Asher Pascal

It was an exciting day in the Black-Lupin household. Everyone had been awake for at least two hours, and it was only 6am.

Normally, they’d be heading to the Potters’ to drop off Asher while they were at practice. Lily kept an eye on him during their time at the rink, and Harry and Asher had become quick friends.

But today. Today, Asher got to go to the rink with his dads. They had gotten permission from Coach Weasley beforehand, and he was going to watch them from the bench. He had started walking recently, not steady steps but he was definitely on the move.

“Asher, c’mere! We gotta get your jacket on.” Remus yelled from the front door, grabbing the small jacket from the hook.

A small figure peeked through the railing at him, gripping onto the bannister. Sirius had gotten him dressed, so of course he was wearing one of his little Lion jerseys that the team had gotten him.

Glancing up the stairs, Remus watched as Asher sat on the top of the steps, slow butt-scooting his way down. As he got to the bottom, he stood carefully and looked up at his dad, “No.”

Remus sighed, holding up the jacket, “Yes.” That was another thing. Asher was starting to talk. Not full sentences, just a couple words here and there. Dad. Daddy. Okay. Please. Juice. And his favorite.

“No.” He said, even though he held out his arms for Remus. Before he could resist again, the jacket was on and zipped.

Picking Asher up, Remus rested him on his hip with his hockey bag on the other before glancing back up the stairs, “Pads, c’mon. We’re gonna be late. Don’t tell me I’ve gotta help you get zipped up too.”

A huff came from the second floor before Sirius came around the corner, “I am coming, no I don’t need help with my zipper. I can’t find my practice jersey, I thought I left it in the closet.” He muttered as he came down the stairs, grabbing his jacket.

“Didn’t you put it in your bag last night? So you wouldn’t forget it?” Remus asked as Sirius looked in his own bag.

Sirius dug through his bag before pulling the jersey out, “Got it, I got it. Knew it was there, didn’t I, mon chou?” He said, leaning in to tickle Asher under his chin. Pushing his daddy’s hands away, Asher squealed, “Daddy, no!” He shouted happily, hiding his face in Remus’s neck.

Remus couldn’t help the fond smile that spread as he watched SIrius with their son. For all the worrying Sirius had done before Asher was born, he couldn’t be a better dad. Just seeing them together made Remus’s heart swell.

“Alright let’s get moving. Coach might be okay with Asher being late, but not us.” Remus said as he led the way to the car. He got Asher buckled in his seat, and then they were off.

Sirius drove to the rink, his free hand resting on Remus’s knee, “So… you think we could get him in a pair of skates?” He asked.

Letting out a laugh, Remus shook his head, “Baby. No. He’s just starting to walk, we are not putting literal blades on his feet! Right, Ash?” He asked, glancing at Asher through the rearview mirror.

“Yes!” Asher shouted, kicking his tiny legs against the seat as they pulled into the rink.

Sirius smiled as he got out, “I’ll grab bags if you wanna grab him and his bag.” He said as he opened the trunk. Remus grabbed Asher’s bag before pulling him out of his carrier.

Asher babbled happily in Remus’s arms, as they made their way into the rink. “You ready to see all your uncles? And your grandpa?” Remus asked and his small little face lit up. The boys had all come to visit them so often and honestly they were all so incredible with him. There was nothing cuter than a bunch of big tough hockey guys playing dolls with a child.

The little family made their way to the locker room, Asher wiggling in Remus’s arms as he heard the team’s voices echoing. Sirius pushed the door open, letting them Remus and Asher go past him into the room.

Shouts of “Little Loops!” echoed across the locker room as the guys saw them come in.

Asher grinned, his cheeks flushing at all the attention, “Hi.” He drawled out in his tiny voice. He was quickly stolen from Remus’s arms by James, who spun him happily.

“Hi, little man!” James said, resting him on his hip.

Asher rested his head on James’ shoulder, “Jam.” He said with a small smile. Most words were still hard for him to say, so James became Jam. Small eyes looked around the room happily as he watched everyone get ready before his eyes fell on his favorite person.

“Le! Le Le Le!” Asher quickly reached out, making grabby hands as soon as he saw Leo. He loved all the boys on the team, but had completely latched onto Leo. The others teased him a bit, saying it was because they were so close in age.

Leo couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face as he heard the shouts for him, taking him carefully from James who gave him an indignant look, “Stealing my godson, Nutty?”

As soon as Leo had him in his arms, Asher nuzzled into his chest happily, “Le.” He hummed happily, tiny fingers gripping onto the taller boy’s practice jersey. Leo may have said he wasn’t ready for a kid but Asher really had him catching baby fever. They definitely weren’t ready though. He’d just have to steal Asher more. Maybe they could babysit?

Nodding along as Asher babbled to him, Leo carried him over to his stall, “I know, bub. It’s all so exciting.” He murmured, setting him on his lap as he waited for the rest of the team to be ready.

Finn knew that he looked smitten. He was. How could he not when one of his boys was sitting there, being all cute with a baby?

“Harzy, dude, you’re literally looking like the human embodiment of heart eyes right now. Take a breath.” Talker said with a laugh, clapping him on the shoulder as he walked past.

An offended noise came from Finn but he was cut off as Coach made his way into the locker room, “C’mon boys, it’s scrimmage day. Let’s get a move on. Knut, gimme my assistant coach.”

They all made their way out the door, Sirius holding the door as the team made their way to the ice.

Remus smiled, watching as Asher was passed to Arthur, “Coach, put him down a sec, yeah? Let him show you his new party trick. Pads, be ready just in case.”

Arthur raised an eyebrow, setting Asher down. He wobbled on unsteady legs before he saw his daddy waiting for him, and then he was off.

“Look at him go!” Arthur said with a laugh, following Asher as he toddled out, following after Sirius and the rest of the team. Remus grinned, quickly snapping a picture of Asher grabbing his dad’s hand before tucking his phone into his bag.

When they got to the bench, Arthur lifted Asher next to him as the Lions all made their way onto the ice. Asher stood carefully next to the coach as the team picked their groups for the scrimmage. His eyes were wide as he watched the team practice. He had watched his dads play in their basement many times, but nothing beat them with a whole team.

As the game went on, Arthur explained to Asher what was happening, pointing out plays as well as pointing out where his dads were, because that was a frequent question as well.

Just as they skated past the bench, Nado hit Remus into the boards and they both slid onto the ice. Asher was quickly trying to peer over the side of the boards, “Daddy? Daddy, okay? You ‘kay?” He yelled, green eyes filled with concern.

Nado chuckled softly, pulling Remus up with him, “He’s alright, Little Loops.”

Pointing a finger at him, Asher gave him a serious look, “Careful, you careful.” Sirius couldn’t help but laugh as he skated over.

“You tell him, mon chou.” He said, pressing a kiss to Asher’s head before he skated back.

They finished their scrimmage, messing around on the ice when Sirius lifted Asher over the boards, “We’ll get you some skates soon, Ash. Just gotta convince your daddy.”

Humming happily as he held onto his dad, Asher nodded, “I skate too.” He said seriously, watching Sirius’s feet as they glided across the ice. “Down. Daddy, down.”

Sirius set him down but held onto his hands, wary of the other guys on the ice as Asher wobbled onto the ice. He was trying to glide across the ice, giggling to himself, “I skate.” He whispered quietly.

Unbeknownst to them, Marlene was taking pictures from the stands. She sent them all to Remus afterwards, who posted them to his Instagram along with the picture he took earlier.

“A Lion in the making.”