{It is. At least after a bad loss. Though every morning Oli will regret it and think staying sober and putting in an extra training session in the morning would be the smarter choice. Well, no one ever said he was clever.}
“Course I did,” Oliver said and made a face. “You can’t deny it was a disgrace. We couldn’t score and then I let n all those shots that I should have been able to hold. I’m just glad my parents weren’t there to see it.” Oliver rubbed a hand over his face and shook his head. “That’s what I have you for anyway; to make sure I get home after, eh?” He tried a smile, but the memory of the game was still fresh and the look on his face looked mostly like he’d just smelled something terrible. “Also this is the point where you tell me that two years in the future I finally manage to give up on that stupid habit,” he added, finally showing a more genuine smile.
“Stranger? Yeah, I see what you mean.” It was incredibly much to take in and Oli could only hope that he’d properly understand as time went on, since he was obviously stuck in this place. It was comforting to know that apparently he knew a lot of people in the village, even if they were younger or older versions of the people he knew at home.
It took Oliver a moment to really relax. He trusted Percy to tell him the truth and his friend didn’t look like he was lying in order to calm Oli. “I can still go on to win a couple of League Cups and become a record champion?” It wasn’t the real top of his list, but it was better than choking up with the relief of knowing his family wasn’t going to notice he was gone. Not that it was an actually comforting thought, since he was still missing out on their lives. “Alright…” h trailed off. “Thanks for coming to find me,” he added, looking at Percy again.