"Well, that's at least an improvement," he teased back.
"I prefer to think of it as unrealistically optimistic," Remus chuckled. "It sounds less pathetic that way. And, it may be how he operates, but it's not right. Even if you don't expect any more of him." How ironic was it that the only child was arguing in favour of treating a brotherly bond he didn't truly know, despite his closeness to his friends, like it mattered?
There may have been little space between them, but what there was felt charged with expectancy, as though they should be speaking in hushed tones. "No, privacy, that I do understand. I never particularly wanted to share their spotlight, or draw any attention to myself.
"Don't feel pushed." This time when their lips met in a gentle kiss, Remus leaned into it, his free hand resting lightly atop the wrist of the one at his neck, not resisting but simply experiencing. His eyes were focused hazily on Regulus' when he pulled back. "Comfortable so far," he said quietly, leaning just the necessary bit forward to press his lips back to Regulus' experimentally.