Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Written for Hogwarts Assignment 10, Religious Studies, Task 8: Write about finding comfort in something/someone.
Word Count - 783
Beta'd by Sam
The Long And Short Of It
Oliver showered quickly, redressing in jeans and a t-shirt. The team were going out for drinks but he really wasn't in the mood. Pulling Percy's hoodie on that he'd stashed in his locker long ago for when he needed a pick-me-up, he left the changing room.
Percy was waiting for him, as Oliver knew he would be. He silently wrapped an arm around Olivers waist and walked him through the crowds, keeping a tight grip on him. As soon as they were at the Apparition point, Percy wrapped his arms completely around Oliver and Disapparated on the spot.
They arrived seconds later outside of Oliver's favourite restaurant. Percy pressed a kiss to Oliver's temple and ducked inside, returning moments later with a delicious smelling feast wrapped up to go.
Percy held out a hand to Oliver and they Apparated home together, Percy holding the bag securely as he led the way inside. He deposited Oliver on the sofa and left the room. Oliver knew that within ten minutes, Percy would be back with steaming plates of lovely food, Oliver's favourite red wine, and he'd have a stack of blankets and pillows for them to arrange a nest to bunker down in.
It was a routine that they thankfully didn't have to repeat very often, but Percy practiced it with the ease of someone who knew exactly what was needed of them. Oliver loved that about him.
He hated losing.
It wasn't even the failure of the team; it was deeper than that. Even though Oliver had played well, it still felt like a personal failure. It felt like he hadn't been good enough, even when logically, he knew that the loss had little to do with him at all.
The Harpies Seeker had got a lucky catch. Oliver hadn't even let a goal in. He knew logically that this wasn't his fault, but he still felt like he'd let himself and everyone else down.
Sure enough, while Oliver brooded on the couch, Percy had made himself busy. The blankets and pillows arrived first, and on the floor, Percy set them up the best kind of den.
He paused to press a soft kiss to Oliver's lips and then handed him his favourite sweats, telling him gently to change and get comfortable. Almost as soon as Oliver had settled in his usual spot, Percy was coming back with plates and glasses floating around him, the half full bottle of wine bobbing behind him.
Oliver's lips twitched at the sight, and Percy wrinkled his nose at him, dislodging his square glasses.
Percy let the plates and glasses float down onto the floor, the glasses still hovering slightly so they didn't tip over. He disappeared for another minute, coming back in his own sweats and one of Oliver's t-shirts.
"I love you," he said as he sat down. "And you played beautifully."
Oliver swallowed hard. "I love you too."
And the truth of it was, this right here was a big part of why Oliver loved Percy so much. Without even having to say a thing, Percy always knew when Oliver was going to need their comfort ritual.
Even when it wasn't so obvious, such as a lost Quidditch game, it would only take one look for Percy to know that Oliver needed him.
It had been that way for so long, Oliver didn't know what he'd do without Percy now.
They ate quietly, clearing their plates, before Percy levitated them into the kitchen to be dealt with later. Percy tugged Oliver close, lying them both back against the veritable mountain of pillows, before he pulled the closest blankets over them, right up to Oliver's chin.
Oliver settled against Percy's chest, the sound of Percy's steady heart instantly making him relax. To know that Percy was there, beneath him, surrounding him, it always made Oliver feel better. Percy ran a hand through Oliver's messy hair in a continuous motion that didn't take long to lull Oliver into drowsiness.
So many times over the years, woman and men alike had approached Oliver for one night stands, for shady kisses in alleys, and the promise of whatever Oliver wanted. It was a consequence of being a professional athlete. Not once had Oliver ever been tempted to accept any of the offers, and this, right here, was one of the main reasons.
Percy got him.
That was the long and short of it.
Percy was everything that Oliver had ever needed, and everything he'd never known he needed as well.
"Thank you," he murmured sleepily, pressing his lips to Percy's chest.
Percy didn't reply, though the arm around his back tightened. Oliver closed his eyes, secure in Percy's arms.
