daddy issues

A/N- This is a one-shot that takes place in the 'Blood Magic and Other Drinking Games Universe'. It's set in Regulus' childhood, but I couldn't think of a place to fit it in the main story. If there are other requests for one shots in this universe, let me know, I may do more.

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Regulus is, quite frankly, drowning in self loathing.

He feels like he can't breathe as he glares at his own reflection. Fuck it all. It's his fathers eyes that look back, his strong chin, his black curls. He looks like a carbon fucking copy of his worst nightmare, and he can't stand it. He punches the glass and feels it shatter under his fist.

Sirius runs into the room, "Reggie, what's wrong?"

Regulus spins and leans back against the sink. He swipes at his tears, but it's pointless. Sirius sees them all the same, and the knuckles that now have glass embedded in them. He races towards him and mutters the healing spells they've long since memorized to hide their parents' sins.

"Reggie, what is it? Did Dad go crazy again? Mum?"

Regulus shakes his head, avoiding eye contact. "No, it's nothing like that. I'm fine."

"You are not fine," Sirius corrects him "Wizards that are fine do not punch mirrors."

Regulus turns and waves his wand to mend the mirror. Pieces of glass shoot back to the wall and knit themselves back together, as if his temper had never gotten the better of him at all. Regulus rolls his eyes, but looks up at his brother. He's so earnest, so eager to help.

"Dad took me to a Wizengamot session."

"And it was so boring you had to take it out on the mirror?" Sirius teases.

Regulus glares at him, and Sirius throws his hands up in surrender. "Okay, not funny. Sorry. C'mon Reggie, you can tell me. It's just me."

Regulus closes his eyes and swallows thickly. When he opens his eyes Sirius is still sitting there, uncharacteristically quiet.

"Everyone I met mentioned how much I look like Dad."

Sirius' posture sags. "Yeah, you are getting to that age. Aren't you?" He runs his hand through his hair. "What a fucking nightmare. I remember when people started saying that to me. It made me want to puke."

Regulus crosses his arms across his chest. "And how did you cope with it?"

Sirius shrugs. "Don't know. An alcohol problem?"

Regulus tries to shove past him, but Sirius grabs onto his arm to stop him. "You don't look like him. Okay? You don't."

Regulus rips his arm from Sirius as more tears escape his eyes. Sirius stills him with gentle hands on his shoulders, and steers him back to the mirror. They're so alike, side by side like this.

"You look like me," Sirius tells him. "You have my strong chin, my eyes, my hair. You're my boy, not his. Do you understand?"

Regulus nods slowly.

He is Sirius' boy.

He always has been.

It was Sirius who calmed him when he had a nightmare. It was Sirius that fixed his injuries, and asked the house elves for medicine when he was sick. It was Sirius that taught him to fly, and how to dance.

"I understand, Siri."

Sirius smiles in that soft way he reserves for those he truly loves. "Good."