Title: Nightmares
Pairing: Severus/Regulus
Rating: K+
Warnings: Slash, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Vague References to Child Abuse/Bullying/Manipulation
Note: Written for the "Slash Drabble Tag."
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Regulus was stirred from his sleep by movement and a whimpering sound. He looked beside him in the bed to find his lover twitching, face scrunched up in pain. Regulus shook Severus awake, first gently and then firmer when that didn't work.
The other man awoke with a start, shooting up in bed. His eyes were wild and his breathing heavy. When he saw his surroundings, he relaxed slightly, closing his eyes and taking deep breathes to calm his pounding heart. Regulus rubbed his back soothingly, waiting for him to adjust to reality.
When Severus' breathing returned to normal, Regulus asked "Another nightmare?"
Severus nodded self-deprecatingly and responded with "The same as always." Regulus nodded sympathetically, pulling his lover into a hug. He wished that he could take away all of Severus' pain and erase what his father did to him.
He hated that Severus had to suffer for so long, and the students at Hogwarts hadn't made his life any easier. Regulus' own brother had tormented Severus daily, and Regulus hated it with a burning passion. He wanted to mutter a spell that could make everything better for his lover, but he knew that was impossible; he couldn't change the past.
But he could make sure that no one ever hurt Severus again - not even the Dark Lord. Severus was being manipulated by him, and it would only end in pain. But Regulus would protect him this time. He already had a plan, and it would be set in motion soon enough.
For now though, all Regulus could do was hold him.
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A/N: Reviews are always appreciated.