little king.

regulus black. twenty-four. wrongful heir.

[rcgulux-blog]

tcbedestroyed‌:

rabastan rubbed at his eyes as if he had even been asleep, and he caught regulus’ fingers as they swept along his face. god, even now he had the urge to light a cigarette, but even he hated the way the smell clung to the sheets. instead, he threaded his fingers through regulus’ and gave a light squeeze.

“nothing’s on my mind,” he said with little conviction. it obviously wasn’t true, he didn’t know why he was trying to lie. it was all just jumbled in his brain and sometimes he was scared that picking one thing out would make the rest spill. “just stressed, that’s all. you know how it’s been around here lately, after all.” he felt like he should say it was going swell, but that felt all sorts of bad, “no more tossing and turning here soon.” hopefully.

“okay,” regulus hummed, a smile spreading across his lips as he watched their fingers intertwine. if he could stay here like this forever, he would - no responsibilities, no legacies to protect, no thrones to sit on. “you don’t have to worry, though. it’s going to be fine - you did well.”

with that, he slowly pushed himself up to be at rabastan’s level, leaning in only to press a quick kiss to his neck. “i have something to tell you, actually. i’ve been thinking,” he began, now resting his head on the other’s shoulder as he tried to find the right words to approach this. “well - the thing is, i’ve been thinking about death. not in such certain terms, but if anything does happen to me, then my cousin would take over. it’s just that i’m not sure i trust her to make the right decisions.” 

he shifted and sat up so he could really look at rabastan. “but i trust you.” 

[rcgulux-blog]

tcbedestroyed‌:

closed to @rcgulux

after the kidnapping

rabastan was supposed to be trying to rest, that was one thing that he knew for sure. he had been going a mile a minute with all of the marauders business, along with the ongoing hunt for the mechanic. this was the first time in weeks he had been able to breathe, and instead of relaxing all he could think about was that regulus was right next to him.

even though it was mid-afternoon, he still couldn’t think about closing his eyes. “regulus,” he said quietly, although he knew the man was awake, and pushed himself to an upright position, using his elbows to prop himself up. “are you awake?”

he’d had his eyes closed for awhile, trying to force himself into taking a nap. things had gone smoothly, after all - his brother’s friends were in the basement, and the police hadn’t noticed a thing, as planned. it should’ve been easy for him to fall asleep except his boyfriend, sweet as he was, hadn’t stopped shuffling for the last hour. 

at the voice, he blinked his eyes open and turned around with a hum, tilting his head so he could take a look at rabastan. “for you, always.” he muttered, voice groggy even as he reached up to trace a finger across rab’s jawline. “something’s on your mind. spill.” 

[rcgulux-blog]

date: june 21st, 1925. location: black estate, library.  status: closed to @ofbellablack

every time he stepped foot into the library and came face-to-face with his father’s portrait, regulus very briefly liked to imagine himself burning down the entire estate. it wouldn’t take much at all - just a match and a stack of paper. and he would, if the estate wasn’t linked to something much, much bigger than himself. 

speaking of...

“bellatrix,” he tilted his head as he watched her walk in. he wasn’t surprised by her appearance, of course - he’d asked her to meet him here, after all. “it’s been awhile since we’ve actually...spoken. i just wanted to extend my appreciation for helping out with the latest, um, assignment. though i can’t imagine he would’ve put up much of a fight, anyway. they haven’t said much, have they?”   

[rcgulux-blog]

unpredictble‌:

barty tilted his head in curiosity, sizing up the man that was known as regulus black. it was someone that barty only truly knew in name and notoriety, and nothing else. he gave him a once over, wondering how this less than intimidating child managed to be in charge of the death eaters. he let out a chuckle, the grin widening on his face as he flicked some of the ash from his cigarette onto the ground. “no reason to be nervous. after all, i’ve got nothing to hide. my generosity should’ve proven that,” he pointed out. 

his eyes couldn’t help but notice the barely concealed weapon that’s been hidden in regulus’ pocket. “should i feel flattered that you brought a weapon with you to meet me? or are you simply that excited by my presence?” 

at the mention of his father, barty stiffened slightly, if just for a moment. perhaps that was supposed to make regulus seem more approachable, that they were supposed to bond over that. instead, though, he let out another laugh, shaking his head. “oh, come on. what’s the rush in ending this game? i’m beginning to enjoy it. quite like the feeling of it.” he took a step closer, raising one of his brows. there was something that resonated within him - the power and control of it all. “besides. shouldn’t you be focusing on what the mechanic knows?” 

in the worst ways, barty reminded him of orion. the smarmy smile, the way he stood, even the words he chose - not for the first time tonight, he was wondering if he’d made the wrong choice by coming out here. “i’m not all that sure if i would call it generosity,” regulus countered, though not without his own smile, “it wasn’t exactly an act of charity. otherwise, you never would have put your name on it.” 

at barty’s comment, regulus raised an eyebrow, following the man’s gaze to his own pocket. “i always carry a weapon with me, mr. crouch. if you were a man in my position, you would understand.” but he wasn’t - he could be after his power, his wealth, whatever it was, but he wanted to make to clear to barty that he wouldn’t be able to stand where he was standing, no matter what. still, there was no need to make an enemy out of him just yet. 

he stood still when the other moved closer, tilting his head up slightly to meet his eyes. “both you and i know it won’t change the fact that orion is a dead man. plus,” he smiled, “i have one of my best men looking into it already. there won’t be much of a game, unfortunately.”

 regulus held up a hand, and pushed at barty’s chest gently with his forefinger. “now, let’s make this easier for the both of us. what do you want?” 

[rcgulux-blog]

renagadeking‌:

“He’d love that,” Sirius said. He imagined it was as pristine and cold as the man it honoring. “The portrait’s a nice touch, very humbling.” He smiled softened. It would be worth going to see it for second, just to prolong the joke between them, but their relationship was becoming built on things being almost, but never quite enough. Especially in regards to what used to be his home.

“How I could forget.” The news had been unexpected, yet underwhelming Sirius had bet on him being suffocated in his sleep by someone in his entourage who had gotten bored with picking up his dry cleaning. Instead of looking into any formal proceedings in his father’s memory, he got recklessly drunk and giving into ever impulse. Just as his father remembered him to be. Sirius, how long do you plan to keep up with these childish pantomime? Even you must be tired of failure. He spent the next day with his face pressed to a toilet, the cool porcelain keeping him awake. Sirius was half listening to Regulus as he opened the file, he was right it wasn’t a coincidence. No one who lived the Black family’s lifestyle died of simply or of natural causes. His brother’s face looked different in the faded lighting of the diner. Regulus was doomed to die alone in a car accident, leaving nothing behind but a missing report and a painting that would never do him justice. He would die thinking that Sirius hated him maybe he wouldn’t think about Sirius at all. Sirius didn’t want to go to Orion’s funeral, and even if had his family would have turned him away at the door unless his arrival meant he was staying. He wouldn’t have been allowed to attend Regulus’ because everyone knew that he should have been the one behind wheel. ( That if he had settled on being in the passenger’s seat, he could have grabbed the wheel and swerved. ) 

He would sit in a diner indistinguishable from the one they were in now and his cousin would say something that ended with, “like brother, like brother.” He would think about the fact she was doomed to die too. “I don’t see the resemblance,” Sirius said. He could run as far as he liked, but in the end he would always have his Orion’s hair and his mother’s eyes. His father’s relentlessness, that had been the word he was looking for. Sirius closed the file and pushed it across the table back at him. If he had known this was what they were here to talk about he would have ordered less food. It was too shameful, even for him, to throw up at Regulus’ feet. “I don’t know what you want me to do, Reg.”

regulus almost managed a smile at that, sirius’ compliment a rude reminder of the easier days. had he been a weaker person, he would’ve let himself wander back into those memories, but he knew better now. he should’ve known then, when sirius constantly fought against their father and their rules, that his brother was never meant to stay. that didn’t mean it didn’t sting any less when he did leave - he even vaguely remembered begging him not to go, no matter how embarrassing the memory. 

he watched quietly as sirius scanned through the file, half-wishing that he’d tell him that he was mistaken, that it was clear-cut that it had been an accident. but life rarely was that simple for him, and he knew, despite his disdain for his brother, that sirius was someone smart. he was, after all, part of the black family. 

“yes, well, i suppose you don’t quite have the sour look that orion always seemed to have on his face. you’ll grow into it, i’m certain.” regulus muttered, taking the file back into his hands and letting his fingertips graze over the front. something in his heart pulled at his brother’s words, because he understood what it was. perhaps he’d been foolish to come here - perhaps he’d been looking for answers in sirius, had expected him to play the big brother for once and help him. then again, he knew better. always had. 

“he was your father too, no matter how much time you like to spend pretending he wasn’t.” and wasn’t that the bitter truth behind their supposed politeness - because the man sitting in front of him now was only his brother by blood and nothing else. he’d left him, after all, and he didn’t get to linger on that anymore. 

“i don’t want you to do anything,” he said, thumbing the corner of the file. “but you still have a right to know what happened. otherwise, i’ve come to learn to expect very little from you, sirius. i’ve already put rabastan on the case and he’ll be tracking down what happened to our father and - whatever comes out of it, i will keep you informed. nothing more, nothing less. unlike you, i still do believe in certain values, and you’re...family, if only by blood.” 

[rcgulux-blog]

rodvlphus‌:

“ — i apologize, all i heard was this dull roar for a moment. something about how you received something based off your father’s work.”

a cheeky smile graced his face. “you know my pettiness was entertaining back then. it’s something you can still recognize, if your view of me still isn’t colored because of rabastan. i would hope it’s not.”

“a man who had offered you quite a bit and more, if i remember correctly. too bad he never was a good judge of character.” and he wasn’t supposed to let rodolphus get to him - of all people - but it was difficult to hide his expression was rabastan was brought up. 

"- and i hope this isn’t your subtle way of asking about him. because he’s doing just fine on his own.” he huffed, “especially since you’ve left.” 

[rcgulux-blog]

tcbedestroyed‌:

the more words he said, especially affirming ones, the more guilty he felt. if everything was out in the open, if everything was alright, rabastan would see this as a heartfelt moment. a moment to tuck in his pocket and keep for later. sadly it wasn’t. if the moment was tangible, he’d set it on fire and throw it in an alleyway trashcan. 

“well, what a coincidence that the only thing i needed was to get out from behind this bar then, huh?” rabastan said with a cheshire grin. “i don’t think roughening her up will needed, however.”

he watched regulus finish his drink, and wishes he wasn’t on the job. then he could be off in his apartment, escaping whatever mess this was. 

“peace is what you deserve, you know.” rabastan leaned forward against the bar, propping his head up on one elbow. “so if that’s what it takes, we’ll do it.”

“however you do it, i just want you to be careful.” regulus murmured, pressing a hand against the dip of rabastan’s back for a moment. he thought about it sometimes - what it would be like to lose rabastan. he’d been taught by his father to always prepare for the worst, but he couldn’t imagine it anymore - not waking up to those big, innocent eyes looking back at him in the mornings. 

“should i find someone to take your shift, then? i’ve been meaning to spend more time with you, anyway,” he asked, grinning back, “i still think we should take a holiday - get away from the city for a little while. maybe when all of this blows over.” 

or we could go away forever, he thought to himself, though he knew it wasn’t a fair question. instead, he topped his glass off again, nodding quietly. 

“it’s what we both deserve, rab. and i swear to you that i’ll get you there someday - whatever you need, it’s yours.” 

[rcgulux-blog]

sun-swallowedme‌:

James wouldn’t admit it, but he was nervous to be leaving the relatively safe walls of the club to the dimly lit alley outside of it. But the rush of adrenaline coursing under his skin as he accepted the cigarette Regulus offered was a familiar high that he couldn’t help but gravitate towards.

He wasn’t stupid-he knew he should approach this with some degree of tact, for once in his life to embrace a bit of caution, but Regulus’s words had his eyes narrowing. “My name speaks for itself, sure,” James said, feigned nonchalance coloring his voice, “but it’s not like the Blacks don’t have their own reputation.” James took a drag of the cigarette, giving himself a moment to pause before he continued, “Sirius is an adult, Regulus, and capable of making his own choices. What he does with me, his presence in my life? That’s not up to you.”  His tone was icy at this point, his glare focused on the other man, as he added, “You don’t control me, and you don’t control Sirius. Mind your own fuckin’ business, Reg.”

“and we know to wear our name proud, mr. potter. there’s a certain responsibility that comes with a name like this - something i’m sure you nor sirius could relate to.” he scoffed, matching james’ expression. he’d expected as much - he knew it wouldn’t be easy coming into this, but that was why he was where he was, and they were where they were. 

“i’m beginning to truly see your influence on sirius. a pity, really.” regulus continued, though even he couldn’t help but laugh at the end. 

“i’m not asking, james. you know how easy it would be to trail you and your little friends and find out what you’re up to? this is me trying to be cordial - but i don’t have to be. you think anybody would even notice if your friends just disappeared?” 

[rcgulux-blog]

unpredictble‌:

status: open to anyone when: may 1925, late where: alleyway near barty’s office

the streetlight flickered above him as barty stepped out onto the street, closing the door to the shop behind him. it’s been a good cover so far, using this idea of a small bookstore as a way to cover up for the real goings on that happen behind closed doors. more importantly, it keeps the law enforcement as well as anyone familiar with his father from being nosy. seems to be that wherever possible, his reputation precedes him.

tugging a cigarette out from the small carton, he lights it before pacing a little bit, taking a slow drag from it. there’s really no one else out at this time of night, at least not as far as he can. which is why it’s clear when someone else is approaching him. “i’m going to assume there’s a reason that you’ve come all the way out here,” he asks without looking over his shoulder, hearing the person approaching before he even bothers to check. barty takes another huff on his cigarette, blowing the smoke out as he slowly turns, smirking as he does. he taps the cigarette with his index finger, taking another quick draw from it, before he tosses it to the ground and stamps it out with the heel of his shoe. “little late for a visit, you know. there’s business hours for a reason,” he points out, before taking a step forward and crossing his arms over his chest. “so this better be worth my time.” 

he’s a man of privilege. he’s not too familiar with dirty alleyways, especially in the dark like this. he doesn’t like it - which is why he’s always had someone else do his dirty work. but trust, as he’s learned not long ago, isn’t something he should hand out easily, and no longer a luxury he can hold onto. at least not since he’s learned the still-uncertain truth about his father’s death. 

“bookstore,” he mutters to himself, in mild admiration. in another life, he might have liked to own one, too. of course, though, he knows that this is no ordinary bookstore - there is a reason he’s made the trip out this far, after all. regulus touches his pocket just to make sure the gun is still there. and only then, he makes his way towards the figure in the dark. 

“i won’t lie - i get a little nervous around you, mr. crouch.” he starts, putting on a small smile. and it was only the truth, though it was exactly why he’d brought a couple of his men with him, just waiting around the corner of the store. 

“but i’ve only come to thank you, really. surely you understand what it’s like to have a complicated relationship with one’s father. still, i value the truth.” regulus nodded, taking out a cigarette. “and i can only assume you didn’t risk your freedom out of the goodness of your heart. i’d like to hear what it is that you want from us - sooner rather than later, if at all possible.” 

[rcgulux-blog]

rodvlphus‌:

date: may 20th, 1925 location: central park status: open

“Oh, what wonderful attire. Certainly the, uh, bee’s knees. You thought that when you got dressed today, right?”

“ - but of course, this was imported directly from france. a gift from the chief of police, if i remember correctly. now, i’m not sure pettiness is a good look on you, mr. lestrange. then again, it’s been so long since i’ve seen you - i can hardly recognize you at all.” 

[rcgulux-blog]

renagadeking‌:

Even as Regulus sat down across from him, Sirius couldn’t conceive the fact he was there. He thought it would have been him who would have to make the first move, had drafted letters and rehearsed what he’d say when he pick up the phone, but in the end Sirius had burned every page and remained silent as the person on the other end asked who was calling. So once again, his younger brother was forced to do thing that he couldn’t. The fact it might have been some type of trap hadn’t escaped him, no one else needed to remind him that the severity of his loyalty to everyone he loved was the most exploitable thing about him, but he would rather fall into a trap than know he had missed out on something. Anything.

“You flatter me,” Sirius said. Things were stabler than when first he ran away from home, but it was nowhere close to whatever bed Regulus thought was his. His room must have been dismantled from the moment the door closed behind him. Sirius hadn’t left a note or even taken more than half of his belongings, but it shouldn’t have taken long to realize he wasn’t coming back and less time to accept the loss. “Are you sleeping in your own bed or did they make you take his room?” 

Did Regulus even remember all the jokes that Orion’s bedroom was haunted, that he probably slept with both eyes open. Sirius forcing his eyes opening and speaking his work-in-progress intimation of their father. “Now Regulus, you must always be vigilant, anything can happen in a blink of an eye. I haven’t blinked since the day I was born, it’s why I’m only capable of making one express-Don’t laugh this is a very serious business!” It was one of the few times he had gotten away with it. 

“That makes two of us,” He finished his drink with exaggeration. “but I’m told I’m nothing if not resilient. Or was it persistent?” The cruelty of the question wasn’t lost on him either, that was why had wanted to have it all written down ahead time, under his brother’s judgmental eye he wanted it to be. “You can, but I’d hate to bore you with things beyond your comprehension.”

he’d stayed in sirius’ bedroom the night before it was torn down. cold, already collecting dust - almost as though no one had ever been there in the first place. nobody said his name anymore, had burned all of his pictures in the fireplace downstairs and crossed his name off of all remaining documents. he’d watched, pale-faced and scared, as the remaining pieces of his only brother disappeared one by one. 

at times, he thought it would have been much easier if he’d just died. but no - he’d simply chosen someone else, someone better. sirius had no obligation to him, of course. he was only his brother, and perhaps not even one he wanted. but he knew this feeling as resentment, and he never quite figured out how to make it go away. 

he scoffed at sirius’ question. he’d nearly forgotten how vicious sirius could be at times. 

“if you must know,” he began, “i turned his room into a library. a memorial, of sorts - hung up a portrait of him i think you’d rather appreciate. both eyes wide open.” he wished it were easy to forget. but the longer he stayed here, the harder it would be to leave him and to not ask him about what he was doing now. he didn’t care, he reminded himself - he wasn’t allowed to care anymore. 

“i didn’t come here to chat, sirius.” he sighed, exasperated, before sliding a file towards his brother. “it was ruled as an accident, if you care to remember.” and what a dark day that had been for all for them - not because they were mourning their father’s death, but because they knew who would have to take his seat. “but apparently the police had someone examine the car, but the report - it’s...missing. i’m not entirely convinced it’s a coincidence.” 

if sirius was as smart as he recalled him being, regulus knew he’d understand what all of it meant. 

“i always knew he’d force his way back into our lives like this - one way or another. he was persistent, too. like father like son.”

[rcgulux-blog]

sun-swallowedme‌:

There was a tension in the air, hanging between the two of them. James wasn’t surprised, really. He had expected a run in with one of the Blacks once Sirius had moved in with him, even more so once they had started dabbling in their little business. 

“Name rings a bell,” he said, nonchalant, leaning back in his chair and taking a careful sip of his drink. For all that he was running things now, Regulus didn’t really scare James-he was just a kid, and he looked it.

“Sure,” James said, finishing off the last of his drink and setting his glass on the table. “Let’s head out back, yeah?”

in an odd way, regulus could almost understand why sirius would want to leave everything behind for...this strange, cocky man. he didn’t know him well at all, of course, but there was a certain sense of freedom about him that he envied. 

not that he’d ever care to admit it. 

he took up a cigarette between his lips once they were outside in the alleyway, and offered the older man one, eyes floating back to him.

“i’ve had my men look into you and your family. quite the name - potter.” he hummed, refusing to waste any time. “now, i don’t exactly know what you want with my brother, but i do know he doesn’t belong with you.” 

he breathed out, offering james a small smile. 

“stay away from him. and know that i don’t like to repeat myself.” 

[rcgulux-blog]

tcbedestroyed‌:

rabastan tried to school his features. regulus couldn’t know, it would ruin everything. but now he was on a mission to find the truth, which he already knew. he couldn’t stand here and argue either, and the hand on his arm gave him a boost of whatever twisted confidence he needed. “ understood.” he said, unwavering. “i’ll track her down, bring her back.”

it felt like a lie, and it hurt his heart just a little. regulus trusted him, and he felt like he was lying. he wanted to reassure regulus it was an accident, try to comfort him, but that would do nothing but make both of them feel worse. 

rabastan placed his free hand on top of regulus’, holding tight. “i don’t know how long it will take me,” he said in all seriousness, but then his lips quirked up. “but i’ll do it for you.”  but what he really said with the look in his eye was i’ll do anything for you. 

regulus let out a small sigh of relief at rabastan’s words - there was always a strange line between them, and ever stranger that regulus knew he could always order rabastan to do something. but that never felt quite right, and though he usually had little problem practicing his power over others, he no longer saw rabastan as someone who worked for him. 

no - he was his equal, if nothing else. even more so than bellatrix was.

“thank you. and...you know i’d do anything for you, if you needed it.” he murmured, voice sincere as he turned his hand in rabastan’s and gave it a small squeeze. “i don’t want much. and you don’t have to hurt her - unless you deem it necessary.” 

with his free hand, he took up his drink again and swallowed the rest down. 

“if there is something to it, and if it really was one of us, we’ll be sure to get rid of them,” he nodded, “maybe we’ll finally find some peace, then.” 

[rcgulux-blog]

officerrevans‌:

date/time: night, sometime in may 1925 location: the felix felicis status: closed to @rcgulux

Dread had been Lily’s first thought when she saw the message and the part of the file that followed. Her second thought, though, had been excitement. This didn’t have to be something else to plague her with anxiety and hold her back; it could be an opportunity. When the thought crossed her mind, she knew she wouldn’t be able to get it out. For so long she’d wanted to do better, and she was tired of people standing in her way. Now was her chance to do something.

She’d looked over the blueprints for hours until they were ingrained in her mind, in her dreams. When the night came for her to attempt the break-in into the buildings on it–a place she hardly knew what it was, it was all she could think about. All she brought with her was her gun, which she had out and drawn as she pushed into the back door. Maybe this was a mistake. To Lily, though, it felt better than continuing to do nothing. 

The further she went, slowly and quietly, voices began to appear, and at the end of the hall, a dim light. Lily wandered towards it boldly, though her heart was pounding in her chest. She raised her gun as she neared closer and closer, and through a window, she could see into the room that the light was coming from. And, what she saw made her stop: poker tables, bottles of alcohol, and–was that Bellatrix Black at the bar? 

But, then she was being torn from the window and her back was against a wall. In the dim light, she saw her attacker. It took her a moment before she realized she recognized the face: Regulus Black. Perhaps he was speaking to her, but Lily couldn’t hear anything but the blood rushing in her ears. She couldn’t think about anything but the fact that she was caught. It hit her that there was something going on here, something dangerous and very, very illegal. This was a mistake, and there was no way out. 

regulus didn’t tend to believe in coincidences much. another lesson from his father, really - in their line of business, it was a foolish thing to leave things to fate, or the gods, or whatever happened to be above them. but he would come close to believing in it this night, although he hadn’t realized it quite yet. much more so because he didn’t like to make a habit of coming to felix felicis for more than one reason; but tonight, he was to make himself known. 

of course, he still preferred to use the back doors - less chance of getting shot and all that. and if he got lucky, he thought he might be able to catch some of his employees talking badly of him and scare them a little. 

but yet again, life decided to throw him a curveball. it was impossible to miss the red haired stranger peeking through one of the windows, and he could say for certain that she was not one of their regulars. 

in one swift motion, he grabbed his gun with his left hand, grabbed her and pushed her against the wall nearby with his right, though when he saw her face and realized who she was, tucked his gun back into his pocket, hoping she would have missed it in the momentary chaos. 

“are you lost, ms. evans?” he asked, stepping back, eyes still firmly on her, “because i do believe this is private property - mine, in fact.” 

and now, he had two choices - one of which being killing her and ending this now. but then again, it was even more concerning that she’d found their entrance in the first place, meaning there was something he was missing. 

“i would have thought someone like you would have known that better. unless you’re looking for something,” regulus tilted his head, eyes floating down to her hands and her pocket for a moment. 

“tell me - did you find what you were looking for?” 

[rcgulux-blog]

date: may 1925 location: random diner closed to: @renagadeking​

if there was one thing his father had taught him, it was that it was always best to hide yourself in plain sight. and though he once trusted his brother - if he could even call him that anymore -  that was clearly no longer the case and he would rather cut off his own foot than invite him into his own home. so, here they were - at a diner in some corner of the city, where no-one would bat an eye if one of them disappeared into the night. 

he picked at a fry, then looked up at sirius for a moment. “well, don’t you look like you haven’t slept in your own bed for several years.” but he wasn’t there to hurl insults at the other man. he was only there to tell him what he deserved to know. 

“still, i’m surprised you’re alive. should i bother asking what you’ve been doing?” 

[rcgulux-blog]

tcbedestroyed‌:

“i think the present may be better.” rabastan said with a smile in his voice, tilting his head down to look regulus. he turned around momentarily to grab one of the bottle, pouring him a drink. the juxtaposition of this moment filled him with some sort of nostalgia, like everything was alright but-

then regulus closed his eyes. that’s never a good sign. a job? yeah, he could definitely handle a job. they usually made their way down the chain, but the file. he knew about the file, and he wish no one else knew. sadly, what he wanted didn’t matter in that scenario. “yes, i know of it.”

“i won’t tell a soul, but are you sure someone else isn’t more suited?” rabastan said hesitantly. in reality, he just didn’t want his own bias to make him act irrationally. “i’m perfectly capable, but someone is bound to be able to do it more efficiently than me.”

he hoped that regulus knew he didn’t want to make him do this - if there were no prying eyes, he’d be just as happy keeping rabastan away from all this madness. but he couldn’t be seen giving rabastan preferential treatment - at least not until he was confident nobody was coming after his seat. 

with a small sigh, he drank from his cup, trying to find the right words to say, because he knew rab had a point. there were people in the rank that were more suited to...this kind of work, especially in case this hestia wasn’t willing to talk. but there was no one else he trusted like this - not even his family. 

 “i need to know what happened. not that it’d make much of a difference, but what if it wasn’t an accident?” he whispered, reaching out and placing a hand on rabastan’s arm. “it could’ve been one of us - and whoever it was, they might still be around. you’re the only one i can ask.” 

[rcgulux-blog]

tcbedestroyed‌:

rabastan did not think he was an easy person to surprise, he usually saw most things coming. what he didn’t expect was that voice to be the one he heard, and oh what a pleasant surprise it was. “it may be because i didn’t see you until right this second.” he jokingly snarked, his lips quirking up at the corners as he set his book aside. 

he would never say it to anyone in the room, probably not even regulus himself, but the man made his heart soft. “and there’s not one, in fact, i can think of at least ten reasons i would want you here.” number one being that he never was here. the small smile still sits on his lips. “is there some kind of special occasion that graces me with you presence?”

looking at rabastan’s face, he sometimes wondered how int he world someone like this had stepped into a life like theirs. he’d gotten what he wanted, sure, but he wondered if he’d done the right thing by keeping him here. still, he smiled back and walked over to rabastan’s side, grabbing an empty glass nearby.  “maybe i just wanted to relive the past, smooth talker.” 

but his smile didn’t last quite as long as rabastan’s, and regulus closed his eyes momentarily. “...i wish it were that simple, rab. but i need you to do a job for me. you know that file?” it wouldn’t bring his father back, and it certainly wouldn’t change anything that had happened to him, but he needed to know. 

“i need you to track down hestia jones. for me. and don’t tell anyone.”