Word Count: 522


He can't take it anymore. The guilt has been tearing him apart, and it has only gotten worse. Percy hangs his head, the shame washing over him and souring his insides. He's been a fool, a bloody fool.

When had it fallen apart?

Walking away from his family had been easy. He had left, so sure that his dreams would be enough to guide him. It should have been enough. Maybe, in a different life, it would have been.

But things aren't so simple anymore. Percy has tried again and again to bury his head, but what's the use? He cannot keep denying what's right in front of him.

And now he doesn't know what to do. Part of him wants to go home. His mother would welcome him back with open arms. His parents have always been filled with endless, unconditional love.

But he can't. It would be too much.

Now there's only one person he needs to see, one person who can take the pain away.

Oliver opens the door, brows raising. "Perce?"

It has been too long. Percy tries not to focus on that guilt now. He just offers Oliver an uncertain smile. "I know, I know. You're probably thinking, 'Clean up your own mess.'"

"Actually, I was going to invite you in for some hot chocolate."

Oliver has always been better than Percy could ever deserve. Maybe that's why it had been so easy to walk away from their relationship. He would tell himself again and again that Oliver deserves better.

Even now, when Oliver owes him nothing, Oliver is there, smiling as he sets the mug of hot chocolate in front of Percy.

"The secret is the cinnamon," Oliver says.

"Well, it isn't a secret anymore, is it?" Percy teases.

It's so easy to fall back into who they once were. Percy never stopped loving him. He wonders if Oliver feels the same.

"What's going on?"

Percy opens his mouth to speak, but the words don't come out. He takes a deep breath. How can he explain it? He doesn't want Oliver to think poorly of him.

But there's no time. The truth falls from his lips. The pain, the vulnerability, the fear, the shame. Before it's all said and done, his tears are mixing into his hot chocolate.

Percy sniffles, removing his glasses and wiping his eyes. "I'm an idiot."

"No. You just made mistakes," Oliver says kindly.

Percy isn't sure when Oliver moved so close to him, or why his hand is on Percy's. It feels nice. Too nice. Nicer than he deserves, and it makes him want to run.

He doesn't. Maybe things would be easier if he hadn't been so quick to run before.

"I don't know what to do," Percy admits, and it hurts to say.

Isn't he supposed to be the one with all the answers? Oh, how he's fallen.

"That's okay." Oliver presses a quick kiss to his cheek. "We'll figure it out. Together."

The word makes his stomach flutter. Percy still wants to protest, but he just nods. Maybe there's hope for him. Maybe he will be okay.