Chapter Text
The first of December, Wednesday.
Dorcas was sick, that’s why Sirius was here. He didn’t mind working the register, it just felt a little below his pay grade. But Marlene had sounded so stressed and Dorcas was contemplating going to the emergency room and he would be the worst friend in the world if he asked Marlene to come in. Plus, the holidays are approaching (twenty-five days until Christmas to be exact) and people with families to celebrate with should be doing that.
So that’s why Sirius is here, no one else could come in.
He honestly didn’t mind it. When he had first opened Padfoots Toys it was done on a whim and a dream. He really didn’t expect to stay in business past year one, but he had Alphard's inheritance to gamble away. Rather than actually gambling it, he took his uncle's advice and did something with his life. But nevertheless, Padfoot’s was his pride and joy and it had taken so much work that if he didn’t love it, he would have given up a long time ago.
And it was the holiday season! It was Sirius’ favorite time of year, especially in the shop. He loved the way Lily hung up tinsel and set up Christmas trees all over the shop. He loved how they switch out the toy train that runs on the hanging tracks above them to the Polar Express. He loved the Christmas songs that played all day and he loved the look on the children's faces when they see the Santa they have on Saturdays.
It was their third year open, so they were a bit more prepared than the first two years. People had warned Sirius what it was like to own a business around the Holidays, but he had still been underprepared. But not this year. He was prepared for anything.
Except for whoever that was.
Sirius spotted him once he finished ringing up an older woman who was buying Hot Wheels. There was one more person in front of his mystery stranger, so he had a minute or two to collect himself. He created small talk with the teenager who was buying clearance markers and winked as he threw in a free mini-sketchbook, but his mind was on the man next in line. The man was tall, over six foot if Sirius had any guess. His hair was curly, tawny, and long. Not as long as his own shoulder-length locks, just long enough to seem unkempt as it was falling in his eyes and poking out behind his ears. It was endearing. He had on moss-green corduroy pants with a thick brown winter coat. No matter how much Sirius wanted to pinch his cheeks and share the man’s warmth between the two of them, he couldn’t help but notice how exhausted he looked. He had deep purple bags underneath his eyes and it seemed his mouth was set in a permanent frown. Even though the scars on his face only added to his beauty, they stood out against his pale face.
“Thanks!” The teenager smiled as they left the shop.
Sirius nodded in response and finally it was the man’s turn. Sirius was going to woo the shit out of him.
“Did you find everything okay?” Sirius asked, putting on his most charming and attractive smile. It hasn’t failed him yet.
“Yep,” the man said, fishing in his pocket for his wallet.
Shit.
Not only was the man fit as fuck, but he had a fucking Welsh accent. Sirius was going to propose on the spot if he didn’t calm his heart.
Sirius started ringing out his items. He was buying an astronaut barbie, a stuffed t-Rex, and a shirt with a different type of dinosaur (the size was for a five-year-old).
“This color is gonna look great on you,” Sirius joked holding up the shirt. He was attempting to get this guy to ease up a bit.
The man exhaled air through his nose, but nothing more than that. Sirius was going to try again when Mariah Carey’s voice changed into Whams!. Call Sirius cheesy, but he loved this song. However, his mysterious stranger didn’t seem to share his love. The stranger let out a deep groan and squeezed his eyes shut.
“Don’t tell me you don’t like this song?” Sirius teased.
“One of the worst Christmas songs ever,” the stranger said, but he had a small smile.
Sirius laughed, “This song comes on about eleven times a shift, and even I can’t deny it’s a catch! What’s your excuse?”
The stranger didn’t hesitate before frowning, “It’s far too overplayed and honesty it’s just a sad song. Also a little too on the nose for me this Christmas season. I think if George Michael and I had a contest on whose life was ruined by Christmas worse, I honestly think I might take the cake. Like seriously, it’s one thing to hear Michael Bublé and Frank Sinatra wax poetic about pine trees, but to be reminded of the worst day of my life nearly every day just because people think this song is catchy? Nightmare, mate.” he said seriously, eyes widening as he realized he may have overshared a bit.
Ironically, George Michael chose this time to croon.
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart. And the very next day, you gave it away.
“Oh-“ Sirius started, about to offer some comfort to the mysterious stranger.
“Shit, I mean- shoot. Sorry, uh,” the man looked like he was gonna throw up. His face was very red and it seemed like he wanted to teleport. He squinted at Sirius’ name tag quickly, “I am so sorry, Sirius. Don’t feel obligated to say anything, I didn’t mean to say all of that. God- I’m so. It’s been a day, sorry,” he muttered, handing Sirius a handful of pounds, “Keep the change,” he said after Sirius accepted the money. Then he practically ran out of the store red-faced before Sirius could get a word in.
That could’ve gone better. He seemed genuinely upset, but the way his eyes had revealed humor throughout his rant gave Sirius some hope that the stranger wasn’t as miserable as he tried to let in. He had only wished he could’ve provided some comfort, reassure his rant, although unexpected, wasn’t unwelcome. Sirius would listen to him complain about his past for hours if he wanted to. Sounded like he needed it.
Sirius chastised himself for not asking for his stranger's name, number, star sign, address, or marital status, or tax bracket. Why couldn’t Sirius just have said anything?
Oh what a shame, so does that mean you’re single?
Why would anyone ever give away your heart?
Can I be your someone special?
George Michael would win. Anyone compared to you would win as the most miserable for a lifetime.
Wanna get out of here?
Literally, any of those would’ve been better than just silence. Now he will never see his mystery stranger ever again.
——
The fourth of December, Saturday
That Saturday, Sirius had seen him again. It was a miracle. A real-life fucking Christmas miracle.
“James, it’s him. It’s fucking him. He came back!”
“I told you, Sirius! Anything can happen on Christmas!”
“You two are like a walking Hallmark movie. What’s all this yapping about?” Lily asked, coming from the back of the store.
“No elf costume this year?” James asked while pouting, sounding disgustingly disappointed.
“Ew?” Sirius said incredulously.
At the same time Lily laughed, “Sorry, love. I think Jingles the Elf has officially retired. At least with this little devil inside of me to make sure I don’t fit in anything other than very loose sweatpants,” she teases, all the while fondly caressing her swelling stomach, rather motherly-like.
“If I have to give up Jingles for Harry, I suppose I will,” James sighed happily, kissing Lily on the cheek, then on the stomach.
“Enough talk about Jingles the Elf! He’s here! My mysterious stranger!”
“There’s is never enough talk about Jingles the elf,” James said with a pointed look.
Sirius had just mimicked making himself puke when Lily chimed in while she was reorganizing the Christmas village displayed in the middle of the store, “From Wednesday? The love of your life with honey eyes?”
“Yes! He’s right there. He’s in line for Santa! Perfect, I’m the one doing the photos today!”
“I thought it was my shift today?” James asked, looking perplexed.
Sirius snatched the reindeer antlers off his head and placed it on his own with a large smile, “Not anymore.”
“Alright, come back in two days for your developed photos!” Sirius called after two little girls and their mom, who all gave him a smile. Sirius loved this part of the shop. The part that he could see was bringing families closer and helping children create memories. He smiled and waved back goodbye as he heard Santa (Hagrid, bless his soul) give a jolly ‘ho ho ho’ as a farewell. The elves (seasonal uni kids dressed in elf costumes) surrounding Santa fixed up the display a bit before giving Sirius the thumbs up that the background was ready for more photos.
“Santa is ready for his next little helper!” Sirius called over to the line that was behind him. He tried to act nonchalant, even though he knew exactly who was up next. He had been keeping a discrete, careful, eye on him. Waiting for when he was at the front of the line. His whole reason for him doing double the photo shifts this week. His stomach was practically exploding with fireworks and butterflies.
“Oh hello! You were in here a few days ago, right?” Sirius asked the mysterious stranger as he approached with a little boy who was gripping his hand. The two were a sight for sore eyes. The boy was wearing a Christmas jumper with fuzzy trees and fluffy ornaments. The man had on a navy hoodie and joggers. It was cute, the man was tall and grumpy and the boy was tiny and eager. The little boy was around five years old and was obviously related to Sirius’ hot stranger. He had the same long nose and tawny curly hair, but his eyes were a couple of shades darker than the man's. But not less bright.
The man looked surprised like he didn’t expect Sirius to remember him. Then something like recognition appeared on his face and he blushed, grimacing, “Yes, I was. I’m so sorry for unloading all of my business on you. I keep having flashbacks if I’m honest. Every time I think about it I get so embarrassed.”
Sirius would laugh, if it weren’t for how mortified the man looked, “Hey, don’t sweat it,” he said, placing a friendly hand on the man’s shoulder. At least he hoped it was friendly. Sirius always had a hard time with being too forward. He didn’t want this one to be scared off so soon, “I asked, didn’t I? I didn’t mind in the slightest. You’d be surprised how many customers we get who like to rant to us.”
The man looked at him for a few seconds.
“People rant to toy shop cashiers?” He had a slight hint of humor in his tone, but his face was still on edge. He was trying to make his expression not so mortified, Sirius could tell. It wasn’t working, but boy was it cute.
“You know what Earnest Rutherford said? ‘A theory that you can’t explain to a bartender is probably no damn good’… Except the bartender is me and instead of a theory it’s…”
“An inappropriate amount of oversharing?”
“I wouldn’t say that!”
“I would.”
Sirius couldn’t help his chuckle, “Really, I promise it’s okay-“
The young boy started tugging on his sleeve impatiently, “Da! Da! Please can I see Santa now? We’ve been waiting for hours.”
Dad? This little boy is a hot mystery stranger's son? That is so fucking adorable, Oh my God. Wait…does that mean he has a wife? Or husband?
“We’ve only waited forty minutes, Cariad. Yes, Teddy, go ahead,” he sounded exasperated.
Sirius almost dropped the camera he was holding when the man slipped into Welsh. The harsh accent was there, but the word still sounded so soothing and full of love.
Teddy, the little boy, runs towards Hagrid- er… Santa- nearly jumps onto his lap, only slowing down enough when his dad warns him to not injure anyone. Sirius couldn’t help his smile as he watched the ridiculously hot dad be a dad. He certainly was a DILF.
As Teddy and Santa discussed what Teddy wanted for Christmas, Sirius knew this was his one and only shot to charm this guy.
“He’s yours then?”
Smooth.
The man watched his son giggle on Santa’s lap, the most emotion Sirius had seen on him yet and it was barely an upturn of the lip, “Yes. His name is Teddy. He’s gonna be five next month.”
“He’s adorable. I thought he was your little brother, but he’s the spitting image of you, I’d say,” Sirius really hoped he wasn’t crossing a line.
The man smiles a bit more. Sirius probably wouldn’t have caught it if he wasn’t watching him so closely, “We get that a lot. We were young,” the man sounded painfully wistful now, the little smile leaving his face, “Twenty-one when we had him.”
“That is young. When I was twenty-one, I was out getting plastered and vandalizing important landmarks.”
A puff of air blew out from the man's nostrils, “Yeah, no one’s life turns out how they’d expect it. Now you work at a toy shop, and I’m twenty-five with a four-year-old” he said with no bite.
Sirius left out a surprised laugh. His bluntness was refreshing, oddly.
“Correction! I own a toy shop,” Sirius smiled smugly at the man as his face went pink.
Before he could stammer out an apology, Hagrid let out a jolly laugh, signaling that Sirius better get the fuck back to work and take these damn pictures. He quickly leaned down and snapped a photo of Teddy and Santa, lest he wants to lose the best Santa Padfoot’s has managed to get.
“Thank you, Santa!” Teddy yelled happily, hopping down from Santa’s lap and running up to his father, dragging him away from Sirius with strong pulls of the arm, “I want to look at the Christmas town!”
The man willingly lets himself be pulled away by his son.
No. Not again! Quick, think of something to say.
“Don’t forget to come back on Monday for your pictures!” Sirius shouts after them.
The man turns to face him, nods in response, and has managed to escape from Sirius’ grasp for a second time, never to be seen again. At least, until Monday, that is.