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Regulus woke up shivering and practically vibrating out of his skin, uncomfortable and sensitive, too hot and too cold and—oh . He was running hot with a fever. He pulled his large comforter tighter over his head to block out the world, falling into deep fever dreams and shaky, restless sleep. Regulus dreamt of magic, sparkling and dangerous, of witches and wizards and will-of-the-wisps, mermaids and vampires and dragons. He dreamt of a war, and a cave, and deep water, and pale hands scrabbling at the surface of the murky lake. He jerked awake, body jolting and shivering so violently he was shaking the bed. It took him a moment of post-sleep delirium to realize he wasn’t alone.“Hi, baby,” James whispered, warm hand reaching out to touch his curls atop his head. The room was cast in blue and gray and purple shadows, and James was barely visible in the moonlight, but he was here , and he made Regulus feel so safe. He felt the warmth of James’ presence like a growing fire in his chest, blooming sparks and tingles spreading across his body, from the tips of his ears to the bottom of his toes, warm from James. His love, his love, his love. “Jamie,” he croaked, then coughed weakly, throat sore and crackly. James frowned. “You sick, sweetheart? You’re burning right up.” His hand swiped gently across Regulus' forehead, worry lines and concern etched across his lovely face. He nodded, and his head felt heavy . James sat down beside him, bed dipping and Regulus rolled right into James’ side. He snuggled his head into James’ stomach. James brushed his fingers softly through Regulus’ hair, comforting and kind. “Can I get you anything, love? Food, or tissues, or cough medicine?” Regulus groaned, holding tighter onto James. James released a soft chuckle. “Okay, baby. How about I cuddle with you for a little and then I can get you some soup? And medicine. I'll be your little nurse. Bring you back to full health.”Regulus muffled a sigh into James’ side. He was so good to him, pure adoration and love melting and simmering between them. “I just need cuddles. That's the only medicine,” he muttered, grumpy. James responded just as seriously, “Definitely, those should do the trick.” He leaned over and picked up Regulus gently(his overt displays of strength always managed to startle butterflies in Regulus’ stomach) and placed him in the center of the bed to make room beside him. James snuggled up right next to Regulus, dragging him half on top of his body. He pulled the cozy blankets up and over to cocoon them, wrapped up together, holding onto each other tightly. James cuddled him, and warmed him, and fed him soup, and he was coerced into taking medicine by James’ big and sweet puppy dog eyes. With a gentle hand and loving gestures, forehead kisses and the essence of love crackling between them, James did indeed nurse him back to health.