like a love story - WOLFSTAR

1

The bell on the door chimed softly as the three friends stepped into the bookstore. The brown painted walls lined with books of all colours enveloped them inside. It smelt of worn paper, charred fireplaces and vanilla, comforting scents that only seemed to draw them in further.

Sirius had never read much himself. He didn't have a love for books, or the stores they were sold in for that matter. But James wanted to buy something for Lily, and he and Pete had been dragged along for company.

Quiet music played from somewhere nearby, adding to the sense of comfort the entire story gave. A few people were wandering around, most with at least a one book in their hands. Some had them open, reading as they walked, others browsed the shelves, or turned books over in their hands, eyes skimming the blurbs with keen gazes. Sirius could understand why Lily liked it so much in here. It was really peaceful. But the sheer amount of options that the book filled shelves provided did make his head spin. Even as a child, he'd never been very fond of reading. Sirius' mind was more filled with a go go go mentality than the sort that allowed you to sit and truly enjoy a story.

The covers of the books were always his favourite thing, and they continued to be even now. In a literal sense, the sentence 'never judge a book by its cover' meant absolutely nothing to him, because that's exactly what he always did.

James had begun venturing deeper inside of the shop, which looked much smaller from the outside, though even in saying that, the store wasn't large at all. The three of them weaved their way between bookshelves, James' eyes carefully scanning each books spine as they past by.

"What are you even looking for?" Sirius asked, following his friends gaze as it moved down a shelf. A present for Lily, sure. But James hadn't gone into specifics before politely forcing Sirius and Peter along with him. Though judging by the expression on his face, that was likely due to the fact that James didn't actually know what he was looking for.

"I don't know yet!" James frowned, tone exasperated. Sirius had been right. Perhaps he rarely read books, but he was an absolute pro at reading James. "I realised as soon as I walked through the door that I actually have no idea what I'm looking. She just keeps saying that she wants to start up a new series, so I thought this would be a good anniversary gift." Sirius couldn't be sure whether it was sweet or worrying that James seemed to be worrying this much about books.

"Chill out, Prongs. Why don't you just ask her which she was looking to read?" Sirius tried to suggest, patting James on the shoulder in an attempt to dispel at least some of his nerves. James could be a bit all over the place in the best of times, but Sirius knew he never missed the mark with things like this, and he always worried far too much. Even if he was almost certain James could buy Lily the worst book in the world and she'd still smothering him in thank you kisses.

"Sirius is right, you need to try and relax a bit," Spoke up Peter, his hands in the pockets of his pale coloured corduroy jacket. "maybe try asking a worker or something, let them point you in the right direction." He suggested, shrugging slightly.
Sirius grinned. "See, James! Peter agrees with me!" He said enthusiastically, all the more encouragement to dull James' worry even just a bit. Him and Lily's anniversary was still almost a month away, James definitely had time.
"For once." Peter joked with a slight shake of his head. "Don't let it make your head any bigger, it might explode." He added with a quiet laugh.

"I apologise that my girlfriend is important to me." James mumbled sarcastically.
"We aren't saying she can't be." Sirius said. Gee, he loved Lily too, as he was sure Peter did as well. She was great, important to almost everyone. "I'm just saying that Lily likes everything you buy from her, you always end up making the right decision. So just try to stop overthinking it and relax a little." Sirius continued to try to reassure him, reiterating how James knows her better than anyone, and maybe if he just messaged her and asked what books she wanted to read right now, then he could just buy her one of those. James had bickered back, as usual. And Peter had stood there, rolling his eyes and adding his own words into the mix every few exchanged sentences, also as usual.

Lost in their muttering, they hadn't noticed the man who'd been approaching them, now awkwardly hovering nearby, waiting for a chance to politely butt in to the discussion.

"Excuse me, sir's-" He finally spoke up as he found a place. "Do you by any chance need some assistant?" Sirius had paused to turn and look at the stranger, mouth open about to reply to something Peter had said.

The man was tall, hair short and neat. His expression was patient, soft brown eyes drifting slowly between the three of them. He wore a jumper, a knitted one in uniform shaded green stripes, as well as a small, yet warm smile on his lips. Sirius glanced at the nametag pinned to the front of his jumper, the small logo of the bookstore printed beside the name 'Remus'. Two other pins accompanied the nametag, a small rainbow enamel, and a small blue pin that read 'he/him'. Sirius had smiled right back at him, eyes having moved back to Remus' face. For a moment there, he almost forget that they were in a bookstore, with James and Peter, and that he was most definitely staring.

"Uh, yeah, actually." James cleared his throat, speaking up. And Sirius immediately became thankful for reminder to look away. He could stare at attractive men another day, right now he had to support his friend in making what felt to James like a life altering purchase. Was there such thing as caring to much?

"I'm looking for a book for my girlfriend," James explained, sounding mildly embarrassed. "but the problem is, I'm terrible at decision making. And the people I brought to help me are apparently not any help." He side eyed Sirius and Peter. Peter shrugged shamelessly, Sirius just side eyed him back.

"I'm not sure what your girlfriend would like, but I can definitely help you narrow things down a bit?" Remus offered. Sirius thought that his voice sounded warm, one of those voices that make really good audiobook readers, soothing and able to fade into. He found himself smiling again.
"That'd definitely help old Prongsie here." Sirius teased, pinching James' cheek and having his hand slapped away as a result. Sirius just laughed. "Poor guy's going to have a breakdown over a bunch of words on some pages."

Remus' gaze narrowed in question, James took no time.
"Never mind the nickname. You can call me James." He said with a sigh, like a tired parent fed up with his child's silly antics.

Remus chuckled, Sirius noted that even his laughter sounded warm. "Alright, James. Let's go see what we might be able to find for you. What sort of genres and authors does she like?" Remus had asked, beginning to lead James away, nodding his head as James listed off the things he knew she liked. James was very observant, especially when it came to Lily, so thankfully, his knowledge was extensive.

Sirius followed them, though he was barely listening to his friend anymore. His main focus was trying to stop himself from staring at Remus, and the way his face creased every time he smiled.