bruise - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - CW: mentions of Reg's bad home life - word count: 381
Regulus, who was waiting for James in one of their normal meeting spots, knew this was coming. The moment they’d crashed into each other on the pitch in the middle of the game, he could see that James was furious with himself.
“Reg,” James interrupted in a voice more flat than he’d ever dared use around him before. “Let me see.”
Sighing, he turned to his boyfriend and pulled the sleeve of his robes back, revealing a large, colorful bruise.
James hissed, gritting his teeth and looking away. “Fuck. Fuck.” His body was ridiculously tense, arms crossed and back hunched.
And yeah. Regulus had not anticipated a time when he’d have to comfort someone else about his injuries. But he’d also never anticipated dating James Potter, so the whole word was a bit upside-down, wasn’t it?
But when hazel eyes turned to meet him, James looked almost crazed. “I’m so fucking sorry, Reg. I told myself I’d never, ever hurt you, not like your parents, and–”
“Oh, absolutely not, Potter,” Regulus interrupted, crossing his arms and glaring up at the panicking Gryffindor in front of him.
“You will not compare yourself to the two abysmal humans who did the bare minimum by giving me life. James, we were playing a game. You didn’t mean to hurt me. Hell, you’re one of the only people on the bloody planet who hasn’t hurt me! Who’s made me feel loved and safe! Merlin, you–I trust you! D’you know what that means? So–you don’t get to stand here and–and–negate that just because you fucking accidentally bumped into me during a damn Quidditch game!” He said the whole thing loudly, with much movement of his arms, glaring at James as he did so. But fuck, he needed James to understand somehow, how much he meant to him. How much he adored him, even if he couldn’t say those words properly.
The Gryffindor stood, open-mouthed, staring at him. “I..wow.”
Regulus deflated a little. “Don’t talk about my boyfriend like that,” he murmured weakly.
Finally, the taller boy grinned a little. “Okay. Sorry.”
“Good. Now. Will you please conjure a heating pad and put it on my arm? Some arsehole hit me in Quidditch,” Regulus said loftily, smirking at James.