—author's note: I hope you enjoy this! What happens when you open an old box Regulus left for you after your breakup?

—warning(s): mentions of food, angst with a happy ending, gender neutral!reader (pronouns haven't been used throughout the story)

—wordcount: 1,643

The ceiling had several rogue spots scattered on it. A black dent in the corner, a grey trail of who knew what and circular dark blotches. You had been staring at it for hours now. Coldness of the floor seeped in through your back but it felt welcome. Anything that could distract you from the ache in your chest felt like a relief. Placing your hands on your stomach, you took in a few shaky breaths, your brain reminding you of Regulus again.

It had been stupid, the fight. Both of you were angry at the other for weeks, it had to burst— you only regretted the way it did. You said some despicable things and so did he. Some things can never be forgiven. Your eyes stinged with tears again, you could hardly breathe through the stuffed nose. A small part of you had always believed Regulus was it. The one. After years of being with wrong people, he took over your heart by storm. Being with anyone had never been so easy, Regulus had a cutting wit and a rare charm which made you open up yet kept you on your toes.

You didn't know whether you would ever get the strength to date again, the thought of being with another person felt wrong and the thought of Regulus being with someone else made your stomach churn. All those days you spent together; the nights he held you impossibly close drawing lazy circles on your waist... The way his eyes twinkled with mischief, the curve of his lips when he laughed seemed to etch in on your brain like a reel. A reel through the mind of a high person. Blurred around the edges, moving too fast— the feeling of the moment the only focus.

Regulus had dropped by the day before, you didn't see him; your friend being the one who opened the door. They told you he left a box of your belongings, you didn't have the courage to open it, you knew you would break apart if you did just that. But all logic seemed to have evaporated now, you guessed it was the numbness.

Getting up with shaky legs, you furiously wiped your face. The brown box sat beside your couch, you walked over to it turning on the light. Running a hand along the tape, you took in a deep breath before tearing it open. A red shirt, along with other clothes were folded neatly and you kept them aside, divulging further. Your favourite mug was next; you remembered Regulus teasing you about the painted teddy but you couldn't dwell on it. A small rectangular book at the bottom caught your eye.

Never having seen it before, you furrowed your eyebrows— fingers curling the edges as you pulled it out. Opening the leather bound diary, your eyes focussed on the two words on the first page. Mon fangs. They were written in a cursive handwriting that was distinctively Regulus'. He always called you fangs, or at times which made your heart swell, mon fangs. My fangs. Biting your lip, your thumb hovered over the corner of the page. Were you supposed to... Regulus never did anything without meaning them, he wanted you to see it. Steeling yourself, you turned it and your eyes landed on an old photograph. Taken precisely two years ago. On your first date.

Regulus had an arm around your shoulder, you could remember just how light his touch was that day. One of your friends had set you up with him— you had no idea what to expect; you were fully prepared for disappointment which would leave you more sour than you already were. It was a welcome surprise when you saw Regulus' eyes lift up and land on you with an easy smile on his face. He shook your hand, before pulling out a seat for you to sit, ever the gentleman. Conversation had flowed smoothly, you remembered laughing most of the time. You warmed up to him well, you were guarded, yes, and he was too. Overall, the date was better than 'good' and that was all you needed to know to decide whether you would go out with him again. The boy had told you with a grin as the two of you walked out of the restaurant, that he had more or less assumed the date to end up in a disaster making your lips upturn in amusement.

A photographer had stopped you two, imploring to take a picture— while you shook your head, Regulus shrugged and gave in. And so you stood there awkwardly, unsure how to pose. The photographer had swayed his head, telling you two to come closer. Regulus had asked for your consent silently and when he got it, he pulled you near him wrapping his arm around you as the two of you leaned in together and smiled for the camera. Click. Once the man was paid, he turned to you, offering the photograph. You insisted he kept it, having paid for it after all.

You pressed your fingers over the words written below the picture; coming back to reality. Never did I think my brother's friend would lead me to meet someone so special. Tears flowed down your cheeks, you knew then, the book would shed the remaining few pieces of your heart. Yet you dared to turn to the next page. A polaroid of him and you at a carnival holding bright pink cotton candy, grinning up at you. Oh how vividly your brain reminded you of that evening.

Turning pages of the album, you paused a little at every picture reminiscing the time you had spent with him. He had doodled at several places, making each page look even more beautiful. An inscription was present at the bottom of every image, your heart ached as you read them all. Regulus wasn't the one who talked a lot or confessed his feelings. But the moments he did, they were ones you drilled into your memory. Reading what he wrote felt like one of those moments. It was almost as if he was near you, not quite meeting your eye as he whispered to you how much you meant.

Your face itched with the salty tears, you had never felt so overwhelmed. Two years was a long time to spent together and throwing it away over a stupid fight... You felt something drop in you when you turned another page. Blank. Not knowing what to do, you closed the book rather sharply and placed it on the pile in front of you. A page dropped out and you picked it up slowly. It was a letter.

Fangs,

I don't know whether you'll even go through this book, you seem to hate our time together. I know I've said some very vile things I didn't mean. Maybe what people say is true, words said in anger cannot be undone. But I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't apologise. I'm sorry, for all the things I said and the ones I did not say.

For not taking a moment to breathe and to listen to your side of the story. For being far too furious to sit still and for leaving without saying goodbye. If I could relive the moment I would change everything in a heartbeat. Because if anything, going through this made me realise just how much I love you, that I cannot ever live without you. Not when I've known what it is like to call you mine.

Maybe you threw away this book when you saw it, or never even opened it. But if you didn't and you are reading this— I would like nothing more than to have you back. You make me happy and if you allow me, I would gladly spend my life trying to keep the smile on your face alive too.

Just give me one more chance, I promise I won't mess this up.

Hopefully yours,

RAB

Your vision felt blurry but you could only think about what you just read. He wants you back. Regulus wants you back. Rushing towards the bathroom, you washed your face rapidly, you felt your heart thundering against your chest. If only you opened the box before... Drying your face, you put on some decent clothes taking one last look in the mirror. It'll have to do, you told yourself before apparating to Regulus's house. You didn't understand the sense of urgency which came over you— all your brain told you was that you couldn't spend another moment away from him over something so trifle.

Knocking on the door, you fidgeted until a familiar face came into view. His eyes and nose were red and he looked paler than usual. Your breath caught in your throat as you moved towards him.

"Fangs," he started but you cradled his face, pulling him close, pressing your lips against his in answer. His hands snaked around your waist soon, jerking you close, mouth hot against yours. "I'm sorry," he whispered breathlessly, pulling back and you could hardly say, "I'm sorry too." before he put his lips against yours again, rougher this time. You tugged his hair, nails scraping against the scalp, releasing a grasp. The closeness seemed to say more than words ever could, it was hard to breathe but you couldn't stop as if you would lose him the minute you did.

When you finally drew back, breathing deeply, Regulus held your cheeks pressing kisses all over your face. It was hard not to crack a smile.

"I've missed you," you said, tearing up a little again. "I'm sorry."

And just like that, it felt a weight lifted off of you. There was much to be said and done but you believed everything would fall into place.

—what do you think?