standsonhigh | High school AU open post

There was a certain kind of normalcy to it by now. Visiting Koschei once a week, talking about work and other things, steering clear of a lot of topics that could trigger either of them or that were just plain sad to talk about. Luckily therapy was working relatively well, so they had movies and other stuff to discuss and very often it felt just like it used to, with a lot less of being all over each other.

But of course things had to change at some point, although Barty really wouldn't have foreseen just what a change it might be.

He liked Regulus. They had been friends of sorts outside of school, meeting at obligatory and boring society events. Regulus had always been a lot better than him with these things, but he wasn't above appreciating his snark and that was probably the basis for their friendship. They had been to different schools and then Barty had cut ties with his family, so they hadn't seen each other much in years until recently, when suddenly he had run into him repeatedly.

It took him a while to realize, wrapped up in Koschei as his thoughts were, that those meetings weren't entirely coincidental. It took that and a lot of alcohol for things to move any further and now that they had, he had no idea where they stood and even less idea where he wanted to stand. Most of all, he had no idea how Koschei would react if he found out and how to hide anything from someone who knew him so well. Nevertheless he was there on time to pick him up, just like every week, waiting.

Koschei was having a good week. Or a good month, even. Hell, he was starting to feel so much better. For all his hatred of the idea of being on medication, it had really helped and months of perfect behaviour were starting to pay off. He learned rather fast that the nicer he was and the more he followed the rules, the better things were. He didn't have to mean it, he could act the perfect patient rather easily. The perks did help with that. More books, access to the internet, longer time out. Yesterday he was even in formal talks over his upcoming release.

He'd have to have a place lined up but with his bank account, that wasn't an issue. Ever since he got his internet privileges back, he'd started playing with stocks again. Rather than dull his brain, the medication helped him to hone it. He heard the drums less, he no longer felt paranoid and the best part was that he was finally feeling himself.

So when he saw Barty this week, he was in a good mood. Better than some moods he'd been in. He didn't really talk about the hospital much, if at all, but today he felt like showing his hand a little. For once.

"I have a release date," Koschei boasted before they even said hello, holding up the letter he'd been given for his eventually release. Wasn't long now, half a month if that. "I have to sign some forms, get some visits but mostly, I'm free. Isn't that brilliant?"

"That is brilliant!" Sooner than he'd expected, too, but it was a positive surprise, definitely. He wanted Koschei to be free, after all, even though that brought on so many more new things to adjust to. Nevertheless for now he was just smiling, stepping closer to look at the letter. He kind of wanted to hug him, but it felt safer most of the time to stop short of touching and so instead he just smiled at him.

"Not that long now. Looking forward?"

"You have no idea. I can't wait. I have so many plans, so many things I want to do," Most of which were finding himself a stable job and a nicer home. He still had no idea where he stood with Barty but he had a feeling it'd be foolish to assume they'd continue as they did. And even if he did, he doubted that would be a healthy idea. He wanted Barty to want him for legitimate reasons, not obligation. So maybe it was best not to make any plans including him till he was sure either way, though he did have a little spark of hope. Maybe, one day, it could happen.

"I've got a new algorithm for the stock market so I've gotten back into making myself some money. Going to take what's in my bank and invest it into somewhere to live," Hopefully. That's what he was aiming for anyway.

"Yeah? Where do you want to live? And remember to keep enough money for a maid, while you're at it." Barty was obviously used to living without Koschei by now. His own monetary situation was alright. He could do better, but he'd lost a lot of drive and focus, all things considered. He should have gotten therapy too, but he didn't want to, and if that resulted in hiding away from anything that stressed him sometimes and mostly working on translations sporadically when he needed money... There were worse things.

Apparently he even managed to get laid like this. Get a boyfriend? Damned if he knew.

"We ought to celebrate you somehow."

"Oh I've been saving. My parents sent me some too, just to get me back on my feet. In total, I'm hardly lacking in funds," Koschei admitted, shrugging his shoulders. For months, he hadn't been allowed to touch his own funds but after sitting through several tedious classes on money management where he was spoken to like a child, he finally earned back his bank card.

And he intended to piss away a good chunk of it this weekend. A celebration, just like Barty said.

"Lets go to the bar then. I'll buy us drinks. Or anywhere else you want to go! I haven't been able to live for a long time, it's starting to feel more -- real. Like I can do things again."

"Like have a hangover? Great plan." But Barty was smiling, finally reaching out to put a hand on Koschei's shoulder and give it a squeeze. "I don't even care. Hey, I'm not the one who's been deprived of things. Anyway, it's your celebration and your money, so if you want to buy a giant cake with a stripper in it, I'm on board."

He let go again, running his fingers through his hair as he stepped back, casually enough. "You were always good with money."

"Last time I was hung over was like three years ago. I can't believe I actually miss it," Koschei admitted, hardly able to keep the smile from his face. So many things he wanted to do and needed to do. And he'd screwed up so much, he hadn't been able to. He'd lost more things than he gained and why? Because he thought he was better than medication.

"I think I'll leave the strippers till I'm officially out," With an amused look, he patted Barty on the back as a thank you. He wanted to embrace him but, well, that was off the table. "Was I? I used to waste it all away on stupid things. Remember in college when I spent my weeks wage on buying all the coffee in that stupid place you worked? Amusing for like five minutes. Then I was broke and had way too much caffeine."

"Always good at earning money, then." But yes, he definitely remembered that. Seemed like forever ago now, but it really had only been a couple of years. "It got annoying pretty fast. You with a caffeine overdose really isn't the most pleasant experience, let's not repeat that. Thankfully I don't work there anymore. Although you were a very gracious tipper, I do remember that. Everyone knew I put out."

"It's easy to make money, it's keeping a hold of it that I struggle with," He starts to walk ahead, eager to get away from the hospital and out into the real world. He'd buy Barty a few drinks, catch up, trying to avoid any awkward topics. He hated upsetting him, it was the last thing he wanted. "I swear to God, my hands trembled so bad that day, I spilt coffee everywhere. Had to tip the cleaner a rather excessive amount afterwards. I never got why you didn't try to stop me from being stupid."

With an amused look, he gave Barty a playful nudge. "Admit it, you love seeing me make a prat out of myself."

Barty hurried along to keep pace with him, hands in his pocket as he smirked at him from the side. "Well, yeah. But you're also very insistent. I don't think anyone could've stopped you that day. I'd have had to tackle you to the ground or something." He breathed more freely once they left the hospital behind, that much was for sure. It was very far from his favourite place, even if it had lost some of the initial intimidation factor.

"But it's not my fault you're so good at being a prat. Makes for a great show. You can't blame me for that."

"I was very determined. I was under the impression that if I brought every coffee, you'd have to have the rest of the day off. Instead -- well, it's hard to buy every cup of coffee. And tea. And whatever food they happen to serve," It wasn't exactly his best thought out plan but he still felt proud. While he didn't close the place down, he caused considerable disruption and Barty had to end early to get him home. Kind of a victory, right?

"You're not immune to being a prat, you know, I've seen you make a total dick out of yourself. Considerably less than I have, I'll concede, but you have."

"I know." His voice sounded very fond as he said that, remembering all too well. "It was adorable. Also delusional and obsessive, but definitely adorable." So perhaps he had terrible tastes. It was probably no coincidence that the two people he had been in love with so far were definitely of a very possessive and not entirely sane nature. Perhaps Regulus was better in that sense. He shook his head to ban those thoughts for the moment.

"Prat I'll give you, but I don't dick around like you do. You have no proof of this whatsoever."

"You know me, delusional and adorable are my best moves," Admittedly, he'd never put much thought into his elaborate plans to try and get Barty's attention. He'd been young, stupid and eager to please. He never did approach love simply, he had to do something grand and idiotic to draw attention and hopefully win over his target. It usually worked.

"I don't know, the night is young, maybe I can make you dick around yet," Barty drunk was always an amusing sight. One he didn't get to see very often. Mostly because he tended to be drunk way before everyone else.

The approach did work, possibly partially because ultimately, in some ways, Barty really didn't think himself worthy of much. Something he hid pretty well by also thinking, in spite of that, that people were generally quite a bit beneath him. It was a peculiar combination and not a particularly endearing one.

"That sounds like a challenge to me." Barty paused, although he'd been about to say something else, taking his phone out to check the message he just received. "We'll see who dicks around more."

"Well, I'll buy the first round, we'll see where it takes us. Which one of us is the prat first."

This was an entirely mature way to celebrate being slightly more sane. Honestly. Turning his head, he raised an eyebrow at the text, curiously looking towards him but not at his screen. He didn't want to pry, he knew that would send the wrong signals. "Anything important? If you've got things to do, I won't hold it against you. I've got the whole weekend."

He knew he was a friendless loser these days but Barty certainly didn't have to by his account. He could get drunk alone perfectly well.

High school AU open post

SURPRISE

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