Crickets chirping in the grass, a light breeze, hot rays of sun and soft kisses resumed Regulus and Ariel's afternoon. Fortunately, they were only lying next to each other and enjoying the sun when Narcissa and Lucius came in.

"What are you two doing? Idling around?" said the monotonous voice of Lucius.

The boys stood up right away, Ariel not showing any shame to being seen in his underwear.

"And you could dress up, Narcissa's here, " he hissed next.

"It's because it's Narcissa that we don't bother," only replied Ariel as he came to hug her, Regulus following suit and nodding at Lucius in greeting.

Of course they wouldn't bother with Narcissa. Maybe it could seem disrespectful or undistinguished, from Lucius' point of view for example, but Ariel just felt so comfortable with her.

"I'm glad you're enjoying your time together at least," told them Narcissa with a content smile.

"I hope my little brother hasn't been too bothering," added Lucius.

"No, not at all. He's less boring than some of my classmates, I assure you," replied Regulus.

When this small chat was done, with Ariel dragging Regulus out of the place, they started walking, hand in hand. Ariel was living surrounded by nature, surely many charms were preventing Muggles from approaching, and it felt very peaceful.

"And where are we going exactly?"

"Swimming. It's down the path there," answered the blond boy as he led Regulus on a grass path, entering a wood.

After some minutes they finally arrived at a river. The place was so calm, only surrounded by nature sounds and it felt very pleasant.

"I love coming here."

"I can see why."

"You can swim?" suddenly asked Ariel turning to Regulus.

"Yes."

"Just checking out since you're a city boy. I wouldn't want you to drown." He chuckled lightly before diving into the deep water.

"How is it?" curiously asked Regulus, eying suspiciously the water.

"Perfect," answered Ariel with a bright smile, brushing his white-blond hair out of his face.

The boy, deciding to trust him, dived into the water, and emerged with a cry.

"Bloody hell! It's awfully cold!"

Ariel laughed at him while Regulus sent him a death glare. "It's so funny."

"It's not," hissed the boy in a curt voice in return.

"Stop complaining. Just swim, it will feel better."

Ariel didn't wait for Regulus as he started swimming down the river. The other boy had no choice than to follow him and he got used to the fresh water which could only feel good in comparison to the hot weather.

They slowly and silently swam, enjoying the nature, adoring how good it felt. They had started swimming outside the wood, less trees and more glades were surrounding them. The countryside landscape was really calming.

The boys eventually stopped and let themselves float, sometimes unmoving, sometimes Ariel teasing Regulus, and actually getting a hearty laughter out of him which was such a beautiful sound to his ears.

"We're actually good here," said Regulus after a while.

The two were leaning on the edge of the river, side by side, their bodies still floating in the now more agreeable water.

"Yes. We're having such a good time. You better come again tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow..."

"Are you inviting me for the rest of the holidays?" asked the younger boy, his lips twitching, refraining a chuckle.

"Well obviously. So we can have fun together. I don't mind you staying the night as well..." he murmured, a little charming smirk tugged on his lips.

Regulus let the corner of his lips turn into a small grin as he heard the words.

"I'm not against this idea..."

"Good then," he answered. Ariel looked at Regulus, his charming expression not leaving his face and the other boy felt enchanted. He then moved a little so they were closer; touching. Ariel came close enough from behind just to kiss his shoulder, going up to his neck under his wet curls and down between his shoulder blades. And sometimes he would bite him lightly in a teasing manner which made the youngest try to escape his grasp. But Regulus truly felt good. Ariel's hot body and hot kisses felt extremely pleasant in comparison to the fresh water and he could only relax under his lips.

Regulus came back the day after, and again the day after, and for the following days as well. He was enjoying so much his free time with Ariel. Basking in the sun, swimming, laughing and kissing had become their routine and they couldn't be having more fun. It took a few weeks for Regulus to finally accept Ariel's proposition of staying for the night. He didn't know what to expect from that night. It was only when they got to bed together and started talking together that it felt exactly like when they had late night chat sessions. They were spending their whole days together but would never get bored of each other. Especially Ariel who wouldn't let go of the younger boy for even a second, sometimes making him groan in an exasperated manner. as he was being to clingy for his liking

It was only when Walburga Black, Regulus' mother, sent him a letter telling him to come back home immediately to prepare up for his integration to the Death Eaters that he realized he had been staying at Ariel's house for two weeks. It was a cold house, but it felt less gloomy than his own house. He had grown used to it, had grown used to the magnificent garden with unwithering flowers, and had even grown used to the Malfoys' house elf, Jelly. But most importantly he had grown used to Ariel and living with him.

A party had been organized for the new members of the Dark Lord's army as it was such a pride for all those families. This year, new members included Wenston Burke, Harold Nott, Emery Trevino and obviously Regulus Black. The Malfoys who already counted two members of their family among the Dark Lord's ranks were part of this celebration without a doubt. It was hosted at one of the family's place. An old manor much less sophisticated than where he lived, thought Ariel. He of course stayed polite and didn't mention his thoughts. He kept his friendly behavior and false façade in front of the guests he met that night. He chatted with them, laughed with them and flirted with them when he could. Regulus was watching him from afar and he knew it. He always felt his grey eyes pinned on him no matter how far he could be and Regulus knew it too.

At some point the Dark Lord made his long-awaited appearance and called for a meeting. All the Death Eaters - and soon-to-be - retired in another room where they could discuss and process to the integration of the new members.

"My dear friends, tonight, I am glad to present you those four boys who will soon be part of our ranks. What a pride to count more and more people among us, isn't that right?" said Lord Voldemort in a hissing voice, his red eyes roaming the room full of Death Eaters, all agreeing to his words.

Ariel was in between his brother and Regulus, who was by Bellatrix's side. She stood with pride next to her cousin, feeling exalted to have another member of the Black family in the Dark Lord's army.

The ceremony went fast and they soon started discussing other topics. Ariel who was young and a novice too, stayed quiet the whole time as it was usually the case for young members. The Dark Lord would rarely ask their opinions to the youngest members, probably thinking they were too immature and not intelligent enough to give out a proper opinion on whatever subject he wished to discuss. And Ariel was glad that was the protocol. He would rather let Lucius or Bellatrix, his favorites, have some words with him rather than letting out one word.

The meeting lasted for a while before Voldemort finally dismissed it and took his leave. And Ariel soon started talking with Regulus.

"It's pretty ugly right?" he told the boy.

"Kinda. But I've already seen it from up close on your arm so I'm used to."

"Bellatrix seemed exalted when the Dark Lord started marking you..." muttered the blond boy, refraining a chuckle.

"Really? She's been talking nonstop about me becoming a Death Eater, she is happier than me. And she might be happier than my parents and that's hard. I bet they're talking about me to everyone out there..." sighed the raven-haired boy as his eyes roamed the room, looking for his parents.

Ariel did the same just as he spotted his father, Abraxas, walking up to him.

"Ariel. The Parkinson girl is here with her parents tonight. I talked with them and they'd like you to court their daughter," discreetly said his father, looking at him seriously.

All emotion left Ariel's face as he heard that. Being back on duty and acting like the perfect little pureblood son had never been a problem to him, but having to interact with potential spouses was an issue. He absolutely hated having to do that. He could surely flirt with any girl out there, but knowing some of them would fall for him and try to get with him was actually bothering. They could become annoying and clingy sometimes.

"Should I go greet her, Father?" answered nonchalantly the boy.

"Is that even question? Of course you should."

"Fine."

"Also my boy, congratulations," finally said Abraxas, turning to Regulus and shaking his hand.

"Thank you, sir."

And he left off to discuss with other people while Regulus and Ariel stayed together.

"I'll be going now. Don't go too far."

"You know I won't."

author's note: i hope you enjoy reading. thank you for the votes and the reads, it means so much!