It was the day of the party and Peter stood at the edge of the crowded Gryffindor common room watching people as they seemed to be enjoying themselves with friends, lovers or meeting new people. Peter couldn't have that. He was alone at the party. Usually, he attended a party with his friends, but this time, none of their lovers had cancelled so he had gone alone. He didn't blame them, he was Peter, it was okay to be chosen last resort - he would do the same.
The dimmed lights and pulsating music only served to highlight his insecurities. In his mind, he shouldn't be here, he was out of place and didn't fit in, he was a burden. He scanned the room, his gaze meeting Evan and Barty, who shared mischievous grins that seemed to imply something beyond casual banter.
Barty, the charming and confident individual, had always been the life of the party. Evan, on the other hand, possessed a playful wit that drew people in effortlessly. They were known for their shameless flirting and their ability to turn any social gathering into a lively event. Tonight, not for the first time, they seemed particularly interested in Peter.
Evan sauntered over, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Hey there, Pete," he purred, leaning casually against the wall next to him. "I must say, you're looking quite dashing tonight."
Peter's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected attention. He shifted uncomfortably, his mind immediately assuming the worst. Why was Evan making a joke at his expense? Was it his shirt? Was it too tight? Could he see his disgusting body?
Barty, always quick to join in, stepped closer, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "Yes, Peter. Evan is right. You're positively captivating. How could we resist the allure of someone like you?"
Peter's eyebrows furrowed as he tried to hide his shame. He couldn't let them see the deep-rooted doubts that plagued him. Instead, he played along, a mask of confidence settling over his face. He responded with a flirtatious smile, his voice filled with playful banter. "Well, gentlemen, I must admit I do have a certain charm. It's hard to resist."
Evan and Barty exchanged knowing glances, oblivious to the inner turmoil brewing inside Peter upon seeing the glances and his mind interpreting them. They continued their flirtatious remarks, testing the boundaries, but Peter maintained his facade, matching their energy and responding with witty comebacks.
As the night progressed, Peter found himself getting caught up in the moment. The playful banter between them created a sense of excitement and joy that he hadn't experienced before. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to forget about his insecurities and simply enjoyed the attention. But the moment was over as quickly as it had come, his mind couldn't stop, he knew he didn't have the looks to be flirted with by one person, much less think of two, not to mention that the pair were dating.
Deep down, Peter longed for their flirtation to be genuine, to feel desired and wanted without the nagging voice of self-doubt clouding his mind. But he knew these were just stupid wishes that couldn't be fulfilled, so he chugged his drink and excused himself to the dance floor getting wasted and letting loose, even if only for a night.
He was too drunk to notice how Evans and Barty's eyes followed him around the room all night long.
The next morning, Peter walked through the sunlit corridors of Hogwarts, his mind still filled with the echoes of the previous night. He could feel a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he made his way to his classroom.
Barty watched as Peter entered the classroom, a slight smile playing on his lips. He couldn't deny the flutter of excitement that ignited within him every time he saw Peter. Evan and he had shared interests in him for some time now, but after the party, the flirting and teasing had increased, and Barty just couldn't resist the challenge of catching Peter's attention.
As the professor droned on about Transfiguration theory, Barty casually slid his chair closer to Peter's, glancing at Evan for support. Evan returned an encouraging nod, silently urging Barty to make his move.
Barty leaned in, his voice low and playful. "So, Peter, have you mastered the art of turning heads with that charming smile of yours?"
Peter's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and amusement dancing in their depths. He laughed softly and turned to face Barty. "Well, Barty, I must confess that it's a skill I've been honing for years. Care to join me in this grand flirtatious endeavour?"
Evan, unable to contain himself any longer, chimed in, his voice laced with humour. "Oh, absolutely! I've been observing your flirtation skills, Peter. They're a force to be reckoned with. But are you prepared for the challenge of charming not just one, but two formidable suitors?"
Peter raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "Two suitors, you say? My oh my, that does sound like a delightful challenge. However, I must warn you both, I'm not easily swayed. It'll take more than a few witty remarks to win me over."
Barty chuckled, leaning in closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, Peter, don't worry. We have an arsenal of charm at our disposal. You won't stand a chance against our combined efforts."
Peter's laughter filled the air, his confidence shining through his playful banter. "Is that a promise, Barty? Because I must admit, I'm quite intrigued. Two charismatic troublemakers vying for my affection? I think this might be the start of a legendary love triangle."
As the class continued, the flirtatious exchange between them escalated, each remark building upon the previous one. Evan and Barty found themselves captivated by Peter's quick wit, their playful banter evolving into a delightful dance of words and shared glances.
Unknown to Evan and Barty, Peter's heart raced not with excitement but with uncertainty and self-doubt. He couldn't shake off the belief that they were merely jesting, making fun of him. Despite the enticing allure of their flirtation, he couldn't allow himself to believe that they held any genuine interest in him.
Behind his playful facade, Peter's mind was a whirlwind of insecurities, convincing him that he didn't deserve their attention. Each witty remark he returned was accompanied by a pang of scepticism, his guard firmly in place to shield himself from potential heartache.
Though the banter continued, Peter couldn't shake off the nagging doubts that clouded his perception. The possibility of a rare opportunity for connection and affection seemed too good to be true, his mind constantly whispering that it was all a cruel joke. And so, he carried on, masking his inner turmoil with laughter and lightheartedness, while his longing for genuine affection remained hidden, buried deep within his soul.
Peter stumbled down the empty hallway, his heart pounding in his chest. His vision blurred with tears as he clutched his bruised ribs, the pain radiating through his body. Each step felt like an agonising eternity, but he had to keep moving. He couldn't let anyone see him like this, weak and vulnerable.
Finally, he collapsed onto the cold, hard floor, his body trembling with fear and panic. He curled into a tight ball, desperately trying to protect himself from the world that seemed so intent on breaking him. A mantra of self-blame echoed in his mind, each word a painful reminder of his perceived inadequacies.
"It's my fault... I deserved it... he wouldn't have touched me if i was skinnier..."
Snape's cruel words echoed in his head, taunting him. The sneer on the boy's face as he mocked Peter's weight played over and over again in his mind.
Suddenly, Evan and Barty appeared in the hallway, their expressions a mix of shock and concern. Peter's breath hitched as he saw them, his tears flowing freely now. He couldn't bear for them to see him like this, to witness his weakness and vulnerability. But it was too late.
Evan's eyes widened, and he rushed forward, his voice trembling with concern. "Peter! What happened? Are you okay?"
Peter's gaze met Evan's, his voice barely above a whisper as he spoke, "I... I deserved it. It's my fault. I'm sorry."
The words sent chills down Evan's spine, disbelief and anguish etched on his face. He knelt down beside Peter, his voice filled with urgency, "No, Peter, that's not true! What happened? Who did this to you?"
Peter shook his head, his voice trembling with anguish. "You don't understand... If I were different, if I were better, this wouldn't have happened, Snape wouldn’t have touched me. It’s all on me“
Evan's heart ached for his friend. He knew how deeply Peter's insecurities ran, how the weight of the world seemed to crush him. But Evan couldn't stand by and let Peter blame himself for someone else's cruelty.
"Pete, listen to me," Evan pleaded, his voice filled with conviction. "You are perfect just the way you are. It is not your fault. Don't let Snape's words define you. You deserve love and respect, not this."
Peter stared into Evan's eyes, searching for a glimmer of truth. He wanted to believe him, to let go of the self-hatred that consumed him. But doubt gnawed at his heart, whispering that maybe Evan was just saying what he wanted to hear. While Evan vowed to help Peter see his worth, to erase the scars that Snape had left on his soul, Barty's anger simmered. He couldn't stand to see his Peter in such pain, to witness the toll it was taking on him. Barty's fists clenched as he stood up, his eyes filled with determination.
"I'll be right back," he said through gritted teeth, his voice laced with fury.
With that, Barty stormed out of the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. He found Snape the one responsible for this anguish. Anger fueled his every move as he confronted him, delivering blow after blow.
Barty returned, his knuckles bloodied and bruised. He looked at Peter, his expression a mix of determination and concern. "I took care of him, Pete. He won't bother you anymore."
Peter's lips trembled as he mustered a weak smile. Together, Evan and Barty helped Peter to his feet supporting him as they walked him out of the hallway heading to their dormitory. Their words of comfort and reassurance filled the air, attempting to drown out the echoes of self-blame that haunted Peter's mind.
In their cozy living room, lit softly by a table lamp, Evan and Barty sat close on the couch. In front of them on the floor, Peter huddled, still shaken from the assault earlier. Evan's fingers gently brushed Peter's hair back as he spoke with a soft tone.
"You're safe now, Pete. We're here for you."
Barty's hand rested on Peter's back, his touch offering comfort as he added, "You're not alone in this. We've got your back."
Meeting their caring gazes, Peter felt a mix of emotions, a swirl of gratitude and confusion. Evan made some space on the couch. "Come here, Pete."
Uncertain but drawn by their warmth, Peter moved between them, finding solace in their closeness. Barty's arm wrapped around his shoulders, and he whispered, "We're here to help you heal."
Evan's fingers traced patterns on Peter's arm, and he said, "We care about you more than you know."
Peter's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly brushed the thought away. Evan and Barty were together, and he didn't want to risk their friendship. He forced a smile and nodded, not trusting his voice. As the night grew darker, they remained huddled together, sharing unspoken support. The lines between their relationships blurred, and Peter found himself stealing glances at Evan and Barty, his heart in turmoil. In the quiet hours, within their embrace, Peter decided to push aside his newfound feelings. He resolved to focus on the bond they shared as friends, cherishing the moments they spent together, even if his heart had other ideas.
The atmosphere in the Slytherin dorm room was tense as Peter sat on the edge of the bed, his expression troubled. Evan and Barty exchanged worried glances, noticing the change in Peter's behaviour. They had been growing closer as a trio, spending countless hours together, but now it seemed Peter was trying to distance himself again.
"What's going on, Pete?" Evan asked, his voice tinged with concern. "You've been acting strange lately. Is something bothering you?"
Peter sighed and ran a hand through his hair, avoiding their gazes. "It's nothing," he mumbled, his voice barely audible.
Barty's eyes narrowed, frustration building within him.
"Don't lie to us, Peter," he snapped, his voice sharp with irritation. "We can tell something's wrong. We're not blind."
The words hung heavy in the air, causing the tension to escalate further. Peter's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and vulnerability. He never meant to hurt them, never meant for it to come out like this. But the frustration and confusion overwhelmed him, leading to an accidental confession.
"Fuck, I like you..." Peter's voice cracked, his tone laced with desperation. "I like both of you!"
Evan and Barty froze, their eyes widening in surprise and disbelief. The room fell silent for a moment as if time itself had paused. Peter's heart raced, his mind racing with a million thoughts. He hadn't meant to blurt it out like this, hadn't meant for his feelings to come tumbling out in the midst of an argument. What would they think of him now? Before he could escape the room, before he could even begin to apologize or make sense of his own words, Evan and Barty reached out and grabbed his wrist. Their touch was firm yet gentle, silently conveying their desire for him to stay, to confront the feelings that had been simmering between them.
"Pete, don't go," Evan pleaded, his voice trembling with emotion. "We've wanted this too, for so long. We want you, all of you."
Barty nodded, a warmth spreading across his features. "You're not alone in this, Peter," he said softly. "We care about you, deeply. We've been waiting for you to realize how much we want you."
Peter's eyes filled with tears, a mixture of relief and uncertainty flooded his heart. The weight of his self-doubt fell away from him a little and was replaced by a glimmer of hope. He had spent so long hating himself and declaring himself unlovable that now, in the face of Evan and Barty's affection, there was hope for him, he was not broken. Sure, he still doubted them a little and was afraid they were making fun of him, but after the assault they had been there for him, supporting him and gaining his trust - he didn't think they would turn their back now.
As they sat on the bed, the room filled with raw emotions and vulnerability. Evan and Barty confessed their longing, their yearning for Peter, their hearts laid bare. Together, they delved into conversations about their feelings, their sexuality, and the complexities of navigating their newfound connection.
Peter listened intently, his heart swelling with gratitude. In the midst of his inner turmoil, he realized he had found two incredible individuals who loved and accepted him for who he was. The weight of his self-doubt began to lessen as Evan and Barty enveloped him in their warm embrace. Moments later, Barty leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against Peter's lips, his touch tender and full of adoration. Evan followed suit, their lips meeting in a gentle union. It was a moment of acceptance, of understanding, and of shared affection. It was a moment that marked the beginning of a beautiful journey for the trio.
Barty leaned back, a smile gracing his lips. He cupped both of his new boyfriends' faces in his hands, his eyes shining with joy. "I can't believe this is real," he whispered, his voice filled with wonder. "I have both of you. I'm so incredibly lucky."