The Slytherin King

11

Cepheus Lestrange could not stop smiling or crying happily as he felt his arms wrapped around him. He did not care that they were in public, that he was being stared at, or that he likely looked like a big baby as he cried into his Mummy and Daddy's arms. He was in their arms, being held by his parents after so many years.

"Oh, let me get a good look at you." His Mum finally said, keeping him at arm's length but cupping his face timidly. "Oh, Cissy was right, Rodo. He looks like a perfect combination of us!"

"It's really you..." Cepheus couldn't help but whisper. He was beyond happy. "My Mum and Dad..."

"We are Baby Snake, and we've got you," Rodolphus gently reassured as he wrapped his arms around his son.

"Let's go home, and we can catch up, okay?" suggested his Mum as they all stood back up. "okay? " his mother suggested

"Okay.."

"Is that Cepheus?.." asked Barty as he looked at his friends and the child in between them. He knew the moment he saw him, it was Cepheus. Just like Cissa said, a perfect combination of Bella and Rodo.

Kneeling down, he smiled at the child, hoping to ease the fear. This was his amazing Godson.

"Hello there, Little Birdie! It's me, your Uncle Barty, your Godfather!" he whispered gently, wanting to make sure he didn't startle him.

"My...Uncle Barty?.." he asked softly, stepping forward.

"Yeah. Can I get a hug?.."

"Is butterbeer good?"

Barty laughed as his Godson launched himself into his arms. Holding his head as he hugged him he felt more lucky than anyone else in the world. Barty could safely say he finally felt good about the future. As long as his family was here, he was content.

"Come on, don't hog my nephew! I haven't gotten to say hi yet!" called out Rabastan Lestrange from behind Bart,y making Cepheus launch himself into his Dad's twin. "Hey, Kitten."

"I missed you, Uncle Basty."

"I missed you too," he replied as he set his nephew down softly. "We'll spend a day together soon. Take today and tomorrow with your Mum and Dad, ok? They've been real antsy to see you again."

"Okay!" smiled Cepheus before leading his Mum and Dad to his room.

"Just like last time, he's bringing back the life and spirit we thought we had lost," commented Barty, glancing warmly at the man beside him.

"He really is something special." nodded Rabastan before turning to Barty with a soft smile. "I, however, also missed you. Your kisses." he placed a short kiss on the shorter man's lips. "Your smile," he said, grinning as their lips were still so close. "Holding you." as he said this, he grabbed Barty's hips, pulling him closer as he gasped. "You were right there, and yet I couldn't bloody hold you. I am never letting go of you again."

Light blue met midnight blue. Barty couldn't think of what to possibly say. They had talked and flirted before Azkaban. They just never went further than that.

"Barty." started Rabastan. He put one hand on a freckled cheek, cupping it. Barty reached out, covering it with one of his own, scared it would leave if he didn't. "I love you."

His breath hitched, and he closed his eyes. Rabastan was just being emotional. There was no way he could love him. He was just Barty Jr., Odd Pureblood kid who never met his father's expectations. He felt a soft kiss on each eye, which made him open them. Light blue met midnight blue once more.

Light blue filled with doubt, sadness, love, care, and self-loathing. All things that Rabastan wished he could either erase, fix, or amplify.

"I love you, Barty. Have since we were teenagers in Hogwarts."