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Challenges listed at the bottom

Word Count - 341


Start to End


It was love at first sight. It was an immediate connection, and a bond built upon shared books and family drama and an obsession with quidditch.

It was friendship which changed into romance, the transition never in doubt because it was them against the world and it had been since they'd met on the Hogwarts Express when they were eleven.

It was pranking, and dropping dungbombs and giggling behind hands as others took the blame.

It was the crunch of an apple that grated on ears, and an argument over chocolate, and a making up with hugs.

It was sneaking up to the Astronomy Tower at midnight to sit together and watch the stars and make out without people staring and whispering at them.

It was comfort and laughter and love. It was simple and pure and untainted.

That's how it started.

"I love you," Regulus murmured against his neck.

Barty smiled, running a hand through Regulus' hair. "I love you too."

...

It was crying and screaming and pain, trembling arms wrapped around a body that was wracked with sobs.

It was sad eyes and sad smiles and the words 'I love you always' traced on bare skin.

It was stolen moments for whispers of "you're okay, it's going to be okay," and, "I can't do this."

It was self sacrificing for the greater good, even when he didn't believe in it. He just wanted it to be over, to be safe.

It was more tears, these cried alone, grief tearing apart his soul as he lay on the bed he'd long shared with the man he loved.

It was a mantra of, "I miss him so much it hurts," when people asked how he was holding up, which wasn't often because of the company he kept. He preferred it that way.

It was a slowly dawning insanity, to protect himself from the pain. And it was not caring when the Dementor finally sucked his soul, because what did he need it for anymore anyway?

That's how it ended.

Written for;

Character Appreciation - 26. Self Sacrificing

Book Club - Reginald Smee - Regulus Black / Obsession / Crying

Showtime - 10. Love at first sight.

Amber's Attic - RegulusBarty

Bex's Biscuits - Digestive - Crunch / Sad / "I miss him so much it hurts."

Hamilton Mania - A2, 2. Dungbombs / Extra Prompt - 40. Book