Slash September: Rabastan
Back to School: Exam
Word Count: 327
"I don't know why you're so nervous," Evan says, a teasing hint in his voice. "You act like you aren't the top in our year."
Rabastan scowls. He wishes he could be as confident in his intelligence as Evan is, but it seems impossible. All he can think about is his bloody exam that he's undoubtedly failed. Worse, his marks in Charms will go down, and any chance of finding a good career after Hogwarts is out the window.
"Come on, Bast," Evan says with a smirk as he circles Rabastan. He stops behind him, gently massaging Rabastan's shoulders. "You can't go through life being so bloody tense all the time."
Rabastan shrugs. "It works well enough for me."
He doesn't know how to tell his boyfriend the truth. How can he open up when he knows what everyone expects from him? It doesn't matter how brilliant he is or whether he's failed this exam. Try as he might, there's no real future for him. He will follow in his brother's footsteps, take the Dark Mark, and fight for a cause he only partially believes in. The only blessing is that Evan is taking the same path. He won't have to face this alone.
"Lighten up," Evan says, his words almost a purr. "I know what will get your mind off things."
Rabastan sighs deeply. It isn't fair that Evan can do this to him. He likes to pretend that he's above it all, that nothing can shake him, but Evan Rosier knows exactly how to get under his skin without doing a damn thing.
"When I'm done with you," Evan murmurs, his lips brushing over Rabastan's ear, "you'll forget there was an exam today at all."
Rabastan is weak. He melts so easily at those pretty words.
Maybe he'll never get his head right, and there will always be so much stress and anxiety. For now, however, he has Evan, and he will welcome the distraction.
