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Chapter Text

Sometimes Sirius wondered if he was too immature for his age. Licking his bear-shaped chocolate ice cream, he pondered this. Twenty-five wasn't too old for amusement parks, surely. Regulus didn't know what he was missing. But then again his little brother have always been known to be boring. Sirius was in Paris, against his better judgment. The least he could do was find some solid entertainment to make the trip a tad more doable. 

See, the thing about France, is that it's filled with the french. Sirius spoke the language perfectly fine but the stuck-up average citizen still heard his English accent, and looked at him as if he was something stuck beneath their shoe. Why Regulus would choose this city in this country, Sirius had no idea. London has its own fair share of prestigious universities for him to choose from. Although, one could assume the decision to leave England was partially fueled by his desire to run from their family, but still. At least go somewhere authentic, like Montpellier.

Sirius had to admit he was pleasantly surprised with his trip. He'd been dreading it for weeks prior, driving James up the wall with ramblings and possible excuses he would make come September. But James had taken that tone he only used when Harry draws on the walls, and told him to suck it up and visit his brother like a grown-up. Harry still often draws on the walls. No matter, he did get on the plane. Sirius could pretend all he liked but in the end, it had been his idea to meet with Regulus. They were both grown up now, and estranged from the rest of their family. He wanted to know his little brother, even though it had been nearly five years and they'd grown into separate people. It was Reggie.

When he first arrived it was... tense. It's strange, already loving someone and thinking you know them, when you haven't spoken a word in so long. But they began somewhere, not important enough to be remembered. And Sirius did know him. Sure, he hadn't known Reg listened to Elliot Smith- but he knew, because it was so him. 

The amusement park wasn't far from Reggies flat, and Sirius had assumed they would make a day of it when he walked past it because hello? it's an amusement park. Reg wasn't as keen, as in he refused to go. That was how Sirius ended up alone in the middle of loud children and stressed adults and giant stuffed bears. Apparently, it was the mascot; Teddy the bear. Original. His Teddy the bear ice cream tasted good though, even though the weather was too chilly for it.

'Pardon, monsieur?' A lady came up to him, waving her phone, 'pouvez-vous nous prendre une photo?' She practically pushed it into his hands.

'Oui, bien sûr,' he said, and watched as the family of six posed awkwardly with a stuffed bear. Sirius snapped a few pictures before handing it back to the woman. She thanked him in the stressed manner every parent seemed to ooze of in the park. He wondered if that was what ruined amusement parks for adults, the children.

The thing was, even though he had gone on the only appealing ride the park had to offer, played (and succseeded) at most the games, and bought an ice cream- Sirius couldn't go home. It was still too early, if he went back now the whole plan of proving his brother wrong would crumble. 

All around him was chatter in quick french and children squealing and running around. He thought of Harry and thought he would like it here. Suddently he recognized a childrens voice yelling over and over. Thing was, it was i English.

'DAAAAAAAD,' the voice said again. Sirius looked around, but there was a large crowd passing by. 'DAAAAAAAAAD.'

Finally, in a clearing of the crowd, Sirius found a little boy. He was dressed head-to-toe in a bear costume, with little round ears of top. Sirius heart clenched. The kid had tears rolling down his cheeks and was completely alone.

'DAAAAAD,' he wailed again. Sirius cast a few looks around. Surely, one of these people would comfort the boy and help him? They were all parents for god sake! An adult should talk to him and help him find-oh. Sirius was an adult. He hesitantly made his way toward the boy, hoping he wouldn't frighten him. 'DAAAA-'

'Hey kid,' he crouched down to his level, and the boy went quiet looking at him. 'are you lost?'

'I'm l-lost,' his voice broke and a tear fell from his eye.

'Hey, it's okay, we'll find your dad, alright,' Sirius tried to sound calming and comforting, but the kid started sobbing and suddenly he felt way out of his depth. 'Uh- Would you like some ice cream?' The kid immediately quieted down, eyes focusing on the presented gift. 

'Y-yes, please,' he took it and held it with both hands. 'Thank you.'

'No problem, kid. What's your name?'

'Dad says I shouldn't talk to strangers,' he said, nodding and looking very wise.

'Your dad's right,' he answered, because what else could he say? 'My name is Sirius,' he offrered. The kid looked at him over the ice cream, seemingly contemplating this fact.

'I'm Teddy,' he said. Sirius sighed. Teddy, like the bear costume. The kid wasn't making it easy for him.

'Yes I can see that, but what's your real name?'

'Teddy is my real name!'

'But you're dressed up as the teddy bear-'

'I'm not a teddy bear!' He yelled, seemingly feeling strongly about this. 'I'm a grizzly bear!'

Sirius blinked.

'Okay,' he said slowly, 'Look, kid, do you know where you saw your dad last? I'll help you find him.'

'No, I don't know,' Teddy looked down at his feet, sounding on the verge of tears again.

'Did you walk alone for a long time?'

'I don't know.'

'What about your mum, is she here?'

The kid looked at him strangely.

'I don't have a mum,' he said casually. Sirius felt dumb.

'Oh. Okay, well, um...' Of course, there was surely some staff who could help them out, maybe call for the dad using the speakers. But Sirius couldn't see any stands like that in sight, and he didn't think he'd passed one so far. Chances were they'd be gone long looking for one, and if the dad was close he didn't want to separate them further. God, if the dad was anything like James he'd surely be a wreak by now...

'Alright, here's what we'll do, we're going to sit on that bench right there, do you see it?'

'Yes,' it was only a few feet away.

'Good. We'll sit there together and you'll tell me if you see your dad or anyone else you know, alright?' Yes, that sounded like a good plan, right? Teddy's dad was probably looking all over and would walk by any minute.

'Okay,' he answered in a breath. Sirius looked down when he felt a tiny hand grab his own, and tried not to imagine where the stickiness could've come from.

Chapter Text

'A grizzly bear would kill you, you know.' 

Sirius looked down.

'They attack humans sometimes. And they kill you,' Teddy continued, kicking his legs back and forth on the bench. Sirius raised his brows, what a peculiar way to start a conversation.

'But couldn't I defend myself?' He asked, because Teddy seemed to have all the answers. Teddy laughed.

'No!'

'What? Why are you laughing? I'm strong, kid,' to emphasize this, he flexed with one arm. The one Teddy wasn't holding onto. Teddy shook his head vigorously.

'Serious,' he began solemnly, 'a boy grizzly bear weighs 80 stones! That's like eight of you!' he was yelling. Sirius tried not to take offense. 'it could probably lift a car. Two cars!' 

'Alright, alright,' Sirius admitted defeat.

'Did you know that they eat moths?' 

'Grizzly bears?'

'Yes.'

'No. I didn't.' This kid was so weird. He liked him.

'A grizzly bear in America once ate 40,000 moths in one day,' Teddy continued, his eyes bright like he was very excited about this fact. Sirius humored him.

'Really?'

'Yes, it's true. Did you know that the hump on their backs is a big muscle?'

'Uh, no?'

'It is,' Teddy confirmed, nodding. 'Dad put my backpack on under, see? It's like the hump,' He turned in his seat, and pointed to the little lump on his back.

'Ah, I see,' Sirius said, a grin on his face. This dad seemed great, and his son obviously worshiped the ground he walked on. Teddy turned back around. The cuffs of his costume had ridden up a bit at the arms, and Sirius jolted at the scribble visible on the little forearm. 'Teddy? What is that?' He asked quickly. Teddy only shrugged and offered the arm to him. Sirius pushed up the fuzzy fabric and yes! it was a phone number!

'Look! This must be your dad's number,' he explained, pulling out his phone.

'Oh... I didn't know,' Teddy looked at him with huge green eyes, and Sirius felt immensely relieved he could help him.

'I'll call him, alright? He'll be here soon, I'm sure,' he said while typing in the number. He felt thankful that James was dyslexic and refused to wear his glasses as a teen, otherwise he never would've been able to make out the messy scribble. He dialed.

'Hello?' The voice on the other end was out of breath and rang with panic.

'Hi, are you Teddys' dad?' He really hoped Teddy was his real name. Sirius gave the kid a soft smile as he spoke. It was eagerly returned. 

'Y-yes! Yes- I am! Where is he?' The man was sort of yelling and Sirius really wished he'd seen the number earlier.

'We're-'

'Are you with him? Who are you? Is Teddy ok-' 

'Hi dada, hi dada, hi dada!' Teddy was jumping up and down on the bench, holding on to Sirius' shoulder as he leaned over to speak.

'Teddy,' His dad exhaled softly. The word was filled with so much relief, Sirius guessed the man was teary-eyed.

'We're on a bench by the Ferris wheel, he's okay,' he said, hoping it calmed the other man down enough.

'Thank you, I-'

'Sirius gave me ice cream!' Teddy squealed happily.

'W-what? Who gave you ice cream Teddy?' He sounded very alarmed now, and Sirius startled at how it sounded.

'I gave him some ice cream, I'm sorry, I promise he's safe,' he tried to sound convincing. 'I'm a fireman, if that helps,' he added, for good measure.

'YOU ARE?'

'Uh- it does, um, I'm on my way. What's your name?'

'I'm Sirius, I found him a few minutes ago,' he breathed in as the other end didn't respond. 'He's been teaching me about grizzly bears,' he continued in hopes to reassure him that his son really was okay. There came a huff, almost like a laugh.

'Yeah, well, he would,' his voice was even more out of breath now, he was probably running.

'DADA!' Teddy leaped up from the bench and sprinted forward. Sirius had just gotten up to stop him when he saw the boy being eloped in the most desperate hug he'd ever seen. Teddys' dad was close to the ground as he put both arms around his son and held tightly. One arm was around his back, in the hand was his phone. The other hand was cradling Teddys' head, like he was about to fall apart. Sirius' heart pulled.

'Teddy, I'm so so sorry, I'm so sorry,' he said now, on the verge of tears. Teddy only hugged him back. After a few seconds, during which Sirius felt strangely guilty, the dad looked up at him.

'Hi, I'm Sirius,' he waved stupidly. The mans eyes roamed him for a second. Sirius made the inappropriate observation that Teddys dad was... well, hot. 

'Uh-' He said, standing up. 'I'm Remus, look I-' Remus breathed out properly and picked up the boy clinging to his leg. Teddy snuggled into his neck. 'I don't know how to thank you.'

'You really, really don't have to, anyone would've done the same. I'm glad I could help,' Sirius said hesitantly. Remus was tall and spoke with a welsh accent and it was just too much. Foolishly he hoped the man lived in England now, going off the fact that Teddy didn't share his Welsh lilt. He did notice Teddy had gotten his green eyes from him, and the light-brown hair.

'I... I feel like I need to tell you I've never lost him before-'

'Don't, I get it.'

'Oh. You have kids?' Remus asked, and Sirius almost let himself believe the idea disappointed him.

'I have a godson, I've lost him at the supermarket and once at the movies. I've also killed every goldfish I've ever had. And I'm not trusted with plants, if it makes you feel better,' what the fuck was he saying? Remus seemed amused. Of course he was, Sirius was rambling like an idiot.

'Depends,' he mused, 'how many goldfish have you had?'

'Um, I've lost count?' He answered, scratching his neck. Remus smiled.

'Dad, Serious is a fireman and he said he could fight a bear but I told him he couldn't. I also told him about the moths,' Teddy had his arms around his dad's neck. 'Do you remember? About the moths?'

'Yes, love, I remember. Very good.'

'He's nice,' he mumbled lastly. Remus smiled.

'I'm sure he is,' he said. There was eye contact.

'I didn't even tell him to say that,' Sirius grinned and, feeling bold, winked. Remus rolled his eyes in a playful manner.

'You won him over with the ice cream,' He argued. Teddy was squirming in his arms so Remus set him down.

'And with my natural charm and charisma, of course,' Sirius shot back, running a hand through his hair. He was flirting, and it was obvious. Remus didn't seem disgusted by him, so just maybe...

'Of course. Could I buy you an ice cream? As thanks, and to repay the one my son got his hands on,' he said, ruffling teddys hair with a large palm. 

Sirius smiled. 'Sure.'

'And did you know their claws are longer than my fingers?' Teddy continued, holding up his hand and wiggling the fingers to demonstrate. Sirius hid his grin behind the cone, sharing an amused look with Remus. His green eyes twinkled.

'No, I didn't. What do they need the claws for?'

'Everything! They kill a lot. They also catch fish. Their favorite is salmon and my favorite is salmon,' he breathed, his eyes going big.

'Yeah? Does your dad cook?' He grinned, looking up at Remus who rolled his eyes. He did that a lot. Sirius didn't know if he was just like that or if Sirius brought it out in him. He kinda hoped for the latter.

Teddy laughed. 'No, he's very bad. Aunt Mary tried to teach him but then she screamed at him. We eat a lot of pasta and grandma doesn't like it. I like ketchup,' he rambled. Remus looked at his son fondly, but Sirius found it impossible to not look at Remus. 'Dads boyfriend makes me salmon and he doesn't even burn it,' he finished.

Sirius' eyes widened and he felt the steadily building hope inside him crumble up and die. Fuck.

Remus was quick to jump in, a little caught off guard. 'Uh, ex-boyfriend,' he looked up to Sirius, probably unintentionally, but their eyes met and Sirius was helpless to the stupid smile spreading on his face. Remus blushed and looked back down. 'Remember, Teddy? What we talked about?'

'Oh yeah,' he nodded, 'ex-boyfriend.'

The two men exchanged smiles again, and Sirius suddenly felt awfully smug.

'And Mary didn't scream, Teddy-'

'She said you started a fire-' Remus quickly covered Teddys' mouth with a hand and the boy fell in his lap giggling. Sirius raised his brows.

'Sounds like you're a walking fire hazard,' he began cheekily. Remus glared. 'I'm not sure I can, professionally, let you cook for yourself,' he continued. 'Or do, I'll be there to carry you out of the flames,' Sirius winked. Remus shook his head and looked away.

'My hero,' he mused. Sirius looked at his side profile and the way the sun made his hair all golden-y. It looked soft.

'Any chance you're from London?'

Remus looked at him. 'We are, actually.' 

Sirius leaned back. 'Interesting.'

'Oh?' he lifted a brow, his voice amused.

'Yes, I'll have to alert my station of the risk you pose, of course,' he bit back his smile. Remus shook his head.

'What do you do?' He asked after a few seconds.

Stroking his sons hair, and a corner of his lips curling, Remus looked at him. 'I'm a teacher.'

'Truly dauntless, you are,' Sirius grinned, tongue in his cheek.

'Sure, sure, make fun. I'll call you next time I see a kitten stuck in a tree.'

''long as you call me, sure,' he winked again, and Remus looked at him for a very long time.

'Daaad, can we go home now?' Teddys voice was muffled from where he was burying it in his fathers side. 'My feet are tired and you said we could watch the frog movie,' he whined, growing cranky.

'I, um-'

'I have your number,' Sirius reminded him, 'I'll make use of it, if that's alright with you?'

Remus smiled. 'It's very alright, yeah,' he breathed. Teddy stood up on the bench and leaned in to whisper in his dads ear. 'I don't know, love, why don't you ask him?' Remus suggested softly, but Teddy was being shy and shook his head. He did that thing kids do where they press into their parent and hide their face, looking smaller than he was.

'Would you like to come with us, Sirius? Get dinner, maybe?' Remus asked finally. 'You probably have plans.'

Sirius sighed heavily. 'I'm meeting my brothers partner tonight, I'm sorry.'

'It's okay, really-'

'But how about tomorrow instead?' He asked desperately, internally cussing out his brother.

'We go home tomorrow,' Remus said, looking genuinely disappointed.

'Okay, I go home in a week, how about a cooking lesson?' Sirius grinned. 'I've never been known to burn salmon.'

Remus laughed. 'S-sure, yeah,' he got up from the bench, Teddy following him. 'We'll see you, then,' They looked at each other, and Sirius was kinda concerned he would never get this dopey smile off his face. 

'Yeah,' he breathed.

Teddy suddenly ran towards him, and Sirius got down to meet him. The boy tied both his little arms around Sirius' neck.

'Thank you,' Teddy said quietly. Sirius stroked his hair.

'Bye, bear. Say nice things about me to your dad, alright?'

Chapter Text

He was in the zone. In one pan he was frying up some vegetables, broccoli because it was Teddys' favorite for whatever reason, and aubergine for Remus. He really was mixing with a tasteless bunch. Sirius truly had no clue whether it went with the salmon in the second pan but knew Teddy would gulf it down either way. Lastly, he had some potatoes boiling. Remus could really eat an incredible amount of potatoes in one sitting, it was quite fascinating to watch. 

'Oh, I thought I smelled something!' Hope Lupin sang as she wandered into the kitchen. Sirius threw her a smile from where he was chopping carrots into sticks (another one of Teddys' favorites).

'I need to make use of this stove while I still can,' he said, looking fondly at the vintage stove with open burners. Their new place, and subsequently new stove has sealed burners so Remus will be less likely to start a fire. It was an actual conversation they had to have. Sirius loved that man.

Hope hummed. 'I'll miss having so much noise here,' she admitted.

When Sirius and Remus met he and Teddy were living with Hope. For Remus, with London prices and the whole single parent thing, living away from his mum was almost impossible. Not that he minded, he always said he'd miss her once they started looking at new places. But then life got in the way, Sirius and Remus had been together for almost two years and still hadn't moved in together. In all fairness, Sirius did spend more time here than at his own flat, but still. So when Hope announced that Stan might be moving in soon, they decided it was time to find their own home. Stan was great, he had even been a fireman when he was younger and he spoiled Teddy rotten. He and Hope had been together for about a year, and Remus always told Sirius how relieved he was that his mother had found someone.

'Oh, I wouldn't hope to be rid of the noise anytime soon. You know Teddy can't stand to be away from you,' Sirius said, putting a hand on her arm. 'Not any of us, you're the only functioning adult in this household.'

Hope laughed at him, and batted his hands away from the cutting board to assist him.

'I'll miss you, cariad,' she told him affectionately. Sirius still got a lump in his throat whenever she called him that, it's what she always uses for Remus. 'But I'm so very happy for you, and Remus. He couldn't have dreamt of someone better than you, Sirius. I know he'll be very safe and loved, that's all that matters,' she finished. Sirius still felt overwhelmed sometimes, with how much love this family had, and how freely they gave it. 

'I couldn't have dreamt of someone better either,' he smiled.

Just then the front door flew open, and Sirius heard Remus softly helping his son out of his shoes and jacket.

'Hey, how was your date?' He called from the kitchen, sharing a grin with Hope. Sirius met them in the hallway, quickly being tackled by Teddy who he picked up swiftly. Sirius adored how easily Teddy loved. 'Hey bear,' he whispered.

'It went well, thank you,' Remus answered, walking over to first kiss his boyfriend, and then plant a kiss to Teddys' hair. 'I'm still contemplating leaving you for that fiery redhead,' he mused.

'I wouldn't blame you,' he admitted. Teddy wanted to be put back down and Sirius complied, always reluctantly. He was growing up quickly even though Sirius kept telling him not to. 'How was Harry, did he eat sand again?' He asked, watching Teddy sprint to the kitchen, undoubtedly to tackle his poor grandmother.

'He did,' Remus sighed, wrapping his arms around Sirius to lean on him. 'I'm sure at this point he's just doing it to rebel.'

'Ah,' Sirius held him by his waist, 'he takes after me,' he said, somewhat proudly.

'You eat sand often, do you?'

'No, but I reckon if James told I couldn't, there'd be no sand left,' he noted. Remus shook his head.

'I can't believe I'm raising a child with you,' he said, but smiled as Sirius kissed him. 

'Believe it, baby. You'll have to put up with me every day soon,' he smirked, kissing his jaw softly.

'Is that so?' Remus hummed, 'sounds like I should be financially compensated.'

Sirius smiled against his skin. 'You'll be compensated in love and affection.'

'Meh,' he awnsered dryly. Sirius stopped what he was doing to glare stonely at his cruel boyfriend.

'I hate you.'

'I love you too,' Remus smiled, and exhaled shakily, 'so much.' 

Sirius felt a tug at his heart. How did he get so lucky?

'I love you.'

-

'I'm genuinely starting to second guess this decision,' Remus announced, standing in the middle of an empty room. It was dull-looking and spacious. It really was quite nice looking during the day, with big windows and hardwood floors.

Sirius had worked late so they didn't make it to their new house until past Teddy's bedtime. Logically, they could go tomorrow. They wouldn't be sleeping here anyways since there were no beds. But when Sirius got home, Remus stood there with the key he'd picked up earlier that day. Being sentimental saps, they wanted to unlock the door together, so Remus had waited. 

It only took one excited look to silently agree that they had to go see it tonight. It had been Sirius's idea to bring take-out to eat on the floor.

'You love it,' Sirius grinned. He took out the candlesticks he'd secretly packed and lit them silently. Suddenly the room felt cozy and warm, mostly because now he could properly see Remus and Teddy.

'Such a romantic,' Remus huffed, sitting down in front of him.

'Can we eat now?' Teddy asked, opening his pizza box.

Whilst they ate Remus kept insisting that their bedroom walls couldn't be painted black. Teddy was making sure he was still definitely going to get those large wall stickers he wanted, the ones with different zoo animals. Sirius mostly sat quietly to appreciate the two most important people in his life.

He was also sweating a bit, nerves getting the better of him.

'It's lovely, isn't it?' Remus asked, something very soft in his tone. He was looking around the room, their home, with big eyes. Sirius smiled looking at him.

'It is.'

'Padfoot,' Teddy whispered, still insistent on using the nickname James always used for him.

Sirius turned to find the boy with a question in his eyes; now?. Sirius nodded. 'I'm gonna get Sheba,' he said proudly, as practiced. Sheba was his favorite stuffed animal, it was hideous.

'Alright-' Remus responded, but Teddy was already out of the room. 

Sirius exhaled once. This was it.

'Remus?' He swallowed. The man looked up at him, an eyebrow raised.

'Yes, Sirius?' His mouth quirked up in amusement.

He took his hand, and collected his thoughts. It was hard, those green eyes always threw him off.

'I'm... I used to think that I would never find anyone that I wanted to be with forever. You know, besides James there's never been a whole lot of people that I've been close to, that i- that I loved,' he paused, Remus was looking softly at him. 'And when I met you I was... I've never felt like this for anyone, not even close. I didn't know that a person could be this happy, and it's not just you, it's- its Teddy and Hope and... I feel so lucky,' there were tears in his eyes that he did nothing to prevent, 'You are everything, Remus. you make me feel like.. Like I’m someone who can do anything, who is loved and- and you're home for me. You're my family, you and Teddy.'

The door creaked as it opened, and in came a boy, carrying a little velvet box. There was a sharp intake of breath.

'That is,' Sirius said, as Teddy sat down beside him, handing him the box. 'if you'll have me.' He opened it to reveal a golden ring.

Remus was crying, and there was a choked sob before he answered. 

'Yes, yes, yes, yes.'