Reg: 🧍

Alex: why are you holding your chest? Do u have an arc reactor up there?

Alex: yeah ur right I'm most likely to be iron man out of the two of us

Alex when Regulus makes him touch his chest without his binder as his way of telling him: oh my God I thought you couldn't get sexier. Not that I'm fetishising, because that's wrong and awful, but wow.

Regulus: -_-

Regulus: you don't think I'm disgusting?

Alex: youre asking a bisexual to be disgusted by boobs on a male. I think you're the one that should be disgusted

Alex: shoves his whole head up Reg's jumper

Regulus: WHAT THE FU-

Alex, enjoying the view: youre so hot marry me

Regulus: okay but I have boobs and I'm a man

Alex: okay so does Chris Evans?

Regulus: 😶

"Just dial the bloody number, Reg." Sirius snorted from where he was leaning on the counter. Alphard was perched next to him on said counter, nodding frantically, four wide blue eyes in a row making them look almost identical.

"It's not that simple, Siri." Regulus sighed, melting down into his armchair, tapping his fingers on the armrest. The spare telephone Sirius had so kindly lugged over from his and Remus' apartment was sat on the table, staring up at Regulus innocently, who, in turn, was glaring at it like it had committed the most heinous of crimes.

"Cmon, whats the worst that can happen?" Sirius was braiding sections of Alphie's hair now, and Alphie was reaching for the packet of Asda bakery cookies sticking out of Sirius' leather jacket pocket. Sirius pulled it out and handed it to him, and Alphie grinned joyfully like a cat who'd got the cream.

"Okay, so, a lot can happen. But he seems genuinely interested."

"That is my issue. What if I.... what if my conclusion is unmatched to his intention?"

Sirius frowned, gently resting his hands on his little brother's shoulders, crouching to look at him.

"It's all moving so fast, Sirius. I cannot underthink this."

"I think you're overthinking it. Now pick up that phone, unless you want me to march over to that man's shop and set the two of you up myself."

Regulus shuddered to think of what Sirius would do in that circumstance.

"Fine. I'll dial. But.... stay here. I need support." He paused. "And I'm still not entirely sure how this device works."

---

"Speaking?" The other man sounded even softer over the phone, his voice muffled like he had it tucked somewhere, probably below his chin to free up his hands for the purpose of baking or creating some floral arrangement. Regulus could picture him then, suddenly, it came so clearly to him. Alex's large hands squeezing a piping bag ever so gently, piping a very pretty fruit cake. Or perhaps he was weaving a beautiful arch of daffodils into a crown, settling it on his son's head.

"Uhh... Hello." Regulus breathed, slightly spellbound.

"Hi, love." Alex sounded like he was smiling now. "This is Regulus, right?"

"Yes." Regulus replied somewhat breathlessly, "I... Uh... It is nice to hear your voice."

Regulus cursed himself internally, even as he scowled at Sirius' snickering.

"Good to hear you too. You call for any particular reason, or just to be in the company of yours truly?"

Right. He needed a reason. Despite the fact that Alex seemed more than content to chat away aimlessly, he needed to not sound stupid.

"A date." He blurted, then cringed, almost smacking himself. "I mean, a play date for the boys. You said you wanted to arrange a time to let them run around on an outing of some sort?"

He heard Alex flip some pages, and then, "of course. Next Monday sound okay? I can close the shop up and we can take them to the little market down the road."

Regulus was sure his internal teenager was giggling and kicking his feet. But outwardly, he forced his hands to twirl the phone cord, keeping his voice calm. "Monday, hm? I'm not sure the boys will like the market."

He tried to sound like he was considering it, when in actuality he was holding himself back from screaming "yes!" down the line.

"I'll bring snacks?" Alex said quickly, as if trying to convince him. Alphie perked up at that, muttering "cupcakes?", and Sirius snorted, lifting his nephew off the counter.

"Alphard seems to approve of that. Okay. You've got yourself a deal. Thank you, Alexander."

Alex snorted, and Regulus fought a smile of his own. "I knew he would. I'll being some cupcakes for him, scouts honour." He paused. "Alexander? Are you my mother?"

"Fine." Regulus' eyes softened, "Thank you, Alex."

"I'll see you on Monday, kay?"

"Monday."

"Take care, love."

"Farewell."

"Farewell?" Sirius snorted as soon as Regulus had put the phone down, and Regulus forced a scowl, even though his cheeks were still a little pink. "No one has ever used the word 'farewell' in the year of 1985."

Regulus slumped back in the armchair, his back for once not completely straight against the chair, covering his face in his hands.

"But..." Sirius paused, a devilish grin on his face, "you got yourself a date."

"For Merlin's sake, Sirius, it's not a date." Regulus protested, a little too quickly to be convincing.

"Yuh huh. Your dad's got himself a boyfriend." Sirius poked Alphie's belly gently, and Alphard giggled.

"He's not my boyfriend!" Regulus muttered indignantly, but he couldn't be too angry. He wasn't exactly opposed to the idea. Visions flashed through his mind of domesticity and far too many cakes, and Regulus almost laughed.

"But you wish he was!" Alphie cheered, waving his arms around wildly. "And if you do become in love with the baker man he can bake me many many MANY cupcakes!" Alphard launched himself into Regulus' arms, and Regulus laughed, his face pink as Sirius' Barbie shirt.

"I'd best be off." Said Sirius sighed, hugging his brother and nephew. "Remus will be home with the girls soon. Come visit, yeah, Alphs? Your cousins miss you."

Alphie nodded, saluting his uncle. Regulus shoved Sirius' hand away gently as Sirius went to ruffle his hair, smiling nonetheless. "See you soon, Siri."

"Have fun on your date, lovebird."

Just as Regulus was about to protest, Sirius rushed off. Regulus sighed, picking Alphie up and setting him on the sofa.

"Papa?" Alphie looked up at his dad with wide eyes, "will we have many outings with the cupcake man?"

Regulus gently ran a hand through his son's hair. "I do hope so, Alphard. I do hope so."

This is my marauders OC, Alexander Belmonte! I drew him a few times in the past:

But I've never drawn him this well before! I'm really happy with this! If any artists have any pointers, please do give me advice, any constructive advice is welcome!