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Thank you guys so much for 1 million reads on Falling Stars. Here's a little one shot to celebrate!! I don't have a specific time where this might have fit it into so just...imagine it wherever.
Josephine lets out a quiet sigh and sets the book down beside her, her fingers lingering on the worn cover. Her gaze flickers toward the window, eyes slightly narrowed.
Regulus hasn't been home all day. He was there in the morning—long enough to eat a quick breakfast—before slipping out without much of a word.
She absentmindedly picks at her nails, the silence of the house pressing in around her. The day stretches on, uneventful and slow, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Sunlight streams through the window, painting golden streaks across the carpet, while the lazy chirping of birds outside only emphasizes the stillness.
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she presses her feet into the soft carpet before sliding into her slippers. Maybe Regulus went into town for groceries. Or perhaps he's meeting Sirius.
Their relationship is... complicated. Fragile, tense—riddled with too many years of unspoken words and wounds that never quite healed.
Josephine chooses to stay out of it for the most part. She has enough on her plate without adding someone else's tangled emotions to the mix.
With another soft sigh, she pushes her dark hair over her shoulder and smooths out the wrinkles in her sweater. Then, with quiet footsteps, she steps out of her bedroom.
The sound of the front door opening echoes through the quiet house.
"Josephine?" Regulus's voice calls, soft yet distinct as it carries up the stairs.
Josie steps out of her room, padding to the railing. Looking down, she spots him near the door, a medium-sized box in one hand and a few bags in the other.
"Hi," she greets, her voice breaking the silence.
Regulus's head snaps up, his sharp features softening as a small smile spreads across his face. "Hello, love." His voice holds a familiar warmth. He tilts his head slightly, dark hair shifting with the movement. "Come down here?"
Josie hums in response, turning to make her way down the stairs, her slippers muffling her steps.
Regulus sets the bags down carefully, then places the box on the floor with deliberate gentleness.
Her dark eyes narrow slightly. "What is that?" she asks, gaze locking onto the dark blue box. There's something unreadable in his expression—an almost mischievous glint.
Regulus's lips curl into a knowing smile. "Open it." His grey eyes meet hers, and for once, excitement flickers in them.
Josie hesitates, curiosity prickling at her. Slowly, she lowers herself to the floor, sitting cross-legged across from him. Her fingers trail along the edges of the lid, anticipation building in her chest. She casts him one last glance before finally lifting it.
Her breath hitches.
Inside, nestled in soft fabric, is a cat.
Her eyes widen, lips parting in surprise.
"Aww," Josephine breathes, unconsciously letting the word slip as she sets the lid aside. Her expression softens instantly. "Oh, Merlin—" Her gaze flicks up to Regulus, eyes wide with disbelief. "You got me a cat?" Her voice wavers on the edge of excitement, as if waiting for confirmation before she lets herself fully react.
Regulus watches her with a quiet fondness, nodding. "She's a few months old," he murmurs. "I found her at the shelter."
Josephine's eyes dart back to the kitten. The tiny creature peers up at her, ears twitching, before letting out a soft, inquisitive meow.
She is mostly black, with patches of white and orange scattered through her fur like delicate brushstrokes.
"Hi," Josie whispers, hesitantly reaching out. The kitten studies her for a moment before allowing her touch, letting out another tiny meow as if in approval.
Josephine's face melts with warmth as she gently strokes the kitten's fur, her fingers barely grazing the softness.
She glances back at Regulus, a slow, genuine smile curving her lips. "She's beautiful," she murmurs, brushing her fingertips over the kitten's small head. The tiny creature stretches, letting out another meow before nuzzling against Josie's palm.
Regulus observes her carefully, an almost imperceptible flicker of relief crossing his face before his usual composed expression returns. "I thought you could use some company," he admits, settling back on his heels. "And you once mentioned wanting a cat."
Josie's eyes snap up to his. "You remembered that?" she asks, carefully lifting the kitten from the box and settling her into her lap.
Regulus gives her a look—steady, sincere. "Of course I did," he murmurs, reaching out to lightly stroke the kitten's back.
Josie blinks, something warm and steady blooming in her chest. Regulus isn't the most expressive person, but he has his ways of showing he cares. This is one of them.
She glances down at the kitten, now curled against her, tiny eyes half-lidded as she purrs contentedly.
"I love her," Josie says, her voice soft but certain. Then she looks back at him. "Thank you, Regulus."
His expression softens, and he reaches out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear in a quiet, affectionate gesture. "You're welcome, love."
For a moment, they simply sit there, the silence between them easy, filled only by the soft hum of the cats purring. Josie absentmindedly traces a finger over the kitten's tiny paw, already turning over names in her mind.
"Have you thought of a name for her?" Regulus asks, as if reading her thoughts.
Josie purses her lips, glancing down at the kitten, who lets out a tiny, contented sigh. "Not yet," she admits, running her fingers gently through the kitten's fur. "She looks like she could be a... Cleo? Or maybe Luna?"
Regulus hums in consideration. "Cleo suits her."
"Yeah?" Josie smiles, looking back down at the kitten. "Cleo it is, then."
The newly named Cleo stretches lazily in her arms before wriggling free, padding over to Regulus and sniffing at his knee. He chuckles, rubbing the kitten's head with a single finger. "She's already warming up to me," he notes with quiet amusement.
Josie laughs softly, a sound light and unguarded. A warmth spreads through her chest—gentle, steady. For once, she doesn't try to push it away. Instead, she lets herself lean into it. Into the quiet comfort of this moment. Into the rare, unspoken understanding between them.
She glances at him, her smile softer now. "Thank you," she says again, quieter this time, more intimate.
Regulus tilts his head slightly, something unreadable flickering behind his gaze before he reaches out, brushing his fingers briefly over hers. "Anytime, Josephine."
And for the first time in a long while, she feels truly at home.
~~~~~ Again thank you guys so much<3 I hope you enjoyed this one shot and hopefully i'll write some more eventually!!!
