Written for 'The Emotion Challenge' and 'Pairing the Character' (Remus/Regulus).
Emotion/Feeling: Cautious
Pairing: Remus/Regulus
Rating: K
Word Count: 458
Cautious
Regulus pressed his lips against Remus's as he felt two strong arms wrap around his body, holding him both tight but gentle. He closed his eyes and leaned into the kiss, revelling in the feel, smell, touch of Remus. When they pulled away from each other, Regulus smiled.
"I love you," Regulus murmured against the nape of Remus's neck. He felt the older boy sigh and stepped back to get a good look at him. "What is it?"
Remus pursed his lips and then stared directly into Regulus's eyes. "I love you, too. But I have to tell you something that might change your mind about me."
Regulus couldn't help but laugh. "I could never change my mind about you."
"I'm sure you will."
Regulus found himself getting irritated with Remus's accusatory words. "Don't you trust me?"
"Of course I trust you, Reg," Remus said quickly. "I'm just worried about what you'll think of me after I tell you."
"Just tell me, Remus," Regulus replied softly, taking his boyfriend's hand. Remus looked terrified, but he nodded.
"I'm a… a… never mind."
Regulus smiled. "You're nervous," he observed. "There's no need to be nervous with me, I promise."
Remus nodded and closed his eyes. "I'm a werewolf."
The words seemed to ring over and over in Regulus's head, and the first thought that came to his mind was to run as far as he could, but he hastily scratched away the thought as though it had never existed. He tried to stay calm—this was Remus. He may be a werewolf, but he was the absolute opposite to everything that Regulus had ever learned about werewolves.
He glanced at Remus, whose eyes were still closed. Smiling, Regulus inched closer and pressed his lips to Remus's once more and Remus's eyes fluttered open. Remus stepped back and blinked.
"What are you doing, Reg?" he demanded.
"I was trying to kiss you, but you very rudely rejected me."
Remus folded his arms. "You don't hate me?"
"Why would I hate you?" Regulus replied. "I told you earlier—I love you."
"You still love me? After what I—after…"
"I will always love you," Regulus said, silencing the stuttering Gryffindor with a gentle kiss. Remus sighed into the kiss and wrapped his arms tightly around Regulus once more, and like that, it was as though the previous conversation hadn't happened.
Remus had imagined how the conversation would go in his head a million times, but never once had he imagined Regulus kissing him afterwards as though his big secret was just a casual discussion. He had been so cautious about telling the Slytherin, and his months after months of fear had all been for nothing.
But Remus wasn't complaining. All was well.
xXx