I am making up for my abysmal timings by giving it a bit early. Hopefully will be back to Monday updates. Sorry, it's short and pretty damn angsty.

Disclaimer: TBH I think Percival just needs a blanket. And to be kept away from me and JK. But I don't own.

Chapter 16:

Percival was nervous as he knocked on the door. He should have kept the spare key. Still, the sky was making a very compelling argument for him to return. Dark clouds swirled above. The door opened just as the first drops of rain fell. Adriana was staring at him, in her night clothes, eyebrows raised.

"I came to apologise." He said, holding up purple flowers. Then it started tipping it. Adriana glanced up, looking unimpressed. Percival knew what she was thinking. "I'd also like to say I didn't make it rain. Can I come in?"

There was a boom of thunder and Percival flinched. Adriana stood aside and he jumped into the house. Adriana took the flowers and put them in an empty vase, filling it with water. She turned back to Percival, who'd already abandoned his coat on the stand and was attempting to dry himself. Adriana shook her head in exasperation and waved her wand. He was instantly dry. She pulled out a blanket and bundled him into the living room, lighting the fire as she went.

"I owe you an apology as well." Adriana said. "I'm sorry for pushing you about your parents."

"I'm sorry for snapping at you." Percival said. He was leaning very close to her, soaking in her body heat.

"If you don't want to talk about them, say so and I won't ask again." Adriana said, leaning just as close.

"It's difficult." Percival admitted. "I don't think you'd understand. Or at least, how much do you understand about expectations?" Adriana snorted.

"I know a thing or two." She chuckled. "My dad, you remember he's a healer?" Percival nodded. "My whole family on his side were healers. I'm the first Arkin in... eleven generations to not be." Percival stared at her, indicating for her to go on. "When I went to Hogwarts, everyone thought that would be me too. I'm not bad at healing, but it didn't feel like me. My parents were pretty okay with it. My dad said as long as I didn't regret it, he'd be okay with it." Percival thought about it. He hadn't realised Adriana had had expectations placed on her. But it was different. Her family supported the change.

"In America, my family had been affluent for years." Percival started slowly. "It meant that there were certain standards I had to meet. My parents, they wanted me to, well, being an Auror wasn't their first choice for me. They accepted it in the end though." Percival paused. Adriana was taking in everything he said silently. "I wasn't the easiest child. I was stubborn. I didn't want to just do what I was told. I had to be disciplined. Made to try my best. They never hit me." Percival added quickly.

"They were the type of parents to ignore your accomplishments but criticise your failures." Adriana said softly, resting her head on his shoulder. Percival nodded. It was easier not to talk.

"And when that man took me, it was like he knew everything." Percival said, feeling tears prick at his eyes. He blinked them back. "When I was with him he kept saying... I'm sorry, I can't." He broke off. Adriana nuzzled him.

"I can guess." She said. "Weak, pathetic, worthless." Percival turned to look down at her with a frown. "You talk in your sleep."

"Oh." Percival sighed. He was pretty sure he'd never done that before. "My parents said the same things when I... well when I was being a pain."

"They're wrong." Adriana said bluntly. She sat up and looked at him directly. "When I look at you, I don't see weak, I see strong. You survived Percival. You made it through a horrible experience." She smiled warmly at him. "I don't see pathetic, I see brave. You always give it your all. You try. You fight." She leaned in close. "And to me, you are worth more than any amount of wealth or power." Their noses were almost touching and Percival could have kissed her. Every fibre of him wanted to because of what she said.

"Thank you." He whispered. This time he didn't try to stop the tears from falling. Adriana curled up next to him. They slept on the sofa that night.