The common room was empty only occupied by the marauders, and a couple random Gryffindors who were working on homework on a Friday night in hopes of going to Hogsmad in the morning. It was peaceful with Remus reading and Sirius leaning against his shoulder flipping the pages when he'd finish. Peter laying against the couch James was also occupying until he got up to thoroughly reenact a story.
The portrait opened up the common room breaking whatever peaceful moment that was unraveling. A boy with curly hair and gray eyes stepping through.
James eyes zoned in on him completely forgetting whatever story he was in the middle of "Hi love" his lips tugging on the corners threatening to already pull into the doppy smile he constantly carries around Regulus.
"Hmm" is all the younger boy says as he steps into his boyfriend's space. James arms automatically wrapping around his middle while his go up to hold the Gryffindors face in place and bring they're foreheads together. Recharging. It goes without saying.
"Thank you for loving me" He whispers into the small space eyes still closed and foreheads still pressed together. James doesn't respond just pulls him in closer by the waist and leans in even more kissing Regulus and humming into it. A silent continue.
When the kiss breaks apart Regulus takes soft breath before continuing. "When we were younger Sirius used to say that he wouldn't make it to 18, that our parents would kill him before then. I'd tell him to stop being a dramatic cunt because I knew if anyone was gonna get out it'd be him." It's not just James listening now Regulus has caught that attention of every marauder in the common room but he doesn't even notice because James is rubbing soft circles under his shirt easing him to continue.
"and he got out. Not unscathed but alive. When I was younger I didn't think I'd make it to 18" He takes a deep breath before continuing his sentence. "I didn't think I'd make it to 18 because I was sure I'd kill myself before then if my parents hadn't done yet." Everyone takes a sharp inhale at that. Everyone except for James who slowly breaths in through his nose and pulls Regulus impossibly closer.
"You saved Sirius he turned 18 this December. I've got two years left before my 18th birthday but that's closer than I ever thought I'd make it. Thank you for loving me because I don't think I'd be here if you didn't. You saved me." He says with a shaky breath.
"Oh baby, I didn't save you. You saved yourself." He breaks they're faces apart to kiss his forehead before pulling him to a hug Regulus goes willingly. "You have so many people in your life that helped you. Don't give me all the credit."
Regulus shakes his head before he continues talking. "They're people that I'd die for. But I want to live for you. And it's so hard and it's exhausting because my entire life I was ready to go so willingly. But now all I want to do is stand here with you because the thought of being somewhere without you is so much worse. So thank you for loving me."
"Hmm thank you for loving me too" "It's too hard not to" is the reply James gets in return which makes them both chuckle even with watery eyes. "It's easier than breathing"