The shy winter sun was already up when Adena and Regulus awoke. But they were not moving and were instead enjoying each other's warmth under the blanket. The boy's face was nuzzled into her messy brown curls, smelling the light strawberry scent from her shampoo he loved so much and sighing in contentment. His breath was tickling her bare skin, making her smile. She loved that moment. The only thing breaking the soft atmosphere was the little grumbles coming from her stomach. The brunette tried to escape her boyfriend's hold, but his arms brought her back to him.

"What are you doing?" he said with a curious tone.

She turned around to face him, showing a little smile. "I'm hungry."

"And so?"

She sighed, feeling annoyed. "And I want to eat."

"But we're having such a good moment..."

"I know," she said, resigned, as she caressed the skin of his chest, before letting her hands glided up to his neck, face, and hair. She loved showing all her affection. Regulus gave her lips a light kiss before looking back at her. After a while, a sudden question popped up in her mind.

"Regulus, what do you want for you birthday?"

"This," came his instant reply. His gaze was still fixed on her, making her confused.

"This?"

"Yeah... I wanna spend a moment in your arms, like we did last night," he murmured softly, a fond look in his eyes as his hand brushed against the skin of her back.

Adena could feel her cheeks turn a light pink, unconsciously she hid her face in his chest.

"If you want... but I was referring to a real present," she mumbled.

"Oh... I don't know."

"Think of something you'd want."

"Then. You. A photo of you," he quickly answered, surprising the girl who lifted her head to meet his gaze. She noticed his own was directed towards the wall behind her, where was pinned the unique photo of them together.

"What? Why?"

"I love you and I'd love to have that."

"That's weird."

"That's what I want," his voice sounded determined as he replied.

"But... I can't just give you a photo of me..."

"Yes, you can. In a locket it would look good, so I can always have you with me."

She stared at him strangely, still surprised by his sudden wish. But then she shrugged and smiled at him.

"Fine. I'll find the best photo of me. I don't even know if I have one good enough."

Regulus frowned at her words. "What are you talking about? Any photo will please me."

"But I mean, I have to find a photo where I look good so... "

"Yeah, and I bet you look good on any photo," he told her seriously.

"Erm...  you know I'm not too fond of my looks," she muttered.

"Adena. I don't know why you'd say such things. I find you so beautiful," he said as he caressed her face tenderly.

"I know there are much uglier girls out there, but I don't look that good. I'm pale and skinny. I even look sick in summer but no it's just my usual self," she laughed a little as she said that.

"And? That makes you pretty for me. And just to mention, you've put on some weight. You're not as skinny as you used to be."

"Oh? I didn't notice but maybe," she answered surprised.

"Adena. You're beautiful."

"I look banal," she said uninterested.

"Not for me," replied the boy, with seriousness in his grey eyes. And then with more softness, he told her, "Adena, you're so beautiful to me..."

Adena was stuck by how intense his stare was and how intimidating he looked as he said that.

"That's so hard to believe," she said with a nervous laugh. "You know Candace..."

"I don't want to hear about her. You're nothing like your sister. Because she's been more complimented, it doesn't mean you're not pretty yourself. I know you'd like to look like her, but I prefer the way you look."

"I... hm thank you..." murmured the girl.

"I prefer to hear this," answered Regulus with a small grin.

She let out a small sigh while her lips formed a grin as well. She tightened the hold she had on his neck, bringing her face closer to his chest while the raven-haired male placed his face between her neck and shoulder. She got lost in her thoughts, remembering his every word. How can he be so nice. Then she remembered how beautiful he made her feel the night before, how pretty she felt under his gaze at that time, and just how his gaze on her always made her feel like she was beautiful.

"You should go eat now."

"But I prefer staying with you now..."

"I accept because I must admit it feels good," he said, whispering on her skin, which he kissed a little. It was pure joy to be in her boyfriend's arms, his close presence, making her feel so many emotions. His embrace felt like home, and also felt like heaven.

They eventually let go of each other. They dressed more properly as it was so warm under her sheets, they didn't need much. Regulus had asked Adena if he could go shower and the girl replied with a chuckle.

"Mum said 'make yourself at home', so do as you want."

"Okay, I was just asking," he chuckled as well.

And so Adena made her way downstairs, arriving in the kitchen where her sister was already eating her breakfast.

"'Morning," said the brunette.

"Hmpf, 'morning," said Candace, her mouth full of porridge.

"Is there some porridge left or did you stuff all of it in your mouth?"

"No idiot. Pimchin made three bowls for us," she answered after swallowing.

She indeed found two other bowls in the fridge. She poured honey in her own and then sat down in front of her sister. It was silent, the two of them just enjoying their meal until Candace suddenly spoke up.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked, not sounding so interested.

"Yes, I did."

"Hm, I see."

Adena looked up as she questioned her strange behavior but didn't bring it up.

"And did you... hm... have fun?" her tone was the same and she was just acting innocent.

"What?"

"Come on Adena, I know you know what I mean. You did it right?" a smirk appeared on the blonde's face.

The brunette widened her eyes as she understood the meaning of her words.

"Candace! What!" she exclaimed, shock visible on her face, and pink dusting her cheeks.

"My baby sister is a big girl?" her loud voice said back, her eyes widened in surprise, but she wanted to laugh.

Before Adena could say anything, Regulus appeared in the kitchen, fresh out of the shower. He gave a weird look to the two sisters staring at each other, with a strange expression on their faces. He just sat down next to his girlfriend after finding a spoon and started eating without caring about the two girls.

"So, this nigh- "

"This summer," said the young girl, cutting her sister off. Her emerald eyes went even wider upon hearing these words. She turned her eyes to Regulus who was quietly eating, his stare only focusing on his meal.

"Adena, really..."

"No! Let's end this now!" quickly said the brunette.

They stayed silent for a while until Adena spoke up again to say she was going to wash up.

"She likes you," said Candace once the brunette had left.

Regulus looked up, surprised she was again talking to him. "Is that so? I'm glad."

"No actually, she loves you. I tried to deny that fact for months and even years but that's just the truth. I can't believe my sister's first love is a scum like you."

Regulus ignored the insult and instead replied seriously, "I know you're protective of her and this isn't what you expected but just be sure of that thing. I truly care about her, just like you do."

"Hm, I guess I can't ignore that anymore. But that won't change the fact that you're a horrible person Black. I know what you are."

She then left the boy alone after her final words.