coffee
James wakes on the couch. He stretches, puts his arms above his head and yawns. Then he wipes the drool from his chin and squints at the clock—it’s almost two in the morning.
He hadn’t meant to fall asleep watching his Muggle show. Work has just been so damn exhausting. He knew becoming an auror wouldn’t be easy work, but he never expected the long hours would be so hard on him.
He sits up and rubs his eyes with the heels of his hands.
To his right, there’s a clink from the kitchen.
James pushes to his feet and reaches for his wand. Regulus isn’t meant to be back from Sirius’ house until tomorrow. He’s on a little holiday visiting his brother, Remus, and their adopted little daughter.
Another clink.
As James gets closer, he hears soft humming. Lyrics muttered under quiet breaths. He relaxes, all the tension collected in his shoulders flooding out of him, and steps into the kitchen. “Hey, baby,” he says. “Welcome home.”
Regulus spins around, wild-eyed. “Merlin, you scared me. Don’t sneak up on me like that.”
James reaches out to ruffle his hair, then pulls him in to kiss his forehead. “Sorry. I heard noise in the kitchen. What are you doing home so early?”
“I missed you.”
James smiles softly. Regulus says these things so easily now. He doesn’t bother to hide bits and pieces of himself anymore. At least, not from James.
“Are you going to make coffee?” he asks, dropping his chin on Regulus’ shoulder. “Can you make me some?”
“It’s just tea. I already made you a cup.” Regulus twists, then uses his hands to push himself up on the counter. He passes James a red chaser mug with a Quidditch broom on the side.
They drink in silence under low kitchen lighting. It’s soft and peaceful. Easy. James takes notice of the big white T-shirt Regulus wears; it reaches nearly to his knees.
“Hey,” he says, “that’s my shirt.”
Regulus shrugs, unperturbed. “I told you I missed you.”
“I was right on the couch. You could’ve woken me up.”
“You were drooling. I figured you needed the sleep.”
James sets his mug on the counter, then plants warm hands on Regulus’ bare thighs. He slides them up to Regulus’ hips and around his waist. “I’m never too tired for you.”
“I’m sure you’re not.” Regulus sets his own mug down behind him. He reaches out to pull James close. “But sometimes you do need rest.”
“I missed you, too.” James nuzzles into his neck, the smell of him so strong here. All fresh linen and soft pine. “Come to bed, love. Tell me about your weekend.”
Regulus’ fingers curl in James’ hair. “You’re going to fall asleep the second your head hits the pillow.”
“Maybe. But when my pillow is you, can you blame me?”
“You’re such a pest.”
James turns his head and closes his eyes. He feels Regulus’ nose in his hair, soft lips on the shell of his ear. “Come to bed, love.”
“Alright, let me just set up the coffee for the morning.”