Work Text:
Lunch time. The cafeteria was a wave of activity, the high ceilinged hall filled with a steady hum of chatter, clinking trays, and the occasional burst of laughter. Beau sat at his usual table, quietly eating his lunch. His focus was on anything but the other students around him. He was waiting for his favourite ginger to arrive, picking at his food endlessly while he waited.
That was until a pair of hands covered his eyes, someone leaning over his shoulder to speak into his ear.
"Guess who~!"
A smile quirks onto Beau's lips immediately, a gentle hand reaching over the one's that cover his eyes.
"Don't be silly, Cater." Beau hears a giggle before his eyes were freed. Bright green eyes meeting his before a soft kiss was pressed onto his cheek.
"Aw, you're not fun Beau-Beau!" Cater pouts playfully, he picks up his tray and moves to sit in the seat opposite from the blonde boy. "Couldn't you have entertained me for awhile hm~?"
Beau shakes his head, feigning irritation. "Maybe I would if we didn't have that potions test later."
Cater groaned immediately, flopping forward with all the theatrics Beau has come to expect.
“Please! Don’t remind me!”
They fall into their usual rhythm, a back and forth of easy conversation as they ate. Everything was normal, just them having lunch.
Well that was until a sneering voice rose above the usual cafeteria din cutting the peace and causing the air around them to shift.
"Man, some people really have it so easy huh. Who needs to work hard when all you have to do is sit around and look pretty," some voice drifted over from a table nearby, their tone dripping with disdain and sarcasm. "Anyone can be a model, all the editing does the heavy lifting anyway."
The words hit Beau like a slap, though his face remained impassive, he wasn't sure why but it definitely felt like a jab specifically targeted towards him. He stiffened but kept his gaze fixed on his plate, hoping he was mistakened, that it would past if he ignored it.
Cater notices the discomfort on Beau almost immediately. His carefree smile vanished, replaced by a sharp look that he directs towards the culprits, eyeing them carefully.
He tries to continue the conversation, placing a gentle hand over Beau's lightly. In a way, it was a silent reassurance as he tried to steer his attention away.
However, that was to no avail, for the group speaks up again.
"Yeah man, we slave away all day and still get bad grades. Meanwhile, some people can get excused from classes just so they can go sell out their face." Sarcastic snickers pass through the table. One student leans back, snarky smirk on his face as he glances directly at Beau. "Yeah man, they just have no shame huh."
A heavy feeling washes over Beau and he glances at the table uneasily, his grip on his fork tightening. Cater notices this and the anger only grows.
On a whim, he speaks up, “Excuse me,” Cater sets his spoon down with deliberate calm. He turned to the group of students, his voice honeyed but laced with an unmistakable edge. “What was that? Care to repeat it for the people in the back?”
The students exchanged glances before the ringleader, emboldened by the attention, leaned back in his chair with a smirk. “Oh, I was just saying how some people rely on their looks and a little photo magic to get by in life while others work their butts off to survive. Nothing personal.”
“Uh-huh,” Cater said, his eyes narrowing, a sharp smile on his lips, “Funny, coming from someone who can't even put in the effort to complete the basic flying test.”
A few scattered snickers erupted nearby, but the ringleader’s smirk only widened. “Touchy, aren’t you? Didn’t think 'pretty boy' over there needed a bodyguard.”
Beau’s hands tightened around his fork as his heart pounded. He hated scenes like this, the weight of so many eyes pressing down on him. “Cater,” he said quietly, his voice strained as he tugged lightly on his sleeve. “Let it go. It’s not worth it.”
Cater turned to him, his expression softening briefly as he sees the anxiety in his eyes. “Sorry, babe, but I can’t just let them talk to you like that.”
Beau shakes his head, his voice more insistent now. “Please. Just drop it.”
The group, sensing Beau’s discomfort, leaned in further to gloat. “Yeah, listen to him,” one of them chimed in. “Pretty boy's not interested in making a scene.”
Cater’s jaw tightened, but he forced a bright smile. “Oh, I get it now,” he said, clapping his hands dramatically, his smile so wide it felt almost hysterically insane. “You must not have much going on in your pathetic lives~! You're just jealous, # so not cool! Makes sense though! Beau’s got everything you wish you had~. You know, actual stuff like talent, charm, actual friends!” His gaze swept over the group, pointedly stopping on their ringleader. “But don’t worry~ don't need to feel so sour! Not everyone can be sooo amazing you know~?"
The ringleader scoffs, but none of them seemed intimidated to even stop. They merely smirk, laughing outwardly at the taunts.
The situation was escalating into murmurs and laughter from other students nearby too. This made Beau’s chest tighten, his breath coming quicker as he looked down at the table. He felt trapped, his skin itching at the thought of so many eyes staring at him. Judging and laughing at him. The tension was just growing so unbearable.
“Cater, stop,” Beau finally said, his voice firmer but still nervous. He reached out, tugging on Cater’s sleeve. “Please...I just want to leave.”
Cater glanced back at him, his defiance faltering at the sight of Beau’s strained expression. For a moment, the fire in his eyes dimmed, replaced by concern.
“Okay,” Cater said softly, his tone shifting. He straightened, grabbing his tray and Beau’s. “We’re out of here.”
The ringleader laughed as they left, calling after them, “Yeah, piss off! Don't forget the pretty face! Wouldn't wanna lose your favourite accessory." Immediate laughs followed, taunting and mocking.
Beau freezes in his steps, his face tensing, the hold he had on Cater's arms stills. Cater was just going to ignore the comment, already halfway off when he notices Beau's body language. He looks back, inhaling sharply as he sees the genuine hurt in Beau's eyes. He studies his boyfriend for a moment, swallowing as the anger grows again, the fire lighting right back up.
How dare they? How dare they insinuate Beau was just a mere accessory to him?
With almost a scary calmness, he glares at the group once more. "What did you say?" His voice was strangely level as he spoke, but for once, he wasn't smiling anymore.
Their ringleader only smirks, cocky and condescending. He folds his arms, leaning forward against the table.
"What? Am I wrong? Everyone knows you're only dating pretty boy for his looks. Gotta do anything for the magicam likes am I right?"
Cater's glare only grows, his jaw locked tense as his entire body goes rigid. Slowly, he puts down the trays. Before anyone could react, he strode back to the table, grabbed the ringleader by the collar, and without a word, socked him square in the face.
Not once but twice, till the boy topples backwards onto the floor.
Gasps echoed through the cafeteria as the ringleader falls, his chair clattering to the floor loudly. Cater stood over him, shaking out his fist. He laughs, smiling with hollow eyes. “Man you really just don't know when to shut up hm~?"
“Cater!” Beau’s voice rang out, panic evident as he hurried back to him. He tugs at his arm, voice nervous and shocked. “Please, let’s just go.”
Cater’s gaze lingered on the stunned student for a moment before he let out a sharp exhale. Gently but firmly, he let Beau pull him away, his hand still tense in Beau’s grip.
The cafeteria was eerily silent as they left, whispers breaking out like wildfire the moment the doors swung shut behind them.
Once outside, Beau rounded on Cater, his voice a mix of worry and frustration. “What were you thinking? You can’t just punch someone like that!”
Cater shrugged, flexing his sore hand. Now that the emotions were dying down, he did feel a bit guilty for not holding back like he should've. But one thing was clear though, he didn't regret it. “I know, I'm sorry but they had it coming, Beau.”
“Cater…” Beau’s voice softened, and he placed a hand on Cater’s arm, his hands slowly trailing down till he's holding the ginger boy's hands in his. His eyes sad as he brushes his thumb over Cater's bruised knuckles.
“I get it. You were defending me. But I don’t want people fighting because of me...especially not you. What if you get into trouble because of me? God...if...if Riddle finds out he'll be so mad...and the headmaster..."
Cater sighed, running a hand through his hair. Whatever Beau said was the truth but still, “I know, I know, Beau. I just...I couldn’t stand hearing them talk about you like that, okay? When I heard them call you an accessory I..." Cater sighs, eyes softening as he pulls his boyfriend into a hug. "You're not an accessory to me...you know that right? I'm...dating you cause I love you kay?"
Beau hugs back slowly, his arms wrapping around the ginger boys waist. The words stung, they really did. It made his skin crawl and heart itch. But still, he believes Cater, he forces himself to because both their emotions were still high strung enough as it is. He didn't need to add any extra tension to it. Not right now.
"I know...I love you too." Beau whispers back softly, he leans back a bit to look at Cater, gently brushing his face before he leans in to press a quick but soft kiss against his lips.
Cater relaxes a little, his small easy going smile returning. "Let's get out of here..."
Beau nods, mirroring his smile. He still felt worried. The consequences probably wouldn't be escapable but, at least for now he'll pretend they didn't exist.