✺ (1/24) ✺ @jegulus-microfic prompt: dinner — 938 words (jegulus dads ft. harry; fighting off bad dreams)
It’s hours past Harry being put to bed when Regulus hears the dragging shuffle of little feet in the hall. He frowns, glancing at the time in the corner of his computer screen. Half-past midnight. Another half hour and James would be coming to pull him away from writing to finally get some sleep.
But it’s not James who wanders into the open doorway, finding the office’s light spilling out into the hall. If Regulus were already in the bedroom, office light off, it’s less likely Harry would be taking the detour on his way there —it’s rarer now that he crawls into bed with them but not unheard of.
Harry’s glasses are crooked on his face, haphazardly thrown on to be able to see his way up the hall. A pillow line is imprinted on one pink cheek. One hand is shoved underneath his glasses to rub at a bleary eye. Sleep lingers all over him even as he wanders into Regulus’ office in his favorite pajamas —these ones look like Spiderman’s suit.
“What are you doing up?” Regulus asks gently, swiveling in his chair when Harry comes around the side of the desk.
The five year old says nothing, simply reaches for his hand to be helped up onto the chair. He curls into Regulus’ lap facing him, forehead thumping into his father’s shoulder. Regulus’ frown deepens, one hand lifting to smooth over Harry’s hair then dropping to rub soothingly up and down his back.
“Did you have a bad dream?” He checks, voice soft.
Harry nods against him.
“Oh, I’m sorry, my darling.” Regulus kisses the side of his head.
“There was a big, giant snake chasing me ‘cause he wanted to eat me for dinner,” Harry mumbles.
“That does sound scary,” Regulus murmurs. “But there’s no giant snake here, don’t worry. Just me and daddy.”
Harry sniffles quietly, nuzzling further into Regulus’ chest. “Is daddy awake?”
“Think so, for now.” Regulus picks up his phone from beside his keyboard, opens his messages to text just ‘office’ to James before returning to rubbing Harry’s back. “Would you like me to take you back to bed, darling? Read another story for you?”
Another sniffle, a shake of Harry’s head against his shoulder this time. Regulus feels small fingers tugging at the soft material of his jumper, bunching it up and holding on tight. He’d been hoping to finish a solid writing stride before his husband came to tell it's time to call it a night, but there are clearly more pressing matters at hand.
James comes into the doorway, a questioning look on his face at being summoned there fading into a look of understanding when he sees Harry clinging in Regulus’ lap.
“What’s the matter?” James asks, crossing the room quickly.
Harry’s head jerks up at the sound of his father’s voice. He blinks misty green eyes over at him, sniffling.
“Bad dream,” Regulus answers for him.
James squats down beside where they sit in the chair, getting to Harry’s level. He runs a hand over the back of his hair, fingers brushing Regulus’ when his hand settles between their son’s shoulders.
“I’m sorry, mate. Are you alright?”
“There was a really big snake, daddy. He wanted me to be his dinner,” Harry explains again.
“Well, you know papa and I would never let that happen,” James assures. “We’d fight the snake off and keep you safe.”
Harry’s face scrunches. “But how would you fight him?”
James glances up at Regulus, one brow arched over his glasses. “We’d uh—”
“There’s a special sword for fighting giant snakes. Daddy knows where to find it,” Regulus tells him. “It’s only for the bravest of people to find, after all.”
James’ lips twitch at the corners, his hand shifting to curl around Regulus’ fingers and squeeze. They link together afterward, a hand of each of theirs settled together on Harry’s back.
“And what about you, papa? What would you do?” Harry blinks up at him.
“Papa’s real smart, a clever and tricky one, isn’t he?” James suggests, Harry whipping back in his direction. “He’d get the snake all sorts of lost and confused so he’s distracted and away from you, and so I have time to find the sword.”
Regulus nods, smiling faintly. “A team effort.”
“And the snake wouldn’t eat one of you, either, right?” Harry checks, voice wobbling a little.
James stretches his thumb where their hands are joined, brushing back and forth comfortingly. “Of course not, mate. You know why?”
“Why?” Harry asks.
“Because nothing in the world is going to stop me and papa from taking care of you, no matter what.” James taps a finger against the tip of Harry’s nose. Hazel eyes shift up to where Regulus smiles fondly down at his husband. “Isn’t that right, my love?”
“Mhm, that’s right,” Regulus confirms.
Harry glances back and forth between the two of them a couple times before he finally nods his head, a furrow slowly fading from between his brows. He lets out a quiet ‘okay’ and reaches for James’ free hand, tugging it close to his chest then hugging around his forearm. Like he does to some of his stuffed animals. He clings to James and cuddles into Regulus’ chest, pressing his cheek into his jumper.
“Can I sleep with you two in case he comes back?” He asks.
Regulus presses a kiss to the top of his head. “Sure, darling.”
James leans in to kiss Harry’s cheek first before pushing up to stand, leaving another kiss on Regulus’ cheek. “Come on then. It’s late and right about papa’s bedtime anyway.”
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