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Tweak says, "I solemnly swear..."

Regulus Arcturus Black (te_regulus) wrote in hogwarts_dawn,
@ 2021-04-18 09:39:00

Entry tags:

character: regulus black, character: remus lupin

RP: Regulus/Remus
Who: Regulus/Remus
When: Morning, 18 April
Where: Slytherin dormitory
What: Regulus needs to talk to Remus

Regulus had avoided Remus. It wasn't something easy with a population of two dozens, but he'd done an amazing job, eating in his rooms and working most of the day. He just needed time to himself to deal with what had transpired on Wednesday night, to understand the things that he had said and done. He probably would need more than a few days, but he owed Remus and explanation.

He sent a message asking Remus to come to the dormitory. Rules dictated that he go and see Remus for an apology, but there was no way that he would have this discussion in the Gryffindor tower, with Sirius and Potter around.

He was anxious when he heard the knock. Kreacher opened the door and let Remus in. The Slytherin common room was much the same, but the table had been made bigger with more chairs. He didn't know why since he didn't entertain, but Kreacher insisted that it was proper to have a dining room table.

"Good morning. I have prepared brunch for us," he said, gesturing toward the table. "And by me, I do mean Kreacher, so there's no fear of being poisoned by my non existent attempts at cooking."

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slowburn_alpha
2021-04-18 12:31 am UTC (link)

"Well, thank you for the thought and thank you, Kreacher for the cooking," Remus replied with a chuckle and a smile for both elf and Master.

To say the last few days had been confusing for Remus would have been an understatement. He'd been perfectly ready to move on from the party in much the same way as they had agreed to move on from their brief stint of thinking themselves a married couple. But, then Regulus had all but disappeared, seemingly avoiding him the way he'd insisted before he didn't want to. Remus thought he could understand, to an extent. And was, mostly fine with it if that was what Regulus needed.

Only Sirius had been avoiding him, too. He'd come back to the tower the morning after the party reeking of sex, alcohol, and Kirley Duke. Then it was like his friend had disappeared as thoroughly as Regulus. At least with Regulus Remus knew what he'd done.

So, perhaps he'd been a little more enthusiastic over getting Regulus' message than might otherwise have been warranted if he hadn't spent three days with both Black brothers playing 'Anywhere But Here'.

"I'm glad you asked to meet," he told Regulus, stopping beside him on his way to the table. "I was starting to worry about you."

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te_regulus
2021-04-18 12:42 am UTC (link)

"There's no reason to worry," he started, mostly to give himself a few more moments to think. "Let's sit." He waved his hand and two chairs moved back for them. Much like at the club, they were next to each other, but unlike the club, he wasn't on top of Remus.

"I have said plenty of things the other night," he started as the food appeared on the table, near the two of them. It was perhaps a lot more intimate that it would have been at his house, but his parents firmly believed in sitting at the two ends of the table. "I was taking the time to think about what I would say without insulting you any further."

He opened his napkin and put it on his knees. "I am very glad that you accepted my invitation. I wasn't sure you would. I have behaved horribly and put you in a terrible situation. I am sorry for such a slip of manners. I should know better than to drink. I am terrible with alcohol, but with all the sugar, I fear that I didn't realize quite how alcoholic that punch was. None of that is an excuse for the liberties I took. You made it very clear that consent is very important to you and I took advantage without your consent."

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slowburn_alpha
2021-04-18 01:07 am UTC (link)

"Hey." Remus reached over to place his fingertips lightly on Regulus' arm. "It's okay, Regulus." After two months, he liked to think he'd learned his newest friend's tells, at least somewhat. The retreat into formality, the elevated heart rate, a slight nervous tang...it all added up. "It's just me."

His own napkin lay untouched as he turned just a bit in his chair to look at Regulus more fully. "You don't owe me any apologies, Regulus, except maybe for avoiding me after we said we wouldn't do that to each other. First, I wasn't insulted. There was nothing insulting about what happened. Second, it is impossible for you to have been the one taking advantage when you were also the one intoxicated. Yes, consent is important to me, but I was capable of saying yes or no with full cognisance of what was happening. You were not."

He was tempted to tuck his finger under Regulus' chin and turn his face so that Remus could meet that grey-eyed gaze while he spoke. But, he knew that wouldn't be welcome now. Taking a breath, he turned back to his own napkin and the meal. "We talked about this, didn't we? How we might say or do things as a result of our experience with Lily and James' memories? I told you then I wouldn't hold it against you, I think. And, if I didn't, let me say it now."

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te_regulus
2021-04-18 01:33 am UTC (link)

"I know it is, Remus. I sent the invitation, remember?" he said, trying to relax a little, since Remus seemed not to have taken offense to the night.

"You weren't the one putting his hands all over me, unless you count giving me support so I wouldn't fall flat on my face, for which I thank you. I'm the one who was touching and kissing you. Whether you knew what was happening doesn't change the fact that you didn't want it to happen."

Regulus took his own food. The Sunday fry up was probably not the healthiest, but he'd seen Remus eat. He'd probably eat the entire thing, however none of that seemed relevant. "What in Merlin's name are you talking about? I can tell you for sure, since I have her memories that she doesn't seem very interested in the way he smells. This wasn't about Potter or her memories. Sweet Salazar, you're not Sirius, but apparently you're just obsessed with the man. Remus, not everything is about Potter. You want to be upset, then be upset, but don't justify my actions about Potter."

He shifted in his chair so he could turn to Remus. "I like you, you do smell good, sex was bloody awesome. None of that has anything to do with Potter. Not a single one." He shook his head not sure how to drive the point home and then it hit him. "You said I should ask when sober. Kiss me."

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slowburn_alpha
2021-04-18 02:10 am UTC (link)

"Didn't want it to happen that way," Remus corrected quietly, giving up on the meal before it had really even started because despite his own bouts of low self-esteem, he couldn't let Regulus think not wanting him was the problem.

Not wanting Regulus was so far from the problem.

He'd spent far too much time thinking about Regulus, too many mornings waking up still thinking he should be there before he remembered that it had all been because of that the castle had done. Despite the fact he'd been totally honest with Peter about not seeing Regulus, he couldn't get the younger Black brother off his mind all the same. Regulus had been clear that the emotions weren't theirs, that he didn't want Remus to kiss him. And Remus had respected that. But, it didn't mean he didn't still want to, memories restored properly or not.

But, he didn't bother explaining any of that.

He might be slow and careful, but Remus Lupin wasn't a stupid man. While he hadn't expected Regulus to actually do it, to ask Remus to kiss him while sober, Remus wasn't stupid or chivalrous enough to say no when it happened. Cupping Regulus' face with both hands, he did as he was asked, lips meeting Regulus' in a kiss that held all that pent up frustration and every other emotion Remus hadn't dared classify.