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Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count: 517

Warning: Panic attack


Just Keep Breathing


Draw another breath.

There was an echo to the silence that reverberated in Percy's head. It was almost like he was still hearing the door slam, even twenty minutes after the face.

Draw another breath.

He hated when they argued, never fully sure that it was just another argument and not the last argument. The uncertainty left him wrong footed and more angry than he needed to be, and the arguments burned ever hotter because of that.

Draw another breath.

He'd always had a temper, despite his best efforts to quell it. He'd always been quick to anger, quicker to bait, and Oliver knew every single one of his weak spots. When the arguments escalated, he prodded all of them.

Draw another breath.

Percy didn't even know what had started this one, but when Percy had accused Oliver of enjoying the limelight of his career to the relationship they'd built together over the years, he'd known it was a push too far. He'd known, but he hadn't apologised and he hadn't taken it back, and Oliver had left.

Draw another breath.

Percy wiped the tears from his eyes, and lay down on the too-big-for-one-person bed, and he reminded himself time and time and time again to breathe.

Draw another breath.

He didn't know if Oliver was coming back this time, didn't think he'd blame him if he didn't. Percy had been stressed lately, and taking it out on Oliver, and it wasn't fair. He hadn't been fair. Maybe Oliver would be better if he didn't come back.

Draw another breath.

Swallowing hard at the thought of him not returning, Percy pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the rapid beating of his own heart as panic made itself known. The breaths were getting harder to inhale, his chest getting tighter with every second that passed.

Draw another breath.

A bang sounded, but Percy ignored it as he tried to force himself to breathe. He knew he should sit up and lean forward to open his airways, but he couldn't bring himself to move, because his head was on Oliver's pillow and if he sat up, he wouldn't be able to smell him anymore.

Draw another breath.

"Perce?"

Draw another breath.

"Oh, you bloody idiot. Sit up, come on." Gentle hands pulled him up and forward, until he was sitting on the edge of the bed. When he leant forward, it was with his head pressed to a familiar chest.

Draw another breath.

"Just breathe, Perce, you're okay. I'm sorry I walked out. We're getting a little too good at arguing, hmm? We should fix that."

Draw another breath.

"You know I love you, right? That I will always come home? Merlin, I don't know who I am without you now. Come on, that's it, that's better. See, you can breathe."

Draw another breath.

Percy sat back slowly, brown eyes meeting blue. "I love you too. I'm sorry for being an idiot."

Oliver smiled, and leant forward to press a kiss to Percy's lips. "As long as you keep breathing, you'll be my idiot. And that's what matters."


Written For:

Limited Edition: Childrens: Paddington: The Weasleys

Valentines or Palentines: Day 13: PercyOliver

365: 118. Echo

Musical Yearly: 275. Punk: London Calling: Draw another breath

Character Collection: 362. Oliver Wood

Insane House: 497. OliverPercy