The Date
Evan wasn’t sure how Barty hadn’t realized that he was desperately in love with him. He was thankful, of course, but the way Evan admired him all of the time seemed like a pretty good clue. He guessed that maybe Barty was just oblivious, or distracted. He supposed that he could have figured it out, but it’s not like Barty said anything about it to him before. Evan hoped that the way everything else disappeared when he and Barty made eye contact was mutual, but there had been no way to tell.
Evan dialed Barty’s number again, listening to the phone ring 3 times before finally getting an answer. “I’m outside, Barty! Open up!”
“Wha- oh, Evan,” Barty sounded groggy, and Evan could tell that he just woke up. “Grab the key, it’s in the statue’s head, and just come in. I just woke up.”
Anyone else would have found the location of the key absolutely idiotic, but Evan found it endearing. The band was supposed to meet at Barty’s place to boost morale and prepare for the upcoming competition. Evan decided to arrive a bit early, with the hope of getting to spend a few moments with Barty before their bandmates arrived.
After successfully unlocking the door and entering Barty’s house, Evan heard the shower running. He hoped that Barty would get out before anyone else showed up. A few minutes later, Barty exited his room with wet hair and a towel covering him. Evan immediately felt a bulge in his pants. How embarrassing, he thought to himself. I’ve seen him in a bathing suit a million times, why is this any different?
For some reason, the moment felt quite intimate. Evan continued lounging in a chair, hoping his issue would resolve itself before anyone else arrived.
“Mornin’ sleepyhead,” Evan greeted. It all felt so natural.
“How’re ya, Ev? Thought you lads weren’t coming for another 20 minutes?” Barty said, though he seemed unbothered by Evan’s presence.
“Had to pick up summink in the area, thought I’d just come ‘ere instead of going back home and turnin’ ‘round.”
“Orright. Sorry I haven’t got any breakfast made, but you can help yourself if you want anything,” Barty offered, gesturing towards the fridge. The two sat, conversing about everything going on in their respective lives.
Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door, which brought Evan back to reality. He wasn’t having breakfast with his boyfriend in their house, Barty was his bandmate, and the others were starting to join them.
“Come in!!” Barty boomed, too lazy to stand up and open the door. Remus and Niall entered, making their way over to greet Evan and Barty.
After a few short minutes, Regulus let himself in, followed by Harry. Once they were all there, the band gathered in Barty’s living room to start planning some new songs for the competition. They had to create three new original songs. The competition required a total of 5, but luckily, they already prepared two for the qualifying round. They weren’t sure if they would make too much progress that day, but they hoped to have at least two more done in the next week.
Luckily, Remus and Harry were songwriting machines. The two both came prepared with ideas, and the boys laughed and enjoyed themselves as they prepared.
***
Peter couldn’t stop checking his phone. He texted Gilderoy midday, and still hadn’t received a response. For some reason, Peter couldn’t stop thinking about the boy. Well, his scent. Definitely NOT anything else. Peter just wanted his cologne, that was all. Once Gilderoy sent him a picture of the cologne bottle, he would never speak to him again.
Well, it wasn’t that Peter didn’t want to speak to him again, after all, Gilderoy was a nice guy. He just thought that Gilderoy didn’t want to speak to him. Peter didn’t realize that it was so extreme that he wouldn’t even text him back though.
Peter thought the text was nice, and definitely not too much. He got James’ approval first, then sent it.
Hey, it’s Peter! I was wondering if you could send me a pic of ur cologne when u get the chance?
Maybe he should have added a ‘thank you’ to the end, but overall, it seemed fine.
Peter was obsessively checking his phone, and was disappointed each time the notification he received was from someone else. Peter tried to distract himself, so he decided to get drinks with James and Louis.
He put on a pair of jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and a flannel, and left his apartment to head to the pub. While he walked to the train, Peter thought about Gilderoy and his cologne for the thousandth time. Once he tells me what it is, then I’ll finally be able to stop thinking about him, Peter concluded.
Peter put in his headphones, attempting to drown out his thoughts with the loud music. Thankfully, the pub that he and his friends decided to go to was close, and Peter arrived in no time.
He ordered himself a pint, and waited for Louis and James to arrive. Luckily, they both got there shortly after him, quickly ordering themselves drinks as they all greeted each other. The rest of the night was fairly calm, but Peter had fun nonetheless. When he got back home, however, he realized that Gilderoy still hadn’t responded to his message.
Peter hopped into the shower, letting the water wash his thoughts away. Much to his surprise, when he checked his phone after getting out, he received a response.
Sorry, mate, I’m not home right now
At least it’s something, Peter thought to himself. He texted James for advice. Peter had to wait a few hours to respond, he couldn’t seem that desperate. Honestly, did he really need to respond at all? He could just wait until the next day and text Gilderoy again, couldn’t he? He wasn’t THAT desperate, was he? After all, it was just cologne. So why was he so worked up about it?
***
Louis huffed as he speed walked out of the pub, not too fast to draw attention but not too slow that he wouldn’t have been able to escape. Eleanor was still bugging him ever since he ended it with her, more desperate than ever since she had somewhat come to the realization that he actually didn’t want her back. Somehow, Eleanor had figured out which pub Louis was meeting his bandmates at and texted him saying she was coming, so he immediately booked it out of there.
The texts and calls everyday had become a little less frequent, which Louis was grateful for, but he still wished she would finally get the hint. He knew that he was being kind of an ass, especially since they had spent the last 2 years pretty much together, but he just wanted a clean slate to enjoy his life. And maybe explore new women.
He had made it a few blocks away from the pub when he finally let himself slow his walk down, turning to a more leisurely place. His flat was only a 10 minute walk from here, but he knew that would be the next place Eleanor would look for him, so he figured he’d wander around the shops for a bit to kill the time.
As he turned the corner to the next block, he collided with someone’s chest with a grunt. He was immediately pissed off. How on Earth could this person not watch where they were going? He finally looked up to confront this idiot, but then his breath stopped.
The idiot was Harry, who he had met at the band competition. He remembered him because of his long hair and cool style. He immediately calmed down, and watched as the recognition swept over Harry’s face and his confused one morphed into a slight smile.
“Louis! Sorry, mate,” Harry apologized, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck.
“No problem, Harry,” Louis smiled in return.
“You alright?” Harry asked cordially. “Preparing for the big competition?”
“Well, I can’t give too much away, but yes, we have been. You lot should be ready for some real competition,” Louis boasted, revealing his signature personality.
A grin spread onto Harry’s face and he chuckled. Louis admired his dimples. He was jealous. Or at least he thought that’s what it was. “Well, then, I wish you guys luck. It was nice seeing you again,” Harry responded, starting to walk off.
“Nice to see you!” Louis called, turning back to watch him walk off for a brief moment. Harry was dressed in tight skinny jeans that accentuated his long legs and a plain white t-shirt, which was hidden under a black leather jacket.
Louis now also found himself jealous of Harry’s style. God, he really seemed to want to be everything like this guy. That almost made Louis like him less. Hopefully The Untamed would crush Firebolt so Louis could at least have that over him.
***
For some reason, Sirius hated every single outfit he tried on. It had been a few days since he and Remus agreed to go on a date, and they both thought that it would be easiest to start by getting coffee. If that went well, Sirius was sure they would go to dinner later that week. As long as he could pick an outfit.
He facetimed James, seeking his best friend’s advice. “Why don’t you wear jeans and a black band tee?” James suggested.
“I tried that,” Sirius wailed, “nothing is right.”
“Well mate, I don’t know if I can help you then,” James announced, dramatically and sarcastically, “you’re impossible.”
“James Fleamont Potter, don’t you dare.”
“Well then, why don’t you try what I suggested? You could add your leather jacket on top,” Sirius perked up at this. He had been dying to find more occasions to wear his new leather jacket. He thought it was so cool. Would Remus find it cool too? He hoped so.
“You’re a genius!”
“So I’ve heard,” James grinned.
Sirius changed, this time for the last time. He finally was happy with the outfit that he was wearing, and desperately hoped that it was up to Remus’ standards. Despite having thought about him for every waking moment, Sirius really didn’t know Remus all that well.
Sirius fussed with his hair, frustrated that it wouldn’t cooperate. When he moved out of his parents’ house, he decided to let it grow out, and now his wavy black hair extended to his shoulders. In addition, Sirius decided to get his ear pierced, and thought he looked like a true rockstar with his silver hoop in his left ear.
Sirius completed his outfit with his favorite pair of Doc Martens, and then he was ready to go. He walked to the coffee shop where he and Remus planned to meet, heart almost bursting out of his chest.
***
Remus decided that he would get to the coffee shop a bit early. He wasn’t sure whether Sirius liked to show up on the late side or not, but he thought it would be better safe than sorry. When he arrived, the place was quite busy, but Remus successfully snagged a table in the corner, away from most people, which he thought would be ideal.
Remus struggled to pick out his outfit for the date, and enlisted Evan and Niall to help him. They both voted that he should wear a brown knit sweater with blue jeans. Remus agreed, sticking to his traditional style, but borrowing some of Evan’s rings.
When Sirius walked in, Remus’ gaze locked on him. He waved the man over, admiring everything about him from the leather jacket to his perfectly styled hair. Sirius really knew how to express himself through his appearance. The man was always perfectly put together, and his outfits matched, from what Remus could tell, his personality.
Remus stood and gave Sirius a hug. He wasn’t sure if that was what they were supposed to do on a first date, but it seemed to work out.
Sirius sat down, and he and Remus immediately started talking. To neither of their surprise, conversation came quite easy to them.
There was a brief moment where Sirius asked about Regulus, clearly hinting that he wanted to know more about his brother’s new life.
Remus tried to answer honestly, filling Sirius in on what Regulus had been up to since he had met him. Sirius was clearly eager to hear, and his face softened the more Remus said. When he started to seem a bit sad, Remus decided to change the topic, and the two quickly began discussing their favorite bands instead.
After sitting in the coffee shop for a good three hours, Remus invited Sirius back to his place. Sirius immediately agreed, and the two walked back to Remus’ apartment.
Upon arrival, Remus unlocked the door, and within seconds Sirius had him pinned on the wall. Their tongues danced together, creating a bond between the two men. Remus shifted his hands, one going up Sirius’ shirt, the other in his hair.
The kiss was even better than their first. It felt magical. Remus hadn’t felt this way with anyone else, not even his ex.