Sweet innocence ~ Jegulus

38.

TW: mentions of child abuse.

Regulus's winter break had been spent, for the most part, in his bedroom. It wasn't really his choice, after the first day his mother had locked him in there for four days without food. After that, Regulus figured that he better stay out of her way before she decided that her punishment wasn't enough. Kreacher had been the only person he had talked to all break, but the house elf stopped coming to his room after Orion had caught him sneaking food for Regulus.

Now, Regulus was waiting at platform nine and three quarters.

He was happy to be out of that dreadful house and away from his parents. Though, he wasn't happy that he had to break up with James. Regulus had thought of sending the older boy a letter breaking things off, but he knew that James deserved better than that. So Regulus had to do it in person, which would be a hundred times harder.

"Kreacher has spotted Master Sirius." The house elf exclaimed from beside Regulus. Regulus's head snapped in the direction of where Kreacher was pointing and sure enough, Sirius and James were coming through the portal along with James's parents. "Fuck." Regulus mumbled, pulling Kreacher's hand so that they could move further into the crowd. Regulus winced as a sharp pain ran up his abdomen. He still hadn't fully healed from his punishment.

"Master Sirius! Master Siri-"

Regulus slapped his hand over Kreacher's mouth, scowling at the elf. "Shut up, will you. I don't want them to see us." Regulus hissed, pulling Kreacher away.

"Oi, Regulus!" Peter is coming towards him with a wide smile. Before Regulus could change his path, Peter is already standing in front of him going in for a hug. Regulus stifled a groan, feeling his wound press up against Peter's side. "How was your break? Good? Mine too! My family went to Spain and..." Regulus wasn't listening to him, he was too busy trying not to cry.

"Reg! Pete!" Now James and Sirius had spotted them. They were with Remus too. Regulus clenched his eyes shut, preparing himself. James hugged him first, it was longer and tighter than Peter's hug. Sirius was next and by the time Remus was going to hug him, the older boy paused and looked at Regulus in concern. "Are you bleeding?" Remus asked, sniffing the air. Regulus's eyes widened and he shook his head quickly.

"Mistress gave Master Regulus a very bad punishment. Mistress doesn't approve of Master Regulus's romantic relationship with the blood traitor Potter." Kreacher spoke up, looking at Regulus sadly.

"What?" James exclaimed, turning to Regulus. "She hurt you?"

"She ambushed me. I didn't have any time to lock you away, she was already digging around in my mind." Regulus mumbled, pressing a hand to his stomach. "Mulciber must've told his father and then his dad wrote to my mum." Regulus explained.

"Shit, Reg. What the hell did she do to you?" Sirius muttered, looking at Regulus sadly.

"I have to break up with you." Regulus ignored Sirius and turned to James. "She threatened to hurt you if I don't." Regulus told him. James's brows were furrowed in anger and sadness and he shook his head.

"No." James replied. "We're not breaking up, not because of her."

Regulus sighed and pulled on James's arm, bringing him a few feet away from their friends so that they could talk in private.

"James she threatened to hurt you!" Regulus exclaimed. "I can't disobey her. You don't know her like I do. She will hurt you and your entire family just to spite me." Regulus told him. "You can't stay in that house, Regulus. If your mum would hurt you just because of who you love then you can't live there anymore. Come stay with me. I'm sure my parents haven't gone yet we can talk to them-"

"I'm not staying there." Regulus mumbled.

James turned to him with wide eyes. "You're not?"

"No. I'm leaving." Regulus admitted. "I can't go to yours though, if I go there they will hurt everyone in the house to get to me. I'm going somewhere where no one else knows. Somewhere where I'll be safe."

"Where?" James asked incredulously.

"I can't tell you. Not because I don't want to, but because I might be putting someone I love in danger if I do. Just trust me when I say that I will be safe there." Regulus whispered. James nodded reluctantly. "I still have to break up with you, though." Regulus sighed. "What? Why? If you're leaving then-""

"If they know that we're still together they will come after you and your parents." Regulus told him. "I couldn't live with myself if your your family got hurt because of me."

"We won't, Reg. My dad can put charms around the house so that your mum can't get in. He can-""

"James, I don't want to do this, but I have to." Regulus sighed softly. "I love you too much to ever put you in danger." Regulus whispered. "I can't bear the thought of you being hurt. I'm doing this for you, please don't make it harder than it has to be." Regulus pleaded. "We can't be boyfriends and we can't be friends. She doesn't even want me speaking to Sirius anymore." Regulus told him. James frowned at the sad expression on Regulus's face. He pressed a kiss to the younger boy's forehead and Regulus groaned as he pushed James away. "Stop that." He sighed.

"I don't want to break up." James whispered sadly.

"I know. I don't either, but sometimes we don't always get what we want." Regulus sighed.

~
Notes:
laugh out loud 😅