The even quieter words have him ducking his head, eyes drifting from Regulus'. But it's hard to avoid eye contact, especially when he's still being held close.

"I'm not angry," he replies, and it almost doesn't taste like a lie, "I-- wish y'would've told me, 's all. Did you-- think I'd be mad? Did h-he think I'd not want t'be his friend?"

'Were you scared of me?' rises to his lips but can't make their way past them. He doesn't want to know the answer.

Doesn't want to think it might be yes.

"I care about-- both of you. Why would I-- not want th'two of you to be happy? Especially together?"