"LET ME HELP YOU"
by Brian Thomas
Pairing: Oliver/Percy
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Its the other side to the Oliver story I wrote with borrowed characters. Love it or leave it. If you haven't read the first part yet, please go to it first. Then again, I guess it might not really matter either way. Also before anyone asks, yes, there is a third chapter entitled "Together". It's half done already, but I'm a slow writer. Sorry. That is of course if you want to see it.
Percy couldn't help but mutter bitterly under his breath to himself. Trying to find past references to the proper height of ancient Chinese teapots had become more bothersome than he had originally thought it would be. It was a thankless task, but he had personally volunteered to search for the information. 'Anything to get yourself out of the office for a few hours.' he reminded himself. The small distraction was greatly needed to keep his nerves from climbing the walls of his small, cramped office back at the Ministry of Magic.
Not having much luck in the quest, Percy sighed loudly and got up from his kneeling position on the floor. He dusted off his jeans and wondered if Vernon, the shopkeeper, might know of any old scrolls hidden away that would help in his research.
Percy looked around at the few shoppers while heading towards the front of the store. The amber light coming in from the street window gave everyone a glowing appearance, which shifted as they all moved about. He glanced over and couldn't help not checking out the hilighted butt on the guy in the 'Recent Finds' section. "Mmm. Very nice!" he said quietly under his breath. 'Haven't seen a nice ass like that in a long time...' he continued in thought to himself.
Percy recalled a day, which was one of the many, when he watched Oliver Wood, his school roommate at the time, get ready for classes. He had just bent over to pull a clean set of robes from his trunk and Percy couldn't help to stare at the roundness of his roommate's butt in the snitch-patterned boxers. The Head boy was grateful that they were the only two Gryffindor's of their year and wouldn't be caught leering by anyone else. When Oliver turned towards him, he quickly looked away pretending to be interested in getting his books together. He knew there would always be more chances he could look again.
Percy continued to slyly watch out of the corner of his eye as he moved along. When the patron of the ass he was admiring turned sideways for half a second, Percy barely missed running directly into a bookcase before stopping dead in his tracks.
'No! It couldn't be? Not after all this time.' He turned and slowly walked towards the shopper.
"Oliver?" he called out hesitantly.
'Could it really be?' he wondered.
"Oliver Wood? Is that you?"
It was. The professional Quidditch player that Percy had seen for several years in many newspapers and magazines turned and looked at him in surprise. 'The front view is even better.' Percy mused. 'I'll have to ask him where he got that blue sweater. It's a very striking color...' Percy quickly scanned over Oliver's body again. '...especially on him.' Percy quickly noticed old feelings stir within himself, but just as fast told himself to behave.
"Of all places, a bookstore is not somewhere I'd have expected to have come across a very popular and recognizable Quidditch player. It's been a long time, Ol. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine. Just fine." Oliver responded with no enthusiasm of seeing him at all.
Something was wrong. Immediately, Percy noticed this wasn't the same friendly outgoing person Oliver usually was. 'Then again, some people change over time,' the redhead knew for himself.
Percy watched Oliver turn a book on top of a stack with a disinterested attitude. "Trying to find something here to read is all. And how are you?"
"About the same. Doing some ministry research here myself." Percy couldn't help foolishly grinning, he was happy to see Oliver again. "You're looking good as usual. Hmmm, how long has it been since we've seen each other?"
Oliver appeared startled, and then furrowed his brow to think on the question. Percy mentally chastised himself. 'Idiot! Keep the conversation light. Let's not remind either of us how long it's been.'
He watched Oliver's face light up in surprise. "Great Merlin! Almost six years now. I can't believe we've been apart that long since school. Where did all the time go?"
"We both have busy lives, I suppose. I tried to keep owling you for a while, but it seemed sort of pointless. You..." Percy's voice trailed off into silence. '...didn't care to keep writing,' he finished in his thoughts. Of all the people from Hogwarts, Oliver was the one person he always wanted to stay in touch with. Percy had very few friends and they, he believed, had been very close during their seven years together. It seemed a shame they both had faded away from each other over time.
"I'm sorry Perce. I tried. I...what, sent you maybe two letters? You were always much better at writing than me. I'm surprised you kept it up for almost two years. I wanted to keep up the correspondence, but I was having some tough times then. As well as trying to get my budding career going."
'There's that look again. Something is unmistakably wrong with him.' During their school years Percy had developed the ability to read Oliver's body language, and even now after all this time he could still tell something was terribly wrong.
"Don't worry about it. I knew you were busy. And it paid off, Mr. Quidditch All-star." Percy smiled. "I've meant to send a letter every once in a while, but never knew how to start up again without sounding stupid."
'Besides you most likely didn't need me interfering in your life. Lords know I had my share of problems for a while that no one needed to be bothered with,' the redhead thought.
"It would have never been stupid. I would have loved a note or letter from you, Perce."
"Oh?" Percy now wondered if it was possible to renew the friendship they once shared.
He noticed Oliver give him a firm apologetic look. "I'm as just as much to blame. I could have picked up a quill just as easily as you. Especially like now, when it's off-season. I just figured you were involved with your life and didn't need me bothering you."
Percy smiled again. "I'd have never thought that, Oliver. Not in a million years. Hearing from you again would have made any of my days." Percy now truly hoped there was a way of salvaging and restoring what they once had. 'We just need to get to know each other again. It would be nice to have someone, outside of the family, to really share some of my life with.'
"Say, what are you doing now? Are you busy?" 'Slow, you idiot! Go slow. Something is bothering him, remember. Don't scare him off.' Percy couldn't help himself getting lost in the excitement of seeing Oliver again and was internally struggling to keep himself under control. "I'm thinking maybe we could go find a place to talk, get something to drink and catch up with one another about our hectic lives."
Percy really wanted to get to know Oliver again. He knew it would only be for friendship, but Percy was more than willing to have just that. 'Hopefully, I'll get to know more about his life than what I've read about. Possibly even find out what is bothering him.' Percy worried this might be the last shot they had at rekindling their friendship and he didn't want that to happen. 'Please say "Yes", Oliver. Please.'
"Sure, Perce. Why not."
As they both headed towards the front of the store and Percy looked over and smiled happily. He noticed that even Oliver's mood seemed to brighten up already.
At the Whispering Winds Tavern, Percy and Oliver found a small table, along side a wall to sit. The low lighting and fire crackling away gave the atmosphere in the place a warm and comfortable feeling. Almost immediately, a friendly waitress stepped over to ask them for their drink orders.
After she left, Percy thought it best to start the conversation off slowly with something light and friendly he knew Oliver would want to talk about.
"So I heard about your trade to the Rapiers. The Quidditch world must be going good for you. Are you happy about it?"
Before Oliver could respond, the waitress suddenly returned and placed their order in front of them. Percy smiled as his Hofflemeyer Enchanted Swirl shifted from one color to another in the tall glass.
"Will there be anything else, gentlemen? Would you care to see a menu?" she looked in Percy's direction.
"No thanks. This will be fine for now." he answered. "Unless, Ol..."
Oliver appeared to be lost in thought, and shook his head no.
"Okay, then." She placed a bowl of Bertie Bott's flavored popcorn down for them. "I'll be back to check on you both later."
Percy sipped his drink and then looked across at the quiet figure. "You didn't answer my question."
"What was it again?" Oliver appeared surprised of the forgotten conversation already.
"Are you happy with your trade to the Rapiers?" Percy flicked a green, most likely spinach flavored, piece of popcorn out of the way in favor of a red one.
"Of course. I'm playing first string all the time.' Oliver smiled. "My loyal fans still support me. Plus, the very healthy signing bonus added in didn't hurt either."
Percy chuckled. "I had heard a few rumors about that. Congratulations then. All your hard work paid off."
"Thanks."
Percy could see Oliver's mood visibly change to that of the guy he once knew. 'This seems to be working; his mood seems to be getting better. Let's see what next?' Before Percy could think of a way to continue their conversation, Oliver threw a curve ball of his own at Percy.
"Hey, how is Penny? I don't see a ring. Haven't you two set a date yet?" Oliver grinned before he drank from his bottle.
'Pixies! Why did he have to bring her up? Anything but...HER!' he frowned.
Percy suddenly pictured a furious, red-faced lady shrieking every obscenity possible at him. Penelope was telling him how horrible he was and how her life was now ruined. And of course how it was all his fault. He was very grateful that with the information he had to give her he had planned ahead bringing a borrowed hex-canceling orb with him. Lords know what she might have done to him if not. It was the last time he had seen Penny, and hoped it remained that way.
Percy then noticed Oliver still waiting for an answer.
"We broke up almost four years back."
Percy figured this was a small price he'd have to pay to reform their friendship. It wasn't like they wouldn't be getting to personal topics eventually. 'Might as well get it all over with. Besides, it'll allow me to ask how his relationship is still doing. I might even be brave enough to tell him about me now.'
"Oh jeez, Percy. I'm sorry. If I had known... I shouldn't have brought it up."
"No. It's okay. It just wasn't meant to be. I now know that we weren't right for each other. I wasn't right." He barley let the last bit of information escape from his lips.
Percy wondered if he should go ahead and tell Oliver the whole truth or not. Again he could feel some old feelings begin to surface, but didn't want to risk getting hurt. Besides Oliver was unattainable and most likely wasn't interested anyway. 'He never was in school.' For sure, he would be glad to have Oliver as a friend again, and be satisfied with that. The image of snitch filled boxers again came to his mind, Percy groaned mentally.
Percy broke from his thoughts to see Oliver staring at him intently. He gulped down the last third of his drink and indicated towards the waitress for another round.
He decided they needed a different topic to focus on. Something they both could talk about equally.
"Sometimes, I miss the good ol days of school. Things were much simpler then."
Percy looked up from his refilled glass. "Yes, some things about it were nice." A small smile started to appear on his face. He mentally thanked Oliver for reading his mind and changing the topic on his own.
Over the next hour or so both men recalled various events of their times at school. Laughing, grimacing, teasing each other as they brought up things that had happened. Even filling each other in on things the other wasn't aware of. The sometimes-meticulous Percy, having been a Hogwarts Head Boy, was aware of the schools inner workings knew more details to some of the stories they shared. He animatedly told of events that had Oliver practically in tears.
Then their conversation slowed once again.
"Perce. I know this might not be the right time to ask, but I'm curious. What happened with you and Penelope? I thought you two would always be together."
Percy drew in his breath and held it. 'Ah, buggers. I might as well tell him.' He felt comfortable enough with Oliver to now tell him everything. "It didn't work out. I couldn't keep living a lie and remain faithful to her."
"What? Percy, you were cheating on her?" Oliver looked at him in slight shock.
"No! Not that! I just..." 'Oh heavens! Now he's got the wrong impression of me.'
Percy stared at Oliver's beautiful face. This was it. He would tell him and get it done with or...
"Just what, Percival?"
"I just couldn't keep on pretending I'd be happy with her. She wasn't really what I thought I wanted in my life." he quickly blurted out. Trying to come up with the right way to broach the subject, Percy trembled in fear. 'Why am I being so afraid? I've done this before. I can do it again.'
"Oh?"
"Yeah." Percy then dropped his voice to a hushed tone. "I finally came out to my family two years ago. The pressure of ignoring and hiding my true feelings was getting to be too much to me."
Percy looked up at Oliver's brown eyes he saw that Oliver accepted him without a careless thought at all.
"Really? Uh, congratulations. Did everything turn out okay?"
Percy stopped and looked at the smiling waitress who brought them yet another round of drinks. "For the most part, yes. Ron is still having some difficulties, but he doesn't outright hate me or anything."
"Then I'm truly happy for you, Perce. Is there someone special you are sharing your life with now?"
"No." He sighed mentally. "I've tried a few dates and stuff, but nothing has felt right. I've almost given up in a small way. Sometimes it's just too tiresome of looking, and hoping, only to be disappointed. Know what I mean?" What Percy had said was true. He had stopped trying to date. He didn't like getting his heart trampled and hurt in the process of looking for love. He hated if it sounded like he was being picky or judgmental, but Percy wanted love, not just a good romp in the sack.
"A little, yeah." Oliver replied.
Percy flicked at another emerald piece of popcorn before summoning his nerve to ask the question resting in his mind for a while. "So how are things with you and Marcus? Are you two still together?"
"What!" Oliver appeared to be in shock. His bottle almost toppled over as he reached for it.
"You, and Marcus Flint. Come on, Oliver. After what I've just told you. There's no need to hide it from me."
"H-how did...Who told?" Oliver flustered.
Percy recalled a rainy night during their seventh year at Hogwarts where he walked by an alcove and could hear Marcus and Oliver's hushed voices behind a tapestry. "Shhh. He'll hear us." "Who cares if Weasley hears, Olly-kins. I need to release some tension. He can even join us if he likes." "Stop it or I'll leave." "Alright!" Marcus grunted lowly. Percy frowned, but continued on in his rounds, barely able to hold back the welling tears.
Percy then noticed Oliver seemed a little startled.
"Oliver, relax. I've known for years. I used to see you two sneaking around the grounds and hallways during our last couple of school years. Your continuous display of rivalry may have fooled others, but I was wise to you two." The redhead smiled to show he wasn't offended by them being together. "I also noticed Marcus in the stands at a lot of your league games."
"And how would you know that?" Oliver raised a brow at him.
Percy could feel himself blush. "Um, Ron and I used to go to see you play a lot when you were on the Cannons team."
"Really?" Oliver smiled at him. "Why didn't you ever come around and see me after the games? I would have enjoyed seeing you both."
"I...well, you were busy and I thought it best not to." Percy suddenly felt like a stalker, which wasn't completely true and he quickly convinced himself of that fact. "Didn't Marcus tell you that I ran into him once? It was just before your big match when the Cannon's defeated the Chatham Crowns."
"No. He didn't." He then heard Oliver whisper "jealous bastard" under his breath.
"I heard that." Percy chuckled.
"You should have come over to the winners box, Percy. I would have made time for you. You should have known that." Oliver smiled at Percy, but his eyes seemed to say more.
Percy felt for sure he now knew what appeared to be bothering Oliver so much. Marcus Flint. Something must have happened between the two of them. Percy figured if they talked about it, maybe it would help ease Oliver's mind "You still haven't answered my question. You, and Marcus?"
Oliver sat in silence, looking at his beer bottle.
"Ol?"
'Uh oh. Whatever happened, he still isn't ready for this conversation. Maybe it happened recently and it's too soon to talk about?' Percy felt bad; he had apparently hurt his friend and now had to figure out how to repair the damage he had created.
"Oliver? Are you okay?" Percy leaned forward in concern.
Oliver slowly looked up in his direction. There was an immense sadness in his eyes.
"No."
Both sat silently for a while, Percy regretted his recent choice of words. He mind foolishly, for a second, blamed it on all of the drinks they consumed
When the tavern's wall clock chimed 9:00 p.m., they both turned to look at it.
Percy couldn't believe how fast it had gotten so late, but knew his teapot reports would wait for another day. There was something more important he had to take care of now. He couldn't leave Oliver alone, especially in the state he was. Maybe if he could find a better place where Oliver could open up freely, he'd start talking again. Percy would even try talking about Quidditch again to see if that helped. An idea immediately came to his mind. "Oliver, it's getting sort of late. I have a few things I need to take care of at home tonight before work tomorrow." He fibbed.
"I understand." Oliver said dejectedly. "I should be heading out as well. It was good seeing..."
"Wait! Wait! I know this is sort of forward of me, but I was going to ask if you want to come over to my place and talk some more. What I have to do won't take very long and my place isn't far from here." Percy reached over to take hold of Oliver's forearm and gently squeezed in comfort. "I can tell something is bothering you and would like to continue our conversation and help if that's possible. At least I'd like to try." Again, Percy was mentally pleading with Oliver to say "Yes".
Oliver looked at Percy and he thought he saw a slight smile form.
"Okay."
Percy turned from hanging up his cloak and noticed Oliver watching the chess set on the coffee table. The black queen was again acting testy, having to wait in turn to clobber a nearby rook.
"Ron and I play by owl. I'm the only one in the family that can still give him a bit of a challenge." Percy smiled and sat nearby on the sofa. "Like I said, he's slowly coming around."
"Better than playing with yourself, I'd guess."
Percy turned to look at Oliver and then burst out laughing. Oliver probably didn't plan the double meaning, but it was humorous in Percy's mind. Oliver then started chuckling too.
"Hey! Look at that. There's some happiness in you after all."
"It's the good company, I suppose." Oliver's smile faded slightly. "Don't get me wrong. I'm not always so depressed. Just certain topics of discussion set me off is all."
"You mean Marcus?" Percy asked sheepishly, in a low tone and leaned forward to reset a pawn the queen had nudged in frustration.
"Yeah." Oliver sighed loudly.
"Can I ask what happened? Or don't you want to talk about it?"
"I don't know Perce. It just..."
Percy remained silent. He knew Oliver would come out with it at his own pace, but a little help along the way wouldn't hurt. Oliver already looked more visibly relaxed than when he was in the bar thinking about Marcus.
"Oliver?"
"It just hurts so much. It's been over three years and I still let it fester away inside me at times."
'Three years?'' They broke up that long ago and it still effects him?' Percy then pictured a shrieking Penelope. 'Oh, yeah.'
"Try talking about it. Maybe it will help." Percy reached over and rubbed Oliver's arm to help give more comfort. "What happened that broke you two apart?" For a second Percy had a glimmer of hope that he and Oliver could... 'No, No, no!' This was not the time for schoolboy crushes. Oliver needed someone, and if it were just a friend, Percy was here to help him.
"The Fuckin' bastard cheated on me!" Oliver burst out as his faced scrunched up in immense anger
Percy quickly drew back his hand in fear. He didn't realize Oliver was holding back that much anger and pain.
"Oh Perce. I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean..." He noticed Oliver's eyes start to fill with tears.
"Oh, Ol." Percy reached over and pulled Oliver into a hug. Oliver just started crying and trembled with the outpour of emotion held in for so long. Percy rubbed the strong back with his hand in a comforting circle. He remembered his Mom, doing the same to him so many times when he was upset. When Ron and he had their first fight about Percy telling everyone of his true nature, Molly had comforted him this way. She reminded Percy he was Ron's older bother and nothing could ever change that. "I know my boys. Give Ron some time and space, he'll come 'round, love."
Oliver's body shook as he tried to gasp for needed air.
"Shhh. It's okay," he whispered. "I'm here for you."
Percy was enjoying the warmth of Oliver's body draped across his torso. A small smile crossed his lips and he almost groaned when Oliver suddenly sat back up.
"I'm such a idiot. I'm..."
"Don't apologize, Ol. You've obviously been holding in a lot for a long time and needed to let it out. Feeling a little bit better now?"
"Not sure. Mostly feeling burned out I think. The drinks from earlier aren't helping any either."
Percy had an idea and slowly got up from the sofa. He turned and stood with a raised hand for Oliver to remain where he was. "I'll be right back."
In the kitchen Percy pulled out a tray and quickly began loading it with a several snack items. Neither had eaten any dinner, but he didn't want to take the time to fix a proper meal and leave Oliver alone for too long.
Putting two full glasses of pumpkin juice on the tray he then headed back to the living room. "I thought a few snacks might help calm our stomachs. Maybe help absorb some of the alcohol in our systems."
"Thanks. But I'm not very hungry"
Percy grinned. "Not even for Animal crackers?"
"Animal crackers? They're my favorite!"
"I know. I've become fond of them as well. I was always grateful you shared at school when your Mom sent you those big boxes of them. It got me hooked."
"Seems we passed on traits to each other during our years together. I probably wouldn't read so much, besides sports related stuff, if it wasn't for you."
"Probably us being the only Gryffy boys helped with that. We were forced to grow together."
"Don't say that, Perce. We were never forced. I loved rooming with you. You were practically like a brother to me." He noticed Oliver hesitate for a second and look sorrowful. "We could talk about almost anything."
"Sorry. You're right." Percy looked Oliver directly in the eye. "We never were forced."
They both smiled
"He cheated on me, Percy." Oliver suddenly began. "And not with just one guy. I found out there were several of them. Some of them were even Cannon players." Percy watched Oliver's redden with anger. "All during that time, he'd be jealous of anyone that paid attention to me and yet he was..."
Percy remembered meeting with Marcus Flint at one of the league games. Marcus had blatantly suggested they could slip away for a little while and see what kind of 'action' could happen between them. Percy unquestionably declined. "You'd rather a threesome with our fellow classmate perhaps? I could arrange it, you know." Percy was taken aback. It had taken everything he had to hold back from slugging Marcus' foul mouth. Granted it would have to be one good punch, because Flint would kill him after that. Percy instead remained quiet and just stormed away to where he could join up with Ron.
"H-he was screwing anyone that caught his fancy."
"Not everyone." Percy whispered under his breath.
As Percy walked away, Marcus shouted one last jab at his retreating body. "How come you never write me any letters, Percival? Aren't I good enough for you?' he gloated. 'Never!' Percy mumbled to himself and continued walking.
"He ripped my heart to shreds. I've never let anyone get that close again to... What did you say?"
"It's nothing, Ol. Go on."
"That bastard! I'll kill him. He tried to put a move on you, didn't he?" Percy noticed Oliver's flushed face spread to his ears and down his throat. 'Oh jeez.' Percy mentally wanted to curse Flint for the damage he did to his friend.
"Calm down. It was nothing, really. Just a little shameless flirting on his part, during the last game when I ran into him. I wasn't interested. I never would be. Especially with him." Percy grimaced, picturing Marcus' face before him.
"Hey!"
"Sorry, Ol. He just wasn't my type."
"What is your type then?"
It was now Percy's turn to blush. He would have loved to tell Oliver it was the person sitting in front of him, but knew that wasn't the proper thing to say right now. "Wouldn't you like to know. I am sorry for what happened though. I'd never thought about the fact that I wasn't the only one Flint would do that with."
Percy took a large gulp of juice to hide his uneasiness.
"It's okay. It's helping me realize some things."
"What's that?" Percy arched a brow in curiosity.
"For one thing, I should thank you. Talking about this is really helping. I've needed to get this burden off my chest for a while now."
"Anytime." Percy reached over and gave him a gentle hug in comfort. Percy was in a wave of mixed emotions. He loved helping Oliver out, he enjoyed being with him again and then there was the 'old feelings' still lingering in his mind. Percy took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Oliver?" he whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Do you remember that October night of our sixth year when you and I..." Percy stopped as his mind screamed 'NO! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Too late.' his consciousness thought. 'You've opened the hope chest now.'
"Which one Percy? There were so many."
"The night you and I stayed up talking about relationships. You know, who fancied whom. How they got started. Kissing people. Falling in love. And ...um, sex?" 'It's the alcohol!' his mind screamed, 'We can blame it on that, if I have to.'
"Yeah. I remember. We were up the whole night. You were dragging the next day. Poor thing." Oliver snorted. "You almost passed out in Potions class. I kept waiting for it to happen. Snape would have loved that."
"Hey!" He playfully smacked Oliver's arm. "And just who may I ask, fell from his broom during team practice that day?" Percy pictured that day. In all of his haziness, he was still more concerned about Oliver and had wandered down to the Quidditch practice pitch to see how his roommate was fairing.
"You-you saw that?"
"Of course." Percy's chuckled. "I was afraid you would get hurt, if you were even as half as tired as I was that day."
"Gee! Nice to know you cared if I broke my neck or not." They both smiled goofily at each other. "What about that night though?"
'You might as well tell him. It's too late now to back out.' The redhead mentally chastised himself. "Remember, I told you that I needed the facts in preparation if I was going to possibly ask Penelope out? You being the more wiser and experienced than I."
"Which wasn't true and you knew it."
'Nice try, I knew some of what you and "him" were up to.'
"I know, but I was seeking out information then and hoping..." He closed his eyes. Percy couldn't look at Oliver in the face right now.
"Percy?"
"It was all a little lie. I knew of you and Marcus then. I guess I was sort of curious to know what I might have been missing out on. Hoping you'd tell me, so we could talk about it."
"Oh, really?"
Percy nodded and slowly peaked out of his eyes to see the still very caring person sitting across from him.
"Why bring that up now?"
"Because being with you again is bringing back so many thoughts and..." he stopped to sigh. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe it is just all the alcohol we consumed. I never was able to hold myself well with it." Percy couldn't control his mouth, head and heart all at the same time. He had only meant to comfort Oliver and be friends with him again. Instead, now he was ruining everything. True, Percy always wanted nothing more than to be in love, it had always been his biggest desire. And to be in love with Oliver would be more than fantastic. Yet he kept struggling to accept the reality that it might not be possible. Oliver was still getting over a lot of hurt and anger and here Percy was about to throw himself at him. He needed to calm himself down and regather his thoughts.
Percy tried to get up, but Oliver grabbed his wrist and wouldn't to let go when he twisted his arm.
"And what, Percy?"
"Uh?"
"You said so many thoughts and. And what? Don't stop now."
Percy suddenly thought of a meeting he had with Professor Dumbledore in the headmaster's office. This was an opportune time for him to ask a question he had wondered about for five years. "Why wasn't I sorted to the Ravenclaw house? Surely I'm more academic than brave." Dumbledore looked at Percy and his face cracked full of wrinkles as he smiled. "You Mr. Weasley, have more courage than you can imagine. It comes to you when you least expect it." Percy was dumbfounded. It took eight years, but now, finally, he fully understood.
For no explainable reason Percy threw caution to the wind and quickly blurted it all out. "Feelings. I've always had more than a crush on you Oliver. We weren't just Gryffindor boys for seven years. You were my best friend. Not that I really had any others." He stopped to swallow. "I always looked up to you, but later realized there was more to it than that. In our sixth year, I was hopelessly in love with you. I tried to deny it, but couldn't. Unfortunately, that's when I discovered you were with Marcus. It nearly killed me. But I slowly accepted it. Trying to deny my true self helped in that aspect. I also wasn't going to interfere with your happiness. I cared too much for you to say anything. And you two were together for so long. So I stupidly threw myself at Penny. Hoping it would all go away."
"You cared?" Oliver appeared bewildered.
"Yes. The feelings I had then and clung to are part of what held me back from progressing further with Penny." Percy rolled his eyes in humor. "That, and finally admitting to myself that I was gay."
He now noticed Oliver had let go of his wrist and was now holding his hand.
"Perce, we've both been such fools. If I had only known."
"What do you mean?" Percy could feel his heart begin to open at a glimmer of hope for love.
"While you've admired me, I've been doing the same to you. You were always an amazing person. Always so organized and a straightforward. You were always there for me."
Percy smiled at that comment.
"We did so much growing up together. And it appears we even hid the same secrets. I've always regretted the loss of our friendship. But, I was having such problems with... him. I didn't know where to turn. Wish I'd known I could have come to you to talk."
"It's okay. I had some tough times over the years as well."
"That's surprising."
"It is? Why?"
"You seemed to have everything going for you. Your future was all set. The Ministry and marriage. I envied you. All I had was Quidditch and a romantic fling that ended up going nowhere. Don't get me wrong, I love playing. But it's not always fulfilling."
Percy nodded and now understood the similarities they both had dealt with over the years. Maybe it was all in preparation for them to experience before they met each other again.
"I did try to tell you a couple of times about me, and him. I just didn't know how. I thought you were straight, I didn't want to risk the friendship. You've been a big part and great influence in my life, Percy." He could tell Oliver was speaking from his heart. Percy almost wanted to cry. "I tend to still think of you often. Maybe more than I should have. I don't know. I wish I could have been there for you when you needed someone too."
They both looked lovingly at each other and smiled.
"Why? Why did we let so much time pass?"
"Oliver?"
"Yes."
"It's in the past now. Let's forget about it. We can start over together from here." There was no pleading this time. If Oliver wanted this as much as Percy did. It would happen. If not... Percy refused to think about that.
"Help me, Percy. Help me forget the past."
Percy leaned forward and smiled. He was about to do something he had dreamed about so many times before. He tenderly pressed their lips together. He felt Oliver press forward. Together their passion for one another slowly and lovingly increased.
Not another thought came to Percy's mind as he fell completely and happily in love.
fini
by Brian Thomas
Pairing: Oliver/Percy
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Its the other side to the Oliver story I wrote with borrowed characters. Love it or leave it. If you haven't read the first part yet, please go to it first. Then again, I guess it might not really matter either way. Also before anyone asks, yes, there is a third chapter entitled "Together". It's half done already, but I'm a slow writer. Sorry. That is of course if you want to see it.
Percy couldn't help but mutter bitterly under his breath to himself. Trying to find past references to the proper height of ancient Chinese teapots had become more bothersome than he had originally thought it would be. It was a thankless task, but he had personally volunteered to search for the information. 'Anything to get yourself out of the office for a few hours.' he reminded himself. The small distraction was greatly needed to keep his nerves from climbing the walls of his small, cramped office back at the Ministry of Magic.
Not having much luck in the quest, Percy sighed loudly and got up from his kneeling position on the floor. He dusted off his jeans and wondered if Vernon, the shopkeeper, might know of any old scrolls hidden away that would help in his research.
Percy looked around at the few shoppers while heading towards the front of the store. The amber light coming in from the street window gave everyone a glowing appearance, which shifted as they all moved about. He glanced over and couldn't help not checking out the hilighted butt on the guy in the 'Recent Finds' section. "Mmm. Very nice!" he said quietly under his breath. 'Haven't seen a nice ass like that in a long time...' he continued in thought to himself.
Percy recalled a day, which was one of the many, when he watched Oliver Wood, his school roommate at the time, get ready for classes. He had just bent over to pull a clean set of robes from his trunk and Percy couldn't help to stare at the roundness of his roommate's butt in the snitch-patterned boxers. The Head boy was grateful that they were the only two Gryffindor's of their year and wouldn't be caught leering by anyone else. When Oliver turned towards him, he quickly looked away pretending to be interested in getting his books together. He knew there would always be more chances he could look again.
Percy continued to slyly watch out of the corner of his eye as he moved along. When the patron of the ass he was admiring turned sideways for half a second, Percy barely missed running directly into a bookcase before stopping dead in his tracks.
'No! It couldn't be? Not after all this time.' He turned and slowly walked towards the shopper.
"Oliver?" he called out hesitantly.
'Could it really be?' he wondered.
"Oliver Wood? Is that you?"
It was. The professional Quidditch player that Percy had seen for several years in many newspapers and magazines turned and looked at him in surprise. 'The front view is even better.' Percy mused. 'I'll have to ask him where he got that blue sweater. It's a very striking color...' Percy quickly scanned over Oliver's body again. '...especially on him.' Percy quickly noticed old feelings stir within himself, but just as fast told himself to behave.
"Of all places, a bookstore is not somewhere I'd have expected to have come across a very popular and recognizable Quidditch player. It's been a long time, Ol. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine. Just fine." Oliver responded with no enthusiasm of seeing him at all.
Something was wrong. Immediately, Percy noticed this wasn't the same friendly outgoing person Oliver usually was. 'Then again, some people change over time,' the redhead knew for himself.
Percy watched Oliver turn a book on top of a stack with a disinterested attitude. "Trying to find something here to read is all. And how are you?"
"About the same. Doing some ministry research here myself." Percy couldn't help foolishly grinning, he was happy to see Oliver again. "You're looking good as usual. Hmmm, how long has it been since we've seen each other?"
Oliver appeared startled, and then furrowed his brow to think on the question. Percy mentally chastised himself. 'Idiot! Keep the conversation light. Let's not remind either of us how long it's been.'
He watched Oliver's face light up in surprise. "Great Merlin! Almost six years now. I can't believe we've been apart that long since school. Where did all the time go?"
"We both have busy lives, I suppose. I tried to keep owling you for a while, but it seemed sort of pointless. You..." Percy's voice trailed off into silence. '...didn't care to keep writing,' he finished in his thoughts. Of all the people from Hogwarts, Oliver was the one person he always wanted to stay in touch with. Percy had very few friends and they, he believed, had been very close during their seven years together. It seemed a shame they both had faded away from each other over time.
"I'm sorry Perce. I tried. I...what, sent you maybe two letters? You were always much better at writing than me. I'm surprised you kept it up for almost two years. I wanted to keep up the correspondence, but I was having some tough times then. As well as trying to get my budding career going."
'There's that look again. Something is unmistakably wrong with him.' During their school years Percy had developed the ability to read Oliver's body language, and even now after all this time he could still tell something was terribly wrong.
"Don't worry about it. I knew you were busy. And it paid off, Mr. Quidditch All-star." Percy smiled. "I've meant to send a letter every once in a while, but never knew how to start up again without sounding stupid."
'Besides you most likely didn't need me interfering in your life. Lords know I had my share of problems for a while that no one needed to be bothered with,' the redhead thought.
"It would have never been stupid. I would have loved a note or letter from you, Perce."
"Oh?" Percy now wondered if it was possible to renew the friendship they once shared.
He noticed Oliver give him a firm apologetic look. "I'm as just as much to blame. I could have picked up a quill just as easily as you. Especially like now, when it's off-season. I just figured you were involved with your life and didn't need me bothering you."
Percy smiled again. "I'd have never thought that, Oliver. Not in a million years. Hearing from you again would have made any of my days." Percy now truly hoped there was a way of salvaging and restoring what they once had. 'We just need to get to know each other again. It would be nice to have someone, outside of the family, to really share some of my life with.'
"Say, what are you doing now? Are you busy?" 'Slow, you idiot! Go slow. Something is bothering him, remember. Don't scare him off.' Percy couldn't help himself getting lost in the excitement of seeing Oliver again and was internally struggling to keep himself under control. "I'm thinking maybe we could go find a place to talk, get something to drink and catch up with one another about our hectic lives."
Percy really wanted to get to know Oliver again. He knew it would only be for friendship, but Percy was more than willing to have just that. 'Hopefully, I'll get to know more about his life than what I've read about. Possibly even find out what is bothering him.' Percy worried this might be the last shot they had at rekindling their friendship and he didn't want that to happen. 'Please say "Yes", Oliver. Please.'
"Sure, Perce. Why not."
As they both headed towards the front of the store and Percy looked over and smiled happily. He noticed that even Oliver's mood seemed to brighten up already.
At the Whispering Winds Tavern, Percy and Oliver found a small table, along side a wall to sit. The low lighting and fire crackling away gave the atmosphere in the place a warm and comfortable feeling. Almost immediately, a friendly waitress stepped over to ask them for their drink orders.
After she left, Percy thought it best to start the conversation off slowly with something light and friendly he knew Oliver would want to talk about.
"So I heard about your trade to the Rapiers. The Quidditch world must be going good for you. Are you happy about it?"
Before Oliver could respond, the waitress suddenly returned and placed their order in front of them. Percy smiled as his Hofflemeyer Enchanted Swirl shifted from one color to another in the tall glass.
"Will there be anything else, gentlemen? Would you care to see a menu?" she looked in Percy's direction.
"No thanks. This will be fine for now." he answered. "Unless, Ol..."
Oliver appeared to be lost in thought, and shook his head no.
"Okay, then." She placed a bowl of Bertie Bott's flavored popcorn down for them. "I'll be back to check on you both later."
Percy sipped his drink and then looked across at the quiet figure. "You didn't answer my question."
"What was it again?" Oliver appeared surprised of the forgotten conversation already.
"Are you happy with your trade to the Rapiers?" Percy flicked a green, most likely spinach flavored, piece of popcorn out of the way in favor of a red one.
"Of course. I'm playing first string all the time.' Oliver smiled. "My loyal fans still support me. Plus, the very healthy signing bonus added in didn't hurt either."
Percy chuckled. "I had heard a few rumors about that. Congratulations then. All your hard work paid off."
"Thanks."
Percy could see Oliver's mood visibly change to that of the guy he once knew. 'This seems to be working; his mood seems to be getting better. Let's see what next?' Before Percy could think of a way to continue their conversation, Oliver threw a curve ball of his own at Percy.
"Hey, how is Penny? I don't see a ring. Haven't you two set a date yet?" Oliver grinned before he drank from his bottle.
'Pixies! Why did he have to bring her up? Anything but...HER!' he frowned.
Percy suddenly pictured a furious, red-faced lady shrieking every obscenity possible at him. Penelope was telling him how horrible he was and how her life was now ruined. And of course how it was all his fault. He was very grateful that with the information he had to give her he had planned ahead bringing a borrowed hex-canceling orb with him. Lords know what she might have done to him if not. It was the last time he had seen Penny, and hoped it remained that way.
Percy then noticed Oliver still waiting for an answer.
"We broke up almost four years back."
Percy figured this was a small price he'd have to pay to reform their friendship. It wasn't like they wouldn't be getting to personal topics eventually. 'Might as well get it all over with. Besides, it'll allow me to ask how his relationship is still doing. I might even be brave enough to tell him about me now.'
"Oh jeez, Percy. I'm sorry. If I had known... I shouldn't have brought it up."
"No. It's okay. It just wasn't meant to be. I now know that we weren't right for each other. I wasn't right." He barley let the last bit of information escape from his lips.
Percy wondered if he should go ahead and tell Oliver the whole truth or not. Again he could feel some old feelings begin to surface, but didn't want to risk getting hurt. Besides Oliver was unattainable and most likely wasn't interested anyway. 'He never was in school.' For sure, he would be glad to have Oliver as a friend again, and be satisfied with that. The image of snitch filled boxers again came to his mind, Percy groaned mentally.
Percy broke from his thoughts to see Oliver staring at him intently. He gulped down the last third of his drink and indicated towards the waitress for another round.
He decided they needed a different topic to focus on. Something they both could talk about equally.
"Sometimes, I miss the good ol days of school. Things were much simpler then."
Percy looked up from his refilled glass. "Yes, some things about it were nice." A small smile started to appear on his face. He mentally thanked Oliver for reading his mind and changing the topic on his own.
Over the next hour or so both men recalled various events of their times at school. Laughing, grimacing, teasing each other as they brought up things that had happened. Even filling each other in on things the other wasn't aware of. The sometimes-meticulous Percy, having been a Hogwarts Head Boy, was aware of the schools inner workings knew more details to some of the stories they shared. He animatedly told of events that had Oliver practically in tears.
Then their conversation slowed once again.
"Perce. I know this might not be the right time to ask, but I'm curious. What happened with you and Penelope? I thought you two would always be together."
Percy drew in his breath and held it. 'Ah, buggers. I might as well tell him.' He felt comfortable enough with Oliver to now tell him everything. "It didn't work out. I couldn't keep living a lie and remain faithful to her."
"What? Percy, you were cheating on her?" Oliver looked at him in slight shock.
"No! Not that! I just..." 'Oh heavens! Now he's got the wrong impression of me.'
Percy stared at Oliver's beautiful face. This was it. He would tell him and get it done with or...
"Just what, Percival?"
"I just couldn't keep on pretending I'd be happy with her. She wasn't really what I thought I wanted in my life." he quickly blurted out. Trying to come up with the right way to broach the subject, Percy trembled in fear. 'Why am I being so afraid? I've done this before. I can do it again.'
"Oh?"
"Yeah." Percy then dropped his voice to a hushed tone. "I finally came out to my family two years ago. The pressure of ignoring and hiding my true feelings was getting to be too much to me."
Percy looked up at Oliver's brown eyes he saw that Oliver accepted him without a careless thought at all.
"Really? Uh, congratulations. Did everything turn out okay?"
Percy stopped and looked at the smiling waitress who brought them yet another round of drinks. "For the most part, yes. Ron is still having some difficulties, but he doesn't outright hate me or anything."
"Then I'm truly happy for you, Perce. Is there someone special you are sharing your life with now?"
"No." He sighed mentally. "I've tried a few dates and stuff, but nothing has felt right. I've almost given up in a small way. Sometimes it's just too tiresome of looking, and hoping, only to be disappointed. Know what I mean?" What Percy had said was true. He had stopped trying to date. He didn't like getting his heart trampled and hurt in the process of looking for love. He hated if it sounded like he was being picky or judgmental, but Percy wanted love, not just a good romp in the sack.
"A little, yeah." Oliver replied.
Percy flicked at another emerald piece of popcorn before summoning his nerve to ask the question resting in his mind for a while. "So how are things with you and Marcus? Are you two still together?"
"What!" Oliver appeared to be in shock. His bottle almost toppled over as he reached for it.
"You, and Marcus Flint. Come on, Oliver. After what I've just told you. There's no need to hide it from me."
"H-how did...Who told?" Oliver flustered.
Percy recalled a rainy night during their seventh year at Hogwarts where he walked by an alcove and could hear Marcus and Oliver's hushed voices behind a tapestry. "Shhh. He'll hear us." "Who cares if Weasley hears, Olly-kins. I need to release some tension. He can even join us if he likes." "Stop it or I'll leave." "Alright!" Marcus grunted lowly. Percy frowned, but continued on in his rounds, barely able to hold back the welling tears.
Percy then noticed Oliver seemed a little startled.
"Oliver, relax. I've known for years. I used to see you two sneaking around the grounds and hallways during our last couple of school years. Your continuous display of rivalry may have fooled others, but I was wise to you two." The redhead smiled to show he wasn't offended by them being together. "I also noticed Marcus in the stands at a lot of your league games."
"And how would you know that?" Oliver raised a brow at him.
Percy could feel himself blush. "Um, Ron and I used to go to see you play a lot when you were on the Cannons team."
"Really?" Oliver smiled at him. "Why didn't you ever come around and see me after the games? I would have enjoyed seeing you both."
"I...well, you were busy and I thought it best not to." Percy suddenly felt like a stalker, which wasn't completely true and he quickly convinced himself of that fact. "Didn't Marcus tell you that I ran into him once? It was just before your big match when the Cannon's defeated the Chatham Crowns."
"No. He didn't." He then heard Oliver whisper "jealous bastard" under his breath.
"I heard that." Percy chuckled.
"You should have come over to the winners box, Percy. I would have made time for you. You should have known that." Oliver smiled at Percy, but his eyes seemed to say more.
Percy felt for sure he now knew what appeared to be bothering Oliver so much. Marcus Flint. Something must have happened between the two of them. Percy figured if they talked about it, maybe it would help ease Oliver's mind "You still haven't answered my question. You, and Marcus?"
Oliver sat in silence, looking at his beer bottle.
"Ol?"
'Uh oh. Whatever happened, he still isn't ready for this conversation. Maybe it happened recently and it's too soon to talk about?' Percy felt bad; he had apparently hurt his friend and now had to figure out how to repair the damage he had created.
"Oliver? Are you okay?" Percy leaned forward in concern.
Oliver slowly looked up in his direction. There was an immense sadness in his eyes.
"No."
Both sat silently for a while, Percy regretted his recent choice of words. He mind foolishly, for a second, blamed it on all of the drinks they consumed
When the tavern's wall clock chimed 9:00 p.m., they both turned to look at it.
Percy couldn't believe how fast it had gotten so late, but knew his teapot reports would wait for another day. There was something more important he had to take care of now. He couldn't leave Oliver alone, especially in the state he was. Maybe if he could find a better place where Oliver could open up freely, he'd start talking again. Percy would even try talking about Quidditch again to see if that helped. An idea immediately came to his mind. "Oliver, it's getting sort of late. I have a few things I need to take care of at home tonight before work tomorrow." He fibbed.
"I understand." Oliver said dejectedly. "I should be heading out as well. It was good seeing..."
"Wait! Wait! I know this is sort of forward of me, but I was going to ask if you want to come over to my place and talk some more. What I have to do won't take very long and my place isn't far from here." Percy reached over to take hold of Oliver's forearm and gently squeezed in comfort. "I can tell something is bothering you and would like to continue our conversation and help if that's possible. At least I'd like to try." Again, Percy was mentally pleading with Oliver to say "Yes".
Oliver looked at Percy and he thought he saw a slight smile form.
"Okay."
Percy turned from hanging up his cloak and noticed Oliver watching the chess set on the coffee table. The black queen was again acting testy, having to wait in turn to clobber a nearby rook.
"Ron and I play by owl. I'm the only one in the family that can still give him a bit of a challenge." Percy smiled and sat nearby on the sofa. "Like I said, he's slowly coming around."
"Better than playing with yourself, I'd guess."
Percy turned to look at Oliver and then burst out laughing. Oliver probably didn't plan the double meaning, but it was humorous in Percy's mind. Oliver then started chuckling too.
"Hey! Look at that. There's some happiness in you after all."
"It's the good company, I suppose." Oliver's smile faded slightly. "Don't get me wrong. I'm not always so depressed. Just certain topics of discussion set me off is all."
"You mean Marcus?" Percy asked sheepishly, in a low tone and leaned forward to reset a pawn the queen had nudged in frustration.
"Yeah." Oliver sighed loudly.
"Can I ask what happened? Or don't you want to talk about it?"
"I don't know Perce. It just..."
Percy remained silent. He knew Oliver would come out with it at his own pace, but a little help along the way wouldn't hurt. Oliver already looked more visibly relaxed than when he was in the bar thinking about Marcus.
"Oliver?"
"It just hurts so much. It's been over three years and I still let it fester away inside me at times."
'Three years?'' They broke up that long ago and it still effects him?' Percy then pictured a shrieking Penelope. 'Oh, yeah.'
"Try talking about it. Maybe it will help." Percy reached over and rubbed Oliver's arm to help give more comfort. "What happened that broke you two apart?" For a second Percy had a glimmer of hope that he and Oliver could... 'No, No, no!' This was not the time for schoolboy crushes. Oliver needed someone, and if it were just a friend, Percy was here to help him.
"The Fuckin' bastard cheated on me!" Oliver burst out as his faced scrunched up in immense anger
Percy quickly drew back his hand in fear. He didn't realize Oliver was holding back that much anger and pain.
"Oh Perce. I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean..." He noticed Oliver's eyes start to fill with tears.
"Oh, Ol." Percy reached over and pulled Oliver into a hug. Oliver just started crying and trembled with the outpour of emotion held in for so long. Percy rubbed the strong back with his hand in a comforting circle. He remembered his Mom, doing the same to him so many times when he was upset. When Ron and he had their first fight about Percy telling everyone of his true nature, Molly had comforted him this way. She reminded Percy he was Ron's older bother and nothing could ever change that. "I know my boys. Give Ron some time and space, he'll come 'round, love."
Oliver's body shook as he tried to gasp for needed air.
"Shhh. It's okay," he whispered. "I'm here for you."
Percy was enjoying the warmth of Oliver's body draped across his torso. A small smile crossed his lips and he almost groaned when Oliver suddenly sat back up.
"I'm such a idiot. I'm..."
"Don't apologize, Ol. You've obviously been holding in a lot for a long time and needed to let it out. Feeling a little bit better now?"
"Not sure. Mostly feeling burned out I think. The drinks from earlier aren't helping any either."
Percy had an idea and slowly got up from the sofa. He turned and stood with a raised hand for Oliver to remain where he was. "I'll be right back."
In the kitchen Percy pulled out a tray and quickly began loading it with a several snack items. Neither had eaten any dinner, but he didn't want to take the time to fix a proper meal and leave Oliver alone for too long.
Putting two full glasses of pumpkin juice on the tray he then headed back to the living room. "I thought a few snacks might help calm our stomachs. Maybe help absorb some of the alcohol in our systems."
"Thanks. But I'm not very hungry"
Percy grinned. "Not even for Animal crackers?"
"Animal crackers? They're my favorite!"
"I know. I've become fond of them as well. I was always grateful you shared at school when your Mom sent you those big boxes of them. It got me hooked."
"Seems we passed on traits to each other during our years together. I probably wouldn't read so much, besides sports related stuff, if it wasn't for you."
"Probably us being the only Gryffy boys helped with that. We were forced to grow together."
"Don't say that, Perce. We were never forced. I loved rooming with you. You were practically like a brother to me." He noticed Oliver hesitate for a second and look sorrowful. "We could talk about almost anything."
"Sorry. You're right." Percy looked Oliver directly in the eye. "We never were forced."
They both smiled
"He cheated on me, Percy." Oliver suddenly began. "And not with just one guy. I found out there were several of them. Some of them were even Cannon players." Percy watched Oliver's redden with anger. "All during that time, he'd be jealous of anyone that paid attention to me and yet he was..."
Percy remembered meeting with Marcus Flint at one of the league games. Marcus had blatantly suggested they could slip away for a little while and see what kind of 'action' could happen between them. Percy unquestionably declined. "You'd rather a threesome with our fellow classmate perhaps? I could arrange it, you know." Percy was taken aback. It had taken everything he had to hold back from slugging Marcus' foul mouth. Granted it would have to be one good punch, because Flint would kill him after that. Percy instead remained quiet and just stormed away to where he could join up with Ron.
"H-he was screwing anyone that caught his fancy."
"Not everyone." Percy whispered under his breath.
As Percy walked away, Marcus shouted one last jab at his retreating body. "How come you never write me any letters, Percival? Aren't I good enough for you?' he gloated. 'Never!' Percy mumbled to himself and continued walking.
"He ripped my heart to shreds. I've never let anyone get that close again to... What did you say?"
"It's nothing, Ol. Go on."
"That bastard! I'll kill him. He tried to put a move on you, didn't he?" Percy noticed Oliver's flushed face spread to his ears and down his throat. 'Oh jeez.' Percy mentally wanted to curse Flint for the damage he did to his friend.
"Calm down. It was nothing, really. Just a little shameless flirting on his part, during the last game when I ran into him. I wasn't interested. I never would be. Especially with him." Percy grimaced, picturing Marcus' face before him.
"Hey!"
"Sorry, Ol. He just wasn't my type."
"What is your type then?"
It was now Percy's turn to blush. He would have loved to tell Oliver it was the person sitting in front of him, but knew that wasn't the proper thing to say right now. "Wouldn't you like to know. I am sorry for what happened though. I'd never thought about the fact that I wasn't the only one Flint would do that with."
Percy took a large gulp of juice to hide his uneasiness.
"It's okay. It's helping me realize some things."
"What's that?" Percy arched a brow in curiosity.
"For one thing, I should thank you. Talking about this is really helping. I've needed to get this burden off my chest for a while now."
"Anytime." Percy reached over and gave him a gentle hug in comfort. Percy was in a wave of mixed emotions. He loved helping Oliver out, he enjoyed being with him again and then there was the 'old feelings' still lingering in his mind. Percy took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Oliver?" he whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Do you remember that October night of our sixth year when you and I..." Percy stopped as his mind screamed 'NO! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Too late.' his consciousness thought. 'You've opened the hope chest now.'
"Which one Percy? There were so many."
"The night you and I stayed up talking about relationships. You know, who fancied whom. How they got started. Kissing people. Falling in love. And ...um, sex?" 'It's the alcohol!' his mind screamed, 'We can blame it on that, if I have to.'
"Yeah. I remember. We were up the whole night. You were dragging the next day. Poor thing." Oliver snorted. "You almost passed out in Potions class. I kept waiting for it to happen. Snape would have loved that."
"Hey!" He playfully smacked Oliver's arm. "And just who may I ask, fell from his broom during team practice that day?" Percy pictured that day. In all of his haziness, he was still more concerned about Oliver and had wandered down to the Quidditch practice pitch to see how his roommate was fairing.
"You-you saw that?"
"Of course." Percy's chuckled. "I was afraid you would get hurt, if you were even as half as tired as I was that day."
"Gee! Nice to know you cared if I broke my neck or not." They both smiled goofily at each other. "What about that night though?"
'You might as well tell him. It's too late now to back out.' The redhead mentally chastised himself. "Remember, I told you that I needed the facts in preparation if I was going to possibly ask Penelope out? You being the more wiser and experienced than I."
"Which wasn't true and you knew it."
'Nice try, I knew some of what you and "him" were up to.'
"I know, but I was seeking out information then and hoping..." He closed his eyes. Percy couldn't look at Oliver in the face right now.
"Percy?"
"It was all a little lie. I knew of you and Marcus then. I guess I was sort of curious to know what I might have been missing out on. Hoping you'd tell me, so we could talk about it."
"Oh, really?"
Percy nodded and slowly peaked out of his eyes to see the still very caring person sitting across from him.
"Why bring that up now?"
"Because being with you again is bringing back so many thoughts and..." he stopped to sigh. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe it is just all the alcohol we consumed. I never was able to hold myself well with it." Percy couldn't control his mouth, head and heart all at the same time. He had only meant to comfort Oliver and be friends with him again. Instead, now he was ruining everything. True, Percy always wanted nothing more than to be in love, it had always been his biggest desire. And to be in love with Oliver would be more than fantastic. Yet he kept struggling to accept the reality that it might not be possible. Oliver was still getting over a lot of hurt and anger and here Percy was about to throw himself at him. He needed to calm himself down and regather his thoughts.
Percy tried to get up, but Oliver grabbed his wrist and wouldn't to let go when he twisted his arm.
"And what, Percy?"
"Uh?"
"You said so many thoughts and. And what? Don't stop now."
Percy suddenly thought of a meeting he had with Professor Dumbledore in the headmaster's office. This was an opportune time for him to ask a question he had wondered about for five years. "Why wasn't I sorted to the Ravenclaw house? Surely I'm more academic than brave." Dumbledore looked at Percy and his face cracked full of wrinkles as he smiled. "You Mr. Weasley, have more courage than you can imagine. It comes to you when you least expect it." Percy was dumbfounded. It took eight years, but now, finally, he fully understood.
For no explainable reason Percy threw caution to the wind and quickly blurted it all out. "Feelings. I've always had more than a crush on you Oliver. We weren't just Gryffindor boys for seven years. You were my best friend. Not that I really had any others." He stopped to swallow. "I always looked up to you, but later realized there was more to it than that. In our sixth year, I was hopelessly in love with you. I tried to deny it, but couldn't. Unfortunately, that's when I discovered you were with Marcus. It nearly killed me. But I slowly accepted it. Trying to deny my true self helped in that aspect. I also wasn't going to interfere with your happiness. I cared too much for you to say anything. And you two were together for so long. So I stupidly threw myself at Penny. Hoping it would all go away."
"You cared?" Oliver appeared bewildered.
"Yes. The feelings I had then and clung to are part of what held me back from progressing further with Penny." Percy rolled his eyes in humor. "That, and finally admitting to myself that I was gay."
He now noticed Oliver had let go of his wrist and was now holding his hand.
"Perce, we've both been such fools. If I had only known."
"What do you mean?" Percy could feel his heart begin to open at a glimmer of hope for love.
"While you've admired me, I've been doing the same to you. You were always an amazing person. Always so organized and a straightforward. You were always there for me."
Percy smiled at that comment.
"We did so much growing up together. And it appears we even hid the same secrets. I've always regretted the loss of our friendship. But, I was having such problems with... him. I didn't know where to turn. Wish I'd known I could have come to you to talk."
"It's okay. I had some tough times over the years as well."
"That's surprising."
"It is? Why?"
"You seemed to have everything going for you. Your future was all set. The Ministry and marriage. I envied you. All I had was Quidditch and a romantic fling that ended up going nowhere. Don't get me wrong, I love playing. But it's not always fulfilling."
Percy nodded and now understood the similarities they both had dealt with over the years. Maybe it was all in preparation for them to experience before they met each other again.
"I did try to tell you a couple of times about me, and him. I just didn't know how. I thought you were straight, I didn't want to risk the friendship. You've been a big part and great influence in my life, Percy." He could tell Oliver was speaking from his heart. Percy almost wanted to cry. "I tend to still think of you often. Maybe more than I should have. I don't know. I wish I could have been there for you when you needed someone too."
They both looked lovingly at each other and smiled.
"Why? Why did we let so much time pass?"
"Oliver?"
"Yes."
"It's in the past now. Let's forget about it. We can start over together from here." There was no pleading this time. If Oliver wanted this as much as Percy did. It would happen. If not... Percy refused to think about that.
"Help me, Percy. Help me forget the past."
Percy leaned forward and smiled. He was about to do something he had dreamed about so many times before. He tenderly pressed their lips together. He felt Oliver press forward. Together their passion for one another slowly and lovingly increased.
Not another thought came to Percy's mind as he fell completely and happily in love.
fini