High school AU open post

Luckily Barty was out of the age where a ghost in a sheet could scare him, but he still needed a moment or two to make sense of everything. Then, of course, he flung himself at Koschei and hugged him tightly, held him as close as he could, perhaps even a bit too tightly, while hiding his face against him.

"I thought you were dead. Fuck, Koschei..." He was only slowly calming down his breathing, obviously having run all the way. "Tom wouldn't let me leave and what he said..."

"They actually tried to kill me," Koschei said bluntly, not returning the hug because that would require dropping the duvet he was so desperately holding onto. Hours standing outside in the rain, on his tip toes, scared he was actually going to die really had take their toll tonight. If he'd of died... everyone would of thought he'd killed himself. He'd be forgotten and ignored, like that, and they'd of gotten away with it. This had stopped being s nagging issue and become a big problem now, the next move could be worse and how could he survive every time?

"They ruined my favourite boxers," Koschei complained, knowing his priorities were very wonky right now but he was just so cold, he couldn't even think any more. This room wasn't actually all that warm and his covers were too well worn to prove that much heat. Barty, on the other hand, was lovely. Like a hot water bottle, actually. He pretty much melted into the other boys hold. "You're so warm, don't let go."

"I know. I know they did. Tom told me, but I had a hand cuffed to my bed, I couldn't get away." And his hand was still sore and hurting from finally getting away once Tom had fallen asleep, but that was another issue. "You have to change school or something. Tell someone. I will tell someone. Come on, you're freezing, lets get you back to bed."

He pushed Koschei further into the room, definitely not letting go of him. "Warm? Well, you're hot. I mean. Cold right now, but. Y'know."

"I'm not leaving, this my school. All my family went to it for generations. Tom is just some lucky stray mongrel that got a scholarship, he doesn't belong here. I do and I won't leave," Koschei growled, but there was an edge of desperation in his tone. His reputation was at stake here, this was such an important school and all his family had been here. To leave would be admitting defeat. And to tell would just embarrass him. "I can sort this, I really can."

If he just had to kill him. Simple as. He was going too far, he was hurting Barty and trying to kill Koschei. So he had to kill Tom before Tom killed him otherwise he'd lose everything. And he refused to run away like a coward.

Moving in closer to Barty, he snorted in amusement, trying his best to hold back the trembles he felt so Barty didn't get too concerned. He didn't need him going off and telling a teacher, he couldn't even imagine how awful that would be. His parents would force him into a transfer too. "I'll be fine, I will, just come lie with me for a while. I can't get warm again."

Yes, Barty, come lie on the wet and muddy mattress. Such a pretty sight.

"You need tea," Barty mumbled, feeling amazingly useless and at least deciding to lie down on that uninviting mattress so he could pull Koschei on top of him. He bit his lower lip as he stared up at the ceiling, not really knowing what he could still say. He had never felt as completely helpless and pathetic as tonight and knowing that Koschei wouldn't back off just made it worse. How was he supposed to keep him safe if all he did just ended up making it worse?

"I can't let anyone see me near you again," he announced finally, even as their bodies were pressed right against each other, "Maybe I get a girlfriend."

Alright, that jump of logic was hard to follow for anyone outside his head.

"I don't have any tea but you're welcome to find me some," Koschei pointed out as he lay on top of Barty, enjoying the body heat he was getting. This was working much better than a damp bed. Eyes closed, he tried not to think about how horrible this was getting for both of them. He wanted a moment to just relax and sleep a little, feel warm again. But when Barty suggested they avoid each other publicly, he couldn't hide his annoyance or the growl that slipped out. Why did they have to hide and lie for Tom to be happy?

"You don't need a girlfriend and I shouldn't need to run away for my own safety," Koschei insisted, opening his eyes once more to look at Barty. He didn't know why he said what he said next but -- well, later he would argue that a night out in the cold and rain with the threat of his death had totally smashed his sanity. But for now, he really didn't care much. "Let's just kill him. Together. We're smart, we could get away with it. Just leave the door unlocked and I'll sneak in."

Then what? He didn't know. Slit his throat? Choke him to death? He had to do something, he really did. "I can't take this any more, I really can't. Either I'm going to die or he is. There's no other answer."

"No! Shut up, shut up, shut up!" Barty shoved at Koschei's shoulders, but it was a very half-hearted shove. He didn't actually want him to budge, he was just lacking other ways of showing his annoyance. If annoyance was really the right thing to say. After having spend hours being taunted by the person he was closest too, he'd always desired to be closest to, with the murder of the boy he had a crush on, he really didn't need to hear that same boy voicing murderous thoughts.

"It's bad enough I like boys, did I really have to like boys that will spend life in jail?"

"He tried to hang me!" Koschei cried, unable to help himself sounding just a bit more upset than he wanted to. He had actually been afraid for his life tonight, standing outside in just his underwear, legs threatening to buckle. He still had an ugly mark there from when he'd slipped and he was sure it'd take a fade with his other bruises. His whole body was riddled with marks by now, years of suffering on him. Surely he earned this moment? "He actually tried to kill me tonight, Barty. This isn't a game any more, he's going to try and break me."

And he wanted to say that he didn't care, that he wasn't scared, but he really was. He didn't want to die young, he had so much to achieve yet. To lose it to a jealous teenagers with his own mini army wasn't fair. He wanted to win! He deserved a victory.

"I'm trying and I've been trying since I was eight to keep a hold of this situation and not get dragged into a war but I can't any more. It's been too long, Barty. I don't think I can take much more of this!" He couldn't run away, he couldn't leave, so what could he do but fight back? And he couldn't fight a whole army! But he could fight the man that kept them together. Cut off the head and wait for the body to follow.

"I know he did, Koschei, and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'd have done anything to stop it, I tried. I really tried!" Barty kissed Koschei's neck where he could see the mark of the rope and he hugged him tighter, once more reminded of how it had felt to be unable to get out and know that he might be dying that very second. He was terrified still himself, he definitely didn't blame Koschei for being upset.

"But what do you think would happen if you did kill Tom? Say you'd get away with it, but still. What's next? Killing Rodolphus? Lucius? All of them? Tom started it, I know, Tom chose you and all that, but he's not the only one keeping it going." He sighed and ran his fingers through Koschei's hair. "Just. Just try and relax. You're safe for now."

"Tom made me a target, I can't relax as long as he exists. But if I end him, they might think twice. They'll be afraid of me and I can be safe again. No one tying me up outside, pissing on me or beating me up," Koschei insisted, closing his eyes and trying his best to let himself relax. He wanted Tom dead, he didn't care if it fixed the issue or not. He just wanted to remove him forever. He'd been doing this since he was a child, since before he could remember a happy experience at school. And the worst part is that he just didn't get why. Yes, he'd upset Tom when they were younger but why was he still holding a grudge?

"Even if they did keep picking on me, even if they never stopped, he would be gone. And I could have you," Koschei said, an edge of possessiveness in his tone. But since Tom had gatecrashed their time together, he hadn't been able to be with Barty properly and he was pretty sure the boy had hated him. Though now suggested otherwise. "We could fight them off together, me and you. But we can't stop him, he won't ever back down. Tom has to die."

"You want me?" Well, he had to focus on just about the only thing in there that didn't just make him shudder with how unsettling it was. Just focus on that part, focus on him getting to hold Koschei now, focus on finally not feeling like he'd just been used by the other boy and maybe he could stop him from doing something crazy that might ruin their entire lives. That would, might actually doom Tom.

"Course I do, you idiot," Koschei dismissed, happily soaking off the warmth of the boy he was lying on. Next time he got cold, he was drafting in Barty right away. Guy was like a hot water bottle or something. "That's why Tom ruined everything, because he knew I wanted you. And you wanted me. Don't be coy, I know you do. And that's fine, I'm very lovable... when I don't smell like a toilet."

"You didn't do anything but insult and accuse me until Tom told you to beat me up or whatever it is he said to you, so sorry if I'm doubtful." And the dismissive tone wasn't really helping this. "Or maybe you just want me, because Tom has some stake in it." He liked a more romantic view of the whole situation, but he wasn't exactly blind to the similarities Koschei shared with Tom. He didn't underestimate him, either.

"I could want you," was all he admitted to, staring at the ceiling again instead of looking at Koschei.

"Do you know when the last time someone here, besides Theta, was nice to me?" Koschei pointed out, knowing that he hadn't really put his feelings across well but he barely understood his feelings honestly. They just crept up on him that night and he didn't know how to take them really. "You were nice and you defended me, that's a wonderful trait to have. Like a body guard. You're smart too, so few people here are smart enough to be interesting. And that dance? It wasn't anything to do with Tom, he's not why I decided I liked you. It's because you really did think I was brilliant."

Sure, an egotistical reason to like someone. But who didn't want to be seen as special? Especially someone who had basically become a punching bag. "And you're brilliant too. You are. Though don't carried away, you're clearly insane and probably a bit dumb for helping me out all the time when I'm pretty terrible at ... everything between us actually."

Okay, so he was a dick. Who wasn't these days? "But hey, I'm not insisting we have a magical fairytale get together now, I just wanted you to know that."

"Okay." Okay, because suddenly he was feeling like he had no idea how to voice this right. How to even explain that he suddenly felt light and warm and happy, especially since this time he didn't have drugs that took care of his cynic streak and sense of realism. "I do think you're brilliant. And cute. Really cute. Especially with your teletubbies boxers." Barty did end up smiling despite himself, ruffling his own hair as he tried figuring out any of this.

"So I guess me suggesting we both change school won't change your mind, either?"

"They are amazing, my mom thought I had lost it when I requested them but you have to have fun underpants or what's the point in life?" Koschei didn't really like to talk about his family much but he did have a soft spot for his mother, like most boys did. She always did what he asked and he appreciated that. His father? Such an over imaginative moron, he'd over-react to this mess if he ever found out. Parents, they took murder attempts too seriously.

"Maybe I'm just a masochist but I can't leave. It's a matter of pride," Koschei insisted because pride meant everything to him. So did winning. And sure, he was in a lot of pain now and feeling insanely rough but he refused to back down. "Besides, moving is such a pain in the arse."

"Heh. Guess so. No idea what my mother would think." Not to even mention his father. Yes, definitely better not even mentioning him. He enjoyed the normalcy for the moment, holding Koschei, talking about parents, feeling almost normal. Feeling almost happy. But there was a dark mark on Koschei's neck and Barty's wrist still hurt and he had no idea what would happen tomorrow.

"Then what do you want me to do? I live with Tom. He watches me. He has me watched. Same with you. And he's never alone."

"Sleep here," Koschei insisted, opening his eyes to look over at Theta's unmade bed. Perhaps Barty was a cleaner room-mate. "I'm sure Theta would let you stop over and use his bed time to time. He's rarely in anyway, always off on adventure. Plus my bed is pretty big, you know?"

And now very dirty. He was going to need to remove the mud soon and probably have a shower himself. He'd dried off and warmed up a bit now but he couldn't quite escape the chill and he could feel the mud caked on his feet. It wasn't a nice feeling. "Let him see what he wants to see. If he pushes me again, I'll destroy him."

"...right. Look, how about we come up with a plan that could actually work? Because I can't request a roommate change without a reason and I can't tell Tom I'm moving and I can't even stay here much longer now, because I have to get back before Tom gets back. And somehow figure out how to get back into the cuffs, too, while I'm at it." Barty sighed and rolled his eyes, then leaned up enough to kiss Koschei's cheek.

"Just feel better. I'll see what I can do from my end." He was silent for a while and then he asked, smiling a little. "Do you want to be my boyfriend?"

"You can't leave, I need you here," Koschei insisted with a sort of sulkiness to his tone. Barty was the only thing keeping him warm and he didn't want to move, he wanted to be here with him and not think about Tom. He couldn't stand that little rat and all he needed was the upper hand, just once, and he knew he could beat him.

"Your boyfriend?" Koschei asked, looking to give Barty a curious look. He actually wanted to do this? Well, like he could protest, he liked Barty and this at least ensured they'd be together. "Sure, I'd like that."

"See, that's great. And after graduation, we can move in together. Where're you planning on going? Oxford?" That seemed like a much nicer topic to talk about. "You can probably get a scholarship just about anywhere. Take your pick, eh?" He ran his fingers through Koschei's hair and very firmly stayed in that fantasy. Koschei had to pass out soon, he could sneak out then.

"I want to study law, probably. Not sure yet. My father..." He trailed off, shaking his head. People knew his father, really no reason to bring him up.

"Oxford is on my list," Koschei answered, yawning as his gripped his fingers into's Barty's shirt, happily curled on him, enjoying actually having feeling in his toes again. He felt awful, he truly did, but he could lament that when Barty was gone. For now, he had to focus on the brighter things. Like Barty seemed to want to. "I'm going into politics, I did an internship last summer, it was amazing. Just what I want to do."

A whole new reality where he wasn't some victim, he was on equal standing and capable of showing off without fear of being beaten down later for it. It was a glorious thing to experience he wanted again. With a happy smile on his face, he felt his eyes start to get heavy. With a yawn, he felt himself start to drift a little "I can't wait to graduate, it'll be amazing. You can come with me to Oxford. Do law, I'll do politics. We can have very boring study sessions together."

Barty was just glad he'd stopped talking about killing people, though he could have lived without the reveal that his new boyfriend of a minute wanted to go into politics. Ugh.

"I hate politics. Maybe you can make me have positive associations there again. You know my father, right?" It was a stupid question. Koschei wanted to go into politics, of course he knew the man likely to be the next Prime Minister. "He'd not want me to go into politics, but luckily I really don#t want to, anyway."

"I did my internship with him. He's a prick," Koschei admittedly rather openly, not caring if that upset Barty. He doubted it would, from what he grasped they didn't get on. Crouch Sr had asked him if he knew Barty but at that time, he was just one of Tom's friends. So the answer had been very dismissive. It was odd how things changed.

"You should study it, you'd like it."

A baseless suggestion but he mostly just wanted Barty to be stuck with him, no matter what. With a vaguely amused little laugh, he fought of the sleep threatening to take him over and tried to focus on Barty. "Why do you want to do law?"

"You don't get to say that if you're just his intern. Try being his son, then we can talk." Barty snorted and shook his head. "You just want m to do what you do." A less baseless accusation, but he wasn't overly offended on the whole. It was cute, in a manipulatively possessive way, really.

"I don't even know. Used to interest me a lot, but I'm kind of giving up on the system, so what do I know. Maybe I do something completely different. Become a janitor or something."

High school AU open post

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