Work Text:
Remus practically falls onto his chair, wincing at the jolt it sends through him. He’s been standing for far too long, and it’s only going to get worse when he switches duties and begins stocking the shelves.
Unfortunately for Remus, his boss happens to enter the backroom only a few moments later. “Lupin! Go restock the shelves. You’re not off for another hour. Don’t make me remind you again,” Cornelius threatens.
The assistant manager, Arthur, lets him use a seat when he’s manning the register. The man is conscious of Remus’ issues and treats him with kindness. However, he’s not on duty today. So Remus is stuck with his actual manager for the shift.
The old bag of bones isn’t the worst he’s had to deal with. Plenty of P.E. teachers got on his case back in grade school. The majority accepted his doctor notes and begrudgingly let him sit out when prompted. But there were always those who refused to take his conditions seriously.
It obviously doesn’t get better in the real world. Remus sighs, standing to pop his back. He still needs this job to pay for college... Even if the manager is an arsehole.
He heads for a box at the front of the store. Many customers came in, grabbed something off the shelf, and decided they didn’t want it too late. The responsibility of putting everything back always fell to Remus.
It’s a blissfully mindless job. Easier than running the register, mentally. Physically, Remus is struggling. Lugging a container of books around isn’t pleasant at the moment.
Remus sets the box down once he reaches the middle of the store. Pushing it against a shelf, he reaches for the first stack of books. All fantasy. Dorcas had chosen benevolence for the day and organized them by section.
He starts the monotonous task, shelving each novel by author. Remus gets through fantasy, sci-fi, and biographies without a hitch. Next on the list is romance.
Remus turns the corner to find a man standing at the end of the aisle. Remus is vaguely aware the clothes he’s wearing are from a luxury brand. He also recognizes the book in the man’s hands as some sort of smutty gay romance. A terrible one at that. Remus, unable to help himself (and assuming someone queer won’t rat him out to his manager), moves towards the unfamiliar customer.
“Really? That’s the kind of thing posh boys are into these days?” Remus jokes as he steps behind the man. He’s tall, but not as tall as Remus. People rarely are.
Remus’ smirk falters when the raven-haired stranger turns to face him. Fuck, he’s hot. Fortunately, the handsome stranger appears too embarrassed to notice Remus’ few moments of gawking.
“No, of course not,” Handsome Stranger squeaks. “I was just—I was, you know, browsing. For a friend!”
Remus recovers from his shock, regaining the mischievous smile. “Must be pretty close with that friend if you’re buying them a book about...”
“Er, yeah!” Handsome Stranger blurts, before realizing the possible implications of that. “Well—Not in that way. Just good friends. Best friends. Nothing more.”
Remus bursts out laughing. “You’re not a very convincing liar.”
“I’m not lying, he’s my best mate…” Handsome Stranger insists, like he’s dreading the idea that Remus will take things the wrong way.
Remus rolls his eyes in mock exasperation. “I don’t mean about that. Why are you looking in this section?”
“Oh, I—I don’t know. It’s stupid, really,” Handsome Stranger mumbles.
Remus lets up slightly on the ribbing. “I’m not one to judge. There are far worse hobbies than reading gay romance novels.”
Handsome Stranger stares hard at his feet. “Not a hobby.”
“Clearly. Not yet, at least.”
“... Just looking for something introductory,” Handsome Stranger mutters. “My parents were pretty strict when I was growing up, and I’m only now figuring myself out.”
“Ah, don’t make me feel bad for mocking you.”
“It was mean. Cruel and unusual punishment,” Handsome Stranger declares.
The corners of Remus’ mouth quirks up. “Guess I gotta make up for it, huh?”
“I—um—uh huh…”
Remus, the tease, simply reaches for a book on the high shelf behind Handsome Stranger. “Here. This is one of my personal favorites. Think you should give it a read.”
“Oh! You’ve—you’re—thanks…”
“Anytime,” Remus replies. “I have a couple other recommendations, too.”
“Like?”
“Hmm… How about this? You come back in when you’ve finished that one and tell me what you think of it. Then, we’ll go from there.”
Handsome Stranger blushes furiously at the invitation, already backing away. “Okie-doke. Awesome. Sounds awesome. Later!”
“I never caught your name!” Remus calls to him.
The stranger stops in his tracks, flipping back around. “Oh! I’m Sirius. And you are?”
“I have a name tag,” Remus responds with amusement.
“I’m trying to be polite,” Sirius huffs.
“I’m Remus. Pleasure to meet you, Sirius.”
“Right. Cool. Thanks, mate. See you soon.” Sirius turns on his heel and practically bolts for the register.
Remus chuckles to himself, walking back towards the half-empty box of books. His shift seemed to go by faster now that he had a cute boy to fantasize about. *Sirius.* Sirius what? Remus probably should’ve asked. And grabbed his contact info. But he said he would come back later to see Remus, and get more books…
He floats down that trail of thought until closing. The boxes and titles blur together while he daydreams. Remus only wakes from his trance when his favorite coworker taps him on the shoulder.
“C’mon, Johnny-boy, I don’t have all day. Hurry up and we can go home,” Dorcas cajoles, flashing Remus a playful grin. Remus snorts, returning the smile.
“Alright, alright. Chill out, I don’t wanna be here either. I gotta get back to my dorm and complete all my homework... I just have two stacks left.”
“I’ll take one, you get the other?”
“Deal,” Remus agrees. The pair take their respective piles and rush through the last task for closing.
As much as Remus likes to complain, he loves his work. He gets to be around books constantly. The regulars are passionate about literature. His manager is a dick, but his coworkers are amazing.
Remus and Dorcas swiftly finish closing, fueled by the desire to leave as soon as possible. Remus attempts to lock the entrance to the store, until Dorcas grows sick of his fumbling with the key and does it herself.
She sticks her hands in her pockets as they stroll down the street. “You’re such a clutz,” she points out, “don’t know how you haven’t been fired yet. Willy hates your ass.”
“Willy?” Remus questions, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his coat.
“Fudge’s name of the week,” Dorcas clarifies.
Remus hums in semi-understanding (they came up with ridiculous names for their manager often). “Ah, right…”
“Y’know, like… Willy Wonka?”
“Oh! The candy guy. Nice.”
Dorcas scoffs, shaking her head. Remus bows his in embarrassment, bringing a lighter to the end of his fag. Dorcas seemingly materializes her own cigarette out of thin air. She holds it up to Remus, waiting. “Gimmie a light?” she asks, when Remus takes too long.
He extends his zippo to Dorcas, allowing her to ignite the tip. They both take a drag, exhaling the smoke from their lungs and into the cool night air.
As they come up to the nearest bus halt, Remus slows. “Ah,” he begins, “this is my stop. I’ll cya ’round, Dork.”
“Later, Loopy,” she retorts, marching past the bench and towards her apartment.
Remus sits, smoking his cigarette to the stub while he waits.
...
Remus briefly considers calling Lily once he arrives back at his dorm. It’s not too late, and he wants to tell her that he isn’t entirely hopeless in the romance department.
But he does have a lecture with her in the morning. Besides, he has college homework to finish before said class.
Remus sighs, flopping down onto his desk seat. He has a miserable night ahead of him…