change
James was constantly in motion. His fingers tapping to a made up beat, his foot shaking, or knee bouncing. His mind jumping from place to place. But on days like today, his thoughts felt more like loose change. Clanking around his head and slipping through his grasp. Taking up space but of little value. It was impossible to focus on anything.
He stopped in the doorway. Regulus was curled up with a book, socked feet tucked underneath him and an oversized jumper swallowing up his slender frame. The afternoon light skipped across his face and caught in his eyes. He was ethereal. Sometimes James wondered if he’d made him up.
James wandered over and collapsed onto the couch, patiently waiting for Regulus to straighten his legs so that James could use his lap to rest his head. Regulus’ hand immediately moved to card through James’ hair.
“Hi,” James croaked. Even that one word sounded all wrong to his ears. Regulus shifted the book to look down at him.
“Hi, darling. Bad day?” Regulus said softly. He gently removed James' glasses and set them aside. In lieu of an answer, James tucked his face into Regulus' stomach. Here he could hide away from the rest of the world. Home in the form of a boy.
“Could you read to me?” James whispered, half lost among the muted stripes of the jumper.
“Of course.”
James closed his eyes and let the words wash over him until his only thought was Regulus, Regulus, Regulus.