Request from @xxxxyxx!
(just lmk if you want your name down pls)
Son of Pluto!Regulus + Jegulus + misunderstandings lmao
Regulus knew about the stares.
Sirius had tried to defend him. Scream, hex, curse—he’d suggested plenty of options. Regulus had shut down all of it.
Because Sirius didn’t understand. He wasn’t like Regulus. He didn’t understand the risks. Yes, some students spat accusations of his loyalty at him as they passed him in the corridors. Yes, Regulus had gotten hexed in the middle of the schoolday twice so far. And it was barely mid-September. But, at least, there were other pre-Death Eaters in the school.
There were no demigods in Hogwarts.
Except for him—Regulus Black, the son of Pluto.
The camp had made an exception for him, and only because he was an anomaly. He only returned to Camp Jupiter during the summer. While other campers were promoted to a proper legionnaire after a year, he’d had to fulfil his full twelve months of service over six summers. He’d sort of hoped he could push back the proper ceremony until after he graduated, but… Camp Jupiter wasn’t exactly a lenient place.
So, here he was, hiding his tattoo, hoping people would assume it was a skull and a snake, not Pluto’s symbol.
And, really, it wasn’t a big deal. Being a Death Eater wasn’t much different from being a normal, tattoo-less Regulus Black. Some looked up to him. Some despised him. All he had to do was keep his arm hidden for another two years, and—”
“REGGIE!”
Regulus clenched his eyes shut at the voice, wincing slightly. Slowly, he turned to see James galloping down the corridors, cheeks flushed and eyes wide.
He skidded to a stop in front of Regulus and took deep breaths, trying to get his racing heart to calm.
“James,” Regulus said weakly, knowing what the older boy came here for. “Are you planning to advertise our relationship to the entirety of Hogwarts?”
“I’m saving that for the day you allow me to.” James straightened up, his eyes serious, dark, and full of concern. “We need to talk.”
Regulus averted his gaze. “We do not.”
James’s eyes narrowed, zeroing in on Regulus’s covered arm. “It’s a lie, right?” His lower lip trembled. “The rumours. What they’re saying, they—”
“James—”
“Don’t James me, Regulus.” James’s expression was tense. “Let me see.”
Instinctively, Regulus hid his arm behind his back. “It’s none of your concern.”
“I’m your bloody boyfriend! Of course it’s my concern!” James looked like he was about to start sobbing. Ignoring Regulus’s wince, he took the Slytherin’s arm into his hands, and began caressing the sleeve. He didn’t roll it up, like he was afraid to see what would greet him underneath. “Is it your family? Did they pressure you into this?”
“James, listen—”
“I could help you get away,” he said, desperation seeping into his voice. “I know what you said, about—about you not being as courageous, or brave, or—like Sirius, at all. But you have me, Reggie. I can be brave enough for both of us. I could help you. I could get on my knees, right now, if that’s what it takes to make you listen to me and—”
“James!”
That got his attention. Regulus didn’t usually raise his voice—especially not to James.
Regulus sighed heavily, fear creeping around his chest like the souls surrounding his father’s throne down in the Underworld. But looking at James, his hazel doe-eyes all watery and heartbroken…
Carefully, he began rolling up his sleeve. There was a hitch of breath from James as the first bit of ink showed, then another shaky breath as the full tattoo was revealed.
Regulus waited for the questions.
He didn’t expect the relieved laugh that came next.
Regulus blinked, wondering if James had gone mad—perhaps the tattoo had those powers? To mess with the minds who couldn’t see past the Mist? But James was so visibly relaxed as he caressed Regulus’s tattoo with his thumb. “Oh, Reggie.” He kissed the black ink on Regulus’s skin. “Oh, thank the gods.”
Thank the gods. That wasn’t a wizarding phrase. It was…
“You’re one of—” Regulus swallowed tightly. “Us?”
“I’m not a camper, but I’m technically a legacy from my mum’s side,” James explained. “I think my mum grew up in New Rome until she got her Hogwarts letter. Then my gran and the whole family decided to move here, because the godly blood was barely even there by that point.” His voice was so much lighter, now. “Reggie, this is brilliant! You’re not a Death Eater! You’re a—” He stopped. “Wait. I would’ve known if Sirius was a legacy. Are you—”
“He’s not anything,” Regulus said, slightly tense, afraid of what James might think. “I’m—my mother had a… summer of fun with my father. And I don’t mean Orion Black.” Regulus stared at his feet. “My father is the god of the dead.”
There it was. He’d said it.
A camper? Yes, he supposed some could understand, especially a fellow camper. But the son of Pluto? That was bad luck. Even for people who were aware of demigods’ existence. Even for James.
Regulus waited for the crash.
But all James did was shrug. “That makes sense.” He grinned. “You have the aesthetic, Reggie. It fits you.”
Regulus stared. “You’re not…” He gestured helplessly, unsure of what to say. Disgusted? Repulsed? Sickened?
Yet again, James only shrugged. “I’ve heard a lot more bollocks about your family,” he said cheerily. “A summer fling is the last thing that I’d be concerned about, Reggie.”
“I meant the Pluto part,” Regulus said. “My father is the god of the dead, James. I’m—”
“—probably going to get us a nice suite in the afterlife.” James grinned. “Reggie. You’ve hexed me thrice in our first meeting, and I still fell head over heels for you. There is nothing—nothing—that could make me love you less. Do you understand?”
All Regulus could do was gape like a fish in a tank. Because—how could someone be so… understanding? Without a moment of hesitance or reluctance or even simple thought? And how, how did one person’s acceptance make him feel warmer than he’d ever felt his entire life?
He thought he might cry and make a fool out of himself.
Then James kissed Regulus’s forehead. He pulled back and smiled, thumb gently caressing Regulus’s palm. “…I’m glad.”
“…about?”
“I don’t know.” James kissed Regulus’s forehead again. “I’m just… glad.”
As James wrapped his arms around the younger boy’s shoulder, Regulus didn’t resist, melting into the embrace.
“I’m glad, too,” he whispered, closing his eyes. “So glad.”
