Warning: AU (No magic), pre-Harry Potter (MWPP) and there will be M/M relationships and sexual situations. If you don't like it, then don't read.
A/N: No beta so all mistakes are mine. Also I know that the way I got James and Sirius in Lorca is a bit flimsy but eh...*shrugs* t'was the best I could do.
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. JK Rowling and her publishers own all familiar characters.
One year later
"You're bloody kidding!" James Potter exclaimed when he finished skimming the case file he and his partner, Sirius Black, had been handed.
"No I'm not." said Jonathan Evans solemnly but James was sure he could see a smirk in the corner of his lips and an amused twinkle in his eye.
"The two of you wanted more undercover work and I also know for a fact you've reached a dead end with those murders."
"Yeah but-"
"No arguing. It's either this or I'm sending Black in with someone else and you'll get more paperwork," warned Jon, shutting James up rather quickly. "Besides, I thought you'd be a little more comfortable with this than the other boys."
"You thought I'd be more comfortable doing undercover work at a gay club." Sirius said with a hint of bitterness.
"Now, don't get upset. I admit that was my initial thought. It's actually Shacklebolt's case. Hell, he's been researching the best…uh, idiosyncrasies for this mission but poor bastard's come down with a nasty bug."
"Shacklebolt researching how to be gay?" laughed James. "You sure he won't be better by tomorrow night? I'd pay to see him there."
"As you two will read in the file, you're on the look out for Rabastan Lestrange." Jon continued as if James hadn't spoken. "He deals mostly with drugs and trafficking. We've been trying to find an excuse to arrest him but he's a shifty bastard. Apparently he's a regular at this Lorca place and we got a tip that he's reserved a private room Thursday night and may reserve more within the next couple of weeks."
"So you want us to go in, find him and see if he commits a crime? Likely prostitution from the sounds of it." asked Sirius with a skeptical brow.
"I admit it's not the most flawless of plans but it's the best we've got so far. Shacklebolt's been watching Lestrange for ages but nothing so far. Honestly, I don't expect you to find anything big. Just scout the place, see how easy it would be to monitor it, ask the employees and try to gauge loyalties- that sort of thing. Don't go around waving your badges to get in. We don't know if the club's working with Lestrange." James and Sirius still looked a little unconvinced and honestly, Jonathan didn't blame them. He had got so desperate with this case lately that he was now just hoping for a lucky break. With a sigh, he continued.
"Look you two, I know this sounds like a shitty plan but I'm running out of options here. Just-just look at it as good intelligence gathering practice, yeah?" Jonathan held his breath for a few moments, as James and Sirius seemed to have a silent conversation via eyebrow movements. He let out a breath once they agreed to take the case.
"So go in, find him, watch him and ask around. No problem," assured James, "it'll be a walk in the park. Just a crowded park with men who want to shag me-"
"Don't worry James," smirked Sirius, "you're not the gay man's wet dream."
Looking at his half naked reflection in the mirror, Remus frowned. Some of the smaller scratches were practically gone and others were bound to fade over time but he still had a few large slashes that would never leave. Add to that his growing gut and he was practically grotesque.
"You're not fat." Lily insisted when she walked past his open doorway to find Remus staring at himself for the hundredth time.
"You only say that because you're kind. You can admit it, I'm lumpy." replied Remus with a melodramatic edge, making Lily roll her eyes.
"Stop complaining you girl!" ordered Lily but she regretted it when she saw the sudden look of alarm in Remus' eyes as he started to unconsciously slouch and study his feet.
Cursing her lack of finesse in dealing with slightly damaged persons, Lily walked into the room and decided to take a different tact. Wrapping her arms around Remus' waist, she turned him around so he would be forced to look at her.
"You look gorgeous Remus," she said sincerely, earning a small smile from him as she kissed the end of his nose. "Maybe a little rounder in the middle but it's not like anyone notices. I'm going to tell you once more, those scars don't hinder you from anything. Please, don't be afraid to go out and practice again."
Since Remus and Lily moved in together, he had taken a job in the gentlemen's department of Marks and Spencer, refusing to do anymore dancing. No matter how many times Lily begged, commanded or manipulated, Remus wouldn't go back to the one thing that had made him happy his whole life. After a while, she left it alone thinking he needed to get over things himself but it was still frustrating.
"Who's going to hire a dancer with gashes all over his body?"
"It doesn't matter as long as you can dance! Wait here!" Suddenly, Lily was running out and in a few minutes, came back with a bottle of vodka. With a mischievous smile, she started to drink straight out of the Grey Goose bottle with a certain amount of feminine grace that only Lily could pull off.
"I'm starting to worry for your health Lils. It seems you want to fix everything with alcohol." commented Remus lightly once she took the bottle away from her mouth and wiped it with the back of her free hand. Lily just looked sharply at him but otherwise ignored his jab and handed him the bottle before digging through his clothes. With little interest, Remus watched her throw his clothes all over the floor and took a few sips from the bottle.
"We're going to Lorca tonight."
"What? No-"
"No arguing! You know, you never did go and see the Federico portraits I did there a few weeks ago. If you're not gonna dance at least come in to see my beautiful artwork," she cooed and pretended Remus didn't snort in disbelief. "Come on! Let's start the night with a few drinks." Lily announced as she stood up triumphantly waving a pair of leather trousers in the air.
"I'm not sure Lily..." Remus trailed off. Lily threw the trousers at his chest and continued to look through his closet.
"Derek's working tonight. We can keep him company if you don't want to ogle my art."
"He's a go-go dancer at a gay club. I don't think having company will be a problem for him." Remus said dryly as Lily threw another random item of clothing at him.
"You know, if you won't go sober, I'll just get you drunk so I can take advantage of your lowered inhibitions. Besides it's a club. No one is going to pay any close attention to you if that's what worries you. Now then, we have your outfit sorted now help me find one. Do you think I should wear a wig?" Lily continued. Plucking the vodka from his hands, she turned around and walked towards her room and left Remus no choice but to follow her.
"As you're planning on going to a gay club catered to gay men, I highly doubt what you wear matters."
They had been waiting outside of the club for over two hours now and James was getting fidgety. The man never could stay still for too long, not even when he and Sirius were young boys. They were finally at the front of the line so were due to enter any time now...
At least Sirius hoped so, there was only so much nervous twitching that a friend could take before homicidal impulses actually seemed like a good option. Sirius was very tempted to mention Lestrange's name to the bouncer but didn't want to risk anything this early. Both men had agreed before arriving that they shouldn't ask the bouncers any in depth questions about Lestrange. If anyone at the club had loyalties to Rabastan, it would be those in charge of his protection.
"If Rabastan is in there, anything criminal he is doing- we'd have missed it with all this waiting!" James whispered testily into Sirius's ear and Sirius agreed, not mentioning the reason they were waiting so long was because James had made them late in the first place. He'd give anything to be allowed to show the bodyguard his badge, though he had to admit it was quite the ego bruiser when the guard had directed him to the end of the line in the first place. Sirius was sort of used to his looks and charm getting him things. Though as he neared thirty, gravity, greasy pub meals and lack of exercise persisted; his 'charms' were really only successful in getting a free coffee every so often.
Suddenly two loud laughs brought Sirius and James out of their stewing. Coming down the street were a ginger woman and dirty blonde haired man, both looking somewhat drunk. They started to spin clumsily in large circles as they neared the club entrance and suddenly the young woman started to belt.
"Just dance! Gonna be okay! Dada dodo! Just dance! Spin that record baby!"
The blonde man who was twirling her laughed and joined in before they finally staggered up towards the bodyguard. One look at the woman and James was clutching Sirius's arm with wide eyes. Quickly, James pushed Sirius forward and futilely tried to hide behind his friend. It didn't stop him from peeking at her with huge eyes. She had a styled bob haircut and a skinny, small-breasted figure. But Sirius was drawn to the bubbly redhead's friend.
The smiling, dirty blonde man looked to be in his mid-twenties. There were two scars on his face that was almost invisible in the dark lighting but instead of ruining his looks, in Sirius's opinion it added a rough charm. He looked handsome enough in general but not flat out gorgeous. At least not handsome enough to garner a free entrance to one of London's most difficult gay club to set foot in. Tight leather trousers and an un-tucked button up shirt revealed a body that wasn't spectacular but nonetheless, one that Sirius wouldn't object to dancing up against.
Much to the surprise of Sirius and James, the couple was let in without a second thought. The man thanked the amused guard and the woman jumped up to give him a kiss on the cheek. Once they were through the doors, Sirius spoke up.
"What was that about?"
"That was Lily Evans. Jonathan Evan's niece. I've met her a couple of times and didn't want her to recognise me." explained James, calming down a little but still looking star struck.
"You mean you hit on her and she told you to piss off and now you're embarrassed?"
"No!" James blushed. "Though I might have been a little eccentric a few times in front of her. She's prettier than I remembered."
"Well tonight you're into blokes so stay away," Sirius warned James before turning towards the bodyguard. "Hey big guy, if I kissed you on the cheek, would you let us in?"
Not to his surprise, he didn't get an answer back but James did seem to snap out of his drooling-soiree and laughed.