Lately, all his dreams consisted of dark brown skin stretched over the finest fingers he’s ever seen, that just so happen to ghost over his arms, his thighs, and pretty much everywhere on his body. The dreams vary between extremely detailed scenes of absolute debauchery -things that would give his mother an instant aneurysm- and sweet domestic moments, sharing tea and some biscuits, legs entwined under the blanket. Both extremes have the same effect on him though : he wakes up with a headache, a shit ton of longing in his heart, and more often than not : a hard-on.
Regulus is a simple, simple man. He had an unfortunately eventful childhood, left home at the ripe age of sixteen to live with his brother, and balanced -tried to, really- his studies and a barista job. He had a sort of melancholic complexion, with dark eyebags and pale skin and scarce smiles, and he relished in it, in the mysterious air that kept people away from him. He loved music, sweet cappuccinos, stealing his brother’s boyfriend’s sweaters, and going on long night walks with said brother. Regulus also happens to love said brother’s best friend.
It was inevitable, really. The moment Regulus laid his eyes on James Potter for the first time, he knew he was a goner. There was nothing that could stop him from falling for that smile, for those sparkling eyes and curled hair and beautiful, beautiful hands. James carried himself with the confidence of a man that knows how charming he is, and Regulus is thoroughly charmed, all the way to his bones.
The thing about James is that he is as sweet as he is gorgeous, as kind as he is fit, he speaks loudly yet gently, and walks with a skip in his step as if the world was his to grab and enjoy. He lit up any place he entered, eyes stuck to him like magnets, and so did people.
The thing about James is that everyone loved him, so Regulus never stood a chance.
But that didn’t stop him from waiting for James to stop by the café, to give him a dazzling grin and chat away about how he saw a puppy on his way or how a kid smiled at him or how he saved a lady bug from being stepped on. He was so endearing, so soft and mellow and Regulus just wanted to jump over the counter and melt in his arms.
Regulus wanted so many things when it came to him, and they ranged from friendly gestures to inappropriate ones. He would take anything at this point if he could, but he never dared to get close enough to James to do so. In fact, all he did was push him away in a desperate attempt to control his raging thoughts, so he responded to his smiles with scowls, to his laughs with frowns, and to his nicest approaches with grumbles while his insides turned to mush and threatened to spill out of his pores.
He was so enamoured with James Potter, and all he had to show for it were wet dreams and sad poems about unrequited love.
And it was easy to bottle it all up, because no matter how frequently James came by to the shop, it was a few hours a week at the most. So regulus was fine, really. He only needed to pretend to absolutely despise the boy, and he was a fairly good actor if he said so himself. That was until James was standing next to him, on a monday morning, behind the counter.
+++
James was unemployed, bored and restless. He was blessed with parents that made enough money to support him through his academic endeavours, so he spent too many years at college, and he was only a few weeks away from getting his masters degree. He finished his research ages ago, in a frenzy because he thought his deadline was two months earlier, and was left with too much free time for him to handle.
That’s why he applied for a job at his favorite coffee shop. Because he could use the money and distraction. Not at all because of the beautiful man with the most adorable frown and long delicate fingers.
On his first day, he was determined to make Regulus like him, maybe even get his number, so he spent the night watching videos to learn how to use the machines, and the difference between the drinks, with the perfect methods to add foam or latte art. He was so ready to impress the boy, and spent the walk there playing scenarios of Regulus praising his skills and telling him how cool he was, but those daydreams quickly evolved to marriage plans and baby names, so James had to reel himself in a bit.
He couldn’t come off too strong, in fear of scaring Regulus away. James knew that his presence could become overwhelming if he wasn’t careful, so he made sure to keep his voice low, not move his hands too much, and not talk for long periods of time.
But the moment he walked behind the counter, his eyes fell on Regulus’ bag, and right there, he saw a pin of his favorite band, and all hell broke loose.
+++
Regulus was so, so in love.
James spent the last 10 minutes talking about the band on Regulus’ bag, how he’s been a fan for years, and went to a few of their concerts, then he went on a rant about their best album. He looked so excited, speaking fast with a glint in his eyes that Regulus couldn’t get over. It was frankly so adorable, and Regulus wanted him more than anything in this life.
By the time the customers started to flow in for their morning coffee, James realized that Regulus barely said a word, he apologized, feeling embarrassed, and started wiping the counter just to avoid looking at his coworker. But Regulus wasn’t having any of it:
“You seem to like them a lot.”
“Sorry, Reg. I got too excited.”
“Nothing to be sorry about, maybe we can go together when they’re in town?”
James’ smile was so dazzling that Regulus broke a mug.
It was a disaster, and to top it all off, James was the sweetest human, and the best coworker he could’ve asked for. He was hardworking, very chatty with the customers that give Regulus a headache, and never took long breaks. But it was really hard for regulus to not go on one knee and ask his hand for marriage whenever he smiled, or talked to him, or did anything really.
This obsession was the main reason why Regulus was out with his friends, taking a shot whenever the brunette crossed his mind, which was constantly, and got him drunk really fast. Regulus would see a tall man, someone wearing glasses, or a big smile, and his brain would go on a new ride playing all the moments they interacted during the day. It was concerning, which is why Evan and Barty felt the need to intervene.
“why don’t you just ask him out?” was Evan’s suggestion.
And in true Black dramatics fashion, he replied :
“Honestly, Ev, I’d rather die.”
So Regulus kept pining, casting longing glances at James’ back and yearning for the smallest crumb of affection from him.
But everything changed one fateful night.
In the most cliché of ways, James and Regulus were cleaning the shop late at night when a strong gust of wind pushed the front door closed. The door that doesn’t open from the inside because the lock has been dysfunctional for months. This would’ve been fine any other day, but on that specific evening, the manager closed the back door on their way out because they needed the keys, and insisted on the boys keeping the front door open in fear of getting stuck.
Which is exactly what happened.
While Regulus was calling every number he knew, trying to get someone to come open the shop and let them out, James started on two hot chocolates and set them on the counter.
“Reg, nobody is going to reply now, there’s a storm out and the shop never had a good signal.”
“Then what am I supposed to do? Just wait here?”
“Sirius is waiting for me to go grocery shopping together, if I’m late he’ll come over to fetch me.”
Regulus huffed in annoyance, before settling next to James on the stool and grabbing his drink. James looked at him for a minute before blurting : “ wanna play 21 questions?”
“No, James. Why would I?”
“Because we’re bored?”
The look on James’ face was too hopeful that Regulus found it physically painful to refuse him anything. So he nodded and asked: “What’s your favorite song?”
“Hypotheticals by Lake Street Drive. Do you like men?”
“James, we shit talk about my ex boyfriend every morning shift. I thought that was a given.”
“Right, well. Do you like me?”
“That’s two questions in a row, not sure that’s how the game works.”
“Regulus, please. Just tell me.”
Regulus looked at James’ pleading eyes. He was so in love with him that the gesture made him weak in the knees. He couldn’t answer James, the entire situation felt too real yet too similar to his dreams that he couldn’t differentiate them. So he did the next best thing.
He leaned in and kissed james.
+++
After nearly an hour spent sharing kisses and sweet nothings, the sound of James’ friend came from outside the shop.
“James, mate, are you dead in there?”
“Oh shit, he’s here.”
The door opened to reveal a man with long black hair, and grey, grey eyes.
“Sirius?”
“Reggie? Why are you sitting on James' lap?”