Boy Next Door

Why wait for the best when I could have you?


Regulus paused outside the door of the next apartment, his knuckles outstretched. He was ready to knock and welcome his new neighbour, but he'd just heard a series of noises from inside. A crash, a wallop, and a male voice swearing angrily.

Taking the plunge, Regulus knocked hastily on the wood. There was no better time like the present. He hoisted up the box that was under his arm and plastered on his most welcoming smile.

More noise sounded from within: footsteps stomping along the hall and inaudible grumbling. Finally the door was whipped open, and a tall, slender man with tawny hair stood on the threshold. Despite the scowl on his face, Regulus noticed that he was unconventionally handsome. "Can I help you?"

"My name is Regulus Black, I live next door to you."

The neighbour sighed impatiently and glanced back into his home. "I don't really have time for this…"

"I'll be quick, I swear." Regulus held out the box and widened his smile. "What's your name? I baked you a cake."

After a long pause, the neighbour arched an eyebrow. "Barty Crouch. Why did you bake me a cake?"

Regulus felt his face begin to glow. He didn't usually struggle with this. "Because...well, because you're new to the apartment…" he lifted the lid of the box to show Barty the cake.

The corners of Barty's lips turned upwards. "No one has ever baked me a cake before. And I suppose I do like Victoria sponge." He took the cake from Regulus gingerly, and leaned against the doorframe. "I'm, uh, sorry if I came across a little harshly. I've never lived alone, and I've certainly never had to paint an apartment by myself before."

Regulus grinned. "I figured from all the swearing that I've heard. The walls are thin, and also you have purple paint on your nose."

Barty reached out with his free hand and swiped at Regulus's cheek. "And you have…" he put the finger in his mouth, his eyes trained on Regulus's. "...powdered sugar on your face. Sweet. I guess we're even."

Another blush stained Regulus's face. "I'm not busy, so I'm happy to help you with your decorating if you like. I'd never lived alone before I moved here either, though, so my painting skills probably aren't much better than yours."

"Two hands holding paint brushes are better than one." Barty held the door open so that Regulus could duck under his arm and walk into the hallway of the apartment that mirrored his own. The walls were haphazardly painted plum, with lots more of the vibrant paint puddled on the floor a little further up the hall. "I knocked the can over when I came off the ladder," Barty admitted, following Regulus's eyes.

Regulus laughed. "How about you have a rest before we clean it up?"

"Excellent idea." Barty placed the cake box on a nearby end table. "How do you take your tea?"

"Strong, just milk."

Barty nodded and wandered into another room, leaving Regulus standing by the purple puddle. He hadn't planned on helping his new neighbour with the decorating, but he certainly wasn't going to pass up on the glimmer of a new friend.


Written For:

Meet Cute Marathon Day #1: (scenario) A always bakes a cake for new neighbors on their floor. B just moved in.

Assignment #5/Media Studies Task #1: #love: Write a fluffy story

1,000 Prompts: 256. "How do you take your tea?"

Writing Club/Comics: 8. (restriction) only male characters

Writing Club/Showtime: 17. (word) Sweet

Writing Club/Liza's Loves: 24. Write about Regulus Black

Supernatural Club (Merfolk): 14. (colour) Plum

Crazy Cone Contraptions: 18. Chili Chip Supreme - (action) blushing/flushing

Word Count: 547