Summary: For years Remus' family has just been his mother Dot and his little brother Roman. But when he enters high school that changes and his mother introduces this new man - and Remus doesn't know how to react.
Words: 1700
"Mom! I won't fail the test because I forgot to butter my croissant!" Remus laughed as his mother was nudging him out the way of his breakfast so she could take over and spoil her oldest boy so he'd be fed and healthy for his exam. The mother and high schooler were laughing while Remus' little brother, eight year old Roman, was munching on his Crofters toast and watching them.
"I'm making sure my boys have the best luck they can at school." Dot just chirped in response when she could finally battle her eldest son away from the food, so she could serve them herself and give both of them big, sloppy kisses on the cheek. Both boys took the kiss with only Remus semi-swatting away and rubbing the red lipstick off his growing stubble. She was so blessed to have her baby boys all to herself - although they weren't really babies anymore. "And I'm sure you'll ace that test sweetheart."
"Thanks Mom." After a few minutes Remus' timer went off to indicate he should get him and his little brother to the bus stop. When he was little his mother used to walk them there but now as a high schooler Remus valued any extra time with the little ball of sunshine that dressed in red and treated Remus like a god. "Ready for school Ro-Ro?"
Dot helped her youngest son place his backpack on his back, while Remus got the elementary schooler's red coat just in case rain was scheduled. But then she raised her head as she seemed to remember something. "Oh! Can you both make sure you come home when school ends today? I have someone I want to meet you."
"Who?" Roman chirped with his usual curiosity, Remus just raised an eyebrow. But Dot didn't answer and just kissed both her son's cheeks and gave them both a hug.
*****
Even though Remus acted mischievously at school, he wasn't the type to disobey his mom's requests. So even though he was planning to hang out with the local nerd who wore suits to school, only to do a school project, he turned down the hang out and got home as soon as possible. He first took the bus to the elementary school so he could collect his brother, and then the two siblings took the bus together back home.
Roman was really excited about who the pair were going to meet. He loved meeting all different people. "Who do you think it is Re? Oh! Do you think Mom's finally got a boyfriend?" Roman's eyes were glowing at the thought of having a more traditional father figure in his life. In Remus' reality - that would be his worst nightmare.
Dot had been a single mother since Roman was born, after escaping a toxic relationship with Remus and Roman's father that Remus remembered well. Remus had been a father figure to Roman since then and he enjoyed that role - he didn't want that role to be taken away from him. He didn't want a Dad - he just wanted his Mom and brother safe. In all reality he knew that his Mom was an adult and could make safe decisions for her and her family, but still Remus worried.
"It might just be a new friend bud, I wouldn't keep your hopes up." Roman was so excited for a dad, so he could be like the other kids at school with two parents. And Roman deserved a normal and happy life - it's just Remus who really couldn't accept a father figure.
So when the pair finally got home Remus and Roman were surprised when the house seemed empty. Usually Dot would be at the door to greet her boys after their big days. "Mom?" Remus called out, placing his shoes in the corner and helping untie Roman's shoelaces. While turning he could get a glimpse in the living room - and he saw a middle aged man with a Santa Claus beard wearing a Finding Nemo t-shirt. He was next to Remus and Roman's mother laughing at the TV... With his arm around her shoulders. "MOM?"
Dot perked up at the noise and ran to her sons. "Oh kiddos! I didn't hear you come in, Larry must've put Steven Universe too loud. Speaking of which - Larry?" The new man smiled in Remus' direction and stood up hearing his name, walking towards the two boys as Dot continued untying Roman's shoes. The man smiled softly at Remus and then Roman, bringing out a hand for Remus to shake.
"It's great to finally meet you, you must be Remus? I'm Larry." The man had the kind of voice you'd associate with Santa - low and joyful. And Roman seemed to immediately warm up to this guy.
"Are you our new Dad?"
Larry seemed surprised by that question but laughed it off, looking back to Dot for a second as if to check he could answer for himself. Dot give a quiet but happy nod. "I'm hoping to be! Of course there's no rush, but if you guys want a father figure I'd be happy to go into the role."
Roman was overjoyed at that news, immediately taking up Dot's offer to show Larry his Disney dress-up set. On the other hand Remus was scared still - his Mom actually wanted Roman to have a different father figure. Remus wasn't a good enough father figure.
"Remus! Do you want to come join us?" Dot chirped, spotting the petrified look on his eldest son's face but choosing to ignore it for now. She knew Remus would do what's best for his brother. But the teen seemed to ignore his mother and just watched Larry help Roman carry his dress-up box. The look in Remus' eyes hurt Dot as much as when her first partner left - Dot would do anything to rub that expression away.
"I've got some homework to do actually... I'll cook dinner." Remus ran upstairs as quickly as he appeared in the house, and went to his room. Dot decided to give her son some space to process this big news.
Instead of doing homework Remus shut his door and sat on his bed, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. Why did his mom want a boyfriend now? And she wanted Roman to have a father figure? Remus was good enough! Remus was there for Roman's every moment the last eight years and he was so easily thrown away for a guy dressed like Dory from Finding Nemo.
So Remus sat in a ball and hugged his legs, his mind going into a negative place over his self-worth and ability to be a good big brother. He didn't need a Dad.
But Remus knew he needed to gather his thoughts before he did something stupid. He put his earphones in and listened to white noise, pretending he was somewhere other than his bedroom with a scary stranger downstairs. Instead he was at the beach with his brother and mother - and they were all making sandcastles together. There was no-one to disturb Remus and his family.
Until there was a knock on the door.
"Can I come in?" The stranger's jolly voice spoke through the door. He supposed out of politeness he should invite the man in - even though he just wanted a beach holiday with his family. "Don't feel like you have to invite me right now. I just want to show you something I got for you."
Why would Larry get Remus something? Well, probably some kind of manipulation tactic so he could be a stepfather even quicker and get hitched to Remus and Roman's mom. "Sure, come in."
Larry opened the door cautiously and smiled widely, hiding something behind his back with one hand, as he walked into the room and looked around. Remus liked his all black room, he had green furnishings but he hoped Larry wouldn't force him to change that. Other teenagers had dads like that. But Larry seemed happy just snooping around in silence. "So... why are you here rather than entertaining my little brother?"
Like a child Larry's grin became chaotic, and he sat on the opposite side of Remus' bed and brought out the other arm that was hidden. And in his hand was a small neon green fidget spinner. "I got you one of these fidgety-things since Dot told me you loved the colour green. They're the in-thing now right?" Wow, this guy was already a Dad. Cringey and having no idea how time worked.
"They were cool in 2017. You're about half a decade too late." Remus couldn't help but laugh as Larry watched the fidget spinner twirl, staring at it like it was a miracle worker and he was a four year old child. "I do think it's still cool though."
Larry eventually placed the fidget spinner into Remus' hands without a word, then just smiled softly at him again. Remus just stared at the spinning toy. And there was silence.
"I appreciate... It'll take some time for you to get used to me." Larry mumbled, speaking without his jolly tone and instead seriously for a second. "I don't expect us to be buddies straight away. If you want to view me as just a free babysitter for your little brother or a free Uber to places I'm perfectly fine with that." Remus dared to look up at that point, and seeing Larry's caring smile made him smile too. Maybe Larry wasn't too bad for Remus' family.
"Cheers." Remus gave the fidget spinner another quick spin as Larry stood up, hearing Roman's scream that he was getting hungry and wanted Crofters. "Can I still cook dinner?"
"Of course! I'm super bad in the kitchen, maybe you can teach me a little bit?" Remus laughed a little more at that, spinning his new toy again and placing it in his pocket. He could teach his mom's new boyfriend a few new tricks, he supposed, so he nodded and made his way to the kitchen to try and bond with this nice man Remus' mom was dating.