#remus is a mamas boy

[sometranssoup]

The only acceptable mamas boy

[until-the-house-shakes]

Mama’s boy Regulus Black fleeing from Walburga with Sirius only to ‘imprint’ on Effie the second they make it to the Potters.

He will always be a mama’s boy, regardless of relations.

[probs-reading]

"James is such a troublemaker" "James is such a bad boy" JAMES ASKS HIS MOTHER'S PREMISSION TO DO ANYTHING

[shootingthe-stars]

Nowhere Man update!

Chapter 33: A Mother’s Love

“Remus gets 30 days”

chapter 33 or from the beginning

[the-sun-is-also-a-star]

remus lupin is a mama's boy and idc what you say about it

[amiableness]

Dad!James Potter x Fem!Reader ☼ 946 words

series masterlist ; main masterlist

“He’s precious! He looks just like his daddy.” Miriam gushes, leaning in closer to Henry. James cringes as his baby boy flinches away, burying his head into his father’s chest and eyeing the woman with uncertainty. Henry’s tiny hands clutch James’s shirt, seeking comfort and protection from the unfamiliar face.

James knows Miriam from school, but they have never been close. She has always been the life of the party, a role he once embraced during their school days. Now, her enthusiasm feels overwhelming, especially to his shy and sensitive son. Perhaps he has mellowed more than he realizes since then—having a child at 20 would surely do that to you.

Miriam straightens up, placing a manicured hand on his bicep. With a slight pout to her lips, she says softly, “I heard about what happened to you and his mum. It must have been devastating.”

James tenses, his gaze shifting nervously to the store entrance, where he hopes Sirius, Remus, and you will hurry with their shopping and rescue him from this unwelcome conversation. The thought of discussing his ex, who left him and their son behind because she wasn’t ready for motherhood, fills him with a mix of frustration and anger. The memory of her sudden departure still stings, and he isn’t eager to relive those painful moments, especially with someone he barely knows.

“Yeah, it’s been tough, but we’re doing just fine without her,” James replies, his tone steady but strained. He takes a deep breath, summoning the courage to gently suggest that Miriam give them some space. “Anyway, Miriam—”

“That’s so unfortunate that he doesn’t have a mum in his life,” Miriam continues, her lashes fluttering flirtatiously at him. James immediately grasps where she is going with this. It’s not the first time his role as a father has attracted unwanted advances, but her bold approach leaves him momentarily stunned. If she had asked him out directly, it might have been different—though he doubts it would have made much of a difference.

“Miriam! Still hitting on unavailable men?” Sirius’s voice rings out with a teasing edge. James turns to see Sirius and Remus emerging from the store. Remus is scanning the receipt but looks up, startled at Sirius’s voice. You must still be browsing in the store.

“Unavailable?” Miriam repeats, her eyebrows raising in surprise. James can’t help but question the same thing, the word echoing in his mind.

“Very much so,” Sirius says with a firm nod as he and Remus come to stand beside James. Remus shoots Miriam a polite hello, but his expression reflects his lingering dislike for her from their school days.

“I didn’t know you were with someone,” Miriam mumbles, and James thinks about clarifying that he didn’t know it either.

The bell above the shop door chimes, announcing someone’s departure. James’s reaction to your voice is immediate and revealing; his eyes brighten, and his posture straightens as he turns to you. It’s clear from his response that he is deeply enamored with you.

And it isn’t just James. His son mirrors his father’s excitement. The little boy’s eyes light up with the same warmth, and he reaches out eagerly toward you. Henry babbles what sounds remarkably like “mama,” his tiny arms outstretched in an unmistakable plea for you to hold him. James hopes you don’t catch what his son is trying to say.

Your sweet voice rings out, “Jamie, I know you said not to spoil him, but they had the most adorable knit sweater—” You trail off, blinking in surprise as you notice Miriam’s disapproving gaze, her brow furrowed in irritation. You come to astop next to James, missing the way his son is staring you down.

“You bought him another sweater?” Remus asks, his tone a mix of surprise and amusement. You shoot him a halfhearted glare, silently reminding him that he shouldn’t be commenting on it.

“Hi, Miriam. How have you been?” You greet her with a warm smile, though a hint of unease tugs at you. Miriam’s gaze feels unusually intense, leaving you slightly unsettled. You recall that you both got on well in school, so you’re unsure what might have shifted between you.

“Good. It’s been ages since I’ve seen you all, Jamie and I were just talking about—” Miriam trails off, her gaze fixed on James as he smoothly takes the shopping bag from you, allowing you to take Henry. Had you been fully listening, you would’ve frowned at the use of your nickname for James.

The transition is so effortless that it’s clear it’s well-practiced. You settle Henry comfortably on your hip, deftly rummaging through your purse until you find a pacifier. You gently pop it into his mouth, and Henry’s head droops onto your shoulder as he begins to suck contentedly, letting out a sigh that suggests he’s found his perfect spot.

James’s gaze is lovesick as he watches you. His heart catches in his throat as he sees you effortlessly produce a pacifier for his son. He’s well aware that your purse likely holds other baby essentials, even if you’d deny it. As he observes you, his thoughts drift, overwhelmed by the profound realization that Henry has a mum in his life— you.

You’re so focused on settling Henry that you don’t even notice Miriam’s silence, and James, so absorbed in you, is barely aware of her presence. You smile up at him while gently rocking his son, and James thinks, This is it. I have everything I’ve ever wanted.

Miriam turns to Sirius with a lowered voice, “I thought they were just friends. They were in school.”

“They were never just friends. Y/n has always been James’s weakness. Now she’s his son’s too.”

please reblog or comment with your thoughts! they are very appreciated and keep me motivated to keep writing! 🤍

[lesbojournals]

Could you poly!maraduers x reader with now a baby? Since i believe that you've made some pregnant ones, and i just can't imagine them taking care of a cute little baby🥹🥹 please do when reader is postpartum

Poly!Marauders x Postpartum!Reader

a/n: i hope this is good! i wasn't sure if you wanted reader to have postpartum depression or not, so if you do let me know and i'll write another part !

You groaned at the sound of your baby’s cries. Turning, you nudged whichever boy was next to you at the moment. 

“Whoever’s turn it is, it’s not mine.” You mumbled, attempting greatly to fall back asleep.

“It’s Jamie’s turn.” Sirius let out grumpily.

Remus yelled out. “Jamie!!”

“Huh? What?” James responded, shooting up from his lying position. 

“The baby.” You groaned again.

“Oh. OH!” He jumped up from the edge of the bed, and ran to the baby’s room.

You leaned up on your elbow to see him shushing and cooing the baby on the monitor. He brought the baby close to his chest, and your heart melted seeing the baby calm down at his touch. 

You leaned back down and shut your eyes, feeling Sirius embrace you. 

When you woke up, all of the boys were out of bed and you glanced at the alarm clock. Wow, 11AM. You hadn’t slept that late since before you got pregnant. You rolled out of bed, sliding on your slippers and putting on your robe. 

You entered the kitchen after freshening yourself up, seeing all three (wait, you guess it was four now?) of your boys there.

“And here comes the broomstick!!” You heard Sirius call, and your baby boy looked up at him with wide eyes and an open mouth. 

He ate the food while still staring at Sirius lovingly, and you could see your boys admire him in his highchair from just their kitchen seats. 

“Hi my loves,” You greeted, taking a seat next to Remus, who gave you an affectionate kiss on the cheek.

“Mama!” Your baby laughed when seeing you, and silence struck in the room for seconds before complete chaos erupted.

“What did he say?”

“Mama? Did you say Mama?”

“Say that again, honey!”

Your baby looked around defensively before looking back at Sirius and making grabby hands for the food. Sirius was distracted looking at you though. You had your hands up to your mouth and tears in your eyes. 

Remus rubbed your back comfortingly. “Baby? Are you alright?”

You sniffled, moving your hands from your mouth. “Yes, yes. I’m just…so happy.”

Your baby looked at you and smiled big, making grabby hands towards you. “Mama!!”

You leaped up from your chair, tears flowing down your face, and lifted your baby from his highchair. He giggled as you held him close, swaying back and forth.

“Oh my love, we love you so much.” You whispered to him, continuing to sway. “Your daddies and I love you so so much.”

[meelusinee]

SANTA'S IN TOWN | J.P X READER

word count \ 1.4k | chritstmas fluff | slash / james potter x reader

in which you dress james up as santa to surprise your kid author's note at the end!

FICMAS MASTERLIST

SANTA'S IN TOWN | J.P X READER

The fireplace was warmly lit right in the middle of the living room, Hari surrounded with people in the living room.

Sirius and Remus were both snuggled tight on the couch, with Sirius complaining about being cold despite being directly in front of the fireplace. Marlene, Dorcas, and Mary were sat on the rug with Harry, playing trains on the rug you had gotten for him recently.

It was a small gift for Hari, a little rug with train tracks and other designs on it made so he could play with his toys. Of course, James ended up using it more than you did, but at least he used it with Harry most of the time.

Which led you to where you were right now. Currently holding the white beard your husband would have to put on to finish his Santa costume.

“Are you sure that I have to go out there looking like this?” James grumbled, his hands running through his hair that had been charmed white. “Sirius will definitely call me old!”

“Is that a bad thing?” you asked, looking at him with a small smirk. “I think you look rather dashing with the white hair, y’know.”

“Now that you mention it,” he mumbled under his breath, running his hand through his hair again as he leaned forward a bit more. In all honesty, he did look rather good with white hair. “I do look rather dapper, if I do say so myself.”

“Yes you do,” you smiled, walking forward and kissing his cheek lovingly. “You wanna put the beard on now?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, grabbing the beard and putting it on. You thought that he made a rather good Santa, especially after seeing his eyes crinkle at the side. “You think Hari will like it?”

“I think he’ll love it.” you whispered, kissing his cheek lovingly. You knew Hari would love it, even though the clever boy would probably realize it was his dad after a couple of minutes. “He can’t love something he doesn’t know exists though.”

James gasped dramatically before nodding. “You’re right!” he said, quickly rushing to the door to grab the boots he bought for the costume.

“I’ll go out first,” you smiled, kissing his forehead. “Thank you for doing this.”

“Anything for you,” he whispered softly, pouting as he realized he couldn’t kiss you. He compromised, instead booping your nose with his gloved hand. “And Bambi, of course.”

You chuckled at that. “I love you.”

“Love you more.” he smiled softly.

“Hari!” you smiled widely, walking up to him as he waddled to you. “Hey baby.”

“Mama!” he smiled, hugging you as tight as a five year old really could. Which, surprisingly, was rather tight. “Where were you?”

“Mama was helping Daddy get ready for work,” you said with a small smile, kissing his forehead lovingly. “And, she has been very busy writing some letters to Santa for you.”

“Santa is coming?” Hari asked you excitedly, jumping up and down before you got a chance to say yes or no. “Thank you mama!”

“You’re welcome sweetheart,” you whispered, kissing his forehead and leading him to the couch.

Everyone got ready near the tree for photos, the fireplace barely crackling now as the kindle wood finally burnt itself dry. Remus was currently holding the camera, extending his arm far so everyone was in the photo. Lily, Mary, Marlene, and Dorcas were all standing together. Sirius was planning on hanging off of Remus’ shoulder, though him and Regulus started fighting midway through. Barty and Frank were both laughing in the background, Evan hitting them both with a newspaper.

And you were off in the corner with Hari in your arms, currently bouncing him up and down to distract him from all the noise. As much as you and Hari loved your family, you found that he didn’t like loud noises very much or very often.

“What’s on your mind, bubs?” you whispered, trying to divert his attention to just you while you had the chance. You didn’t need to try too hard to distract him though, as he was currently staring down the fireplace. “Something cool over there?”

“The fire’s green,” he mumbled, hand pointing at the tiny embers left kindling.

You gasped dramatically, watching as the fire roared and a tall man came out. He had on a red outfit and hat, along with glasses and white hair. “Is that Santa Claus?”

“Santa Claus!” Hari said happily, clapping his hands. Both of you walked over to where Santa, James, was standing. He had a sack of presents flung over his shoulder, and a wide smile on his face. “Hi there Mr. Santa!”

“Well, hello there!” James said, leaning down as his smile brightened even farther. He had gone the extra bit to try and deceive Hari, changing his eyes to a light blue color and his voice to a higher tone. “I’ve been told I’m making a visit to a very special boy this year, is that right?”

“I dunno,” Harry said, shrugging simply as he rested in your arms. “What’s his name?”

“Let me check.” James said seriously, pulling out a parchment paper with Hari’s name written in bold black ink. “His name is Hari Potter, do you know him?”

Hari laughed, clapping his hands again as he looked at the paper. “That’s me!”

“That’s you?” he asked, gasping dramatically before chuckling. His hands reached out to hold Hari, which you easily obliged to. “Well I’ll be, I’ve met a celebrity then!”

“I’m not a celebrity, Mr. Santa.” he said, still giggling. “I’m just Hari.”

“Just Hari is a great thing to be.” he smiled, placing Hari down on the floor before placing his sack of presents next to him. “Your mom pulled in a little favor and said you can open a couple of presents early, did you know that?”

Hari looked up at you with the widest smile you had ever seen on his face, and you knew that moment was one of the best moments you would ever have in your life. James obviously thought so too, his eyes crinkling from smiling so hard. You weren’t sure if he could even see with how far they crinkled, but you knew that he wouldn't care much.

“I can?” Hari asked excitedly, smiling brightly.

“Yes, ‘course you can.” James smiled, pulling out a medium sized present and handing it to Hari. “Here you go, Merry Christmas.”

Hari gasped loudly, opening it up to find a book that he had been wanting for ages. It was one you saw him eyeing every time you went to Hogsmeade, a book about the Quidditch team that his father played on. It listed every single member and their rank on the team, including photos of James and his broom. That was always Hari’s favorite part.

“Thank you so much Mr. Santa!” he smiled brightly, waddling over to the big green arm chair you had dedicated to your nightly reading sessions.

“Thank you, Mr. Santa.” you said softly, rubbing Hari’s hair lovingly as you kept the bit up. You watched as he opened the book and ran his fingers over the words so he could read it easier. You smiled softly, kissing his forehead with as much love as you could ever muster.

Santa Claus, or James, went through the fireplace just as quick as he appeared. His body went through in a green and misty fire, most likely apperating back to the bedroom to undress. You sat down next to Hari, the chair big enough for both of you to sit and read.

You barely noticed the rest of your family going around the house, Sirius and Barty guiding most of them to the kitchen for shots. Lily and Mary stayed behind though, both of them sitting next to you and helping you reenact the stories the book told.

“Dada!” Hari said, his eyes focusing on James as soon as he walked down the stairs. “You just missed Santa Claus!”

“I did?” James asked dramatically, frowning deeply as he stepped forward into the living room. “It seems he left presents too.”

“Oh yes, tons of them.” you smiled. “He even let Hari open one early, isn’t that right Hari?”

“Yeah!” he said, holding up the book with your assistance. “Look dada, it’s you!”

James smiled brightly as he saw the book, though you could tell it was a smile of genuine shock. James had been distracting Hari while you shopped for and wrapped presents, which made unwrapping the presents all the more remarkable.

“That is me!” he said, kneeling down to rest his head on the armrest of the large reading chair. “Why don’t you read it to me, bub?”

“Okay!” Hari smiled, sitting up properly as his fingers traced the words once more. His voice came out neat and crisp, even if he did stumble over a couple of words sometimes.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

i mainly worked on this today, but i did start on it yesterday so there's that i think? i'm still trying to recover from losing my daily streak that i had :/ BUT i will get back into it, maybe more like two to three times a week rather than every day. as a sidenote, i made a second blog for reposts and other things! if you want to check it out, its @meelusinees

AS ALWAYS, please like, comment, and reblog! i thank everyone who does genuinely it means so muchh and thank u all for the support!

[hippogriff732]

Mary's Song-Harry Potter

Harry Potter x Wolfstars daughter! reader

She said, I was seven and you were nine I looked at you like the stars that shine In the sky, the pretty lights

"Do you see the way shes looking at him?" Lily asked her husband while sitting on the porch watching you and Harry playing together out in the garden. "Like the way I looked at you? James replied "Yeah, 20 galleons says they get together by Harry's 6th year" "20 galleons says they get together by Harry's fifth year, get ready to pay up my Lily-flower."

And our daddies used to joke about the two of us Growing up and falling in love and our mamas smiled And rolled their eyes and said oh my my my

"And we're gonna have shared grandchildren!" James told Sirius excitedly as he talked about your future with Harry. "After they get married of course." "Oh my James, I nearly said that she looked at him with admiration not that they were gonna have the best love story known to man, they're only eight and nine for godricks sake!" Lily told her husband while Remus watched the situation while sipping his class of firewhiskey.

Take me back to the house in the backyard tree Said you'd beat me up, you were bigger than me You never did, you never did

"Hey Harry, remember when you used to chase me around the yard, were you ever actually gonna do something if you caught me?" You asked the boy as you rested against him in your childhood treehouse thinking about some of your favourite memories. "Not actually, I was to scared of your dads getting mad if I laid a finger on you."

Take me back when our world was one block wide I dared you to kiss me and ran when you tried Just two kids, you and I Oh my my my my

"Harry truth or dare?" You asked him while sitting with him before he left for Hogwarts looking for a way to past the time. "Dare." "I dare you to kiss me." He was hesitant as first before leaning in to kiss you, only for you to run away into your own room.

Well, I was sixteen when suddenly I wasn't that little girl you used to see But your eyes still shined like pretty lights

"Y/N do you wanna go for a walk?" He asked after you had finished the assignments you we're working on "Where are we going" "How about the astronomy tower?" You two made your way to the astronomy tower, not even realising you were holding hands. When you got there Harry placed his hand on your shoulder. "There's something I want to tell you but I don't know how." "It's ok Harry, you can tell me anything" "Alright, I just, I find you really pretty, you've really grown into yourself, and no matter what I do or how many girls I have a thing with, I'll always come back to you. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I like you and willyougooutwithme?" "Sorry what was that last part?" "Will you go out with me?" "Of course I will Harry you should've asked me sooner, I like you to." You to them shared a kiss under the stars, your eyes shining like lights when you pulled away.

And our daddies used to joke about the two of us They never believed we'd really fall in love And our mamas smiled and rolled their eyes And said oh my my my

"so Dads, James, Lily, there's something Harry and I want you to know." "What is it darling?" Lily asked "We're dating" "WHAT?" Came the loud voice of your father, Sirius, followed by James "You actually got together?" "Yes dad." "Well I'm happy for you, you make a nice pair." Your other dad spoke up. "Moony how are you so calm about this, our baby has a boyfriend?!" "Calm down you two, I'm sure they're responsible, and it's not like you didn't have 10 girlfriends in sixth year Sirius."

Take me back to the creek beds we turned up Two A.M. riding in your truck and all I need is you next to me

"Harry I am not going for a ride on your firebolt." That was the plan. Until he had convinced you to take a ride and your glad you did. He took you to a nearby lake that looked ten times better at night, the light reflected of the lake while the stars shine in the sky and the faint noises of animals could be heard. You two played in the grass holding each other till 2am when you decided you should go back home before one of your parents thought you were missing.

Take me back to the time we had our very first fight The slamming of doors instead of kissing goodnight You stayed outside till the morning light Oh my my my my

"No Harry I'm sick of you right now." You say slamming the porch door on him before locking it, leaving Harry outside. You had gotten into a fight over something stupid, but you were in a bad mood and Harry was making it worse. Therefore he was left outside al night instead of in bed with you and instead of being rational and trying to find a way back inside, he slept out in the porch the whole night. Let's just say there was a lot of confusion when the marauders were having breakfast and they saw Harry sleeping outside.

A few years had gone and come around We were sitting at our favorite spot in town And you looked at me, got down on one knee

You and Harry had gone back to that lake he took you to on his firebolt, his heart beating faster than normal as you sit on the grass watching the water gently move. He then looks at you slowly moving to one knee. "Y/N Lupin-Black, I've loved you since well forever and I couldn't imagine a world without you. Will you do me the honour of becoming Mrs Potter." "Yes Harry! a thousand times yes!" "You then share a kiss of passion and love, trying it out everything you wanna say into it.

Take me back to the time when we walked down the aisle Our whole town came and our mamas cried You said I do and I did too

You stood at the altar in your white gown and veil looking out into the audience. Many of your friends, teachers, and neighbours came along with your parents who were all crying one way or another. Sirius and James were very obviously crying, but made it seem like they weren't, Lily had wiped her eyes a couple times, still looking pretty as ever, and Remus' eyes became glossy. Harry was even crying a little bit. "Do you Harry James Potter take this woman to be your lawfully wedded parter in sickness and in heath, in richness and in poorness, till death do you part?" "I do" And do you, Y/N Y/M/N take this man to be your lawfully wedded parter in sickness and in heath, in richness and in poorness, till death do you part?" "I do" "You may now kiss the bride!"

Take me home where we met so many years before We'll rock our babies on that very front porch After all this time, you and I

"Hey you ok out here?" Harry asked as you had gone out of the family gathering to the porch with your new child in your arms. "Yeah he was just getting a little fussy, I think it was too loud for him, he's fine now." "Oh makes sense, our parents are sure exited about him." "Yeah, he really looks like you and his grandpa James and is very cute I see why they like him." "He has your eyes tho, my favourite part of him if I do say so." Your eyes focus on the treehouse where you and Harry grew up together "I wonder if our kids will live that treehouse as much as we did." "I'm sure they will darling."

I'll be eighty-seven; you'll be eighty-nine I'll still look at you like the stars that shine In the sky, oh my my my

Even as you and Harry grew older, and saw your children grow up you still looked at him the same way you did when you were young and didn't even know that you loved the boy yet.

[stargazingtranquility]

Mamas boy this and daddys girl that. The marauders era kids have a favorite Potter parent and it’s like this.

Effie’s children: Sirius, Peter, Marlene, Evan, Pandora, Lily

Monty’s children: Regulus, Remus, Barty, Dorcas, Mary

James is the exception because he fucking loves his parents and is happy to share them with his broken home friends.

[sometranssoup]

My really out there Harry Potter head canon is that Hermione and Remus are cousins. Also here's a rough family tree so y'all understand my vision.

Faith and Hope's last name is Lupin. Hope took lyalls last name whilst they were married but she changed it after they divorced (in 1965). Faith isn't quite sure who Angela's father is. Everyone was given religious names except for Remus. Hermione started going by her middle name at the start if Hogwarts. Faith and Hope's mother and father were southern but moved to England in the 1957 when Faith and Hope were about 15 (yes that means Hope had Remus at 17-18) Faith and Hope are twins. Angela was born a few years after Remus and they grew up very close. Close enough that Remus is considered Hermione's uncle.

[lovesickmarauders]

Hope who sends remus a letter every valentine to remind him he is loved. Every single year without fail and he keeps them all because hes a mamas boy

[itshonestlynotme]

Uncle Moony and Siri 🌟

╰┈➤ 𝐈𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, Uncle Moony and Uncle Siri visit

[Regulus Black x Fem Potter! reader]

warnings: Fluff

It was a quiet morning at the Potter-Black household, the kind that Y/N had learned to cherish. The storm from the night before had passed, leaving behind a crisp autumn breeze that drifted through the open windows. Harry sat cross-legged on the living room floor, carefully stacking his wooden blocks, his tongue peeking out in concentration.

Regulus was sitting in the armchair, a book in one hand, a cup of tea in the other, looking as composed as ever. Y/N was beside Harry on the rug, sorting through his toys when suddenly—

BANG. BANG. BANG.

The front door shook under the weight of impatient knocking.

Regulus barely looked up from his book. “I am not answering that,” he muttered, sipping tea.

Y/N sighed, already knowing who it was. “If we ignore him, he’ll just keep knocking louder.”

Sure enough—BANG. BANG. BA—

“Alright, alright!” Y/N called as she stood up and approached the door, throwing it open to reveal a very smug-looking Sirius Black, leaning casually against the frame.

“Why, hello there, darling sister-in-law,” Sirius greeted dramatically. “Your favorite Black has arrived.”

Behind him, Remus stood with a patient smile, holding a small box wrapped in brown paper. “I told him to knock like a normal person,” he said apologetically.

“I did knock like a normal person,” Sirius said, grinning as he stepped inside. “With enthusiasm.”

Y/N rolled her eyes but stepped aside to let them in.

At the sound of new voices, Harry perked up. His little face lit up, and he scrambled to his feet. “Uncle Siri! Uncle Moony!”

Sirius let out a bark of laughter as he scooped Harry up, spinning him in the air. “There’s my favorite kiddo! Getting bigger every time I see you, huh?”

Harry giggled wildly, his tiny hands gripping onto Sirius’s robes. “Faster, Uncle Siri!”

“Not in the house,” Regulus said flatly from his armchair.

Sirius ignored him and did one more spin before setting Harry down.

Remus crouched beside Harry, handing him the small package. “I brought you a little something, Harry,” he said warmly.

Harry gasped, taking the package with wide eyes. “A present?”

“Just a little one,” Remus said with a soft smile. “Go on, open it.”

Harry eagerly tore into the paper, revealing a small enchanted book filled with moving pictures of magical creatures. His face lit up. “Wow!” He carefully flipped through the pages, watching a tiny Hippogriff flap its wings before running to Y/N. “Mama, look!”

“That’s amazing, love,” Y/N said, ruffling his hair. “What do you say to Uncle Moony?”

“Thank you, Uncle Moony!” Harry beamed.

“Anytime, little one,” Remus replied, ruffling his hair in return.

Sirius, meanwhile, flopped dramatically onto the couch, stretching his arms across the back. “So, where’s the good tea? Or—better yet—firewhisky?”

Regulus finally looked up from his book, narrowing his eyes. “It’s eleven in the morning.”

“And?” Sirius smirked. “I was up late doing very important things.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “Sirius, was that very important thing a drinking contest with Mad-Eye Moody?”

“… No?”

Remus sighed. “Yes.”

Harry, still absorbed in his book, sat himself right next to Regulus in the armchair, leaning against him. Regulus instinctively wrapped an arm around the boy, holding his book in one hand while absentmindedly carding his fingers through Harry’s messy hair.

Sirius watched them with a smirk. “Never thought I’d see the day. My little brother—a proper parent.”

Regulus shot him a glare. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Sirius grinned. “It means I’m still processing the fact that you—the grumpy, brooding Black—ended up raising my godson instead of me.” He leaned forward, winking at Harry. “But don’t worry kid, I’m the fun uncle. When you get older, I’ll teach you all the best pranks.”

Harry giggled. “Really?”

Regulus scowled. “No.”

“Yes,” Sirius countered, nodding at Harry.

Y/N snorted. “No pranks today, at least. I’d rather not clean up whatever chaos you unleash.”

Sirius sighed dramatically. “Fine, fine. I’ll behave.” He paused, then grinned at Harry. “For now.”

Regulus groaned, rubbing his temple. “Why did I let you into my house?”

Remus chuckled, sipping his tea. “Because you secretly love us.”

Regulus scoffed but didn’t argue.

Y/N just smiled, watching as Harry curled up happily between them all, his laughter filling the house. Whatever storm had been outside last night, whatever nightmares had tried to creep in, Harry was safe here—with his family. Even if Sirius was a bad influence.

[inkdrinkerworld]

x autistic!reader masterlist

autistic!reader with mama's boy harry in the new lay out of the grocery

autistic!reader getting in her head while being intimate with remus

having a meltdown due to a change in routine and remus is there to comfort you

thinking remus is just a hyperfixation and telling him

hiding from remus at a party doesn't go as planned

sirius and james think you're a time traveller

sirius gets the silent treatment

showing remus your comfort swing

remus takes you out of hyper-focus mode

sirius and his whismygoth gf

poly!marauders when you shut down

poly!marauders in your first argument

cuddles with remus when you're upset

james and sirius are excited to introduce you to everyone

blasting music in your headset with remus

foodsharing with remus

the beginnings of poly!marauders

sirius and james calling you 'our girl'

eating edibles

remus indulging in your hyperfixation/special interest

telling remus you mask around him sometimes

sirius and james like explaining how you and remus fit together to strangers

getting into a fight with dealer!remus at a party

sirius eats jello for you

james and sirius find out you're autistic

platonic poly!marauders helping when you're overstimulated

your specific skin routine with remus

remus helps you when you’re overstimulated from the heat and your period

telling james you’re autistic/neurodiverse

telling james about your marvel special interest

introducing your new stuffies to each other with remus

being upset and james knowing about it and getting it out of you

asking remus to go to the barbie movie

remus sticking up for you and punching your ex

dealer!remus’ touch grounds you

sirius brings earmuffs to a concert for you

you broke a rule and get high without remus and it’s bad

you and remus leave a party early

you use remus’ hands as toggle toys during class

you dissociate and remus helps you get back to yourself

you have bad memory when you smoke

remus knows just what you need

remus dishes out your food just the way you like

you ask james to punish you when you need a big cry

you reassure dick that you’re not upset, just comfortable

remus is mean (you have to hold eye contact)

you need them not to touch you

you pull your legs out of remus’ lap and he does not like it

james and sirius are very loud, remus has to tone them down on your behalf

you meet dealer!remus for the first time

remus is there after a long day

yours and dealer!remus’ first fight

you love when remus plays with your hair

remus helps with a meltdown 2

Bob comforts an overstimulated you

remus loves hearing about your hyperfixations, he even enables some of them

james stands in front of the bathroom door for you

hotch uses asmr to calm you

hotch takes you away from the hustle bustle

you love coloured pens and remus knows it

you need james to squeeze you when you hug

beefy!james does your hair for you

james has the softest clothes ever

you don’t understand the joke

you sit on the floor when james and sirius are over

dealer!remus looks extra handsome

you tell sirius about all the different types of mortis states

you don’t know how much of a catch you are, remus isn’t shy with letting you know

you make weed brownies with dealer!Remus for the first time

[catcheroflies]

give me your favorite marauders head cannons i need it heres mine

regulus’s hair was a lot like narcissa’s when he was younger when he was a boy he had blonde streaks in his hair, but when he was about 11 his hair went all black.

regulus has a grey eye and a blue eye

he’s autistic, but hides it

trans regulus has been roaming my mind and i love it.

james is latino and a really good cook curtsey of mama effie

when he’s angry he yells in spanish and only when he calms down you can understand him

james carries tampons/pads for regulus so he can just grab the bag and regulus can get it without asking.

james has adhd and anxiety, but with those it’s more physical actions like fiddling with a pen or wand and talking fast.

i love the head cannon of deaf remus tbh it’s really interesting to think about.

he is diagnosed as disabled so he has to use a cain everywhere because back problems and he gives out every once in awhile making him fall.

remus get’s grey hair early, but it’s not full out it’s like streaks.

remus has bpd and sirius and his friends make sure he takes his meds and knows his body language to help because he gets into fights easily.

sirius plays the drums to get his emotions stabilized and he always has his drum sticks on him to fiddle around.

to go with the deaf remus to get to know him more he learned sign language and always speaks up for him because remus is mute most of the time.

whether i get hate for this one idc i see him as genderfluid, but it’s more of subtle looks and like his actual face that makes him look it because it gives off a little confusion because his face is just both feminine and masculine and how he presents himself too.

demisexual sirius. yes you can thank crimson rivers for that one.

peter likes photography and likes to capture the world and the people he loves on film

his love language is definitely quality time to me and like he just silently does things for people

i feel like him and regulus could get along well as well

let me know if you want my headcannons for the girls! or just more in general

[luveline]

𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 | 𝐣𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫

three | chapter list

Finding out you’re a princess isn’t half as intimidating as suddenly acquiring a full-time bodyguard. Especially when that bodyguard is disarmingly handsome, charming, and can’t seem to stop flirting with you. 

bodyguard!james, fem!reader, shy!reader, princess diaries au, all characters in their 20s or older, star-crossed lovers/ forbidden romance, slowburn, background wolfstar

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Julianna is a real princess. As a granddaughter of the Queen, step-daughter of a prince, her title is official. She’s been a princess nearly all her life, and it’s a detail you can’t miss. 

James’ hand is hot but amicable against your shoulder blade. He hasn’t stepped away from you since Julianna arrived, though what threat she poses has yet to be seen. She doesn’t seem particularly volatile. You can’t imagine her in all her dewy skin and fine clothing lifting a finger, let alone her fist. 

“Mama says you’re an artist,” she drawls. 

“Not really.” How her mother knows anything about you is a mystery. “It’s a hobby, is all.” 

“And you didn’t finish university?”

“No.” You don’t owe her anything. You know you don’t. But it’s not just her you want to defend yourself to, not when Remus is sitting by the window of the parlour and James is close enough to hear your heartbeat. “I tried to, obviously, but I couldn’t, uh, afford to not work.”

“Ah.”

You don’t expect her to understand it. You know most people don't. Studying and working, the majority can handle both. You’d been ashamed of yourself for failing, but you’d come to the realisation that it was sink or swim. You could sink —resent yourself for needing more time, more space, more accommodation— or you could swim. Accept your ‘shortcomings’. Make the most of what you have. 

Find yourself in a foreign country surrounded by the highly educated and the ridiculously wealthy. People who might never comprehend why you’ve struggled, or how. 

In that moment, you decide to treat this heart-wrenching trip as nothing more than a holiday. James is nice to you. The food is free and apparently plentiful. The grounds… 

Fuck, the grounds. The scenery. The royals aren’t currently living in their most famous residence, Loswell Castle, but are instead mourning the Prince at the more private and more subtle Bellaverden House. Subtle, yet gorgeous. The grass is green and stretches as far as the eye can see in all directions, broken up only by the silhouette of the alps to the east and the shimmering Lake Orlo to the west. The palace itself is nothing like you’d expected, and so far from the capital city of Genovia it is no surprise to find that the royals let their personal tastes bleed into every corner. It’s tasteful, silent wealth, no crystal chandeliers hanging from the eaves but instead a Rembrandt in the hallway. No solid gold cutlery, but instead Noritake porcelain tea cups and their matching exorbitant saucers.

“Loswell is the gaudier of the two houses,” James had said, evidently pleased by your wide-eyed surprise.

A nice boy who’s being paid to spend time with you and his funny friends. All you have to do is survive the paparazzi (check!) and your suspicious possible relatives (less so).

Any hour now, the paternity test will come up negative and they’ll be shepherding you home in search of the actual princess, wherever she may be. 

If she exists at all. 

“You haven’t eaten anything today,” James says softly, for your ears only. “Should we go down to the kitchens?”

It’s hard to describe the true and daunting scale of Bellaverden House, but James’ use of ‘kitchens’ rather than ‘kitchen’ sums it up nicely. 

Julianna rolls her shoulders, reaching for a black telephone on the side table. “No need. We’ll have it brought up. What do you like? They have yards of fresh pasta prepared by now. Doesn’t matter, I’ll ask for some of everything.”

“Oh, no,” you say, stepping out of James' reach. “I don’t want to be an imposition while I’m here.”

“That ship has sailed,” she says neatly. 

Ouch. You look back to James without intending to, an automatic movement. He’s become your safety net too quickly. His job is to protect you from harm, not your catty maybe-cousin’s mild disdain. 

“Sit,” Julianna says. “James, you can take up station in the hallway. Go on.”

Her voice possesses all the snobbish airiness you’d expect it to. She’s regal, elegant, and rude. James’ hand stretches toward yours, your fingers not quite touching. You think it might be his silent way of saying he won’t be far.

He gives you a reassuring half-smile. “If you need me,” he says. 

“Tutor,” Julianna adds once James is at the door, “you can leave us.”

“Remus, please.” You smile at Julianna appealingly, piping up before she can steal your last lifeline. “I need him to tell me what silverware to use. If I have any hope of catching up, I’ll have to start learning about proper etiquette straight away.”

You look to your tutor to make sure he’s on board. Remus gestures for you to sit and crosses the hardwood floors between you, his footsteps soundless. Julianna sniffs, your suggestion agreeable but tiresome for her, and pulls the telephone receiver to her ear. 

Remus settles into the chair next to yours at the table. 

“Don’t worry. We won’t leave you for wolves,” he says.

You’re grateful. You nod to the book in his hands. “What are you reading?”

He turns the book around. A Comprehensive History of Contemporary Genovia. 

“I’ve never had to educate someone who didn’t already know a very specific, very intricate history of our country,” he says in his melding voice, the barest hints of his accent peaking through. He says our country like you already belong as he does, not native but citizen anyhow. “I provide supplementary education for the well-educated, I… I’m like a second chance for rich slackers. You’re neither, and so I’m not sure how I can make this easy on you.”

You admire his thinking. You’ve been lucky to find yourself in the care of people who put your comfort first. Remus, James, Sirius, even the ambassadors of the country, and the matron you’d been introduced to upon your arrival here, they’ve all been so conscientious. 

But it won’t matter. 

“I know what you’re thinking,” he says. 

“You do?”

“You’ve made it clear how much faith you have in the current situation. I believe…” that you’re who we suspect you are, you think he might say, but he parts his legs to bump his knee into yours. “I believe we’re going to be good friends.”

That is… “Thank you,” you say softly.

The telephone jingles as Julianna slams it down. “So, what’s with the bruise?” she asks. “And the bad makeup. Mean boyfriend back home?”

Her cavalier attitude chafes. “I was a little too close to the door when someone opened it,” you say.

“Ah.”

Again with the Ah. Extra syllables must be at cost. 

Positivity, you remind yourself. This is a vacation. This inane and insane need to constantly prove yourself to the people around you is going to make you crazy, especially when all of this is temporary. Who cares what princess Julianna thinks of you now when, in a day or two, she’ll remember you as nothing more than the girl who they brought by mistake? And wouldn’t it be nice to just… not care? Who cares what Julianna thinks?

You stand and walk to the door where James is standing, because calling for him would make you feel like an entitled dick. He turns his head to you obligingly. 

“Would you come back inside? The painting is giving me the jeebies.”

“That’s a portrait of your great great grandmother.”

“She’s scary.”

He claps your shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “If the test comes out negative, I’ll happily commit royal espionage for you and fix the results.”

“That is not a joke you should make,” Remus calls mildly. 

“Probably not. I’ve made it now. Sit down, Princess, the food’s arriving.”

The food they bring up to you is Genovian specialty cuisine, recipes borrowed from the Italians hundreds of years ago, and how fortunate you are for that. You have no clue where to start, surrounded by rich smells of broth and stewed vegetables, the spritely aroma of white wine and tomatoes so fresh their roasted skins split under the gentle bottom of your spoon. 

James refuses to eat with you, as he’s on the clock, but Remus sits down at the table as promised to guide you through the fascinatingly intricate etiquette it takes to be a new royal. 

“That’s Cioppino,” Remus says, pointing to a dark red stew bragging large pieces of crab, smaller chunks of a white meat you’re unsure of, and the distinct dark brackets of mussel shells. “It’s actually an Italian-American dish. It’s served with sourdough or French bread, but in our case, where you can’t necessarily use your hands, we’ll go without.”

“There’s nobody here I need to impress, right?” you ask quietly. 

You swear you can hear Julianna twitching. 

Remus doesn’t respond to your comment, though his voice is riddled with amusement when he continues. “It’s more common for the crab to be served in its shell, but I don’t suppose they want the royals using crab forks and crackers." He points to a second bowl. “This, from the looks of it, is a variation of stufato di capra e fagioli, Italian for ‘stew of goat meat and beans’. Self explanatory. It’s very popular here in the winter, it’s,” —his voice drops to a lower register�� “Sirius’ favourite. Shoulder meat, onions, carrots, celery, white wine and white beans. I don’t suppose I have to tell you what that is.” He nods to a heaping bowl of gnocchi coated in a green, buttery sauce, and its familiar wingman — fettuccine alfredo. 

“Now there’s one I know,” you say with a smile. 

“I think they’ve gone easy on you,” Remus says. “Given you something they knew would be familiar. The head cooks, Marlene and Marsha, hardly ever serve fettuccine without ragù di pollo. Chicken ragù. It’s a sacrament in Marlene’s eyes to separate the two.”

He moves so easily from English to Italian. You wonder if he speaks Genovian. Is there a Genovian language? You’re too embarrassed to ask, instead piling a mound of unadventurous fettuccine into your bowl. 

Julianna picks up the telephone again and you let yourself relax as her conversation begins. She pokes at her food and talks in Italian down the line, staring straight at you as she says the word, ‘principessa’. You don’t have to be a linguistics expert to know she’s talking about you. Eventually, her attention fades. Remus loosens at your side. 

“This spoon,” he corrects, before opening his book and sagging into his seat.

You're famished, yet all the rich food makes you nauseous. You toy with your fettuccine and a little of the cioppino. Weirdly, you miss the ordinary smells of your kitchen.

A figure moves behind you, James’ shadow shifting to cover your hands. “Unladylike as it might be,” he says, “you’ll regret it if you don’t try the bread, Princess. Freshly baked, soaked in pesto, it’s what us peasant folk fight over at the end of a shift.”

You hold your hand to a beautiful sliced baguette, “This one?”

“That’s the one.”

You pull the bread apart and enter a stodgy, olive oily sort of heaven. The only thing better than how it tastes is James' happy sound when you set aside a huge slice in a napkin and usher it behind your back, as inconspicuous as you can possibly be. He has no choice but to take it. A telltale crunch comes quickly and poorly smothered. 

Julianna excuses herself, and a maid comes to take her plates and dirtied cutlery on a silver cart.

You lean toward Remus with a hand over your mouth. “What do you call them? The ladies in uniform?”

“Princess, you can call them whatever you want to,” James butts in, returning to your side now Julianna is absent. He wipes his mouth with a napkin and sits in one of the chairs facing the door.

“But what’s nicest?”

“You’ll learn their names in time,” Remus says easily. “You’ll be fine. Officially, they’re ‘attendants’. Maids, cleaners. Oh, you’ll have a lady in waiting–”

“A what?” 

“A personal assistant,” James says. 

Your face heats up like an instant flush, all hot pinpricks and embarrassment, “No,” you beg, standing up, “please, that would be entirely unnecessary, it’s not like I’m some sort of–”

“Princess!” A familiar voice shouts. Sirius has weaselled inside the door and closed it tight, his back pressed against it for a moment like he’s keeping someone out. He wears an exuberant smile and a brilliant dark ensemble with fine pinstripes that mess with your eyes as he approaches. He’s practically running. “I’ve spoken to Delilah who’s spoken to Beau who’s spoken to Lily who’s been in contact with the legal team in charge of your care here in Genovia, and they’ve heard from the medical team who have been fighting tooth and nail to be put in talks with you,” —he looks at you emphatically now, and there’s something about his expression, part wide-eyed awe, part sympathy, that freezes you to the spot— “because it’s technically your care, and–”

“Sirius, get to the point, please,” James says. He’s looking at you in a different way. Like he’s waiting for you to fall over. 

“Your father,” Sirius says, promptly deciding to start again. “The paternity test is positive. Your DNA is a conclusive match for the Prince, may he rest in peace. You’re a princess. You’re the Princess, by blood. You are a Renaldi.”

There’s a stretching silence. You wrap your hand around the back of your chair and stare at the velvet upholstery of the seat. 

“Terrible last name,” he adds sympathetically. 

You don’t want to be the girl who faints. That would be ridiculous, to fall over and crack your head. So, though you hate to ask for anything, you mumble, “James?”

He wraps a shapely arm behind your shoulders and under your armpit before you lose the feeling in your legs. 

“I think I need to sit down again,” you say. 

“Reckon you do," he agrees, as he pulls the chair around with his foot and arranges you in it efficiently, the tip of his thumb pushed into the pulse point on your neck. “We’ll get you something cold, Princess. You can breathe.” He gives you a little shake, hand spreading wider as it drags down your collar. The pressure is like the safety release of a suction cup. You take in a huge breath. “Breathe, lovely.”

“I’m fine," you say meekly. 

“It’s alright,” he says, with his impossible softness. He’s unafraid to be kind even when there are people watching. 

“I’m fine. I–” You can’t finish your sentence. You’d wanted to say you’ll be okay. That this is just some melodramatic episode, but it isn’t. This is a human reaction to unbelievable news. Because you’re a– you’re a princess. 

You cover your face with both hands and curl in toward your thighs. Silence pervades, your ears abuzz with white noise. You aren’t sure how long you sit there paralysed, but soon James’ gentle murmuring and shushing cuts through the ringing. “It’s alright,” he’s saying, his hand at your elbow, “I swear, it’s alright. You take as long as you need.”

“Mickey’s at the door,” Sirius says. 

“Good. Tell him to radio in a level two security detail and stay there for now. Who else knows, Sirius?”

“By now? Everybody in the castle. Including government officials.”

“And you’re sure?” Sure said severely. 

“Of course I am.”

You’re trying very hard to keep your pasta down. This can’t be happening. It can’t be right. Their test is wrong. They swabbed the inside of your mouth wrong, or got it mixed up with some other person test, or the doctors are lying. Not once in your whole life has there ever been any indication that you are more than the nothing you’ve always been. All your worst insecurities rip to the surface. Not me. Not me.

“Level two isn’t as bad as it sounds,” James says, still so gentle. He’s been talking to you again. “All it means is that I’m not at full attention, and I need someone else to watch the room. That’s all it is.”

“I’m not,” you say. 

“You’re okay.”

“I’m not a princess,” you say, peeking at him through your parted fingers. 

His hand curves around your arm. He pulls it toward him. Encouraging rather than demanding. You let him. 

“Whatever it is that you are,” he says, meeting your eyes, “I’m here to take care of you. Okay? Try to calm down for me.” He nods, hoping you’ll nod back no doubt. You worry at your lip, your teeth scratching delicate skin. 

“Sorry,” you say. 

“No one’s expecting you to feel a certain way right now,” Sirius says.

The urgency in his expression has departed completely. He has an air of regret about him now, an uncomfortable set to his jaw. 

It’s not just James in the room witnessing your wobble. You cover your face again and try to become one with the furniture. 

James stands off of his knees, having seemingly decided that you aren’t in any mental peril. He stays hovering behind your chair. You think you might’ve found them all at a loss for what to do. 

The door opens. You imagine a nightmare, Julianna coming to play nice, but it’s the British ambassador Lily once again. She looks as perfect as she did when you saw her last with an immaculately straightened sheet of hair fluttering behind her, her steps hurried. Despite her speed, she doesn’t look unhappy. She’s smiling. The Genovian ambassador Emmeline follows behind her. 

You try to straighten up. 

“We have wonderful news,” Lily says.

“You’re the Princess!” Emmeline squeaks, her tiny stature no bounds for her excitement. “Welcome home!”

She begins clapping. It slows when nobody joins in. 

“What?” she asks cluelessly. “Has something bad happened?”

That’s what you’re trying to work out.

—

James can hear you sniffling.

He rests his shoulders against the wall by your bedroom door and sighs. You'd held in tears for hours after the announcement. Sirius' last announcement has toppled you over. You have to meet your grandmother tomorrow to begin preparing for your father's funeral. James thinks you might have reached your breaking point. He can't imagine the grief of losing a father you didn't know you had, and the stress of being pulled out of your life so suddenly, carted across Europe and left under the judgemental eyes of royals and officials with little direction. Now that the paternity test has been found positive and checked by many, many professionals, your confirmed identity should provide a more stable schedule. From James’ perspective, the days ahead will be easy. For you, they are going to be very, very hard. 

You'll meet the Queen tomorrow at breakfast. The plans for your permanent residency in Genovia will be decided. Your entire life is about to change, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. 

Well… James doesn't really want you to stop it, but it's not entirely true that you can't. You could reject your heritage and go home to your flat, your art, your degree equivalent classes. Maybe you're crying because you're scared you don't have options. 

James thinks about knocking on the door to talk to you. He meant it when he said he has a duty to all aspects of your health, the mental as well as the physical, but it's difficult to define the line between professionalism and being friendly. He's already crossed it. 

He sighs and rubs his weary head. He's tired. Today has been the longest day ever. You'd slept for an hour in the car from the airport to Bellaverden Castle, and James had watched you half jealous and half enraptured. He won't mind looking after you no matter how you look, but your being easy on the eyes is a brilliant plus. Well, when ignoring the huge bruise staining your cheek. 

"Fuck," he says. 

He hasn't been doing very well. Honestly, his failure to keep you from harm in your flat (even if the harm had been him) and then his screw up with the paparazzi has left him off kilter.

James pulls out his pager. He should swap with one of the night guards, and he trusts them all, having picked them himself, but he won’t feel right walking away while you're crying. 

He clicks in Remus' code and waits until he hears it back. It's shorthand between them: if Remus wasn't awake or didn't want to see James, he could've ignored James' page and there'd be no hard feelings. But he answered. Tonight, once James has made sure you're okay, he'll crawl into Remus' bed like when they were kids in a cold dormitory and missing home to sleep for a glorious eight hours. He might even tell Remus how stressed he is. He knows his friend will listen. 

He'd invite Sirius, of course, (and that's assuming he isn't already there) if it weren’t well past ten. Sirius is definitely asleep. 

James hasn't had a proper night's sleep in a week. He feels poorly. He misses his mum. He's hungry. This job is great, he loves what he does; he gets paid to take care of people. It's also too much. It eats at him. 

"Fuck," he says again. 

"James?" 

He flinches hard. 

There it is, his third mistake. He's very lucky that the chief of royal security is busy making funeral arrangements, because if Mary were here she'd gut him. 

You've crept up on him in his distraction. How could he not notice your footsteps across the floor, or your door handle's heavy metallic thunk?

"Princess," he says, biting his tongue when you wince. He'll have to call you something else. "I'm sorry, I–" James squints at your sore eyes. 

"It's okay. I just wanted to ask… are you alright?" 

"Am I alright?" 

“I just heard you and I wanted to make sure you were doing okay. You sounded… stressy." 

"You don't have to worry about me. That's my job." He frowns at the remnants of your tear stains, dampness shining at the corners of your eyes and your lashes sticking together in darkened triangles. "I was just about to come and see you, actually. I know today's been hard, and I know I haven't helped. I'm so sorry, again, for hurting you. And at the airport, I know the scuffle with the photographers didn't help your nerves. I know," he stresses, "this is hard. I swear things will be smoother from now on. You have my word." 

You rub your elbow wordlessly. He's about to backtrack, perhaps dig himself a bigger hole, but then you give him one of the softest smiles anyone's ever given him in all his years. 

"It's forgiven. Believe me, James, this is the least of my worries," you say, gesturing to your cheek. It only takes a second for shame to stick its hooks in you, yanking your gaze to the floor. You're wearing an expression he's seen a thousand times on the people closest to him. 

He flicks you under the chin gently. 

"Things are gonna get easier. I swear it," he says.

You plaster a smile on. James figures he can push it some more and wipes the smudgy shine of old tears off of your cheeks. 

"There. Looking good, angel. Why don’t you try and get some rest now, yeah?" 

He keeps getting this odd feeling like you're an old friend and not his charge. It's fleeting and it's making him stupid. This and the sleep deprivation. He swears to himself he'll be better tomorrow. 

You bid him goodnight. James listens to your night time motions until another guard comes to release him from duty, rushing to his room for a shower and a cereal bar, giving his teeth a half-hearted brush before he sets off for Remus' room halfway across the castle. Remus and the other scarcely employed scholars don't have to sleep in the servant quarters like he and Sirius do. Schmucks.

He finds the door unlatched. Mercifully, James decides to spare them both the safety-related lecture. He tries to be as quiet as he can, a head of sandy brown hair turning his way just two steps into the room.

"James?" Remus asks, his voice thick with fatigue. 

"Sorry. You can go back to sleep." 

"I was waiting for you. Drifted off." 

James scrubs a hand through his damp hair and closes the door. He can find his way in the dark. 

"Sirius isn't here?" 

"James…"

"What, are we still pretending?"

"James."

"I'm sorry. Forgive me, Moony." 

"Yeah. Don't lean on my left side. I'll move over." 

"What's wrong with your left side?" 

"I don't know. Maybe from carrying the bags. Maybe not." 

James slides into the warm space Remus has made for him and tries not to feel overprotective. Loving someone who's constantly in pain can be confusing. You don't know how much love you're allowed to give before it starts to be patronising. Remus can take care of himself, but he doesn't need to. 

"Anything I can do?" James whispers. 

"Tell me what's bothering you." 

"Oh, you know… Everything. Nothing. I'm so happy we're all together again, I mean, what are the fucking odds? How long has it been since I could come and see you guys after work without making an appointment? … I didn't love the Prince, but I hate that he's dead, and I…" 

Remus turns his head to James. They're a pillow apart. When James looks at him, he can't remember what Remus looked like when they were young, but he can feel the years of knowing one another stretching out between them. A straining cast of light from under the door catches the edges of Remus' features. James can see the corner of an uneven smile. 

"Go on," Remus says quietly. 

"She's nice. She's really nice. I don't want her to get hurt, but I don’t know that I’m up to this, Moony."

"James, you're up for everything. Always have been." 

"I thought this was a demotion." 

"Isn't it?" 

"If it is, it's one I deserve. I deserve another one. Once Mary sees the mess I've made…" 

Remus reaches across the sheets to pinch James' bicep. "Nobody is good at their new job. Sirius didn't touch up the princess' bruise when we got off the plane, and while they're paid off for now, someone who needs the better payout is going to publish those photos, and soon. Sirius should've been doing his job, but he was too busy looking after me." 

"I tried to cover it–" 

"I know. You did a good job and I'm not blaming you. My point is that he made a mistake. Does he deserve a demotion?" 

James wrinkles his nose. Hate you.

"And I should've better prepared her for meeting Princess Julianna. It was my fault that she felt embarrassed. I tried my best to fit in some coaching for breakfast tomorrow but the poor girl doesn't know a butter knife from a paring knife." 

"That's not true." 

"No," Remus agrees. "I'm making her seem less educated than she is to prove my own point… James, she isn't a princess. She has the blood, and soon she'll get the official title, the land and the money and the education and maybe some of the bad bits, as well. But right now, she's new to being a princess, and she's not very good at it." 

"I get it." 

"Yeah, I know." 

Remus readjusts in bed. James almost misses the pain in his friend's exhale under the sound of crunching fresh sheets. 

"Are you sure I can't do something for you?" 

"I wish," Remus says. He isn't depressed. The opposite, he sounds way too spritely for the time. "You could stop hogging the blankets, for starters." 

James feeds Remus some more blanket and sighs. The mattress is heavenly. The quilts and sheets and pillowcases are soft and thick. By all means, James should've fallen asleep the second his head touched Remus’ pillow.

"You've asked Mickey to look after her tomorrow, right?" Remus asks. 

James had radio'd Mikkelson after his shower to put the early morning shift and protocols in his jurisdiction temporarily. That means James will hopefully be able to sleep until his body feels like it can hold itself together again. He doesn't like leaving you to face the Queen by yourself but it's not as though she'll hurt you, and Sirius will see you bright and early to help you get dressed. James isn't worried. 

"I have. How did you know that?" 

"You're the only one of us who knows how to properly take care of themselves," Remus explains easily. "Good. I'm glad you did. You haven't been sleeping."

"How do you know that?" 

"I love you. I know everything about you." 

James smiles at the ceiling. There is nothing quite as valuable to him than his family. He would do more to keep them all safe and healthy than he should admit on the record, so he keeps it tucked inside and out of view. It's terrifying and freeing at once to look at someone you love and know you're going to do something awful one day if it means they'll come out on the other side of it alive. 

"Not everything," he murmurs. 

"Everything, James."

"Yeah? How many fingers am I holding up right now." 

"One." 

"Which?" 

"Middle."

"Lucky guess." James laughs at their childish squabbling. "I love you, too. I'm really glad we're in the same place again."

"What did you say? What are the fucking odds?" Remus quotes, so tired now that his words are running together. "I'm not sod enough to do the maths, I think it's gotta be deep in the decimals. Lily's and Mary's involvement definitely helped, but to have someone come along who needs security detail, special education, and a lady in waiting is unfathomable." 

James laughs and feels his abdomen shaking. "I'm telling Sirius you called him a lady in waiting." 

"Sorry," Remus says, and James knows his friend is genuinely repentant, though Sirius would've laughed himself if he'd heard the joke. "I'm not trying to put him down. He's worked so hard, he– He's working so hard. He thinks it's easy work because he's good at it. He doesn't realise it's easy because he worked hard to be good at it." 

James has to chew it over for a moment to understand what Remus is saying. Once he understands, he vehemently agrees. Sirius is skilled in many areas. He's a media liaison, a sleuth, a sweet talker. He understands the inner workings of Western media — Sirius can deduce the honesty of a smile from a precursory glance. He may not always trust what he's seeing, but he sees it undeniably. And he can dress well.

"He's the best of us," James sighs agreeably, stretching down the length of the bed until his spine pops and his calves burn. "Shit. I need to start working out properly again now we're here." 

"Tomorrow. We'll figure it all out tomorrow, James. Go to sleep." 

James is obedient. He falls asleep, and doesn’t wake until the sun is warming his cheeks. His hair is still damp at the back and he feels awful in a new way. Better for having slept with someone close by, and catching up on the hours he’s been missing. But his back is stiff. 

He goes back to his room. His neck aches as he brushes his teeth. He does a workout and stretches his rigid limbs until he feels human again. 

The black telephone on his nightstand starts to ring.

“Hello, sir,” Lily says cheerfully down the line. James can picture her sweet smile. “I couldn’t help but notice your absence this morning.”

“How did it go?” he asks, trying to tug on a new pair of socks one handed. 

Lily hums. “It wasn’t awful. It wasn’t good, but it could’ve been worse. Her majesty liked her. Y/N was quiet, she was awkward, but we all know they prefer quiet to mouthy. The last thing they wanted was another Julianna. I felt kind of bad, really. Like I was handing her over.”

“She…” James sighs. “She didn’t seem upset, did she, Lils?”

“No, I actually think she was feeling good. Your boys took good care of her.”

“Brilliant. Oh, and to answer your unasked question, I’m being slovenly. I’ll be back on duty by noon.”

“Slovenly,” she repeats. “I’ve never known you to be any sort of lazy.” She laughs. James is happy that the sound doesn’t break his heart anymore. “Alright, James. I’ll see you later.”

He appreciates what she’s doing, letting him know you’re okay while he’s away. It’s uncanny how fast the people in charge of your care can band together, and Lily has always been kind.

James gives himself a minute to wipe away yesterday and prepare for today. He closes his eyes and shakes his head ferociously, his hair flying every which way. He sorts through all his worries one by one, letting that anxiety eat at him methodically —he’s a bad bodyguard, he’s a bad friend, he doesn’t call his mum enough, he’s chicken shit scared of dying alone, the works— and then pushing it away. Today is a new day with new opportunities. He can prove to you and to himself that he’s good at his job, he can make sure his friends are doing alright, he can call his mum tonight before dinner, and dying alone? He isn’t dying today. That one’s on the back burner. 

He makes his way from his room in the quarter and into the main building, wary that he might come upon a duke or duchess. His radio, clipped as it always is against his left shoulder, chirps with chatter. He bites back a scolding about keeping the line clear and looks out of a Goliath glass window at the grounds below. A marble water fountain spurts proudly at the foot of the stairs, and an elaborate hedgework stands at pruned attention. It’s a nice day. He wonders if you’ll be up for walking. 

He looks for you in the secondary parlour, the den, the library, the dining room. He swings by your room, and when you aren’t there he admits defeat and unclamps his radio, cutting through an inappropriate joke unapologetically. 

“Afternoon. Location on Princess Y/N?”

He imagines his subordinates scrambling to answer, embarrassed by their unprofessionalism, but it’s likely they just don’t know where you are. 

“If I don’t get an answer in the next five seconds, you can all expect to be running laps tonight. That includes you, Mikkelson, I don’t care how much overtime–”

“Sir, this is Daniels. Me and Roma are with the princess in the south wing.”

“Why?”

“She wanted a pencil sharpener.”

James grins to himself. The south wing (or, as James might put it, the guest wing), houses the scholars, the ambassadors, and whatever government official the royals are trying to butter up at the time. He’s feeling positively joyful when he finds you sketching, your face pressed to the window. The Genovian mountainscapes take shape on your page one confident stroke of graphite at a time, a small leather bound sketchbook pressed flat to your knee.

“Settling in?” he asks. 

You raise your head but not your eyes. “You could say that.”

“How was meeting Her Majesty?”

You frown. 

“That bad?” he asks. 

“No, I mean. You know. She’s a queen. It was terrifying.”

Despite your unhappy mouth, you look as relaxed as you have since the moment he met you, dressed in a casual Genovian dress with subtle but remarkable stitching a shade darker than the dress itself and a squared neckline. Your calves are out and glossy in the daylight. They’re rather distracting. 

“You look good,” James says carefully. 

“I’ll miss the fancy lotions,” you say. Your pencil scratches away. 

James’ hands falter where they’re clasped behind his back. “What?”

You meet his eyes properly. He hadn’t realised you’d been avoiding his gaze until you weren’t, your face ringed with guilt, an explanation slow to come. 

“I’m not staying. I can’t be a princess, James.” You shake your head mildly. “I’m going home.”

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thanks so much for reading! oh no, you want to go home!! rest assured, james and co aren’t letting you go too easily. i hope you enjoyed, reblogs are always appreciated, a thousand kisses for all of you either way <3<3