gaius (ex_gaius583) wrote in snark_n_bark, @ 2008-12-22 17:50:00 |
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Entry tags: | complete, gaius, regulus |
Simple Gifts
Characters: Regulus, Gaius
Summary: The boys celebrate the holiday early and exchange some special, private gifts
Gaius Apparated into Regulus' flat and peered around, hoping that he'd arrived ahead of his lover for their planned assignation. It was rather delightful, sneaking away from Azoth House like a couple of teenagers out to be naughty, and he was looking forward to giving Regulus an early Christmas gift during this private time.
A quick look around the flat showed that he had, indeed, gotten there first, and with a smile, he went to the bedroom and got started quickly and efficiently setting up his surprise.
He had shrunken everything he needed and packed it into a small bag, which he placed on the floor before drawing his wand. With a quick swish and flick, he banished the sheets from the bed, then began to levitate and enlarge what he'd brought with him. Silk-satin sheets in a rich, deep green floated to the bed and arranged themselves obligingly, the matching pillowcases slipping themselves over the plump pillows. He directed a small brazier to a dresser, setting it alight and then moving to retrieve a set of bottles by hand. He'd asked Severus to make up a line of scents particularly for he and Gaius, and his brother had come through with consummate skill, delighting Gaius - and hopefully Regulus - with the results. He selected a scented oil called "Desert Night" and added several drops to the brazier, and soon the room was bathed in rich smells that evoked memories of their tryst in the ruins near Cairo. The other oils - rich blends including Myrrh and Lotus and Sandalwood - he placed on the bedside table in easy reach for later use. All the oils had magical properties, warming and increasing the sensitivity of touch, and he was eager to try them out with his lover.
After lowering the lights in the room, Gaius banished his clothing, replacing it a simple white silk robe, so fine and sheer that it revealed more than it covered. Then he placed several wrapped packages on the bed, before placing a plump pillow on the floor and kneeling upon it, bowing his head so that his long, dark hair curtained his face in a show of submission. He hoped Regulus would enjoy this surprise as much as he had enjoyed setting it up, but now all he could do was wait for his lover's arrival.
When Regulus arrived, he thought he had managed to get there before Gaius when he looked around the sitting room and saw no sign of Gaius; all was quiet and still, which was quite a change from the noise and activity of Azoth House, and as much as he enjoyed the experience of living with a big family, it was a welcome respite to have some time away from the rest of their housemates, two-legged and four-legged alike, especially since Sekhmet had an unsettling habit of watching them as if their snogging was some sort of fascinating and amusing show for her.
He hurried into the bedroom, planning to prepare for Gaius' arrival, but he stopped abruptly in the doorway when he saw he had not arrived before Gaius after all. The dimly lit room was filled with a warm, relaxing scent that reminded him of Cairo and immediately put him at ease, and then he saw Gaius kneeling on the floor.
"This is perfect," he said as he approached, reaching down to stroke Gaius' hair. "I feel as if I've walked into a hedonist's den or perhaps a sultan's chambers."
Lifting his head, Gaius smiled at Regulus lovingly, pleased that he'd managed to pull off his surprise. "Precisely, my Sultan... I am your servant, who will do everything in his power to make you happy. I may not be a djinn, but I shall grant you any wishes it is within my power to grant."
"Ah, my loyal servant." Regulus trailed his fingertips along Gaius' cheek, smiling; it seemed Gaius had definite plans, and Regulus found himself more intrigued as he looked around and saw the bottles of oil, the decadent linens, and the wrapped packages on the bed. Whatever Gaius had in mind, it looked promising indeed, and Regulus was quite happy to go along with the game. "If you please me well, I will see to it that you are amply rewarded."
"I live but to please you," Gaius replied, his dark eyes full of heat as he leaned into the caress of Regulus' hand. "In any way I can. Perhaps a massage? Or shall I feed you peeled grapes? Or help you dress?"
"A massage first," Regulus replied, glancing over at the bottles on the bedside table; he had no doubt they were of Severus' making, and if they smelled - and felt - as good as whatever Gaius had used to scent the air, he was looking forward to finding out how they felt and smelled on his skin. He also knew from experience that Gaius was good with his hands, and he had no doubt a massage would be a relaxing and sensual way to begin their evening. "The sultan would like to feel his servant's skilled hands on him."
"As you wish," Gaius replied demurely, then rose to his feet and crossed to the bed. He pulled back the top sheet and then stood aside, watching Regulus with a glittering gaze. "I can help you undress, if you'd like. Then I shall make you feel wonderful."
Regulus paused to slip off his shoes, and then he moved to join Gaius, his gait slow and graceful, almost predatory. "Very well," he said, lifting his chin haughtily, although there was an amused glitter in his pale eyes. "Undress me, my servant, and then you may touch me."
Gaius' breath caught as Regulus walked toward him. Everything about Regulus was sensual, seductive, beautiful and exotic, so much so that just watching him could make Gaius burn with desire. Licking his lips, Gaius stepped forward and lifted his hands to the top button of Regulus' robes. "I long to touch you," he murmured, slipping the button from its hole. He let his fingers brush lightly over the base of Regulus' throat and the small bit of skin revealed by the opening, then leaned forward to place a kiss there. "I long to taste you and smell you, my Sultan - in every way possible."
The light touch of Gaius' lips evoked a shiver from Regulus as he slid his arms around Gaius' waist and slid his hands down to rest on Gaius' hips, squeezing gently. "I want that too," he murmured. "There is nothing that would please me more."
"Then you shall have it." Gaius glanced up at Regulus coyly, then freed the next button of his robes. He leaned in again, this time flicking out his tongue to lap at Regulus' skin and giving a hum of pleasure at the taste. Another button slipped from its hole, leaving a delicious portion of Regulus' bronzed chest revealed. Lifting his eyes again to hold Regulus' gaze, Gaius licked a trail from the bottom all the way up Regulus' throat, then pulled back to blow lightly on his lover's damp skin.
Regulus shivered again at the sensation and tightened his fingers on Gaius' hips, his eyes darkening with growing arousal. "I am well pleased so far," he said, his voice husky. He caressed Gaius' back, the sheer robe letting him feel the warmth of Gaius' skin through the fabric, and he let his hands come to rest on Gaius' pert arse.
Unable to resist, Gaius wriggled against Regulus' hands. "I'm glad," he replied, smiling in satisfaction that his efforts were having the desired effect. "I want to please you until you scream, my Sultan."
Turning his attention back to the buttons, Gaius continued to undo each one, pressing his lips to each inch of skin as it was bared to his gaze. When the last one fell free, he reached up to Regulus' shoulders, pushing the robe back so that it fell to the floor in a puddle around Regulus' feet. He breathed in deeply as he realized that Regulus was completely bare beneath the robe, and he reached out to caress his hands over Regulus' chest, then down to the flat plane of his stomach. "So beautiful - so perfect," he murmured, the sight of Regulus' body arousing him and sending a spike of longing down his spine.
Regulus had decided not to bother with underpants, assuming they would be discarded quickly anyway, and now he was doubly glad of having made that decision; his stomach muscles quivered beneath Gaius' hands, and his body tightened with growing need as Gaius caressed him.
"No more so than you," he murmured, his breath hitching as he reached up to stroke Gaius' cheek again.
Turning his head into the touch, Gaius pressed his lips to Regulus' palm, then nuzzled it gently. "If you'd like that massage, my Sultan, perhaps you should get into the bed; otherwise, I'm going to be tempted to pull you to the floor and beg you to take me right now."
Chuckling softly, Regulus released Gaius and stepped back. "Patience, my servant," he said, the glint in his eyes belying the lofty note in his voice as he climbed onto the bed and stretched out on his stomach. "We will get to that soon enough, and then I will take you so thoroughly, you won't be able to walk straight after."
His heart quickening in anticipation, Gaius swallowed and kept himself in control, barely, as Regulus moved to the bed, eyes riveted to the sway of Regulus' arse and the fine lines of his back and legs as he lay prone on the mattress, the tan of his skin enhanced by the deep green of the sheets. He looked positively delectable, and it was all Gaius could do to keep from pouncing on him and demanding that Regulus do exactly as he promised.
But the massage was what Regulus wanted right now, and Gaius was determined to give Regulus exactly what he wished. He reached out to the table, fingers touching lightly on each bottle of oil before he selected one and moved to straddle Regulus' hip with his knees. "I can reach better this way," he said with an innocent expression as he poured the light, lotus-scented oil into his palm. Closing the container, he placed it on the mattress next to him, then rubbed his palms together, feeling the oil warming from the heat of his body.
Leaning forward, which just so happened allowed his arousal to brush against the curve of Regulus' taut arse, Gaius reached out to place his hands on Regulus' shoulders, caressing his muscles and working the warm, tingling oil into his skin. "How is that?" he asked huskily, enjoying giving Regulus pleasure.
"Mmm...." Regulus lifted his hips slightly to prolong the contact before relaxing beneath Gaius' soothing hands. The oil warmed his skin and made it come alive, heightening his sensitivity to the slightest touch, and it smelled delectable, the entire experience delighting the hedonist in him. "Perfect," he murmured, giving a pleasurable little wriggle.
A low moan escaped Gaius as Regulus moved beneath him, inflaming him further. He didn't stop the motions of his hands, however, enjoying the way Regulus was reacting to his efforts. Moving lower, he worked at the muscles along Regulus' spine, pressing his thumbs into the pressure points which would release all the tension in Regulus' body. "Good," he said, inching his way backward slowly as he made his way down Regulus' spine. Finally he moved to Regulus' knees so that he could knead the firm muscles of Regulus' arse, and he worked with absorption, wanting to see if he could turn Regulus into a puddle of goo beneath him.
Soft sounds of pleasure escaped Regulus as he relaxed beneath Gaius' hands more and more, his body going limp; how he could feel so completely relaxed yet aroused as well was beyond him, but he was, and he thought he might melt into the mattress at any moment.
"Very good," he agreed, his voice deep and languid.
Chuckling with delight, Gaius bent his head to press his lips to the lower curve of Regulus' back. "You look wonderful," he said, smug that he'd succeeded as he'd wished. "What would you like now, my love? How can I make you feel even better?"
"You can take care of the one part of me that is not utterly limp and relaxed," Regulus replied, glancing over his shoulder, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Let me roll over, and we will see what you can do for that."
The look in Regulus' eyes spurred Gaius to immediate action. Moving off Regulus, he waited as Regulus rolled over, his eyes drawn to the sight of Regulus' arousal. "I do believe I can help make even something so firm and hard relax, in the most delicious way," he said, running his hands down Regulus' chest, tweaking his nipples teasingly. With a heated glance, he knelt between Regulus' feet, then lowered his head, drawing Regulus into the wet heat of his mouth, purring deep in his throat to add to the sensation.
A soft cry escaped Regulus at the feel of Gaius' mouth engulfing him, a pleasure made all the more exquisite by the vibrations of Gaius' purr, and he buried his fingers in Gaius' hair, moaning his approval.
Chuckling softly, Gaius teased Regulus with his tongue, lifting his head so that he could lick Regulus' entire hard length. "That was just the appetizer. I have something else in mind," he said, his dark eyes gleaming with desire as he met Regulus' eyes. Slowly he began to crawl upward along Regulus' body, brushing his chest against Regulus' skin as he kissed his way upward, savoring every inch of warm, damp skin along the way. He continued until he could straddle Regulus' hips, leaning down to press a deep kiss to Regulus' lips as he gestured and wordlessly summoned his wand. Tapping his own hip, he murmured the preparatory spells, then lifted up, looking down and watching Regulus as he lowered himself, taking Regulus deep into his body, moaning softly as Regulus stretched and filled him.
Regulus let out a low hiss, and he grasped Gaius' hips tightly, his fingers digging in as he watched Gaius impale himself slowly. "Yes..." he groaned, rocking his hips up to bury himself deeper; Gaius' body was warm, tight, and welcoming, and there was no greater pleasure in the world. "Yes, perfect..."
Pleased with Regulus' reaction, Gaius moved his hips, rocking slowly, doing his best to drive Regulus out of his mind. His own desire was fierce and hot, and he felt possessive, knowing that no one else could give Regulus pleasure like this, that he alone was privileged to touch and taste Regulus, to hear the sounds Regulus made as he gave in to his pleasure, to see the look on Regulus' face as he lost control.
"Yes... love me, beautiful one," Gaius moaned as he increased the rhythm, wanting more, needing it as much as he needed to breathe. "Love me until we both fly apart."
"Yes... yes, I will..." Regulus curled his fingers around Gaius' arousal, stroking him with the same rhythm of their rocking hips, and he gazed up at Gaius, watching him intently.
The sensation of Regulus' hand on him, caressing him in time to the motion of their hips was exquisite, and Gaius threw back his head, letting out a soft cry as he moved faster, desperate to take Regulus so deeply that he couldn't tell where he left off and Regulus began. It was perfect, and he panted harshly as he felt himself spiraling out of control, rising toward a shining peak. Then he was hurtling over it, his back arching as he flew apart, rapture coursing through his body as he called out Regulus' name.
As he caught his breath, Gaius looked down at Regulus, letting him see the love and pleasure he felt, holding nothing back. Then he began to move again, wanting to see and feel Regulus' release, to know that he had caused it.
Caught up in the rhythm, Regulus let go, letting pleasure wash over him, and it took only mere moments for him to follow Gaius over the edge, crying out with the intensity of his release. Panting, he smoothed his hands down the length of Gaius' sweat-damp back, caressing him gently.
"That was perfect," he murmured, smiling up at Gaius. "Thank you."
Returning the smile, Gaius leaned down to press his lips to Regulus'. "I love you," he murmured. "Happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas," Regulus replied, returning the kiss gently. He hesitated, apprehensive about speaking aloud words that had never come easily for him regarding an emotion he had never had much luck with before, but this was different. This was Gaius, who loved him and who wanted to make him happy, not hurt him. "I love you too," he said at last.
The joy which suffused Gaius at hearing Regulus speak those words was overwhelming, and he smiled so widely, he knew he looked like an idiot, but he didn't care. He cupped Regulus' cheek with one hand, kissing him again warmly. "Thank you," he said, his voice low and raspy as his throat grew tight. "Hearing you say that is the best present I've ever gotten."
Regulus had said the words, and the world hadn't come to an end, and he relaxed; it was such a little thing to have been so difficult, but it was worth the effort when he saw how happy it had made Gaius. "Does that mean you don't want your real present?" he asked archly, continuing to stroke Gaius' back gently. "One of them, at least. I have others that are suitable for unwrapping in the presence of family, but I thought perhaps this one was best unwrapped in private."
Grinning, Gaius arched into the caress of Regulus' hand. "Oh, that sounds promising," he murmured, kissing Regulus again before lifting himself away regretfully. Reaching for his wand where it had fallen to the mattress beside them, he cast a cleaning charm on both of them, then moved off of Regulus, sitting beside him. "I have gifts for you, as well, some of which you've seen, but something to open as well."
"I did notice there were a couple of wrapped gifts sitting around," Regulus admitted as he sat up and made himself comfortable against the plush pillows.
He summoned the small box he'd tucked into his now-discarded robes and enlarged it; inside the brightly wrapped and beribboned box was Anubis' collar, which he hoped would please rather than upset Gaius. It hadn't escaped his notice that Gaius hadn't transformed into cat form in quite some time, and he suspected the conflict between them might have given Gaius an unpleasant association with transforming. Regulus hoped offering the collar would show Gaius that incident was behind them now and that he accepted Gaius as both cat and man equally, but under the circumstances, he didn't want to give this particular gift to Gaius in front of anyone else; it was a private matter best kept between the two of them.
"Open mine first," he said, offering the long, flat box to Gaius.
Smiling in anticipation, Gaius took the box, turning it over in his hands before carefully untying the ribbon and peeling back the paper. Then he lifted from the box and gasped at the sight of the collar he'd worn for those magical months he'd been Regulus' pampered pet and companion. Reaching out with a shaking finger, he stroked the lapis beads hesitantly, before lifting his eyes to Regulus, feeling happy and yet uncertain, unwilling to presume too much from his wonderful and yet reserved lover. "Does this... does this mean you truly do forgive me?" he asked, his throat tight and voice husky.
"I forgave you some time ago," Regulus replied, reaching out to stroke Gaius' arm gently. "That chapter of our lives is closed - forgiven and forgotten. Sekhmet is a lovely lady, but it has been too long since I have heard the pitter-patter of delicate little paws." He lifted the collar out of the box and held it out. "I've charmed it so it will expand or contract, depending on whether you wear it as a cat or a man. It will always fit, so you may wear it whenever you please."
"Oh... Regulus... thank you. Thank you so much." Happiness shone in Gaius' eyes, and he leaned forward to kiss Regulus gently, grateful beyond words. He knew that Regulus had spoken the words of forgiveness, but Gaius had somehow still feared, deep down, that Regulus might feel it necessary to hold some part of himself in reserve, protected, because of what Gaius had done. But the collar signified that he wasn't, and a small pain which had been with Gaius ever since he'd returned to human form faded away at last, healed by this loving, generous gesture.
"Would you put it on me?" he asked, pulling back and lifting his hair from his neck with one hand, smiling brilliantly at Regulus.
"Of course." Regulus put the collar around Gaius' neck and waited for it to expand before fastening it, and he settled it into place carefully before sitting back and admiring the sight. "It looks as lovely on you as it did on Anubis," he said, smiling warmly.
Letting his hair fall, Gaius touched the collar with wonder, and then for the first time since his brothers had turned him back to human form, he changed into his cat form, crossing to Regulus in two bounds of his lithe little legs, purring so hard his body shook with the force of it. Arching his back, he rubbed against Regulus' side, ecstatic to be in his Animagus form again and knowing that Regulus welcomed it.
Scooping the little cat up in his arms, Regulus cradled Anubis - for it was impossible to think about Gaius' cat form by any other name or in any other way - against his chest and nuzzled his cheek against the top of Anubis' furry little head as he had done countless times before. It was strange, holding Anubis again after months of holding Sekhmet, who was so much bigger, and knowing that this was Gaius, not merely a very intelligent cat, but it was so familiar, and it felt strangely right as well.
He felt a lump in his throat, and his eyelids prickled, making him blink hard before he could speak. "I've missed you, my little friend," he murmured, pressing a kiss between Anubis' ears. "You must come and see me more often."
Anubis had missed Regulus, as well, as Gaius had missed being in this form and being held and cuddled by Regulus. Still purring, he rubbed his furry cheek against Regulus', then flicked out a sandpaper tongue to lick Regulus' cheek. He couldn't mistake the emotion in Regulus' voice or glimmering in his eyes, and it made both the man and the cat feel loved.
He continued the nuzzling for a few moments, then moved into Regulus' lap, where he transformed back to human form, sitting in Regulus' lap and wrapping his arms around Regulus' shoulders, nuzzling now with his human nose. "Thank you, my love. You've given me the most wonderful gifts in the world, and nothing could have made me happier. I'm afraid mine will pale in comparison."
"Nonsense." Regulus wrapped his arms around Gaius' waist and held him close. "You've given me a gift as well just now, and I think we're both better off for it. Besides, I've seen the packages, so you cannot take them back now!" he teased, wagging his finger at Gaius.
Chuckling, Gaius nipped playfully at Regulus' ear, then waved a hand to summon the first of the packages, a box that was rather large but light for its size, and wrapped in deepest blue paper with twinkling silver stars upon it. "For my darling hedonist," he said as he handed it over. "So that you can have something to wrap you in comfort if I don't happen to be around to use my arms instead."
Curious - and more eager than he cared to admit - Regulus removed the blue and silver paper carefully and opened the box, peeling away tissue paper to reveal a deep green silk dressing gown trimmed in silver and a pair of fur-lined slippers to match. He lifted the dressing gown out of the box and stroked it, enjoying the feel of the luxurious material beneath his palm.
"It's lovely," he said, leaning over to brush a kiss against Gaius' cheek, and then he wasted no time in slipping it on. "Thank you. It feels wonderful, and naturally, I approve of the choice of colors. It isn't quite as comfortable as your arms, but it will do as a substitute if necessary."
"I'm so glad you like it," Gaius smiled, leaning into the kiss and then watching as Regulus donned the gown. "It looks good on you - and makes me want to tease you until you take it off."
He gestured for the second package, this one much smaller but, he thought, rather more special. The paper on this one was completely silver and tied in green ribbon, and little bells jingled as he gave it to Regulus. "Hopefully you'll find this both appropriate and a little amusing, considering what you gave me," Gaius said, his eyes sparkling. "Perhaps it's proof that great minds think alike. And so do we."
Regulus glanced questioningly at Gaius, one eyebrow raised, before tearing off the paper with a little less care this time, and his eyes widened when he opened the box and found a necklace within, one that matched the gold cuff he almost always wore. "Where in Merlin's name did you find this?" he asked as he held up the necklace and examined it with an admiring gaze as it sparkled in the dim light. "I had no idea there was a matching piece."
"There wasn't, or at least not one that I could find," Gaius admitted with a little shrug. "To be honest, I had it made. There is no magic upon it as of yet, but we can change that, if there is a particular enchantment which would be useful. You like your cuff so much, I thought you might enjoy a companion for it."
"I would indeed." Regulus held out the necklace with one hand and lifted his hair with the other. "Will you put it on for me? We can decide on an enchantment together. Perhaps a warning charm, something that will alert me if you are ever in danger. We could add one to your collar as well. It might prove useful, especially while Bellatrix is still at large."
"Wise as well as beautiful," Gaius replied, taking the necklace from Regulus and fastening it securely, before pulling back to admire the look of the gold against Regulus' bronze skin. "It looks gorgeous on you, as I had thought it would. Not that anything could look bad on you, my love. Your beauty cannot be dimmed."
The third package awaited, and Gaius pulled it forward. It was the largest and heaviest of the three, and it was also the naughtiest. "I suppose I could have given you the other things at family time, but this one... well, it's definitely for our own private celebration," he said, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Well, now I am intrigued," Regulus said as he hefted the package, testing its weight and shaking it a little. This time, he didn't bother with the pretense of care and ripped off the wrapping paper without hesitation, and he chuckled when he pulled a fleece-lined paddle and a set of edible body paint out of the box. "Yes, I can think of several ways these can make our Christmas merry and gay," he said, twirling the paddle experimentally and giving Gaius a speculative look.
"Can you, now?" Gaius asked, arching a brow and tilting his head to one side. He arched sensually, moving up so that he was on his hands and knees on the mattress, and he wriggled his arse at Regulus playfully. "So, do you know how to use that, love, or should I demonstrate on you first?"
"I believe I can use it well enough," Regulus replied as he rose to his knees. He caressed Gaius' arse with the fleecy side of the paddle, stroking his skin soothingly, and then he deftly flipped the paddle and gave Gaius a swat with the unlined side.
Gaius hummed with pleasure as Regulus stroked him with the soft fleece, enjoying the feel of it on his skin. Then he gave a gasp at the harder smack; it didn't hurt, really, but the intensity of the sensation was quite noticeable and also very arousing. Gaius wasn't into pain, per se, but a little bite to the edge of pleasure was something he enjoyed, and he rather thought that Regulus did as well.
"Oh, yes, you can use it quite well, I see," he purred, giving Regulus a coy glance back over his shoulder. "Think you'll enjoy using it on me, love? I'm sure I've been a naughty boy in some way to deserve it."
"I'm sure you have been," Regulus replied, giving him another light swat before putting the paddle aside. "Or if not, you will be in order to earn yourself a spanking, and I will be happy to deliver one." He wound his arms around Gaius and pulled him down to lounge against the pillows, heedless of the discarded boxes and wrapping paper; with Gaius in his arms, he relaxed and released a quiet sigh, content to cuddle. "This is going to be a rather different Christmas for me," he mused.
Gaius went willingly into Regulus' embrace snuggling against him with a happy hum. He ran his hand lightly over Regulus' chest, caressing him soothingly. "I imagine it is," he replied, considering how lonely it must have been for Regulus in the past. "Think you're up to the entire herd of Snapelets, brothers, significant others, and a herd of animals? It can be rather overwhelming at times, even if it is enjoyable."
"I believe I am up for the challenge," Regulus replied, stroking Gaius' back slowly. "It will be a pleasant change from what I am accustomed to, I think. We celebrated Christmas when I was a child, but it was hardly a harmonious, much less merry occasion, and trying to celebrate alone in Egypt wasn't worth the effort. For a long time, it was just another day. Since I've been back... well, you know what it has been like," he said dryly. "The last time I attended a Christmas gathering at Snape Manor, I got into a row with Severus, and I did spend some time at Haven's Loft last year, but I suspect the invitation was something of an afterthought, especially since Sirius was drunk as a lord when he extended it."
"Well, you aren't an afterthought this year," Gaius replied, nuzzling Regulus' cheek affectionately. "Things are different now, and you have not only a lover, but real friends who want to celebrate with you and want you to be happy because you deserve to be happy. You have a real family now, love. Oh, it may not be blood kin, but a family of your heart is even better in some ways, because it's the people you have chosen and who have chosen you, rather than ones you are bound to through chance and duty. I can honestly say that even if Severus and Serenus weren't my brothers, I'd choose to be with them; in our case, the tie of blood may have brought us together, but it's affection which makes us a family."
"You were quite lucky," Regulus said, shifting to lie on his side so he could nestle closer. "Family has been something of an empty word for me. Until now, at least. I've never felt like I particularly belonged anywhere before, not until I was assimilated into the Snape Clan. It's odd, considering the history I have with some of them, but for the first time, I don't wonder or doubt whether I have a place."
Gaius' heart melted at Regulus' words; he knew how hard things had been for his lover, and he was glad that Regulus had been accepted by the Snape Clan in a way that Sirius never had been. Not that Gaius had blamed anyone for their feelings, but it had made things difficult for him at times, since he would have liked to celebrate the season with all his loved ones, not just those who could stand each other.
"You do indeed have a place," Gaius said, pressing his body against Regulus', not wanting even an inch to separate them. "And I am lucky. Very lucky, to have you and my brothers and the whole loud, happy brood. This will be the best Christmas ever, I know it. It will be special and magical and happy for all of us, and that's the best thing in the world."
"Indeed it is," Regulus agreed as he twined his legs with Gaius'. "But for now, it's just us and our private celebration, which isn't over quite yet. We have other toys to try, and I brought some wine for later, and..." He tightened his arms around Gaius. "I am not eager to end our quiet time together." He raised one eyebrow, a teasing note in his voice as he added, "The quiet being relative to how loudly you moan and cry out, of course."
With a sultry purr, Gaius arched against Regulus, enjoying the slide of his warm skin against his lover's. "I'm not eager for it to be over, either," he said. "Toys and wine and you - especially you - are far too much for me to resist." He smiled wickedly. "And how loudly I moan and cry out depends on how much effort you put into making me do so. Are you up to the challenge, Mr. Black? Do you think you can make me scream?"
Regulus slid his hands down the length of Gaius' back to grope his arse, squeezing playfully. "If I don't, it will not be for lack of trying," he replied with a mock-growl, and he dove down to nibble Gaius' neck.
Chuckling, enjoying the attention and the knowledge that Regulus was as happy and content as Gaius could remember ever seeing him, Gaius drew Regulus down over him, relishing the feeling of Regulus pinning him to the mattress. He had no doubt he'd enjoy their lovemaking, no matter what Regulus did. Nothing could be more perfect than these precious moments here in Regulus' arms, bathed in the warmth of Christmas and the joy of know that he loved and was loved in return.