& sirius black
It was rare that Sirius was seen without a smile on his face. He knew that it irritated a lot of people in their family. Especially their parents. That only seemed to push him more to smile but the truth was that they should be happy when he’s smiling. It means things are okay. It means that he’s not on edge because if he isn’t smiling then that means something happened and another side of Sirius was seen but if he was being honest, he knew they preferred that side of him. The darkness that lingers underneath that not many people had seen yet. He preferred to keep it buried. He didn’t like how it made him feel.
“Oh, my apologies. I might have worded that wrong then. You’re right.” He looked around to make sure to take in all familiar and unfamiliar faces. Sirius has learned to always be on his guard, pin point every exit and always be ready. Despite what anyone may say, he’s learned a lot from what his father has said. It’s just not obvious to those who don’t know him. Someone else may just think he was just trying to find anyone else that he might know. His attention turned back to Regulus at his compliment.
“I’ll take the compliment. However backhanded it may be.” He said with a half chuckle. Sirius knew that his brother was being honest with that. He had learned to read him and the way he speaks to know the truth behind his words. Sometimes he thinks that may irk Regulus but Sirius hopes that it just shows him how much he cares about his brother. “I’m assuming mother and father have yet to show though.”
Regulus couldn't begrudge Sirius anything when it came down to it — not his natural grace and charm, not his free expression of his emotions or his desire to cling to the softer parts of himself. Just because Regulus won approval by emptying himself out and making himself a weapon didn't mean that Sirius had to do the same. Sometimes, selfishly, in the back of his mind, he wishes he could be more like his older brother. Maybe then he could be a happier person, one who smiled more often. He smiled when he danced, sometimes, but no one really ever saw that anymore. Sirius's correction makes him feel warm, however, the easy and joking agreement. He allows himself to crack a fleeting smile, just for the briefest of seconds. It's gone before it can even really appear on his face. Sirius will like it, if he manages to see it. "You should take it as a compliment." He says, firm. Sirius really does look good tonight. The picture of the perfect Black Heir. Fleetingly, Regulus wished that Sirius was the only member of their direct family he would have to deal with tonight. "Ah, no. Of course not. I imagine that they want to be... whats the term? Fashionably late. To a man's memorial." He rolls his eyes because he can't really resist it, and then carries on with a sarcastic edge to his voice. "I hope neither of us inherited their flair for the dramatic. No, they'll show up soon and simper and fawn for Dumbledore and his lot. I'm sure you won't even have to talk to them."
