Remus doesn't dare open his eyes – hardly dares to breathe – when those fingers trail down his neck and he feels Regulus' lips against his own. He does make a quiet sound in the back of his throat, however, something small and broken and containing all the pain that's tearing him apart inside.

It's so horribly, painfully unfair. They should have so much time. They should have the rest of their lives to make mistakes and learn from them and grow and live. But they don't. And Remus has never been more convinced that Regulus is right, and this is undeniably some sort of hell that they're living in.

The second kiss comes as a complete shock, and Remus isn't strong enough to hold still any longer. Fists clutch at the front of Regulus' cloak, dragging him closer and holding him there as Remus kisses back just as fiercely, pouring all of his regret and sorrow and desperation into the hot clash of lips and tongue. He hears another miserable moan and knows it's he who's made it, but he's beyond caring at this point.

"How? How can I do that without you? I can't, Reg. I love you and I can't... Please..."