Adena didn't regret one bit going out with Regulus that day. The weather was hot but surprisingly not unbearable. Walking hand in hand with him, in the streets of London was very enjoyable. It felt like the first normal day they had in a long time. They looked like a normal couple of eighteen-year-old teens. She hoped one day it would be like that for them, on a daily basis, but she knew this wish wouldn't become true too soon, and maybe it would never come.

"We should have asked Arsene if he was going to do his school shopping today. I want to see him before he goes back," murmured to girl as they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron.

"I'm sure we'll be able to see him before he goes back. Invite him at home before."

"And you'll be there right? I'm sure he wants to see you too," said Adena, looking up at Regulus with a hopeful glint in her warm hazel eyes. He smiled at her and nodded.

"I'll come then. Should I bring my broomstick?"

"Yeah you should definitely. Or he'll be disappointed."

Finishing her sentence, they walked through the barrier leading to Diagon Alley. They were a bit surprised to see it was less crowded than usual. Shops had been closed as well. The whole atmosphere was tense and insecure, unlike the joyful and cheery atmosphere they both knew from when they were younger.

"It's less fun than it used to be..." commented Adena. Regulus nodded in agreement. People looked uneasy as they walked through the streets. It seemed like they were in a rush, not taking time to visit every shop and discuss with other people.

"I don't think we should stay for long. I don't like the atmosphere there."

"Yeah. I'd prefer to go somewhere else," added Adena, starting to feel uneasy as well and clutching to Regulus' hand.

Without warning, he apparated somewhere else which surprised the young girl.

"You should have warned me, I almost fell when we arrived," grunted the girl.

"I was holding you," he laughed.

The girl realized they were back to the Leaky Cauldron. The pub as well was less crowded than usual.

"What are we doing here?" she asked curiously.

"Let's eat here for lunch. Sounds good?"

"Yeah, I don't mind," just answered the girl.

They sat at a table and the innkeeper brought them a simple meal. As they started eating, the girl asked, "Why aren't we eating at your house though?"

"Because Kreacher isn't home. I think that's why my parents decided to leave for a few days. And I can't cook of course."

Hearing his final words, the girl laughed before asking, "Wait, but why isn't he home?"

"Last time we had a meeting, You-Know-Who said he needed a house elf for personal stuff. And since Bellatrix recommended me to show more loyalty like her or Lucius to be counted as his favorites... Well, encouraged by my cousin, I proudly requested Kreacher to participate in whatever activity he had. And that's how I've become elf-less for the past few days."

"Well, okay... how do you usually eat since you can't cook," chuckled the girl.

"I eat what we have, and what Kreacher made earlier. Narcissa asked if I wanted to eat with her and Lucius, especially since I was alone now but I declined. He only left two days ago you know."

"What about tonight?" asked Adena curiously.

"Hm. Well,"  just answered the boy, trying to contain his laughter.

"You, silly! We should go back home and ask Pimchin!"

"That's an idea yeah..."

"Idiot..." murmured the girl as she continued her meal, a small smile on her face.

"Hm Adena, what do you want for your birthday?" asked the boy out of nowhere.

"You're really asking me that, twelve hours away from my birthday."

"Yeah, I didn't think of any present before," honestly answered the boy.

Adena just sighed before laughing a little. She looked at him for a moment wondering what to get until her eyes found something interesting. Her hand reached out to take out the pendants hanging around her boyfriend's neck that were hidden under his shirt.

"One like this," she said, lifting up the pendant where remained a photo of her, the present she had given him for his own birthday. "So, we can match."

"If that's what you want, I'll go buy one quickly before leaving."

"I have no idea honestly since you just asked so suddenly. And since I don't care much about presents, I thought I should go with a simple but meaningful thing."

"Yeah, that's what I thought when I told you about the pendant."

After going back to Diagon Alley to buy a similar pendant, the two teens decided to head to Regulus' house. They started by looking for a proper photo to put in the locket, going through archives of the Black family at the same time. They saw many old pictures, one rare of Sirius and Regulus together at a young age that hadn't been burnt by their mother, and one even rarer of the boys and their parents. Regulus stared at the photo of him with his brother for a while before looking for a photo of himself again. Adena finally found a photo of a young Regulus that could fit in her new locket. As she looked at it, she noticed he still had the same dark curls back then and was even showing the calm demeanor and features he still had today despite his young age.

"How old were you?"

"About seven probably."

"You looked so calm and serious even at that time..."

"That was how you were educated in the Black family. Stuck up way," sighed the boy.

"I'm glad you're actually not like that. It'd be boring," snorted the brunette.

"I think I still look like that just not with you."

"You better," chuckled Adena as she tidied the mess they made with these archives. 

They eventually found themselves in Regulus' bedroom after that. Adena got used to the atmosphere of this room, it was now familiar to be in it, she felt at ease there. She had even noticed a slight change of atmosphere in the house, probably due to Regulus' parents' absence. It was a light atmosphere unlike the oppressed one she had felt the first time she came.

When Adena entered the room, she didn't waste any time before getting rid of her shoes and climbing onto her boyfriend's bed. She muffled her face in the large green pillow, inhaling the scent of her boyfriend that had impregned the sheets.

"You aren't planning on sleeping now, right?" suspiciously asked the boy, going to lie at her side.

"No. I don't feel like sleeping," she replied, turning her face so she could have a look at Regulus.

"What do you feel like doing then?" he murmured, looking down at her.

Adena gazed into the grey irises of Regulus that were staring back at her. And instead of answering, she brought herself closer until she was able to kiss him softly on the lips. He pressed his own lips on hers, responding with the same delicacy to the kiss. They were both so gentle in their movements, like they were learning to discover each other once again even though they had kissed so many times. But even right now, it felt special. The spark between their lips, butterflies in their stomachs, warmth coursing through their bodies, it wasn't gone. Just like the strong thumping of their hearts beating in synchronization or the need to feel each other through the most subtle touches. It has been so long since they got a real moment of calm where they could offer themselves to each other. Especially after the past weeks that have been quite hectic, they were craving to fall back in their own world again, where they could get lost into each other and forget about everything as they were the only ones who existed for an ephemeral moment. Her arms had flied up to circle his neck, bringing herself closer while his hand glided down her back, resting on her hip next. They were more at ease with each other than they had ever been. Regulus' touches were still gentle but not as shy or clumsy as they could have been in the past. He had gained confidence over the times he had spent in her arms, and over the moments he had spent by her side, all of this reflecting right now, showing how matured he has become as a partner. And she could only follow his lead, trusting him more than ever.

"I feel like kissing you..." she sighed these words against his lips, her half-open eyes staring into his.

"Kiss, only?" he whispered back, gazing at her with as much intensity.

"Probably not..." she sincerely responded. And it took him half a second to lean back down to capture her sweet lips. One kiss turned into a thousand, recovering not only her lips but her neck, cleavage, and chest as well. He even took time to place chaste kisses on her hands and wrists. She was struck by the amount of tenderness he was showing even after all this time. She had never expected this to be as perfect.

"I want you to feel special," whispered Regulus, his grey eyes showcasing passion, love and envy, three emotions she would so rarely witness all together in her boyfriend's eyes but that would make his eyes shine so beautifully.

"I feel exactly this way right now..." answered Adena, smiling at him. She could feel a light warmth burning her cheeks, but she ignored it, choosing to focus on her lover instead, slowly caressing his cheeks and jaw as he smiled back at her.

There was a mutual understanding in every one of their touches, smiles or glances. It was enough for Adena to make her feel understood. They shared the same needs and the same emotions. Being in such a unique harmony was so satisfying.

The brunette couldn't help whispering 'I love you'  to Regulus every time he would be pleasurable in the most perfect way. In those moments, she was always feeling fulfilled with a crazy amount of affection for her boyfriend. When she would think she couldn't love him more, her feelings burst.

author's note: oh wow sorry for taking so long to update but uni is making me so busy with work like it's so intense despite not having as many classes as my bachelor. we have like 5 or 6 exercises to work on this semester and to give back between the end of october and the beginning of january haha.... i was also supposed to update during last week-end but i was instead busy getting checked up at the hospital cause my body is so week and i had 3 seizures/strokes i don't know how to call this in a row.... but everything is fine it's okay