Story Two :: Brothers Beneath The Bright Stars
Author :: slytherclaw_seeker 
Basic Idea :: arlcchinos
Editor :: Anonymouscuzwhynot

The sky was a velvet canvas splashed with stars as Regulus and Sirius Black made their way to the hilltop that overlooked the family estate. It was rare for the two brothers to find a moment of peace together, especially since Sirius’s rebellion against their family’s pure-blood mania had reached its peak. Yet tonight, under the sprawling cosmos, old grievances seemed to drift away, replaced by a rare, peaceful bond—a sort of kinship.

Sirius, with his usual stride full of defiance, laid out the blanket he’d secretly borrowed from their mother’s linen closet. Regulus, carrying a much-used telescope, set it up with careful precision, his actions methodical and calm, contrasting sharply with the wild energy of his brother.

“Can’t believe you talked me into this,” Sirius muttered, though his eyes twinkled with unspoken gratitude.

Regulus chuckled softly. “You need a break from sneaking out with your Gryffindor friends, Sirius. And I… I just wanted…” His voice trailed off, lost in the stars.

“You just wanted to spend time with your incredibly charming brother,” Sirius finished for him, smirking. “I know.”

The night air was chilly, and Sirius pulled his cloak tighter around him. Regulus, noticing the movement, sighed. “You’ll never admit it’s cold,” he observed, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Admitting is surrendering,” Sirius replied, eyes now scanning the constellations. “Look, there’s Orion.”

Regulus peered through the telescope, adjusting the focus. “You remember the stories, don’t you? How Orion was a hunter, always chasing the Pleiades across the sky?”

“Yeah, reminds me of you, chasing after the family’s expectations,” Sirius said softly, the teasing tone in his voice fading into something more serious.

Regulus didn’t answer right away, his gaze fixed on the celestial hunter. “Maybe I’m tired of chasing,” he finally whispered, almost to himself.

Sirius looked at his brother, a shadow passing over his face. “You could always stop, you know. Come with me.”

It was an old argument, one that had fractured many of their conversations into sharp shards of disagreement. But tonight, under the blanket of stars, it felt different. Regulus turned to face Sirius, his expression unreadable.

“And what about the stars, Sirius? Would I see them the same way if I left everything behind?”

Sirius followed his brother’s gaze upwards. “You’d see them clearer, Reg. There’s no better place to watch the stars than from a place where you’re free.”

Silence settled between them again, filled only by the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle night wind. Regulus looked back through the telescope, adjusting the lens before nodding at Sirius. “Take a look. Saturn’s rings are visible tonight.”
As Sirius leaned down to peer through the telescope, Regulus continued softly, “Maybe one day, I’ll see them as you do. Free and unburdened.”

Sirius straightened, clapping a hand on Regulus’s shoulder. “And I’ll be here when you’re ready. We’ll chart our own constellations.”
They spent the rest of the night pointing out galaxies and nebulae, the voices of two brothers weaving through the darkness, crafting a tapestry of stars and stories. Sirius talked of his adventures with James and Remus, and Regulus listened, his laughter genuine and free.

When dawn tinged the sky with the first light of morning, Sirius and Regulus packed up, the telescope returning to its case, the blanket folded neatly. They didn’t speak much as they walked back, their shared experience lingering in the quiet companionship.

As they reached the door of their home, Sirius paused, looking back at the lightening sky. “Hey, Reg,” he said, his voice low. “No matter where I am, we’ll always have the stars.”

Regulus nodded, his eyes bright. “And no matter where I am, I’ll remember this night.”

With a final squeeze of his brother’s shoulder, Sirius stepped inside, leaving the door open for Regulus to follow. And under the same stars, two brothers found their way back to each other, if only for a moment.