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“What do you want?” Regulus sighed, crossing his arms as a little Harry clung onto his leg. “I unfortunately have tasks that must be handled, Harry. I can come along later today.” He continued, probably not using the best choice of words towards a literal baby as Harry just blinked his eyes at him. Regulus cleared his voice and spoke again, wincing at the simple words he had to use“Harry, Regulus has to go! Big work!” To his disappointment, Harry’s big eyes just lit with a familiar spark, tugging on Regulus so he would stay and sit down. Defeated, Regulus shook his head and sat down with Harry “tsk tsk, you’re testing my patience child. You’re really like your dad. Witty and troublesome.” In return, Harry giggled to himself and started to babble in gibberish. Regulus, left utterly dumbfounded with Harry’s attempt to talk, raised an eyebrow and forced himself to reply “right err- story short. I don’t understand you. You can try to have a conversation with me all you want, but don’t look at me like I will talk back to you in that language.”
From the hallway, recognisable laughter seemed to get closer and closer. Sharing the same twinkle in his eyes as Harry, James popped in, leaning against the door “you are so hopeless with kids, Reg.”
“I’m not.”
“Oh you so are.”
Regulus flung his head at James eyeing him with a passionate glare “I am not.”
James stifled a snort “oh please Reggie, you just said “language” Harry, he was babbling- you know? That’s what babies do they babble- it’s not a secret langua-“
“Of course I know what babbling is!”
James raised an eyebrow, a playful expression on his face, “you sure?”
Regulus rolled his eyes and tried to stand up despite Harry hovering at his feet. “I’ve got a thing in the ministry so I’ll get going now.”
It was clear James was amused as Regulus tried to get his foot away from Harry in various attempts to stop him clinging onto it.
“James. James he won’t let go.” Regulus desperately called out.
Something changed in the way James looked at Regulus, the amusement faded out and something softer fell onto his face. “He likes you.”
“What?” Regulus paused, a frown on his face as watched James.
“Harry likes you Regulus. Guess you’re not that bad with kids eh?” James blurted out, his smile returning back to his face.
“Merlin James, why are you bloody beaming at me like that?” Regulus shot back despite the comforting pang in his heart.
“Can you call off whatever you have in the ministry and stay here with me and mini me?” James begged blissfully, pointing at himself and then at Harry who was beaming just as much as him.
Regulus huffed, a half smile tugging at his lips “fine. You’re lucky I love you.”
“Love you too Reggie!” James replied, a grin spread across his face.
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
A few hours had passed and Regulus rested his head on James’s shoulder, nestling into his anchoring warmth while James flipped a muggle picture book for Harry. “You share the same mischievous look, you and Harry. It’s like there’s a playful sparkle in your eyes. It’s cute.” Regulus softly whispered. Regulus stared into James’s eyes as he turned to face him. Satisfaction visibly settled onto Regulus’s face as he watched the spark he adored light up in James’s eyes.
James lifted up an eyebrow, the playful glint growing bigger “you think the sparkle in my eye is cute.” Regulus rolled his eyes but his genuine smile betrayed them, “don’t flatter yourself.”
James just laughed in reply, tugging on Harry’s little sleeves “Harry, did you hear that? Regulus Black just complimented us!” Harry’s own eyes seemed to sparkle and he blabbered something at them both.
“I know! I know!” James nodded, understanding each gibberish letter that Harry blurted out. At this, confusion settled in Regulus’s expression “James you understand baby language?”
James snorted, unable to hold his laughter like last time. Regulus joined in, laughing wholeheartedly like he always did with Potter; and even Harry joined in with his infectious giggle.