"I'm sorry." James felt his heart drop as Regulus extended his left arm and reached for his cuff. Tears pricked his eyes. He knew what had happened. He knew what was coming.
"Reg...baby..." James said softly. He reached out and placed his hand under regulus' wrist. He slowly removed his right hand and lifted the sleeve himself. There, branded on his lovers pale forearm was the black ink of a skull and snake.
Regulus was still, watching with tears pouring silently down his cheeks as James stared at the mark. He expected an argument. James to look at him like he did Snape or Avery and run away. He expected James to leave him and go to his brother. He should hate him.
Instead, James lowered his lips to the mark and left light kisses right round it. Then he looked up, meeting regulus' eyes and cupped the smaller boys face in his large hand.
"It's not your fault, mi estrella." He said, using his thumb to wipe away the tears. And Regulus fell in love a little more.
That night, James snuck into Regulus' dorm and slept with him in his arms as he cried. He whispered sweet promises into his ear, reassuring him.
"I love you, Jamie." Regulus whispered, for the first time. But, James already knew.
"I love you too, Reggie. Your my everything."