As Friends
A few days later, Remus wants to go to the bookshop again.
Marlene walks over to Dorcas straight away, leaning against the counter.
"Fancy seeing you here".
Dorcas looked up, "hey Marlene. Does this mean Remus is here?"
Marlene nodded, "your lunch break is soon, right? I'm in the mood for a blueberry muffin and sugary tea."
Dorcas laughed, "It's in 10 minutes, if you're willing to wait."
Marlene nodded, "Gladly."
Dorcas smiled and god, their smile was beautiful.
Marlene walked back over to Remus, sitting down next to him.
"I'm going to a cafe in ten. Want anything?" she asked Remus.
"With Dorcas?" Remus questioned, tilting his head.
Marlene glared at him, "Yes. As friends."
Remus smiled, in a snarky and sly way.
"Why did you feel the need to add that? I never said anything about being more than friends."
Marlene's glare deepened.
"I'm not getting you anything."
Remus' smile vanished, "I want a hot chocolate. It's cold."
Marlene rolled her eyes but gave in, she got back up and walked over to the front door to meet Dorcas.
"Ready to go?" Dorcas said, walking over after a few seconds.
Marlene nodded and opened the door for them.
"Sirius wants a chocolate chip cookie!" Remus called after them.
Marlene stuck her finger at Remus and Dorcas laughed.
The two chatted as they walked the five minute journey to the cafe. About their work, friends, hobbies, and family.
Once they reached the cafe, they ordered and sat back down at the same table as before.
Dorcas wordlessly passed Marlene more than enough sachets of sugar. Marlene smiled at them.
As Dorcas sipped on their drink, Marlene realised they were staring at her. She looked in her reflection from the window on her left but found nothing on her face. She wiped her mouth with her napkin for good measure.
"You're really pretty." Dorcas said, taking a bite out of their sausage roll.
"Thank you." Marlene said, blushing slightly.
Dorcas' face broke out into a grin at the reply.
"So you agree?"
"What?" Marlene frowned in confusion.
"You think you're really pretty", Dorcas' smile grew wider as they talked.
Marlene shrugged and thought about it for a moment before replying, "yeah I do think I'm really pretty."
Dorcas broke out into laughter, "have you seen mean girls."
Marlene nodded, "of course. who hasn't seen- oh."
Dorcas carried on laughing, "you're incredible."
"How was I meant to realise what you were doing? It's not the most popular quote!" Marlene said in her own defence.
Dorcas held out their hands, "I didn't say anything."
Marlene huffed, and bit into her muffin.
"So… Do you have a boyfriend?" Dorcas asked.
Marlene laughed and shook her head, "No… you?"
Dorcas smiled and shook theirs, "nope."
Once they finished and paid, they walked back to the bookshop. Dorcas brushed their fingers against Marlene’s as they walked. Marlene looked to see if Dorcas was going to realise their hands were touching and move away. But Dorcas carried on walking, making no move to pull away.
They got back to the bookshop and Dorcas finally moved away from Marlene. She let out a breath she didn't realise she had been holding in, and realised she missed the tiny amount of touch.
"Come on Remus. Time to go", Marlene said.
"5 minutes, I just want to finish this chapter", Remus replied.
"Fine", Marlene rolled her eyes and walked over to a shelf that Dorcas had started to stack.
"Do you not want to buy any books?" Dorcas asked Marlene as the girl came over.
Marlene shrugged, "I don't really like to read."
"Oh."
They stood in silence, staring at each other for a few minutes before Marlene spoke up.
"You were right", she said.
Dorcas frowned, "about what?"
"The cafe has good muffins. I really like them."
"I'm glad. They really are great", they smiled.
Dorcas stepped a little closer to Marlene, "I really enjoy spending my breaks with you at the cafe. You're great company."
Remus stood up, and walked over to them.
"Finished now?" Marlene asked, tearing her eyes away from Dorcas.
Remus nodded, "See you in a couple of days, Cas."
"Regretfully", Dorcas replied with a smile.
Marlene followed after Remus but turned around before she left the shop.
She waved to Dorcas and mouthed Goodbye. Dorcas returned the gesture.
As they walked to the bus stop, Remus remained silent but had a small smirk on his lips.
Marlene looked at him, curious, as they walked. But didn't speak up till they reached the bus stop.
Marlene turned to him, "What? What are you smirking at?"
"Nothing", he lied, as his bus pulled up.
Marlene glared at his retreating form, while he joined the queue for the bus.
As Marlene sat down to wait for her own bus to get to work, Remus quickly turned to her before he got on the bus.
"Dorcas was flirting with you."