moment - @rosekillermicrofic - bingo prompt: truth or dare - word count: 455
Veritaserum was a requirement when Slytherins played Truth or Dare. According to Evan, it had always been a rule, passed down through generations and generations of Slytherins, each new group honoring their ancestors by respecting the necessity of using the potion.
According to Regulus, that was utter tosh, and Barty has stolen some one day in second, demanding they all use it, causing so much chaos that the rule became bible.
Either way, by the time they were all in sixth year, the fact remained: Slytherins did not play Truth or Dare without Veritaserum.
It was also true that Pandora Rosier asked the most soul-wrenching, deepest questions.
So, as a slightly-drunken Evan took a swig of his drink and stared his sister down, muttering ‘truth’ as he did so, he felt a few twinges of regret, knowing he was, perhaps, in for a twist.
But Pandora simply grinned innocently at him as asked. “When was the first time you fell in love?”
And, swear to Merlin, he knew the answer. He opened his mouth to say ‘never’ because it was true. He’d never fallen for anyone, never even really had a crush! It just wasn’t a thing! Except, when he forced air from his lips, the words he spoke were, “Train ride, first year.”
Gasping, he clapped a hand to his face.
“What,” Barty demanded, turning to him, eyes wide.
“Stupid question. The better question is who?” Dorcas corrected, also looking completely shocked.
Hand still clamped to his mouth, he winced, thinking back. And the answer came to him so easily, it felt like he’d known all along.
“Moment I met Barty,” he muttered, mortified, through his fingers, compelled to respond. He felt his face heat.
Gods, he hated Veritaserum.
Because it was true, wasn’t it? He’d always felt…differently for his best friend. The fierce kind of devotion he’d always associated with close friendship…well, maybe the lines were more blurry than he’d thought. And wasn’t that just bloody terrifying?
The whole group stared, aghast. Well, no. Half the group stared. The rest was looking at Barty.
Barty, whose wide eyes were locked on Evan, his panic reflected in them.
But of course, Regulus had to speak up and make the whole thing worse. “What do you think about that, Barty?” he drawled, small smile on his face.
Evan winced. Couldn’t everyone just leave well enough alone? Let him die of embarrassment and gay panic in peace? Let this go?
He was so terrified, he hardly heard Barty’s response.
“It was second year, for me. About you.”
Dumbfounded, his eyes shot up to meet his best friend’s.
And fuck, Barty looked so…sure. So…demanding. So…hungry?
“Shit,” he murmured, finally understanding.
Maybe he loved Veritaserum.
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