Sweet innocence ~ Jegulus

37.

TW: homophobic slur and brief description of child abuse

"Write to me everyday." James whispered, his hands running up and down Regulus' back. "I'll try, I can't promise anything, love." Regulus replied in between kisses, his pink lips trailing all over James's neck and jaw, nipping at the smooth skin.

"Remember, I'll come get you if you need me to. Just send for me." James pulled back, earning a whine of protest from Regulus. "Less talk, more kisses." Regulus mumbled, his lips going to attack James's. "Fuck, I'm going to miss you." James whispered, his hands grabbing at Regulus's hips to pull them forward. "How will I survive two weeks without you?"

Regulus laughed quietly, pulling away from his boyfriend. "You'll live. Just think about all the kisses I'll give you when we see each other again." Regulus mumbled, pulling James's head down to kiss him again. Truthfully, Regulus thought that he probably wouldn't be able to survive the two weeks of Christmas break without James. His cousins and their husbands were coming over and Regulus knew how that always ended.

"Promise?" James said, bringing Regulus out of his thoughts. "What?" Regulus furrowed his brows, looking up at him questioningly. "Promise me that you'll shower me in kisses on the first day back?" James was smiling down at him, unaware of the fear that was creeping up in Regulus's stomach. "Yeah, yeah I promise."

They spent a few more minutes tucked away in their private compartment, kissing and hugging until they were close to the train station and had to return to their friends. They walked back to the other Marauders, slowly, whispering to each other as they went. James opened the compartment door, letting Regulus go in first. The train was coming to a stop and Remus was getting their trunks out of the overhead storage compartment.

They all stepped out onto the platform, facing each other with sad smiles.

"Happy Christmas." Regulus said kindly, smiling at the boys. "Happy Christmas, Reg!" Sirius beamed back at his little brother, pulling him in for a hug. "You guys know that it's Merry Christmas, right?" Remus said as he and Sirius walked away. "What?" Sirius asked, sounding thoroughly confused. "Never mind."

"I love you." James said, turning to Regulus. Regulus smiled at him, giving him a quick hug. He spotted Kreacher a few feet away and thankfully the house elf hadn't seen him yet. Regulus leaned up to press a kiss to James's cheek. "We can survive two weeks, my love." Regulus said, pulling his hand out of James's.

James sighed dramatically, but nodded nonetheless. He watched as Regulus went to join his house elf and waited until they left to go join his family. Sirius and Remus were waiting for him while Mr. and Mrs. Potter were talking to Peter's mom about letting him come over during the break.

"He'll be fine." Remus said, patting James's shoulder reassuringly. James nodded, not fully convinced.

"I just have a bad feeling."

***

The moment Regulus stepped foot into his home, Kreacher looked up at him with sad eyes.

"Mistress is waiting for Master Regulus in his room. Mistress is very angry with Master Regulus." Kreacher told him, taking Regulus's trunk from him. Regulus's eyes went wide for a moment, his gaze shifting from the house elf to the staircase.

"Master Regulus should not keep Mistress waiting." Kreacher told him before disappearing somewhere in the house. Regulus stood at the front door for a little longer, taking some time to collect himself. If he went to see her while looking nervous, she'd know that something was wrong right away. So he evened out his breathing and smoothed over his hair and clothes. Once he was sure that he looked okay enough, Regulus made his way up the stairs, slowly.

Walburga was waiting for him in his room, standing by the large window with the curtains drawn. Regulus thought that it was weird for her to be looking out of the window with the curtains closed, but he learned a long time ago not to question his mother's weird habits.

Regulus didn't say anything as he entered his bedroom, he just stood quietly by the door waiting for her to notice him. That's what his mother had taught him to do. Wait until she greets you before you greet her. Weird.

"I received quite an alarming letter last week, Regulus." Walburga said, turning to look at him. Regulus swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat, waiting for her to continue. He didn't say a word as she reached into her pocket and took out an envelope. His mother beckoned him over and Regulus moved to her side quickly.

She handed him the envelope and Regulus opened it cautiously. It was from Mulciber's father, telling Walburga about Regulus's relationship with James. Regulus felt his heart stop. Before he could spew out any excuses, Walburga held her wand up.

"Legilimens."

Regulus tried to close off his mind like Sirius had taught him to do, but Walburga had caught him off guard. She was going through his mind and by the scowl on her face, he could tell that she was seeing all of his memories of James.

"You're a disgrace!" Walburga spat, grabbing onto his wrist. "Aligning yourself with filthy blood traitors. It's not bad enough that you're a faggot, but you choose to whore yourself out for the Potter boy!" Walburga's wand was now pointed at Regulus's stomach. There's a burning pain in his abdomen, his skin feels like it's being torn apart and when Regulus feels the blood soaking into his shirt, he knows that he hadn't been imagining the pain.

"Mother, please." Regulus sobbed, his knees beginning to grow weak. Had Walburga not been holding onto his arm, Regulus was sure that he'd be writhing on the floor. "You will end things with Potter and you will not speak to him or your blood traitor of a brother ever again, do I make myself clear?" Walburga seethed.

"Yes, mother."

She released him then and Regulus dropped to his hands and knees in pain.

"I will not hesitate to take matters into my own hands, Regulus. Do as you're told because next time you won't be the one lying on the floor in pain." Walburga said coldly. She shot him one last glare before leaving his room.