you are my sunshine, my only sunshine
Sirius carried him out and into the nursery. Once again he laid Reg down in a crib. Then with one last look he walked out to meet the face of three other concerned caregivers. Lily almost launched herself at him and he nearly dissolved into tears himself.
He took a deep breath and straightened up. Can’t break down now, there's work to do.
The four of them settled in some of the seats in the corner of the room. “Well the kneazle is pretty clearly out of the bag now.” Emma remarked. “Yes, and I do have a plan but it’ll take some manoeuvring and I need your help.” He outlined the plan he'd come up with. He didn’t know if it would work but there was no other choice.
In the end, they agreed to keep Regulus in the Little’s Room for tonight to give him some time to relax. Lily agreed to talk to Madam Pomfrey and schedule a complete diagnostic for Regulus. Then they parted ways and Sirius put the beginnings of a plan in motion by writing a letter.
Dear Andi…
This time Regulus woke up slowly. He yawned and heard a small chuckle. Turning his head to the source of the sound, he saw Sirius moving toward the crib.
“Slept well, love?” Regulus nodded. His head wasn’t hurting and while he still felt somewhat off-balance it wasn’t nearly as uncomfortable as it had been earlier. “Yep,” he slurred. Full speech was clearly still out of his reach.
“I’m going to pick you up now.” Regulus nodded absently. The moment he was close enough, he curled into the spot that was fast becoming his favourite place to be. “Let’s get you changed up and ready, hmm?”
Sirius grabbed a new set of pyjamas for him and made his way to the changing table. Putting Regulus down, he cleaned his hands with a quick spell. “I’m going to undress you now.” He waited for Regulus’ nod before proceeding to remove the trousers and shirt, keeping them to one side.
After cleaning up and applying some rash salve, he turned to some trays and pulled out a pull-up and a diaper. He held them out, “Which one, Reg?”
Regulus shyly pointed to the diaper. There was only so much embarrassment he could endure. At least this way only his brother knew. Sirius would keep it secret. He hoped.
Sirius hummed a light tune to distract him and was partially successful. Then he dressed Regulus in a pair of grey pyjamas. “Now, Bug. We have some time until dinner. If you want, could I introduce you to some friends of mine?” Before he could even continue, Regulus let out a cry of alarm.
No! No! No! No one else could see him like this.“Okay. Okay. It’s Okay. We don’t have to do that.” Regulus calmed on hearing that.
“Would you just like to hear a story? I can read you a book.” On receiving a nod, Sirius whisked him off the table and made a quick pit stop at the Little Library, where Regulus vehemently refused to bring his face out from its hiding place. If they couldn’t see his face, they couldn’t know it was him.
And so that was how the brothers spent the evening. Once the story was finished, Sirius decided it was time for dinner. “Bottle?” Reg asked shyly. He knew it was childish but Sirius didn’t seem to mind so maybe it was really okay. After drinking another bottle, Sirius gently cradled him. Falling asleep in his brother’s arms once again, Regulus was feeling better than he had in… years, if he was being honest. Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn’t be so bad.
Of course, he changed his mind the moment he realised that he’d have to be bathed by Sirius in a tub, instead of having a shower like a normal person. He nearly started crying again but Sirius just stroked his head and like magic his small sobs reduced to sniffles. He clung tight to his brother and whined pathetically, well aware that it was not helping his case.
“I know, I know. It’s very mean of me, huh? Mean Sirius, doesn't want his baby brother to fall and get hurt.” So in the end Reg acquicised grumpily. He stifled his annoyance — and worse, his gratefulness toward Sirius. Cleaning charms couldn't even hold a Lumos to the feeling of warm, soapy water and someone gently massaging shampoo onto his head.
And so at the end of the day, one clean and very sleepy little, dressed in an orange onesie that he had chosen himself was being rocked in his brother’s arms. Things were beginning to settle and if being a little meant he’d get to have this everyday, he didn’t mind it so much.