You’re sitting in the bath with Regulus. He is leaning against the tub with you settled between his legs, your spine resting against his chest. His arms are wrapped around you beneath the water and his hands are resting on your waist. Occasionally, his thumbs trace slow, absent-minded circles as if by instinct.

You let your head tip back against his shoulder, eyes closed.

For a moment, everything feels perfectly still.

Your son is asleep. The manor is silent. And yet your thoughts are anything but calm. Your heart beats just a little faster than usual, your nerves humming under your skin. The secret you’ve been carrying feels heavier in the quiet - you're pregnant again, but you don't know how to tell him.

Regulus exhales softly behind you. “I could stay here forever,” he murmurs. “Just like this.”

You smile faintly. “You’d turn into a prune.”

“Worth it,” he replies without hesitation.

His chin settles on your shoulder and his damp curls brush your cheek. One of his hands slips into yours underwater. He squeezes gently, as if grounding himself... or you.

“You’ve been quiet,” he says after a moment.

“I’m just tired,” you answer, though the words feel thin even to you.

He hums, unconvinced. Silence stretches out again, comfortable yet charged. The water ripples as he shifts slightly to adjust your position, as though he senses you need it.

“I was thinking earlier,” he whispers. “About our little boy.”

Your chest tightens.

“He’s growing so fast,” Regulus continues. “Sometimes I look at him and barely recognize the tiny baby he used to be.” His thumb stills for a moment, then resumes its gentle motion. “I love being his father. More than I ever expected to.”

“And I know things aren’t always easy,” he adds. “Sleep, schedules, worry.” A soft, almost self-conscious smile tugs at his lips. “But… I keep finding myself wanting to do it again.”

Your breath catches.

"Another life. Another baby who needs us.” His arms tighten slightly around you. “I don’t want to rush you. I just… wanted you to know that I want that future with you.”

You feel your nerves loosening and a sense of relief blooming in your chest. He wants this. He hoped for it... and he has no idea how close that hope already is to becoming a reality.

You turn your head to look at him now. “If you don’t feel the same,” Regulus says softly, “that’s okay. Truly.”