Chapter 38

There were no words for describing what James Potter was experiencing at this moment. He could say he was in shock, but Merlin help him, this is something he never had before.

A baby.

There was a baby in Severus Snape, his mortal enemy, who is currently cradling a baby while his best mate standing extremely close to him.

His mind was in turmoil, screaming and shouting but no sound escaped from his dropped open mouth.

"...is that…? Is that a… a…"

When he finally found his voice, he stuttered like a baboon, unable to form a proper sentence.

Only thing that was relieving his nerve is that Sirius was doing exactly the same. Eyes wide open, gawping like a stupid.

"Oh, for the love of… Both of you, get a grip." Remus interjected, standing between the flabbergasted parent and the equally astounded two boys.

Clearing his throat, Remus gestured Caelum. "James, Peter, meet Caelum Black. Their son."

Another bomb dropped right on top of the two boys. And this time, James did yelp.

The sound made Caelum laughed, who obviously found it amusing to watch a stranger screaming. Severus was brought back from his shock and started to adjust his hold on Caelum who tried to escape his arms.

"Shh… Stop it, Caelum, shh." The Slytherin boy tried to calm his son but apparently, his baby boy was ecstatic to see someone other than his parent.

"Oh, for the Merlin's ball…"

"Shush! No bad language in front of a baby, Prongs." Remus chastised.

"Well, then, tell me what the… I mean, what is going on? Who is that child? What is Snape doing here?" James ranted, still unable to come out of his shock.

His brain simply refuse to process what he is seeing, completely shut down. Remus heaved a sigh at the immature attitude of his mate.

"Calm down, I'll explain. Sev, why didn't you put Caelum to his bed? I thought the hour was too late for him," the brown-haired boy reached for the baby who eagerly threw himself to his arms.

Severus scoffed, "tell him that."

Affectionate smile rose immediately in Remus' face. He liked it when Caelum being a challenge. It gave him so much more work and time to spend with the baby.

"Come, I'll help you tuck him in bed," said Remus as he strode towards the baby's cradle. Severus followed silently giving a look to Sirius.

And the three boys were left to their own devices.

James gulped, watching the two figures disappearing into a dark room. He looked at his friend, who looked exactly the same as him.

The bespectacled boy cleared his throat, trying to wake up from his state.

"So… Er… Are you going to tell me what is going on?" James managed the question.

Sirius nodded, heaving a heavy sigh but looking determined.

…...…...…...…...…...…...

After half an hour of confiding the truth, the three Gryffindor boys sat silently. No one dared to speak up. They didn't really know what to say.

When they sat like a statue laid on the leather couch, Severus and Remus came out of the room. Walking straight towards the couch, Severus sat next to Sirius and Remus stood behind them, leaning against the furniture.

Severus, who looked rather unperturbed by the discovery, locked his gaze to James' hazel eyes.

"If you have anything to say, say it now." Cold and indifferent voice made Sirius winced, but he did not mention about it.

James' hazel eyes flickered back to Severus.

"Well, firstly… I-I am sorry for what happened to you," was the first thing he could think of uttering.

And he did mean it. He may not like the Snape boy, but he was no monster. Sirius was clear when he said it was all his fault and James still remembered the potion Sirius brew. It made his cheek burn with embarrassment as he thought of the things he'd done to Remus because of that damn potion.

The bespectacled boy swallowed, "and I am sorry for the things I've said to you while you were going through… this."

After that, he couldn't come up with better words. The shock he felt after seeing the situation still lingered in his brain. Combined with mutual animosity he shared with the Slytherin boy; James was utterly at lost to what should be said. Or what should be done in this situation. Should he start to like this guy from now on? Or should he still hold grudges against him when he clearly meant special to Sirius Black.

"Thank you," was whispered in low voice that showed little hostility.

James was rather surprised to hear such tone coming out of Severus Snape. He found his mate smiling affectionately as well as approvingly towards the smaller boy. A strong hand found a pale, skinny hand of Severus Snape and gently enveloped around it. The simple gesture conveyed so many things that James felt a pang in his chest.

He really does like this guy, doesn't he? James thought to himself.

Affection, caring emotion, and love were palpable in the grey eyes. Feelings that were not so much unfamiliar with James. He remembered those feelings well. He remembered how those feelings warmed his heart and then broke his heart apart.

Lily chose this guy over him and look where things have gotten.

Yet, for unknown reasons, James found that that's alright with him. He felt sorry for Lily and for himself, but he was happy for Sirius.

He loved his friends, he truly did. And all this time, James knew of his friend's problems. He knew how lonely Sirius is. Now, he can clearly see Sirius have found the one for him. So, how could he hate someone who makes his friend complete and happy?

As hard as it was for him, he realized that things would change from now on, significantly.

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All three of them had to leave as the couple needed rest. In the next morning, however, James found himself accompanied by Remus Lupin standing at the doorway of Sirius' flat. Peter was busy with his grandfather's funeral. So, he had to come here alone with Remus. As much as he hate to admit it, but James was rather nervous.

"Hey, don't worry. Caelum's a sweet boy, he'll love you," Remus said in an encouraging way.

James gave a nod. Embracing himself, he knocked on the door. And was met by Severus Snape himself holding his baby.

"Oh, it's you," Severus muttered, not so enthusiastically.

Remus chuckled, "Hey."

"Hey to you, too. Sirius' on the laundry duty, you might want to help him with that." Severus gestured a laundry room with his head.

Immediately understanding the implication hidden in the words, Remus grimaced. He looked at James and patted on his shoulder.

"Well, I am going to go there and try to stop Sirius make a mess. You stay here and help Severus, alright?" The taller boy grinned.

Grinning is not what he needed, though. James needed more time and space between Snape. He was determined to let go of his old habits but it's not like the guy's all friendly block at all.

"Er… so, what do you want me to do?" The bespectacled boy asked.

Severus slowly extended his arms towards James, handing Caelum over. James awkwardly took the boy in his arms, rather surprised at the weight of a baby. He thought babies were supposed to be feather-like, but Caelum was more real than that. The weight of flesh and bone was quite more realistic than feather. Livelier, he supposed.

"While I make meals for him, take care of him. There are toys you can use to distract him," Severus said.

Then he went off to the kitchen.

James must say that he couldn't quite take things so casually as the Slytherin boy did. He thought that perhaps, the boy might try to strangle him while no one's watching. But obviously, the former rival considered him trust-worthy enough to trust him with his baby. He wondered how the Slytherin boy managed to change from loathing him to trusting him. It was hard for him even to muster up a courage to come here, volunteering in rearing the child for the moment.

But the answer came to him straight away.

It was Sirius.

Of course, it was Sirius.

Severus was doing this just because Sirius asked him.

A sad look adorned the handsome feature before quickly replaced by happiness. They really have changed a lot, haven't they? Although it was hard for him to swallow that his mate have gone through so much change behind his back, but he was glad for him.

"Ah- boo-" the baby Caelum reached out for James' glasses.

The Gryffindor boy stopped his hand quickly, saving his glasses. A chuckle came out of his formerly grimaced mouth, turning his facial expression into that of much happier one.

"For Merlin's beard, you really do look a lot like your father," he muttered.

Caelum yelped in happy noise, as if understood his words. Rounded face with chubby cheeks and big grey eyes that were so clear like crystals were so adorable. He could tell that the baby inherited Sirius' handsome face.

"Well, miniature Sirius, let's play," James said as he pecked a kiss on the baby's forehead.

Caelum babbled happily.

…...…...…...…...…...…...….

"Hey, there gorgeous," Sirius whispered in his ears as he climbed up to bed next to him.

Severus turned to face Sirius, drowsy with sleep. "Hey."

Sirius kissed the boy on his forehead and then slid down to cheek, and then chin, planting chaste kisses on his way. They've started this sort of display of affections for a while. They've grown to love it. Severus felt so warmed whenever Sirius worshiped his body, and Sirius felt so happy whenever he could cherish the boy in this way.

"Thank you," Sirius whispered, "for today."

Severus paused to think about what happened today and was brought with a memory of a particular Gryffindor boy. James Potter was someone he wished he would rather not see in anytime soon but… Severus noticed how happy Sirius was when he finally let his friend into his secrets. He seemed to welcome even that tag-along guy, Peter Pettigrew.

And whatever makes Sirius happy… Severus would be lying if he said it would make him happy as well, but at least, he could endure it through.

Moreover, it is always welcome to have extra limbs to help him. Child rearing is not a joking matter.

Although, Severus surprised himself with how he acted along. He was sure that he wouldn't be able to swallow up the situation pretty well as he did today. There were so much hate laid between the Potter heir and himself.

He found himself rather composed while in the company of his former enemy.

And the reasons he could do so were not only he had Sirius at his side, but also, he no longer felt the hot-headed jealousy he used to hover whenever he saw the Gryffindor boy with Lily Evans.

Perhaps, without him knowing, Lily became less of what she was in his heart.

Maybe Severus no longer hover any feeling towards the girl, or why else he wouldn't be so mad at this?

Of course, he did care much about the girl. He wished for all the best for her. But not to the extent that he had to have her at his side or to the extend where he finds it difficult to see her with someone else. He would be alright with it if it comes to that. In fact, thinking about it, he wished Lily would find someone suitable to her so she can feel what he feels right now.

"What are you thinking?" Sirius asked, nuzzling in the crook where Severus' neck meets the shoulder.

That tickled.

Chuckling, Severus rolled on top of Sirius. He planted a kiss on Sirius' plum lips and smiled.

"I was thinking, let's not talk about James Potter in bed," a rather wicked smile adorned Severus' thin lips as he plunged himself down to Sirius' lips.

Mirroring the smile, Sirius eagerly returned the kiss with passion.

Severus' lips felt so warm and soft. He was sure he would never get tired of tasting them.