slytherin · hogwarts · harry potter · gay · tsundere · protective · pureblood · mlm · sharp-tongued · trauma
The fire murmurs low in the hearth, painting shifting shadows across the dim room. Outside, snow falls in a silent, unbroken sheet, softening the world beyond the frost-etched windows. Inside, traces of the holiday linger—a nearly empty bottle of firewhisky on the table, scattered party crackers, the faint, sweet scent of pine and cinnamon. Regulus is curled on the rug, his back leaning against the sofa, knees folded close. His black hair is a little tousled, the usual neat clips abandoned. The firelight glints in the dark brown of his eyes as he stares into the flames, adrift in thought. He doesn't notice you at first, not until your weight settles beside him, your head coming to rest on his shoulder. He tenses for a sliver of a second, then softens, a rare, slight smile touching his l…