Author's Note: Written for the Non Canon Competition by Cheeky Slytherin Lass and the Slash Challenge by HarryPotterResidentEvilFan on the HPFC forum. The prompt I used for the former was "feather-light caresses."

This story will probably only make sense if you have read the prologue to "Tell The Whole Story."

"James? Are you home?"

Regulus's voice is coming from the kitchen. James rouses himself enough to grunt assent, then closes his eyes and leans back in the comfortable armchair. Possibly he falls asleep for a moment, but he is brought back to reality once more when Regulus's fingers dance across his shoulders. The feather-light caresses are soothing to his tired body.

"You must have slept over at Lily and Narcissa's again," Regulus murmurs in his ear.

"I don't like being alone in the house."

"I know you don't. It wasn't an accusation." Regulus squeezes gently and then lets his hands slide down to James's arms. His cheek rests against James's hair. "You should've gone to Sirius and Sev's. They don't have two noisy babies waking the whole house up every few hours."

"Those noisy babies are my sons," James protests, opening his eyes to glare half-heartedly at Regulus.

"You can't have gotten enough sleep."

"Maybe I wasn't there to sleep."

Regulus sighs and sits on the arm of the chair, slipping one hand behind James to rub his back. "This is about my job, then."

"I hate how you're always away," James whispers. "I hate having to wonder every time you leave if it's the last time I'll ever see you. And I can never go with you."

"We've talked about this. Draco and Harry need a father."

"I think they need a stepfather too." James leans his head against Regulus's shoulder, blinking back tears. He's not normally the type of man to cry, but he's dead tired and his emotions are all bubbling to the surface.

Regulus pulls away from James's back to take both his hands in a firm grip. "James. Love. I'm not going to die," he says gently. "I intend to be with you for a long time."

James raises his eyes to meet Regulus's. "How long?"

"Forever… if you wish it." Regulus doesn't look away. His grey eyes are filled with certainty, and James is suddenly struck with the inevitability of this scenario.

"I don't have a ring," he says, somewhat lamely.

Regulus laughs. "Neither do I. We'll just have to go get them, then. Maybe tomorrow."

A slow, delighted smile spreads across James's face. "I'd like that."