Uncle Reg Babysits
Asher was crawling. Crawling.
The doctor had said to start expecting it around nine months or later, but apparently Asher was determined to prove him incorrect and started at eight months. Remus and Sirius had just finished putting the baby gates and childproofing more of the house when Regulus arrived.
Tonight was their first date night out of the house in a very long time. James and Lily had come over to theirs to make it easier a couple nights, but now they were finally getting to go to a restaurant.
Sirius swung open the door, looking frazzled as Asher followed after his dad, albeit a bit slower but he was moving. Regulus’s eyes widened, “He’s crawling.”
Asher looked up at the new voice, squealing happily as he saw his Uncle. Sirius swung him up off the floor once he got close enough, “Yeah, just started last night. He’d been trying for a while but now he just doesn’t stop. We’ve got baby gates and everything up.” He said, running a hand through his hair as he led Regulus into the house, showing him on the gates worked.
Singing was coming from the bathroom, some top 40s pop song. Regulus chuckled softly as Sirius pulled the door closed all the way, “James and Lily are picking us up, so the car will be here if you happen to need it. Sometimes Asher will fall asleep easier there.” He explained, picking up toys as he went.
Asher babbled happily, tapping at Sirius’s shoulder until he let him down once they got into the living room. He crawled across the floor until he got to where Regulus sat before plopping back on his butt, smiling up at him proudly as if to say look what I can do.
Regulus smiled softly, a smile that was mostly saved for his nephew. He had never been around kids much, except for when he was one himself, but he was learning. He glanced up at his brother, blinking in surprise when he found that Sirius was already looking back, “Uh.. so where are you guys going for dinner?”
“Just Sids as far as I’m aware. We really don’t wanna go too far, just in case. Still makes me nervous to leave him.” Sirius said with a shrug as he watched Asher play with some blocks on the floor. Regulus nodded because he’d be nervous too. Mon Dieu, he was nervous. He was about to be the only one watching this baby for at least 3-4 hours. Maybe he should’ve asked Leo to come over and help.
Just as Regulus was about to panic, Remus walked out, hair still wet from the shower. He smiled when he saw his soon-to-be brother in law, “Hey, Reg. Thanks again for watching him, we really appreciate it.” He said, leaning on the arm of Sirius’s chair.
Regulus shrugged, “Of course, you guys need to get out of this house for things other than practice.”
They chatted for a little bit when there were multiple honks from outside, repeating obnoxiously. Sirius rolled his eyes as he got up, “Lily must’ve let James drive.”
Remus picked Asher up, smothering him with kisses, “You be good for your uncle, bub.” He turned to look at Regulus. “He’s been going down to sleep around 8pm, so he’ll probably start getting whiny in an hour or two. He has formula already mixed in the fridge, but there’s also some cereal he likes on the counter. If you need anything, just call or text us.”
Leaning in to press a kiss to his baby’s chubby cheek, Sirius took Asher and passed him over to his brother, “Thanks again, Reg.” He said, giving him a hug before they were gone.
Asher sniffled softly, his lower lip pushed out as he stared at the door his parents had just walked through. Regulus rocked side to side a bit, trying to distract him, “No tears, Ash. We’re gonna be okay.” He turned on the TV, finding one of the shows Sirius had said Asher liked to watch.
Sitting down with him on the couch, Regulus let out a shaky breath as Asher’s eyes glued to the TV. They were going to be fine. He had helped take care of Asher before. He could change a diaper. He could feed him. Just the thought that he was the only person between his nephew and uncertain death. But it was fine. They’re fine.
Around an hour later, Asher seemed to get bored of the show and crawled into his uncle’s lap, tapping at his chest as he started babbling.
Regulus smiled, “What’s up? You hungry? Should we get a bottle, mon petit?” He asked as he got up, resting Asher on his hip. Together they headed to the kitchen, Regulus grabbing one of the pre-made bottles from the fridge.
Asher reached for the bottle, eyes wide as soon as it was in his sight. Laughing as he got him settled in the crook of his arm, Regulus brought the bottle to Asher’s lips, “Un garçon tellement affamé.”
Latching onto the bottle quickly, Asher started drinking the formula, his head resting happily on Regulus’s chest. It was still crazy to think that this was his brother’s son. He had a whole nephew that he would get to watch grow up, and do amazing things.
The bottle was finished quickly, Asher smacking his lips around the empty bottle. Regulus set it aside before grabbing a towel, throwing it over his shoulder to burp Asher.
He propped him up on his shoulder, gently patting his back as he paced the kitchen until he heard the quiet burp. Regulus wiped off his face with the towel before bringing him back to the living room, setting him on the floor to play with his toys.
It was going extremely well, and he said so to the group chat he was in with the cubs. Finn sent a thumbs up emoji, and Leo told him he knew he could do it. And he had. Regulus had confided in Leo when Sirius had first asked him, nervous that he would fuck it up. Leo was shaking his head before Regulus could even finish his worries. He told him that he would be fine, that Asher loved him and Sirius obviously trusted him enough to ask. He was lucky to have Leo as a friend.
As he set his phone aside, he realized he had a problem. A big problem. Regulus couldn’t have been on the phone for more than 30 seconds, but apparently in that time, Asher had managed to crawl out of sight.
His heart was pounding in his chest as Regulus jumped up from the couch, “Asher!” Looking under the couch, the table, searching the living room, the baby was nowhere in sight.
“Oh no, no no no no!” He ran his fingers through his hair anxiously. He lost the kid. He lost his brother’s baby. Sirius was going to kill him. Remus. Oh Remus was going to have him murdered, and no one would ever find his body.
As he pondered over who would let him hide at their house, he heard it. A loud clatter coming from one of the other rooms.
He followed the noise, which led him to… the kitchen? Shit. He had forgotten to close the baby gate. When he walked in, he couldn’t help but laugh.
Asher had found his way into the pots and pans. All of them. They were strewn across the kitchen with his nephew right in the middle, a large pot in front of him. He grinned happily up at his uncle, slamming tiny hands on the pot.
Regulus squatted down in front of him, chuckling, “You scared me, petit homme. Planning to be a drummer? Should I get you a little drum set?” He asked.
Letting out a loud squeal, Asher leaned onto the pot before a big yawn interrupted his smile.
“Getting tired? Should we get to sleep?” Regulus picked him up, carrying him to the nursery. “Let’s get you in a clean diaper and some pjs.”
Regulus changed his diaper quickly, not wanting him to be cold for too long before slipping him into a pair of soft dragon pajamas that he had bought for Asher.
Turning on the mobile above the crib, Regulus gently laid Asher down while making sure his blanket and lion stuffie were in reach, “Good night, Ash. Love you.” He whispered, running his hand through black curls.
Just as he was about to close the door, Regulus heard a quiet whimper. He turned back and was met with the worst case of the puppy dog eyes staring back at him through the side of the crib. He walked back in, “What’s up, bub?”
As soon as he leaned over the crib, Asher was making grabby hands at him, his lower lip pushed out in a pout.
Regulus let out a sigh, picking him up, “Alright just for a little bit.” He murmured as Asher cuddled into his chest. He carried him back to the living room, laying down on the couch. Letting Asher rest on his chest, he pulled a blanket to cover them both.
“Just for a couple minutes, d'accord?” Regulus murmured, wrapping an arm around Asher’s small body. A soft snuffle was the only answer he got, Asher clutching at Regulus’s shirt as he dozed.
Not long after they laid down, Regulus was out too. Who knew taking care of a baby was so tiring?
Remus and Sirius got home an hour or so later, quickly shushing each other as they saw the adorable scene on their couch. Sirius couldn’t help but take a couple pictures as Remus wandered into the kitchen.
“Why is every single one of our pots on the floor?”