worth fighting for

If this wasn’t James’ proper attempt, then Regulus was well and truly fucked.

It was, frankly, ridiculous how easily James Potter could turn Regulus into a swooning schoolgirl. He could already feel his cheeks heated from proximity alone, especially as they exchanged Harry from one set of arms to the other with James still lingering after his son was securely held. The look of awe that graced his face as he looked at his son was wondrous, and if Regulus stared for a moment too long to be considered ‘appropriate’ for a friendship then, well, that was no one’s problem but his own. He took a deep breath and relaxed slightly when James stepped away, eyebrow raising as he asked, “That mean you’re gonna show me your proper attempts, Potter? Should I brace myself for the wooing of a lifetime.

It wasn’t smart to flirt with your captain by any means, but here he was like an idiot. Smooth going, Black.

He continued to rock gently as James went on about his little family, and a pang of–what? jealousy? longing?–something made itself known in the recess of Regulus’ chest. He had no hold over James, no reason to feel like that when he, Lily, and Harry made a beautiful family. James was obviously proud of the both of them. Whatever was going on was something he would just have to ignore and move on from. Regulus could do that. “You’re not exactly subtle about it,” he teased, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. “But yeah, they really are great, James. I’m happy for you.”

Had James bothered to look up from the small and scrunched up face of his son, he might have noticed the glowing blush that had covered Regulus’ cheeks. Instead, he remains bent over Harry, trying to ensure that his son was comfortably tucked into Regulus’ arms. He trusted Regulus implicitly, there was no denying that, but he couldn’t ignore the tiny tinge in his stomach that came from handing his baby over to someone who wasn’t Harry’s mother. At least, he supposed, Reg seemed to have what James imagined to be very comfortable arms.

Stepping back only briefly, wanting to be close to Harry just in case but also appreciating the familiar proximity of Regulus, James’ eyes shine brightly as he waggles his eyebrows towards the other boy, unable to stop the crooked smirk that grows on his face. “I am an exceptional wooer. I’m sure I could woo the pants off you,” he teases, trying to ignore that particular Freudian slip as it tumbles from his mouth, “You have to wait though. I’ll get you when you least expect it.”

Reaching a hand to fondly brush a tiny strand of downy black hair from Harry’s forehead, James smiles fondly, before lifting the same hand to mess with Regulus’, knowing that he was unable to stop him with his arms full of baby. James’ utter enthusiasm for his little family practically radiated off him, and he bounces a little on his heels, face alight with a grin. “Thanks, bud,” he chirps, before steadying his gaze. “You look good. Like really good. With him. Holding a baby suits you.”

The past month had really been a life lived in a bubble. It was almost as if they’d been in hiding together, just the three of them - with the occasional visit from a loved one. Lily knew that was about to be broken, that they’d both be going back to their lives, only altered by Harry’s presence in their life. She was a little sorry for it - neither she nor James had missed a moment so far, but there’d be no way around it from now on. 

It made this evening feel all the more precious. James gently picking up the baby, holding him safe and steady in his arms, only seemed to drive that home. “Well, we know who’s better at resisting Harry,” Lily said dryly, before making a face at Harry, poking her tongue out. She was not impervious to flattery via baby and shot a private smile back up at James. “Hmmnn, thank you. It’s too bad Harry didn’t get my looks. Suppose he’ll make do with your hideous countenance somehow. Won’t you, Harry?” she redirected her speech back to the baby in James’ arms, “I think you’ve improved on the original, my darling.”  

Once James squeezed his fingers around Harry’s toes, Lily dropped her hand away. It had felt reminiscent of when she had, in a burst of excitement at  the feel of Harry kicking, grabbed James’ hand and dragged it to her stomach and she kept smiling now, both at the memory and the present scene before her eyes. “I don’t think that’s the anatomical term, James.” For all the sarcasm in the world, she was no less awed. “Oh, let’s not talk about when he’s older. It’s impossible, he’s going to be our baby forever.” 

Shuffling himself backward, James leans back heavily against their couch, still positioning Harry against his chest. Their flat was fairly small and pokey, but it had been enough for just them when they had initially moved in. Sure, they were surprised by Harry not long after, but James was remarkably thankful there had been a spare room big enough to turn into a nursery. The rest of their flat, however, seemed as though it was two items away from becoming a warehouse full of baby things.

Rolling his eyes at Lily, James pokes his tongue out at her in return, glad that they could at least tease and play at still being teenagers, rather than the adults their situation had caused them to be. Not that he would give up their baby for anything in the world. “I don’t know, Evans, he’s got my face and you’ve proven yourself unable to resist that,” he teases, waggling his eyebrows at her suggestively, “That’s how we ended up with him in the first place, isn’t it?” Holding Harry firmly in place, James leans forward to smack a wet kiss to Lily’s forehead, “Lucky for him, he got your eyes, and they’re pretty darn special, my love. Definitely improving on the original.” 

Harry’s legs continue to kick and jerk as his father holds his toes for a beat longer, and James can’t help but laugh at the sight before he lets go, Harry’s eyes already starting to droop sleepily. “How else could we describe them? They’re like tiny little beans. Like he was, when we saw him the first time,” he says, thinking of the first ultrasound picture that was still tacked up on their fridge, alongside every other photo they had been given since. “He will be our baby forever, no matter what,” James says, his voice softening as he looks down at their son, before turning his gaze toward Lily again. 

“What do you say to family naptime?” he asks, not waiting for an answer as he gets to his feet, one arm cradling Harry while he holds the other out to Lily. “Three in the bed? Haz can be the little baby spoon in the middle?” 

It would not be the first time they had let Harry sleep in the middle of their bed with a parent on either side instead of in his bassinette, and as he tugs Lily slowly into their bedroom, baby in tow, James had no doubt that it would not be the last time either.

One of the first things that had attracted her to Frank was his caring heart, and the way he loved so wholly that it seemed to shine from his face. When Alice saw James and Lily together, she saw that same beaming love on both of their faces that she recognised in her own relationship. A love so pure and so true that no problems in the relationship could break it. Perhaps that was why Alice had jumped at the opportunity to help them out wherever she could, knowing that their little Harry would be so loved and cared for and she wanted to help give him the best start in life while assisting his parents in finishing their education. “Tell her to think about how adorable the graduation pictures will be with you both in your caps and gowns and Harry in a tiny little suit, that’ll be enough to keep her going,” Alice said with a grin. “I’ll talk to her though, it’s so important for her to finish. Maybe I can mix the two….a coffee and cake date where I use my charm to persuade her to stay.”

“Baby,” Neville whispered in awe as he reached out a hand towards Harry. When Harry’s fists returned back to his sides, his fingers wrapped around Neville’s fingers. “Neville was a big baby when he came out, and God didn’t I know about it. I spent the last two months of my pregnancy waddling around, I couldn’t even tie my own shoes. But he was still so little….and now I can’t believe how big he is. It’s gone so fast, I can hardly believe it,” Alice sighed. Neville was a toddler now, but Alice knew that time was hardly going to slow down. She plonked herself down on a chair, settling Neville comfortably into her lap. “You have to be careful with Harry, he’s only little but you can hold him as long as you’re really careful,” Alice told her son, before looking back up at James. “Okay I think he’s ready. Hey! Ravenwood Juniors is a brilliant idea. Maybe you could get Andromeda’s soon-to-be new arrival in on it as well, and Stan’s kids.” 

Keeping his arm tucked underneath Harry’s body, despite knowing the sling was able to keep the baby steady, James bounces the little boy a few times, watching as his bright eyes blink sleepily up at him. There was a genuine risk that James could spend all day staring at his son; marvelling at how someone so small could be so perfect, so he forces himself to tear his eyes away, turning back toward Alice as he does so. Still bouncing gently, James laughs at Alice’s comment, knowing that she had a point. It would be nice to see Harry in a tiny suit, particularly one that could be used for other occasions as well. “See, you’re full of wonderful and perfect ideas, Al, I don’t know why people say you aren’t,” he teases lightly, a grin spreading across his cheeks. “That’d be great though. I’ve spoken to her, and I know she’s going to chat to Andromeda too, but it’d be good for her to hear it from a professor as well.” 

The green eyes were most definitely Lily’s, and Regulus realized (maybe a few moments too slow) that Harry would likely grow to be a spitting copy of James with Lily’s eyes, assuredly solidifying his place in the Potter family (as if that was ever in question). He kept wriggling around now that he was awake, fists in the air, and Regulus was smiling before he realized it, taking a step closer on instinct and reaching a finger out. One of the wild fists grabbed onto it, and he grinned, letting Harry wiggle his finger around. He looked up when James offered to let him hold Harry, and he should have been thankful for the small moment of panic since it distracted him from the fact that he was maybe a tad too close to James. He took a deep breath and shook his head at the rest of James’ rambling. “I’ve got it,” he said, knowing the basics if nothing else: support the head and neck, adjust when necessary. 

He just hoped Harry liked being cradled, because he was hopeless otherwise. 

Regulus fought back his blush as James slung an arm around his shoulders, snorting along to his words. “How kind of you. You’ll have to do better than that to see my muscles, Potter.” He looked down at Harry and, after a moment of hesitation, gently lifted the boy from the sling and into his arms. Harry fussed a little bit, but once he was adjusted he settled fairly easily, looking around with his wide eyes. Regulus smiled and glanced back at James, rocking Harry a little without really noticing he was doing so. “You and Lily must be proud. He’s adorable, James.”

Watching as Harry grabs for Regulus’ finger, James can’t help the soft smile that spreads across his mouth at how tender the moment seemed to be. Every day it seemed as though Harry was becoming more and more human, the smallest amounts of personality starting to shine through. And if this was apparent, which James knew it was, Harry seemed to like his newest acquaintance. It felt as though something warm was glowing inside him as James continues to watch the two, becoming more and more grateful by the minute that everyone he knew had been exceptionally understanding about his and Lily’s situation. He didn’t think that many people their age would want to hang around two people with a tiny baby, and yet James had never felt more supported in his life. 

And he would be lying if he said that Regulus’ continued friendship didn’t mean an awful lot to him.

Smirking at Regulus’ words as he fumbles with the structure of the sling, making it easier to release Harry, James winks coyly at the other boy. “You haven’t seen anything yet. Just wait until I bring out the proper attempts,” he says teasingly, helping Regulus to lift Harry out. It doesn’t take long for Harry to settle, the little boy happy to just be in someone’s arms, and James strokes his hand over the soft, downy hair atop his head, before taking a step back to smile at the scene in front of him. Did Reg even know that he was rocking right now? “He’s amazing. I’ve never been so proud of anything in my whole life. Like...he and Evans? They’re my greatest achievements.”

“I do,” Alice assured him warmly. Their relationship to James and Lily had crept up on her, really, but now the pair meant so much to Alice. And she got it, she really got how hard it could be at times. Other professors, other students, they might not really understand. It was really bloody hard to try and raise a child whilst also working full time, or in their case, studying. Really, the world should just be a kinder place - and Alice was working hard to ensure that Ravenwood was as kind as it could be to those who might need a little extra helping hand. “Tell Lily she definitely should. If she dropped out now, she’d never go back. I’m sure there’s plenty of people that would help you out with looking after him for a while if you needed a bit of time, right? He’s so small, but you’ll still have loads of time with him. Maybe I should see if Lily wants to grab a coffee or something and chat…”

Neville cooed happily as James ruffled his tufts of hair, and Alice watched carefully as Neville looked curiously into the sling at Harry. “I don’t think he’s seen a baby that small, have you Neville?” Alice asked, pressing a kiss to the top of her son’s head. “If we sat Neville on my lap, then he could hold Harry if that’s okay? Then I can catch Harry if needs be,” Alice said with a tinge of amusement. “Neville would be the best little soccer player I think. He’s definitely got the strength in his feet for it.” Nodding at James’ suggestion, Alice couldn’t help the feeling of relief that rushed through her at the idea of getting rid of some of Neville’s old clothes. Augusta had insisted they were kept, but they were wholly useless now and just taking up space in the nursery. “You could send the rest to a charity…I don’t really want them in my house any more.”

James often liked to think of himself as a pretty darn friendly bloke. It was easy for him to get along with most people, and to form at least a small connection with most people he spent time with, including his professors. Frank and Alice, however, were something else. Even despite the small age difference, it was almost as if having a set of parents on campus at all times, but the type of parents you knew you could always count on, no matter what. James was fairly certain that if it wasn’t for Frank and Alice and their willingness to answer every question he ever had, there was no way that he and Lily could cope as well as they seemed to. “That’s what I said as well, but you know what Lils is like. She’s convincing herself she’s being a terrible mother, when really what she’ll just show Haz is how it’s important to commit to your education,” James explains incredulously, although he knows exactly how Lily feels. He personally was not looking forward to losing evenings with his son once training started up again. “I think she’d like that. We spend a lot of time home alone with him, and it’s different to leave the house.”

Still tilting the sling so that Neville can see, James doesn’t fight his smile, watching as Harry balls up his little fists, stretching them above his head. “He’s pretty tiny. I know all babies are, except Lily’s lump of a nephew, but he’s just so small.” James gushes, looking up to grin at Neville. And to think, his son would one day be able to run around just like Neville was. “That’d work great. One of these chairs should be alright for it,” he explains. “And I can help get him and Harry all trained up for it. Ravenwood Juniors has a nice ring to it.” Nodding his head, James can’t help but smile a little at Alice’s exasperation, “We can take ‘em off your hands. No worries about that. Our flat is tiny, so there’d be no chance of us hoarding them either.”

She couldn’t think of anything to change about this moment. Possibly, if the Lily of a year ago had looked into the future and seen her life, she might have felt nothing so much as panic over her life plans being ruined. But looking down at Harry, and sensing James at her side, she knew nothing had been ruined. Only changed. “Sounds right to me,” she nodded back, liking the sound of their names together. It only indicated all the more that this was a partnership, that James was in this all the way with her. That relieved some of the pressure.

And so did the sound of Harry’s little gurgling noises, picking up in frequency, his little feet moving in response to the noises of his parents. Of Lily. That, like nothing else, warmed her heart to its core and eased any stress she might have been feeling. The moments when she realised Harry knew her, loved her, were the best gift anyone had ever given her. She couldn’t resist swooping down to press kisses on his cheek, “I love you, Potter,” she whispered, something she was used to saying to James, but could to Harry now, too, Lily realised with yet another burst of happiness.  She kissed the side of Harry’s ear, before sitting back up and catching James’ own movement.

He’d picked up one of his son’s (James’ son, their son, she would never get tired of pairing those words together either) socks and was staring at it as if it was an impossible maths equation. Lily stifled a laugh, knowing she found it near as difficult to compute how small their child was, and how impossibly precious already.  “I know. Have you seen his toes? They’re barely even there. When he used to kick my stomach, he seemed so strong. Sure to be a star footballer. But look at them! Tiny.” Lily took James’ hand and placed it over Harry’s little foot, his palm easily covering the area. 

The past year had been so conflicted and full of completely understandable but almost unnecessary stress, that it felt somewhat strange to be so calm and relaxed. James almost expected to be overcome with panic at any moment, as he had in the days and weeks following Lily’s announcement, but all he felt as he looked down at their son, and felt Lily at his side, was utterly content. Perhaps it had happened far, far earlier than they planned, but he would be lying if he said he hadn’t wanted a family with Lily. And now, looking at Harry’s kicking feet, James was awfully pleased with the start they had made. 

James’ smile bursts across his face at the sound of Lily’s words, watching as she fawned over their son, who seemed to kick with even more excitement at the proximity of his mother, and James finds that he can no longer hold himself back. Waiting until Lily had pulled back, James carefully rolls Harry off his stomach and back onto his back, before scooping the little boy onto his lap. He leans Harry carefully against his chest, positioning him so that he was sitting upright, before angling him toward Lily. “Look, little man,” he coos gently, laughing at how Harry squirms and gurgles against him, “Where’s your mama? Where’s your pretty mama?”

The tiny scrap of fabric that constitutes Harry’s sock seems impossibly small, and James finds himself stupidly overcome with the thought. They had made him. Had made Harry. And now he was a real, live, abet tiny, little person right in front of them. James wasn’t daft; he knew how babies were made, had quite enjoyed the accidental making of his own, but it still seemed almost magical how it had all come about. Gazing at Harry’s feet in amazement, James gently cups and holds Harry’s little toes at Lily’s behest, despite the boy’s kicks, his voice soft with awe, “Tiny toe beans, Lil. He’ll be the best footballer around when he’s older, but toe beans.”

Harry was an adorable baby, though he felt the need to debate with himself that Dora was probably cuter. Probably. He hadn’t known her as a newborn, but he felt obligated to side himself with Andromeda even though she was no where near. Still, though, seeing Harry move and stretch made him smile, and James’ soft, awed reaction made his heart beat a little faster in his chest. No, worry about that later.

He shot a grin right back at James, glancing down to see Harry better and raising an eyebrow. Though young, he was definitely James’ child: he had the nose and ears for it, at least. Regulus glanced back up to James when he began speaking, and he raised his other eyebrow at his reasoning. Sure, he was small, but that didn’t make everyone suddenly irresponsible. “I mean I suppose that makes sense, but logistically you won’t always be able to have one of you by Harry’s side. Why not start building that trust with other people now?” He didn’t have a kid, so maybe it was harder than that, but it just made sense. Regulus snorted quietly when his shoulder was bumped back into, and he shook his head. “James, if you pass out in the middle of a game, I’m gonna have to be the one to carry your sorry ass to the sidelines before taking over. Think of me if not yourself.”

As if he knew that he was being spoken about, Harry’s tiny rosebud lips puckered then stretched into a yawn, his little fists automatically stretching into the air. He wriggles about against James’ chest for a moment, before his green eyes blink sleepily open, and James can’t help the stupidly large grin that spreads across his face at the sight. Harry proceeds to grunt and squirm in response, his fists still waving about. How had they ever managed to make someone so small and delightful? 

Shifting as Regulus draws near, James angles the now-awake baby in his direction, before shooting him a sly smile. “Well, I know that Evans trusts you...want to hold him?” he asks, waggling his eyebrows temptingly, “It’s real easy, I promise, and you could sit down if it made you feel better?” He would never force Regulus to hold Harry if he didn’t want to, but James couldn’t pretend that he didn’t want to see one of his good friends getting to know his son. Harry was already well-acquainted with Sirius, Remus and Peter, but he’d yet to really meet many others outside that.

Tossing his head back dramatically, James flops his free arm loosely across Regulus’ shoulders, the other still firmly pressed against Harry’s back. “I’m always thinking of you, mate. And while I’d love for you to test out your muscles dragging me to the side, I guess I can try to stay conscious for you. Out of goodwill and all.”

dorcas:..i MIGHT HAVE

dorcas: so this is why i asked him what's my career

dorcas: he ran away

dorcas: BABY HARRY HOW IS HE

james: ONLY 2am

james: you sound exactly like someone who isnt woken up every hour with that

james: [photograph of harry, lying on his knees]

Every little piece of this moment seemed to add up to a greater happiness. Harry’s tiny movements, the strain she could see on his face. What was going on behind that mind? Lily didn’t know, not yet, but soon she’d be able to read him as well as she could James, his laugh only one of the tells she could pick up on. The warmth and pleasure was there in James’ eyes, too, the relaxed slant to his shoulders. She knew he was feeling exactly as she was in this moment. 

It might not have been the plan - neither of them had been the plan. She certainly hadn’t planned on Harry, Lily hadn’t even planned on James. But now they were here, she knew - this was all she could ever want. Though she did tense slightly at James’ next words, her smile fading slightly before she strengthened it again. It was fine that they were using the Potter family money. It was for Harry. She didn’t mind. Much. “I could probably be agreeable to that. We could order in food. And our friends could visit occasionally. But otherwise, just the three of us. The Evans-Potters.”  Harry was only a Potter, which Lily didn’t mind, even if she would have liked to share a last name with him. She supposed she still could … and not just with her baby, but they’d done things all out of traditional order. It wasn’t really time to be thinking about that. She had her degree to finish. 

Lily sidled in closer to James, resting her side against him, her head falling to the crook of his neck. Her eyes still locked onto Harry. It could have been hours since they’d sat here. She wasn’t sure. How was she ever going to get any assignments done at this rate? It didn’t matter, not in comparison to the love in James’ voice. She laughed, her equal delight ringing out across the room, “Should have known our baby would be another ego trip for you, Potter. I’m glad my eyes make the cut of things you love about him, though.” Her tone went from biting to soft in seconds around him. Lily would have hated how revealing it was if she didn’t feel she’d revealed all to James already. “He does have my eyes, doesn’t it? I wasn’t sure at first, but … it’s nice,” she added, pressing a kiss into James’ side. “He really is … you and me.” 

Continuing to stare at his son, his son, as if Harry might suddenly grow up and disappear if James dared to take his eyes off him, James can’t help but wonder if he had ever truly been this happy before in his life. Of course, he had had moments of pure elation, many of them with Lily, but this in front of them, their baby, was something else entirely. They had made this little person, admittedly by accident, and now he was here and real and moving.

James had always grown up experiencing a life of privilege, but he was certain that he had never felt as lucky and as accomplished as he did at that moment. Money and riches and belongings had nothing on the feeling of sitting with his girlfriend, watching their child. He can feel Lily tense beside him at the mention of his inheritance. It was not the discomfort of knowing that he had one: Lily had known that since before they had gotten together, but James knew how much she disliked the thought of relying on such a thing. That she hated not being able to work, even if she had been growing a child. “Just us. Evans-Potters’,” James repeats with a small grin. He had no doubt in his heart that they would one day have no need for the hyphenated last name. Perhaps sooner than they thought, if he ever worked out how to present her with the ring he had stashed in his soccer bag.

Wrapping his arm firmly around Lily as she moves closer, James presses a soft kiss to the side of her head, relishing in the gentle warmth of her body. He could truly spend every moment of the rest of his life in this exact position. How they were expected to ever get anything productive done when there was a Harry in the house to watch, he wasn’t sure, but he wasn’t that sure he minded either. The sound of Lily’s laugh causes a grin to form on his face and James laughs himself at the sight of Harry’s own immediate excitement. At the familiar sound of his mother, the little boy had begun to kick his legs even more vigorously, causing one sock to slip from his foot. Reaching to pick it up with his free hand, James’ can’t help but coo over the soft material. “He’s the perfect mini-us. Completely perfect. And so small. Evans, look at this tiny sock. It’s tiny, but it’s too big for his foot? He’s that small.”

“I’d love to see his concentrating look. When Neville concentrates hard on his colouring, or even on his walking, he sticks his little tongue out. He’s like me that way,” Alice laughed, thinking of the way that she’d been caught pondering things in lectures with her tongue stuck out. At least in the privacy of their office she could concentrate in peace. “I can promise you, with my whole heart, that I don’t regret it. Anything you need - we’re there. We get it, y’know? We might have been professors and a bit older when we had Neville, but it’s still difficult to balance a new child and making sure everything else still gets done when you’re both busy full time. Hell, we’re still figuring out the balance sometimes. I’m lucky in the respect that I’m in charge of the lectures, so if I need Neville to come with me there’s nobody to complain except the occasional snotty student, and who really cares about them?” Alice teased with a cheeky smile.

Neville was tugging on her trouser leg so she reached down to hoist him up onto her lip. Looking at Harry with that air of curiosity that he had near other children, he reached out but Alice gently put his hand back down. “Shh, he’s sleeping see? Nap time,” Alice pressed a kiss to Neville’s head. “Neville has quiet the feet on him. Maybe he’ll be the captain of your team one day. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.” Nodding in understanding, Alice laughed in amusement at James’ judgement of Lily’s nephew and glanced down at her watch. “They’re at home, and I don’t have time to head back and get them now but I can definitely bring them in tomorrow. I think we have two huge bags full, maybe more. Augusta always encouraged us to keep them even after he’d grown out of them, but there’s only so much space we have.”

“Y’know that you, Frank and Nev are always welcome to come visit, right?” James says matter-of-factly. While they did often get visitors in the form of his parents or Lily’s, plus the boys, he knew that it was always good to see other friendly faces. “It’s pretty cute though. His whole face just scrunches up and he just makes these little cooing noises.” James’ entire face breaks into a wide grin at the thought. If he was honest, there were at least 35 photos on his phone of the exact face and probably another twelve videos of the same thing. “Yeah, it’s tough. I know Evans isn’t sure about whether she should go back or not. I told her that it’s important for her to, and I can put myself on hold to watch the baby, but I think we’ve worked out a balance. I think she just feels guilty really, especially since he’s still so small.”

Smiling at Neville’s eagerness, James takes a few steps closer to the boy and his mother, reaching one hand to ruffle Neville’s hair a little. “You can have a look, buddy,” he says softly, angling himself so that Neville can see into the sling properly before turning to Alice. “He’s due to wake up soon, if Nev wants a hold,” he suggests, “The walk over here just conked him out, especially because he fed before we left.” The thought of potentially having both Neville and his own son on a soccer team brings a wide grin to James’ face and he nods happily at such an idea. “That sounds like a pretty damn good plan to me,” he says warmly,  “And thanks, Al. That’d be really appreciated. We can see what works for us, then return the rest?” They were trying to do the best they could without dipping into James’ inheritance, so hand-me-down clothes were a true godsend.

dorcas: my birthstone is crystal meth

dorcas: AND I WAS THERE LIKE ??? CRYSTAL ARE EXPENSIVE, SIR

dorcas: DO I LOOK EXPENSIVE

dorcas: and he look at me and said: yes, but you also look like someone who'd eat cheetos and drink coffee at the same time

dorcas: and i said fair point, good characterization

dorcas: can you also tell me what's my future career???

dorcas: ALSO HELLO JAMES

james: dorcas it is 2am

james: i'm awake with my child

james: what's your excuse?

james: i'm also fairly sure i've caught u doing exactly that

Alice shot a quick glance at Neville who had crawled a little closer to her, but was still happily entertaining himself for now. Augusta had made a point of warning Alice about ‘the terrible twos’, but really Neville hadn’t been too bad so far. “I know exactly what you mean. That feeling doesn’t go away when they get older…I can’t believe Neville came from us. He’s just so perfect, and he’s so much like Frank. I have the utmost trust in the both of you that you can make it work, and of course, you know where mine and Frank’s office is if you ever need anything. We’ll be more than happy to help. We know what it’s like balancing a heavy timetable and a young son,” Alice said with a small smile. “And if you ever need to take him to a class and a lecturer gives you hell over it….well, send their name my way. I’ve almost perfected the ‘stern mum’ voice.”

As James spoke about how weird it was that Harry was actually out in the world, Alice could almost feel the way Neville used to kick at her ribs and rubbed at her stomach. “I hope Harry wasn’t kicking Lily to high heaven like Neville kicked me. I think he’s going to be a future soccer team player, maybe we should start training him early,” Alice chuckled. “Oh! I found some of Neville’s old baby clothes that you could have if you think they’d be useful? I know you’re not on the worst student budget ever, but every little helps right?”

Following Alice’s gaze toward her son, James smiles brightly at the way Neville shuffles along the ground. Frank and Alice were everything that he wanted to be as parents, and he couldn’t pretend that he wasn’t eagerly anticipating the day Harry would be old enough to recognise Neville as a playmate. “Evans says that he’s getting more and more like me every day, but I’m not sure. He’s so placid, and he has this little concentrating look that is completely her,” James says, a soft tone in his voice, unable to hide his adoration for both his girlfriend and their son. “I hope you’re not going to regret saying that. You and Frank have been so helpful already, and this is just early days. And that’d be great. We’re in the process of sorting out who will and who won’t let us bring him if needed.” 

Looking down at Harry’s sleeping form, James brushes a finger lightly across his son’s knuckles, laughing gently as he does. “Oh, he was a kicker. I just to lie with my head on her lap and he’d kick me in the face. I felt awful, but I mean...we should have guessed he’d get my talent,” James says, a grin playing at his mouth. “That’d be fantastic. We’re trying not to use too much of my parents’ money; I know it makes Lily uncomfortable, so hand-me-downs would be really appreciated. We got some from her sister, except...her son is a bit...I mean....he’s very round…”

Lily watched James reach out to rub Harry’s back. They’d been in a good place when she’d found out about Harry. It wasn’t as if they were near strangers, she’d been dating James for a while, and they’d known each other before that, too, for years. So Lily had already loved him, which was a good place to be if you were having a baby together. How afraid she would have been if she hadn’t loved him, or rather, how even more afraid. That said, if Lily hadn’t loved him then, watching James be so gentle with Harry now would have been sure to do it. 

“Oh, dear,” Lily said through her smile, exhausted and overjoyed in equal measures. Wasn’t that always the way these days … she wouldn’t change it for anything. “Sounds like the only thing to do is make sure it’s the three of us together all the time. I don’t know, do you think you can stand it, James?” It was really impossible to imagine now, to see Harry as anything other than their baby, but there were years ahead of this, years and years, in which he’d grow older and taller, and she and James would be there to watch over all of it. 

She caught James’ eye, the same spark of happiness in his eyes as in her own, then looked back to Harry. “Of course I’m going to use that. Harry’s my favourite person in the world, bar none. I’ll do whatever I have to do. Don’t pretend you’re not going to do the same … look at him, he’s a miniature you already.” Lily sounded besotted far more than critical about that fact, but she gave up on any attempt otherwise.

Harry responds to the touch of the hand by squirming a little on his stomach, and James can’t help but laugh, a low chuckle deep in his throat. Their son had been properly in their lives for a whole month already and yet he was continually surprised and shocked by the fact that every movement Harry now made was now properly in the world, not just pressing against the inside of Lily’s stomach. Even with the lack of sleep and almost permanent stress etched into his bones, James felt utterly grateful. 

“Looks like it must be,” he responds, joy swelling in his stomach. He had been besotted with Lily for years; a childhood crush turned regular crush turned overwhelming attraction and their inevitable coming together their first year of Ravenwood seemed as though it was only the first spot on whatever life they would make together. And now they had literally made a life together and James genuinely didn’t think he could love Lily anymore than he already did. “I think we need to just live off my inheritance completely and never leave this house or our baby again.” 

Winking slyly as Lily catches his eye, James bumps his shoulder softly against hers before moving his arm to wrap around her, wanting the contact with both her and Harry at once. His fingers brush against Harry’s kicking feet, face softening at the sight of the tiny socks adorning them, and his heart swells. “He’s my favourite person in the world. I mean, he’s the perfect combination of my previous two favourite people: you and myself, how can I not adore him beyond anything?” he gushes lightly, “A miniature me with your eyes. He’s got your eyes, Evans.”

Regulus hadn’t thought he’d see James Potter be gentle, but here it was right in front of him. The entire soccer team was used to their captain’s mother-henning, perhaps Regulus more than the others because of his position as vice-captain, but even that could be a bit overenthusiastic at times. It was just how James was, and he’d learned that quickly once he’d started spending actual time with the man rather than vaguely knowing him as his brother’s best friend. He was gentle though, very gentle as he stroked his son’s cheek with his finger, and Regulus’ lips quirked up a bit at the sight. It was adorable, there was no other word for it.

The slight smile turned into a smirk when James spun quickly to see who had bothered him, knowing that his quiet steps gave him the element of surprise on most people. It was amusing to see people startled from their thoughts simply by opening his mouth, he’d found. He chuckled at what James said and stepped closer, looking at baby Harry curiously. “I can imagine it is,” he said, eyes darting up from Harry to James. “You know, I’m sure if you two wanted actual sleep there’d be plenty of people willing to watch Harry for a few hours. We don’t need our captain passing out on the field from exhaustion, after all.” His smirk grew, and Regulus bumped his shoulder into James’ companionably.

Underneath the soft pressure of James’ finger, Harry shifts and moves slightly within the sling, his tiny hands stretching before he settles back down with a soft sigh. Smiling gently at the sight, James can’t help but to think about the person he was a year previous, and how very different he feels about it now. It was a cliche, he knew, but becoming a father genuinely felt as though it had changed him. It was not just Lily and a soccer team who were depending on him now: there was also a brand new tiny little human that he had helped make, who needed his parents for everything, 

Relaxing at the sight of Regulus, someone he had come to depend on so much when it came to running the Ravenwood soccer team, James shoots him a crooked smile. He spots where Reg’s gaze has fallen, and James turns slightly, shifting so that the other boy can see better into the sling at the baby inside. “Yeah, we know. My parents and hers’ve both offered, and a few friends here and there, but he’s just...he’s so small. And Evans’ is a little antsy about leaving him with anyone who isn’t us at the moment. So we just take turns. I told her to sleep in this morning while I brought the sprog with me,” James explains. It wasn’t as if he and Lily had planned to be those overprotective parents, but here they were. Bumping Reg’s shoulder back, James rolls his eyes good-naturedly, “That’s why I’ve got such a wonderful vice-captain. So if I pass out, he can take over.” 

It was incredible to think that Harry was growing stronger right now, right before their eyes. Then again, maybe not precisely right now, Lily thought, joining James in laughter as Harry struggled to move his head. Still, he’d be able to do it before they knew it, then sit up, crawl, walk … she tried to picture his tiny legs walking around the apartment, but couldn’t, not yet. It was so nice having him like this. 

James’ touch on her arm broke Lily from her slightly wistful thoughts. No good thinking of it, time couldn’t be stopped. She wouldn’t want that, either, shaking her head ruefully at his offer. Very typically James. “You hear that, Harry Potter?” she called down instead of answering James. “Your father isn’t going to let you have any fun. Good thing you’ve got Mummy, isn’t it? We know who you’ll want to smile at, don’t we?” 

Now she turned to James, giving him a wink. “All’s fair in love and war. I’ll use your weaknesses against you, you know.” Really, though, it was all of it. The way they could sit in silence, watching him together. James’ touch, his joking offer - she could never have done any of this without him, she realised. She felt as if she’d been unspeakably lucky twice over, to have both of them. 

Unable to stop himself, James reaches out one hand to rest against Harry’s back for a moment before pulling away, just wanting to feel the softness of their baby and the way his little chest rises and falls. Harry’s eyes are open, blinking slowly as he gazes about the room, slowly but surely getting more and more alert by the day. Every single hour their baby seemed to be learning something or doing something new, and while he wouldn’t admit it, James was terrified of the thought of missing some sort of milestone as much as Lily was.

Rubbing his thumb on Lily’s elbow, James pulls away after a moment, a laugh rattling in his chest at her words, and he shrugs sheepishly, grinning down at the squirming baby once again. “There’s going to be no happiness in this house without Mummy, just like there’s not allowed be any happiness here when Daddy is gone too,” he says, tone light and teasing. “And we’ll see who really gets smiled at first. We know who your favourite really is.”

Bumping Lily’s shoulder with his own, James grins crookedly at her, rolling his eyes good-naturedly. “You’ll use my weaknesses against me, and you’ll cheat by using the fact you have the boobs, and we know that’s all Haz really cares about at the moment,” he says fondly, already overwhelmingly pleased that he was doing this with his favourite person on the planet; there was no one else he would want to be the mother of his baby.