Tension surrounded the Slytherin and Hufflepuff as they recovered from the events that had just happened. Noah and Regulus sat with their backs against the wall, about a foot apart but Regulus quickly changed the distance between them.

Noah was simply staring into space as he avoided looking at Regulus in embarrassment. He could only imagine the insults that would be hurled his way now that he had shown how weak he truly was. He just hoped that if he ignored Regulus long enough, the other boy would leave and would forget what had occurred. But of course, that would never happen.

Regulus cleared his throat and Noah could tell that he was about to say something. To save himself from embarrassment, Noah turned his head away from Regulus, childishly hoping that since Noah couldn't see Regulus, the Slytherin wouldn't see him. That, of course, was wishful thinking.

Regulus could see Noah trying to block out whatever it was that Regulus was going to say as if it were going to be bad – even though the Black boy had no idea how to respond to the display he had witnessed earlier.

Regulus hesitated before softly pushing Noah's leg to gain the other boy's attention. When that didn't work, Regulus cautiously placed his hand on Noah's thigh, which worked as the blond snapped his head to look at Regulus; his eyes wide in surprise and with his cheeks pink.

Regulus hid his smirk and attempted to remain serious as he asked Noah, "What happened earlier?"

Noah's cheeks darkened and he wanted to turn away from Regulus, however, the dark haired boy stopped him by gently cupping his face, making Noah look at him. "It's okay, Noah," Regulus reassured. "There's no reason to be embarrassed. I promise I won't say anything."

Noah didn't know if he could trust Regulus and played with his hands nervously as he decided whether or not he should tell the other boy the truth.

"I-I have a-anxiet-ty." He stuttered, immediately pulling away from Regulus' grip – which had gone slack when he tried to process what Noah had said – and turned his head away, his face flaming in shame.

"Anxiety..." Regulus tested the word on his tongue. "I've never heard of that before. What is it?"

Noah realised that coming from a pure-blood family, Regulus would have no knowledge of anything muggle – unless it's been told to him, and probably wrongly.

So, Noah gathered up the courage, faced Regulus again, and with as much detail as he possibly could, explained anxiety and how he personally dealt with it.

As Noah spoke, Regulus listened intently. It was actually quite interesting to him to find out more about what was troubling Noah – even if he would never admit to the fact.

When Noah was finished, he looked back at Regulus again to see the other boy looking at him curiously and that caused Noah to blush and look back down at his hands. "Sorry for blabbering." He apologised, feeling embarrassed for doing something as childish as that in the presence of a Black.

"It's fine." Regulus waved Noah off with his hand, surprising the both of them. Regulus didn't know why he was acting so nice to Noah all of a sudden, but he simply felt that he had to. He couldn't explain it. And Noah, well, Noah didn't want to get hurt more than he had been before. Blacks weren't known for their kindness, after all.

The two were quiet once more for a few moments as both boys were in their own thoughts.

Noah was thinking about Regulus and how maybe he could change. He most likely wouldn't but Noah couldn't help but feel as if something had occurred within the Slytherin boy. Perhaps he had had an epiphany, Noah wasn't sure, but whatever it was, he hoped it would last. And it also didn't help that Noah had been getting these odd feelings around Regulus recently and he certainly hadn't minded it when Regulus had put his hand on his thigh. Noah didn't know what he was feeling for the black haired boy but he couldn't have a fancy him, could he?

At the same time, Regulus was thinking about Noah and how much the poor boy had to suffer daily and he almost felt bad for making things worse for the Hufflepuff. Regulus didn't know why he was feeling so empathetic towards the boy or why it had felt so right when Regulus had placed his hand on Noah's thigh. However, Regulus did know one thing: he had to make things right.

Regulus hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should do it. If anyone found out – especially his parents – Regulus would be in huge trouble. Yet as he glanced at Noah's adorable blushing face, he knew he had to – for Noah.

"I'm sorry," he apologised quietly, hiding his wince as he did so. Blacks didn't apologise and especially not to half-blood Hufflepuffs.

Noah's head snapped up and he looked at Regulus in confusion. "Wh-What? Wh-What f-for?"

Regulus sighed quietly and shrugged his shoulders, holding back the smirk that automatically wanted to settle on his face. "For everything."

Noah was surprised. Why was Regulus apologising? It wouldn't benefit him, in fact, if anyone found out it would do the opposite. Yet he still did, knowing full well of the consequences. The thought made Noah's cheeks darken – if that was even possible – and he smiled at Regulus shyly.

"I-It's f-fine, y-you d-don't have t-to."

"No," Regulus insisted, his voice firm. "I do. I didn't know that you were dealing with so much and that I was making things worse. I promise if I did, I wouldn't have been so mean." Regulus assured himself that that would be true – in a way. Regulus didn't really like engaging in conversation with anyone so he probably would've just ignored the sandy haired boy.

Noah sighed quietly, almost in disappointment, as he softly shook his head. "Yes, you would've." He countered.

Regulus paused for a moment, wanting to deny Noah's statement but as he thought about it, he realised Noah was right, and that disgusted Regulus.

Noah was silent for a few minutes as he thought before he looked at Regulus and carefully brought up the idea of a truce. He didn't want Regulus to go back to how he was before and he was afraid that any wrong move or suggestion may do just that.

"B-Basical-ly," Noah finished off, "w-we'll b-both b-b civ-vil t-towards each oth-ther, a-aquaintances ev-ven, w-we d-don't hav-ve t-to a-associate with the o-other b-but when w-we do, b-be p-polite."

Regulus thought it over for a few minutes and he eventually came to the conclusion that ultimately, there wouldn't be any harm in agreeing. And it would also make Noah happy which would be a plus. "Alright."

Noah grinned broadly and Regulus smiled softly to himself, deciding that he liked how Noah looked with a smile and would like to see it more often.

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THIS IS THE QUICKEST I'VE EVER UPDATED THIS BOOK AND IM SUPER PROUD OF MYSELF. AND GUYS, THIS IS ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH NOAH AND REGULUS' STORY (OR AT LEAST THE FIRST BOOK), HOW DO YOU GUYS FEEL ABOUT THAT?

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF NOAH AND REGULUS' TRUCE? DO YOU THINK REGULUS' NICE BEHAVIOUR WILL LAST? WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN NEXT? LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS AS I LOVE READING YOUR GUYS' COMMENTS!