Chapter 14
Evan watched Barty climb trees from a wooden bench and he wondered how he fell for such an idiot. They had spent most of the evening out behind the castle. Barty had insisted that it was a date and Evan couldn't bring himself to disagree. Evan mostly spent the time making sure Barty didn't accidentally kill himself by chasing one of the wild rabbits. It was nearly impossible to die fin the courtyard but Barty seemed to have a knack for managing the impossible. It was quite impressive, actually. Evan had joined in a few times since nobody was watching them and also Barty had managed to persuade him into doing it. They were having the best time that had had in ages. They were laughing and chatting away about the latest gossip in their classes, not only discussing students but also the teachers.
They enjoyed having the chance to be carefree for once. It was a Friday night and there was nothing scheduled for them to do. They had to study for their O.W.L.S of course but other than that they were free. Barty was very confident in his ability to pass them but Evan doubted himself about his chances. He wasn't exactly the smartest in the group. He didn't feel exactly threatened by his Father since they didn't talk in the slightest meaning that he could fail them and nothing would change. Pandora might be disappointed in him but she would forgive him and move on. She would try to give him a lecture on how to do better but she would give up half way and say that he tried. He just had to accept the fact that maybe he wasn't meant to do anything. He wasn't inspired by anyone. He didn't know what he wanted anymore.
The more he thought about the future he realised that he hadn't set out a path for himself and he didn't really know what he wanted to do. Everything seemed to have too many downsides for him to accept it. Even being Heir had so many downsides. It seemed pointless, he knew he was supposed to feel honoured but he just felt empty whenever it was mentioned. He was supposed to be perfect in every way and hold up to the standard that his Father had set out. Pandora was the older twin so why wasn't she Heir? Just because he was a man didn't mean he was cut out for Heir and if he was truly meant to be it why did Father only talk to her. What did he do that Father deemed unworthy of communication with him. He didn't know who the 'perfect' child was anymore. He thought it was him but then again Pandora got a good childhood.
"Evan!" Barty called out from the tree. He was hanging upside down from one of the branches and his tie was obstructing his face. He was laughing his ass off and Evan couldn't help himself and joined the boy. It was stupid, really, but nobody could tell tell them off. They loved every minute of it. It was a simple joy that couldn't be achieved easily. It felt like they were little kids again, playing in the local parks, laughing as they chased each other through the field. It was like they were back to simpler times before they were expected to become proper Heirs to their families fortune.
It was sunset and the orange in the sky was slowly turning blue with a pretty pink transitioning the two very different colours. Evan loved staring at sunsets. They were different every time and were always amazing to look at. He could stare at the sinking sun knowing that the stars would appear soon. He and Regulus would often go up to the Astronomy Tower and look at the sunsets before Evan had to leave and make sure Barty hadn't lit the dorms on fire. Regulus seemed to love the late night sky more than he loved any other one. Pandora loved dusk, Dorcas loved sunrises and Barty loved dawn. They all loved a different part of the day and they all had their reasons.
Evan loved sunsets because the colours reminded him of his sisters crystals and the times where their Mother would take them to the garden to watch the sun set before telling them to get ready for bed. It reminded him of the times when he could spend a day in the garden with Pandora and look after the roses. Pandora loved Dusk because it was the colour of her favourite crystal and it reminded her of the time when their Mother would read them stories before bed. It was relaxing for her and she loved each colour that appeared in the sky when it happened. He realised that the reason they loved what they did was because of their favourite moments with their Mother.
"Evan?" Barty had gotten down from the tree and was walking over to him. Evan was partially snapped out of his mind but his thoughts were slightly fuzzy. "Are you ok? You just stopped laughing and it seemed like you were in a trance"
"Oh. Oh, yeah I'm fine don't worry I just spaced out." Evan laughed and motioned for Barty to sit next to him on the bench. He didn't know that he was tensed up until he relaxed at the feeling of Barty's shoulder against his as Barty sat down next to him. Evan placed his head on the boy's shoulder. They watched the sun and the wonderful colours layered in front of them.
They both knew that they would watch dawn the next morning, awake before everyone else. Just them alone in the common room by the windowsill watching the sky come out of it's twilight. Evan would have a book in hand as Barty sat on the desk and looked out towards the clouds.
Their idea of a calm morning.
"I love you, my rose" Barty whispered, absent-mindedly stroking Evan's hair, still focused on the view from the bench. The empty field, the tree that he had hung from and the sun making it look like a silhouette. It was their moment and they enjoyed every second of it. They were comfortable, they had each other and they didn't have a worry left for them today. It was the most peaceful moment that they had in ages.
"I love you too."
"I love you more than you ever know and it will never end."
They stayed in their position, not wanting to move but knowing that they would have to go back to dorms soon. It was getting late after all.