Sirius
It had been about a month of me living with the Duke and his son when things started to fall into a simple and nice routine for us all. I still made breakfast but by the offering of Remus I had added a second plate for myself so we could get ready for whatever the day would have together.
Then there was the things we learned. He worked in his office almost all day and would keep Teddy with him. If he wasn’t working in his office he was in the massive library reading to the baby, or in his garden tending to the grounds. When he was in the garden I would sit nearby with Teddy to give the baby tummy time or to just have him play.
“Sirius, I need to talk with you.” Came the very gruff sounding voice of the Duke. I looked up from where I was on the floor with his son during said tummy time. He looked as tired as he sounded. “I need you to watch Teddy tonight, and not leave your room. I’ll be having guests over.”
“Right, of course Remus.” I nodded. I figured he didn’t want guests to know he was housing a man without a title or name to himself. It did hurt a bit to know he wanted me to be a secret but I shrugged it off because he barely knew me and I didn’t deserve anything from him.
“And you’ll have Teddy with you. He can’t leave your room either. The minute the sun sets you lock your doors and do not leave your room until a maid comes and gets you in the morning. Am I clear?” I nodded silently, my eyes fixing on the seven month old.
He just made a displeased sound before the click of his cane got quiet, he was walking away from us. I tilted my head up to watch him leave and I couldn’t help but want to call him back, to spend time with his son. He had become verbally distant to the child and I felt bad that I could have been the cause of it.
“Remus, do you want to come sit with us? You’ve been silent towards Teddy and he needs his papa.” I spoke up. I hadn’t once commented on his parenting and as soon as the words left my mouth I bit my tongue and waited for anything.
“Oh, I can join you.” He sounded rather shocked but the cane got closer and I couldn’t stop from flinching as it was right next to me. “Is he doing tummy time? He looks like he’s having fun.”
“He likes holding his head up. Plus half the time he’s looking for you, he misses you. Babies are scarily smart.” I tried to joke. Teddy had in fact turned his head to see his father and was very happy when he did find the man sitting just beside me within reach.
“I still don't know how to be a father. I’m trying, I just have issues. Plus with my issues I don’t know if I’ll ever be a good one.” He lamented, his hand reaching out so his son could hold his finger with all his little strength.
“You’re better than my father ever was. I think you just needed a little bit of help, you lost your wife and got a son at the same time. It’s not easy.” I tugged my knees to my chest as the babbling baby started to push himself up.
“I guess you’re right.” He halfheartedly agreed. A small gasp made me really pay attention to him more as Teddy used his fathers hand to get himself onto his hands and knees. I joined him in joy as the little one started to slowly crawl for his father. “Merlin.”
“Allez petit, va chez papa. C'est vrai, va chez papa!” I cheered. Teddy got this huge grin on his face as he crawled into Remus’s lap, a sharp squeak coming from the boy.
“Oh Merlin. He crawled, he crawled to me!” Remus cried as he picked his son up and brought him into a hug. I smiled, watching the family interact, proud he could see in some light he was doing just fine as a father.
“He just wanted his papa that badly. See I told you, everything’s gonna be alright with you two.” He turned and gave me a small smile as he held his son. He looked like he really needed it. I placed my hand on his back as gently as possible, pulling his attention to me.
“He did, sorry for being so stubborn earlier about you staying in your room. It’s just that, I need you and Teddy to be safe tonight. Tomorrow I’ll be resting all day so you can hang out with everyone then, I’m not trying to hide you from them. It’s just that they are coming right before nightfall.” He sat Teddy up in his lap and started to make some noises for him to laugh at.
“I understand Remus.” I leaned back on my hands. Watching as the father and son shared the intimate moment. He looked so calm, his beard had grown out and unlike the way he was sickly looking in the start his skin had begun to tan again and he looked healthier. His clothes fit properly, whereas mine still hung like a blanket from me.
“Sirius, thank you. For watching Teddy while I work, for taking care of us when we needed it, for everything. I wish one day I can do something that will amount to even a fraction of what you are doing to repay you. You’re a good man, I’m sorry bad things have happened to you.” He never once looked at me.
“Thank you for giving me a bed to sleep in. You’ve been my first friend I’ve had in a few years, I’m glad you’re allowing me to stay.” Teddy started to get fussy and I realized the boy needed a nap. I stood up and took the baby from his father. “He needs a nap, and by the way you’ve been moving like a slug. I think you should take one before your night out.”
“You find the time to rest yourself Padfoot. I’ll see you at dinner.” He joined me in standing before he turned and walked off. I looked down at the very tired boy in my arms and smiled, starting my own walk towards his nursery.