Brunch
Remus’ pov
Okay. So basically, Remus got himself in a situation. He’s been to Sirius’ café ever since he first stepped in. What else could he do? He just got that smile and those eyes that screamed trouble. He was like a Bowie song turned into reality. The makeup on his face, his long black hair, with curls so preciously defined, an animal grace. That man was definitely more than alright. He was the definition of a dream, he was pure melody in a world of pollution.
How could he not come back once he saw him, once Sirius smiled at him, once he knew what this was?
So every day he came in, at the same time always asking for a creamy hot cappuccino. But not because those are his favourites, but because those are the ones that take the longest to prepare, so he could watch Sirius smile at him for a couple more minutes. Remus never thought this feeling could happen again to him, the teenage rush of having a crush. Usually, his romantic interactions weren’t romantic at all, like fucking people just to do it on a random Friday night and never talking to them again. No feelings, no names, no harm. Sex was just a type of art Remus really enjoyed practising often.
Oh, yes. Art.
Remus lived and breathed for art and art only.
When he wasn’t writing, he was thinking about it.
Dreaming to one day quit his job at that boring office and open a library where he could spend all day surrounded by books and paintings and great music. One day, he’ll get there, he’ll get the chance to grow old surrounded by the things he loves the most, dying a happy old man.
But first, he needs to get through the present and save as much money as he can. Also, this present has Sirius in it. One good thing that makes Remus actually get up from bed, go to that café to stare at him for a few minutes, then go to that damn office and make some money so he doesn’t starve. Then, later he dedicates some time at night to putting his deepest thoughts and emotions into words and metaphors, in little poems he one day hopes to publish. Or into those characters Remus made up once, when he was deeply drunk and affected by the light of the stars shining on his skin. Those characters that have such a complex life story but that Remus loves as if they were his children.
Today, Remus was cleared from his morning shift because of some insect control thing they were doing and only had to go in the afternoon. So when Sirius (or Jamie) invited him to this brunch that was happening in the café, Remus promptly said yes, and even if he had work, he would come in at lunch time, a little late? Yes. But he would be there no matter what. He wanted to get to stare a little bit more. You can't blame him, have you seen Sirius? He´s like a Greek god on earth. Better, even. Okay, Remus is drooling and daydreaming. He´ll stop now.
Especially since he just got to the café. He quickly stared at his watch.
9:58
He´s an early bird, who would say? The most punctual man in the world. When he wants. He was about to open the door when someone did it for him. A small, black haired man wearing comfortable clothes. He looked so much like Sirius. “Good morning,” the man greeted, holding the door open for Remus to enter, clearly not pleased to be awake right now.
“Morning.” Remus nodded, scanning the place, already looking for Sirius.
“Looking for my brother?” the man smiled, clearly holding knowledge of something Remus did not. “He’s just in the kitchen, I’ll call him. I’m Regulus by the way.” The man, Regulus, gave his hand for Remus to shake, which he clumsily did, cracking some chuckles from him.
‘If Sirius’s your brother, then yeah, I’m looking for him.” Remus said, anxiously looking around again. “But it´s nice to meet you, Regulus. I’m Remus.” He said, softly smiling.
“Just a second, be right back” Regulus muttered, disappearing in the crowd, leaving Remus alone in there. Sensational.
One thing Remus loves about this place is the cats. There are so many kittens here! And they are all beautifully named, if you ask Remus. Bowie and Moons are his favourites. Bowie is an orange energetic cat that is always meowning and deeply craving for attention, while Moons is more of a quiet one that, according to Sirius, likes few people, spending most of his time following Sirius around like a lost puppy. A kitten that acts like a shy puppy, that’s him. So Remus was flattered to be one of the few people Moons liked, since being chosen by a picky animal is better than winning an award for him.
Moons was just at his feet right now, his collar was amber and had a silver pendant with his name written on it in gorgeous calligraphy. Remus wonders whose it belongs to. Maybe a friend? Regulus? A partner or an ex partner? Or maybe no one relevant, just the person who customises pendants? More likely. Remus smiled at the cat rubbing itself against Remus’ shoes, picking him up and cuddling him in his arms.
Cutie.
“I’m starting to get jealous here,” a familiar voice remarked, picking Remus’ attention from Moons. It was Sirius, followed by Regulus, who was without blinking paying attention to them while eating a very delicious looking chocolate muffin. “I see he found you again,” Sirius said, lowering his body a bit to place a little kiss on top of Moons’ nose. While he was in Remus’ arms.
Hot.
Literally everything his man does is hot to Remus.
Like? He loves these cats like they’re his children? HOT. Remus would like to pin him against a wall now. But a man can only dream.
“No need, he still loves you more.” Remus affirmed, while the cat purred on his arms just by being close to Sirius. He gets it. How could someone not want this man around all the time?
Regulus offered Remus a muffin, which he gladly took from his hand, almost salivating at the sight of that precious piece of food. Did I mention he has a sweet tooth? “Thanks, Regulus,” Remus grinned, taking a bite.
“Call me Reggie. It’s easier.” Regulus insisted, smiling softly at Remus and handling him a mini croissant.
This, apparently, triggered something on Sirius. “Why are you being nice? You’re never nice,” he said, making his brother scowl at him.
“I’m on vacation, it’s practically summer and I’m here. I can be in a good mood sometimes.” Regulus shrugged, stealing more sweets from the huge table next to him and giving some to Remus.
“Thanks, Reggie!” Remus expressed his gratitude, smiling widely at both of the brothers.
“You know what? I’ll find out,” Sirius narrowed his eyes on his brother. “Why don’t you get an apron and start doing something worth our time, huh?” Sirius asked, more like ordered, clearly annoyed at Regulus’ presence right now.
Reggie was aghast. “I came here to eat, not work!” Regulus shot Sirius both fingers, before walking out heading to the kitchen, probably to find that apron.
Sirius was grinning. “These children of nowadays…” he shook his head, in disapproval.
Regulus obviously heard, because he glared back at Sirius, “I’m only a year younger, dickhead.”
Remus could help but grin at their interaction. Brotherly love is something he never got to experience in his life, only witness it. And it gave him the most beautiful thoughts and inspirations for writing. Shall the love one shares with a person they are bonded with be less than astonishing? That person that you feel an unconditional love and respect and need to protect at all costs, that person that will be there for you no matter what, no matter when. That person that is so easy to love and so easy to hate at the same time, completely annoying and crazy but you miss them every time they’re gone. And the most beautiful part is that siblings aren’t always bonded by blood, mostly, they’re bonded by sharing. Sharing and friendship.
Clearly, Sirius and Regulus fit all of these so well. They barely interacted now, but it’s not in the words, it’s in the eyes. The way they look after each other, the way they share so much sentiment and need. They love each other like the ocean loves a thunderstorm. And it’s beautifully clear for anyone who shares a glance with them.
Or Remus is just way too much of a writer that this world could bear. A writer, who sees the details that people don’t pay attention to. Someone who shamelessly looks at the real world with fantasy eyes, with a pen and a hollow mind ready to be filled with lyrics.
“Don’t worry, I’ll pay later,” Remus said, talking about the half dozen sweets Regulus gave him. Surely, Sirius only dismissed his brother because of all the loss he’d bring to the café if he kept giving customers candy for free.
“No, no!” Sirius exclaimed. “You’re one of our most loyal customers, it’s on the house.” He said, handling Remus even more sweets and croissants. “It’s just too early for me to deal with Regulus,” Sirius explained, taking off his apron and putting it on a table.
“C’mon, Remus, have a seat!” Sirius said, directing him to a booth in the corner, by the glass wall, which he happily followed. That particular part of the coffeeshop was something from another world. The window was so big it could easily be mixed up for a wall. It had a beautiful view of a park, full of trees and bright grass, flowers, a small lake and people walking their dogs all the time. There were tables outside, too. Birds would usually steal people’s food, but they couldn’t care less, because they were surrounded by the greatest joys of nature, amazing food and kittens to pet, while children would usually hang in the swing Remus learned once (by eavesdropping) that Sirius installed on one of the trees.
They sat on opposite sides, facing each other. When he woke up this morning, Remus was edgy at the thought of finally spending more time staring at Sirius, but he had no idea they would be sharing a table and that Sirius would be motivated to have a real conversation with him. Don’t get him wrong, he can flirt. Oh, how he can flirt. But suddenly he’s a shy man.
Yesterday was easy, he was flirting with Sirius indirectly, by talking suggestively to his friend Jamie. Why is it so hard to flirt with someone when you actually have a crush on them? Because if this was some random bloke or girl Remus had found hot, he would be in their bed by the end of the night and have left before the sun rose. But no, Sirius fucking Black was different. He made Remus nervous in a level he was not trusting himself around that man anymore. A few days ago, when Remus came in for his morning coffee, Sirius said something about his tattoos being cool and Remus was paralyzed, left speechless for a few seconds, not knowing what to do or say and when he finally got his shit together and tried to speak, he stuttered. He fucking stuttered. Ugh. His skin squirms only from remembering.
He really needs to (try and) get his shit together, or else he´ll never be able to make a move on this man. And he can't die without tasting Sirius at least once. He’s been dreaming about touching his skin, caressing his hair, cuddling him (cuddling? Can you believe it? CUDDLING!), he desperately wants to get to know him and share his deepest thoughts with him, listen to him yap (because Sirius is definitely a big yapper) and just have him close.
“So. Remus.” Sirius started as soon as he sat and locked eyes with Remus. “Tell me, what do you think of the café? Any complaints?” He questioned, deeply interested in what Remus would answer.
“It´s a beautiful place!” Remus smiled, happy to satisfy Sirius. It is nothing but the truth, though. Remus really enjoyed the environment, the people, the cats, the coffee and food, and mostly, he really enjoyed Sirius. Maybe he could… “I really love it here, and let me tell you,” he paused a little, smirking, “the customer service is amazing.”
Sirius, apparently, really liked this response, because he smirked back, showing off his beautiful lips to Remus, resting his chin on the palm of his hand, “Really?” He asked in a suggestive tone, making something weird to Remus' stomach
“Really,” Remus grinned back, taking a big bite of his mini croissant to distract Sirius from the fact that Remus is struggling to make conversation. “You always lived here, Sirius?” Remus asks, trying to get to know this man better. Erm, probably too soon? Or too weird? He just wants to know! Ah, fuck him. He is definitely losing his way.
“What makes you think I live here?” Sirius questioned back, acting like he doesn't run a café in a nice neighbourhood in old London. You´re expected to live near your workplace, right?
Remus shrugged, trying to control the flush on his cheeks, “just a guess.”
Sirius was having the time of his life, probably giggling at the effect he had on Remus on the inside. But on the outside he was smirking. A lot. Damn. “Actually, I live here, yes. Was just messing with you.”
“Oh, so you think it's funny?” Remus questioned, smirking back at him, slightly surprised on how Sirius was zero filtered with someone he just met. He likes that, he's funny in a way that wasn't trying to impress Remus, but make him have a good time. Remus is delightfully amazed.
Sirius just grinned harder, supporting the weight of his body on the table and lowering himself closer to Remus, but not too close, just closer. “I do, yeah,” he remarked, cheerful. “But, the answer to your question is yes and no.”
“How so?” Remus was curious, maybe, just maybe, he could be from there… Maybe it was supposed to be met to start a flame, to keep his heart warm, so then, when ready, his heart could be on fire.
Sirius explained, “I was born in France, but I moved here when I was six.” Oh. But at the same time, oh.
French, huh?
“Does that mean you speak French?” Remus couldn't help but ask. The things that are going through his mind right now aren't probably even legal.
“Oui, monsieur. Voulez-vous m’emmener à un rendez-vous?” Sirius blinked. HE FUCKING BLINKED. Someone help him because Remus is not well. God, he might faint or he might pin Sirius against a wall, he doesn’t know which. Maybe both. Goddamn.
What the hell did he just say? It sounded like a question. Was it? Remus is definitely installing duolingo after this. That stalker bird might as well make him learn French, or at least understand.
Before Remus could even think too much, the words left his mouth, “ok, that was hot.” In normal circumstances, Remus would curse himself for the slip, for being so direct with Sirius, but not now. At the moment, he is way too petrified with how incredible those simple words sounded in Sirius’ voice that he simply wasn’t caring. All that his brain can cope with right now is that voulez-vous is an ABBA song, so he’ll have something to base his research on French later.
“I was hoping it would be.” Sirius chuckles, huffing an awkward laugh. “And what about you? You look like you´re new here.” He asked, stealing a sweet from Remus and instantly devouring it, while he stared at the tattoos on Remus’ arm. All completely random doodles Remus liked and let an artist draw on his skin. He wants to be filled with art in the most ways possible.
“I came from Wales.” Remus shrugged, reaching for a sweet Sirius was also coming for so he could ‘accidentally’ touch him. Oh.
Oh, God.
This feeling again.
Yesterday, when Remus took Sirius´ forearm, he felt something really, really weird. It was like his blood was circling to his heart ten times faster than normal, it was like a high, but so, so much better. It was like life had a purpose, and this purpose was to find colour in a grey polaroid. A thrill he couldn’t possibly put into words, poems or characters.
“Sorry.” They both announced at the same time, then chuckled a little at their weird synchrony in saying the word.
“Welsh, huh? So you lived in a castle or sumthin’?” Sirius teased, making Remus groan a bit, but smile nevertheless.
Remus got into the joke, “of course I did. The prince was my neighbour.”
“Ha! I knew it!’ Sirius exclaimed, and as he did he stretched his legs a little, so Remus could feel his shin touching his leg. The weird feeling again. Ah, Remus is going crazy. “That’s why you sound so posh.”
“I do not!” Remus gasped, truly shocked. Honestly, ten minutes talking with this man and his brain is acting like a teenager’s. Why so many feelings and changes of emotions so easily? Where the fuck did his self control go?
“You do. But it´s fine, so do I and pretty much everyone I know.” Sirius shrugged.
“I sound completely normal, okay? The prince’s influences on me had nothing to do with my accent.” Remus laughed, keeping on with the joke.
And after that, Remus got more and more comfortable, letting their conversation flow beautifully. They probably talked for more than an hour when Regulus interrupted them to give Sirius a snarky comment that he was his baby brother and he deserved some rest on his vacation and that he wasn’t Sirius' slave, handling him his apron and gesturing for Sirius to leave the seat, so Regulus could have a break.
Sirius eventually left to work a little, leaving Regulus and Remus alone to talk. Remus didn’t know, but that was when one of his greater friendships would start. They instantly clicked, talked and talked for hours, being this how Remus got a new mentally unstable friend and Sirius’ phone number. Thank God for these Black brothers, honestly.
That Tuesday yielded Remus a lot of new content in his works.
A poet with a mind filled with lyrics came home that day.
And his harmony was in desperate need to get to him.
Poems.
Lyrics.
Characters.