Out On The Town
The sidewalk wasn't big enough for all four of them to walk side by side so Sirius walked with James up ahead of Remus and Peter. The parking lot wasn't far from their dorm so it was a short walk. When they got to James’s car Sirius screamed. “SHOTGUN!”
James shook his head laughing, “I don't hear any objections, the front is all yours”
He climbed into the front seat, pulling the seatbelt across him. Remus and Peter got into the backseat as James started the car.
Sirius reached for the radio fiddling with the stations as James pulled them out of the parking lot.
“I’ve pulled up the directions on my phone, it’s around a twenty minute drive,” Remus passed his phone up to the front.
“Thanks Rem” James took his friend’s phone and placed it in the phone holder clipped to the air conditioner.
James had a nice car, not as nice as the ones his parents had but Sirius thought his roommate’s car was much cooler. It was a red pickup truck, he’d hung a pair of miniature ice skates from the mirror.
He pointed out the skates to James, “You play hockey?” He asked.
The brown eyed boy shook his head, “Nah but I used to, my friend Marlene got them for me. She still plays, probably the best player I know.”
“Sick” Sirius commented, he went to fiddle with his ring but remembered he didn't have it anymore. Regulus did.
“Anyone have a lighter?” Remus asked sounded exasperated,
James shook his head, “Can you go twenty minutes without a smoke?”
“No.”
“It’s not good for you Remus” Peter squeaked. “And it makes the truck smell bad,” The blue eyed boy complained.
“No more smoking in the truck Remus.” James said sternly, putting an end to the discussion.
“Fine,” Remus grumbled, “But I get to pick the music,”
That started a whole other debate, Peter had wanted to listen to the top one hundred radio and James had wanted to listen to ‘Queen’s Greatest Hits Volume 2’
Sirius wanted to listen to Arctic Monkeys, and then James mentioned ABBA and Sirius couldn't stop himself from laughing.
“What's so funny about ABBA?!?!” James exclaimed loudly.
Sirius matched James’s volume, “I just didn't peg you for an ABBA person!”
Remus cleared his throat, “All of you shut up, I want Bowie.”
“Pass me the CD,” James stuck his hand into the backseat and took the CD from Remus.
Sirius was curious about what album they had, he took the case from James as his roommate put the CD into the car.
‘Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars’ One of his favourite albums. “Sick, I love Bowie!”
Peter didn't sound as excited, “Everytime Remus, everytime you pick Bowie.”
Remus didn't say much but he hummed along to the music as they drove.
Before they knew it they were at the rink. Sirius was very excited.
“You guys are going to love it here!” He exclaimed, jumping out of the passenger seat the second James finished parking.
Sirius adored roller rinks. In high school he and friends would spend hours hanging out at the one a few blocks from their school. His favourite memories were the late nights when they’d lost track of time and he’d feel at peace. But, when his friend inevitably went home to their loving families, he would be alone. He’d skate around the rink, flirt with the pretty girls, beat his high score on the arcade games until the staff told him they were closing. And when he left he wouldn't go back to his house, he couldn't stand to call it a home, it never had been. Sirius would wander the streets and back alleys. Some could argue that being out at night was dangerous, especially at fifteen but whenever that was pointed out to him Sirius would shrug. The streets often felt safer than his own house.
When they got inside the roller rink Sirius insisted on paying for everyone's skates.
“It’s my treat!” He handed the cashier his debit card, after his uncle had passed away he’d been left with everything and until now he’d had no one to spend it on.
The cashier passed him back his card and pointed them in the direction of where they could try on skates. Sirius dragged them all over as fast as he could, he asked the woman working the skate counter for his size and she handed him a pair of iridescent pink skates.
He heard James snicker at the shimmery skates, but the smirk fell off his roommate's face when the woman handed him a pair covered in rainbow glitter.
“Nice skates James” Peter commented as the woman handed him a pair of old yellowish ones.
James took his skates and put them on without another word about Sirius’s skates. Remus ended up with a pair similar to Peter’s though they were more brown and stained than the other boys.
Once all their skates were on Sirius led them to the rink, he was so excited to skate with friends again. Peter somehow fell three times on their way to the rink so Sirius grabbed him one of the balance things mostly used by little kids.
It took all three of them to get used to the moving wheels under their feet. As they got their rink legs Sirius did a couple laps around the rink.
Sirius quickly explained to his news friends how to use the skates. “Bend your knees for balance, and make sure if you fall to catch yourself with your hands.”
“Sounds simple enough,” James said as he skated a little away from them and then back.
Sirius and James fistbumped, “Nice! Eventually yall could be able to do this!” He skated away from the group into the middle of the rink and did a fancy spin and then a cartwheel.
“Damn,” Peter looked in awe.
Remus coughed, though Sirius could swear he heard the boy say “Show off”
After they all skated around for a bit getting used to the skates the DJ announced they’d be playing a game of freeze skate.
“Alright everyone we are gonna play some freeze skating! When the music plays you can skate. When it stops you can't move and if you do you are out!!!”
Music played over the speakers and people started skating around.
Sirius tried to stay with Remus, Peter and James but there were so many people on the rink he lost them in the crowd.
Eventually it was just him, a couple kids on the rink. Everyone that had been eliminated was lined up against the rink wall.
James and Peter shouted cheers of encouragement at him as the music started up again.
“Wooooh!!! Go Sirius!!” They cheered.
Sirius was already planning on winning but now, oh he was going to kick it up a notch. He was going to demolish these children at this game.
The music started up again and Sirius skated slowly, keeping the same pace as the children. He did a few spins and pulled himself to a screeching halt when the music stopped. Unfortunately the DJ called out that he was eliminated.
He skated over to where his friends were and joined them to watch the final two kids skate around the ice, laughing and helping the other up when one of them fell. It reminded Sirius of him and his brother as a boy, when the world was as simple as only the two of them.
The game ended shortly after and everyone was free to skate around again. James attempted to recreate the spin Sirius had done earlier but failed, falling on his arse.
The three of them burst out laughing, Remus quietly snickering. Sirius offered James and hand and pulled him up. “Want me to teach you?” He asked
James nodded, “Fuck yeah!” He turned to Remus and Peter, “You guys should try.”
“And break something?” Peter shook his head, “No way man!”
Remus nodded in agreement, “I’m good.”
He and Peter skated away slowly, helping the other balance.
Sirius spent at least an hour trying to teach James the spin. “It’s easier if you start with a jump,” He explained, “Like this,” Sirius jumped landing on both feet.
“Okay, okay,” James attempted the jump, he wobbled a bit as he landed but it wasn't horrible.
He gave his curly haired friend a high five. “Nice! Keep practicing, you’ll get it!!”
Sirius left James to practice, wanting to do some more laps around the rink, with school starting tomorrow he wasn't sure when he would get a chance to come back, though he did hope this would become their hangout place, if he hung out with his friends again.
As he skated he noticed Remus grasping onto the wall of the rink, he looked like he was in pain. He skated over, wanting to check on the boy.
“Hey are you okay?’ Sirius asked, slowing to a stop beside Remus.
The blonde boy nodded, “I’m fine,” He pushed off the wall but lost his balance as he tried to skate away.
Sirius reached out an arm, offering his roommate’s friend something to balance on. Remus pushed him away, “I said I’m fine bugger off”
“Fine then” He skated over to the other side of the rink, he’d been wanting to try this new trick he’d seen on TikTok. As he got into the position for the trick Peter crashed into him.
“Oh my god I’m so sorry” The boy apologized.
Sirius used the wall of the rink to pull himself up and then offered a hand to Peter. “All good man, it used to happen to me all the time,”
He looked over at James who had made his way over to Remus, the two were making their way off the rink.
“I’m gonna join Remus and James.” Peter said, grabbing the wall and using it to make his way off the rink.
Sirius did a few more laps around the rink before heading to where James and his friends had grabbed some seats. He changed back into his docs, grabbed his skates and slid into the booth. He ended up sitting beside Remus and across from James.
“What do y’all wanna eat?” Sirius asked, it was around nine pm and he was starving. He also could go for a few drinks.
A blonde waitress walked over to them and handed them a couple menus, “Let me know what you boys are ready to order,”
“We will,” James smiled at her, passing the others the menus.
He, Peter and James started discussing the menu, pointing out what might be good or what might be out of budget.
Sirius grabbed his wallet and placed it on the table. “Order whatever you want,” He didn't care about how much they spent. It was money he didn't need and it's not like his parents would notice it missing.
James pushed the distressed wallet back towards Sirius, “No way man.”
“Yes. Let me pay for the food.” He pushed the wallet back to the middle of the table.
His roommate shook his head, “I’m not letting my friend pay for everything,”
Sirius nodded, “Yes you are,”
“Come on man! You already paid for our skates,” Peter added.
The only person who had not objected to him paying was Remus but the boy seemed to be thinking about other things. Though he was staring at Sirius quite intensely from behind his book.
“The money is better spent than collecting dust in my account.” He shrugged, “And we can eat leftovers for lunch tomorrow.”
“That's not how bank accounts work,” Remus mentioned quietly, though it didn't seem that the others had heard him.
James was quiet for a moment, “I will arm wrestle you and if I win you don't pay for dinner,”
“Fine.” Sirius rolled up his sleeves and leaned over the table, bringing himself closer to James. The hazel eyed boy mirrored him, they shook hands and planted their elbows on the table.
“Players, Get ready and start!” Peter cheered, his phone in one hand recording the two boys.
Sirius was so locked in, he excelled at arm wrestling. In highschool he’d often arm wrestle people for five bucks and when he won he’d use the money to buy lunch or the books his mother had never let him read.
“Oh James come on you’re so close” Peter cheered.
The shorter boy was correct, one of them was close to winning but it wasn’t James. While it looked like Sirius was losing to his new friend, that was completely wrong. He lets his opponent think they’re winning and at the last second over powers them.
Sirius pulled James’s arm down to the table, “Bam!” He yelled, “Now you have to let me buy dinner!”
“I accept defeat.” James shook Sirius’s hand.
Their waitress had returned just as their arm wrestle ended, “Are you ready to order?”
“Yes,” James replied, “We’d like four Fire Whiskeys to start.”
They then each ordered their individual food. James ordered a nacho plate with fries and a Dr. Pepper
“Blasphemy!” Sirius cried, appalled that anyone would drink that horrendous soda.
“What's the perfect soda then? Hm? Mr. So called expert,” James’s voice was laced with sarcasm and laughter.
“Cherry Cola” He stated plainly, like it was the most known thing in the world. He kept eye contact with James as he ordered. “I’ll have the house burger with onion rings and of course a Cherry Cola.”
Peter also ordered the house burger with fries and a coke, but asked for no cheese.
When he asked about it Sirius learned that the boy had a dislike for cheese and a minor dairy intolerance.
“And you young man?” The waitress asked Remus.
Remus looked up from his book, “Oh, I’m alright. Thank you,”
“We will get those orders to you as soon as possible, my co-worker will be right over with your drinks. Enjoy them boys.”
James reached over to Remus, pulling his attention away from the book. “Rem, you need to eat,”
“It’s one of the side effects of my meds. I’m fine, I just need a smoke.”
Sirius stood up to let Remus out of the booth, he grabbed his lighter from his pocket and shoved it into Remus’s hand as he walked by him. He watched the skinny boy walk out of the building before sitting back down.
James looked slightly worried about his friend but wiped any trace of that emotion from his face when he noticed Sirius watching him. The boy pushed his glasses up on his face and took a deck of cards out of his backpack. “Sirus have you ever played ‘Bullshit’?”
“To keep myself from getting kicked out? Yes.” He joked,
Peter and James seemed unsure about what to say, most people were when he made jokes about his family.
“I’ve never played the card game, but I’m a fast learner.”
James explained the game to him as he dealt out the cards. It seemed simple enough, cheat without getting caught, call people out if you catch them cheating and get rid of all your cards first.
The waitress brought them their Fire Whiskeys and it quickly became a drinking game. If you were caught cheating you drank. The first couple of rounds Sirius played it slow, he was quite a good bluffer if he needed to be. He almost instantly picked up Peter’s tell. The boy had a habit of scrunching his nose when he was lying or trying to bluff. Now Sirius hadn't figured out James yet but he was determined to.
Eventually their food was brought out. Everything smelled amazing. His new friends dug into their food, and as they did, Sirius pointed out that Remus had not returned from outside yet.
James assured him their friend was fine, and he often hung outside while they ate. “He gets super overwhelmed sometimes. He likes the quiet outside, you know?”
Sirius nodded, if James said Remus was fine, he couldn't protest. He’d known the man for three hours, James had known him for four or five years.
He ate a few of his onion rings, giving his opinion every once in a while on a conversation James and Peter were having about the F1 races.
Something still wasn’t sitting right with Sirius, he tried to brush it off but he couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong or something bad was going to happen. Especially when he watched this lanky man with greasy ass black hair walk outside with some bigger guys behind him.
And then he heard it through the window.
Queer.
Faggot.
He was livid. Next thing he knew he was outside. He walked up behind the greasy haired man and shouted at him. “Hey, asshole.”
The man turned around and Sirius hit him with the skate, smack in the nose.
He didn't remember grabbing the skate, he didn't remember going outside. But he would always remember the smug look being wiped from the man's face as the blood dripped from his nose.
One of the man’s friends turned to Sirius, and from the way the beefy man was standing, Sirius assumed he was about to be punched in the face. He prepared himself for the punch, but as he brought his fits up in an attempt to protect his face, he felt a sharp pain just below his ribcage. He staggered back, looking down in pain and confusion. There was a knife sticking out of him. Luckily, he could tell it hadn't gone very deep and was safe to take out. He pulled the knife out, keeping eye contact with the man that stabbed him. Sirius then decked the man across the face, sending him, the greasy haired man and their friend, rushing away, screaming curses at him. Sirius ignored them, and ignored his current state, and rushed to Remus.
The brown eyed boy was sitting on the curb, a cigarette butt in his hand. Sirius sat down beside him, a few feet of space between them. “You okay?” He asked quietly.
Remus shrugged, “I’m used to it.”
“But you shouldn't be, no one should be called that. Regardless if you are or not.”
“I am,” Remus said so quietly Sirius could barely hear him.
He looked at the boy, meeting his eyes. For the first time, he got a real look at his face. Covered in freckles with a sharp yet slightly crooked jawline. He glanced over the scars running up Remus’s right cheek and over his nose. Sirius was no stranger to scars, but he’d never seen ones like these before. He met Remus’s eyes again, god those deep hazel eyes. He could have stared at them for an eternity. He was beautiful.
“I am.” The boy spoke the words again, clearer this time.
Sirius was slightly confused. “You are?”
“Oh, you're so thick.” Remus muttered, grabbing Sirius by his shirt and kissing him.