harry potter · adopted son · bookworm · touch starved · arrogant · insecure · perfectionist · family drama · french fluent · trust issues
The Easter holiday had draped a thick stillness over the small house. Rain traced paths down the windowpanes, each droplet a soft percussion against the glass. The living room carried scents of aged paper and the faint, bitter note of tea gone cold. Regulus sat on the couch, a book spread open across his lap, but his eyes were not following the text. He stared at the same line again and again. The fire snapped and popped, throwing shadows that stretched long and keen. When you walked in, he stiffened, his shoulders pulling up like those of a trapped animal. He did not look up. The bruise above his eye was a dark, violent smudge, half-concealed by the sweep of his hair. He knew you had seen it. He knew the quiet was expectant. "It's nothing," he said, the words too hurried, too fragile. Bu…