Seek Comfort Where I'm Not: The Black Brothers
Regulus winced at the roaring of his mother downstairs, from the bits and pieces of "WHERE HAVE YOU GONE OFF TO?!" and "YOUR ACTIONS HAVE BEEN NOTHING MORE BUT DISGRACEFUL! YOUR BROTHER—" interrupted by his brother's equally loud screaming "GET OUT OF MY FACE!", it could almost break down his bedroom door.
The younger Black massaged his earlobe with his fingers. He was used to it, really. But it didn't mean that it wasn't any more irritating to him.
He heard his brother's footsteps, obviously as he was stomping loudly like a loose troll. His heart raced as the sounds came closer, soon enough revealing a shadow underneath the door. Regulus stopped breathing completely, but his thought of Sirius breaking down the door and screaming like a beast disintegrated when the shadow remained still.
Sirius was panting like a dog. His blood was still boiling, sweat dribbled down his face onto his leather jacket. It was all because of that wretched woman.
Whatever words she'd throw his way, she can go at it. Even if it's constantly comparing him to his younger brother.
He isn't mad at Regulus. No, never at him. Maybe his mother had some truth to say, maybe he should be ashamed that he isn't displaying a good figure as the older brother.
Yeah, he's not gonna be teaching his brother how to fucking kill muggleborns.
Sirius waited for a second, not wanting to lash out on Regulus for no reason. He decided he would sit by the door for now.
Nevermind. As soon as he turned his head, he saw the face of his mother by the staircase. His face returned loathsome.
Regulus's frown deepened at the growing silence just right outside his door. After a while of fearing the looming dread on the other side, it finally swung open, though unpleasantly deafening.
The figure of his brother marched angrily towards the opposite bed, and hastily buried himself beneath the sheets.
Regulus absentmindedly folded his knees against his chest, quietly staring at the mount on Sirius's bed.
They didn't originally share a room. But their dear old mother of course forced Sirius to share with Regulus. Apparently to 'get him to stop neglecting his brother all the time and learn from him although shamefully'. Her sneer was still engraved in Sirius's mind.
"Siri?" his voice was hoarse as he'd been silent for a while. He continued to watch the lump toss around for about a minute or two before it stopped again.
"What?" muttered Sirius. His tone was irritated yet a tinge of concern was hung in the air.
"You know, she's only concerned about you, Mum." he voice was so small, anticipating Sirius to erupt yet again.
"If you're going to defend her, you might as well stop talking completely, Reg." Sirius snarled at him. They were prone to fighting, of course, like any other sibling would. But it was always about one thing.
"I'm sorry she thinks you're incapable." It was meant to be an apology, really. Unfortunately, the tone that emitted from Regulus sounded as though he was mocking his older brother—and this made Sirius snap.
"I'm sorry you think I'm incapable." Sirius's voice was even louder now, his fists crumpling the bedsheets as he sat up with a scowl. Regulus had only registered the outcome of his words.
Stammering, he raised his hands in defense
“OF COURSE IT WAS! That's what you all think, ain't it?”
"Why won't you just listen—" But Regulus got caught in his throat the moment his older brother leapt out of bed in a rage.
"Putain c’est chiant." he heard him spat right before the door slammed shut against the doorframe via spell.
Regulus no longer felt apologetic.
His eyebrows furrowed in fury. This was always the problem with Sirius, he never wanted to hear what he had to say whenever he's angry. His impulsiveness always led to their fights becoming a straight up duel; Regulus continuously on the defensive while Sirius almost tried to blow him up to bits.
A portrait on the wall was suddenly pulled mid air, before crashing into the door where Sirius had just gone. The glass shattered leaving shards on the treshold. And it was Regulus who had done it.
He felt as if he only blinked and the sun was already taunting him through the closed drapes. Regulus groaned when he forced himself to sit up. The groggy fog in his eyes was only starting to dissipate when he recalled the events from last night.
His eyes trailed from his dark sheets to the doorframe. The mess, the painting, it was all gone.
Kreacher must have cleaned it up and stored it somewhere, he thought.
Then his mind went back to Sirius. He wondered if he had ever gone back that night, maybe ran away to hide at the Potters' for a bit. Of course, Sirius doesn't know he knows . But he never told, never saw what he could gain from it anyway.
Regulus expected an insufferable breakfast without his brother at the table. And although it wasn't like their mother kept her mouth shut at Sirius when he was present, he felt comfortable seeing him fill the empty seat.
Of course, he wasn't wrong. A minute in that dining chair and his appetite already left for the day.
Excusing himself, Regulus decided to hike up the attic, in the hopes of finding Kreacher and ask him about the portrait.
As he was drawing nearer, he heard a shuffling from inside the attic. His hopes soared. He gently opened the attic trapdoor and pulled himself up.
To his surprise, it was not their house-elf Kreacher, but a dog. A black dog, its fur was unkept and ears perking all the way up. Regulus must have startled it frozen, because the shuffling already stopped.
Both him and the dog didn't dare make a move.
Regulus wasn't afraid of dogs, just this one who, he did not know how, managed to get into their house.
The dog's nose twitched, it slowly moved its legs towards Regulus, who cautiously watched in curiosity. It inched closer to his shoulders, making him lean back and almost stumble back. Suddenly, it started sniffing on his robes, and started opening its mouth. Regulus's eyes widened, but he couldn't move due to shock. He watched, thinking if Sirius was here, he would've jumped at the dog immediately and drag him back into their bedroom where it was safe. Oh well, at least the last person he saw was his brother-
The dog gave a low, loud, sneeze. Regulus blinked and realize his body was still intact. The big black dog stagged as it raised both of its paws at him, frightening Regulus even further that he was completely sat down on his bottom.
He soon realized the dog was trying to paw off the dust on his clothes?
Once the dog retrieved its steps and sat in front of him, Regulus had finally landed back to earth.
"Thanks." was all he could say. His fingers fidgeted with the hem of his sleeves, awkwardly observing the dog from ear to paw.
"How did you get in my house? Are you an Animagus?"
The dog tilts its head, he swore it was playing dumb.
"My brother's told me all about them. He said you'd have to be registered, but also that there are more unregistered Animagi who turned themselves just for fun. I think I'd want to be one. Is it fun being a dog?" Somehow, he already felt at ease with this dog. Even though he was certain it wanted to eat him.
"If Sirius had been the one to find you, you'd be hanging up your tail by now." Regulus chuckled, but it soon faded when he once again recalls what had occured last night.
The dog was now sat straight, as if it was intently listening. Its tail was wagging side to side rather fast.
"Speaking of, I haven't found him yet. Do you reckon he'd be back for me?" He hugged his knees, resting his chin in between. His eyes averted from the dog to the small attic window in front.
"We had a fight last night, again. I wanted to say sorry, I really did. I just didn't know what came of me, you know? Mum's been awful, I can't really blame him can I? I feel so trapped."
His gaze lowered to his feet, then back to the dog in front of him. It didn't budge, but it was still staring at Regulus.
“Must be nice to be you. Just barking around and hoarding about, aren't you, you lucky dog? It baffles me that you chose this place to break into, there's nothing for you here, Snuffles.”
He snorted. He had no idea why he felt as though they were having a real conversation. But it felt refreshing to Regulus. Finally, a listener who won't blow up on you or constantly tell you you're better off being the heir of the family.
Just then, the dog leapt out of its spot and onto him. Regulus's soul almost flew out of his body. Its head lowered and rested against his feet, familiar eyes looking up at him and down on the wooden floors.
He didn't hesitate to pet it, a smile miraculously found its way on his lips. He may have found himself a new friend.
Their time was cut short by a noise from below—Walburga was calling for Regulus downstairs. He immediately warned Snuffles about Kreacher, looked around for any sign of the portrait (but to no avail), and finally climbed down the attic (he gave Snuffles one last pet).
Dawn had arrived when Regulus made his way back to his bedroom after a long interrogation about his brother's whereabouts.
The creaking door slowly opened, and the moonlit figure of Sirius sitting on his bed startled him for the third time that day.
His older brother looked at him, his expression unreadable. But it was evident he was waiting for Regulus to speak first. Meekly, he only nodded. A huff escaped from Sirius's chest and the younger one cleared his throat.
"Where were you?" he eyed his brother skeptically.
"Out." he cocked his head, motioning to the window.
“How? It's pretty high from here.”
“Mum chained yours to a wall.”
Sirius groaned, admitting to his defeat silently.
And then it became awkward. Sirius started to play with the ring on his finger, catching Regulus's eye. He noticed his brother's fingers contained fresh, small cuts.
As if reading his mind, Sirius bent down from the edge of the bed and pulled the overflowing sheets up, grabbing for something underneath.
Regulus almost lost his very few thoughts, when Sirius took out a large frame from under his bed and presented it to Regulus.
It was the portrait of both of them—once hanging on the wall of the bedroom before being thrown to pieces. The glass shards had been spellotaped, it looked real messy. But Regulus felt nothing but relief, and somehow joy. His heart forgave Sirius, they both would, to each other, over and over again. Yet he wondered how many more it would take for them to be a normal family like what his dreams would show him.
Art Credits, Plot Inspiration: @ sophithill
https://x.com/sophithil/status/1825239670294495368/photo/1
https://x.com/sophithil/status/1825239676422394289/photo/1
Prompt Credits & Inspiration: @ strgaeze
https://x.com/strgaeze/status/1913275931734716741
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