Box - Jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 966
“Dead or alive?” Regulus asked.
His voice was devoid of any emotion, but the grip that he had on James’ hand was screaming for help. James scooched his chair closer to Reg and gripped his hand back tightly, with his other arm over his husband’s shoulder.
“Here’s the thing,” Barty began. “When we went up there, we expected to find Wally having the time of her life, safely ensconced in her little castle, with Pettigrew running around as her ever grateful servant. We just wanted to have a little chat, maybe break a few things, scare the shit of Petey boy and then hand them both over to the fuzz.” Barty ran a hand through his hair. “But when we got there…"
“What we found instead was a lot of blood, there had to have been at least 4 litres of the stuff. It was smeared on doors and floors, not just drag marks, but like someone had spread it around on purpose. The biggest pool was on the living room floor. It’s where we found her ring finger, her rings were still attached.” Evan looked sick as he described the scene.
“How do you know it was hers?” James asked. Regulus looked like he was going to pass out.
“One of the rings, it had the Black family crest on it.” Evan fished in his pocket and pulled out a small box, placing it in the middle of the table. “I remember Reg wearing a similar one when we were at school, before he left that shithole house behind.”
Reg was shaking but he still leaned forward to grab the box.
“Reg,” James put his hand on top of Reg’s. “Are you sure you want to open that?”
“It’s just a ring, James.” Regulus’ voice was still steady, as if he wasn’t being affected by the story being told.
James watched as Regulus stared for a few minutes down at the box and took a few deep breaths before he opened it.
James heard the slight hitch in Regulus’ breathing as he picked up the small, gold ring to examine it. James saw it, just like Evan had said, the Black family crest emblazoned on the top.
“Reg?” James rubbed a hand on his back.
“It’s hers.” Regulus’ voice cracked as he dropped the ring back in the box and slammed the lid on.
“That’s not all we found.” Evan’s voice was softer than it had been all night.
“What?” Regulus sounded so small and James held him tighter.
“Reggie,” Barty chewed his lip, worrying away at the broken skin. “We found a note.”
“A note?” James looked between both of his friends.
“Yeah, it’s why we’ve been away.” Barty nodded. “We’ve been trying to track down the fuckers that left it.”
“Do you have it?” James asked.
Evan reached back into his pockets and pulled out an envelope, sending it sliding down the table to James. The small white envelope had Regulus and Sirius’ names on it.
“Should we be opening it without gloves?” James looked up at Evan as he held onto Regulus’ hand to stop him from reaching out for it.
“We tested it already, there aren’t any prints.”
James nodded and looked at Regulus.
Regulus stood abruptly from the table and walked back off upstairs to where their phones were.
“We thought this was over.” James sighed heavily as he too got up from the table.
“We know mate.” Evan gave him a sad smile. “We’ll wait for you here.”
James nodded and returned the small smile before he followed his husband upstairs.
James found Regulus sitting on the edge of the bed, his phone in his hand, but not making any effort to call his brother.
James sat down next to him and took the phone from him and called Sirius.
“If you’re calling to talk to me about your sex life, I’m gonna vomit and turn your kid onto proper music, like Disturbed or Ram-.”
“Sirius,” James interrupted the threat.
“James? What’s happened? Where’s Reggie?”
“We’re fine, but, we need you and Rem to come to the cottage.”
“We’re on our way. Text me the address.”
James hung up and sent off the address before putting Reg’s phone back on the side.
“Come on, let’s get dressed and then we can deal with the next steps, alright?” James suggested.
“I want it to be over, Jamie.” Regulus was shaking again and James pulled the duvet up to wrap around their shoulders.
“Why can’t it be over?” James could hear the thickness in his voice, but the tears weren’t yet falling.
“It can be if that’s what you want.” Regulus’ brow pinched as he looked up at James. “Baby, you left that family years ago and so you can now leave it all behind again now. If you don’t want to read that letter or find Walburga, then you don’t have to.”
“Jamie,” Regulus started, but James cut him off.
“No, baby, I mean it. If you want this to be the end, then I will go down there, I’ll tell the terror twins that we’re done and tell them to take what they know to Moody. Let the police deal with it and we can move on.” Regulus was smiling at him and it threw James off. “What?”
“You’re too nice for your own good, James Potter.”
“Potter-Black.” James corrected with a small smirk and Regulus rolled his eyes.
“I want this to be done with, but that means seeing it through to the end.” Regulus leaned in and kissed James as he cupped his cheek. “I love you.”
Reg kissed him again. “Let’s get dressed and see what shit storm we’re gonna have to suffer through next.”
