Character Appreciation: Gryffindor

Crafty Corner, 2x2 ribbing: opposites attract

Amber's Attic: making a commitment

Count Your Buttons: malicious

Lyric Alley: Cause no one wants your broken parts

Sophie's Shelf: RegulusPeter

Film Festival: getting drunk

Auction: Regulus Black

Gobstones, Bronze Stone (corruption): envelope, "Do you love them?", drift

Word Count: 720


Regulus doesn't expect for this to happen.

He is his family's golden boy; his Housemates regard him as royalty. Peter is not. Peter is plain and quiet, so easy to overlook.

But they collide somehow, and they make beautiful magic.

Regulus rests his head in Peter's lap as his boyfriend takes a deep swig of the firewhisky he's smuggled in. Regulus doesn't know how he does it, but Peter always seems to have something he shouldn't.

"Do you love them?" Regulus asks.

There's stretch of silence, and he can do is listen to Peter's steady heartbeat.

"Who?"

"My brother and his gang."

Another silence. Peter passes Regulus the bottle. He drinks, letting the alcohol burn through his system.

"Love is a funny way to feel about friends," Peter mutters before taking the bottle again.

Regulus wonders if that's true. He's never really had friends, and he doesn't actually know what love is from his family. Maybe it's a silly word, and it does sound so flimsy on his tongue.

"Do you love me?" Regulus asks.

In place of an answer, Peter sets the bottle aside and leans down, pressing a kiss to his lips. He tastes like fire and bad decisions.

Regulus is addicted.

He sometimes wonders why Peter is a Gryffindor. He seems far too much like a timid little mouse to belong in crimson and gold.

He wants to ask. He never does.

The envelope feels so heavy in his jacket pocket. Regulus leans over the railing of the Astronomy Tower, puffing away on his cigarette and watching the ashes drift to the ground below.

Sometimes, he wishes he could fall too.

"What are you thinking about?" Peter asks.

Regulus' free hand touches the pocket that holds the letter from his parents. Why does it feel like he's carrying the weight of the world? What's heavier: the shame they feel toward Sirius or the expectations they force upon him?

Maybe he's better off not knowing.

"Do you ever want to just fucking run away?" Regulus asks.

"All the time."

He knows what he has to do, but he's so afraid.

He doesn't want to do it alone.

The alcohol is nearly gone. Regulus has barely touched it, but Peter sways on the spot, and his eyes look so heavy.

Perfect.

"Doesn't it bother you?" Regulus asks, ghosting his fingers along Peter's cheek.

"What?" His boyfriend's words are slurred. Perfect.

"Knowing that your friends hate you."

Silence. Regulus sits up and tucks a cigarette between his lips, grey eyes fixed upon the other man as he lights up. He taps a finger against Peter's sloppy Gryffindor tie. "Don't tell me you haven't noticed."

He hates being so malicious. Despite his flaws, Peter really is a nice bloke. He doesn't deserve to be talked to like this.

But Regulus can't help it. He has to fall, and he's so afraid of being alone when he crashes and burns.

"They exclude you," he continues, leaning in dangerously close, his lips nearly touching Peter's. "They think you're an embarrassing, broken little thing."

The words sting, but there's no taking them back now. They do their job, at least. Regulus watches as Peter's brows knit together, and he takes another sip, then another and another until the liquor is gone.

"They… They don't…" Peter wipes his mouth, letting out a soft burp. "They don't care, do they?"

"They don't. But I do. That's why I want to help you."

"How?"

It shouldn't be this easy, but it is. Regulus whispers poisoned words into his lover's ears, and the corruption spreads so nicely. Peter is putty in his hands, and Regulus can mold him as he pleases.

...

Regulus trembles, but he won't let it show. He holds Peter's hands, letting his cigarette drop from his other hand. His foot snuffs out the ember. If he could, he would spend the night smoking cigarette after cigarette, but he does not have that luxury.

"Scared?" he asks Peter.

The Gryffindor shakes his head, but Regulus doesn't quite believe him.

There's no turning back now. He keeps his head held high as he leads his lover through the doors. Tonight, the corruption will be complete. They will be branded.

But at least he isn't alone in his commitment.

It almost helps.