The elevator in James and Regulus’ building is Sirius’ saving grace after a hearty meal. Sure, it would make sense to use the stairs after the late lunch they just had, but really, Sirius and James are way too lazy for that.
Their flat is on the sixth floor of their building, so the stairs are never really an option. For James, who goes to the gym every day, his excuse is that his thighs and arse are already nice enough. For Sirius, who doesn’t live with the couple but visits almost every day, his excuse is that he’s too pretty to sweat. Regulus tends to just use the stairs, preferring the quicker route.
See, the elevator is a little dodgy. It’s speed rivals that of a snail, taking at least three minutes (on a good day) to reach the sixth floor. It comes to a complete stop at every floor, staying stock still with the doors staying closed before moving on to the next floor.
James and Regulus have been living there for two years now and the elevator has never shut down on them, so as James is shouting an overly lovey goodbye to Regulus and wishing him a goodnight, Sirius makes his way across the hall to the elevator doors, pressing the downwards arrow and waiting for the doors to open.
James arrives beside him after a minute or two, and it’s just in time for the doors to finally open. They step in, watching the doors shut and chatter idly about what snacks they plan to pick up on the way to Peters place.
Regulus had invited Barty and Evan over for the night and James decided he would stay out of their hair and let them catch up properly, so Sirius and James are headed to Pete’s place for the evening to watch a few movies.
They’re slowly but surely descending, the elevator coming to a halt at the fifth floor. Usually, no one enters with them while they stop between floors, but that’s not the case today. No, today the doors open wide to reveal the most beautiful man that Sirius has ever seen in his life.
Sirius is nothing if not confident, but the second this man steps into the confined space, he flushes a bright and very obvious shade of crimson and turns to James who is smiling at the scarred man and mouthes, “How does my hair look?”
James gives a him a dramatic once over and fans his face with his hands as if to say, “So hot,” which soothes Sirius for only a moment before his mind wanders to his outfit.
Do I look good? This isn’t too revealing, is it? Fuck, he’s going to think I’m a whore!
Sirius is dressed in a pair of black ripped jeans and a black tank top that has silver stitching along the hemline and collar. His ears are lined with his statement earrings and his grey eyes are complimented by the purposefully smudged eyeliner beneath his waterline. Sirius’ collarbones display his tattoos that read ‘Gentle Artists’ and between the words lays his silver Cross necklace. The tank top sits just below his belly button and his jeans are sat low, showing off the stars inked onto the jut of each hip.
Sirius knows he looks good, but he can’t help but feel self conscious when standing in the presence of a huge man who was so clearly carved by a God. The scars that litter his face highlight the olive tone of his skin so artistically that Sirius thinks if he looked close enough at Sirius, he’d be able to spot little hearts in his eyes. He has sandy coloured curls that frame his face in just the right way and he’s wearing the most nerdy grandpa jumper that somehow suits him flawlessly.
He trails his gaze back up to the man’s face to memorise the colour of his eyes (golden) when Sirius locks gazes with him. His full lips curve into a smirk and his eyes don’t stray from Sirius’ when he opens his mouth and says in a low, assertive voice, “Sit.”
Without a single thought, Sirius sinks down to the floor between James and the beautiful man and brings his knees up to his chest, closing his eyes.
“What are you doing?” James glances down at him, amusement shining brightly in his eyes. Sirius opens his eyes to look up at James, but before he does, he turns his head towards the other man’s legs instead and comes face to face with a Service Dog.
Oh for fucks sake, this cannot be happening.
His face turns bright red once again and Sirius wishes he would die right here in this moment. He wonders why on Earth he instantly obeyed the strangers order without question and how he didn’t even notice the dog before he was face level with it.
Embarrassment radiates off of Sirius as he chances a glance up at the owner of this beautiful dog and he quickly looks down at the floor when he finds that cocky, wide smirk on his face.
“I dropped something,” Sirius says in reply to James’ question, pretending he doesn’t hear the breathy chuckle that comes from the direction of the stranger.
“Your dignity?” James asks, clearly having a field day with the information that Sirius will crumble instantly under the weight of a beautiful strangers gaze. The man coughs an obvious laugh into his fist.
Flustered and quite frankly ashamed, Sirius grabs a fist of James’ shirt and tugs until he kneels down beside him. “One more word, James, and I’m telling Regulus that you write poetry about him.”
“Please,” James says, “He found out about that weeks ago.” Sirius gives him a mean glare that rivals even that of his mother, and James’ eyes go as wide as saucers. “So where is that thing you dropped?”
His slightly panicked tone satisfies Sirius and they both pretend to look for the non-existent item that Sirius ‘dropped’, unaware of the pleased grin directed at them both.
Sirius feels more than see’s the presence on the other side of him drop down so that all three men are now crouched on the ground - likely a comical sight if they were subjected to an audience - and unconsciously turns his body slightly towards the mystery man. There’s a tap on his shoulder and Sirius’ head whips around, gazes meeting once again.
The man’s eyes narrow flirtatiously, “I think I found it.” He takes Sirius’ hand in his own and Sirius has a (slightly inappropriate) passing thought about how nicely they’d fit around his throat. He’s interrupted from that thought when he places a folded piece of paper in his palm.
Sirius’ hand automatically closes around the paper and he stutters out a breathless, “Thanks.” He didn’t even notice the elevator moving, let alone reaching the ground floor until the stranger stands with no more than a quick smile and leaves, dog padding happily beside him.
Both James and Sirius watch him leave until he’s out of sight, and it’s then that James asks, “Well what is it?”
He opens the folded note and is aware of James reading it over his shoulder as his face breaks out into a massive grin.
Call me ;) the note says, a phone number written underneath the messy scrawl.
The boys look at each other, matching rosy hues coating their cheeks. Neither of them even noticed him writing the note.
Noting James’ slight blush, Sirius laughs. “Hey! Piss off, you have Regulus.”
James gives him the most serious look he’s ever seen and replies, “If I had used that trick on Regulus, he would’ve been my boyfriend years earlier.”
Laughing, they both stand up and exit the elevator, walking across the street to the corner store and selecting an unhealthy amount of treats for the night to come.
James pulls his car around to the front of the store while Sirius pays, and then they’re off on the fifteen minute drive to Pete’s place.
Sirius:
I’ve never had anyone give me their number in that way before. I think I’m still blushing.
My name is Sirius Black, by the way.
Unknown:
I’ve never had anyone follow an order like that for me. I guess today is a day full of firsts.
I’m Remus Lupin.
Sirius:
Well, Remus. Would you believe me if I told you I really did drop something?
Remus:
..Not really, no.
I can’t say I didn’t enjoy the act though.
Sirius:
Ah, well. I tried!
I’m not usually so prone to submission. Was that some kind of magic trick or am I really just that pathetic?
Remus:
No magic tricks necessary ;)
I have to admit that I didn’t at all find it pathetic, I rather found it quite… arousing. I hope you don’t mind?
Sirius:
I don’t mind at all. I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t enjoy it a little bit. Even if I did wish for the world to swallow me whole for a few moments.
Before you even think of replying to that with an innuendo (don’t deny it, I know what you were thinking..), be mindful that I am currently in a car with my best friend on my way to spend the night with my other best friend.
Remus:
How unfortunate for you…
I’m back in my flat, all alone, thinking about the beautiful guy I met today, mind wandering to all of the ways in which I want him.
Sirius:
Remus! This feels unfair. :(
You don’t have permission to think about such thoughts right now.
I’ll be home at 10ish. Wait for me and maybe I could give you a phone call & tell you all about the ways I want the hot guy I met today..?
Remus:
Fuck.
Deal.
Sirius:
Perfect.
Remus:
I feel like we’ve swerved off track a little.
I want you to know that I didn’t just give you my number with the intention of sex.
Sirius:
Good. I was hoping I’d be able to take you out.
Remus:
And here I thought I’d be the one asking you out :/
Sirius:
You were too slow. Sorry! I couldn’t resist.
If we’re going to get to know each other, you should probably know that I am extremely competitive.
And I always win :)
Remus:
You’re so cute, Sirius.
I’m also competitive. You might have to get used to losing once in a while, don’t you think?
Sirius:
You’re pushing your luck, Remus Lupin.
I’m only joking. I think I would be happy to lose to you if it means I get to keep you around.
Remus:
At the risk of sounding oddly possessive, I won’t be letting you go.
Sirius:
I like possessive.
This conversation is making me want to see you again already. Do you have any plans tomorrow night?
Remus:
It just so happens that I’m completely free.
Sirius:
Then how does dinner at my place sound? I don’t live too far from what I’m assuming is your building and I’ll cook for you.
Remus:
Why does it sound like you’re trying to convince me? You had me when you asked if I have plans. I’ll be there.
Sirius:
That’s perfect. :)
I have to go now, but I’ll call you when I get home?
Remus:
Please do. Doesn’t matter what time. I’d like to hear your voice again before I go to bed.
Have fun with your friends tonight, beautiful x
Sirius:
Talk soon, Remus <3
“I hope you know that you’re blushing like a teenaged girl right now, mate.”
“Shut up,” Sirius replies, no venom in his voice. He looks out the window after he shuts off his phone and his brows furrow in confusion when he see’s they’re parked in Pete’s driveway already. “When did we get here?”
James laughs, shaking his head. “Five minutes ago. I thought I’d leave you to your conversation. You looked too adorable to disturb.”
“James.. Is it weird that I already like him?”
James’ expression softens into a gentle smile, “No, Sirius. It’s not weird at all. If he keeps making you smile like that, I’d like to keep him around.”
Sirius grabs James’ head and presses a chaste kiss to his temple. They share a look and Sirius knows there’s nothing more that needs to be said. James always wants what’s best for Sirius, and he can already tell that Remus will be that for him.
“Let’s go inside. I need to tell Pete all about how you folded for the stranger in the elevator.”
Rolling his eyes fondly, Sirius and gets out of the car and follows James into the house, an unfamiliar feeling in his gut that somehow feels like hope.
Who knows, maybe Remus Lupin will turn out to be Sirius Blacks forever person.
Maybe it’s too soon to tell, but Sirius sure wants him to be.