A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. There's a little more slash and fluffy stuff in this chapter, and it's probably going to be my last update for the year. I'll be going home soon, to the land of no internet access (yes, pity me). So, enjoy!
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Percy couldn't sleep. He had lied awake for almost two hours, his tired, fever-ridden body begging for rest that would not come. It had nothing to do with the fact that Oliver had been moving furniture and generally wreaking havoc for the past 40 minutes or so, although Percy was curious to see what he was up to. It was something else, something he couldn't exactly put his finger on. He suspected it had something to do with the memories seeing Oliver again had reintroduced to his mind. Percy had never admitted it, not even to himself at first, but he had been attracted to Oliver since their first year at Hogwarts. He had done everything he could to stop himself from thinking about the athletic Quidditch player – throwing himself into his school work, avoiding group gatherings where Oliver would be present, even getting a girlfriend in his sixth year – but nothing helped. He knew he shouldn't have gone to Oliver's flat after his little run-in with the Muggles, but he really couldn't think of anywhere else to go. He was just torturing himself.
Percy sighed and rolled over. He hated being sick. It made him feel weak and helpless. At least Oliver's here to take care of me…He tried to force the thoughts away. He shouldn't be thinking about Oliver like this. If anything, he should feel guilty. I'm taking advantage of him. Percy cringed at the double entendre. He closed his eyes, trying to will himself to sleep. His mind, however, had other plans. More memories from Hogwarts came rushing back. That first month, when he had sat by Oliver's bed in the hospital…their whispered conversations to each other every night just before they fell asleep – Oliver usually excited about a Quidditch game, Percy indignant that someone had broken the rules…and then there was THE night.
Percy always shuddered a little when he thought about it. He had been debating the best way to tell Oliver about his feelings, if he was even going to, but one night Oliver had done it for him. He could still hear him, asking, "Have you ever thought about what it would be like to kiss a guy?" Percy had been speechless for what felt like days, trying to come up with a response. The truth was, he had been thinking about what it would be like to kiss Oliver for the better part of seven years. And Oliver knew it. Percy blushed at the memory. He had tried to pass it off, act like he didn't know what Oliver was getting at, but he could tell Oliver hadn't been fooled. They hadn't talked as much since that night, and after graduation a few months later both wizards had gone their separate ways; Percy to his job at the Ministry, Oliver to the Quidditch pitch.
Percy yawned. All his fretting was making him sleepy again. The noises from down the hall sounded like they were getting farther away. He realized, drowsily, that it was only because he was falling asleep.
*****
He was in the midst of a very interesting fever-induced dream involving Oliver as an attentive doctor and himself as a sick patient when he was awakened by a loud THUMP from down the hall.
Groaning from both the interruption and the effort it took to accomplish the task, he managed to open his eyes and to push himself into a sitting position. "Oliver?" he called out weakly.
The other wizard came running into the living room. "Did I wake you? I'm so sorry."
Percy smiled slightly. "It's ok. What are you doing?"
Oliver blushed. "Well, since you're staying here for a while, I thought you might be more comfortable in my spare room, rather than on the couch."
Percy was touched. "Please, don't go to so much trouble just on my account."
"Trust me, there's stuff in there I've been meaning to get rid of. Just think of yourself as an excuse for me to re-organize my flat."
"Well, ok…"
Oliver smiled. "Is there anything else I can get you?"
Percy glanced at the assortment of things on the coffee table, waiting for his use: a water pitcher had been placed next to the glass, along with a box of Muggle tissues and a bowl of soup that he suspected had been magicked to stay hot until ready for consumption. "I think I'm covered," he reassured Oliver, "You're pretty good at playing doctor." The comment made him remember his dream, and he could feel a blush augmenting the flush his fever had already created on his normally pale skin. If Oliver noticed, he didn't say anything, merely smiled and left the room with instructions for Percy to call if he decided he needed anything.
Percy was able to drink some water and eat a few spoonfuls of soup – Cream of Asparagus, he couldn't help noticing, his favorite – before he fell asleep again.
Down the hall, Oliver was rather busy. The spare bedroom hadn't been occupied since his last roommate, Jeff, had moved out nearly 3 months ago; as a result, he had mostly used it for storage. There were piles of schoolbooks from his Hogwarts days in one corner, which he packed up into the trunk at the foot of the bed. The bookshelf was crammed with photos and souvenirs from various Quidditch activities, including a framed page from "The Daily Prophet" featuring an article on Puddlemere's newest first-string keeper. He decided to leave them there; he didn't have another place to put them, and he didn't think Percy was a state to give much thought to his surroundings. The rest of the miscellaneous items had been boxed up and placed in the real storage closet at the end of the hall. He worked quickly and (he hoped) quietly. Percy needed his sleep, and Oliver hated knowing that he had woken him up. He flopped into an armchair in the corner, flushed with the afternoon's work. Glancing at his pocket watch, he realized he only had about one hour to finish before he had to get to his evening Quidditch practice. He pulled out his wand, sending small items flying as he thought about Percy.
It had been a shock to see him at the door the night before, but (Oliver had decided) it was a good shock. He was starting to realize that the conversation he had started back at Hogwarts hadn't just been about his sexuality. It had been about wanting something more than just friendship from his long-time roommate. Maybe now he would finally be able to tell Percy…after he had been nursed back to health, of course. Oliver smiled to himself, picturing the way Percy's hair always managed to stick out at weird angles when he first woke up in the morning. He almost laughed when he remembered the look on Percy's face when he realized he was going to have to miss work. Like a child being told Christmas was cancelled…
He surveyed the room, trying to judge his handiwork. In addition to the bed, trunk, and bookcase, Oliver had unearthed a nightstand from underneath a pile of old Quidditch practice robes and a lamp from under the bed. He strongly suspected the lamp had belonged to Jeff, who had an odd sense of what constituted "interior design." The base was a large, purple porcelain fish, and the shade was light blue with random yellow ducks. He tried to remember what Jeff had said about the "lake theme" he wanted to incorporate into the room, but then thought better of it. Pointing his wand at the monstrosity, he muttered an incantation and the fish was transfigured into a normal-looking white table lamp. Oliver nodded to himself. That was much more Percy's style.
After he had made up the bed and finished some last-minute straightening, Oliver went to get Percy ready for the big move.
"You feel up to walking?"
Percy stretched, then looked up at Oliver like he had three heads. "Um…can't say as I do, actually. Why?"
"The bedroom's almost finished."
"Almost?"
"Well, it won't really be complete until you're in it, will it?"
Percy smiled.
"Um, I mean…" Oliver tried to think of something better to say, but couldn't. "Never mind. I'll help you, if you want."
Before Percy could respond, Oliver had crossed the room and gently helped him to his feet. Looping his arm around Percy's back, he led the other wizard down the hall as slowly as he could, telling himself he was doing it for Percy's benefit and not his own.
Percy was surprised, but pleased. "Are you sure you want to get so close?"
Oliver had to stop himself from immediately replying with a resounding "YES!" He mentally kicked himself, trying to rid his mind of inappropriate thoughts about his temporary roommate. He glanced over, and was taken aback to see Percy staring at him intensely. Oliver returned the gaze, gave him a half-smile. "I'm not worried about catching Wizard's flu, if that's what you mean. I've already had it once, remember?"
Percy's eyes were still locked on his. "Yeah, I remember," he replied, his voice soft.
They had stopped making progress, and were standing in the middle of the hallway, gazing into each other's eyes. Oliver forced himself to break eye contact. Don't want to freak him out too much. They crossed the last remaining steps to the door of the room, and Oliver carefully helped Percy ease himself onto the bed. "I hope this is alright. It's the best I could do on short notice."
Percy gazed around the room. Everything – from the Quidditch robes slung over the armchair in the corner to the clippings on the bookshelf – screamed, "Oliver!" He smiled. "It's perfect. Thank you."
Oliver had made his way to the door and was waiting for Percy's approval. He grinned. "I'm glad you like it. I'll bring your water and things in, too." He took off down the hall and returned a few seconds later with the tray, laden with water, pitcher, tissues, and soup. He placed the assortment on the nightstand, then turned to face his guest.
"Just let me know if you need anything else. There are fresh towels in the bathroom, and my room's right across the hall. I have Quidditch practice every morning from 7 to 11 and again at night from 5 to 10. If you're not comfortable being alone right now, I completely understand and I can either stay or arrange to have someone come over. Umm… I think that's about all. Any questions?"
Percy shook his head. "Not really. And I think I'll be ok on my own. I'll probably just sleep most of the day. Besides, I don't want to be a burden."
"You could never be a burden, Percy."
Percy smiled and climbed under the covers, trying to get comfortable. "Is there any way I can reach you when you're at practice?"
Oliver slapped his forehead. "I can't believe I forgot to tell you! Guess who showed up this morning?"
Percy looked up, interested. "Who?"
Oliver ducked out of the room for a second and returned with a bundle of brown feathers.
"Hermes?" Percy asked. "How did he know where I was?"
"I think your mum sent him. But at any rate, he'll be able to find me." Oliver placed the owl on a perch by the window, pulling back the curtains and opening it slightly so that he would be able to get in and out without Percy having to get out of bed. "Now, are you sure you'll be ok while I'm at practice? I can always come home early."
"I'm sure I'll be fine. I'm actually really tired, so I'll just get some rest." Percy leaned back on the pillows. "Have fun at practice."
"Thanks." Oliver went to the door and turned off the light. "I'm glad you're here, Perce."
Percy smiled in the darkness. "Me, too."