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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2018 7:08:49 GMT
On a good day, Regulus was trusted enough to go outside for a bit, though his family home was not exactly 'normal' for the neighborhood so he wasn't seen as a local. Fortunately in the summer it wasn't so much an issue, but he still was careful. Standing on the stoop he hesitated watching the traffic on the street and sidewalk before he stepped out when a few others were down going around the corner. Crossing the street (and wrinkling his face as the stench of the muggle cars) he made the other side and followed the fencing around the old reservoir.
While not as good as having a yard or a park, it at least gave some outdoors around.
Dressed more street for once (though his grandmother would have lashed him for looking this way), he made his way to a tea shop on the corner which also sold biscuits. Spritzer and some treats and he sat in the window on a stool and watched the passerby while he ate away. It was nice to take a break from the wizarding world issues for a short time and enjoy the sunshine for once despite the passing clouds. With all that was happening right now he wasn't sure how many more pleasant days there were going to be! Between the Dark Lord's campaign to take power (though winning which he liked), his family pushing him to finish his schooling strong, and his new orders on looking for information on his classmates, Regulus was feeling the pressure. Tapping a finger on the counter, he thought about what was going on only to find his eyes following a young muggle teenager up the street. Or at least part of her. He glanced around despite being in a muggle shop suddenly worried someone might have seen! His family would go bonkers if they found out he was thinking about muggles that way!
Shoot, his father probably already had talked to others in the twenty-six to see about marrying him off the day he turned seventeen.
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It's a quarter after one...
AGE
18
HOUSE
Slytherin
OCCUPATION
I'm a werewolf, wtf do you think I do??
Face Claim
Emily Rudd
Neutral
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Post by Rose Romola Lupin on Dec 19, 2018 2:06:30 GMT
[googlefont=Dancing Script] Soon comes the cold, and the night that never ends.
She was being followed. Of course, she was. She was always having to throw off death eaters and aurors alike, both of them wanting her for practically the same reasons. She was the sibling of one of those who worked for the light. The other... well, death eaters were death eaters.
She quickly ducked into a quaint little tea shop and sat down in front of someone who was sitting alone, taking his free hand and brought it to her mouth as if she were about to kiss his knuckles.
"Forgive me," she whispered, looking up. "Being followed, needed a cover."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2018 6:57:17 GMT
Regulus did not often find himself at a loss of thoughts, much less words. While he didn't talk people's ears off, he usually knew what he would say. The moment however was almost too perfect to throw him off his mental footing as it were. One moment he was watching particular assets pass by the window and then feeling the sudden panic about being spotted and then with a flurry of movement there was a girl in front of him almost like she was offering him something as she caught up his hand! He caught her words, but the moment was nearly too much for his tongue!
Lupin? Offering her-- No, no he could not believe that! His eyes widened as his mouth opened, closed, then opened again. "Followed? Is someone trying to make you do something? Rose?" His eyes were slightly squinting, dealing with the image of someone forcing her to do anything. But why else followed? A moment he thought about it, his hand having slightly tightened to keep her from pulling away. "No, that can't be it. You would move to fight back. So. Just followed?"
Eyes passed over her face and just barely kept from dipping down in response to his recent thinking. No, he couldn't be that blatant!
While he didn't hang out with many werewolves (his mother would incinerate their entire neighborhood from her brain exploding if she had heard of him doing that) he knew her from school. What fool would tackle a werewolf or try to force their hand? He held her hand less then a moment before his eyes were looking out the window. Was that someone pulling back at the corner? His glance sharpened and he said softer "No, do not move. Here." He brought her knuckles to his lips, kissing her hand softly, his eyes coming back to hers as he did so. There was a shadow of interest in them which he could of course not hide; she was female after all and a grown woman where he was still a year away from there.
Standing he released her hand and moved to the counter, purchasing a drink and muffin before returning letting her keep her back to the window. It gave him an angle from the side of the window to look at the corner and see a shadow on the wall pull back. "I think I do see someone. The alley possibly " he said touching her shoulder as he put these things in front of her every inch the proper gentleman, "Any idea who it is or what they want?" He doubted the DE would think it important enough and the Order seemed unlikely. Did werewolves follow each other? His forehead wrinkled as he thought of possibilities...
Rose Romola Lupin
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It's a quarter after one...
AGE
18
HOUSE
Slytherin
OCCUPATION
I'm a werewolf, wtf do you think I do??
Face Claim
Emily Rudd
Neutral
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Dec 19, 2018 10:55:17 GMT
Post by Rose Romola Lupin on Dec 19, 2018 10:55:17 GMT
[googlefont=Dancing Script] Soon comes the cold, and the night that never ends.
"Do I look like someone who would wait and ask them?"
But here's where the trouble... or the fun started. She had just sat down in an empty seat, barely even registering there was someone in the seat across from her. Other than taking up that person's hand in a very... intimate gesture. Gah! Why must she always use her feminine wiles? She couldn't help it.
But now, she looked upon who she sat with and nearly cussed out loud. Did Blacks and Lupins just migrate towards each other naturally? Animal Magnetism, dare she call it? First Snape, now a Black. Is there a Pettigrew and a Potter she should be aware of to add to her entourage? An alternate timeline of unlikely companions? She was at to a great start. Perhaps Snape was her James.
She made a face as she pondered over this mixing of... thought pairings. Nope, just stop there, Rose.
"Just followed. I didn't stop to see which side it was. For all, I know it could be my brother trailing me for some god awful reason."
When he set the food down in front of her, her mouth gaped in response, and she picked at it, taking a small sip of the drink. Holy fuck she was parched, must've been that Scamander level scurrying she just did. She feigned looking shy, her hand going to rest atop his on her shoulder.
"Thanks, Reg. I didn't mean to spook you. I honestly didn't register it was you I sat in front of. Lucky me, I suppose."
Her brother would have kittens surely now. 'First Severus Snape and now Regulus Black! Are you trying to get yourself killed Rose?'
Scarily enough, both of them have been kind. Of course, they were fellow classmates. She knew they were kind.
At least kind enough, to someone of her calibur.
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Dec 19, 2018 22:11:47 GMT
Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2018 22:11:47 GMT
She responded quick enough and he half-shrugged conceding the point. He would have expected (if he had stopped to think instead of reacting to her holding his hand) her to dart around a corner and ambush whoever it was unless she had reas-- His eyes suddenly came back to her wondering if she suspected a dangerous follower. Regulus hadn't been thinking of her brother either, but would someone be dumb enough to follow her because of her brother? Kidnapping her or making her disappear would surely still get a reaction from Lupin.
Hmm. That was an intriguing thought. He set is aside to think about later.
As to the food he didn't get it because he thought she might be hungry as much as the cover she needed, that this was planned out. After all, men took care of women, that was the way of manners and good society. Having to live as a werewolf he wasn't sure she would get that, but she went with it so maybe she did. He knew little about how she lived, but her brother always looked a bit ragged. 'Lucky me I suppose' she said and he got slightly flushed cheeks. Someone as nice looking as her was happy to see him? Oh he'd take that for sure!
Ahem.
Tentatively smiling back he sat slowly, turning his hand to hold hers as if they couldn't keep touching each other. Setting the illusion, he hoped for whoever was watching. Sure. "Lucky for us both, I really was only out to stay out of my mother's sight for a bit, you've brightened my day. Didn't think I would see you again after graduation for a long time!" That turned his thoughts back to the subject at hand. Keeping his eyes on her face for the watchers, he said softer "What are you doing these days anyway? What's happened since school?"
Rose Romola Lupin
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It's a quarter after one...
AGE
18
HOUSE
Slytherin
OCCUPATION
I'm a werewolf, wtf do you think I do??
Face Claim
Emily Rudd
Neutral
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Dec 19, 2018 23:15:21 GMT
Post by Rose Romola Lupin on Dec 19, 2018 23:15:21 GMT
[googlefont=Dancing Script] Soon comes the cold, and the night that never ends.
Now it was her turn to blush. He had adjusted his hand and now was actually holding hers. And she, being as starved for attention and affection as she was devoured this fact, her eyes on their hands. He was a friend. This was casual, friendly. It wasn't like she was attached to anyone.
Right.
She'd certainly been doing a whole lot of that lately. She'd gone under the radar of most interest through Hogwarts, and yet, here she was. Blushing like the schoolgirl she wasn't anymore. How curious.
She linked her fingers with his, her thumb brushing against his and she leaned forward, closer to him, a soft smile playing on her lips.
He seemed to be keeping eyes on the doors and windows behind her, which she was grateful for since she couldn't do it herself. She pressed her lips together however when he mentioned his mother. Walburga. She'd heard from Sirius was a... terrible person she was and she felt for the two of them. She squeezed his hand in comfort.
"I wish you would get out of there, like, permanently. But I can see how that would be hard."
She released his hand only to cup his cheek and brush her thumb against it, a kind smile on her face, that she hoped looked affectionate to the people who were watching her. If it was aurors, Remus was really going to get one hell of a story.
"I'm glad I could brighten up your day, sweetheart. It's so hard for me to find the time to get away."
She gives him a wink, lowering her voice. "Running, mostly. Bouncing from place to place. I find I'm quickly running out of options. Many are wary about housing someone like me for even an hour."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2018 4:35:07 GMT
She blushed over his hand, but he had just noticed her cheeks as he felt her thumb and his eyebrows went up in surprise at how intimate the gesture was! With hardly a thought his face came up to hers, finding her much closer and the smile much...warmer? His flush turned a bit darker as he realized this wasn't just a cover, he was flirting. She squeezed her hand as he spoke and he felt his forehead was suddenly wanting to perspire! He was flirting with a girl who was responding!
Flirting with a werewolf?! His mother would go muggle-ballistic!
Licking his lips in quick nerves, he picked up the drink with his other hand and tipped the bottle back, losing her face for a moment, but relief helped with both nerves and mouth in an instant. Flirting. Merlin! Then it hit him, there could be no follow up and he had to confess it, unfortunately. Teenage anxiety dashed on the rocks, he swallowed feeling awful. "I can't be free till next graduation. That seems forever right now!" Hand tightening on hers, he looked at her face as if trying to remember the look in them when an idea occurred to him as she told him about her current life.
Confused thoughts reached fried quickly when a young lady pressed her hand across his cheek, probably feeling his blush intensify showing his innocence in this situation to his chagrin! "Uh--" Then his eyes saw movement in the street and he remembered to look at the alley and seeing a surprised adult face definitely looking this way! "Uh...uh, she's blonde, maybe thirties with a scar above her eyes an-- oops! She saw me watching, she's gone!" His heart jumped a bit, knowing suddenly he was caught up in something bigger then his current role, more then just his assignments.
Mogana's Mustache!
Then it occurred to him. "You need to go to ground somewhere?" His eyebrows went up, but his mind was quickly running through a few estimates of his own, realizing some amounts and such. Wondering if he was making a huge mistake, he said while looking her right in the eyes. "If you had the money could you secure some place?" Could he do it? Maybe-- maybe they could help each other out a lot if he played his cards right at this moment. If his family found out he'd have to have a good cover!
Rose Romola Lupin
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It's a quarter after one...
AGE
18
HOUSE
Slytherin
OCCUPATION
I'm a werewolf, wtf do you think I do??
Face Claim
Emily Rudd
Neutral
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Post by Rose Romola Lupin on Dec 20, 2018 6:14:58 GMT
[googlefont=Dancing Script] Soon comes the cold, and the night that never ends.
Lupins were masters of kind smiles that made you feel all gooey inside, and Rose considered herself the best of the best. Maybe because she was female, but it had gotten her out of a lot of situations.
She clicked her tongue. That Walburga. At least he didn't look beaten. Well, he had been sorted into Slytherin and probably was someone who did all what mummy dearest told him to do.
Still. Sad. That woman was a monster.
"You'll be okay, won't you, Reg?"
She pulled her hand away from his cheek, only to rest it in his again. Blonde. Thirties. Scar above her eyes? God knows. She squeezed his hand again.
"Thanks for the cover, I really appreciate it."
She was about to say more. But his question stopped her short.
"Depends on the type of money. Are we talking temporary or more permanent, like a flat in Hogsmeade?"
She rose a brow at him.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2018 7:43:55 GMT
Raised to be proper, high class, and blood-rights Regulus was pre-programmed with several instincts for the proper gentleman dealing with his father's generation. The fact most of that same generation was blind to the advantages of other knowledge about the enemy side made no difference; Regulus had been taught how to adapt and so he did. Of course being open-seeming compared to other Slytherin also had the effect of giving him wider experience in other viewpoints, even if he didn't accept them as true.
After all, to rule over others meant understanding how to manipulate them. For that he knew you needed information in large amounts. He was fortunate in those lessons, but few of those same lessons included experience in the fairer sex just in controlling them (as his father stressed in all his personal lessons). Actual experience was lacking as he had not found any girls in school interested in him outside of an advantage (which several Slytherin girls had approached him on, but it was easy to spot power-hungry people so he hadn't bitten down). A woman in distress however hit all kinds of different buttons from protection to gratitude.
Gratitude. The sweat feeling increased.
Regulus could deal with study, even hard subjects. Investigating scant leads and following up from the dark texts at home in school from memory was much harder, but it was a challenge he enjoyed, maybe even needed in some ways. Many things from Hogwarts he felt calm and comfortable with, even feel sly about his success behind the scenes. He was fairly sure he knew things none of his cousins were in on either, though he didn't want to leak that. Girls, nay women however were another thing entirely. And she was causing him some really different reactions right now, out here in a public place!
She used the short version of his name, something few did even in his family who liked longer names. It felt very perso-- well okay, not as personal as some rather physical things, but still! "I'm tougher then I look, Rose, you just seem to be catching me at an off moment." He smiled as if joking. At least he hoped he was joking. He really couldn't tell what she was thinking really, those eyes searching his. However she followed his thoughts alarmingly closely; had she been thinking something along those lines? But what?
He licked his lips again, wondering what he was getting himself into. "Hogsmeade? Really?" Oh man that was close enough for him to visit... He thought furiously, looking down at the table for almost a minute. "Could...Hmm. Could you meet me here, say, day after tomorrow? If you can apparate us to Diagon, I think I can give you a hand with a flat." Then she would owe him-- what? He shoved that first and second thought aside, knowing that was more then rude to assume no matter how much his imagination ran away with him!
Rose Romola Lupin
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It's a quarter after one...
AGE
18
HOUSE
Slytherin
OCCUPATION
I'm a werewolf, wtf do you think I do??
Face Claim
Emily Rudd
Neutral
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Post by Rose Romola Lupin on Dec 20, 2018 8:12:44 GMT
[googlefont=Dancing Script] Soon comes the cold, and the night that never ends.
"Regulus Black in an off moment? Dear me."
She said this teasingly, her eyes going back to their joined hands. She should've really pulled away by now. Hell, probably left through the kitchens of this quaint little place, yet here she still sat.
Whodathunk.
"Can you blame me for worrying?" No, you shouldn't be worried, you silly, silly girl. You're on the run, you should be worrying about yourself! Yet here you sit concerned over if Walburga Black is keeping up her nasty reputation.
What a wonder.
Though, coming from where she had, she had quite the bitter taste in her mouth for parents who treat their children badly. Her own father had done so to her and Remus once the stress of them becoming werewolves had finally gotten to him. His prejudices had won out instead of the love for his children, as his children.
Sad, sad, sad.
So, yes, she felt a bit of a kinship with the Black siblings. Though Sirius she hadn't heard nor seen in a good month or two, given he was part of the Order and going anywhere near them would just probably get her killed.
Aurors were after her because of her father. Remus had the protection of the Order. She had no one. Nothing. She was a rouge, and if she went to Voldemort, well that was just putting the price on her head right there.
And would she even survive going to Voldemort? She was indeed the sibling to one of those in the Order, as mentioned earlier. That's just... perfect kidnapping material!
Yet, she had made friends with one Severus Snape, Death Eater wannabe... and now, Regulus. She wasn't sure where his intentions lie, but intentions didn't matter... as long as they kept her alive.
"Meet you here? Again?"
She blinked twice at him. Apparate to Diagon? Oh, she would need a different cloak for Diagon. Or, she could just use a glamor. Yes. That would work out quite fine.
"That is agreeable." Wow, Rose, how old-timey.
"Normally I would turn down such help, but times are getting desperate. Even if it's just six months... things would be better."
She could pick up odd jobs in Hogsmeade to save up money for her next stint on the run.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2018 9:29:25 GMT
Holding hands with her now felt quite acceptable, though if the spy watching them was a DE he was in a lot of trouble. Still, the face had not reappeared and if they were still watching it was better hidden. Yes, protecting her was becoming more important to him by the moment. She spoke and his eyes watched hers still, then his words came without thought. "Why would you worry? We have not been very close in the past, just friends. You probably have far harder choices to make to get by, don't you?"
Oh yes. He needed to do this. Besides, his brother had probably already told enough people whose side he was on. Sirius had never understood the balance Regulus had to follow nor why it was very important for the family to continue this way. Even if he didn't think everything was perfect, not protecting the earlier sacrifices they had made would make them worthless. Honor alone made it important, vitally so. He would save her if he could for the very same reasoning.
"If you can stand that, yes." She thought it out even as he realized that he needed to say something to prevent her thinking worse of him. What could he say to both not make her thing wrong of him but also leave it open for how she could help him in return? His mind whirled, thinking there was no way to do it really. And to be without honor if he left it open, despite his inward thinking otherwise. To do the right thing for the wrong reason...
"Great! I mean, don't take me wrong I'm not doing this for bad reas--wait!" He closed his eyes a moment, then took in a breath, his hand tightening on hers a moment before he let go slowly. No, he could not take advantage and be good with himself. "I could use some help checking people's backgrounds out. Would you be willing to do some checking up on stuff for me in return? While I'm in school?" His face took on a certain quality which would be hard to describe, thinking about how he would not use this against her, hold it over her head.
Merlin, if only he was a lesser person...
Rose Romola Lupin
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It's a quarter after one...
AGE
18
HOUSE
Slytherin
OCCUPATION
I'm a werewolf, wtf do you think I do??
Face Claim
Emily Rudd
Neutral
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Dec 20, 2018 10:05:09 GMT
Post by Rose Romola Lupin on Dec 20, 2018 10:05:09 GMT
[googlefont=Dancing Script] Soon comes the cold, and the night that never ends.
"Well, you see, I suffer from bleeding heart syndrome. Where I just care immensely for other, above and beyond my own well-being."
She gives him another famous Lupin smile, kind and calm.
"You don't have to worry. I know kindness when I see it. I'm not thinking you're doing this to manipulate me into favours of a sexual nature."
She teased him.
"But pity it wasn't that."
Aaaaand that's probably a tad too thick.
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Dec 20, 2018 10:34:18 GMT
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2018 10:34:18 GMT
"Reg" was like a new person. Regulus would not understand the term 'Sugar Daddy' and would be horrified to think someone suspected of him being one for a werewolf. "Reg" was willing to risk it for the possible future returns it might provide. The possibilities! The mind boggled at all the things he needed to go back and check on. Could one get the infection from kissing? Didn't he remember something about the saliva being the issue with cuts? What did that even mean for further stuff? Yeah, he needed to go learn a LOT in case things changed.
Regulus pushed this stuff from his mind.
Soft on women he might be sometimes, but he was smarter then that. What he put at risk here was far more then she did. Not only would his family come after him, but his Master would know what he was thinking. He lashed down those thoughts of a young teenager for the moment, getting control back. Extreme danger existed here, though he could use her to get information in places he probably could not go. Yes, that was worth paying her for in rooming and the risk was well worth it. In fact. He put one finger on the table and traced something on it only he could see, unaware she was seeing this for a moment. His father.
The hiding nook in the desk which as heir Regulus had been taught about and how to reach. Yes, he could manage this if he toed the line carefully enough. A nod and he looked back up at her again, more business then before. 'Bleeding hearts' she said and he pursed his lips. "Ah yes, I've heard of that. Must be hard on the emotions." Hmm. Yes, that could be used. Rose spoke about kindness and he smiled glad she had gotten that message.
And then she used a verbal fire ax to his mind.
A startled glance, an instant flush all over his face like crimson, and held breath -- oh no he wasn't obvious at all! Regulus gave a stiff nod not sure what to say to that!! His mouth opened, thought better of it and closed it again swallowing. He finished off the bottle of drink, pushed his untouched muffin over to her, and stood. "I - uh - better get back. Before mother wonders what -- Ah. Day after tomorrow. Right. See you then, Rose..."
Rose Romola Lupin
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It's a quarter after one...
AGE
18
HOUSE
Slytherin
OCCUPATION
I'm a werewolf, wtf do you think I do??
Face Claim
Emily Rudd
Neutral
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Dec 20, 2018 18:51:57 GMT
Post by Rose Romola Lupin on Dec 20, 2018 18:51:57 GMT
[googlefont=Dancing Script] Soon comes the cold, and the night that never ends.
She stood when he stood.
At full height she realized how smaller he was - again, werewolf, she was no six foot something like her brother, but it did give her a sort of intimidating stance when she used it.
It wasn't like she towered over him either. No, that was left to her brother, her brother towered over people and boy did it give an impression. Except for the fact he was a coward that couldn't control his damn friends.
She wouldn't be in this situation... alone... if her brother hadn't been a git. Typical Gryffindor judgement.
Why was she thinking about him again? Ah, right. Because the little brother of Sirius Black stood before her.
She grinned at him.
"I think.... I think we'll make a wonderful partnership you and I. And don't worry about your mother, Reg. I can take her. I won't let anyone hurt anyone I consider a friend."
Again she smiles as her verbal axe seemed to set him even farther off kilter... the reason she stood in the first place. He was definitely adorable.
God knows if it were safe for him to leave yet, but she reached out for his wrist all the same. She leaned in, her nose brushing against his and then across the apple of his cheek, her lips at his ear.
"Thank you, for offering your assistance. I'll make it worth your while, I promise."
At that her lips descended to his mouth - rather the corner of it - and she pressed her lips there briefly before removing herself altogether from his personal bubble, sitting back down at the table. Even here, she wouldn't break her golden rule.
"Take care of yourself, Reg."
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Dec 20, 2018 20:53:11 GMT
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2018 20:53:11 GMT
One word stood out. Partners.
Partners? Regulus had had a partner once in his brother, but those bonds had been deep. Blood brothers too, the deepest sort of partnership there could be, from birth. Sirius barely spent any time around his little brotherformer brother and he still felt that missing hole in his life sometimes. Partners? He only knew of two kinds of partners, one in studies and one in life. She was clearly saying work partners but after her previous comment he had to wonder about how in depth a partnership she wanted.
Partners with a woman. A werewolf. Both types he had been taught to manipulate, control, be dominate over and he knew this was going to give him trouble indeed! His body was more interested in being "in depth" with her then he thought safe and that was worrying. He frowned very slightly as he added "Partners. Yes, I look forward to the fruit of our partnership, Rose." A memory came back to him from last year. "The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit".
Or was he the one being devoured?
Her hands at his wrist caused a slight twitch of reaction swiftly suppressed realizing she wasn't going to move his sleeve and whispering words near his ear to cause his heart to jump a beat! It took quite a lot of control to answer her in a calm sounding voice "I know, Rose. Watch your back and I'll have you safe soon." He needed her to here that, that he would be the one to protect her. Manners, Duty, Honor.
A balance that made Regulus what he was, who he was, and worthy of being wanted. It was what he did to make sure he didn't get washed away in all the craziness of his life and he clung to that regardless of what happened, that was him, his lifeline. She kissed near his lips, a complete surprise and he looked at her, wonderingly as his fingers touched the spot before his face turned more neutral and he nodded to her. Turning, he put a hand on her shoulder a moment as he gazed out the window and then made his exit, going faster then he meant to seem for the first thirty steps, trying to put distance between himself and his hormones...
Rose Romola Lupin
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