New Year Hijinks

Remus jumped at the same time the coffee maker made a “ding” sound. He was attempting to navigate the kitchen full of toys everywhere. Really everywhere. How the hell had Teddy manage to put a horse on the glass cabinet? The thought baffled Remus. The little boy, a carbon copy of his dad, was carefully cutting up some banana and even though the knife wasn´t that sharp Remus had a vigilant eye on his son.

“Can the pancakes be shaped as Christmas trees?” asked Teddy as he continued his task of chopping bananas.

“Eyes on the knife, be careful with your hands.” chastised Remus immediately. “Christmas is already over.”

“I know but the pancakes look pretty when they have tree shapes, and I can decorate it with the marmalade.” argued Teddy.

“Fine.” said Remus. Teddy smile smugly. “But only because you made a solid argument.”

In reality, Remus also loved the pancakes shaped as Christmas trees. And his son gave him the perfect excuse to keep doing them even though it was January. Just as he was balancing the precarious task of flipping a pancake with one hand while answering Teddy's rapid-fire questions with the other, his phone chimed on the cluttered kitchen counter.

“Can I read it to you, papa?” beamed Teddy immediately. Remus smiled. His son was the most intelligent boy on the world and with only five years old he read pretty well, in Remus´s opinion.

“Sure, buddy. What does it say?”

“Moo... Moomy.” started reading Teddy as best as he could.

“Moony.” corrected Remus.

“James and I wanted to... invite you... to the... what does it says here papa?”

“Potter´s.” Said Remus. And then he thought why on earth would Regulus invite him to the Potter´s. Him and James´s engagement party had been only a few days ago.

Of course, James, the sappy idiot, had proposed to Reggie on Christmas. It had been magical, Remus had to admit. Although he felt a bit sad because Regulus´s brother and James´s best friend had been abroad and couldn´t make it to the party. What kind of brother missed that? Remus had thought. He had never met the bloke and he had been very displeased on Regulus and James´s account, until Prongs explain that Padfoot - that of course, was not his name, but Remus had never bother to ask - flight was delay and that it wasn´t his fault.

“So, are we going dad?” asked Teddy impatiently.

“Going where?” Remus asked confused.

“Do you want me to read the message again?” asked Teddy eager to prove one more time his impeccable reading skills. Remus nodded. “Moony, James and I wanted to invite you to the Potter´s New Year party. This Friday. Teddy can come.”

“Are you sure the message says, “Teddy can come” too?” asked Remus.

“Yeah! Say so right here!” Teddy practically shoved the phone on his father face. Regulus, in fact had extended the invitation to Teddy as well.

“Oh, you are right.”

“So? Are we going, dad?” Teddy insisted.

After a moment's hesitation, he decided to give Regulus a call. As the phone rang, Remus continued flipping pancakes, trying to keep up with his son's boundless enthusiasm.

"Hello?" Regulus answered, his voice serious and clipped.

Remus knew Regulus hadn´t checked who was calling because if he had his tone would be so business-like.

"Reggie, it's Remus.”

“Ah, Moony! Hi!” said Regulus with a cheerier tone.

“Is that Moony?” could be heard from the other side of the line.

“Yes.” answered Regulus.

“Hi Prongs.” added Remus.

“Hiya, Moony. Are you calling about the invitation?” asked James.

“You are on speaker Remus.” explained Regulus. “I was just about to call you. I knew you´d be overthinking the invitation to the party.”

“Oh, Moony you have to come.” begged James. “Uncle Moony has to come, doesn´t he Harry?”

“Hi Harry.” saluted Remus. There was no answer from the other side but that didn´t surprised Remus; actually, it would have been impressive to hear Harry say “Hi” given the fact he was barely learning to talk.

When Remus went out with Reggie and James, Harry would just wave his little chubby hand at Remus. Although he had called Remus “Moo” one time.

“Harry says hi.” answered James.

“Dad is that Uncle Prongs?” asked Teddy yanking Remus phone so he could speak into it.

A vague burnt smelled filled the kitchen and Remus gave Teddy the phone so he could say hi to his uncles as Remus rushed to save his pancakes.

“I got your invitation, but I'm not sure about the party.” said Remus as soon as he regained his phone. “I've got a lot on my plate this week, with work and Teddy´s ballet lessons" Remus admitted, casting a quick glance at the whirlwind of activity around him.

Regulus chuckled on the other end. "Remus, I know for a fact that Teddy´s practices are Tuesday and Thursday so try again.”

“Come on Moony! At the end of the day, you always have a blast with us” try to persuade James. “Besides, Pads and I installed a slide just for the boys; we worked on it the whole day.”

“A slide for kids doesn´t requires a whole day.” teased Remus.

“Oh, believe me, they took all day.” mocked Regulus.

“Remus! It the perfect opportunity for you to finally meet Sirius.” James gushed.

Remus laughed out loud as he served his and Teddy´s pancakes on plates. Teddy dutifully and most important, carefully, took said plates to the table.

“Bring Teddy along, and we'll make sure you both have a good time." Assured James with his cheerful nature.

Feeling a sense of relief at the thought of a potential reprieve, Remus agreed, "Alright, Reg. We'll be there. But I can't promise that Teddy won't turn the play area into his own personal kingdom."

“Hey!” exclaimed Teddy as he playfully threw a crumb to his dad.

As Remus hung up, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of anticipation for the upcoming New Year's party, hoping it might offer a much-needed break from the hectic routine of single parenthood.

.0.

Thursday arrived, and with Teddy safely settled at school, Remus found himself on a mission in the bustling aisles of the local toy store. Remus Lupin was a man on a mission. On his cart was already a colourful book of the ocean animals for little Harry, but the tall man anxiously scanned the shelves, searching for a specific stuffed animal Teddy had set his heart on.

Two weeks before Christmas Teddy had finished his last year at kindergarten. As a little celebration Remus has taken his child to the ice cream parlour. On the way their Teddy had spotted a big stuffed animal on display at the toy store. It was an enormous black dog.

“Papa, look at that puppy!” Teddy had almost scream. He put his nose against the glass window admiring the toy. “Can I ask for that puppy as my Christmas present.” Teddy begged with his big brown eyes.

“You can ask for whatever you want, kiddo.” said Remus fondly.

You see, Teddy was a kind and caring kid. He often received praised at his school for his academic talent and his empathy with his classmates. Of course, sometimes he would be a bit mischievous but that was a family thing, according to Remus, who had spent a lot of time on detention back in his days. But overall, Teddy was an amazing kid.

Remus returned that week to the toy store after leaving Teddy at school however he was shocked when he saw the price tag. Unfortunately, when Christmas morning had come Teddy didn´t found his big black dog under the tree. He had other gifts of course and Remus bought him a little book about a black dog, but he knew that wasn´t what his kid had expected. Teddy didn´t complained, he hugged Remus tightly and thank him for his gifts.

Teddy had also received from Santa a nutcracker – he was obsessed with the ballet play –, a puzzle, a colouring book, an action figure of his favourite superheroes and the book of the black dog Remus got him. Of course, Teddy, with all his gifts felt like the luckiest kid in the world and he didn´t once complained about the stuffed animal, which made Remus heart break even more. Teddy was a grateful kid and it hurt Remus not being able to give him more; to give him what he deserved.

All this to say, that Remus worry was more than justified as he scanned the stuffed animal section with increasing urgency. Each passing minute felt like a ticking clock, and his heart quickened with the fear of disappointment. Suddenly, his eyes widened, spotting the last black stuffed dog perched on a high shelf.

Relief washed over him, and he quickened his pace, weaving through the crowd to reach the coveted toy. It felt as though fate had smiled upon him, presenting the perfect gift for Teddy just in the nick of time.

However, as Remus extended his hand towards the stuffed dog, a stranger hand appeared out of nowhere. Their hands brushed against each other in a fleeting moment of tension. Remus snatched the stuffed puppy from the shelf feeling triumph wash over him. However, the stranger had managed to gran one of the back paws of the dog.

"Sorry, mate, but I saw it first," declared a handsome dark-haired man, a mischievous glint in his grey eyes.

Remus thought he seemed vaguely familiar. There was something about his dark hair, almost bluish. Or maybe it was the aristocratic air he emanated. No. They hadn´t met. Remus would remember a person so beautiful as the one standing in front of him.

“Oh, but I got it first.” said Remus with a smug smile.

“Listen, I wanted to give it to my godson. It has kind of a special meaning.” explained the stranger a bit more seriously. “Like and inside joke if you will.”

“Oh.” said Remus feeling sorry, cause even though he was extremely gorgeous Remus was not one to back down, especially when it was Teddy´s happiness on the line. “I´m sorry but my son has had his heart set on this for weeks. I can´t....”

The phrase hung in the air.

The stranger scrutinized his face for a bit.

“I know is a lot to asked” pleaded the stranger with sincerity. “But I hadn´t seen my godson in so long. And I was busy this week, I just came back from a trip and then my brother had me doing some stuff around the house and... well I haven´t had time to buy my godson a proper Christmas gift... please.”

The stranger had the biggest puppy eyes Remus had ever seen. The raven-haired man looks up at Remus with pleading eyes and Remus, almost gave the dog away. Honestly this person was so freaking adorable. Yet, Remus, driven by a deep desire to bring joy to Teddy's life, held his ground. "I really am sorry, but this means the world to my son. I just want to see him happy."

The stranger looked into his eyes and Remus had never felt so exposed. He felt naked as if the stranger could read all his thoughts and decide what was the truth and what was not. As if this person, in front of him could reach deep down into his soul. Remus realize that he simply felt... seen.

"Alright, you win. It's all yours." Finally said the stranger letting go of the dog's paw.

Gratitude flooded Remus's eyes as he clutched the black stuffed dog.

“Thank you really.” Said Remus and he hoped his eyes could convey all the gratitude he felt. “This means so much to me.”

“Don´t mention it.” said the stranger waving a hand dismissively.

“No, really thanks a lot... ehh...”

“Sirius.” said the stranger with a curious smile.

“Right.” said Remus getting himself together. “Thanks, Sirius.”

Remus turned around to keep shopping.

“Hey, uhm, what´s your name?” asked Sirius catching up with him.

“Oh, uhm, Remus.”

“That´s a curious name.” said Sirius smirking.

“Almost as strange as Sirius.” answered Remus as he headed towards the plant aisle. He thought of buying Regulus´s brother a small plant as a welcome gift. Would it be to chicle?

“What can I say it´s a family name.” shrugged Sirius.

“Huh, funny. I have a friend who is also name after a star.” says Remus.

“Well, but mine is the brightest star in the sky.” says Sirius a bit childishly. Remus laughs and Sirius doesn't answer Remus´s question because he is just staring at the tall man.

“Sirius?” asks Remus again. Does he have something in his teeth? He wonders. Otherwise, why would Sirius be staring at him so much. Remus passes his tongue over his teeth discretely and then he remembers he hasn´t eaten anything since breakfast. That´s odd.

“Sorry, what were you saying?” asks Sirius with a sheepish smile that Remus likes. Oh, he likes that smile a lot.

“I was asking if you are just going to follow me around?” repeats himself Remus, half joking and half not because they have reached the garden aisle and Sirius is still trailing after Remus.

“Oh, uhm, well if you don´t mind.” says Sirius. “I only came for the dog but I... I´m enjoying the conversation.” he says bluntly.

And Remus surprises himself actually enjoying the conversation too. So no, he really doesn´t mind.

As Remus and Sirius navigated the crowded store together, the tension from their initial encounter dissolved into an unexpected banter and a bit of flirting, maybe. You can hear kids laugh and cry on other part of the store, but you can also hear a pair of grown men dying of laughter at the kitchen section being absolutely immature about a coffee mug that says, “blow please”.

As they reached the checkout, Sirius couldn't help but notice the absence of a ring on Remus's finger. Curiosity bubbled within him and Sirius, the ever-grown puppy couldn´t help himself when he asked "So, Remus, single parent, huh?"

Remus looked at him oddly. “I mean, you are not wearing a ring.” explained immediately Sirius feeling a soft heat in his cheeks.

Remus chuckled, a warmth settling in his chest at the genuine interest in Sirius's eyes. "Yeah, it's just me and my son; he is five. We make quite the dynamic duo."

“Yeah, I can tell.” laughs Sirius shyly. Sirius helps Remus pack his items. Is not a lot but the stuffed puppy requires a bag of his own and Remus decided that the gift for Regulus´s brother, the plant would be safe on another bag. Add to that, Harry´s present and a few items Remus needed, and it total he has three bags. “Want me to help you carry that to your car?” asks Sirius as he finishes packing Remus´s things.

“Sure.” says Remus because he just doesn't want to say goodbye to Sirius.

"Well, Remus, it's been a pleasure. Mind if I ask for your number? Maybe we could do this again sometime, without the toy store drama." Asks Sirius as they put the bags on the trunk.

Remus, surprised but pleased by the proposition, felt a rush of warmth. "I usually don´t ...” and Sirius has that puppy look again. “Sure, Sirius. Why not?"

Sirius hands Remus his phone and Remus is just about hand it back with his number logged in when Sirius asks “Wasn´t there a book about the sea or something?”

“Oh god is it not there?” Remus says shoving Sirius´s phone in his owner hands. “Shit! I must have left it on the counter.”

Remus rushes inside but when he asks about the book the cashier that helped him assures him, she saw his partner bag it. Then, another thought strikes Remus. He left Sirius with his car; his car was open. As Remus rushes backs, he wonders if Sirius is a con artist or a thief or something like that. He certainty didn´t look the part.

“What do you know about how thief look like.” he mutters to himself.

When he arrives to the parking lot his car is still there, he searches in the bags and the sea book is also there. Oddly there was a ridiculous amount of cash in the bag as well, a lot more than Remus had paid for the stuffed animal. It must have been Sirius´s. And then....

“For fuck´s sake.” he says loudly.

The third bag is missing. The bag that had the stuffed big black dog. There is a note in the trunk with rushed handwriting. “I left some cash for the puppy. I really enjoyed talking to you. Hope you can forgive me. I´ll make it up to you. - Sirius.”

All the warmth and joy Remus felt a moment ago turns into anger and then just sadness. And he knows for a fact that never in a million years will he be able to forgive Sirius.

“Shit.” he sights defeated. “Teddy is going to be heart broken.”