James didn't doubt that people across the hall could hear the argument going on in the apartment, he didn't really care either as Barty threw down the prophet and yelled, “What the hell’s that, then Potter?” at him, venom dripping from his words.
“Merlin, Barty! I didn’t do that shit! You know this! Evan was with me-” James yelled as he got up from the couch, following Barty.
“Evan’s a whore! He could’ve-” Barty shouted back as he continued walking.
“Evan was bleeding out! He couldn’t have sucked me off if he wanted to!” James informed Barty.
“Oh so you wanted him to?” Barty abruptly stopped and turned to face him.
“What?” James stopped a few inches away from him.
“He couldn’t have sucked you off if he wanted to, not if you wanted him to. You want him to suck you off, is that it?” Barty crossed his arms.
“What? No! Barty, calm down-” James began to attempt reason, however was cut off quickly.
“No! I can't calm down when my boyfriend is a fucking cheater!” Barty spat out, turning back around and storming into the bedroom
“Excuse me- what?” James made an attempt to grab him and slow him down, yet was shrugged off.
“What?” Barty growled, walking over to their shared closet and kicking it open.
“Boyfriend? I'm your fucking fiancé!” James shoved him.
“Well- maybe I don't fucking want a cheating fiancé!” Barty ignored the shove, crouching down and grabbing an overnight bag, throwing it onto the bed and beginning to pick up his scattered belongings around the room.
“Oh you'd rather a cheating boyfriend, is that it?” James chuckled cruelty
“Maybe I would! Honestly, Potter, why would you do that shit!” Barty threw his belongings into the bag, throwing his hands up into the air and heading back to the closest.
“I told you. I didn't.” James yelled as he sat on the bed, next to the bag, watching as Barty furiously packed his clothes.
“The prophet says-” Barty yelled back, finally turning to look at James since they entered the room.
“The prophet also says I'm single, yet we both know that's not true.” James interrupted his fiancee
“The prophet says you're single because they don't know shit.” Barty yelled, throwing his hands up to the side of his head, curling them into fists and grunting as he turned away.
“Oh but they would know if I had sex on the fourth of July? When I was spending the whole day with you and then making sure your best friend didn't fucking bleed to death? Barty-” James began, mockingly however it quickly died down before he was interrupted.
“It's Crouch.” Barty cut him off, not watching as James’ face fell, his smile disappearing, and his eyes losing a certain light that was in there since Sixth year.
“So that's it?” James laughed, humorlessly, watching as Barty zipped up and grabbed the bag full of his stuff.
“What’s it?” Barty asked, looking at James with the bag on his shoulder.
“Us? Back to last names? A- Are we done?” James asked, tears bubbling in his eyes as Barty nodded, avoiding his face.
“I- I think we should be.” Barty agreed.
“Where will you stay?” James asked as Barty turned and walked out into the hallway, following him quickly.
“Evan’s. Or Regulus’. Maybe Pandora’s. Definitely not Dorcas’. I’ll owl you when I get there. If you want.” Barty listed off the places he could stay, only stopping when he reached the door, bending down to put on his shoes.
“I would like that. Will- Will we- uh- ever, talk? About it all? Or are we just 100% done, forever.” James shook his head as he asked it.
“I just need time to think. Maybe. I don’t know. I’ll owl you. Bye Potter.” Barty gave him a brief hug before walking out. James stood there staring at the door for what felt like an entirety, tears swelling in his eyes before he let them fall, crumbling in on himself and letting the despair of what had just happened finally catch up to him. He moved only when he heard a soft pecking coming from the living room, quickly going to let the owl in, who dropped off the letter and promptly left, not waiting for a reply. James felt his tears hit the page as he read the six simple words on the page.
I got him.
The Dark Lord.