Comfort in the Quietness, for nqdonne
Mod Note: My apologies for the infrequent posting. Illness and RL have been kicking my butt! Two more gift fics, plus one fic for the comm, and the posting will be complete!
Title: Comfort in the Quietness Author: *unknown* Recipient:nqdonne Pairing: Charlie/Percy Rating: NC-17 Word Count: 2991 DH Spoilers: None
Charlie sniffed, slipping a hand inside his shirt to scratch at his chest as he made his way to the loo. He yawned, stretching. The sounds of water running behind the door let him know someone had beaten him to his destination and he gave the door a dirty look, as if it would transmit his irritation to whoever was inside.
Leaning against the wall, he settled in to wait. Unless it was Ginny—why did girls take so bloody long, anyway—he wouldn’t have to wait for too terribly long. As he thought, the water soon shut off and after a few more moments, the handle rattled and the door opened. Charlie straightened up from his slouch, ready to push past whichever of his brothers was in his way, but stopped, completely taken aback by the sight in front of him.
Percy, unaware that his brother was staring at him, was attempting to see past his fogged spectacles. Water glistened on his skin from the steamy air of the loo, and his hair was plastered to his head. He’d wrapped a towel around his waist—the blasted twins had stolen his dressing gown—and he wanted nothing more than to go to his room and dress quickly.
Charlie watched a single drop of water travel from his brother’s hair, glinting in the soft light of the hall, sliding along his pale skin down to the thin trail of ginger hair that disappeared into the white towel. He shook his head slightly, trying to get the thought of following that drop of water with his tongue out of his mind. He flicked his gaze up to Percy’s face, and felt another surge of want and lust spear through him.
Percy’s spectacles were steamed over, making it difficult to see his eyes. His lips, red against his pale skin, were slightly parted and his cheeks were stained with the slightest hint of pink from the heat in the room he’d just come from.
‘Charlie?’ Percy blinked, pulling his spectacles off and rubbing them on the edge of the towel, missing Charlie’s sharp intake of breath as his inner thigh was exposed. ‘Sorry, didn’t mean to hog the loo.’
‘No problem,’ Charlie managed to say, almost clinging to the wall as Percy walked past him. He watched until Percy turned a corner, expelling his breath in a noisy snort. ‘What the bloody hell am I thinking?’ he muttered, entering the room.
The air was moist and warm, fragrant with the scent of Percy’s shampoo and soap. Charlie took a deep breath, inhaling the smell. He glanced at the door, shutting it, locking it, and then slipping his clothes off. Stepping into the shower, he turned it on as hot as he could stand it. He managed to ignore the fact that he was hard and aching for a bit, washing his hair and soaping up. But as he rinsed off, his eyes fell on the bottle of shampoo that Percy used, one that they’d all been forbidden to touch. It cost 5 Galleons, Percy said, was a special blend, and was his one indulgence.
Feeling only slightly guilty, Charlie poured a bit of the shampoo into the palm of his hand. He brought it up to his nose, inhaling the delicate, floral fragrance. He closed his eyes, resting against the wall of the shower and slid his hand along his cock, groaning as he tugged and stroked, sliding his other hand down to fondle his balls. The smell of the shampoo mingled with the musk of his arousal. Charlie panted, his hands moving faster, and he came with a muffled cry, biting his lip in an attempt to be quiet, his come splashing out in streams while he stroked, until his sensitive flesh couldn’t take anymore.
Charlie could feel his cheeks heat up as he quickly finished washing up. He wrapped a towel around his waist and practically fled the bathroom, heading for the safety of his room.
He’d almost managed to forget about that moment, denying the erotic dreams that had plagued him that night, or the furtive looks he kept sending Percy’s way. He most definitely was not watching him chew the end of a quill, studying the way he pushed his spectacles up his nose so they framed his hazel eyes perfectly.
By the time September rolled around, Charlie had built a strong wall of denial and distance. He had convinced himself that he watched Percy just to be sure he was safe and well, as any big brother would. Once back in Hogwarts, he was sure that his world would right again, and he’d have his pick of the Gryffindor girls.
School was as chaotic as always. Quidditch, tests, classes, putting up with Snape, keeping the twins out of trouble, all of it blended into a glorious mess of too much to do and too little time to do it in. He’d almost forgotten that day, buried it in the back of his mind, only to be brought out when he slept and could do as he wished in his dreams.
Quidditch was going well, this year. He was Seeker and the team was mostly made up of seventh-years like he was, so they were well seasoned and strong. The team walked inside the castle after a particularly rousing practice, laughing and teasing each other. Charlie tugged on Elizabeth’s ponytail, ducking her blow with a laugh as she squealed and turned on him. He wanted to ask her to go with him on the next Hogsmeade weekend.
He stepped towards her, sketching a light bow in her direction. As he rose, he looked up, smiling, intending on asking her then. He stopped, however, his smile fading from his face as he saw Percy dart up the staircase, obviously trying to avoid the group of Quidditch players. He wasn’t sure, but he thought maybe something was wrong; Percy rarely looked mussed and his hair had been sticking up oddly, his robes askew. Making his excuses, Charlie headed up the stairs after Percy, intent on finding out what was amiss.
He could see the flick of Percy’s robes turn the corner ahead of him and he sped up, only to see the Fat Lady shutting just as he approached. Giving the password, he stepped inside, his gaze sweeping the common room; Percy wasn’t there. He turned up the staircase, stopping just outside of the fourth-year dorm room. He knocked softly, but when he received no reply, he opened the door.
The room was quiet, curtains drawn around the beds, and it appeared that no one was in the room. Sighing, Charlie turned to leave when he heard a soft sob and he quickly spun around, heading for the noise.
He pulled the curtains back and frowned at his brother, who was curled up on his bed. Percy raised a tear-streaked face to him, his nose running and red, his eyes puffy.
‘Go away!’ Percy said.
‘What’s wrong?’ Charlie asked gently, sitting next to him.
‘What, so you can tease me, too?’ Percy asked, sniffing. Charlie produced a handkerchief, and Percy took it, wiping his nose. ‘Can’t you just leave me alone?’ he asked plaintively.
‘No, I can’t.’ Charlie moved further onto the bed, and ignoring Percy’s protests, pulled the slight boy into his arms. ‘What happened, Perce?’
‘I hate that nickname,’ Percy mumbled, his head resting on Charlie’s shoulder. He’d never admit it, but it felt good to be held.
‘Tell me,’ Charlie commanded.
‘Fred and George.’
Charlie snorted; Percy really didn’t have to say anything more. The twins loved to torment their older brother, the more so because he always reacted so wonderfully. His arms tightened around Percy as he related his tale, about the humiliation of having his own brothers prank him, right in front of half his classmates. Charlie soothed him as best he could, resting his cheek on Percy’s hair, telling himself he was comforting him and he was not doing it to inhale the scent of his shampoo.
‘I’ll talk to them, all right?’
‘It won’t help,’ Percy said, glumly.
‘I’ll still try,’ Charlie promised. He reluctantly let go when Percy pushed against him and, with a gentle caress, wiped a tear off the freckled cheek.
‘Thanks, Charlie, but I’ll be fine, now,’ Percy said, blushing slightly. ‘It’s rather strange to have you here like this, and I’d sooner be alone now.’
‘Right,’ Charlie said, forcing a grin on his face. ‘Just, come to me if you need me, all right?’
Percy nodded and Charlie slipped from the bed, shutting the door gently on his way out.
It took forever to corner the twins privately, it seemed. They were almost always surrounded by friends, and the few times they were not, then Jordan was close by them. Finally, Charlie managed to pigeonhole them out behind the Quidditch shed. After a lecture worthy of his mum, he was sure he’d gotten through to the two prats, and that they’d leave Percy alone, at least for a while. He gave them a few last admonishments before leaving to his practice. If he’d been in less of a hurry, he might have noticed the glint of in their eyes and he would have worried.
The next few days were uneventful, and as the last dregs of summer finally turned to blustery fall, Charlie became wrapped up in the fight for the House cup. This was his last year, his last chance to capture that glory for Gryffindor House. The team was good this year, though, good enough to win. This last practice had been especially fine, and the team was in high spirits as they clambered up the stairs to the tower.
Charlie was last through the portrait, so when Wood stopped suddenly causing Charlie to run into him, he couldn’t see why. Raucous laughter filled the common room, and above it all was an all too familiar cry.
Pushing through the crowd at the portrait, Charlie saw his fears confirmed. Percy, who didn’t fancy flying one bit, was clinging to one of the portraits on the wall, his eyes squeezed shut. Fred had one hand around his foot and jerked on him, bringing another cry like before.
Before Fred knew what hit him, Charlie had grabbed him by the shoulders and almost thrown him back, not caring that he hit the floor rather hard. George bent to help him up, but Charlie turned his back on them both, grasping Percy about the waist.
‘Let go, Percy.’
Percy looked down at Charlie, the light glinting off his glasses, but Charlie could still see the fear in his eyes. He closed his eyes, nodding, and, with a look of determination on his pale face, he let go, allowing Charlie to pull him down and hold him close.
‘What did you do?’
Fred and George both took a step back, neither one wanting Charlie’s anger solely directed at him. They looked at each other, then Fred answered as George grinned sheepishly.
‘We just wanted to try out…’
‘I don’t care,’ Charlie said, taking a deep breath to attempt to control his anger, ‘what you were trying. What did you do to him, and how long will it last?’
‘He’s floating,’ George said, stating the obvious.
‘And if you let go of him, he’ll keep going up,’ added Fred.
‘It’ll last around…’ They looked at each other, answering in chorus, ‘about another hour or so.’
Furious, Charlie said the only thing guaranteed to make the twins know just how badly they’d behaved. ‘Fine. I’m taking Percy out of here. And I’m sending an owl to mum.’
He walked sedately through the room to the stairs, ignoring both the stares of his housemates and the protests from Fred and George. They knew he meant it; by tomorrow afternoon, there’d be a Howler waiting for them.
Percy was quiet against him, barely moving as they made their way upstairs. Charlie did his best to act as if he didn’t feel the tears soaking his shoulder, or the way Percy trembled in his arms. He bypassed the fourth-year dorm, and instead pushed open his own dorm room.
His yearmates were all downstairs, so he had no worries about being alone, but just for good measure, he warded the door. It was awkward digging out his wand while holding his brother, but he managed.
‘Percy?’ He sat on his bed, arms wrapped around Percy, and rested his head on his short, soft hair.
‘Will you really tell mum?’ Percy’s voice was faint and muffled.
‘Yes!’ Charlie pulled back, tilting Percy’s chin up and forcing him to look him in the eyes. ‘Percy, I’m sorry. I wasn’t there to protect you.’
Percy sniffed and stiffened, composing his face. ‘No, it’s quite all right. They’re just rotten, and there’s not much to be done about it, is there? We can hope that Ron won’t be as bad, but with them as influence…’
‘You don’t have to be adult about this, Percy,’ Charlie said quietly.
Percy frowned and gave him a fierce look. ‘I’m sure I have no idea what you mean.’
‘I’m sure.’ Charlie lifted his hand and brushed a tear off Percy’s cheek, unconsciously turning the gesture into a caress. ‘It’s all right to need someone, once in a while, you know. You’ve no idea how many times I curled up on Bill’s bed, bawling my eyes out. But you’ve never come to me.’
‘Well, it just wouldn’t do, would it?’ Percy countered. ‘You’ve got Bill, Fred and George have each other, and there’s Ron and Ginny…’
‘Where’s Percy in all of that?’
‘I’d much prefer if you would take me to my own dorm room. I can assure you that I will cling to my bed and I will be perfectly safe.’
‘Is that what you want, Percy? To be safe?’
Percy shifted on his lap and Charlie felt a moment of blind panic. Here, behind his closed curtains, in this shut off and quiet world, he could imagine simply leaning across and capturing Percy’s lips. It would be sweet, of that he was sure, but wrong. That did not stop his body from responding, however. Every time the boy moved, Charlie grew more aroused, and he was terrified that Percy should discover it.
‘Maybe it’s better, after all,’ Charlie said, his voice a bit rougher than he liked. He began to inch towards the edge of the bed, stopping when Percy put his hand on his chest.
‘Charlie?’ Percy searched his face, and Charlie flamed, feeling his cheeks heat up.
‘I can’t help it, Perce,’ Charlie whispered, looking down. ‘I know it’s not right; I know.’
‘I…I do that to you?’
‘That and more,’ Charlie said with a rueful laugh. He dared a look at Percy, smiling at the wonder in his expression. ‘You’re horribly cute. And one day, you’ll find someone to be with and you’ll know how attractive you are.’
‘But we’re brothers.’
‘Yeah, we are,’ Charlie said. He stilled, not daring to move as Percy’s hand crept up his thigh. ‘If you keep doing that, Perce, I’m likely to forget that you’re my brother.’
‘Then forget,’ Percy said, leaning in and gently, oh, so gently, brushing his lips against Charlie’s.
He should have protested. He knew that, just as he knew he’d hate himself later and he knew he’d take advantage now. He turned them, pushing Percy into his bed, covering his body with his own. The kiss deepened, and while Percy wasn’t experienced, he was eager. Charlie had to pull away from his mouth, had to kiss along his jaw, suck on his neck, feed from his body.
Percy slid his hands under Charlie’s jumper, causing Charlie to arch up as he straddled him. Greatly daring, Percy ran his hands down his stomach, brushing them against the hard outline in his trousers.
‘You don’t have to…’
‘I want to,’ Percy protested, and with nimble fingers, he opened the trousers.
Charlie moaned as those soft hands wound around his cock, and he couldn’t keep from rocking into the touch. He bent and licked along Percy’s collarbone, opening his shirt and shoving the fabric to the side. Percy’s hands faltered when Charlie licked at his nipple, sucking on the skin. He groaned, panting open-mouthed.
Charlie gently pushed his hands away and sat up, opening Percy’s trousers. He thought of all he’d like to do, what his body demanded, but the last thing he wanted to do was hurt Percy.
‘Push against me,’ he ordered, and with a few adjustments in position, he was cradling both their cocks in his hand. Percy obliged, his hips bucking up, his hands clenching Charlie’s arms as Charlie wanked them both off.
Charlie was entranced at the sight of his normally composed brother, hair sticking up wildly, glasses crooked, mouth open and harsh pants and guttural noises escaping. When Percy came, just the sight of him, of his cry, was enough for him and he came, grunting his own pleasure.
Panting, he rolled, resting on his back with Percy in his arms. Too lazy to reach for his wand, he used wandless to clean them up, and restore order to their clothes. Staring at the curtains of his bed, Charlie was uncertain of what to say or do. What did Percy think? What did he want?
‘Thank you.’
‘Thank you?’ Charlie couldn’t contain a short laugh.
Percy lifted his head and stared at him. ‘For saving me from Fred and George. And for this,’ he said, blushing bright red.
‘Anytime, Perce, and I really mean that,’ Charlie said, brushing the back of his hand against Percy’s cheek.
Percy snorted, hitting him on the shoulder. ‘I’ll hold you to that. And I hate that nickname.’
Charlie laughed as Percy rested his head on his shoulder again, finding comfort in the quietness of simply lying still, arms around each other.