Evan's relization
The morning light filtered softly through the heavy curtains of the Slytherin dormitory, casting a gentle, warm glow over the room. Atlas stirred, his heart skipping a beat as he felt Evan's arm still draped over him. His eyes widened, a mix of confusion and dawning realization sweeping over him. He took a moment to process the events of the previous night, and when he did, a sense of urgency washed over him.
He had to get up before anyone else in the dorm woke up. If Barty or Sirius—or worse, if all of Sirius’s friends—found out about this, he’d never live it down. They couldn't know. They couldn't know about his frequent nightmares, and how, for the first time in what felt like forever, he had slept comfortably and soundly. That comfort had come from Evan, which Atlas desperately hoped was at least somewhat normal.
Gently, Atlas moved Evan’s arm off his chest and slipped out of bed with careful, practiced ease. It wasn't unusual for Atlas to be the first one awake, always the early riser, always the one getting ready for class before the others. He gathered his uniform and headed to the shared bathroom.
The hot water of the shower was soothing, but his mind raced. All he could think about was Evan. When he finished brushing his teeth, he heard Evan stir, yawning and stretching. Atlas rinsed his mouth out before turning off the bathroom sink faucet and leaving the bathroom. Evan looked up at him, smiling. Atlas looked at him, confused, before giving him a small smile.
Evan tried starting the conversation. “So, um, did you, um, did you sleep well?” Evan asked, not knowing anything else to say.
“Yeah,” Atlas answered. “Pretty well. What about you?”
Evan scratched the back of his head. “Really good.”
They both glanced at each other awkwardly.
“I’m going to go take a shower,” Evan said to break the silence.
Atlas quickly moved out of the way. “Um, okay, you go do that,” he replied.
Evan chuckled at the awkwardness as he entered the bathroom. Atlas hit himself in the head for that comment. He walked over to Regulus’ bed and shook him awake.
“Reg, wake up.”
Regulus stirred, but when he didn’t fully wake up, Atlas shook him harder.
“What do you want, Atlas? Let me sleep, please,” Regulus pleaded, trying to pull the covers up.
“No, I have to talk to you about something.”
Regulus raised an eyebrow. “About what?” He looked interested now.
“About, um, about—”
Just as he was about to say it, Evan came out of the bathroom. “Never mind, Reg.”
Regulus looked irritated. “Are you serious right now, Las?” he groaned, getting up to go get ready in the bathroom.
Atlas sighed, glancing over at Evan, who smiled sheepishly. “So what were you two talking about?” Evan asked curiously.
“Us? Talking about something? Nope.”
Evan looked suspicious of Atlas’ nervous response. “You sure? He looked pretty pissed when I came out of the bathroom.” Evan tried urging Atlas to tell him what they were talking about.
“It’s nothing, Evan, I swear.”
Evan looked suspicious again but dropped it. “If you say so, Atlas.”
Atlas began to gather his things ready for classes. “Are you heading to breakfast already? Don’t you wanna wait for Reg?” Evan asked curiously. Once Atlas got everything ready, he looked up at Evan and answered his question.
“Yeah, tell Reggie I’ll see him at the table and save him some of his favorites, ok?”
Evan nodded, watching him leave. Just as Atlas left, Regulus exited the bathroom. “Are you kidding me he left.” Regulus sighed irritably as he made his way to his bed.
“Um Reg, can I tell you something?”
Regulus gathered his things and looked up at Evan. “Sure, go for it.”
Evan looked nervous, not knowing how Regulus would react. “I um I’m in love with Atlas. Fuck, I said it, I’m in love with Atlas. I’m in love with Atlas Black. Merlin’s beard, that felt good to say.”
Regulus looked shocked. “I can tell. So can you stop?”
Evan was shocked that Regulus even suggested that. “What? No! Do you not support or something because you supported Remus and Sirius getting together.” Evan was so confused. Why would Regulus suggest that?
“Oh no, I support it. It's just Atlas is, well, how do you put it nicely? Too fucking dense to notice. Yeah, I'm pretty sure he’s queer, but he’s got too much internalized homophobia, so yeah…”
Evan was speechless; he did not expect that. “But I like him and need help confessing, please Regulus?”
Regulus sighed deeply. “Fine, but only because you helped me and Barty get together. Just talk to me after breakfast and I may have a way to help you confess, OK?”
Both Regulus and Evan got their school things packed. “Thank you so much, Reg!”
Regulus smiled at Evan. “It's no problem. Now, let's get to breakfast before Barty eats all our favorites.”
They made their way to the Great Hall and once inside, sat down in their usual spots and greeted their friends. It was so far in their Hogwarts years that nobody questioned why two Ravenclaws were at the Slytherin table. After more students came, Dumbledore said his normal crazy speech before the food came out. Breakfast went by fast, and it was time for their first class. Hundreds to thousands of students from every house shuffled out of the Great Hall before Evan caught up with Regulus.
“Hey Reg! Got any ideas yet?”
Regulus stopped in his tracks and turned to face Evan. “Sorry Ev, I got nothing, mate.”
Evan looked sad, hoping for an idea. “Hey, you two are twins, right? What are some things you like? Maybe I could use some of those.” Regulus looked at Evan like he had three heads and was speaking gibberish.
“Oh yeah, because me and Atlas are exactly the same,” Regulus said sarcastically. “Maybe you should write him a love poem. I love those.” Regulus joked.
Evan, not understanding that Regulus was joking, nodded at the comment and left the Great Hall.
“Huh? Ev, where are you going? Ugh, what is it with people leaving me today? I'm not very forgettable.” Regulus mumbled angrily to himself.