Quilting Appreciation: SeverusRegulus
Word Count: 501
"I'm scared," Regulus admits, his heart racing painfully in his chest. Part of him worries that he might be having a heart attack. Merlin, that would be his luck. He's finally doing something right, and the fates have decided to punish him for it by killing him off at a young age.
He doesn't know what he expects from Severus. Sympathy? A kind word of reassurance? The older wizard offers nothing more than a roll of his eyes. "Perhaps you shouldn't be here," he says.
Regulus feels a burning blush creep into his cheeks. He glares at Severus, silently hating him. Regulus knows he is nothing. Bellatrix is fierce and brutal, and, now that he is joining the Death Eaters, he will be forced to live in her shadow. Still, that's no reason to tell him that he shouldn't be here. He has just as much right to serve the Dark Lord as anyone else does.
His fingers pluck a cigarette from his pack. Regulus tucks it between his lips and lights it, breathing in the calming smoke.
"Horrible habit," Severus says, wrinkling his nose.
Regulus exhales a cloud of smoke. "Addiction," he says simply.
Severus doesn't respond. He waves his hand in front of his face, trying to fan away the wisps of smoke that get too close. Regulus doesn't bother to apologize; he has more important things on his mind.
…
"I messed up," Regulus says, pacing nervous. He fumbles with his pack of cigarettes, but his mind is racing too quickly. Even the blessed rush of nicotine can't calm him now.
He doesn't know why he's bothering to tell Severus. Maybe it's that Severus, despite his abrasive nature, has been there for him since Regulus took the Dark Mark. Maybe it's that Severus' heart doesn't really seem to be in it. Whatever the case, he finds himself spilling his soul to the other man. Every fear, every doubt comes rushing from his lips, and he can't seem to stop it.
"I tried to warn you," Severus says softly. "I told you that you shouldn't be here."
"I thought you were being a jerk."
The older man chuckles softly, offering Regulus a shrug. "And yet you still want through with it. Stubborn bastard."
Regulus wants to smile, but he can't bring himself to do it. He pushes a hand through his dark hair. "What do I do?"
Severus steps closer until he is at Regulus' side. He rests a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever you choose, you don't have to do it alone."
Regulus glances up at him, his heart skipping a beat. He recognizes that tone. His lips quirk into a ghost of a smile. "Thought you fancied Evans…"
Severus doesn't respond. He leans in and presses a quick, chaste kiss to Regulus' cheek. "Just remember you're not alone."
And it doesn't quite ease his mind. He's still lost and terrified, with no idea what to do. But maybe it will be okay. At least he has Severus.