@jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic May 10, Word count 585
Things were quiet in the car. Monty drove as he always did with care and consideration. He hummed a sweet tune as he carried them out of the city and towards the rolling hills of the countryside. James was still holding his hand, and he didn’t try to take it back. He thought he might be in a bit of shock. So much had happened in the last few days, and he’d thoroughly expected the next time he tasted fresh air would be when he was transported to whichever prison they decided to send him to. In no scenario had he thought he’d be walking out a free man. Now he had a lot of decisions to make. He had to decide where to live, what he would do for money, and what he would do for the rest of his life. His free life.
“You don’t have to worry about anything, love. We’ve got time to sort all that stuff out later,” James said, knowing, as he always had, what was swirling around inside Regulus’s head. Regulus nodded a few small nods, looking down at his lap.
He must have spaced out as the next thing he knew, the car was slowing down and turning into the long driveway of Potter House.
The house was exactly the same as the last time he’d seen it. It was only the gentle tug on his arm that had him sliding out of the car after James as he started up at the house.
“Come on, let’s get you settled and then get some food in you, you look half-starved,” Effie said kindly, walking up to the front door and letting them all in.
Regulus stepped through the door, and the familiar scents of the house hit him full force. Flashes of memories almost suffocated him. James gently led him into the living room and, with immense care, pushed him down on the sofa and covered him with one of Effie’s knitted blankets.
“No,” he croaked as James let go of his hand. James cocked his head, but then, without needing more than that from Regulus, he understood. He sat beside Regulus and pulled him close until his head rested against his chest. Safe. He was completely safe now. He felt years of tension release from his body, leaving him as a messy puddle.
“Here we go,” Effie said some minutes later. He wasn’t sure how long they’d been just sitting there. James helped him sit up, and Effie placed the tray on his lap. His mouth immediately began to water at Effie’s homemade vegetable soup. He didn’t even bother with a spoon. He picked up the bowl and drank it straight from the rim, the hot liquid nearly burning its way down into his empty stomach.
“Thank you,” he said, putting the bowl back down and wiping his mouth on the back of his hand.
“You are very welcome, my darling,” Effie told him and took the tray back out, but left a glass of water on the coffee table for him.
He shuffled back against James, wriggling until he was comfortable.
“You don’t mind, do you?” he asked, realising what he was doing.
“Not even a little bit,” James assured him, pulling him even closer and pressing a kiss to the top of his head. Regulus smiled sleepily; he’d missed those kisses.
His mouth opened wide as he yawned a huge yawn. His eyelids grew heavy, and a sweet lullaby lulled him off to sleep.
