Mks Mad Dash

mk’s mad dash

All of August, one x reader fic a day.

A/n: School is coming up faster than I'd like, so I want to do a little mini end of summer writing extravaganza before September hits. I'll be posting one short fic a day, and by the end of the month I will have at least one fic written for EVERY character I write for! Happy reading!

8/1 - Johanna Mason- ‘A Moment For Yourself’

You show Johanna a kindness she hasn’t felt in

weeks.

8/2- Tangerine- ‘Not a Lady’

Tangerine meets his match in cursing.

8/3- Natasha Romanoff- ‘A Way to Relax’

Natasha’s been stressed lately, so you come up

with a way to help her relax.

8/4- Remus Lupin- ‘Aftercare’

Aftercare with Remus.

8/5- Lucy Gray Baird- ‘Wrapped Up In a Bow’

You buy Lucy Gray a present.

8/6- Mary MacDonald- ‘Distraction’

You don’t want to watch a movie with Mary.

8/7- Fred Weasley- ‘Sixth Love Language’

You prank Fred for the first time.

8/8- Coriolanus Snow- ‘Maybe’

The death and birth of hope.

8/9- Peeta Mellark- ‘I Made You A Pie’

You and Peeta get into your first fight.

8/10- Hermione Granger- ‘Whatever You Say, Dear’

You hate airports. Thank God for your girlfriend.

8/11- George Weasley- ‘Serenity’

A peaceful summer afternoon at the Burrow.

8/12- Regulus Black- ‘Trou Noir’

Mourning your husband, Regulus Black.

8/13- Katniss Everdeen- ‘A Tiny Favor’

You ask Katniss to braid your hair.

8/14- Dorcas Meadowes- ‘The Barista’

The most beautiful girl you’ve ever seen is a

barista at your local coffee shop.

8/15- Haymitch Abernathy- ‘Wish You Were Sober’

We don’t always get what we want.

8/16- Finnick Odair- ‘Five More Minutes’

“Five more minutes.” A phrase you’ve said many

times but only now really mean.

8/17- Ron Weasley- ‘I Love You First’

Ron’s used to being second.

8/18- Sirius Black- ‘The Infamous Wings’

You catch Sirius trying on your eyeliner.

8/19- Ginny Weasley- ‘What The Flying Fuck’

Your girlfriend tries to teach you how to fly.

8/20- Tigris Snow- ‘Don’t Call Me Baby’

Tigris has been taught to assume the worst.

8/21- Harry Potter- ‘Pretty Boy’

You love to make your boyfriend blush.

8/22- Marlene McKinnon- ‘Oblivious’

You never notice when boys flirt with you.

8/23- Poly!Marauders- ‘This Is Fucking Stupid’

In which you all try and share a bed for the first

time.

8/24- James Potter- ‘Rumor Has It’

There’s a rumor going around that you and

costar!James are dating.

8/25- Lily Evans- ‘Rounds’

You are assigned Prefect rounds with your rival.

8/26- Peter Parker- ‘Its Not A Costume’

You mess around in Peter’s suit.

8/27- Wanda Maximoff- ‘Are They Gone?’

You and Wanda on a mission together.

8/28- Tony Stark- ‘Never Ever’

CEO!Tony Stark doesn’t take people out to lunch.

8/29- Sejanus Plinth- ‘I Know’

Your boyfriend is a walking, bleeding heart.

8/30- Peter Pettigrew- ‘Say It’

Peter is nervous to ask you out.

8/31- Yelena Belova- ‘This Thing Called A Date’

You take Yelena on her first ever date.

im giggling sirius' reaction is so funny!! but umm there's nothing i wouldn't give to have james call me his girlfriend in front of the boys🤭🤭 im blushing over here elina your james is perfect <3

hiii!

first, i’m loving this dad!james series its genuinely so heart fulfilling so thank you for taking time out of your day to write

now i’m not sure if this will spark any interest but maybe dad!james and r have been dating for a like a month but no one knows and then the whole gang (or just rem and sirius) come over and like James is like extra touchy with her which like he was before but more so now so they’re both kinda like ??? until james is like she’s my girlfriend

ily

Dad!James Potter x Bsf!Reader ☼ 977 words

thank you sm babe! i love writing for you all! hope you like it <3

“Do they seem off to you?” Remus murmurs, his gaze following James as he heads into the kitchen. He had muttered something about helping you with the tea, but it wasn’t like you really needed the help.

The whole afternoon, Remus had noticed how James couldn’t keep his eyes off you, his gaze filled with that familiar, adoring warmth. That in itself wasn’t unusual—James had always looked at you that way. But what really caught Remus off guard was how openly you were returning those looks, your eyes just as soft, filled with the same affection. It wasn’t just the casual brush of his fingers against yours or his hand resting briefly on your lower back as you passed. It was also in the subtle, consistent touches—his knee brushing against yours under the table or the way his hand would linger on your arm during conversations.

You both appeared entirely and undeniably in love.

Sirius, however, is lost in his own world, meticulously taking apart one of Henry’s Lego sets just to rebuild it. “No,” he replies, not even looking up, his fingers expertly snapping the pieces back together. “Why? Did you notice something?”

“He hasn’t stopped touching her since we’ve got here.” Remus continues to stare at the doorway, as if expecting it to provide an answer somehow. The wall separating the kitchen from the living room blocks his view, but he can’t shake the feeling that something is different.

“He’s always like that with her.” Sirius says, focusing on a new Lego piece that refuses to snap into place. His frustration is clear as he twists and turns the piece, trying to make it fit.

“No,” Remus replies, shaking his head with a hint of uncertainty. “I’m sure I heard him call her ‘baby’ earlier.”

Sirius finally looks up, curiosity piqued by Remus’s tone. “When did you hear that?”

“When we first got here,” Remus says, his gaze distant as he recalls the moment. “James was talking to her in a more intimate way than usual.”

Sirius considers this, his frown softening slightly. “Oh, he probably did. He’s always calling her something sweet,” Sirius says with a casual shrug. “Lovesick is what he is.”

“He’s never called her ‘baby,’” Remus insists, his brow furrowing. “It’s different, I swear it.”

Sirius sighs and shakes his head, still engrossed in his Lego project. “We’ve thought that for years, and nothing’s ever really changed. Maybe this is just another nickname of his.”

Remus swears he hears you sigh James' name from the kitchen, light and airy, and before Sirius can react, Remus is on his feet, tugging at his shirt with a sense of urgency. Sirius starts to protest, a frown forming on his face, but Remus doesn’t bother with an explanation. “C’mon,” he insists, pulling him toward the kitchen without another word.

“Nothing’s different, Rem. They’re just—” Sirius’s words die in his throat as he catches sight of you both.

James has you perched on the edge of the counter, his body firmly nestled between your legs, the warmth of him pressing against you in all the right ways. One hand cradles your cheek, his thumb gently stroking your skin as he tilts your head just so, deepening the kiss. His other hand grips your hip, fingers curling into the soft flesh where your shirt has bunched up, his touch pulling a gasp from you. The kiss is slow, unhurried, every brush of his lips against yours filled with a lingering desire, like he’s savoring every second. Your fingers tangle in his hair, tugging him closer, and the way your body arches into his, seeking more of him, makes it clear that neither of you wants to let go. The heat between you is palpable, each movement charged with a quiet intensity that speaks of just how much you want each other.

This is not the first time you’ve kissed clearly.

Remus clears his throat, a sound that cuts through the charged silence. You pull away from James, your breath coming in short, startled gasps. Your lips are swollen and pouty, still tingling from the intensity of the kiss. You clutch at James, reluctant to let go, as if the contact alone is grounding you.

James quickly tugs your shirt back into place, his hands lingering for a moment as he smooths out the fabric with a touch that’s both tender and possessive. His gaze flicks over to the boys, a mix of surprise and awkwardness crossing his face as he registers their stunned expressions. The heat in the room seems to intensify, the once-private moment now exposed under their watchful eyes.

“What the hell?” Sirius exclaims, his voice sharp with disbelief. “We’re out here building Legos—” 

“I wasn’t building—” Remus begins to protest, but Sirius cuts him off.

“—as we wait for our tea, and you two are in here snogging?”

“No, we weren’t sno—” You start to protest, but Remus and Sirius cut you off with pointed looks.

“When did this happen?” Sirius demands, clearly miffed. “Because that’s obviously not the first time you’ve kissed her.” His tone reflects his hurt that James, his best friend, hadn’t mentioned anything about this development.

James clears his throat, his face a mix of embarrassment and defensiveness. “About a month ago,” he admits.

“So you two are just messing around?” Remus asks, raising an eyebrow. James’s expression turns from defensive to offended, his brows knitting together.

“No, you prat! She’s my girlfriend.” James snaps, his voice tinged with frustration.

“Bloody hell, it only took you about eight years.” Remus retorts, a smirk playing on his lips. You let out a laugh, unable to help yourself at Remus’s quip.

Sirius, his annoyance settling, lets out an exaggerated sigh, “I expect another niece or nephew as compensation for making us all wait this long for you two to get together.”

please consider reblogging and/or leaving a comment! it keeps me motivated to write! 💌

aaaa thank you im so glad you liked it babe! <3 and yes ugh he is so boyfriend 🙏🙏

kiss and make-up | j.p. 💋

a/n: i know i said i was gonna take a break but… i just HAD to get this out of my system 🤭

summary: fluff!! james helps you do your makeup

James’ hand comes up to cup your cheek and you bristle, giggling as his fingertip tickles your nose.

“Babe, seriously. I can’t work if you don’t keep still,” he murmurs, bemusement lacing his words as he repositions your face.

You apologize and bite down on your lower lip to stop the smile from spreading across your cheeks. You decide that he deserves some credit for his efforts to doll you up; so you try your best to stay put.

The tip of the eyeliner feels tingly against your skin as James traces it onto your eyelid. You sneak a glance at him, eyebrows furrowed in concentration and tongue jutting out of his rosy lips. You’d give him a big fat kiss if it wouldn’t ruin the make-up he’s been diligently working on for the past hour.

“How’s it look?”

“Shush,” he mutters, tilting his head slightly as he adjusts the wing on your other eye, squinting in an attempt to do some detailing.

Marlene’s band was doing a gig at the biggest pub in town, so you were going down with Lily and Mary to watch her play. The boys were invited too; but were more interested, according to Sirius, in going actual clubbing than listening to some emo rock band.

But your boyfriend had really wanted to spend the night with you, and he claimed that it was not just because you looked really hot in your little dress. So he decided to make it up to you by doing your make-up.

James lets go of your face to lean back and admire his work, and that’s when you notice a dark smudge on his cheek. This time you can’t stop the laughter from bubbling out of you.

“What?” he asks, horrified when you clutch your stomach. His expression only worsens your giggling, an amused smile slowly creeping its way onto his face.

You shake your head, pressing one hand to your mouth to muffle your laughter as you tug him towards you with the other.

Grabbing a wet wipe from beside you, you gently thumb at the eyeliner on his cheek. “You’ve got it on your face, idiot.”

“Oh,” James mumbles, and your grin only widens when his cheeks redden. It’s your turn to grab his face, trying your best to rub the stubborn smudge away. His glasses slide down his nose unceremoniously. You suppress a smile as you push them back up.

You feel his eyes on you when you turn him this way and that, nails poking into his cheekbones. Then, slowly, a small smile makes its way onto his cheeks.

A soft sigh escapes his lips and you halt, locking eyes with him bemusedly. “What?”

“Nothing, you —“ he sighs again. gazing at you with a soppy smile on his face. “You look gorgeous, you know?” he mutters. “Like, you’re always pretty, but right now you’re extra pretty. I wish I could kiss you.”

Your heart stutters at his slushy mess of words, and you feel the overwhelming urge to leave your lipstick stains on him, every part of him you can reach.

A huff of laughter finds its way out of you, cheeks heating up embarrassingly. “I wanna kiss you too, hon. But this lipstick’s too cute.”

James pouts. “Cuter than me?”

“Oh, definitely,” you drawl, but you let him press his lips to yours anyway. He leaves the house later on with one black stain and six lip-shaped ones peppered all over his cheeks.

oh thank you so much babe 😭😭 and im glad it shows. thank you for reading!! 🫶

still here | r.l.

summary: it's your birthday :(

a/n: this is the first time i’ve ever really cried when writing something, it’s got a home in my heart now and i hope you like it!! 🫶 (also listen to our lovely girl billie while reading for added heartbreak)

tw: past suicide attempt

You lean back on the couch from where you’re bending over the table. Remus wastes no time in wrapping an arm around your waist, pulling you into his side. He gently presses his lips to your forehead. “Happy birthday, lovely girl.”

“Thank you,” you mumble half-heartedly, grateful but too overwhelmed to show it. 

There’s a cut-up chocolate cake in front of you, which Remus had insisted upon baking. He’d honoured your wishes not to throw a big bash, and of not wanting an actual present. He didn’t exactly understand why — but he loved you too much to not do what you wanted him to; birthday or not.

Guilt weighs heavily on your heart; Remus has been kinder than you deserve. You decide to help him understand.

“You know,” you start softly, tilting your head to lay it on his shoulder. He hums in acknowledgement, fingertips grazing your sleeve as he starts to rub your arm. “I didn’t think I would last this long.”

The shakiness in your voice surprises even you. You feel Remus’ hand still on your arm. 

“What?” he murmurs. You can’t decipher if the slight lilt to his voice is because of sadness or confusion.

“I didn’t think I would last this long,” you repeat quietly, just to be safe, and you feel his hand coasting across your back as he gently grabs your shoulders. He turns you towards him, and you don’t wait for him to ask before you start to explain. “When I was 13, I couldn’t imagine ever making it this far. I tried to kill myself.”

Remus’ eyes widen the slightest bit as he takes in your sudden admission. His grip on your shoulders doesn’t falter; and it’s like you both know he’s the only thing holding you upright. 

When he doesn’t respond, your gaze immediately drops to the couch, shame clouding your eyes.

“I… I didn’t know that.”

The crack in his voice makes you look back up, meeting his gaze. His features are softer, sadder; somehow. There’s the slightest bit of grief in the way he’s regarding you. “Are you glad you made it this far?”

You rub your lips together, taking a shaky breath to make sure your voice comes out evenly. “Yeah,” you exhale softly. “Yeah, I am. I got to meet you.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“No,” you reply honestly. “I love my work. My friends, I really like hanging out with them. And I’d say our apartment is pretty sweet.”

The concern in Remus’ expression is still evident, his brows pinched together almost painfully. His hands bunch up the fabric on your shoulders, tugging you towards him. You’re certain the action is subconscious – he looks lost in thought, like he’s deliberating wrapping you up in his arms and never letting you go.

“Would you like more reasons?” you ask quietly, feeling your vision start to blur. You shouldn’t be surprised that he cares this much, but you are.

When he nods, your heart melts – the magma seems to be pooling in your stomach, and you feel the kind of warmth you’ve only ever been able to feel since you met him.

“Okay,” you decide to indulge him. “I like coffee when I wake up, especially when you make it. Feeding the stray dogs on the side of the road every morning. And my guitar, I like to make music on it. I think music is nice.”

You feel your throat start to clog up, the image of Remus distorting into a blurry swirl in your eyes. “It’s lovely when it rains, especially when we’re both at home, cuddling. And –”

Your voice comes out wobbly, the tears coming hard and fast now. You want to stop, but push on for his sake.

“And I really like our apartment. Did I mention that? Also, your hugs – I love the way you hug. It’s like you really love me, and —”

“I do love you,” Remus interrupts in a shaky exhale, words barely audible from the way his voice is trembling. “I love you, okay? I love you a whole lot. And I’m so glad you’re still with me.”

He doesn’t give you a chance to respond, gently pulling you even closer towards him. You meet him in the middle, arms instinctively wrapping around his waist as he brings his hands up to encircle your shoulders.

Remus squeezes you like it’s his job to hold you together, and you hear a soft sniffle as he buries his face in your hair. 

“I’m so glad you’re still here,” he says again. Your heart clenches in your chest, in all the best ways.

“I love you,” you respond, because you both know it’s synonymous with Thank you for giving me a reason to be here.

squealing this is so cute!! 😭😭 “it’s impossible not to smile when you’re around.” GAHHH i need to see james blush when i talk to him <33

𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚑𝚒𝚛𝚎

𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝟼 ⟡ 𝚍𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚜

⟢ james potter x fem!reader

⟢ summary: modern restaurant au; james asks you to stay for some drinks after closing time . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ 2.0k

⟢ warnings/tags: drinking, energy drink bashing lmao?, aged down regulus black by a few years (who is only mentioned)

⟢ the new hire masterlist ⟡ main masterlist

note: just some fluff! i should probably start making some progress on their relationship tho yeah?

It's been a long day.

Things got rough about an hour into your shift when a kid decided to drench your shoes with condiments. But that was nothing a napkin, a deep breath, and a pep talk from James couldn't fix.

But by the fourth hour— after several soft drinks were spilled on you, multiple orders came out late, a woman complained about pricing for fifteen minutes straight, a dreadfully old man kept hitting on you well after he paid for his meal, and someone told you the "Am I serious? No, I'm not Sirius" joke for the third time today— you had reached your limit.

Not to mention, you hadn't slept well the night before. Thanks to your upstairs neighbor who is dog sitting a hyperactive chihuahua, you laid awake half the night wondering how such a tiny animal could make such loud noises.

Needless to say, you're utterly exhausted. So exhausted that you almost asked James for one of his energy drinks, but you weren’t quite desperate enough.

By the time the lock on the front door clicks into place and everyone files off to complete on their closing tasks, all you can think about is your bed. More precisely, you dream of sinking into it, cocooning in your softest blanket, with your favorite book and a steaming cup of tea waiting by your side.

You're terribly eager to go home and live out this fantasy. But—

"Do you want to stay after for some drinks?"

But how could you say no to James?

Just moments ago, you were sure nothing could stop you from hightailing it home, something you'd been counting down the seconds for. You hadn't anticipated James sliding into the space next to you as you were filling the last salt shaker.

But here he is, and daydreams of your bed suddenly escape you, already willing to delay your departure before he even begins trying to convince you.

"Everyone else has already agreed. And Sirius has so graciously volunteered to pour our drinks. It'll be fun."

You exhale, an attempt to expel the tension in your shoulders and the frustrations of the day, and you nod.

"Have him start a vodka red bull for me and I'll meet you at the bar."

James squints at you, skeptical. "You hate energy drinks," he remembers.

It is a very out-of-character drink for you. But as you're almost losing the fight to keep your eyes open and your yawns at bay, canned battery acid is a necessary evil.

"Not tonight," you quip playfully, gathering your salt shakers to be put away.

"What's wrong?" James is quick to worry, his brows furrowing as he begins to help with the salt shakers.

You chuckle, plucking the glassware from his hand as soon as he picks it up. "I'm fine, just tired. And I've got this. If you really want to help, you'd pass my drink order off to Sirius."

James' eyes remain narrowed, but he lets it go. He is well aware of the rough day that you've been having. After all, he was there at every conflict to be whatever you needed: someone to vent to, an extra set of hands, or your own personal motivational speaker (as he called it).

He's hoping that post-work drinks will help you wind down— the very reason he invited everyone to stay in the first place— since unwinding with friends always lifts his mood. Truthfully, he doesn't know if that's something that lifts yours, and he realizes it probably would've been a good idea to ask first. But you've agreed to stay, so he figures that getting the drink you requested is a good start.

He feels vindicated when you finally come to claim your drink with a cheery grin and many words of gratitude. Although, you do grimace at your first sip. James chooses not to comment on it, swallowing his snarky remarks.

"What'll it be for you, James?" you ask, noticing his lack of beverage.

He opens his mouth to respond, but before he can even enunciate his first syllable, you stop him.

"Wait! Lemme guess!" you say urgently, holding your hands out to stop him from speaking.

James' parted lips morph into an amused smile as you narrow your eyes, looking him up and down, analyzing him as you prepare to make your guess. He feels scrutinized, shifting nervously in his seat as your eyes trail over him.

"You know, I bet there's a secret side to you," you say, your tone carrying a more flirtatious edge than you probably intend, as your gaze finds his eyes again.

James tries really hard not to let his mind wander, but the tips of his ears turn a shade of red anyway as a nervous breath he disguises with a chuckle slips past his lips. You're none the wiser to the thoughts racing through his mind or the way his heart beats in his chest a little harder.

"I bet you have a refined side. I bet you drink something classy like an old fashioned or... or a neat whiskey."

Sirius, whose interest was piqued when he did notice the way James turned a little pink, has been slowly approaching with a cocktail shaker in hand. The metallic rattling of ice cubes is drowned out as he barks out a laugh at your guess.

James tries to ignore him. "First of all, I can't believe you don't think I'm classy upfront."

Sirius slides a tall glass of ice towards James, his head turning as he addresses you. "That 'classiness' your sensing is probably a byproduct of his upbringing. Jamie here comes from money, you know."

James looks aghast, for some reason, sputtering, "Wha–! So does Sirius!"

"I've cut all ties," Sirius says, shooting James a pointed look as he places his shaker next to the glass.

"What about your brother?" James bites back.

"Oh, yes," Sirius drawls. "I nearly forgot I'm having my teenage brother funnel funds into my account. How silly of me."

"All I'm hearing is that you both have secret classy sides," you interject, your tone playful as you swirl your drink with your straw.

Sirius grins at you, "Proud graduate of Harrington Academy, at your service. My favorite class was Etiquette and Personal Conduct."

Harrington Academy, the posh boys school nestled deep into the countryside. The name rings a bell; your school's rugby team always lost to theirs. You can't imagine Sirius— tattooed, tousled, puckish Sirius— lumped in with their polished, preppy lot.

"Are you for real?" you ask. And yes, you did strategically avoid using the word serious.

“No, got kicked out,” he reveals, and you don’t doubt it. “Guess I wasn’t classy enough. As for James, he’s as classy as they come,” he says as he pops the lid off the cocktail shaker and pours a vibrant red liquid into the glass. The beverage fizzes, and he pushes it closer to James, adding with a grin, “Only the most sophisticated drink for you, Mr. Potter.”

Your lips curl in amusement. "Is that a shirley temple?"

"A dirty shirley, mind you," James says with an air of sophistication, treating the syrupy beverage with reverence as he swirls the glass as if it contains a fine wine. "Oi, oi! Where are my cherries?" he blurts suddenly.

Sirius rolls his eyes as he plops three maraschino cherries into James' drink, knowing that he would complain if only given the standard one.

You and Sirius exchange a look as James smiles like a little kid in a candy shop and takes a gulp that must instantly stain his tongue red.

"I stand corrected. You are exactly as you seem," you say through airy laughter.

James leans closer to you, shooting you a sly smirk. "And how's that? Devilishly charming? Alluring?" he asks in a silky voice.

You swallow, giving yourself a second to maintain your composure. "I was going to say boyish and laughable," you reply calmly, a hint of bite in your tone.

James scoffs, but his lips curl up at the corners, a sign that he takes no offense, as he bumps his shoulder into yours. "I'll take that as youthful and witty."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night," you say coolly.

"C’mon, you can't tell me you don't enjoy a good shirley temple!"

"I haven't had one since I was a child."

“What a terrible a shame,” he says, and the genuine sorrow in his voice makes you laugh.

"I think I'll live. You know, I should've known better than to guess and old fashioned after I've seen you not go a single shift without those terrible energy drinks."

James sputters, arms outstretching toward your drink, "What you–!? You're drinking one right now!"

"This is a matter of necessity, not enjoyment," you say, very matter-of-factly.

His tone shifts, taking on a more serious inflection. "That bad, huh?" he asks, and he isn't talking about the drink anymore.

You purse your lips, pushing ice cubes around with your straw as you think.

"It was just... one thing after another all day. And I'm so tired. The only thing that's kept me standing for the last few hours was the thought of my bed."

"I'm not keeping you, am I? If you want to go–"

"No! No, I want to be here. If I had gone home right away I probably would've let my frustration simmer until I fell asleep all tense and uncomfortable. But this... this makes me feel better."

“This?” he prompts you to elaborate, wondering if— perhaps hoping— your answer has to do with him. He figures it’s a fifty-fifty chance: it’s either him or the drink.

"I don't know," you chuckle nervously, feeling your cheeks heat up. "Being here... talking to you. Somehow, you just make things better. You don't even have to try and it's, like, impossible not to smile when you're around."

James' smile fades slowly as his expression shifts into one of awe. The playfulness in his eyes gives way to a rare moment of sincerity as his shoulders relax, and the usual confident tilt of his chin softens. He looks almost touched.

When your gaze meet his, your breath catches in your throat. The conversation is steering towards something vulnerable, and your heart skips a beat. Almost in a panic, you shift gears. "You give me something to laugh at. Like your ridiculous drink order."

James snaps back into his typical self as an infectious smile spreads across his face. "Make fun of me all you want. Whatever lets me see that smile of yours I missed so much today."

You can't help the way your lips tug up at the corners, which James wastes no opportunity to point out.

"See? Look at that, adorable. Oh, how deprived I've been!" he says with a dramatic flourish and a hand pressed to his forehead in mock woe.

As you open your mouth to respond, a peanut flies across the bar and lands on the counter between you two. Another comes shortly after, hitting James in the back of the head.

His hand flies to cradle his head as if he's been gravely wounded, a look of exaggerated offense plastered across his face as he cranes his neck to find the culprit.

"Oi!"

Another peanut hits James in the forehead and Sirius snickers from the other side of the bar. James closes his eyes and sighs in defeat.

"We've been trying to get your attention for ages," Marlene complains, holding a fistful of peanuts.

James makes a point to look at you and roll his eyes dramatically before swiveling around in his chair, granting Sirius and Marlene his attention.

You listen idly as James helps Sirius and Marlene settle an argument, chuckling under your breath at their antics, your own quips and remarks remaining behind a bitten tongue.

Sometimes, you still feel like you need to be invited into a conversation. Even though it’s been well over a month since you started here, there are moments when you still feel as new as you did during your first week. Everyone has known each other for ages, and you can't help but feel out of place still.

James is the exception. Anyone who sees you talk to him would think he’s your oldest friend.

You smile at the thought, beginning to zone out as feelings of appreciation for James swirl in your mind. Your grateful to have made a friend here, even if it’s just the one.

That’s when a peanut lands in your lap.

OH MY GOD HAHAHAH 😭😭

i love you this is so adorable eeee!! 🫶

we-were-born-to-be-free and @saturnitystar? a match made in heaven