Spouts filled with Doubts
Remus
The man who had walked into the shop, was the last face Remus expected to see when he looked up. But he couldn’t say he wasn’t presently surprised.
Judging from the other man’s face, he wasn’t exhibiting the same feelings.
He appeared to be muttering something to one of their regulars Marlene who had come in with him. Remus was able to catch ‘Prince Charming’ from the two’s conversation, right before Marlene let out a laugh and pulled the protesting man over.
“Hey Remus, long time no see! Still working here I presume.” Marlene said putting her hands right in front of him.
Remus reminded her that he owned the shop. There was quite literally no reason for him not to be here.
“Right well this is my good ole buddy Sirius. He’s the one who owns the shop with me that I’ve mentioned. I hear you two have met.” Marlene said, starting to face the man who was named Sirius.
So that’s who his mysterious runaway was?
It wasn’t long before Marlene made an excuse to leave the two alone and soon it was just him and Sirius. Seeing as how the many didn’t seem as eager to strike up a conversation, Remus decided to.
“Well I suppose it’s just us two now. I must warn you, however, if you plan to sprint out again, be wary of the rugs. They can cause quite a tumble.”. Is it such a crime for Remus to tease him after what happened this morning? Remus didn’t think so. Not to mention, the blush spreading across the man’s face was highly worth it.
“Oh, so you remember that do you?” Sirius asked as he looked down at his feet.
Remus knew he should let up on the teasing but the look on the other man’s face was priceless.
“Seeing as how it was only this morning? Yes, I must say I remember vividly. Never have I had someone run away from my presence that fast. Sure the scars and height may seem intimidating but your running was almost immediate.” Remus laughed.
The man immediately looked up and started to apologize profusely. Which Remus instantly started to feel bad at. You can’t exactly have fun teasing someone if they’re apologizing all the time now can you? So he threw the man a bone and changed the subject. He realized Sirius had called him nice and having recalled what he heard earlier, he saw it as a perfect opportunity to bring it up.
“Charming even?” Remus asked, leaning more towards Sirius. It didn’t take long for the blush to immediately reappear on the man’s pale face.
“So you heard that as well. Great. Is there anything by chance you didn’t happen to hear?”
“Why you named your shop Salem Horror Record Show.” . Remus didn’t want the conversation with Sirius to end and he was slowly running out of things to say.
“It’s a lovely story actually. But it is a bit lengthy.” Sirius replied, and Remus could’ve sworn he had leaned in towards him.
“Well I would absolutely love to hear it. Maybe over tea sometime?” Remus asked. Maybe he was being too forward. Hell, who even said Sirius swung that way? Sure the man may be covered in leather and rings, but did that really mean anything these days?
“Are you asking me out on a date, Remus?” Sirius asked, smiling slightly.
Apparently it did mean something nowadays. Who knew?
“Depends, are you planning on running off into the sun again?”. Even though, when Sirius had run off into the sunrise, the light hitting him had made appear as some sort god and had temporarily knocked the breath out of Remus so badly he had to have a sit down.
“Guess we’ll just have to wait and see won’t we?” Sirius asked.
Maybe the man wanted this as much as he did. Or maybe the delusions were speaking again. Who’s to really say?
He realized the man in front of him was telling him when he was free and he had to tune back in or else he’d look like a floundering idiot. The two exchanged schedules before Sirius asked where he should meet him.
“Oh don’t worry about it, I’ll come pick you up.” Remus said, trying to clear the memory out of his head and beginning to jot down his number on a piece of paper, “This is my cell by the way, just in case you want to give me a warning this time on the runaway.”
“Very funny Mr. Lupin. I shall see you Wednesday, don't you worry.” Sirius said, smiling up at him and pocketing the paper.
Remus had no idea where he learned his last name but he wasn’t about to oppose seeing as how the way Sirius said it seemed to give it so much more meaning.
“If you two are done flirting, we must be getting back to open the shop.” Marlene said, interrupting Remus’s thoughts.
Sirius looked up apologetically at Remus and turned an even darker red and began to leave.
“Can't wait for our date Cinderella!”. He couldn’t help but tease the man one last time as he left.
God, he really hoped he called later, or at least messaged him. He was starting to sound a tad bit to desperate in his opinion.
“Who was that you were talking to?” Reg asked, coming from the break room.
“Some man, don’t worry about it. In other news, what were you doing in the break room this whole time?”
“My mother had called.”
“Are you alright? Do you want to talk about it?”. Remus had an inkling of how the conversation between Regulus and his mother went. Ever since Remus met Reg, Reg would receive calls every now and then from his mother no matter how many times he changed his number, telling him he could come back home and she could overlook what she called an “issue” if he agreed to take up the family business.
“It’s alright Remus, no need for you to start sharpening the pitchforks. It was the usual speech. Saying how she could overlook my transitioning so long as I became head of the family business.” Reg said, starting to clear up the shop’s tables.
“And you told her to piss off like usual right?” Dorcas asked, having come over after hearing what Reg said.
“Of course. It’s just been she’s been more and more desperate with father’s illness lately. She says it’s worsening and she doesn’t believe he’ll make it. Which I’m not too caught up on.”
“Well whatever you need, you know we’re here for you. Not just us but Barty, Evan, and Panda as well.” Dorcas said, rubbing Reg’e back.
“Yeah what Dorc said. Just think of us as your personal lifeguards. We’ll jump in your little mind pool and save you if you start to drown.” Barty said, appearing out of nowhere. Barty was one of Reg’s two roommates. He was also one of the most chaotic and weirdest people Remus has ever met. But he made it work for him so who was he to judge?
“God Bart, if you keep sneaking around like that we’ll start having to tie a bell around you.” Remus said, startled.
“I didn’t know you were into that sort of stuff, Remus.” Barty said, smirking.
“And this is where I must leave you. On a serious note Reg, we’re here for you no matter what.” Remus said, turning and leaving. He knew Regulus appreciated the gestures and kind words even though he would never admit it.
As he was entering the break room in order to take his much needed break, he received a text from an unsaved number.
Unknown
Were you aware your name means Wolf Wolf?
I’m sorry that was such a corny line to open with
This is Sirius btw
Which means by the way
*number saved as Sirius ☆*
Remus
I’m aware of what btw means. I’m 26, not 80.
And hello Sirius.
Sirius ☆
Hi Remus :)
Well this ought to be a fun.