standsonhigh | High school AU open post

"Leave him alone, Rodolphus."

"What is he, Crouch? Your pet?"

"No." Barty shrugged. "If anything, you'd be my pet. He's not nearly obedient enough. You, on the other hand..."

He trailed off and let the other boy glare at him, just watching him with an empty look on his face and knowing that there was something about him Rodolphus found unsettling. Everyone did. Plus, he was Tom's roommate and ultimately Rodolphus wasn't sure where he really stood if it came down to it, above or below him. So he shrugged as if he'd just lost interest and turned away, mouthing 'Later.' to Koschei before turning around the corner.

"I'd really love to see him in jail. I imagine he might make a decent bitch." He turned to Koschei and inspected him for a moment. "Look at you, all dressed and without writing on your face. Changing your style?"

Koschei sighed as he adjusted his jacket, pulling away from the corner he'd been shoved in. They'd gone easy on him since the field, not physically hitting him while all the bruises faded. Now they were distant marks, the game was back on and he knew it was going to get much worse. Especially since he'd provoked Rodolphus worse than ever. It was a relief to remain unbruised for a day.

"I was going for a new look, something I'm better suited to. You know, together and well dressed. The beaten down miserable worm look never did work for me," Koschei said with an edge of self loathing, knowing full well how bad things were for him these days. Didn't mean he'd always be on the bottom, not if he had any say. He didn't need followers or helpers, he would ruin Tom by his own cunning.

It hurt his pride just to have Barty defending him, even if he did appreciate the break from torment for a little while.

"Well, there you go, you got to play hero again. How fun. Now go away, would you? I'm a little busy," Koschei lied, holding himself with an air of dignity, despite the fact that his jaw was still a little purplely, he looked very exhausted and he really didn't have the height to make this whole thing work well. How did Tom do it? He needed to start walking like he did.

"It does look better," Barty admitted, then he shrugged, "I'm not playing hero. I just can't stand Rodolphus. And he really, really hates you right now, so." Hating might actually be putting it mildly. Between what Koschei had said to him and how Tom had taken the whole story of what happened, there was a very long list full of reasons for why Koschei was the person Rodolphus despised more than anyone.

"Where're you headed, then, on your business?"

"I have about a weeks worth of studying to catch up on," Koschei admitted, he'd had to miss classes what with being in endless agonising pain while recovering and he hadn't been able to be seen in public without causing a fuss from the adults. The mathematics teacher had seen him a few days ago and Koschei tried to claim he'd simply had a fight with a townie who didn't go here to save him the embarrassment of the truth.

It was bad enough everyone in school knew now. Hell, apparently pictures were available.

"That is, of course, if I ever manage to get to the library," he sighed loudly at that, already feeling like he was in a gauntlet. First Malfoy had insulted him as he felt his room, then Rodolphus. Who next? Was Barty looking to have a go himself. Cause he seriously didn't need that. He just took solice in the fact that soon it'd be over, he was going to put an end to this. One way or another.

"I'm just heading that way. Physics project." Barty didn't say anything more on that before heading down the hall, although he did turn his head to make sure Koschei was coming along. And then he started to talk about the project he really was working on, since he knew that Koschei had the intellect and knowledge to actually make sense of it and so it would seem less as if he was playing bodyguard, thus protecting both Koschei's pride and possibly making this seem less suspicious if Tom heard of it.

Talking about physics was natural to Koschei, he was always top of the subject in the school and relatively well known by the teachers for it. Maths and science were like second nature and before things had gotten bad with Tom, he was known to offer help when others struggle. Now that was very much over, he didn't so much as attempt to socialise these days. Bunch of worthless rats, they'd just have to learn to read a book for once.

Once they reached the library, Koschei checked out the place to make sure it was free of Tom's little minions before he stepped in. Some might thing it was paranoid but they hadn't been tied to a goal post naked recently, better to be safe than naked and beaten. Turning to Barty, he gave him a doubtful look, like he still expected this to be some elaborate trap. "Physics books are down the fifth isle on the right so ...I'll see you around then?"

Koschei just didn't grasp Barty's tactic, he just assumed the quicker he dumped Barty off, the safer he'd be. Ironically enough.

"Sure. Take care." Barty paused for a moment, biting his lower lip before shrugging and adding, "You can tell me when you're leaving. If you want to."

That was as close to an offer of help as he planned on getting and he mostly expected to have it thrown back in his face, so he didn't even wait for an answer before turning his back and heading toward the physics books. He really had to figure out what he was doing here, and fast. Ideally before Tom got wind of any of it, he was bound to draw the wrong conclusions. Not that he was sure what the right ones would be.

"I don't want to," the Master said bluntly, moving away from him to claim the empty table furthest away from everyone. He studied for a while, catching up quicker than most would in his situation. Mostly because he'd done it all before in his spare time. He finished up a whole essay and two sets of work sheets before he finally called it a day and packed up.

The plan had been to leave, get some food and take the night off for once. But those rather beautifully optimistic plans died when he caught sight of Tom's friends loitering outside, laughing and joking together. Swiftly backing away before they saw him through the window, he stood back and stared at the door in panic, unsure how to get out now. Maybe he could find the fire exit and not trip any alarms running out that way?

... Or he could ask Barty? Not that it would matter. The other boy couldn't save him. The bastard probably set this up, he probably told them to wait for him. Shit, he should of just left the library today.

Barty looked up when he noticed someone weirdly backing away from the door out of the corner of his eyes. Once he spotted Koschei, it all became rather obvious though. He put the book down that he'd been reading and just looked at the boy, wondering what he'd do. Wondering if he would accept his offer from before.

He wasn't about to repeat it, hey, it wasn't as if he was in desperate need to endanger his own social standing. He would, though, if asked, and that was worrisome enough.

Koschei started to move towards Barty, determined to ask for help or to walk back with him so he didn't get his ask kicked. That was his intention, anyway. But Koschei had spent so long avoiding people that admittedly he'd forgotten entirely how to talk to them. Or how to trust them. Or how to ask for help when he seriously needeed it.

"Did you set that up outside?" the Master asked, glaring at the other boy. "There's like an army out there... what the hell? Are you setting this stuff up to use me for your weird hero fantasy or something?"

Barty raised an eyebrow and glanced outside, shaking his head. "Of course. You really are a genius." He opened his book again and tried to find the paragraph he'd stopped at. "Don't try sneaking out the back, either. I called a dragon to wait for you there, princess."

"This isn't funny. Barty," Koschei snapped, a twinge of desperation becoming obvious as he eyed the door. Why couldn't they just give him a break? He was so tired of this. His body ached all the time, he lived in fear and he couldn't see Theta any more in case he got pulled in. Hissing out a loud exhale, he eyed the fire exit with hope... maybe no one would be out there. "You're all a load of sad fuckers, you know that? What sort of idiots pick on one person all the damn time. Cowards do that."

Nervously, he adjusted his bag and crept slowly towards the fire exit. "If there is a dragon, you're in so much trouble."

"No, but it's ridiculous." Barty agreed, slamming the book shut again before getting up and grabbing Koschei by one arm. "That door's rigged and locked. Now come on."

He pulled him along, one of his hands sliding into his pockets as he saw Tom's disciples turning to them, their expressions a curious mix of confusion and eagerness. One of them even held the door open.

"That's so sweet, Barty, you never play with us!"

"Exactly. Get lost, he's with me."

Koschei didn't know what to do, he just stuck as close to Barty as he could while maintaining his pride. If it meant he didn't get his ass kicked then he'd do it because he really didn't fancy another boot to the ribs. What was dignity if he had safety?

"What? Seriously? The fuck are you playing at?"

The boys didn't seem overly sure what to do but this was a little odd. Since when did Barty protect Koschei? After all, Tom had a list and Koschei had been at the top since they were all kids. It was how things had always been.

The game changing wasn't pleasant.

"I'm bringing him to my room." Clearly that was an explanation that made sense to at least some of them, even though Barty had just come up with it. He wasn't generally this impulsive. "Alone. So find someone else to harass, this one's taken."

He put a hand on Koschei's shoulder and pushed him along. "Keep walking." If they left while they were still confused, odds were they'd not follow them. Just as well, because Barty definitely didn't plan on actually bringing him to his room. Tom was there. He didn't even want to think about Tom right now.

Turning around the corner he finally let go of Koschei, using both hands to run them through his hair, making them stick up. "Brilliant." Really just a dry commentary at his own stupidity.

Koschei wasn't sure what to make of any of this. He didn't even get why Barty kept helping him. First on the field and now this? He wasn't sure what to do or what to make of it, but he got the feeling that Barty was beginning to dig himself into a hole. And that could only end badly. It wasn't that he cared, he just -- well, people just weren't nice to him. It was odd.

He didn't look at Barty as he walked by him, struggling to think of what to do or say. This was all very confusing.

"You shouldn't keep helping me," Koschei said finally, hands in his pockets. "Or you'll soon be stripped and beaten on the field. It always happens, that's why I don't make friends. And besides, I've coped this long, I can cope still."

But, Barty had been nice, so he guessed he could throw him a bone. "If it'll help, you can punch me. Just not the face, okay? I like my face, funnily enough."

"Rodolphus was talking about burying you alive. Literally. So I'm not sure how good you'd be with this coping thing for much longer." Barty shook his head. "They won't beat me or strip me. Not unless Tom says something. And Tom didn't approve of the goal thing. Crude."

He shrugged and turned a corner, remembering where Koschei's room was from the time he'd brought him there in a wheelbarrow. Life could be strange.

"But, deal. I won't be punching your face." Barty smiled as he looked at him from the side. "It's a good face, as faces go."

"It's just going to keep getting worse and worse," Koschei cursed, nervously playing with his tie because he knew that despite how insane that sounded, they'd do it to him. They once locked him in a janitors cupboard at the start of Easter break and he almost got stuck the whole of the holiday, he was lucky the janitor had found him. "But they won't kill me. No, I won't let them. I'll kill them first."

A vain insistence but a determined one. He didn't want them to win, he wanted the last laugh. Even if he had to die for it.

"Just go for the stomach, would you? My ribs are still sore," Koschei requested, turning to Barty and expecting something. They were pretty much at his room and if he didn't do anything, Tom might catch on. Oh look and there were some witnesses wandering about to see it too. "I can take it, I've taken worse."

and with that, came a weird sense of pride. Because he really had.

"...I was joking, Koschei. I'm not going to hit you. Not your face, ribs, stomach or wherever you suggest next. I don't hit anyone that doesn't deserve it." Not that he bothered hitting much of anyone. Not really his style, really. He looked around and then, quite suddenly, pinned Koschei against the wall.

He wanted something for the witnesses, he could give him something for them. "I think you will. Get back at them, I mean. But I'm not sure what odds you have of surviving long enough to manage, if you keep going like this."

Slamming into the wall, Koschei braced himself for a hit no matter what noble speech Barty had for him. People always spoke like they were good people but it was all double talk and tricks, they were all such liars. Being at this school had completely destroyed everything he'd once believed of his fellow man. He wished his parents could of prepared him better but here he was, in the trenches, fighting for his sanity.

"I'll stop them no matter what. I can survive anything and even when I can't, I'll be immortalised by whatever happens," Koschei said with renewed determinism, a dark glint in his eyes. Because he really would do anything when it came down to it. Even if he had to die for it, then at least he'd win. Because who'd forgive the boys who bullied a kid to death? Their parents wouldn't be able to look at them. Perfect. "How else am I meant to go on anyway? I have two options and that's fight or submit. And I can't submit."

"Immortalised? You're really overestimating your importance there a little, aren't you? If Rodolphus had actually beaten you to death last time, what do you think would've happened?" He raised his eyebrows and sighed, somehow finding himself running his fingers through Koschei's hair. "I get it. I'm not good at submitting, either."

With a shrug he let go of him, after making sure there wasn't anyone around anymore. "Your roommate. He's quite... Something."

Koschei could barely hold back the noise of annoyance as Barty touched his hair. He loathed being touched, especially in such a condescending way. "He would of gone to jail and it would of ruined his life. I'd be a thorn in his side for all eternity and all because he wants to screw Tom. It's kind of all the power I have here right now, if you hadn't noticed."

He didn't like being told he wasn't important. It hit him right in the gut every time because all he wanted to be was special, to be stronger and better than everyone else. Because he was, it wasn't his fault everyone else hadn't noticed. With a dangerous hiss, he shoved Barty off him as hard as he could, knowing that picking another fight wouldn't help but he refused to be talked to like this. Or let Theta get spoken about either. "Stay away from him. And me while you're at it, you weird freak."

"No one would have accused him, just as no one's accused him now." Barty shook his head and might have said more if he hadn't been shoved away. Damn, this kid. Of course he wouldn't be getting through to him. He hadn't really expected anything else, but it was still frustrating to pretty much risk all that was important to him only to be treated like this.

"Right. Whatever. Look, your roommate thinks I'm his friend now. I doubt you want him to think that, so. Get him off my back."

"They would know it was him, I'd make sure of it," he had a letter written under his bed in case he died naming everyone that bullied him here for his parents to find. And as they had a lot of money and a weird attachment to their kids, they'd fight this school and all those little bastards to get some justice. Hell, he'd of had Theta as a witness. He knew he'd always find a way to win if he had to, he was determined to win.

"You're not his friend," Koschei insisted, not wanting to think about the ever growing gap between him and Theta. As he was forced to push the boy away, he made more friends and Koschei remained behind, stubborn and alone. He wouldn't risk losing him to Barty. Or worse, Tom. "He's too friendly for his own good, I can't command him to do anything... just tell him to piss off."

"I know I'm not his friend. I'm no one's friend." Barty frowned for a moment, before adding, with a shrug. "Kind of like you."

He shrugged and waited for Koschei to run off, just unwilling to be the one turning away first. Clearly they were both not really ones for small talk. "Not much of a chance of you just going to a different school, is there?"

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standsonhigh - 2013-12-28 18:52 (UTC) - Expand