Written for:

World Cup - Royal Blue

Royal Blue

'A royal blue garment brings true love'

Sirius read out the fortune that his cookie had provided, before turning his gaze to James. "What do you think it means?"

"It means you're being duped," James offered, barely glancing at his slip of paper before shoving half of his cookie into his mouth.

"No, not duped," Sirius muttered. "I've said it before and I'll say it again: they have nothing to gain by 'duping' me. I already bought the cookie when I ordered the Chinese so they already have my money. The fortunes are not something to be messed with."

"Why have none come true?" James asked.

Sirius sniffed. "Because you're a non-believer and you putting doubts in my head is bad karma." He glanced at the slip of paper again. "Royal blue. So I just have to look out for someone wearing royal blue. Common colour, blue - how hard can that be?"

...oOo...

Sirius couldn't help but linger near the royal blue cardigan in the shop. He had almost passed, but something had drawn him in and the cardigan had been right there. So he had stopped and waited, hoping someone would come in and buy it. Sirius had it all planned in his mind - their eyes would meet over the clothes rail and the other guy would smile as he reached for one in his size. Sirius would compliment his taste in cardigans, and they would leave together to grab some lunch or perhaps exchange numbers.

"Excuse me, sir?"

Sirius jumped, spinning around. His gaze fell on a girl who looked a couple of years younger than him. She blushed under his gaze and Sirius' grin widened.

"Yes?" he asked.

"I… you… you've been hanging around here for a while and… and we're concerned you're going to scare off anyone who wants to look at that rail. I thought I'd come over and check if you're alright."

"Oh, there's nothing wrong. You see, my fortune said that royal blue clothing would bring true love. I saw this and it's royal blue, so that means true love will follow. True love will be led to this cardigan too, right?"

The girl glanced at it. "I… I think it's a very nice cardigan," she began, but Sirius paid her little mind as he looked around.

"So where is he?" Sirius continued, frowning and crossing his arms.

"He?" she was startled for a moment, the shock giving way to a look of disappointment, before a smile appeared once more. "Sir, this is a woman's cardigan—"

"Unisex," Sirius interrupted. "Women's cardigans are styled on men's cardigans often these days, so I think you're confused. This is unisex."

The woman clearly didn't want to argue. "Unless you're browsing to buy something, perhaps this isn't the right store? There are lots of others with royal blue clothing. By staying here, you might miss your… your true love in another shop."

Sirius stared at her. "You're right!" he said. "I better take a look around - I don't want to miss him." He rushed from the shop, almost bumping into a woman.

"Sorry," he said. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, not to worry," the woman said with a smile. Sirius quickly left.

"Remus, there you are," the woman said as a teenager approached her. "Did you find the chemist okay?"

Remus nodded. "I never knew there were shops on that back road," he said. "Are you okay? I saw someone knock you."

"An accident," Hope said. "He apologised. Now, let's get into the shop and I'll show you that cardigan I mentioned the other day. You can try it on because I didn't know what size to buy."

Remus followed her into the shop, glancing back for a moment to see the teenager rushing into H&M a few doors down.

...oOo...

Sirius sat in the packed coffee shop, sulking. He didn't even want to get his phone out and catch Pokemon because that day had been a bust. He knew he should have waited in that first shop, but the woman had been so convincing.

"Excuse me, can we join your table?" Sirius looked up, spotting the woman he had bumped into.

"I wouldn't usually ask, but I need a cup of tea and the place is packed," she continued.

Sirius nodded. "Sure," he replied. Pulling the plate with his cake towards him. It had looked nice inside the display, but his mood had gotten worse and he hadn't felt the urge to eat it.

"Are you okay?" she asked, pulling out a chair and sitting down. Sirius heard a second chair being pulled out too.

"No," he muttered. "I'm having a terrible day. I was supposed to meet my soulmate today and he never showed up."

"Oh. Did he stand you up?" Hope asked. "That's terrible."

"No, my fortune said I'd meet him but he… it's that woman's fault. She convinced me to look in a different shop but I knew it was the one I was in. I should have stayed by the cardigans and waited longer."

Hope stared at him. "My name is Hope, and this is my son, Remus."

Sirius glanced up from his cup. "I'm Sirius, like the star. It's nice to meet you, and…" he trailed off, his gaze moving to Remus. "Hi," he murmured softly.

"Hi," Remus replied. "So… fortune?"

"The cookie said: 'A royal blue garment brings true love' Sirius explained.

"Oh, I bought a royal blue cardigan today," Remus said brightly, reaching for his shopping bag and pulling the cardigan out. Sirius' eyes widened. "Hold on. Did you go in just after I left and buy that?"

"I did," Remus said. "I didn't see anyone else buying it, but perhaps your fortune meant something else? Maybe try again tomorrow or—"

"Remus, was it?" Sirius asked, cutting him off.

Remus stopped talking and nodded. "Yes."

"Do you realise what this means? I found you because of a royal blue garment. I'm convinced that means your my soulmate. Now, I didn't picture your mum to be with us on our first date, but I'm not complaining."

Remus' mouth dropped open and he looked at his mother for help.

She smiled. "I see another table has opened up over there," she said, pointing to a tiny table in the corner. "You two have a lovely time on your date. Don't forget to give him your number, Remus. He's adorable."

Sirius smiled. "I am that," he agreed. "Talk to you later, Mum."

Hope laughed as she walked away with her cup, and Remus turned to Sirius. "So…"

"Let's start by swapping numbers," Sirius said, passing his phone across the table. "We can get to know each other now and can organise dinner or a movie or something. Are you interested?"

Remus nodded his head. "I can't help but want to get to know you."

Review please :)