Regulus Black (mummys_boy) wrote in snark_n_bark, @ 2008-08-27 07:24:00 |
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Entry tags: | complete, gaius, regulus |
Dreams of Egypt
Characters: Gaius, Regulus
Summary: In the wee, small hours of the morning, Gaius and Regulus come up with a plan for a memorial tribute to Sirius, and Regulus finally names his shop.
Rubbing a hand across his eyes, Gaius stepped back and surveyed his handiwork, then lifted his wand to move the lamp on the table a fraction of an inch to the right. He nodded, satisfied with the final position, then sighed wearily. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his watch, frowning at it when the hands revealed it was nearly four in the morning.
"That can't be right," he murmured, lifting the watch to his ear. The steady tick-tock assured him that it was, in fact, working, and that somehow he'd managed to turn "staying a little late" into "working all night" without even realizing it.
Not that he minded, really; he didn't have much else to do, and he hadn't slept well since returning to human form anyway. At least he hadn't tossed and turned in his bed, and as he looked around him, he felt a sense of accomplishment. The shop was nearly complete; all that remained was the arrangement of some of the smaller pieces, and for him to cast dirt repulsion and non-break charms on some things so that the shop would be as self-maintaining as possible. It had taken several days for everything to come together, but it had at last, and Gaius felt a sense of accomplishment oddly mingled with one of regret. With his work done, he'd not have an excuse to see Regulus every day. He'd been tempted to draw his modifications out, but that wouldn't be fair to Regulus, who was anxious to open his business; well, once he'd picked a name for the place, that was.
Pocketing his watch once again, he lifted his wand and began on the last items, wondering if Regulus would be surprised to come in the next morning and find himself ready for business.
After waking up from a nightmare and being unable to get back to sleep, Regulus finally gave up trying and got up, deciding to go to the shop and get some work done while everything was quiet. Once he had bathed and dressed, he gathered up Sekhmet, who sleepily protested being moved from the nice warm bed, and used the Floo network to get to the still nameless shop.
To his surprise and alarm, he found the lights were still on, and he drew his wand swiftly, on the alert for burglars - or Barty up to no good - until his sharp gaze fell on a familiar form.
"Gaius!" he exclaimed as he put away his wand and lowered Sekhmet to the floor. "What in Merlin's name are you doing here at this hour?"
Surprised by the sound of the Floo, Gaius turned, eyes wide and wand raised instinctively as he watched the new arrival emerge. Thankfully it was only Regulus, and Gaius drew in a deep breath of relief, lowering his wand and smiling sheepishly.
"Hullo, Regulus. Er... time got away from me, I'm afraid," he admitted, his cheeks flushed as he turned his head away. Despite his firm resolution to earn Regulus' trust before worrying about anything besides friendship between them, he'd found that he couldn't help noticing Regulus in ways that were not at all platonic. It was even harder when his keen nose caught Regulus' freshly bathed scent, and he was suddenly aware of the fact that he himself was grimy and disheveled, his hair mussed and damp with sweat and his jaw shaded with a day of beard. "But... well, I'm just about done, as you can see. You could even open this morning if you've a mind to."
"So soon?" Regulus was surprised to say the least, but as he looked around, he could see that Gaius had indeed made a great deal of progress. "You have been busy. Have you been here since I left yesterday evening?"
"Yes," Gaius chuckled, lifting a hand to rub the back of his neck. "I didn't mean to, honestly, but working was soothing, and I know you are eager to get the shop open. I don't sleep well anyway, so I didn't feel tired. I hope you don't mind." He cocked his head to one side. "And you're here awfully early, aren't you? Are you expecting a delivery?"
"Er...No." It was Regulus' turn to look chagrined. "I had a nightmare, and I couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided to be productive instead." He didn't elaborate; he didn't need to when he remembered how often Anubis had comforted him following a bad dream.
Gaius stepped forward, reaching out to touch Regulus lightly on the arm. He did indeed remember all too well Regulus' nightmares, and he should have recognized the signs in the hollowness of Regulus' cheeks and the shadows in his eyes. Gaius very much wanted to hug Regulus, to offer him comfort, but he knew Regulus wasn't ready for that, not yet.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, his dark eyes full of understanding. He hesitated for a moment, then steeled himself for rejection as he made the offer he absolutely could not keep from making, risky as it was. "If you wish to talk about it, I'm here."
"There isn't much to say," Regulus replied, glancing away. "Not much more than I've said already, I mean. You were there. I told you about the dreams and what they were like. It was more of the same, nothing new or different. Just Bellatrix again, as always." He drew in a deep breath and forced himself to shake off the dark remains of the dream. "I'm fine. I'll be better once the sun has risen."
"Driving the darkness of the vampire from your soul," Gaius said, his tone soft and full of sympathy. "I have nightmares about her too, sometimes. Not so often as you, of course, and mostly at times when I'm stressed about something else. It was especially bad after... well. More recently. I think that fresh pain calls forth old pains, sometimes. Like opening up old wounds that are scabbed over, but not healed."
"Yes, that's it exactly," Regulus agreed softly. "I don't think it is a coincidence that the nightmares have become more frequent since Sirius left. I imagine they will recede in time as they did before."
He paused, studying Gaius for a moment. As care-free as Gaius seemed most of the time, it was easy to forget that he had had his own encounter with Bellatrix, but he had, and he understood as few people did what Regulus had been through at her hands. Maybe it was the lateness of the hour or the lack of sleep, but something helped a few pieces click into place, and Regulus realized that Gaius had seen him at his worst and at his most vulnerable... and nothing bad had happened. Gaius hadn't run away screaming or mocked him or used what he'd learned against him. Gaius had remained his friend, and on the heels of that realization, he felt himself relaxing a little.
"It does get better eventually," he said. "Fresh pain becomes old pain and even old wounds can heal, given enough time."
"They can, so long as you are willing to let them, instead of picking at them or beating yourself up over your mistakes," Gaius replied, telling himself that he ought to heed his own advice. "It's been hard, sometimes, as I vacillated between hating Sirius for leaving and feeling horrendously guilty for not realizing what he intended to do and stopping him. All of which reminds me of before... especially since she was the one to kill him the first time."
He stopped there, flushing again, and shrugged slightly. "Time does have a way of healing things, though. It gets better, bit by bit." He raised his eyes to Regulus, lips curved in a smile that was rueful rather than humorous. "It seems we have suffered much alike in the last couple of years, you and I. Bellatrix, and Sirius, and... well, our own bits of folly. I think I can say that I know quite well what you are going through, even before I witnessed it first hand."
"Yes, I imagine you do know," Regulus replied, his own mouth curving in a small, wry smile. "Are you still vacillating or has that abated somewhat? I haven't found myself hating Sirius for what he did. It seemed... far too typical, I suppose, for me to hate him for it. Mostly, I have felt regret."
"There have been regrets, too, of course," Gaius said. He wondered how much he should reveal to Regulus; he didn't want to lie, but he didn't want Regulus to figure out how much his feelings had changed in the last few weeks. Truth, therefore, but not all of it. Or at least not yet.
"I'm not a man used to holding grudges," he continued thoughtfully, realizing that his talk with his brothers had helped him in more than one way. "I don't really hate him any longer, although I admit to sometimes feeling angry at him for not offering me a choice, or seeking help, or even seeming to try to stay. At first, I was angry about the way he had hurt me, and then it became anger at the waste. But emotions like hate and anger hurt the one who feels them far more than the person they are directed at, especially when he's dead. Sirius said he wanted me to be happy, so I'm going to concentrate on that instead. I never begrudged him other lovers while we were together, and I'm not going to cut off my life now that he's gone. It's getting better, as you said. I think it helps that my mother raised me to forgive others, because it would make me happier in the long run than totting up a tally of wrongs and dwelling on it rather than on being happy."
"Your mother must have been a wise and sensible woman," Regulus said. "Mine was not. Forgiveness was not considered a virtue, and one comes away with a very different mindset when one is raised in an atmosphere of pride and distrust." He smiled faintly. "I have tried to overcome my upbringing, but I doubt I will ever shake it entirely. The effort is on-going."
"You are to be admired for making the effort," Gaius said, his tone warm. "It's odd to see the differences between myself and my brothers, but especially between the twins, and to know a lot of it is based on our upbringings. It caused a lot of tension between Severus and Serenus at first, or so they have told me. And then, ironically, a little bit of tension between Serenus and myself, if you can imagine that. But I'm very glad of one thing: that you and Sirius were on good terms when he died. You should have had more time together to grow even closer, but at least you never have to wonder if he cared for you when he left. He did, very much. In that, you both moved past your upbringing, so it shows it is possible, no matter how hard it seems."
"It is possible, yes," Regulus agreed, moving away from the hearth and beckoning to Gaius to follow him into the back room. He had set up a samovar, one he didn't intend to sell, and some cups, saucers, and other necessaries for making tea, including a tin of Earl Grey. He was awake enough to need tea now, especially if this conversation was going to continue. "In my own defense, however, I must say that no matter how much a product of my upbringing I might once have been, I was never as stubborn, prickly, or unforgiving as Severus. That he has mellowed as much as he has is quite a shock, and it gives me hope for myself."
He fell silent as he began to make the tea, using the activity as an excuse to focus on something else for a moment. "I am quite glad Sirius and I had made as much progress as we had," he said at last. "We had a conversation shortly before he left that helped me considerably. More time would have been nice, but things could have ended much worse than they did." He glanced at Gaius. "For the record, I agree that you shouldn't cut off any aspect of your life for his sake or out of grief. It definitely is not what he would have wanted for you or any of us."
Gaius followed in Regulus' wake, taking a seat on a stool near the samovar and leaning his head on his hand as he watched Regulus go about the familiar motions of preparing the tea. It was homey in an odd way, watching Regulus go about such a normal, domestic action, and he found himself wondering what it would be like to make tea for Regulus and bring it to him in bed. Such speculations were folly, but he couldn't help his imagination from sometimes getting the best of him.
"I know Sirius wouldn't have wanted any of us to grieve. He was impetuous and arrogant and sometimes even foolish, but he was not cruel or selfish." Gaius sighed a bit. He did miss Sirius, no matter what his feelings for Regulus were; he simply had come to feel like that chapter of his life, with all its joys and sorrows, was behind him now. "As for Severus, I think he is surprised himself at how much his life has changed. He told me it never would have happened if Remus hadn't been persistent, eventually wearing his resistance down. But I think he must have wanted it, too, even if he wouldn't admit it. Severus is far too stubborn to give in to anything simply because someone woos him unceasingly."
"No doubt," Regulus murmured, keeping his attention focused on arranging the cups, saucers, and the rest on a tray. It still stung his pride to know that he'd never stood a chance with Severus after hoping and longing for over twenty years, but he knew Severus was with the person he was meant to be with. "The Severus I knew would have resisted until the sun burnt out if he truly didn't want something. Or someone. I doubt he has changed so much that his will has diminished in that respect."
"Seeing Severus and Remus, and Serenus and Tybalt, it does make me wonder if there's something to the thought of people being destined for one another," Gaius continued thoughtfully. "It also makes me feel as if I'm missing something, or if there is something I don't quite understand." He gave a shrug. "Perhaps the flip side of not being able to hate is not being able to love as deeply as my brothers, or not in the same way. Although I look at them and realize that is what I want - what they have. As much as I loved Sirius, I think part of me always knew it wasn't for forever. I never imagined what happened, of course, but I think I knew he'd leave me some day. You can't hold the wind forever."
"He was very loyal, though," Regulus pointed out. "Once you had his regard, you had it forever, but I do agree that he could not have given you the kind of relationship that your brothers have with their partners." He drew in a breath and straightened, putting thoughts of Severus aside as he poured the tea. "You and Serenus seem quite alike, and he found someone to love deeply. I see no reason why you should not find someone one day." He carried the tray to a small table nearby and pulled up another stool for himself. "For myself, I don't believe in destiny. Experience has not shown me that destiny plays a part in my social life."
"Perhaps for you, like me, it's that you simply haven't found the right person," Gaius said, pulling his own stool over to the table and accepting the cup Regulus poured for him with a smile. "Although in Serenus' case, it wasn't a matter of love finding him so much as clubbing him over the head and carrying him off. Tybalt was also persistent and apparently far less subtle than Remus in wooing his Snape. What was that line from Shakespeare? 'Some Cupids kill with arrows, some with traps'. I think Slytherins must be trapped, and probable-Gryffindors need the arrows."
Regulus smiled slightly and took a sip of tea. "Perhaps so," he said. "But somehow I doubt Cupid has a trap or an arrow for me."
He didn't voice the rest of his thought, which was that he didn't particularly care. His libido had been dwindling steadily of late; he had only had one partner in recent memory, which had been over a year ago, and he couldn't remember the last time he had indulged in self-gratification. Certainly it had been months rather than weeks or days, and he didn't feel any particular need to engage in the activity again. He wasn't suppressing his desires; he simply didn't feel them anymore, and he didn't miss feeling lust or having sex. He'd sown his wild oats already, and now he had his work to focus on and friends to satisfy his social needs. He could see himself living alone with only a pet for a companion for the rest of his life, and the thought didn't bother him.
"But we were talking about you, not me," he added, ready to shift the focus away from himself. For all that he felt more comfortable talking to Gaius, he wasn't ready to get quite so personal. "And I am certain one day, you too will be trapped or shot."
Gaius lifted his chin and gave Regulus a haughty look straight out of Severus' playbook. "Perhaps I'll go setting traps of my own," he replied, then ruined the effect by smiling. If only Regulus knew what traps Gaius hoped to set! "Although I've determined that I'm not going to settle for just anyone. I'm ready to have that kind of tight-knit relationship that would have sent me running for the hills not so long ago. No matter how long it takes to woo him."
Regulus lifted his cup in a silent toast. "Then I wish you luck." Sekhmet wandered in and jumped on his lap, and he smiled down at her, stroking her back, letting her presence distract him for a moment. "At any rate," he said when he glanced at Gaius again, "do you think you really will finish today? I don't care to open this morning, mind you, so there isn't a rush if you find you need to go home and get some rest."
Recognizing Regulus' need to move things from personal topics, Gaius inclined his head in acceptance of Regulus' good wishes, smiling to himself and hoping that his good luck would also be Regulus'. "I just have some maintenance charms to cast, and a few more small pieces to place around, although neither of those are show stoppers. The only thing standing between you and opening is the sign Severus deplored. Although for that, I'm afraid you really will have to pick a name. Have you decided yet? I've amused myself by tossing around things in my head, if you haven't."
"Oddly enough, this early morning encounter has provided a possibility," Regulus replied. "However, I am curious to hear your ideas before I make a final decision."
"Oh?" Gaius was curious, but he didn't ask, knowing that Regulus would tell him if he chose. "Well, something using 'Black' is obvious. Regulus means 'prince' in Latin, so I was toying with something like 'Adventures of the Black Prince'. Silly, I suppose, but it might attract some attention. And I'm sure that you know that Regulus is Arabic translates to 'Heart of the Lion' - another interesting name, although perhaps not as appropriate for a Slytherin."
"No, indeed not." Regulus chuckled, thinking about the irony since he had never considered himself particularly lion-hearted. He finished his tea and poured another cup, feeling better now that he had had his first morning cup of tea, albeit far earlier than normal. "I was considering 'Egyptian Dreams'."
"That's a marvelous name!" Gaius said, nodding approvingly. "I remember a song from when I was still at Durmstrang - a Muggle song, since I used to sneak out to the clubs - called 'Dreams of Egypt'. Did you ever hear it?"
"No, I have never paid much attention to Muggle music," Regulus replied. "That sounds interesting, though. Perhaps I should use that instead."
"Maybe. I think I remember the lyrics, even," Gaius said. He closed his eyes and quoted softly.
"Come my friend
Give me a hand
Come along with me
To this foreign land
We'll go together
Cross the desert sand
To the place of the sphinx
And the Egyptian man
Dancing girls
All around my feet
What a better way
To beat the heat
Exotic music
Rings out like a bell
Hypnotic rhythm
Puts me in a spell
Come my friend
Give me a hand
Come along with me
To this foreign land
We'll go together
Cross the desert sand
To the place of the sphinx
And the Egyptian man."
Gaius opened his eyes and smiled. "I went looking for it again, after the first time we went to Egypt. It seemed appropriate."
"Indeed it does." Regulus nodded his approval. "It reminds me of how I felt when I first arrived in Egypt. I experienced such a culture shock because it was vastly different from anything I had ever known, but it was beautiful and inviting too."
"That's exactly how I felt," Gaius agreed. "Particularly as it was my very good friend taking me there. Although the dancing boys were preferable to the dancing girls. Or at least the boy I danced with was." Gaius winked at Regulus; Regulus had been the only man Gaius danced with in Egypt.
"Hmm." Regulus smiled neutrally and took a sip of tea. "You could have had more dancing boys easily enough. Perhaps you should go back there to lay your traps. I think you could find someone willing to be captured."
"There's time enough for that," Gaius replied, shrugging and smiling as he took a drink from his own cup. "I'm in no hurry, and I think I'd prefer someone closer to home, so to speak. It was... difficult, being with someone Severus hated so very much. I fervently hope to find someone acceptable to my brothers this time. I don't want to choose between my family and my lover any more."
"Understandable," Regulus said, inclining his head slightly in acknowledgment. "But the bad blood between Sirius and Severus was old and deep-seated. I can't imagine there are many people left in the world with that kind of unpleasant history with Severus. I can only think of one, really, and the likelihood of you and Harry becoming lovers is slim indeed, I should think. Surely Severus will find anyone else tolerable, at least."
Gaius chuckled and gave a comic shudder. "Serenus said the same thing, and suffice to say, Severus' reply was a very predictable one." His eyes sparkled in wicked amusement. "But no, Harry is more like a son to me, and I'd never be able to consider him in that way; for which Severus thanks Merlin quite profusely. But as I said, I'm in no hurry. At the moment, I am content with my life as it is, and I don't feel the need to rush and possibly spoil something that could be special. I suppose in a way, I've done a bit of growing up myself in the last few months. I'd thought I was mature enough already, but it seems that I needed to realign my priorities a bit. Now I have a business, and a few other things I want to attend to before bringing someone else into the picture. If it happens, it happens, and if not, well, I've got friends and family to keep me busy and fulfilled."
"A sensible idea." Regulus put his cup aside and gathered Sekhmet up in both arms, cradling her against his chest. "It wouldn't do to rebound into someone and end up hurting both yourself and him in the long run." He glanced at Gaius, not wanting him to take that as an implied criticism. "Not that I believe you will, but it is another reason not to rush into anything. You spent weeks as a cat just to cope with the pain, after all, and that says quite a lot about your feelings for my brother. I imagine you aren't quite finished with the grieving process yet."
A flush colored Gaius' cheeks, and he looked away. It was partially in reaction to seeing Regulus cuddling Sekhmet as he used to cuddle Anubis, and partially because he'd already rebounded quite a lot, and Regulus was the subject in question. "I was explaining to my brothers that time spent as a cat is... different. As human emotions recede, so does a strict awareness of time. I'd never spent that much time in my feline form before, you know - never more than a day or so at most, so I wasn't fully aware of the effect. That's how I got... lost, I suppose, forgetting how long it had been since I'd changed. So in some ways, it now feels like Sirius was a lifetime ago, as distant as my life in Germany. That isn't to say I've forgotten him, or that sometimes it doesn't still hurt, but I think I've managed to move on more than the amount of time would indicate. I'm still not going to rush, though."
"I think that's best," Regulus replied, resting his cheek against the top of Sekhmet's head. "I can't say I feel the same. I don't have the advantage of being an Animagus to speed along the grieving process." And he had experienced a set-back to boot after losing Anubis, although he had no intention of saying that. "I have plodded along at my own pace, although I believe I am doing fairly well, all things considered. Focusing on opening the new shop has certainly helped."
Gaius watched Regulus somberly. "You don't have to grieve alone, you know. I'm here for you, any time that you need me. I realize that it will take time for you to feel fully comfortable with me and trust me again, but I hope that it happens. And I hope you know that no matter what, I will listen to you and not make judgments."
Regulus' hand stilled on Sekhmet's back, and he didn't look up at Gaius. "You already saw me through the worst of it," he said in a low voice, the admission a difficult one for him to make; in some ways, he was no better than Severus when it came to deeper emotions, at least when it came to talking about them to other people. "I miss him, but mostly I miss what could have been, and at this point, it is an ache that will have to fade on its own in time."
That was something Gaius understood, as well, and he nodded, then sighed quietly. "It will take time, especially because it was a shock. With my mother, I knew she was dying for a long time before she went, so I had time to sort of make peace with it. It still hurt, but I wasn't caught by surprise, and I knew it would ease her pain when she did go."
He paused for a moment, pouring himself another cup of tea and freshening Regulus' cup as well, needing to do something with his hands. "I have regrets of my own, of course. I'd been thinking about doing something in his memory, something that would touch lives and give him a legacy for people to remember him by. Something to do with children, perhaps, since he did love kids. What do you think? Do you think that's something he would approve of?"
Regulus murmured his thanks for the tea and resumed stroking Sekhmet, finding the repetitive motion soothing. "I think he would approve, yes. Did you have something specific in mind, or are you still considering the options?"
Gaius shrugged. "I had an idea or two in mind. He, um... he left me all his clothing, and I thought perhaps an auction? There are things from both him and Stubby Boardman, and they might raise a great deal of money. I wouldn't be able to wear any of it, anyway, it wouldn't be right, somehow. I've already given all the money he left me to Faelan; he needs it far more than I do. Oh, though Faelan doesn't know that I did it. I asked the solicitor to simply pretend that it was the amount he was supposed to get all along."
"That was quite generous of you," Regulus said, approval in his voice. "You could use the money from the auction to establish some kind of memorial at St. Mungo's or..." He stroked his chin as a new idea occurred to him. "Or some kind of preserve or care facility for magical creatures, to reflect his chosen line of work."
Gaius' eyes widened, and he looked at Regulus with something very like joy. "That's perfect! You're positively brilliant, Regulus. He hated St. Mungo's, but a facility for injured or aged creatures, to care for them, perhaps even a petting zoo so that children could come and see them. It's wonderful! And I suspect Remus will be quite happy to donate to the cause, as well."
"As would I," Regulus said, pleased that Gaius had liked his suggestion. "Harry would too, I'm sure. You could likely solicit donations from a number of people to get things started."
A wide smile curved Gaius' lips, and he reached out to squeeze Regulus' shoulder affectionately. "And I have the perfect person to ask to run it - Hagrid! He loved Sirius, and he loves creatures, so I wouldn't be surprised if he'd be willing to do it. There's going to be a lot of work involved, I know, but I think we could steamroller things through the Ministry if Harry was willing to let us use his name."
"We?" Regulus raised one eyebrow, surprised by Gaius' use of the plural. "Are you considering this a joint venture, then?"
Gaius paused, confused for a moment, but then he chuckled. "I guess I am, at least subconsciously - and it was your idea. If you're willing to, of course. I know with starting the business, you're going to be really busy, but... well, maybe it's a way to feel like you've helped make part of his 'what could have been'."
"If you want me to be involved, I am willing," Regulus replied, turning his attention back to Sekhmet, his expression thoughtful. "It would be a good legacy for Sirius, and perhaps it would atone for the unpleasant legacy of the Black family as a whole. I would like it if some of us were remembered for something good."
"Good, then it's settled." Gaius smiled, growing excited about the thought of working with Regulus to build something wonderful in Sirius' memory. "I'll send an owl to Harry, and perhaps we can get together with him and Remus next week, or perhaps the week after? That would get you past your opening, and give me time to sort through Sirius' things and get them ready. Would that suit you?"
"Yes, that would be fine," Regulus said, nodding. "There isn't any particular rush, after all, and we both have new businesses to attend to." His stomach growled, and he glanced at the clock; Diagon Alley would be stirring now with early morning deliveries and merchants coming in to replenish stock and get their shops ready for the new day. "Are you hungry?" he asked. "We could have breakfast at the pub before finishing up here. We have all day, and Severus might scold us if we make a habit of skipping meals."
As the question reminded him that he'd not eaten in nearly twenty-four hours, Gaius' stomach suddenly rumbled. "Well, I think that was a yes," he replied with a rueful smile. "And when we get back, I can start on your sign! Then you'll be all set to be the hot new addition to Diagon Alley." He stood up from the stool, then glanced down at his clothes. "Can you give me five minutes to run back to my flat and change? I'd rather not be out in the same clothes I was in yesterday, even with a cleaning charm. I can Apparate there and then meet you at the pub?"
Lowering Sekhmet to the floor, Regulus stood and stretched, and then he nodded at Gaius. "Yes, go ahead. I will close up here and get us a place to sit at the pub. I need to speak to Tom about something for Sekhmet anyway."
"Sounds wonderful." Gaius couldn't help but watch the lines of Regulus' body as he stretched, as lithe and elegant as any cat. He averted his gaze before Regulus could notice his interest and drew his wand again. "I'll meet you there!" With that, he Disapparated with a soft pop, the thought of breakfast with Regulus leaving him with only one small regret: that they weren't having it together in bed.