Ghosts
Sirius
Sirius always liked music. It was one of the only things that had kept him sane throughout his childhood and teen years. He loved all music. He listened to everything. It didn’t matter the language or the genre. He listened to oldies, country, rap, alternative, latin, r&b, pop, disco, electronic, indie, even show tunes if it was the right day. When Sirius was growing up he found solace in the guitar solos and catchy lyrics. Bad day: Bowie had his back. Got fired: Johnny Cash was there for him. Got dumped: Phoebe Bridgers would listen to him. Bad dreams: Smokey Robinson would help him fall back asleep.
So it wasn't a surprise when Sirius dragged James to any show in the area. The band didn’t even need to be good, as long as they had a beat, Sirius would be there. When Sirius moved the first thing he did was not unpacking or looking for a new job, like he probably should have, but getting to know the nightlife and music scene.
This was the third time Sirius and James had come to see Robin Hood. The band frequented bars in the area and had a small following. The first time Sirius heard the band he was inraptured. It wasn’t even the genre of music that Sirius loved the most, but the lyrics caught him quick. So he kept coming back, getting closer and closer to the stage each time.
The lead, Remus, he has learned, called out at the end of the last song, “Thanks for coming! We’re Robin Hood!”
The crowd cheered again and the drummer hit her drum one last time and the stage lights shut off.
“Are you going to talk to them this time? Or just talk my ear off about it all night?” James asked when the show had ended.
“I need a drink,” is all the response Sirius gave. He was still looking at the stage.
“Alright, I can get you one more, then we need to head out. I have work tomorrow. I know you wouldn’t understand the whole job thing,” James joked.
“Yeah yeah, I’ll look for a job soon.”
James made his way to the bar. The crowd in front of the stage dissipated after the show was over. Many mingling around and heading to the bar. Sirius took a breath and started his approach. He had to talk to them. He needed to.
Remus was still on stage packing up his guitar. The other one, Augustus or something, was down on the ground, next to the stage, fiddling with his amp. Sirius made his way towards him as he pushed his hair out of his face and straightened his leather jacket.
Sirius wasn’t completely sure about this member's name, and didn’t want to tap on his shoulder so he just started talking. “Hey! I’ve been to a couple of your shows. You guys are great!” Sirius started saying to his back.
Right when Sirius had started speaking, ‘Augustus’ straightened up and froze. Sirius wasn’t sure if he should keep talking, but now that he started, he didn’t think he could stop. “I really liked that last song, I loved the lyrics and…” Sirius trailed off as the dark haired boy finally turned around. He looked terrified, and so familiar.
“Shit,” ‘Augustus’ said quietly. Then suddenly he straightened up and wiped his face of all emotion. “You scared me, sorry,” He smiled slightly but not saying anything else.
“I’m Sirius.”
They just looked at each other. Sirius waiting for him to speak, and him not saying anything.
“Hey Regulus,” another voice called. Regulus, apparently, broke eye contact with Sirius and looked to where the voice had come from. Sirius turned to see too.
“Everything okay?” Remus said from the stage looking down at them quizzically.
Jesus christ, Sirius thought looking up at the singer. Remus was even more beautiful up close. Sirius was now sure that Remus' face was dotted with freckles, and he wanted to see them even closer.
“Yeah. One second.” Regulus turned his attention back to Sirius, “I got to go, Thanks for coming,” he said quickly looking down, avoiding eye contact.
Sirius had waited for a few weeks to talk to Regulus and was not going to let this chance pass him up, “Just- I’m sorry if this is weird, but I feel like I know you.”
Regulus looked at Sirius again, shrugged apologetically, and said “Sorry, I don’t think we have met before.”
“Alright, sorry,” Sirius cleared his throat and tried not to feel so rejected, “I really liked your set,” Sirius said as he backed away.
He quickly turned his back to Remus and Regulus, and saw James watching from a table further away.
Sirius felt stupid and inadequate. He felt off. Like he woke up late, and had missed several important events.
“So,” James said, handing him a drink, “Did you know him?”
“No, I guess not. Let’s go.” Sirius said while downing the rest of his drink.
“Are you okay?” James asked with concern.
“Yeah,” Sirius let out a breath. The way Sirius was feeling didn’t make sense, and Sirius didn;t want to worry James. “Everything is fine.”
Sirius looked back towards the stage as he was heading outside. Through the crowds he could see Regulus watching him go. Despite what Regulus had said, as he claimed to be strangers, Sirius still couldn’t shake the feeling that he had just talked to a ghost.