March 1981.
The initial condition was given when Remus Lupin went out from his crappy flat. A lady was just passing in front of the building. She was carrying an insane amount of groceries, and of course the plastic bags had to break under such a weight. Remus turned on his heels and went back inside, only to appear a few minutes later with some cloth bags. He helped the lady pick up his groceries and continued his day with a sense of satisfaction on his chest.
At the same time, the lady grateful with the young man, felt extremely happy about the act of kindness. When she reached a store that was being remodelled, she gifted one of the apples to the strange looking young lady who was helping her father's business. The girl, who was painting the sing outside the restaurant, was surprised, but pleased, by this gesture. She went inside to tell her father about it. The owner, seeing his daughter so happy, told her she could finish painting tomorrow.
The girl was out of the store faster than you could imagine. She went to her friend's flower shop and told her the story and gave her half of the apple. She couldn't stay very long, but the red haired florist spent all morning smiling, thinking how kind it had been of her friend to share the apple and the story. Then by midday a young messy haired boy entered. She rolled her eyes. This man entered every other day to try and flirt with her. Today, however, the boy seemed distracted. And although the girl found him annoying, she somehow had grown fond of his visits. Instead of flirting, he told her it was his mum’s birthday. The girl decided this was her chance. She gave him a beautiful bouquet.
"On the house” she told her with a smile.
The boy smiled brightly but refuse. They argue back and forth for a while until the boy said:
“I'll take them but let me take you out to dinner as a thank you, I promise just a friendly dinner, I truly appreciate this since I know mum will love the bouquet”. And for the first time he seemed genuine, so the girl found herself agreeing. The boy left the store with the biggest grin on his face. So when he arrived at his job, he was in the best of humours.
.
“You are late.” barked his friend as soon as he arrived.
The man was already behind the counter when the messy haired boy arrived. He didn't even bother to look up when the door opened. He knew it was his friend.
“Sorry mate, but I had the best morning.” said the other one from the entrance as he took off his raincoat and closed his umbrella. The other boy finally looked up.
“Yes, I can see that.” Said, fondly smiling this time. “And for the flowers you've got there, I take it this wonderful morning has to do with Evans?”
“Yes! You won’t believe it. She gifted me the bouquet for mom –“
“Shit! Mother's gift” interrupted, the older boy giving himself a facepalm.
The messy haired boy laughed and took out something from his backpack, finally making his way to the back of the counter.
“I knew you'd forget your gift. I brought it with me. See. When you rush, you always forget something.”
“But I'm not late like others.” Mocked the boy, taking his gift to the back of the store. “Thank you Prongs.”
“What are brothers for?” replied James nonchalantly.
“So Lily...?”
“Ah yes! She gifted me the bouquet, but of course I couldn't take it for free -“
“Of course you couldn't” said Sirius smugly.
“So I offer to take her out as a thank you, and she said yes!” beamed James.
Sirius jumped in place. A huge smiled was formed on his face and he ran to squeeze James in a tight hug.
“Bloody hell, you finally wore her down!”
“Oi!”
“I'm kidding James. But this is amazing. This day will go down in history”
“I know!” replied James excitedly. “Now I have to plan the best date ever. I was actually thinking I –“
But the boy’s couldn't finish their conversation because as the clock hit eight o´clock people started to arrive. However, James's mood was uplifting and Sirius felt happy just by watching his brother work with the hugest grin. Maybe it was James's good humour that made Sirius do the following:
It was already afternoon. The café had calmed down. It wasn't very busy at this hour and adding the rain to the equation it was no wonder there were so few clients. Sirius was finally resuming his conversation with James when something, or rather someone, outside the store caught his eyes. It was a sandy haired boy. He had just stepped on a puddle, he was currently bent down looking at his shoe. Sirius was about to mock the scene when the boy stood up and his wallet felt into the puddle as well. He cursed loudly. Sirius heard James laugh softly.
“Poor guy” said James.
“Yeah, that's some bad luck there.”
Sirius was about to comment on something when the door opened and the two boys went back to their posts. The tall man made his way to the counter, he was still shaking off the water from his wallet. Sirius jaw dropped. The man was not only tall, he was also very fit. He was wearing corduroy pants, a big coat for the heavy rain that his broad shoulders filled perfectly. Sirius smiled at himself when he noticed this cool looking dude had elbow patches and a portfolio. He had some messy curls sticking to his forehead and an interesting scar crossed his left eyebrow, ending next to the kindest amber eyes Sirius had ever seen.
“Hey” saluted the man in question, with a low warm voice.
“Hi.” Answered Sirius. The other man arched a single brown with a curious smile. James laughed loudly in the background.
“Uhm… could I get –“
“Right! Welcome” James laughed even louder in the background. Sirius shut him a warning look, but his brother couldn't contain himself. James went back to his business, still snickering softly. “What can I get you?”
Remus didn't know what to think. Where this boys making fun of him? Had they seen the incident with the puddle? But then why was the handsome barista blushing. Could it be possible the raven haired boy had noticed Remus noticing them? Was he embarrassed because he suspected Remus knew they were making fun of him? They seemed to be his age. He wouldn't put it past them. Some men were still very immature. But looking at the lad in front of him, Remus wasn't sure what to think. He had definitely a model sort of beauty. And Remus had never met someone with grey eyes. They were so hypnotizing. And he was actually smiling at him, but not a mocking smile. Despite being ridiculously pretty, he seemed very approachable. It was something about the way he was smiling, but he couldn't put his finger on what it was.
Sirius cleared his throat. Remus jumped lightly. He had no idea what the man had just said. He felt a heat reaching his ears, creeping up through the back of his neck. James laughed could be heard even from the back of the store.
“M´sorry what?” asked Remus, evidently embarrassed.
“What can I get you?” replied Sirius with an amused grin.
Remus gather himself up.
“Yes, sorry – “
“No worries.” Interrupted a bit promptly, the barista.
“Er, Thanks. I will have a black coffee and… would you recommend the chicken sandwich?” said Remus, leaning forward on the counter to have a better look at the menu.
“God, he is so handsome” thought Sirius. Remus looked up at him. In that position they were at the same level and Sirius felt a strange sensation on the mouth of his stomach.
“Of course! I make them myself” answered Sirius, somewhat proud.
Remus smiled, nodding his head.
“Right then, one of those then.”
Sirius put the order into the computer.
“That'll be £16.62” announced Sirius. “Cash or card?”
Remus agitated his debit card on the air lightly, and Sirius passed him the machine, so he could pay.
“M´sorry it says declined” Sirius looked genuinely apologetically.
“Fuck me!” Remus words came before he could stop them.
Sirius looked taken aback; but then, just as Remus started apologizing, a huge grin was formed in his face.
“Oh shit, I'm really sorry, I didn’t mean to swear out loud. And I said shit. Sorry.”
Sirius laughed, brushing it off, and Remus gave him a grateful smile. The taller man gave a deep, long sigh. He should have known. This was not his day. He put his card back in his still wet wallet. The cash he was carrying could only afford him the coffee.
Sirius was eyeing him from behind the counter.
“I'll just have the coffee then” said Remus looking up from his soaking wallet. “That is if you accept wet money?” he tried to smile even though he had never felt so embarrassed. Maybe the fact the barista was so cute added to the humiliation.
“No.” Remus face changed to disbelieve.
But Sirius was thinking about James. About how happy he had arrived with Lily's gift. And how James happiness had made his day far better. And he wished to see this stranger smiling that same way.
“Right” said Remus uncomfortable. He leaned back.
“No!” half-screamed, Sirius taking the other boy by the arm. He instantly snatched his hand back. That was no way to treat a client. “Sorry.”
“S´alright” said Remus dumbstruck.
His right hand rose to rub the place Sirius had touched him. Sirius noticed this subtle gesture.
“It's on the house.” Said Sirius, smiling as confidently as he could manage.
“Oh, that's very kind of you…“replied Remus rubbing the back of his neck, looking down at his shoes. “But I can't possibly accept it.”
Sirius was known for short spans of impulsiveness. He never knew what hit him, but after all, he had already treated this boy differently, hadn't he? He crossed the counter and grabbed him by the wrist, dragging him to one of the many empty tables.
The door opened, and a young couple entered the café.
“James!” screamed Sirius without looking away from Remus.
“On it!” replied the other one magically appearing from the back of the store ready to take the new client's order.
“I'll come back tomorrow, okay? I promise. And I'll pay for the coffee right now.” Said Remus who was now sitting.
“You can come back tomorrow, but I won't accept any money.”
Remus stayed silent as if pondering this offer. He took a glance at Sirius little plaque before connecting his eyes again.
“I'll come back tomorrow… Sirius” Remus said the other boy´s name unsure. As if he was trying it out on his mouth and the raven haired boy wanted nothing but to melt on the spot.
“That'd be nice… uhm”
“Remus.”
“That'd be nice, Remus.”
While James was taking the two girls ordered, he could see Sirius and the tall lad. They were grinning at each other sheepishly. James wondered if they were actually aware of this. Sirius straightened himself up and made his way back to the counter with a shite eating grin.
“That order took way too long, Pads.” mocked James.
“Bugger off Potter.”
“And the computer said I was paid with your account. How nice isn't it?”
Sirius flipped James off. They both laughed as Sirius made his way to the back to prepare Remus's order.
.
Remus in fact, did come the day after that. And the day after that day. Basically every day for the next three weeks until he gathered the courage to ask out Sirius. And when asked by the sandy haired boy, Sirius had pouted saying:
“I was just about to ask you out” he complained, showing Remus his usual coffee with Sirius elegant handwriting spelling “go out with me? And two check boxes with yes and no” on the side of it.
Remus laughed. Just for the sake of it, he checked the "yes" box and Sirius gave him an excited and impulsive first kiss.
“I think you broke him” said James as he passed the table where Remus was still touching the place Sirius lips had been.
.
July 1986.
They were all at the Potters house enjoying an outside brunch. Lily and James were sitting on the grass holding hands. Two girls, Marlene and Dorcas, were sitting on a swing and Remus was worried it would break. Meanwhile, he had Sirius in between his legs. The raven haired boy was leaning his back against Remus chest while they were also sitting on the grass.
“Well, I only gifted you those flowers because Marlene had gifted me and apple she received from and old lady.” Explained Lily. James acted deeply offended, and Lily brought him in for a kiss after rolling her eyes. “I thought it was a good way to spread kindness.”
“It was.” Said James giving her a peck on the nose.
“If James hadn't been in such a good humour I wouldn't have offered Remus a free meal that day” said Sirius.
“Oi”
“What? We were all students. That meal was part of my salary. Not that I minded, of course.” He turned around to catch Remus lips.
“You are lucky you are very pretty, Black. But I did appreciate it very much, I was having a terrible day. I was running late for class. Then when I went to get lunch my arm got stuck in the bending machine, don´t even ask; and I was late again for class and the professor shut the door on my nose, so I had nothing else to do but to wander around. Actually, that's how I ended up in the café."
“See! Perfect timing”
“Well, it was a nice way to fix a shitty day.” Agreed, Remus placing a kiss on Sirius's hair.
“I guess I have to thank the professor who shut you out of class.”
“You'll have to thank the old lady I helped that morning. The poor woman had her bags full, and they all broke down. I had to get back to the flat to get her some cloth fabrics. That was the reason I was running late in the first place.”
“Wait!” exclaimed Marlene. “Where did you help this old lady? Was it Hogsmeade Street?”
“Err yeah. That's where I used to live, actually.” Answered Remus frowning lightly.
“No way!” she screamed, jumping to her feet. “My folk's restaurant is at the end of the street. And old lady gifted my apple and told me a young man had helped her with her groceries. She basically told me the same story about the cloth bags. And I was so happy someone gifted me something, I went to tell Lily.”
“Get out!” said Lily, “I was so moved by your story I gifted James the bouquet for his mother”
“And he was so over the moon by that, he lifted my spirit up for the rest of the day!” interjected Sirius. “So when Moony arrived I was not only love-struck but especially happy.”
Remus was speechless. Could it have been? Such little events that led to him wondering into the Marauder's café? Such little acts that led Sirius to have a great day and offer him a meal?
“Perfect timing I guess?” said Remus loudly for everyone to hear, but the only person he was looking at was Sirius Black, his happiest coincidence and his most treasure destiny.
“Perfect timing indeed” answered Sirius, leaning in to kiss Remus.