Carve Me Open / r.l. + s.b. /

No Time to Die

"Let me watch you smile so I can feel the best form of love."

-via Parth

A/N: A little throwback to Don't Ask Me When, but Ask Me Why <.<

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Brewed Awakening Café, February 1980

"Send it back," Sirius demanded.

Remus stirred his coffee miserably, hoping that the few sugar cubes offered would be enough to sweeten it to his liking. It was to no avail; upon lifting the cup to his mouth and taking a hesitant sip, he found the black, dark roast coffee was just as bitter and dry as expected. He coughed, masking his disgust with a plain, strained smile.

"I'm not sending it back, Sirius," Remus said. "It's quite alright."

"You hate black coffee," Sirius deadpanned, tossing a packet of powdered creamer his way. "Don't even try to deny it."

"I'm not pretending," Remus said, defending his morning brew as best he could against Sirius' narrowed eyes. "I just don't want to bother the waiter, is all."

"He's not there to look cute," James pointed out.

"Well," Lily began, turning her head just far enough to catch a glimpse of their waiter behind the counter.

"Hey," James cried. "You're supposed to look at me like that!"

Remus couldn't help but stare as well; the waiter hardly looked human. Short in stature but with broad shoulders, Lucas (that had been his name) was quite the looker if Remus allowed himself the pleasure. His hair was dark red, much richer than Lily's near strawberry blonde. His eyes caught Remus' attention; their deep, intense shade of blue was inhuman. But he only looked for a moment!

"Don't be a baby," Lily teased, leaning into James' arms. "You're the cutest pea in our little pod."

Sirius scoffed into his menu, sipping his tea gingerly as he said, "I'd like to argue against that. I am clearly the most attractive out of you lot."

"Yeah?" James laughed. "There was once a time you thought Moony here was –"

Remus couldn't ignore the swift elbow to the ribs Lily administered to her husband, poker face just as proud and confident that not a single thing was out of place. James, winded, coughed and winced like a child who'd fallen off their bike.

Remus could feel Sirius' eyes on him, peeking over the top of his menu with interest and, perhaps, a shard of optimism. It set his insides on fire, scorching his lungs and throat like pine needles. James wasn't the only one who'd felt winded that morning; Remus hated when Sirius stared like that. It reminded him of better days – days he'd never get back. The best thing to do would be to smile and avoid the subject despite James' best efforts to bring it up. It'd worked thus far.

"I'd argue for my case," Remus merely shrugged, hoping the subtle indifference would divert the attention from the rather tricky situation he always found himself in when Sirius was involved. "My dazzling golden eyes and striking jawline would wager against Sirius."

"Oh, sod off," Sirius groaned, closing the menu and lounging as he did best. "Everyone knows that good looks run in my family."

"Yes, dear," Lily cooed, patting Sirius' leg, "but they lack the charm of Lupin's."

Remus chuckled; it'd been months since they were like this – calm and informal. They'd only gotten together recently for weddings and funerals, and while one was a rather delightful occasion, something always seemed to taint the mood.