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Tweak says, "so you played me"

Regulus Arcturus Black (te_regulus) wrote in hogwarts_dawn,
@ 2021-06-02 20:25:00

Entry tags:

character: regulus black, character: remus lupin

RP: Remus/Regulus
Who: Remus/Regulus
When: evening, 2nd of June
Where: The new living room
What: Regulus decides that it's time to discuss the house

Regulus was slowly redecorating the Slytherin dormitory or as he called it 'home'. The common room was now a formal salon, with sofas and armchairs grouped together around the edges of the room. The middle was now empty and ready for people. He just needed an excuse for a party.

The girls side of the dormitory was still untouched, but he had worked on the boys side. The first floor still had the bedroom. He had debated bringing it upstairs, but the past full moon proved that it was easier for Remus to only walk up one set of stairs. The informal dining room had been brought all the way to the seventh floor, while the new living room was on the sixth, giving them options for different rooms.

They were in the newly decorated living room, sitting in a comfortable couch (unlike the ones in the salon). He looked at the message that they had just gotten from Pettigrew. "If whatever it is screws with my house, I will be terribly upset."

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slowburn_alpha
2021-06-12 09:02 pm UTC (link)

Grinning, Remus leant down to nibble at the side of Regulus' neck. "No," he declared with a quiet hum. "I think you taste better than aged whiskey," he teased, sneaking in a last nip before raising his head to continue the conversation.

His arms wrapped around Regulus' waist and he pressed a kiss to dark hair that was the trademark of the Black family. "They aren't without their faults," he agreed mildly. Remus was still holding out hope that his friends and Regulus wouldn't always hate each other, especially if this relationship really did turn out to be as long term as the way he and Regulus seemed to talk about it. "Still, he's not as loud, is he?" Remus might love them, but there was no denying James and Sirius both had very loud personalities. "Lilu seems to have gotten a bit more of that, though not to the same extent as her grandfather. Nor does Jamie seem to take after the Potter looks. His poor brother got that trademark hair, it seems."

He could get used to this, he thought, sitting wrapped up in each other, just talking about...everything. "Because I can?" he replied, biting his lip to keep from smirking because he knew that answer wasn't going to go over any better than a lead feather. Having a high tolerance for pain and having to learned how to force himself to do things after the transformation in order to survive didn't seem to be a good enough reason in the face of Regulus' logic.

"We should go soon. Take a night and explore the city, see what lights and new things we can discover." He chuckled again. "Apparating makes noise. It's also less dangerous to climb them, than risk splinching after a transformation."

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te_regulus
2021-06-12 09:25 pm UTC (link)

"Of course, because I'm wonderful and perfect and nothing is better than me. I thought you knew that," he said, laughing.

Once upon a time, the idea of being so exposed and powerful with a Gryffindor would have been ludicrous, but now, it didn't even occur to him until Remus' arms were around him. "Jamie is not objectionable. In fact, I can seem to deal with the new generation better than I can deal with the older one," he said, but his voice had a far away sound, because his mind was still on the way they were sitting. "I trust you." He knew how ridiculous it sounded considering that they slept together, but that was different, that was sex, and even taking Remus into consideration while building a house seemed minor compared to this. "I don't worry about you being a threat, which is- Part of me is always careful, even with friends, but with you, I stopped being careful."

He smiled, not because of the smart arse remark, but because of his newfound realization. "Sure you can, and you can go without the potion, you can go without a real job, you can do a lot of things, but just because you have been able to survive, it doesn't mean that you have to do it again."

Regulus nodded. "We should. I miss the time when I could walk around in a robe and no one would care, but I suppose that I can make a sacrifice to be in London."

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slowburn_alpha
2021-06-13 12:24 am UTC (link)

"I also trust your judgement when it comes to finery," Remus pointed out, the beginning of a soft smirk playing about the corner of his mouth. "So, I just wanted a sample." He dipped his head again to lightly scrape his teeth down the column of Regulus' throat. "And has no one warned you yet that 'fine' is code in Gryffindor-ese for 'fucked up and trying to hide it'?" he added when he raised his head again.

The change in Regulus' tone caught his attention immediately and the Potter family became a secondary concern the minute the reason for the change became apparently. Remus' breath caught briefly in his lungs because those were three words he hadn't expected to hear for some time, yet. The affection between them had seemed to sneak up on them quietly, until it couldn't be quiet any longer. It still surprised Remus that they could have this, the quiet comfort of conversation and blazing sexual heat in equal measure. But, they were two war-scarred young men, with their own paranoia and distrust of...life. Regulus, even more than Remus, had been given few reasons to trust people in his life. So, to hear him say, with such sincerity, that he trusted Remus, was...well, Remus honestly wasn't certain what he'd done to deserve that trust, but he'd work twice as hard not to lose it now that he knew he had it. Those three words -- i trust you -- were as important as three other words neither of them had spoken yet.

Perhaps moreso to Remus who had such a history of being falsely mistrusted by those closest to him, as well as the world for what he was.

"I'm glad you've stopped feeling the need to be careful between us," he said softly and pressed his lips to Regulus temple in a gentle kiss. "It means a lot to me that you feel that way." He brushed his fingers through Regulus' hair. "I know it's not the same, and I don't know when it started, but I've stopped hiding when I'm with you. All the things I've never felt I could share with my friends, it comes easily with you." Smiling, he squeezed his arm around Regulus. "Even letting you take care of me when my pride says otherwise."

His smirk grew wider, but softer. "Well, I still say you look sexy as sin in trousers. But, when we figure all this craziness out and we can leave the castle and the country, we'll go to France, travel the wizarding places where you can wear your robes without worry."

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te_regulus
2021-06-13 01:19 am UTC (link)

Regulus tilted his head a little more without even thinking. "That's when used in a very different context. It's not my fault that Gryffindors are unable to distinguish between the many meanings a word can have," he answered in a breathy voice. "It is sad that there aren't enough people around to teach you. I can't do it all by myself."

He turned around, because he wanted to see Remus. "I haven't scared you, have I? I know that we seem to be skipping a few steps here. First, we were going so slow that we were basically at a standstill and then after the memories-" He laced his fingers with Remus. "I will never understand the friendship you have with those three, and while I might complain about them as people, I accept that they mean a lot, but I really want to hex all four of you, when they are so careless and you let them. I help you not because you're weak, but because that's what you should do for a person you care about."

He bit his lip, pressing his cheek against Remus. "If we were home, this would still be considered slow. There would be an official engagement, plans for a wedding. There were rules about relationships and marriages. Not that we could have gotten married. Here, we can get married, but none of the rules apply, and I don't know if this is too fast, but I know I like having you here with me. I like falling asleep and waking up with you. I like it, because I care for you and I never thought I could be with someone I love."

He smiled. "Wearing trousers is fine if you enjoy them as much and I do want to see London with you. We'll start there."

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slowburn_alpha
2021-06-13 04:13 am UTC (link)

Remus loved how easily Regulus responded, the subtle tilt of a head, the change in breath and voice. The genuine nature of Regulus' reactions had restored Remus' belief in sensuality. "I suppose I shall just have to work harder to learn and save you the chore," he murmured against Regulus' skin.

When Regulus turned, Remus cupped his cheek with one hand, thumb brushing lightly over his lower lip. "Not scared," he said softly. "Perhaps surprised. I know how not easy it is for you to give your trust to others. It's a bit amazing to think we only arrived here a little over three and a half months ago and now we're...here, using words like trust and marriage and love as easily as we talk about books or theories. I don't know if it's too fast, either, or too slow. But, I find I don't really care. I like how we are. I'm happy finding our way through together, learning to love together." Leaning forward, he kissed Regulus softly, taking his time to enjoy the kiss and the moment and, most importantly, the man in his arms.

"I know you aren't helping me because you think I'm weak," he said quietly when he finally pulled back. "It's not that kind of pride. It's more...I guess it's more trust than pride, as well. My friends were there during school. But, during the war and after, I was on my own a lot by necessity, or with other werewolves. It was risky to be caught out after the transformation, there was no one who could be trusted. And, now...my friends haven't lived those years, they haven't had to live without the others. Life alone changed me, but they are still the same. It can't be what it was, but sometimes letting them pretend is easier than trying to explain the differences because we don't have the same set of shared experiences any more."

Stealing another kiss, he nodded. "I enjoy them because they look good on you. And that's settled, then. We'll find a day that's good and go exploring together."

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te_regulus
2021-06-13 03:19 pm UTC (link)

Regulus chuckled. "I have complete faith in your ability to learn, but I actually meant that the society that created and used those simple words for multiple meanings. Sometimes I miss those parties that were half parties and half verbal wars. Sure, they could be exhausting at times, but they were also interesting. I think that's why I enjoy talking to Theo. He never says what he means," he said with a laugh.

He nodded. "It surprises me. The speed isn't the surprise, considering that any marriage would have probably been this quick, but the trust and the... love, those are definitely unexpected." Regulus got lost into the kiss, leaning against Remus when they pulled apart. "I like the idea of doing everything together. I want you to be here all the time and I want you to move in with me. If you think it's too soon, we can have a separate bedroom for you, not that you'd use it, but I want you here." He raised his head and stared at Remus. "I want you to move in."

He understood all too well what it was like to do things alone. "Being alone and doing things alone are admirable traits, but also a sign of desperation. I know that, because I was caught up in it as well. There was no other way, I was convinced of that, but now, thinking back, maybe there were options. I could have gotten in touch with Sirius. For all that he can be a right prick, I've always known where his loyalties lay. I knew the Order would have helped destroy Voldemort. Maybe if I hadn't decided to do things alone, we could have destroyed him a lot sooner."

Regulus huffed. "I'm glad that my attire gives you pleasure. I'd say the same, but I actually prefer when you don't have clothes on."

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slowburn_alpha
2021-06-13 09:16 pm UTC (link)

Smiling softly, Remus hugged Regulus tighter for a moment. "It makes sense that you'd miss it. That was your world, after all, both the exhausting and the interesting. Sounds like Theo's company gives you back at least some of that familiarity. You need friends, too. Or at least people to spend time with occasionally who aren't brash hopeful Gryffindors with a tendency to see silver-linings to most things."

Golden brown eyes met stormy grey for a long moment before Remus nodded slowly. Taking Regulus' hand in his, he brought it his lips. "Okay." It didn't really require much thought. He loved his friends, but he was falling for Regulus harder each day, wanted to see his face the last thing before sleep and the first thing when he woke in the morning. "I don't know what too soon is, Regulus. But, I know that being here with you feels...right."

Two lonely, desperate people who'd had the good fortune to find each other. That's what it sounded like. "Desperate is a good description of the last few years. I think we all got desperate near the end. Look at the four of us. We couldn't even trust each other, even though we knew better. I imagine it was even harder for you in your situation." He pressed another kiss to Regulus' temple. "But, we have a chance to learn from our past, now, to do better. Together."

Laughing, he tugged at Regulus' hips in a silent urging to turn around fully so that Remus could pull him into his lap. "Is that what you prefer, hm? Want to do something about it, then?"

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te_regulus
2021-06-13 09:40 pm UTC (link)

"It's not just that. It's the end of an era, because you can never have that. Me, Theo, Lucius, Draco, we can't possibly recreate it by ourselves and what we had was the product of centuries. I'm sure that in five hundred year there will be some new variation of society, but it will never be the organic evolution of what we had." Regulus was coming to terms with that, even if some days it was harder than others.

Regulus grinned. "See? I should have asked you what you want in the house since you are moving in." He pulled Remus closer for another kiss, pushing away any discussion about speed. "We're already doing better," he said as he pulled back.

Instead of straddling Remus, Regulus stood up. "Since I've yet to stash lube in every room, we're going downstairs and then I plan to do a lot about it. I think we've found the downside of living at Hogwarts. WE can't apparate to our bedroom." But Regulus was going to make it up to Remus soon enough.

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