When James first woke up, he figured it was going to be a good day. The sun was shining through the window. Regulus must’ve opened the curtains when he woke up, being much more of a morning person. James didn’t want to get up, but the second he realised getting up would mean he’d be able to kiss his husband good morning, James got dressed as fast as possible. He made the bed, to. Personally, he felt like that was unnecessary, but he knew Regulus appreciated it, and he just felt like doing something extra for him today.
It had been more than five years since they’d started dating, and almost a year ago, they had told each other “I do.” It still baffled James that somebody with a personality like Regulus’ could love someone like James. He loved that he got to call Regulus “his husband” now.
He got downstairs and saw that Regulus had already finished his breakfast. The newspaper and some other letters lay flat on the kitchen table, but James would check those later, he wanted to hug his wonderful husband.
He went to Regulus’ study, knowing he would probably be doing some more research for Dumbledore. He’d been doing that a lot lately. Something to do with some dark magic. Dumbledore always gave him research work for the darkest magic, and James made no illusions about it; Dumbledore was prejudiced as hell towards Regulus’ background. James tries his best not to be too upset at Dumbledore, but only because Regulus requested him not to be.
James was surprised, however, to find that Regulus was not in fact in his study. His pensive was still out, which was unusual, since Regulus was very serious about his privacy, having had virtually none in his youth.
James called out for his husband, and was suddenly worried, between the war and everything. James briefly wondered if Regulus had a mission today but quickly dismissed the thought. Regulus didn’t want to go on a mission, in case he came across old friends. That, and Dumbledore just didn’t trust Regulus enough. James squeezed the golden door handle so tight that the intricate details forged into it could be seen on James’ skin as well.
James went back into the kitchen, and his heart dropped when he saw that the mail on the table was not in fact mail, and he recognised his husband's calligraphic handwriting on the top letter.
To James, my dearest husband.
Is what was written on the envelope in dark emerald green ink. As he looked through the pile of letters, James got a sinking feeling in his chest. All of them were addressed to people that Regulus cared deeply about, from “To Sirius, my amazing brother” to “to Barty and Evan, my oldest friends” Just by reading who they were addressed to, James got tears in his eyes, as he started to get the feeling that the letters were goodbye letters. With shaky hands, James opened the letter addressed to him, and started reading.
Dearest James.
First of all, I wish to tell you that I love you. My heart is the piece of me that will never truly die, so long as you exist to hold it in those wonderful hands of yours, in that wonderful way in which you have held my heart these past years, and perhaps even long before that, though I did not know it yet at the time. These past years have, in all honesty, been the best of my life, even if we were in constant mortal peril. It was fine, because it was with you, my love.
That brings me to the war. War is a terrible thing, dearest, I know that you know it. For such a terrible thing to end, terrible things must happen. Sacrifices must be made. Don’t come looking for me, for you will not find me. By the time that you will be reading this letter, I will be gone. Perhaps you’ve felt it, deep down, perhaps it woke you up. Don’t try to save me, James, there’s no point. Take peace with the knowledge that I love you, and that I died taking a piece of Voldemort with me, and that I will keep an eye on you.
Don’t mourn me for too long, my love. Find someone new, you deserve that happiness in your life. Become the father you always wanted to be. I have died to make the world a better place for your children. Know that I will do everything in my power to protect you, and those you love.
Forever yours,
R.A.B.