#✦ microfics

[jeguluses]

regulus waking up and snuggling up to james’ back thinking he is still asleep but as soon as he makes contact, he feels a full body shudder go through his husband.

“james? what’s wrong? are you…are you crying?”

regulus’ heart breaks when there’s only a sob in response.

“baby? tell me what’s wrong. what happened, jamie?” regulus sits up, leaning over james’ body and inspecting his tear stained face for any hint of what caused him to wake up like this.

james shakes his head, smiling sheepishly through the wetness on his face. “i’m okay.”

regulus frowns, feeling helpless. “don’t lie to me. you’re obviously not okay.”

“no, really, i’m fine. i promise. “ james turns so they’re facing each other, reaching up to place both hands on regulus’ cheeks, releasing a sigh filled with contentment.

“but why are you crying?”

at this, james giggles bashfully. “it’s just that we have such a beautiful life, regulus. no one understands me like you do. no one loves me like you do and no one ever could love me like you. we’ve invested so much effort into making this house perfect for us.“

“our wedding was a dream come true. not to mention, we’re raising the coolest and smartest people i’ve ever met in my life. i never get sick of it honestly,” james tells regulus, sighing again and moving into his personal space in order to rest his head on regulus’ thigh.

regulus’ chest feels warm at the honest love in james’ voice. he slips his fingers into his husband’s hair, softly detangling the knots from sleeping. “i don’t understand. that makes you sad?”

james closes his eye as he says, “i’m just so happy. so grateful to have met you.”

regulus feels nauseated with the amount of affection that wells up inside of him at james’ candid words. he’s not even trying to smooth talk regulus, he truly feels this way.

shit. now, regulus wants to cry.

“i’m really happy too,” he whispers, still petting james’ curls.

“you are?” james asks, not disbelieving but wanting confirmation all the same.

regulus smiles even though james cannot see. “very happy.”

“good,” james hums. “thank you.”

“for what?”

“for respecting me and trusting me. for caring for me and making me a better person.”

james sighs a third time as regulus digs his fingers into his scalp the way he likes. “for loving me.”

“it has, and will continue to be,” regulus says, mirroring james’ conviction, “and honor to love and be loved by you, james potter.”

[rainydayathogwarts]

Concussions and interruptions - Harry Potter

summary: You aren't expecting to meet Harry's parents for the first time while you share an intimate moment in the hospital wing after he sustains another quidditch injury. obviously jily is alive and well.. slytherin!reader wc: 1.1k

You looked up at Harry lovingly, pulling your legs up on the bed as you rested your head on his shoulder, reaching up to brush long strands of hair out of his face. Harry scrunched his face up, smiling with his eyes closed as your fingers grazed his skin, before opening them again and returning your gaze. The hospital wing was oddly quiet, especially after such an intense Quidditch game. The day had been long enough, having to endure classes while the entire school hyped itself up for the big match, and Harry inevitably ended up making his day longer thanks to the addition of his new concussion. 

You’d waited until Harry’s teammates and friends had all left the hospital wing before taking your place next to him, hand resting atop his. He smelled clean, having showered and changed into a clean t-shirt and sweatpants “It’s a phenomenon how you’re so often the only person injured after a game.” Harry chuckled, squeezing your hand softly “Yeah well your house mates really have it out for me.” You cocked your head to the side, biting your lip. Well, you couldn’t argue with that. “Hey, if you’d been a Slytherin, that wouldn’t be the case.” Harry scoffed at your words, but you continued speaking nonetheless, a grin forming on your face, clueless to the wooden doors of the hospital wing creaking open and the two figures approaching you. “Besides, you look way better in green than red.” Harry raised his eyebrows challengingly, the movement in unison with his father’s just behind you. “Yeah well you look better in red than green.” 

You shook your head in disagreement, straightening up on the bed. Harry’s eyes were so focused on you that he hadn’t realised his parents coming to a stop behind you, waiting for their son to notice their obstructed presence. Harry stared at you with adoration, watching closely as you mercilessly tugged at your green tie until it became loose enough to fit around your head. You took Harry’s glasses of with care, putting them in the breast pocket of your shirt while carefully pulling your tie around your boyfriend’s neck. “I’m being serious, look.” Tightening the tie around Harry’s neck, you leaned across him to grab the mirror on his side table, unblocking the two adults behind you from his view. Harry squinted, struggling from the lack of visual aid, but the bright red hair of his mum and strong figure of his dad spoiled the surprise. 

“Here.” You huffed, handing the boy the mirror, but only then did you realise his distracted gaze. Turning around on the bed, your jaw dropped, immediately recognising both your boyfriend’s parents, neither of which you’d ever met before. Lily and James stood with locked arms and matching smiles on their faces, looks of fondness on their faces. You felt heat shoot up your neck at the recognition that they’d witnessed your intimate moment, and ducked your head away, distracting yourself by returning Harry’s glasses. Standing up suddenly, you freed space for Harry's parents on the bed. Lily ducked, pressing a kiss to Harry's forehead before sitting next to him, while James stood, watching you closely until he averted his watch to his son, stating "Got a call someone got a concussion." James grinned at Harry, who returned the smile, running a hand through his hair.

Glancing at your feet, you debated on leaving the hospital wing to allow the family some time alone. Your thoughts, however, were interrupted by a hand clasping around your shoulder. Looking up suddenly, you were taking aback by Harry's father, and more so how similar he looked to your boyfriend. "You're right kid, he does look better in green. Now you wanna tell me which of your friends knocked my kid off his broom?" You opened your mouth, turning to Harry in search for an answer, but only finding the kind yet intimidating eyes of his mother, turned back to James. "It was Malfoy." You said quietly, eyes wide in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I can leave you guys alone." You muttered again, gesturing towards the tall doors.

"Nonsense!" Lily stood from the bed, approaching you while throwing her husband a scolding look. "James you're scaring her!" She whispered, though you're sure it was loud enough for even Harry to hear. "Honestly you're both scaring me." You spoke truthfully, and James barked out a laugh, pointing accusingly at his wife. "No sweetheart," Lily started, placing her hands on your shoulders and guiding you back to Harry's bed. "That's ridiculous, we've heard so many great things about you." Your mouth fell agape as you took your place next to your boyfriend once more, eyes going wide. Your strict pureblooded parents didn't even know about your relationship with Harry. You thought the same went with him. "Oh."

Harry placed his hand over yours, squeezing it tightly. His parents shot each other a confused and somewhat worrisome look. "Y/n's parents wouldn't approve of someone who isn't a slytherin or a pureblood, so they don't know." Lily and James both nodded in understanding, but now they were worried for you. It wasn't as bad as Sirius's parents had been, was it? An awkward silence fell amongst you, and you felt the need to fill it, mumbling "Let me take my tie back." Harry shut his eyes, letting you unfasten your tie from his neck and tying it around yours, occupying yourself with the quick movements which you deliberately slowed down to ponder over the situation.

"I'll give you guys some time alone." You spoke again, leaning down to pick up your bag from its spot on the floor and placing it on your lap. You glanced at Harry, smiling at him, before his hand was wrapping around your tie and pulling you closer to him. You gasped when his lips briefly met yours, feeling the heat creep up to your face, and abruptly stood, strictly avoiding eye contact with either of his parents. "It was nice to meet you!" You squeaked, trotting over to the doors in a rush, clutching the bag on your shoulder tightly.

Harry grinned, eyes glued to the spot where you disappeared between the two doors, before he was brought out of his chance by his mother. "Harry Potter, you are evil." She half-scolded, a smile on her face nonetheless. James took your spot next to Harry on the hospital bed, a wide grin on his face as he said "The girl was already nervous enough to meet us, now I don't think she'll ever be able to face us ever again."

"Yeah she will," Replied Harry, pushing his glasses higher up his nose "Give her a year or two."

[himbosandhardwear]

Eddie's mid-speech, absently pulling his hair up off his sweaty neck to put up, when he sees Steve check out of the conversation, eyes drifting over his progress.

"What's up? You never seen a dude with a ponytail before?"

"Huh? No. I mean, yeah, maybe, but no, it's just..."

He gets up off his chair and, without a by-your-leave, takes Eddie's hair back down and starts carding his fingers through it. Eddie, seeing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in that moment, says not a fucking word, just lets him do his thing.

"Huh."

"Hmm?" He manages despite the body-morphing, nerve-wracking, world-ending thing that's happening.

"I just never noticed... You've got real curls happening back here." He tugs on a strand, killing Eddie stone dead. "Not the Head & Shoulders and hot water fried stuff on top, like real, actual curls."

"Hey." He tries to drum up the right amount of offense but it's hard when his brain fled the scene thirty seconds earlier.

"Wonder if I could revive any of this," he mumbles to himself as he continues to catalog Eddie's hair situation. He's got the top half piled atop his head so he can study the 'good stuff' underneath at his leisure.

This might be the best day of Eddie's young life. Honestly, if he'd known Steve was interested in it this much, he would've pulled his hair half up years ago, showed off a little.

"Can I do a V05 hot oil treatment on you?"

"Baby, you can do whatever you want to me."

"What?"

"What?"

[my-castles-crumbling]

jegulus - anonymous request - word count: 346

“Never have I never…” Sirius started, eyes glued to James, “....kissed a Slytherin.”

He knew it was a cheap shot. But he had to know for sure. The idea had been in his head for weeks and he needed proof.

So braced himself and waited for his best friend to take a drink. But he grew extremely distracted when he saw Peter, who was across from him, move to take a swig from his butterbeer. 

“Wormy!?” he gasped, glaring at his friend.

“It was one time!” Peter shrugged, grinning.

By the time Sirius looked back to James, it was too late. He could have already taken a drink without Sirius seeing. Grumbling, Sirius focused on the next few questions.

On his next turn, he picked a question that he figured was foolproof. 

“Never have I ever…” he said, starting to feel the effects of the alcohol, “had a secret relationship.”

But before he could get a good look at whether or not James or Regulus drank, there were shouts and yelps, and Sirius couldn’t help but turn his head to see both Marlene and Dorcas drinking, twin looks of sheepish guilt on their faces.

“I knew it!” Barty Crouch shouted, eyes wide.

“Oi, you need to drink too, Junior!” Dorcas yelled. “I know about you and Evan!”

The chaos that resulted was more than enough time for James and Regulus to both drink without Sirius seeing.

And so it went for three more turns. Whatever he said, a secret was revealed, but it was not the secret he was looking for. He was getting more and more frustrated and more and more drunk until finally he realized..

“Never have I ever kissed Regulus Black!” he shouted, staring daggers at James.

But before James could move, Sirius felt Remus, who was sitting next to him, take a quick drink.

“Remus?” he screeched. “What the fuck?”

Looking down and stifling a grin, Remus bit his lip before answering. “We both had shit to figure out, okay?”

He never did figure out for sure if James was snogging Regulus.

[oh-phoenixx]

"Baby" - Jegulus microfic @into-the-jeggyverse - 396 words

-

Pet names, in Regulus’s opinion, were gross. Every time he heard his brother’s boyfriend call him ‘sweetheart’, he wanted to vomit. He had to leave the room whenever Evan and Barty were flirting because they did nothing but use disgusting pet names. 

James, on the other hand, loved pet names. He would call Regulus every pet name under the sun, not minding that Regulus only called him ‘James’ or ‘Jamie’ in return. Coming from anyone else, Regulus would have hated this. He would have been put off the entire relationship, really. 

“Morning, love,” James greeted with a grin, kissing Regulus’s head and then sitting down next to him. 

It only took two seconds for Barty to clock this and burst out laughing. “Sorry, did he just call you ‘love’?”

“Yes? What about it?” Regulus responded through gritted teeth and a glare. 

“Nothing, nothing, Mr. Pet-names-are-gross-and-I’ll-never-let-anyone-use-them-for-me,” Barty laughed.

James turned to Regulus, eyebrows furrowed and bottom lip jutting out. “You don’t like it when I call you ‘love’?”

“I-” Regulus looked between James and Barty, trying to decide if reassuring James was worth his humiliation. “It’s fine when it’s you,” he mumbled, hoping Barty couldn’t hear. 

James’s pout turned into a huge grin. He kissed Regulus’s jaw and nuzzled into his neck. And, yes, Regulus believed it was worth reassuring James, even though Barty was most definitely going to mock him for this later. 

Despite being okay with James calling him silly names (‘okay with’ is an understatement, to be honest), Regulus refused to do the same. He was Regulus Black, for Merlin’s sake. James was a perfectly acceptable name, and it was pushing it for Regulus to even call him ‘Jamie’. This is why it was a shock to both of them when, one morning:

“Baby, come back to bed,” Regulus whined tiredly.

James’s brain seemed to short-circuit for a moment, spinning around rapidly to look at Regulus. 

Regulus hid his face in the pillow, repeating, “I didn’t say that, I didn’t say that, I didn’t say that.”

James just tilted Regulus’s face towards his and kissed him, smiling so widely you’d think he’d won the Quidditch cup. This was worth the humiliation, too, Regulus thought, seeing James this happy.

If Regulus let the term slip out every now and then, most especially when he needed something or when James was angry, that could stay between them.

[ecstarry]

james taking his time while kissing reg, waiting until his hand is burning and reg is making really pretty noises to move them from reg’s neck to his waist to his lower back and fucking losing it the moment reg calls him “baby”

[jamessluttythighs]

core - @jegulus-microfic - word count: 209

James was sitting on his bed, hands trembling. 

“Prongs, you look like you’re about to throw up, mate. Are you good?” Remus asked cautiously. He had a book balanced in one hand while the other was carding through Sirius’ hair. Sirius, who was lying in Remus’ lap, tentatively opened one eye to look at his best friend.

“Well erm it’s just …” James trailed off, not making eye contact. 

Concerned, Sirius propped himself next to Remus on the bed. “You know you can talk to us about anything, right?” Sirius said gently.

At this Peter shuffled closer to the edge of his bed, giving James an encouraging look. “You can do it, James,” giving him a small smile and nod.

James took a deep breath.

“Wellitsjustthatregulusandihavebeendatingforthepastmonthandmenottellingyouhasbeeneatingmealiveandicantdoitanymore,” James spilled out in one breath.

“What?” Sirius asked, perplexed.

“Regulus and I are dating,” James said slowly.

A smile spread across Sirius’ face and he leant dramatically against Remus. He threw his one hand against his forehead in mock surprise. “I am shook to my core. How will I ever recover from this brand new information?”

James looked up confused. “You knew?” 

“My dearest Prongsie boy, you can’t keep the love off your face when looking at Reggie for shit,” Sirius laughed.

[bradleysass]

"Regulus Black?" His posture stiffened. "Depends on who’s asking." "We have a few questions about your boyfriend." Regulus' brain stalled so violently he nearly sprained something. "The fuck you mean, boyfriend?" The officer gave him a look. "James Potter." Regulus gawked. "He’s not my—who the fuck told you that?" "Several people."

@leeny-leens

[mxgnum]

Regulus Black was never emotional.

Not when his mother deemed him too old for stuffed toys.

Not when Sirius left him in that hell-hole of a house.

Not when Andromeda's name was blasted from the tree for marrying tonks.

Not when his mother put him under the cruciatus curse for not being pristine enough.

He thought he had forgotten how to cry.

That lasted until James Potter stood in front of him with a completely annotated version of "The Picture of Dorian Gray", all because he had mentioned once how romantic it would be if someone annotated a book he liked for him to read and know their thoughts- That was an year ago when they first started going out together. James had remembered and had done it for him.

Regulus cried then, in the comforting arms of his boyfriend, thankful that for once he didn't have to be strong and would be loved for who he was.

[gayeilgeoir]

Boss @taylorswiftmicrofic 285 words, Wolfstar and Jegulus

“I’m sick of him!” Sirius sighed exasperatedly, slamming a white envelope with a broken red wax seal down on the table and flopping angrily into the seat next to Remus.

“I beg your pardon?” Remus asked, picking up the envelope and seeing Regulus’s neat print on the front “What did he do this time?”

Sirius glared at him, arms folded across his chest like a stropping child. He grabbed the letter from Remus’s hands harshly, pulling out the scroll and unfurling it with a flourish. It appeared Sirius Black simply had to be dramatic even when he was utterly irate, he couldn’t escape it. It was his nature.

“Dearest Brother” Sirius began to read aloud, imitating Regulus’s slightly more pronounced French accent than his own “I have recently been told that you have decided to start dating Remus lupin, my best friend. This is truly unacceptable in my eyes, I cannot stand this betrayal. So I have decided to follow in your footsteps. Being told that you’re “the boss of me” and to “emulate your example” was something I had to listen to a few too many times as a child, and I fear it has somehow worn in. This time, I choose to emulate your example, and start shagging your best friend. You truly are a fabulous teacher in the art of being petty Sirius.

I bet Christmas at the potters will be far more interesting than usual now.

Love, your baby brother, James’s boyfriend

Reggie”

“Merlin” Remus laughed, clutching his sides in pain “I fucking love him”

“You’re supposed to be on my side moony!” Sirius groaned, standing up and walking towards the door “I’m going to go set the dungeons on fire”

(Op is under 18)

[jeguluses]

✦ jegulus microfic : nsfw! [trans regulus, quidditch players!jegulus, jealous sex] — 385 words

“you have some nerve, potter!”

james spins away from the bench, his boot half unlaced. “me? you're the one calling me by my last name like you don’t share it.”

“i don’t have time for jokes,” regulus scoffs. “take your pants off.”

“what?” despite his astonishment, james follows the order obediently.

regulus begins to undress too, stripping off his outer robes. “i saw you flirting with that journalist. letting her lean on your arm while she laughs.” he sneers. “pathetic.”

“wait, are we fighting or fucking?”

regulus strips out of the rest of his clothing, standing naked in front of james and approaching him with a predatory expression on his face. when he stands only a few inches away, he bends forward to slide james’ boxers to his ankles.

“both,” he answers, pushing james backwards so his bare asscheeks hit the bench below them.

regulus climbs into his lap, sinking down in one smooth motion. they fucked this morning before the match and regulus is still loose from their activities. james slips in easily despite not being fully hard yet.

it’s not long, though, before he’s throbbing inside of his husband. “please, regulus. move.”

“admit it.”

james blinks, trying to drag some clarity back into his mind, his brain numbed from the tight grip regulus has on his cock. “what?”

regulus clenches down. “admit that you were flirting.”

“fuck,” james groans. “please. i can’t—”

regulus says his name like a warning. james grips his hips tightly.

“maybe she was flirting, but i was not. it’s just you, baby. if you thought that i looked at her in any sort of way, it’s because your face had crossed my mind.” james grits out, speaking through his thrumming arousal.

regulus stares at him a minute, still not moving. “regulus, please, i love you. please, move.”

his husband's face softens and he leans it to peck james’ lips twice in a display of contentment. “okay, i believe you,” regulus decided.

then, he’s moving. rising up slowly before dropping heaving into james’ lap. swallowing him with his cunt and drawing weak moans from james’ lips. regulus grins down at him wickedly.

“but you can’t come before i do.”

james disappointed groan turns into a whimper when regulus picks up the pace. regulus laughs cruelly, meeting james’ mouth once again.

[rainydayathogwarts]

A job for a godparent - Harry Potter

summary: harry knows you're the love of his life, but he just needs to know that you want kids as much as he does. a day at his house over the summer confirms it. wc: 0.8k+ harry's parents and sirius and rem are all alive. sirius and remus have a kid.

Harry had known he wanted a big family for as long as he could remember. He always enjoyed having his uncles around every day, living next door to him and his parents, but he knew that there would be one difference between him and his kids: they would have siblings.

You and Harry had been dating for a while, but he had no idea where you stood on the idea of having children. Did you hate them? Worse. Did they hate you? Harry spent countless nights thinking about it. What if you didn’t want children? It would break his poor little heart. Sure, Harry could just ask you about it but he was worried you’d think he’s moving too fast with the relationship. He just wanted to find out before he was in it too deep. It was a little late for that though, because the boy was already committed.

You came around to Harry’s house often, and his parents absolutely adored you. There was an air of elegance and composure around you that kept Harry in check, and both he and his parents were convinced that you were the woman Harry was going to marry.

Today was no different. It was a beautiful summer day, and you’d spent the morning with Harry, sharing not so secret kisses in his bedroom and talking about the year ahead while his parents and uncles spent time together downstairs. He looked at you with eyes of adoration, watching every minor movement you made: the slight tug of your lips into a shy smile or the sigh that escaped your lips as he kissed you softly. Around midday, when the sun was shining the strongest, Harry suggested to go swimming in the lake overlooking the backyard.

Your charming boyfriend had put his hands on your waist, pressing soft kisses on your neck and making suggestive jokes about taking your clothes off before he had been shooed away. He went to the bathroom to get changed, telling you he’d gather all the essentials and meet you downstairs, leaving you in his bedroom. When you were secured in your bikini, sure that Harry would struggle to untie it later today, you quickly threw on your cover-up and swung the door open, a gasp leaving your lips almost instantly when you saw the intrusion in the hallway.

A young girl, no older than the age of two or three, was walking on wobbly legs and sniffling softly. At your gasp, the girl turned around, the momentum sending her off her feet and onto the ground. You crouched down, sure that this was Harry’s uncles’ daughter who your boyfriend speaks about so often. “Hey sweetheart, is everything okay?” The toddler shook her head, bottom lip wobbling with a threat of crying. “Are you looking for your dad?” You asked softly, unsure if she could understand you at all.

She did. With a nod of her head, the girl repeated “Dada.”

You extended your arms towards her, which seemed like enough convincing for the girl who pushed herself off the ground to walk straight into your arms. “I’ll take you to dada, yeah?” You stood up, balancing her on your hip and taking careful steps towards the stairs. Your heart instantly warmed up when she rested her head on your shoulder, her small arms hugging you loosely, curly hair splayed over your shoulder.

You instantly spotted Harry and his family once you reached the bottom of the staircase, sitting next to the empty fireplace. Harry held a couple of towels, and was exchanging jokes with his family, but all eyes turned towards you and the toddler in your arms when you stepped closer to them. Remus immediately stood up at the sight of his teary eyed princess, and you said “Uh, she was looking for you in the hallway.” “Thanks love.” He said, lifting his precious daughter from your arms, who instantly started repeating her dad’s name with a smile.

During the small exchange you had failed to notice Harry’s reaction to you with the child, his jaw slack and a look of absolute adoration in his eyes at the sight of you handling his cousin with such natural movements. He was frozen in place, incapable of tearing his gaze off you, despite the amused look his mother was watching him with.

“Are we going outside?” You asked, tearing Harry out of his daze. He nodded eagerly, wordlessly following outside and narrowly missing the look his parents shot each other. “He’s just like you.” Lily mumbled, watching through the big glass doors as Harry wrapped an arm around your waist, kissing your temple softly. “Would have a dozen more if you'd let me... We’ve just got to warn him not to get her pregnant before they graduate.” Lily hummed, deciding “I’m not the one having that conversation with him.” James cursed before his head snapped up, gaze stuck on his two best friends.

“Yeah, that’s a job for his godparents.”

Safe to say, Harry was horrified Sirius pulled him aside for that conversation the very next day. But that didn’t stop him from going over to your house and making love to you like he wanted to give you a baby right then and there.

[sweeterelease]

smug, confident, flirty james rendered useless the second regulus actually flirts back, even the tiniest bit.

[my-castles-crumbling]

ring - @rosekillermicrofic -background jegulus - word count: 246

“How much does one of those cost?” Barty asked Regulus one day as they sat in Regulus and James’s flat, gossipping over drinks.

“One–one of what?” Regulus asked, looking down to where Barty had gestured, but sure he had been mistaken.”

“Those rings,” Barty replied casually. “I wanna get one for Rosie.”

Regulus blinked. “My…my wedding ring?”

Deciding not to confess that he and James had made each other’s wedding rings for fear that Barty would completely destroy him with words, Regulus focused on his incredulity. “Barty…you’re single. You and Evan aren’t boyfriends.” But then he thought about it and realized that dating and forgetting to tell everyone was a very Barty and Evan thing to do. “Are you?”

“No. Does it matter? I think it’s obvious we’re supposed to get married,” Barty shrugged.

Regulus briefly wondered if he was on one of those Muggle prank shows, but eventually decided that this wasn’t out-of-character enough to be that suspicious. “I suppose,” he sighed.

“Oi, Rosie?” Barty yelled into Evan, who was in the kitchen making mimosas.

Regulus’s heart kicked into triple-time. Was Barty just going to–

“Yeah?”

“We should get married. Like Reg and Potter.”

Of course he was. 

“Sure. Are you free tomorrow?” Evan yelled, voice completely calm.

Barty nodded his head and turned to Regulus. “You free tomorrow? I think we need a witness.”

At this point, he decided to just go with it. “Yeah…I’ll be there,” Regulus mumbled, rethinking his choices in friends.

[oh-phoenixx]

"Hold" - Jegulus microfic @into-the-jeggyverse - 315 words

-

“James, seriously, I’m awful with kids, I can’t-” Regulus tried, but James just chuckled and handed him the baby.

“Just hold him, Reg,” James said calmly, holding back a grin. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

Regulus held Harry far from his chest, as though he was a bomb. James laughed, kissing Regulus’s cheek and heading to the shop, leaving Regulus alone with Harry.

“Um, hi,” Regulus said to Harry. “I’m Regulus.”

Baby Harry just looked at him with curious eyes, cooing softly. Regulus slowly brought him closer, until his arms were wrapped around the baby and holding him to his chest.

“Er, do you like, uh... What do I have in common with a baby?” Regulus muttered, rolling his eyes at his boyfriend, though he couldn’t see him.

“Oh! You read to babies. What do babies read?”

Regulus looked around frantically for anything baby-appropriate. He, of course, didn’t have any children’s books in his flat. He picked up the first thing he could see, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which he was rereading.

By the time James got back with food and drinks, Regulus was reading to Harry, occasionally interrupting himself to explain his annotations from his first read, or his thoughts on a particular element of the story, as though Harry were capable of understanding him in the first place.

James came up behind the armchair, giving each a kiss on the head.

“You know, you talk to him like he’s an adult,” James observed.

Regulus just shrugged, not taking James up on his offer to take Harry away. He supposed children weren't all that bad. This one, especially, who looked so adorably like James, without the excessive talking. Well, he was alright.

Regulus never did get the ‘baby voice’ thing down, though, and continued to talk to Harry as though he could comprehend any of Regulus’s rants until the day he actually could.