Oneshot
Wizarding world AU
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It was bizarre. Totally bizarre.
Regulus was weak. He was weak because he didn't stand up to his mother's rotten demands and cold sneer. He was weak because he sat there as Voldemort gave him the dark mark, his long wand pressed into Regulus' bare left forearm. Regulus was weak because he attended every meeting the dark lord held. He was weak because he fought on Voldemort's side and hurt people along side Death Eaters.
And he couldn't help but beat himself down about everything he didn't do. He didn't help Sirius while he was getting tortured. He sat in his room and covered his ears so he wouldn't have to experience the shrieking that he knew was Sirius. He didn't get himself out of that house like his brother had. He endured the expectations and stress of being the Black Family's heir. He didn't help people. He hurt them.
He was forced to put his own feelings and opinions aside. He was forced to put Sirius aside. He was forced to box away James deep in his mind, in fear of his mother using Legilimency on him. Oh, James.
Regulus had a stupid boy crush on him back at Hogwarts. And he's pretty sure James had a few feelings for him too. Regulus didn't think the seventh year would've kissed him if he didn't. He misses his time at Hogwarts. The times he'd sneak out late at night to take stroll through the forbidden forest with James. The times they'd cuddle in Regulus's dorm and James would have to throw the invisibility cloak over him when Barty barged into the room and listened to Regulus make small talk with him.
He misses the innocence in all their situations. Even small amounts of innocence found in sensual caresses and soft kisses in forbidden places as soft hums of approval and moans fell past puckered swollen lips from make out sessions and biting.
He'd give anything to see that boy again. Even his life. He means that literally.
He's literally risking his life as he runs down the street in the pouring rain. James' house is his next destination. Blood soaked down his black clothing, the rain cleaning the big wound on his stomach and making crimson stain clothing. His shirt was ripped, and he was freezing. He shivered in the cold winter night, street lights flickering. His black curls stuck to his face and dripped water, and although he was in excruciating pain he kept running.
He had a soggy piece of parchment in his pruned fingers that had James' address on it. Back when Sirius had run away, he asked- No, he begged Regulus to come with him. Regulus refused, too scared to leave the protection that comes with loyalty to his parents. Sirius was frustrated, torn between leaving his baby brother behind and staying. He eventually left, coming to terms that this family was too toxic for him. He wrote down James' address and gave the parchment to Regulus and whispered a few words before disappearing out his bedroom windows.
"If you change your mind, that's where I am. I'm always here for you, Reggie." Sirius almost cried, his voice wavering. Regulus was mad about Sirius leaving him in the beginning, but now he gets it. Sirius needed to leave, he was losing himself.
And now it's Regulus' turn to run, because he can't take it anymore. He's losing his mind under the orders of the dark lord. Regulus' damp fingers ran over the almost torn paper.
The Potter Manor
Godric's hollow, please escape that house.
Written in Sirius' nicest handwriting so Regulus wouldn't have to put up with his unruly messy hand while in tragedy. I'm doing it. Regulus thought. I'm escaping that house, Sirius.
