Chapter Text
Regulus Black hadn’t meant to end up here, behind a counter that smelled like burnt beans and disappointment. He used to imagine a dozen futures for himself, none of which involved a stained apron and a name tag that said Regulus in glitter pen. But that was before his parents decided their youngest son was a disgrace and locked the door behind him.
It was his fault, really. In the end he hadn’t been as careful as he thought. He had left his phone out one too many times, a message from someone he shouldn’t have been texting lighting up the screen at the wrong moment. His father’s face had gone perfectly still, and his mother hadn’t even shouted. She’d just looked at him, cold and disgusted, and told him to pack a bag.
He had been living with his friends Barty and Evan ever since. Eventually they wanted him to start contributing to the rent and he had been forced to work at this godforsaken coffee shop. It was fine most of the time, tolerable even, but then James came in. Every day. Always the same time. Always trying to make him smile and Regulus did not appreciate that.
Regulus had made a thousand coffees in his time at the coffee shop, but none was quite as offensive as the one James Potter orders every morning at 8:17 sharp. It is now 8:16 and Regulus is not ready for this.
The doorbell chimed and Regulus looked up and there he was in the flesh, James Potter.
James walked in like he belonged there, like mornings existed just for him. The light from the morning sun through the window caught in his curly hair, turning them gold at the edges. His grin was all warmth and sunlight, the sort of thing that lingered when you looked away.
“Good morning, Reggie”, James said as he leaned against the counter.
“Again, don’t call me that.” Regulus said bitterly.
James ignored him. He always did.
Regulus tried not to look at him, but his eyes betrayed him anyway. He noticed the sharp line of his jaw, his dark lashes and the way his curls refuse to behave. His skin looked warm and soft, and Regulus hated the way he wanted to crawl under it and never leave.
“The usual” James said, grinning wider. “Two shots of espresso, oat milk, one pump caramel, one pump vanilla, a dash of cinnamon, extra whipped cream, and a drizzle of honey. Oh, and don’t forget the flake on top.”
“You know you’re going to get diabetes one day” Regulus said dryly. Which was a mistake, because James only grinned even more at that. How that was possible, Regulus did not know.
“Aw, you care about me?” James said.
“No… whatever.” Regulus had to turn around to hide his faint blush.
Regulus turned away, pretending to be busy with the espresso machine. He does everything on autopilot by know, but James doesn’t need to know that.
James was still leaning on the counter, watching him work. “You ever get tired of making everyone else’s coffee?”
“I get paid for it.” Regulus said.
“That’s not really an answer.”
Regulus did not look up. “It’s a stupid question.”
He turns around and slides the cup over the counter. “Here you go. The usual.” He said with a disgusted look on his face.
James smiled as he took it. “You’re really committed to hating my order, huh?”
“It deserves it,” Regulus said.
“That’s fair.” James slipped a few coins in the tip jar and said, “Maybe one day I will win you over.”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
James laughed and started to walk away. He stopped right at the door, turned around to wave and said. “See you tomorrow, Reggie.”
Regulus didn’t bother to reply this time. The doorbell chimed as James left, the sound far too cheerful for how early it still was.
For a moment, the shop was quiet again.