A midnight terror and a tired blonde boy
Atlas was panicking. It was the first time he had ever taken the blame for something one of his siblings did. Regulus had snapped when Sirius left and smashed their mother’s favorite glass vase. In Atlas’ opinion, the vase needed changing, but he never voiced that thought, knowing his mother didn't agree. This became obvious when Walburga stormed into the room with Orion, the useless man they called father, where both Regulus and Atlas stood with the shattered vase.
Walburga insisted they rat each other out, but they didn’t break—at least, not until she threatened to use the Cruciatus Curse to extract the truth. Atlas saw Regulus about to speak up and quickly intervened. “I did it, mother,” he said, watching as his parents' faces shifted from fury to surprise. “I’m very sorry, it was an accident.” Atlas tried to sound genuine, despite the lie.
“Atlas, I’m very disappointed in you,” Walburga said coldly. “You, of all my children, should know we don’t tolerate these mistakes.”
Atlas slowly nodded, knowing what was coming. He had seen it a million times with his older brother. Regulus looked at him as if he had made the biggest mistake, but Atlas knew what he was doing. He didn’t want Regulus to become the next target for their parents like Sirius was.
Both Orion and Walburga looked at him menacingly before Orion spoke. “Go wait in my study,” he demanded. Atlas left without a second thought, leaving Regulus alone with their parents.
When he reached the office and opened the door, a chill went down his spine. He stepped inside and sat in the nearest chair, waiting for his father. He heard the sound of Orion's shoes clicking closer and closer before the door slammed open.
That’s when Atlas woke up, breathing heavily. He looked around the dark room and saw Regulus sleeping soundly. Not wanting to wake him, Atlas considered moving to Regulus’s bed like they did when they were children. Before he could decide, his other roommate called out to him.
“Hey Atlas, you okay? You woke up pretty frantically.” Atlas looked around until his eyes locked on Evan.
“Evan, is that you?” he asked, bewildered. Up until now, he thought he was the only one awake.
“No, it’s bloody Albus Dumbledore. Who else would it be?” Evan retorted. Atlas rolled his eyes at the comment.
“Then why are you up?” Atlas asked.
“Can’t sleep. You?” Atlas hesitated before answering.
“Nightmare.” Evan looked a bit surprised.
“You getting nightmares is a surprise!” Atlas glared at him.
“If you’re just going to insult me, you can go back to bed.”
“I already told you I can’t sleep!” Evan scoffed. Atlas looked at him expectantly.
“And I’m supposed to care?” Evan clicked his tongue, a habit he shared with Pandora when they were annoyed.
“Can I sleep in your bed?” Atlas flushed a bit, which surprised him. Why was he blushing? They were just friends, and he’d slept in Barty’s bed plenty of times.
“What?! Why would we do that?” he asked, hoping Evan didn’t notice his red face.
“Because sleeping in someone’s bed that I like helps me fall asleep faster. Only if you’re okay with it, of course.”
The only thought in Atlas’ head was, "He likes me? He likes me? He likes me?" Which shouldn’t concern him because it was probably platonic. Not that he wanted Evan to like him romantically. He was straight. Right?
“Um, yeah, sure.” Atlas saw how Evan’s face lit up and couldn’t help but smile. Evan slipped out of his bed and got in with Atlas. They both lay down, and Evan wrapped his arms around Atlas's waist from behind, pulling him into a cuddle. Atlas’s face turned bright red, but luckily Evan was facing his back.
“What-what are you doing, Evan?” Atlas sputtered. He didn’t know what Evan was doing, but he didn’t want him to let go.
“Hugging you. Sorry, it’s the only way I can fall asleep when I’m in bed with someone,” Evan explained.
“Oh, okay then. Good night, Evan,” Atlas replied, getting comfortable with Evan hugging him.
“We’ve been friends since the first year. Call me Ev, ‘kay?” Evan whispered in Atlas’s ear, causing him to freeze.
“Um, okay. Good night, Ev,” he said sleepily.
“Night, Attie,” Evan whispered in a hush tone, right before Atlas drifted off to sleep. Just before he did, he felt Evan tuck a piece of hair off his cheek and kiss the spot where the hair had rested. Thinking that he was asleep.