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It was dark when Barty finally woke up, his bedroom curtains still open and blowing softly in the breeze from the open window. With a yawn, he reached up to groggily rub his eyes. He reached over to his bedside table, picking up his phone and flipping it open to check the time. The bright numbers flashed up on the screen, causing him to squint his eyes at the light. 23:27 pm
“Shit.” He groaned. He must have fallen asleep shortly after coming home from school. He ran his hands down his face, trying to wake himself up before looking around his room. His eyes finally started to adjust to the dark and Barty started to notice the items laying on his floor.
Across from his bed, next to his dresser, his school back lay messily on the floor, his zipper open and school books falling out. And next to it, neatly placed up against the wall was… Regulus’ school bag?
Barty shook his head, wondering if his tired brain was just seeing things. He looked back at the back and nope, it was definitely Regulus’. He could just about make out the badges and pins stuck to the front of it and the tiny green ribbon he had tied to the strap. But why was it here?
He looked further around his room, looking for any other sign of Regulus’ recent presence, which was difficult considering Barty’s room was full of Regulus. Tiny little trinkets and objects he had left or gifted him over the years. An entire section of his dresser was filled with Regulus’ own mini bookshelf he had built for himself. Even his cupboard was full of jumpers and jackets and tops which he left at Barty’s house. His bedside table even held Regulus’ stash of cigarettes and lighters that he kept here, hidden away from his parents at home.
And then Barty noticed Regulus’ phone on his bedside table, sitting next to his own. Barty quickly hummed to himself before dropping his head back onto his pillow. He tried to turn himself over but felt his body restricted. And that’s when he noticed the head of dark curls buried into his chest, and the arms wrapping themself around his waist.
“Oh.” He breathed out, his chest doing the same weird flutter it always does when he’s around Regulus.
The boy suddenly stirred, tightening his grip on Barty and leaning in even closer to him. Barty cursed at the way his heart sped up, very aware of the fact that Regulus was now resting just above it.
He lifted a hand, gently resting it on top of Regulus’ head, softly smiling to himself as the boy quietly hummed at the touch. Without much thought to it, he slowly started to brush through his curls, allowing his eyes to close.
Right here . He thought to himself. Right here is where I want to stay . Stay right where I can keep you safe.
It was just the two of them, alone in their own little world where time stood still. Locked away from the people who try to hurt them. Away from their fucked up little life’s which carried on outside that bedroom door. In here it was safe. In here, neither of them could be touched or harmed.
Right here was where they could share everything without fear. Those glances at each other where their eyes lingered just a bit too long. Those light touches where each boy treasured the other, holding him as though he were the dearest thing to walk the Earth. Those conversations, quiet whispers about their feelings so full of emotion and vulnerability. How Barty yearned for these moments where he could just be.
Regulus started to toss and turn, eventually settling for a position still on Barty’s chest with his face now visible to the other boy. Barty licked his lips, fighting a losing battle to the smile appearing on his face.
How can someone so beautiful be here, curled and asleep with someone like Barty?
Barty admired his face, the hand in his hair slowly trailing down to cup the boy's face. He carefully brushed his thumb across his rosy cheeks, his eyes drawn to his parted lips. His hair was ruffled and messily fell across his face, contrasting with his normally tidy appearance.
He wanted to lean in closer to him, place loving kisses across his face and shower him in love. Before he knew what he was doing, he was already leaning in, tenderly touching his lips against Regulus’ forehead. He quickly moved back and shut his eyes, hoping the sudden quickened pace of his heartbeat wasn’t noticeable. He was so caught up in his own actions that he missed the way Regulus’ lips slowly curled up into a small smile.
Barty tried to compose himself, taking deep breaths in and out before a loud buzzing sound brought him back to reality. On his bedside table, Regulus’ phone screen lit up, vibrating over and over again. “Shit!” He cursed under his breath, abruptly reaching over to grab the phone and causing Regulus to let out a groan. “Fuck…” he whispered quieter as Regulus was now waking up, using the back of his hand to rub his eye.
“W’as it?” He mumbled, a little disoriented after just waking up.
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry, go back to sleep.” Barty answered, quickly checking who the notifications were from. Once reading the name, his body stiffened as he looked back at Regulus’ already settling himself back down. “Actually- well… it’s your mum.”
Regulus slowly sat up, yawning heavily as he took the phone out of Barty’s hands. “It’s almost half 11?” When did we fall asleep?” He gasped, scrolling through the notification without unlocking his phone.
“No idea.” Barty shrugged. “What’s she saying?”
The boy bit his lip. “She’s asking where I am. Wants me home right now.” He groaned, shutting his phone off and trying to place it in Barty’s bedside table, his arms just out of reach of it.
“Fuck, really? Is she mad, mad.” He asked, taking Regulus’ phone and putting it down for him.
Regulus shrugged, laying back down and yawning.
“Oi, wake up. C’mon, I’ll walk you home and make sure you get there.” Barty lifted the covers off them, causing Regulus to whine.
“No…”
“Yes. Come on.” He said, starting to sit up before he was pushed back down onto the pillow.
“No. Not yet.” Regulus said quietly. “Want to stay with you.”
Barty felt a small tinge in his chest. Of course he wanted Regulus to stay. But he also knew the repercussions he would face for returning late. The thought made him feel queasy.
He gently took Regulus’ face, lifting him up so he could look at Barty. “Love, I’d be more than happy to let you stay. But your parents- I mean, they’ll… you’ll get… I don’t want you to be-“
He was cut when Regulus lazily pressed a finger against Barty’s mouth, smooshing his lips. “Shhhhh.” He said slowly, his tone suddenly sleepy again. “Don’t- don't talk about it.” Barty stayed quiet, now looking at Regulus with sad eyes. “Ugh, and don’t do that!” Regulus said, shoving his hand further into Barty’s face, causing him to laugh out, grabbing the boy's hand and holding it tightly.
“I’ll be fine. It’s nothing I’ve not handled before. You worry about me too much.” Regulus shrugged.
“Of course I worry, Reg. I hate seeing you…” he trailed off, swallowing a lump in his throat.
Regulus looked into his eyes “Please Barty.” He moved his hand so he was now holding Barty’s. “Please just stop worrying and hold me again.”
Barty nodded slowly, clearing his thoughts and focusing back on the now. Regulus was quick to lay back down, burrowing his face as close to Barty as possible.
Wrapping his arms around the smaller boy and Barty held him close, feart that if he let go, he’d slip out from his grasp. Barty then closed his eyes, taking a deep breath in through his nose.
No, they were safe, he reminded himself. Nothing could happen to them here. Within these four walls, they could live freely with each other.
Barty felt Regulus’ breathing even out, already drifting back to sleep. It didn’t take long for Barty to settle as well, resting his cheek on Regulus’ head. He closed his eyes, smiling to himself as soft curls brushed his face.
“G’night, Barty…” Regulus slurred, his voice muffled by Barty’s chest.
“Goodnight, Reggie.”