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“Oi, Pads! You’ve got to see this girl. She’s dressed like a bloody Pillow Pet.” James rushes up to Sirius, drinks in hand and a smile plastered on his face.
“What?” His face screws up in response, trying to dig through his drunken mind to figure out what a pillow pet could be. Bright lights keep flashing as he looks across the room, trying to see what James is talking about.
“A Pillow Pet!” James gives him a sharp look, “Don’t tell me you don’t know what a Pillow Pet is.”
Sirius rolls his eyes, ripping his drink from his friend’s hand. “Stop just saying the name! Is it like one of those pet rocks or something? Do they do tricks? Bark?”
With a snort of laughter, James pulls out his phone. Within a moment, he has a video pulled up and playing at full volume, yet barely audible over the music in the club. It’s a commercial for absolutely ridiculous pillows that look like animals. When it’s over, he turns to James, “Why would anyone have a pet ladybird?” His friend shoots him a questioning look, “They’re called Pillow Pets, but they don’t seem like pets at all.”
“Shut the fuck up Pads.” James laughs,“How did you never see them? They were all over the telly.”
Eyes rolling, he scoffs at his friend. “You do remember who my bloody parents were, right?”
James places a comforting hand on his shoulder, then grins. “Anyway, she’s dressed as a Pillow Pet and so fucking fit. I’m going to tell her I’ve always wanted one.”
“In your bed? Sounds like a surefire way to get slapped.”
But James isn’t listening, instead he’s crossing the club and heading towards a girl who looks surprisingly like a Pillow Pet. She’s wrapped up in red fabric, stuffed to look like a pillow, and has black spots painted meticulously on her back. He’s about to turn away when he spots something even more ridiculous than the walking pillow... or maybe just the most fit man he’s ever seen dressed like a primary school art project.
He’s gorgeous. Clad in skintight clothes which cover almost every inch of his skin with a swirling blue pattern, the man stands tall amongst the crowd. Even the visible bits of skin are painted to match the fabric, patterns continuing seamlessly up his body like a living canvas. Sirius wants to get a closer look, especially because the tight blue fabric leaves little to the imagination. Unfortunately the man also has on white and pink flowered shorts, which hide the bitSirius is most curious about. Still, his lean arms are on full display, and Sirius decides they look strong enough to lift him clean off the floor.
Curious, he weaves through the crowd, slipping up beside the man for a better view. Under the flashing club lights, he can make out several doodles across the man’s chest: a crudely drawn cock, a phone number that’s been scratched out, and a few scattered hearts. Warm amber eyes flick to Sirius, raking slowly over his cheerleader outfit—which, of course, matches James’s American footballer look—and features an impossibly short skirt.
With a wicked smile, Sirius begins talking to the man, turning on his charm effortlessly. “And what are you supposed to be?”
The grin he gets in response lights up the whole room, and the man’s voice makes everything else go quiet. “I’m a Doodle Bear.” He leans in closer, and Sirius feels himself stop breathing, lost in bright amber eyes and a blue framed smile. “Lily wanted something that matched her costume.”
Disappointment hits him like a rock, “Oh, is she your girlfriend?”
“I’m quite gay.” The gorgeous man says with a wink.
And relief replaces it the moment those words leave his lips. The man pulls a pen out of his pockets of his little flowered shorts. “Do you want to doodle on me? It’s an essential part of the costume.”
Sirius doesn’t need to be asked twice, grabbing the marker and feeling electricity march through his veins as their fingers brush. He crouches down and begins sketching his constellation on the man's hip bones, wishing desperately that he was touching them without the fabric in between. Beneath the pen, he feels a subtle shiver ripple through the other man, followed by a sharp intake of breath. It’s not much, but it feels like a promise, like the first flicker of something more.
“That’s lovely, which constellation is it?” The man asks, looking at Sirius through his eyelashes as he glances up from his new doodle.
“Mine,” He thrusts his hand out, only to have it engulfed in large, warm fingers that make his heart simultaneously stop beating and start racing. “I’m Sirius.”
“Nice to meet you Sirius, I’m Remus.” Their hands are still joined, and Sirius can’t help but think how well they fit, like they were always meant to find each other. He’s about to say something flirtatious, maybe outrageous, when shouting nearby snaps his attention away.
“Get away you fucking creep, you can’t have me.” The Pillow Pet, Lily , has dumped her drink on James, who is looking rather flustered.
Remus is already stepping in, his long arm wrapping protectively around his friend as he levels a glare at James. He’s suddenly towering and fierce, an imposing presence despite his blue stained skin. But Sirius can only focus on the arm around Lily’s shoulders and how badly he wants to be the one held like that instead.
James is stuttering in response, so Sirius sweeps in. “He genuinely wanted a Pillow Pet growing up, he’s just an idiot.”
“He said he wanted to have a Pillow Pet in his bed.” She says, crossing her arms and leaning further into Remus. Sirius flinches, remembering his words to his friend, and he resolves to lighten the mood.
“Prongs.” Sirius shoves his friend jokingly, “I told you that would get you slapped.”
A small cheeky smile peeks through, “Technically she just dumped a drink on me.”
Rolling his eyes, Sirius turns back to the other two, who are exchanging looks. “He really meant he wanted a Pillow Pet. Not you specifically.” He raises a brow and looks at his beet-red friend, smirking. He can’t help himself. “Not that he would complain about having you in his bed.”
Lily slaps Sirius in response and Remus looks like he is holding back a laugh, despite his arm still tight around his friend. However, after a moment the tension settles slightly, and Sirius apologizes again. Well, it’s not exactly an apology. “Sorry, but don’t worry. He’s a gentleman.” He tilts his chin daringly at Remus, gaze lingering, “But I’m not.”
He hears a huff of annoyance from Lily, but his eyes are set on the tall, blue man in front of him. His brows are raised and he’s clearly holding back another laugh. The club is still pumping music around them, but he can’t focus on anything other than amber eyes and miles of blue skin.
“Shame.” Remus says, schooling his features back into something neutral, “We’re going to get back to dancing.”
And with that, the Pillow Pet and Doodle Bear walk back into the crowd.
He doesn’t see them again, not until a year later, when he returns to the same club dressed as Dawn to James’ very committed Ash Ketchum. And across the room? A 6-foot-tall Piplup with familiar amber eyes. It has to be fate. This time, he’s catching that Pokémon.