#reggie never did anything wrong in his life ever

[jupitermelichios]

so you've probably seen the news that riverdale ended with the main 4 in an actual, canonical, poly relationship

and that's amazing for a bunch of reasons, including the fact that the number of canon poly relationships on tv are miniscule and also it brings the number of canonically straight main cast members down to 1. Ethel is legitimately the show's token straight representation. love that for her

but to get the full impact of that news, you really also need to know that in order for the polycule to form:

Jughead's transdimensional angel girlfriend has to destroy multiple other timelines to create a new stable timeline for the polycule to live in. timelines destroyed include the one where jughead is immortal and trapped forever in a bunker underneath riverdale, and one where tony and fangs's magical timetravelling gay baby is fighting an evil wizard for control of a train full of evil ghosts

Jughead's magical transdimensional angel girlfriend then returns to the newly created main timeline, and restores the main cast's memories of all the other timelines, which she does by forcing them to watch the show riverdale. That is not a joke or a metaphor she even goes to the trouble to bring a colour tv back to the 1950s so they can watch in colour, except for Clay and Julian, because they did not exist in any of the previous timelines and they're sad about it and refuse to watch a show they're not in.

(Well, Julian technically did exist in the original timeline, but only as a ghost possessing a haunted doll, which doesn't really count)

(Also for some reason as well as the main cast, she makes dilton doily watch it, despite his only contributions to the show being a) dying as a human sacrifice in the og timeline, b) trying to blow up the planet and then dying because of it in the rivervale timeline, and c) gay kevin telling people he has the biggest dick in the 1950s tlmeline, and honestly, I feel like it would be kinder to just not show him any of that)

(ethel does not get to watch riverdale, because she did the only sensible thing any riverdale character has ever done and fucked off to a normal town to have an actual life, because as well as being the token straight character, she's also the token sane one)

After watching Riverdale, all of the main cast except Jughead and Betty decide it sucks and they hate it, and ask tabby to rewipe their memories and only give them the cute bits and not all the serial killers and shit, because the writers have run out of time for subtle metaphors and they weren't sure the audience had fully grasped that the entirely last season of the show is a weird metacommentary on the criticisms people have of the show riverdale so they're just straight up going to have archie andrews look straight to camera and say that the show should have been more like the comics

also I have no idea how only showing them the happy bits works, because that removes 90% of the entire plot so I assume they just have a bunch of completely out of context sex scenes and meals at the diner and nothing else. possibly also some musical numbers, idk if I'd count those as happy memories personally

Betty and Jug chose to keep their memories of the Gargoyle King and Betty's 2 long-lost secret gay serial killer brothers because they're edgy (and also because the writers are annoyed at all the people who say the show should be more like the comics, so they have the smartest characters say they liked the actually and everyone else is being a wimp about all the serial killers, because again, we have run out of time for subtlety)

Having had his memories restored, Jug's like "oh hi tabitha, my secret transdimensional angel girlfriend, I haven't seen you for months, I've really missed you. I'm so glad you're you're back. i love you so much"

And she responds by telling him that she'd chosen to write herself out of the timeline when she fixed in, and she has to return to the great big diner in the sky (not a joke, heaven is a diner in the riverdale universe and, it is heavily implied, also in our universe, so that's something to look forward to), so she freezes time halfway through kissing him and just nopes out of time and space. which is also how I would handle all break ups if I had angel powers tbh

since jug is now single, and all 4 of them just got multiple timeline's worth of fucking one another mainlined straight into their brains, the main 4 decide to all start dating

(they are probably inspired to do this in part by betty's sister, who in the new timeline is a burlesque performer who's stage name is Polly Amorous)

As far as I can tell from the last episode, they tell gay kevin about this and literally no one else, for reasons known only to themselves

also genuinely can't tell if this was the writers wanting a poly relationship for them, or if they just couldn't be bothered with the internet slap fights that would have followed them picking individual monogomous ships to be endgame

they also, hilariously, refuse to say that archie and jug are dating, I assume due to network restrictions, despite archie being canonically bi at this point, so betty's just like 'well sometimes I go to veronica's and we fuck, and the boys do... something we're not going to talk about'

the final episode of the show is a flash forward where as a now old betty is dying, jughead's ghost shows her memories of their teens, in which it's reveal that she has just straight up forgotten about being in a poly relationship

literally she looks at her teen self and is like "wow, I seem weirdly close to veroica jughead and archie" and Jug's ghost has to be like "because we were dating. how do you not remember that we were dating? what the hell? did I mean nothing to you?!"

also old betty specifically seeks out reggie and is like "hey you know how me and you dated, and you and veronica were together for years in multiple timelines, and you archie keep declaring your undying love for one another and nearly fucking, well we're all dating and we specifically decided not to invite you, sucks to be you" and walks away and I have no idea why she did it. justice for reggie

anyway RIP to the greatest television show ever made, it was so gay and so deranged and so meta, and there really will never be anything quite like it again

[hughiecampbelle]

Supe Preference: How They Propose

Requested: I know you already did a preference with how they propose but please please please do this with the supes! I think it would be amazing. thank you thank you thank you ♥️♥️♥️ - anon

A/N: I hope you like it my love!!! This was so fun to write, I love exploring their characters!!! Feedback is always appreciated 💕

Homelander makes sure he's got a crowd with his supporters when he pulls out a ring and gets on one knee, asking you to marry him. There are cameras and reporters there, too. They will run stories about the most powerful man in the world finding his one true love, the sparkle in his eyes when he looks at you, the faulter in his voice when he asks you. Everyone who saw it for themselves says it was the most romantic speech they've ever heard. This will do great for his public support and image. His fans are all about traditional values. Homelander staying a bachelor makes his fans antsy, nervous, like he can't settle down. Now he's doing that. You, John, and Ryan will be the perfect little family. An instant family, actually. People cheer and whistle and cry. You say yes, because there is no other choice. And you hug and kiss, and he directs you were to look and what questions to answer like when the wedding will be or the color palette you'll choose. He makes jokes and quips that everyone laughs at.

The Deep asks you to marry him on television. You were placed together because you have fantastic ratings, and he could use a little boost in the public eye. You haven't been "dating" for very long but, as he puts it in his speech, he doesn't need to have known you for a long time to know that you're the one for him. You smile, and even she'd a few tears before putting the ring on and kissing him. You're not actually getting married, at least not legally, but Ashley already has color swatches and flowers and venues. It'll be the wedding of the century. You make sure, behind closed doors, he doesn't get the wrong idea. You put on a good act. You're smart and stunning, and you could have any Supe you want. When the inevitable divorce happens, you'll come out the better for it. Interviews, book deals, and talk shows. You'll ruin him. You just have to get through the next few months without any hiccups. You have to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid or vulgar. That, in itself, is a full-time job. You talk through grit teeth in your smile, telling him not to fuck this up for you.

A-Train does it out of desperation. You and Reggie were high school sweethearts. You were together when he was let in the The Seven, and you've stayed with him through every bump in the road. When things with Homelander get really tough, really scary, Reggie pops the question. It's not the most romantic drive for the proposal, but if anything ever happened to him because of Vought and Homelander he wants you to have access to everything he'd leave behind. All the money, the deals, everything. You can only get that through marriage. He loves you, he's loved you forever, but he does this not solely out of love. He can't. This decision is too big and has too much weight. He has to protect you, to save you from what he's had to deal with. You don't know any of this about the engagement though, so you say yes, proclaiming it one of the happiest days of your life. You understand some of the tension, but Reggies too afraid to go into detail. You'd worry too much. He can't do that to you.

Maeve blurts it out during a fight. You're tired of being hidden. You're tired of keeping things so low-key, rescheduling because she has to go play house with Homelander. You're both yelling at one another when she asks you if you want to marry her. Of course you do, you say, angry that she would think anything different. Then let's get married, she yells. Fine! She storms off into the linen closet where the small box sits between two towels. You hated them and said they were too scratchy. You never would have looked there. She hands it to you, and when you open it, you're speechless. You always said things about jewelery in passing: silver or gold, the cuts you like, the gems if diamonds aren't your thing. You're angry and then you're not. It's a lot to think about (knowing you and Maggie could never go public, it would put you and her in far too much danger) and yet, the answer is so clear. Yes. Yes you want to spend the rest of your life with her. That's all you've ever wanted.

Firecracker asks you live on her show. You always knew she'd want to include her fans. They're a big part of her life, her popularity, and a huge reason why she's even part of The Seven. Her audience has heard stories about you from the beginning. They heard all about your first date, how cute she thought you were. It's only right they be included in this. So, under the idea that you're doing an interview about being in a relationship with one of The Seven members, you agree. When she asks you, you're speechless. Everyone is cheering and whistling. Of course it's a yes! That episode of her show goes pretty viral. Some of her fans are upset and turn on her, but for the most part they're all happy you're now engaged. Ashley is happy, too. Misty's ratings haven't been great as of late, but this stunt makes her a fan favorite all over again. Her audience agrees with the traditional values of marriage, family, etc.

Soldier Boy always wanted to get married, settle down with a white pickett fence, and a couple of kids. He certainly thought it would have been sooner than this, but he's still young, and he wouldn't have found you if everything hadn't happened. Still, it's been on his mind. He sees you with him in that house, with those kids. There's one thing to be grateful for out of all this. Ben isn't a huge romantic. You're not expecting rose petals and candles. Instead, he rolls over in bed one lazy morning and pops the question. You think he's joking, saying that's not funny when it's something you wanted forever. He's serious, though. He's got the ring and everything. It takes you a minute to realize this is all real. Of course, you say yes! When you do, he attacks you in kisses, grinning from ear to ear. You go out and celebrate, drinking until the room spins, telling anyone who will listen that you're getting married.

Sister Sage comes to you with a list of pros and cons. Some are big, like the commitment of marriage and the issues behind the traditional values. Others are relatively small to you, like the number of books she'd bring with her when you got a place together. You and Sage have been together a long time. You know she has thousands of books, you know she's thoughtful about everything except her own messiness, her own chaos. It's up to you to decide. She leaves her list with you, but before she can step through the door you're already saying yes, explaining your feelings about the whole situation. You love her. You know she has faults, God knows you have yours. And she still loves you not despite them, but because of them. She wasn't really expecting you to say yes, at least so immediately, so you'll have to wait on the ring. It was the easiest yes of your life.

[wordsarelife]

DAY 7: PLEASE COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

pairing: regulus black x fem!potter!reader

summary: when everything gets too bad, regulus has to place to stay. james isn’t happy about that though.

warnings: mention of a bad home life

note: this was so fun to write hehe!!

you had told him to come home to you if it would get too bad. he had said no many times, just like you had repeated your offer. you wanted him to know that he was welcome. and if you had to say it to him every day, you would. you knew regulus had too much pride to take your help. he loved you and he wanted to keep you out of his problems.

the relationship to you was different to everything he had ever had in his life before. he didn't want to ruin it.

you were calm and a total sunshine, you didn't belong in a world full of death and fear. you didn't belong in his world. he knew that. but he still couldn't keep away from you. so he tried to hide most of his home life from your sight.

which was harder than he had anticipated, considering his brother was living with you now. seemed like james had made him the same offer.

one evening on which you repeated the offer, he had looked at you concerned. "don't do that" he had said "that hero complex will get you killed someday" he had brushed through your hair "it's not wise to help people like sirius and i in a world where humans are killing for all the wrong reasons"

he didn't want to talk about anything else after that so you had just watched him drift to sleep, wondering which horrible things were plaguing his mind.

then came the christmas holidays and you had to split up. you tried everything to convinve him, but he wouldn't budge, never giving you another reason than what he had said to you that night.

it was christmas eve, when the doorbell rang and james went to get it. "black?" he asked confused, when he was met with a crumpled version of his best friends younger brother "what in the world are you doing here?"

regulus ignored the question "is y/n home?" he asked instead. you had walked out of your room when you heard the doorbell and when you heard his voice, you had immediately started walking down the stairs.

"reggie" you said concerned. before anyone could say another word, you gently pushed james out of the way and hugged your boyfriend. you knew that something had to be really wrong for him to show up here.

“they found the letters” regulus whispered “they made me choose, i didn’t know what do to”

“it’s alright” you said, trying to comfort him.

"what the fuck?" james asked. he was still standing beside you both while neither one even acknowledged his presence. he pulled you back by your shoulder. “what is going on?”

“regulus needs to stay” you simply said, without taking your eyes from the boy. you had never seen him cry before, but there were evident tear stains on his cheeks.

“what?” james asked, acting like he hadn’t understood you “why do you even know each other?”

“we’re dating” you turned your head to look at your brother “can we go in now?”

james was so stunned from the new information that he didn’t even protest when you gently walked regulus into the house. he quickly gathered back his consciousness though. he closed the door and was hot on your heels. “i’m not sure mum would allow this”

“are you kidding me right now?” you pointed to the couch for regulus to sit down. then you walked back to james, talking to him in a harsh whisper “you brought sirius here and he was allowed to stay, why wouldn’t regulus be?”

“because sirius isn’t my boyfriend?” james asked like it was obvious, why your situation was different to his.

“close to it, no?” you crossed your arms in frustration “look at him, james” and james did just that “he has nowhere else to go. i offered him a million times to stay with us and he always said no, there must be something very wrong for him to show up here. you know how they are, you know it better than me, i only know a few things and it’s bad enough”

james eyes softened as he looked between you and the boy. “you love him, don’t you?” he asked and you nodded your head.

“don’t make him leave” you pleaded “i’d do anything”

you knew james acted like that to protect you. he didn’t know regulus as well as you did. only the things sirius had told him and his younger brother was far from a hero in that.

“let me help him” you pleaded once again, because james didn’t answer you.

james knew that the blacks were horrible and he knew that you had the same right to help someone close to you as he did.

“okay” he nodded, hugging you. you sighed in relief. james watched as you darted across the room, kneeling in front of regulus. you spoke to him fast, and he smiled softly at you. james knew in that moment, that regulus felt the same for you as you did for him.

“was that my package?” a voice from the door asked. james looked towards the entry of the living room and saw sirius, munching on a rather gigantic sandwich.

“no” james said “but i think it somewhat belongs to you”

sirius looked at the couch and his eyes grew big. you had sat down beside regulus and were gently rubbing his back, while his head was laying on your shoulder.

“whoa” sirius just said and made both you and regulus look up “seems like someone else has inherited that potter hero complex. they’re always trying to save us, aren’t they, reggie?”

regulus smiled at you “i’m glad they are”

you smiled back and all was well. “at least we’re together for christmas now” you whispered to him. and it took a moment but then he smiled, a big toothy grin and he looked more like himself again.

taglist: @twistedhistory @bakingintheshire @mqstermindswift @taygrls @athenalikethegoddess @lovemelikecrazyiloveyoucrazy @neewtmas @ahead-fullofdreams

[ourloveisforthelovely]

Saying “Yes”

Regulus Black AU 

Summary:  Saying "yes" is never what you planned on happening.

Parings: Regulus Black x Reader 

Rating: T

Song in story: “Savages” by MARINA

____

I'm not the only one who finds it hard to understand. I'm not afraid of God, I am afraid of man

From the moment that Regulus stepped onto the train, you knew that something was eating him. You had waited in your normal “meeting place” where the two of you met every year and he never showed. While you were annoyed at him for standing you up, the look on his face made all those annoyed feelings vanish.

Regulus’ normally haughty cold expression seemed to be amplified by whatever was eating him. You moved your books to the side as he stepped into the compartment and promptly shut the door. He took off his suit jacket and tossed it to the other seat before sitting down beside you.

Waiting a moment, you wanted to give Regulus a chance to speak. You sat nearly on edge until Regulus sighed.

“So are you going to tell me what’s eating you? You didn’t meet me at our place.”

Regulus was quiet a moment longer before looking up. His grey eyes were darker than normal. Immediately, a nervous feeling went through you.

“Reggie?”

Regulus took a breath. He was dreading this conversation. THIS was what he had been dreading since halfway through the summer.

“Do you love me?”

You seemed confused by that question. Of course, you loved him! Regulus was the first person that you had ever loved. He was absolutely everything to you!

“Regulus, you silly. I love you more than anything.”

Regulus nodded before taking a breath.

“I said yes.”

You frowned before realization hit you. Regulus said yes to Voldemort. You were aware that the dark lord had been trying to recruit Regulus for months. Voldemort was all but sending Regulus flowers and begging him to join his side…the right side (or so he thought) and now he got his way.

“You did?”

You questioned. Regulus nodded before rolling up his shirt sleeve. Your eyes moved to the dark mark on his creamy skin.

Regulus was watching your face for any sign of disgust and anger. If you left him because of this, he truly didn’t know what he would do. You were the constant in his life. You were the one thing that meant the most and if he lost you…Regulus would be ready to die for real this time.

“I had to Y/n. I had to because it secures our future. We’ll be out of school in two years and will be married. I had to think about our future.”

While that wasn’t entirely a lie, it wasn’t entirely the truth either. Voldemort had threatened to have you killed.

“If you don’t say yes…your little girlfriend will die.”

Voldemort’s cold words had haunted Regulus’ sleep since the night that he HAD to say yes. Regulus would never forgive himself if something happened to you because of his reluctance to say yes to a madman. He could only hope that somehow, by saying yes, he could make good out of it. Surely there would be some way to “right” the “wrongs” that he was about to commit.

“We can make the best of it. You know that I will always support you.”

You said in a soft whisper. Regulus’ grey eyes rolled right back to your face.

“Do you mean it? Y/n, this is about to change me in a way that I don’t even know what to expect.”

You quickly climbed onto Regulus’ lap and wrapped your arms around his shoulders. The two of you remained that way for a few moments. You were the first to make a move.

“I love you, Regulus. I’ll always have your back…no matter what.”

Underneath it all we're just savages, Hidden behind shirts, ties and marriages. How could we expect anything at all?

______

@amelie-black @georgeweasleydumbhoe @justfinishthis @jessyballet @knreidy1 @acciosiriusblack @siriuslyceleste @mimisparkle12 @teletubiswszpilkach @criminalyetminimal @livshifts @ell0ra-br3kk3r @starsval @stelleduarte @millies0bsimp @readtomeregulus @coffeeaddictednymph @daddyslittlevillain @rogue-nyx88 @panpride @saramaple @missgorldafirst @i-love-scott-mccall @s-we-e-t-t-ea @f4iryluvy @buttercup-beeee @taylor-will-be-the-death-of-me @gugggu6gvai @jag9000 @quinis @yousmellllikecaca @mentally-unstable-hoe @haroldpotterson @padf00ts-l0ver @goldensunshineshit @aurorasnape12 @ad-astra-again @play-morezeppelin @ravenhood2792 @spideyxalmighty @lucasfilms77 @rubyroscoe1 @dumybitch @un-lovesherself @melaninnbarbie @marichromatic @brokencasbutt67-writer @authoressskr @moldy-old-boot @hankypranky @summer-novak @emiwrites3reads @shaylybaby2032 @knight-of-gleefulness @li0nh34rt @tas898 @sprnaturallover @wontlookaway @shitfaceddaniel-blog @untoldshortsofthefandoms @deanwherescas @mycuddlycorner

[lou-writes-things]

idk what this is but I've written it so.

***

Echo

Luke thinks before he died, he was happy. He had things he needed to do, promises to keep, but he was happy. He didn’t die happy though. He died angry. Angry that he could feel his life slipping away and there was still so much he had to do. 

He never cared much for what he was supposed to do. He wasn’t ever one for college, or a career. Sometimes people told him that he needed to slow down or he would burn out, come crashing back down to earth like a falling star. Luke always said they were wrong, he was going to make it, never mind that most people didn’t. 

When he died, laid out in an alley, killed by something as stupid as bad hotdogs, he thought they were right. He’d flown too high, like fucking Icarus or something, and now he had to pay his dues. He hoped the ferryman accepted guitar picks or crumpled up receipts. 

He didn’t cross over into any type of afterlife though. For some reason the universe decided he deserved a worse fate. The dark, where Alex cried for too long and Reggie was too quiet, and Luke thought he might suffocate. 

He started cutting the sleeves off of his shirts when he was thirteen. His mother never liked it, but that was fine, his mother never liked much of anything he did. At least she didn’t tell him he couldn’t. He liked his clothes better like that, liked the air on his arms. He liked it when it was just a little bit too cold and it made goosebumps rise up on his skin. It told him he was still alive, still free. 

Luke can’t feel the cold anymore. He can’t feel the heat either, or the wind, or taste. It’s like the world is taunting him, taking away what made him feel whole, piece by piece. 

At least there is the band. And Julie. Luke got everything he had wished for while he was alive. He gets to be famous. His band is amazing, and people love them. 

But Luke can’t feel. 

He doesn’t usually think about dying, about how it felt to feel the world fade away, laying in the grit of an alleyway, staring at the empty LA sky. He always wondered what it was like to see the night sky like it was in pictures, lit up with a thousand glowing stars. 

He’s seen it now. He, Alex, and Reggie poofed out to some empty highway in the middle of the sonoran a few months ago just to look. Luke could hear the breeze in his ears, but the air felt perfectly temperate. Empty. 

He doesn’t regret dying. Mostly because it’s useless to think about. It’s done now, there’s nothing he can do. 

He does regret his loose ends. He does regret taking for granted everything he had. Now he has everything he wanted in life, and it feels hollow. 

Alex is happier here. Reggie too, he thinks at least. They never seem to miss the things he does, and so he’s happy for them. 

And he’s happy for the people he knows now. Happy to love them. 

“Luke! You go on in five!” 

Flynn’s voice tears Luke from his thoughts, and he throws his guitar strap over his neck, hurrying to meet the others backstage. 

The stage lights are bright. Julie and the Phantoms are on their first tour after releasing an Album in spring. 

Alex and Reggie are laughing, muffling their voices into their sleeves even though no one can hear them. 

The show goes well, and Julie grins and hugs him when they get off stage. He can feel her arms around him, but they aren’t warm. 

Luke pretends that they are.

***

oh. also ao3

[missesmckinnon]

Happy Birthday

James Potter x Regulus Black

Being at the Potter’s was strange at first. It still is, but it was such a drastic change when Regulus was fourteen, to go from a house with people who wished he was dead to a home full of smiles and laughter.

The first time Euphemia climbed the stairs to wish him a good night, Regulus had a panic attack out of fear of being beaten. What had he done wrong so early on?

It’s gotten easier being around everyone. He turned twenty an hour ago, and he knows that the second he leaves his room, James will be there. He’s requested nothing for his birthday, but James will have something for him anyway.

His birthdays aren’t his favourite, but he views them differently here. He’s no longer a year closer to death— well, he is, but he doesn’t focus on that. It’s a day to spend with the love of his life. His brother, too, and Effie and Monty. It’s a happy day now, not something to dread.

He doesn’t remember his birthday’s at Grimmauld well. He remembers Sirius bringing him a cupcake every year, but that’s it. He figures it ended in a Crucio, but he can’t be sure anymore.

The door to his bedroom creaks open. James pokes his head in and smiles when he makes eye contact with Regulus, who has his back against his headboard. He steps in, holding a wrapped box in his hand, small and square. The door closes behind him with a soft click and James sits across from Regulus on the bed. He grips the box tightly but doesn’t hand it over.

“Did you sleep well?” he asks. James can sleep anywhere, really.

James inhales and tosses the box between his hands. “No, actually. Nerves.”

“Nerves?”

“Nerves.”

He passes over to box, wrapping paper slightly crinkled from the pressure of his fingers.

“Happy birthday, Reggie.”

Regulus can’t help the smile on his face as he unwraps the box. It’s soft and velvet, and his smile falls slightly. Is this what he thinks it is?

“Open it, love.”

He opens the box. Right in the middle is a ring. Silver, with three diamond gemstones across the top, embedded in the ring so they don’t protrude. Regulus barely has time to admire the ring before the box is plucked out of his hands. James is on one knee now, clearly nervous but doing his best not to show it.

“Reggie…”

“James…”

“I love you. I never thought I could love someone the way I love you. Even back when you couldn’t do anything but scowl at me, you still made my heart skip a beat. Believe it or not, I can pinpoint the exact moment I knew I would marry you. It was last year, when we were watching Harry. You sat with him on the couch the whole time, showing him pictures of all our friends. He would babble and you would respond to him as if he were an adult. I loved you long before that, but that was the moment I knew. I knew I was destined to spend the rest of my life with you, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. You’re my other half.”

Regulus isn’t crying. His mouth is open in shock. He didn’t think people could ever like him, let alone love him. James was the last person he expected, but it’s true— they’re each other’s other half.

James takes the ring out of the box and holds it up. “Regulus Arcturus Black, will you marry me?”

The only thing he can do is nod. He feels the ring slip onto his finger and then James’s lips are on his, passionate and soft. The door opens a second time, and Sirius walks in with Effie and Monty.

Monty hugs Regulus first. “We love you, son.”

Son.

“Two of my boys,” Effie gushes. “Engaged.”

My boys.

“You know,” Sirius says from the windowsill where he decided was the most comfortable, bypassing the bed and the chair and everything else. “I thought I was your other half, Jamie.”

“I can have multiple halves, Sirius,” says James. “Hold on, we’re you three eavesdropping?”

The three of them stay silent and avoid eye contact.

“There’s your answer,” Regulus says, wrapping his arms around James’s waist. His arms come around Regulus’s shoulders.

Regulus knows the feeling, now.

Home.

[star-blitz]

Chapter 2 of 'fuel the pyre of your enemies' should be up soon, but here's a little snippet in the meantime...

tw: deadnaming, brief mentions of dysphoria and blood

“There’s something you’re not telling me.”

Regulus rolls his head to the side, pressing his cheek against the cold pillow and watching Barty’s face from behind the swirls of smoke in the air. “What do you mean?”

“Something has been going on with you,” Barty explains. “For a while now. Ever since I met you. But it’s becoming more and more apparent.” He wraps his lips around his cigarette and inhales deeply. Regulus watches him with narrowed eyes, ready to pounce like a cornered animal. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Bart.”

“Sure you do. I might be a man, darling, but I know what a bra is meant to look like.” His fingers play with the strap of Regulus’ binder. “This isn’t what a bra is meant to look like. And you wear it more and more often now. Like, all the time. And you used to let me take it off sometimes, but now you never do. Not that I mind, I’m just… curious. What’s going on, Lyra?”

Regulus winces at the name.

“See?” Barty sits up, his cigarette held delicately between his lips. “That thing there you just did. You never like it when I use your name anymore either.”

“You’re delusional,”  Regulus mutters, throwing his legs over the edge of the bed.

“I know I’m absolutely deranged ninety-nine percent of the time, but I’m onto something here. And you know I am, Ly—”

Regulus watches his friend (boyfriend?) with dark eyes, daring him to say another word.

Barty runs a hand through his hair. “We’re friends, darling. Before all of this, we are friends. Talk to me.” Then softer, “Please.”

Regulus will regret this moment for the rest of his life, regret that Bartemius fucking Crouch was the first person to hear the words spill from his lips. The first person to see him break down after they do and the realization truly sets in.

“I’m a man, Barty.”

And Regulus is twelve again, stealing his brother’s clothes and covering his long hair with a beanie and looking in the mirror and thinking, “What is wrong with me? Why am I like this?”

He’s fourteen and Sirius just walked in on him drawing facial hair onto his jaw, just to see, just to know what it would look like. Sirius was starting to grow out a faint mustache and Regulus just wanted to look like his brother.

He’s sixteen and binding his chest with anything he can get his hands on, even though he knows it’s unsafe, even though he knows it’ll only hurt him in the long run. In Regulus’ line of work, early death is almost guaranteed, even if you’re the best. Small mercies.

Regulus is eighteen years old the first time he tells someone his real name. 

Regulus Arcturus Black. 

Barty started calling him ‘Reggie’ immediately, much to Regulus’ dismay. But anything was better than the other name.

After that came the calm before the storm. The ebb before the tide swept it all away. 

Barty wasn’t too bothered by Regulus’ gender, seeing as he slept with anything that moves. He respected Regulus’ boundaries, only touched him where he wanted to be touched, and called him what he wanted to be called. Those few hours a week with Barty were a reprieve from an otherwise painful existence. 

Regulus was living two lives and it was draining him. He felt like an imposter in his own skin, an imposter in his own family. 

So, one day, he showed up at Barty’s apartment with his sharpest dagger. He offered Barty the handle as soon as he opened the door. "Cut my hair," he demanded. "Cut it short like yours." And Barty flashed him a crazed grin and stepped aside to let Regulus further into the apartment.

Regulus Black stormed into Grimmauld Place with a mission that evening. And he left it with two suitcases, a dagger stained with blood and a deep hatred for James fucking Potter.

[clericofshadows]

dialogue tag game

tagged by the lovely @rotschopf-thedrow

rules: pick up to 10 characters and share one of your favorite lines of dialogue you have ever written for them!

this is cruel I have so much dialogue how can I choose favorites? this is definitely one of those things where I will give completely different answers if I'm asked about this again :)

choosing just one bit of dialogue for Regis Shepard is so hard, but a snarky one I've liked is from feeling numb, lost in time. Some of my favorite moments with Regis are when he's fucking with people.

“What story?” Regis asked with a smirk, realizing he could fuck with him. Regis and Joker have never had anything more than a barely civil relationship, but there were times they could mess around with each other without too much hostility on the other’s part. Regis figured this could be one of those times. “The one where Kaidan and I met Zaeed while on leave and learned a hell of a lot more about where our tastes lie?”

2. Vikram T'Lara, Regis's asari matriach uncle, from feeling numb, lost in time, in which Vik inevitably gets in contact with Regis while he's with Cerberus.

Vik rolled their eyes.  “Goddess, Reggie, you knew what I meant.  You know, seeing you grow up has been some of the best memories of my long life.  I’m very grateful to have been part of your family.”

3. Jeff "Joker" Moreau, in don't ask about Ryuusei, in which they try to figure out the deal behind their "emails."

“Wait a minute, you messaged me.  For a second, I thought it was a prank.  I mean, hello–” he gestured around.  “I know you.  This is your personal hell, but maybe you decided to let that all go to celebrate your favorite pilot.”

4. Kaidan Alenko from you got me in a chokehold, a flashback to after Alchera.

"Couldn't have controlled? No, you just couldn't stand being wrong about anything involving the Normandy! But it doesn't matter anymore, now does it? You might've saved the ship a few precious seconds, but Regis didn't get any!" Ashley stepped between them, interrupting whatever Joker was going to say next. "This is not the time to be fighting! God, it's a terrible day when I'm the fucking mediator. Joker, you knew what the orders were. Both of you, walk away before things get more ruined than they already are." "You aren't going to call out Alenko for prioritizing his boyfriend over the rest of the crew?" Kaidan felt his biotic corona roar to life. "Go fuck yourself Joker and remember that Regis died for you! He was never going to leave anyone behind! And he chose you."

5. Admiral Steven Hackett, from so let love reign.

"Did [Zaeed] tell you to ask me about the Frozen Pyjak?" [Hackett] chuckled.

6. Zaeed Massani, from a WIP fic of the aftermath of his loyalty mission. I hate that this is one of my favorites, but it hit exactly the way I wanted it to.

Zaeed spun around, pointing a finger in Regis's direction, his face twisted with anger. "What the fuck was that, Regis?" "I could ask you the same damn thing. We wouldn't even be in this fucking situation if you weren't so consumed by revenge and just slowed down and listened," Regis replied, his tone flat, carefully keeping his expression neutral. "That's fucking rich." Zaeed laughed, laced with bitterness and anger. "The whole reason why you're even playing nice with Cerberus is so you can tear them apart. You're biding your time to get back at T'Soni as we speak. But the moment I get the chance to get what I have spent years working towards, you throw it all away for a few extra lives. How about that, Butcher?"

7. Ashley Williams, from late night conversations. In which she and Regis chat about things.

“And now you’re here, abusing your Spectre benefits so you two can share a bed together,” she echoed, nudging his arm.  “I would offer to go ring shopping with you, but something tells me you already have that figured out.”

8. Nyx Shepard, from the story of a weapon. I'm still trying to figure this bastard out, but he's already had his moments.

Nyx's intense purple eyes watched Kaidan closely as he examined the dagger.  "You've been in my goddamn bed," Nyx finally stated, a small grin playing on his lips. "So, you've seen a lot of me. But not many have been close enough to see this blade on neutral ground.” Kaidan felt a flush of warmth creeping up his cheeks, but he didn't shy away from Nyx's probing gaze. "Well, I'd say it's quite an honor," he replied, his tone playful, though tinged with a sense of curiosity. "Your bed and now this?  What’s next…” “You tell me,” He chuckled.  “Every weapon has a story.  What is mine?  You get one question, the rest you try to figure out on your own.”

I think that's about it... I could try to do a few more but I like what I have here.

tagging anyone who sees this and wants to participate! tag me if you do :)

[devcted]

"I'd be lucky to be your friend too reggie..." she smiles shyly, pressing her lips together as she scrunches her nose a little. before today she couldn't really imagine a world where someone like her would be noticed by someone like him, his clothes alone said 'im too good for you' but the more she got to know him the more she realizes that you can't judge a book on its cover. he was sweet and thoughtful, much smarter than a lot of people she knows and he also had a very gentle heart, one that was a lot bigger than probably even he knew. he seemed to carry a lot of shame about his upbringing which broke her heart but at the same time a truly bad person wouldn't be ashamed of coming from a not so great family, most purebloods were proud of what they were but regulus acted like he was almost embarrassed to tell her.

bee didn't talk about her family much, not like this at least. she's a bit embarrassed to be sharing so much of herself but it also feels good, just to have someone to talk to about stuff that eats away at her and he seemed more understanding than even she could be of herself. she laughs a bit when he calls her father an idiot, mostly because nobody ever dared speak about good ol' amos diggory with anything but praise, how perfect of a father with the perfect kids and perfect wife, a good job, how could anyone not like him? "well maybe I should bring you home so someone can finally tell him how hard I'm trying. he doesn't listen to anyone but the sound of his own voice...." she pauses realizing that might sound too mean. "sorry." she smiles sadly before blue eyes flicker towards the boy. "I don't know much of your brother, we live in a world where people tell me dragons are evil and werewolves aren't equals...the world is wrong about a lot especially the ministry. besides, it doesn't matter what I think of your brother or what anyone else does it matters how you feel and that's all I care about."

she giggled a little at the thought of him going to her tiny house and just collapsing because there wasn't enough fine silk to lay his precious head on. she doesn't think he's that picky though "feeding you cabbage by hand doesn't sound very appetizing...but you are certainly welcome to visit if you ever really wanted to. my mother loves company, I think it's an excuse for her to just have more kids around."

there's a soft gasp that leaves her at his next words. "I can't believe you just called me a liar..." she giggles. "all I said is I don't think I'm a great cook, I certainly don't have the experience of a noble house elf but I wouldn't mind...cooking for you if you really wanted me too." that is if they ever have a life together outside of this train. they talk a lot about a future like there is one, where regulus is coming to the diggory cottage for tea and a home cooked meal but what if they aren't even friends the moment they step off the train? the thought makes her sad because he's the first person to ever make her feel this way...and selfishly she wants to feel this way with him forever.

he tells her that he thinks she'll be the greatest magizoologist this world has seen and it makes her heart flutter because she hopes it to be true. not because she cares about fame or wants to be remembered, she just wants to do the right thing and save creatures, she wants to make a difference in this world so one day maybe she'll have children who would grow up and not have to see the way things are now.

regulus apologizes but should be truly be the one saying that he's sorry? amos never did, he never said he was sorry for making her feel this way or making her wonder if her own father loved her. she remembers when she was younger and things were better, he would tuck her in at night and kiss her on the forehead but one day things shifted and it was like something in him changed, he no longer had time to space for a daughter just his pride and his son. "not everyone thinks so highly of me the way you do reggie but thank you...." she offers a sad smile.

it makes her swallow a little when he says the word 'date' cheeks redder than before as she imagines him holding her close and he's reading that book in his sweet voice. "I'd like that...with you." she says dropping her gaze shyly as she smiles to herself.

if she didn't know any better she'd think he was actually flirting with her which surprises her a little because she can't imagine why, a guy like him could have a hundred girls with a snap of his long and beautiful fingers but instead he wants to give her his attention and take her on dates, it makes her a bit giddy inside to think about biting down on her lower lip hard to contain a smile. "it's a good thing you don't have to worry about sharing me then isn't it?" she teases gently, smiling up at him as she tucks her hair behind her ear. she shouldn't be as happy as she is that he says he doesn't like other girls like that but she doesn't want to share him either. "I doubt this is the first time anyone has ever though so highly of someone as wonderful as you are."

"but, but what if i..." she stops herself not wanting to ruin the moment any further despite how nervous she really is, no one has ever offered to kiss her before certainly not like this and not someone like him. so it was a big deal to her that she doesn't totally suck at it, she wants him to remember her lips when they kiss but for reasons that make him excited not want to throw up because she used too much tonuge or something...unless you're not supposed to use tongue when you kiss? where would the tongue even go? she lets out a shaky sigh trying to collect her thoughts as blue eyes try not to stare at the way he pulls off his coat, somehow making her feel hotter as she plays with the sleeve of her sweater.

she finds it sweet the way he sets the fabric down for the niffler, alfie taking the opportunity to curl up in it and make himself comfortable. their compartment suddenly feels so much smaller and the air feels heavier now that he's closer, he smells good and looks beautiful "but I want to be good at it...so you remember me." she says shyly, blue eyes flickering up to find his gaze as he takes her chin in hisbhand ans guides her to do so. she feels like she could faint right now, eyes falling to his pink lips as they slowly move closer to hers but before she has a moment to catch her breath he's pulling her in and kissing near her lips and then... without much warning his lips are pressing into hers, making a soft gasp leave her lips as blue eyes flutter closed, it's like she leaves her own body for a moment, none of this feeling real as her palm rests against his chest allowing him to cup her face and pull her in close. once she's able to collect herself enough she kisses him too, following his guidance with his lips as she kisses him back gently and almost eagerly, allowing him to deepen it with a soft purr leaving her lips.

He’ll never understand her kindness, after all of the rumors he’s probably heard of her. But he’s appreciative nonetheless, smiling thinly at how she calls him lovely. He probably doesn’t deserve such a compliment, which is the first time he’s thought such a thing. He’s been showered in compliments for the entirety of his life and never once had he wondered if he was worthy of one, but sitting in front of Bee makes everything feel different. How could his mother hate someone so lovely, and what did it say about him that he spent so much time acting as if she was always right? “And I’d be lucky to have a caring friend such as yourself,” is all he says in return. Would she want to be friends, after this? Or would they split ways and be sorted into their respective houses, not speaking again? The thought makes his chest clench in a way that’s unpleasant, which is strange because he’s only just met her. But Regulus is spoiled and not used to being denied beautiful things– or girls, for that matter.

She offers to be there for him when it comes to Sirius and he looks away. He should feel embarrassed that he brought it up— his family was always drilling into him that he shouldn’t, but she makes it too easy to forget himself with her warm and comforting presence. She even says she doesn’t know if Sirius did it, which is more grace than his own family has given him. He doesn’t understand Bee’s kindness, especially since they both know how his mother would treat her if they met. It makes him guilty in a way, as if he doesn’t deserve such a sweet smile from her. “No, it’s been no trouble, talking to you about your family. I’m just glad that you trust me, both because I like you and I want to be able to tell you your father is an idiot if he doesn’t see how special you are. It’s only taken me a half hour to see as much.” He pauses, frowning thoughtfully still. “You’re the first person who’s ever told me you’re not sure if Sirius is a murderer.” It feels significant how, even if he can’t place it.

He rolls his eyes when she teases him about living in a castle. “Yes, I’m sure to suffocate because the air of your cottage isn’t expensive enough.” He smiles at her. “Shouldn’t you invite me in and make me feel welcome, as a prince? Feed me those cabbages by hand, if I ask it.”

Regulus doesn’t believe her when she says she’s only okay at cooking. “Yeah, I think you’re being humble. I’ll have to see this cooking for myself, then, to assess if you’re lying.” He’s teasing her, but only because he thinks she’s amazing. She knows things he’s hardly even touched, with his own life experience.

It seems special to him, how she isn’t afraid of venomous tentacula, even though she probably should be by all accounts. Is that why she doesn’t seem afraid of his family or his brother? He realizes that she’s probably the most gentle person he’s ever met, because who else would be this kind to creatures that want to eat witches and wizards? Then again, people use the fact they’re predators against dragons all the time, so maybe this isn’t so different. He wonders how his dream job as a child had been so close to the one Bee chose, having a fleeting thought about the two of them together, as if destined to be. She reminds him that venomous tentacula have a lot to offer and be excited about. He thinks about that excitement, and what it’s done to him in only the past hour of knowing her. “I think you could make people excited about paint drying, if you wanted… Your interest is infectious. You’re going to be the greatest magizoologist the world has seen.” She’s going to teach so many people about creatures and help them along the way. He only hopes he’s going to be lucky enough to witness it.

He softens at the way she stumbles when she says her dad loves both her and her brother, recognizing uncertainty in her beautiful blue eyes. It sparks anger in him, just knowing that her father made her question if she’s loved. He shouldn’t have such a reaction over someone he just met, but it’s difficult not to with Bee. “I’m sorry,” he says, his gaze falling. It’s his fault for wording it like he did, making her think of such a thing. “That’s not what I meant… He does love you, even if he’s not showing it as he should. I mean, who wouldn’t?” He can’t imagine anyone being able to resist loving Bee. “And I hope I can eventually help you feel fully visible.” He doesn’t like that she ever has to feel invisible at all– someone so incredible should be the most recognized witch in their world, but then again he would be jealous of everyone getting her attention instead of him.

It’s impossible not to adore her, especially when he’s holding this book and her soft niffler, enjoying everything about her. “Read it to you?” he repeats, teasingly. “That sounds like a date. Curled up on a Slytherin couch with you in my lap, reading it into your ear…” Green eyes look down at her and then up again, to her lips.

She cares so much about how much his mother loves him and it strikes something in him, making his body warm. Did she feel the same thing he was feeling for her? He wants to protect her from her family; make sure she knows how amazing she is and always achieves her dreams. He’s amazed that she’s not been interested in dating before, because surely she could have her pick of anyone she wanted with a face like that. “Then I’m honored to be the first, and I’m not complaining. I’m bad at sharing, anyway.” He doesn’t want her to like other guys, or date them. The thought makes him irritated, so much so that he almost forgets how upset his mother would be if he was thinking of a half-blood from a muggle sympathizer family like this. “I don’t care about other girls– I’m just glad you think so highly of me.” What would he do if she thought he was beneath her league? He would understand if she did, because she’s so impossibly beautiful and good.

She stutters at first, when he offers a kiss. She’s red in the face and he wonders if that’s a good or bad thing, especially since she’s struggling to answer him. “Bee,” he responds, gently. “I’m not going to think kissing you was like kissing a dead fish.” His tone is almost amused, shifting to allow Alfie off of his lap as he sets the book to the side. 

Taking his coat off, he places it on his seat, glancing down at the niffler. “You can wrap up in that; it’s comfortable enough for a prince. Yes, such as yourself.” It makes him smile when Alfie takes up his offer, keeping himself warm in the fabric with his small snout poking out.

Turning, he moves to sit beside Bee now, because she did say she wants to kiss him too, even if he’s clearly made her nervous. “And I don’t care if you’re good at it, anyways.” She could be ‘bad’ at kissing and he would still think it was amazing because it’s her. So he leans toward her, taking her chin in his fingers and gently guiding her to look at him. Gazing into her big, pretty eyes, he traces his thumb against her delicate chin, their lips only a few inches away now. Almost hesitantly, he places a gentle kiss at the corner of her perfect lips, his body immediately going warm. Then he kisses her again but in the center of her soft mouth, moving his own slowly against hers. The hand that isn’t holding her face settles on her waist, pulling her closer to him on the seat as he deepens the kiss a little, waiting to feel her reaction.

[sarabehaveokay]

THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY SEASON 3 SPOILER DUMP

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Allison was one of my favourite sibling last time because despite the shitty upbringing they all had, she was the most grounded, rational and compassionate of them all. I’m sure losing your daughter then your husband would be enough to screw up anyones head. And how do you grieve someone who never existed? But the second she rumoured Luther to stay AND THEN proceed to rumor him to want her was the final straw for me. For forever she’s been telling him to let go and move on but when he finds someone who loves him and supports him she goes all “i will not lose more people” like what? Okay. Also to me murder no matter what is just wrong even five who is an experienced assassin understood that. But when she said she did nothing wrong by killing harlan i see that she truly felt absolutely NO remorse for taking someone’s life besides what she failed to realise was that EVEN if their mothers was alive there’s no guarantee claire would exist unless she meets patrick and married him and divorce him later. Then who would she blame?

Only Allison and Reginald got what they came for and how can Ray exist? He was in the past and its not like he was erased or anything he merely stayed where he was meant to be. Does Sloane remember everything? I hope she finds her way to Luther

I wanted to see more of Klaus’ powers tbh like he faced his ghosts but what did that do? He can come back from the dead but he could do more i know it and i wish we got to see it

I liked this season a lot actually at the end of every episode i immediately needed to see next at no point was i ever bored. Sure visually it’s nothing like season 2 but i think it reflects their dilemma. The first season was disorderly because they’re all a mess. Five scrambling to stop the apocalypse, Everyone else not wanted to team up and Vitor being manipulated. Season 2 also chaotic everyone tossed in different moment in time, another apocalypse, “trying” not to mess with the past. Then, we enter season 3 its more mellow because at first they’re just tryna live and adjust to this new life, five retirement, klaus looking for his mom, diego and fatherhood. And they don’t really try to stop the apocalypse well because they can’t. Its a hopeless cause. So they settle in their lives and enjoy what little time they have left. I am interested for the next season (fingers crossed) because no they can’t just leave it at that right?!? They did not build up klaus’ powers only to take it away from us like that.

Do you think only the seven that stood on the stars lost their powers? Allison didn’t stand there would she have her powers still??

Klaus meeting his mom was so sweet and cute that i teared up because i love their interactions so much

Luther literally skyrocketed from being the despised sibling to the “hey he’s not bad” sibling especially because how he treated Viktor.

One thing i want for sure is Allison being alone. I mean she’ll have Ray and Claire but that’s all. She lost her family the moment she betrayed them and sided with Reggie they won’t trust her because all she has ever cared about is her wants and nothing else.

I love diego, stanley, klaus and five they’re my favourites for sure man

[lilahisntsadanymore]

What if Regulus never died and as an only heir to the Black family, his parents wanted to force him into a marriage with a pureblood? Something had to go wrong since he was in love with somebody else...

The reader pronouns: she/her

Pairing: Regulus Black x reader, Sirius Black x reader just to make Reggie jealous

Words count: 3.2k

Warnings: mentions of non-pureblood discrimination, a few curse words, not proofread

Also I wrote like half of this a week ago and the other half today lol

Y/n/n - your nickname

Y/f/b - your favorite breakfast

Y/f/c - your favorite colour

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The Blood in Our Veins

(gif not mine)

The day Y/n Y/l/n found out the boy she loved was going to get married to somebody else felt like the saddest day of her life. She felt as if she hadn't knew sadness before. The feeling held Y/n by the throat, messed with her brain, it was an almost visible dark aura surrounding her ever since she heard Regulus Black is marrying another girl.

Was it an arranged marriage? Most likely. Y/n could have expected that. She would have broken up with Regulus a long time ago only if he didn't promise to never let his parents arrange a marriage for him. Why did she believe him? Of course they were both two carefree teenagers back then, who didn't know anything about the struggles of adult life and of course they had no idea what would their future look like.

Y/n was disappointed in Regulus, but she was furious with herself. She despised herself for letting Regulus get close to her, for falling for a boy like him. They were from two different worlds, they were nothing alike and Y/n was aware that purebloods like him marry other purebloods. No matter what, eventually they always end up in an arranged marriage, most likely with some cousin since there was not many families to choose from and all purebloods were related by now.

How could she be so stupid? She should have known better. There were other boys, everything would have been so much easier now if back in school Y/n never spoke to Regulus. He seemed to be so lonely, so Y/n decided to talk to him, they quickly became friends, which was quite surprising to most people, but what shocked people more was the day when they seen Y/n and Regulus holding hands. The couple never kissed when they were surrounded by other students, but they made it obvious they're dating.

"C'mon, Y/n/n, you can't spend the rest of your life in bed," Sirius walked into the room Y/n was asleep in, trying to wake her up, "at least step a feet outside of that room."

Sirius talked loudly, but it didn't help him in any way. He couldn't tell if Y/n is still sleeping or not, because her face was buried in a huge pillow. The man decided to open the curtains to let some light inside the room.

Sunrays crawled on the floor, the bed and on Y/n's skin. At the moment it wasn't very pleasant, Y/n preferred to stay cold. She let out a sound of annoyance and pulled her duvet over her whole body. It would get hot in a few minutes, but at that time it was cool.

A sigh left Sirius' mouth. He stood there for a few seconds with his hands on his hips, looking at Y/n and having one idea in mind.

"Y/n, I'm being serious right now, I don't wanna see you rotting in bed because of my brother," he grabbed the end of the duvet and threw it off of Y/n.

"Leave me alo-"

Y/n wasn't even able to finish her sentence before Sirius grabbed her by the ankles and pulled to the floor.

"What the hell, mate?!" Her voice was raspy and annoyed when she yelled.

Now that neither pillows nor darkness couldn't stop Sirius from taking a look at his friend's face, he could tell she looked like a different person. Just a week ago she was glowing, now her face was emotionless and puffy from all the tears she had cried in the past few days. It was as well obvious that she haven't washed her hair in quite some time, not that she cared to do it. But Sirius had a plan. And for that plan he needed to clean Y/n up.

"We're going on an adventure today!" Sirius announced, clearly unbothered by Y/n's angry tone of voice. After 7 years at Hogwarts (and, not to mention, 16 years in his old home) he was used to people shouting at him.

"What adventure?" Y/n asked, clearly awake after being pulled off the bed. "I don't feel like going on any adventure."

"Too bad, because it's not your choice."

Sirius grabbed Y/n and hung her over his shoulder. She didn't even try to stop him, she couldn't care less as long as she's being carried.

The first stop was the kitchen. James, Remus and Peter were there. They ate breakfast a long while before, it wasn't the earliest hour, but they just liked to hang out in the kitchen. Their conversation stopped the moment they saw Y/n.

"Rise and shine!" James laughed, "We thought you put down roots!"

"Like a mandrake!" Peter added.

Y/n didn't pay attention to the boys' laughter. She sat down by the table.

Sirius put a plate with y/f/b in front of the girl and spoke, "Well, the scream she let out when I pulled her off the bed was very mandrake-y."

The second stop was the bathroom. When Y/n finished eating, Sirius helped her clean up. The girl protested at the moment when she was supposed to brush her teeth, so Sirius had to do it himself.

"Great, can I go back to bed now? What this your adventure?" Y/n asked.

"No, no, no, you're not going back to bed," Sirius walked out of the room just to come back with a dress for Y/n.

"Do I have to wear it?" Y/n tried not to sound mean. The dress did look expensive. She liked it, but she wasn't in the right mindset to wear such thing.

"Yeah, I chose y/f/c one because I knew it's your favorite colour so you have to wear it... or I'll die," he theatrically grabbed his chest.

Finally, a smirk appeared on Y/n's face. "Fine," she pushed Sirius out of the bathroom and began changing from pajamas to the dress.

After Y/n walked out of the bathroom, Sirius gave her a pair of high heels that matched the colour of the dress and some gold jewelry.

"Wait for me with the boys, I'm gonna get changed too." Sirius said, not giving Y/n a moment to protest.

As Y/n walked back to the kitchen, where the three Marauders still were, she looked at the clock. It was, in fact, 2pm.

"Oh-" Peter squeaked when he saw Y/n.

"Who are you and what have you done to the Y/n that was here an hour ago?" Remus asked playfully. "You look like an entirely different person."

"That's a lot of words for calling her hot." James chimed in.

"Thank you, boys, thank you," Y/n a smiled as she sat by the table. She looked and felt like a different person. Maybe it was a good idea to get out of bed.

"Sirius said he has to change," Y/n continued, "but he hasn't told me where we're going. What do I have to be ready for?"

The boys started giving looks to each other, each Marauder suppressing a smile. They knew, they knew very well what was the plan, but weren't sure if it's okay to tell Y/n yet.

"We have no idea." James lied.

"Yeah, we weren't informed." Remus confirmed his friend's words.

Peter kept his mouth shut, because he knew he isn't able to keep the secret. He felt Y/n's eyes on him, they were burning him, pressuring to say something.

"Well, Sirius-"

Thankfully, Peter wasn't able to finish the sentence. He was interrupted by Sirius walking into the room.

"-is right here!" Sirius exclaimed, posing to show off his fancy suit.

Black nail polish contrasted with his golden rings in a tasteful way. In his left ear Sirius had a small, golden earring to match the rings as well.

"So, what are they trying to hide?" Y/n inquired, gesturing to James, Remus and Peter.

A mischievous smile grew on Sirius' face. "I think the later you find out, the better for you."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Sirius surprised Y/n in the worst way possible, or that was her first thought. When they found themselves at Grimmauld Place, Sirius finally told Y/n the reason why they are here.

"If you told me before that it's Regulus' engagement party, I wouldn't have come!" Y/n yelled angrily, lightly hitting her friend's arm.

"Exactly," Sirius grabbed Y/n's wrist and tried to drag her towards his old family house.

"Let me go, Sirius! This is not funny! I've got more important things to do than attending a posh party with a bunch of people who want people like me dead!"

"Like rotting in bed?"

"Anything's better than this," the girl violently gestured to the house.

"Y/n," Sirius stopped, his voice much more serious now, "you're here with me, so you're safe. I somehow was invited and chose you as my 'date'. Let's just go there and have fun, you'll get a chance to show Regulus what he lost."

"So we're gonna pretend we're dating?"

"Yes, it's gonna be a lot of fun, I promise."

At the door they were greeted by Walburga. Her usual cold stare eyed Y/n up and down, not focusing on Sirius.

There were many people at the party and probably neither of them knew who Y/n was, but they were all looking at her and Sirius walking by. She wasn't a pureblood, it was obvious.

Why? Well, firstly because they would recognize her, there weren't many pureblood families. Secondly because she was walking side by side with Sirius and everyone knew his beliefs, of course he would date someone of the 'worse kind'.

Sirius brought two glasses of champagne for himself and his date. Y/n was just hanging at his side as he chatted with other people, she didn't feel very comfortable, but tried to fake it.

If it wasn't for Sirius' natural skill to keep a conversation going, nobody would wanna talk to him. A disowned Black. People weren't interested in chatting with someone like him.

"Do you know where my brother is?" Sirius asked a woman he was talking to. "I thought it's his party and I still haven't seen him."

"I saw him an hour ago," the woman replied, "he's probably entertaining other guests."

The truth was, Regulus was trying to avoid his brother. He caught a glimpse of Sirius and Y/n when they arrived and he didn't want to face them, he didn't want to face Y/n. Regulus still felt guilty. It wasn't his choice to marry someone else, but he broke up with Y/n in a cold, heartless way. He wasn't good with breakups, he hadn't had one before.

"Right, sure. And where might be the lucky girl he's getting married to?"

"Miss Rosier is right there," the woman looked in the direction of a grand piano in the salon.

She stood there. Valerie Rosier, a younger sister of Evan, who was Regulus' friend. She looked gorgeous, she had always been, but this night she looked particularly elegant.

Y/n tried to carry on through the party without focusing on what kind of party it was. Now that she knew who Regulus is marrying, she wanted to cry, but she had to play pretend with Sirius.

Y/n didn't know Regulus was watching them the whole time. He watched as Sirius held Y/n's waist, kissed her neck, danced with her. He was doing with her all the things Regulus should do.

The more alcohol Y/n drank, the less she could control herself. The further from sober she was, the more she thought about why she's here, whose party it is and it made her want to cry.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom," she whispered to Sirius, "I'll be back in a moment."

"Sure. Do you know where the bathroom is?"

Y/n facepalmed herself internally. Of course she didn't know, how would she? "No, where is it?"

"Go upstairs and through the second door on the left."

Y/n walked up the stairs, holding the banister tightly to make sure she won't fall. It was a challange in high heels, so she took them off, maybe it wasn't very elegant, but she didn't care. She was Sirius' 'girlfriend' after all, this was a thing Sirius' girlfriend would do.

Which door was it? On the left? On the right? First, second? Y/n completely forgot.

She opened the closest door. It wasn't the bathroom, clearly. It was a bedroom. The decorations suggested Y/n ended up in Regulus' room.

It wasn't very nice to go through your ex's (or anybody's) stuff, but Y/n wasn't sober, so she decided to do it.

Walking up to the desk, she noticed a picture in a frame. She picked it up. It wasn't a picture she would expected to find in an engaged man's room.

In the picture there were two people - Regulus and Y/n. They sat by a lake, unaware of someone photographing them. As every magical picture, it was moving. The moment freezed in the photo was showing one of their not many acts of public display of affection - Regulus taking Y/n's face in his hand and placing a kiss on her forehead.

It was that one day Pandora, a friend of theirs, was playing around with a camera. Y/n didn't know Regulus would keep this picture, he didn't like it at first because it was so...candid.

A tear dropped from Y/n's eye onto the picture. She missed these times, she wished to turn back in time and live this moment once again. Everything was much simpler.

"Ah, I should have kept the sign on the door."

Y/n flinched when she heard a voice. The voice that she once loved. The voice of a man that once loved her.

With glossy eyes Y/n looked at Regulus, her heartbeat sped up. He caught her in his room, going through his things. A clear picture of a crazy ex girlfriend. How embarrassing.

He changed since the last time Y/n saw him. His once medium-length hair that framed his handsome face were now cut shorter. He still looked good, but less like the Regulus Y/n remembered, her Regulus.

This was the first time Y/n saw him in a suit. It fitted him just perfectly. The girl wished she could compliment how good he looks, but it wasn't the right moment.

"There used to be a sign to not enter without my permission," he continued casually, "I took it off, because it was so childish," he chuckled.

Y/n didn't know why would he laugh. The situation wasn't funny.

"I just-" she set down the picture, thinking of a good explanation. I got lost? Well, that was the truth, but he wouldn't believe it anyway.

"You never got to see my room when we were dating, so you came here now that I'm engaged to somebody else." Regulus seemed amused by the situation.

"Why do you keep this photo?"

The boy's eyes moved to look at it. Now he lost his confidence. There wasn't a good explanation. The reason was, he still loved Y/n. He never loved Valerie.

Y/n noticed a sudden shift in Regulus' mood. With a much sadder face, he walked up to the desk. He stood next to Y/n, inches away. He wanted to grab the photo, but his hand stopped, resting on the surface of the desk, right in front of the photo.

"It keeps me sane," he confessed finally, "reminds me of better times when I could love who I wanted to love, when my love life wasn't everyone's main interest. When I was truly happy for the first time in my life."

It was the truth. Regulus hadn't known happiness before. All the strict rules him and Sirius had to follow weren't the key to being happy. Hogwarts was the only place where they parents couldn't see them, so they were a bit more free back there. Now, Sirius was completely free to make his own decisions, while his brother was stuck in cage again.

The times where Regulus and Y/n were dating seemed so far away, yet still could wake so many emotions in the both of them.

"It were the best moments of my life," the more vulnerable Regulus felt, the more confident his confessions were getting. "I'm sorry for what I did, it wasn't my choice. I didn't want to contact you, because I knew I wouldn't be able to resist you."

"Resist?" The girl snickered, "am I a fucking mermaid now?"

"You know what I mean."

"No, Regulus, I have actually no idea what you mean. Do you know how depressed I was? A boy I loved got engaged to somebody else and I found out about it through the Daily Prophet because he cut off any contact with me. Really lovely!"

Y/n turned to the door. She wanted to go, but Regulus stopped her, grabbing her arm.

"Y/n, I couldn't tell you about it in person, because I love you."

Y/n's eyes widened. Was this true? Should she say she still loves him as well? She never stopped and now that they stood there, face to face, it was stronger than before.

"I..." She spoke. "I don't think that's okay, Reg."

"I can't believe you're with my brother now."

Y/n looked down. "Well, I've moved on."

By this one gesture Regulus knew she's lying. She couldn't look into his eyes when she lied. It was obvious.

"You're lying, Y/n. You don't love him, you're not even with him, I knew that. It's fake."

"How did you know?" her gaze shifted back to Regulus.

"Because when you lied, you were never able to look at me. But that's okay-"

"No, Regulus, it's not! How do you imagine this? You marry Valerie and I'll be your mistress? Will you buy me a house in France and visit me once a week? You already made your choice, Regulus."

"It wasn't my choice!"

Thankfully the music and the chatter were so loud downstairs, so that nobody could hear that.

"It was my parents' choice!"

"And you chose not to stand up to them."

Regulus paused. "We can run away. And not to France. Somewhere further, to America, where my parents won't find us."

This was exactly why Regulus didn't want to tell Y/n about his arranged marriage in person. He sees her and immediately loses his mind. That boy was still deeply in love.

"And what about Valerie?" Valerie was innocent in all this, so something made Y/n worry about her.

"She deserves to be happy too, she doesn't love me. She was sceptic about this marriage too."

Y/n fell silent. What was she supposed to say? She was supposed to be angry with Regulus, but she wasn't. She couldn't be. Poor boy was forced into this, it really wasn't his choice. It were cruel rules of unwritten pureblood laws.

"Please, say yes." Regulus continued, when Y/n didn't say anything. "Say that we'll run away and be happy like we used to be."

"I'm sorry, but it doesn't work like that. You broke my heart, Reg."

"Give me a chance to fix it, Y/n/n."

Without any more words, Regulus kissed Y/n. It was unexpected, so it took Y/n a longer second to understand what's happening.

She enjoyed it, she really did, but it was wrong. Her pride didn't let her accept him back just like that. He did too much damage to pretend like nothing happened, like it's alright.

Finally, Y/n pushed Regulus away. She looked at him, her eyes tearing up. With one quick movement, she slapped his face. As Regulus stood there astonished, Y/n ran out of his room.

[fandomscraziness22]

“i feel like everyone’s miles away from me.” for platonic alex & reggie 💕

shelly my beloved! also alex and reggie besties my beloved!! (we are once again ignoring how long ago this is from k thx)

Alex Mercer considers himself to be an observant person. Sure, he can be clueless sometimes, just like anyone. But he prides himself on being able to notice when people are upset, or hurt, or angry, or hopeful. 

And that attention to detail is what makes him corner Reggie during their shared study hall, a few days after he noticed his friend acting strangely.

“Reg, what’s up? And don’t say nothing, because it isn’t nothing. Is it your parents? Or Steve?”

Reggie shakes his head, slumping in the corner of the perpetually empty bathroom Alex decided was the best place to hold this conversation. He’s about to rethink his strategy and find another time to talk to Reggie when the bassist says, “Does Bobby not like me anymore?”

“What?” That isn’t what Alex is expecting. “Why do you think that?” He keeps his tone light, not condemning his friend for the thought. 

Reggie sighs. “You know how we had that argument on Monday?”

Alex nods. It was during band practice; Reggie had made an off-hand comment about Bobby not believing in the band’s future, and Bobby had flown off the handle for a moment, shocking both Alex and Luke. At the end of the day they had both apologized, and had seemed okay.

But things start to fall into place for Alex. The quiet nervousness Reggie displayed when talking at rehearsals. The hesitancy in his eyes before making a joke he never would have thought twice about before. The way Bobby had barely talked with Reggie, and how Luke didn’t seem to notice the strange tension in the air.

“You think he’s still mad at you?” Alex asks. “I thought you guys made up.”

“We did,” Reggie confirms. “At least, I thought we did. I apologized, and so did he. But it just kinda feels like he’s freezing me out. Like I can only be trusted with superficial stuff, not like it used to be. We used to talk every day, and now we only see each other at band practices, and he can’t be bothered to joke around with me, or tell me about his day.” He pulls his knees to his chest, as if to hide from Alex and the world at large if only he can be small enough.

Then, in a voice too small to come from such a lively person, Reggie mutters, “I feel like everyone’s miles away from me.”

Alex’s heart hurts at that. He knew something was wrong, but it took him three days to do anything about it. He sits on the floor beside Reggie, hand reaching out to hold his friend’s arm. “I’m here, Reggie. I’m sorry you feel that distance, but I’m here. And I care about you. THat’s never going to stop, no matter what happens.”

Reggie sniffles a little and catches Alex’s eyes, only to look down at the floor once more. “But what if I mess up again? I hurt Bobby, even though I didn’t mean to. And I know he said it was okay, but I think I ruined our friendship. And what if I do that to you? Or Luke?”

Alex sighs. “Look Reg, I can’t say you’ll never mess up ever, because no one is perfect. Even though Luke likes to pretend he is sometimes, we all make mistakes and say things we don’t mean. But we get through it. Together. That’s what being a friend is. And I know Bobby feels the same way, even if he has a hard time showing it. Sometimes it just takes time and patience.”

“That’s the sucky part,” Reggie says with a weak laugh.

“Yeah, it is,” Alex agrees. “But it’s part of life, and we just gotta keep working on being friends with the people we love, even when it’s hard to love them.”

“Or they don’t like us at the moment,” Reggie says. “Because they love us, at the end of the day.”

Alex nods. “Exactly.”

Reggie looks up at Alex, and  sniffles again. “So how do I make it better?”

The drummer thinks for a long moment before replying, “I’m not sure. Just keep being there, and showing that you care.”

Reggie nods, and Alex pulls him into an awkward sideways hug. “Now can we get off this floor? My butt is falling asleep.”

His friend laughs. “We were only here for fifteen minutes, old man.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. Help me up, young whippersnapper.”

[specialbrewbutterbeer]

A Little Black Lie (Regulus Black X Reader)

Word Count: 1672

TW: Pregnancy/Sex mentioned

AN: I just thought of this and it's another fairly short and quick one that I whipped up on a whim but I hope you enjoy! All feedback and REQUESTS PLEASE are welcome :)

REQUESTS (OPEN)

MASTERLIST

-----------------

I think somewhere deep inside, she knew it was difficult for Regulus to know they were together. She later wondered if really, she had gone out with him as a substitute for his brother, being his friend and not wanting to ruin things having subconsciously maybe put her off making any real moves toward the one she really wanted.

For a while she shied away from telling him, but he knew. Regulus was an observer, he was clever and he always put the pieces together. He was not someone you could hide anything from.

He always said he didn't mind, why would he? His friend seeing his older brother- a little awkward occasionally, especially considering the circumstances surrounding the brothers, but it made little difference. He just treated it as if it were any other random boy she was dating. He didn't ask much about it, and she didn't tell either- knowing he'd rather not hear about it. He was happy that she was happy, and that's all that really mattered in the end, he thought.

The relationship broke down a little, it became something less enamouring after a while- they'd always been low key about their situation, lest it become too public and therefore compromising, but it sank, from a dreamy sequence of liaison to a depth of just inches- short, sharp and quick, speechless and unfeeling little moments whilst stolen away in some corner. But even after Sirius left school, they weren't beyond sordid and sultry meetings, though they were infrequent.

It was just as the seasons were changing, a damp spring was turning into a humid summer that she realised the obvious. The worse case scenario had come to fruition and Merlin, it was like a nightmare. She wanted to scream and claw it out with frustration. This was what older women always warned you about, and young girls never listen.

She had no one to go to, to turn to and no solace but Reggie, so she stumbled, in some kind of ditzy haze to his dormroom. She found it empty, so she sat on his bed, tucked up as small as she could make herself, tightly holding one of his pillowa to her chest. She pressed her face into it and was overwhelmed by his smell. She missed him, she needed a friend and she felt so desperate. She knew he wasn't far away, but equally she felt now, as tears stung at her eyes and her throat became dry and hoarse from the awful silent sobs that she was producing, that if she stood up now, her legs would just give way. She was restless, her hands shaking and her lip quivering, feeling like she had hit the biggest brick wall of her life- like there was no way under, over or around it. She was in a blind panic that glued her to the spot she was in and all she could do was wait.

It really wasn't too long before Reggie did arrive. He looked up as he entered, surprised to see her, or more surprised to see her with such glazed red eyes and stained cheeks- a pallor to her face that was unnatural for her usually rosy look.

"(Y/n)?" He spoke as he crossed the room, immediately filled with dread at the unknown disaster that had befallen the girl, and hoping to Merlin she was just being dramatic about something small and insignificant. But insignificant it wasn't, as she shook her head and his concern triggered more tears to come swelling and falling down her face. Her chest was tight and she just opened her arms to him. He pressed no further and sat beside her, putting his arms warmly around her and attempting to soothe her, despite still having no idea what was wrong.

She relished his touch, how soft it was and how he was always gentle and kind. Not that she hadn't ever gotten that from anyone else, but she felt there was feeling behind his, a warmth and comfort that felt like sunshine, or water to a dry mouth. She simply reveled in it for a moment, as she pressed her face to his shoulder and shied away from the world, completely protected just for that second, by him.

Finally, when she felt she could breathe again for a moment, she looked up at him.

"What's happened?" He asked, in a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might shatter her like glass.

"It's not what has happened, it's what's going to happen-" She croaked and tried to avoid saying the words, terrified of them. Reggie didn't push her for more, he just waited for her to collect her thoughts and continue, knowing she would if he was patient.

(Y/n) pressed her forehead to his chest and held tightly onto him like she was clinging on for stability, and mumbled.

"A baby." She said it quitely but he still caught it. He wasn't sure of what he heard- that couldn't be right? And yet that was surely what she had just said. He looked down at her, her hair draped solemnly over her bloodshot eyes and her lips dry and bitten.

"You're sure?" He asked, maintaining the calmness she needed from him, but his heart was thumping half way out of his chest. She nodded. "It's his, isn't it?" He continued, knowing the answer but needing to be sure.

"There's no-one else it could be." She pulled away and looked up at him, wiping her eyes harshly. She couldn't tell his reaction as he quietly took her hands away from her face and used his own sleeve to dry her eyes, stopping her own frustration from irritating them any further.

"Do you know what you're going to do?" She shook her head again at his question.

"Reggie- I'm scared." She whimpered and he squeezed her hands. "Him and I- Our relationship- It's..." She trailed off for a moment. "It's not that kind of thing." She looked down and couldn't meet eyes with Reg as she admitted that, as if she thought she should be ashamed. "And I don't expect he'd want that."

Regulus nodded, his brother wasn't exactly a family man- not for his own family. Other people's he tended to love very dearly, but his own he struggled to come to terms with.

Reg sighed, wrapped his arms around her once again and lay back on the bed.

"You want to keep it then?" He asked, one arm around her and the other stroking her head.

"I think so. But- I don't know if I can. I don't know what to do-" She stuttered. She had imagined one day she would be a mother, but not like this. "I can't do it alone- and if I ever admitted to my mother that it was his- well you know how our families are. She'd kill me, or cast me out." Her lip wobbled again as she thought of her family's reaction too- the trouble she was in felt much deeper than just Sirius' highly likely abandonment. Wether or not he would have welcomed this news, no-one knew, but she was terrified of it- the risk that he might was high, and he wasn't particularly suited to a fatherly role, what with the order and the war and if he was interested that opened her up to more abuse and disownment from her family.

"Reg- What the fuck have I done?" She asked hushed but desperate, as yet more tears come forward. He just held her hand and kept her held tightly to him.

They lay there, her exhausted and mentally drained, and him wishing he could make it all go away-

Reg slipped his hand into hers, causing her glossy eyes to drift back to him. They were so red and raw, she was so tired and hopeless.

"Tell them it's mine." He whispered as he gazed into her eyes. They widened, and she seemed to stop breathing as she took in what he had said.

"What?" She asked, the word falling out of her mouth weakly.

"Tell them it's mine." He repeated. "When it comes, Sirius and I look similar enough that if it has any of his features they can be played off as mine-" He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand as she listened, dazed by the concept. "We've known eachother for long enough, that no-one will think it an unlikely thing, and as much as our mother's will not be impressed, they'll accept it much more readily than Sirius."

"What if he hears and suspects?" She asked, her heart swelling as she listened.

"When did you last see him?" Reg asked.

"Just less than a month ago." She answered.

"Then, we'll keep it between us until after our exams, they're only in a few weeks- then we can say you just found out and you know it's mine- enough time between when you last saw Sirius and when we'll say it was conceived that he won't think a thing of it- he doesn't need to know a thing. And as long as he doesn't get many details, he won't." He allowed himself a small smile. Finally she felt some relief and nodded.

"And after it's born- I'll be there." Reg told her. "I'll help you with anything you need. Anything at all." He reassured her.

"You'd do that for me?" She asked and Regulus didn't skip a beat in replying with a firm 'Yes'.

(Y/n) leant up and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you Reggie." She began to tear up again, but Reg wiped away the tears that fell with his sleeve again. She finally smiled. She even laughed a little.

"Do you think our mother's will make us get married?" She replied to the slightly amused look Reg gave her when she laughed. He just smiled.

"I expect so- Why? Put you off does it?" She shook her head.

"No! I couldn't pick anyone better to share in our little black lie."

[dream-a-little-bigger-x]

You’re The Reason | Eric Matthews

Add yourself to my taglist! | Here’s my masterlist!

Requested: Yes/No

A/N: My first Boy Meets World fic! Gah! I hope you like this! Couldn’t stay away from the JATP boys though, so it’s kinda like a JATP x BMW crossover... Lemme know what you think! 

Pairing: Eric x Fem!Reader

Song(s) used: none

Warnings: mentions of alcohol, party

Words: 4,028

Eric Matthews. The goofy, charming oldest boy of Alan and Amy. My best friend since forever. Our parents always told us the story about how we met in the sandbox in Kindergarten. I was building sandcastles when Jason, Eric’s first best friend, came to ruin them. Eric, being the charmer he always had been, told Jason off and pushed him out of the sandbox before helping me rebuild my sand castle. Ever since that day, the two of us had been the best of friends. 

We did everything together. Everything from play dates to eating ice cream to going to middle school and eventually high school. Though we never graduated together as my parents had to move when I was 16. We moved to Los Angeles and never returned to Philadelphia. Eric and I were so torn. We had promised we would keep in contact and the first few months were hard, but we eventually found a rhythm in our long-distance friendship. 

Every evening, we would call each other except for the weekends as those were date-weekends where both of us went out on dates. But come Sunday evening, we’d both be on the phone, telling the other what had happened during said dates. 

During summer vacation, Eric would come to L.A. to visit me or I’d go back to Philly, just so we could hang out together for a few days. Those had always been my favorite days. We’d reconnect and find that spark again we always used to have, which, in its turn, brought us closer and made the next few months a little less hard when all we could hear was each other’s voice. 

Last summer, however, I realized that I’d rather kiss those beautiful pink lips than stare at them as he talked about yet another girl he took out over the weekend and made out with. It stung, to say the least, but I couldn’t tell him how I felt. We were miles apart from one another, it would just hurt more. 

Though what hurt even worse was when Eric called me one time in the middle of the night, crying. Confused and worried, I listened to him as he let everything he was feeling out of his system. 

“Mister Feeny is retiring, Cory’s going to college and eloped with Topanga tonight and I just– everything’s changing and I don’t know what to do about it. I wanna stop time and just go back to the way things were. All of us in high school, Cory and Topanga fighting over God-knows-what or Shawn and Cory getting into even more trouble. And you… Not miles away from me…” 

I choked back tears as I listened to him. He sounded so broken, so lost. I wished I could just hold him and let him cry as he spoke about how he felt. I wished I was in Philadelphia instead of Los Feliz, a place I didn’t quite belong. 

“I’m sorry, Eric, I wish I could make things better for you…” I said, my voice just above a whisper, afraid I would cry if I spoke any louder. 

Eric sighed on the other side of the line. “Why don’t you just– come home? Study at Pennbrook with me?” I stuttered and stumbled over my words, unsure what to say to him. 

It wasn’t like I thought about it. I’m an adult, I could change my whole life around and move back to Philadelphia. Back to Eric. But while that sounded all beautiful and wonderful and like a dream come true, I couldn’t just drop everything here. I had my new friends, a college degree I needed to finish. 

“Come on, babe. You know you want to…” Eric pleaded, knowing all-too-well what was going on in my mind right now even though he couldn’t see me. “I know I want you to.” 

I heaved in a deep breath. “I can’t, Eric… I gotta finish my degree here. I gotta–” Just as I wanted to continue summing up reasons as to why I wouldn’t be able to go back to him, four guys I knew like the back of my hand entered my dorm and jumped onto my bed. I didn’t even need to see who it was to know who it was. “Guys– I’m on the phone here,” I scolded them as the floppy-haired guy gave me his best smoulder. “Lukas, no.” 

“It’s alright, y/n,” I heard Eric say, though I could tell it wasn’t actually okay. “You go back to your friends. You stay put. Okay? Whatever makes you happiest.” 

“But you make me h–” Before I could even finish my sentence, Eric had hung up the phone. “Happiest…” I mumbled before placing the horn back on the receiver. 

“You okay?” the  blonde guy I knew best as Alex Mercer asked me solemnly. 

I pressed my lips together. “No– not really…” 

Luke wrapped his arms around my waist and snuggled into my neck while Reggie sat on the end of my bed with his legs crossed. “I think you ought to go visit him,” he said. 

“What?”

“No, seriously. You miss him, he misses you and you clearly need each other right now. Go back to Philly, y/n. Even if it’s just for the weekend.” For once, Reggie actually spoke some sense. 

“Yeah, I mean, you clearly miss each other and you need each other right now. And maybe, whilst you’re there, you can figure out whether you’d wanna move back to Philly or come back to us,” Alex added. 

I had met Luke, Reggie, Alex and Bobby during orientation day, along with Rose, my roommate. There hadn’t been a day where we didn’t spend time together. All six of us were sewn to the hip. Wherever one went, the others went too. A lot of people called Rose and I their groupies as the four of them had started a band way back in high school. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say those four were actually married to one another. 

But to be fair, Alex and Reggie were speaking some truth now. I did miss Eric. I missed him tremendously. And maybe, once there, I could see that Los Angeles was truly where I belonged or if I should stay in Philadelphia with Eric… It was the ultimate life test. 

I heaved in a deep breath before lifting my hand to ring the doorbell at apartment 3E. Nerves bunched in the pit of my stomach and my hands were getting clammy. I wasn’t even sure if Eric was home. I wasn’t even sure if coming over was such a splendid idea. I wasn’t sure of anything anymore. 

Even less so when a tall fiery red-haired girl opened up the door. My throat dried up for a second. Did I get the wrong apartment? Eric hadn’t told me about a girl roommate or anything. All I knew was that he lived with Jack and Shawn. Though I figured since Shawn had gotten into Pennbrook too, he might’ve moved into a dorm with Cory. 

“Hi, can I–” the girl stopped in her tracks as she let her eyes glide over me. “You’re y/n, aren’t you?” Her lips curled up into a smile. “Eric has told me so much about you!” 

The nerves in my stomach made room for fluttery butterflies. Eric talked about me. Even to girls as pretty as this one. Knowing Eric the way I do, I didn’t think he ever would. ‘Girl repellant’ he’d call it. 

“Uhm… Yeah… I wanted to surprise him… Is he here?” 

The girl chuckled. “Believe it or not, but he’s actually in class right now.” 

“Eric? In class?” 

She nodded her head, her lips curling up into a smirk. “I’m heading to campus now, you wanna come? His class is almost over.” 

It definitely beat sitting here, waiting for him. 

“Sure,” I replied and the girl quickly went to grab her stuff before walking out and guiding me towards the elevator again. 

“I’m Rachel, by the way. I just moved in a couple days ago,” she said while pushing the button to call the elevator. 

Rachel. Roommate Rachel. She was definitely Eric’s type… A girl. 

“Eric hasn’t told me about you yet. For a second, I thought I was at the wrong apartment,” I said, chuckling a little. 

Rachel and I got into the elevator and she told me about how she wound up living with Jack and Eric. I had to admit to myself that I was only slightly jealous of the moves the two boys had made on her. Not that I cared about Jack hitting on Rachel, but I did care about Eric doing it. 

The red-haired fury led me towards campus and we talked all the way there. Mostly about Eric. She asked me questions about our childhood and I told her every single story about him. It wasn’t hard talking about Eric. Everything we went through together flowed out of me like a waterfall. A waterfall of Eric-filled stories. 

“Oh, look. He’s at the Student Union, as predicted,” Rachel said, pointing towards where Eric, Jack, Shawn and Cory were seated on the sofas, sipping coffee. 

A smile involuntarily crept its way up to my face. Eric Matthews. Seeing him now made my heart beat faster and my stomach fill up with all sorts of butterflies. My LA boys were right. I did miss him tremendously. 

“Come on, let’s go say hi!” Rachel urged, pulling me along by my wrist. 

“Don’t you have a class to go to?” 

She shook her red mane. “I’d rather see this beautiful reunion,” she said. 

Cory was the first one who met my eyes. His laughter made room for confusion to then turn into delight. “Y/N?” he exclaimed, causing everyone’s head to turn my way before he got up to embrace me. Jack and Shawn hugged me next and when I turned to Eric, he was still seated on the couch with his cup of coffee halfway to his lips. 

“What are you doing here?” he finally asked. 

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear nervously. “What? Aren’t you happy to see me?” 

His wide eyes turned back to normal and as he put his cup on the coffee table in front of him, he blabbed while getting up to hug me. “Wha– of course I’m happy to see you, y/n. I just didn’t expect you to come? Don’t you have classes and stuff?”  

I inhaled the familiar scent of Eric Matthews. As my senses filled up with him, my nerves finally calmed down. I was home. 

“I wanted to surprise you…” 

His hands cupped my face as he regarded me. He inspected every inch of my face as if to see if I was complete and really there. “And surprised I am,” he whispered. 

Shawn handed me a cup of coffee as we all settled back onto the couch. They asked me questions about LA and about college in LA, and I answered each and every one of them. It felt good being with this gang again. It was like coming back home. 

Eric took me everywhere that weekend. Friday night, we went to Chubbie’s. On Saturday, he took me back home where I reacquainted with Alan and Amy, and we spent some time with Morgan. 

Now it was Saturday night and we were all at the club for a good party. I was three drinks in and chatting with Rachel at the bar. I had grown close to her over the two days I had been here. Just like Rose, she always knew exactly what to say. And she listened. She listened to all my sorrows and worries. She really listened. 

“I think you’re in love with Eric,” she stated before taking a swig of her beer. 

“What? No! I–” She raised an eyebrow at me. “I am in love with Eric…” 

She let out a cackle. “Ha! I knew it!” 

“I can’t act up on my feelings though, Rachel. We live miles apart. Being friends is already hard enough, I don’t even wanna know what being a couple would do to us. If Eric would reciprocate my feelings, that is.” 

“Would you believe me if I told you Eric is in love with you too?” 

“No.” 

“Well, he is! The way his eyes light up when he talks about you… It’s pure love. Sure, he can be a bit daft and he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, but when he talks about you, he almost becomes poetic.” 

“You’re ridiculous,” I said and sipped from my beer again. 

Rachel shook her head at me. “See for yourself.” She pointed somewhere behind me and the second I turned around, Eric was in front of me with those big, sparkly eyes of his and that goofy smile I’d come to love. 

“Dance with me, baby!” he shouted and pulled me along to the dance floor. As I looked back at Rachel, she gave me a knowing look. She wasn’t right. She couldn’t be. 

“I need you to stay,” he slurred, clearly having drank one too many beers. “Please, can’t you stay?” 

“Eric,” I sighed, “You know I can’t. I’ve got –” 

“A degree to finish and friends to go back to, I know, I know…” 

I pressed my lips together in a thin line as I watched him. He was still moving, swaying from side to side to the music, but there was a lot less enthusiasm behind than before we started talking. 

“Hey,” I started and placed my hands on his shoulders. “You know I would stay if I could, right? I just – I can’t, Eric.” 

“Yes, you can, y/n. You can stay here, transfer to Pennbrook, live with me and Jack and Rachel. Be here. With me.” 

His offer sounded alluring. A little too alluring. The alcohol coursing in my veins almost made me say ‘yes’, but the sober part of me knew that wouldn’t be a good idea. “I need a better reason than that, Eric.”

“I’ve got more reasons for you to stay.” 

“Gimme one.” 

Before I could properly process what was happening, Eric grabbed my face and pressed his lips to mine in a deep kiss. As we pulled apart for a moment, I had to take a breather and process what had just happened. 

“That’s a good reason,” I whispered before kissing him again. 

I didn’t know if it was the alcohol or the fact that we’d actually wanted to do that for a long time, but the rest of the night we spent together, making out in a corner of the club until Rachel and Jack pulled us apart and brought us back to the apartment. Eric and I fell asleep together on the couch, cuddled up. The place where I’d wanted to fall asleep for months now. The place where I belonged.

It felt weird waking up in his arms. Not that we hadn’t done that before, but the events that preceded it were new. I hadn’t ever been kissed the way Eric had kissed me last night. It was with so much passion and love that filled up all my senses, that sobered me up almost straight away. 

Though, when he woke, it was like nothing happened. 

He didn’t speak about it, and changed the subject whenever I tried to. I didn’t know what had gone wrong. It was probably a mistake on his part. He probably didn’t want to kiss me. It was probably the alcohol speaking and not his heart. He didn’t love me the same way I loved him. 

It was all a mistake. 

“How was your night?” Alan asked playfully when we entered the Matthews’ kitchen for lunch on Sunday. 

“Good! We had fun,” I replied and glanced over at Eric. He had jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans as he moved over towards the fridge. 

“It was okay,” he spoke and shoved a knife right through my chest. 

I had no clue what I had done wrong or what had gone wrong. All I knew was that Eric was giving me the cold shoulder. The kiss must’ve been a mistake. It must’ve been something he didn’t even want to do and it was just the alcohol taking over. And now it had ruined our entire friendship. 

“When’s your flight back home?” Amy queried. 

I placed my knife and fork down as I had just finished the delicious lunch Amy had made all of us. “Tonight at eight,” I responded with a nervous smile. My stomach churned when I felt Eric tense up next to me. 

“Back to Northridge then, huh? Must be a big change going from cold Philadelphia back to warm and sunny LA,” Alan said with a smile and I nodded my head. 

“It’s gonna be quite the di–” before I could finish my sentence, Eric had shoved his chair back and without uttering a word, he stormed out of the kitchen. I could feel my heart break in my chest. He seemed angry. Frustrated. All of the things I didn’t want him to be before I went back to LA.

“I’ll go check on him,” I said and carefully slid my chair back before following Eric outside. 

He sat on the cushioned bench where we have had many a talk before as the sun set and the stars appeared into the sky. Though right now, it seemed awfully dark and gloomy. Nothing like what it used to feel like. 

“Eric, are you okay?” I plopped down next to him, placing my hand on his shoulder. 

He scoffed. “No, I’m not okay. You know, I didn’t ask you to come here. I didn’t ask you to visit me. I didn’t ask and so I couldn’t prepare for you to leave… Again.” 

“Eric, I’m sorry. I thought it would be nice to surprise you. I–” I stopped talking as soon as he shot up from the bench and took a few steps away from me. He looked angry and sad at the same time and it broke my heart even further. 

“Don’t you know how much it kills me to see you go every time? But at least in the summer, I can prep myself for the goodbye that’s about to follow. I can prep myself for the heartache and now that I didn’t see it coming, I’m not ready for you to go.” 

I opened my mouth to say something else, but before I could, he gave me another glare and then stormed off to God-knows-where. I couldn’t move. I was frozen to the bench. My best friend just yelled at me and ran off. I didn’t even say goodbye to him. 

“Miss y/l/n, what a surprise,” a familiar voice sounded, causing me to snap my head towards the older man that stood in the next-door garden on the other side of the white fence. 

I smiled at him, but I knew it wasn’t genuine and I knew he knew it wasn’t. “Hey Mister Feeny.” 

“Are you okay?” he asked and opened the small gate. He made a beeline towards me and sat down on the bench next to me. 

I heaved in a deep breath, breathing in the familiarity of my old teacher. “No, I –” I mulled over my words. “I missed Eric, so I came to surprise him but I think it might’ve not been such a good idea.” 

“Why not?”

“‘Cause now he’s mad at me because he couldn’t prepare himself for me leaving…” I mumbled, focusing on the rings on my fingers as I twisted them around and around. “I don’t know what to do, Mister Feeny. I wanna stay with Eric, but I’ve got a life in LA. I’ve got friends and I’ve got Northridge and my family still lives there too…” 

I looked up to see my favorite teacher regard me with such a tender and familiar look. He felt sorry for me and I also knew there was a  pep-talk coming in a few seconds. Though at that moment, I wasn’t sure if I was in the mood for that pep-talk. 

“I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Miss Lawrence when she came to me with her dilemma,” he started wistfully, the only way Mister Feeny ever spoke. “You stay at Northridge unless you have a good reason not to.” 

My mind immediately went to last night’s events when Eric kissed me after he told me he had reasons for me to stay. If I had a reason, it would be Eric. Eric would be the one and only reason for me to move back to Philadelphia and I couldn’t lie when I said Eric weighs out every other reason I had for going back to LA. 

“I think you know what to do, Miss y/l/n,” he said before placing a comforting hand on my shoulder and getting up again. 

“Hey, Mister Feeny,” he stopped halfway to his house. “You’re a good teacher, you know that?” The genuine and heartwarming smile that curled Feeny’s lips upwards made me feel nostalgic. I had missed that man. 

“Thank you, Miss y/l/n. And you’re a good student.” 

As Mister Feeny returned to his home, I couldn’t help but think everything over. Every thought, every moment of the past weekend seeped back into my mind. There was only one way to stop my thoughts and I knew exactly what it was.  

“Y/N?” His voice caused me to snap out of my thoughts. There he was. Finally. “What are you still doing here?” he asked, visibly getting nervous. “I thought you’d gone home?” 

 I patted the spot next to me on the cushioned bench. Eric hesitantly took the spot, but I could tell he was tense and didn’t quite know what to do. He didn’t look at me and his hands fiddled around in his lap. 

“I am home.” 

Now he looked up at me. Confusion was written all over his face, a look I had seen on him before. The reminder of everything I ever told him that confused him made me giggle a little. 

“What do you mean? Don’t you have to get back to LA? Back home?” He turned his face back to the sky. It was starting to get dark out and the stars above us were starting to make an appearance, along with the bright moon. 

“I talked to Feeny and he told me that I should go back to Northridge…” I watched Eric’s jaw clench. “Unless I had a good reason not to.” 

He turned his head to face me again. “Is there a good reason?” 

I sighed. “I thought about it. I’ve got reasons to go back. Like my degree and my friends out there, my family…” Eric slowly nodded his head and I knew his mind was already preparing him for me to say I was going to go back. “But there’s one reason that makes me wanna stay here. One reason that outweighs all the other reasons.”

“And what’s that?” 

A soft smile befell my lips as I leaned in and cautiously pressed my lips to his. Last night’s memories seeped back into my mind. 

“You’re the reason, Eric Matthews.” 

He smiled as his eyes darted from mine to my lips and back before he fully kissed me on the lips. I couldn’t help but giggle before melting completely into the kiss, into him. After years of being best friends and months of pining for him, I was finally kissing my best friend. I had finally given into my feelings. 

And I was making the right decision. I knew that now. I knew that moving back to Philadelphia would be the right choice. I would be moving back home. Back with Eric. Close to Cory and Shawn and Jack and Topanga. All of my friends from when we were younger. Home. 

The only thing left to do now was break the news to my friends in LA… 

But that was a problem for later. 

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[fandomlovingfreak]

Glacial Passion (5/?)

Regulus Black/Reader

Rating: SFW, T+

Trigger Warning: Arranged Marriage

Word Count: 1998

MasterList Link I AO3 Link I Wattpad Link

Summary: Glacial, cold, icy… all words that described Regulus Black’s grey eyes. Was there truly no emotion behind those eyes, or did a caring man exist beneath? Could she defrost those glacial eyes?

Disclaimer: Regulus Black (Walburga Black, Orion Black, and Sirius Black) is a character from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. Reader or y/n is not owned by Rowling. This work has not been created for profit or financial compensation, and is a transformative fair use work in accordance with Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act.

Notes: My only note is that the characters in this fanfiction do some questionable things. This does not at all reflect my personal morals or anything I would do (and certainly hope you would not do). Please don’t read this story if you can’t separate fiction from reality. Fanfiction is for entertainment and should not be something that teaches you to be or act a certain way. Thanks!

Enjoy

***

Regulus is met with silence when (y/n) climbs into their bed after the fight and more silence when she doesn't acknowledge him in the morning, dressing silently before sitting on the balcony with her book.

He glances out of the glass door, watching her devour the words on the worn book. Sighing loudly, he looks back towards the parchment on the desk. He didn't exactly know what to say to Sirius. He knew he wanted his older brother to know about the developments his life had taken in the past month, but how do you complain without sounding entirely pathetic? Especially when your complaining was truly aimed at your own actions and attitudes. Sirius would love (y/n); he was sure he would. In a way, (y/n) sort of reminded Regulus of his brother. She was so adamant about not following the rules that people like them followed. Obviously, she hadn't been able to escape Pureblood society the way Sirius had... He doubted, though (y/n) would have tried. It had to be harder to be a woman in the circles they found themselves in. He honestly couldn't imagine living at the level she was expected to.

It's not like he had any special freedom from the constricting nature of their society, but he could do many things she couldn't while still maintaining his reputation. He could have affairs, he could (but personally wouldn't) abuse his spouse, he could even live separate from her without causing a stir. All these things happened within marriages like their own, and only the women seemed to be ruined by their actions and the actions of their husbands and fathers. 

Regulus picks up his quill, intending to finally start this blasted letter. Where does he even begin?

 Sirius,

I do not have any great excuses for my lack of communication, other than the last month, which has been one of the most hectic of my life. I am unsure what you have heard. I doubt you have a full picture of what my life has become, as I would hope you would reach out to congratulate your younger brother on his recent nuptials if you had heard. 

My new wife, (y/n) Black née (y/ln), apparently checked off the boxes our parents found necessary for the next Mistress Black. Funnily enough, though, I'm not sure they did much research into who she is as (y/n) could hardly be considered the traditional Pureblood bride.

But that is hardly a bad thing; if anything, I find her refreshing, if not a bit maddening at times. I had been somewhat afraid to have a meek and mild wife who would cower under my gaze. (y/n), despite being brought up similarly to us, she seems to have developed her own personality outside of Pureblood society. She isn't bitter or greedy like the other girls. The only piece of jewelry I have been able to give her without argument has been that horrible engagement ring-- you know, the one from mum's side. She doesn't want the things most of these Pureblood girls want. Jewelry and expensive things don't seem to make her happy the way mother said they would.

Even as she is different, I have this ever-increasing fear that I might drive her towards the other's level of bitterness and unhappiness. I will be the first to admit that I have no idea what I am doing with women; this fact has not changed in my marriage. It's become even more apparent that I haven't a clue how I should behave as I've been forced into this relationship.

It has also become clear that Mother's advice has been shit, as every attempt I've made with my bride has been met with annoyance from her. I can't seem to give her what she truly wants. Embarrassingly enough, what she talks of-- craves from me is some sort of romantic connection. This is something I hadn't planned on in an arranged marriage, and I'm not sure if I will be able to indulge her without a bit of deceit. 

Which I would feel horrible for doing-- pretending. 

Last night, like many nights in recent weeks, I found myself in an argument with my wife over this exact topic. Something she said triggered a memory, hopefully, a memory that you have a recollection of as well.

Do you, brother, have any memories of our dear mother when she was-- well, motherly, to say the least. Warm and loving, as a mother should be. When she would admit to us in hushed tones that the love we showed her was the replacement for the lack of love between Orion and herself?

During the heated exchange with my wife, I was struck with that strange memory, and I realized deeply and uncomfortably that I was in the early stages of pushing my own wife towards becoming our mother. Something, I realize now, I cannot allow to happen.

Pushing this girl towards unhappiness when she was forced into marrying me by her parents is unacceptable on my part. I'm completely aware that it is me who is making us miserable. I should be happy, or at least satisfied enough in the marriage to indulge her, to try. (y/n) is beautiful, everything a man could want in a wife. And I do want her. 

Yet, I do not know how to want her the way she is expecting me to. And, I have to reiterate that I don't know how to even-- fall in love, I suppose.

Through my woeful letter, I hope you see a solution to my dilemma. Or at least can offer advice as I have no idea which direction I should go at this time.

Sincerely,

Regulus places his quill to the side, reading over the content of his letter. At times, he sounds like a pathetic child whining, but he hopes his brother can see he sincerely wants his advice.

Very much requires any advice Sirius may have.

None of Sirius's advice could be helpful on the trials and tribulations of marriage per se, but if anyone had experience in relationships, it was Sirius Black. Sirius, who wooed and flirted his way through life, would know exactly how he would be able to win (y/n) over and hopefully form a romantic relationship with her.

Slowly, Regulus gets up from the desk, taking his time to cross the room. Opening the glass door to the balcony, he pokes his head out. When (y/n) doesn't look up, he clears his throat.

She freezes, slowly lowering the book enough for their eyes to meet, but doesn't say a word.

"I'm going to go to the lobby to have this posted." Regulus feels the light pink of embarrassment on the tops of his cheeks.

(y/n) nods once before giving her attention back to the blasted book. Regulus's lips pinch before he shuts the door a bit louder than necessary.

Much to his annoyance, the banging noise doesn't seem to faze his wife. 

He stalks down to the library in a mood, the letter to Sirius gripped tightly in his right hand.

A young witch greets him, asking if he needed any assistance with anything.

"I require an owl. I have a very urgent letter that needs to arrive as soon as possible."

"Okay, if you'll follow me, we can get your letter sent." The witch leads him up to the rooftop, showing him the hotel's fastest owl.

***

A sharp knock on their suite's door startles Regulus, who had been reading the Prophet to pass the time. He gets up off of the room's couch, opening the door to an older gentleman.

"Mail delivery, Master Black." The old man hands him a hastily folded piece of parchment addressed to him in Sirius's messy excuse for handwriting.

"Uh-- thank you." Regulus digs in his pocket, pulling out money to tip the man. They exchange the items, and Regulus hurries over to the desk. Hurriedly, he breaks the wax seal and opens the letter.

 You got married?

Ah, yes. His ever eloquent brother didn't even bother to address the letter, jumping right to the point.

Regulus reads on...

You got married? And I didn't even get an invitation? I'm sort of hurt, but yet again, mum would've been pissed if I showed up. How fun would that have been, though? Me crashing your wedding in my Docs and my worn Led Zeppelin shirt. Mum would've freaked.

We really missed an opportunity, Reggie.

But, wow. You married. That's wild. And she's a bit wild as well? How did you manage to end up in an arranged marriage with what seems like the most unique of the Pureblood lot? Besides me, of course.

I'll have to meet this fascinating (y/n) (y/ln)-- or should I say (y/n) Black? Weird-- I have a sister-in-law. That feels too grown-up and stuffy.

Maybe it feels wrong, mostly because you never dated anyone, or at least anyone I knew of.

The point you made about you knowing absolutely nothing about women is incredibly accurate, I'm afraid, Reggie. The poor girl, I hope you haven't been ignoring her like Orion does to Walburga. But, I'm almost certain that you have been sort of an ass to her by your letter.

You want advice though, do you now, little brother. Here is my advice to you:

I have dated plenty of people in my days-- plenty. If you truly wish to make your wife (what the hell that is so odd to write!) happy, Regulus, you need to get to know her. 

Ask her questions about her likes, her dislikes. What her childhood was like, who her friends are. Even silly things such as how she takes her tea or what she grew up wanting to be as an adult. But you must be prepared to be vulnerable and answer questions she has for you as well. If you can't open up and be vulnerable, you will never be successful in 

A) forming a "romantic connection" with (y/n) and 

B) falling in love with your wife. 

I hope that I have been helpful. My advice is simple, but knowing the woman you promised to spend eternity with is necessary to live a peaceful life. Maybe the whole "happy wife happy life" saying is accurate. Not like I would know, but still.

As for the memory of Walburga you brought up, I do remember instances like that. I hadn't thought about those instances in a very long time. I hope you are successful in your attempts with (y/n). I would hate to see another woman turn out like our mother.

Your brother,

 P.S. Take your wife out somewhere romantic! For Merlin's sake, Regulus. You have to have some romance somewhere hidden within you!

 ***

Regulus decides there's no better time than the present to follow Sirius's advice. Unfortunately, he already used up his one "romantic" idea (really Orion's, but still) with their disastrous dinner the previous night.

His only option would be to find a local who would know of spots he might take his wife to. He reckons the logical locals to ask where these locations would be are the hotel's staff.

The same witch that helped him with the owl still sits at the hotel's lobby desk. She grins widely when she notices he's walking towards her, "Oh! You're back!"

Regulus controls his mild annoyance with the woman as she bats her eyelashes foolishly.

"I wonder if you know any places around the city that you recommend for honeymooners?"

The girl's face falls slightly before she's grinning again, "You're on your honeymoon?"

"Yes, you've probably seen my wife with me," he says, asserting that he does have a wife and that the girl shouldn't get her hopes up, "I'd like to take her out this afternoon, but I'm afraid I know little of the spots couple's usually visit around here."

The witch thinks for a moment, "I think I have a perfect place in mind."

[merihn]

Alternatively, polyphantoms + willie finding out they can still get ghost drunk and ensuing shenanigans (and presumably sloppy makeouts)

They’d all tired of Luke’s complaints about not being able to eat food now they were ghosts long before Luke gave up voicing them. It was especially bad when Tia Victoria brought over particularly delicious smelling food, and Luke would linger just out of sight to watch the family eat then return to Reggie and Alex to bemoan their inability to enjoy food themselves. 

Though people could see them now, they made sure not to join them at dinner time, since Luke couldn’t keep his mouth shut, and it was truly hard to sit and watch other people savor something you never would, ever again.

Luke was in the middle of one of his usual rants when Willie turned up; Reggie was combing Luke’s hair softly away from his face in the hopes it would distract him from what he was missing—no such luck as of yet. Alex was laying with his head tipped over the back of his chair, most likely tuning them out, but he leapt up, face alight, when Willie appeared.

“What’s wrong with him?” Willie asked, and Luke groaned. 

“I miss food. I think it was worse that Caleb had the ability to let us eat, rather than never eating at all again after we died.”

“Oh,” Willie sighed. “I miss that, too.” Then he brightened. “But guess what we can still do!”

Luke sat up, his hair wild and standing on end from Reggie’s fingers. “What?”

“We can still drink!” Willie grinned, and even though Luke hadn’t been much of a drinker in life, he whooped. 

“Are you serious, man? That’s awesome.”

“Yeah, so awesome,” Alex commented dryly. He’d never really enjoyed their forays into drinking, but Reggie could see that he was interested. They missed food as much as Luke did, they just didn’t moan about it all the time. Reggie certainly didn't miss hangovers, though, which was why he'd never been that keen on drinking.

As if he was reading Reggie’s mind, Willie said, “and you know the best part? No hangovers!”

Alex’s face cleared, and he cheered as loudly as Luke and Reggie. While there were a few perks of being a ghost, sometimes the drawbacks really weighed them down. 

“Hang on, I’ll be back in a few,” Willie said, and disappeared with a whirl of his long hair.

Luke bounced with barely concealed excitement, and Reggie’s blood fizzed in his veins. He hoped Willie was finding something tasty for them to drink. He didn’t fancy being forced to drink something gross like whisky or rum. He briefly remembered the night he’d gotten wasted on rum after a gig, and how utterly wretched he’d felt the next day. He hadn’t been able to face it since. Just the smell made him gag.

When Willie popped back in, he was carrying two full bags, the cloth of them straining with their contents.

“Were you planning a party?” Alex asked. Willie blushed. 

“I may have gotten a little over excited. It’s just… I’ve never had anyone to drink with before. It’s lonely drinking without friends.”

They all went silent for a moment, thinking about Willie, all alone, tricked by Caleb, and friendless. 

“Better get this party started then,” Reggie said, anxious to clear the sour mood. Willie sent him a grateful look, then set down the bags and began to empty them. A bottle of bright green liquid caught Reggie’s eye and he crowed excitedly.

“Midori!” He loved midori, it tasted amazing, and he liked that he didn’t have to dilute it with anything if he didn’t want to. 

Luke snorted, then muttered an apology when Alex sent him a cutting look. 

“We’re in a no-judgment zone, Luke,” he warned, and Luke rolled his eyes, but nodded anyway. 

“It’s okay, I know it’s not a manly drink,” Reggie said, and poured himself a decent glass of it. The knowledge that it wouldn’t cause a hangover led to a heavy hand.

“Manly,” Alex scoffed. “Who gives a shit about what’s manly. Being a man is enough, what you choose to wear or consume doesn’t affect that.”

“Yes, yes. I know. I’m sorry. It was a stupid, instinctive reaction. I’m working on it.”

Willie watched them all quietly, and Reggie tipped his drink his way before taking a healthy gulp. It burned a little on the way down and he gasped.

“Wow, I’d forgotten how that felt.”

Willie grinned and returned the gesture, sipping his own drink and relaxing back in his chair. Luke sorted out his drink, rejoicing when he found a straw, so he could lay back in Reggie’s lap and still consume it. Reggie let his fingers wind back into Luke’s hair as the alcohol settled in his stomach, already feeling warm and a little tingly. He wondered idly if his tolerance had been returned to zero, and if it would return now that he was drinking again. He wasn’t sure which he hoped for.

“We should play a game,” Luke announced, sucking noisily at his drink. Reggie looked quickly away from his lips pursed around the straw and caught Willie’s eye. Willie smirked and took another drink without breaking eye contact. 

“Like truth or dare?” Willie suggested, still holding Reggie’s gaze. Reggie felt himself flushing, and finally looked away. He finished his glass and hoped the trembling of his hand wasn’t noticeable as he refilled it.

“Ooh, yeah! I mean, I know most of these doofus’ secrets already, but who knows what they’ve been keeping from me. And we don’t know much about you at all,” Luke said, twisting in Reggie’s lap to look at Willie. Willie grinned and caught Reggie’s eye again.

“You definitely don’t know all my secrets,” Reggie said, without thinking.

“Oooh, challenge accepted!” Luke pushed himself up and crossed his legs under himself. “Should we start with you, then?”

“Maybe I’ll just choose dare,” he said, willing his blush to fade. 

Luke grinned, shark-like. “Even better.”

Reggie groaned and took another swig of his drink. Maybe if he was drunk enough, none of it would matter. He was starting to worry a little about the knowing glint in Willie’s eye. 

“Luke, don’t be a dick,” Alex chimed in, and Luke pressed his hand to his chest with a gasp.

“Me? Never.” 

Alex rolled his eyes, but he was smiling fondly.

“So, Reg. Truth or dare?”

“Ugh, fine. Truth.”

“Who was your first kiss?”

Reggie’s blush returned with a vengeance. He looked down at his glass so he wouldn’t accidentally catch Willie’s eye again. “You.”

“What? Really?” Luke sounded startled, and Reggie chanced a look at him and he was staring back at Reggie, eyes wide. Reggie couldn’t stop his own traitorous eyes from finding Willie’s. Willie was grinning. But there was something in his gaze that loosened the tightness in Reggie’s chest, and he let out a heavy breath.

“Yeah. We were 14, and you—”

“No, I remember. I just didn’t know that was your first kiss.” Luke was blushing now, too.

“Jeez, Luke, you get around. You were my first kiss, too,” Alex said, but his voice was light, rather than recriminating. Willie’s gaze sharpened at that, and his smile grew into a smirk. Reggie wondered what he was planning.

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, you were also mine,” Luke offered, sharing a loaded look with Alex. Reggie still couldn’t look away from Willie, and Willie licked his lips. 

“So, I’m the only one here who hasn’t kissed Luke, huh? Pity I don’t get a first kiss from him, too.” Willie rose and covered the couple of steps to the couch and dropped to his knees in front of Luke. “But that’s not really the point, is it?”

“Uh,” Luke laughed, a little shakily. “Are we still playing the game?”

“Do I need to dare you to do it?” Willie countered, and Luke stared at him for a long moment.

“No.” He leaned down, curling the fingers of his free hand around the back of Willie’s neck, and drew him in. For a few moments it was soft and slow, their lips moving gently together, then Luke made a small noise in the back of his throat and Reggie saw a flash of Willie’s tongue, and they were kissing, properly. The silence of the room was broken by the soft, wet sounds of their lips and tongues meeting and Reggie shivered. His first kiss with Luke had been nothing like that.

Reggie had no idea how much time passed before they broke apart, each of them breathing heavily, and he shivered again when Willie licked his lips. They were shiny from their mingled spit.

“Oh,” Alex said. Reggie looked over, and he was staring, his cheeks pink. 

“Come over here, Alex,” Willie said, and Alex moved, seemingly without thinking, joining Willie on his knees in front of Reggie. “Did you kiss Reggie, too?”

Alex peeked up at Reggie, his blush deepening. “No, we never did.”

“Well?” Willie said gently, and Alex pushed up onto his knees and tilted his head, holding Reggie’s gaze. He felt a little disconnected, floaty, the alcohol buzzing through him. He wasn’t even corporeal anymore, but it felt like his whole body was alive. 

“Reg?” For a moment it was just the two of them, Alex’s sea green eyes the only thing he could see. He nodded absently, and tilted forward to meet Alex’s mouth. Alex’s hands came up to cup his cheeks, stroking softly as their lips met. Reggie clung to Alex’s shoulders, to keep himself from falling further, to steady himself. Alex didn’t wait like Willie and Luke had, his tongue slick at the seam of Reggie’s lips, teasing them open easily, dipping inside. 

Reggie’s head spun, from the kiss, from the alcohol, from Willie’s eyes on him all night. He wasn’t sure. He just let himself fall into the kiss, dragged his tongue against Alex’s until they both moaned.

Alex broke the kiss but pressed his forehead to Reggie’s, letting them both recover before facing Luke and Willie. Reggie felt warm, a little squirmy in his belly, and caressed the tips of his fingers across the lines of Alex’s shoulders until he leaned back. 

“God,” Luke said.

Reggie flopped back on the couch, his spine unable to support him. He hummed, and groped for his drink on the table beside the couch. He took a fortifying drink before looking at the others.

Willie’s eyes were as intent as ever, but they were sparkling with mischief now, and Reggie couldn’t help smiling back. Willie seemed to take this as an invitation, and eased Alex back and out of the way, then he was climbing onto the couch and settling in Reggie’s lap.

“Was this your plan all along?” Reggie murmured. Willie grinned and eased the glass from Reggie’s hand, taking a small sip. He made a face at the sweetness, but then leaned in and pressed their mouths together. Reggie gasped, and Willie pressed in, trickling the alcohol from his tongue onto Reggie’s. It made their kiss sticky and sweet, and Reggie enjoyed the way it faded slowly, revealing Willie’s own taste, the mingling of each of theirs together.

“This was my plan all along,” Willie said quietly, into Reggie’s mouth. “None of you are subtle.”

Reggie slipped his hand up into Willie’s hair and tangled his fingers in the silky strands, pulling Willie in deeper, tilting their heads to smooth the way.

“It was a good plan. Ten out of ten.” Willie grinned at him and dropped a kiss to the tip of his nose, and then turned together to watch Luke and Alex meet in the middle, Luke sliding off the couch into Alex’s lap.

“I do love it when a plan comes together,” Willie quipped, and Reggie laughed.