@rosekillermicrofic - 24. Confess - word count: 334
Every single one of them has noticed the way Barty sometimes shuts down. He's about to say something and then just doesn't. He becomes quiet, withdrawn, only speaking when spoken to. It's worrisome and, if Dorcas has to be fully honest, also a bit terrifying. It's Barty they're talking about. The ultimate stick-it-to-the-man kind of guy. He's the son of a politician for Merlin's sake — he knows how to talk! So why doesn't he?
Dorcas doesn't know what to do anymore. There should be no reason for him to shut down the way he does. The ridiculous shit he’s said in the past should attest to that. But for some reason, he does.
She sees him sitting on his own in the common room during her free period. While it's not strange to see him skipping class, he does not usually do it alone.
Dorcas plops down on the sofa next to him but doesn't say anything. Barty is curled into himself, face down and avoiding everything around him.
“Confess,” she says casually. There is no pressure or determination behind her voice, there is no worry or fear either. She says it in the same tone one would use to comment on the weather.
“What?” Barty asks, still not looking up.
“Confess,” she just repeats.
For a while, it's quiet. Barty fidgets with his rings, and Dorcas looks at the fire burning beside them.
“I love him,” he whispers.
Evan, she thinks. While this isn't a surprise, it wasn't the answer she had expected to hear him say — but now it all makes sense.
“I love him,” Barty repeats quietly, finally looking up, unshed tears shining in his eyes. “But he doesn't love me.”
“He does.” she whispers softly, laying her hand on his.
When she finally gets him to meet her eyes, she can still see the doubt in them.
“He does,” she repeats, and she will continue to repeat those two words as often as she needs to until Barty believes her.
prguitarman
janainaart
snowghoul
origamiaround
jacobvanloon
dededos
theartofmadeline
stormborns
discoholicmusic
gummygunk
dailybridgerton
