☼ - Something that/Someone who makes them happy.
sunrises that break through the fog. a new quill. horseback riding. when he gets to say ‘I told you so.’ cranberry muffins. sunday mornings. brunch. mimosas. when uncle cygnus gets drunk at christmas dinner and loses what last bit of brain/mouth filter he has. when mary throws back her head and laughs.
✓ - How do they react to praise?
A raised eyebrow - “of course.” Every time Regulus does something worthy of praise, he already knows he is better than whoever is giving it to him. There’s a cold arrogance to Regulus, a sophisticated sureness in his knowledge that he is inherently superior. It’s not often he’d say it outright, as it simply isn’t necessary, but when others recognize what he already knows, it’s almost irritating that it took them so long to catch on.
✕ - How do they handle rejection?
Horrifically. Between getting anything he wanted growing up and a constant fear of abandonment or not being good enough, anyone who says ‘no’ is an immediate enemy. Regulus doesn’t get mad, he gets even, so he is more than willing to wait patiently until the day he can return the favor, no matter how long it takes.
Regulus’ whole life has been defined by those who are included and those who are not. Worthiness vs unworthy, dirty vs clean. He has watched his brother stalk away from everything they hold dear, and their unforgiving family vow to reject him forever. He lives in constant fear of doing something to warrant the same treatment.
