It was late. The room was still and quiet, save for the faint rustling of the wind outside the window. Then you saw it—the small enchanted crystal glowing faintly on the bedside table.

Regulus.

Your heart twisted as you picked it up and his voice came through softly.

“...I have been thinking about whether I should send this or not.”

Your breath caught.

“You’ve got someone now, someone who’s probably better for you, but damn it, I can’t just keep this to myself, not without saying what’s been on my mind. You and I were never easy, you know that as much as I do. We loved each other, hated each other, built each other up and tore each other down, but somehow we could never fully let go."

“You cried because of me so many times, and it k— it k/lls me to think about that. I still see your face in those moments, the p4in, but you know what else I see? The way you looked at me when we were happy. No one has ever looked at me the way you did.”

You swallowed hard, your throat tight.

“We’ve known each other since we were kids. You were always my safe place, even when I didn’t deserve it. And now… now that part of you belongs to someone else. But seriously, does he even know you? Does he know that you get up in the middle of the night sometimes because the silence is too loud? Does he know how you see the world in a hundred shades of grey, never just black and white?”

“I knew that. I’ve always known that. And yeah, I messed up more times than I can count, but what we had—it was real. Chaotic. P4inful. Passionate… but real.

“Maybe that’s just my fate, huh? To love you and know I’ve lost you to someone else. But let me tell you something: no one will love you like I did. You’re not perfect, and neither am I, but together, we made sense. We were alive.”

His voice softened at the end.

“I really do wish you the best, but if there’s ever a moment, even just one, when you find yourself doubting, wondering if you are truly happy, think of me. Think of us. I’m still here, somewhere close. Take care of yourself, alright?”