Only the Brave

Chapter 59: Always You

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"Dorcas," Regulus says, knocking on the door to her room in Grimmauld Place.

"Come in," she calls through the door.

Regulus slips inside. After dropping Elspeth off at the harbour, he had some time to shower and change into some of the muggle clothes he got last summer. It is imperative that he goes shopping soon, Regulus has realised, but there's no time for that today so this will have to do. He's in jeans and a black t-shirt with a black hoodie thrown over to hide his arm. Fortunately, even though it's early June, it's not very warm so the hoodie is actually rather comfortable.

Fidgeting with his rings, Regulus looks at his best friend and says, "So, I ehm..." He stops, clears his throat.

Fucking hell. He hasn't got any better at voicing things, has he? This is going to present a problem. He's no longer sixteen and able to pass it off as teenage insecurities. People will expect him to be eloquent now. And really, he can be. Just not when it's about... feelings.

"I'm fascinated by the fact that you could give Albus Dumbledore of all people a dressing down to make him quake in his boots but cannot bring yourself to ask me whatever it is you want to ask about James," Dorcas says, visibly amused as she swings her legs over the bed to sit up and watch Regulus like all she's missing is some popcorn.

"How do you know it's about James?"

"You're having a gay panic like you did when you couldn't figure out what to do about Valentine's Day," Dorcas informs him. "It's adorable, and I'm very happy it's happening because it means you're back for good."

"If you ever call me adorable again, I will hurt you," Regulus snarls, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose with his two fingers. "And I mean that."

Dorcas laughs, gets up and comes to stand in front of Regulus. There are dark bruises under her eyes that Regulus knows are Marlene's. Guilt bubbles inside of him immediately. If it weren't for him, Dorcas and Marlene wouldn't be going through this.

"What did you want to ask?" Dorcas says softly.

"It doesn't matter," Regulus replies. "Are you... did you sleep?"

"Stop," Dorcas says, waving a hand in front of her. "Stop that. I'm sad, and heartbroken, but I'm going to win Marlene back. You didn't think I was going to give up that easy, did you? I'm going to woo the shit out of her until she takes me back."

Regulus tilts his head, intrigued. "And... ehm... how exactly will you be doing that?"

"Well, for starters, I'm going to talk to her," Dorcas tells him. "And to be quite honest, I don't think it'll take any more than that for you. Marlene is proud and nurtures grudges like they're kittens, but James is the most forgiving person I know."

"I don't know if you've noticed but I'm not particularly good at talking," Regulus snaps at Dorcas, burying a hand into his hair.

Dorcas hums, crosses her arms over her chest. "You already did this once, Reg. James fell in love with you in school. And I'm pretty sure he hasn't fallen out of love, but even if he had, you can do it again."

"Last time it was easier," Regulus insists, panic mounting. "Last time I could... I just... James did all the work."

"Well, then perhaps you just have to find a way to show him you're willing to do some of the work, too?"

"What do you mean?" Regulus asks, latching on to this piece of advice. Anything to help him figure out if he's got a chance.

Dorcas shrugs, purses her lips. "Like a big gesture. James seems like the type to like romantic things."