It was nearly as if James's inner monologue was incapable of expressing those two words, except in manner that was almost completely fetishised. Perhaps James didn't really understand the concept, because it was always like this. You shouldn't while people let him, anyway. Then again, when it came to Regulus, James was usually pretty sure that 90% of his objections stemmed from a moral code that hung over him, not the one to which he actually subscribed.
He always sort of managed to forget how agreeable Regulus could be when he first woke up. Or, if not agreeable, at least not the slightest bit contentious. Worth remembering, that. James might have known most of the ways to pull apart Regulus's reservations and inhibitions, but he was hardly above learning and employing new tricks.
"No?" James mused softly, letting his fingers splay further downward, practically exploring the front of Regulus's body through the layers of fabric that divided his touch from Regulus's skin. It was an almost lazy familiarity. "Why not?"
Who knew-- maybe mornings loosened Regulus's tongue as well.