Chapter 2
“Yeah, I’m not sure why, it’s just not running correctly? If that makes sense. Yeah. No- yeah. Mhm. Thanks so much, Remus!” James said into the phone.
“What. Was that?” Sirius said, with a god forbid, a serious expression on his face. He rubbed his temples, and dragged his hand down his face, “How much time?”
“Huh?” James said.
“How much time until he gets here?” Sirius said impatiently, already checking his watch. There was no way Remus would arrive seeing him like this. He had just gotten done with a 4-hour tattoo, and it had taken a toll on his appearance. Running on only 5 hours of sleep, his eye bags were more apparent than ever. His normally perfect bun was drooping and had hair sticking out at odd angles.
“Oh uh, I dunno, in ten?” James said, ever so clueless. Hadn’t he, in his 10 years of knowing Sirius, figured out how much his appearance meant to him?
Sirius plastered on a crazed smile, and said, “James, I love you, I really do, but it takes the life out of me not to strangle you.” And with that, he spun around, quickly walking to his office. He rifled through his belongings, slathering on concealer, and quickly refreshing his eyeliner. He pulled down his hair, hairline already aching from the constant upholstery, yet grabbed a nearby paintbrush to pin it up again. Adjusting his newly pierced lip ring, from last night actually, he hoped his lipstick didn’t seem too worn down, as he couldn’t find the shade he was currently wearing.
Readjusting his clothes, he collected himself and walked out with as much confidence as he could muster. James was sitting on the counter, swinging his legs, eating out of a coffee ice cream carton. Sirius snickered, shooting a quick “Child,” in his direction, before tentatively stepping towards the concentrated IT guy.
“Fancy seeing you here, Remus,” Sirius leaned over the man to see what he was working on. He pulled a few strands from his bun to frame his face and to have something to use if he had to break out the hair twirling.
“Uh yeah, not sure if you noticed, I occasionally work here,” Remus said awkwardly. He made brief eye contact, yet his eyes seemed to avoid Sirius’ after that. “Well of course, until James can figure out how to not crash his computer every few minutes” He chuckled lightly, at James’ horrified expression.
“Excuse me, Moony, I can work my computer thingy perfectly fine!” James pointed his nose in the air, acting out mock hurt.
Moony?
“Right, because that’s why you keep calling me back here,” Remus said, “Speaking of which, I would appreciate you letting me concentrate, your constant childish leg swinging is getting distracting,” There was no doubt about it, Remus looked good when concentrating. The slight sweat running down his face, only enhancing his freckles, a scatter of stars. Sirius was sure that if he connected them, it would reveal a beautiful constellation. And of course, he was a lip biter. Some god out there really had it out for Sirius and decided Remus should chew on his lip when concentrated.
“Well, that should be it, and I do hope it stays this way, James, for both my sake and the sake of your wallet,” He smirked. That would be the second day in a row where Sirius nearly fainted at work. As he cleaned up, he practically looked everywhere but at Sirius. If he didn't know better, Sirius would've been offended.
Wiping his hands on his pants, he finally gave Sirius a good look. They met eyes, and Sirius could've sworn he saw Remus’ eyes drift down to his lips. His eyes were filled with something Sirius might have mistaken as attraction, had he not been wiser. In fact, Remus seemed almost, flustered. The signs were there, intense staring, flushed face, fidgeting hands. But before Sirius could analyze further, Remus fell back into his normal state just as quickly as he fell out of it. And only then did Sirius realize he must’ve appeared the same way.
“Well- I, uh, I should be going.” Remus exhaled, running a hand through his hair, pretending to busy himself (Which looked really hot if anyone was wondering). Picking up his supplies, he walked stiffly to the door. Before he left, he did a quick spin, “Um, just send me a check, James. And um- I, uh, well-” He cleared his throat. “Bye Sirius,” Remus flashed him a weak smile before exiting the parlor, and Sirius couldn't help the butterflies making their way to his stomach.
When the door finally swung shut, the bell jingling along with it, James burst out in laughter.
Sirius burned red, “What? James! What?!” He crossed his arms, rolling his eyes until James could collect himself.
“You have a crush on Remus!” James heaved between laughs.
“And? So what if I do,” Sirius said, reverting back to his snooty child phase. James could laugh all he wanted, at least Sirius wasn't the one dating the carrot top.
“Nothing! There's nothing wrong, it's just you guys were basically undressing each other with your eyes, yet turned 3 shades redder when the other just said a few words,” said James,
“Honestly, you could cut the tension with a knife,” He had finally calmed down, but still chuckled a few times before truly redeeming himself.
“Oh please, we were not,” denied Sirius, picking at his cuticles.
“Sure, Siri, whatever you say,” James gave him a knowing grin, before slinking back to his desk. Sirius opted on giving him one final glare, before returning to his office to set up for his next client.