#ocalyce

CHAPTER FOUR

“Sirius?” James asked in a sweet tone. “You still picking up those flowers for me?”

“I don’t see why you can’t,” Sirius responded, cleaning up his station as he had just finished  session.

“What if she’s there,” James argued.

“You ask her out on a date,”

“Yeah, Potter,” Alyce snickered. “Don’t be a pussy,”

James just stuck his tongue out.

“Actually, I do want to go over there anyway,” Sirius said. “I’ve had this idea for awhile and I want to talk to the manager about it?”

“What? You want to give the cute Orders Manager a free tat?” Alyce smirked.

Sirius pulled a face at her. “No, I was thinking about having weekly flowers at the shop,”

“Why?” James asked. “Seriously, where did this idea even come from? Flowers? Punk boy Sirius wants flowers?”

“Are you okay?” Alyce asked. “Did you have a fall? A fever?”

“The more you make fun of me the more I cut your pay,” They immediately shut up. “When am I picking up these flowers?”

“Sirius, you called,” James stated.

“Oh, well I forgot,” Sirius shrugged. “I’ll go over now,”

“Don’t mention me to Lily!” James shouted.

“Aye aye captain!” Sirius saluted. 

He momentarily clocked out and grabbed his phone and wallet, heading over to the other side of the street. He pushed open the door, hearing the little bell jingled above him as he walked in. He looked at the counter and saw a guy with a buzzcut. 

“Welcome to Lupins’ Lotus’, how can I help you?” The guy asked nicely.

“Hi, I’m here to pick up some flowers for James?” Sirius said, or more asked.

The guys eyes widened a little. “One moment please,” He said then quickly disappears through the doorway behind him.

Sirius looked at the spot where the man once was with confusion. He blinked and shook his head, looking at the flowers around him and smelling some of them. 

“Hi,” A feminie voice said, now next to him. He jumped a little. “My name is Mary, I am the Orders Manager. You must be Sirius?”

“The one and only, I think,” Sirius laughed. “I’m here to pick up some Zannia’s for Potter, or James,”

“My friend, Jake, is just grabbing those for you,” Mary smiled politely. “So, you work at the tattoo parlour across the street?”

Sirius nodded. “The only one in town,”

“That’s nice,” Mary said.

Sirius felt awkward. How long does it take to get flowers? 

He looked at the girl standing in front of him. She was quite attractive, no, very attractive. Shame, really. Especially since she is flirting with him. He almost felt bad for what would happen.

“Is the manager around to talk to?” Sirius asked.

“He is with family today, so I am the manager in charge for today,” Mary explained.

Sirius was about to say something when another voice spoke. “No she is not,” A girl with red hair said. He knew straight away that was Lily.

“You must be Lily,” Sirius grinned. “James can’t wait to see your reaction,” He grinned even more knowing that James will most definitely hit him for this.

“Oh,” Lily laughed awkwardly. ‘Well, I am in charge for today. Remus, the Manager, if visiting family today. How may I help you?”

“I just wanted to talk to him about flowers and stuff..” Sirius knew that sounded weird. “It’d be better if I could actually talk to him, only because he is in charge no offence to you girls,”

Lily laughed. “None taken. Mary, get Sirius’ number and put it in the notebook with a note for Remus, I’ll go see if Jake pulled a precious muscle,” She then walked away.

Mary smiled at Sirius again. She grabbed a pen and a black sparkly notebook. “So, full name and number please,”

“Sirius Black,” He then told her his phone number.

She wrote it down then gave him a wink, he just smiled back. The guy from earlier walked out, Sirius is pretty sure his name is Jake, along with Lily. Jake handed Sirius the flowers and yeah, Sirius thought, they looked really nice. Understandable Lily likes them.

“That will be thirty dollares please,” Mary said. Sirius handed her the money James gave him and she give him the change.

“Thank you,” Sirius grinned. “Good luck Lily,” He left, walking back over to his shop.

 ~~~

“How do I english,” James was panicking.

“Well, you open your mouth and do the thing you've been doing for like, all of your life- ow!” Sirius rubbed the back of his head, jutting out his bottom lip. 

“Thanks, asshole,” James, the person who just slapped Sirius in the back of the head, said. “Peter, how do I talk to girls?”

“Has Wormtail even had a girl- Ow! Is it abuse Sirius day?” Sirius now rubbed his bicep.

“Like you talk to every other girl James,” Peter said calmly, ignoring Sirius.

“But Lily isn’t every other girl!” James argued. “She’s..” He sighs. “Perf-”

“I don’t want to hear it,” Sirius interrupts. “By my calculations it would be the 139,44-”

“You’re saying random numbers,” Peter interrupts this time.

“Maybe,” Sirius shrugs. “But I shut him up,”

“You guys aren’t helping!” James huffed. “I must confind in the lesbian, Alyce!!”

They all heard a loud sigh. “What, Potter?”

“How do I talk to Lily?”

“Go up to her, say hello, ask her how she is, how her day has been, then give her the flowers,”

“But what do I do after that?”

“Depending on what reaction?”

“Bad,”

“Apologise, then just walk away,”

“Lame!” Sirius shouted. “You shouldn’t give up that easily,”

“Sirius that’s harassment,” Peter whispered.

“Oh,” Sirius said quietly.

“What about good?” James asked.

“Improvise, use your brain,” Alyce tapped his head. “Ask her on a date,”

“Oh god I don’t know if I can do that,” James freaked. “That’s scary,” 

Alyce just rolled her eyes. “Have your balls dropped yet, Potter?”

James scrunched up his face, repeating her words in a childish tone. “Yes, they have dropped,”

“They are just very small,” Sirius grinned.

“You actually aren’t helping,” Peter shook his head. “In any way, at all,”

Sirius stuck out his tongue and folded his arms across his chest. “I’m right,” He mumbled to himself.

“Where are you doing it?” Alyce asked.

“At college tomorrow morning,” James confirmed. “We have history together,”

“Do it after class,” Alyce suggested.

“How will I hide the flowers?” James queried.

“Sirius, do you have a session or a class tomorrow?” Alyce turned to the boy in question. He shook his head. “He can drop them off,”

“Okay,” James nodded. “Easy enough,”

Now it was all sorted. The conversation was had as everyone was cleaning up. They did the final cleaning then grabbed their bags and jackets and walked out back, Sirius behind locking every door and window. 

“Good luck man,” Alyce clapped James on the back. “You’ll do great,” She then left, getting in her car.

“Yeah, I believe in you prongs,” Peter gave him a supportive smile then got in his own car.

“So glad I have my own man to take me home,” Sirius fluttered his eyes, climbing into James’ car, the other boy getting in the driver's seat.

“And I’m so glad I get to take you home,” James said sarcastically. 

Chapter Six

“Peter are you good to close the shop up?” Sirius asked his friend.

“Yes Padfoot, I am capable of doing it,” Peter said, rolling his eyes.

“Sorry,” Sirius rolled his eyes then turned to his customer. He was doing a large tattoo on someone's back. It was a blossom tree with a grave at the bottom. He was just doing an outline today.

Once he finished, he wrapped the girl up and booked her next appointment. He cleaned up his workstation then headed to the bathroom to clean up a little. 

He walked back out and did one last check to make sure everything was fine. He said goodbye to Alyce and Peter as he grabbed his stuff. He slid his jacket and helmet on, jumping on his bike to drive to the coffee shop, even though it wasn’t that far away. He parked his bike and walked in the shop.

“Sirius!” A voice called. “Good to see you,”

Sirius looked and saw Arthur weasley coming towards him, arms stretched. He is twenty-six. Taller than him, standing at five foot eleven. He was decently fit. Green eyes and straight ginger hair. He always wore a friendly smile. 

Sirius hugged his friend, the two giving a good pat on the back before pulling away.

“God Arthur, you have a job to do. Should you be hugging people?” A feminine voice inquired.

Molly Prewett, now Weasley, age twenty-five. Quite short, at five foot three. She is in the middle of losing weight after just having her third child. She has bright brown eyes with short red curly hair. Molly has a smile matching her husbands.

“Who’s looking after the boys?” Sirius asked.

“Frank and Alice are today,” Molly answered. “Would you like a sandwich? I’ve closed the kitchen but I can make you one. Arthur, make Sirius a coffee!”

“No no it’s okay,” Sirius shook his head. “I’m waiting for someone,”

“A date!”

“A date?” Arthur gasped. “Even I wouldn’t take my wife out on a simple coffee date looking like that,”

“Okay, that hurts a little,” Sirius mumbled. “But, it’s work related,” Molly just nodded with a smirk.

Sirius shook his head and went to go sit at his favourite table. It was one up against a window in the front corner of the shop. He pulled out his phone, going through his notifications. He sent a quick text to James, telling him to tell him everything when he gets home. 

 He heard the door open and locked up, guessing the person who just walked in was Remus, as the figure did start walking towards him. Sirius stood up and shoved his phone in his pocket. He looked at the person, who he really hoped was Remus.

He was tall, taller than Sirius. He was very skinny, almost unhealthily, but it suited his lankiness. He had very fluffy light brown hair, that would be great to run his hands through. His eyes were like brown puppy dog eyes, and he could see little flakes of green in them. He had a shy face, that just happened to have scars across it. That confused Sirius, but at a later date he will ask. The boy wore a dark brown sweater that stopped just before mid-thigh and went past his hands. Now that was cute, Sirius thought. Crazy for the heat, but cute. He also wore loose fitting blue jeans and black Doc Martens. He carried a worn out looking satchel. The way he stood was awkward, but just suited his body. Sirius hopped his personality was the same.

“You must be Sirius?” He asked. Oh, he had such a deep, rich voice, like caramel. “I’m Remus Lupin.”

“Yep! Sirius Black,” Sirius grinned, and they shook hands. Sirius sat back down where he was sitting, and Remus sat opposite of him. “Would you like anything to drink? It’s on me.”

“Oh no, that’s okay, I can pay for myself,” Remus smiled appreciatively. Oh, he’s a good boy.

Molly approached the two boys, a sticky notepad in one hand and a pen in the other. “What can I get you boys?”

“The usual, large long black with milk on the side please,” Sirius grinned. “And could I get a blueberry muffin, please?”

“Just an english breakfast tea please,” Remus asked. 

Molly wrote the orders with a nod then walked away. There was a quiet yell of “Hurry up Arthur! Stop reading the news, Sirius needs his coffee.”

Sirius chuckled quietly.

“Do you know them?” Remus asked curiously.

“Yeah,” Sirius confirmed. “Sort of through family, mainly just from getting my shop here,” Remus just nodded, listening.

 “So, what we came here for. As you know, I’m the owner of Black’s Tatt’s, and the place is just full of edgy stuff, and I just want something a little softer, also sometimes flowers can be inspiring, for customers planning a tattoo and us sketching them up. One of my workers just so happens to be in love with one of your workers. I had been thinking for a while about something to do with the shop, but when I found out Lily worked at a florist, that gave me an idea. Which is to get flowers in weekly.”

Sirius felt bad because he did just say a whole lot at once, but it is business so you sort of have to, and get straight to the point. Remus just sat there, looking at Sirius with his gently puppy dog eyes, and listening. 

“Uh, what do you think?” Sirius asked with an awkward chuckle.

Before Remus could reply, Arthur and Molly came over. Arthur put Sirius’ mug and milk jug down, and Molly put Remus’ tea and pot down. Molly went to the counter then came back with the blueberry muffin. “Enjoy,” She said and winked at Sirius before the couple walked away.

“Well, if you think it would be good for your shop, and help, then sure,” Remus spoke as he began pouring his tea, adding three sugars into it. Sirius was impressed. “But, flowers are expensive, especially every week. What kind of flowers are you thinking of?”

Sirius put his one sugar in his coffee and a dash of milk. “Say, two bunches that I can just put into vases on the counter? At least, that’s what I was thinking.”

Remus nodded. “Generally, depending on the flowers, they can cost up to twenty or thirty dollars, for one bunch,” Remus sipped his tea. “A you're a business, I’m sure I could take five or so off, which isn’t much but it’s something.”

Sirius grinned. “That all sounds perfect! When can I get the first bunch?”

Remus laughed. “When you order them,” He reached into his satchel and pulled out a notebook and handed it to Sirius. “Look through that.”

Sirius flipped through the book while they sat in silence, drinking their drinks. While Remus was talking, he did try hard, but he kept staring at the scars on his face. He noticed some on his hands, and saw a bandage peeking out from beneath his sweater. Maybe the soft boy is a fighter.

“How many weeks in advance do I need to order?” Sirius asked.

“You can just order for the next five weeks, and at the end of the fourth week order for the next five,” Remus answered. “We will be able to get some for you next week as I’m doing a late order,”

“Okay, well, I think I know the five ones I want,” Sirius said. Remus nodded and brought out his phone. “First week, Roses. Second, Apple Blossoms. Third, Statice’s. Fourth, Aster’s. And fifth, Cypress’.”

Remus typed this all in his phone, nodding after Sirius said each flower. He then put his phone down. “Alright, I will order those and the Rose’s will be in on Monday.”

“Do you do deliveries?” Sirius asked.

“Occasionally,” Remus offered. “Since you are just across the road, we can deliver them to you.”

“Great! Make sure it’s you delivering them please,” Sirius smiled. 

“Oh,” Remus blushed. Sirius silently cheered. “Okay.”

They continued drinking their drinks. Sirius almost forgot about his muffin. He cut it in half, and after figuring out which the larger piece was, offered the smaller one to Remus. Remus shook his head, but Sirius insisted, so Remus caved in.

“Could I have your number?” God, Sirius is so smooth today. “So it’s easier to contact?”

It seemed as if Remus was thinking very hard. He knows you don’t give out your personal number for customers, but Sirius is not going to be a regular customer. Remus nodded, and after unlocking his phone, handed it over to Sirius. Sirius put in his contact information then sent himself a text. He handed the phone back and grabbed out his own, replying to the text and saving Remus’ number.

Sirius smiled at the boy sitting across from him. Remus looked up, feeling a pair of eyes on him and looked at Sirius. He just smiled back awkwardly.

“I’ve gotta go,” Remus apologized. “Need to put in the order,” He drank the rest of his tea and finished his blueberry muffin.

“Oh, alright,” Sirius was mildly disappointed. “I’ll see you monday then with my delivery?” Remus nodded with a smile. “Also, Remus i’m paying.”

Remus looked like he was going to argue but didn’t. Probably a good thing. “Thank you, See you Monday,” He waved goodbye and quickly scurried out.

Sirius finished up and Mary came over to collect his plates. “He seems wonderful,”

“Doesn’t he?” Sirius asked rhetorically. “I wish I got to spend more time with him.”

“Well you were going to get kicked out anyway,” Molly shrugged. “Also, he left his notebook.”

Sirius looked down and the table and smiled. Remus’ notebook laid open on the table on the last flower Sirius had chosen. He picked it up and paid for the drinks, Molly said he was family and didn’t have to pay for the muffin. He got on his bike and drove home.

~~~

“Padfoot!” James yelled as soon as Sirius walked through the door. “Sirius fucking Black!! I did it! I asked Lily Evans out and did not get killed!”

Sirius closed the door behind him. “Okay, but did you get rejected?”

“No!” James laughed. “We are going on a date tomorrow night!”

Sirius will never admit it but he squealed like a girl, then proceeded to tackle hug his best friend. “You did it mate! You bloody did it!”

James accepted his fate of being pinned by Sirius. “I am so happy I could cry.”

“Don’t, you need to tell me what happened,”

“Right,”

The two sat up on the floor and James started telling his tale.

“So as you know we had history together. This time I decided to sit away from her because I was way too nervous. I could have shat myself. I had no idea what was going on in that history lesson, I think they were debating about a World War Three-”

“James I just want the important stuff,”

“Okay yeah. So after class, you showed up, and even though you said you didn’t have a class-”

“I have been asking this one professor for help and she said she had some free time,”

“So you practically threw the flowers at me, but they were fine. Lily walked out and I had to hide them behind me back. She was with a friend so that made this entire thing more awkward. But i went up to her and asked if I could talk to her for a moment, she just nodded and her friend stepped away. Then I told her how I felt,”

“How you loved her ever since you laid eyes on her?”

“No, shut up. I told her that I’ve liked her for some time now, and I knew that I tended to come off very strong but if she would consider going out on a date with me. She looked unsure and that was when I handed her the flowers, I was supposed to before but I forgot they were in my hands. Anyway, she looked so shocked and happy, I hope. Then she ended up saying yes.”

“Merlin prongs, you actually did it.”

“I know, I’m in shock. Literally, I think i’m dreaming. We are going for dinner at a pub tomorrow night.”

“You’ll do great mate,”

“You’re helping me,”

Chapter Five

“Mary is still upset, she reckons you should give manager job to her,” Lily commented as she was brushing her hair.

“When you, Marlene and myself die,” Remus yaned, “Maybe,”

“What about Jake?” Lily asked.

“He is a kid,” Remus shrugged. 

“He is a year younger than us,” Lily said, Remus shrugged again. “Are you sure you’re okay to come in today? You are dealing with the ‘kid’ and Mary,”

“I’ll be fine, I think,” Remus replied. 

Lily didn’t bother to argue back, Remus was going to insist on going in even though he had a very prominent limp. So they walked out to the car, at least Remus would accept a lift, and Lily dropped the boy off at work before going to uni.

Remus did what he usually does to open up the shop, just a little slower than usual. He made an extra strong coffee this morning, hoping it will help him get through the day. He flipped the closed sign to open and walked behind the counter. He checked the system and the notebooks, looking at orders, notes, money, etc to make sure nothing was out of order. 

There were a few orders for today, one name Remus recognized. It was an old man who, at the start of every month, would buy his wife flowers. That made Remus smile.

Remus continued drinking his coffee, helping customers when they came in, advising them what flowers would be best and helping one lady and her child on how to take good care of their flowers. 

Around eleven, Mary walked in. 

“God Remus, you lowkey look like shit,” She stated, concern in her voice.

“I highkey feel like it, but it’s fine,” Remus brushed the concern off. “John is coming to pick up this months flowers,”

“Gladiolus’?” Mary asked. Remus nodded in confirmation. “Do you need me to get those ready?”

“Yes please,” Remus smiled in relief.

Mary grinned. “Sure thing boss!” Remus rolled his eyes with a chuckle. “Oh, you need to call Sirius Black back, his name and number is in the notebook,”

“You handle the flowers and I’ll handle the phone call,” Remus knew Mary wasn’t happy with that but she just saluted him and went to do her job.

Remus sighed, wondering why he asked his crackhead friends to work for him, but they do get their jobs done. Sometimes. He grabbed the notebook, walking to the phone in the staff room. He grabbed a chair and sat next to the phone, dialing the number. 

“Hello, Black’s Tatt’s, Alyce speaking, how may I help you?” A female spoke over the line.

“Hi, this is Remus the manager of Lupin’s Lotus’, Sirius Black wanted to speak to me?”

“I’m afraid he’s at uni right now, but when I reach him I will tell him to call you back,” The voice, Alyce, responded.

“Alright, thank you, goodbye,” Then Remus hung up after Alyce told him to have a good day. 

Mary poked her head around the doorway. “What’s happening?” She asked.

“He is at uni right now,” Remus responded. “So he will call me back,”

“Seems you guys keep missing each other,” Mary laughed, Remus just laughed along. Almost as if they had to talk, but they just kept missing their chances. 

~~~

It was two hours later when the phone rang again. Mary was in the middle of putting through a payment so Remus went to go answer the phone.

“Hello, Lupin’s Lotus’, Remus speaking, how may I help you?” Remus greeted the customer.  

“Hi, this is Sirius Black,” The voice answered. “Seems I finally caught you.”

Remus chuckled, “Yes, looks like we both have quite a busy schedule.”

“Well, I wanted to have a chat with you about getting some flowers into my shop weekly,” Sirius said. “Would you like to go get a coffee? I only have one session today and finish at three,”

“Three-thirty then?” Remus asked. “I will have to get someone to close up, but yes I can do coffee,”

“Great!” Sirius exclaimed. “The coffee shop down the road? Um… Weasley Tea?”

“Sounds good,” Remus nodded even though Sirius couldn’t see him. “I will see you then,”

“Alright! See you then!” Remus could almost hear the smile. Sirius then hung up.

Remus walked out, helping Mary with the few customers that just came into the shop. John came to pick up his flowers, a lady came in and ordered a bunch of flowers for a funeral, and a little boy bought one singular pink rose for his new girlfriend.

“Ah, young love,” Mary sighed dreamily.

“Mary they are like two years old,” Remus argued.

“They are seven,” Mary laughed.

“Every child under the age of thirteen is two,” Remus explained. “Then once they hit thirteen, they are that age until they are eighteen. At eighteen you are sixteen until you are twenty-one,”

“So you are sixteen?” Mary asked, Remus just gave a sharp nod. She burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Jake questioned, clocking on.

“You, Lily and Remus are sixteen,” Mary answered with a straight face.

“No, Jake is twelve,” Remus corrected.

“I’m twelve? What?” Jake was very confused.

“Why is Jake twelve?” Mary ignored Jake. 

“He is, and always will be a child,” Remus supplied.

“Am I immature?” Jake was lost.

“He is physically bigger than you, and looks older than you. Remus, you look twelve,”

“Maybe I do look twelve, but Jake IS twelve,”

“You see him as a little brother don’t you!?”

“That’s weird, and gross. No,”

“I’m so confused,” Jake frowned. 

“Sorry Jake,” Remus said, stopping what Mary was about to say, “That’s just how it is,”

Mary huffed but left the conversation at thst. Then she remembered something. “Did Sirius call you back?”

Remus nodded. “ I’m going to go get coffee with him..” He looked at the clock. “In an hour,”

“Oh,” Mary said.

“I’ll make sure to mention you,” Remus added quickly. Mary grinned. “But, Jake do you think you can close up on your own? Or should we just close up early today?”

“No need,” Jake shook his head. “I can close up,”

“Thanks, champ,” Remus said and patted the younger boys head.

“You do think of me as a child!”