Lily went off with James to get a drink and Regulus was at their table messing with a fidget she gave him. She knows he normally doesn't like parties but he came because it was the Christmas party. She knows how much Regulus doesn't like them because he thinks its too loud and he gets overstimulated but recently he's been going out more and saying its easier and that it won't be that bad. Lily trusts Regulus to know his limits because he always has told them when it starts to get too much.
Apparently not tonight. When they get back, Regulus is covering his ears and rocking in the chair. James goes to touch him but Lily quickly stops him and shakes her head. She sits down next to Regulus and puts her hand in front of him. If he's okay with touch he will tap her hand if not then they don't touch him. Regulus doesn't move and Lily frowns. "where's his headphones?" She asks concerned. James looks worried, "his dorm I think." Lily frowns and nods, "Stay with him and don't touch him." She gets up and goes into her dorm quickly grabbing one of her jumpers and the spare pair of ear defenders she has for this purpose. They deliberately sat near the corner as well.
When she gets back down, Regulus is curled up in the chair shaking and rocking back and forth. She sighs softly and leans over so Regulus can see her. She holds out the ear defenders and the jumper. He takes them both and puts the ear defenders on. He messes around with her jumper just holding the fabric in his hands. It's pulled close to his chest and he curls up a little tighter. Lily frowns not knowing what to do next. They haven't seen Regulus this bad. Not ever really.
She bites her lip, they need to get him out of here. Regulus won't stand up on his own and she knows he doesn't want to be touched. Well sometimes you have to make hard decisions. "James pick him up and follow me," she says it quietly voice tinged with regret. James looks skeptical and Lily takes a breath. "Now James," she snaps slightly and James seems to see what she's doing and he lifts Regulus up who freaks out and struggles against him, tears streaming down his face as he shoves against James who takes it without complaint. Lily takes another breath, who knew this would be so hard.
She leads James up to his dorm who gently sets Regulus down on the bed. Lily casts a quiet silencing spell and pulls James away a little so they're sitting on the next bed across giving Regulus some space. Eventually, Regulus settles and starts to come around to everything still holding Lily's jumper tightly, he fidgets and pulls it over his head, that's a good sign and normally means that he's nearly calmed down but then again they've never seen him this bad.
"Reg?" Lily asks softly and sits on the edge of his bed, "Are you okay now love?" Regulus nods quietly but won't look up. Lily leans closer so she can see his face.
His eyes are glossy and he's letting his hair form a curtain over his face. Lily frowns, "is it okay if I touch you?" Regulus again nods. Lily pulls him closer and rests her head on top of his as he nuzzles into her chest. James sits at the edge of the bed knowing too much contact will overwhelm him right now. "I'm sorry for ruining the party," Regulus says into Lily's neck. Lily's eyes widen as she processes Regulus' words and she pulls away tilting Regulus' face up to look at her stern expression.
"Regulus you did not ruin tonight at all." She says firmly, leaving no room for argument but, Regulus tries anyway, "But I-"
"No buts you did nothing wrong sweetheart," Regulus tries to look away and Lily tightens her grip still gentle with him, "No Regulus look at me okay? You couldn't control it and you didn't ruin anything and if anyone says otherwise I will smack them."
Regulus sniffles, "I hit James." He says weakly and Lily softens moving out the way for James to pull Regulus into his lap. "Reg, I'm okay you didn't want to be touched you didn't mean to and you didn't hurt me okay?"
After an hour of cuddles and soft reassurances, Regulus finally believes them.
They're all curled up in James' bed which is a bit of a tight fit with Regulus squished in the middle. He's hidden his face in the crook of James' neck who is stroking through the younger boy's hair and holding him tightly. Lily gets up and Regulus grunts a little trying to roll over and grab her back. She laughs softly but pulls away more. "I'll be back in a second love," she says gently a smile playing at the edges of her mouth. She comes back wearing one of her jumpers.
They all fall asleep cuddled up in James' tiny bed.