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Regulus struggled against the restraints binding him to the chair, the ropes around his wrists growing tighter as Bellatrix laughed beside him. The tape over his mouth stopped him from speaking, but he could still see everything that was happening - blood painted the walls a violent shade of red, and several Death Eaters watched from a corner as the cruciatus curse was performed yet again.
His vision wavered and faded to black, screams still echoing in his ears.
He dreamed of blood.
When he next awoke, Bellatrix was nowhere to be seen. Another Death Eater, however, stood before him, a potion clasped in one hand. He wore no mask, and Regulus was able to make out the blurry features of Peter Pettigrew.
Desperately, he tore at the tape over his mouth. It ripped, sticking to his teeth where he'd bitten at it, and he took a deep breath. "Pettigrew."
The man's eyes widened, and he nodded. "Black."
"Why... Why are you..." He shivered, pulling at the restraints once more. "What're you doing here? Get... Get me out. Please, I'll... I'll do anything, I don't care..."
"I'm sorry, Regulus. But you're going to have to stay here for... for the time being. Good luck." He raised his wand, and the tape over Regulus's mouth resealed itself. Regulus watched helplessly as Pettigrew left.
. . .
Regulus felt a tug on the rope binding his wrists, and immediately lashed out, turning to face the person behind him despite the blindfold covering his eyes.
"Hey, hey– Fuck–"
He knew that voice. He knew that voice far too well, yet he couldn't place it, couldn't quite make out the owner. He cried out, but it was unheard through the tape over his mouth.
His wrists came free, and he wrenched them out of the person's grip, pain shooting up his forearms as he brought them up to his face. However, he persevered, tearing the tape from his mouth and pulling the blindfold over his head, spitting out the blood from his mouth and blinking hard.
He tried to pull away again, but the ropes around his chest stayed firm, keeping him pressed up against the rough wooden chair. And fuck, it was tied at the back.
"I'm just getting to that," said a gentle voice, and he recognised it, it was so familiar–
But it was only as he saw the person's hands that he realised who had come to save him. "James...?" he whispered, his voice hoarse.
"I'm right here, my love. Just hang in there, okay?"
The restraints around Regulus's ankles came undone, and he kicked frustratedly at the chair, using the little strength that remained in order to express whatever the fuck he was feeling. Anger, fear... It all blended together.
"Please don't hurt yourself. It's... It's bad enough already. I don't want you do do any more damage than they've already done to you. I'm almost finished here."
The final restraint came loose as James untied the knot, and Regulus took a long, shaky breath. He was safe, he was safe, he was–
"Reggie?"
Regulus blinked, looking quickly up into James's face, but refusing to meet his eyes. "Y– yes?"
"Oh, my love..." James reached out, cupping Regulus' face in one hand, and gently, so gently, stroking Regulus's cheek with his thumb. "What have they done to you?"
Regulus melted into the touch, sinking forward into James's embrace. His knees collided with the floor, but he ignored the pain as James pulled him closer, and he instead buried his face in his lover's shoulder.
"I'm sorry," he sobbed. "James, I'm so, so sorry, I didn't– I didn't tell them anything, I swear I didn't–"
"Shh. Shh, it's okay. I know, I believe you. Shh. Can you walk, my love?"
He nodded, and James slowly rose to his feet, bringing Regulus with him. He lost his balance slightly, but quickly righted himself again, another apology spilling from his mouth. Yet, once again, James brushed it off.
"You've got nothing to apologise for, okay? Everything's alright now. We're not connected to the floo here, so I'll apparate us back. Do you have a wand?"
Regulus shook his head.
"Okay. That's fine. Just hold still for a moment, and we'll be back home. Three, two, one..."
A loud crack sounded, and the basement faded from view. Regulus collapsed on the floor of his living room, James's arms still wrapped protectively around his waist.
Regulus let out a pained whimper, and James moved in front of him, eyes scanning over his body for any more injuries. "You haven't splinched, have you?" he asked finally.
"No, I... I'm fine. I'll be fine."
"Regulus."
"I didn't splinch," he said quietly. "I just... I'm just tired."
James sighed, gently taking Regulus's hand in his own. "Let me help you, my love. Please."
"I'm fine, James. I don't... I don't need you to help me." He made as if to stand, but stumbled partway, and James rose quickly to his feet as well. He managed to catch Regulus just as he fell, pulling him closer to steady him.
A few moments passed in silence.
Finally, Regulus spoke. "I'm sorry," he said simply. "I... I shouldn't have–"
"It's okay. Everything's okay." James bent down to kiss Regulus's forehead. "Can I help you now?"
Regulus nodded defeatedly.
"Alright. Let's head upstairs, there's a first aid kit in the bathroom. We can sort this out there, okay?"
Another nod. "Okay. That's... That's fine."
"D'you want me to carry you?" A grin spread across James's face, and Regulus couldn't help but smile back, ever so slightly.
"If you must."
"Okay. Great. I'll just... Can I–" He placed one arm around Regulus's shoulders and the other under his legs, carefully lifting him. He was lighter than usual.
Cautiously, James made his way up the stairs, setting Regulus down on the bathroom floor once he reached the top. He grabbed the first aid kit from a cupboard.
"Alright. So, I'm gonna have to start by cleaning you up, and I realise this whole thing is gonna be really uncomfortable, but–"
"Just get it over with," Regulus mumbled. "Please, James, I... I'm fucking tired."
"Okay. I'm gonna need you to take your shirt off, if you can. I know it's-"
"It's fine, James. I'm fine." He pulled the bloodied shirt over his head, discarding it on the floor beside him.
James's eyes widened. "Are you... Are you still wearing your binder? How long have you been wearing that?"
"I don't know. As long as I've been missing, I guess. I don't know how long that's been."
"It's been weeks, Regulus! Fucking weeks!"
Regulus ducked his head, tucking his knees in to his chest. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I... I know I should have tried harder to escape. I just... I'm sorry. I– I'll make up for it, I'll be good, I promise I'll be good–"
"Regulus, stop. Stop."
He fell silent, looking up as if forced to meet James's eyes. His expression was one of fear and guilt.
"I'm sorry, my love. I shouldn't have raised my voice. I'm just worried, but that's not an excuse, and... I'm sorry. I love you."
"You love... me?"
"Oh... Come here." James pulled Regulus into a hug, gently rubbing his back. "Of course I love you, darling. I'll always love you, alright? You're safe here."
"You're not mad at me?" His voice trembled, and he quickly fell quiet.
"No, my love. Never. Never for this." He hesitated. "Can you take your binder off? You can have my jumper when we're done. And I'm sorry, because I know it'll be uncomfortable, but..."
"It's fine. I'll do it." Regulus pulled his binder over his head, revealing a patchwork of bruises across his chest, and a healing cut on his neck.
James reached out, and Regulus flinched, his head hitting the wall behind him.
"Hey, hey–" James quickly withdrew his hand. "I'm not going to touch there, I just... I just need to see how bad it is. I promise." He reached out again, and although Regulus stiffened, he allowed James to continue, fingers brushing his neck as he assessed the situation. "You'll be okay," he said eventually. "It'll take time to heal, but it's already closing up."
"There's... There's more, um, on my back, but... but you don't have to heal it, I'll be fine. Just, if you have a minute..."
"Turn around," James said, shifting his position on the floor. "Let me see."
Regulus did so, wincing as he moved, and James could clearly see the extent of the damage. His back was stained with blood and bruises, and in some places, the skin was red and burnt.
"Oh, my love... I'm so sorry. You don't deserve any of that, and I promise I'm going to do everything I can to heal you." He stood, and Regulus began to panic.
"Wh– Where are you going?" he asked frantically. "Did I–"
"I'm just going to run you a bath, if that's okay? I'm not going anywhere."
"Oh... Yeah, that's... That's fine." He took a long, slow breath. "Everything's fine."
"I think we have some pain relief potions somewhere, do you need one?" James was already emptying the cupboards, moving bottles and jars in search of the missing potions.
Regulus nodded, before realising that James couldn't see him. "If... If that's not inconvenient, then... yeah. I don't want to be a burden though."
"You're not a burden, my love, I promise. Aha!" he said triumphantly, pulling a small glass vial from the cupboard. Inside, a glittery green liquid swirled and bubbled, and when James removed the cork, it gave off a strong earthy smell. He passed it to Regulus.
"Are you sure?" Regulus asked quietly. "I... I can handle the pain, really–"
"You don't have to."
A moment passed in excruciating silence, before Regulus sank back against the wall, and a sob tore from his throat. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm– I'm being stupid."
"Hey, no, it's okay. It's okay. You've got nothing to apologise for, my love." He turned the tap off, before crouching down in front of Regulus and cupping his face in his hands. "Is there anything I can do?"
"I'm fine, James, I'm– Fuck, you don't have to do this! You don't have to fucking take care of me, I– I'll be fine! I am fine!"
James sighed, and Regulus's guilt grew as he realised just how exhausted James sounded. "I... I want to take care of you, Regulus. Please let me do that for you."
Slowly, Regulus relaxed again, as much as he could considering the amount of pain he was in. "Okay."
"Thank you. Are you okay to stand?"
A hesitant nod in return, but no verbal response.
"D'you need me to help with anything, or do you just want me to fuck off?"
"Stay?" Regulus asked, almost timidly. "Please? I mean, I'll be fine, but... but if it's okay..." He shook his head. "Sorry, sorry. It's stu–"
"Don't."
Regulus shuddered. "Okay."
James's tone softened. "I'm here for as long as you want me to stay, alright? The bath is done, if you want to get in. I won't look."
A moment passed, and James heard a small splash. "You can look."
Blood and dirt were already staining the water a rusty brown, but Regulus seemed to be ignoring it, so James did the same. Instead, he passed Regulus the potion.
"You're sure it's safe?"
"Positive," James confirmed. "It's the same ones as always, you can check the label."
Regulus uncorked the bottle, then took a drink – the effects were instant. He let out a shaky breath as the pain relief washed over him, and his eyes closed, tears rolling down his cheeks.
"Hey, are you– Are you okay?"
"It doesn't hurt anymore," Regulus whispered. "It doesn't hurt, James."
James swallowed, hard, to stop himself from crying. "No," he said finally. "No, if doesn't."
"That's... That's good, right? It isn't supposed to hurt?"
"No, my love. It's not supposed to hurt, it's never supposed to."
Regulus reached for James's hand, grabbing it tightly in his own and not letting go. "I love you," he mumbled.
"I love you too, Reggie. Always." He picked up his wand, a healing charm on the tip of his tongue, but Regulus was backing away again, scrambling as far from James's wand as he could reach.
"Don't– don't hurt them," he was whispering. "I'll do anything, just don't– Please–"
James dropped his wand. It clattered on the wooden floor, and rolled underneath the sink. Regulus's eyes were wide.
"Who... Who don't you want me to hurt, Regulus?" James asked cautiously.
"Don't hurt them, please, I'll– I'll kill you– James– Sirius–"
"It's just me, my love. No one's hurting you, or anyone else. I can promise you that. I'm right here, and Sirius is safe as well. Everyone's okay. I was just going to heal you. Can I do that?"
A few seconds passed, and Regulus nodded.
"Alright." James raised his wand again, and despite Regulus's clear discomfort, he didn't move or protest. "Episkey." Something snapped back into place, and Regulus whimpered.
"You're doing so well, I'm almost done. Vulnera Sanentur." Most of the more dangerous wounds on Regulus's back healed, and he shook his head.
"I... I can't do any more, I can't."
"That's okay. I'm about done anyway. Are you hungry, or should we head to bed? Either is fine."
Regulus slumped against the back of the bathtub. "I'm just... I'm tired."
"Alright. Well, I've got a towel here, so if you stand up, I can just wrap you up and carry you. Like a burrito, see?"
"...right." He stood, and James wrapped the towel around his shoulders, gently lifting him in a bridal carry. James bent his head to kiss Regulus's forehead, before adjusting his grip and carrying Regulus to their bedroom.
He set him down carefully on the bed, and grabbed his jumper from earlier. "I believe I promised you could wear this?" he passed the jumper to Regulus, who pulled it over his head, tucking his hands into the oversized sleeves.
James lay beside him, discarding the damp towel beside the bed and bringing Regulus into a tight hug. "I love you," he murmured. "I love you, I love you, I love you."