Barty and Regulus had been more than acquaintances for longer than he could remember. Their families moved in the same circles, the Blacks always keenly interested in holding close political ties. Oddly enough, Regulus didn’t mind Barty, in fact finding his company to be an interesting blip in the lull of his solitude. He didn’t mind Barty stealing all the attention in the room as it often meant it was taken from Regulus instead. Regulus preferred to not be in the spotlight, while Barty thrived off it.
There was also the fact that Barty knew one of Regulus’ closely held secrets. Regulus was a spy, he was working to destroy Horcruxes, and he still had contact with his disowned brother, yet sometimes that all paled in comparison to the secret of Regulus’ true preferences. Still, Regulus had never allowed himself to see Barty as more than a friend, even if an interesting one at that.
“Good evening, Barty,” he greeted formally with a nod, his manners as impeccable as ever. “A toast is certainly in due,” Regulus replied to the man, a small smile moving at his lips and moving aside for his guest to step in. He closed the door behind them as he watched Barty study the home. “It belonged to my Uncle Alphard some years ago, but it’s been in my family for centuries,” Regulus explained.
Barty acknowledged Reg's words with a nod, still distracted by looking around the flat. Barty couldn't help but be jealous of the generational wealth of the Black family. His family had long ago stopped putting enough effort in to preserving their bloodlines. Barty's flat had of course belonged to his family as well, but it was small and less grand than Regulus'. Barty hated that feeling of inferiority, not that Regulus would ever purposely make him feel that way - but Barty wanted these kind of heirlooms. The respect that came with just hearing the Black name. His family name was recognisable, but it didn't had the same value that Regulus' did. That was what he was fighting for. That infamy. He wanted that pure respect, that little bit of automatic intimidation. He carved it more than he could ever express. He could put up with the muggleborns if he really had to, that wasn't what had drawn him to the death eaters. It was the power, the kind of people he'd heard the rumours from. He knew if was where he needed to be if he wanted a better future.
"You know, sometimes I forgot how rich you and then-" he signalled around the flat, a teasing smirk on his face, he nudged his friend slightly. "Are you going to tell me where the glasses are or do I have to guess" Barty shouted back as he walked in to the kitchen, already opening a cupboard. "So do I get to attend a housewarming party soon or are you going to play shy on that?"
@regulusblacx
