wolfstar microfic Ā· wc: 1136 Ā· Valentine's day
Sirius' life had to be a sitcom.
There' was no other explanation for why his Valentine's date was being such a fucking joke.
First of all, Mundungus didn't look anything like his Grinder profile. The blonde, surfer hair in the photo had magically disappeared, leaving a shiny bald spot that Sirius could have perfectly used as a mirror for doing his eyeliner. It also seemed like Mr. Fletcher had suddenly aged 20 years, and, listen, it was not as if Sirius really minded age gaps, but this was the type of situation where, instead of Daddy, he might need to use Grandpa, and that wasn't what he would call a turn-on.
However, the worst thing of it all was the goddamn garlic breath. Sirius could only wonder, did this man have a chronic phobia of vampires? Or did he never brush his teeth?
He was trying really hard to control his yawns, and to breath through his mouth so that he would not suffocate with the fetid odor. It was a bit difficult, given that he was also trying to taste some of the spaghetti he had ordered.
Mundungus was telling him a really boring story about his job that would serve perfectly as a bedtime story, and Sirius' eyes were scanning the restaurant absently, trying to focus on something that could help him not to fall asleep right there.
Two tables ahead, a man was sitting down with the same expression as Sirius'. His droopy, honey eyes were also struggling to keep open, and his shiny mouth seemed to be unconsciously pouting in a way Sirius could only find cute.
It seemed like his Valentine's date was also going badly, and Sirius could perfectly guess why.
He recognised the man that was sitting in front of the beautiful stranger. He had been on a date with him two months ago, and, being completely honest, it was on par with the current one he was having. That man, Gilderoy Lockhart āSirius wouldn't be able to forget his name after the man had repeated it a thousand timesā, only knew how to talk about himself and the amazing, best-selling books he had written āSirius had googled them on his way home, and it hadn't been until he had clicked on the third Google tab that they had appeared.
If he was feeling sorry about himself before, it was nothing compared to what he now felt for the unknown man that seemed so uncomfortable any other date would have noticed, but, of course, Gilderoy was too busy talking about his great āand fakeā achievements.
It was at that moment that Sirius made a decision.
'I'm sorry, but I have to go. You can eat what's left of my pasta, it was a bit uncooked for my taste,' he interrupted Mundungus, who looked at him with unconcealed confusion, but Sirius didn't really care.
He got up from the chair and, without a second thought, approached the table where Gilderoy continued talking under the stranger's bored gaze.
'So, yeah, dealing with fame it's a bit tedious, but what can I do if "Swimming with mermaids" got viral so quickly?' Gilderoy told the other man, and Sirius thought that this was his chance.
'Oh, yeah, I remember you also told me about that book, but I couldn't find it that easily when I looked for it,' Sirius added, his heartbeat fastening when the stranger snapped out of it and looked at him with a surprised, but not annoyed, expression.
Gilderoy, on the other hand, furrowed his brows as soon as he saw him, and that brought a smile to Sirius' face.
'Excuse me, but this is a private date, who...?'
'Oh, you don't remember me? Sirius, Sirius Black.' Gilderoy's eyes widened after hearing his name. 'We had a similar date to this one some time ago, and you also spent the whole dinner talking about your amazing books.'
The stranger didn't seem sleepy anymore. His attention was focused on Sirius, who noticed the way the corners of his mouth were twitching, obviously holding his laughter. That only encouraged Sirius to continue talking.
'However, it seemed like you made a mistake when talking about the number of books you had sold. You talked about 10000, but it was more like 10, right? Such a silly slip-up.'
The stranger wasn't hiding his smile anymore, giggling silently at the same time that Gilderoy's face turned red, and Sirius decided to throw the final bomb.
'Also, you told me you were close with Mary Macdonald, the famous editor, right? You see, she's the girlfriend of one of my best friends, Marlene, and when I asked her about you, her only answer was a confused "Who?"'
That seemed to be the last straw for the stranger, who let out a loud laugh and almost fell off his chair. Gilderoy's mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but he was in too much of a shock to give a proper answer.
Sirius saw his opportunity, and he offered the other man his hand without hesitation.
'Remus, that's my name,' the man said, accepting his hand with a small smile on his face.
'Beautiful name, Remus. So, what do you think about leaving this liar here, and joining me for a slice of pizza? I know a really good place nearby.'
Remus' smile widened, leaving his crooked teeth on sight, and Sirius thought this man couldn't have been more lovely, even if he tried.
'I would love that, Sirius.' He got up, not letting go of Sirius' hand and sharing his warmth with him.
Right before leaving, he seemed to remember that Gilderoy was there, and he looked at him with an innocent-looking expression. 'Well, Mr. Lockhart, given that you have sold so many books, I suppose that the bill is on you.'
This time it was Sirius who roared with laughter, and he squeezed Remus' hand as they walked towards the exit.
Suddenly, Mundungu's hoarse voice rose behind them.
'Wait, where are you going? Who do you think you are?' he snapped, angrily.
Sirius sighed, not wanting to deal with more drama, but Remus beat him to the answer.
'Excuse me, but I think you should swap the pesto sauce for something less smelly. Enjoy your night.'
It was that moment when Sirius was completely sure that Remus was the man made for him.
And they left, simple as that, hand in hand and laughter escaping their lips every time they remembered what just happened.
They enjoyed their pizza while conversation flowed naturally, as if they had known each other since always, and when, by the end of the night, Remus asked Sirius if he wanted to come into his flat, Sirius knew for sure this would be the first night of many.Ā