Champagne Coasts - Regulus Black x O.C

Origami.

The tension between us had been simmering for days.

Every time Sirius caught my eye, he'd look away, and the weight of everything left unsaid between us only grew heavier. I hated it. I hated how something that used to be so easy, our friendship, had turned into this-this mess of awkward silences and strained glances.

It was time to fix it, or at least try.

I found him in the Gryffindor common room, leaning against the fireplace, staring into the flames. His usual playful smirk was absent, replaced by a furrowed brow. I took a deep breath, steeling myself. We needed to talk.

"Sirius," I called softly.

His head turned slightly, but he didn't look at me. "What?"

I stepped closer, trying to sound calm even though my chest felt tight. "We need to talk. About... everything."

He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "There's nothing to talk about, Willow."

Frustration flickered in my chest. "There is, though. You've been avoiding me ever since-"

"Ever since what?" he snapped, finally turning to face me. His eyes were darker than usual, like a storm brewing just beneath the surface. "Ever since I kissed you? Or ever since you've been so busy with Regulus?"

The mention of his brother hit like a slap, but I forced myself not to react. "This isn't about Regulus," I said, trying to stay calm. "It's about us. You've been acting like I've done something wrong, and I don't understand why."

Sirius scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Maybe because you have."

I blinked, taken aback. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"It means," he said, his voice rising, "that you've been running around with my brother, getting tangled up in whatever mess he's dragging you into, and I'm supposed to just sit here and watch like none of it matters?"

Anger flared in my chest. "You're being ridiculous, Sirius! Regulus is-"

"Is what?" he interrupted, his eyes narrowing. "Different? Misunderstood? Let me guess, you think you can change him."

I clenched my fists, my patience slipping. "Why do you care so much what I do with him? He's your brother. Shouldn't you want him to be okay?"

Sirius laughed, but there was no humour in it. "You don't get it, do you? Regulus made his choice a long time ago. And now you're getting dragged into his world, and I won't just stand by and let that happen."

I stared at him, heart pounding. "That's not fair."

"Fair?" He stepped closer, his voice dropping lower, more dangerous. "You think any of this is fair? You have no idea what you're getting yourself into."

"Then tell me!" I shot back, my frustration boiling over. "Stop shutting me out and actually talk to me, Sirius!"

For a moment, he just stared at me, his jaw clenched, his eyes searching mine. But instead of answering, he turned away, running a hand through his hair. "It's not that simple, Willow."

I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my anger, but it was no use. "You're making it that way. Every time I try to talk to you, you push me away, and I'm tired of it. I'm tired of you thinking you can control everything and everyone around you."

Sirius's eyes snapped back to mine, the anger in them flaring again. "I'm not trying to control you, I'm trying to protect you."

"I don't need your protection!" I shouted, my voice shaking. "I'm not some helpless girl you can save. I can take care of myself, Sirius."