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@jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic word count: 541
“You have a tattoo?!” James squawked, and Regulus hastily pulled his shirt back down from where it had ridden up. They were in the Potters’ gardens, pulling weeds for Monty while he saw to the fire spitting dragon berries that grew on bushes in the backyard. It was hot, the high July sun beaming down on Regulus’ pale neck that seemed to turn pink no matter how much sun cream Effie insisted she slather him with.
“No I don’t. Shut up.” He snapped, cheeks pink but not from the sun.
“Yes you do! I saw it- what does it say?” James was grinning and moved closer to Regulus, like he might try to lift his shirt and have a peak, but Regulus shoved him harshly before he had the chance. He fell out of his squat onto his butt in the garden bed, his gym shorts riding up to give Regulus a truly lovely view of his thighs if he wasn’t too busy being mad at their owner to appreciate them.
“It says nothing, Potter, because it doesn’t exist.” He insisted, glaring at James as harshly as he could with the sun and embarrassment still turning his entire visage pink.
“Does Sirius know about it? Is that why you don’t want to show me, it’s a secret?” James teased. Regulus rolled his eyes at the mention of his terribly protective brother and returned to his weeding. It was a secret from Sirius, but one he knew James would keep if he asked him to. That wasn’t why he didn’t want to show him.
“Come on, love,” James said again, softer, getting to his knees and leaning in so he could speak quietly into Regulus’ ear. “It’s not something you can show your boyfriend?”
Regulus froze a little, at that, because that word was new. Very new, in fact, and saying it, hearing it, still made Regulus feel like he was dreaming, and he might wake up any minute back at his parents house, the entire last year of his life imaginary. He sighed heavily, and James backed up a few inches.
“You don’t have to,” He started to say, “I didn’t mean to- to say you have to show me, or that-”
“Oh shut up, James,” Regulus sighed, and rose to his knees.
“Right, shutting up now.” James gulped, and Regulus hesitated, fingers grasping at the hem of his shirt.
“Just- promise you won’t laugh. Or tell Sirius.” James nodded, solemnly, and Regulus lifted his shirt. He wouldn’t look at James, but gasped a little when he reached out to trace the letters now inked permanently into his ribcage.
Chaque matin je commence encore
“What does it mean?” James asked quietly.
“Each morning I begin again.” Regulus translated, finally meeting James' eye when he looked up at him, grinning. Pushing Regulus’ hand holding his shirt down with his, he keeps hold of it, and Regulus can see pride in his eyes. It makes him squirm a little, to be looked at the way James tends to look at him, but he can’t say he doesn’t enjoy it.
Gently, James rubs his thumb over Regulus’ knuckles and squeezes his hand once.
“I love it.” James said sincerely, and Regulus smiled shyly back.
