Chapter Text
Regulus sighs, wishing he could throw the speaker out through the window. Pandora is humming along to the song and Regulus wonders if she's doing it on purpose.
Now, Regulus wouldn't call himself a Christmas hater. No actually, with further consideration he probably should call himself that. His therapist would probably tell him it was a result of his childhood. Regulus thinks he would silently agree.
December is a difficult month for a self proclaimed Christmas hater. They've been forced to wear headbands with snowmen on since the middle of November. The whole month is filled with Christmas themed drinks and foods. The same Christmas songs playing over and over until Regulus is fairly sure he could recite them backwards if he had to.
You could see why he's agitated and scowling more than usual. Dorcas keeps reminding him to smile so he doesn't scare the customers off. Regulus thinks it would be calmer if he actually managed to scare them away, less queueing at least.
He doesn't tell Dorcas that, of course.
Regulus wipes the counter down, enjoying the morning calm before the storm. Still a few minutes until opening. From his place behind the counter he has a good view of this part of the mall. The flower shop across from them is still closed, working on renovations due to a minor issue with the pipes. Regulus can still feel the scent of flowers lingering in the air. Next to the flower shop is a lovely little bookstore, which he frequently visits. Then there's less exciting shops, at least if you ask him, like the phone store and the pharmacy. He's still on a first name basis with most of the workers in the mall, everyone used to greeting each other during breaks. Regulus prides himself on knowing most of their orders by heart.
“Another day, another pain” Regulus says to Pandora, mostly as a joke but his stoic expression makes him seem dead serious. She gets it though, of course she does.
“Always so cheerful in the morning, Reg” she smiles, handing him a cup of fresh coffee. She usually prepared his when they were on shift together. Just as he prepared hers. It was a nice routine. Regulus takes a sip, closing his eyes for a bit as he tries to drown out the sound of Christmas music.
08:50
Padfoot: still alive? Do I need to rescue you from evil Santa?
08:54
Prongs: still alive!!!! And Santa isn't evil!!! He's actually very nice!!! Got me a coffee!!
08:55
Padfoot: Could be his way of tricking you into thinking he's nice…
08:55
Prongs: Good point …I'll keep an eye on him!!
08:56
Padfoot: you still need to send me a pic of the outfit <3
08:57
Prongs: will do on my break!! Or you can come see for yourself <3
08:57
Padfoot: wish I could but I'm stuck at the studio. need to finish this piece before Friday :(
08:58
Prongs: maybe after Friday then!! You got this!! Got to go, xoxo
08:58
Padfoot: ttyl <3
Regulus thinks he's going a bit insane. It's only the first of December, meaning there's 24 more days until Christmas.
“If I have to make another gingerbread spiced latte I'm going to quit.” Regulus complains to Pandora as they're tidying up in between customers. Right now there's only a few stray students in the shop, all of them looking like the only thing keeping them going is the caffeine in their bodies. Regulus gets it. He really gets it.
Pandora laughs. “Then you'd have to quit within the hour. And who is going to keep me company then?”
“Bet Barty wouldn't mind taking my shift”
“And miss out on his shifts with Evan? Doubtful.”
“I could also get rid of Evan” Regulus says, eyeing the counter. He wipes some spilled milk away.
“Or you could just suck it up” Pandora smiles again, dodging as he swipes at her with the soggy milkrag.
“Getting rid of Evan would be easier.”
Pandora doesn't get the chance to reply, switching back to customer service voice as an older woman and her grandchildren walk up to the counter.
Regulus goes on his bathroom break in order to avoid making their gingerbread spiced lattes.
12:07
Prongs: should I buy takeaway on the way home? Xoxo
12:20
Padfoot: please!!
13:00
Prongs: aye aye captain xoxo
Regulus thanks whoever invented caffeine. Who would he even be without it? He had been forced to make more gingerbread spiced lattes than he could count on his two hands, with the occasional Snowman Special (just a fancy name for a peppermint mocha). They had already run out of both cardamom cupcakes and gingerbread.
Regulus wishes he could forget that there's still another 24 days of torture left.
So far the only enjoyable thing to happen was when a familiar redhead stopped by. She was a regular by now, always showing up when Pandora was on shift. Regulus enjoyed teasing his friend about it.
14:38
Lily: she was so pretty today
14:39
Remus <3 : did you tell her that?
14:39
Lily: REMUS. Obviously not. I just stared at her like an idiot after I stuttered out my order.
14:40
Remus <3 : must have been a charming sight
14:40
Lily: u bet
14:41
Remus <3 : there's always tomorrow
~
Regulus wipes the sweat of his forehead, his body screaming for food, for something other than caffeine. Regulus glances at the clock. Not yet.
He takes another order (luckily just plain coffee and not one of the Christmas monstrosities) and wipes down the counter. It had been busy all morning, busier than the day before. Regulus fears word must have spread of their Christmas drinks. There's a jingle at the door and he wrings the rag out by the sink before turning around.
He stares straight at an elf. A very tall elf.
What kind of Christmas nightmare has he ended up in?
The elf smiles at him, teeth on display. His hair is spilling out from underneath the green hat and Regulus fears that if he peeked over the counter he'd find him wearing pointy shoes. He doesn't dare look.
“Hi” the elf is still smiling. Regulus wants to wipe it off his face. “Can I please have a gingerbread spiced latte with extra cream?”
Regulus wants to shout no at him.
He doesn't.
“Would you like sprinkles on that?” He asks instead, as a joke.
“Yes, please” the elf doesn't get that Regulus isn't being serious. Regulus mentally cusses the elf out as he prepares the drink, while Pandora compliments his outfit.
“Thank you!” Regulus can practically hear the smile on his face. “It's my second day”
He grabs the sprinkles, adding more than necessary simply out of spite.
The elf just seems delighted by the amount, thanking them both after paying. Pandora turns to Regulus once he's left.
“He was cute, don't you think?”
“I'm not attracted to elves” is Regulus reply, heading into the storage room to do inventory.
12:04
Prongs: the barista added sprinkles to my coffee!!!
12:05
Padfoot: you're the only person I know that enjoy sprinkles on everything
12:05
Prongs: you should try next time!!
12:06
Padfoot: no <3 tell me abt this barista
12:07
Prongs: he was cute and nice
12:07
Padfoot: wow prongs, really overworking yourself with those adjectives
12:08
Prongs: I didn't really talk to him!! Mby tomorrow xoxo
12:09
Prongs: need to go, Santa needs me to watch the kids
12:10
Padfoot: do u know how wrong this sounds?
12:11
Prongs: don't know what you're talking abt <3
~
The elf comes back the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that. Regulus fears he'll never get rid of him. And his order. He orders the same thing everytime, that goddamn gingerbread spiced latte with extra cream and extra sprinkles. Regulus has made it his mission to add as many sprinkles as possible, to see when the elf would tell him it's enough.
So far no luck. He just thanks Regulus and walks out. It's infuriating.
Pandora seems to find their encounters funny, which just means Regulus teases her even more about her crush on the redhead.
14:16
Lily: you need to see James' elf outfit
14:19
Remus <3 : Sirius showed me some pics
14:21
Lily: pics can't capture how iconic it is! you need to see it with your own eyes
12:26
Remus <3 : i was using my own eyes to look at the pics
12:30
Lily: ha ha ha so funny.
12:31
Remus <3 : I'll go with Sirius one of these days. Maybe have a look at that barista of yours
12:34
Lily: I don't have a barista. Idk what you're talking about.
12:35
Remus <3 : that's because you won't ask her out
12:35
Lily: .
~
It's been 6 days since that first gingerbread spiced latte with extra cream and sprinkles.
“Seems like this is going to be a daily thing” the elf smiles at Regulus after thanking him for his drink. If you can even call that a drink anymore, Regulus thinks it’s made up of 85 percent sprinkles. That's hardly a drink. That's just sprinkles with coffee on the side.
Maybe if all his teeth fall out he won't be around anymore. That would give Regulus inner peace.
“The name's James” the elf says. Regulus had definitely not been wondering.
He doesn't introduce himself, counting on his name tag to do its job.
14:58
James: a little birdie told me that you fancy a barista
14:59
Lily: I'm going to k word that little birdie
15:00
James: please don't! I'm quite fond of him!
15:02
Lily: I'll consider it <3 what about the barista?
15:05
James: the one with the septum ring and the flashing smile, right? Works with the frowning one?
15:07
Lily: yes her!!!! A literal goddess
15:08
James: ask her out xoxo
15:16
Lily: no!! xoxo
Regulus quits work a bit earlier, having had to reschedule his therapy session a few times already. As he leaves the mall, he spots a very familiar elf. He's sitting on the floor next to a little girl. She's talking to him, making big gestures that Regulus can't decipher. He's smiling, almost as bright as the sun.
Infuriating.
The area in the middle of the floor had been transformed into Santa's workplace. There's reindeer, fake snow, Christmas trees and wrapped gifts. Santa himself is sitting on a chair, greeting a child that hands him a list. Probably his wishes for Christmas. Regulus turns his head back to the elf, to James, who is now helping the little girl with writing her list. There's quite a long queue of kids left, all wanting to meet Santa.
Regulus leaves.
~
11:05
Boss Dorcas: do you know anything about the huge amount of sprinkles we're selling?
11:09
Regulus: it's the gingerbread spiced lattes fault
11:15
Boss Dorcas: that doesn't even include sprinkles??
11:17
Regulus: blame the elf
11:17
Boss Dorcas: I'm coming over
“I'm worried about you” is the first thing Dorcas tells Regulus, having pulled him away from the counter. Pandora was handling the customers fine on her own.
“I worry about myself as well. Christmas is a dreadful holiday.” Regulus replies.
“That's not what I meant” Dorcas sighs. “What is this talk about an elf? And why does he eat our sprinkles?”
“He's an elf. You know, one of those working for Santa.”
“Working for Santa” She echoes.
“Yeah, like the mall Santa.” Regulus clarifies. Dorcas actually looks relieved.
“Oh God, that makes so much more sense. I thought you were losing it.”
“Oh, I definitely am”
“You’re doing fine” Dorcas pats his shoulder. “I need to finish some paperwork, but let me know if there's anything you need”
“A vacation “ Regulus mutters, heading back to the counter to assist Pandora.
~
10:04
Prongs: cute barista laughed at my joke today!!!
10:07
Padfoot: did he really?
10:08
Prongs: he frowned a bit less than usual <3
10:10
Padfoot: looks like you're making progress
10:10
Prongs: I'll step up my game this week!! I'll have his number in no time!!
10:12
Padfoot: that's the spirit!!!
10:12
Prongs: xoxo
~
Regulus looks up from the table he's wiping. Pandora is calling his name from behind the counter. The el-James is there, smiling as bright as always. It makes something twist in Regulus’ stomach.
“What?” He asks, coming to a halt next to Pandora. She nods towards James.
“He insisted that you make his drink.”
Regulus turns his head towards James, who has the audacity to pretend to look at the cupcakes instead. Regulus bites his tongue so that he doesn't say something mean. He makes the drink in silence.
“Thanks, love” James says, after paying. He practically skips out of the shop with the drink in his hand.
Love.
Pandora coos at his red cheeks.
“I'm not blushing!” Regulus whisper-yells at her, but she won't listen. “I'm angry. This is my angry face.”
“Sure, love ”
“Fuck off”
[Baristas rock]
11:34
Regulus: I'll trade my liver for one of your shifts
11:35
Barty: damnit, I already have one :((
11:35
Evan: …..
11:37
Regulus: not if I rip it out
11:38
Barty: kinky
11:40
Evan: why do you want to trade?
11:41
Panda: it's because of his crush on an elf
11:42
Regulus: I don't have a crush on an elf.
11:42
Barty: AN ELF. Is that legal??
11:43
Panda: the elf called him ‘love’ and it had him blushing red
11:43
Evan: oh this is gold.
11:44
Barty: omg reg and the elf sitting in a tree
11:45
Regulus: you all suck.
11:48
Panda: he's cute too <3 ( for a grown man dressed as an elf )
11:49
Regulus: can't we talk about panda’s actual crush instead
11:50
Barty: no
11:50
Evan: no
11:51
Panda: no
11:52
Regulus: I'm disowning you.
~
Regulus already knows who the customer is before looking. And that's not because they share some kind of telepathic link. No. It's because there's actually small bells on James' shoes.
As if it could get any worse.
“Good morning, Regulus” James smiles. He's been calling him by name the last couple of days. “My usual, thank you”
Regulus prepares the drink, reaching for the sprinkles. It's half empty. Of course it is. James is going to lead them to bankruptcy.
“I like your sweater. It brings out your eyes” James smiles sweetly, having a sip of his coffee before he leaves through the door.
Regulus does in fact not blush. He would never blush because of an elf. It's just a bit warm behind the coffee machine, that's all.
11:44
Prongs: I complimented him!!!
11:45
Padfoot: HELL YEAH! way to go prongs <3
~
Regulus picks up a tray of empty glasses, balancing one in each hand as he makes his way back to the counter. Why people didn't feel the urge to put their glasses away, he doesn't know.
He hears James before he sees him, almost colliding with him. Regulus feels the trays wobble in his hands and he does his best to keep them from falling.
He waits for the crash, but there's none.
Instead he stares up at James, who's giving him an apologetic smile.
“I'm sorry, Regulus. I was walking a bit too fast”. Regulus notes that he's holding one of his trays.
“Yes you were” is all he says, turning his back to James and continuing in the direction of the counter. He hears James following him, the jingle bells making him want to rip his hair out.
Pandora thanks James for the second tray, while Regulus puts his next to the sink. He goes to prepare James' usual.
“Actually” James smiles, accepting his gingerbread spiced latte with extra cream and extra sprinkles. “Could I have a cup of just black coffee as well?”
Regulus eyes him with suspicion. Out of the previous 10 days he's been here he's never once ordered something else.
“Your usual too sweet for you?”
“Actually, it's not for me” he shakes his head with a smile.
“Glad to know you have decent people in your life” Regulus pours the second coffee in a red takeaway cup.
“Thank you! Have a good day!” James walks out with both coffees.
Regulus can't help but wonder who the other coffee drinker is.
12:14
Love of my life <3 : should we be concerned about prong’s sugar intake?
12:15
Padfoot: why?
12:16
Love of my life <3 : he's literally inhaling sprinkles and whipped cream next to me rn
12:16
Padfoot: cute <3 say hi
12:17
Love of my life <3 : he says hi back
12:19
Love of my life <3 : apparently he has this coffee every day. I'm pretty sure it's 180 percent sugar
12:20
Padfoot: we can give him a dentist appointment for Christmas <3
12:23
Love of my life <3 : great plan, dear
12:25
Padfoot: you know it <3 bring home some bread on the way?
12:26
Love of my life <3 : anything for you
12:28
Padfoot: xoxo
~
Regulus feels Pandora looking at him but he ignores her. He has a feeling he knows what she's about to say. He pretends to busy himself with counting the gingerbread on display.
“So no elf today?” She says it in a way that makes it seem like it's not a big deal. But they both know it is.
“Good. I was wondering when I'd get rid of him” Regulus says.
“You're sulking.” Pandora notes, having been watching him eye the door for the duration of the shift.
“Ridiculous.”
“A bit. But human.”
“I'm not sulking. I actually don't care if I never see him again.”
“Lying is a sin”
“Apparently so is being gay. Guess I'm going to hell either way”
Both of them look up at the sound of the door, but it's not James. It's Pandora's crush. Accompanied by his brother's boyfriend? Regulus almost feels himself smiling at this new revelation.
“Regulus, I didn't know you worked here” Remus says, looking around.
Regulus nods. He didn't mind Remus. Sometimes he actually preferred him over his brother. “Got transferred to this location for a few months. One of the workers was having a baby and the other one is going back to university”
Meanwhile Pandora is just staring at all of them.
“This is Pandora” Regulus introduces. “Pandora, Remus. He's the poor guy dating my brother.”
“It's lovely to meet you” Pandora smiles. “You should bring Sirius around sometime, I promised to give him a reading”
“You do readings?” The redhead speaks up, curiously. Pandora nods. “Sometimes for my friends.”
“Oh right, this is Lily. Lily this is Sirius’ brother”
“I thought you looked familiar but I couldn't quite place you” Lily says, smiling at Regulus.
Lily asks Pandora a few more questions regarding the tarot readings while Regulus busies himself with their drinks. He pours Remus' in a red cup and hands it to him. Remus looks at the cup and then at Regulus.
There's something in his eyes that Regulus can't decipher.
14:02
Love of my life <3: Sirius
14:03
Padfoot: oh god not the government name. What did I do?? Did I leave the oatmilk on the counter again??
14:05
Love of my life <3 : don't worry, you didn't do anything
14:05
Padfoot: PHEW you had me there for a second
14:06
Love of my life <3: did you know they transferred Regulus to another shop location?
14:07
Padfoot: they did?? No I didn't, we haven't talked in a bit
14:08
Love of my life <3 : they moved him to the mall
14:09
Padfoot: …okay?
14:10
Love of my life <3 : where prongs works
14:11
Padfoot: …okay?
14:14
Love of my life <3 : did prongs ever describe his cute barista to you?
14:15
Padfoot: one too many times. He's always rambling about his dark eyes and his dark hair and his -
14:16
Love of my life <3 : there we go
14:17
Padfoot: REGULUS IS THE CUTE BARISTA?!?!
14:19
Padfoot: count your days prongsie boy.
14:20
Prongs: I'M SORRY I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS YOUR CEREAL
14:21
Padfoot: YOU ATE MY CEREAL?? THAT WAS YOU??
14:24
Prongs: why do I get the feeling that you didn't know
14:25
Padfoot: THIS ISN'T ABOUT CEREAL.
14:27
Padfoot: I'm coming over. Don't move.
James listens to the keys in the door, a bit too feverish to know what Sirius was going off about earlier. He had caught a nasty cold, honestly he blames that one kid that had sneezed right in his face. He still remembers how he had to wipe his glasses and his face in the bathroom.
“Prongs!” Sirius calls out, closing the door behind him.
“In here!” James calls back, voice scratchy and unused since this morning.
“I brought you soup” Sirius says, placing a container down next to him on the little bedside table.
“Are you an angel? You must be an angel?” James reaches for the soup.
“Still have a fever?” Sirius wonders, taking a seat on the opposite armchair.
James hums, bringing a spoon of soup to his mouth.
“So when were you going to tell me you have the hots for my brother?”
James coughs, almost choking on the soup.
“What?” He rasps out, staring at Sirius in disbelief.
“My brother. Who works as a barista”
“Your brother. Who works as a barista” James echoes. He coughs again.
“Regulus. As in Black.” the realization dawns on him.
“Yes Regulus as in Black! James what the fuck!!”
“I'm sorry I didn't know!!” James wails, as Sirius grabs his shoulders and gives him a shake (careful not to tilt the container of soup). He's not about to manhandle a man on his deathbed.
“For someone so smart you sure are dumb sometimes” Sirius sighs, releasing his best friend and moving to sit again.
They stare at each other, James' cheeks stained red with fever (and embarrassment).
“So what's the plan?” Sirius asks after a moment of silence.
“Plan? There's no plan?” James replies, stirring the soup with his spoon.
“You don't have a plan for wooing my brother?”
“I did, before I knew he was your brother.” James pouts a bit.
Sirius sighs.
“Prongs. You're allowed to woo my brother.”
“I am??” James almost tilts the soup over. Sirius wants to be grossed out by the thought of his brother and his, whatever James is to him these days. Soulmate. Partner in crime.
Somehow he doesn't have it in him to be. If he had to pick someone to trust with Regulus' heart it was James.
“See? Stupid. Now, tell me about the plan”
15:45
Prongs: I'm a dumbass
15:47
Moony: glad to know you're self aware
15:47
Moony: Sirius told you then?
15:48
Prongs: he did
15:49
Moony: you okay?
15:54
Prongs: just rethinking my birth and every single decision I've ever made
15:57
Moony: have fun with that
15:58
Prongs: thanks moony xoxo
16:01
Moony: on a more serious note, call me if you need anything. fevers suck.
16:03
Prongs: aye aye captain xoxo