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NATURALLY, the Pureblood society was a jigsaw puzzle. Only not your average, intricately pieced-together one. Rather, it was as if an infant had come and had completely displaced the contents of multiple jigsaw boxes. A group of misfits, show-offs and ostentatious pricks that do their best to fit in a society hell-bent on one-upping the other. The jigsaws, you could say, didn't even have relevance to each other. One would be of a cherry blossom tree, crisp and blossoming pink. One would be of a house, ancient or modern, whichever, or perhaps a landscape. Some would have massive, chunky pieces designed to ensure no toddler would come to harm by accidentally misplacing the item in their mouths with their childish, strange tendencies. Point is: the Pureblood society is as messy as all of these jigsaws crammed together would be.

But here's the thing: it never appears that way.

     It never looks messy. Somehow, it's disorderly state of mind and appearance is masked by a complete series of costly suits, extravagant, bedazzling gowns and a plentiful supply of bubbling champagne, fizzling in throats, popping corks as yet another bottle was being boisterously opened.

So, yes. The pureblood society is a jigsaw puzzle. It's a mess, it's flawed, it's filled with blissfully ignorant children, unaware of what and how they can fit into this landscape and the adults, who mask things so that certain pieces can fit. It's a cramped jigsaw, and it definitely isn't pretty. But it's what people born into a pious bloodline have to endure as they grow older, more mature yet maybe not wise.

Following traditions only come as natural to such ostentatious families. So does prolonging the bloodline. So does throwing such massive and stifling parties.

     And it's one of the things Luciana Donahue hates.

     Don't get her wrong: being a pureblood wasn't all that bad. She felt fortunate that her family had never been short of finance and had always been able to meet whatever needs she wanted: she's never been deprived in life. She was home to lavish clothes, divine food and perhaps it was good that she had access to the widespread range of contacts her parents had, contacts able to help her get out there in the world.

Take right now for example. It was amazing that she got gifted the most beautiful sparkling pink dress, jewelled well but not heavily, flowing to just above her ankles. People came to fix her hair and she did her own makeup—she was just picky like that—and the high heels she wore were absolutely stunning, silver diamonds embellished at the toe. The cornucopia of gifts she'd been receiving were a mixed assortment of all things nice and all things not. Usually, she'd try not to get into the attentive minds of the people surrounding her—Luciana isn't one for the spotlight. Today, however, was a significant exception—especially given this very party was for her—because it was the engagement party of Luciana Donahue and Regulus Black.

Perhaps Luciana didn't think things through entirely when agreeing to eventually marry the Slytherin "Golden Boy". They were both Slytherin and in the same year, and Luciana has seen him dotted about here and there in classes and in the common room but they'd never really spoken. They all had their own bubbles and it stuck with that. But maybe Luciana did want to make her parents slightly more content knowing that she would be marrying into a rich and noble family, one people would normally be honoured to be associated with. Luciana supposed she should be too. For now, she was safe. Her parents had been so worried with all of the latest Muggle and Muggleborn attacks so they thought Luciana marrying well would ensure she remains safe for now.

Especially since Regulus was now rumoured to have joined the Death Eaters.

Maybe they'd jumped to conclusions a bit too quickly at the fact that Luciana's betrothal to a current Death Eater would guarantee her and her family's safety, but reality would play out eventually. She didn't think Regulus was in too deep with the work — or at least in too deep with the beliefs. Had she not believed that there was a smidgen of curiosity that Regulus may just be going this to satisfy himself in the eyes of his parents, she'd never agreed to marry him.

Some people felt more entitled than others. And some people were just downright cruel, using this entitlement to hold power over others. Luciana didn't think Regulus was the latter. He may be slightly full of himself and he may look down on Muggles and muggleborns, but wishing to obliterate an entire race because of their own godforsaken blood was just a step too far.

A light sway of the body sees Luciana feather down onto a stone bench. Flute of champagne balanced between her elegantly manicured fingertips, the young girl allows for the faint breeze to ensnare her senses, if not for the dozenth dose of alcohol having been thrusted into her hand by careless yet enthusiastic guests. The alcohol was losing its taste and effect as the night wore on. Yet she hadn't reached her tipping point. There was still room for more, although she desperately hoped people would give up on their encouragement for her consuming record-breaking amounts of champagne.

Luciana supposes feeling stifled and breathless with the amount of people and celebrations is now a given for her. She's the new Black bride. These people would be her new family one day. This was only the start. She was in for a ride of unforgiving high heels, cramped and heated rooms, and much more forced alcohol consumption. She was only sixteen, bloody hell! Her ears had grown strained with the ironically melancholy harp music being played, and her mouth certainly had grown exhausted and perhaps permanently stretched with being obliged to smile every time a guest had stopped to offer their congratulations, to meet the spotlight girl herself or to just have a simple chat. Unfortunately, the only person she could drop the facade for normal banter for was in the form of her own brother Xavier, who'd had his roles busy within the party too.

Luciana would watch with wistful eyes as Xavier was getting along with the guests so effortlessly, his girlfriend Kiera by his arm, the two looking as ravishing as the other. Xavier said they could go catch some comforting milkshakes by the end of the night. She hoped he wouldn't go against his promise. Although if she peaked her head down the path she emerged from, where wide doors still displayed the party roaring elegantly on, Luciana would vaguely be able to catch her brother in the midst of charming the guests at the party with his undeniable charisma. As if she expected anything else. Everyone loves Xavier. He's the embodiment of a Hufflepuff, his flaky auburn hair and broad, handsome shoulders a physical parallel to his flawless manners, on fleek humour and not to mention his brilliant dancing skills.

It was unclear how long Luciana had been sat there, on the stony bench in the back garden of the gigantic Manor, absently sipping at her champagne. It was just habit by now. She'd never drank much apart from when Xavier would slip her a small glass or two at family parties, or if there's a party in the Slytherin common room. Slytherins did happen to throw amazing parties. After all, this party was pretty much hers. A glass or two (or a dozen) was inevitable.

The sun was setting slowly but surely, rendering the sky purple amalgamated in rose and orange hues. A cool breeze interfered with the heated summer sentiments, faint but refreshing. The pathway was illuminated in elegant crescent lamps, lights hovering above the wooden pathway leading towards the pond, swans glistening through. Everything about this party was whimsical and sweet, which was all Luciana could hope for. She didn't want her engagement party to be that big of a deal, and she was glad the Black's respected her plea for minimal decorations, even if there were far too many guests than meeting the maximum capacity.

     "Not thinking about ditching just yet, are you?"

Perhaps it was fated that Regulus Black had spotted the girl that was destined to be his wife wandering out the large doors at the back of the house, where not many people were present apart from those lingering by the pond or strolling along the pathway. Neither of them were needed: introductions just happened by chance, people weren't actively seeking out for either, even if they were the focal point of the party. No one would miss Regulus nor Luciana for however long they decided to spend away from the party. And if anything, Regulus taking the chance to seat himself beside his betrothed would maybe give them the chance to... get to know each other.

Initially startled by the intruding voice, Luciana's head shoots over to her left where Regulus Black was now sat. Why he'd came to accompany her, she'd no idea. His own flute of champagne in hand and the tails of his robes sticking out as he crouched down onto the bench, she took the time to look at him. Look at him with the gradient horizon behind him, with the noise of the poised music in the background, with the idea in mind that this guy would be her husband in a few years.

He's quite handsome, she thinks. His hair, long enough to brush past his ears yet not quite shoulder length, rounded itself like silk in a manner that was untidy yet extraordinarily neat. His skin paled naturally in a way unknown to man, seeming everlastingly soft to the touch. Regulus had eyes dark with nebula and oblivion, a stance as practiced as the traditions he was born on. And in this moment, he had a smile that was bound to dance with the stars imminent to appear in the sky.

     This was the boy she was supposed to marry. This self-righteous, overambitious, confident boy who was the Seeker of the Slytherin Quidditch Team and one of Horace Slughorn's favourite pupils. The boy who had a collective amount of friends and who was ultimately known by most at hogwarts. This boy who was a Death Eater. How Luciana was supposed to deal with the idea that she was marrying a boy who'd pledged himself to such an allegiance, she didn't know. She didn't know why he joined the death eaters. And she definitely didn't know why Regulus ever agreed to marrying the Slytherin in his year whom he'd hardly ever noticed.

She recalls his question, and shrugs.

     "Depends. Once the champagne wears off I might hop the fence and make a break for it."

     "And your dress would allow that?"

     "I can sacrifice a diamond or two. Although the heels definitely have to go."

     A limp chuckle falls from Regulus, though Luciana remains completely impassive. He nods, understanding.

     "You don't like it. The party."

     "Well, not entirely," says Luciana. "The champagne isn't too terrible. Those apple turnovers seemed a bit stale for my liking, but the main thing is that there is sure to be some kind of disease lurking with all of the people squeezed within that room. I just needed to... breathe. And I had an itch on my knee and I don't think I would appreciate people looking up my dress while I itched it."

     The carefree manner with which she spoke went noticed by Regulus, as did the champagne flute in her hand. He himself had endured many glasses of alcohol being forced absently into his grip, yet he discarded the glasses as soon as his head gave the tiniest sway. He only carried his current one just to deny anyone else from making another alcohol-related transfer.

With force but gentle intent, he lifts the flute from her hand and places it to his other side by his own.

     Luciana frowns, staring down at her empty hands somewhat petulantly. "What was that for?"

     He doesn't answer her. "Why did you say yes?"

     Baffled, Luciana blinks once or twice. "What?"

     "Why did you agree to marrying me?" Regulus clarifies.

     "I could ask you the same question."

     "I asked first."

Luciana presses her lips into a line. "Fine," she says, her eyes scouring the pale violet colour the sky had to offer with the intent to stall. She shrugs. "Maybe I wanted to prove to people that I'm more capable than they'd think. I wanted to prove a point."

     Regulus arches his head. "To who?"

     Her eyebrows narrow as if mentally scolding Regulus for beseeching her, but they loosen. "To my parents, I suppose."

     "And what would marrying me prove?"

     "You love to ask questions, don't you?" Luciana says, a faint scoff escaping her. "Okay. Theoretically, it might show that I'm braver than people think."

     He frowns. "What does bravery have to do with me?"

     "Do you really have to ask that question?"

     Regulus didn't, because the direction Luciana's eyes travelled to spoke it all. His left arm, the hand of which curled around the course stone of the bench, had the sleeves of his shirt buttoned to the wrist. What would hide the monstrosity tattooed onto his arm was the territory she shouldn't have to cross. A glaze of perceptiveness flashed across Regulus's eyes as he holds his left forearm closely to his chest, lifting it slowly, delicately.

     "You don't have to be scared of me," mutters Regulus. "I would never want to hurt you."

     He doesn't know that. They only just met, she thinks. Luciana pauses hesitantly, before saying, "But...  I don't know. Maybe it would prove that I can a play a big part for my family too. That I'm not the sidepiece that has to bask in the glory of Xavier. He's perfect, and me not-so-much. But I still have things to bring to the table. So... my parents need to see that I'm more capable than they think."

     "Ah, so it's an issue of sibling jealousy," Regulus clicks his tongue, arching an eyebrow in amusement. Luciana right away rolls her eyes.

     "No, it's not. I'm not jealous of Xavier. Not in any way, shape or form. He's the best big brother I could have ever asked for. He's the best person anyone could ever think of approaching. And I can't... I can't be mad at him for that. It's difficult to dislike Xavier for something that's so natural and so perfect as him."

"Your turn now," Luciana's voice was blunt and sharp as she directed the spotlight onto the boy beside her. "Why did you decide to marry me?"

"Wasn't too difficult," Regulus shrugs, "It was either marry you or be paired with my mother's cousin's daughter. I don't want to marry my relative." His tone was as impassive as it was slightly condescending.

"You're not into the same incestual traditions of your family?"

"No way. It's disgusting. And there's more of a chance of gaining them harmful deleterious genes. No wonder my family is so messed up."

      Positively amused, Luciana purses her lips, a slight grin tugging at the edges. "Okay. Is that it?"

Regulus keeps his head lowered. He fidgets with the cufflink of his sleeve. "Since Sirius left, my parents hadn't been... content. Somehow, no matter what happens, they're reminded of the fact that they couldn't keep their shackles on him. They just wanted him to be their "perfect child", but until a time, he gave up the act. He didn't want... he didn't want to be their little robot anymore. I don't think they ever loved Sirius." He looks down and spoke in small tones, "I don't know if they even love me. I think they just love the idea of one of their children ending up how they want them to. There's no... there's no feeling attached within that. Just materialism."

Revelation overcoming her, Luciana mimics his expression from before and clicks her tongue. It didn't erase her uncomfortable, pit of fire that almost ignited at the sight of him looking so hurt. "Ah, so it's a case of parental appraisal."

A scoff escaping him, he nudges her side. "Don't get smug."

Luciana hums lowly to herself, grinning with contentment. The corners of Regulus's mouth itch up slightly. For some time, they sit there in the low background noises, the humdrum distant chatter of those with shawls wrapped around them amidst their walks around the serene pond. One the one side, there laid a blustery yet sophisticated celebration where the occupants hardly noticed their centrepieces were missing. On the other side, it was just the sunset, the large patch of grass, a stone-paved pathway and a pond, shimmering in the ombré hues of the sky. Here, it was a medium of the two. Luciana and Regulus were neither apart of the party yet isolated either. They were still able to hear the faint music, though as they absently concentrated upon it, the music was less of a thought and more of a feeling. The harp, the violin, the piano in tune, was a centralised focal point to both of their foggy, faintly-tinted-with-alcohol minds, rooting them to the spot knowing that they were still on earth, despite this odd otherworldly feeling within.

Regulus gets to his feet and stands in front of Luciana.

     "What are you doing?" Luciana questions the sudden movement, her eyebrows knitted with curiosity but mostly disdain.

     He doesn't answer her. He holds a hand out. She looks at it.

     "Dance with me," he says, and the music consumes her even further.

     Luciana doesn't know why this alarmed her so much. Maybe it was the suddenness of his proposition, but maybe because it was... a first step of sorts. She'd never had a proper conversation with Regulus until now. They knew who each other was — there was no need for introductions. They could chat enough. Get to know each other enough. And now he was here... asking her to dance.

     "Here?" She questions, incredulous.

     "Of course," says Regulus. "It's our party, isn't it?"

     "That, it is."

     "And they haven't noticed us missing yet either." He adds. The offer now seemed as beguiling as ever. Almost as beguiling as the slight sliver of smile twitching at his lips, entrancing in the dusky sky. "So what do you say? May I have your hand in this dance?"

     Perking her lips to the side and peering up at his dignified features, she places her hand in his.

     "You may," she tells him. "Let it be the first dance of many."

     His eyes did the closest thing possible to lighting up in his calm, stoic state. As Luciana stood up feeling slightly more unstable on her diamond-studded heels than she did at the start of the evening, his grip on her hand tightened. His attention travelled to the engagement ring resting on her finger, the diamond twinkling in his eyes, rendering his face radiant in a state of unknown euphoria.

     "You're wearing my ring," he says quietly.

     "You, uh—your ring?" Luciana's cheeks redden. "I didn't know. I thought your mother picked it."

     Regulus shakes his head, lowering it slightly. "I did."

     She doesn't take her eyes from him. "It's a beautiful ring."

     He lifts his head to meet her gaze and it's then that she appears to him the most beautiful girl within the procession. Her tan skin radiant in the rosy hues of the sky, her hair waves of sepia. How Regulus had never paid this much attention to Luciana Donahue before their betrothal, he didn't know. In that moment it was just Regulus, just Luciana, and a whole lot of unaccounted and daunting emotion. He didn't need to say thank you, or reply to her compliment, for his gaze returned enough.

     Regulus takes advantage of their close proximity and twines his hand with her one that bore the bedazzling engagement ring. Tentative fingers clasp around her waist as she places her free hand along his shoulder, barely brushing against his buoyant curls. They were soft, Luciana can confirm.

     From there, Regulus and Luciana float in the glory the strumming music had to offer. Faint as it was, their own heartbeats were thrashing heavier than the music, though it was more than enough that they were able to sway along, hand-in-hand, flush against one another, the world having gone from their grasps. But, they supposed, it was never in their grasp in the first place. If it were, they'd never have gotten into the situation where they became betrothed to one another. And in this moment in time, their engagement didn't seem all that bad.

     "It looks good on you," Regulus leans in, whispering against her ear faintly. "The ring, and the dress."

     "You, uh, picked the dress too?" Luciana attempts to poke some humour at Regulus, slightly bashful, looking down to hide her blushing cheeks.

     "No," He chuckles. "That was all my mother. My skills aren't extended that far."

     "Your mother has good taste."

     "She likes you, I'm sure."

     "Oh?"

     "She doesn't like many people."

     "I don't blame her. People aren't all that great."

     "At least I can agree with her," says Regulus. "About you."

     A smile creeps up her lips as her arm hooks under his shoulder, dropping the side of her face on his shoulder. From this position, she can't see the bewitching beam Regulus wore, his arm relaxing on her waist.

"Do you?" asks Luciana quietly, remembering Regulus's previous expression of sentiment. "Love Sirius?"

"Do you love your brother?" He returns, the answer blatant as it was revelatory.

As she lifted her head from his shoulder, his hazy grey eyes bore deep into her sage. "Of... of course."

Regulus nods. "Me and Sirius are... complicated."

"Why? Because of your parents?"

He doesn't say anything.

"Because of that boisterous group of friends of his?"

Again, no answer. Luciana's head drops to the side, her head filled with a number of curious thoughts. But one stood out.

"Because of... you," she says, and the way he shifted in their intimately connected position said it all. "Oh."

"When we were younger," Regulus begins carefully, "My parents were big in discipline. They still are. I've kind of grown used to it now... I know where the boundaries lie. But back when we were kids, and I didn't know any better, Sirius was always the one to defend me to our parents... he always took the hits. It's sad, because as we grew up, I grew closer to my parents and he grew further from them... and we ended up growing apart from each other. Just because I never had the guts he did in standing up to our parents. It's not... it's not how it should have been."

"You'd rather have had a better relationship with him than sacrificing it for your parents?" She says, to which Regulus nods, the distraught look sending pangs against her chest. "And you're bitter now."

Regulus stays quiet for a moment before he takes a deep breath. "Because... he's free, and I'm not. And... it's my fault."

Luciana doesn't know what to say to that.

"When we get married," says Luciana after some time, "I'll try my best to help you feel free."

     "You would?"

     "Of course."

     He lifts their linked hands and twirls her around softly, her dress flourishing in a limpid, twinkling spiral, the ends of her skirt a bedazzling array of jewels. When she turns back to him, the sky growing darker and darker, the connection of his hand around her waist sends an unknown, giddy sort of sensation through her. There's a look on Regulus's face. It's one Luciana has never seen before, and she imagines he's only wore the look enough times to be counted on a single hand. Not quite a smile, but not quite stoic either. Something in between. Something clouded and warped beautifully with admiration, respect and perhaps warmth too.

     "Thank you," whispers Regulus, bringing her closer towards him. She doesn't retaliate and like before, her arm winds under his shoulder blade and her eyes focus on the view obscuring last his shoulder, an enigmatic combination of hues overtaking the sky. The feeling of the cool wind on her was undeniable, as was the inescapable scent that was his aftershave.

"Tell me something," says Luciana, tilting her head up to gaze at him. There wasn't that much of a height difference between the two, though enough for the boy to have to look down at her.

"Hmm," he murmurs in reply.

"Our wedding. Have you thought about it?"

"It's hard not to, what with every person reminding me at all moments. Oh, and also since I'm standing in the middle of my own engagement party."

     Luciana rolls her eyes, laughing. "That's not what I mean."

     "What, then?" He replies, an amused smile taking over.

     "Have you thought of what you would want it to be like? Y'know, the theme, or the place. Something."

     "Hardly," remarks Regulus, "It's not until two years away!"

     "That doesn't mean a girl can't dream of her future wedding!" She returns, the faintest of scoffs escaping her.

     "Okay, then," he muses, "What plans did you have regarding our wedding?"

Luciana grins. "I'll be wearing a white dress, of course. Off-the-shoulder. The flowers will consist of orange carnations and bluebells and some others that would look cute. The bridesmaids will wear the same dresses—each of soft pinks and beiges— Natalia will be the maid of honour, obviously. Hopefully the groomsmen can compliment their outfits. The decorations would be similar—shades of pale grey, orange, light pinks and some brown. Sage too. My big cousin's wife gave birth to twin girls a couple of months ago, and by then they'll be old enough to be our flower girls. Oh, and it'll be in Autumn."

The unexpected rant that was Luciana's predisposition regarding their wedding rendered Regulus frozen for a second or two, his eyebrow raised.

     "Merlin save my soul," mutters Regulus.

Luciana inclines her head, grinning. "What? I know what I want." She waits before adding, "Only if you agree too."

     Regulus smiles. "Why the Autumn wedding?"

     Her mind a cacophonous trail of thoughts, Luciana says, "There's something so... special about an autumnal sunshine. Something so unnaturally beautiful about how every leaf seems to be a fallen flower, the way the colours differ between each tree and plant and leaf. It's... a time of change and adjustment... there's no other season like it. The kind of season where despite the wind bearing the worst of chills, the warmth of the sun somehow manages to overcome that. It's a limbo of cold and warmth, of old and new. Filled with colour and celebration. It's my favourite season."

     "That was... beautiful," Regulus bats his eyelashes with an overemphasised sigh. Luciana watches his expression shrivel into a grin as she swats his chest with the back of her hand before replacing it on her shoulder. "Sorry. But... that's nice. An Autumn wedding could work."

     No doubt plagued by a grudging smile, Luciana's eyes focus on the pond in periphery. "Who'd have thought the brooding Regulus Black could ever make a joke," she throws towards him.

No answer comes from Regulus. Rather, it's his voice that came instead. After subdued time, he speaks.

     "Sicily."

     His voice was reminiscent, as was his gaze, looking far ahead into the glistening pond their bodies alternated towards. Her eyebrows furrowed, she's only able to see the intent of his gaze when his head inclines down to her, and there's a small smile on his face.

     "What?" asks Luciana, more curious rather than unknowing.

     "Sicily," he repeats, the harsh grey orbs softening. "For our wedding. It's a nice little city in Italy. I've never been, but it would be a nice place to have a wedding. Just a thought."

     With curious, wistful eyes, Luciana looks at Regulus, a smile spreading slowly across her lips. "Sicily sounds great."

Regulus smiles back.

Their light waltz advancing like the sun advanced in its' descent, Regulus takes a gentle step forward, bending down. He dips Luciana, a hand against the small of her back and the other cradling the back of her head, all the while hands found its way to his shoulders. When he straightened them both out, there was a split second when their faces stopped mere millimetres from each other. The split second where everything froze and the world seemed even more isolated to them, to the party growing increasingly absent from its host stars. Her eyes temptingly flickered to his lips, hesitant thoughts in mind. But a voice intrudes abruptly, causing them to separate a few inches.

"There you guys are!"

Entering the unnaturally enormous back garden with his own poise was Xavier Donahue, large strides occupying his long legs. His face, paler compared to the tanned shade Luciana naturally had, was flushed with exhilaration, his bow tie having come undone and his dress robes billowing openly at his arms, his auburn hair excitedly disheveled. His grin contorted into an unimpressed stare seeing the close proximity of Regulus and Luciana, despite it being their engagement party.

"What have you been doing with my sister, Black?" Xavier probes, shooting him a furrowed glance. Luciana rolls her eyes. For some reason, a blistering heat now occupies her face. Thank Merlin for the breeze.

"Xavier, don't be an arse," groans Luciana, attempting to reach his arm though the older boy dodges it swiftly, shooting his younger sister a warning look.

"No way." He turns to Regulus again. "You're forgetting we still have two years of trust-building to complete before I hand my sister over to you completely?"

     Regulus clears his throat. The height difference proved as an intimidating factor, if not for his golden expression turning to stone being just as scary.

     "No, sir." Regulus answers.

     "Good." The bright smile returns to Xavier's face. He addresses them both, "Both our parents and the Black's were looking for you. Figured you'd been out the limelight long enough. Hope you had fun while it lasted."

     Luciana sighs. "Let's go, then."

     Xavier grins, teasingly ruffling her immaculately-styled hair. "Little Lucy doesn't like being future bride in the spotlight, does she?"

"You're annoying," Luciana spat, clutching her hair into place.

"It's my job," says Xavier, cackling to himself. Ignoring the glare of his little sister's, he slings an arm around her shoulders. "Okay. Last little reprieve before we go back in."

     Ignoring the dramatics of her older brother, Luciana narrows her eyes. "What do you mean?"

     Xavier sends a grin Regulus's way. "You two weren't the only ones able to sneak out. While you've been parading out here, I've managed to help someone sneak in. Well, not in in, but you have a visitor."

     "Who?" comes from Regulus.

     "Let's go over and see," quips Xavier, leaving Regulus and Luciana dissatisfied without a proper answer.

     Weighed down by his arm, Luciana has no choice but to follow the ex-Hufflepuff further out the back of the garden, to a spot veering further right of the pond. There was an archway entwined with flowers, foliage and miniature lights, whimsical in its entirety. But it wasn't the beauty of the archway, guarded by an ivy garden on all ends that acted as a barrier to what laid behind, or the low enlightened maze that awaited them beyond. It was the person within, an arm casually leaning against the frame of the archway, adorning a leather jacket apathetic to the dress code standards of the procession. (It's not like that even mattered when they far away from any prying eyes.) The guy had slightly outgrown dark hair and an easygoing glaze to his eyes, his mouth twitching up into a knowing smirk.

     Luciana looks over to Regulus. His mouth was agape, ridden with shock. Given their conversation earlier, she didn't blame him. Seeing Sirius Black make an appearance to their engagement party was the last thing Luciana or Regulus ever expected.

     "Hello, brother."

     Regulus blinks once, twice. "I didn't think you would come," he says, his voice quiet. "You don't like parties. And I wasn't under the impression Mother invited you."

     The post-graduation phase hadn't seemed to have made much of a difference to Sirius. It was clear he'd been attempting to grow a stubble, short hairs prickling his chin and face, but he remained handsome as he always did when Luciana saw him in school, and he wore the same leather jacket infamously belonging to him from school. From what she knew, Xavier and Sirius weren't necessarily close, but that they'd become good friends while at Hogwarts. Which made sense when considered Xavier was the reason Sirius had even came to this party. Sirius merely chuckles, kicking away from the arch.

     "Couldn't sit out on my little brother's engagement, could I? Who cares about invitations, anyways."

Luciana felt like a third wheel to a significant moment. All that stood were she, her brother and these two boys who were supposed to be brothers... yet time seemed to have forgotten that bond. That didn't mean their hearts did.

"Freedom looks good on you," says Regulus.

"Anything looks good on me," says Sirius.

     Regulus scoffs, a laugh mingling within, before striding forward and engulfing his older brother into a much yearned-for hug. Sirius, grinning over Regulus's shoulder, pats his back while returning the hug.

     "Uh, okay." Sirius starts to shrug out of the hug, ruffling Regulus's hair. "Enough sibling intimacy for a day. Let's make this quick."

Luciana was still standing close to Xavier while the Black brothers shared their moment but Sirius then walked away from his space beneath the whimsical spot and comes to face Luciana, throwing her a charming smile.

"X Junior," says Sirius, "If you're any bit as bad as your brother, then my own will have some work to deal with." He intercepts the look given by Xavier and rolls his eyes. "I'm kidding. Your brother is great. Must run in the family. Just like the looks." Sirius winks at them both, then leans in towards Luciana, whispering: "If your brother wasn't as in love with his girlfriend as he quite clearly is, I would've made my move a long time ago."

Luciana has to stifle a laugh when he leans back to his previous position, grinning. She realises her hands were occupied: there now rested a small gift box within them which Sirius must have placed at some point. She sends him a questioning look, to which he shrugs.

"A little engagement gift, per custom. Nothing too great. Just, uh—" Sirius leans his head in again, lowering his voice, "Take care of my brother, would you? Heavens knows he could do with someone like you. You could... be good for him."

All Luciana could do was nod as Sirius turned away with one final smile, now passing a box of a similar nature to Luciana's fiancé. She just managed to catch a sliver of their conversation.

     "I'd give you an heirloom if I still had any but let's be honest, they kinda suck."

Luciana smiles. She turns away, diverting Xavier's attention as she tugs on the crook of his arm. "Let's go," she says. "We should give them a moment."

The older boy smiles, nodding. They give their own parting greetings to Sirius and told Regulus to meet them in the Manor and the two Donahue siblings retreat in a walk back to the Manor, strolling along the pond. The sun had set completely; the sky was now governed by a body of indigo nebulae, the twilight a mere ripple of dusk in the pond.

"That was nice of you," says Luciana, learning her weight into Xavier's side, her arms linked around the crook of his elbow. "Getting Sirius in. For Regulus."

"It seemed a decent thing to do," Xavier plays off casually. "I don't know what I would do if we had ever grown apart like that. Giving them a chance to just be themselves without the pressure of their parents... if that was ever us... all I know is that I'd appreciate someone making the effort to get us to reconcile. And he seems a decent kid, too. Regulus. Despite him being a Death Eater, y'know."

"He is decent, I suppose," Luciana comments, the thought occurring as a revelation in her mind.

"He's still not ruled out from my thorough older brother checks."

"Of course not. You'd never let anything slip past, would you?"

"If it means you're safe and happy, then never." Xavier smiles, feathering a kiss to her forehead. "You still up for milkshakes after the party?"

"If it ever does end," she remarks, "In that case, you're paying. Consider it my engagement treat."

"You've had plenty of engagement treats."

"And I will have plenty more," She purses her lips, smirking. "Future bride in the spotlight, right?"

In that moment, things seemed okay. She didn't know if it was because her night would end in a cosy cheap diner sipping on even cheaper milkshakes, because she had the best big brother ever. Or if it was because her day brightened up seeing two brothers reconcile with the weights of the world floating from their shoulders. Maybe it was because she made the step to getting to know her fiancé. And it seemed a very promising step. For now, it was all okay.

***

featuring...

courtney eaton as luciana donahue
timothée chalamet as regulus black

grant gustin as young!xavier donahue
milo ventimiglia as young!sirius black

***

it's jily death day🥺🥺🥺 deadass cried over all the edits on instagram omfg. i MISS THEM SO MUCH!!! but happy halloween if you celebrate make sure to be safe <33 there's a deadass wind storm here in scotland i went out for lunch earlier and literally got blown down the street i— we love level 2 weather warnings

also happy birthday to danielle rose russell aka cassia <3 best girl ever omf. happy birthday to marcus rashford and ansu fati my footy babies too ❤️

this is lowkey a filler but kinda a teaser for my regulus fic??? anyways how beaut is courtney eaton aka younger luce love her sm && i am IN LOVE with milo ventimiglia as younger sirius. (i love ben barnes too dw this just got me YELLING cos it's perfect) grant and timmy are beautiful too but that's why already been established 💓💓

it wasn't supposed to just be a flashback, there was more included but the flashback was longer than intended so i decided to just separate them into two chapters!!!!

also YES the "hello, brother" thing was taken from tvd with stefan and damon i won't even deny it bc best brothers ever AND sirius and regulus deserve sm better and should've been given more time 💔 it literally breaks my heart when sibling relationships don't turn out well 💔💔💔

(btw it literally only occurred to me AFTER i wrote it that i put sirius under an archway at the start and like how he died from that archway... so it's basically a parallel... stop i hate myself but it lowkey fits but i'm sad too 😔)

okay i should stop talking i'm sorry there was no cassia or theo or harry but next chapter i promise!!! make sure to vote and comment ily all 💓🥺