Chapter Text
“I really don’t get why you need me there, Padfoot.” James Potter insisted, rubbing his eyes hard under his glasses, as he attempted to reason with his best friend. “Need I remind you I know nothing about Taylor Swift.”
“Prongs!” Sirius yelled, flailing his arms in the air, very almost hitting their other flat mate, Peter, in the eye. “Do you really want me to go to this club alone? On a Tuesday night? Do you want me to die?”
“Why are you going out on a Tuesday night, anyway?” Peter piped up from next to him, while disinterestedly typing on his computer, chin propped onto his hand.
”Because, Peter, it’s the club’s Taylor night.” Sirius emphasised with a sense of urgency he only got when he was truly passionate about something (James had secretly already caved, because who was he to deny his favourite person something which made him so happy?) “I’ve been waiting for this all year. It’s monumental.”
“Why can’t Pete go with you?” James asked, and Peter snorted.
“No can do, lads, I’ve got big plans tonight.” he said.
Sirius arched an eyebrow. “Do these plans include an empty room and a Minecraft server?”
Peter grinned at him. “Why, whatever do you mean, Padfoot? That’s my Saturday night.”
Sirius groaned while the other two snickered, rubbing the skin between his eyebrows as if a headache was growing there; which James was sure it probably was. “I’m moving out.”
“Sirius,” James laughed “Of course I’ll go with you, you berk. You need your right-hand man.”
Sirius grinned, almost as bright as his namesake. “You’re the best.”
“Who knows, James, maybe there’ll be some kitchen pans for you to hook up with,” Peter deadpanned, and Sirius barked with laughter as James struggled to keep his face unamused. Since coming out as Pansexual, there was no escaping the jokes that his best friends found so hilarious.
“Is there a dress code for this kind of thing?” James asked. “People take it pretty seriously, right?” He silenced the joke his best friend was about to make with a single glare. “What are they called? Swifters?”
”Swifties,” Sirius amended with amusement. “And yes, some do. A lot dress for a certain era. I’m thinking Reputation, to live up to my level of drama, of course.”
“If the shoe fits,” Peter muttered, and Sirius lightly whacked him across the head.
“Well, what era should I be?” James questioned. “I don’t even know any, I just know the songs you blast constantly.”
Sirius hummed. “I think what you already wear works, Prongs. You are actually the embodiment of sunshine. Hm, maybe something yellow, that’ll work.”
“I only have one yellow shirt,” James mumbled “What time does this thing start?”
“7,” Sirius answered, then leaned into Peter’s personal space to look at the time on his computer, and then gasped. “And it’s 5 now! Damn it, Wormtail, you could’ve told me! I’ll barely have time to do my hair.”
In his sudden burst of hurry, he leapt from his chair, kissing both James and Peter on the cheek, calling “See you later whores!” over his shoulder, and locking himself in his room for his standard two hour makeover.
James let out an amused sigh, watching him go. Sirius was like the other half of his soul, and he would follow him to the ends of the earth; which apparently included a Taylor Swift nightclub.
An hour and forty five later, Sirius was kicking open his door, after blasting Taylor Swift songs which James in no way recognised, and had admittedly gone all out.
He was dressed in all black; signature leather jacket in place, with a shirt which was almost indecently unbuttoned, tattoos on display, and a pair of jeans which left very little to the imagination. Silver rings were scattered across his fingers. His hair was curled and should shoulder-length, strands framing his face, and his eyes were intricately decorated with eyeliner and dark eyeshadow.
James let out a low whistle. “Damn, Padfoot. I might just up and leave all of my kitchen pans for you right now.”
Sirius barked a laugh and James grinned, but suddenly felt a little undressed. He was in his one yellow shirt, as promised, which was also rather unbuttoned, with light brown trousers. His hair was in no way done, just the mop of jet black that it usually was, and his round glasses perched upon his nose.
“You look perfect, Jamie. Now let’s go and sing some Taylor,” Sirius grinned.
”You’ll be singing Taylor,” James amended as they left the flat, yelling a goodbye to Peter as they went. “I’ll be supporting you from the corner, like the amazing friend I am.”
“Who knows, Jamie, maybe we’ll meet the loves of our lives,” Sirius said wistfully “while Love Story plays in the background.”
“Oh! I know that one!” James bounced on the balls of his feet. “The Romeo and Juliet one?”
“Yes!” Sirius grinned “See, we’re gonna have a smashing time. Just you wait,”
By the time they got to the nightclub, the music was already in full swing, and James was holding on for dear life to the sleeve of Sirius’ jacket as they waded through the dancing crowds.
Baby, I could build a castle, out of all the bricks they threw at me
“I’m gonna need a drink to get through this,” James announced, swerving Sirius, who was already singing, to the direction of the bar.
“Wonderful idea, Prongs,” Sirius replied loudly, and ordered them both a round of shots; which they proceeded to knock back. After that, James thought this club might not be too bad.
**
“Remus! Get over here!” Lily Evans called, standing on the tips of her toes to see over the crowd. Luckily, the person she was looking for towered over all of them.
“I got drinks,” Remus Lupin said, narrowly dodging a dancing girl as he moved past, holding two beers high above his head. “Christ, I’m not making it through this, am I?”
Everyday is like a battle, but every night with us is like a dream
“Lighten up, Lupin!” Lily grinned, bouncing on the balls of her feet, singing along. “It’s Taylor night!”
“I can see that,” he grumbled, hiding his smile behind his beer. Lily loved her best friend, truly, even despite his tendency to be an antisocial recluse. She’d near dragged him out of their flat, while he protested the whole way, but reluctantly thrown on a cardigan (as if this was any change from the norm) to represent the ‘only Taylor song he likes’ (lie).
Lily opened her mouth to talk to him again, spinning to the beat, when she saw him staring over her shoulder with a vacant and slightly awed expression; lips parted and face significantly pinker than it was thirty seconds ago.
“Lily, holy shit, I’ve think just died and I need you to hold me a funeral.”
“What?” Lily’s eyebrows drew together, staring at him incredulously. “What are you on about?”
But Remus didn’t answer, just continued to stare, so Lily took it upon herself to swivel around and follow Remus’ eye line; which was intensely focused on a man stood near the bar. He wore a leather jacket, barely buttoned shirt exposing a simply indecent amount of skin and tattoos, and had the face of a near enough super model.
He was the exact image of Remus’ type.
Lily let a laugh escape her lips at the realisation. “Ah, I see.”
“Fucking hell,” Remus swore, slowly beginning to tear his eyes away from the beautiful stranger. “That is the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.”
Lily hummed in agreement; always one to back up her best friend. “He’s certainly a looker.”
She looked at the man again, who was now showing off his criminally good side-profile while wearing the brightest smile Lily’d ever seen, talking to a man with glasses.
“Wait, look at his friend too,” Remus said, and Lily moved into his space to get a better view. “Something you’d like, Lil.”
Once she had a better view, her height was truly not an advantage in these environments, she felt all of the air punch out of her. The boy was tall, with luscious dark skin and an outfit which complimented it perfectly. His hair was a complete mess of jet black, not styled in the slightest, but Lily was nonetheless charmed.
“God, I hate attractive people.” she said, catching her breath “Those two look like they’ve been dropped out of heaven. How’s that fair?”
Remus chucked. “You do yourself a disservice Lily, as you also look like you were dropped from heaven, but yes I agree.”
Baby, we’re the new romantics
“You should talk to him,” Lily said, looking up at Remus with a coy smile, willing her heartbeat to slow down a little.
Remus glanced back at the boys, but scoffed. “What, and embarrass myself? That human is about a thousand times out of my league.”
“You do yourself a disservice, Remus.” Lily quoted cheekily, and was met with the expected eye roll. “I think you should do it.”
“You should do it,” he retorted “You clearly have a thing for his friend.”
“At least I wasn’t stood drooling at him in the middle of the dance floor,”
Just as Remus opened his mouth for a sarcastic response, he was cut off by a new voice. “Hi,”
In perfect sync, they both swivelled around, only to be face to face with the very two men they’d been shamelessly ogling at. Oh, God Lily thought in horror, Had they noticed the staring?
“I’m Sirius,” the one who looked like he’d stepped out of Remus’ fantasises said “like the star. And this is James.” he elbowed his friend, who lit up with an infectious grin and waved at them. Lily couldn’t help the smile which tugged at her own lips.
“I’m Lily,” she said, and decided to speak to Remus; who she didn’t need to look at to know he wasn’t functioning right now. “And this is Remus.”
“Hi, Remus.” Sirius said, grey eyes pinning him in place, and shooting him a charming smile which made even Lily’s knees weak. She wondered how Remus’ breathing was now regulating. “Can I get you a drink?”
Lily turned to look at Remus, who was already downing his near enough full cup of beer until it was empty, then shot Sirius an equally charming smirk. “Certainly can.”
Sirius looked ready to swoon as he led Remus to the bar, looking back him occasionally with wide eyes. She looked back to James, who was grinning after them.
Come on, come along with me
“Well, that went well,” he started, eyes back on Lily.
“Yeah,” she said, a little breathless with him so close. “I mean, Sirius is exactly Remus’ type. I can’t imagine it not going well.”
James just looked at her for a moment, as if he was trying to memorise her, and Lily felt her face heating up at the intensity.
“So, James,” she started, seeminly snapping him out of his trance. He recovered quickly, shooting her that same dazzling grin. “You a big Swiftie?”
“Oh,” his smile faltered for a second, but so quickly that Lily almost didn’t notice it. “Yeah, absolutely. Love a bit of the Tay. You?”
Lily nodded vehemently. “Oh, yeah. Big time. You a Fearless fan?” she gestured to his yellow outfit, grin wide. “It’s my favourite album.”
“Mine too,” he agreed instantly “Yep. Love Fearless. What song’s your favourite?”
“The way I loved you,” Lily responded instantly. She didn’t even need to think about it at this point. “It’s just perfect. I love White hourse, too, and Don’t you. Bit depressing, I’m aware, but I just love them. What about you?”
James looked so enamoured, if not a little confused. “Um, I think… Love Story?”
Lily nodded, an amused smile beginning to pull at her lips. “Insightful. Wanna dance? We can talk more about your Taylor opinions.”
“Yes!” James responded eagerly “I love this song.”
We are too busy dancing, to get swept off our feet
“Of course you do,” Lily said, taking his hands, which were warm and much larger than hers. “Come on, sunshine.”
James’ grin was even brighter than the sun at that.
Baby, we’re the new romantics, the best people in life are free.
**
There I was again tonight, forcing laughter, faking smiles, same old tired lonely place
“So, Remus,” Sirius began, regarding the man in front of him with glazed eyes as he swirled his newly bought drink around the glass in his hands. “Tell me about yourself, what’s your story?”
Remus scoffed slightly, leaning back against the wall with ankles crossed as Taylor’s voice sparked magic in the background and the coloured lights shone on his face; illuminating the scars which ran across it. Sirius’ stomach had been in knots since he first spotted him from across the bar, and he could safely say this was the most attractive man he’d ever seen in his life.
“There’s not much to say,” he replied, and Sirius noticed the slight twinge of a Welsh accent to his deep voice. Oh yeah, Sirius was fucked. “Came here from Wales, mum’s an angel but dad’s a dickhead, English Lit major and got these sick scars from a car crash when I was 4.” He gestured vaguely to his face with an air of disgust twisting his mouth.
“Sounds like a story to me,” Sirius said, with the sudden urge to learn everything there is to know about this man. “My dad was a dickhead too — mum was satan herself. Got kicked out when I was 15. Been living a punk rock lifestyle ever since.” he added with a wink, and watched as Remus’ adams-apple bob as he swallowed hard.
“Well, we’ve both had a shit go at it, then.” Remus said. “For what it’s worth, I dig your punk rock life style. It works.”
The playful conversation starts, counter all your quick remarks like passing notes in secrecy
Sirius smirked. “Well, now you’ve got me positively swooning, Remus.” he said “Rich considering your scars are quite literally the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Remus huffed out a laugh. “Recon you’d be the first one to ever think that.”
“Well, it’s lucky I’m here now then, isn’t it?”
And it was, enchanting to meet you.
“Yeah,” Remus said, eyes so focused on the man in front of him that he didn’t notice their friends dancing closely together meters away from them. “It is.”
This night is sparkling, don’t you let it go
I’m wanderstruck, blushing all the way home
I’ll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you.