✧LATE-NIGHT TEA✧

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Over the course of the first full week with their nephews living with them, the four had come to a rather easy schedule to go off of. Rhea would entertain them the majority of the day, and Alphard would join them when he could.

Last night they had eaten out, which he had enjoyed regardless, but now it was time for Rhea's plan to finally come into action. And Regulus had been promised the night to themselves just as soon as she dropped off Sirius elsewhere.

And that left him being the only one to be clueless on where he was headed with Rhea, he had just been mindlessly following her through Diagon Ally.

"You know, I was prepared for you to badger us on our studies." Rhea's laughter had grown to be a comfort in his ear as he continued to keep his arm locked into hers. "I'm an eagle, not a badger. And we did some work when it was raining. You haven't much left, and perhaps it's an excuse for you to visit in the future." He grinned once again, though caught sight of the basket in her arms.

"What is all this for? I rather liked the biscuits elves make." He claimed and Rhea simply grinned wider than before. "I know, I have to drop this off to a friend. I hope you don't mind." The thing is, he couldn't care less.

"Is it Jade or Daniella? They were rather kind the last time I spoke with them." He offered, and Rhea smiled at the idea of speaking about Daniella's new infatuation with Jaspar. "Merlin, the birds are ganging up."
"And with that attitude, Siri, you'll be marrying a Hufflepuff." She deemed and he scoffed. "Too humble for my tastes."

"You're correct, I've only caught with how many Hufflepuffs in the last few years?" She countered, and she was certainly correct. Rhea was always correct in pulling up memories.

"Shouldn't say anything to me, Rhea, the tables have turned. Drastically, I might add. I thought my uncle would've lost his flare by now." He said, wiggling his brows and Rhea blushed down to the cobblestone road beneath them. "He's perfect, age is just a number. I keep imagining if I would have met him in his youth that he wouldn't have found me as—"

"As what? Attractive or interesting? Rhea, take a grand ol' look at him the next time you're talking to him. He's captivated by your very being." She laughed lightly into her hand at his admission of the truth. "You really think so?"

"I know so. Now, do we have any more stops before heading to your friend's manor?" She shook her head and the two made a slight turn to go somewhere it would be much appropriate to apparat, and instantly enough the two had landed at a rather brilliant estate.

Sirius didn't know what to make of it, granted all of Rhea's friends were pureblooded as well. He just assumed they weren't as well off or as—

"Could you knock? My hands are rather full." He didn't hesitate to do so, and the voices behind the door hadn't outed Rhea just yet. Not until the devious face of James had swung the door open to allow them both inside.

"Cat got your tongue, Padfoot?" Sirius was downright shocked to see his best mate, or to be at his manor all things considering. So he turned up silently to his Aunt who chuckled once more to see his dropped jaw.

"Flies will be popping up if you aren't careful Siri, now do enjoy yourself. If you need anything, owl. I'll send it right over with an elf. Be here at about two tomorrow." She said, handing James the bundle of goodies and flowers that they had purchased on the trip into town.

"W-what? What the bloody hell—"

"Well, I had the idea just after you lot got so in trouble that I needed to come down to Hogwarts, I asked McGonagal for the Potter's address and the plans were made."

"M-my mum's home, she wants to say sorry again, Rhea," James said, looking rather out of place and the smile had soon drifted from her face. "Say sorry? For what?" Sirius offered, seeing the way that his aunt was reacting had him turn rather nervous.

"Oh nothing, Mrs.Potter had assumed I was your mother and I got an awfully good yelling at—I...I better go." She had turned to kiss Sirius' forehead, only to be dragged by both blokes straight towards the kitchen.

Mrs.Potter was kind of course, but Rhea was still versed in how their first meeting had gone. And ultimately that reigned first and foremost in her mind when she thought of the witch. Thankfully she had soon left after greeting her and thanking her for taking Sirius for the night.

But the excuse of needing to return to Regulus was important as well, especially when an elf informed her that Alphard to step out. And Regulus was left sitting at the table with head looking down at the table.

"Rhea!... How did it go, was he excited?"

"Utterly speechless. I didn't realize Alfie would have to step out, were you okay by yourself?" She asked, running her hands through his hair as she took the seat beside him. "Course, hardly gone for twenty minutes."

"I know I said I would help you with your studies, but it's nice outside...Would you like to finish this up later?" It was such a cruel difference to Rhea and his mother that Regulus had remained silently confused and she conformed to what he was comfortable with, and he was suddenly reminded why he favored her as a tutor.

She was kind and thorough in her explanations and now she was getting her own work done that caught his attention.

"Could I come and visit your library when it's finished? I'm sure it'll be brilliant."
"Of course, Regulus. You are always welcomed in this home." She said with another kind smile, but Regulus hadn't a clue on how to respond to so he had mirrored her grin.

"D-do you think you and uncle could come to more of our quidditch games during the season? It's exciting to play for family members."
"Hopefully a few, Alphard's been saying that Autumn is usually the time he's traveling. I, for one, do not want to stay here alone." She claimed, and Regulus surely agreed with that statement.

"If uncle does have to go during the summer again and you're unable to go. I'll come over. Much better company than sitting alone at home waiting for mother to start an argument with someone." Rhea had stopped her scribbling and turned to the boy.

"Argument?...With everyone?"

"With father, Sirius...Not so much me, but she goes after everything we've ever done and it never fits her image of a 'perfect family,' so I suppose so."

"Well, I won't say that Alphard and I haven't had an argument or two since we've had. But your mother is a real piece of work...Perhaps in the future, you can sneak over." She said with a devious smile and of course, that spoke to the Slytherin in him.

And after completing a good portion of his assignments, the two had taken the much-needed break which came in the form of taking a leisure fly.

"Regulus! Are you sure you aren't a bird?" Alphard called up, and Rhea eagerly flew down to the ground and came to greet him with a light kiss to both his lips and cheek.
"How did it go? I didn't think the meeting would be pushed so early."
"Oh that's alright, I have all your little trinkets to give me good luck regardless." She grinned widely and the two had a moment, all before Regulus had barreled right beside them and wished for good news to come towards his uncle and the meeting.

It was nothing more than talking to future investors, but they were the ones who wanted to work with him. This was their only opportunity as Alphard has limited this portion of his openings to the summer only, regardless of the amount offered at the table.

"Perhaps you'll come to join me in the business one day too, Regulus. You've certainly had your father's eye when it comes to numbers." He claimed over a steaming cup of tea, and Regulus stilled. He knew quite well how much his parents wanted him to join the ranks of his Uncle's establishment, more so in the chance that he will be left everything once Alphard passes away.

But now Rhea stood in the chance of that, but Regulus had kept his mouth closed on that front.

"Actually...I've been finding an interest in potions." He offered out and Rhea had hummed in agreement. "Awfully thankful on that front, potions was not my strong suit," Rhea said with a smile, and Alphard chuckled. "It doesn't require creativity unless you're experimenting."

"Too many variables, and I tried, you know. Besides, I was much more comfortable with Madam Pomfrey than Slughorn. I truly didn't want to hear about my brother or father's glory days." She said with an eye roll and then brought up the discussion on the assignment.

Regulus was surprised to see that the conversation was actually flowing so easily at the table. His dinners at home were silent besides the constant manner lessons his mother inflicted upon him.

But following their lunch and a bit more flying, he was giving his aunt and uncle's full attention. And they took to reading In the den, discussing and so forth.

Regulus had never felt so relaxed that he was already saddened that they had hit the halfway mark of their stay, but the idea of sneaking into the manor crossed his mind a few times.

Upon being all tucked in and ready for bed, Rhea had undoubtedly taken her time and asked consistently if he needed anything. Which Regulus had listened to Sirius in that instance, that to just ask for a glass of water would be the perfect segway of needing something—her providing it—then her nerves settling.

Yet as she was waiting in the bed, propped up on the pillow with the book from earlier in her lap, the pout was still a prominent feature on her face.

Even Alphard's untied and wet hair didn't settle her thought.

After climbing into bed beside her, he tugged at her robe and she turned with a hum. "I'm sorry for leaving Reg here by himself, the meeting was pushed—"

"That was alright, he wasn't alone for long." He tugged once again and this time she caved, tossing her book to the side and placing her head firmly against his chest with a comfortable sigh.
"Tired already, love?" He asked, the suggestion in his tone had caused her to peek an eye open, but regardless she smirked.

"Just a bit, I realized how much I'll miss the boys when they're back off at Hogwarts." She claimed, and Alphard had offered both a smile and a promise to visit them.

The faithful husband had also found it endearing that she was more vocal about her love for their nephews than for her own brother, though that relationship was tilted a best.

"Why do I have the feeling that this isn't what's bothering you?" She had silenced his question with a kiss that enacted a bit of laughter. "I have to have a reason to pout?... Fine! The book I'm reading is getting rather dark and depressing."
"How so?" He questioned, rubbing her arm as Rhea explained the plot of a couple in love, but ruined by a jealous woman who wanted him back, regardless if he was married or not.

"He's inconsiderate of her feelings! I know it gets better, Liv told me a bit of the ending. But still! It's stupid." She grumbled, and Alphard shook his head. "Stupid, aye? Then why continue to read it?"

"Because it's a good book, the two love each other."

"Not enough, not in the fellow's case at least. Otherwise, he would put any bit of question between his current and past relationship—Or is it a new relationship?" Rhea shrugged. "We don't know much of the gal yet, she's just ruining it for the main character. I'm sorry, I get too empathetic to characters and their issues, we should be talking about your meeting." He groaned.

"Rhea, I would rather do anything else than discuss the meeting. It was hardly that, most of them are young and impressionable. I did have a few good feelings about the newcomers, but that is beside the point. The night is young and you are teasing me with this—this—"

"Alfie, it's my robe. It's a bit chilly tonight." He narrowed his eyes down in hatred towards it, the only times he would truly turn his gaze away was when she decided to wear trousers to bed.
And ultimately that was the universal sign for her menstrual cycle stumbled upon them, but regardless of that, Alphard was good with time just as he was with numbers.

He was the one to leave stumble hints that it was approaching, whether that be in the form of ordering her a specific tea to settle the pain, offering to start up the bath in the morning.

It was safe to say that Alphard Black was caring and thoughtful like that.

As of right now, however, Rhea was just as receptive to his attention as he was with her. And thus, they had elected another breathless night before fitfully falling asleep.

But it wasn't long that Rhea had been plagued with too many thoughts and her exhausted body hadn't allowed for any more sleep. This didn't happen too often, so instead, she decided to make herself a kettle of tea and perhaps enjoy the quiet surrounding.

While she adored both Alphard and Regulus, Rhea was so used to silence that she was nearly displaced when she wasn't used to this much attention—Especially not ones that were so heartfelt and lively.

Is that what Alphard meant when he said he wanted her to be her own person?

Rhea didn't rightly like the idea of a nanny, but if she also wanted to uphold her promise in helping him with his business ventures, one will have to give.

With her robe firmly tied at the waist, the mistress of the manor had hurried down the hall—Only to stop outright by the sudden sob to her left. She instantly turned towards the door to listen, wondering if it was another Boggart.

But it wasn't, it was instead young Regulus having a rather disturbing nightmare that caused him to sweat through his dream and flinch uncontrollably.

Rhea hurried to the young boy's side, attempting to shake him awake and steady his breathing pattern. At first, he looked unbelievably thankful for being interrupted from that awful hell, but then he turned rightly embarrassed in seeing his aunt just before him instead of his brother.

"Reggie? Are you alright?" She whispered, desperate for an answer. Rhea hadn't used that nickname in quite some time, but he couldn't help himself from wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into a hug. Whatever the lad was dreaming about had shaken him to the core, and thus...She had remained by his side until his breath returned back to normal.

Yet Rhea did not let go until he decided he was comfortable enough. "I—I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up." He stuttered, and Rhea had only soothed back his sweaty locks back.
"Oh darling, I was up planning on getting some tea...Would you want to join me? We can have some tea and biscuits right here." He liked that plan very much, and off she had gone.

Only for her to return with a tray to see that most of the lights in the room had been put on, and while he assumed that they would sit elsewhere. She had simply placed it on the bed and sat across from him as she poured him a hefty serving.

It warmed his heart, both metaphorically and physically as the two shared a full cup in silence. "You know, I have nightmares too. They come and go at their own pace. But I find that having a good bit of tea and perhaps a book to soothe my mind before going back to sleep always does the trick."

"I-I usually don't have them too often, just when Siri isn't home I feel out of place. I go to his room." She nodded her head, recalling the times she too found safety in Rolf's room.

"Well, how about I stick around for a bit and maybe that'll be the same?" He eagerly nodded, and so she decided it would be better to lean against the headboard and read through a chapter.

Come morning, Alphard had woken up to a cold bed and scoffed—He was sensing a pattern with Rhea. He would need to talk about returning to bed after getting an idea out, otherwise she was running on fumes the entire day.

He's caught her before.

However, when he approached her study to call her out on sleeping at her desk—Once again—He was pleasantly surprised to see that she was nowhere to be found, nor the den, nor the breakfast table in fact.

"Becker? Have you seen my wife?" He questioned the elf as both he and Betsy were gathering the breakfast treats. "Good mistress take tea in young Master Regulus' room." With a quick thanks to the elf, he returned upstairs and knocked.

With no answer, he peeked his head in to see the both of them deep asleep—And he had nearly laughed his heart out seeing the evidence of a late-night tea and reading session that happened between them.

Alphard had made his way to his wife's side, scooping her up without an issue and walking her off towards their room. As well as removing the tray from the bed.

He decided to take his coffee and a light breakfast in his study as the rest of the manor slept in, leaving it to be peaceful for the next hour or so to accomplish the majority of his work.

But as of yet, he needed to confirm something with his wife—But perhaps after the stay with his Nephews ended.

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Date Posted: 01/04/2022

Time: 9:03

Words: 3104