Regulus regret putting the acid pop in his mouth as soon as he dropped it.
It burnt him, bruised him, made him hurt. It was so sudden and so sharp, it's sting lasting for a torturous second before dulling down. It was the after taste that got to him. That bitterness lingered on his tongue for so long after he forgot what it felt like before it.
It disgusted him.
But then again it was the only thing that helped him wake up in the morning.
"Good morning Reg," Silas muttered. He looked exhausted, his swollen lids were a purplish color and his face colorless.
"You too Silas," He responded. The acid pop would kick in any moment now.
"What did you do last night?" Silas yawned.
"Oh nothing, just another part of the initiation process. I think I'm almost in the inner circle. All I have to do is prove my loyalty," Regulus' voice held no excitement, only expectancy of what was to come.
"Don't worry Reg, you'll get there soon," his flat mate assured. Silas Mulicber was already a distinguished name between the death eaters.
"What did you do to prove your loyalty?" Regulus asked.
"What was asked of me," he replied shortly, "What will be asked of you soon,"
"And what's that?" Regulus pressed. This was his future, he needed to know.
Silas looked at him his dull brown eyes devoid of emotion, "He'll take something from you. Something you can't get back,"
Regulus bit his torn lip. It hurt to see his friend so dead, "Do you want an acid pop? They won't burn your tongue but they'll give a little shock," He surveyed Silas' face for a reaction, "It'll keep you alive,"
His friend sniffed, "Sure I'll have one,"
"Do you want some coffee?" Regulus asked as he took his wand out.
The other boy shook his head, "I'll take this," he showed him the acid pop still in his hand, "And go,"
"Even if I told you that there's a chance I might've been lying and that will burn your tongue?" Regulus tried to introduce some humor into the conversation, "Would you risk that?"
"I don't think you'd risk pissing off a well trained death eater," Silas said, something asking to a smirk on his face. It was barely noticeable but it was there, it was something.
"I don't think you'd attack the only son of Walburga and Orion Black," he quipped back, poring himself a mug of black, steaming coffee.
Silas looked like he was going to say something humorous. His eyes held a glint that Regulus hadn't seen in a while, but then he decided to say something that wasn't so humorous.
"How is he?"
"How's who?" Regulus asked raising his eyebrows.
Silas took a breath and locked his lips as though he couldn't believe what he was going to say next, "Your brother. Sirius?"
"Oh!" Regulus set down his mug, "Why do you ask? Is he giving a problem at work?"
"No...well yes but I just...I wanted to ask," Silas said scraping the back of his neck.
Regulus snorted, "You'd probably know more. The last time I spoke to him I accused him of being selfish and abandoning me and he said that I was a naive boy who worked for a bloodthirsty psychopath,"
Regulus didn't have the heart to say that he was beginning to believe Sirius correct.
For a second it looked like Silas was about to say something. But then he didn't.
"Thanks for the acid pop," he said then turned around.
"Silas wait!" Regulus called out. He wanted, no needed to ask a question.
"What Reg? I'm running late!" Silas began to look impatient. He knew what would happen to him if he was late. After all the Dark Lord didn't tolerate anything but excellence.
"I just want to ask a question,"
"Fine, go ahead,"
Regulus felt a tangy, coppery flavor in his mouth. He must've but his lip a little two hard, "If...if you could go back, would you...would you choose to be a death eater again?"
Silas clenched his jaw fit a second but responded after a moment of silence, "Yes,"
"Okay," Regulus sat down, "I understand,"
They both stared at each other for a moment, understanding what the other wanted. After one question, it was became obvious to the other that they were on completely different pages.
"You know Regulus, I don't think I really want an acid pop," Silas said, leaning the rear by the counter next to Regulus, "Thanks for the offer,"
And then he left.