Red Salvia
"Just say it directly—that you love me, Regulus."
Adella giggled as they arrived at the dining room, where their families were already gathered. A warm feeling bloomed in her chest, and a smile appeared on her face.
She leaned up to place a soft kiss on his cheek, brushing some lint off his shoulder.
"I love you, sweetheart," she said, walking towards her parents.
Regulus stiffened for a moment, his sharp features softening as a faint blush crept up his neck. He rolled his eyes but the corner of his mouth twitched in amusement. He leaned down, his voice low and smooth in her ear.
"I love you. Now stop talking before I start acting foolish," he muttered.
Regulus then adjusted his tie—a habit Adella had long noticed. His fingers brushed against hers briefly as they walked, and he lingered in the touch before masking his affection with a perfectly polite smile.
Later, after chatting with his parents, Regulus stood by the kitchen, sipping water. He had an air of composure, but his eyes subtly searched the room for Adella.
She approached him from behind, gently taking his hand.
"Hi, lover. You alright?" she asked, her thumb brushing against his knuckles.
Regulus turned to face her, setting down his glass carefully. His expression melted as he gazed at her, the tension in his shoulders easing.
"I am," he admitted, slipping his arm around her waist.
"Really now? Your face didn’t look like it before I came over," Adella teased, resting her head on his shoulder.
Regulus huffed a quiet laugh, his fingers tracing slow, absentminded circles on her back.
"I’m just struggling to endure the company," he muttered, voice dripping with dry sarcasm, though his grip on her tightened like she was an anchor.
Adella chuckled and caressed his hand again. "Just two more hours, and we’ll have the house to ourselves," she whispered, trying to reassure him.
Regulus tilted his head, pressing a fleeting kiss to her temple. "Two hours too long," he grumbled, voice quieter. Then, after a beat, he added, "You’ll have to make it up to me."
Adella lifted his face gently, giving him a soft peck on the lips while brushing her fingers against his cheek.
Regulus’s ears turned pink, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he studied her face like he was memorizing every detail.
"In front of everyone?" he asked, voice dipped in mock disapproval, though his lips lingered near hers.
"Are they looking?" Adella shot back playfully.
He glanced around subtly before leaning closer. "No one’s looking," he confirmed, giving her hand a squeeze. "And if they were, I wouldn’t care."
"Honestly, your tie, collar, or wrists always get messy.” Adella chuckles as she fixes his collar.
Just then, her father called her over. Adella rubbed Regulus’s arm. "See you around then. Just two more hours, love," she promised before walking away.
Regulus sighed as he watched her leave, his gaze lingering. "Two hours too long," he whispered to himself, reluctantly mingling with the guests.
Exactly two hours later, their relatives trickled out one by one, until only Regulus’s parents remained. Regulus stood by the door, his charm unwavering, though impatience burned behind his eyes.
“Don’t you two get up to any mischief tonight,” Walburga warned, hugging Regulus goodbye.
Regulus maintained his polite smile, but his hand instinctively tightened around Adella’s.
Adella chuckled, hugging Walburga as well. "Be safe on your way home!" she called, resting her head on Regulus’s shoulder as they waved goodbye.
The moment his parents disappeared, Regulus released a long, exhausted sigh. He turned to Adella, tugging her into his chest and burying his face in her neck.
"Finally," he muttered, voice laced with relief.
Adella smiled, running her fingers through his hair. "Tired?" she asked with a soft laugh, locking the door while still holding onto him.
Regulus hummed, leaning further into her touch. "Very," he admitted, yawning. He clung to her, but after a moment, he pulled back slightly, his silver eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Tired and… frustrated," he added, raising an eyebrow, though his smirk betrayed his teasing mood.
Adella tilted her head, caressing his cheek. "They already left, so why not let that frustration go, too?" she whispered, admiration clear in her gaze.
Regulus exhaled a quiet laugh, placing his hand over hers and leaning into her touch.
"You always have a way of making sense," he murmured, before wrapping his arms fully around her waist, holding her even closer.
"Our house, finally."