Family Reunion
Regulus POV
From the moment Regulus woke up, he knew today would not be his day.
Ding!
Eyes shuttering open, he groaned and grabbed his phone, holding it above his head to look blearily at a text that read:
Remus (active now)
Remus: ( Gooooodmorning sunshine ) 6:48am
Regulus: ( morning ) 6:49am
Remus: ( Have you come up with any more sad boy music to share over our shift? ) 6:50am
Regulus: ( excuse you, I do not write ‘sad boy’ music ) 6:50am
Remus: ( Haha sure, keep telling yourself that ) 6:51am
Remus: ( Oh, and I heard there’s a band coming in tonight ) 6:51am
Remus: ( Maybe you could pitch one of your songs to them ;) ) 6:51am
Regulus: ( HA ) 6:51am
Regulus: ( yeah, that’s not happening ) 6:52am
Remus: (Well, you’ll regret it but it’s your choice🤷.) 6:53am
Regulus: (😐) 6:53am
Seen 6:53am
—-------------------------------
Regulus rolled his eyes and shut his phone off, desperately wanting to go back to sleep. It was like his bed was calling to him. Regulus had never had so much chemistry between him and sleep at that moment.
His eyelids felt heavy and his legs limp, however, he had to power on, so he forced himself up to stumble out of bed and head to work.
Regulus slipped on some converse, tied his inky black hair back into a stout ponytail, quickly checked himself in the mirror, then kissed his cat Cosmo goodbye before sprinting to the bus stop.
He had to pinch himself to stop him from falling asleep in one of the bus seats and checked his watch. Work started at 8:30, it was 8:20. He drew out a sigh of relief, and then hit the ground running as soon as it came to his stop.
“Hiya Reg,” came a voice and a warm grin. There he was, Remus Lupin, the heartthrob of Bertie Bott’s Coffee Shop.
He was wearing a silver emblazoned apron, his fluffy hair, a deep chestnut brown cupping his face, and his eyes gleamed with humor and mischief.
They’d been friends for years now, ever since Regulus moved to Riverwall. He couldn’t remember exactly how it had happened. Regulus got the job and hardly talked to anyone unless he had to. Customer service wasn’t exactly his best talent, but he had little other choice since songwriting wasn’t an easy way to keep himself stable.
All he knew was that Remus had always been nice to him, and over time adopted him as his friend. Regulus slightly regretted this predicament as the days (and annoyances) went on. It wasn’t all bad, though. They knew each other pretty well, and Remus knew when Regulus needed a break from socializing and for him to take over. Regulus didn’t mind lending an ear for Remus to rant about his book yet to be published either.
It seemed the two of them were starving artists forced to work here.
“You look energetic this morning.”
“Yeah, just great, thanks.” Regulus grumbled back, shoving on an apron and getting behind the counter.
“You really know how to brighten up a room.” Remus said as he beamed, flashing a dashing customer service smile as he passed a coffee over.
Regulus just mumbled a ‘mhm’ and focused on his work. Remus drove him crazy sometimes, but their banter was about the only thing keeping Regulus going through the day.
To no one’s surprise, working as a barista wasn’t the most thrilling pass time, especially for someone who wanted nothing more than scribbling lyrics in his journal and humming them to himself, dreaming of those very words being sung on stage. Regulus himself could never, of course. He had a major case of stage fright and deemed his voice terrible.
A bitter thought slipped into Regulus’ mind. Barty, his ex boyfriend, loved his voice, and his songs. He was about the only person he ever told about his hobby (until Remus of course), the only person he’d sung in front of before. He was so encouraging, so loving. Funny how things can change just like that.
A sour taste appeared in his mouth at all of his heart and soul he put into those songs about Barty. Barty was the reason he wanted to write songs, his inspiration. Well, it was also because Regulus could finally have a voice, say things he wouldn’t usually, open up. Regulus knew these songs probably wouldn’t see the light of day anyway, but it was how he processed things.
Ever since the messy breakup with Barty, the memory of the bastard had given him creative block. It made Regulus’ heart fall to the pit of his stomach every time he remembered singing those songs together, what they had. God, he’d gone down a spiral now.
He’d been so distracted that it only just filtered in his brain that he’d been pouring hot water onto his hand. “Ah! Ow! Shit!” Regulus cursed, running to put his hand under cold water. He made a decision then and there.
Barty may be the reason I can’t write songs anymore, but he won’t be the reason I lose my freaking job. No more thinking about him. Great, good.
He heard a very condescending ‘He-hem.’ of an older woman clearing her throat for his attention. He turned slowly to face her, trying to keep his face level and friendly. She had a frog-like face and wore an obnoxious amount of pink and jewelry, she looked to be in her 40s. Regulus hated her already.
“You know, young man, you should really watch what you’re doing. Oh, and don’t grimace so much, or customers ought to leave you a bad review.” She harrumphed, clearly pleased with herself. Regulus clenched his fists and felt his blood boil. Was she really going to criticize an underpaid barista right now?
Oh, he’d show her. Regulus started toward her, a fierceness in his stride, but Remus, slightly alarmed, jumped in his way before he could say anything rude.
“Ah hello there! My colleague here has just had a long morning. What can I help you with?” Remus said breezily, all in one breath, swiftly avoiding Regulus getting himself fired.
Regulus stopped and inhaled sharply. He really had to get it together.
Remus looked back at him with a look of concern that said ‘you okay?’. Regulus gave him a cool nod and pursed his lips into a thin line, lifting his apron off over his head and headed to the break room to cool off.
Little things set Regulus off a lot nowadays. He was never like this when he was a kid. Kind, polite, smart, a bit of a people pleaser to be honest. He was his parents’ golden child. Now, small things tipped him just over the edge. Especially snobby obnoxious customers like that. That lady had no idea what was going on in his life, what right did she have to criticize him? None, the answer is none. Regulus inhaled deeply, and thought about Cosmo to take his mind off it. The picture of his cat’s fluffy black coat and big golden eyes put a small smile on his lips. His shoulders he hadn’t realized were tense loosened.
Alright, things were going to be fine.
Regulus made his way back to the counter, and immediately wanted to refute that statement. Things were absolutely not going to be fine.
Because right there, barely a few meters away from him, Remus was chatting avidly and what looked like … flirting with a certain dark haired guy who was absolutely, undoubtedly, Sirius Black. His brother whom he hadn’t talked to for 4 years.
Regulus stopped in his tracks and stared him dead in the eye.
Sirius had a lazy grin across his face, which immediately dissipated when he and Regulus locked eyes.
Oh no.