It was around dinner when Regulus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, more tired than usual. His body protested each movement, his muscles aching from the weight of the day. He rubbed his eyes, trying to focus on the meal in front of him, but everything felt heavy and distant.
Across the table, Sirius was sipping his drink, his sharp eyes catching the frequent movements of his younger brother. He placed his glass down with a soft clink, leaning forward slightly. "Regulus, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Regulus shook his head, his hand trembling slightly as he picked at his food. "Nothing," he muttered. "Just tired."
Sirius could feel the pain radiating off his brother, the air between them thick with unspoken sorrow. It had only been a few days since they'd come back from their parents' funeral. They had both attended together, standing side by side in what could only be described as a fragile peace. But while Sirius had found a way to keep himself together, Regulus seemed to be unraveling. The grief clung to him like a shadow, refusing to let go.
Regulus shifted again, gasping slightly as a low moan of discomfort escaped his lips. Sirius's eyes widened, and he was at his brother's side in an instant, kneeling beside his chair. "Reg, talk to me," he said softly, placing a hand on Regulus's knee. "What's going on?"
Regulus closed his eyes, his breathing shaky. "I... I don't know," he confessed. "It just... hurts. Everything hurts."
Sirius's heart ached at the sight of his brother in pain. He knew that Regulus had always been the more sensitive of the two, feeling everything more deeply, and this loss had hit him hard. The pressure to maintain the Black family legacy, the weight of their parents' expectations, and now the grief of their passing—it was all too much.
"Come on," Sirius said gently, helping Regulus to his feet. "Let's get you to bed. You need to rest."
Regulus nodded weakly, leaning on Sirius for support as they made their way out of the dining room. Each step felt like a monumental effort, but with Sirius by his side, Regulus felt a little less lost. They walked slowly, the silence between them filled with the echo of their parents' absence.
When they reached Regulus's room, Sirius helped him sit on the edge of the bed, pulling back the covers. Regulus crawled in, curling up on his side, his eyes heavy with exhaustion. Sirius sat on the edge of the bed, smoothing Regulus's hair back from his forehead.
"We'll get through this," Sirius whispered, his voice steady. "Together."
Regulus's eyes fluttered open, and he gave Sirius a small, grateful smile. "Promise?" he asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.
"Promise," Sirius replied, leaning down to press a soft kiss to Regulus's forehead. "I'm here, Reg. I'm always here."
As Regulus drifted off to sleep, his breathing evening out, Sirius stayed by his side, his hand resting on his brother's shoulder. He knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but he also knew that they had each other. And in that moment, that was enough.
The room fell into a peaceful silence, the echoes of their shared pain fading into the background, replaced by the quiet strength of their bond.
Hours later, the silence was shattered by a piercing scream. Sirius jolted awake, his heart pounding in his chest. He recognized the voice—it was Regulus, screaming in agony. Panic gripped him as he bolted out of his chair and rushed down the hallway to Regulus's room.
Bursting through the door, Sirius's eyes went wide at the sight before him. Regulus was thrashing in bed, his face contorted with pain. He was gripping the sheets, his knuckles white, and another scream tore from his lips.
"Regulus!" Sirius cried out, rushing to his brother's side. He grabbed Regulus's hand, squeezing it tightly. "Reg, what's happening? Talk to me!"
Regulus's eyes were wide with fear and pain. "Sirius… it hurts," he gasped, his voice strained. "I don't know what's happening…"
Sirius's mind raced as he tried to figure out what to do. He placed a hand on Regulus's stomach, trying to soothe him, but his eyes widened in shock when he felt the hard, tight surface. Realization hit him like a freight train. "Reg, are you… are you pregnant?"
Regulus's eyes flew open, filled with panic. "No… I can't be… I would've known," he gasped, another moan of pain escaping his lips. His breathing was rapid, shallow, and tears were streaming down his face. "Sirius, I can't… I can't be…"
Sirius shook his head, trying to stay calm for both their sakes. "Reg, you are. You're pregnant. And I think… I think you're in labor."
Regulus let out a cry of pain, his hands gripping Sirius's arm as another contraction hit. "No… it's too soon… it can't be…" he whimpered, his voice breaking with fear.
Sirius swallowed hard, his own fear threatening to overwhelm him. But he couldn't let Regulus see that. He had to be strong for his brother. "It's okay, Reg. I'm here. We're going to get through this. I need to get you to a healer, alright?"
Regulus nodded weakly, his eyes squeezing shut as another wave of pain washed over him. Sirius tightened his grip on Regulus's hand, determination settling in his chest. He needed to act fast. There was no time to waste.
"I'm going to call for help," Sirius said urgently. "Just hang on, Reg. You're going to be okay. I promise."
He reached for his wand, sending a Patronus to summon help, his heart racing with fear and urgency. He turned back to Regulus, his eyes blazing with determination.
"We're going to get through this, Reg," Sirius vowed, holding Regulus's hand tightly. "You're not alone. I'm right here with you."
The room was filled with Regulus's labored breathing, Sirius's steady presence, and the unspoken promise that whatever came next, they would face it together.