Regulus unexpectedly arrived by the end of the afternoon. Or maybe his arrival was expected by Ariel. Maybe he was just waiting for him, guessing he would visit him very soon.

He walked out of the house and discovered the elder boy lying down in the grass, his smooth skin glistening under the burning sun. He looked so handsome. Ariel didn't notice his presence at first.

"Wake up."

The blond boy opened up his eyes upon hearing this voice, a voice he adored. He looked up at Regulus through his sunglasses and a smile finally drew itself on his features.

"Oh it's my little baby," he spoke joyfully.

His words got him a glare from the younger boy who replied sourly, "You're being too familiar."

Ariel knew perfectly how to tease the boy and he just laughed. "You love it when I'm being familiar."

And Regulus rolled his eyes, looking uninterested.

"Come here. I've missed you," told him Ariel, patting the spot next to him.

"We literally saw each other yesterday."

"Yeah but I didn't get to cuddle you last night," answered the boy with a disappointed pout.

Regulus finally walked up to him and came to lie by his side. It was only natural for him to place his head and his hand on the other boy's chest, secretly enjoying his presence and warmth.

"Aren't you being a little familiar?" asked teasingly the boy, smirking but his hand gave soothing caresses to Regulus' smooth curls.

The raven-haired male just hummed, acting uninterested by his words until Ariel spoke up again.

"My parents are home you know."

Regulus only realized at this moment what he was doing, the situation he could be caught in and he instantly detached himself from the boy, putting distance between them.

"We shouldn't... get too close then..."

"I'm just messing with you, you know. I don't think they'll be interested in what I'm doing so don't worry, they won't check on us," he whispered back, rolling on the ground until finding Regulus beside him again. His hand went up to the boy's face, angling it towards him so they could look at each other. They stared deeply, intently into each other's irises. "I missed you too much to not get too close."

"Me too..." murmured Regulus almost inaudibly, as if he didn't want Ariel to hear him, before the boy started kissing him. It was soft and sensual, just like Ariel, and it tasted like honey just like him as well. Regulus loved his sweet taste. He loved how good of a kisser was Ariel. And Ariel loved how timid Regulus' movements were, even after all this time. It made him smile gently.

"Get rid of this and we're going," murmured the blond boy while slipping his hand under the other boy's shirt and he nodded.

"It's too hot to wear this anyway..." he muttered back, opening his eyes to look at Ariel who was wearing his usual smirk

After some minutes they were walking hand in hand in the grass, surrounded by nature, so peacefully. Ariel felt a lot better now, it felt so calming to be with Regulus. He had no worry in him at the moment, he chose to enjoy his time.

As per usual, they followed their routine and dived into the water. Regulus didn't mind the cold anymore, it felt refreshing in this hot afternoon. But for some reasons, he had a hard time to cool down when Ariel was so close which was the case now. He stayed stuck to him for a while, relaxing against him quietly. Only the sounds of the nature were breaking the silence and it felt so relaxing.

It was now the early evening. Ariel didn't want to go home. He was lying on his back, letting his body float on the calm surface of the water. He was thinking again, wondering, asking himself questions.

"Shouldn't we go back?" asked Regulus, getting him out of his thoughts.

"Hm."

"Are you okay?" murmured the youngest, swimming closer to him.

"Can I go to your house tonight? I don't wanna stay home. Father keeps asking about looking for a spouse."

"No problem."

"Thanks," replied the blond boy, turning his gaze towards him. This word didn't express the amount of gratefulness he actually felt at the moment.

They went back together and obviously got dressed before meeting with Ariel's parents, announcing their departure. At Regulus' house - a place that Ariel knew well already from what he had seen at the parties organized there - they greeted Walburga and Orion Black. The couple was more than ravished to have Ariel Malfoy as their guest. They had a small chat together, it was shallow and uninteresting but Ariel's smile was stuck on his face and looked like it wouldn't move.

His cheeks hurt so bad when they finally left to go to Regulus' room. A scowl was now placed on his features. It had been such a displeasing conversation, just the Blacks being insufferable and obnoxious. If felt good to be out of their presence again.

"Your parents seem to appreciate me a lot..."

"I bet if you were a girl they would think you're the perfect candidate to be my fiancée," said the boy in a joking manner in return before he realized the words he had just said. Ariel wasn't a girl and so Ariel would never be able to marry him like some girls he didn't care about. Considering this thought wasn't even possible. Everything seemed impossible between them. A future together seemed unimaginable.

As if sensing the pestering thoughts bothering the boy, Ariel approached him and grabbed his hand, continuing to walk up the stairs. He too realized right after what he had just said. He too knew. But it wouldn't make him stay away from Regulus nonetheless.

He had already visited the house of Black when he was young so rediscovering Regulus' bedroom was no surprise. It was still decorated with the same green wallpaper. The same desk, the same closet and the same bed were there as well. The motto of the family still visible on one of the wall. Underneath were pinned press articles Ariel had not seen before. About the Dark Lord. Regulus truly idolized that man, he thought. He then walked up to the window, observing the almost empty street below, and after, the setting sun painting it in orange.

"Well you know my room."

"Yeah. It has barely changed."

"I'll go have a quick shower now, okay?"

Ariel turned around and nodded at him. "You don't mind if I do too? After of course..."

Regulus stared at him and Ariel refrained himself from laughing. "Yeah, after..."

And so Ariel offered him a grin before the boy finally left. The blond boy stayed by the window in the meantime, staring out and observing the street while appreciating the hot rays of sun still visible at that late hour. Happily he didn't wait for long. Regulus' shower was really quick like he said, and he probably didn't want to make the older boy wait too long for him.

He came back wearing fresh and clean clothes that consist of some shorts and a tee-shirt. A towel was still drying his messy hair.

"You can go in. I tried to be quick."

"You could have taken your time," told him Ariel as he walked past him and Regulus just shrugged.

Unlike Regulus, Ariel stayed in the shower for a longer time. The weather was so hot so he chose to enjoy the fresh water for a while. Cold water helped him relax and clear his mind. He took his time to get out and dry himself before coming back in the bedroom with only his towel tied around his waist.

"Don't you have a pair of shorts or trunks for me please?" asked Ariel casually as he entered the room and faced Regulus who was sitting on the bed. He stared at him, his eyes slightly widened in surprise and Ariel found his reaction somehow entertaining.

"Hm. Sure. Just, hm, search in the closet," replied Regulus quietly while pointing to his closet.

The other boy nodded and turned around to look into his clothes. After some seconds, he retrieved a pair of trunks and thought this could be enough for the night. He then, without any shame or embarrassment let his towel fall on the floor. His back was still turned towards Regulus but he could feel his stare on him. He didn't waste more time to get dressed and he then turned around to face the boy. A shade of pink was now painting his cheeks, and it was visible enough even from afar. Regulus looked surprised, and once his grey eyes met Ariel's blue ones, he averted his stare, feeling even more embarrassed.

"Don't be embarrassed. You know I'm not bashful," murmured teasingly the blond boy, and his tone of voice made the other look up at him. He noticed the little smirk on his face.

"Are you having fun making me embarrassed?" groaned the raven-haired boy when Ariel approached him.

"Yes. A lot," honestly and shamelessly answered Ariel with a chuckle.

"Idiot," muttered Regulus in return while keeping his gaze away from him.

"Stop sulking. You're really a baby," whispered the boy once he was sat beside Regulus. He brought his face closer until his lips were able to lightly peck his still-pink-cheek. "But now that I think about it, it only makes you more adorable," he added, smirking just a little.

The younger boy groaned again and turned his face away, hoping Ariel wouldn't notice his face flush even more. While spending time with the boy, he had noticed three things. Firstly, Ariel loved complimenting him. Every time he could, he would throw compliments at him, whether it was about his personality or his looks. He then noticed how hard it was for him to get and accept compliments. It was rather rare, except from teachers sometimes. And he couldn't help but feel somehow shy when receiving them. And the last thing he noticed was that he actually loved getting compliments from the boy. His attention was very much appreciated, Regulus couldn't deny that. It always made him feel some type of way. It was so impacting that his body itself was reacting, going from the strong thumping of his heart or the warmth exploding in his stomach, spreading, and going up to his cheeks. Which was the case at the moment. He felt like a fire was burning in him.

"Stop sulking and look at me..." whispered Ariel as he went to kiss his neck and Regulus felt like all strength and resistance left him, making him turn around quickly to look at the older boy. His beautiful eyes were shining when he stared back at him and Regulus felt enchanted. And maybe it was the look in those fascinating blue eyes that made him lean down to kiss Ariel.

authors's note: is it weird to read? this seems like a rather strange or cliché situation but i find it funny because ariel has so much fun doing this sort of things. it's really not a problem for him, unlike regulus. it's just their relationship growing and growing more intimate specifically