✧ENJOYING THE TOWN✧

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Rabastan managed to withhold his frown for the majority of the walk, but he had to look away here and there when it became too much. It was far too damning to see how easily Rhea had bloomed in the Black family beside her husband and her two nephews.

Alphard had taken to claiming a table in the back before heading to the front to order a round of drinks. "Are you and Uncle going to be coming to more games, Rhea? It was brilliant having you here." Regulus asked and she nodded her head. "I sure hope so, though I know Alfie mentioned we'll be heading to Germany and Spain again." It was rather hopeful but Rabastan frowned.

Why would Rhea need to be in Germany or Spain?

Alphard had returned and kissed his wife before grinning towards the lads and diving into a conversation, course Rabastan could be swayed so easily with Quidditch. And once the drinks and ordered food had come and gone, the conversation came at ease—But he wasn't all that convinced of Alphard's attention just yet.

But he wasn't at all that cunning in hiding his attitude as Alphard nicked his head. "We'll be right back love, I saw Rabastan's gloves, thought he could use another pair." Rhea hadn't been able to question it as they were nearly out of the pub before she captured what was going to happen.

She caught them out the window, stopping a bit in the center and it caused her to huff. "What do you think that's about?" Sirius questioned taking another sip of his drink and Rhea pouted.

"I thought I hid it well, Rabastan was being rather awful before...He thought I was wearing Regulus' jersey and not his." She explained and the two brothers scoffed. "He's been an arse since the wedding Rhea, I'm not surprised," Sirius said and Regulus followed up on it as well. Claiming that he was a pouting mess when returning to Hogwarts the afternoon following the wedding.

"Besides, Rhea...I love you and all, but you can't lie for shite" Sirius deemed, and Regulus bit his lip to stop his laughter from projecting outward. And Rhea simply held her coffee tighter in her hands. "Actually...I think I'm a very good liar when it counts." Was her only retort and Sirius grit his teeth, he never meant for her to feel transported back to a time without Alphard's safety but by the everlasting frown, it seems like it was uncontrollable.

Outside, however, Rabastan was in a worse predicament than not having come to this damned get-together. He should've just told Regulus to send his best and be done for today, spend time getting ready for the party tonight.

"I take it your studies are going well...? Rhea was only bustling over Regulus and his potion assignments last I recall." Alphard offered out, not wanting to start out directly with anger.

He knew well enough that it wouldn't do any good.

"My studies are fine, they've been mentioning NEWTS and the load of assignments coming this summer. I've been saving up my card for her to help me then." Alphard chuckled, as if Rhea would ever keep a tally for how many times she helped one versus the other.

She wasn't that type of person.

"And your mood? Don't tell me a gal has done that to you...Or have we interrupted a post-game plan?" With that, Alphard had stopped walking and turned to him with a slight smirk. "I was young and cocky before too, believe me when I tell you that'll never end." The two had done a moment or two to stare at one another, and Rabastan narrowed his eyes.

Though that gave the perfect look in for Alphard to get a read.

"A bit of advice for the future, Rabastan, you are nearly as easy to read as your sister. That's a faulty trait to have."

"What is it that you brought me out here for then?" The snarky reply hadn't angered Alphard entirely, it had much more of a bite than his wife's witty remarks but his patience could only manage for so long.

"I wanted to speak with you in person, I realize that my words on paper probably don't come out as correctly as I would've liked..." Rabastan didn't understand what was happening until a hand was placed onto his shoulder.

"It's happened quickly, the wedding and all. And while I have spoken to Rodolphous, I couldn't do the same for you. What can I do?"

"Do for what?"

"For you to accept me as your sister's husband, that I am not out to hurt her in any way...You didn't think we were actually out here for new gloves, did you?" No, Rabastan was much smarter than to believe such an obvious lie, especially since his gloves were just broken in.

Yet the face Rabastan had made elected an even worse reaction from Alphard. "I had another word with your brother, one that involves rather sensitive information pertaining to what your father wanted to do to your sister. Did you know—"
"Of course I didn't know about that! I learned it at the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding."
"Then it's safe to assume that you don't agree with those actions...Unless, of course, you do and it's time I take Rhea out of the country permanently?" Rabastan's face had softened in hearing that his sister would move away over something so brutally real.

"I don't agree and didn't have anything to do with my father's actions. It's...It's—" He was lost for words and Alphard remained cold-hearted, Rhea had been the only one to enact a caring and thoughtful side. Had this been her, he would coo and whisper words of encouragement, but that couldn't be the same for Rabastan.

Even if they share the same eyes.

"You're shagging my sister." In all four words, Rabastan's anger and attitude towards their relationship had been explained tenfold. And Alphard had thrown his head back and laughed to the skies.

"Oh boy, that was a good one, lad. You've got me—No, that cannot be where the trouble lies. Come on, out with it then. I'm only half convinced that those two won't corrupt Rhea any further."

"What? I'm not lying, I don't like that fact that you're with my sister like a—"
"And what pray tell, did you think would happen when she married any bloke that your father threw her towards? Unless it's escaped your notice, I love your sister. And by the heavens, she loves me as well. Is that truly what's got you bothered?" The question had earned him a nod, granted Alphard could see where the issue is.

He had both a brother and a sister as well, and while he didn't care for Orion and Walburga's union, he thought it odd that those two had gotten pregnant with Sirius.

"Would it make matters better if I said that I'm holding off on having children?" He questioned, and Rabastan's eyes had widened tenfold. "What?"

"I don't want Rhea to be a young mother, and so I've told her another year or two—As much time as she needs. Is that where you're getting at?"
"N-no...Just in general."
"Well I'm sorry, but I can't help you there. Though remember this conversation once you marry a gal as well, she'll likely have a father or brother that won't appreciate the idea of the two of you shagging." It wasn't an easy fix, not when Alphard was shamelessly touchy with his young wife.

It made sense that Rhea was such a stranger to physical affection, and even if Alphard was pleased to know that he was Rhea's first kiss. The thought of her brothers not allowing her to seek a boyfriend overwhelmed him, clearly, it wasn't just her parents who were at fault for suppressing her.

Here Rabastan was, even if he wasn't doing it on purpose, if he had gone to Rhea—She would have felt the empathy to make him feel comfortable over her own wants and beliefs.

"I am not set out to hurt Rhea, it's impossible for me to do so with a clean conscience. She has been talking about this day since before she sent out the first parcel to find out when the next game is. Don't ruin it for her." He finalized, and Rabastan glared off away to follow him back towards the pub.

"Perhaps you're not that much of an arsehole after all..." The young brother had offered out, and Alphard had followed in response with another laugh. "Let's hope you don't ever meet that side of me."
"Whys that?"
"I would've adored being the one to punish Dolohov, and him going to the Dark Lord is mercy compared to what I would've done to him. Remember that as well, Rabastan." With that being the final words, the two returned back into the pub, and Rhea had accepted the polite kiss and smiled back towards her husband. Rabastan would usually ignore this bit had been a complete eye-opener to their relationship.

The only time he had truly seen Rhea and Alphard together was when they were hours away from being wed hadn't been enough time to see it.

By the near end of their meal, the five of them had walked back to the castle with a full round of smiles. As Rabastan thought it brilliant to be invited to go and see a Professional Qudditich game with Alphard. His father's seats were one thing—But a Black box in any country would be completely different.

In returning back to the pub, Rhea had been blissfully happy that she had gotten to see the lads. Even better to return back to the castle she spent the better part of her years at, and it saddened Alphard beyond belief.

So he had tugged her back into Honeydukes to buy a few dozen more of the chocolate frogs, claiming that they couldn't have enough. And returning to their room above the pub, Alphard hugged her behind as she tried to pack her travel bag.

"Did you know that my heart tugs whenever you pout?" Rhea's arms had overlapped towards his as she leaned into his warmth. "That's not true, our souls are connected not our facial actions. And I was biting my lip not pouting." She claimed with a playful look, only for Alphard to capture her lips and earned him a soft hum beneath him.

"Our souls are connected, yet you still haven't told me what was bothering you."
"It's not bothering me, I just—What did you say to Rabastan? He was bitter before. But after you two came back, he was fine." She knew damn well that the two hadn't gone to the shop and purchased new gloves.

"It was a similar conversation that I had with Rodolphous, even if you don't see their actions, Rhea...They're protective of you. A bit too suffocating while they're doing it, but they mean well. What Rabastan was doing was unnerving." "What do you mean?"

"He was trying to get you to feel guilty, Rhea." It hadn't come at all of a shock, not when he had spat out ideals of family—Even if she hadn't felt like a Lestrange since she started in Hogwarts.

"Rabastan came forward and told me wasn't that pleased with the two of us together—Mainly because of our sexual relationship." The tint in Rhea's cheeks had turned a darkened red, one that Alphard hasn't seen before.

"I'll admit, it was strange when Orion and Walburga had gotten married. I never agreed with those two getting wed, but it happened, and I rather like the lads they created. He'll get over it is what I'm trying to say." She nodded, leaning her head further into his chest as she closed her eyes.

"Cissy told me before, that I shouldn't feel guilty or strange in liking sex. But our bedroom activities are private, not for my brothers to discuss or anyone really." Alphard was astounded, if this happened prior he was sure that Rhea would abstain from it, but now she was grinning at backing her own thoughts and beliefs.

He couldn't have been prouder at that very moment.

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Date Posted: 11/12/2021

Time: 11:05

Words: 2057