Percy stood in their flat's kitchen stirring milk into his tea, looking at the silver ring with a ruby in it. He'd taken it off when he went to bed but as soon as he got up he slipped it on. He held out his hand watching it glint with a goofy grin on his face.
"You ready?" Oliver asked as soon he walked into the kitchen, fully dressed in jeans and a casual button up while Percy wore jeans, a soft looking t-shirt, and hoodie.
"Yup," Percy nodded and drank some more of his tea before setting it into the sink. Oliver offered his hand and Percy took it, interlacing their fingers together. Oliver held his hand apparating them to the Burrow.
"I'm not going to let go," Percy said.
Oliver raised an eyebrow "alright," he said, he wasn't nervous about telling them really.
The moment Percy and Oliver announced they were dating, George had sighed loudly saying 'thank Merlin,' because apparently, Percy needed someone more interesting than ministry officials and mediwitch/wizards to only glared coldly until his mother announced her approval.
"I love you" Percy said, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek.
"Love you too" Oliver said, puzzled, Percy was obviously a little nervous though he had no reason to be. It might strain for the same reason Percy keeps the apartment so clean, he gets anxious about a mess. Worried that he'll lose something. Worried about being useful.
Oliver opened the door to the Burrow, greeting Mrs. Weasley as she walked to greet them. "Sit down dears, your parents got here a few moments ago," she told Oliver then kissed Percy on the cheek.
Percy looked a bit surprised at the act but he smiled "okay mum" he said and Oliver led Percy to sit at the large table. Percy finally lets go of his hand when Oliver greeted his parents. "Not that we aren't happy to be here but is there some important announcement?" his father asked.
Oliver had to fight the flush that threatened to come up but Percy didn't have the same power and reddened. "Actually yes," Oliver said and Percy looked at him sharply.
"Now?" Percy asked.
"Well, they are going to notice as soon as we pick our utensils" Oliver whispered to him and Percy sighed then nodded. They both held up their hands toward the middle of the table, Hermione gasped and cupped her hands over her nose.
"Congratulations," she said and it took the rest just a few seconds more to react.
"Percy" Ginny beamed.
Percy smiled then looked at Mrs. Weasley who was smiling widely "wonderful… I, oh I'm speechless" she wiped her eyes which were tearing up.
"Wonderful, that's amazing Olly, Percy," Mrs. Wood said and Mr. Wood smiled encouragingly.
"Second in the family, he beat you to it, Charlie," Mr. Weasley chuckled, Charlie was a rarity as was Bill to be able to make it the Burrow.
"Ah well, I'll probably be last, I expect Ginny or Ron will be next though" Charlie grinned. Ginny, Harry, Ron, and Hermione couldn't have looked more like tomatoes if they were covered in marinara sauce.
Ron was the first to recover clearing his throat "so who's wearing white?" he asked.
Percy and Oliver met each other's gazes "I proposed" Percy said.
"But I got down one knee," Oliver said.
"I'm paying for the Wedding," Percy added.
"Yes, and me the ceremony," Oliver said.
"Well do you want to wear white or black?" Percy added then Oliver considered it.
"You know what, I probably look better in black robes" Oliver admitted.
"Then I'll take white," Percy said, Oliver nodded decidedly "er so, I think you assumed something here since pretty much everyone in Percy's and my immediate family is here," he said looking around, even little Teddy was sitting on Harry's lap.
"Well, mum sent Fleur and I a letter saying that you probably had something important to say because Oliver invited his parents especially" Bill explained.
"Bill was thinking of not going because well obvious reasons" Fleur gestured to her heavily pregnant belly "but I said it was most likely an engagement announcement" Fleur mentioned, leaning back "congratulations to you both."
"Thank you," Percy said.
"I figured too, I've never seen Percy like this, he wears casual clothes in front of you" Charlie admitted.
"I wore casual clothes" Percy argued.
"Yeah, to bed," George said, "what happened to all yours slacks?"
"Fine, Olly says I look good in casual clothes and they're comfortable so I wear them," Percy said, Oliver flushed.
"Well, I'd like to thank him personally for removing the stick from Percy's arse" Ron began.
"Ron!" Percy and Hermione glared at him.
"So, on a better topic, how's working at Ollivander's?" Harry asked.
Percy perked up instantly "fantastic! It's all really fascinating" he said, launching into an explanation of what he did every day at Ollivander's and Oliver smiled. He liked seeing Percy so passionate.
After most people finished dinner, the family dispersed into different groups. "Oh, Percy" Mrs. Weasley said as she brought him into a tight hug. "I'm so glad for you," she said.
"Thanks, mum," Percy said. Molly's eyes water as she separated from him, holding onto his shoulders. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"I'm so happy you came back to us, that's all, for so long I wondered if I'd lost you fo-for good," she said, wiping the tears away and Percy's eyes turned misty.
"I…oh mum I'm so" Percy's heart constricted, what on earth was he doing. He just got engaged, he shouldn't be crying. "I always wanted to come back so many times and I just-" Percy covered his mouth and his nose like a feeble attempt at blocking a tsunami of emotion. "I failed to protect G-Ginny and then I- left you- a-and Ron was in the hospital and-" the words had come out and suddenly the sadness he'd held in for almost four years of being worthless, abandonment, and loneliness came out.
Fat tears poured out and then he couldn't stop, he sobbed "I'm sorry," he said desperately. Trying to stop the tears from coming but it was like trying to stop a river with a broomstick. He held his breath to stammer the sobs and his shoulders tremored.
"Percy, Percy, stop holding your breath. It's fine, darling" mum said and he couldn't hold it anymore. "We've already forgiven you for everything, we forgave you so long ago. I'm sorry, I never meant to make you sad by bringing it up."
Percy shook his head "I know, I know" he stuttered out.
"Percy" Oliver appeared by his side and Percy, without thinking pulled him to him and Oliver carded a hand through his hair as Percy sobbed into his shirt. "Don't worry, Mrs. Weasley, this has been a long time coming. Not your fault" he said.
"Oh Percy, you take care of him" Mrs. Weasley reluctantly left them alone and Oliver guided Percy to a more secluded section of the Burrow, then on armchair. Percy found himself in Oliver's lap leaning against him as his sobs got quieter and his tears stopped coming so much.
"I'm-"
"If the next word is sorry, you better not open your mouth," Oliver said and Percy shut it. "That night when I took you home from the bar, I knew you were keeping something inside. I don't know if you remember it much but you said you hated yourself" he said.
"I used to" Percy corrected, his voice strained.
"Well I love you so you're not allowed to anymore," Oliver said.
"I wish I'd started crying at home, I cried in front of mum," Percy said.
"Your brother's all looked like I'd kicked their dead puppy when I told them to let me handle you instead of them coming to comfort you" Oliver said and Percy flushed red.
"Even worse" Percy said.
"Percy, I'd like it if you would talk to someone about this" Oliver said "I want you to be as happy as you can possibly be when we get married. I want you to like yourself and not just 'not hate yourself'" Oliver said.
Percy swallowed "okay," he agreed.
"Great" Oliver said, kissing him "do you feel calmer now?" he asked.
"I've got a head ache and I'm really thirsty but yes" Percy said.
"We'll get you some potion and some water then" Oliver said standing up from the couch with Percy in his arms earning spluttering objections from his fiance.
"Put me down" Percy demanded as Oliver carried him like a blushing bride toward the kitchen where Ron and Bill turned to them like a homing beacon.
"Percy, are you okay, did something happen-" Ron put a hand over Bill's mouth.
"You need some headache potion? Maybe some pepper up?" Ron asked then released Bill in a hurry "are you 6? You licked me!"
"Yes, please... Olly!" Percy smacked his chest before Oliver returned him to his feet.
Ron went to the cabinet to get two potions, Percy down the first for a headache and sighed as his head stopped pounding and then the pepper up. His ears steamed for a minute but he felt much better.
Percy sat at the table trying to monitor his embarrassment levels, refraining from how much he wanted to run away when Ginny came in looking a little wide-eyed. "Would you believe it was just leftover anguish?" he asked.
"No" Ron answered "nice try, Percy," Oliver handed him a drink of cold water.
"I think I'll go find my parents then," Oliver told him, kissing the hand with his ring on it.
"Olly, don't leave" Percy begged and Oliver laughed.
"Just talk to them, I'm leaving you in safe hands," Oliver whispered, Percy sighed and nodded.
"So, someone grab George and Charlie then we can let the emergency Weasley sibling meeting commence," Ron said rather officially and Percy couldn't refrain from moaning in despair at how much he didn't want to have this conversation.