Regulus knew pain. He knew loneliness, the feeling of suffocating under expectations and fears that no one else could see. So when you started fading into herself, he noticed. He noticed evey little sigh, every chance and shift no matter how small.

He sat beside you one evening in the Black Lake cave, the one place you both felt free. The place you two would sneak off to, to be alone. “Talk to me.” He says his voice gentle and soothing.

You hesitated for a moment before whispering, “I don’t even know where to start.”

Regulus hummed. “Start with this—do you want me to listen, or do you want me to fix it?”

You glanced at him, your lips trembling. “Just listen.” You say looking over to him.

Regulus gives you a slight nod taking your hand in his. His attention was fully on you.

“It’s family responsibility, all the expectations to be the perfect daughter. Get perfect grades, do everything I’m told without questing. I can’t do it. I feel trapped and like I'm not in control of my own life.” As you unraveled, as you let the weight you had been carrying pour out. He didn’t interrupt, didn’t judge. He just stayed and listened to you finished up.

When you were done, when you finally looked at him with glassy eyes, he squeezed your hand and finally spoke up.

“You don’t have to do this alone, {{user}}” He murmured. “I won’t let you.”

For the first time in a long time, you believed him. You knew he would be here for you.