This Time - Chapter 4

(Authors Note)

I'm sorry for the delay in updates. I've been having metric shed-loads of stuff to do and have had no internet for a week or so.

But I'm updating now and this weekend. I'm also going to be changing the title from 'Coffee in Edinburgh' to 'This Time' to fit more with how the story is going to go. That'll take effect as of the next chapter (all the chapters will change titles, its minor really).

Anyways, onwards with the chapter.

"So you finally admit it was a date?"
"Yes Minerva, it was a date."

The events of last night have left me in a good mood, enough to go through Minerva's extensive questioning and do a double shift at Cosmos.

"Will there be another date?" she asks, cranking the orange juice machine.
"Yeah, we're doing breakfast soon." I say, handing Mrs Sprout her receipt. "Thank you Mrs Sprout, have a good day now."
"Will do Remus." she says curtly, before leaning in, "theres a young man in the window trying to get your attention you know."
Turning I see Sirius standing outside by the window, grinning.
"Thank you Mrs Sprout." I say.
"Go see him." Minerva says, handing Mr Binns his orange juice, "just be back in a few minutes."

I nod and leave the coffee shop. The wind outside is bracing and cold sweeps over me in seconds. Almost instantaneously however, arms wrap around me.
"Morning. I was walking by, and couldn't resist saying hello. If you were here of course."
I return the hug. "Morning. I had a great time last night."
"I'm glad. We still have to do breakfast you know. You promised me great pancakes."
"That I did. I'm not working Thursday, so day after tomorrow."
"Sounds good to me."
"Great. Now I've got to head back in, unless you want a coffee, because I'm due a break anyway."
"Sadly I can't. Got to go see the bank."
"Last night didn't bankrupt you did it?"
He laughs, "No, but I've got to do some transfers and fill out forms and all that malarkey, all boring stuff."
"I don't envy you."
"Well, I don't want to keep you from some old lady's coffee. Plus I've an appointment to keep."
"Just one more minute."

The minute couldn't have gone faster, and before I know it, we've bid each other goodbye and he's walking away. The cold bites again in a matter of moments, however, and Minerva knocks on the window to tell me to come in.

The rest of the shift goes as planned, and soon enough the shop is full as the lunchtime rush sets in. I've got the lunch shift off as I'm also working the evening shift later on. Minerva lets me out as soon as Sev turns up.

I pass him as he comes through the door.
"I heard you and Sirius Black had a date." he says, almost sneering as he does so.
"Yeah Sev, and?" I ask.
"If only you know who he really is." he sneers again, before walking into the back room.

What could Sev had meant. His words were always to be taken with a kilo of salt, but he had moments of seriousness. His words puzzled me, so much so I pull out my phone.
'Hey, I'm off work right now, do you wanna go for lunch?' I send to Sirius.
Moments later my phone buzzes with his response. 'Sure. City Centre, 5 mins'.

Five minutes later, standing by the fountain, there he is.
"Hey." he says.
"Hi. I'm on lunch break for a couple of hours, so we can chill for a while."
"Sounds good. Where do you want to go for lunch."
"I thought you wanted pancakes?" I say.
"For Lunch?" he asks, confused.
"And you called yourself a university student." I mutter, taking his hand and leading him down the street.

The cafe does all day breakfast, and soon enough he and I are in a both with a literal tower of pancakes coated in Maple Syrup.
We start eating and make some conversation, the "how was your morning" kind of thing. Sev's words still puzzle me however, and now's the time to ask questions.
"So, you know what I do. How do you earn your money?"
"I'm a student."
"I know, but you've blatantly got some change to throw around, how come. Family give it to you?"
His fist clenches at the mention of family, but loosens as he looks up at me.
"No. My family didn't give me anything. All the money I have I earned myself."
"By doing what?"
Sirius sighs. "I work in accounts, side job only, but well paying."
"Who for?"
"Just some guys. I don't really like talking about my work too much, or family, to many people. Just for future reference."
I know better than to press the issue. "Well I'm not many people, or so I'd like to think."
"You certainly aren't many people. They aren't as cute or know good pancake places." We laugh, before he continues, "I know I can talk to you about this kind of thing, but not right now."
"If you want to, talk to me whenever. You know I'll be here."
"As will I."
"I meant by you, not in a chair eating the leaning tower of pancakes."
"Well I'll be here anyway."

We finish the pancakes, well Sirius finishes his then mine, and go for a walk around the city. It turns out Sirius has a love for second-hand bookshops, so we spend a long time examining all the archaic volumes of books long forgotten. It's surprisingly enjoyable, normally this stuff would bore me, but I guess it's the company. All that ends when my phone buzzes, telling me my shift's starting again.

Were still in one of the bookshops. Historical Tomes line the walls and Sirius is flicking through a book on Vikings.
"I've got to go. Work again." I tell him.
"Oh." Sirius looks up from his book, looking disappointed.
"I've enjoyed this afternoon."
"As have I. I still want to do Thursday breakfast." he says. "How about Supper, my place, tonight?" he asks.
"That'd be great."
"Fantastic." he says, looking relieved. "I was scared you'd be busy or at work or something."
"Even if I was, I'd make time for you."
Sirius grins, before pulling me in for a hug.
"When you get off work, text me. I'll be in the city for a while longer, I mean we've only done half the book shops, and I'll come pick you up."
"Sounds great." I say.

Sirius now does something unexpected, but not at all unpleasant. He kisses me. In that moment, time stops. The strong winds from outside turn silent, the murmuring of customers dies down. Nothing exists but Sirius and I.

"Sirius" I whisper as we pull apart.
"Remus, I... I want us to be official." he whispers back at me.
"You mean... you want to be my boyfriend."
"One hundred times yes."
"Not enough." I say jokingly.
"A million."
"Still not enough."
"I'll take that as a yes, now shut up and kiss me again."
And we do just that.

"Remus, you're late back." Minerva says.
I can't help but smile. "Sorry Minerva, I was with my boyfriend. It won't happen again."
"You bet your ass it won't." Minerva says curtly, handing a customer a coffee. She then leans in, "Congratulations, you really deserve it."

And she's right, I won't be late next time.