[ it's so bizarre, like being catapulted into the past. here in grimmauld place again, it's the middle of the night and regulus is crawling into his bed, quiet and afraid, and sirius is comforting him sleepily. suddenly they're boys again, and nothing has changed, there's no war, no horcrux, no voldemort. ]
I'm all right.
[ his voice is still rough, and his movements heavy and lazy, but he makes no attempt to move away or banish regulus; his arm remains in place, looped over his brother's back, keeping him near. there's nothing in this world that could erase his innate drive to protect, even if it's his own safety that regulus is dreaming about, sirius has to shield him from that, too. slow and lazy, his thumb moves up and down along regulus' spine, soft and soothing, and his eyes are closed again but he isn't asleep, not yet. ]
no subject
I'm all right.
[ his voice is still rough, and his movements heavy and lazy, but he makes no attempt to move away or banish regulus; his arm remains in place, looped over his brother's back, keeping him near. there's nothing in this world that could erase his innate drive to protect, even if it's his own safety that regulus is dreaming about, sirius has to shield him from that, too. slow and lazy, his thumb moves up and down along regulus' spine, soft and soothing, and his eyes are closed again but he isn't asleep, not yet. ]