Work Text:
It was tiny hands that woke up Regulus. Soft and plump and small, they moved over his cheeks and eyelids, warm and sticky skin on his face.
“Dada.”
Regulus blinked, trying to adjust to the darkness around him. He sensed movement close to him, a small figure right by the bed.
Regulus reached out a hand and met fluffy wild hair sticking up in all directions.
“Harry?” he whispered.
“Dada?”
Regulus couldn’t see, but felt the round cheeks against his palm. They were wet.
“Oh no!” He sat up, fumbled. “Lumos!”
The tip of his wand on the nightstand went alight. Little Harry scrunched up his face, hands curled into tiny fists shielding his eyes from the sudden light. He was wearing navy blue pyjamas with little Snitches on them. Squinting, Regulus picked him up.
“Harry, were you crying?”
Harry had a fist still pressed against his tightly shut eyes, the other hand clutching Regulus’ shoulder.
“Was it a bad dream?”
“Heam,” repeated Harry and nodded.
“Oh!” Regulus held him close to his chest and Harry buried his face in the crook of his neck. He smelled so much like James, only sweeter. His face was still a bit wet.
“I know,” whispered Regulus, lightly rocking the child back and forth. “Dreams can be so scary. But it’s okay. You’re safe now. I got you. I got you!”
“Dada,” mumbled Harry again.
“Yes,” said Regulus, his voice low and soothing, “we get dada.”
He looked at the empty crumpled sheets on the other side of the large bed. Harry followed his gaze.
“Dada?” he asked again, turning to Regulus and looking directly at him.
He was still a wonder to behold, this miraculous little version of James, with the same facial expressions, shapes Regulus had loved from the beginning because they were so familiar and beloved already. Harry was so much the spitting image of his father, only softer and smaller, that it made Regulus laugh sometimes, and other times it took his breath away. Only Harry’s eyes were different, a new form and their own colour, light green and striking. And Regulus loved them so much because, while they were of course hers, not his, the colour still felt close enough to his own that they could be. Regulus’ colour. The little bit of green, which now looked at him with worry and confusion, with fear, felt like his part of Harry. The little bit of green – not unwavering, ever-confident hazel – was what Regulus understood. The little bit of green he knew how to comfort.
“It’s okay,” he said to Harry. “He’s probably just downstairs.”
He stood up, Harry clinging like a monkey to his wide shirt which had “Chaser” written across the chest.
“We’ll get him,” said Regulus, “don’t worry.”
He carried Harry over to the bedroom door. It stood open a crack and Regulus opened it wider with his elbow, never letting go of the little boy. He called into the dark and quiet hallway.
“James?”
He felt Harry grab on tighter and tense up as they stepped away from the glow of the bedroom into blackness.
Regulus looked along the corridor. His eyes were adjusting, and he saw that the door to Harry’s room was ajar.
“You came all the way over?” asked Regulus quietly. “From your room? That’s a really long way. Through this dark hallway.” He stroked Harry’s back. “That was probably really scary, huh?”
“Heam,” whispered Harry. He clutched Regulus so tight.
Regulus understood.
“No more bad dreams.” His voice was as firm as his hold on Harry was tender. “We get dada. But until then, Regulus is here. Okay? Regulus protects you!”
Harry was quiet but Regulus felt him relax his grip the tiniest bit.
“You want to call for dada together?”
Harry nodded, his hair brushing against Regulus’ cheek.
“James!” Regulus raised his voice a bit. “Go on, you too,” he muttered to Harry. The little boy took a breath.
“Dada!” he called.
Together, they pricked up their ears. Harry leaned forward a little.
Moments later, they heard the stairs creak. Then, his glowing wand illuminating his face and the space around him, James came up. His hair was just as unruly as that of his son, he was bare-chested and barefoot, wearing joggers and his glasses. His face lit up into a surprised grin.
“Hey,” he said warmly. “What’s this, my favourite boys out of bed?”
Harry immediately reached out his chubby arms.
“Dada!” He sounded almost reproachful.
James stuck the wand in the back pocket of his trousers, came up to them and took his son from Regulus and into his arms. Harry nuzzled against him, clung to his neck, and James nosed into his hair.
“Yes, Dada is here,” he murmured. “Did he wake you?” he muttered to Regulus.
“He had a bad dream.” Regulus put an arm around James’ hip and leaned against his shoulder. Harry had the right idea with his nuzzling. “And he came all the way over to us. Probably charmed open the doors.”
“Really?” James kissed Harry’s head. “Just like his dad.”
He flinched and grinned when Regulus playfully pinched him for that.
Harry let out a deep sigh.
“He was really scared,” said Regulus quietly. “He came looking for you.”
“Awww.” James swayed back and forth a little, then shifted Harry to catch his gaze. “Dada went downstairs for a glass of water. Are you okay now?”
“Heg loo,” said Harry and nodded.
James blinked.
“What?”
“Heg loo,” repeated Harry, staring seriously at his father.
James and Regulus exchanged surprised looks.
“That’s a new one,” said Regulus. “What does he mean? ‘Hello’?”
“‘The loo’?” James cocked his head at his son. “What do you mean, my darling boy?”
“Heg loo!” said Harry, as if James was a bit dim.
Then he reached out his pudgy hand and placed it on Regulus’ cheek.
“He means you!” James’ face lit up once more. “Heg loo – Regulus!”
Regulus felt his face go warm and his chest as well. He didn’t know this little boy could burrow even deeper into his heart. But there he was. Looking earnestly at Regulus with those green eyes. Regulus felt like melting.
“Very good!” praised James, bouncing Harry up and down a little. “It’s a bit hard to say, isn’t it? Regulus. But you’re doing great! Isn’t he doing so well, my stars?”
Regulus’ hand flew up, touching the small one on his face.
“Yes,” he whispered and pressed a kiss on the little palm. “You’re doing so well, Harry! Our darling boy!”
Harry took a deep breath again, breaking out into a yawn. It was so cute and Regulus was watching him so intently that he started yawning too. Two pairs of green eyes grew very heavy.
James chuckled, pressed a kiss into Harry’s hair and one on Regulus’ forehead.
“Let’s get you to bed,” he murmured. “Harry and Heg loo.”