"I won't lose you."

Severus grit his teeth and turned his face away, the vulnerability of his words stinging like a fresh wound. The darkness of the hidden panel room in Malfoy Manor in afforded them a small measure of privacy but the brands on their arms told another story. His stomach twisted as he continued, "You promised you wouldn't take the Mark until after you'd left Hogwarts."

Regulus shifted against the wood panels on his back, his robes and hairs rustling quietly, and his hand rested on Severus's turned shoulder.

"It's the only promise I made to you I knew I would eventually break, Severus."

prompt from: rikkachloechan