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Regulus yawns and shifts further into the mattress when he feels a soft slope of sunlight graze his face paired with warm, reverent kisses along his bare shoulder.
He sighs happily when he recognizes the familiarity of his husbands lips against his skin, scorching with the warmth and the tenderness that is so distinctly James. James' touch burns like the sun, and Regulus could recognize it anywhere. Even if he hadn't felt it in a millennium and was blindfolded with the thickest cloth on earth, he would still be able to recognize his touch in a heartbeat.
He suspects it's because of the pure, unadulterated reverence and care James puts into every touch. Almost like he is afraid of breaking him, but at the same time wants to latch on and squeeze so tight that he shatters, for the sole purpose of getting to put him back together with gentle hands. Like he wants to gingerly cup the broken shards and glue every piece together with utmost focus, and rigorously taking note of every single one. James' touch is so, so very special, and Regulus feels so blessed to have it.
The trail of kisses continue to his collarbone, to his neck, to behind his ear, until Regulus stirs and lets out a quiet huff that lets James know he's awake.
"Good morning," James murmurs into the crook of his neck before gently kissing it.
Regulus' lips curl up. "It is, isn't it?" He mumbles before turning over to press their lips together.
It's a warm kiss, one filled with the kind of tenderness and care that makes Regulus absolutely weak. Just a soft press of mouths, just a greeting, a kiss that lets them both know how happy the other is to be where they are, neither of them deepening it. Lips moving together gently and lazily as James lifts a hand to cup Regulus' cheek and Regulus brushes his hand up and down Jame's arm.
When they break away, Regulus yawns and curls deeper into James, still rather sleepy and happy to sink into his husband and relax for a while. He used to never let himself relax, always tense and cautious, but it's now easy relax when James is around.
They've only been married for around two months, and so far, it's been two months of pure bliss.
James reaches down and brushes Regulus' thick curls out of his face. Regulus can practically feel James' gaze burning a hole through the top of his head.
When he looks up to meet his eyes, brow arched and fully prepared with a witty comment poking fun at James for staring, he feels his breathe hitch in his chest.
It's just—see, it's the way James is looking at him.
His gaze is filled with so much admiration, staring at Regulus like he's the most beautiful thing the world has to offer, and it's almost too much. Regulus needs a moment to collect himself before he gets too sappy.
It's the way James eyes are filled to the brim with so much emotion, so much love and fondess, adoration and gratitude, and Regulus is truly on the edge of passing out.
Sometimes it just catches him off guard, is all. Because he forgets. He forgets that he is wanted by someone, wanted by numerous people, because sometimes he just cannot fathom that.
It's strange, because there's still that part of him that doesn't believe it. That wants to run and hide because there is no possible way. There's just no way, it's fake, no one wants a failure, hide before you fall too deep and get hurt.
He suspects it's his parents influence. No matter how hard Regulus tries to rid himself of them, break the shackles, some of the marks they left on him just haven't faded yet. Haven't fully healed into scars just yet. Still a scab that is a bit too raw to pick at, sensitive and tender skin laying beneath.
Despite how much Regulus has grown, because he's grown very much with the help of the people in his life, sometimes memories of Grimmauld creep up behind and lurch at him. And that's okay. One of the many things he has learned in the past couple of years, is that it's okay. It's okay to not be okay.
James helps him with that, as well. Step by step, he believes it more and more each day, his willingness to let himself be desired and let himself believe he is desired becoming stronger each day.
"Why are you looking at me like that?," He whispers, a small smile creeping up on his face, because he know why. James reminds him as much as possible.
"Because I love you," James whispers back with and even bigger smile on his face, unfaltering and confident in his love. And how can Regulus doubt that? No matter his own insecurities. It's right there. James is telling him, because its true, and he trusts James with everything he has in him.
Regulus smiles bashfully, and he currently feels very sappy. Like he could just melt like putty into James' hand. He honestly feels like a puddle of mush in his palm at the moment, which is thoroughly embarrassing. And stupid.
But. Well.
"I love you, too," He whispers, placing his hands on James chest as he scoots up to bring their faces at a level height.
James grins, and his smiles reminds Regulus of the sun as well. So warm and beautiful and bright that it's nearly blinding, expect he would sooner get blasted with heat and go blind than look away.
"Yeah?," He checks, nosing at Regulus' jaw.
"No, I'm only joking. I actually do not like you whatsoever," Regulus replies without missing a beat, though the muscles in his face betray him by smiling softly at James.
James huffs a laugh, gazing at him fondly with amusement swimming in his eyes. "So mean,"
"You love it," Regulus replies knowingly.
"That I do. Reckon I love all things about you," James murmurs, returning to pressing soft kisses along Regulus' jaw.
"Sap," Regulus scoffs, though it's lacking any malice.
"Says you," James shoots back, smiling.
Regulus huffs in offense "I cannot believe you would even suggest such a thing. I am nothing of the sort." He sniffs haughtily, a teasing undertone to his voice.
"Mhm."
"That's it. You're sleeping on the couch" Regulus declares.
James chuckles and draws Regulus in closer, seizing the nuzzling into his neck in order to place a quick kiss on his lips and lock their eyes.
James proceeds to squint suspiciously at him, examining him. "I don't believe you," He informs Regulus, seemingly confident in his articulation.
And he's right, of course he is. The idiot.
Regulus curls in closer and brushes his nose up the side of James cheek affectionately, which is quite telling in itself.
"I don't believe me either," He whispers before bringing their lips together once again, losing himself to the sweet warmth of James' mouth.