The sun was beginning to set when Sirius stepped out of his flat. He had thrown on a white tank top, his leather jacket and a pair of black jeans. He looked over at his motorcycle that was parked in the lot, magically locked so it couldn't be stolen. He stopped for a moment, contemplating, before shaking his head and deciding to walk instead.
The streets were still busy, littered with cars and people going about their everyday lives, unaware of the dangers that lurked not to far away. Though it was still very loud, the only sound Sirius could hear were his boots hitting the pavement with every step he took. He stared ahead, hands in his pockets, mind blank as he wandered the streets.
He had only walked a few blocks when the sun had set and darkness loomed over him. He sighed and continued on, exploring the city he would call his home for an unspecified amount of time.
After an hour or so, he decided to finally have that drink. Spotting a bar not to far down the road, he made his way there.
The bar was small, but the tables were filled with people. The smell of smoke hung thickly in the air, but the music was loud, and that's what Sirius wanted. His eyes swept over the crowd and when he was sure he didn't recognize anyone, he made his way to the counter and took a seat. He closed his eyes and listened to the music, tapping his finger against the counter with the beat, recognizing the song.
For a few minutes, he felt at peace, losing himself in the guitar solo.
"You alright there? Need a drink?"
Sirius opened his eyes and looked to where the voice came from. A tall man, probably around his own age, smiled at him from behind the counter.
"Yeah, yeah, just...good music."
The man nodded. "Glad to hear that. It was my night to pick the station."
Sirius smirked. "Excellent taste you've got then."
The man nodded. "I like to think so. What's your poison tonight."
Sirius pondered for a moment. "You choose for me, since you have such good taste." The mans' grin grew wider.
"Coming right up."
As the man walked to the other side of the bar to make the drink, Sirius took the opportunity to look the man over. He was tall and slender, but not to skinny. The blue jeans and plain white t-shirt he wore fit him comfortably and his almost neck length brown hair was tied back into a ponytail, with a few loose strands sticking to the sides of his face from sweat.
"Here you are. On the house, tell me what you think?" He handed Sirius a glass of dark brown liquid and smiled warmly. Sirius couldn't help but smile back. He lifted his glass and gave it a quick smell, nearly closing his eyes at the heavenly scent that he couldn't quite name. He took a small taste and felt the cool liquid run down his throat, cold at first, but left a warm trail and delightful after taste.
"Its...rather good. What is it?"
The man beamed at him. "My own secret concoction. I like to experiment with drinks when im here. Passes the time."
"Well, i think you did a good job with this one, mate."
"Thanks."
"Barkeep!" Someone called from the other end of the counter. The man looked over his shoulder and then back to Sirius. "Let me know if you need anything, friend."
Sirius watched him walk, no, Sirius thought, saunter off in the opposite direction to assist someone else. Sirius shivered as he stared at the mans hips swaying back and forth as he served other customers.
"Its been to long, i guess." He murmured to himself, taking another drink of the wonderful brown liquid. 'Better than firewhisky,' he thought.
Sirius continued to sip his drink and listen half heartedly to the music playing, glancing over to the bartender every so often. He felt his breathe hitch when the man casually stretched his arms above his head, his shirt rising just a bit. Sirius caught a glimpse of the tanned skin beneath his clothing and subconsciously licked his lips.
"Definitely been to long." He whispered. Almost as if he had been summoned, the bartender made his way back to Sirius.
"Would you like another?" Sirius nodded and watched the man pour different bottles into the glass. His lips mouthed the words of the song, and his foot tapped gently on the floor to the beat. He walked back over to Sirius and handed him the glass.
"You waiting on anyone?" He asked. Sirius shook his head.
"No, just out for walk. Clear my head, you see."
"Know the feeling friend. Never seen you around before."
"I, uh, just moved here."
"Oh, from where about?"
"Not to far. London still...err, in Islington."
"Oh." The bartender eyed him and Sirius got the suspicion he was taking him in, just as Sirius had done earlier. He shook his head and smiled. "Well, enjoy that drink, mate. My shifts about done and im heading out."
Sirius smiled dropped a little. "Oh..alright then, see you around maybe?"
The bartender nodded and wiped his hands on a towel from under the counter. He gave one last smile and walked to the door just behind the bar, popping his head in.
A minute later, a blonde woman came out and began her task of refilling drinks and the original barkeep disappeared from behind the door.
Sirius sat in his chair and attempted to continue his musing, he drank from his glass and listened to the music, but after a few minutes he didn't quite feel at peace as he had before, the atmosphere suddenly less comforting than before. Sirius told himself that it wasn't because the brunette barkeep was no longer there. He stood and put some muggle money down on the counter and bid the female barkeep a goodnight.
He stepped out of the bar and breathed in the fresh air. Just as he began to walk, he spotted the previous bartender leaning against the wall in the alley, a brown jacket thrown over his shoulder and a cigarette pressed to his lips. He felt his heart skip a beat at his luck.
"Following me now, are you?" He asked, smirking in, what Sirius thought, was a sexy way.
"No, mate, just headed home."
"Walking?"
"Yeah."
"I was waiting for my ride myself, but..they're sort of unreliable. I know if they haven't come by now, they're probably not coming."
"That, uhh, that's not cool."
The man shrugged. "Used to it i guess."
"You have to walk now, yeah?" The barkeep nodded. "Well, i mean, i can walk with you if you like. Im sure they'res probably weirdos out."
"Nah, they're all inside there." He motioned to the bar. "And i can definitively take care of myself. But i wouldn't mind some company anyway."
The bartender flicked his fag onto the floor and stubbed it out with his foot before walking over to where Sirius stood. Together, they made their way down the street.
Their walk so far had been mostly in silence. A warm breeze blew over them, and Sirius tried not to watch as the bartender pulled out his ponytail and let his hair down. The wind lifted it slowly, and Sirius couldn't help but smile at the attractive man next to him.
"You ok there, friend?"
"Yeah, just enjoying the view." He looked forward and tried to hide the blush he felt creep over his face.
"London is quite a beauty isn't she."
"That she is."
"I didn't grow up here myself. Moved here a few years ago from Yorkshire for school. I like it in the city, i suppose, but i miss the countryside. The stars are so much clearer out there."
They continued on their path and Sirius noticed how it seemed to be a much quicker trip than he had originally taken. He was now but a block from his flat, and his companion had suddenly stopped and turned towards him.
"My home is that way, mate. Im sure i can manage from here." Sirius nodded, his heart sinking a bit at knowing he would no longer have his company.
"Alright. Nice walking with you."
"What's your name, friend? So i can have something to call you."
"Its, err, Eli."
"Eli. Names Remus. Good to meet you." He held out his hand and Sirius took it, shaking it but holding on a bit longer than necessary. The man, Remus, quirked an eyebrow, and Sirius noticed the deep brown eyes which had specks of gold in them.
"See you around, Eli."
"Likewise, Remus."
Sirius watched Remus walk in a different direction than his own, and sighed when he was far enough away. Those eyes haunted his thoughts the rest of the night.