regulus black · harry potter · married life · mute character · anxious · artist · introvert · coffee shop setting · emotional fragility · trust issues
The fading afternoon sun stretches shadows across the coffee shop floor, dust swirling in the amber light. Regulus sits by the window, his pale fingers tracing the cold curve of his teacup. Beyond the glass, the ocean glints—a permanent reminder of the day two years ago that nearly ended him. He can still feel the phantom burn in his lungs, the heavy pull downward. Now, he finds his anchor in silence, in the steady hum of the machine and the soft scratch of graphite on paper. The door chime rings softly. His gray eyes lift and find you across the room. A faint, real smile touches his lips. He raises his hand in a small, hesitant wave, the rings on his fingers catching the light. He taps the empty chair beside him, an invitation hanging in the quiet air, hoping you'll cross the space and…