Regulus didn't feel anything at first and then, suddenly, the faintest feeling of a brush against his finger tips hit him. It was like a lightening strike hit him. Then it got stronger and felt so much better, so much more real. Impulsively, he reached out and gripped tight onto the hand, desperate to keep the contact, to have something to hold onto.
His hands slowly took form. Pale and clinging to Barty's hand, his grip surprisingly strong. All his energy went into it. The touch was what he needed, he knew that and he tried to get more, tried to reach out further and hold on. "I feel you! That's you. I can -- I can feel."
Barty gathered his magic, did what he could to focus it in that one hand. He was a powerful wizard, there was no doubt about that. Perhaps even more so now, after he had arguably cheated death. Either way, he hoped it would help Regulus. He wasn't sure what would help him more, magic? Emotion? Awareness, that was what he needed, but how could he help him get it?
"It's interesting. I often felt as if you were the first to make me feel. Now I get to repay the favour."
A questionable favour, perhaps, but he didn't have to share that thought.
The power that surged through Barty was like an anchor for him, he knew what to fix onto and he latched on to the hand and felt the light getting closer and closer. He wanted to follow the voice to wherever it was, he wanted to be there with him.
For a moment, just a moment, Regulus appeared in all his glory before losing his form once more. Exhausted and tired, he didn't give up. He was a stubborn ass, after all.
He moved closer and pushed against the edge of the circle, trying to get out, trying to come back. "I feel so ..." He didn't know what it was that he felt, he just wanted it. "I feel so alive. Guide me, please? I have to stay. I don't want to go back."
"You say that like it's easy." Barty wasn't sure if he was doing the right thing, but he had seen Regulus, right there. It was working. So he moved fully inside the circle himself, still holding Regulus' hand. He tried to hold Regulus, as best he could. "Your name is Regulus Black. Toujours pur. Always pure. The motto of your family."
Maybe the phrase would jolt memories, maybe not. Either way, Barty felt he had to try. "I'm a year younger than you. You always hated that. You felt I should show you more respect. You love attention too. I could never read in peace around you."
"You say that like I'm needy." Regulus laughed, shaking his head like he didn't agree. He tried to focus on how it made him feel and followed it. The annoyance, the amusement, the outrage. All of it felt so very him. He just needed to keep true and follow Barty. He felt like he could see him now, he could see a face and those eyes - those calculating eyes. Always on a book, never on him. He loved reading and...
"You loved Quidditch."
He remembered that. He remembered a green and grey scarf, he remembered his broom and a swell of pride. Gripping onto Barty, he actually managed to hold onto his clothes as he flashed into his own form again, looking half of out his mind but so relieved. "I fell off my broom once getting the snitch!"
"M-hm. You did." Barty kept his eyes on Regulus' face, flashing in and out of view. More solid than he had been before, becoming more and more so by the minute. By the moment, even. He almost felt as if he could lean in to kiss him, so whatever he was doing? It seemed to be working. "You were Seeker. You had that uniform, I can still see you in it."
He licked his lips, smiling. "First time I jerked off, I was picturing you in that. I still remember your face when I told you. You were so scandalised."
Being outrageous, being himself, it seemed to actually do something to pull Regulus closer to realisation.
"Best seeker in all of Slytherin. Doesn't mean you're allowed to use me as -- as wank bait." Urgh, what a turn of phrase. It's more something Sirius would say. Regulus laughed as he clung to Barty, trying to move closer, to be close and here. He wanted to be here in the world again, he couldn't go back. "You're such a teasing little ne'er-do-well."
And yet, he laughed even so. He wasn't usually one for laughter but the thrill of emotions in him was almost euphoric as things rushed back.
"Some days I could just hit you, you devious sod."
"Let it be today, darling. Won't you please?" Barty was teasing, begging, feeling so close to a humanity he had been lacking for years. How he'd missed Regulus. He had barely even let himself think about it. "You said that once. That I'm the only one who can make you laugh while making you angry."
And there was a difference. There had always been a difference. Something about Regulus made him stand apart from everyone else. "You are special, Regulus. You are mine. I wanted you and I got you and I'll take you back now."
That was all he needed to here. He lost his footing and tumbled into the light, the room brightened for a moment before falling back into the dim light it had always had.
And there was Regulus - naked, exhausted and very much there.
If he wasn't holding onto Barty, he'd straight up have fallen down but as it stood, he was using his clothing to keep himself up. Looking at Barty, he could finally see him - properly and clearly. His face. He knew that annoying, beautiful face. Older, more tired and wilder than before but so very much Barty. He couldn't speak, he was too in awe to speak, too lost in this moment to find his words. He was alive.
Barty knew, rationally, that he should hurry to stabilise him, check his vitals, keep him warm. A thousand different things that should come right now. But he pushed back on that and instead here he was, his arms around Regulus and his lips on his. Kissing him, the way he last had years and years ago, in what seemed lifetimes ago.
Still kissing, he also sunk to the ground, helping Regulus lie down and, ever so helpfully, laying down on top of him. There, that was one way to keep him warm. Finally he pulled back from the kiss, his fingers running through Regulus' hair. It felt just the same, silky and soft, begging to be petted, begging to be pulled. Depending on the mood. "Welcome back, Regulus."
"Quite the welcoming party I'm getting too." Being kissed was something he never thought he'd feel again so to have a kiss? It was exhilarating. With a bright grin on his face, he couldn't help but laugh before raising his hand and lightly thumping Barty on the shoulder. It wasn't strong, he had no strength to give now. "Bloody bastard, I am not prissy."
He flopped back, sinking against the ground, a stupid smile on his face as he just tried to catch his breath. He looked at Barty, truly looked at him, just taking his friend in. "You look older..." Worrying. "How long -- What did I miss?"
"Give it time, Regulus. Shh." He put a finger on Regulus' lips, partly just to see that spark of indignant anger in his eyes. However, Barty also reached for his wand and used it to quickly cast a warming spell, then accio the blanket from the other room. He helped Regulus get comfortable, wondering if he should risk food. For now, he decided, water would do, and so he accio'd a bottle of that as well, opening it up and holding it for Regulus, not sure just how weakened he was. "I will tell you everything and answer your question. But first, tell me how you feel."
"Pissed you shushed me." That was how he felt. That and terrible, honestly. He leaned his head up and eyed the water, thirsty as anything. "I feel like -- I don't know how to describe it. Like shit, I guess?" To be perfectly vulgar about it, that was how he felt. He was tired, his legs felt like jelly and it kind of reminded him of the time he got very sick in his second year with a horrendous bug. Maybe he had a fever? He wasn't sure. It could be shock.
So overall? Not amazing. "Out of sorts. Wrong. Off. I dunno. Not brilliant." He looked at Barty, shivering as the heat hit him and warmed his body. "All the better for seeing you though."
"I will get you a proper potion to help you along, but I honestly wasn't expecting to get this far tonight." Barty knew how to roll with the punches, but he would have liked to be better prepared. However, Regulus was here. That was really all that mattered. He was still lying with him, playing with his hair and for part of him, it was as if no time had passed at all. "There is a bed in the other room, if you feel you can make it that far."
He could carry him, he supposed, but he wasn't sure how that suggestion would go down with Regulus right now. Better not to push it. "I can tell you everything. I just need to figure out where to even begin..."
"I think the floor has it's own charms." He didn't want to move. Ever. Maybe tomorrow. For now, he felt rather okay actually. He had Barty close to him and he felt warm, safe, alive again. He raised his hand and placed it on his chest, feeling his own heart beat beneath his fingers.
"I remember being so thirsty..." That was his last memory. He was half mad and dying for a drink. Literally. He got dragged into the water, he remembered not even fighting it. "I needed the water, I-- I shouldn't be here." If he died, why was he alive? "What did you do?" He had to be the one who did it. Why? How?
Did Barty know what he'd done? The circumstances of his death? Doubts started to nag at him.
Barty refrained from shushing him again, trying to decide where to start. So many horrors to uncover. He would much rather protect Regulus from it all. But as much as he was a liar, he saw no good coming about keeping the truth from Regulus now. "Inferi. They killed you. I'm sorry. I'm sure you will remember more later. These things tend to come back in our dreams."
He could speak from experience there. "You weren't-- It wasn't a peaceful death. You were in limbo. When I found you there..."
He paused, frowning, licking his lips with a quick flick of tongue before focusing on Regulus again. "Have you ever heard any theories about souls? Soulmates and the like."
"I definitely died..." Well, okay, good to know at least. Not great though. He was killed by an Inferi? Oh no. Did he stay there with them? Was he one? He didn't even want to think about it. He shook his head at Barty's question, looking at him and then over at the circle he'd just been standing in. Barty brought him back to life... that shouldn't be possible.
"My head is all out of sorts, I don't know what I know or should know." It was quite terrifying but he pushed it aside because - well, everything kind of was right now. "How did you do this?"
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."
"You survived a Dementor's kiss?" How did he even respond to that? Their souls communicated? That was insane. He wasn't even sure how he felt or what he understood, it was all a lot. He was alive and confused but he couldn't say he missed being dead. He looked at Barty and he had a horrible feeling that his life had been... well, exactly the kind of life that would end with a Dementor's kiss.
Reaching out, his hand was shaky and trembling but he couldn't help that. He gently stroked Barty's cheek, feeling his stubble with almost boyish curiosity. He was such a man now, it was fascinating to see.
"I'm here now, aren't I?" And he didn't fancy going anywhere else.
"You are." And what did he even do with that? Barty rarely did things without having a plan all sought out, but this had all been something he couldn't have predicted. He had never made peace with Regulus' death, but he had accepted it, as one of many losses. Now here he was. In flesh and blood, in heart and soul. He leaned their foreheads together, just breathing for a moment. "Just about eighteen years, Regulus. That's what you missed. And none of them worth living through, trust me."
He didn't even know how to feel. He had so many questions and yet, he didn't have the effort to fire them all off right now. He just wanted to rest. He shuffled closer to Barty, nuzzling him lightly and still stroking at his cheek. "Bet I missed something good. Couldn't all be bad, could it?" There had to be something positive. "Come on, Crouch. Make me jealous."
"I already told you about snogging the dementor, if that doesn't get to you, what will?" Barty said it in a joking tone, switching easily enough. That had never been difficult for them, after all. Positive. What was there, really? Nothing was the way Regulus had left it, but he knew what Regulus had died for and that... Well, maybe that was a bit too complex to discuss right now.
"Your cousin is Slytherin seeker now. Draco Malfoy. He's nowhere near your level."
"I'll take it. As long as there's a proud, decent Slytherin Quidditch player in the family, I can feel much better about the world." He would call that a win. Slowly, Regulus sat up and eyed the doorway. The bed seemed so far but he was so determined, he would definitely get there. Any second now. "I fancy the bed but I don't like the journey."
Turning back to Barty, he smiled faintly at him. "We have a lot to discuss but I think we can save that for another day."
"If you hold on to me, I can carry you there." It wasn't far and Regulus was light, had always been light. The perfect seeker, after all. If Barty could get him to accept that help, which seemed like a bit of a toss-up at this stage.
Still, he shifted, got on his knees and tried to pull Regulus into his arms. It still hardly felt real, he wondered when that would set in. Perhaps tomorrow. Or on whatever other day they would discuss more. "I have dreamless sleep potion. I feel you can use it more than me."
"Carry? I'm not a baby, I'll get there. Just need to psych myself up." Regulus said, sounded a bit distant as he held onto Barty and hugged him tight, already fading a little from the world and just sinking into the comfort of his anchor. The one who'd brought him back. His soulmate. "I would say you're far to good to me but honestly, everyone could always do better."
Besides, he didn't want Barty getting lazy. He might have saved his life but he still owed him love and romance. If they intended to ... circle back to that. Which he assumed the kiss meant.
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His hands slowly took form. Pale and clinging to Barty's hand, his grip surprisingly strong. All his energy went into it. The touch was what he needed, he knew that and he tried to get more, tried to reach out further and hold on. "I feel you! That's you. I can -- I can feel."
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"It's interesting. I often felt as if you were the first to make me feel. Now I get to repay the favour."
A questionable favour, perhaps, but he didn't have to share that thought.
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For a moment, just a moment, Regulus appeared in all his glory before losing his form once more. Exhausted and tired, he didn't give up. He was a stubborn ass, after all.
He moved closer and pushed against the edge of the circle, trying to get out, trying to come back. "I feel so ..." He didn't know what it was that he felt, he just wanted it. "I feel so alive. Guide me, please? I have to stay. I don't want to go back."
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Maybe the phrase would jolt memories, maybe not. Either way, Barty felt he had to try. "I'm a year younger than you. You always hated that. You felt I should show you more respect. You love attention too. I could never read in peace around you."
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"You loved Quidditch."
He remembered that. He remembered a green and grey scarf, he remembered his broom and a swell of pride. Gripping onto Barty, he actually managed to hold onto his clothes as he flashed into his own form again, looking half of out his mind but so relieved. "I fell off my broom once getting the snitch!"
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He licked his lips, smiling. "First time I jerked off, I was picturing you in that. I still remember your face when I told you. You were so scandalised."
Being outrageous, being himself, it seemed to actually do something to pull Regulus closer to realisation.
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And yet, he laughed even so. He wasn't usually one for laughter but the thrill of emotions in him was almost euphoric as things rushed back.
"Some days I could just hit you, you devious sod."
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And there was a difference. There had always been a difference. Something about Regulus made him stand apart from everyone else. "You are special, Regulus. You are mine. I wanted you and I got you and I'll take you back now."
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And there was Regulus - naked, exhausted and very much there.
If he wasn't holding onto Barty, he'd straight up have fallen down but as it stood, he was using his clothing to keep himself up. Looking at Barty, he could finally see him - properly and clearly. His face. He knew that annoying, beautiful face. Older, more tired and wilder than before but so very much Barty. He couldn't speak, he was too in awe to speak, too lost in this moment to find his words. He was alive.
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Still kissing, he also sunk to the ground, helping Regulus lie down and, ever so helpfully, laying down on top of him. There, that was one way to keep him warm. Finally he pulled back from the kiss, his fingers running through Regulus' hair. It felt just the same, silky and soft, begging to be petted, begging to be pulled. Depending on the mood. "Welcome back, Regulus."
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He flopped back, sinking against the ground, a stupid smile on his face as he just tried to catch his breath. He looked at Barty, truly looked at him, just taking his friend in. "You look older..." Worrying. "How long -- What did I miss?"
How long was he dead for?
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So overall? Not amazing. "Out of sorts. Wrong. Off. I dunno. Not brilliant." He looked at Barty, shivering as the heat hit him and warmed his body. "All the better for seeing you though."
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He could carry him, he supposed, but he wasn't sure how that suggestion would go down with Regulus right now. Better not to push it. "I can tell you everything. I just need to figure out where to even begin..."
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"I remember being so thirsty..." That was his last memory. He was half mad and dying for a drink. Literally. He got dragged into the water, he remembered not even fighting it. "I needed the water, I-- I shouldn't be here." If he died, why was he alive? "What did you do?" He had to be the one who did it. Why? How?
Did Barty know what he'd done? The circumstances of his death? Doubts started to nag at him.
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He could speak from experience there. "You weren't-- It wasn't a peaceful death. You were in limbo. When I found you there..."
He paused, frowning, licking his lips with a quick flick of tongue before focusing on Regulus again. "Have you ever heard any theories about souls? Soulmates and the like."
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"My head is all out of sorts, I don't know what I know or should know." It was quite terrifying but he pushed it aside because - well, everything kind of was right now. "How did you do this?"
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"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."
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Reaching out, his hand was shaky and trembling but he couldn't help that. He gently stroked Barty's cheek, feeling his stubble with almost boyish curiosity. He was such a man now, it was fascinating to see.
"I'm here now, aren't I?" And he didn't fancy going anywhere else.
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He didn't even know how to feel. He had so many questions and yet, he didn't have the effort to fire them all off right now. He just wanted to rest. He shuffled closer to Barty, nuzzling him lightly and still stroking at his cheek. "Bet I missed something good. Couldn't all be bad, could it?" There had to be something positive. "Come on, Crouch. Make me jealous."
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"Your cousin is Slytherin seeker now. Draco Malfoy. He's nowhere near your level."
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Turning back to Barty, he smiled faintly at him. "We have a lot to discuss but I think we can save that for another day."
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Still, he shifted, got on his knees and tried to pull Regulus into his arms. It still hardly felt real, he wondered when that would set in. Perhaps tomorrow. Or on whatever other day they would discuss more. "I have dreamless sleep potion. I feel you can use it more than me."
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Besides, he didn't want Barty getting lazy. He might have saved his life but he still owed him love and romance. If they intended to ... circle back to that. Which he assumed the kiss meant.
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