CHAPTER NINETEEN
Heated Conversation
June 16th, 1979.

     Regulus debated whether or not he should tell Mallory he had found the cave and had checked it for himself. He knew that if he didn't tell her, she'd lose the plot and probably threaten him like she had done before. So after a long morning thinking, he told his Mother he was going to see Mallory and headed out.

They hadn't seen each other ever since the funeral, both too afraid to face each other. Besides, there wasn't any reason for them to meet as the Dark Lord had completely disappeared from Britain for now. Death Eaters were obligated to go back to a normal life for now. If he had heard Moody correctly two days ago, Mallory had moved out of London and now lived in her childhood manor along with Pen, the kneazle.

Later that day, when the sun was high in the sky, he stood on her porch and knocked. The door opened itself and he let himself in. It was clear that Mallory had tied up the place. The sun warmed the whole manor and he found himself almost jealous at the amount of light it had compared to Grimmauld Place.

"I was wondering when you'd come," Mallory's voice echoed from the kitchen as she appeared with a cigarette between her lips and holding two glasses of firewhisky. "You could have owled me."

Regulus thanked her for the drink, clearing his throat, "Well, I wasn't sure if you would have let me come to you, Mallory."

"Come sit," Mallory ignored his answer, patting the sofa next to her. "We ought to talk," she then said once he was close enough to her and he could smell her cigarette breath hitting the side of his face.

Her knees were slightly grazing his upper thigh and he fought the urge to touch her skin with his hand. Regulus had to remind himself that he was not her boyfriend and she would not like to be touched by his bloody hands. He knew he couldn't escape it, they needed to talk about what he had heard but he didn't know if he had the strength to.

"Don't we, Regulus?" Mallory asked once again.

Regulus hummed, "Yes, we do but first, I came here to tell you that tomorrow, I will leave for the cave," he said as her expression shifted. "I would like to go by myself."

A dry scoff escaped her lips, "Are we going to fight again?"

"I rather not fight you today, Mallory," Regulus admitted in a breathy manner. "Will you allow me to go by myself?"

"Bloody no!" Mallory exclaimed, rising to her feet and shaking her head. "I will not allow you to go get yourself killed, Regulus. I refuse."

"Mallory," he pleaded.

Mallory spun to face him and positioned between his legs so he was forced to spread them a bit more. The position made his cheeks burn and he forced himself to not look up at her, or he'd let down his guard and just let her come. Regulus wanted to stand his ground. But Mallory's knee moved closer to his crotch and his breath got stuck in his throat. Salazar.

"Fine, we won't talk about that little quest of yours for now," Mallory breathed out. "But let's talk about what you've heard then. What did you hear exactly?"

He was afraid that if he talked out loud, he would stutter, "Salazar," he breathed out, closing his eyes tightly. "I heard that you liked me and enjoyed my presence."

"And that's true, Regulus. I enjoy having you around because I like you and only you," Mallory repeated, moving to straddle his hips. Regulus' eyes grew wide while Mallory's finger traced his jawline. "Do you like me back?"

"That's a foolish question, Mal," he muttered, unable to focus correctly as she pressed herself closer to him.

Mallory's hands sneaked around his neck and started scratching at the base of his hairline, "Answer with yes and no, then I'll be settled."

Her voice was soft, too soft and Regulus had no idea how he would resist the urge to move at all. His jaw was clenched as hard as he could, he wasn't sure he could utter a word if she asked. He kept his hands on each side of his body, firmly pressed on the sofa as he gulped with each look she gave him.

"Mallory, please," Regulus finally said quietly.

Mallory shook her head, "Yes or no, Reg."

It would be a lie to say that hearing his nickname while she straddled him had no effect on him. With a gulp, he replied, "No."

Mallory's face hardened as her frown replaced her pleading eyes, "Is it so hard to believe that I care for you because I do, an–"

Regulus scoffed, "Of course it is hard to believe, Mallory! Y-you who threatened me with blades in your bloody living room. Pardon my language but you fucking despised me!"

"Yes, I did but that was before knowing you!" Her hands landed on his shoulder as if she was trying to shake some sense into him. "I do love having you around and seeing you everyday. As much as I despise waltzing around Narcissa's, I love dancing with you, Regulus. And Godric," she exhaled softly, biting her lower lip. "I cannot stop thinking about that kiss we shared in Lucius' library."

Regulus' eyes widened, "Do you?"

"Of course. Don't you?"

"I do, I do," Regulus repeated under his breath as her hands moved back to cup the back of his neck and he was afraid he'd fold at any moment now.

Unsure, Regulus leaned closer and he did not know who was breathing for who anymore. Regulus was so close and he could feel that she enjoyed this–teasing him. Mallory had leaned closer as well, her lips now grazing his and he could taste the firewhisky she had earlier this day. Mallory finally pressed her lips softly on his and without missing a second, he returned her kiss and perhaps a bit too eagerly.

For what felt like an eternity, it was just them on her sofa as their lips collided again and again. Her hands hadn't left the back of his neck, except once or twice to run her fingers through his hair. Regulus has taken the liberty to move his hands as well, from her back to hips to bottom. And not even once, she had tried to push him away.

To his disdain, Regulus had to pull away at some point and he was disappointed to not feel her lips on his. But soon his disappointment was gone as she pressed wet kisses on his neck and right behind his ear.

"Mal," Regulus exhaled as she hummed quietly, continuing her kisses. "I was well raised, you do know that."

"I know, I've seen it, Reg," Mallory whispered back, looking up at him. Her features were graced by a wide smile, a red nose and red lips. "What is it?"

"I-I do like you but you are drunk."

"Am not."

"Are too," he argued softly, taking her hand to kiss the inside of it. "You have to believe me that I want this as much as you do but not like this. Not when you've had too much to drink, Mal."

Mallory scoffed with a little laugh, "You're too much of a gentleman, my sweet Reg," she said, kissing his lips once again. Her soft and tiny hands cupped his face and he was surprised to notice his face fit perfectly. "You are well aware that I will not let you go by yourself."

"I know," Regulus said. "It was worth the try, wasn't it?"

"Not at all," she snorted. "Have you had something to eat?"

Regulus shook her head, "Not really."

"Perfect," Mallory grinned, taking his hand in hers. "Pilm cooked your favourite dish. I knew you'd come," she told him, leading him to the kitchen. "Pilm!"

"Mistress Abbott."

"Can we have two plates and will you please prepare breakfast for us tomorrow? Regulus is staying the night," Mallory told her elf as Pilm examined Regulus with an arched eyebrow before floating two plates on the table. "Will you be able to stay the night?"

"Surely."

There was something that had shifted. The atmosphere was lighter and there was no more fear, no more confusion or shame. There were just us. Regulus was okay with that. Mallory kept smiling and telling him jokes, which he laughed at. He wondered if she was that happy with Fabian Prewett.

Regulus was aware that he did not deserve such a beautiful person. But he was tired of forbidding himself to not be happy anymore, to not feel ever since Sirius had left. It had become worse when he became a Death Eater. Yet after spending time with Mallory and seeing how good she fit in his world, he could not help but think that perhaps he could find happiness by her side.

"Reg?" Her voice was quiet as she called out for him.

Mallory and Regulus were now laying in bed, facing each other. They had spent the afternoon thinking about tomorrow or sharing a few kisses here and there. Regulus' hand rested on her cheek as the pad of his thumb caressed her prominent cheekbone.

"Yes?"

"Don't take reckless decisions tomorrow," she breathed out, meeting his grey eyes.

Regulus hummed with a nod, "I won't, I promise. As long as you're there with me, I won't do anything reckless," he promised, ranking her face. Regulus felt peaceful which hadn't happened in years.

"What's that face?" Mallory asked, tracing the shy smile on Regulus' face.

"I'm happy," Regulus admitted. "I'm very happy."

"I didn't know Regulus Black could smile so hard," Mallory teased as he laughed. "Or even have wrinkles near his eyes."

Regulus poked her side playfully as she chuckled, "Me either, Mallory."

"We should sleep, we have a big day tomorrow," Mallory said after a moment of silence. Before he could reply, she kissed him a bit softer than earlier. He found himself kissing back until she pulled away and smiled widely. "Night, Reg."

"Goodnight, Mallory."

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authors note, this MARVELLOUS update is for elsiecherry , i just know you're going to love this so pls message me as soon as you finish it HXJSJWK

anyways, what do we think????!!!!!!