Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count: 1062

Written for Ari - Hope you enjoy it lovely :)

Following Traditions

James ducked into the small coffee shop, grateful for the cover from the falling snow. He hadn't expected the weather to turn quite so quickly, and he cursed himself for grabbing his leather jacket instead of his winter coat.

Glancing around, he realised there wasn't an empty table to be had and he sighed. Still, coffee would warm his hands if nothing else. He got into the queue and pulled his phone from his pocket.

Running late, I'll be there as soon as I don't feel like I'm going to lose my hands to frostbite.

As soon as he'd sent the message, the three dots appeared on the screen to show Sirius was tying back. Bless him, he'd clearly been waiting for James' message.

Stop being so bloody dramatic. Sirius had replied. And then a second message popped up on the screen. If you're at a coffee shop, fetch me a pumpkin spice or I'll disown you.

James scoffed. It's Christmas, not Halloween, you absolute heathen. I'll fetch you gingerbread latte, and you'll be happy for it.

He stowed his phone back in his pocket as he stepped up to the counter, and then blinked. The server was… quite possibly the most beautiful man James had ever seen.

And also oddly familiar.

"What can I get you?"

"A date?" James suggested, a cocky tilting his lips.

The server looked less than impressed. "I think we've run out of stock, sir. Apologies."

James snorted. "I guess I'd better just have two gingerbread latte's then."

Leaving the coffee shop, James text Sirius again, a wide smile on his face.

I've just met my wintertime love to be and he is perfect.

If you've been flirting in front of my pumpkin spice, I'll beat you.

Your gingerbread latte enjoyed it. Heathen. Be there in ten.

…

James went to the coffee shop every day over the next week. He couldn't seem to help himself. Over that week, he learned that the server was called Regulus—an odd name, he mused, but then, his best friend was called Sirius so who was he to talk—and Regulus had the prettiest smile.

Granted he'd only smiled because James had dropped his cupcake frosting side down while trying to be seductive, but hey, James would take what he could get.

Christmas eve arrived, and James decided that one last try was worth it, especially for that smile. He took Sirius along with him—after thoroughly warning him to keep his eyes to himself, of course.

Except—

"Regulus?"

"Sirius?"

"I knew you didn't recognise me," Regulus told James later, as he delivered their third coffees to their table. "I remember you from when I was a kid, before Sirius left. You never had time for me then."

James' lips twitched. "You were a kid. You're not a kid now though, are you?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Stop flirting with my little brother before I break your face."

James huffed. "Rude."

"If you think I'm letting you put me through the trauma of watching the two of you dance around each other, you can think again," Sirius said, eyes bright with amusement. "Do that shit on your own time."

"You know, you can always leave?" Regulus suggested with a smirk.

James watched him walk away, squeaking when Sirius slapped the back of his head.

"Asshole," he complained, glaring at his best friend.

"I can't believe you're lusting over my little brother."

"It's not like you've even seen him for years!" James pointed out. "I didn't know he was your Regulus."

"How many Regulus's do you think there are?"

"Okay, so I may have forgotten that was your little brother's name."

"And you call yourself my best friend."

James snorted.

They were quiet for a moment and then Sirius nudged his shoulder. "Thanks."

"Hmm?"

"Well… for bringing me, I guess. It's good to see him. I'm glad he's doing okay."

James smiled. "I'm still going to date him."

Sirius grinned. "We'll see. We Blacks have got good taste, you know?"

"Why do I even put up with you?"

…

"We're closing in five," Regulus said softly. "Do you want another coffee to go?"

James shook his head. "I'd had enough coffee three coffee's ago."

Regulus quirked an eyebrow. "Then why are you still here?"

"I was waiting for your brother to sod off," James admitted. "And it was a good thing, too."

"Oh?"

James glanced up. "Our first kiss shouldn't be in front of your brother really, should it?"

"First kiss?"

"Mistletoe," James pointed out, and Regulus looked up to see the sprig above their heads.

"You did this on purpose."

"Guilty," James said, unashamed. "But are you a traditionalist?"

Regulus grinned and leant forward, pressing his lips to James' in a soft, gentle kiss, that only made James want more.

"Merry Christmas, James."

"Merry Christmas."

…

The party was amazing, but James couldn't help but glance at the door every three minutes. It was almost eleven, and Regulus still hadn't turned up.

"He'll be here," Sirius said, when he caught James looking at the door for the umpteenth time.

"Who? I don't know what you're talking about," James bluffed, though he could feel his cheeks heating up

Sirius rolled his eyes. "He texted me ten minutes ago and said he was on his way."

"Really?"

Remus giggled, the way he only did when he was three sheets to the wind. Sirius beamed at his boyfriend, so in love with him that even a giggle was enough to make him swoon.

"I thought you didn't know who he was talking about?" Remus asked James, poking him in the side. "You're in loooooove."

"Oh god, get your boyfriend some water," James advised, shaking his head.

Sirius chortled, but James paid him no mind, before the door opened and an angel walked inside.

"Holy fuck," James murmured. "Look at him."

Sirius snorted. "The coffee shop uniform isn't exactly flattering, is it? Did you expect him to turn up with his apron on?"

James hadn't really thought about it, but dear lord, Regulus scrubbed up well.

He crossed the room before he'd even consciously thought about it, stepping in front of Regulus.

"Hi."

"James," Regulus greeted, his lips turning up in a small smile.

"You look amazing."

"Thanks. Have you been claimed for midnight yet?" Regulus asked.

James shook his head. "I was waiting for you."

"Good."

Written for:

Record Collection: 6. "Merry Christmas."

Time Machine: 2. Regulus Black

Amber's Attic: 8. Kiss under the mistletoe

Marvel Appreciation: Hawkeye: Cocky

Lyric Alley: 13. My wintertime love to be

Naughty Or Nice: Naughty: 30. James Potter

Shoebox to Charity: 7. Someone you've never gifted before

Big Dinner Bash: Potatoes: Boiled: Kissing under mistletoe

Pop Figures: Rock: 66. Kurt Cobain: Leather Jacket

Hogwarts Talent Show: Sword Swallowing: Coffee Shop!AU / Cupcake / Trauma