Lux in Tenebris

Barty Crouch Jr. ~ Death Eater ~ 18 ~ Family Disappointment

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NARTIMUS 001 

@luxintenebris-crouch

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dearmissemma:

Barty had always been someone that she’d counted on, someone she’d wrapped her arms around and let hold her because she needed someone to trust that was only going to want that from her. She had Nate, she’d always had Nate but that bond was sometimes so deep the depths of it startled her into backing away for awhile. She had always been able to count on Barty to be there with open arms and wondering what was really going on behind her pretty eyes and red lipped smile. It was why she loved him so much, he often read behind the mask she wore.

“You’ve got your own flat?” she sounded excited about it and she was, he was moving out, moving on. Doing his own thing. He was one of the good ones, like Reggie. There wasn’t a kinder kid, “Your father wants you to trot along in his footsteps like a dog that hasn’t learned better.” she frowned at the thought. She wanted Barty to have more than that, to have more than what she was going to get. “Mmm.. not much at all. I’ve been to see Cissa, visited the girls at home.” Charity and Emmeline were the best flat mates she could find. When she’d moved, she’d found them and slid right in. There was no other place she’d want to be. “Mmm, Father called me back early.” That was when her smile shifted. “I rant into Bas, he walked me home, proposed to me and I turned him down flat. I just– wouldn’t it be worse than the unknown? When you know that your friend will find the perfect girl some day and it will only hurt later?”

Over the years, Barty had learned how to read people. Part of it was because he wore a mask himself, but mostly it was from living with his parents. He saw the differences between the public imagine they held up versus their private identities. Emma was someone he could always count on to be there for him. He had strong women in his life, all of whom he loved and respected. Cissa was his girl, and she always would be, but it was always more than friendship, always something lingering underneath that made it more than platonic. Emma, however, was the best friend he could always rely on to be there. Whether they had deep chats, playful banters, or just sat curled up together in silence, she was always there. 

A grin spread across his face, “I did. I don’t stay there every night, but it’s a great place to get away to” he agreed brightly. He had a fortune in his name; Barty figured he might as well use it. Barty nodded, “Of course he does, and he’ll hold whatever over my head that he needs to, so that it happens. I’m planning to apply to a job based in arithmancy though. Maybe if I’m offered a position, he’ll take a step back” he shrugged. Without him realizing it, a smile formed on his lips at the mention of Narcissa, “That sounds nice. I just saw her not too long ago” he nodded. She was someone that he kept in close contact with. Barty nodded, “How are your girls then?” he asked. While he didn’t know Charity or Emmeline particularly well, he did know that Emma was fond of them. His eyebrow raised, “Merlin, that can’t be good” he spoke, a hint of a question in his voice. An almost pained smile crossed his lips, “Yeah Em, I know. I’m sure he meant well, but it wouldn’t be fair to either of you. It’s better that you wait until it’s someone you love before you break off that mystery engagement,” he spoke, distaste rolling off his tongue. 

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Waking Up || Open

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undxraviolxtmoon:

The food that had finished cooking was plated after he’d set them up for them. After plopping the bacon on to the plate and pushing one toward Barty, he settled at the long bench table, picking up a fork. He knew better than to take Barty as he was, the life of purebloods was never easy; those who had the blessing of coming from a family who actually gave a shit about them were few and far between. They grew like the flowers that only lived for a day or two in the middle of the mountain side and withered away without warning. One could only find them if they peered through the cracks in the foundations of their world, and Severus didn’t have the habit of digging too deep for anything if he could help it.

 "I could teach you,“ he murmured, before calling forth a bit of butterbeer from the cabinets for them to drink. The withholding of information lead to a bloom of distrust in Sev’s part, and he focused on his plate while he tried to mull it over. "Writing helped me through a lot. I’ve got stacks of journals that Doe reads through sometimes. Poems and what have you.” He normally wouldn’t tell anyone that, but he was using this to see what exactly Barty would do. How would he respond? Would he scoff at it? Laugh? Say nothing at all? Silence could be deadly, and it took one move to ensure that Sev would never trust him with anything again.

A grateful smile crossed his lips as Severus pushed a plate of food his way. Even with his own flat, Barty wasn’t great at cooking for himself. It certainly wasn’t something his parents were going to bother to teach him. There was a lot that Barty didn’t know about the other man in front of him, and he wouldn’t pretend to. He’d experienced far too well what masks could hide, and because of that, he rarely took people as simply as who they appeared to be. Severus seemed to have come from nothing, and whether that was a good thing or not Barty didn’t know, and he didn’t care to judge either way. Taking a bite of his food, he gave a grin, “This is fantastic, honestly.” 

At the notion, he gave a hum, “That would be great, thanks. ‘Bout time I learn to do something that counts as fending for myself,” he answered, giving a good hearted laugh. The offer was kind, and Barty wasn’t about to turn away kindness when it was shown to him. He listened as Severus spoke, and took in his words carefully. It felt like a reaching of trust, and Barty decided to take that leap of faith, “I get that. Writing helps you sort out your thoughts; painting helps me sort out mine. I’ve kept a fair few of them over the years, but I know Cissa takes the ones she’s drawn to” he admitted. 

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cultivatedperfection:

Narcissa’s eyes lit up. “You could use a pseudonym! And then I could purchase some,” she told him. “I want to frame that sunrise you painted,” she said. She’d hang it in her home. Hang it pride of place. Perhaps she’d put a piece of his art in every room of her future home. A smile pressed to her lips as she regarded him. She wasn’t sure she’d ever met anyone who could make her smile, or laugh like Barty. In their world, happiness was hard to come by, but she found it quite effortlessly with him. “And if I ever convince you to show your work, I insist on organizing the gallery event,” she added. “I know Emma will fight me for the privilege, but I insist.” she murmured with a laugh.

Narcissa hummed in contentment, a warm blush daring to tint her cheeks. Her nickname. The one she would punish anyone else for calling her. But when Barty said it; it was nostalgia, it was fondness, it was harmless and complimentary. It was one of the only true, pure and good things she had in this world. At first, she hadn’t liked it. She’d thought he was teasing her like Rabastan did. But it had grown into their special thing. And Narcissa was incredibly fond of that.

She reached up to quickly pull her fingers through his hair. “Very dashing,” she told him. Her chest tightened at his words. It always had when he’d complimented her. She’d never been able to underpin why. She chuckled. “Bella and I both,” she said, not willing to reject the compliment. She nodded her head softly, exhaling. She hated Barty Crouch Sr. almost as much as she hated her own father.

Narcissa sat on a stool next to the kitchen bar. “Please and thank you,” she said sweetly, smiling at him. She crossed her legs, leaning forward to prop an elbow on the surface, placing her head in her hand. She exhaled, rolling her eyes. “You know, I read somewhere that cockroaches can live up to a week without their heads. Do you think Lucius would also?” she mused. She leg began to shake. A nervous trait of hers. She’d hoped that her husband-to-be wouldn’t have been brought up so soon, especially because he was part of the reason she was here today. “I…” she trailed off, fuck how did she approach this? The true reason she’d popped over today. “Difficult to say, I never get a good read on him. Not yet. I suppose that will come with…time?” she muttered. Narcissa cleared her throat. “Is it too early to drink? I could use a drink,” she murmured quickly, looking up to Barty. “I suppose I should admit that… I didn’t just drop by out of the blue. I would like to talk to you about something,” she admitted. 

Her heart began to pick up the pace. Her leg fidgeted faster. 

A small laugh bubbled out of him at her excitement, “I could. It would be nice to have it go somewhere as opposed to just keeping it locked up here” he agreed. Shaking his head, he gave her a pointed look, “Take the painting, Cissa. You know you can have any of these that catch your fancy” he told her honestly. Barty would paint her a million sunsets if it meant he got to see her smile so brightly. As far as he was concerned, what was his was hers. Warmth spread through him as he took in her plea, “Don’t worry love, if I ever decided to show my work, you’re going to be the first to know and you’ll be in charge of all of it. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with such a task” he promised. 

There were few people that Barty gave genuine nicknames too. Most of the time it was shortened versions at most and left solely at that. However, Cissa was his bee, and he would call her that until the day he died. She was yellow and bright; spreading her light from person to person, but she was also a Black, and the darkness that came with the name hadn’t escaped her, yet she managed to shine through it. His bee. 

Her words brought a blush to his face, but he ducked his head quickly to hide it. Narcissa always had a way of bringing warmth into his chest. A small chuckle escaped his lips, “Of course. I could never forget about your other beautiful sister” he agreed. Barty didn’t count Andromeda, and by this point most people didn’t. She’d made her choice to leave, and he’d seen first hand how much it hurt her other sisters. Even if Narcissa ended up forgiving her for it, Barty wouldn’t forgive her for the pain the woman caused his best girl. 

Giving her a grin, he got to work on making them tea and something to eat. Moving around his kitchen had become easier since Severus had taught him how to use some of the stuff in it. Looking at her from the corner of his eye, he could tell that she was nervous about something, and Barty hoped that whatever it was, he could ease her nerves. His head fell back as he laughed, “I don’t know bee, but if you ever need to test it, just let me know,” he offered, but he meant it. There was nothing in the world Barty wouldn’t do to make sure Narcissa was happy and safe. Barty nodded, “Understandable. I’m sure you’ll get a good read on him eventually, and when you do, I have no doubt you’ll be able to handle him. You’re a very capable person Narcissa” he reminded her. His lip quirked up as he nodded, “Never too early around here love” he hummed, before pulling out a bottle of red for them. He uncorked it and poured them each a lavish glass, before handing one to Cissa, “Here we are” he offered. After setting the bottle down he watched her closely. Before he answered her, Barty moved closer, put his hand on her knee, and taking her hands in his free one, “Hey, whatever you have to ask me, you don’t have to be nervous, alright? It’s just me, you never have to worry,” he promised. 

“What’s going on?” 

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An Agreement || Lucius, Narcissa & Barty

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lxciusmxlfoy:

@cultivatedperfection @luxintenebris-crouch

Most people would think Lucius is an asshole who would be a monster within his arranged marriage with Narcissa and it’s quite the opposite. sure he didn’t choose the marriage itself but he did choose the youngest Black sister, he is nothing if not adaptable. Though they are betrothed he and Cissa both love another, him, Alecto and Narcissa, Barty. He didn’t mind this because it would quite hypocritical of him if he did have a problem with it.

One day while having tea alone in his manor while his parents gossiped to each other, neither aware he had been overhearing each word said about him he got an idea. He hurried off to his owl and scribbled a note addressed to Barty and Narcissa and set it away, calling for a meeting the next day.

So he was, sitting at a table within a quiet cafe just within London. He had written a contract of what would be acceptable if his betrothed and her lover were to keep their relationship during their marriage. He waited patiently for them to arrive and when they he greeted them warmly as he stood. “I’m sure both of you are wondering why I called you here so let’s get it over with.” His voice was confident and smooth as he slid a rolled up parchment with the Malfoy symbol tied within a ribbon over to Barty. “I’m sure you may find the terms of the written arrangement agreeable. If not, I’ll be happy to make adjustments.” The blonde wizard smiled as he sat once again and took a sip of his tea.

Getting the rather cryptic note from Lucius had been mildly unsettling. Barty wasn’t sure what the other man wanted from him, but he didn’t dare decline the offer. He was Narcissa’s betrothed after all, and he didn’t want to make waves with him. Part of him hated that he was being summoned, but his curiosity won out and he found himself there at the time in which he was asked to be. 

Barty ran his fingers through his hair and as he arrived at the small cafe in London. He wasn’t sure why Lucius suggested a public meeting place, but truthfully, he hoped that it meant this wasn’t going to end up being a horrible conversation. Without planning it, he fell into step with Narcissa as they moved towards the table. He put a comforting hand on her back to remind her that he was there, before they took their seats.

He gave a small nod, “It was unexpected,” he agreed, but gave a smile and sat down regardless. Barty was willing to hear him out on whatever this little meeting was about. Furrowing his eyebrows, Barty unscrolled the parchement and began reading. He almost didn’t believe what he was reading, and had to go over again to make sure that he’d read it correctly. “I -” he paused for a moment, before handing the parchment over to Narcissa, “I haven’t any problems with it, but Cissa this is your decision to make, not mine” he told her. Barty looked up at the other man cautiously, “You’re genuinely okay with this? Is there some sort of catch?”

@cultivatedperfection​

[luxintenebris-crouch]

cultivatedperfection:

Narcissa smiled simply. Without saying a word she marched forward, the sound of her heeled boots dancing up the skirting boards, she held out her present. Precious paints sat in a small thatch basket, under a painters cloth. “I know,” she replied. “It’s a gift and an investment in your future,” she decided to say to stay mysterious. Of course, if anyone could guess her gifts, and see through her mischief, it was Barty. Although his artistic gifts were not known to the world, she knew if he had wanted he could sell those paintings for hundreds. They were truly captivating. Narcissa had never known anyone to command color so expertly. She’s felt and seen emotion in performance and prose, but never art. Never, before she’d seen Barty’s talent grow. She’d always wished she was talented at something, especially when she gazed upon the paintings. She smiled, brushing her blonde curls from her vision. She placed a hand on his shoulder momentarily so she could be balanced as she removed her boots. She reached down, slowly unzipping her boots, before removing them.  “Lead the way, Van Gogh,” she said to him fondly. From the first day she’d found him painting, she’d referred to him by famous artists names fondly. Partly to be playful, and partly because, it was an incentive, no? 

The walls of this home were so familiar to her. They warmed her. She’d never been more comfortable anywhere else. Ironically. Though perhaps Barty’s flat was slightly more welcoming. There was less of his father’s influence there. It was much more Barty. Much more real. And much more comfortable. But despite that, this manor held her memories. She’d spent summer’s hiding out with Barty and his paintings whilst her parents terrorized her sisters. 

“You look good, did you get your hair cut?” she asked as she fell into step beside him. “How long has he been away on business?” she added. “Also, I’m starving, have you had lunch yet?” she asked. 

There were few people that surprised him anymore, but Cissa’s thoughtfulness never ceased to amaze him. She was a bright light in the dark world around her. His very best friend, and something more if they had been given the chance. It killed him that Narcissa had been sold off to someone, Lucius Malfoy of all people. She was far too good for any of them, but especially the man she’d been stuck with. Taking the basket from her, he gave her a grin as she spoke. She always had a way of making him feel like he was worth something. “Cissa, these are brilliant. Thank you so much, bee” he replied, pulling her into a hug. He kissed the top of her head fondly, “Maybe I’ll start selling them in the muggle world” he mused. It was something he’d considered, but never actively pursued. There were few people he would trust with such intimate information, but Cissa was one of them and he didn’t regret her finding out. She believed in him, encouraged his passion, and made him feel like he was worth something. Once her shoes were off he held out his hand to her.

“Come on then, bee” he smiled, pulling her in his flat and towards the kitchen. As a child she reminded him of a honeybee, and the nickname had stuck in a way he hadn’t expected it too. Years later, it was always said with warmth. She often referred to him as famous artists, and it never ceased to make him smile.

Unlike the manor, the flat was his home. He had fond memories at the manor, at least the memories he had of him and Cissa, but there was also an ever present darkness there. Here, he could make the place his home. One of the walls in his living area was becoming a mural slowly but surely, and it had bits and pieces that were purely Barty. It was far cozier than the manor was. Sometimes, it reminded him of a nest. 

A small smile crossed his lips, “I did, thanks for noticing” he winked. “You look as beautiful as ever. Honestly Cissa, you won the gene pool lottery” he grinned. Barty’s nose scrunched, “Not long enough,” but he gave a small laugh at her words, “No I haven’t. Come on, love, I’ll scrape us together something,” he mused, bringing her to sit at the kitchen bar. “So, how are things going with the cockroach?”

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Newness (2017) Directed by Drake Doremus

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@luxintenebris-crouch

[qlmondmilk]

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[luxintenebris-crouch]

cultivatedperfection:

They’d spent summers in each other’s gardens, running through long grass, finding frogs, doing cartwheels, rolling down hills. Every grass stain was a mark of their fun, a reminder of their friendship. When they were ten years old, they carved their names into one of the old trees at Narcissa’s house. 

BC.J  NB

When they were eleven they sat with each other on the Hogwarts train, both silently trying to calm the other. They had both grown up in a mad, pressuring world, which pitted young souls against one another and encouraged rivalry. One night when they were thirteen, they stayed up late in the common room and woke up in the early hours of the morning, sprawled across sofas. He had pulled a blanket over Narcissa at some point. Bellatrix had told her off something awful the next day.

Narcissa had friends. Actual friends, not just those which were imposed upon her, or a strategic move from her parents. No. Emma Vanity, Alecto Carrow. Both of those girls were true. But no one was truer than Barty Crouch Jr. He was her first friend, aside from her sisters. He was her constant friend. And he improved her like friends should do. Ride or die. From the day they’d scratched their names into that tree, they were bound together to forever support, trust and comfort one another. Narcissa felt she could be her true self with Barty. She told him (and sometimes, Emma) her actual thoughts. She told him she had a secret love for Greek Mythology and that despite growing into the prim and proper darling of the Black family, she still didn’t mind rolling down hills and getting grass stains. 

She apparated to his home, setting her feet down on the familiar gravel which sat outside the house. In her hands, she held a basket, the contents of which would be a surprise to most people’s eyes if they knew the gift was for the Crouch heir.

Narcissa knocked on the main door, three precise knocks, before letting herself in. “Barty?” she called out, walking down the halls to find him. “I got you something,” she added with a mischevious smile. 

@luxintenebris-crouch

Of the people in his life, Narcissa had always been the brightest of them. She was the star that kept his world from being enclosed in darkness. His childhood was filled with vivid memories of them sneaking away from the garden parties to play in the yard; hours of playing tag, rolling down the hills, gaining grass stains and scraped knees. They were battle wounds of a different kind. Proof that they had been alive - they had lived. Their names carved into the tree as if it was their legacy. 

There were many women in Barty’s life that he wanted to protect, but Narcissa was one that he would give the world to if she asked. They’d sat on the train together that morning on their way to Hogwarts, and every ride after that. He made and lost friends over his years there, but Narcissa had always been there. She sat with him in the nervous anticipation as they tried to reassure each other, soothe each other’s fears. There was a pack that day - no matter what happened - they would always have each other. 

Barty was a man of his word, and he would never dream of going back on such a promise to her. Years later, and she was still his best friend, through and through. They could spend hours on end talking to one another, and she was the one person that knew him at this fullest - at his best. Narcissa had been the person he trusted to talk about his hobby with. He doubted that Emma and Reg would take the piss out of him for it, but he knew above all else that Narcissa would appreciate it. With her love of Greek mythology and romances, he could see the way that art flowed through her veins. He’d shown her his paintings when they were fifteen, and he had holed himself up after a particularly ugly fight with his father. When no one had heard from him in a few days, Narcissa had popped over to see him, and that was when she saw Barty at his fullest. Covered in paint, surrounded by an array of colors that told a story of a lost boy. 

The knock on his door didn’t phase him, not after the third one. It was a code they didn’t really need anymore, but was sacred to them. As he heard the soft, familiar voice, a smile broke across his lips. He got up from his place on the couch and moved to the entry way, “Hi Cissa” he grinned. Barty raised his eyebrow, “You know you don’t have to get me something to come over right? You’re welcome me anytime,” he laughed, “Come on, shoes off, let’s sit” he offered warmly. 

[luxintenebris-crouch]

caveatmortum:

At least he was smart, obviously, he was something if Reggie continued to befriend him. She set a lot of stock by what Regulus deemed worthy of affection but she also knew that his heart couldn’t turn away from someone like hers could. He still loved those that she had turned her heart against and poisoned it for. He was the best of the Blacks, even Sirius could not hold a candle to the kindness that flowed through Regulus. He was kind when he should have been hardened and bitter. Bellatrix loved him as deeply as she was capable of loving anyone.

“Do you not want a reward? I am curious about you, little Crouch. We’ve not had the pleasure of a conversation have we?” The upturn of her lips was almost a warning, she was curious but she wouldn’t harm him. Mostly due to Reggie, the boy was looking at her like she was a snake poised to strike and it took all of her strength to smooth out her features. Don’t scare the boy yet, he hasn’t done anything but bring you a massive. 

“I was thinking something to eat, while my house elves are in top form there is a restaurant off of Diagon Alley that serves wonderful scones and tea. My sister Narcissa swears by the place.”

She wasn’t yet sure of her own motives, but it seemed like the boy deserved a due.

Growing up, the only Black’s he’d known well were Regulus and Narcissa. He hadn’t bothered with Sirius much, especially not after he left his younger brother behind. Barty wasn’t sure he could ever forgive him for damning Regulus the way he had. While Barty sought affection from just about everyone, there were few he trusted completely. Among them were the two younger Black’s, as well as Emma and Alecto. He had other friends, other people he cared for, but none of whom he trusted to quite the same extent. 

The conversation made him uneasy, but he wasn’t about to say no. Besides, his other option was to go back to the manor, and of the two this seemed like the better option. “That sounds, nice” he replied cautiously, but he relaxed further as her facial expression softened. “Curious about me? No, we haven’t, but your reputation precedes you. Regulus speaks quite highly of you” he admitted. There was other things he’d heard of the woman, but he trusted Regulus’s opinion infinitely more. 

At the mention of Narcissa, the younger Crouch nodded his head, “That sounds great. I’d be happy to accompany you”. 

[luxintenebris-crouch]

fairestalecto:

Normally, Alecto didnt think twice about the kids that she tutored; she did her job and got out of there to go home, but with Barty it was hard to ignore. She could almost feel the loneliness in the boy, and it never escaped her notice that he was trying hard to impress someone, his father most likely. The young witch had also noticed how inattentive his parents were; even though his father had been the one to employ her, he never asked about how Barty was doing, didn’t care as long as the grade was up, and Alecto was a great tutor. 

She had pushed him to do better, to do that best that he could and when he did good, she lavished him in praise and when he didn’t, he got her encouragement. She was tempted to ask if his parents had really let him get that hammered, but Alecto knew better - his parents probably hadn’t been paying attention to him at all. The thought made her blood boil. but she only offered him a warm smile, pushing his muffin back to him. “Try to eat that, you’ll feel better,” she stopped a waitress. “Water, please,” and her attention was back on Barty. “Did you have to drink so much?”

The fact that he had to be tutored at all had been a subject of contention, but at least Alecto had been his mentor. He hadn’t expected her to be as kind to him as she was. Truthfully, he thought she would talk down to him the same way his parents did, and yet, she always seemed to have his best interest at heart. He’d long since given up the notion that he could please his parents, but the bits of pride Alecto showed him were the closest thing to filling that void he had. Even when Barty’s grades started to sky rocket, his parents didn’t have a word to say on the matter. Why reward him for meeting the expectation that they’d set for him all along. 

Barty hadn’t just excelled in the subject that Alecto taught him though, his grades went up all around. He tried hard, worked smarter, and put the intelligence that he let sit dormant to use. Slipping away from his parents was easy, and frankly, Bartimus only bothered with him when he needed him to play a part. His mother, most of the time, was too out of her head to properly remember that she had a son. If he had to be married to his father, he might do the same. “Thanks, hopefully it’ll settle something” he mused, taking a small bite of the muffin in front of him. He smiled at the waitress and then at Alecto, “There was a gala last night, and Bartimus all but assured people that I’d step into the political ring soon, so I left at a reasonable time to celebrate my new career choice” he answered, unable to keep the sarcasm out of his tone. It wasn’t aimed at Alecto, and he knew she’d know that. 

[luxintenebris-crouch]

dearmissemma:

They’d been like this for longer than Emma could remember, she’d always had soft spot for the boys that no one really wanted. The truth was she’d always enjoyed him, his cheeks an envy of hers and that nearly awkward smile. Reaching for his face she gave his head a soft shake, beaming before she let him go. “It’s a cruel, cruel fate to be loved for only your looks,” she teased. Her smile shifted, falling slightly with a slight nod. She wanted to go and check on Reggie for herself, but she didn’t feel like he wanted to be bombarded with well wishers asking how he was taking things. She’d send him an owl, ask him to coffee and see how he was that way. Rubbing his arms she lifted her head to get a good look at him, “Enough with the pleasantries that we’re both just trying to get through so we can really talk. How are you really doing, Barty? And don’t lie I can sense when you lie.”

Many times throughout his life, Barty wished that he’d grown up in a different home, with different parents, and different expectations. Then he looked at the friends he’d gained over the years, and the thought of not having them was too much for him wrap his head around. Emma was his best girl, and he couldn’t imagine not having her bright presence in his life. She, and the others that he was closest to, made the suffering manageable. Barty laughed, letting his hand rest on her shoulders as he gave them a squeeze. “Good thing you don’t have to worry about that Emmaroo; beauty and the brains you are” he grinned. Her affections were comfortable, and he felt at ease to return them. He let his arms rest over her shoulders as she rubbed his arms. Barty gave a huff but nodded, “I used some of that money I save up to buy a flat. I go back to the manor most nights; mostly to check on Mum, but it’s nice to disappear to sometimes. It’s been - with all the political stuff going on, Bartimus is putting on the pressure for me to join the political ranks,” he admitted. “What about you? Besides fucking off to a new country, what’s going on in the life of Emma?” he asked warmly.

[undxraviolxtmoon-archive]

Waking Up || Open

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undxraviolxtmoon:

“Never underestimate the flower tattoo,” Severus commented, alluding to the tattoo on Evan’s right forearm. He whisked away, seasoning and wrinkling his nose at the eggs while Barty went to fetch the bacon. When he returned, Sev took the pack and sliced it open, shaking his head. “Mmm. My mum made sure I knew how to cook for myself when I was younger-” while Barty may not have been too keen on sharing his home life, Sev had become a lot more open about his own, “so that if anything happened to her and my dad wasn’t around I would be fine. She taught me a lot of things besides cooking.” He dumped the eggs into the pot with the veggies, mixing them together before putting a lid over them.  "I can make my own clothes, resole my shoes-“ the bacon went into a separate pan to cook and he stepped back from the initial sizzle. "sew up wounds. That sort of thing. Basic survival.”

Barty gave a nod in agreement, because while Evan might have a charming tattoo on his arm, it did not make him delicate or soft. He didn’t make a habit out of underestimating people, especially when Barty himself wasn’t even close to the strongest among them. For a moment he wondered if it had been a good thing that Severus had been forced to learn, but he didn’t think on it too hard. “That’s a good skill to have. My parents always relied on the house elves, and I doubt either would’ve taken kindly to me wanting to learn” he admitted. His parents were stuck in their ways, even if his father pretended that he was ahead of the times. “Good survival skills, and ‘suppose that’s a valid concern,” he mused. His parents hadn’t worried about such things, but half the time they forgot he was there. Nodding his head, Barty gave him half a grin, “Out all those things, the only thing I can do is sew up wounds” he huffed. Barty could paint, he had that going for him, but it wasn’t something he shared about himself. It wasn’t useful, and it wouldn’t win him any points with anyone, so he kept it to himself. 

[luxintenebris-crouch]

littlemissmckinnon:

Marlene’s face turned to a thoughtful expression, her eyes softening ever so lightly and she resisted the urge to let her smile grow. “I might just take you up on that. I need to get out of this place. We should get out of this place.” She was restless, she didn’t do well with her feet in one place. Everything around her changing but she had her feet planted in one place. People were moving on, getting engaged, leaving her behind. It was an issue – she was her own worst enemy of sort and when things started settling Marlene had the urge to run the other way. She’d been working on it, getting better once she’d seen what was on Rabastan’s arm and the life that he had chosen, the blame that he held towards her. But old habits died hard and aside from running Barty was one of her oldest habits.

“Magnets?” Her nose wrinkling, her body moving closer to his own as he spoke. “That’d put as as opposites and the last I checked we’re not all that different.” It was the familiarity that took over after that. Cigarette in the air causing an itch for nicotine, Firewhiskey settled into her stomach warming her to the toes and the close quarters with him. Without a second thought as he finished his sentence Marlene reached out a hand on either side of his face before pressing her lips against his.

The first seconds were soaking in the familiarity but it was the next seconds that she realized what she had done and pulled back with a tone so low that she wasn’t even sure he would be able to hear it. “Oops.” Her eyes widened quickly a hand covered her mouth and color rose to her cheeks. “I don’t even know why I did that.” This time her voice was louder her lips pressing tight together after she spoke, color still present on her face. They’d both matured beyond this – the point where she could just randomly kiss him before pulling him into a dark corner. Old habits.

Merlin did the offer sound nice. They didn’t have to run away forever, or even for that long, but a trip away, to somewhere that war wasn’t threatening to engulf them, sounded like a dream. Maybe they could go to the places they had dreamed of going to as children. “Just for a little while” he hummed, because he knew that neither of them could go away for long. Marlene had people that needed her, that she needed, and as distant as Barty could be, there were people he wasn’t willing to leave behind. There were many things to describe Barty, but flighty truly wasn’t one of them. He stuck around, and took care of the people that needed him most. As frustrating as it was, his mum wouldn’t survive well without him, and as much as he tried to hate her, he couldn’t stop taking care of her. 

A small laugh escaped him, “Alright, maybe not magnets,” he agreed, because she had a fair point. They weren’t nearly as different as they might seem, and he always took comfort in that small fact. Marlene was brilliant, beautiful, and unapologetic, and he had things in common with her, which meant that maybe he wasn’t half as bad as he thought he was. Their faces were inches apart and he wondered if she’d make that move - take that step. As her lips brushed against his, he could resist kissing her back. He allowed himself to just be for a moment, to feel the softness of her mouth colliding with his. 

As she pulled back, Barty heard her mumble something, but he couldn’t make it out. The blush on her cheeks was unfamiliar, at least to some degree. They’d kissed a hundred times, and usually she didn’t show the slightest bit of shame. Barty had a distinct feeling that it had less to do with him and more to do with something else, but he didn’t let it phase him. Marlene came and went at her leisure, and while his arms were always open for her, he never allowed himself to become attached. “Familiarity. Something happened that made you crave something safe - the comforts of the known” he mused, but he didn’t push. If Marlene wanted to talk, he was happy to listen, but if she wanted to forget about it, he could work with that as well. 

[undxraviolxtmoon-archive]

Waking Up || Open

[luxintenebris-crouch]

undxraviolxtmoon:

Sev didn’t miss the pause, and he debated for a moment while chopping up vegetables if he should press the issue. He didn’t, and instead went to work on heating up butter to cook the veggies in. “Reggie’s home for wandering souls."He waved dramatically, spatula in hand. "Rosier did a number on her, for good reason.” He left it at that, busying himself with seasoning. “Grab the bacon would you? Should be down in the cellar on the right…unless we’ve run out. Reg eats it like candy. I keep telling him it’s gonna clog his heart up one day but he doesn’t listen.” As the food sizzled he set up a station to whisk the eggs up, biting his lower lip in concentration. Cooking had come naturally to him, his mother made sure of that, but he’d never been decent at kitchen magic. Something always went flying the wrong direction when he tried it, so he’d settled for doing everything by hand. “Bloody early…I wonder how she managed to knock me one. Probably set Kreacher on me.”

Truthfully, he was thankful that Severus didn’t pursue what he’d said. While it wasn’t much of a secret that he had issues at home, it was so common among the pureblood elite that it felt like something that he didn’t need to discuss. He could have it worse, he knew that for certain, which was part of why he didn’t devolve in it often. He snorted, “Sounds about right” he agreed, “though nobody tell dear Wulburga.” Nodding his head, he shrugged, “Good on him.” Nodding his head, he listened as to where it was before giving a laugh, “Probably will eventually, but honestly in the end just about everything is going to kill you - might as well eat what you want while you’re alive” he mused, before turning to head down to the cellar. He rummaged around for a moment, but eventually found a package left. Heading upstairs he called out, “Right, so I’ve got a package here but it’s the last of it” he informed, setting it up on the counter. “Probably, he never’s never been terribly pleasant, well that’s not true, he love Reggie. When’d you learn how to cook?” he asked. 

[luxintenebris-crouch]

littlemissmckinnon:

For a moment they sounded conventional and like all things were possible talking about something as normal as traveling. But the cold reality was that the world wasn’t black and white like they wanted it to be. There were so many grey areas that kept them bound to where they were aside from friends and family. “I don’t look after people. They look after me.” There was a small laugh as though it was a joke but the matter was Marlene wasn’t someone who could be counted on to hold someone down. She was the person who had to be held down, a full-time job to her friends and some days it felt like a burden. “I want to see Egypt.” She nodded her head at him eyes lit up still but. “I want to see the world.” Anything but the fight that was going on around them.

“Please, I think after all this time I know your tricks.” There was roll of her eyes as he moved closer but the hint of a smile tugged at her lips ever present given the company. “Come on now, we’ve been in closer situations then this.”

Shaking his head, Barty disagreed with her, “That’s not true, Marley. Sure, they take care of you, but don’t think for a moment that you don’t look after them as well. You just show it differently” he reminded her. It was the truth, and he’d stand by that statement until his dying breath. Running his hands through his hair, he gave her a warm smile, “We might not be able to run away, but we could potentially plan a trip to Egypt, to anywhere. It just requires you getting time off work” he offered. The world was coming to shambles, but Barty knew that not taking time to recharge would cause everyone to burn out - no matter which side they were on. It wasn’t something they talked about, not really, and part of Barty wished he’d chosen a different path, but he did what was best given his circumstances. It felt inevitable in the end. 

Laughing, he shook his head, “I wasn’t trying all that hard to hide them. Magnets we are” he grinned. Barty raised his eyebrow at her, and mocked a look of thinking, “Have we? I think you’re should remind me; it seems to have slipped my mind”. 

[luxintenebris-crouch]

dearmissemma:

She was more excited than she was to see some people, her arms stayed around his shoulders after her hands fell. That wide smile on her face never fading, they’d been friends so long that it was easy to just be around one another. “Of course, it’s not a reunion unless I do. Bloody cheekbones, I’ll be forever jealous of how fantastic your cheek bones are.” Seeming to feel like she was a bit appeased she brushed her nose against his for what passed for a kiss in some regards. “Of course, I brought a few and you’ll have to catch me up. How are Reggie and the boys? I haven’t even bothered to get in touch, unfortunately. Been busy with unpacking and I had to go and see Narcissa, see how she was holding up.” She’d run into Nate, that had been a pleasant surprise.

Even as her hands feel they started around his shoulders, and Barty put an arm around her waist in return. Emma was one of the few that Barty felt open to physical contact with. She was one of his best friends and he appreciated the comfort she provided. Laughing, he shook his head, “That’s it isn’t it - you’re only friends with me for my cheek bones; I cracked the code” he teased, grinning at her widely. He didn’t mind her cheek pinches, though he found them embarrassing as a child. Her affection was something that Barty had grown used to and he brushed his nose against hers in return. He knew them as eskimo kisses, and they remained to be his favourite form of platonic affection over the years. “Alright, from what I can tell. I think everyone’s a bit stressed with the newest development, but Reggie and the others seem to be keeping it together okay” he shrugged, “That’s fair Em, it’s hard to see everyone at once, and exhausting. How is Narcissa anyways?” he asked. Everyone in their circle looked out for each other in their own way.