Chapter Text
FRAGILE THINGS 3:33 Dove Cameron Alchemical: Volume 1 Pop 0
___
„You’re aware of the fact that it’s not your choice who you’re going to marry, right?“ The older brother brushes through his long hair, smiling softly as his face in the mirror looks undeniably perfect.
„I just can’t believe she promised me without even asking for my opinion. It’s not like I’m not considering marriage, I know I have to do it eventually, but she could’ve asked instead of just handing me over“, the prince huffs while standing behind his sitting brother and fixing his own hair. Both of their pale faces are complimented by pitch-black waves, their graceful bodies covered in silk. The Black brothers are beyond any doubt extremely handsome - and they are more than conscious of that.
„You’re so dramatic, Regulus. We’ve all been promised at some point in our lives, that’s just how business works.“
The younger one huffs once more. „You’re just accepting it that well because there’s no reason not to be happily married to Lupin. He’s basically the prince of your goddamn dreams.“
„Spitting facts.“ Sirius looks up, a dreamy fog blurring his eyes. „Jokes aside though, I truly believe Rosier won’t be as horrible as you picture her to be.“
„She’s a girl.“
„I hear your point loud and clear but mom’s right, if we want to include every community in our country we can’t all be gay and I … well, I was faster and I’m the heir of the crown.“
„I hate you.“
A subtle smile brushes over his brother's lips. „I know.“
Both of them stop what they’re doing when a quiet knock interrupts their conversation.
„Yea?“ It was Sirius who asked. Of course, it was. Regulus wouldn’t even think about answering the door. He barely has guests and when their parents needed them they would send a servant, it’s that easy.
„It’s Remus. May I come in?“ Now it’s Regulus’ time to giggle as his brother tries to do seven things at the same time to look „good“ (even tho he always looks flawless) for his husband. To stress him a little bit more the younger prince invites the other in immediately. Remus dark blonde hair appears in the doorframe and with that Sirius freezes. His attention is fixated on the man holding his gaze whose eyes light up seeing his husband sitting to his feet. They are disgustingly in love with each other.
„Lupin.“ Regulus gives a little nod in his direction before he takes a step to the door. Remus makes him kinda uncomfortable with his presence. He has an aura which can’t be otherwise described than dominant which is weirdly tempting for the younger one. His brother doesn’t really make a secret out of his interests in front of Regulus but it’s still irritating to see it live and in action. „I’m gonna leave you alone.“
Suddenly his brother seems to remember that they weren’t alone in the room. „You don’t have to go, Reg.“
„Maybe I want to go.“
Remus's eyes narrow as he forces himself to stop concentrating on Sirius but on his brother. „I didn’t mean to interrupt if that’s the case.“
„You’re fine“, declares Reg before anyone else has the chance to comment on that. „Have fun.“
As he walks outta his brother's room, he feels them stare a hole in his back but ignores it. Their lecherous gazes for each other are reason enough to run as fast as he can. No, he isn’t really sure, where. He just wants to get out of this stupid cage of a castle. The huge stoned walls and long floors, the silver and gold surrounding him and the million mirrors he has to look at himself in every five seconds just kill him.
The nightclub is as dark as it is shady tonight like it is every other night. Nobody with common sense would voluntarily set foot in the building if there wasn’t a solid reason to do so. Regulus' solid reason was the excitement of being in danger. It’s an incredibly stupid reason which makes us want to believe that he indeed has no common sense at all and maybe we’re not completely wrong about that assumption. His forced marriage is definitely something to be enraged about but most certainly not a reason to risk your life for. At least for a normal human being. Regulus is a different kind of person, he’s a prince (which is of course not an excuse to be suicidal) but a reason to hate the monarchical lifestyle. The feeling of never being free or alone, the constant urge to be yourself but getting forced back into old expectations and the strong feeling of being caught up in a cage if all you want to do is flee this crucial emotional pain … some might like the drill, some might not. It’s boring as hell by the way … being a prince I mean.
„What u wanna drink, kid?“ The rusty old voice from the barkeeper makes Regulus smile. He likes the guy, especially because he seems to have no clue who the „kid“ was he had been referring to for the last few months. To be fair the prince tries to keep undercover by changing his hairstyle, putting glasses on as well as very huge hoodies and wide pants. It’s not his goal to be treated like a royal but he still expects it to happen because every bloody being in this country knows his stupid face.
„You have something heavy?“
„That’s what I do“, comes the slightly amused answer from the bartender who quickly disappears from the counter to mix it up.
„You’re a pretty boy. What’s your name?“ Although he knew someone was hitting on him, or especially because of that his head turns to the side where a pretty brunette guy checks him out. The cut in his eyebrow and the outworn leather jacket give him a savage look, the kohl pencil underlines the vibe.
„Arctur.“ Which is not a lie. His second name has to count as he can’t risk getting seen as the man he is.
„Interesting choice“, the stranger answers slightly grinning. He has a weird vibe which makes Reg question his intentions but not enough to keep his hands off of him. Let the boy have a little bit of fun. He puts his elbows on the bar counter to lean on it as he makes sure not to lose the other man’s attention.
„Names are normally not a choice“, he answers intentionally blurry, „which one did u choose?“
„You can call me Barty. Can I buy you a drink?“
No. That’s incredibly dangerous, particularly in this place. However, the prince nods. Because he doesn’t care. What could be worse than coming home to his mom and getting whipped for being absent (how dare he have a social life?)?
„You can pay for the one I just ordered.“
„What will you get?“
„I have no idea.“
Barty chuckles. „Those are the best and yes, I’m gonna pay for you.“
In contemplation of the fact that he could buy anything he’s ever wished for the gesture might seem effortless but Regulus admires that he’s trying - and that he makes the impression of not knowing who he’s talking to.
The atmosphere around the two men feels calm and kind of steady for the place they chose to get to know each other. Playful jokes and senseless stories without any signs to show the other who they really are getting mixed up with the stink of alcohol and drugs. The later the night strides ahead the more incautious the younger one gets until Barty suggests to get outside for fresh air. Usually, Regulus knows not to give in to ideas like that, in particular when no soldiers are around to make sure he’s safe at all times but we already mentioned his careless state of mind and rebellious urge to disobey. He doesn’t fucking care.
„Have you ever wanted to go to sea? You don’t seem like a buccaneer to me. Wanna meet one?“ Not only Reg appears to be more open about his mind Barty also starts to ask more revealing questions. Regulus eyes up the slightly older peer who’s leaning against a wall, a cigarette tugged between his lips.
„It surely would be an interesting experience“, the prince murmurs still thinking about the circuitousness of the question when Barty smile widens but in a very concerning way.
„Good to know, Blacky, then I have at least a reason to do this now.“
Before he had the opportunity to react, a hard metal hit his head from behind before someone presses a weird-smelling towel in his face, covering his nose and mouth. Reflexive his mouth opens up taking a breath which tastes like heavy drugs not that he knew what drugs taste like. But this substance was definitely nothing he had consumed ever before.
„Go to sleep already, pretty prince.“ It’s not Barty's voice. That was not Barty’s scratchy smoker’s voice! It is indeed not the brunette holding him tightly against his chest. Evan Rosier couldn’t believe he actually made his sister's fiancé faint but he did and he enjoyed every second of the man’s drooping body in his hands.