He was a Skater Boy

James had yet again found another hyper fixation. This was no surprise, and neither was the fact that he couldn’t stop talking about it. It wasn’t that Sirius minded, no he actually enjoyed James’ rants which for some reason slowed down his own rapid thinking. What was surprising, however, and something Sirius was heavily annoyed by, was James’ growing obsession not just with the activity but with a boy.

If James said the name ‘Remus’ one more time with so much awe in his voice, Sirius might just have to kill him.

James had started skating two weeks ago, bought a skateboard and changed his wardrobe just like that. Before skating, it had been basketball, and before that anime. There was a brief episode of cooking before Effie had chased him out of the kitchen. His football phase had never truly stopped but since year 9 the fixation had drifted, on to new brief but overwhelming obsessions.

The skating had started with Lily Evans, James’ high school crush and longest obsession who had innocently mentioned something about ‘skater boys’ to Mary at dinner one night. The next day when Sirius woke up James was already gone from their dorm. He returned hours later with a skateboard under his arm and his typical sweaty grin. And that was that.

His trips to the skatepark only became more and more frequent but James managed to keep his marks up as well as the time spend with his best friend, so all was well. Then suddenly, James stopped talking about the other skaters as simply ‘the guys’ and names started dropping. Kingsley, Frank, Evan and finally Remus.

“Sirius, you won’t believe what Remus did today!”

“He pulls off all the tricks, and first-try too for most of them. I’m telling you; Remus will make a name of himself someday.”

“And then everybody was laughing so hard they almost threw up, and who could blame them- Remus Lupin is really the funniest man I know.”

“Remus sat with me today, can you believe it, Pads? And we talked for so long?? I love this man.”

Sirius had had it. Sure, James was allowed to make new friends and have his own things going on, but this was something else entirely. This was never included in their rule book. And so after James had yet again droned on about Remus, Sirius cut him off with a sharp, “So, you’ve got a crush on him or what?” He had aimed for it to sound like a joke but to his embarrassment it came out clinical and dripped in jealousy.

James looked at him in wonder. Then he burst out laughing, “Mate? Are you serious?” A joke too old to be honoured with a laugh, so instead Sirius just raised his eyebrows and James mirrored him. “No, honestly,” James said, “Remus is just a good friend. Are you jealous?”

Of course, James would be able to see right through him. He was good at that with anyone, but Sirius especially could never escape his piercing eyes. This did not stop him from pretending James was wrong, however. “No? That is rich coming from you who can barely contain his sad puppy eyes whenever I hang out with the girls instead of you.”

James dramatically let out a gasp, “How dare you bring that up? You know that I’ve been suffering because I’m never invited to your guys’ things.”

Now, Sirius did feel bad, so he reached over to touch James’ shoulder. “Sorry, love, but you know it’s the girls and gays only. It’s in the rules.”

James pushed Sirius’ hand off. “I’ve told you I am bicurious! And anyways I know this is just a front so Lily can gossip about me.” James’ face had turned red in his indignance but he took Sirius’ hand and petted it. This seemed to indicate some willingness for peace. The problem was that Sirius had never been good at that and so he rolled his eyes, mumbling a sarcastic “Sure…” and James was off chasing him through their room.

***

If there is a person more adverse to people feeling left out than James Potter, Sirius had yet to meet them. It didn’t take James more than a few hours before he announced that Remus would join them for drinks that night so Sirius could get to know him. Sirius was too enamoured by the gesture to mention that this is exactly what someone would do to introduce their new boyfriend.

Sirius and James got to the pub exhausted and wet since they had needed to run through the rain. James was spraying Sirius with his wet hair like a dog the second they entered and Sirius pushed him in the stomach as a response.

“Stop! Christ, James, I didn’t run to escape the rain only to be drenched with your fucking hair water.”

James just laughed but didn’t stop shaking his head. It was infuriating and so Sirius gave him the finger and turned to go with a scoff. Without looking back he went straight for their usual table where Lily, Pete, Mary and Arthur were already waiting for them.

“Hey mate! How’s it going?” Sirius said to Pete while trying to get comfortable on the wooden chair. He succeeded by sliding on of his legs under the other and sitting on it.

Peter grinned at him and ruffled his own hair in a way that mirrored James who had just sat down next to Lily. “All good, all good. You guys?”

“I’m grand, thanks. James too, he’s fallen in love.” Sirius sent a pointed stare in the boy’s direction but didn’t miss the red rising in Lily’s face.

“With skating!!” James was quick to correct. “I have simply found a new sport I enjoy, that’s all.”

Sirius giggled and shrugged, “Well, the ‘sport’ comes with a plus one.”

“Oh?” Mary raised her eyebrows mid-sip of wine, “That Remus character?”

Sirius’ joking demeanour hardened within a second, “Wait what, you know of him? James, have you been advertising this man to everyone?”

James blushed and shrugged but remained silent only for Peter to quip in his stead, “Padfoot, you seem quite agitated. Did this Remus fellow do something to you or are you just jealous?”

Sirius just about lost his cool. What was with everyone calling him jealous? Sirius was not jealous. Maybe a tiny bit territorial. But never jealous. “The audacity, Pete, the fucking audacity.” The group naturally did not take Sirius’ seething seriously and instead chuckled at his misery. “Listen, guys, I am not jealous, especially not of some stupid skating prick with a weird name.”

Someone cleared their throat behind Sirius’ back and it was just his luck that his life bordered on a movie script. A man with a challenging smirk and unkempt hair raised his eyebrows at Sirius. Judging by his baggy clothes and a used skateboard in his hands, this was Remus Lupin. And Christ, was he gorgeous. Life was unfair like that, now Sirius was jealous – but more of James than Remus. Sirius should probably pick up skating.

“You must be Sirius.” Remus said and Sirius could only nod, too caught up in the other man’s eyes. Heterochromia was apparently just his type. “You know, stupid prick with a weird name?”

Sirius finally caught himself again. The man may be gorgeous but Sirius had not forgotten about Remus trying to steal his best friend. He simply raised his eyebrows and sighed – if someone could act cocky it was Sirius – narrowing his eyes at Remus. “I don’t know if something counts as a good comeback if it’s stolen.”

The others could apparently not quite decipher the poison in his words because James let out a loud guffaw and Mary was giggling into her manicured hand. They were not the only ones who thought Sirius was being funny, but Remus’ strict face made way for a side-way grin. Something jumped up and down in Sirius’ stomach and he could feel his face heat. Trust that wanker to make Sirius blush, the agony was never-ending.

“Let’s be civil, alright?” James said. He had finally noticed the weird tension in the air and tried to bring peace. “This is Remus, everyone. Remus, this is everyone.” Remus only smiled at that and slowly nodded his head. “I mean this is Mary, Pete, Lily, Arthur,” James said pointing to one head after the other, “and well you’ve kinda already met Sirius. He’s normally a right darling, I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”

“’Right darling?” Mary laughed and Peter bit down on a wide smile.

Lily was only shaking her head. “He is many things but that is most definitely not one of them. James, have you met your best friend?”

While Sirius’ friends did their best to clarify his true nature, Remus’ eyes had not left his face. He was still wearing his grin and his gaze seemed to search for something in Sirius’ eyes.

“Well he’s not usually a prick is what I meant.” James said. “And you lot have no idea: Sirius is often very sweet to me!!”

“Guess you just have to get on his good side.” Remus said without looking away.

“Guess so.” Sirius said under his breath but he knew Remus must have heard him from the way his eyes flashed. Sirius felt warm all over but refused to be the first one to break eye-contact. Best-friend-thief or not, Sirius was his own Remus-fan now. Or hater, depending on how this would go on.

“Alright, having covered that,” James said with a hand messing up his hair, apparently not distraught that his first attempt to diffuse the tension had failed. “Who wants another drink?”

“I’ll have a pint.” Peter as usual came for support. “C’mon, I’ll help you carry. Mary, one more glass of red?”

“You know me so well, Peetsy.” Mary cooed and received an eye-roll from her twin brother.

“Make that two, please.” Lily said and also made to get up. “Be right back.” She flattened down her emerald skirt and pushed her red hair behind her ears before turning around. Mary was quickly on her heels and the two girls entered the loo side by side.

“Mate?” Sirius heard James say from his right side but he was still fighting to win the staring contest. “Pads?” James was pulling on his crop top now, his voice filled with hidden glee and taunt.

Sirius pursed his lips and accepted defeat. Slowly and with annoyance he turned his head towards James but had to smile immediately at James’ giggles and knowing look. He was going to be hearing about this later, that was for sure.

“What?” Sirius said. To his relief, or disappointment, he did not feel heat on the side of his face anymore. Remus must have also turned in James’ direction.
James’ eyes moved from Sirius to Remus. “What do you two want to drink?” There was a beat of silence as Sirius tried to make his brain focus on ordinary things again and not map out Remus’ face in his imagination. Remus also stayed quite but James did not falter. “Pint for you, Rem? And a Cosmo for you, love?”

Remus snorted and Sirius heated up again, a mixture of embarrassment and anger. James looked at Remus like he dared him to say something. “What?” Sirius asked.
“Nothing really. I just wish I was on the same friendship level with James as you. I want to be called ‘love’ too.”

James’ entire being lit up like a comet and he reached over to pat Remus’ arm. “The way you two seem to fight over me is endearing and it’s also making me a bit horny but that’s something for another day.” Sirius groaned while Remus chuckled. “And not to worry, my dear Remmy boy, I’ll call you ‘love’ any day. ‘Sweetheart’ too if you prefer that.”

Remus put his own hand over James and swooned theatrically. “I feel honoured, James.” James grinned and nodded satisfied. Then, he finally turned around and followed Peter to the counter who was bantering with the bartender. Arthur had stood up while they had talked and was now examining the chalkboard menu behind the bar. “Oh and I’ll have a Cosmo too please!” Remus called after James. The latter turned around in a quick pirouette and shot Remus two thumbs up.

Sirius was mentally deciding if Remus was fucking with him or trying to be cute, when he noticed that he was suddenly completely alone at the table with Remus. His body froze in contrast to his fingers which were tapping a fast rhythm on his thigh.

“Well,” he heard Remus say next to him and he forced himself to not turn his way too eagerly. “I’m sorry if we got off on the wrong foot but I really am pleased to meet you. James talks about you all the time, it’s a bit annoying frankly.”

Sirius was surprised at this change in attitude but didn’t lose time to match it. “Same here. I felt like I already knew you before today. James thinks you are the coolest person on the planet and he does not tire to make sure I know that.”

Remus chuckled and Sirius softened at the way the fiery flash in Remus’ eyes had transformed into a warm glow. “James is not one to talk his friends down ever, is he?” Remus said.

Sirius smile widened. “Nah, Jamie is a hype-man like no other. I think he’s personally responsible for eighty percent of each of our confidences.”

The laugh Remus let out made Sirius melt back against his chair and Remus mirrored him by leaning back in his. Their legs had turned towards each other at some point and so they were making their own little cove.

“But you know,” Remus said and Sirius was almost sure Remus had just sent a quick appreciative glance up and down his body. He thanked past Sirius for his choice of dress, nothing made him look better than a slutty little top and his brown corduroy flares. “I don’t think he was hyping you up quite enough. If anything, he was being too modest.”

Sirius almost chocked on air and looked at Remus incredulously. The latter only shrugged and murmured something that sounded like ‘I said what I said’. “Wait… But… You… What??” Sirius said, falling over his words which was a first-time thing for him.

Remus eyes glistened as he crossed his elbows behind his head and leaned back so the front legs of his chair were in the air. The movement pulled Remus sweater up an inch and uncovered slightly tanned skin. That sight was not helping Sirius’ still reeling mind at all and it was taking his full willpower to not just stare down on Remus’ stomach.

Remus looked very content with himself. However, Sirius himself was normally a master of flirtation and so he didn’t miss the minor shaking of Remus’ frame, the way he was biting down on his inner lip and his pupils moving minusculely from side to side. Remus was nervous. Remus was maybe making Sirius look like dumb puppy in love but he was nervous too. Sirius’ mind took down this information in a big gulp and came to the conclusion that Remus was not joking and it mattered to him what Sirius said next.

Sirius breathed deeply and searched his mind for possible responses which did not give away too much of his absurdly high attraction but also not too little, so Remus would still understand that Sirius liked him too and would very much enjoy whatever Remus wanted to do with him.

According to the signs, Remus’ nervousness was increasing the longer Sirius was taking to come up with something. Remus mouth opened slightly and his eyebrows furrowed. Then he leaned forwards again and twiddled with his thumb. “Listen, Sirius, I-“ He started but Sirius could not permit him to finish this sentence, he refused to have failed so early into this quest.

“Well James also knew what he was talking about with you.” Sirius said, successfully interrupting Remus. It had been all his mind had given him but telling from the grin resurfacing on Remus’ face he had done well enough. “He didn’t tell me you cleaned up so nicely though.” Sirius continued, finally able to give back and demonstrate some of his charm.

Remus bit his smirking bottom lip. “I guess he wanted to keep some things as a positive surprise for you. He seems to know you well, and what you… want.”
Sirius fingers were clawing at the leather of his chair and he was about to say something witty when the girls returned from the toilet.

“Oi, I hope you lads are talking about me.” Mary said pouting her dark red lips as she let herself fall on a cushioned chair next to Lily.

Seconds later, James, Peter and Arthur came back to the table with hands full of drinks and Remus and Sirius’ little bubble dispersed. They kept stealing secret glances at each other but couldn’t continue talking since they were pulled into two different conversations.