Regulus watched the snow drift down through the window. He had always loved the snow when he was younger, finding peace in the quiet, and joy in the magic of it. It wasn’t magic like the type that filled his everyday, electric and sparking off his skin. It was magic like sipping hot chocolate with Sirius in the kitchen, and the storybook elegance of catching snowflakes in his palm. It was magic like love.
He hated the snow for a while, hated the winters in general, constantly reminded of his brother walking away with nothing but his wand, and the clothes on his back. Christmas holiday was awful without Sirius there, and without James’ warming presence. They felt so sharp, so cutting, every breeze like a knife in his back. He didn’t drink hot chocolate anymore, or catch snowflakes in his hand.
Of course, the winters had gotten nicer, softer, since he followed in his brother’s footsteps and moved in with James. It took a while, but James had coaxed him out into the snow, bundled up in James’ coat, and James’ scarf, and when his hands got cold and chapped, James’ gloves. Despite the chill in the air, there was a warmth in his stomach.
James taught Regulus all sorts of muggle traditions, like building a man out of snow (strange), and throwing balls of snow at one’s friends (very strange). He got Regulus to enjoy the taste of hot chocolate again. He was there by his side when Regulus caught a snowflake in his palm, and was there to hold his hand after.
Still, winters weren’t the same as when Regulus was younger. They were nice, but they weren’t magic. At least until Christmas one year, when Sirius barged through the door of James’ home in Godric's Hollow, pulling Remus in by the hand. Regulus remembers how Sirius froze, his grin falling from his face. That night had ended with both Black brothers crying on the couch, and sipping eggnog with their respective partners. From then on, Sirius frequented the house, especially on those snow-covered days when they would sip hot chocolate in the living room, before running out into the snow.
“Hey, Reg,” James said warmly, pulling Regulus from his thoughts. James handed him a hot chocolate in a green mug, painted with white stars. The paint had dripped down in places, causing the stars to look a bit smudged, and drippy, but Regulus loved it, because James had made it.
“Hi, dear,” Regulus replied, his voice soft, feeling the warm ceramic in his hands. James sat down next to him on the sofa, sipping hot chocolate from his own mug. James’s was red and yellow, with a sun neatly painted on. Regulus had made that for him. “The snow looks beautiful today, doesn’t it?”
“Do you want to go outside, love?” Regulus shook his head.
“No. Too cold. I’d rather stay in here with you,” Regulus said, leaning into James’s side. James wrapped an arm around him. Regulus loved this. He loved cuddling up with James, wearing James’s sweatshirt, drinking from a mug that James had painted. He loved being surrounded by James in every aspect of his life. He loved the pictures on their mantle: A picture of Sirius and Remus, a picture of just Sirius and Regulus on Regulus’s birthday, a picture of James and Sirius from their Hogwarts days, and a picture of James and Regulus’s wedding day.
Regulus sipped from his mug. The chocolate was sweet, and rich. James made the best hot chocolate.
“I love you,” Regulus said suddenly, leaning his head on James’s shoulder. James pressed a kiss to Regulus’s head.
“I love you too.” They sat in silence for a few minutes. James never said anything when he got bored, and restless. He just fidgeted. He would bounce his knee, or stretch his fingers, or pick at his skin. It never took too long for that to happen. James wasn’t much for sitting still.
“You’re getting fidgety, love,” Regulus said before taking another sip of his hot chocolate. James grinned sheepishly at him.
“Sorry, my love,” James said, ceasing bouncing his knee. Regulus pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“It’s alright, James. Do you want to do something?” Regulus asked lovingly. James nodded. “What would you like to do, dear?”
James shrugged. “Maybe bake some cookies? Everyone is coming over at five for dinner, but maybe we have time to make some sugar cookies.”
Regulus smiled. “That sounds lovely.”
They spent most of their afternoon in the kitchen, between baking cookies (which took a lot longer than either of them expected, due to James distracting Regulus), and making dinner. They had just finished cooking when Regulus heard a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Regulus said, before kissing James on the cheek, and going to answer the door.
“Hi, Reggie!” Pandora said, hugging him as soon as he opened the door. She had her long blonde hair in two braids, dusted with snow. She pulled away, her hands on his shoulders, before quickly hugging him again, and rushing inside.
Barty and Evan stood on Regulus’s doorstep. Barty’s arms were crossed over a black sweater, and matching scarf. Evan had a green gloved hand on Barty’s shoulder. Barty grinned.
“Hey, Reg,” Evan said, holding out a pink, sparkly gift bag. Regulus took it with a chuckle.
“Hey, Evan, Barty. Thanks for the…” Regulus peeked into the bag. “Wine. Thanks for the wine.”
Barty grinned and clapped him on the back. “You’re very welcome, Reggie.”
Evan quickly hugged Regulus before grabbing Barty’s hand. “Come on, darling. Let’s go say hi to James.”
“Hey! Shoes off!” Regulus yelled after them with a slight smile, setting down the gift bag.
Then, of course, was Lily and Mary, always very punctual. Regulus said a short ‘hello’ to Lily, who then gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, before rushing in. He could hear James and Lily saying their excited hello’s from the kitchen. Regulus smiled at Mary.
“Good evening, Macdonald,” Regulus said warmly.
“Good evening, Regulus,” Mary replied with just as much warmth. She hugged him happily. Their friendship was an odd, and unexpected one, formed from their unfortunately timed crushes at the time when James and Lily were dating.
“So,” Regulus started, grinning. “You and Evans finally got together?” Mary laughed breathlessly.
“Merlin, she’s incredible,” Mary said warmly, a softness in her eyes. She adjusted her pink knitted hat over her head of curls. “I love her so much.”
Regulus’s smile faded to something softer. “I’m happy for you, Macdonald.” She smiled, her whole face lighting up. She seemed to glow, especially with the warm lighting from the house shining on her brown skin. Regulus had never seen her so happy. He was happy for her. “Why don’t you go say hi to the others? I’m sure your girlfriend is missing you.”
Mary grinned, and kissed his cheek, before stepping inside. He could hear the chorus of hello’s from his friends, as well as his husband. Regulus stayed outside. He had more people to greet.
The next people to arrive were Dorcas and McKinnon. Dorcas stepped up and hugged him, and Regulus felt cold metal on the back of his neck. He pulled his hand off and stared at the silver engagement ring, decorated with a single diamond.
“Cunt,” he mumbled, his eyes locked on the ring. Dorcas laughed, hugging him again. “When did this happen? Why didn’t you call and tell me?”
“Wanted it to be a surprise,” Dorcas said, a laugh in her voice. She pulled away. “Look! It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Better than the stuff I make.”
“It’s lovely,” Regulus said warmly. “I’m happy for you, Cas.”
“Calm down, Meadowes,” McKinnon said with a laugh, running a hand through shaggy blonde hair.
“Come on, Marls! This is exciting!” Dorcas said, fiddling with one of her many braids, slowly pulling it loose from her bun. “I just love you. A lot.”
McKinnon chuckled. “I love you too, Cas.” she turned to Regulus, and gave him a nod of greeting. “Baby Black.”
Regulus nodded in response. “McKinnon.” He had never really gotten along with Marlene. Well, that’s not exactly true. They got along fine, and they could even be friends, if they decided to admit that they cared about each other. Neither of them were particularly eager to progress their friendship. Maybe they would when Dorcas and Marlene got married.
Marlene and Dorcas stepped inside, hand-in-hand, smiling affectionately at each other. Regulus was happy for them. He had never seen Dorcas quite so affectionate.
“Your friends look happy,” came a cold voice that Regulus hadn’t chosen to hear in a long time. Narcissa smiled, running a hand through dyed-blonde hair. “Long time, no see, Reggie.”
Regulus smiled awkwardly as he fiddled with the ring on his ring finger. “It’s… nice to see you, Narcissa. I hope you didn’t bring Lucius with you?”
She laughed. “No, no. Um, Lucius and I got divorced. But… I suppose I brought a little bit of him.” She smiled, rubbing a hand over her stomach. Regulus’s eyes widened.
“You…” Narcissa nodded. Regulus hugged her gently. “I’m going to be an uncle. You’re going to be a mom!”
Narcissa laughed, hugging her younger cousin tightly. “You’re already an uncle. Andromeda’s daughter, Nymphadora.”
Regulus smiled. “Oh, Andromeda and Ted will be coming over soon, with little Dora. You can tell her the news!”
Narcissa smiled softly. “That sounds nice. Do you mind if I stay over for dinner?”
“Oh, yeah!” Regulus exclaimed. “James and I are hosting a dinner party, but you can join in! We should have some non-alcoholic beverages in the fridge. Help yourself!”
Narcissa beamed. “Thank you, Regulus!” She hugged him again, before walking inside.
Regulus stayed by the door. He shortly greeted Andromeda, Ted, and their little girl Tonks, smiling joyfully at Narcissa and Andromeda chattering happily. He hugged Sirius when he and Remus arrived, and thankfully took the cake that Remus brought over.
Dinner was lovely. There was happy crying, and happy screaming. There was a very drunk Barty getting his hair braided by a very cheerful Pandora. Andromeda cried, and squealed, and spent the night at her sister’s side. Lily and Mary had plenty of fun entertaining a young Nymphadora until she fell asleep in her mother’s lap. Evan chatted cheerfully with Regulus, and James, between undoing the knots, and intricate stylings in Barty’s hair, and calming a fairly drunk Pandora.
Eventually, the dinner party ended, and Regulus gave a happy goodbye hug to everyone except for Mary, who he kissed on the cheek, and Sirius, who he hugged, and clinged onto, and spent five minutes saying goodbyes to.
“Tired, love?” James asked, squeezing Regulus’s hand.
“A little bit,” Regulus yawned. He leaned sleepily into James’s chest. “I love you.”
James chuckled. “I love you too, darling. Let’s get you to bed.” Regulus nodded sleepily.
James led him through the house, up the stairs to their bedroom. He helped Regulus into bed, and pulled the covers over him.
“I’ll get you some tea. Okay, love?” James asked, brushing a thumb over his cheek.
“Mhm,” Regulus mumbled sleepily. He heard James walk away to make the tea. Regulus curled up in the blankets. They smelled like oranges, and cinnamon. Like James. How wonderful was it that Regulus got to sleep in a bed that smells like James every night. How lucky was he to spend time with James every day, for the rest of his life? Regulus felt so lucky.
“Okay, love. I brought tea.” James walked up with tea. It was in Regulus’s mug. The green one, with the white stars. Regulus took the mug, before pressing a soft kiss to James’s lips.
James smiled. “What was that for?”
“Nothing. Just love you,” Regulus said, sipping his tea. James chuckled, climbing into bed.
“I love you too,” James said, kissing the top of Regulus’s head.
The night ran away from them. They didn’t talk much, but that was fine with them. Eventually, Regulus fell asleep, curled up against James, a half-empty mug going cold on his nightstand.