Evan has been trying to study for the last half an hour but something is distracting him. Or more like someone. Barty is right next to him. Closer than he would like, actually maybe not close enough. He is quiet which is highly unusual for Barty Crouch Jr. He doesn’t look upset or sad though so he doesn’t think anything is wrong. Recently Barty has been spending more time with him. Not that he is complaining but it just feels different. Barty ditches parties just to sit with Evan while studying. And that is not just unusual for Barty but also something he never thought would happen. He is scared to ask him about it though. What if he pops the bubble and then this is just over. Whatever this is. But for once it’s Evan’s turn to be brave.
“Why aren’t you off shagging some girl?”
The words came out quieter than he would like them to. He also realised his mistake. “Or boy, or just anyone really.”
Barty’s eyebrows are raised and the confusion in his eyes is clear.
“Why would I?” He whisper back still not moving from beside Evan.
Evans huffs a laugh. “Because you love shagging.” And that is an understatement. Since around fifth year Barty have been sneaking out multiple times a week with different people. It’s a surprise really that there are any people left for him to shag. Of course there isn’t anything wrong with shagging. It’s just not for Evan. He tried it once or twice. It never felt right.
Evan gets thrown back into reality when Barty speaks up.
“I love you.” The room falls quiet. Too quiet. Evan isn’t breathing and if Barty is then it’s too quiet to be heard.
“What?” Evan chokes out. Then it clicks. Funny. One of Barty’s ridiculous jokes. He shakes his head and looks back at his book.
“Hilarious, Barty.”
It’s silent again. Evan debates looking up from the book but before he gets to decide the book is taken from him.
“Oi give that back.” Evan reaches after the book but Barty already threw it away onto the other side of the room. He is ready to start one of their usual silly little fights. But when he tries to stand up his hand is grabbed and he is pulled down to sit again.
“Evan.”
“What?”
“Evan, Evan, Evan.”
“Fucking hell, Just say what it is already!”
Evan’s voice is getting louder and Barty seem to take notice.
“It wasn’t a joke.” Barty says his voice softer than Evan has ever heard it.
“Yes it was.”
“No It wasn’t”
“It was.”
“It fucking wasn’t, Evan!” Now it’s Barty’s voice that gets louder. But his mouth shuts quickly into a sharp line. Evan knows it’s his turn to say something. He takes a few moments to calm himself.
“Even if it wasn’t a joke-“
“It wasn’t.”
“Let me finish.” Barty nods and sits up straight to look at him.
“Even if it wasn’t a joke, it won’t be true for long.”
“What do you mean?”
“What I said is true, you love shagging and you know I don’t want that.”
“I don’t care.”
“You say that now, but in a few day, or maybe if I’m lucky a few weeks you will realise you can’t do it.”
Evan swallows despite the lump in his throat. “And you will break my heart.”
“I won’t.”
“Barty-“
“Shut it, now it’s my turn to talk and you listen.”
Evan sighs but still let’s his mouth close and looks at the boy in front of him.
“I haven’t shagged anyone since last year.”
Evan is about to protest when his eyes widens because it’s the truth. He skips parties. He goes to sleep early. He never stays out. He never shags anyone.
“I wouldn’t be with you without knowing that I don’t care. I know how many people hurt you because they thought they didn’t care or that you would change your mind.”
Evan’s eyes seeks the floor. People don’t really understand that it is a thing. Not wanting to shag. Not just for now. But forever. His eyes finds Barty’s again and he continues.
“So I decided when I realised what I felt, I decided to not shag anyone. To both see for myself that I could do it and prove to you that I could.”
Evan’s mind is a mess. Because Barty, the person he has been in love with since fifth year is now in front of him telling him he loves him back. And not just that but also that he is willing to give up shagging for him.
“But-“ He realised he doesn’t actually have any protests.
“Oh my, I got Evan Rosier speechless.” Barty laughs. But not a mean laugh. Just a lovely and soft laugh.
“Also there are other ways to get off you know. I don’t need shagging. I only need you.”
Merlin, that made his whole body warm. He didn’t know what to say. Was there anything he could say?
“And if you say that snogging also is off limits-“
“It’s not.” He says it in a rush without even meaning to. Barty grins and huffs a laugh.
“I was just saying that I respect you, Evan.”
He finally stops fighting the smile that has been wanting to show. Then he realises he hasn’t even said it back.
“I love you too.”
Barty grins so much it must hurt. But he doesn’t seem to mind.
“Can I kiss you now?”
“Yes.”