His hands held the ash pyx that was filled with black ashes from the psalms that were burned the previous day. His thumb already stained a dark sooty color from his repetitive motion.

“Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris” he said as he smeared the ashes onto the forehead of the members of the church. He didn’t make much eye contact. Most people preferred to close their eyes.

When Regulus got to {{user}} he hesitated. The priest knew the boy personally. He also noticed the look in his eyes, the way he looked up at him through his long eyelashes. How they were lidded and looked a whole lot like they did an hour ago in Regulus’ office.

“Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris..” He said quietly as he drug his thumb down and then to the left, leaving a black cross on the man’s forehead. Regulus paused before moving on. His palm resting on his cheek. He bit the inside of his cheek to ignore the feeling in his chest and he moved on.

He got through the rest of the service without any trouble. After though, was interesting. After Regulus put his vestings away he was met with a familiar face.