𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆, regulus black

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖𝟕: 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐬

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚

Rune stepped out of the shower, her skin still tingling from the hot water. She wrapped herself in a plush towel and padded over to the mirror, wiping away the fog with a sigh. As she dried herself off, her mind drifted back to the events of a few hours ago.

After Regulus's declaration that they were together, the atmosphere at the party had shifted dramatically. 

Her father's face had gone pale before he forced a polite smile, mirroring the strained expressions on the faces of Regulus's parents. 

Walburga Black had leaned in and whispered that they would discuss it at home, her tone a blend of icy control and hidden fury. 

The party continued, though the undercurrent of tension was palpable. Guests lingered for a few more hours, and Rune maintained her poise, exchanging pleasantries and managing her father's increasingly frequent glances of concern. By the time the last of the guests had departed, her father had already retired to his room, leaving Rune alone to face the aftermath of the night's revelations.

Stifling a yawn, Rune pulled on a pair of silk pajamas, the luxurious fabric cool against her skin. She walked into her room, her thoughts still churning. 

The sudden sight of a figure sitting on her bed made her gasp, her heart leaping into her throat.

She exhaled sharply when she recognized Regulus, but her relief was fleeting. 

As he looked up, the dim light revealed dark bruises and dried blood on his face, marring his usually handsome features. The sight of his injuries sent a surge of panic through her.

"What the hell happened to you?" she asked, rushing to his side. 

Her fingers lightly traced the edges of a bruise, careful not to cause him more pain.

Regulus winced but didn't pull away. 

"It's nothing," he muttered, his voice low and strained. 

Rune's eyes filled with concerned anger. "This isn't nothing, Regulus. You look like you've been through a battle."

"I had a... disagreement with my parents."

Her hand stilled on his face. "A disagreement?" she echoed, her voice laced with incredulity. If this was the result of a disagreement, she dreaded to think what a full-blown fight would look like.

She gently tilted his face to study his injuries more closely. A split lip, a broken nose, and a bleeding gash on his cheek painted a grim picture, but it was the deeper signs that truly worried her. 

He was trembling, his breaths shallow, and his movements had a slight, involuntary twitch.

Her eyes widened as the realization struck her. "You were crucioed," she murmured, horror creeping into her voice.

Regulus's response was a tired, defeated, "It's nothing."

"Oh my God, this is because of me!" she exclaimed, her voice breaking.

He gave her a bloody smile, though it did little to alleviate her concern. "If it makes you feel any better, it's not the first time."

"That does not make me feel better!" she snapped, her anger flaring. 

"Oh," he said. "My bad."

Rune disappeared into the bathroom for a moment and then returned with a damp cloth. She kneeled beside him and gently wiped away the blood, her touch tender.

Regulus watched her intently, his gaze never leaving her face. The silence between them thick with tension, each careful dab of the cloth drawing them closer. Rune felt the heat of his stare as it sent shivers down her spine.