CANNONBALL ⇒ jegulus

THIRTY NINE

Entering Regulus' flat, James combs a hand through his messy, unruly hair; freshly tousled from the morning's brief altercation.

Manon greets him at the door, meowing loudly, as if to alert Regulus of a new arrival. Regulus pokes his head out from the kitchen door, craning his neck. He squints before, "Oi, where the fuck did you head off to? Imagine your dear, pregnant boyfriend getting out of the shower to see you've pulled a disappearing act, not so endearing," Regulus smirks.

James slowly staggrs into the kitchen. He takes Regulus in in one swift glance, however, his eyes linger for much longer than he had intended as he watches Regulus. Clad in nothing but a soft, white towel wrapped around his waist, Regulus' bump is on display in all of it's rounding, pale glory and James is in awe.

"You look gorgeous," James whispers softly, unable to tear his eyes away from his lover. He steps closer as Regulus' returns to his act of buttering his toast. Shit, breakfast, James thinks. The breakfast he had promised Regulus he would prepare for them.

James presses a tender kiss to the top of Regulus' head. The younger man's hair is still wet from his showe. James let's his arms wrap around his waist, his hands cradling the bump his boyfriend wears so beautifully.

"You still haven't answered me, y'know?" Regulus raises an eyebrow as he cranes his neck to look at James. "Causing trouble, were you?"

"Aren't I always?" James hopes to defect and dodge the question.

But Regulus is too clever for that. "James...." He trails warnigly.

James sighs. "You're not going to like this, Reg-"

"Whether I'll like it or not doesn't matter," Regulus turns, lifting a hand to gently caress James' cheek. "Just be honest with me, yeah? I can't fault you for being honest, James," He says softly.

James exhales, closing his eyes before reopening them and uttering, "I beat the hell out of Snape, I don't think he's going to be bothering you anytime soon, love." He confesses.

Regulus blinks before, "You....you did what?"

"Regulus-"

"You beat him up?" Regulus repeats slowly. James nods even slower, gazing into deep grey eyes as he does so. Regulus shakes his head. "I don't know what made you think I needed my fucking honor defended like I'm some nineteenth century damsel in distress but-"

James begins to grit. "Now hang on a damn minute-"

"Why can't you ever just stay out of things?!" Regulus raises his voice slightly. "You can't ever just mind your fucking business, I told you I was fine and you still acted like you had to....to bloody protect me! I'm not a child, James,"

"No, you bloody well aren't," James agrees. "But you're having my child and I won't let you be put in unsafe situations-"

"It was a supermarket!" Regulus shouts. "I wasn't unsafe, just a little uncomfortable!" He retorts bitterly.

"Well, it's my job to make sure you aren't feeling that way," James responds, biting his lip slightly.

Regulus sighs heavily, staring daggers at James, grey eyes narrowing slightly. "No it fuckin' isn't," He snarks, brooding.

James shakes his head. "You're being a twit over absolutely nothing, Regulus," He snaps harshly. "He deserved it, you should agree; unless you're still hanging on to a lingering friendship with him-"