Executing The Plan
Barty’s heart was racing the entire time he packed. He made sure to pack everything he needed, but not too much- he needed to be able to run if he got caught. He stuffed everything into a duffle bag he found at the back of his closet, counting down the seconds until it was time. He was sure Evan and Regulus were doing the same.
Barty climbed out his bedroom window just as the clock struck midnight. Barty thought that was a little cliche, but that was the time that worked best. They could be sure their families would be asleep at that time, but it wasn’t so late that they would be miserable the next morning.
His window was on the second story, but he had made sure to give himself a safe way to get down the day before. While he was taking out the trash, he had discreetly positioned the dumpster right under his bedroom window. He still stumbled a bit, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through his ankles, but he hadn’t broken any bones. At least, he was pretty sure he hadn’t.
He could feel the adrenaline rush as he quickly made his way to the edge of the property, to the edge of the wards that kept him inside. As soon as he was outside the wards, he apparated with a crack and a twist in his gut.
The landing was a bit rough, as Barty wasn’t used to apparating yet,and apparating long distances was even harder, but he wasn’t splinched. He felt a twinge of relief that he had made it unscathed, and his dad hadn’t woken up.
“You made it. Now we’re just waiting for Evan.” Barty looked up at Regulus’ voice. Regulus was sitting on the steps to the house, which looked a little run down but still very much livable. Barty let out a small sigh of relief and made his way over. “Evan isn’t here yet?” “No, I was actually surprised to be the first one here.”
Before Barty could respond, there was another loud crack that had both Barty and Regulus turning their heads. Evan looked a little dizzy, but still in one piece. The emotions that overcame Barty caught him by surprise, the most prominent being relief so intense he very nearly collapsed.
Suddenly, Barty was moving. It was almost like he was under the Imperius Curse again, because his body felt like it was moving on its own, without any input from him at all. He found himself dropping his bag carelessly to the ground and rushing toward Evan, wrapping his arms around his friend's waist, and… oh, they were kissing.
The realization that he was kissing Evan only came a few seconds after he actually did it. In fact, he only realized once Evan started kissing back. Barty felt dizzy and overwhelmed, and he wasn’t entirely sure what was happening, but he couldn’t bring himself to regret it as he felt Evan’s hands slide over his shoulders.
“Gross, I’m going inside to get started on the wards. You two lovebirds have fun.” Regulus’ words caused Barty to snap back into reality. He pulled away from Evan, and then just… stared at him. Evan’s eyes were wide, and his lips were parted ever so slightly as he caught his breath. His face was flushed, and he looked disheveled. Barty had to take a few moments to process what had just happened, and the emotions he had felt. The emotions he was still feeling. His heart raced, and Barty could barely keep up with his own thought process. He did know one thing, though:
“Oh, fuck, I think I’m in love with you.” The words came rushing out before Barty could stop them. He felt his heart leap to his throat. What if Evan didn’t feel the same, what if Evan hated him, oh god-
Evan started laughing. He tightened his arms around Barty’s neck and buried his face in the crook of his neck. Barty wasn’t sure what was happening. He honestly hadn't been since Evan appeared. And then Evan stopped laughing enough to speak. “Barty, oh god- I love you too, you giant idiot.” Barty let out a relieved chuckle as Evan continued laughing. Thank fuck.