Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Written for Grandma Lizzy — Love youuu.

Pairing - PercyOliver

Word Count - 1065

Also written for Hogwarts Assignment 7; Arithmancy, Task 1 - Write about two people communicating.

Moot Point

"That's not good," he murmured to himself, eyeing the man sitting at the end of the bar. He was slumped forwards, his red hair a tangled mess on his head, his glasses askew on his face.

Oliver pulled his cloak tighter around himself, suddenly cold. He hated seeing Percy this way. The man he'd known, the man he'd long ago fallen in love with, was nothing like this.

The man Oliver knew was conscious about the way he presented himself. The man Oliver knew cared about what people thought, and more importantly, thought more of himself than… whatever this was.

This was insanity.

…

"You look great," Oliver said, grinning so widely he thought his face would probably hurt in the morning. "Are you ready?"

Percy, blush contrasting prettily against the cornflower shirt collar, nodded.

…

"What are you doing here?"

The words were slurred, barely understandable, but Oliver got the gist. "I'm here to take you home, Perce."

He laid a hand on Percy's shoulder, and Percy tried to shake him off. He was so unsteady that he almost fell off the stool.

"I don't have a home."

It hurt to hear those words, but Oliver tried his best to push the hurt aside. This wasn't about him.

"You can't hide forever," he murmured softly.

"I can try."

…

"You're always busy these days," Oliver moaned, sprawling across the bed. "Stay here with me and cuddle."

"I can't. Mr Crouch—"

"Will manage without you for one day. Perce, I miss you."

Percy stared at Oliver for a long moment. "I… suppose I can go in a few hours late."

…

Oliver put Percy carefully on the sofa. They had so many good memories on that sofa, he hated to taint it with this, but he'd wanted to bring Percy home.

When Percy slumped to the side, his breathing even as he passed out, Oliver rubbed his temple. He was worried, worried enough that he knew he wouldn't sleep that night. He changed quickly and returned to the living room, taking up vigil from the overstuffed armchair.

He hoped, this time, when Percy woke up, he'd stay.

…

"Why are you being like this? Your mum told me what happened. Percy, this isn't you!"

"How do you know what's me and what isn't?" Percy demanded. "Have you ever thought that maybe I just want more from life than scraping by, check by check, never being able to do anything?"

"What is wrong with you?" Oliver asked, tired all of a sudden. "Whatever is going on… just stop it, Perce. Just… stop."

Percy shook his head and moment's later the door slammed and he was gone.

…

"Why do you keep doing this?" Percy groaned, rubbing his face.

Day was just breaking. Oliver had been watching the sky lighten through the window. He turned to look at Percy.

"Because I know who you are, and this is not you."

"I'm broken, Oli. There's nothing left to fix."

Oliver smiled. "I disagree. Until… well. I'll never give up on you, so it's a moot point, isn't it."

"Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"Because I love you."

…

"He needs help," George said quietly. "And I can't help him. He doesn't want to see me. I look too much like… well. He doesn't want to see me."

"You think he wants to see me?" Oliver asked doubtfully. "The last time I saw Percy, he was walking out of our front door. He… he chose the Ministry."

"He woke up," George insisted. "He did. Yeah, he messed up but… Oliver, if you love him… please, you've got to save him from himself."

Oliver rubbed a hand over his face. "Where is he?"

…

"I'm… not lovable," Percy whispered. "You need to just… forget me."

"Would you forget me?"

"What?"

"If I was drowning my sorrows in the bottom of a bottle, throwing a private pity party every night… would you forget me, or would you fight for the man you love?"

"That's—"

"What would you do, Perce?"

"I'd fight," Percy admitted, voice low and scratchy. "But you… you didn't get your brother killed, Oli. You didn't stand by and watch your brother die without lifting a wand to help."

"Neither did you," Oliver said firmly. "Do you know how I found you that first time?"

Percy shook his head. "George. He found you, and sent me, because you made it clear you didn't want to be around your family. He asked me to help you, for you and for them. He asked me to help you believe that what happened wasn't your fault."

"Stop," Percy begged, tears streaming down his face. "Please, Oliver, stop."

"I can't stop," Oliver murmured gently. He stood, and stepped forwards, crouching down between Percy's legs. He took Percy's hands in his own, and lifted them to press a kiss to Percy's palm. "I won't stop, Perce. Not until you believe me. Not until you come home and stay."

Percy tugged his hands away and scooted back. Oliver moved out of the way for him to get up and Percy ran.

He ran, like Oliver had known he would.

…

The bar was gross. The floors were sticky, and the patrons probably more so. Oliver cringed as he walked past one man sitting in what smelled like his own filth.

"Percy, what the hell are you doing?"

"Drinking. Forgetting. Fuck off."

Oliver didn't realise as he tugged Percy from the bar that it was the first time of many.

…

Oliver opened the door, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. It was early, too early for visitors. He blinked when he saw Percy standing in front of the door.

He still didn't look great, but Oliver could see he'd tried. At least his glasses were sitting right on his face this time.

"I…" Percy trailed off. His mouth opened and closed a few times, but no more words were spoken.

Oliver sighed and stood back, waving his arm for Percy to go inside.

"It's too early to talk," Oliver grumbled as he closed the door. "I'm going back to bed."

Percy nodded, rubbing a hand over his neck awkwardly. He stayed in the middle of the living room floor, looking entirely lost. Oliver stopped when he reached the hallway door, and looked over his shoulder.

"You still remember how to cuddle, don't you?"

Written for;

Auction - "That's not good."

Showtime - 10. Worry

Basement - Stephen Strange - Cloak

Easter Fair - Face Painting - Superhero; 4. Green Lantern: "You can't hide forever." / Symbol; 1. Sun: Glasses

365. 179. Insanity

1000. 936. Cornflower