Mug - Jegulus + Marylily + Past Jily + kid Harry!!! - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 576
“Daddy?”
James smiled at his son, who was toddling towards him as he cooked dinner. “Yes, Prongslet?”
“We have a problem,” Harry declared, but his lisp made it quite funny.
James turned the stove off and crouched down to Harry's height. “And what might the problem be, my little Marauder?”
“I don't think Papa loves me.”
That made James's heart sink. “What?”
After their separation, Lily and James had both tried their hardest to ensure Harry grew up never questioning whether he was loved. They stayed in friendly terms, still had family outings with Harry, and spoiled Harry to the extent of concerns by their parents. That didn't change even after Lily moved in with Mary, and James with Regulus. If anything, Harry was ecstatic that he had double the number of parents to love him.
But now Harry was… questioning it.
“Of course Papa loves you, Harry,” James said, trying to sound as convincing as possible, because he knew Regulus adored Harry. That man had gone through a full week's worth of breakdowns in a single hour before Harry's first visit to Grimmauld Palace. “Why do you think he doesn't?”
James waited with baited breath for his son's reply.
Harry pouted. “Because he isn't telling me what he wants for Father's Day!”
James blinked. Then he laughed.
He had a habit of loudly declaring what he wanted for Father's Day. Then Lily would take Harry out for shopping and get him his gift. Harry thought that was the norm.
“Harry, Harry, Harry.” James hugged Harry tightly, then kissed his messy hair. “My little Prongslet. What do I do with you?”
“I'm serious!” Harry said indignantly. “You're laughing!”
“I'm sorry.” James cupped Harry's cheeks. “But guess what? I know exactly what we can give Papa for Father's Day.”
Harry's eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Of course, Daddy's a genius, he knows everything.” James lifted Harry into his arms, his grin wide. “Time to go shopping, Prongslet. Let's get dressed.”
Regulus knew something was up when he saw his husband's cheery grin during breakfast. Of course, that was James's default expression, but this was too smiley, even for him.
Harry wearing the same expression did not lessen his suspicions.
He slowly laid down his fork, eyeing the man. “James,” he said slowly, “what did you do?”
James exchanged a look with Harry. Those little reminders that James and Harry shared a connection he could never dare to intrude on… it made him feel undeserving of the title Papa. And he tried very hard to be worthy of it.
James grinned at Regulus. “We really were planning to wait until dinner.”
Regulus blinked. “What?”
“Nothing to worry about, love. Harry, go and get it, please.”
Immediately, Harry hopped off to his room, then hurried right back to the dining table, his green eyes bright and full of anticipation.
“For you!” He thrust a small box towards Regulus, wrapped clumsily in emerald green paper and silver ribbons.
Regulus took it, surprised. “Thank you,” he said, uncertain, and began to unwrap the gift.
It was… a mug.
With big bold words printed on it: #1 DAD!!!
Regulus's breath hitched.
“Happy Father's Day, Papa!” Harry said with glee. “I love you!”
Regulus stared at James, who was pretending to wipe a tear from his eye, looking like a proud parent. Then he looked back at his stepson.
His son.
He laughed, and wrapped his arms around Harry. “I love you, too, Harry.”






