InsaneJournal

Who: Percy + Theophilia Flowers
What: Meeting / chatting
When: 8/10
Where: Theo's B&B
Rating: Low
Status: Complete





It was weird walking up to the place that he knew to be his brothers' girlfriends' business. Plural brothers, singular woman. Percy shook his head and adjusted his glasses, reminding himself not to think too hard on it before he actually walked into the Bed and Breakfast and spoke with the woman. It wouldn't do to either judge or imagine anything while actually in her presence.

It was really a lovely establishment though -- a bit quaint, but in a decorative sort of way. It made sense, didn't it? There weren't a whole lot of these kinds of places around anymore that he was aware of.

He stepped into the lobby and looked around before stepping up to the counter and ringing the little bell there. Cute.

Theo came out of the kitchen as soon as she heard the bell. She’d dressed up a little because she’d had more reservations than usual coming in, and as such, had an apron on over her black dress. It ended in a pencil skirt, but she’d insisted on wearing flats. Nobody had any business cooking pie in heels.

Grinning when she saw a boy with red hair and glasses who stood very straight, she wiped her hands off on her apron and went to shake his hand. “Lemme guess, y’re Percy Weasley.”

"Exactly so," Percy agreed, shaking her hand politely. "And you're Theophilia Flowers?" Not that he really needed to ask, considering. But it seemed like the polite thing to do.

Even Percy, who had no interest in women at all, had to admit that Theo was very striking, very pretty. It was rare he met someone with hair more fiery than what his family had. Why that made him blush was beyond him, but there it was. "I believe this meeting was set up through email?" Wilson had dealt with it, and probably would have dealt with all of it if Percy hadn't insisted he'd help.

“I am, but call me Theo, everyone does. Theophilia’s just got too many darn vowels in it.” She smiled and shook her head. “I did get an email, but I didn’t think you’d be by so soon. ‘Course, you’re kind of recognizable. The hair and the glasses and all.”

“Theo, then. And yes,” Percy agreed, and sort of winced over it before adjusting his tie. “I’m that Weasley.” At least, that’s what his brothers tended to call him. Well. One of the things his brothers tended to call him. “I didn’t mean to be early, I just got off work, so I thought...”

“Please, no, you’re here at a fine time. C’mon into the kitchen, I was just makin’ pie.” She smiled and motioned for him to follow her. “Do you want one to take home to the mister?”

He followed, looking around as he did so. This really was a nice place. The sort that looked like it was meant to entice people into creature comforts. “I’m sure he’d appreciate it,” Percy said politely, once they’d entered the kitchen. He wondered how conversational he was meant to be -- while technically this was a venture of business on her part, she was dating part of his family. It made him a bit awkward. Well, a bit more.

The kitchen, while it served the B&B, was really just a large dining room outfitted with professional cooking supplies. But it was still decorated in the theme of the B&B, the sort of cosy shabby chic that California never seemed to tire of. “Sit down, would you like a glass of wine?”

"A small one, if you please." He was driving after all, and did not make the habit of drinking before that. But he wasn't going to be impolite or drunk either, so saw little harm in it.

He sat, posture entirely too straight and looking for the world like it was just the way all normal people sat. No slouching here. "This is a very nice place," he complimented.

Theo moved to get a smaller wineglass - one meant for dessert wines - and she poured him a glass of the lemon balm wine. It was meant to calm people down. Setting it next to him on a napkin, she smiled. “Well, thank you. I decorated it m’self. I’ve got staff now, but when me and m’ex-husband were getting it started, we worked on it ourselves, but that’s been some years now.” She returned to putting raspberries in a steel bowl, running sugared water over them.

Was it so obvious he needed calming down? Percy did have a habit of letting his nerves get the very best of him, sometimes. He'd been better recently, but would never be perfect at hiding it completely, particularly when he didn't have real business or laws to hide behind.

He sipped at his little glass of wine (it was quite good), and watched her work for a time. "Well," he said a little lamely. "Like I said, it's quite nice." A pause. "I'm sorry to hear you were divorced. I deal with that a lot in my work, and it's -- well. Er. But I suppose my brothers are --" He stopped and just looked perplexed, as if he'd gotten himself to the point where he didn't know how to continue and still look like an intelligent human being.

“Oh, it’s not really a big deal,” Theo smiled. She noticed that he was uncomfortable, but she was good at dealing with uncomfortable. “He and I weren’t right for each other. Better to get divorced than live upset, I reckon.” She winked at him, amused at her little joke. Reckon was both southern and British. Double pun! “You’re all awkward thinkin’ ‘bout me and the boys, huh. You don’t have to think about it.”

"I think about most everything all the time," Percy admitted with an apologetic expression. "It's not the sort of thing I can turn off. But in any case, I'm trying my hardest not to be -- well. Anyway. I'm pleased you're pleased. If you are. They aren't giving you a hard time, are they?" Theo didn't seem like the sort who would tolerate much sass (maybe it was the accent?), but one never knew.

“Well, you don’t have to think ‘bout details, right? We play a lot of card games.” She said it seriously, hoping he’d believe it. “I’m very pleased. I love your brothers very much.” She smiled over her shoulder at Percy, mixing some more honey into the pie mix.

Card games. Yes. That was good. Percy could imagine that. The twins had always liked games. Percy nodded, the little crease of worry between his eyes dissipating somewhat.

"Well, I'm glad." He wouldn't ask why or how. Because it wasn't his business. Just like Wilson wasn't any of theirs. Even though he knew they had, in fact, asked.

"So. Er. I'm getting married." A pause. "I'm sure that was obvious from the email. But I've been told you have a nice -- space for it."

Tiptoeing around conflict was something that Theo was familiar with. She was Southern after all - she had a million cousins. But his question made her face light up.

“Why, Percy Weasley, I’d be happy for you to get married here. Y’all won’t pay me a red cent though, I won’t have it. We’re not family, but I’d like to think we’re friends, so I’m not going to take that.” She washed and dried her hands before giving him the equivalent of a hug, a squeeze on the shoulder.

Percy hugged back before he had any idea what he was really doing -- usually he shied away from contact from most people, but Theo was just so friendly it was hard not to return the gesture to the best of his ability.

"That's--" Percy looked a little surprised, and it wasn't at all feigned. "very kind of you, but I wouldn't -- we wouldn't -- want to inconvenience you like that."

“How’s it an inconvenience? I don’t have that many weddings booked, and I own this place outright. I wouldn’t offer if it’d be too hard. I want to do that for you.” She smiled, pouring herself her own glass of wine. “The wine’s loosenin’ you up some,” she beamed.

Was it the wine? Or was it just the fact that this woman oozed some sort of bizarre southern comfort vibe? Not the liquor. Obviously. Percy blushed, ducked his head down a little and considered the grain of the wood on the table. “I just mean. You know. If you’re sure, we’d be very grateful. I think you’d quite like my fiance. He’s rather more outgoing.”

The liquor had lemon balm in it, the same thing she put into the tea she gave to guests to calm down. “I like you plenty, Percy, so I’m sure I’ll like anyone you like too.” She smiled and squeezed his hand, sitting down near him. “I’m just glad you like the idea!”

Percy did not think it was a prudent moment to point out that that couldn't be completely true -- she did, after all, like his brothers. Percy didn't even necessarily like them. He loved them, yes, but he didn't always like them. It was possible.

"I do. Really. Thank you."

She squeezed his hand. “So, the boys say you’ve got y’re own law firm now. They’re real proud of you, and I see why! I didn’t realize you’re so young!” She beamed, obviously proud as if he was her family her family, which she supposed she sort of was, if you squinted.

They were sort of family, in that Weasley way of adoption that his family had. You spoke to a Weasley once or twice and you might as well have been honorary. If you dated one, you were basically stuck.

If possible, Percy sat a little straighter. "That's right," he agreed, and yes, sounded a bit smug about it. It was just how he was, always a little too prideful of his accomplishments. Sort of. "It was a bit of a fluke, if I must be honest. But yes, myself and my work partner own a law firm together." He sipped his drink and blushed again, as was his wont in life, really. "I'm not so young. I'm nearly four years older than Fred and George."

He smiled then, really smiled, and blinked blue eyes at her that were young looking. "Would you like to know which of them is actually older?"

Clapping, Theo beamed. “I’m so happy for you! Your clients are in real good hands.” She didn’t have to guess about that; Percy seemed the sort who wouldn’t be able to stop worrying about a client until he’d done his absolute, one hundred percent best.

But she did have to guess about the twins’ ages. “I’d guess Fred, just because of how he protects George. He doesn’t like to make too much of a fuss about it, but anyone with eyes can see that George is the more sensitive one, so I’d put my money on Fred being a second or two older just ‘cause he worries so much.” Theo smiled and leaned forward.

She wasn't wrong about that at all. Percy worked long and hard to make sure he was doing right by everyone. Except maybe himself. But Wilson took care of him more than Percy sometimes realized. One of these days he was going to have to make it up to the man; all those dinners and back rubs and forgiving smiles when Percy more or less just came home and passed out.

"That would be the guess, wouldn't it?" Percy was one of the only Weasley's that could actually tell the two apart, but then, he'd always been more observant than all the rest. "You know, they put little bracelets on them when they were born. To tell them apart. I remember that. They were loud even then." He tilted his lips into a frown that wasn't quite lacking a fondness.

"George is actually the older one. I expect a few seconds isn't really much a difference at all. But if you watch them -- which I'm certain you must -- He's really the one in charge, isn't he? Even if Fred is louder and more in the foreground. But you're right. He is more sensitive. That's probably why Fred listens to him more."

“Well, it’s probably ‘cause Fred’s terrified of losin’ him, too. Fred doesn’t like to even think on it, but they’d be wrecked without each other. I think George knows it and knows that’s why they never will, but Fred I think is the more neurotic one.” Theo smiled fondly. “They were so happy when they found out I could tell ‘em apart. They were like pigs at a dump.”

"Not many people can tell the difference," Percy agreed. "I'm not surprised they're pleased you can." He adjusted his glasses, pushing them further up his nose, even though they clearly didn't need it. "I think you're probably good for them. They aren't the type to be separated. I wouldn't know for certain, but I suppose they probably didn't date much before you."

“Well, I wouldn’t wanna separate them, for one. It wouldn’t be right.” Theo shook her head. “Anyone who does clearly doesn’t know ‘em very well.” Theo smiled, hugging Percy briefly. His approval of her being in the Twins’ lives meant the world to her. “Thank you so much. It’s not like I need their daddy’s permission or somethin’, but it means a lot.”

Percy only frowned at the idea of either of their parents giving any sort of real opinion about how their children chose to live their lives. It was clearly a sore spot with the bespectacled red head, but he didn't bring it up. Instead, he shrugged awkwardly and finished off his wine.

"We were thinking somewhere in mid-October. Cooler weather, but not cold. Well. I suppose it doesn't really get cold in California ever, but still." He still wasn't used to that, after being on the other side of the country for so long. "Not halloween late, that's for certain."

“Autumn weddings are beautiful,” Theo smiled. “I wanted one, but Mr. Flowers insisted upon spring.” She wrinkled her nose, taking Percy’s glass and moving to wash it. She was as tidy as Percy, but in a cozier way. “Where are y’all honeymooning?”

Percy appreciated the tidiness, although he was far more willing to let messes go in other peoples' homes than he was in his own. Still, and show of having a sense of order was appreciated, and he turned to watch her with a sense of curiosity.

"Well… somewhere without beaches," he said after a beat. "I don't know we've really decided. But I try to avoid direct sunlight when at all possible." She was a redhead, surely she'd understand.

“Someday, they’ll make an SPF for us and vampires alike,” she giggled. “You could go up north - redwoods and all that. Plus, Sacramento has some real nice museums. I went up there when I was a teenager to go see ‘em. I was gonna major in forestry back at home in Virginia, become a botanist.” She smiled and tucked some red hair behind her ear. “Best laid plans and all that.”

The woods didn't sound much better than beaches, but Percy was polite enough to not say so. Really, he just wasn't an Enjoy the Nature sort of man. It was all just so… outdoors. Surely there were bears out there, or something else that ought be avoided.

"I like museums," he mused thoughtfully, but didn't sound and more or less decided than he had before. He was still a bit more interested in Europe, if he had to be honest. And not just for the train sex.

Okay, mostly for the train sex.

Theo beamed. “You’ll figure out the perfect place, I’m sure.” She squeezed his hand. “Communication’s important in a relationship, and y’all seem to actually do that.”

"We try, anyway." Percy quirked his lips just a little upward into a tiny, nearly shy smile. "I'm not too worried about locations. Just a few days off with no worries seems fine to me." He paused and gave a slight shrug. "So is there a -- spot outside here, or?" He was all over the place today.

Theo nodded. “C’mon to the back of the property. This place was an ol’ mansion once upon a time in the twenties, but I divvied it up some so I have my living space, there’s the B&B, and the ballroom and parlor are the reception and cocktail hour spaces respectively.” She motioned for him to walk with her, taking off her apron as she moved.

That apron hadn't been hiding much, but even Percy was suddenly aware of how curvy this woman was. She was like… one of those old time calendar models in in the fifties or something. Pretty. It was weird.

He followed her, straightening his tie, adjusting his glasses, wondering what he should be doing with his hands while he looked around. He'd be getting married here. What a strange thought. It'd been months he'd been engaged now, and the ring was still on his finger, but just looking around at this place sort of cemented it, and it was a bit overwhelming, really.

Why hadn't he brought James with? He felt silly now.

"It's really nice," he said lamely.

“It’s sorta hittin’ y’all at once, innit?” She smiled, setting a hand on his shoulder. “Percy, do you wanna spend your life with your doctor?”

Was she a psychic? Percy realized rather suddenly that he was possibly the most easy to read person on the face of the planet. He let out a tiny noise that was quite possibly a laugh.

"I do, actually," he murmured. "I couldn't quite imagine doing anything but at this point." Nor would he want to. "But yes -- I've never quite thought-- Well."

“In m’dreams, I only marry the once. I was born in the late 1800s, and I lived up until nowadays, but only the one time. I think if you find someone you’re meant to be with even half as much as your doctor, you should hold on as tight as you can without hurtin’ th’ other person.” She squeezed his hand. “Y’all are probably already in the commitment, which is the hard part. The wedding’s just a party, sweetheart.”

“I’ve never been very good with parties,” Percy admitted, and wasn’t sure why -- he hardly knew this woman at all. But she seemed very -- well. Friendly wasn’t really the word. Trustworthy? Something.

“But you’re right, of course.”

“So have an intimate gathering. Just a little bit’a your family that you really like, and some of your doctor’s family, and your friends. Just supper and drinks, with a little talkin’ first.” Theo smiled more, still happy to have Percy near. “I’m real glad to have your family around, you know. Most’a mine isn’t anymore, and y’all’ve been real good to me.”

She was right, and he was worrying about nothing -- it was basically the same thing that James had told him, and he never really doubted Wilson logic so long as it didn't have to do with centaurs.

He smiled and then scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well, I'm glad to hear that, anyway. You'll be invited, of course."

He really hoped she realized that was a joke, or else it would really be in poor form.

That made Theo laugh delightedly. “You’re funnier’n the twins, you know.”

"That can't possibly be true," Percy said, with a half a smile and a sidelong glance at her. Although, maybe it could. The twins had always been more loud than subtle.

“They’re silly.” Theo smiled and patted Percy’s hand. “You’re witty.”

Percy blushed over that, but looked oddly smug as well. It was sort of his wont. “I try, anyway,” he murmured, because for as prideful as he could be, he’d long ago learned to curb it vocally.

She patted his hand. “Let’s go see about your pie, hmm? Raspberry for you, you just look like that’d be your favorite.”

“You’re very good,” Percy said, in honest amazement. Because it was his favorite. And that couldn’t possibly have been something he wore on his sleeve. Theophilia Flowers, he decided, was possibly the perfect woman. Even if she did date the twins. Maybe especially because she did.

Theo blinked. “Really?” She smiled, blushing brightly. “Thank you.” Lately her intuition had been bang on the money more often than not, which was only a little weird for her. “Well, I’m just glad I can make you boys something.” She walked with him to the kitchen, smiling and pulling the pie out of the oven. Her instincts for baking, at least, were usually this accurate.

"It's certainly appreciated," Percy repeated, because he had always been a little unsure of when to stop thanking people and just chill it out a bit. "There's always something better about homemade, but I'm really no cook at all, if I have to be honest."

“Oh, it’s really just science. How’d you do in chemistry?” Theo grinned, shrugging her shoulders a little. She looked at him, cocking her head. “You gettin’ enough protein?” She went to her cupboard and started to pull out bottles until she found one. “Here, this’ll help, it’s a multivitamin.” She handed him the bottle of amber liquid with the little dropper. “Put three drops in y’re tea as often as you take tea, and if you don’t, at least twice a day.”

Percy blinked at that and took the little bottle offered to him with an expression of near bewilderment. Did he get enough protein? Probably not, considering his general dislike of meat. And he was only around Wilson so often to be handed salads with beans in. Percy ran mostly on coffee and tea -- well. There they were, then. He went a little pink and ducked his head down.

"Er-- well. I did perfectly in chemistry, actually."

“Then you’d be a fine cook. Just follow the recipe - just like in chemistry.” She smiled and put the pie in a box, and then everything for him in a basket with a drop cloth tucked on top. “There. Oh!” She went to get a tin filled with lemon balm tea, and then a bottle of the same, tucking them into the basket as well. “Tell your doctor if you want m’place, it’s yours whenever you need it. And ask him to look up some tofu or seitan recipes, it’ll help.”

Percy couldn't seem to stop blushing over all this, but he nodded a little dumbly anyway. "I'll -- umm-- yes. I'll do exactly that. Thank you. Really." He had the feeling that this woman would get along with Wilson terribly well, and Percy might have to find a place to hide in order to avoid all the coddling, or from overhearing entirely too many recipe instructions.

His world would end the day they teamed up and pried the coffee cup from his fingers, replacing it with actual well balanced meals. It was terrifying and heartwarming all at the same time.

"I should--"

Theo smiled. “Come back soon, okay?”

“I’ll certainly have to, won’t I?” Hey, she’d said he was clever, it wasn’t his fault he couldn’t stop it once it was there. He took his little basket of really bizarre goodies and gave an awkward way before heading out.