Disclaimer: Usual, I don't own any of them.
A/N: Ok, wow, I haven't updated this in a really long time. I'm not sure if anyone cares that I haven't updated. I'm not too impressed with this story, but there are a few parts that I like a lot. The best won't be for a few chapters. In my defense, May to September was summer break for me, and during the summer there's work, lots of stuff going on, and no procrastinating to do (which is when I write the most), therefore I didn't really write anything for several months. I've been back at school for about a month now, but I've had lots of work (that's the problem with upper level class, they expect you to do more work, and expect it to be decent. What are they thinking?), then there's been yoga, and study abroad applications, and registering people to vote, and trying to convince people to vote the way I want them to while being non-partisan (a rather hard task), and well…its been rather a busy month. I would, however, like to share some of the responsibility for this delay with Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, who have hijacked my brain of late. They are at least partially responsible for this, and should stop bugging me cause they'll probably get their own fic once I start typing it instead of simply leaving it to float around my head.
Another note: I don't actually know if they have easy mac in England, but its an important staple of every American college students diet and it served its purpose. I'm also sorry if this is extremely American, try though I might to change it, I am, in fact, American. Also, if you missed it, or I didn't mention it, the title is completely random.
So, after that rather long note, on to the story.
Look! A Dinosaur!
Chapter Three: In Which A Proposition is Made
The next few days saw Percy and Oliver settle into a rhythm very similar to what they'd had at school (without the sex, of course). They grew more comfortable with one another, they went to work, they ate dinner together, and Oliver made sarcastic comments about the mess Percy was already leaving around his house. Percy found himself thinking how nice it was, he was away from home, away from his siblings, away from his parents…he really did love them, but they could be a bit much. He also found that he had missed Oliver more than he had realized. They had lived together for seven years and this was starting to become more and more like old times.
The evenings were startlingly similar to their days at school: Percy frequently had work he had brought home, he worked on this while Oliver polished his broomstick, or some other such quidditch related activities, all the while talking as they always had. Keeping away from more serious subjects, and things that would bring up deeper conversations.
If Percy found his eyes lingering on Oliver as he walked through the flat after his shower, wearing only a towel, hair still wet, drops of water still clinging to his body and occasionally sliding down the smooth flesh and disappearing into his towel, well…that wasn't bad, Oliver was an attractive man, and they had been involved once, he was just channeling the old Percy in those moments. They were like flashbacks, right? He didn't still fancy Oliver. Of course not. The idea was laughable.
And if, on occasion Percy found it rather difficult to stay where he was, instead of rushing to Oliver and following every one of those drops of water with his tongue, well…ok, that one worried him more. Oliver was being very nice letting him stay here, he could not molest him! But, oh Merlin, it was tempting.
Percy apparated early to work each day, usually grabbing something to eat on the way, (he never had breakfast at Oliver's, because there was no breakfast to be had), hoping to, and usually succeeding in, avoiding Oliver in the mornings and his various states of undress. This kept him from seeing Oliver wandering around sleepy and scarcely clothed. It did not, however, keep him from seeing Oliver wandering around in a towel when he showered after practice. The quality of Percy's days was quickly coming to depend on whether Oliver showered at the quidditch stadium or at home, and he wasn't sure which one was better.
He was unable to avoid Oliver on Friday morning, however, when the other man stumbled into the kitchen before Percy left for work. Oliver was wearing only his boxer shorts, hair disheveled and sticking up at all angles, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"Hey, Perce," he smiled, "I wanted to catch you before you left. I meant to remind you, I've got a game this weekend so I won't be here. I'll probably be gone when you come home from work, and I'll get back on Sunday. So, I'm working, I wasn't kidnapped."
"Oh, right. Thanks for reminding me. Although, I can probably be out of your hair before you get back. Penny should be home tomorrow, she'll get the letter I sent her and I'm sure she'll let me crash on her couch. I really appreciate you letting me stay here, but I don't want to trespass on you hospitality any longer."
"Oh. Ok." They were silent for a moment before Oliver spoke up again, "So, Penny just has a one bedroom flat?" Percy nodded. "You know, you could stay here. I mean, its nice having someone around again. My last roommate moved out and, I don't really like living alone, but there are a lot of people out there who I do not want to live with, and, well, I know I like living with you, hell we did it for seven years. We've been getting along fine this week and well, our former relationship doesn't have to be a problem, we've been fine this week. I don't care if you bring people home, shag the entire ministry if you want, or…well…shag the entire quidditch league would be more to your taste…" he smiled at Percy, "I mean it. I know I sound a bit desperate, but I would love to have you live here."
"You know what the strangest part of this last year has been?" Percy asked Oliver. Oliver shook his head. "Despite the debacle with Crouch, the Triwizard Tournament, everything that's happened, the weirdest thing for me was not having you around to talk to everyday. I spent seven years discussing everything with you, and all of a sudden, I'd lost my best friend. I love Penny, but…it's not the same…" Oliver grinned at this.
"So you'll live here?"
"As long as the rent isn't too exorbitant." Percy smiled backed.
"It's a bit much by myself, but with you here it won't be too much for either of us! Oh, Percy, I'm glad! This will be so much fun!" Oliver pulled him into a tight hug. Percy tensed slightly as he was pulled against Oliver's bare chest, but relaxed enough to hug him back. The released each other, said goodbye, and Percy left for work, not entirely sure what he'd just gotten himself into.
Percy woke up feeling wonderful Saturday morning. He had returned to an empty apartment the night before and had enjoyed it immensely. He did like having Oliver around, but growing up in a house with eight other people had taught him to value solitude when it came, because it wasn't often. He had done some work, and spent the rest of the night reading, before going to bed and sleeping as late as he wanted, without worrying about being woken up. When he did wake up he washed and dressed, then realized there really wasn't anything to eat in the entire flat. He decided that he was not going to live off take away and easy mac for the rest of the time he lived here, and, well, it really was his apartment now, too, so he went to the grocery store.
He returned a while later and was putting away the groceries when a small owl began tapping at the window. Percy recognized it immediately and opened the window to allow it entrance. He took the letter off its leg, fed it an owl treat and opened the note. It said simply:
You are a fucking crazy madman. Meet me for lunch, usual place, usual time.
Penny
He smiled as he read it. She was right, he was a fucking crazy madman. But Oliver was right, they could put the past behind them and be just best friends again. He finished putting everything in its place and left to go meet Penny.
He and Penny usually had lunch together a couple days a week, always the same place, same time. It made it easier when you didn't have to discuss where to meet each time. He walked into the restaurant and glanced around for Penny, quickly spotting her across the room, waving to him like a mad-woman. He walked over to the table and Penny stood up to greet him.
"Welcome back, Penny!" He smiled and hugged his friend. Penny hugged back.
"It's great to see you again!" She pulled away from Percy and smacked him in the back of his head. "What the hell were you thinking? Going to stay with Oliver!" They slid into their booth while Penny scolded him.
"Penny," Percy interrupted her, "I had no where else to go. I don't have a ton of money, you were on holiday, and I figured I could stay with you for a while once you got back."
"Of course you can! I only have the couch but-"
"Penny!" Percy interrupted again, "I appreciate the offer, but I don't need to."
"Don't need to what?"
"Stay with you."
"Have you found a place already?"
"Well, yes…"
"Where? That was fast. It must be with someone you already knew, yes?"
"Well, yes…"
"Anyone I know?"
"Well, yes…"
"Really? Who?"
"Oliver."
"WHAT?!?!"
"Oliver has a two bedroom flat, he needs a roommate, we know we can live together quite pleasantly, and we agreed that it will work. I miss him Penny. Not that way," he assured her, seeing her expression, "for the most part anyway. But we were best friends for years before we were lovers, and I miss that. I love you Penny, you the best, but to give that up again now, would be like teasing myself." Penny sighed.
"You're sure you want to so this?"
"Absolutely."
"You're sure you know what your getting into?" Percy shook his head.
"Nope. But I miss Oliver, and I need to try." Penny smiled at him, resigned, and secretly suspecting something about both men's ulterior motives. This could be the best thing either of them did, or a total disaster. Knowing what she did about both of them, she was pretty sure of what they both wanted, but would they act on it?
TBC, eventually. (but no promises on when. Harry and Draco may be controlling that)