The dream
Remus awoke on a Sunday morning at 7:30 am. It was hot and muggy in his small room with poor air conditioning, the perks of a London apartment. He was never the type to sleep in on mornings, especially after getting used to early mornings at work or staying up all night to finish a piece he’s working on. But this morning was different.
Dreams are things you might think about briefly when you wake up, and forget about them later. They usually end up being a blur of images and moments that you can’t quite seem to remember. However, on this foggy October morning, Remus could remember his dream so clearly, it was almost as if it were a real memory that had happened just the day before.
It wasn’t anything crazy or especially memorable, it was a simple dream really. He was just taking a walk, that’s it. Remus loved to take walks because it helped him clear his head and helped with writer’s block.
During this one, he was walking along his favorite path, some trails near his apartment. London was a touristic city, but this area was secluded and had a peaceful silence. There were trees and various plants surrounding him, leaves turning shades of orange and yellow as winter approached. But what caught his eye was a man he saw. He had long black hair, fair skin, high cheekbones and was wearing a leather jacket that looked two sizes too big on him. His eyes were a clear light gray that entranced Remus.
It was like one of those moments when you make eye contact with someone across the street or at the store and think of them for the rest of the day. But most of the time, you just forget about them the next day and move on with life. However, Remus wouldn’t forget him, because for days after, he kept thinking about him. It sounds cheesy, like something that would be a movie or book, but there was really something special about him.
***
Sirius awoke on a Sunday morning at 12:30. James woke him up, who had just come back from his run and complained to Sirius about him sleeping in so late.
“Hey, it’s my day off! I'm not the one who has to follow an absurd training schedule everyday for rugby”, Sirius complained.
“Well when we win the finals and I throw a huge party you’ll thank me. Maybe you can finally find yourself a cute guy since, well, you know...”, James responded.
“Ugh, I do not want to talk about him”.
Sirius had recently broken up with his boyfriend of 2 years, but was not thinking about that right now. Sirius was actually thinking about his dream, which is weird because he hated thinking about dreams. Most of them were nightmares, from times before James, but again, he was not thinking about that.
Right now, all Sirius could think about was the person in his dream. In this dream, he was walking along a path he had been to a few times before, liking the quiet. The figure he saw standing before him was tall and lanky, very pale and wore a knit jumper, something that looked like James’ grandad would wear. He also had a distinct scar on his face, which Sirius thought looked very cool. Another thing he loved about him was his hair, which was overgrown with shaggy curls, in a light brown color.
“Hello? Get up Sirius! I want to go to this new cafe down the street. I'm really craving a croissant and they look amazing. ” James knocked Sirius out of his trance.
“I was actually going to head over to the gallery to help Marlene with her new sculpture, but bring me back something. Thanks!”
“‘Course, have a good time with Marlene!”
The next few days, Sirius’ thoughts were taken up by the mystery boy, whom he couldn’t quite shake off.
***
A few days later, Remus was working his favorite shift at the cafe, lunchtime, because that’s when Lily, his roommate, could come and spend time with him there. Remus actually quite enjoyed working at the cafe, which also had a bookstore section. He loved anything to do with books, reading, writing, just anything.
Remus was in fact a writer, but with not very much success so far. He’d written some short stories and poems on his blog, which had gained some interest online, but nothing much. He was actually working on his longest project yet, a book he was planning on publishing for real. In the meantime, Remus works at this cafe.
He used to work at an old bar, and before that yet another cafe, just to get some money to pay the bills while his career awaited. He quit his job at the bar, which he didn't like very much anyways, when he saw that this new cafe/bookstore opened up near where he lived. It was perfect, nothing better than a quiet bookstore to enjoy your coffee, plus it paid more.
Remus didn’t mind working these off jobs, but it was a bit annoying how he had gone to school and gotten his English lit degree, only to have to wait longer, but he was really hoping this new book would be the turning point for him. Then he would never have to work another stupid shift in his entire life.
“Remus, REMUS!!” Lily whisper-yelled at him from across the counter, where she was seated with her coffee and a new script she was working on. She was a film director, and had met Remus at the same school. They had been best friends ever since.
“Huh?” Remus said, focusing back to reality.
“He’s here again”
“Who?”
“That awkward guy who tried talking to me, this is his fourth day in a row coming here!”
“What, the one with the glasses? Lils, he probably just likes the coffee here or something.”, he said while whipping off the coffee he had just spilled on the counter.
“Then why is he staring at me right now”
Remus looked over and saw the same guy he saw the last four days, with messy hair and looking a little sweaty. He was in fact staring at Lily, but quickly looked away, embarrassed at being caught.
“Why don’t you go talk to him, it seems like he likes you”
“I don’t know, he was so awkward when we talked yesterday and practically left running.”
Remus laughed and saw that the boy was getting up to greet someone.
“It looks like he’s meeting someone anyways”
Remus looked over to the door to see a glimpse of a leather jacket and a man who looked oddly familiar. As he took a closer look… could it be?
***
Sirius got back from the gallery to find James impatiently waiting for him in front of the door.
“Finally you’re here! You have to come to the cafe today so I can introduce you to her!”, James said, excitedly.
“James, have you even talked to her yet?”
“Well, yes, but it didn’t go very well. I need you there for emotional support!”
“Of course, I'll come, but I need to shower first, I have paint everywhere.”
“Yes! I’ll go wait for you there, I need to prepare myself. Oh god, what if she’s not there today? No she has to be, she comes every lunch”
“So you know her schedule now? Totally not creepy...”
“Oh stop! I just notice details.”
“Right, anyways i’ll hop in the shower and meet you there”
“Yup, see you”
James left, and Sirius showered and got dressed. He wished he could just stay home during his break and relax, he has been really stressed lately, with the gallery and everything. After his brother Regulus died, Sirius bought an art gallery in honor of him, since it was Regulus’ dream to own a gallery with him since they were kids. Of course, that was not something their parents would let happen, but Sirius is no longer under their control.
As much as Sirius would enjoy watching netflix in his bed right now, it’s been 4 days of James ranting about this certain girl, and honestly, Sirius was a bit curious.
On his walk to the cafe, he couldn't help but think about the boy from his dream, but he shut up his thoughts when he walked in to meet James, who brought Sirius to the table.
“All right, so where is she?”, Sirius said as he looked around.
“Wait don’t stare! She already caught me! Ok, she’s the one with red hair, talking to that barista.”
Sirius looked over to where James was “secretly” pointing to, but he completely ignored the redhead. His eyes went straight to the barista. No way.