Chapter 16
"Regulus," Jem called softly, stepping into the dim bedroom. The curtains were drawn and Regulus showed little signs of life. The poetry spread over the desk was left untouched, novels resting everywhere there was room, unopened.
Jem had been called away for a few days and was given the distinct feeling Regulus hadn't left the bed. Or eaten if mom's worry had any ground. He laid there, staring off into space, taking shallow breaths. Dark eyes glanced in his direction when Jem stepped into his line of sight, but he didn't move from the soft bed sheets.
"Sweetheart," edging towards the bed Jem sat down, running his fingers through Regulus' curls. "Hey, what's going on?" A small shrug, and he moved more under the blankets, "How about a bath?" No answer, "Reggie, you need to get up. And eat."
"Don't want to."
He leaned down, pressing a kiss to Regulus' hair, "That wasn't a request sweetheart." His face turned into the pillow, a soft sigh making his back shudder under Jem's touch, "Come on."
Regulus was slow to move and ended up holding onto Jem's arms before the wizard slipped an arm under his legs and picked him up, "Where?"
"Bath, then you've got to eat something." Regulus sat calmly on the counter as Jem filled the tub. Smelling the rose tonic he put into the water turning it a light milky color. "Can I leave you in here to get food or will you drown yourself?"
"I'll be okay."
Jem nodded and helped Regulus off the table before leaving the bathroom attached to his bedroom. The hot water soothed muscles, and felt rather good all things considered, Regulus sunk deeper into the bath, Rose and Sandalwood filled his nose as relaxed further into the water.
Then it was Jem walking back into the room, how his steps were almost silent against the wood flooring and Regulus only really noticed him when he walked into view. "Jem..."
"Hey Reg," he laid a tray of food on the counter and walked away before coming back with a chair and setting it behind Regulus, sitting down and got to work, threading his fingers through Regulus' hair.
"I'm sorry-"
"No," a soft kiss to his forehead as he felt warm water seeping into his hair as Jem led him forward and deeper into the water, gentle hands pulling him back up out of the water. "You have nothing to be sorry for." He reminded him in a soothing almost patient tone, like he was content to remind him as many times as he needed to. "Breathe for me Lover." So sweet, so gentle, ready to give the comfort Regulus had been lacking.
His hands started to coax the other into relaxing, starting with rubbing lavender smelling soap into his hair and scalp. Jem left the foamed soap sit as he moved onto rubbing at his shoulders, the water smoothed the work of his fingers kneading at Regulus' shoulders. "Jem..."
"Yes?"
"I didn't...I'm-"
"It's okay," he muttered softly, thumbs working his way up to where his neck and shoulder met. "I didn't mean to leave you like that. I thought you'd be alright here."
His arms flexed slightly as Jem leaned on the edge of the tub, an arm on either side of Reg's. "Thought so too," Regulus replied letting himself be led forward once again and dipping back into the water the soap being washed away and then it was a different item being worked into his hair, smelling distinctly like Mint and Lavender.
He worked the conditioner in slowly as if giving the other more time to think. Regulus yawned letting his eyes fall shut slowly. "What happened?"
"Don't know." Regulus murmured. "Couldn't stop thinking."
"I know the feeling," Jem said moments later, using his right hand towards the middle of his back to guide him forward and back into the water to rinse out the rest of the soap.
"How do you make it stop?"
"Trust."
"In who?"
"For me? I leave it Moony to make sure I don't hurt anyone and I stop fighting my own mind...not for long just brief periods of time."
"Really?"
"I trust him. I believe in his control enough not to be afraid of what could happen."
"How do I make it stop?"
"I..." Jem sighed and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I don't know."
"You're thinking." Regulus could tell that and he was not speaking as if he was unsure about something. "About what?"
"I don't think it's a great idea." He admitted. "But I have one."
"And?"
The fingers pleasantly brushing along his sides and arms paused, "You haven't done anything beyond...kissing huh?"
"No." He answered. "Why?"
"Because my idea could involve more." Regulus hummed laying his head back so he could see the other wizard. "If you want...I'd stop the moment you say-"
"Show me." Regulus smiled into the kiss he was given, sinking further into the water and frowning when he pulled away.
"Food first."
"Jem..."
"Food."
When Jem felt his fingers, he flinched; he hadn't been touched with such gentleness since his childhood. He was no stranger to men or women, Voldemort had made sure he knew how to use his body to his advantage much to his own anger. But the touch that grazed his ribs made him feel like he belonged.
His eyes leveled on Regulus who was half asleep tracing his tattoos. He watched the other wizard for a few moments keeping his breathing slow and even as to not alert the other of his consciousness. His hand drifted up tracing the lion inked in gold pigment.
He'd coaxed him into sleep with a few kisses and the promise of him waking up beside him. That alone seemed to quiet most of Regulus' thoughts. He was cute like this Jem thought absently, the Black brother's hair mused by sleep, blue eyes barely open, warm and peaceful under the blankets.
"Hi."
"Hi," Regulus looked up, resting his chin on Jem's chest.
"What time is it?"
"About 9:30. Feel better?"
"Mhm," Regulus nodded before laying his head back down. "Thank you."
"Anytime. I've got to go out today."
"Out?"
"Errand. I'll be back within the hour."
"Errand for..."
"Yeah." Regulus nodded, before turning and tangling their legs together as they laid in bed.
"And if I asked to come with?"
"I'd let you but advise against it."
"Take someone please."
"Moony's coming."
"Okay." Regulus relaxed some more, the werewolf was kind but he was also extremely smart from what the Slytherin had seen. He'd trust Jem to know when a situation would need more than one person to watch his back. Plus him already planning to take Lupin was comforting enough not to think too much on it.