"It's alright, I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere, Reggie."
They knew it was risky as hell.
Cuddling in bed. At the Black household, no less.
Where anyone could walk in.
Anyone.
Like Walburga.
But Regulus needed James right now, and so James didn't care about the risk; he was going to take care of his Reggie.
So to James, it was well worth all the risk.
"It's okay, love.. I'm right here.. let me see.. let me try and make it better.."
Regulus nodded hesitantly, tears still streaming down his face as he let James see his arm.
Dark bruises laced his arm.
James sighed, disgusted that anyone would ever think this was okay. His heart broke for Regulus.
James tenderly, and oh so gently, kissed the bruises on Regulus's arm; all the while, holding Regulus close to him while he cried.
"I am so so sorry, Regulus..."
They froze as they heard movement outside the room, but sighed in relief when no one came knocking.
James didn't know how to help Regulus.
He wanted to take him out of this hellhole.
Take him back home.
But Regulus refused to go.
So James just held Regulus close and tried his best to comfort his Reggie while he cried.
He hated that this situation was ever a thing, and continued to be a thing.
He hated that he could do nothing to make it stop.
All he could do was hold Regulus and try his best to make him feel loved.
James had gotten Sirius out of this damned house, he was going to find a way to get Regulus out when Regulus was ready.
"Shh, love... I'm right here.. it's alright.. I'm not going anywhere.." James cooed to Regulus who was still crying his eyes out.
It had probably been the first time in weeks Regulus had properly cried.
Maybe years since someone witnessed it.
James finished kissing and taking care of the bruises on Regulus's arms, giving him a kiss on the top of his head and just holding Regulus in silence, letting him get it all out.
Gingerly pulling the bed sheet over them both, after noticing Regulus was cold.
"James... I-"
"Shh... It's okay.. it's no trouble for me, Reg.. don't apologize, it's not your fault; it's my honor to give you the love you deserve and it disgusts me that anyone would ever think this was ever okay."
Regulus nods, wiping away a few of his tears but not really trying to so a lot are missed; which James gently wiped away for him.
He rests his head on James's chest and listens to his heartbeat.
A sound he found comforting; while James listened for sounds of danger - AKA Regulus's mother.
Some where in Regulus's heart he knew, that as long as he had James, it would all be okay.
That he'd be fine somehow; that he'd be safe in James's arms.
It was going to be okay, they'd get through this.
[Word count: 453]