Silence
Regulus was sitting in the deckchair by the pool. The one next to him that belongs to James was empty for the past 20 minutes since James went to explore the spa. They decided to spend the whole day here as a reward after a month of intense work both had. Regulus loves spa. He loves to go to hot saunas and then to the cold pools right after. He loves the tingling sensations it leaves on your skin. He loves lying on the deckchair soaking in the sun. He loves swimming. Since he was a little child, he found water in any form calming. When he swims it clears his mind like nothing else can.
But right now, it’s far from calming. There are too many people out here. Everybody is speaking loudly, children are screaming, and there is music playing from the bar not far away. And a few minutes ago, a child started to cry right next to him. It’s too much. Every sound is mixing with the others creating a deafening wall around him. He hates it and can’t tune it off.
He is fidgeting with his hands in his lap and helplessly looking around to spot James. He promised he would wait for him here, but each second it seems like an impossible task to stay in the same place. He covers his ears in the hope it will be enough. For a few minutes, it’s working but then a group of teenagers sits nearby and starts shouting (Regulus can’t possibly describe this as talking) over each other in a heated discussion. And he can’t stand it.
That’s it. James will have to find him somewhere. He spears only a glance at their bags on the ground and just hopes nobody will steal them as he walks away. He heads to the small distance pool in the corner of the room. Fortunately, it is empty. He smoothly dives in and exhales as the warm water surrounds him. He moves to the centre of the pool and lies on his back. As soon as his ears go under water everything tunes out. He can still hear it, but muffled, soft- bearable. He closes his eyes and floats on the water's surface. The water tickles his fingertips as he slowly traces the surface. It feels like flying.
After some time, he doesn’t know how long he stayed like this, he can feel small waves hitting his face indicating that someone else entered his small pool of quiet. He looks up annoyed before he sees the familiar smile and wet curls. James reaches out for him at the same time as Regulus stands up. Immediately the noise hits his senses again. He grimaces and his hands twitch to cover his ears again.
“Too loud for you here?” James asks and Regulus just nods. James somehow always knows when Regulus gets like this when the world gets too much for him. And if that doesn’t make Regulus loves him even more.
“I thought so. Come, I found a relaxing zone in the back and it’s total silence there.”
Regulus sights in relief and takes James’ hand without hesitation. He doesn’t want to talk so he just kisses the palm of his boyfriend’s hand. And James knows what it means. He always knows.