Roommates
Characters: Regulus, Anubis Summary: Life settles into a comfortable routine
Adjusting to sharing quarters with a cat had been easier than Regulus expected. He supposed it was because Anubis was fastidious about using the self-cleaning litter box, and the charm for cleaning fur off the furniture worked amazingly well. Besides that, Regulus found he liked having another living being in his home; he liked taking care of Anubis and talking to him, and he had found there was something relaxing, almost soporific, about stroking a purring cat curled up in one's lap. He hadn't felt so relaxed and... well, happy in longer than he could remember, and it was all thanks to a little black cat with big blue eyes and delicate paws.
He actually looked forward to returning home after he had taken care of the day's business with his clients and suppliers, and since he had received a shipment of artifacts that he knew would sell particularly well that particular day, he had stopped by the pet shop in Diagon Alley to buy Anubis a treat to celebrate.
The treat this time was a new toy - a magical mouse that could scurry, glow in the dark, hop, or trail streamers like multi-colored tails, depending on which charm one invoked. Regulus put it in his pocket, smiling broadly as he let himself into the flat and called out a greeting.
"I'm home!" He glanced around, looking for Anubis. "Where is my pretty kitty?"
Anubis had been napping on the bed, and at the sound of Regulus voice, he sprang up, hurrying to the door so that he could twine himself around Regulus' ankles, purring loudly in welcome. He enjoyed being with Regulus, enjoyed belonging in such a simple, straightforward way in Regulus' life. His own problems and sorrows were distant, almost surreal; there was only being, the simple necessities of life taken care of by Regulus, and in return, he gave the affection and companionship that Regulus seemed to want.
After a luxurious head-dive, Anubis stood on his hind legs, paws braced on Regulus' shin. "Mraow!" he said, which was as close as he could come to "Finally! Where have you been all day? I've missed you!"
Bending, Regulus scooped up Anubis and cradled him against his chest, rubbing his cheek against Anubis' head. "I know. It was horrible of me to be away so long. Perhaps next time, I'll take you with me." Unconscious of how much he was smiling, he headed to the sofa and slipped off his shoes before settling down, ready for some cuddling time.
Anubis was happy in Regulus' arms, purring as he butted his head imperiously under Regulus' chin. When Regulus sat down on the sofa, Anubis moved into his lap, settling down comfortably and looking up into Regulus' face expectantly. Hopefully, Regulus would pet him and talk to him; Anubis liked the soft tones of Regulus' voice, and even though he couldn't respond with more than purrs and mews, sometimes it was almost a conversation.
Regulus stroked Anubis gently from head to tail and scritched his ears. "Have I mentioned how glad I am you adopted me?" he asked conversationally. "I like having a companion to come home to." He paused, considering. "It was nice living at Haven's Loft. I haven't actually shared living space with anyone since Hogwarts, but it wasn't difficult to share again, despite being old and set in my ways. I had my own room, which helped. But it's better with you because I can tell you anything. It's safe."
Within the body of the small cat, the distant mind of Gaius felt a twinge of guilt. He was more than he appeared to be, but... well, he wasn't doing it to deceive Regulus, not really; he enjoyed being here like this as much as Regulus enjoyed having him. It was a good situation for them both, really, and the longer Gaius remained in this form, the more distant his old life seemed. He was a cat, after all, and he could remain this way for the rest of his life if he chose. Considering the emotional pain he'd left behind, staying this way forever seemed like a very good option indeed. Even more so if Regulus found some measure of peace in his presence.
Leaning into Regulus' stroking hand, Anubis purred loudly, eyes half-lidded as he let Regulus see that he really was the best roommate in the whole world.
The purr made Regulus' smile widen, and he continued caressing and scratching Anubis with tender, affectionate fingers. "I'm not certain why I find it so difficult to open up to people. Habit, I suppose. Blacks are meant to be independent, and I have had to deal with much on my own. I suppose my past has something to do with it as well. For a while, I wasn't certain how much people forgave and accepted me. That isn't an issue so much anymore, but still..." He shook his head. "I find it difficult to reveal my thoughts and feelings without trust, and in that respect, the fault lies with me. I also find it difficult to trust. The Black and the Slytherin in me coming out, I dare say."
Regulus had quite a lot in common with Severus, and so Anubis understood how he felt - not that he could let on, of course. But it was easy to respond to the wistful sound of Regulus' voice, so Anubis stood up on his hind legs again, bringing his face up to Regulus'. He looked searchingly into Regulus' eyes for a moment, then nuzzled his cheek against Regulus', wanting his friend to understand that Anubis, at least, accepted him, and that he was there to offer all the comfort he could.
The response surprised Regulus; it almost made him think Anubis understood what he was saying, although he knew that was impossible. Still, it seemed Anubis was picking up on his emotions or the tone of his voice, and he nuzzled Anubis' furry face in response. "Yes, I have you to talk to now," he murmured, cuddling Anubis close. "My own furry confidante."
"Mrow!" Anubis agreed. He pulled back then, settling back into Regulus' lap and butting his head against Regulus' hand in a clear command for more petting. He might not be much of a conversationalist, but Anubis was a very good listener, and it seemed to him that that was what Regulus really needed - someone to listen, and to give simple, uncomplicated reassurance that no matter what Regulus confessed, he wouldn't be condemned for it.
Chuckling, Regulus acquiesced to the demand for more attention, petting Anubis with gentle care. "I would like to trust someone enough to put the defenses aside. I envy Severus having found someone, especially since he was always more guarded than I am. If Sirius hadn't gone away, we might have got there one day. Perhaps." He shrugged and smiled. "We had made a step in that direction, but I'm not certain it would ever have been easy or relaxed between us. Everyone else I know... Well, there is one reason or another why I find it difficult to open up, most of said reasons having to do with my past or their connections to Sirius." He scratched Anubis' ears gently. "Then again, I suppose that's a moot point now. Perhaps things will change." He smiled and swept his hand along Anubis' back. "Or perhaps I'll just keep talking to you."
Purring in approval at Regulus' final words, Anubis rolled over onto his back, baring his belly trustingly. He could imagine how lonely it must be for Regulus, especially now that his brother was gone. It was easier as Anubis to think of Sirius was Regulus' brother rather than as the former lover of his human half, and he knew that Regulus must miss him greatly, since they had been growing closer. He had a feeling that it was Gaius' relationship with Sirius that had kept Regulus from opening up to him, too. But now that impediment was gone.
Regulus tickled Anubis' furry stomach lightly, and then he reached into his pocket and pulled out the mouse, which was a little larger than a real mouse and covered in faux grey fur with beady black eyes. Holding it by the tail, he dangled it enticingly over Anubis. "See what I brought you? What do you think?"
For all that he was a man in part of his life, Anubis was equally a cat in the rest, and he couldn't resist a dangled toy. Still lying on his back, he batted at it energetically, claws sheathed as he wriggled frantically, as focussed on entertaining Regulus as he was on playing with the toy.
Anubis' antics made Regulus laugh, and he continued dangling the toy, as amused by the game as Anubis seemed to be. After a few minutes, he drew his wand and tapped the mouse, and then he bent over and placed it on the floor, where it promptly began zipping around the room.
A furry black streak launched from Regulus' lap, a battle cry following in his wake as he took off at full speed after the mouse. Black tail twitching, Anubis wound his way through the legs of the furniture, paws a blur as he streaked after his prey. The mouse zigged and zagged with Anubis hot on its tail; fortunately, Anubis was much better of a fighter than Gaius, and with a victorious yowl, he pounced on the mouse, biting down and trotting back over to Regulus with a smug expression on his face. Leaping lightly, he returned to Regulus lap, dropping the mouse down and looking up at Regulus with an extremely self-satisfied expression.
"Handsome and an excellent hunter!" Regulus reached down to retrieve the mouse with one hand and pet Anubis with the other, praising Anubis for his work. "I see I won't have to worry about pests in the flat with you around." He activated the mouse again and leaned back against the cushions to watch, content to play the game as long as Anubis wanted. If anyone had asked whether he would find watching a cat chase a toy mouse more entertaining than going out to dinner or to a club, he would have laughed, but now, it was all the entertainment he needed.