“Is there anything you want for Valentine’s Day, love?” James’s voice is a tranquil rumble in his chest as he savors how soft Regulus looks lying down on their blanket with his head resting in James’s lap. His fingers gently massage Regulus’s scalp, his nails lightly scraping against his skin, earning a quiet, satisfied hum.
It’s the first warm day in months so when James asked if they could go on a picnic this morning, looking at him with those big, sparkly doe-eyes, Regulus wouldn’t have been able to think of an excuse not to have one even if he wanted to. So together they prepared a simple lunch with tea and strawberries for dessert. The remains of which sit pushed off to the side while James continues his tender ministrations.
For the last ten, maybe twenty minutes, Regulus has been drifting deeper and deeper into his semi-conscious state, fully allowing the warm fuzzy feeling that’s settled deep in his chest to consume him. So when he hears the question, he doesn’t actually hear it.
“Regulus?” James asks, lightly stroking a finger down the length of his nose. Regulus lets out a barely audible hum, earning a light chuckle from the other man. “Love, did you hear me?” Regulus hums again in dissent.
“I asked if there was anything you wanted for Valentine’s Day since it’s coming up pretty soon.”
Regulus’s eyes flutter open so he can look up at James.
“Don't need anything.” He murmurs, “Just you.”
James practically melts right then and there, his face softening impossibly.
“Love, you’ll always have me.”
“Good,” Regulus says as he smiles up at him, reaching out to cup James’ cheek. James covers Regulus’s hand with his own, nuzzling into it to press a lingering kiss to his palm.
“I love you so much Reg, you know that?”
“I do,” He says. Because he does. Of all the uncertain things in Regulus’ life, the fact that James loves him more than anything in the world is not one of them. “I love you more though.”
James grins.
“Unlikely.”
Regulus rolls his eyes but a smile still plays on his lips.
“Prove it then,” He challenges. James laughs and leans down to press a lingering kiss to his lips before whispering against them an acceptance of the challenge; a promise.
“Maybe I will.”
And if the ring in his sock drawer has anything to say about it, it’s a challenge James is determined to win.