This chapter has Severus' birthday in it; just found out he's 9 January.

Regulus frowned, biting his lip in thought. It was unbelievable how impossible this task was. It shouldn't have been; Muggles did it all the time! But somehow, he, Regulus Black, seemed incapable. He growled at the offending item, reaching for his weapon. He would finish this. Slowly, slowly, Regulus lowered the lethal object.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Narcissa's voice startled him; jumping horribly, his weapon zig-zagged all over the place. Pouting and glaring at his cousin, Regulus exclaimed, "Cissy, you ruined it!"

Blinking, Narcissa stared at the mess her cousin had made. He sat in the middle of the common room surrounded with shredded bits of colorful paper. The paper was everywhere; on the carpet, on the table he worked at, clinging to his sweater, nestled in his hair. One was even sticking to his face by way of glue. Pieces of Spello-tape stuck to the ends of the table and on Regulus' face, tacked onto his fingers as well. In the middle of this, a box was sitting on a perfect piece of wrapping paper which Regulus had just torn with his scissors.

"What are you doing?" Narcissa repeated, Conjuring a piece of cloth and setting it down before sitting next to Regulus.

"I'm wrapping Severus' birthday gift. His birthday is in a few days, you know," Regulus replied earnestly, and Narcissa felt her annoyance rising.

"Yes, Regulus, I know. I doubt there's a person, ghost, or monster in Hogwarts that doesn't know, the way you've been talking about it."

Regulus gave her a sheepish smile.

"Sorry. I'm just really excited."

"More excited than the birthday boy, one might observe."

The Black boy nodded and sighed, "I know, he hasn't shown a bit of enthusiasm. I know not everyone loves their birthday, but I want Sev to be happy and have a birthday surrounded with love."

Narcissa smiled softly. "Regulus, you're the most kind-hearted Slytherin I've ever met," she told him honestly, and he smiled cheekily.

"Don't let the word get around."

"So..." Regulus nudged Severus' shoulder gently.

"What?" Severus, busy reading a Potions book, barely looked up. He was used to Regulus' strange ways.

"I've been thinking..." Regulus trailed off.

To Severus' complete surprise, he felt fingers trailing up and down the length of his thigh.

"What are you doing?" he whispered furiously, cheeks flooding red.

"Just thinking," the Black boy replied, though he was looking up coyly through his lashes.

"About?" Severus prompted, and a smile came to his boyfriend's face. "Your birthday," he answered. Severus groaned and dropped his head on the table. The librarian glared stiffly but said nothing.

"Again? Reg, I don't like the idea of you thinking about my birthday..."

Severus trailed off as the familiar light of defiance and mischief lit Regulus' eyes.

He smiled, "I don't think you can control what I think about."

The older boy groaned inwardly. He hated when Regulus got like this, this defiant attitude complete with narrowed eyes and raised brows. He knew what those signs meant; Regulus would do things his way. There was only one way to distract him...

Quick as a bird, Severus pecked Regulus on the lips. Caught by surprise, the smaller boy's eyes flew open, then slid closed. He wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's neck, kissing back passionately. Severus grinned against his lips as he reached for the smaller boy's hips. Regulus groaned happily in response. Severus' chest swelled, and he gently, slowly released his hold on Regulus' lips. The couple parted for air.

"What- were you saying?" he asked, hiding the grin.

"No idea," Regulus panted in response before diving for another kiss.

Regulus was furious. Severus had tricked him into forgetting his ideas about birthdays. He had used Regulus' greatest weakness (kissing him) and used it for evil! The evil, Black family side of the boy was contemplating making Severus' life miserable, but he calmed himself. He had to relax and make Severus' birthday the best it could be... But how?

As he walked to his next class, Regulus thought hard on how to make Severus' birthday not only fun and exciting, but romantic.

A picnic? No, it was much too cold...

A tea party? Much too childish- besides, Severus didn't like all of that formality.

A day around the castle? No, they had done that before, and it was going to be Severus' birthday, not just the average day at Hogwarts.

"Think, Reg, think!" Regulus muttered aloud to himself, earning stares from students and ghosts. He paid them no mind.

An idea came to him suddenly, and he grinned.

"That's perfect!"

I know it's been a few days AND this one is short, but bear with me, guys. My family came here (yay!), and I wanted to end this chapter on a cliffie to make the next one better. Don't worry, the wheels in my head are turning as we speak- well, as I type.

I'm going to pose a question to you guys that I asked ImaginationWalks: should I or should I not do a sequel?

If I did a sequel to this story, it would be darker than this story and it would chronicle (love that word) Regulus and Severus during the war. It would go from Severus' graduation to Regulus' death, I'm pretty sure, with an epilogue or prologue possibly. I would probably add details that aren't canon Harry Potter, just to try new writing styles. Please let me know what you think!

Thanks so much for reading; see you soon (this time for real!)! : )