Chapter 3
Wednesday
The week that has lead up to the next hiphop lesson was torture, for both Barty and Regulus. The latter had been on edge ever since his Friday run in with James.
So every time they were out, Regulus had to be on guard now they know James lives in the area.
Regulus had been throughly thrown by James’ charm and by extension, Barty. Regulus usually needed whatever they were doing, by hiding in a bush after thinking he’d spotted James.
Barty isn’t particularly annoyed with the fact Regulus has an obsessive crush, more with the fact he is choosing to hide -literally- more than confessing his feelings.
To be honest Barty can’t talk, he has been pining after Evan for ages and hasn’t done anything about it.
Evan might not even like blokes.
Rain slumps down the windows, in the hallway of their flats building. It feels colder than it did a week or so ago.
Regulus seems to have an almost unnoticeable spring in his step, which Barty only spots as he has lived with Regulus for years.
It’s quite admirable as Regulus has been practising a lot and he deserves to be a little more excitable, he is more prepared this week.
Barty is praying that they are doing something good in their lesson, so he can put the first part of his ‘carefully’ though out plan, ‘Seduce Evan to the point he can’t (hopefully) live without me, force him to ask me out and then marry him’ into action.
Maybe he is still a little tipsy from their gathering with Dorcas yesterday. It had sounded pretty shit but all three of them had a really fun time at Dorcas’ flat.
Dorcas had been in their little friend group with Evan and his cousin, Pandora at Hogwarts. Though they were different years and houses, the five always stayed friends. But when Evan hadn’t come back, they assumed Pandora would stay on, but she didn’t return either.
Heavy drops of water sat atop Barty and Regulus’ car, a rather large puddle forming at the base on the windscreen.
Barty slides into the passenger seat, as to not put a damper on Regulus’ good mood.
Stepping out of the car, Barty notices another car pulling into the buildings lot. Of course there are other in the class but Regulus has made them arrive quite a bit earlier. To mentally prepare for James - although he won’t admit it.
Barty feels his breath stutter in his chest, as Evan pulls himself out the car and wraps his coat tighter around him.
Barty hasn’t even realised he is staring until a splash or rain water falls in his eye, awakening him from his trance. Regulus must have already gone inside. Too scared of the rain.
Evan approaches him in record time, smiling as he waves, ’Morning Crouch,’ and gestures for Barty to enter with him.
Barty’s trance still hasn’t subsided as he reaches over takes a hold of Evan’s cold face in his hands, ‘Your face is very pretty when it’s wet.’
He feels all the blood flow to Evan’s under his fingertips, alcohol is still present in his veins, which has given him plenty of confidence.
Evan glances down and moves out of Barty’s hold and mutters, ’Creep.’
Barty feels visibly shook to the core when he comes back to his body, but doesn’t regret making the first move.
Evan doesn’t mention anything about it, or really even acknowledge it, as they walk in a tense silence.
The only proof that Barty was not dreaming, is the faint blush still evident on Evan’s face. Barty keeps side-eyeing him while admiring Evan’s beautiful face.
The way his freckles fell across his cheekbones and his gorgeous eyelashes and sharp jawline. An overall beautiful face. If anyone were to ever ask Barty if he knows a model, he would instantly recommend Evan.
Once inside, Barty sits next to Regulus on a bench in the changing room.
Evan comments that they are both unusually early and then goes inside the room. For some reason both lessons before theirs have been cancelled so James is probably taking the opportunity to have a lie in, meaning he isn’t there yet.
Regulus has obviously noticed this and is fiddling with the rings he refuses to take off.
‘What kept you’
Barty smiled to himself, ‘Just chatting.’
‘And what’s with Evan’s face?’
‘It’s beautiful.’
‘Bat I meant the blush, not his face in general.’
Then Barty proceeds to tell Regulus everything that happened in great detail. They spend so long speaking of it, the rest of the class fills the room before the finish.
‘Gross.’ Regulus replies and lets go of the door to the studio on Barty’s face.
‘Oi,’ Barty pushes the door off him, grumbles and smacks the back of his best friends head.
‘I don’t think the alcohol has left your brain yet.’ Regulus shrugs as he waits for Barty to stop rubbing his nose, ‘I’ll say by the end of the day you’ll regret it.’
‘I will never regret it.’ Barty moves many people aside so he gets very close to Evan but is still on the second row.
Regulus must be still feeling the drinks too, because he goes and stands next to Barty, but not without dragging his feet for effect.
Regulus is beginning to bore, he wants to hurry and show James how he has improved since last lesson.
Eventually James starts to teach them a new dance, where Regulus can show off his new skill.
They go through it with James and Evan a few times, and when they do it on their own, James almost faints.
At least it looks that way to Regulus.
James made eye contact with Regulus, and then his face paled and started falling backwards.
Regulus hasn’t known him long so can’t tell if this is the reaction he tried to provoke or it was someone else’s doing.
He will never admit it, not even to Barty, but he hopes it was his doing.
But Evan apparently does recognise the look on his face and demands he sit out for a bit.
Evan has been very obviously avoiding eye contact with Barty all lesson and when their eyes did accidentally meet, his face would heat up.
James seems to now be avoiding everyone’s gaze as he finds something veryinteresting on the floor, while sipping his bottle.
‘So,’ Evan glances at James, ‘James is feeling a bit unwell, we will have to do it in smaller groups so I can check you all are doing it right.’
Regular and Barty get put in the second group so have to stand awkwardly at the side waiting for their turn.
But when the music starts and it’s their turn, boy do they have fun.
Regulus is willing to bet money he hears James choke on his water.
But Evan seemed to be the one having the biggest problem, and one that goes definitely not facing. He just up and leaves but before giving James a look first.
James after regaining his voice tells everyone Evan has gone to the changing room to get his other water bottle.
Barty shows Regulus the biggest smirk in the whole history of smirks.
When Evan finally emerged from the changing room with empty hands, Barty gives Regulus an even bigger smirk if that is even humanly possible.
Nobody seems to notice as they are all struggling with the hard choreography James has gifted them with, to make sure nobody could do it.
At least that’s what Barty thinks.
Evan visibly sighs in relief, making the hair around his cheeks flutter with the breath.
Barty is confused as to why nobody else is standing watching Evan, but then realising he has a problem.
Still blaming the alcohol form last night, Barty continues the new bits they are learning.
Once the lesson has drawn to an end, Barty thinks he shall explain to Evan he is still drunk, even though he doesn’t know why Evan deserves an explanation.
Evan also wants to talk to him so, bonus.
‘Crouch what was that out there, I didn’t know you could do all that.’
‘I was proving I’m not a creep.’
Evan seems to be confused as to what he is talking about, but then quickly gains his memory.
‘That kinda proves my point in a way and also that really doesn’t make sense.’
Barty reaches out and puts his hands on Evan’s shoulders, ‘Evan if you can’t tell, I’m really supa drunk still, so I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.
Evan’s features twist into some of confusion, ‘What are you -huh- but I thought -’
Barty cuts Evan off by talking his shoulders, feeling the need to keep up with whatever charade this is that has has started, ‘I need to go home now.’
Barty walks away but Evan grabs his wrist, his face looking sort of sad but melting to concern, ‘If you’re really drunk, don’t be driving.’
‘Don’t worry, Reg’s driving.’
And with that Barty leaves a very confused and heartbroken Evan behind him, pleased that he has spoken to Evan, unaware of the pain it’s causing said man.