Some Friend You Are

An image flashed across Selwyn's mind. Of whispering the same words he'd just used to insult Roxanne directly into Adrienne's ear, just for her to hear. Oh yes, he'd definitely speak to her like that. Well, perhaps not exactly like that. Context was everything.

"I don't think the way I talk to Adrienne is any of your business, considering you presumably knew she was in an abusive relationship and did nothing to help," his eyes narrowed as he skirted around the reply.

He sincerely doubted Keiran was prepared to hear the real answer, and besides, just because Selwyn would have done it didn't mean he did it just now. Addie had been warming up to him, but he was thoroughly committed to taking this as slowly as required. By either of them.

"Great friend you are," he couldn't help adding.

Selwyn had never been able to resist having the last word. But this time, he almost winced as the words left his mouth. Good work. Get yourself fired.

The professor visibly stiffened at the accusation leveled against him, his gaze hardening and showing just how surprised he was that it was actually an issue he was being presented with. Stress pulled at his shoulders while he crossed his arms more firmly over his chest. How did this man who was quite nearly a stranger to her (aside from their recent meetings, obviously) know about Kaiden? The last name was probably a giveaway, he supposed, but the anger behind the other man's words was too much to properly fit into that excuse.

Finally, he lowered his voice - though his dark frown remained pinned on Selwyn - and responded. "I don't know why she mentioned it to you, but I can promise you I've been keeping an eye on Kaiden. He hasn't been any threat to her, no matter how guilty you want to make me feel.

"What are you trying to accomplish by reminding me of things I already know and am already looking out for?" An unimpressed eyebrow lifted for a moment, but he registered again where he was and let it fall, trying and failing to cover up his anger.

Selwyn backed up from the other professor a bit. This was a graduation ceremony, they couldn't be seen to be at one-another's throats.

"She didn't mention it, you moron," he replied. "Firstly, it's not Kaiden, it's his parents. And secondly, I found out because she's been so thoroughly gaslighted that I couldn't have a conversation with her without noticing. I'm very perceptive that way."

"And I'm just pointing out that you're not exactly in the best position to be complaining about my speech patterns since I am actually doing something constructive, when you are not. You can't possibly believe I was being serious earlier."

Keiran was oddly taken aback at the insult Selwyn directed at him, likely because people so rarely did that to him. He was usually careful to avoid situations that allowed anyone to say those things, aside from perhaps around Millie. But she had more right to, in a way, so it didn't really shock him anymore.

Very rarely did the professor want to make any allusion to the fact that he had superiority over the other staff members (besides Theodore, obviously), but right then he wanted to do so very badly. He did have a bit of an ego, admittedly, but he let his jaw clench for a moment.

"Maybe not," he said, responding to the last part first. "But it is hardly the place. As for Adrienne, it's hardly my fault if she hasn't gotten in touch about that since she left. All I've heard about is her issues at the Prophet."

Keiran didn't like admitting it, because it effectively put him in the wrong, but he clearly knew less about what was happening with her than he wanted to believe. Reluctant though he was, Keiran relaxed his stance somewhat and cleared his throat. "Does she need anything?"

Selwyn flinched, Keiran's words hitting home in a way he couldn't have intended them to. She hadn't got in touch. There were lots of people Selwyn hadn't been in touch with for years.

"A normal person would have got in touch themselves if they were concerned," he said.

"Look, as much as I think you're either an arsehole or just plain stupid, the situation between Adrienne and I at the moment is awkward. She needs someone she can confide in who isn't me," he confessed.

"If you've been watching Kaiden, then you know if he's having an affair, right?" he added, not willing to pass up the opportunity to find out more about the Poliakoff boy. Selwyn's instincts told him something strange was going on there.

Keiran blinked a bit more slowly than he usually would have, trying to cover how annoyed he was at the continued insults, but he decided to at least try to be helpful before telling Selwyn off. Doing otherwise wouldn't get anyone information or help, and he knew better than to complain about words when someone they knew was dealing with much more.

"She's pretty independent," he offered, his tone not nearly as harsh. Perhaps he could avoid additional comments about his personality or intelligence if he spoke more genuinely. Or, at least, in a more friendly manner.

Keiran frowned for a moment, but nodded slowly. "Does she know? Somehow I can't imagine his parents would be amused with his choices. After all, it would be pretty difficult to give them promise of an heir with the people he prefers.."

Selwyn supposed the anxiety and paranoia Adrienne possessed might seem like independence to some. Hell, it was possible he'd only spotted it because he had similar problems. But it was interesting that Keiran saw her like that; he was pretty sure they'd known each-other longer than since she'd been married.

Selwyn laughed when asked whether Adrienne knew about the affairs.

"She's a smart girl, but I think we can agree that Adrienne is singularly naive," he replied. "She managed to tell me all about how disinterested Kaiden was without figuring out that his interest may lie elsewhere."

"So, he doesn't need your protection. This is actually quite convenient. Is it whores or men or muggles or magical creatures or... do you even want me to continue?"

Keiran nodded, a slight frown on his face. "She may be book smart in more areas than I could claim to be, but she believes in people more than she should sometimes, as cynical as that may sound."

"Men, mostly. As far as I know, anyway. Merlin knows he's probably at least considered the others, though. There's no telling with him, really." Keiran rolled his eyes, tacking on, "perhaps it's a bit of all of them. If we're lucky, it will be. That would make quite a scene."

Suddenly, it had become 'we,' and he wasn't sure if that bothered him or amused him. Perhaps it was a bit of both. If it helped take out the problems in Adrienne's life, though, Keiran didn't think he had a right to complain.

He looked up when the doors to the hall closed, registering that the event would have to begin soon, and shifted his weight before looking back to the professor. "I would be extremely interested in taking Kaiden and his parents down several notches, if you want in."

If we're lucky? Selwyn wasn't sure he was happy with Keiran's sudden desire to collude with him. In his experience, people who wanted his help really just wanted him to do all the backbreaking labour while they got all the glory.

At least Keiran already had a wife.

Damnit, stop thinking like that!

"I was already in before I got here," Selwyn waved away the offer. "Addie's seeking an annulment, did you know?"

"I don't think Kaiden even wants to be with her. If I had to place money, I'd say he's as terrified of his parents as she is. Having dirt on him just makes it easier to persuade them that this is in everyone's best interests."

"Would I be right in surmising that you're terrible at playing the bad cop?" he asked.

Keiran held his hands up in a sort of mock surrender at Selwyn's reply, realizing that he should have expected as much. He shook his head, however, and dropped his hands to his sides when asked about whether he knew of her plans.

His hands stuffed themselves into his pockets, finding himself bizarrely glad that she could do so, considering what it implied. It wasn't really his place to know such things, but it did make him hate Kaiden a bit less. Not that it wasn't going to save the boy if he did anything stupid.

"Exactly," he agreed easily. "Bad cop? No, I think people would have questioned my sorting less often if I could. But I am leaving my job here to work with Robert at the Ministry, so I have a good few contacts there if that's needed down the road. I know a damn good lawyer, too, if she wants to ask them to draft anything up. Not sure how far she's gotten on that, but the option is there," Keiran offered. "You want to make him talk to us? Or find someone he has a history with and try and get them to talk?"