncomfortably.

"What will I do without you?" Barty whispered, biting his lip. "The others - they don't need me. I only want to be with you."

"They'll ignore you until they need you," Regulus replied, and he pulled Barty's head down so he could press a kiss to his forehead. "But they will need you."

A fresh wave of tears rose to Barty's eyes, and he buried his face into Regulus's neck to let them pour silently.

He was never going to survive without Regulus.