A Skating Reader
Sirius woke up with a grin on his face. He hadn’t known that that was possible but it felt like a normal reaction to yesterday’s happenings. Remus had been the last thing on his mind before falling asleep and so naturally it was also the first thing on it as he woke up.
The grin still etched on his face, Sirius took his phone from the nightstand. Zero messages from Remus starred back at him. It wasn't that he had fully expected Remus to text him first thing in the morning but he couldn’t help the feeling of disappointment in the pit of his stomach. Anxious thoughts immediately turned the prior night’s events upside-down. Did Remus actually want his number? Or did Marlene just force his hand and he didn’t want to be rude? Had he grinned at him teasingly, or had it been more strained? Sirius rubbed a hand over his eyes; these thoughts were irrational and he knew it. It also just wasn’t like him to be that hung up over a boy. He just needed a good breakfast and everything would be alright again.
Luckily with James as a roommates that was accounted for. Sirius slipped out of his room in a band T-shirt and checkered boxers and made a beeline for the kitchen. James was already at work there, frying eggs in one pan while stirring something that looked like porridge in another pot, all while only wearing an apron over his pyjama bottoms and shirtless torso. Even though James had his back turned to him, Sirius knew what it said on the front of the apron, ‘Once you put my meat in your mouth you’re gonna want to swallow.’ Sirius had given it to him on his birthday three years ago and while James had grumbled about it at first, it wasn’t hard to see that he secretly loved it.
“Morning, champ.” James now said having noticed Sirius’ arrival as he filled himself a cup of coffee.
“Morning, love.” Sirius said with a yawn and kissed James’ cheek.
James pilled a tower of food on a plate and put it in front of Sirius, “Eat up, your body needs some fuel.”
“Can you stop talking like a health instructor?” Sirius said grinning and took a bite of his eggs.
James pointed his fork at him where a piece of sausage hang, “Hey, I wouldn’t complain if I were you. I’m doing this for free, you know. Lots of people would pay good money to have me as their personal coach and nutrition advisor.”
“But I don’t pay you so I’d appreciate it if you could let me live my unhealthy lifestyle.” Sirius said and batted his eyelashes at James.
“Cheeky motherfucker.” James murmured under his breath. “I should just let you starve if you’re being so ungrateful.”
Sirius pouted. “No, James, please don’t. I’m sorry. Truly. Thank you for cooking for me, oh mighty Prongs!”
“I know you’re making fun of me but I’m gonna take that compliant regardless.” James said and rolled his eyes. “Now eat!”
***
It had been a long day by the time Sirius finished his last class. While it had been an interesting lesson, namely sculpturing, the professor was an old man with strict rules. Flitwick didn’t allow his students to use their phones at all and was ready to confiscate them. So, when Sirius left the classroom, he was itching to look at his phone. To his misery, there were still no messages from Remus. Sirius sighed and tried to ignore the way his stomach dropped. As a distraction, he unlocked his phone and opened the chat of Regulus and him.
Reggie why haven’t I heard from you all day???
Since Regulus had decided to move abroad to Paris for his study, they were both making an effort to stay in contact a lot. They facetimed regularly and Sirius loved to annoy his little brother via text messages. He reckoned Regulus might love it a little too, even if he would never admit it. Sirius missed him so much he could vomit. He felt empty without his brother by his side and was worried shitless at times. But he also knew that this was what Regulus needed. Their French origin had been a big part of ‘the Ancient and most Noble House of Black’ and the brothers had been mostly raised in French. Moving to France was the only way for Regulus to reconnect with his French heritage without his parents poisoning it. As hard as it was to admit for Sirius, it was also good for Regulus to live is life on his own, learning to be self-sufficient without Sirius. The brothers had been very codependent for most of their lives and so the space enabled them to regain their identity as individuals. That didn’t change that it sometimes hurt gruesomely to be apart. But as Sirius kept reminding himself: Regulus would come back.
His phone pinged and disrupted his thoughts.
Since when do I need to inform you on my ever-waking thought? I’m not you, Sirius.
That’s mean
And rude
Now tell me something funny
You’re incorrigible. Don’t you have to study?
Indulge me pleaseee, Reggie
You’re being whiny. But okay.
Yesss
Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Sirius waited but no message came through for several minutes.
Hello?? Reg?? Where’s the rest of your joke?
That was it. It was a prank, a knock-and-run.
Sometimes I can’t decide if you’re the funniest or most humourless person I know
Best not to find out.
Sirius snickered to himself and was about to type a reply when he ran into someone. Their books went sprawling on the floor and Sirius heard a familiar voice mutter, “On the damn phone all the time these kids. Can’t even fucking watch where they’re going, I swear to god.”
Marlene was squatting and collecting her books angrily until she looked up and locked eyes with Sirius. “Oh you!!! Why are you texting and walking, tosser?” Marlene started and pointed a finger at Sirius accusingly. But before she could go on a tangent she seemed to remember something and stopped herself. “Oh, you know, nevermind. I was actually just looking for you which is why I was in such a hurry. I need your help.”
Sirius moved the finger from his face where it was still pointing. “Rich of you to want my help right after scolding me, McKinnon.”
Marlene rolled her eyes and started to collect their books again. “Don’t be sulky, it’s not cute.”
“You’re really not winning here with me, Marls.” Sirius had put his hands on his hips and was tapping his foot rhythmically on the floor in a way that he knew made her normally go ballistic. Marlene stayed calm, however, which indicated that what she wanted from him was rather important to her. “So, what is it then? Spit it out.”
Marlene looked up at him and her frown formed into a small grin. “James was right. I did see her again.”
“Who?”
Marlene’s annoyed face was back in an instant. “ ’Who?’ He asks. The girl from the bus stop, of course. You know the one I basically fell in love with last night.”
“Ah yes, the one you missed your bus for? Where did you see her?” Sirius asked and couldn’t keep the mocking tone out of his voice. To be completely honest, he didn’t really try.
“Shut up. But yes her. She is sitting in the cafeteria. I can’t believe I’ve never noticed her before even though she goes to our university.”
Sirius smiled at his usually hard rock friend going so soft at the thought of a girl. Guess he wasn’t the only loser hung up badly on someone. “Well lucky you. But what do you need me for?”
Marlene took his arm and started moving down the hallway, “For courage, duh. There’s no way I can talk to her without backup. Now c’mon!”
Sirius didn’t have time to protest even if he’d wanted to due to the speed Marlene was pulling him behind her into the cafeteria. She took a deep breath and stood still for a second. Then she resumed speed and walked right up to a table where a single girl was sitting. She was wearing overhead headphones and doodling into a notebook in front of her. Sirius almost pitied Marlene: That girl was truly out of this world. She looked like a gorgeous fairy with her braids adorned by pearls and her eyelids painted glittery green.
“Hi!” Marlene said and the girl slowly looked up. First her gaze was confused but it quickly turned into joyful recognition.
“Hello.” The girl said as she slipped her headphones from her head to her neck. “Aren’t you the girl from the bus stop last night? You just let your bus pass you by?”
Marlene looked like she just short-circuited, her eyes and mouth wide open. It seemed she hadn’t anticipated that the girl would remember her. “Yes, that’s her, Marlene.” Sirius came to her rescue after he realised Marlene would not speak for herself.
“Marlene, huh?” The girl hadn’t taken her eyes of Marlene. “I’m Dorcas. It’s nice to properly meet you.” Dorcas held out her hand.
The gesture seemed to hit some nerves in Marlene’s brain and she was back to her full confident flirty self within a second. “I agree. You’re even prettier from up close.” She took Dorcas’ hand and shook it, their touch lingering for a few seconds longer.
Dorcas smirked but there was no missing the blush tinting her cheeks. “And here I thought the girl who was staring at me at the bus stop like she was frozen in time was of the innocent sort.”
Sirius snorted and Marlene sent him one of her death-glares which seemed to be reserved just for Sirius at this point. She quickly ignored him for the sake of responding to Dorcas, “Oh darling, you couldn’t have been more wrong.”
“Good. Because shy girls are just really not my type.” Dorcas said and rolled one of her braids around her fingers. She definitely also wasn’t of the innocent sort, judging from the glint in her eyes.
The left corner of Marlene’s mouth quirked up, “So, what is your type then?”
Dorcas smiled back and checked Marlene out without embarrassment, letting her eyes scan slowly up and down. “My type? I like blondes with a cheeky mouth, preferably red lips.” Dorcas said, cocking her head. “Oh, and girls who dress like their father was Mick Jagger.”
The way Marlene’s and Dorcas’ eyes burned into each other, Sirius really started to feel like a third wheel. He was mildly annoyed at Marlene from dragging him here merely to be ignored by both of them, but mostly amused at how well the girls managed to flirt after knowing each other for only five minutes. He let his eyes wander around the hall, trying to figure out how to ask Marlene for tips without admitting it.
Suddenly he heard the sound of rolling wheels and a gentle rumble. He turned his head only to see Remus riding towards them on his skateboard. Sirius had to do a double-take, firstly because Remus looked absolutely gorgeous but secondly because that glorious idiot was actually reading a book while his skateboard sped over the floor. Sirius had seen people using their phones while skating before but someone actually holding a book in their hands was something new entirely. Remus slowed a few meters in front of them, got off the board and kicked it upwards, so he could tuck it under his arm, all while his eyes did not leave the book. He walked up to them until he finally closed his book when he was standing right at the table.
“Hey Dorcs!” he said and slipped on the chair next to Dorcas’. Sirius was too stunned to speak but Remus’ eyes had already found him. “Oh, hi Sirius.” He grinned and Sirius melted, only managing a weak nod. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Are you friends with Dorcas?” Sirius was about to find his voice when Remus zeroed in on Marlene and Sirius could visibly see him put one and one together. “Oh! Oh. Well right then, how nice.”
Dorcas gave him a side-way glance, “What?”
Remus simply shrugged. “Nothing, I just remember thinking that you two should meet. Last night I kept noticing how much your type Marlene here is.” He leaned forward on the table and grinned at Marlene before sending a small glance Sirius’ way and actually winked. Sirius might not survive this but god, did he want to.
Dorcas rolled her eyes at him fondly, “We’ve established that, yes. So, Marlene’s friends with that Potter boy then?”
Marlene didn’t wait for him to answer, “Yes, or well, I tolerate him. But hold on, how do you know Remus?”
Dorcas looked at Remus with raised eyebrows. “I’d say we’re best friends, wouldn’t you agree?” She said and didn’t lower her brows until Remus nodded eagerly. “Oh yea definitely. I met Dorcas and our other friend Pandora during middle school and we’ve been close ever since.”
“What are the odds.” Sirius said and sent Remus a secret smile.
Remus reciprocated it and leaned back into his chair. “Not too low I reckon? Seeing as we’re all studying at the same university.”
Sirius rolled his eyes and didn’t honour this with a response. Instead, he directed a question at Dorcas: “Does he always act this damn realistic?”
“Unfortunately quite often. Where’s your sense of whimsy, Rem?”
“Buried.” Remus simply said, managing to keep a straight face. “Deep within myself. Because, frankly, that’s not something that should exist. Even the word gives me goosebumps.”
Sirius cocked an eyebrow and crossed his arms. “Well you’ll better unbury it soon. I only date very whimsy men.”
Remus’ smile couldn’t be contained anymore and overtook his whole face. “Noted. I suppose some sacrifices are worth to be made.”
Dorcas looked from one man to the other and shook her head. “Okay, that’s- Well, it’s splendid actually. Remus you should totally ask Sirius to be your date for Thursday, I was just about to ask Marlene to be mine.”
Marlene’s eyes widened but she managed to keep her voice straight, “What’s Thursday? Or, sorry, let me say ‘yes’ first regardless of that, but what’s happening on Thursday?”
Dorcas giggled and slid her notebook where she had been doodling over to Marlene. “Here, write your number in there. Our friend, Pandora actually, is having a party then. It’s themed midsummer night’s dream and she has this idea that everyone needs to bring someone new to the party. Probably from TikTok, or her cult. But anyways she thinks it’s exciting and stimulating, so you guys should totally come.”
“Sorry cult? Are we not gonna talk about that?” Sirius said but Remus simply shook his head at him with his mouth in a straight line but Sirius could see the glistening in his eyes.
***
An hour later, after the friends had went their own ways, Sirius was laying on the couch waiting for James to come home so they could continue watching their show. Lily had recommended ‘Fleabag’ to them and obviously James had wanted to watch it immediately. Sirius had complained at first but now he was completely hooked.
Suddenly his phone pinged. An unknown number had texted Sirius and heat pooled in his stomach immediately – there was only one person this could be from. So, Remus hadn’t forgotten after all. Sirius had almost convinced himself that he didn’t care anymore after they’d already seen each other this afternoon, but the way his heart was jumping proved that he had still held out hope.
Hi Sirius. It’s Remus :) Was lovely to see you today. So, you’ll be my date for Thursday then?