Work Text:
The coffee shop was warm, like old memories. It was quiet, there were college students in a corner studying, probably silently panicking about their deadlines. Sirius didn't know them. He sighed with relief.
Sirius was indecisive when it comes to ordering stuff. Him being lactose intolerant and it being his first time here made it a bit harder. In the end, he decided to order a caramel macchiato with almond milk.
The line moved slowly, a steady shuffle to the counter. Sirius kept rehearsing his order in his head. Finally, the barista called, "Next!". Sirius stepped foward, the barista glanced up and for a second, all time was lost. He had tired, but warm, eyes, something you'd usually expect from a college student.
Sirius was suddenly aware of his surroundings again. "Uh- hi! Can I get a caramel macchiato with almond milk, large, please?"
"Oh- sorry, but we only have lactose-free milk. Would that be okay with you?" The barista, Remus, said. His voice was low and smooth.
Sirius suddenly felt a blush creeping up his neck. What was happening. "Oh, yeah, that's fine!" he replied.
"Nice, name for the order, please?" Remus asked.
"Sirius, spelt like-"
"The star?" Remus suddenly said.
"That's a nice name." he smiled, just a soft smile, and it made Sirius' world turn upside down.
"Thanks.. I like your name too." Sirius murmured. Okay, he was internally screaming.
Remus just smiled in return. "Okay, that'll be 2.99." he said.
Sirius paid and sat down at a small table to wait. He noticed a red-headed girl laughing at him and Remus told her to "shuddup!". After a while, his name was called. He went to the counter and Remus handed him his order.
"Hey, are you new here? To this college I mean." Remus asked.
"Eh, not really. I'm in my 2nd year now, so, yeah." Sirius answered.
"So, I guess I'll be seeing you around?"
"We'll see."
After a few weeks of Sirius coming to the coffee shop, with the same order every time, and always asking for almond milk, he started to talk to Remus more. Sometimes his best friend James would tag along, saying it was for the "aesthetic", when the truth was he liked the red-headed girl, Lily.
Another day, another coffee shop trip. This time, Sirius was alone. He waited in line, then he heard the familiar voice calling out, "Next!".
"Hey, Remus! Usual order, please." Sirius greeted.
"Hi! 2.99, please." Remus replied.
Sirius paid and waited for his order at the counter. Remus finally came and gave him his order. He went to sit at one of the small tables.
He took a sip of his coffee and he realized it tasted... different? Kind of tasted like almond milk?
He went up to the counter and asked Remus about it, "Hey, Rem? Did you guys get almond milk?" He asked.
"Oh- yeah! I mean no- actually- well, you're always asking about it, so I got some 'specially for you.." His fingers drummed against the counter, he seemed nervous.
"Wait.. really?! Aw, Remus, you're so sweet-" he was cut off by Remus, again.
"Oh, shuddup, Sirius.. 's not a big deal... and I figured you deserved your actual usual." Remus was starting to turn pink.
"Also, Sirius, d'you think you can wait for me? For me to finish my shift I mean. We can.. hang out?" he asked hopefully.
"Yeah, sure!" Now, Sirius was starting to turn pink too.
Remus smiled sweetly at him and went back to work. Sirius went back to his table and he faintly heard Lily teasing him, "oooooh he got himself a date!"
The coffee shop was quieter now. Just the sound of the fridge and the buzz from the lights. Remus was still cleaning the counter when he noticed Sirius, still sipping his drink.
"Hey, you actually stayed?" Remus said, putting away the towel.
"Well, you told me to. Didn't want to disobey the man that handles my caffeine every day."
"Good call! I've given people decaf just for that."
Sirius laughed. "Wow, absolutely ruthless."
"Selective," Remus said, while locking the register. "Let's go. I know a place that has decent milkshakes. Y'know, you seem like a milkshakes person."
"You can tell by just looking at me?"
"Yep, and the fact you've ordered caramel macchiatos every day."
"Oi, that's consistency!" Sirius said, lightly bumping Remus' shoulder.
"Mmm. Or a cry for help."
They both laughed, the kind that lingers a second too long.
It felt awkward, but right. It's like they knew each other their whole life.
When they arrived at the diner, "A diner? Really Rem?", they sat next to each other. They ordered a milkshake for them to share, and some fries.
"So..." Remus dragged out the vowel, "Did your coffee taste better today?" He asked with a knowing smile.
"Suspiciously better." Sirius said feigning seriousness. "You trying to impress me, Lupin?"
"Maybe."
"Well, it worked."
There was a pause, a shared smirk, and the air shifted. Remus felt Sirius' hand moving up to his own. Remus interlaced their fingers. They both softly smiled at eachother.
"So, you got almond milk for me. That's pretty romantic." Sirius teased.
"Come on. That's basic customer service!" Remus replied.
"Oh, customer service is after-shift hangouts and special orders now?"
"You're special." Remus said before he could stop himself. "Uh- I mean special order special. Like– coffee special, not-"
"You're doing great, love." Sirius teased, grinning. "Keep digging."
Remus groaned, and covered his blushing face with his free hand. "I'm never living this down..." he muttered.
"Yeah," his voice softer, "but now I know my barista likes me back." He smiles softly at Remus.
Their food arrived, they shared a milkshake, they were happy and blushing all the way.
They walked back to Sirius' dorm to drop him off. On the way there, it was constant teasing, talking, shoving.
They got to Sirius' building and Remus suddenly realized, "Oh, I actually live near here."
"Wha- how?! I swear I would've noticed somebody like you. What, with your tall arse and scars?" Sirius said.
"Hey! Was that supposed to be an insult?"
"Joking, now come on! Walk me to my dorm."
"Ah yes, because that's what a gentleman does."
It's like they make the walk to his dorm longer on purpose. They're holding hands, and it seems like they dont want to leave each other.
"Well, here we are." Sirius said. "My roomate, James, is probably there now. You remember him, right? Sirius asked.
"Oh, yeah, Lils keeps on talking about him as if he's a lovesick puppy." Remus says.
Sirius chuckles at that.
Sirius awkwardly shuffles around. Then suddenly, he leaned in and kissed Remus on the cheek. "Thanks for tonight. I enjoyed it." He blushed.
Remus softened, and he grinned. "Anytime. Call me, okay?"
Sirius opened the door and closed it quickly. He went into his bedroom and called for James.
"Jesus– what?! Why are you screaming so loud?! And you didn't text me?!" He complained.
"Okay– holy shit! You won't believe what happened. So remember Remus, my barista? He likes me back! Like, like-like! We went to a diner and called me special and shared a milkshake and held my hand– I am so not okay!" Sirius ranted.
James laughed. "Wait– slow down! You held hands? You shared a milkshake?!" Pads, come on that's a rom-com!"
"I know James! And he just dropped me off right? Before I went in here, I kissed his cheek! Holy shit, I'm spiraling! And he's just so pretty and he's so tall?!" He yelled.
"Well, now you have to text him! Or else he'll think you're 'cool' forever!" James teased.
"No, I'll seem desperate!" Sirius whines.
later night...
*Ping!*Sirius' phone lights up. It's a text from Remus!
remy: so... funny story! before i left ur dorm i heard you ranting to your friend.. the whole thing btw.
star: ...you heard the whole thing?
remy: yup! very charming i must say
star: i mean, james was right abt one thing, it did feel like a rom-com..
remy: now that i can agree on.
remy: you're adorable. you basically just gushed about the whole thing!
star: oh shut up it was not gushing!
remy: mmm sure mr. "hes so pretty and tall!"
star: oh im gonna kill you.
remy: dont even or ill give you decaf tomorrow.
remy: i will see you tmrw right..?
star: aww you miss me! yeah of course im seeing u tomorrow!
star: dont give me decaf though.
remy: we'll see.