Percy thought of his mother as Lily massaged his hand, trying to soothe him like a child. He didn't mind because it was working and what she said was true.
When she hugged him, some barrier inside him broke and his arms wrapped around her just as tightly. She was making him miss his mum sorely, and it was absurd considering he was a grown man – twenty-seven years old! – but that didn't make it any less true.
"Do you think he'll ever stop hating me?" he asked, voice almost breaking. Percy was embarrassed to find his face was wet, which must mean tears had started to well up in his eyes. He hoped he hadn't gotten Lily's shirt wet with them.