CANNONBALL ⇒ jegulus

FIFTY FOUR

A soft humming fills the room, tiny sounds of a newborn gurgling along. Regulus can feel an arm around his waist, can smell the secure scent of familiarity.

"See? You're the little, teensy baby fawn, mummy's the shining star, and I'm the big, strong stag, eh?" James' voice is barely above a whisper. "Don't look at my shoulder, though, please. I don't want you to see the I Love My Mum tattoo. Nana wasn't pleased," James utters in amusement. "Don't ever do this to your mum and I, it's tacky and icky and I already want it removed," James tuts.

James hums a little. "God, you're the spitting image of your mummy, Bowie," Regulus can hear the grin in James' voice. "Absolutely identical, mmh? You've managed to get my eyes, well, Nana's eyes, but y'know, I got them from her,"

"We've got a lot of cleaning up to do, mummy and I. But we're going to try our best, eh? We have a long road ahead of us. But that's okay. Because you don't give up on the people you love, especially not when you make such bloody adorable babies together. That's a once in a lifetime thing, we couldn't possibly share these genes with anyone else,"

Regulus flutters his eyes open slightly, smiling sleepily as he rolls over a little to offer James an amused look. "You're so annoying," He laughs softly, his voice husky from sleep. "Our baby's barely a month old, don't just offer him siblings,"

Taking James in, in the dim, early morning sun, Regulus dots at the sight. Bowie is laying on James' chest, one of James' strong hands resting on the tiny baby's even tinier back while James' other hand is occupied around Regulus' waist. Regulus briefly wonders how he manages to hold them both so close at once.

James smiles at Regulus. "Good morning," He whispers.

"Good morning," Regulus replies.

"Did we wake you?"

"What, you and the talking newborn?" Regulus smirks with a soft chuckle. He shakes his head. "You did wake me, but I'm glad you woke me; if you hadn't, I would've missed that thrilling conversation about your idiotic tattoos," Regulus teases.

James laughs lightly, leaning in to press a kiss to the top of Regulus' head of dark hair. "Oh, shut up, you loved it,"

Regulus nods with a grin. He reaches forward and takes one of Bowie's small fingers in his gentle grip. "Morning, baby boy," Regulus greets softly. "Has daddy talked your ears off? He tends to do that sometimes,"

"Baby sprog, don't you dare listen to your mother. He's dictative and sometimes he's snappy," James rolls his eyes.

"You're right, y'know,"

"Mmh? Aren't I usually right? You're not always dictative and snappy," James chuckles softly.

Regulus snorts a little. "I mean about us having a long road ahead of us," He answers. "It's true. We....we can't fix all of this overnight. But we're going to do the best we can, right?" He looks up to James. He's seeking reassurance, reassure that they can work past this somehow.

James nods, firmly. He glances down at Bowie, who's gazing fondly at Regulus. "Of course we will," His tone is stern, determined. "I'm just glad that you kissed me, I...I thought you'd never speak to me again, let alone want to ever kiss me again," James pauses. He stares upwards at the ceiling above. "I've missed those kisses,"

Regulus let's out a soft humming sound. "Yeah, well, it's your own fault you nearly lost them, y'know?" Regulus offers quietly. "I..we're going to be alright, I think. But whenever we aren't you...you can't just run into somebody else's bed, James," He utters.

James looks up at the ceiling, slightly tiliting his head back. He slowly closes his eyes, inhaling a little bit. "I'll never forgive myself for that. You never deserved that sort of pain, not when you've been so good to me," James bites his lip. "I'm sorry," He whispers. He's tearful. Regretful.

Regulus sighs quietly, playing gently with Bowie's teensy fingers as his baby stares at him with such curiosity. "I know," He murmurs. "I know you are,"

James shivers slightly. "I want to make this all better, Reg. I'll do whatever it takes to properly heal everything. I just want us to be okay," His voice is quiet and hushed, as though telling a secret.

Regulus nods, feeling tears sting slightly. "S'gonna be okay. Even if maybe it isn't okay, we still have Bowie to take care of. It isn't like one of us can just disappear,"

"Please never disappear, Regulus Black," James is crying softly now. "Even when I give you every reason to,"

AUTHOR'S NOTE
I'm sorry its very short! Just over 800 words! 💋💞
This is more of a filler chapter. This book is almost completed, just a heads up!!! 😋💗