#did not reread this nor will i lmao that's the fun of microfics heheh

[star4daisy]

09/06 - pool - 510 - @rosekillermicrofic

Evan had a specific pre-competition ritual.

All of his coaches knew if there were any tips they needed to give him, it should be said hours before the swimming match because he needed to go non-verbal for at least an hour before it with only his earphones as company.

Unfortunately for Evan, his competition never got the memo - one competitor in particular, but he was trying not to think about him in hopes of not attracting his presence - over the years, the people who had gotten to know him over running in the same circles had learned to stay away so they would not distract him.

"Rosier," he heard his name being called out the second he stepped near the pool, completely ending his hope of not being put on the lane beside Barty Crouch Jr like he usually was. "Did you miss me?"

Evan was met with Crouch's manic grinning face standing way closer to him than it would considered publicly acceptable, it showed him Barty hadn't changed since the last time they'd competed with each other, he still had the same too-wide eyes, jaw sharper than it should be allowed and his characteristic chipped canine tooth from when he was still learning how to jump in the pool and had fallen off a trampoline face first on the board.

"Are you ready to lose, Crouch?" Evan pretended not to be bothered as he raised one eyebrow. "Again?"

His smile only got wider, but his eyes narrowed, he looked like a shark. "When did you get over your nonverbal routine to win?"

"I haven't."

"Really?" Barty's face clearly said he didn't believe him, for obvious reasons, the day Barty found out about his little rule when they were thirteen he made sure to step all over Evan's boundaries, he'd never stopped, no matter how much everyone told him how unsportsmanlike it was.

Evan nodded and put his cap in place, saying what he knew Barty would before he could, "What about a bet, Crouch? I heard you're fond of those."

He opened his mouth in disbelief but his eyes shined with pleasure. "You know I'd never refuse you."

"Whoever wins gets to top tonight," Evan winked at him before slapping Barty hard on the chest, twice, as if his goal had been to help him prepare, before stepping into his place and putting the goggles on.

He could feel Barty's presence at his back, still in shock, until they heard the call for them to be on their marks. Evan grinned. For the first time in years, he had been able to be the one to leave Barty reeling before a competition. Evan was happier about this than getting the gold for France.

Truth was he'd gotten so used to Barty messing up his routine that he became a part of it.

Evan could not win if Barty was not by his side.

Not that he planned on ever letting him know that.

If there was anything Evan liked more than competing against Barty it was winning.