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He’d done it. He’d gotten the mark. He was the heir and a, what’s the word…oh yeah, a huge fucking hypocrite. You are what you preach, right? Wrong. But now, as Regulus sat on an old wooden bench facing the sunset, with another sun right next to him, he was warm. Hot, actually, since he was flustered as hell. The bench was in a pine forest, giving shade while the summer heat was nearly unbearable. Sweat soaked through Regulus’ button-up, leaving it somewhat transparent.
James Potter was a sweet, sweet man. He loved quidditch, animals, and was incredibly loyal. And so when he saw the outline of a mark- Wait, no, the mark. When he saw it on his lover’s forearm, he stood, pulling Regulus up with him as his voice distorted, “Is that…” Regulus wrenched his arm from James’ grasp, retracting it as quickly as possible. He knows. Fuck, he knows. What the bloody hell am I meant to say?? His silence spoke volumes as James’ loyalty turned against him, “You’re a death eater?! Regulus, they kill people!” James turned away, “I can’t be held responsible.”
This was all so confusing, Regulus thought. The man he loved had spoken such horrible words. Not that they were wrong, of course, “Held…responsible..? For wha-” The pain was instant and intense as Regulus fell to his knees, subjected to the cruciatis curse. James wouldn’t…oh, but he had. He had, and he felt it. He had, and his world suddenly became not worth the thought of being without the sun. He had, and he’d suddenly been plunged into an icy lake, all cold, useless, and dark. The sun exploded, and Regulus had seen it firsthand, subject to the terrors of loneliness and despair. This was worse than death, the one he loved most had hurt him. On purpose. Because he deserved it. And that only made it worse, it made him pathetic.
It didn’t last long, as Regulus got up and took hold of James’ shoulders to turn him back to face him, “What the fuck?! Why the hell, James?! You know I didn’t have a bloody choice!” He held eye contact, forcing himself to stare into the burning eyes of James, of his future going down the drain. He’d deserved this, but he couldn’t show it. His walls were up, his voice unsteady, “Why can’t you- Can’t you understand..? I fucking- I- Jamie-” He trailed off, seeing a raging fire within his love, and there was a snap.
“No, you don’t get to be upset at me, Black. I’m not the one who’s a murderer, and there’s no way I’m going to fancy one either. We’re…” A flash of hesitation, then a mask, “…over.” Regulus’ heart shattered as he stood up and got real close to him, slapping him as hard as he could, almost as hard as when he’d last fought with his brother, each laced with betrayal and disbelief. He couldn’t believe it, this couldn’t be real. James gestured behind Regulus, “Look what you’ve done!”
Was that…Sirius? Why was he lying so still, when did he get there? He did nothing, he was sure of it, but…the evidence was there, “What have I…” His gaze landed on Sirius’ open hand, presumably closed before, with a snake pendant lying in it. The same heirloom that had just been around his neck the day before. Regulus ran to him, checking his- No pulse. He then tried to revive him with electricity spells and such, “Wake up…I didn’t…”
James slowly, carefully followed, taking the pendant from his best mate’s cold, dead, hands. He was met with Regulus’ aghast, angry expression. James stood properly, dropped it on the ground, and stomped on it, effectively leaving Regulus in utter shock. He then pointed his wand at the black haired boy, who was standing and pulling out his own wand, “I’m sorry, Reg. You’ve destroyed everything I stand for, I love. My brother. Av-”
“…avada kedavra…” Regulus muttered without thinking. When he dropped to the ground, stripped of the life he deserved, Regulus had a river of tears streaming down his face that he hadn’t noticed before. He’d done this. He’d done this, and there was no going back. He’d killed the love of his life, and the person he’d looked up to for fifteen years.
The only sound was silence, the wind and wildlife nonexistent, as the last breath escaped him, his body sinking deeper.