A/N – Here's the final chapter, folks, told from Gwaine's perspective. An event threatens to come between Percival and Gwaine. Will they ever make it to that second date?
Thanks for reading, everyone. This story has been a real joy to write.
Chapter Four – Gwaine Needs Percival
Gwaine stood there covered in blood, saliva, and shit, literal shit. He'd taken Finna out for one last walk a little before four o'clock, right before Arthur and Gwen were due home. Out of nowhere, a huge, snarling black mutt ran up, off leash, and attacked poor Finna. It took a while for Gwaine to fight off the dog, and not before the beast had bitten Finna a few times. Neighbors rushed out to help, but by then, the mutt had scampered off, and Finna lay on the ground, terrified, shaking and bleeding.
Gwaine scooped her up and drove her straight to the emergency vet. It turned out she had no broken bones and no internal injuries, but she needed her lacerations cleaned and stitched, as well as a few inoculations, and a (painful) shot of antibiotics. After having paid the six-hundred-dollar vet bill, Gwaine brought Finna home. And of course, she remained a frightened, tremulous mess, but Gwaine didn't blame her; he was pretty rattled by the whole experience, too.
They walked into the apartment. It was now close to six o'clock, right when Gwaine was supposed to meet Percival. And shit, he'd forgotten to text Arthur and Gwen about what happened to Finna! He pulled out his phone and saw he had six missed text messages, all of which were from Gwen, explaining how their car had broken down and they would have to stay at their hotel an extra night.
Gwaine wanted to fling the phone across the room. Really? Tonight of all nights? Percival was probably already at Lake Avalon Coffee Shop, waiting.
Gwaine shot off a quick text to Gwen explaining what happened with Finna. His phone rang two seconds after he sent the message, and it was Gwen, hysterical and crying about Finna. It took Gwaine ten minutes to calm Gwen down and assure her Finna would be fine with rest and extra attention for a few days. By the time he hung up, it was ten after six, and now, he was really late for his date.
He glanced down at Finna, who lay at his feet, her doleful yellow eyes staring up at him. Her tail thumped against the floor hopefully, although she still trembled. Gwaine couldn't leave her alone like this.
"I hate you, but I love you," he told the dog.
After letting out a long sigh of annoyance, he dialed Percival's number, fully aware that everything he was about to say would probably sound like a pile of nonsensical excuses. This might be the end of his relationship with Percival, all thanks to some mangy, roving mutt and Arthur and Gwen's busted car.
Percival answered on the second ring. "Hey, Gwaine."
"I am so sorry I'm not there. Finna, my roommates' dog, was attacked by another dog and I –"
"Oh my God, is she all right?"
A small smile curled Gwaine's lips. Of course Percival wasn't going to curse Gwaine for his tardiness; he wasn't like that. He was more concerned about the dog than anything else. Gwaine's heart swelled with affection for Percival.
"Yeah, she's all right, but shaken up. And now, my roommates' car died and they're not coming back until tomorrow." He peered down at Finna, and she let out a whine. "And I can't leave the puppy alone like this. She's all upset."
"No, of course you can't. She needs you. I love dogs; I get it."
"Can you come over?" Gwaine blurted out without thinking. "I'm kind of rattled myself after the dog fight and could use the company."
"Absolutely." There was no hesitation in Percival's voice. "Text me the address and I'll be right there."
Gwaine sent the text, then, realizing he was still coated in various disgusting dog fluids, changed his clothes. Ten minutes later, Percival turned up at the door holding a grease stained paper bag and two coffees.
"I figured a dog fight earned you a doughnut. And a decaf this time."
Percival standing there with that shy smile on his face, bearing sugary treats after Gwaine's shit day, was the most welcome sight Gwaine had ever seen. And Percival had no right to look that good, all unshaven and dark-blond like that, wearing jeans that hugged his muscular thighs, a fitted white t-shirt, and a tan field coat.
Gwaine, really, really liked the guy.
Percival handed over the coffee and the bag and immediately rushed over to Finna.
"Look at you, poor girl." Finna whined and rubbed her head against Percival's leg, and he picked her up gently. "Can I sit with her on the couch?" he asked.
"Go right ahead."
Then it struck Gwaine – what had started out as a spark of attraction for Percival had now flamed up into something more; it had evolved into a deep ache of love squeezing his heart. It was too soon, but who the hell cared? He had one life to live, right?
Percival sat on the couch and stroked Finna as she lay on his lap. The puppy, content at last, fell asleep.
"Are you a dog whisperer?" Gwaine asked, smiling.
"It seems so. I don't want to move and wake her."
"Nah. Once she's asleep, it takes a circus to wake her up."
Gwaine wrapped Finna in her favorite blanket and placed her down on her fluffy dog best beside the couch. She let out a content puppy grunt.
Flopping down onto the sofa next to Percival, Gwaine said, "What a day! I'm so glad you agreed to come over."
"I'm glad you asked."
Kiss him, kiss him! Gwaine's mind screamed, but instead, Gwaine asked, "Do you want to watch one of the Fast and the Furious movies? I need to watch some junk."
Percival chuckled. "Sure. Those are good ones when I don't want to think."
Gwaine dimmed the lights and turned on the movie, but it seemed so ridiculous, sitting there next to Percival in the dark, watching this idiotic movie when all he wanted to do was tear the man's clothes off.
"To hell with it," Gwaine said, and threw himself at Percival.
Percival went rigid for a moment, then softened and kissed Gwaine back. Gwaine loved the way Percival's mouth tasted, like coffee and a hint of breath mint, and appreciated Percival's rock-hard arms wrapped around him. However, Before Gwaine knew it, he lay on top of Percival and their tongues brushed together, while their hands ran all over each other's bodies, stroking and exploring with enthusiasm. It was difficult to deny the heat between them.
"Gwaine," Percival panted in between their scorching-hot kisses. "I've never slept with a guy before."
Gwaine ran his fingers through Percival's short hair. "Neither have I. I told you my first date with one was a nightmare. We don't have to go that far tonight. Whatever you want to do."
"This is good," Percival said, his eyes dark with lust. "I want more, but not just yet. Soon."
"All right. We'll figure this out together. It can't be that hard, right?"
"I don't know. It might be very hard with you."
"Wait, what do you mean…?" Gwaine groaned and rolled his eyes. "I get it, very hard… such a comedian." He trailed kisses down Percival's jawline and to his neck. "Back to what we were doing…"
Despite Percival's concerns and declaration of wanting to wait, an hour later, they somehow stumbled their way from the couch to Gwaine's bed. Nestled beneath the warm cocoon of covers, they touched and enjoyed each other's bodies all night long. The sight of a moaning, gasping Percival beneath Gwaine was pure bliss, and the sensations Percival coaxed from Gwaine's body? Gwaine would never forget those feelings as long as he lived. And there was nothing in this world better than having unfettered access to Percival's exquisite body. Nothing.
After hours of breathtaking sex, they fell asleep, all wrapped up in one another's arms. It was one hell of a night.
When morning came, Gwaine was riding high on a cloud of post-sex bliss. He'd never felt more relaxed or content in his entire life.
He hated the thought of untangling himself from Percival's long, hard limbs; nevertheless, Gwaine crawled out of bed early to feed Finna and take her on a short walk – she seemed much calmer this morning – then he started up the coffee maker. Percival, clad in his snug boxer briefs, a small smile on his face, came up behind Gwaine and kissed his shoulder.
"Hey, good morning to you, too," Gwaine said, turning, throwing his arms around Percival's neck and kissing his lips.
They were so involved in kissing they didn't hear the front door open, and Gwen stopped short in the doorway. She cleared her throat and Gwaine and Percival separated.
"Oh, god!" A half-naked Percival hid behind Gwaine. "I'm sorry, I didn't think– I mean, I had no idea –"
Gwen laughed long and loud as she wandered into the kitchen. "You must be Percival."
Red-faced with embarrassment, Percival extended his hand. "I'm afraid so. You're Gwen?"
"I am." Smiling, she shook his hand. "Arthur's bringing up the bags. Let me stall him at the door."
Percival sprinted back to the bedroom to get dressed, and Gwen pulled Gwaine aside.
"He's hot!" she whispered, and gave Gwaine a high-five. "Nice job with that one."
Once Percival was dressed, Gwaine made introductions. Everyone exchanged small talk, and Percival apologized to Gwen once more for being undressed in her kitchen. After that, Gwaine walked Percival down to his car.
"Wait." Gwaine blocked Percival's driver's side door. "I'll see you again, right? Soon? As in, the second you're done with classes for the day?"
Percival gave Gwaine a fierce, possessive kiss. "You couldn't keep me away."
"One more thing," Gwaine said, deciding to throw all caution to the wind. He reached up and cupped Percival's chin. "I might be sort of in love with you."
"Yeah? Well, I might be sort of in love with you, too."
They shared a quick parting kiss. Percival drove off, and Gwaine stood there, a slow smile spreading across his face. It felt damn good to be in love.
THE END