pl_oliver (pl_oliver) wrote in plagued_rpg, @ 2010-02-02 07:08:00 |
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Entry tags: | 1999 february, oliver wood, percy weasley |
Who: Oliver and Percy
When: Tuesday
Where: Library, hallway, their room
What: Percy and Oliver have a serious talk
Library, library, library. With the way he spent all his time surrounded by high shelves, old tomes, and muffled students shuffling by, Percy was beginning to see it as a second home.
It hadn't taken him very long to get over the dream trauma associated with the place. When he passed by the potions section, it was with a faint smile he remembered waltzing with Professor Vector. That was the one part of the dream he liked, and it was on that part he focused.
But of course, he wasn't focusing on that. Percy's attention was concentrated very intently on the newest book he'd dug up. Finally, something on Squibs!
Percy was supposed to come looking for him but Percy was lousy at hide and go seek and Oliver was lousy at waiting patiently when it came to Percy so after waiting for what seemed like an impossibly long time Oliver sought Percy out.
Percy had become his shining light, his one bright spot of good in a school that was quickly becoming overwhelmed with fear and negativity. When he was with Percy Oliver tried hard not to think about the dangers, the problems, Stan and Bill and everything. He tried not to think about Percy helping in the hunt for the Death Eater. When he was with Percy he tried to focus on just them.
Unfortunately he'd woken up with a headache and something was bothering him. He found Percy in the library and it was too easy. Way too easy. He slid into the seat beside Percy's, quietly, and sat there watching the other read. He didn't say a word. He was waiting to see how long it would take Percy to notice him.
With his face all but buried in the pages, Percy didn't notice anyone slide into the seat next to his. He was lost in another world, and that world was telling him all about how Squibs seemed to have some mutation in their genes that made them lose their magic. But it didn't answer the questions that immediately sprang to Percy's mind.
Like how that mutation randomly occurred. The probability of it occurring. Whether the mutation was caused by something. Whether a different mutation gave Muggle-borns their magic. If they could manipulate genetics to imitate that same mutation that switches magic on.
While his head was ducked down in the book, his hand blindly scrawled down these questions on a piece of parchment.
Oliver got bored of staring real quick. Percy wasn't noticing him. It wasn't surprising considering how absorbed he seemed to be by his book. Right, he thought to himself, just need to refocus him that's all. It would be real easy.
Or not.
He started with little sighs but Percy didn't seem to hear, and then he settled for reaching under the table and grabbing Percy's knee as he leaned into his so very absorbed boyfriend. "Percy," he tried not to sound annoyed but he would have known Percy was there even if he was in the middle of a big game with a screaming crowd drowning out all noise. He would have known. He could feel Percy.
"What are you reading?" What could he possibly be reading that was more important than cuddles.
When something grabbed a hold of his knee out of (seemingly) no where, Percy all but jumped out of his skin with a small belatedly-muffled yelp. When the thing attacking his leg turned out to be Oliver Wood, the familiar blush started creeping up his neck.
"Oliver! When in Merlin's name did you get here?" asked Percy in a loud whisper. He thought he was supposed to go find Oliver in a minute... Oh buggery. It had been past a minute, hadn't it?
"Studies and Enlightening Discoveries on Squibs," he answered sheepishly.
"We need to talk," Oliver hadn't meant to derail things quite so suddenly but something was bothering him and he wanted to get it out in the open. He turned in his seat so he was facing Percy directly, and rested his elbow on the table.
His other hand slid off Percy's knee. Percy's reaction had been rather amusing but he was too focused on his 'problem' to properly enjoy that jump, yelp and adorable blush.
Detecting a seriousness that usually wasn't characteristic for Oliver, Percy slid a marker into the crease of the page he was on, closed the book shut, and turned to face his boyfriend straight on.
"Is something wrong?" he asked quietly, face pinched in worry even as the blush faded from his cheeks.
Oliver probably should have waited until they were back in their room, all secluded away but that was part of the problem. "Are you ashamed of me?" He asked pointedly, not bothering to beat around the bush. "The thing is... when we're not alone, it's like you don't want me to touch you. You don't want me to talk about us. I feel like I'm some kind of dirty little secret and quite frankly I'm sitting here wanting to shout from the fucking tower that you're mine and you... well, it just feels like you're ashamed to be with me." It came out in a rush because he'd been mulling it over since Percy had sent him away for the day.
Percy's face fell. "No!" he protested quietly, not wanting to make a big scene in the library. "I, Merlin, how could I ever be ashamed of you? You're popular, fit, fun, the idol of several adolescent boys and girls, and the list could go on and on. I just-"
Stumbling over his words, Percy looked down at his fidgeting hands. "I'm not comfortable with being affectionate in public. Perhaps you are, but I.. it's difficult for me, and I told you before I'm a private person."
His eyes flicked back up to Oliver's face. "My family, they don't know yet, and I don't want for them to learn I'm gay through the gossipmongers."
Oliver watched Percy closely as the other boy stumbled over his words and fidgeted and a soft sigh escaped him. "Do you even want them to know?" It felt like they'd been together long enough he should have told them and after meeting the Weasley's Oliver had a hard time believing they wouldn't be okay with Percy being gay. They were a loving family.
"I know I'm being a bit unreasonable but..." Oliver sighed, "I just..." He felt a bit stupid now, "I'm sorry. I've never done this before..."
Percy slowly reached out and put his hand over Oliver's. "I do want them to know," he said honestly. "I'm terrified, yes, but I would like for them to know I'm with you and I'm happy. Even if they don't approve.." Which was a fear that constantly gnawed at him. To go back to being the hated brother, the one that put himself before family. "They need to know."
Oliver wouldn't have even minded Percy not telling his family, he could understand that. He just hated feeling like Percy's secret lover. He turned his hand so they were palm to palm. Now, though, he felt a bit guilty. He shook his head a little, "I'm not trying to pressure you. I swear," he slid a little bit off his seat so he was closer to Percy, "I was just feeling insecure," and it was hard to even admit that out loud so it came out as a almost shy whisper.
He could feel heat in his cheeks as the embarrassment settled. He, Oliver Wood, the one who never stopped pushing and fighting and growing had felt insecure when it came to Percy Weasley. And not just a little uncertain but enough that he'd been gnawing over that insecurity for days. "I really love you," Oliver said, still keeping his voice low out of respect for their surroundings, "it's driving me crazy," he added for good measure.
He'd been seeking this elusive thing called love since the virus came, and now that he'd found it he could sometimes hardly believe it was his. He slid forward until his forehead rested against Percy's arm.
"I wouldn't be telling them because you pressured me, Oliver, but because you encouraged me. Sometimes, even I need for someone to give me a little nudge in the right direction," Percy said, and with a faint flush in his cheeks returning, he laced their fingers together despite the niggling voice telling him anyone could walk by and spot them being intimate. Right then, Oliver was more important than worrying over gossip-feeders.
"I'm sorry I made you feel insecure. I, well, I didn't think it was possible, really. You're Oliver Wood. I'm just Percy," he said as if that explained everything, and he spoke these words with a rueful smile. "A thoughtless error on my part." He laid his cheek on top of Oliver's crown of soft, brown hair.
"I love you, Ol. You.. well, you give me a sense of worth I've never had before. You make me incredibly self-conscious and you make me blush all the time, but you also make me so happy it's absurd. And I want them to know it."
As their fingers curled Oliver felt his anxiety easing. As usual it wasn't hard to calm him down. Negativity wasn't something that stuck to him easily. He smiled as Percy spoke, struck by Percy's humbleness... and his love. A soft, happy sigh escaped him. He loved the gentle weight of Percy's cheek on top of his head.
"Okay, I'm better now," he said softly, "sorry about that. I know I seem pretty invincible Perce, but you're my soft spot." He pulled their joined hands to his chest, "you're my Achilles heel..."
He wouldn't want it any other way. As scary as it was to be so tied up in someone else, it was also comforting, in a strange way. He lifted his head, "I'm sorry I've been so grumpy the past few days," he'd been trying hard to hide it but he knew it had been pretty obvious to everyone that he'd been in a bad mood.
"It's okay," Percy assured him, and while they were face to face, he decided to be bold. A quick kiss was stolen from Oliver's lips, and it left him with his heart thudding and his face still pink.
"What say you to getting out of here and taking a walk?" he asked, feeling in an uncharacteristic mood to get out of the library.
Oliver smiled, "I say that sounds great," that small stolen kiss had improved his mood tenfold. He felt good again. He got to his feet, adjusting his hold on Percy's hand but not letting go. "You were really into that book, what did you find?"
He was interested in Percy's research, to a degree. Not the degree that properly explained things just the surface of things really.
"Interesting things about Squibs. Research and studies I never knew had been conducted before," answered Percy as he gathered up his things - as best he could with one hand tangled in Oliver's - and stood. With the loose parchments tucked into his book, and the book hugged to his chest, he was good to go. "It might make you sleep walk if I go on."
Oliver smiled, "Maybe it would, but I love to hear you talk. Is it okay, if I hold your hand?" He squeezed Percy's fingers. This is what he wanted. Just this. For now, simple, innocent contact.
Honestly he'd rather find a nice private place to be with Percy, just the two of them, for a good long cuddle.
Percy bit the inside of his cheek, but gave a nod to the hand-holding. Maybe no one would see them. Maybe they wouldn't believe Percy Weasley was capable of holding hands with anyone, let alone Oliver Wood, and dismiss him for another redhead. Maybe. "Okay," he said, and continued out the library with his chin held high.
Percy looked so uncomfortable, despite the resolve in his eyes, that Oliver felt decidedly guilty. They hadn't gone far down the hall before he spoke, "You don't have to, Perce... I won't be upset. I'm okay, really... if you'd rather not."
He squeezed Percy's fingers, "I'd understand." Now he would. He just needed to know Percy really wanted him. Now he knew and he felt all right keeping things untouchy in public again if that's what Percy needed.
"We've gone this far, haven't we?" Percy could do this. He could. Now, he was determined to. "I'm all right." Oliver was supporting him in this endeavor to confront his fears of public displays of affection. With him there, he could get through this without wanting the floor to swallow him whole.
When a pair of girls walked by, eying their hands, and giggling when they were past, Percy gripped Oliver's hand even tighter.
Oliver smiled, "they're just jealous you know," he said softly, "because we have each other. People who are alone... it hurts to see people who aren't. I know. I've been there." He squeezed Percy's fingers as Percy's grip tightened.
He kept his voice low so anyone who might pass wouldn't overhear.
Doubt rode on Percy's expression, but he deferred from making any comment.
"Where should we go?" he asked. Wandering aimlessly was not something Percy enjoyed. He needed a destination, that way he could begin marking out the corridors and stairs they would have to take to get there in his head.
Oliver was tempted to just wander about aimlessly, holding Percy's hand possessively in his own. It sounded brilliant to him, but a soft sigh escaped him. "We should talk," he murmured, "any news on that Death Eater? Do we know what red head he's after?" He steered Percy towards their room. By the time they were done with the serious stuff they could collapse into a cuddly heap, it would be perfect.
Percy shook his head. "I haven't seen or heard anything," he murmured, as if afraid his voice would leak through the walls and reach the Death Eater if he spoke too loudly. "Do you know if Bill has said anything since suggesting we band up and find Bole?"
Somehow, Percy doubted his brother was going to keep him informed of his efforts. Especially after he accidentally spilled Bill's intentions to Fleur.
"If he has planned anything further he hasn't included me," Oliver said firmly, "it seems like anyone planning anything is too ill organized to get anything done. It's kind of ..." frustrating. Oliver wasn't used to so much inaction. In Quidditch he formulated plans, made sure everyone knew the plan, and then beat the competition into a bloody pulp. He knew this was a bit different but still he wasn't sure what was taking so long.
"Anyway," but he didn't want to share his annoyances with Percy because Bill was Percy's brother. "There are a lot of people planning how to approach Bole and it seems like no one has the guts to carry through."
"Reminds me of the Ministry," Percy remarked, lips thinning into a wry frown. "The disorganization, the unending flood of opinions and plans, and yet no clear and precise follow-through. Clear leadership is what we need," he opined, though he did not add that Bill had, as of yet, in his opinion, failed to rise to the call.
It wasn't as though he, Percy Weasley, could do any better.
"If I knew the first thing about battle I'd step up, but honestly I don't want to step on your brothers toes." Oliver relaxed his hold a little, his thumb brushing against Percy's fingers, "I... well, I happen to know some of the kids are planning something at the leadership of a former student but I... shouldn't really talk about that." He'd promised Stan he'd keep his mouth shut and he was trying, but he didn't want to keep secrets from Percy. Even ones like that.
Percy's eyebrows winged up. The Head Boy in him instantly rushed to a front. "Children cannot be going after Bole under the false pretense that they're Harry Potter, my little brother, and Hermione Granger. Even if there is an adult leading them, it's comparable to me going after Bole by myself."
Percy turned a searching gaze on Oliver. "How do you know about this?"
Oliver shook his head, "Percy... I can't say. Please don't ask me to. I swore to an old friend that I'd keep it secret... I've already betrayed his confidence enough." He glanced around the hall quickly to make sure no one was near, "but if they go I'll know... and I swear I'll make sure everyone else knows... for now I'm hoping they don't have the guts to carry through."
Percy made a huffy noise of disapproval as they ascended the shifting staircases together. He was, after all, Molly Weasley's son. "I expect to know before they charge off into stupidity," he said in a voice that brook no room for arguments.