For the Drabble Game Challenge (PercyPenelope, rainy day, requested by Danie)
"This is terrible," Percy says with a heavy sigh.
"It's just rain, Perce," Penelope says. "It'll pass."
Percy shakes his head. "We had plans today. Ice cream, picnic, all of that. Now, it's ruined."
Penelope wraps her arms around him, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. Despite his disappointment, he can't help but to smile. Of course Penny, of all people, wouldn't be upset over their plans being ruined.
"You don't have to take me out for a date," she tells him. "It's been three years, love. You don't have to try and impress me anymore."
He knows this. And yet, it isn't fair. He's been so busy with work lately that he's hardly had time to spend with his girlfriend. He finally has a break, and everything goes wrong.
"I always loved the rain as a little girl," Penelope continues. "I'd go outside and try to move between the raindrops. It never worked, and Mum used to laugh when I'd show up drenched to the bone. She'd make me change, wrap me in a blanket, and then we'd sit at the window watching the rain and drinking hot cocoa."
"I have blankets and hot cocoa," he says.
She slips her hand into his, grinning. Percy lets her lead him to the door. "In that case, dance with me."
He wants to protest. Getting soaking wet isn't his idea of fun. The temperature is still nice enough, but the rain will be cold, and he doesn't want to risk getting sick.
But there's a flicker of excitement in Penelope's eyes, and it's contagious. Suddenly, he doesn't care about how uncomfortable the rain might make him. Penelope will be happy, and that's all that matters.
He follows her outside, smiling as the rain falls over them. "I don't dance, you know," he laughs.
Penelope works. "I can change that."
And she does. It doesn't matter that he doesn't dance or that he doesn't like the rain. All it takes is her smile, and Percy feels right at home.