Regulus is tired of faking his smiles for everyone to see until he gets home and it all breaks, but James is there to pick him up
It was a long day at work, Regulus was tired, tired of pretending to be happy, faking his smiles, pretending his fears and anxieties don’t exist.
When Regulus arrives home he barely makes it past the front door when all of his anxiety completely consumes him, he bursts out crying, not the loud tears but the silent tears that hurt ten times more to shed. Regulus slides to the ground not even caring that his clothes will be rumpled or that a chair is two steps away, all he can think of is how tired he is and that he wants it all to go away.
Lost in his own little world, he does not notice the door being unlocked and James coming in to see Regulus in this state. James shuts the door without looking and calls out to Regulus.
“Love, are you home?” James asked while putting his coat up, James finally looked around and saw Regulus curled up around himself, James stood there shocked for a second but quickly went over to him.
“Reg? Are you ok, what happened?” James asked in a quiet tone afraid to scare Regulus. Instead of saying anything Regulus grabbed James and held him in an embrace with Regulus's face in James’s neck, acting like the world would go away if he tried hard enough.
“Love, use your words, I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong,” James said while holding and gently rocking Regulus back and forth.
“I’m tired Jamie, I’m tired of pretending everything is fine when I feel like everything is crashing down on me,” Regulus says through the tears and James looks like his heart is breaking for his boyfriend.
“If there were any way I could take this pain away I would. But first, let's get you out of these clothes and take a bath, then we can cuddle the night away.” James says, and Regulus sniffles and nods his head, and follows James through the apartment.
James leads Regulus to the bathroom. When they enter the bathroom James starts getting the bath prepared for Regulus, “ May I remove your clothes, darling?” Regulus nods shyly at James and James slowly and carefully removes Regulus’s work clothes and quickly does the same with his own.
“Come on love, the bath is ready for us,” James says with a smile. Regulus silently steps into the bath and gets comfortable while James gets in behind him and holds him in a warm embrace.
Once they are both settled in the bath Regulus looks at James and says “Thank you for taking care of me, Jamie”
“Of course, I want to make you feel better and know that you are always loved by someone,” James says with adoration.
Regulus clasps their hands together and kisses James’s hands as a means of appreciation. As the water gets colder the boys get out and James grabs the fluffiest towel and wraps Regulus in it. James gets Regulus’s favorite set of PJs and drys his hair to ensure that Regulus will not get sick and Regulas wraps his arms around his waist.
They get all settled into bed, James and Regulus curled around each other both seeking comfort in the simple human touch. James rolls over and lets Regulus climb on top of him and lay his head on his chest.
"This is nice," Regulus says while he listens to James's steady heartbeat.
"Are you feeling better love?" James asked with concern laced in his eyes.
"I'm feeling better but I still feel tired of everything Jamie," he said with a little more life into his voice.
“I know how you feel Reg, but I also know that it will get better eventually,” James said calmly.
They both ley in silence Regulus settles down and is slowly being lulled into sleep by James’s gentle caresses. James falls asleep soon after and finds his comfort in holding Regulus in his arms through the rest of the night.