Regulus sat in the quiet peace of the garden, legs tucked up onto the outdoor couch, book resting on his lap, and warm cup of black tea cradled in his hands.
It was one of those rare summer mornings where he could get away with just a t-shirt- the memory of a biting cold winter making it all the more pleasant as the warm, soft breeze rustled the trees at the end of the garden.
He was often up this early, but rarely did he get time like this- where the stars seemed to align and he could simply exist for an hour or so without the interruptions of his busy life.
He took a deep breath in, letting the fresh air fill his lungs, and as he breathed out, the sound of footsteps on the stairs in the house behind him spilled out through the open back door and broke the silence of the moment.
The footsteps were light and fast, so Regulus took one last sip of his tea, placed it down on the coffee table in front of him with his now closed book, and prepared for the inevitable end to his calm, quiet morning.
The end that came in the form of a six year old with boundless energy and a penchant for launching himself into Regulus’ lap.
“Papa!” Came a young cry, and Regulus held out his arms for his son, wrapping the child in a tight embrace and kissing the top of his head.
“Bonjour, Harry. Tu as bien dormi?”
“Oui, Papa. I spend most of it in my own bed!”
Regulus leaned back, a smile curling up the corners of his lips. “Most of it?”
Harry nodded enthusiastically, a grin spread across his face as he leaned back in Regulus’ arms to look at his father. “Daddy let me in your room this morning, but he told me not to tell you.”
Regulus chuckled. “Oh did he now?”
“Well you weren’t supposed to tell him, Haz!”
The voice of Regulus’ husband came from behind them, the couch sinking in further as James walked around and settled in next to him.
“Oops, sorry daddy.” Harry didn’t look sorry in the slightest, a wide grin on his face as he wriggled restlessly in Regulus’ lap. Their son has never been one for sitting still for very long.
“It’s okay, buddy, I know you were just excited to see Papa.”
Another enthusiastic nod followed by, “can I play now?” And two pairs of eyes resting on Regulus’ face.
“Oui. Until breakfast is ready. Je t'aime.”
“Love you too, Papa!” The words were barely out of his mouth before he was flying off Regulus’ lap, across the lawn and into the small, plastic sandpit full of toys that the two of them couldn’t resist buying their wonderfully imaginative son.
James laughed beside him and put his arm around Regulus, pulling him into his site and kissing his cheek. “Bonjour, love.”
Regulus hummed contentedly, allowing himself to be enveloped by the familiar soft warmth of his husband.
“Sorry about Hurricane Harry, I was doing my best to keep him upstairs, but you know how he can be.”
Regulus’ brow creased. “Why were you doing that?”
James moved his arm, choosing to lace his fingers through Regulus’ instead, letting their hands rest on Regulus’ knee.
“I just thought you deserved a little time to yourself,” James said. “You looked so at peace down here. Figured I’d try to stall long enough for you to finish your tea.”
Regulus gave a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “I don’t want peace and quiet, Jamie.”
James raised an eyebrow. “No?”
Regulus turned to look at him, something soft and fierce shining in his eyes. “I want this. The noise. The interruptions. I spent half my life convincing myself I didn’t need it- couldn’t have it. And now it’s mine. I don’t want calm mornings. I want our mornings.”
James stared at him for a beat, eyes crinkling at the corners as a grin slowly spread across his face. “You really have gone soft in this marriage, haven’t you?”
Regulus smacked him lightly on the chest. “Don’t make me regret saying it.”
“You won’t,” James said, leaning in to kiss him gently. “Because I want it too. The chaos. The toys in the bed. The early mornings and the late-night snuggles and the endless sand in the house. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
They sat there in silence, listening to the delighted shrieks of their son as he declared war between the dragon and the mermaid faction in the sandpit.
Regulus tilted his head against James’ shoulder, watching the little boy who had turned their world upside down in the best possible way.
“I think the mermaids need backup,” Regulus said.
“I dunno,” James mused. “That dragon looks like he means business.”
Regulus lifted his head, smirking at his husband. “Shall we?”
James chuckled, pressing a quick kiss to Regulus’ temple. “Lead the way, General Potter.”
