Chapter Text
Harry greedily gulps his cup of milk quickly whilst wriggling in his seat excitedly. Today himself and his Papa were going to make their gingerbread house together, Regulus had been promising his son for a few days and they were finally going to do it. He could hardly contain his excitement, he loved gingerbread and he was mostly looking forward to eating it afterwards.
James laughs softly when Harry spills some milk down his snowman pyjamas, he places a plate of warm pancakes in front of Harry, watching as his son’s face lights up. He used strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream to make a Santa face. Harry’s favourite time of year was Christmas so James and Regulus loved to go all out and make mundane things like breakfast more festive for their four year old. They had three Christmas trees and went all out with the decoration’s, everything from outdoor lights and the cushions on the sofa. Their house went from a warm, cosy place to live to Santa’s grotto. Regulus thought they did it all for Harry, which they did but James was also doing it for his husband and his best friend, Sirius, who never got Christmas magic as children.
James removes his deep green deer embroidered apron and places it next to Regulus’ matching one on the back of the kitchen door.Their kitchen is huge which is why most years Christmas dinner is hosted at their place. There is plenty of room to manoeuvre around each other and slow dance if they so wish. Being the hopeless romantic he is, James is always taking his husband into his arms and gently rocking with him. Sometimes Regulus will slow dance just to appease his husband, but it’s rare. James and his ex Lily switch who had Harry for Christmas morning every year and this time it was James’ turn. Unlike most exes they were still the best of friends and on Christmas Day she would come for dinner with her wife, Mary. In fact, they had a few people round each year and every year it kept getting bigger. This year Sirius and Remus had their eight month old son Teddy and Pete was bringing his partner Benjy. James loved it though and secretly, so did Regulus.
Regulus had never known love like it, being surrounded by people who genuinely care about him would never not be a shock. He had always believed himself to be worthless and kept his walls built high, until he met James Potter. His husband knew from the day they met he wanted Regulus and he wouldn’t stop pursuing him, wouldn’t stop tearing down the high wall brick by brick until Regulus caved.
He hadn’t known James’ best friend was his brother. Sirius had ran away to his best friend’s house years prior, leaving Regulus with their abusive parents. Regulus wasn’t angry though. Sirius would have died in that house. The relief at seeing his big brother alive and well was something indescribable. Finding out his big brother was engaged and living his dream as a tattoo artist was everything Regulus could hope for. He had always looked up to his big brother, always admired his bravery and strength and when Sirius held out his hand and asked Regulus to stay… he did.
To start with Regulus slept on Sirius and Remus’ sofa, he found work in a nearby corner shop and paid his way whilst attending university still. Then after a year of dating, James got down on one knee and begged Regulus to say yes. He didn’t even ask the question, just pleaded on his knee with the ring held up hopefully. Obviously, Regulus said yes, he wasn’t stupid. He was in love with James and by extension, James’ adorable mini doppelgänger Harry. Regulus didn’t see himself ever having children but Harry stole his heart entirely and now three years later, they were besties.
Regulus walks into the kitchen and Harry stops eating instantly, pushing his plate away and looking over eagerly. Regulus rolls his eyes fondly and points at the plate of half eaten pancakes.
”I full!” Harry announces with a nod.
”Papa needs a morning coffee fir-“
He is cut off by James handing him a steaming hot black coffee in a Rudolph mug. Regulus simpers and smiles gratefully as he takes a long sip before kissing James’ lips, making little Harry cover his eyes in disgust.
”Eat the rest of your pancakes.” James tells his son as he puts one arm around his husband’s waist, “Then Papa will make the gingerbread house with you.”
Harry sighs deeply in defeat, using his hands to shovel the food into his mouth.
“Carefully.” Regulus scolds gently, “We don’t want you to choke.”
”Sorry Papa.” Harry whispers with a big smile mirroring his Dad’s.
“What time do Sirius and Remus get in from Wales?” Regulus asks cautiously, glancing at the clock on the wall.
”Two hours yet.” James smiles, “I cannot wait to see Teddy, bet he’s got so big since we last saw him.”
”We saw him two weeks ago.”
James nods, “Yes but babies change overnight.”
”If you say so.”
“You have to admit he’s bloody adorable.” James smiles wistfully.
”Harry’s cutest.” Regulus says, ruffling his son’s messy bed head, “Right Haz?”
”Right.” Harry nods once in agreement, pushing his circular glasses up, “I done, please we do ginger house now?”
Regulus drains the last of his coffee and places it into the sink, grabbing his apron off the hook and Harry cheers happily. James takes Harry’s empty plate and starts washing the dishes, watching out of the corner of his eye as his gorgeous husband builds the gingerbread house with their little boy. He would never tire of seeing the two of them together, it was the most wonderful feeling. Regulus had almost run for the hills when he found out about Harry, but here he was now being another parental figure.
An hour passes, Regulus stands back with a frown, tilting his head as he admires their wonky but very colourful gingerbread house. Harry is ecstatic with it, already pinching the gumdrops and chocolate buttons off the side. James wraps his arms around Regulus, resting his chin on his shoulder and smiling at the creation in front of them.
”Great effort love.” James teases.
”Shut it.” Regulus mumbles.
It was hard being a perfectionist with a young child. One of the walls had been nibbled before they even had chance to put it together and Harry went overboard with the icing but he was happy and that was the main thing. Regulus was staring at Harry with a soft look in his eyes, he really loves Harry like his own and James is desperate to have more babies with his man. He just isn’t sure how to bring that particular conversation up.
Suddenly, Regulus’ phone begins ringing. He grumbles as he reaches into his pocket to check the caller ID, shrugging he puts it back into his pocket. He didn’t answer calls from unsaved numbers, he wasn’t in the mood to be harassed by their internet broadband or whoever this close to Christmas. Within seconds of the phone going quiet, it begins to ring again and then again. Regulus miserably pulls his phone out properly, pressing the answer button and holding it against his ear.
”Hello?”
James watches as Regulus goes as white as the snow outside, he walks away towards the back door talking quietly on the phone. James knows something is wrong immediately, the way his husband’s demeanour and body language shifts. It’s subtle, but after three years of marriage James has become pretty accustomed to his husband’s tell tale signs.
Once the brief phone call is over, Regulus walks back over with a forced smile. James gives him a pointed look, folding his arms across his chest expectantly.
”My Mother is dead.” Regulus says bluntly with a small shrug of his shoulders, “Died a while ago apparently.”
James’ arms drop to his side, “Walburga is dead?”
”Yeah.”
”Are you okay?”
Regulus’ forehead creases slightly, “Yeah, I’m okay..I think.”
”Who was it on the phone?”
”Cissy.”
James nods relaxing a little, Narcissa was actually alright compared to most of them. She was Regulus’ favourite cousin at least. He was glad it wasn’t Orion or one of the other elderly members of the family, they’d have been cruel about it.
“I’ve been invited to the funeral.”
”Ah.” James acknowledges tensely.
He didn’t really want his husband to go, but he had a sinking feeling that he would want to go. James had no idea why he would want to attend the funeral of the woman who beat him black and blue, but he knew his husband like the back of his hand.
”You aren’t obligated to go.” James says tenderly, reaching out to pull Regulus into the safety of his arms, “You don’t have to go.”
”I think I want to.” Regulus breathes out, looking up at his husband, “I want to say goodbye.”
James knows he can’t argue with him. Not about this.Regardless of the bitch being buried, she was still Regulus’ Mother and as his husband, he’d have to be as supportive as possible.
“When is it?”
”Tomorrow.”
___________
Sirius looks his younger brother up and down in disbelief. He couldn’t believe how reckless and stupid he was being. They were both finally free and Regulus wanted to waltz into a family gathering for the funeral of their main perpetrator? He was stupid. The family weren’t just going to let them sit in peace and pay their respects or lack there of. They’d be hounded, maybe their Father would attempt to coax them back into the family business. They still needed an heir after all. It was by far the dumbest thing Sirius could imagine.
He stands there in the Potter hallway, his red flashing Christmas jumper making it hard for anyone to take him seriously. He knew how dangerous and manipulative his family were. He wouldn’t put it past them to have blatantly lied about her death as a way to get Regulus home. Walburga was definitely the kind of woman to fake her death for attention and a bit of news coverage on the telly.
”You’re kidding?” Sirius asks with a forced chuckle, “Tell me you’re kidding.”
”She’s our Mother, Sirius.” Regulus says earnestly like that makes everything okay.
”It’s Christmas.” Sirius argues, motioning at his hideous jumper as Regulus starts making his way up the stairs.
Regulus shrugs, “I’m still going. Now, please excuse me, it’s tomorrow so I have to get to London as soon as poss-“
”I’ll drive us.” Sirius declares unexpectedly.
Regulus freezes turning to look at his brother at the same time as James and Sirius’ husband Remus do. All three of them have identical looks of shock on their faces, none of them able to believe what Sirius had just said. Baby Teddy is tugging insistently on Remus’ hair whilst sucking on his dummy. His big blue eyes glued on his Dada’s startled expression.
James groans breaking the tense but short silence, “I really don’t want either of you going.”
”He’s going to go with or without me.” Sirius points out exasperatedly, “I’d rather go with him than have him face it alone.”
”I can look after myself.” Regulus argues stubbornly.
”Yeah, but as you said Reggie, she is our Mother.” Sirius says solemnly, looking genuinely sad before smirking mischievously, “Might be a laugh.”
”How? It’s a funeral.”
Sirius clears his throat dramatically, using his closed fist as an imaginary microphone, “We are gathered here today, to celebrate the long fulfilling life of the generous and kind-hearted Walburga Black-“
”Alright.” Regulus snorts softly, “You’ve made your point.”
James follows Regulus upstairs to help him pack. Sirius smiles nervously at his own husband, Remus looks absolutely seething by the situation. It was hard for Sirius to face the family again but he knows Remus is worried sick after everything that happened. Teddy makes gurgling sounds in his Dada’s arms, reaching aimlessly for his Daddy’s long black hair. The tot had a thing for pulling on people’s hair and trying to get it in his mouth.
”I’ll be home tomorrow evening.” Sirius vows, meeting Remus’ worried hazel eyes, “I can’t just let that dickface go on his own.”
”Don’t say that in front of Ted.” Remus mutters, scowling a little.
Sirius smirks at his husband’s pout before leaning in and kissing it away with chaste pecks, “You’re so cute.”
”Sirius. I really don’t know how yo-“
”Me either but I..I owe Reg this. I couldn’t protect him back then but I can tomorrow at the funeral.” Sirius whispers, his voice catching slightly, “I need to make sure he gets home safely, Moony.”
”I know.” Remus nods, kissing their sons head tearfully, “Please don’t..”
Sirius shakes his head rapidly, “No. No. Remus, they cannot hurt me or manipulate me anymore. I have too much to live for.”
Sirius looks down at their chunky eight month old son and smiles softly as the toddler grabs hold of his finger with his tiny hand. He really did feel like the luckiest man in the entire world. He had everything. Not only was he married to his teenage sweetheart but he landed his dream job, they had a beautiful house in Wales and they had the most amazing baby boy. He never thought he’d ever escape the abusive house of Black, he felt as though he would be stuck there for eternity but every single day he is grateful to his sixteen year old self for finding his way to the Potter’s.
The Potters had always lived in Sheffield, but trying to get there at sixteen from London had been a disaster. He’d been declared missing and when he finally reached the familiar red front door, James’ Mother opened it quickly and instantly pulled him into her arms for a hug, as if she had been waiting by the door and expecting him. James’ parents were his parents, they were the closest thing he ever got and thanks to them he knew how to raise Teddy in a loving and safe environment. Losing them had hurt more than anything, hearing about his biological Mother passing away was no more than a graze to the knee. It seemed horribly unfair that she outlived the Potter’s, he’d have loved for them to meet Harry and Teddy. They’d have spoilt their two grandsons like crazy.
“Got my little man and my sexy husband. I don’t need their money or their status or anything. It’s me and you and our team of babies.”
”Good luck telling your brother about that by the way.” Remus mutters, laughing a little.
”If we weren’t two gay men we’d have been popping them out faster than the Weasleys.”
Remus laughs genuinely at that particular truth and shakes his head, “Just be safe,okay?”
”I promise.”
“Are you sure you can drive again? You just drove five hours from Wales?” Remus worries some more.
”It’s what? Three and a half hours away? I’ll be fine Moon.”
”Take breaks,okay?”
Sirius rolls his eyes, “Yes, sir.”
“I mean it. I don’t need you falling asleep at the wheel when it’s Teddy's first Christmas in-“
”We will be back late tomorrow night. When the funeral is done we’re coming straight back.” Sirius interrupts.
Remus sighs, “Okay. Just remember the traffic is going to be so much worse tomorrow as it’s the 23rd of December, so many people will be travelling home for Christmas.”
”We will be here.” Sirius vows fiercely, “I am not missing Teddy’s first Christmas. I promise.”
”I really do love you, you know?” Remus smiles as Sirius kisses Teddy on the nose.
Sirius looks up at his husband, “Jeez, I’d hope so considering we’re building our army of mini Moony’s.”
”Two kids is not an army.”
”You underestimate what siblings are capable of.” Sirius says proudly, taking Teddy into his own arms and tickling him.
Teddy squeals and wriggles as he giggles loudly in Sirius’ arms. Remus watches them together, smiling to himself as Regulus and James descend the stairs together with a teary Harry. The four year old clings to Regulus’ side as he sobs and begs Regulus not to leave. Regulus looks heartbroken and for a brief moment, Sirius thinks Harry’s sadness is enough to sway his younger brother’s made up mind.
“I’ll be back tomorrow, Haz.” Regulus promises, kneeling to meet the child’s sad green eyes, “We’re going to have the best Christmas ever.”
”Promise?” Harry sniffs, wiping his tears on his sleeve.
Regulus holds out his pinky finger which Harry eagerly links with his own, “I pinky promise.”