Will Evans and The Shop
Remus glances up from where he’s organizing the wand holsters to where Will is casually conversing with a young witch that have stopped to ask about curse-breaking.
Ever since Hadrian and Orion went off to Hogwarts, he found himself helping out at the store. Dimension Hoppers got a sudden boom in customers after word got out they now stocked Dragon potion ingredients.
Those people that came for the ingredients found themselves lingering for other things as well. Not that anyone could blame them. It wasn’t every day you found a store with almost everything you would need at reasonable prices, at least not in the magical world.
Remus often spent his time making sure Will wasn’t overworking himself since the young man had yet to hire more help. Most afternoons were busy, but Wednesdays were just a bit slow enough for the two of them to go about and do inventory.
The young man either didn’t notice or wasn’t paying attention the attempts to flirt with him. It was hard to tell someday if the Evans were truly oblivious or not, because while neither boy was lacking in book smart, common sense seemed a bit…out there for them.
Hadrian couldn’t see the effect he had on others, his charisma so high, it wouldn’t be too hard for him to take over the world if he wanted to. Will, on the other hand, seemed a little more aware of his charisma but he was more mellow. Leaning on the side of dotting, Will tend to attract people for his “brotherly” persona rather than his younger brother’s “strong leader”.
Remus rolls his eyes when the witch gentle touches Will’s arm. She leans forward, twirling a lock of her hair going for coy in the way she bats her eyelashes. The werewolf wants to tell her it’s hopeless, seeing as Will only has eyes for Bill as far as he has seen.
(If the Evans could hear his thoughts Will would hurl and Hadrian would never stop laughing)
The young man blinks at her, glances down at her hand and then very politely declined an invitation for dinner with a quick “I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’m married”
The witch removes herself from him like she’s been burn, fluster as she pays for her things. She all but ran out the door with Will shaking his head. That was the third person he rejected this week.
Finishing fixing the shelf, Remus walks up to him amused more then he should be. Taking on a teasing tone the werewolf leans on the counter. “I didn’t know you were married, Will. Who’s the lucky person?”
“I was married,” Will says eyes just a tab bit sad. Instantly, Remus stiffens up, his teasing smile falling right off his face. There was grief in the boy’s voice that alarms him. He had thought it was a lie to get out of an unwanted dinner, not for it to be true. “My wife died and I just can’t seem to…well, I’m not really looking for a relationship right now.”
Marlin’s beard, Will is a widower? Remus felt like he just rubbed salt into the Evans’ wounds. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea-”
“It’s alright,” Will says but his eyes aren’t meeting him and the young man’s shoulders are tense. The werewolf feels distressed squeeze his heart at the lingering sorrow in his voice. How many people has this poor man lost?
He’s too young to be suffering this much. The store descended into silence, Remus unsure what to say while Will gathers himself. He thinks back to all the times Sirius teased him about Bill, and mentally kicks himself for not noticing how it must have been affecting Will.
He’ll have to talk with his husband. This was another thing they have to keep an eye out for. If they were ever to lose any of the Evans boys to their grief Remus would never forgive himself.
Taking a shattering breath Will finally looks up at him. Offering a wobbly smile, the wizard throws his dark wild hair over his shoulder. “It’s alright really. I’m…getting better. My wife wouldn’t want me to wallow in sorrow. She always used to tell me to find new love if anything ever happens to her. She was a firecracker like that.”
The next smile that crosses his face is fond and longing in equal parts before Will finishes, “I’m just rather focused on Hadrian right now.”
Remus can’t trust his voice but he nods, reaching out to pat the strong shoulder in what he hopes is a comfort. He gets a flash of a grateful smile before the boy turns, throwing a quick “I got to unbox some valentine day cards. Be right back” over said shoulder.
The werewolf finds himself alone. With nothing else to do, he walks around the store fixing displays absentmindedly. Once he does, Remus returns to the counter, glancing in worry at the small hallway that leads to the Evans’ residence.
It’s been far too long for Will to be retrieving the new shipment of holiday specials. He half wonders if Will actually floo to Hogwarts to collect his wayward brother again.
He still a bit shocked that a good manner, even temper, Hadrian got suspended so early in the year but Remus couldn’t stop being happy about it. Yes, it was terrible that fuading teenagers had to result to fists throwing but Hadrian had gotten suspended for standing up for Orion.
Hadrian Evans had turned out to be the answer to all of their prayers for their son. Orion finally had friends, sure they were mostly Slytherin but the times they visit him during the full moon, his son had been more open and cheerful then he had for months.
Durning Orion first year, they always found the boy laying in the medical bay alone and miserable among the medical beds. Remus always felt terrible to see his little one so down having spent the day before in bed.
But that was last year, now Orion didn’t spend his day lonely.
Usually, his medical bed was surrounded by Hadrian, Draco, Blaise, Theodore, Cedric, and Luna. Remus remembered the first time he stumbles across the scene of Orion sitting in the middle of the group smiling as Luna made Draco turn an interesting shade of red and all the while Hadrian leaning into his son’s side with a smile.
Sirius had held onto Remus, his silver eyes were glossy, as the pair watch their child exchange banter with the rest of the children before the kids had to leave for class.
It was almost like his first terrible year had been all but forgotten and Remus couldn’t help but thank the stars and any god willing to listen.
To think all this because Hadrian saw his boy on the street had experienced his first puppy love. It was downright adorable sometimes to watch the two fumble around their feelings.
“Remus!” Will shouts from behind him snapping the older man from daydreaming his only son’s wedding day.
“What is it? Are you alright?” Remus all but runs upstairs only to stop when he sees Will laughing into his hands. He’s holding a letter and Hadrian’s owl is sitting on the table. Seeing he’s alright, the werewolf calms down but is curious when the other starts wheezing.
He takes the letter when prompted, reading it quickly and raising a brow at what it contains.
“Isn’t that hilarious!?” Will gasps out. “What do I even tell him? He thinks Orion and Draco are allergic to him!”
Remus’ lips twitch. “ I’m guessing Hadrian never had someone have a crush on him? He listed symptoms that could be confusing.”
Will explodes into more laughter before he mimics Hadrian’s voice. “Red faces, rapid heartbeats, and odd breathing. I fear that I’m giving Orion and Draco allergics. Would you mind sending different shampoo or soap? Maybe then they can be near me. Marlin! He’s acting like a little kid!”
The werewolf wonders if he can delicately remind Will that Hadrian is actually a little kid so him being confused about crushes should be expected. Then a terrifying thought springs to his mind.
“Will, have you given Hadrian the Talk?”
Will freezes then he looks thoughtful and sure. “Actually Remus I haven’t. I’m not even sure how to start…would you mind helping me with that? It’s not that I don’t want to give it to him but I think he’ll listen better to someone older.”
Not seeing the downright evil look in the green eyes Remus nods “Oh yes don’t worry. Sirius and I already spoke to Orion. We can talk to Hadrian the next full moon for you.”
Supporting Will was only one way they could repay the Evans after all.
“Thank you, Remus. You have no idea how much this will mean to me. May I ask for some photos?”