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Normally, he wouldn’t do that. But right now he has no choice. James has a match this upcoming week, an official match he can’t miss as he is the right winger and his team doesn’t have any right winger in reserve. This meant that Harry had to go to his mum’s. Like every season Lily would clear her schedule to she can take care of Harry while James worked.
However it seems that he can’t count on her this time. When he called, she apologized for declining. Being a free-lance editor apparently meant that she had a lot of meetings to attend with publishing companies; kinda defeating the whole purpose of being freelance. Which also meant that she would be in Brighton while he was playing in Norwich, so she couldn’t care for their son.
He hoped Sirius could fill in this time, since he is Harry’s godfather but he could have guessed he wouldn’t be. Sirius had scheduled an appointment with a new young sculptor he hopes to have in his next exhibition. The appointment had been made several weeks prior so he couldn't back out on it. He seemed quite excited and eager to meet this Lupin guy. Make James look forward to seeing the sculptures at Blacks in red exhibition this autumn. If the bloke made the hard judging Sirius Black so happy to have an opportunity to exhibit him, he might be really talented (even if they’re just 24).
James’ parents live hours away and Harry's godmother is currently in Brazil so really there's no one to look after Harry during the only day he needed. Or so he thought. While complaining to Sirius that he is going to have to explain to his coach that he could not play which will probably result in him being kicked out of the team, Sirius suggested someone. While he never met Sirius’ younger brother (a certain Regulus), James is relieved to have found someone. He holded hope that Regulus would look like Harry’s Uncle Pad, to not startle Harry too much even if he was leaving him with a complete stranger.
________
James left at 8:30 the morning of his game. Harry was still sleeping and Sirius said that Regulus will arrive at James’ home at 8:40. James was not fond of leaving Harry alone but again he didn't have a choice. And 10 minutes alone couldn't hurt right? Nonetheless, James was fidgety all of the ride from home to the skating rink. A finally calmed down a bit when he received a text from an unknown number telling him he was Regulus and that he had arrived at 8:37. Sirius had the intelligence to share James’ number with his brother. (James didn’t think of asking for it and felt a bit dumb) Still a little anxious about Harry being with a man he didn’t know, James headed to warm up with his mates.
The match with the Raven from Wymondham had begun a bit over half an hour when James spotted Harry waving at him from behind the protective glass. After the shock of seeing his son, came the shock of seeing with who he was. At Harry’s side stands the most gorgeous man James ever laid eyes on. Turns out Regulus did not really look like his brother. Sirius and Regulus shared their eye colors, pale complexion and wavy hair but out of that they didn’t look like one other. Regulus’ hair was shorter and a deeper shade of black. His eyes were a bit almond shaped with very long black lashes. And his lips, oh HIS LIPS! His lips were a lot thinner and with a prominent cupid’s bow. Lips so pale you had difficulties to see them from too far.
James was bewitched by this man. He skates closer when the referee whistles for the second half-time. Harry was making grabby hands at him and spotted the most joyful expression. When the two-years-old leaned in to blow a kiss at him, Regulus laughed and grabbed James’ son closer to prevent his fall. Regulus’ laugh rang in James' ears. Even with Regulus behind on the other side of the glass, James heard his laugh bright and clear. At that moment James knew he wanted to hear this laugh everyday till the day he dies.
After dowing half his water bottle and strategizing with the team, James is back on the ice for the last 20 minutes. When the referee whistled for the last time Regulus and Harry weren’t here anymore and James’ team won. They all wanted to go out for a drink to celebrate. Thankfully when James asked Regulus if he could stay and look after Harry another 2 hours, he agreed.
Only after an hour and a half celebrating, James pulled over at his house and parked his car. He drank a beer with his mates, chatted a bit with the bartender about the match but he wanted to go home and see his son (and maybe speak a bit with a certain black haired man). When he entered through the front door he heard nothing except the sizzling sound of a lightbulb. James panicked a bit because all the lights were off and without a sound he couldn’t be sure that Harry was home (and Regulus with him). After circling in the hall and in the kitchen he made his way to the livingroom and flicked the light on.
That’s where he found them. Even if it was barely 6, Harry was sleeping. He was all cuddled up on Regulus' side and both of them seemed to sleep quite comfortably with one another. They seemed to fit perfectly together. Harry’s legs are intertwining with Regulus’ arms. James never saw something as wonderful as that.
Regulus stirred awake and blinked lazily while turning his head in James’ direction. James regretted turning on the light, maybe he could have watched Regulus' dreamy sleeping face a bit longer. But now he couldn’t because Regulus opened his eyes wide seconds after seeing James watching him.
“ - Oh lord I didn’t mean to fall asleep.
It’s no problem. I’m going to put the gremlin in his bed. Wait for me.”
The reader has to know that Regulus was dumbstrucked by James Potter’s deep voice and perfume as he leaned in to scoop up Harry from his side. He was barely even breathing as he was sitting properly on the couch waiting for James to return.
Not even 5 minutes later James came back and sat himself on the chair in front of Regulus.
“- I should get going, I really didn’t mean to fall asleep here. I’m sorry.
- Like I said, it's no problem and you should stay.
- No no. Now that you are home I'm going to head back to Sirius’ for the night; like planned.
- Stay please. It’s snowing outside and it's already kind of late. It’s not so safe to drive in such weather in this darkness.
- I really should go thought.
- I was going to make dinner; If you can handle spices that is.
- …
- … Or you can go if you are uncomfortable or have a special someone waiting for you at home.
- Ah ah... No; there is not.
- Awesome. Join me in the kitchen Reg?”
And with that James settled to make Palak Paneer. He gave the spinach to watch and cut to Regulus while he stirred fry the remaining paneer he made the weekend before. He eyeballed the amount of seasoning and it smelled heavenly. The evening was lovely. Regulus talked about his career as a violinist and James told him about his time in India with his parents.
At the end of the meal, after James washed the dishes and just before Regulus went to sleep in James' guest bedroom, anyone you could have sensed all the unsaid words ligenring in the air. With a light looking but heavy meaning smile and sparkly eyes, James leaned in and kissed Regulus forehead before retreating in his bedroom.
While Regulus faced a similar gay panic in the door frame of the guest room as he had in the living room; James was positively glowing with happiness. And then he taught a bit.
*Sirius is going to murder me*