Work Text:
-1
When Regulus saw a tall, handsome stranger walk into his place of work, he never expected him to be so dumb.
The stranger had glasses, wore a bright red sports jersey and had a satchel over his shoulder with notebooks and a laptop peeking out. He looked like he had come here to study. To settle in by the couch or on one of the tiny desks in the corner and take out a notebook. Maybe he would have ordered a drink–or two– and started studying like his life depended on it. Any normal university student would have done that.
However, as soon as he walked into the shop, he discarded his bag on the couch like he’d probably done a million times before and walked up to the other side of the bar, where Remus was silently working on chopping up fruits for the next morning's rush hour. The stranger talked quietly with Remus. Teasing him and laughing.
As Regulus busied himself with washing cups in the corner (or at least pretending to), he glanced over at Remus and the stranger. Besides his sports jersey, everything about the stranger pointed to him being somewhat well-educated, but Regulus couldn't be more wrong.
The stranger jumped down from where he’d been sitting on the countertop near Remus. Making his way over to the register where Regulus was cleaning.
“How can I help you?” Regulus asked as the handsome stranger came to a stop at the register. The handsome stranger only stared back. Regulus cleared his throat, which snapped the stranger out of his daze. Now, these next four words made Regulus rethink everything.
“Hey,” he said, clearing his throat, “Got any grapes?”
Regulus had only been working there for a week, but he was sure—he was positive—that they definitely didn't have any drinks containing grapes, let alone grapes themselves.
“What the fuck?” He said, bracing his hands on the counter.
The stranger cleared his throat and put his hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on the spot. “Uh, um, sorry, silly joke. I’ll just be going then.” He turned around, picking up his bag from the couch.
“Bye Remus,” he said as he waved, before turning to face Regulus and winking, “Bye stranger.” And out the door he went, leaving Regulus mad and utterly confused.
--
-2
Regulus had never expected the same guy to come in two days in a row. Let alone ask the same stupid question again. But here he is, proven wrong. The handsome stranger's name turned out to be James. Remus had told him as they closed up that afternoon. Remus found the whole situation very amusing. He kept chuckling every time Regulus brought it up, still annoyed and still very much confused. Regulus didn’t understand what was funny about it.
But here they are, the next morning. The dew had settled over every blade of grass outside and had sent a cold shiver through the shop. Regulus had put a scarf on that morning that had now become damp with condensation. As he and Remus went about the morning rush, he shivered in his favourite sweater.
Then, handsome stranger, James, appeared at the front counter out of absolutely nowhere. Regulus grumbled, too cold to do anything else. “Hey,” he said, smiling like a madman. Regulus just gave him a cold stare. “Got any grapes?” He said, looking at the handheld menu they kept on the counter.
Regulus drew a breath before answering. “As you can clearly see on the menu, we don't sell grapes, nor anything with grapes in it. So go pester someone else,” He said, not bothering with the stupid customer service voice he usually had.
“Ouch, feisty,” James smiled, “Is the cold bothering you?”
Regulus rolled his eyes before replying, “Not necessarily, but you asking for grapes is.”
“Well, it's not my fault I've never had grapes; my mum's allergic,” He said, putting down the menu and resting on the counter with his arms.
Jesus, those forearms… No
“No, it's your parents' fault for never teaching you that if someone says no, it means no,” Regulus said, stunning away to wipe the workbenches to give him something to do instead of staring at James’ stupidly perfect arms.
James continues talking to him as he busies himself, “Hey, that sounds bad. I ask consent, I do. Consent is hot.”
“Are you going to order something? Or are you gonna leave me alone?” He snaps, turning to face James, wet towel in one hand and food scraps in the other.
“Yes actually, one Orange Y’glad, please!”
Jesus Christ
--
-3
Today was much warmer than yesterday. Regulus had tied his hair up to get it out of the way, and Remus had rolled up his sleeves, revealing his tattoos. This time, James had a friend. Regulus couldn't see the guy's face; he was short and had a leather jacket that looked old and worn. They were over at the other end of the bar, talking to Remus as he cut fruits. It gave Regulus a sense of deja vu, reminding him of the first time he saw James.
Regulus finished serving a customer, turning around to clean the machines before catching sight of James. He was still standing by Remus, but the jumper he had been wearing when he walked in had been pulled off and wrapped around his waist, revealing the tank top he was wearing under it.
Jesus Christ, not again
A voice cleared at the counter, breaking Regulus out of his daze. Spinning around, he turned to help the customer and then stopped in his tracks. It was the friend that James had brought, the one in the leather jacket. Regulus noticed him right away. Regulus knew it was him as soon as he saw his face. But he could tell in the calculating and confused look on Sirius’ face that he recognised Regulus, but couldn't remember where from.
He wouldn’t recognise Regulus right away. How could he? Regulus had run away, cut his hair and changed his name.
“Sirius,” he said, after a moment.
Sirius snapped out of his stare, reorienting himself. “You-” He let out a light laugh, one of relief, “What-”
“I got out.” Regulus moved closer toward the counter.
“I can see that,” Sirius smiled, “I kept hoping that you’d get out and that maybe you’d come find me.”
“I didn’t know where you were,” He said, looking at his hands.
“What's your... name now? I assume you changed it?” Sirius asked.
“Regulus.”
“Leo, right?” And then Regulus nodded.
James chose that moment to appear, sliding up next to Sirius and smiling brightly at Regulus, unaware of the interaction that had just transpired.
“Don't. You. Dare. Ask. For. Grapes.” Regulus said, beating James to it, who had his mouth open, ready to ask.
He winked at Regulus. “Got any grapes?”
Sirius turned his head toward James so fast he could have gotten whiplash.
“This is Grapes Guy?”
James just smiled, “Oh, I didn't introduce you-”
“No need,” Sirius said with a secret smirk. “This is my brother.”
James paused, looking at Sirius and then looking at Regulus and then back to Sirius again. Like he was only now realising how similar the brothers looked.
“Oh shit,” He said under his breath.
Sirius smiled sweetly. “You’re dead.”
James bolted out of the store, jingling the door as he left, Sirius trailing closely behind him. Both left Regulus standing there, almost as confused as he was when he had first met James.
--
-4
Regulus has found that he’s started looking forward to seeing James every day. How or why that is, he doesn't know. But every time James walks through the door and discards his bag on the couch like he owns the place, Regulus has to fight not to smile.
Today, he brings a book, he waves to Regulus and Remus before spreading out on the couch and opening it up. As Regulus works, he tries his best not to glance over at James because when he does, Remus gives him a look and Regulus would rather get through the day without Remus picking up on… Things…
Regulus gets two annoying customers throughout the day as well. Excluding James, obviously. The first tries to convince Regulus that she knows the owner when Regulus knows for a fact that she doesn’t. He tries to tell her that the owner lives in Australia and only came into the store once, and that was to buy the place.
The second was just so obnoxiously loud that Regulus couldn’t help but glare. It's been a long day, to say the least.
“Hey,” Regulus turns around at the sound of a familiar voice, “Got any grapes?” James smiles. Regulus playfully rolls his eyes before settling his eyes on the book.
The cover was blue with a YA cartoon on it. And in big letters across the cover it said ‘Grape!’. Regulus just stood still for a second, contemplating whether to laugh or whack James on the backside of his head.
“Oh, by the way,” James said before Regulus had time to make his mind, "This book is great. You should read it!”
Regulus gave him a look of scepticism. “Is it about grapes?”
James laughs, turning over to look at the blurb. “No, actually. It's about a boy named Grape.”
Regulus frowns. “Who would name their kid Grape?”
“The author, apparently,” James said before placing the book on the counter. “Here, take this copy, I've got another at home.”
“I’m not reading that,” Regulus says, pushing the book back toward James.
James just smiled and pushed the book back to Regulus, “No, but at least you’ll have it if you want to.”
As James picks up his bag, bids goodbye to Remus and leaves, Regulus already knows that he’ll finish the book in a night. As embarrassing as it is to admit it.
--
-5
Regulus hates the fact that he has started waiting for the time of day where James will prance through the door, make himself at home and annoy him more. He admitted this to Remus, but Remus only smirked and continued cutting oranges. Regulus tried to get any other answer out of him, but it was no use. Remus wouldn’t do anything but playfully smirk and tease him.
Today, James is wearing a loose-fitting shirt and some jeans. His hair looks like he’d just gotten out of bed, like it usually does, and he skips in with a smile.
“Got any grapes?” James smiles.
Regulus give him a look, and James just smiles back.
“If you don't stop asking for grapes,” Regulus says, voice unsettlingly calm. “I will glue you to a tree and leave you all day,” He finishes.
James laughs and leans closer over the counter. “I love it when you talk dirty to me.”
Regulus pauses, heat rising to his cheeks, looking away, desperately trying to regain his dignity. He clears his throat. “I wouldn't have thought a man like you would be into bondage,” Regulus hums, moving away from the counter to try and hide his blush.
“Can’t say I’ve ever tried it,” James answers, resting his arms on the counter, “But, you know what they say. Don’t knock it till you try it, right?”
“Well,” Regulus said, turning around, “Are you gonna leave me to do my job without your constant pestering? Or am I gluing you to a tree?”
James’ smile drops a slight inch, but he collects himself quickly. “I guess that's my cue to get out of your hair.”
And with that, he turns around and walks out of the store. Regulus can't help but feel he may have been a bit harsh with his words.
--
+1
James doesn't show up the next day. Or the day after that. By the time 4 o’clock had rolled around and it was time to close the store, Regulus couldn’t help but feel a little dejected. It feels like he’s lost something he’s never had.
Sirius shows up during his lunch break on the second day. Regulus doesn't say anything about James. They talk about what happened in the past 8 years since Sirius left. They talk about Sirius’ art. And Regulus’ aspirations to start his own shop. He’s not sure what of yet but that doesn't matter. Sirius offers to help, but Regulus tells him he doesn't want charity. They have their first little fight. Afterwards, Sirius hugs him. Regulus almost cries when Sirius says he is proud of him.
On the third day since he’d last seen James, he’d resigned himself to the fact that James wouldn't show up. But when the door jingles and he sees a familiar face, his heart suddenly feels too big for his chest.
James strolls up to the counter and rests his hands on the edge.
“Got any glue?” he says.
Regulus frowns, confused. He shakes his head as a laugh bubbles out of him. “What?”
“Glue? You know, for the bondage thing?” James clarifies, “ Well, I mean, now that I'm thinking about it, glue isn’t the best thing for bondage. Maybe like rope or something instead.”
Regulus just shakes his head, looking down at his hands laughing.
“Well, then if you don't have glue, do you at least have grapes?” James asked again.
Regulus held his head in his hands, trying to hide his smile from him. James just smiles wider at the sight. Glancing down at the clock on the register, Regulus comes up with an idea.
“I'm on my break in five. Wait on the couch, and I’ll take you to go get some grapes,” He says, starting to clean up and prepare for his break.
James looked like a kid on Christmas day, smiling at Regulus before bounding over to the couch and flopping down to wait patiently for him to finish up.
Regulus got to work but ended up leaving 2 minutes early, having Remus chase him out with a towel until he walked up to James and left. Regulus has never been much for small talk. Every time he tried it would always end up in awkward silence, so he chased other men away with his deadly glare. With James, however, there was no awkward silence. James laughed at Regulus’ dark humor that no other man seemed to understand. James asked him about him instead of waffling on about himself the whole time. James made Regulus laugh.
Once they got to the store Regulus walked straight to the fruit and vegetable section of the store. There, in the crates, were small containers of grapes. Colours ranging from green to red to dark purple. James’ face lights up like a Christmas tree.
“Which colour do you want?” Regulus asked him.
James just stands and stares, overwhelmed by the number of grapes in front of him. “Which is the best?”
Regulus huffs out a laugh. “Green is my favourite, only because they are more sour. The dark purple ones are sweeter.”
James surveys the crates of grapes before grabbing some green grapes and Regulus’ hand and dragging them both to the checkout. It was the first time they’d ever held hands, and Regulus couldn't think properly with James’ strong hand wrapped around his.
They bought the grapes at the register, James bouncing up and down, so full of excitement and Regulus trying to keep him still for just a few more moments. Once outside, Regulus dragged James to a bench, sat him down and handed him the container of grapes. James looked much more apprehensive than before, before grabbing a grape and eating it.
His eyes widened at the taste. Regulus laughed at his expression.
“Is it good?” Regulus asks.
James shrugged, “It’s alright, not at all what I was expecting” He took another grape from the container. “I was expecting something softer.. Like jelly.”
“Oh my gosh, James,” Regulus said, head in his hands and a smile on his face.
“You’re so gorgeous,” Regulus snaps his head up at the sound of James’ voice. Blush forming on his cheeks and words gone from his mind, Regulus looks into James’ eyes. James doesn't look like he’s kidding. If anything, he looks stone-cold serious.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” James starts, panic entering his features. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’ve been pushing too much, and it's clear you’re not interested and I’m–”
“Shut up, god, James, you're so stupid. I’m very much interested in you, stupid.” Regulus said, smiling into his hands.
“Oh, I- um, what do I do? I- I wasn’t prepared for this at all,” James said, grapes still in his hand.
Regulus grabs him by the collar, drawing him closer.
“What do you think you should do?” He says, lips dangerously close to James’.
“Kiss you. You-..I-, Can I kiss you?” His eyes darted between Regulus’ lips and his eyes.
“Sure, Darling,” Regulus smiles before James’ lips are on his and his hands are in his hair. Kissing James is like being in the sun after a long winter. It's warm, comforting and radiant. Regulus melts into him, allowing himself to let loose before hearing the fall of plastic on the ground next to them.
“Oh no!” James gasps as they break apart, looking at the ground. “My grapes,” He pouted, looking at the spilled container of grapes that had fallen out of his hands. Regulus picked up the fallen container. Sitting inside, having been saved from death, was a singular grape. Regulus smiled as he passed the container to James.
“There’s still one left,” He said, nodding toward the saved grape. James just shrugged before picking it up in his hand.
“Well, clearly they all wanted to be free. It’d be a bit cruel of me to eat their child, right?” James said before letting it roll out of his hand to join the others.
“James, they're not actually alive.” Regulus rolled his eyes but kept a fond smile on his face as he looked at the man in front of him.
James dramatically gasps, “How dare you say that in front of their baby ears!” He turns to all the fallen grapes before saying, “Don't listen to him, he’s just being silly.”
Regulus laughs at him. James just looks and smiles at him before caressing his cheek and pulling his face closer. His lips hover over Regulus’ and brush against his when he said, “Do you think that this store has any juice?”
Regulus ignores the stupid question and opts for tugging on the collar of James’ shirt and pulling him in for a kiss.