Chapter Text
The door of the café flung open and was closed with a hard slap. It was a loud, surprising sound in the otherwise quiet café. Especially since Remus was just about to close it, meaning there were no other customers, and the music was off as well. But the door wasn’t just opening harsh because of the wind, it brought in a person as well.
It was a young man, hard to judge how old he was, but somewhere around Remus’ age. He leaned against the door and took in a few deep breaths. As if he had been running from something or someone. Remus could hear the man’s heart beating fast, and noticed the little shake of his hands as well. While he had been about to tell him that the café was closed, something about his whole demeanour made him pause.
“Are you alright?” Remus asked, making his presents known as he wasn’t sure the other had noticed. Hip leaning against the counter. Hands loosely resting on top of it, all so he could draw his wand quick if necessary. It might be in the muggle part of London, he might own a muggle café, but he was rather safe than sorry. He didn’t get a response, so Remus took his time to study the other.
The lad was a strange contradiction. He looked well kept. His black hair almost shoulder length but well kept. His clothes expensive, hugging his frame just right and his form was fit, though not muscular. He was a bit shorter than Remus was, but Remus was on the tall side. The stranger seemed to hold himself with confidence. At the same time, he looked windswept and disordered. Folds in his jacket and mud on his shoes. And while he held himself with confidence, it wasn’t matching the vibes and smells that he was giving off.
He looked gorgeous but in disarray.
The man didn’t reply but Remus decided to trust his gut feeling. He walked over to the Espresso machine and started to make some coffee. While it was brewing, he prepared the milk and grabbing the chocolate syrup that he had just put away. He decided to make the man a Mocha, though it was more of a guess than anything else. Bit of coffee, bit of milk, and always the lovely ingredient of chocolate. Finishing it off with a bit of whipped cream. Though the real last ingredient was a few drops of calming draught, the other seemed like he could need it.
When he was done, he placed it on the counter, closest to the front door as possible, without having to rearrange everything on it.
“Here you go,” was all he said with a soft smile. He then purposely turned around and started to clean the machines again. All by hand. It was the con of having a muggle café. Most of the machines didn’t like being exposed to a lot of magic. So, he had to be very careful how much or how often to use it. He preferred to use it to clean the floor and tables, a work he loathed to do. But that meant cleaning all the machines by hand. It was, in a way, a soothing work as well.
He smiled softly as his hearing picked up movement. The steps were quiet and almost unsure. But they made their way closer to him. He had to settle his own nerve not to look back and steel himself. He could trust his gut instinct, otherwise he could always, very quickly, draw his wand.
The next sound he picked up was a chair moving. Only then did Remus turn around to look at the man again. He was sitting on the chair, almost folded in on himself. As if he finally didn’t have to hold the posture anymore. His hands tight around the cup, trying to soak in the warmth. Even though the café was at a good, comfortable temperature.
Remus was curious, really wanting to ask a dozen questions. What was his name? Where was he from? Was he alright? Was he running from someone? Did he need a place to stay?
But Remus bit his tongue. It almost felt as if talking would disrupt whatever it was that was going on.
After he was done cleaning, he got out his stock book. Making sure all information and data were correct. Looking to see if he needed to order anything. To be fair, he had done that just yesterday and not much had changed. But he was trying to seem busy, for… well the sake of looking busy.
He had no idea how much time passed, but eventually he heard the chair, followed by footsteps coming his way. He closed the book and looked up with a soft smile – it wasn’t returned. Instead, the man’s handsome features were pained with worry lines and eyes that looked very far away.
“I- uhm just realized I don’t have any money on me. My apologies. My family does though I-I will come back and make su-“ the man started to ramble and it was almost as if the floodgates were open. Remus smiled softly and held up a hand. Just how much stress was the other man under? The calming draught barely seemed to have made a dent.
“It’s alright. You… really looked like you needed it,” Remus replied and lowered his hand again. Trying to keep an open and welcoming posture towards the other.
“That’s… horrible for business, you shouldn’t do that,” came the scoff and the reply. Remus’ eyebrows shot up and he let out a surprised chuckle. Not the response he expected, but it kept him curious.
“Well in that case, you’ll have to came back then, won’t you? Making sure your debt is paid off,” Remus replied instead. He had no intention to keeping tabs on that, but it seemed to put the other at ease. That, once again, struck Remus as curious. He badly wanted to unpack the enigma in front of him.
“Sounds like a plan Sunshine,” the man replied with a cheeky smile, one that definitely suited him. Remus tried his best not to blush, even though it was definitely a corny line.
“Off with you,” he chuckled and grabbed the dirty cup to bring it to the back. Once he came back the café was empty. Remus shook his head a little with soft smile. Part of him hoping that he would see the other male again.