Barty would have liked to make a joke, to brag about his abilities. And he was proud of them, no doubt about that. Restoring Regulus to life... It should have been impossible. All of this should have been. However, his magic or his genius or whatever it was, that hadn't been the spark to start it all. So, honesty it was again. And once more it was nothing good.

"I've been given the Dementor's Kiss. And my soul might have been lost, if it wasn't for yours calling mine. Like you had been waiting. I don't know how else to explain." It was a feeling more than a thought. Words didn't seem like enough to describe it. "When I got a second chance at life, I felt you deserved one as well."

He sought out Regulus' eyes, lowering his voice. "Besides-- I was so tired of living without you."