You're Different
James POV
“JAMES! JAMES! I JUST TALKED TO THE CUTEST BARISTA, I THINK I MIGHT EXPLODE.” Sirius exclaimed breathless, hands on both of James’ shoulders to keep his attention.
“Okay, okay Black, calm down.” James laughed, taken aback.
“I will not calm down,” Sirius said fiercely. “Have you SEEN him? Ugh, those eyes, I could’ve swooned and got down on one knee right then and there.”
“Alright mate, save all that energy for tonight, yeah?”
Sirius looked deeply unimpressed and deflated, making an exasperated sound.
James sighed. “Well, who was it anyway?”.
Sirius pointed back at a guy with mousy brown hair that fell on his face in layers, with a cut lip from what looked like a scar and a silver apron. “The handsome one with the brown hair. Isn’t he gorgeous?” Sirius said dreamily.
“Pff, I guess.” James said
“You GUESS?!” Sirius gaped, looking like James had slapped him. “Clearly you’ve got zero taste.”
“Oi! I have taste! Just because it’s different from yours doesn’t mean it’s bad.” James protested.
“You keep telling yourself that, Potter.” Sirius said mournfully, shaking his head.
Then James saw him.
Possibly the prettiest guy he’d seen, anywhere, ever.
The guy had a hairband in his mouth, tying his sleek dark curls back and pulling his apron around his waist. His skin was light and his face had this softness to it, angelic and sweet. He was stout, but still had hints of muscle underneath his shirt and shown in his biceps. A tattoo of a black cat was emblazoned on his right shoulder, and just the way he moved and existed, scratching orders on his notepad for the next customer in line, had James dazed.
‘Is he even real?’ he thought.
Yep, that’s all it took for James to fall in love with the stranger. His head spun.
(Cue ‘Careless Whisper’, because that’s essentially what was going through his head at that moment.)
“Er, James?” Sirius waved a hand in front of his face. “Earth to James? Are you there?.” Then, Sirius traced his gaze back to none other than Sirius’ brother. His expression darkened. “Oh no no you don't, this is not happening.”
James blinked and shook his head, snapped back to reality and looked at Sirius perplexed. “Sorry, what?”
“Yep, this is proof you have terrible taste.”
“What?! Why??” James exclaimed.
“That just so happens to be my brother you’re ogling.” Sirius said defeated, arms crossed.
“Sorry - did you mean your brother as in - Regulus - your brother?”
“Yes, I meant Regulus, my brother.” Sirius drawled.
James had to do a double take.
“Are you sure? He looks so different.”
“When I tried to talk to him, he looked like he wanted to punch something, then stormed off.”
“Okay, yeah, that’s Regulus. But- how? He’s so-so-”
Sirius covered his ears. “Nope! I don’t want to hear your fantasies involving my brother, thank you.”
James’ face became determined.
Sirius looked at him, crestfallen. “James, no-”
“I’m gonna go talk to him.” James announced, and it was too late for Sirius to stop him because he already started marching towards the counter with all the confidence he could muster.
Behind him, Sirius face-palmed.
Regulus POV
‘Okay, this is fine.’ Regulus thought. ‘I’ve got Remus to keep Sirius away, and they’ll probably only be here one night! Probably.’
He twisted his fingers together nervously. A family reunion was the last thing he needed right now. He took a deep breath, turning to the next customer and trying a broad smile.
“Hi, what would you like?” Regulus said, looking down at his notepad to be ready to write.
“Hey,” a familiar earnest voice returned, and Regulus’ gaze shot straight up. His mouth gaped a little at the sight. “James?”
“Hi, Reg.” James smiled.
Oh god, he was meeting the whole pack of them.
Well, it wasn’t like Regulus hated James or anything. They hadn’t really talked much on their own, despite growing up in a small town together. James was always preoccupied by Sirius or his girlfriends. Regulus was preoccupied with his grades and being picture perfect, so he saw no reason to talk to him.
His parents had never approved of James, and planted the idea in Reg’s head that the Potters were ‘the wrong sort’. Regulus had realised the error in this much later, after Sirius moved out. He was grateful for the Potters for looking after Sirius when things were rough at home. They were lovely people, Regulus knew, and James had never been anything but friendly to Regulus.
Of course, Reg would get jealous of him sometimes, for getting to hang out so much with Sirius, but he was also jealous of Sirius, for reasons he couldn’t place. James was a free spirit. Kind, and funny. Reg swallowed at the memory. He wished he’d had someone like that in his corner that was his. So no, Regulus couldn’t bring himself to hate or hold a grudge against someone like James Potter. James was just too loveable and good.
“What are you doing he-.. Oh, you’re part of Sirius’ band, aren’t you.” Regulus said, unable to keep out the bitterness in his voice.
“Yeah!” James beamed, like the ray of sunshine he was. “I’m the singer actually.”
“Really?” Regulus arched his brow. “I never took you for the musical type.”
“Yeah well,” James chuckled, “neither did I, honestly, until Sirius recruited me. Turns out I’m not terrible, according to him.”
Regulus just stared at him for a moment, dazed. Realizing this, James cleared his throat and said “Well, I see you have a couple new tattoos. I never took you for the tattooing type.” James smirked.
Regulus couldn't help a girlish giggle that spilled out of him before he quickly snapped his mouth shut, embarrassed and concerned he could make such a noise. “Yeah, well, I’m not 17 anymore, I’m going to be a little different.” he said shyly, red in the face.
“Yeah, I can see that.” James said softly, studying his face. Regulus couldn’t help but note his cheeks were tinted a slight shade of scarlet. He tried not to question what that meant.
The silence stretched just a few seconds long enough for it to be awkward, so Regulus quickly chirped: “So, were you going to order anything?”
James flushed, snapping out of a daze. “Oh! Er, I just came over to sort of talk to you.” he bit his lip. “But while I’m here, might as well order a chai latte please.”
“Coming right up.” Regulus grinned. What was happening to him?! He never acted this cheerful or-or girlish like this around anyone before. He didn’t like it, but also couldn’t help it.
All their interactions had made him giddy, on high alert. Suddenly he was wondering if he looked okay, trying to conjure up James’ latte with the most grace possible. This probably resulted in him looking awkward and ridiculous, but if James noticed, he didn't say anything.
“Okay, here you go.” He passed James the coffee and their fingers brushed, ever so slightly. It seemed to set a static through his entire body.
James smiled. “Thanks. It’s nice seeing you, Reggie.”
Regulus’ heart jumped out of his chest at the nickname. He was about to say ‘you too,’ when a thought popped into his head. “Oh! And James.”
James turned. “Mm?”
“Would it be too much to ask if you, could tell Sirius to keep his distance? I’m just… not ready to talk to him yet.” Regulus looked down, embarrassed.
“Of course.” James said right after with genuine understanding. Regulus hated the way it made his heart melt in his chest.
James could probably bump into him right now and Regulus would have a heart attack.
“I’ll try and keep him under control,” James said slyly, “though I can’t make any promises it’ll work.”
“No, that’s fine. I appreciate it anyway.”
James gave him a knowing look, then hurried back to Regulus’ idiot brother. Sirius gaped at him comically, mouthing what looked like: “What in the bloody hell were you thinking?”. Regulus looked away.
Remus suddenly teleported next to Regulus, making him jump.
“Heyy, look at you getting all cosy with Mr Potter over there -”
“Oh shut up, will you,” Regulus grumbled, focusin back on his coffee making. “Don’t you have a job to do?”
Remus shrugged. “Probably, but nagging you is much more fun.”
“Minerva is going to fire you,” Regulus warned.
“Nah, ‘worked here too long. I was employee of the month last month anyways.”
Reg rolled his eyes. He tried to ignore the thumping in his chest.
Oh no. It was happening.
Regulus Black had a crush on James Potter.