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James Potter considered himself as a good dad. When him and Lily decided to co parent after the divorce- deciding it was the best for Harrys development, there had seemed to be not any major problems. Harry was active, polite, and quite smart, being a very curious child. But, James would notice how Harry would cling to his leg and go wide-eyed when they came across a stranger. Harry, who usually would take any opportunity to talk to some new, has gotten shy. James Potter could not have his son being afraid to talk to people. So he did what any other amazing dad would do. Send your toddler with absolutly no boundaries or social skills to a store with nothing but 20 pounds and free will.
Harry looked up at the store, hesitation in his eyes. Then looked at James with the same look, almost causing him to break and buy him a cakepop because his son is the cutest thing and can do no wrong- but alas he has to stay strong.
James leaned down to reach the toddlers height, and set a strong hand on his shoulder.
“Okay bud, heres 20 pounds. I want you to go in the store and find the most prettiest thing you can find. A toy, book, a pair of shoes, anything and buy it. Sound good?”
Harry takes a breath, nervous, but not wanting to disappoint his dad, clutching the 20 pounds like his life depended on it.
Then in a small voice, “Why?”
James stood up and grabbed his hand. “Confidence. Today we learn how to be brave my tiny friend.” Now go on! Be free!”
With a small push, Harry slowly disappears into the big crowd of people.
James leaned back onto a wall, smirking. This is going to be great. What could go wrong?
Five minutes pass.
Then ten.
And then- Harry comes rushing out, with a very successful smile and a very stunned (though he was pretty) man in his hand. Like grown. About 5’8, pale, sharp cheekbones, grey eyes he could drown in- honestly the guy was a model.
Harry almost yells, “Pa! Look! I found a pretty boy! he was free! Did I do good?” He flashes a toothy grin, all too innocent like he didn't just kidnap a unsuspecting bystander.
James couldnt do anything but stare, mouth wide open. This is not how he is meeting the possible love of his life. Although it seems like Harry got over his shyness, James now has a much bigger problem.
“Harry, honey, where did you find this man?”
James tries to sound as if he isn't internally screaming.
Harry puts a hand on his chin. “Well I was looking at the fancy soaps and then I saw him! He was the prettiest so I bought him!”
The man looked down at Harry, then up at James. His voice was clipped and cool, even while clearly trying not to panic. “Is this your child?”
“I- yes! Yes, he’s mine. And I am so sorry. He- he wasn’t supposed to-”
“I was shopping for new soap, then all of a sudden a freakishly strong small boy started dragging me by my hand exclaiming that ‘I was the one.’”
James is still mid-stammer, eyes flicking between Harry’s triumphant little face and the stranger’s stone-cold expression. “I swear, I was just trying to help him build confidence- this is not- he doesn’t usually kidnap people.”
The man raises an eyebrow. “So this isn't a fucked up family tradition?”
James huffs trying not to lose his cool. “No, just a tiny misunderstanding.”
He clears his throat. “Well I guess I should un-kidnap you. My names James by the way, and this tiny goblin is Harry.” He reaches his hand out.
The man doesnt put his hand out, but instead lets go of Harrys hand and wipes it down his clothes staring James up and down. “Regulus.”
There's a beat of awkward silence before James clears his throat. “Look, I'm really sorry. Is there any way I can make this up?”
“Coffee.” Regulus deadpans.
James blinked.
“Coffee?” he echoed, voice cracking halfway between surprise and disbelief.
Regulus gave him a slow, appraising look like he was reconsidering every life decision that led him to being kidnapped by a toddler and propositioned by said toddler’s apologetic (but admittedly fit) father.
“Yes,” Regulus replied coolly. “It’s the least you can do. You’re lucky I didn’t call security.”
James could feel himself starting to sweat, because one, Regulus was scarily calm for someone who just got forcibly adopted by a child, and two, this man was insanely good-looking. Like “what-are-you-doing-in-a-soap-aisle-and-not-a-Gucci-runway” kind of good-looking. And now James was being offered coffee, which may or may not be a date, and he wasn’t quite sure if he was being punished or rewarded.
Harry beamed up at both of them, practically glowing. “See! I knew he was the prettiest! And now you’re gonna be friends!”
Regulus gave Harry a side-glance, his mouth twitching slightly. “I don’t make a habit of befriending my captors, but I’ll make an exception.”
James let out a bark of nervous laughter. “Great! Um. Yeah. Coffee. Do you want to… go now? Or should I, uh return your personal space and dignity first?”
Regulus sighed, brushing invisible dust off his sleeve. “Let me at least finish my soap shopping without being lured away by preschool-sized bounty hunters.”
“Right,” James nodded. “Fair.”
“I’ll meet you out front in ten minutes,” Regulus added, then looked down at Harry. “Assuming your son doesn’t tackle me again.”
Harry offered him a solemn nod, like he was being entrusted with a sacred task. “I’ll guard the cart.”
Regulus gave them one last glance and turned around, striding back into the store.
James watched him go, then looked down at Harry, who was still smiling proudly.
“Okay,” James exhaled, scrubbing a hand through his hair. “So maybe slightly different from what I imagined when I said ‘build confidence,’ but not bad, kid. Not bad at all.”
Harry tilted his head. “Do I get a cakepop now?”
James paused.
“…You know what? Yeah. You absolutely do.”
Ten minutes later, Regulus reappeared, carrying a neatly packed paper bag that probably cost more than James’ monthly rent, looking as regal and mildly annoyed as someone fresh out of a spa.
James stood a little straighter, brushing invisible crumbs off his jumper. “Ready for that coffee?”
Regulus arched an eyebrow. “You still owe me one full explanation and a lifetime supply of apologies.”
“I’ll buy you two coffees.”
Regulus gave a dramatic sigh but didn’t say no. “Fine. But I’m choosing the place.”
“Fair.”
Regulus looked to the side and casually says “And if your child doesn't kidnap me again I might consider this as a date.”
James coughs on air before letting out a choked “Deal.”
They drink, Regulus learns more about James and Harry and how he pranked James into eating glue, and James learns that Regulus once blocked his brother on everything when he stole his favorite sweater.
Overall it goes well, Harry learned how to be confident and James and Regulus may have fallen in love.