Regulus was never a morning person until James Potter. Because how could he not be when mornings meant that he woke up to this.
It was early, the first light of day only filtering through the half-drawn curtains. He'd been awake for some time already, but he had no desire to leave the warmth of his bed. Why would he when he was laying beside the most beautiful man in the world?
Maybe it was a little creepy, but watching James Potter sleep had become Regulus' favorite thing in the world. It wasn't something that he got to see often. Most of the time it was James waking him up after getting back from his early morning run, kissing him quick and telling him there was breakfast waiting in the kitchen before going into the bathroom to shower. The kiss was almost always too short, but James knew how Regulus felt about him getting him all sweaty. Although, sometimes that was exactly why James would kiss him for longer, wanting to coax him into the shower with him. As much as Regulus loved waking up like that in the morning, he absolutely adored the days when he woke up before James.
During the day James was always moving -- a ball of energy keeping himself busy, laughing, smiling, talking a mile a minute. And, don't get Regulus wrong, he loved that about James in an...annoying endearing way. But when James was sleeping, he was a work of art. A masterpiece more beautiful than anything Regulus could ever hope to capture on canvas. The morning sun reflecting off of his tanned skin, wrapping him in a golden glow as if he were Apollo himself. His unruly bedhead, messy curls that were gorgeous in a way Regulus couldn't comprehend to possibility of. Most certainly not how that was fair. His plush lips with their perfect cupid's bow and full lower lip parted ever so slightly, inviting and enticing and distracting. Long, dark lashes splayed delicately above perfect cheekbones, hiding the hazel hue that Regulus would be content to gaze into forever. His lean, muscular body relaxed, at ease, moving faintly with every breath he took. Strong hands with long, tactful finger laid atop bare skin or curled by his head or holding Regulus' body close.
Everything about James, awake or asleep, was so warm and inviting. His body, his presence, his very being. He was like the Sun. In the day he was bright, energetic, burning, yet still tempting and securing. A source of joy and beauty. But in the early hours morning, he was gentle, relaxing, peaceful -- tranquility in the promise of another day of love and laughter and light.
Loving James Potter was like loving the Sun. There was always a risk that you were going to get burnt, but you'd give anything to feel that warmth. Even if just for a moment. And Regulus was going to take advantage of every moment he had.
It wasn't long before the morning light continued to shift with the rising sun, casting a stream of golden light across James' eyes. Regulus was transfixed by the sight -- how he glowed, how the light reflected off his lashes. For a moment he considered how likely it was he'd be able to get out of bed and grab his sketchbook and chalk kit without waking him or capture the image before the Sun shifted too much. Before he could decide, James' lashes began to flutter. Regulus' body relaxed further into the mattress, watching as James slowly returned to the waking world. A gentle grin spread across his face at the first sight of his hazel eyes -- oh, how they too glowed gold in the morning light -- and that grin grew seeing the adoring look in them at the sight of Regulus. A grin exuding warmth and fondness quickly appeared on the face of his Sun, a gentle hand moving to cup the porcelain skin of his cheek.
"Buenos, amor mío," James said, his voice still gentle and thick from sleep. The sound made Regulus' heart flutter. The other thing Regulus loved about waking up with James? He had a tendency of speaking in Spanish as he was first coming to. "¿Dormiste bien?"
"Oui, Jamie," Regulus responded gently, grinning at the dopey edge that James' expression took. Although he didn't speak French, he insisted that Regulus did -- as often as possible. There was something about the way his accent returned when he did that James could never get enough of, and who was Regulus to deny him anything? "Pas de cauchemars. Pas avant un certain temps. Pas avec toi."
James sighed contentedly, the sound causing Regulus to turn his head and press a soft kiss to his palm. In response, James began to roll. Using an arm to support his weight, he moved until Regulus was on his back again -- his face hovering above his boyfriend's. His hand shifted to tangle his fingers in Regulus' inky curls as he shifted, pressing their lips together in a slow, gentle kiss. Regulus didn't have it in him to be upset about James' morning breath, cupping his face delicately and returning the slow good morning kiss. "Me alegro," he whispered, his lips continuing to brush gently against Regulus' before kissing him once again.
This kiss was shorter than the last, James carefully lowering his body so he was laying on top of Regulus. Regulus' fingers shifted to James' hair as his head settled on his chest, biting back a smile at how softly, how reverently James kissed one of the scars on Regulus' chest. The couple continued to lay like that for some time, Regulus playing with James' hair while the elder pressed delicate kisses to the different freckles and raised points on his chest. James sighed contentedly as Regulus began to lightly scratch his scalp, his eyes fluttering closed again at the calming sensation. Between that and the steady thump thump of Regulus' heart in his chest, James felt as if he was in heaven. He'd told Regulus before how he'd be perfectly fine to live like that forever. Regulus wasn't sure he could disagree, finding the weight of James on top of him and the feeling of his warm skin against his to be his own personal heaven.
"¿Qué te parece ir a desayunar al nuevo café de la calle?" James mumbled quietly against his skin, his lips brushing against the skin of a chest in a way that sent a shiver down Regulus' spine.
A gentle laugh pulled at Regulus' chest, a gentle shake to his head. "I don't actually speak that much Spanish, Jamie," he reminded him, a fondly amused expression pulling at his face as he looked down at his boyfriend.
He felt James huff out a quiet laugh before he picked up his head, resting his chin gently on Regulus' chest and looking up at his face. There was a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Lo siento," he quipped, the ghost of a smirk pulling at his lip as Regulus shook his head slightly at him. "I was asking what you think about going to that new cafe down the street for breakfast."
Regulus hummed in consideration. It was something they'd been meaning to do -- especially since James had run into the woman who owned it and found out they served huevos pericos with arepas. While they would most certainly pale in comparison to Effie's, he knew James would never say no to them. Regulus was also missing Effie's home cooked meals and comfort food. Maybe they should go home for a visit soon... "Depends," Regulus finally answered, brushing James' hair back from his forehead so he could see his eyes. "Do you feel like getting up and going out?"
James considered for a moment, his eyebrows furrowing ever so slightly. Regulus wished he was in a position where he could kiss between them. "Good point," he conceded, resting his head on Regulus' chest again and shifting to wrap his arms around him. "I might do it for pericos, though."
"I could make you pericos," Regulus suggested, grinning at the rich sound of James' laughter floating through the air. They both remembered the last time Regulus had tried to surprise James with pericos in bed. He'd been worried about the eggs being too runny, and in his panic they'd been a bit dry. He'd also burned the scallions a bit...or a little more than a bit. The arepa hadn't even made it onto the plate because of badly he'd burnt it. Not to mention the truly embarrassing moment he'd voiced his concern he'd added too many peppers, only for him to realize he'd barely added any by the standards of Euphemia Potter. Regulus loved Kreacher, he truly did. The old elf had done so much to keep him alive and safe through his childhood. One thing he hadn't done was teach Regulus how to cook. At least he'd moved past the point of burning pasta.
Still, James had eaten the questionable eggs with a smile on his face and kissed Regulus so lovingly for it.
"I could always supervise this time. Taste test, make sure everything's up to standard. Give me an excuse to see you in that sexy little apron, too," James teased, smiling widely at the huff Regulus let out. "Oh, I'm picturing it now. It's definitely happening, love. It has to. It would be a crime to deprive me of it now."
"Évidemment," Regulus hummed.
"Let's have a bit of a lie in first. I need time to conjure Mamá's patience." James laughed again as Regulus swatted him upside the head, pressing a quick kiss to his chest. "We've got company coming over later. I need to get all my lovin' out before then, or I think Pads will actually hit me this time."
Regulus laughed shortly, feeling James' own amused smile against his skin. Sirius had given his "blessing" for them to start dating before they'd gone back to school the summer Regulus moved into the Potters'. He'd still given James quite the shovel talk, though, and a warning about defiling his baby brother. Regulus hadn't been able to help himself, telling Sirius how he'd already been defiled by Barty during their brief fling fifth year. That had been a fun reaction to watch -- from both Sirius and from James. Of course, Sirius had still decided to make a big deal of any time Regulus and James got too "handsy"...basically, any time they so much as held hands in front of him. Even all these years later Sirius would still pretend he was going to vomit if they were being what he considered "too affectionate" with one another in his presence. Never mind the fact that he and Remus were a thousand times worse, but that wasn't a hill Regulus was going to die on.
"Sirius is coming to our flat -- he can deal with it for a few hours and bitch about it to Remus at home if he wants to," Regulus retorted as he resumed scratching James' scalp.
James chuckled softly, looking up at him with eyes alight with amusement. "So you don't want me to snog the shit out of you, then?"
"Now, I never said that," Regulus murmured.
A devilish grin spread on James face, and then he was shifting upwards. "Is that right?" he mused, his face hovering over Regulus'.
Regulus hummed with a grin, and the next moment James was kissing him again. Deeper this time. Slow. Passionate. Warm. Regulus melted into him, giving James all of the love and adoration he had to give. Because one did not simply kiss James Potter. You gave him everything you had to give, without question or hesitation. He didn't ask for it -- he didn't have to. Being in love with James Potter was all consuming, and Regulus was perfectly content with that. He'd give him anything he wanted. Only then would he be fulfilled.
"Je t'aime, mon soleil," Regulus murmured against his lips -- a prayer, a promise.
"Te amo, mi estrella."