Chapter Text
There’s something ticklish on Regulus’ waist, so he lets a mindless hand wander down again. Just as his hands brush the surface of the water they’re standing in, James stops him by taking his hand and intertwining their fingers, saying softly, “Hey, Reggie, give me your hand.” Regulus does, he always does, and he relaxes into James hold, letting his eyes grow heavy.
There was something unusually warm about the water, so holding James’ hand now, he looks down again. “Don’t look there, look at me.” James prevents him from getting a peek at the water by untangling their hands—Regulus regrets looking now—and tilting his face towards his.
He wonders if he’s maybe a bit dehydrated, because it’s hard to keep his eyes focused on James, but he can see James smiling at him. “Pretty, isn’t it?” James flirts, smirking at him.
Regulus doesnt think he’s ever told him, but he’s always liked when James flirts with him like this. He thinks of telling James this now, but he’s just a bit tired, so he hums and brushes James’ face with his hand. Before he can drop his hand, James catches it and holds his palm against his cheek.
It’s soppy in contrast to his flirting, and Regulus makes sure to roll his eyes and scrunch his nose playfully. “Hey, don’t you look at me like that.” James replies, leaving Regulus feeling giddy like they were bantering for the first time. Regulus feels his eyes flutter closed, a result of James’ comforting embrace, surely, but he opens them when James says, “Look at the sunset, instead. Isn’t it pretty?”
It is. It’s magnificent, in fact. But where Regulus usually feels warmth akin to James’ touch emanate from it, he feels only James’ warmth now. He could live with that, though. “Yeah,” he breathes, leaning back into James, embracing the weariness that is slowly taking over his body. He’d always felt a bit sleepy in James’ arms, especially when they watched the sunset together. He supposed it was because he felt safe with James, just like he did now.
They watch the sun brush the horizon in a tranquil, peaceful silence. A silence that is only broken by James whispering, “I love you.” James presses a kiss to his cheek, and Regulus smiles dopily as he intertwines their fingers again. I love you, too , Regulus replies, but he thinks he might have only said it in his head. No worries, he’ll tell James when the sun rises.
When the world around them grows dark, Regulus’ eyes fall closed again. He knows James will carry him home, and when they wake up tomorrow, Regulus promises himself to tell James just how much he loves him and everything he does.
But for now, feeling happy and content in James’ arms, Regulus lets himself sleep.