Drinks
Something about that whole interaction, and maybe some lingering annoyance about losing his cafe, makes Remus keen on a night out. Normally, his social life consists of… Just lily, really. But James hasn’t stopped inviting him out. So, after he updates Lily on the whole Mary situation (her reaction was priceless, full of low-hanging jaws and uncharacteristic squealing) he texts James.
Remus: Hey, that offer for drinks still up for grabs?
James: Hell yeah, wolf-wolf! I finally wear you down?
Remus: Something like that
Remus: Where am I meeting you?
James: It’s a hole in the wall, I’ll pick you up otherwise you’ll never finding it. Which building is your dorm in?
Remus: North tower
James: I’ll pick you up Friday around 8, sound good?
Remus: Sure
James: This is gonna be awesome, I can feel it in my bones
Remus: I guess we’ll find out…
James: That we will
Remus: Mind if I invite Lily, too?
James: Not even a little bit
Remus: Sounds good
So Remus extends the invitation to Lily, because as much as he likes James, any outing can only be improved by adding Lily Evans into the mix.
Remus: Wanna join me and a friend for drinks this Friday?
Lily: Friend? Am I not your one and only? :(
Remus: James has been nagging me to get drinks with him…
Lily: Sadly I have plans… My woman likes me back and I must convince her to marry me.
Remus: A little soon for marriage, don’t you think?
Lily: Not in the face of true love, it’s not
Remus: Can that wait? It’ll be more fun with you there..
Lily: Sorry, can’t. Have fun, tho. Tell me how it goes!
Remus: Fine :(
Lily: Love ya <3
James: I’m parked right outside
Remus: K, be out in two seconds
Remus, who had been waiting in his dorm anxiously for James to arrive, waits by the door for a few moments before leaving so as not to appear too eager. But, if he’s being completely honest, he is very eager. He likes James, and is excited for their friendship to move beyond the confines of the library. He might’ve been the only reason it had taken this long to do that, but still. He’s genuinely excited.
He stifles this excitement as he gets into James’ car, but maybe he doesn’t need to. James is grinning ear to ear. He slaps the steering wheel with the palm of his hands, then Remus’ knee, as if his excitement is too great to keep within his body.
“This is gonna be great Remus. This. Is. Gonna. Be Great. I can’t wait for you to meet my brother, you’ll love him, he’s a riot. Oh, and Peter. And Reggie, if he shows up. He probably won’t, but still…”
Remus doesn’t have to say a word the whole ten minute drive. James alternates between prattling on about his friends and how great this is going to be, and singing along with his very loud music. He has good taste. Lot’s of 70’s and 80’s music, with some random Taylor Swift sprinkled in, which Remus finds a bit odd alongside the other music, but somehow it goes together. It fits James, too, for some reason. There’s lots of ABBA in there as well. Remus catches himself singing along as well, although nowhere near as enthusiastically as James.
When they reach the bar, Remus u understands immediately what James meant by “hole in the wall”. It’s situated on the corner of a street, no signage advertising it as a bar or any kind of store. The windows are black, tinted or papered or curtained or something, preventing Remus from catching even the smallest glimpse of the interior.
James doesn’t hesitate opening the door, waving an arm to indicate that Remus should go in first.
Inside, the bar is unremarkable. The place isn’t dead, but it’s not too crowded either. Booths line the walls, with tables sprinkled about the open floor space in the middle. In the far left corner are a pool table and an air hockey table, both occupied. There’s a dart board, too. Against the far wall is the bar counter, two bar tenders stationed behind it, serving drinks to the few people on the bar stools before them. It’s the kind of place whose clientele consists solely of regulars who have been visiting for ages.
James leads Remus to a booth in the back, but Remus freezes feet away from it. James doesn’t notice, walking ahead to greet, with a hug and a slap on the back, none other then Sirius Black.
“Remus, I’d like to introduce you to my bother, Sir—”
He pauses when catches the look on Remus’ face.
Sirius speaks before Remus can. “THAT’S REMUS????” He explodes, a grin on his face brighter then the sun. An incredulous laugh escapes him.
Remus turns to James. “THAT’S your brother?” He asks, a great deal more collected then Sirius.
Poor James looks lost, gaze flitting between the two of them frantically. There’s another man at the both, still seated, watching this whole exchange with unveiled interest.
Sirius grabs James by the shoulders, shaking him. “That’s him, Prongs, the hot one who hates my guts!” Sirius seem absolutely thrilled to be able to say this.
“It’s true, I do kind of hate his guts.” Remus deadpans. He should probably just leave, but something about this whole scene is too captivating.
“You’ve been tutoring the hot one and never told me?” Sirius shouts, shaking James even harder.
“How was I supposed to know it was the same guy?” James says, voice vibrating, as Sirius still hasn’t stopped shaking him.
“I’ve described him, haven’t I?”
James glances back and forth between Sirius and Remus, as if trying to reconcile Remus and whatever descriptions Sirius had give. Sirius finally stops shaking him, but doesn’t let go of him.
“Okay, yeah, I see it now.”
“I should probably go.” Remus says, pointing a thumb over his shoulder at the door James. James grabs him by the hand before he leaves.
“No, please, stay. I promise Sirius isn’t that bad—”
“Hey, I—” Sirius interjects, but James talks over him.
“Plus, I need the whole story. Stay, just for a bit. For me? Please?”
James ramps up the puppy dog eyes, which is saying something, as his eyes are already very large and very brown. Remus rolls his eyes to the sky. He might hate James if he wasn’t so easy to like.
“Fine.
James grins.
“Just for a bit, though, and then I’m out of here.
“Hell yes!” James drags Remus all the way over to the booth. Sirius hoots in the background, pumping a fist in the air. Remus sits down with a sigh, next to the man who still hasn’t commented on the whole fiasco he just witnessed. He turns to Remus as he sits, though, and speaks.
“You get used to the chaos eventually.” He says. Remus glances doubtfully at Sirius and James. The two haven’t sat yet, and are talking quietly, but energetically. There are lots of frantic hand motions involved.
“I don’t know about that.” Remus replies.
“Well, it’s entertaining at the very least. I’m Peter, by the way.”
“Remus. And yeah, at least I’m not bored.” He adds sarcastically. He’d definitely rather be bored right now.
James and Sirius break away from each other, and Sirius heads to the bar bar, presumably for their first round of drinks. James plops down at the table next to Remus, nudging him with his shoulder.
“Alrighty then, I already know Sirius’ side of the story—he hasn’t shut up about you for weeks, by the way, just thought you’d like to know that--But now I need your half. Lay it on me.”
“I… I’m gonna pass on that one. You said he’s your brother, man, I’m not gonna talk shit about him to your face.”
James waves a hand dismissively. “Adopted brother, you’re fine.” Ah, Remus thinks, that explains it. He’d wondered if they were half siblings or something. They look nothing alike, James with his warm skin and shorter stature, and then pale Sirius with his aristocratic features. James grabs one of Sirius’ hands with both of his. “I’ll die without knowing, Remus. DIE.” He exclaims drastically. Remus turns to Peter for help, thinking that Peter is the sane one. But the man just raises his hands in a motion of surrender.
“You’re on your own, man. I wanna hear this, too.”
Remus groans. “Fine, fine.”
James cheers, letting go of Remus’ hand and leaning forward, eagerly awaiting the gossip. Remus glances towards Sirius, who is deep in conversation with one of the bartenders, a black woman with long blonde locs. Their conversation involves lots of frantic hand gestures towards their both. Remus hazards a guess that Sirius will be occupied for a little while longer.
He turns back to James, sighs again, and tells all.
James and Peter are both cackling by the time Remus finishes. Once done shamelessly insulting their friend, the embarrassment hits Remus. He probably should have toned it down at least a little bit, for James’ sake. “Sorry, that was rude.” He mutters, looking down at his hands. James and Peter are out of breath from laughing so hard, not seeming at all offended.
“No no no, you’re fine. You’re absolutely right, too.” James says through laughter. “He’s a prick and incredibly full of himself. Pads!” He shouts, starting Remus with the sudden shift in volume. “Get our drinks and you’re ass over here!” Apparently “Pads” means Sirius, because James’ words send him hunting over with four beers. He sets them down and then sits himself down besides James.
“What’d I miss?” He asks with a grin.
“Remus hates you.” James announces cheerfully.
“Oh, I know.” He winks at Remus for the millionth time. “I’ll change his mind.”
“Doubtful.” Remus finds himself muttering under his breath. Peter seems to be the only one who hears him, and coughs out a laugh.
Remus grabs one of the beers and takes a hearty swig. He gets the feeling he’s going to need it to survive the night.
Sirius clears his throat loudly, calling for the attention of the whole group.
“Okay, boys, I need help.”
James whole demeanor shifts when Sirius says that, and it’s honestly kind of terrifying, like he turns into a different person. He goes from relaxed and happy, slouched in the both, to eager and energized, leaning forward in his seat with a mischievous glint in his eye. Peter has gone through a similar, although more subtle, shift. Remus glances between the other three men on the table, deeply unsettled.
Sirius’ grin looks dangerous. Sharp.
“And I think Remus is just the man to help after your display of genius at the cafe.”
Remus doesn’t bother denying his involvement this time.
sirius launches into an explanation, and Remus, trapped as he is between James and Peter, can only listen.
“As you all know, I’m nothing short of a musical genius.” Sirius says. James nods, not a hint of sarcasm or mocking in the motion. Remus questions, not for the first time, how he wound up here. “But recently there’s been some competition.” He leans forward, hands plaid on the table. “And I need to squash it.” He knits his fingers behind his head, leaning back again. “I need ideas.” He turns his gaze right to Remus, gray eyes lit up with excitement. Remus holds his gaze. It feels like a challenge, somehow, this eye contact. One that Remus intends on winning. “Any ideas?” Sirius asks him.
“I think I’ll stay out of this one.” Remus says, shaking his head. No, he definitely doesn’t want to get involved. Plus, his last little bout of mischief that Sirius credits him for wasn’t even his own idea.
Remus keeps his mouth shut, determined not to contribute anything.
“I’ve got an idea—” James exclaims. He taks a swig of his drink before continuing. Remus wonders then if they have a plan to get home after all of this, as James is the one who drove him here. He decides to figure it out later, though. That’s the least of his problems. “We this the tuning pegs on their guitar and bass so that they snap as soon as they go to tune them.” The smile on his face is deeply satisfied when he finishes his proposal.
Remus realizes how grave a mistake it was to think James was in any way intelligent.
Sirius’ eyes sparkle at this idea.
“Oh, and we can snatch any extra strings they’ve got on them, too!”
“Obviously.” James agrees with a sage not, like he’d absolutely considered that detail.
Remus’ head drops into his hands, a deep sigh escaping him.
“I think you broke the poor man.” Peter says. James cackles in reply.
“Tell us, wolf wolf, what would you have us do instead?”
“Wolf-wolf?” Sirius interrupts.
“Long story.” James says with a dismissive wave of his hand, still looking at Remus, waiting for his answer.
“It’s really not.” Remus says.
“Well, do tell, Mr. Wolf-Wolf.”
“My name is Remus Lupin, both names mean wolf, ergo, wolf-wolf.” Remus explains exhaustedly. “And what I’ve have you do instead is absolutely nothing.”
“Why’s that?” Sirius asks, placing his elbows on the table and his chin in his hands, blinking at Remus prettily. He has stupidly long eyelashes.
“What if the strings snap in someones face? That shit could take out someones eye, it’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.”
Sirius rolls his eyes. It’s a wonder this man hasn’t ended up in prison by now, Remus thinks.
“Alright, fine, you have a point. Not that I couldn’t afford a lawsuit, but still. Any other ideas?”
And oh, do they have other ideas.
An hour later, ideas flow as freely as their drinks. Remus can’t remember the last time he got this drunk.
“I’ve got it!” James exclaims, arms in the air. He’s drunker then Remus, despite having had half the drinks. Remus is sure whatever comes out of his mouth next will not pan out and, if enacted, would result in his imprisonment.
“What if we sneak in after close and take all their coffee beans so the store has to close and they can’t perform?”
Remus drains the rest of his beer in one go, laughing with disbelief into the mug as he does so. Somewhere between his third and fourth drink, this all became a game. A game where Sirius, James, and Peter take turns sharing their hair-brained ideas and Remus explains exactly why they won’t work. Even drunk, he has more common sense then the three of them combined.
“You’re suggesting.” He says once he’s done with his drink. “Robbing a store that most definitely as cameras, all so a band won’t be able to perform?”
“Yes, exactly that.”
“And how do you plan to get away with this?”
“Return the beans the next day?” The laugh that comes out of Remus is more of a bark then a real laugh.
“And you think that’ll erase you stealing them in the first place?”
“No harm no foul?” This causes Sirius and Peter to result, clutching their stomachs as they laugh.
“That’s not how any of that would play out.”
“Why not?”
“Because you still committed the crime initially.
James looks genuinely, and rather pathetically, disappointed. “Oh.”
Remus shakes his head. “All these ideas are… I mean, you might as well slip them some fucking Benadryl for how legal these’ve been so far.” Remus chuckles, but the laugh dies in this throat as the silence of the three other men reaches him. “Shit, no, nononono, don’t do that. Like, really don’t do that.”
James, Sirius, and Peter are all just grinning at him.
“Seriously, don’t.”
“Sirius-ly?” Sirius quips.
Remus groans. “What if someone’s allergic? What if no one has an epipen on them? Someone could actually die, guys.”
“Well, I guess we’ll just have to make sure we have an epi-pen.” Peter says.
James grabs Sirius, shaking him by the shoulders. All these shaking might just explain where all their brain cells went. “See, I told you he was a genius!” James shouts. Sirius grabs him right back. They’re shaking each other so that Siriu’ voice vibrates when he shouts back;
“I already knew that!”
Remus groans, dropping his head into his hands.
Just what the hell has he gotten himself into?