CANNONBALL ⇒ jegulus

FOUR

Regulus awakes to the ever present headache that he's grown so extremely accustomed to in the last few days, so much so that he doesn't even seem to notice it's presence.

He can hear Manon's soft purring from the end of his bed. Regulus would have assumed she would've slept in the living room, but then again, he never could train her out of her cuddling phase.

Regulus rolls over, his body aching. With a yawn, he says, "Morning, Manon," Upon hearing his voice, the grey cat paws her way underneath the covers, appearing beside him. "Hiya, sweetheart," He murmbles softly, reaching to stroke under his chin.

Stumbling out of bed, Regulus pulls on a jumper; he feels icky and opts to have a shower after he's had something to drink. He reckons a nice warm mug of tea might just be the only solution for his aching migraine.

Regulus slowly trudges down his staircase, Manon at his feet as the small bell on her little blue collar jingles softly with each step her little paws take. Regulus reaches the kitchen and fills the kettle, switching it on and giving it time to boil.

He hums, picking his favorite cup and setting it down next to the whistling kettle. Manon sits on the countertop. "I suppose you want something to eat, love?" Regulus asks the cat but nearly collapses when a voice in the doorway speaks.

"Er, well, I'm kind of hungover. But I wouldn't say no to tea,"

Regulus yelps as he turns to see James leaning in his kitchen doorway. With a hand to his chest, Regulus inhales sharply. "Fuck, you scared me. I forgot you'd stayed over," He explains.

James grins softly. "Mornin', mate, didn't mean to give you a fright," He answers quietly. His T-shirt is crumpled from his night spent on the sofa. "Here, sit down, I'll make the tea, eh?"

Too tired to argue, Regulus nods and takes a seat. James runs a hand down Manon's back with a small smirk as he pours the hot water into a small teapot. "I wondered where you'd gotten to, kitty," James says as Manon meows and purrs at his gentle touch.

"Sometimes she stays in my bed," Regulus replies as James sets the teapot down onto the table. "She likes cuddles, I think,"

Smirking, James replies, "My mum and dad used to have a cat when I was little. I think it was supposed to be a sibling substitute," James pours tea into Regulus' mug and then some into his own as he takes a seat. "Anyways, how'd you sleep? You feel any better?"

"I slept alright. Sorry again about the sofa, you really could've taken my bed if you wanted to-"

James shakes his head, waving him off. "I wouldn't dare steal an ill man's bed," He smiles as he sips his tea. "The sofa was just fine for me anyways.

Regulus takes a gulp of his tea and swallows quickly. Before he can even respond, he feels the liquid already rising back up. "S-sorry, I er, one second," He cringes as he reaches his feet, quickly ushering himself to the bathroom before heaving back up the tea and anything else he may have consumed recently.

"Regulus?" James calls, his voice soft and concerned. Regulus only continues to vomit. He is briefly aware of the bathroom door opening behind him and somebody dropping to their knees next to him to yank those loosened strands of his hair back that insisted on falling into his face.

"Hey, shush, easy, easy," James whispers softly. "That's it, get it all up, you're alright, s'just an unsettled tummy," He gently murmurs soft nothings to Regulus.

"S-sorry, fuck," Regulus grips the sides of the toilet bowl before a laying his sweaty cheek against the cool porcelain. He heaves slightly before closing his eyes and mumbling, "I'm sorry, that was disgusting,"