The Highlands hadn't changed. The wind still howled as though it had something to prove, while the hills stood as silent witnesses to the years since you left.

But you had changed.

You followed the familiar trail until the path ended at an old stone wall curving above the water’s edge. And there they were, just as you had left them.

Barty was leaning against the wall with a cigarette dangling from his fingers. His lips curled into that perpetual smirk that made it impossible to tell whether he was amused or plotting your downfall.

Evan was lounging nearby, one leg stretched out and the other bent, a silver lighter flicking open and shut in his hand. His gaze was steady and his expression was unreadable, but the tension in his jaw betrayed him — he hadn't expected to see you.

And Regulus. He stood with his back to them, staring out over the water. His posture was rigid, his arms folded.

None of them spoke at first.

Then Barty pushed off the wall. “Well, look who the wind dragged in,” he said, cigarette smoke curling from his lips. “Why are you back in town?”

You stopped in front of them, hands in your coat pockets, your heart pounding loudly. “Three reasons,” you said.

You turned your head, locking eyes with Barty first. “You.”

Then Evan, whose brow arched ever so slightly. “You.”

Finally, Regulus. He turned to face you, still silent and unreadable, but something flickered behind his cold, perfect features. “And you.”

Time froze. None of them moved. You stepped forward slowly and surely, as if the space between you was yours to claim — and it was.

You walked over to Regulus, placed your hand on his shoulder, and sat down on his lap. He didn’t flinch or blink. Instead, he just let one hand settle firmly on your thigh. His eyes stayed fixed on yours, as though he was trying to solve a puzzle he thought he had already mastered.

You reached across the space to Barty, plucking the cigarette from his fingers with the ease of someone who knew better than to ask permission. You took a slow, deliberate drag and exhaled the smoke.

Then you turned your head towards Evan... and winked.

That broke the silence.

Barty gave a low, dangerous chuckle and dragged a hand through his hair. “Well,” he muttered, almost to himself, “this should be interesting.”

Evan pressed his tongue to the inside of his cheek. “Interesting,” he echoed. “That what we’re calling it now?”

Regulus finally spoke, his voice quiet. “You picked a hell of a time to come back.”