Regulus sighed as he walked down the street on his way to high school. He was in no mood of walking on foot that day but he just lost his bus, so here he was. It was all his brothers fault really... if only he hadn't made Regulus lose his balance in an attempt of explaining his ”heated and crucial”, as he liked to call it, interaction with Remus that day. If only he hadn't tried recreating it, maybe, justmaybe, he wouldn't have made Regulus spill his coffee all over his clothes. That dramtic idiot is going to be the death of him.
Now he was going to be late AND he had no coffee, he could really use something to lift up his spirits, so he thought that stopping by the local coffee shop around the corner would be a good start.
The second he walked in he was hit with the strong pleasant scent of chocolate and coffee, the little shop felt warm and homey and Regulus wondered why he doesn't come there that often.
He looked around and his eyes landed behind the counter on who he assumed was the barista. It was a guy who seemed to be very focused on trying to sort some kind different sized cups, but somehow making a mess out of it anyway. Even though he had his back to Regulus he could tell that he was pretty attractive, all tall, broad shoulders, dark brown skin and a mass of unruly black hair. Regulus realised he was staring, so he cleared his throat to get the attention of the barista.
When he noticed he had company he looked up quickly, the shock vanishing from his face as fast as it came. Wow. His first impression wasn't wrong, he really was a sight, Regulus thought. He always found it fascinating to observe people and he considered himself to be pretty good at reading them too. Maybe it was because with a brother like his he was always in the background, unnoticed. Thinking about it, if he had to guess this guys' age he could tell there would be two options: he was either significantly older than Regulus or just about the same age but just more mature in a way. There was something vibrant and youthful in the way his hazel eyes glinted that caught Regulus' attention so he would go with the latter.
”Hi. How can I help you?” the barista asked with what must have been the widest grin Regulus had ever seen. It was that kind of smile that completely transformed ones face, one that not a lot of people had, it was so beautiful it annoyed Regulus.
”Hi, um, can I please have a large cappuccino with chocolate flavor?”
”Uh, sorry, we're out of chocolate” Great. That's just perfect. No chocolate. ”But I can offer you caramel?” the barista added quickly, probably sensing his train of thought. Regulus tried really hard not to roll his eyes. Chocolate always had the effect of calming him on bad days and caramal was well... just not it, way too sweet for his taste.
”I want no flavor then. Who even likes caramel?” he blunted out. Why was he like this? He had no reason to pour his anger on this guy, sometimes he just couldn't keep his temper in check.
To his surprise the barista just smiled even more, a look of mischief in his eyes before answering simply ”I do.”
”Well, then you'd be the only one.” Regulus couldn't help but slightly smirk at that, the tension in his shoulders easing a bit. The guy really gave him a warm, golden retriever energy. God, something was seriously wrong with him.
”I seriously doubt it, mate. Best flavor out there.” he said self-assured, not losing is smile even as he saw the look of disapproval in Regulus' eyes. Was he ever NOT smiling?
”Anything else?” golden boy asked kindly, changing the subject.
They stared at each other before he, whose name apparently is James as it said on the tag, cleared his throat and Regulus remembered he had to answer and hurriedly replied ”No.” They broke the eye contact and the guy, James, started preparing his order with effortless skill.
Silence fell over them, the only sound present was the soft music playing in the background and the humming of the coffee machine. Regulus started fidgeting and playing with his rings, that were all silver of course.
James probably noticed his nervous tic because when he turned his head back to look at him again he casually asked ”Tough day?”
”Um, yeah, my brother, Sirius, was annoying as usual and spilled my coffee everywhere-”
”Wait, Sirius? As in Sirius Black.” For fucks sake, not this again. Anywhere he went it was always the same old story.
”Yeah, why? Do you know him?” Regulus asked trying not to sound irritated.
”We went to school together, drifted apart after and all that. You kinda look like him.” Of course he had to know his brother. Everyone always did. At least now he had the theory about his age confirmed, he was just a little older.
”Right...” Regulus didn't know what to say after that, but luckly he didn't get to think about it too much.
”I really like your rings, by the way.” James rushed out as he was pouring Regulus' drink in a cup and staring at him with interest.
”Thank yo-” Regulus began but he stopped short to give a quick warning as James filled the cup to the brim and almost spilled the coffee.
”Ah, shit-” James stopped just in time ”Sorry..” he said while chuckling and running a hand through his hair which was sticking out in all directions. He was wearing a body fitting red shirt, the movement causing his biceps to flex slightly and Regulus couldn't help but find that disturbingly attractive. His breath hitched at the sight and quickly looked away. Get it together, Black.
”Are you on your way to school?” James asked. He was looking at the bag thrown loosely over Regulus' shoulder with that million dollar smile and focusing to put a lid on the cup. Why was he asking him so many questions? Regulus wondered. Does this James guy usually make this much conversation with customers?
”Yes.” Regulus answered simply. He wasn't too keen on giving too much personal information to a stranger, even though he apparently knew his brother.
”Pity. I was hoping we could grab some food after my shift is over which is in exactly... 25 minutes.” James said, tilting his head to look at the clock behind Regulus and then back at him, trying to fake nonchalance, but failing miserably.
Was this guy serious?, Regulus thought gaping at him. ”Are you always this straightforward? Casually.. asking random people out?” To be fair he was only mildly shocked because he could perfectly picture James as that type of person.
James grinned cheekily, and winked. WINKED. At him. ”No” he answered, ”but when I see someone as pretty as you I'll take my chances.” Unbelievable. Regulus averted his eyes without meaning to and blushed slightly.
”My name is James, by the way.”
”I know.” Regulus looked back and smiled smugly as James' fell for the first time since they started talking, his brows creasing.
”How did you-” he asked confused.
”It's on your tag.” Regulus chuckled and watched as the moment of realisation hit him at full force.
”Oh-” James exclaimed, and with that they both started laughing. It was a pleasant moment, one that Regulus didn't allow himself to have too often, it was refreshing.
”Regulus.” He said finally, when their laughter started dying down, feeling like he had to present himself too.
”What?” James asked still smiling.
”My name. It's Regulus.”
James nodded before mouthing it, as if to see how it would feel rolling off his tongue. Then, he starting to write on the cup, what Regulus assumed was his name.
After a pause James said ”That's 3 dollars.” and Regulus took some money from his back pocket and paid, leaving a few tips and taking hold of his coffee.
”You never answered my question, Reg.” Did he just use a nickname on him?
Regulus looked at James then, he didn't know what took over him but he winked, with a smirk spreading on his face as he watched James' face turn visibly red. Without saying anything he turned on his heel and excited the caffe.
*
That whole day Regulus spent at school, he couldn't wipe the image of that barista's stupid handsome face out of his mind. He never experienced something like this before with someone he just met. Fuck. He was gone bad. Maybe he should ask his brother about him.
As he was about to throw his empty cup away he noticed something written on it that most certainly, wasn't his name.
”If you change your mind call me. –James x.”
A deep blush spread on Regulus' face as he read the message and the phone number next to it over and over.
Just like that, his day did a completely 180, the unfortunate events of the morning long forgotten.