FICLET: I'm always on your side (HP, Percy/Oliver, PG-13)
Just finished up the ficlet follow-up to There's a guiding light, which is part of my on-going rarepair_shorts Perciver series.
And OMG, it has some art I commissioned to go with it. YAY!
Title: I'm always by your side
Author: sugareey
Pairing: Percy/Oliver
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 1,498
Summary: Oliver and Percy have an honest conversation for the first time in ages and find comfort when two silver guardians make appearances again.
Also can be read on AO3.
It was a miracle when they finally got to be alone together.
He had no idea they would be so busy after the war. Of course, there were funerals and memorials to attend, and much of the wizarding world needed to be rebuilt.
When Oliver wasn’t at Hogwarts helping with castle repairs, he was roped into intense negotiations between his agent, coach, manager and remaining Puddlemere teammates, as well as other representatives of the British and Irish Quidditch League.
At a minimum, the League needed more two months to settle on a fair and safe protocol before they could even think about reinstating the sport. It would be some time before Oliver would soar through the English sky on his Nimbus again.
He wondered if it was possible to salvage a passion that once brought him so much joy. Did it matter anymore? Even if Oliver threw himself back into Quidditch, it meant nothing unless Percy was by his side.
With Percy spending countless hours at the Ministry dealing with legislation and PR damage control, or popping by Hogwarts whenever he had a spare moment, that left little time for anything else.
Until now.
On a cool summer evening, they found refuge in the orchard behind the Burrow.
Spreading a gingham blanket on top of the grass, they settled down and made up for lost time. They talked about anything and everything as they sprawled their legs out, a trainer bumping against a sandal every so often.
In this moment, they existed. In this moment, they could truly appreciate each other’s company as the sun went down.
“Still with me?” a gentle voice murmured.
Oliver turned and found Percy gazing back at him. He felt his breath catch in his throat.
Against the sunset, Percy looked ethereal. Pale skin dusted with freckles simply glowed as hues of gold and orange reflected against exquisite curls. And that look of adoration swimming in a sea of blue was enough to make Oliver melt on the spot.
He couldn’t believe he had this. A chance to be with the man he had been wanting for years, and someone he couldn’t live without.
“I’m here,” Oliver confirmed, still dazed from his distraction. “This is loads better than dealing with the League or doing manual labour.”
“Quieter and less chaotic, I hope.”
“For sure. How are you holding up, a ghràidh?”
A gorgeous pink spread over Percy’s face, making Oliver grin. He knew Percy always got flustered when it came to affectionate endearments. But he would be lying if didn’t find that blush rather cute.
“I don’t miss the atrocious paperwork or being stuck in my office or various meeting rooms for hours on end,” Percy admitted. He shifted closer until his leg pressed against Oliver’s. “It’s a relief to be able to breathe for once.”
“Overdue for a break?” Oliver asked.
“I could say the same about you. Working into the night to get the Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch up to sub-pare condition? Is anyone even helping you?”
“Who told you about that?”
“I’m not a complete stranger to your former teammates. Besides, Katie’s worried. You’re going to crash and burn if you don’t slow down.”
“That’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
“In my defence, I’ve already requested time off. Williams, Deverill and McGonagall would grant you a break if you asked. They like you, and they appreciate your hard work.”
“Fine, maybe I will. Is this your way of trying to spend more time with me?”
“Well, it has been good talking with you. As in real talking, not in passing or through owls and Floo calls. You kipping on my sofa or slipping into my bed out of pure exhaustion doesn’t count.”
Oliver laughed softly, nudging Percy’s arm with his own. “Miss me that much?”
Percy’s blush deepened. “I always miss you whenever we’re apart. You know that, Ollie.”
This was why Oliver loved having Percy around. Everything always seemed calmer, clearer and genuinely honest. A presence that lingered at first before crackling in the air and wrapping around him like a warm scarf.
It was moments like these where Oliver felt brave enough to let his guard down and speak his mind, knowing he would never judged. Percy had a different way of thinking, speaking, listening and caring that no one else had.
But there was more. There had always been so much more.
“Will the days ever get easier?”
“I can’t say anything has ever been easy.”
“Err, maybe ‘easy’ isn’t the right word. Not saying the wizarding world should go back to how it was before,” Oliver added, leaning back on his hands. He knew he was rambling, but he couldn’t help it. “I know that’s what people want, but things seem like…”
“Such a mess?” Percy finished, raising an eyebrow as if waiting for a confirmation.
“Exactly. We’ve done so much. Now we’re expected to clean shite up, and while we’re doing what we can, it’s not enough.”
“I know.”
“It’s frustrating. We’ve done everything that could have killed us…”
“Yet we endured those risks to keep people alive. It’s why we’re alive.”
Oliver’s eyes snapped up to meet Percy’s, wide with surprise. He didn’t think they would delve into the deeper topics of the war, ones they usually reserved for their Mind-Healers.
“I’m not saying it’s fair for us to carry the heavy burdens,” Percy went on, adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose. “But I’d like to think what we contributed carved a path for a brighter future. Your efforts working with Aurors and travelling throughout England to tip them off about Snatcher whereabouts. And my, well…”
“Perce, we still have a wizarding government because of you,” Oliver responded fiercely as he straightened up. “You preserved our magical history and legislation. You forged paperwork to help Muggle-borns escape execution and families hide in safe houses.”
“The point is, we’ve worked ourselves to the ground. It’s reasonable to want to rest. We deserve that much after sacrificing all that we know and love.”
Oliver knew Percy was right. How many days and nights had they lost together because of fear, apprehension and expectations? If anything, now was the time to reclaim what they had pushed aside for so long: pure happiness.
“Times like these make me wish we were still at school,” he sighed, slipping an arm around Percy’s waist.
Percy hummed in agreement as he leaned into Oliver. “We did have remarkable things going on for us.”
“Especially in seventh year.”
What a year that was, full of devout promises, secret kisses and needy moans as they pressed up against each other after hours.
“You helped me conjure my first Patronus back then.”
Oliver couldn’t help but smile.
He definitely remembered that night in their cosy dorm room. It was hard not to, especially when Percy’s crow had landed proudly on his shoulder. And when Oliver had let his husky free, his heart had stuttered at the beautiful sight of the dog chasing after the bird, like they belonged together.
The memory made Oliver curious if that would still be the case.
“D’you think we could cast Patronuses now? Even after everything that happened?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t tried…”
“I haven’t either. We could give it a go. For old time’s sake.”
“Yes, we could.”
The glint shining in those knowing eyes told Oliver that Percy was weighing their options. Maybe they were really going to do this.
“On the count of three?” Percy affirmed, reaching for his wand and lifting it up.
Oliver didn’t trust himself to speak. He nodded as he raised his own.
“One…”
Visions filled Oliver’s mind with sweet love notes placed next to his pillow, peculiar evenings preparing homemade meals in a London flat, and early mornings spooning up against a solid lithe body.
“Two…”
He concentrated on a radiant crow and thought about slender hands, a tender smile, and the sound of an eloquent yet soothing voice.
“Three!”
Oliver didn’t need to say the incantation out loud. He had conjured a Patronus enough to know if he channeled his magic into the spell, his husky would appear in a heartbeat. And if Percy still cast the same way Oliver had taught him, the experience would be the same for his crow.
The second a familiar hot tingle ran through his arm, Oliver knew the spell had worked.
A bright silver husky emerged before him and dashed across the grass. It rushed back with its usual excitement, brushing against Oliver’s knees before laying down on the blanket and curling up against Percy.
Another glimpse of silver caught Oliver’s eye, and he witnessed a luminous crow materialise from Percy’s wand. The bird spread its wings out before drifting down and nestling against the dog.
Oliver glanced at Percy, who looked just as amazed. They both grinned.
“Still inseparable, it seems.”
“It’s like nothing’s changed.”
Perhaps this was how their lives were supposed to be. Aligned and intertwined.
And OMG, it has some art I commissioned to go with it. YAY!
Title: I'm always by your side
Author: sugareey
Pairing: Percy/Oliver
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 1,498
Summary: Oliver and Percy have an honest conversation for the first time in ages and find comfort when two silver guardians make appearances again.
Also can be read on AO3.
It was a miracle when they finally got to be alone together.
He had no idea they would be so busy after the war. Of course, there were funerals and memorials to attend, and much of the wizarding world needed to be rebuilt.
When Oliver wasn’t at Hogwarts helping with castle repairs, he was roped into intense negotiations between his agent, coach, manager and remaining Puddlemere teammates, as well as other representatives of the British and Irish Quidditch League.
At a minimum, the League needed more two months to settle on a fair and safe protocol before they could even think about reinstating the sport. It would be some time before Oliver would soar through the English sky on his Nimbus again.
He wondered if it was possible to salvage a passion that once brought him so much joy. Did it matter anymore? Even if Oliver threw himself back into Quidditch, it meant nothing unless Percy was by his side.
With Percy spending countless hours at the Ministry dealing with legislation and PR damage control, or popping by Hogwarts whenever he had a spare moment, that left little time for anything else.
Until now.
On a cool summer evening, they found refuge in the orchard behind the Burrow.
Spreading a gingham blanket on top of the grass, they settled down and made up for lost time. They talked about anything and everything as they sprawled their legs out, a trainer bumping against a sandal every so often.
In this moment, they existed. In this moment, they could truly appreciate each other’s company as the sun went down.
“Still with me?” a gentle voice murmured.
Oliver turned and found Percy gazing back at him. He felt his breath catch in his throat.
Against the sunset, Percy looked ethereal. Pale skin dusted with freckles simply glowed as hues of gold and orange reflected against exquisite curls. And that look of adoration swimming in a sea of blue was enough to make Oliver melt on the spot.
He couldn’t believe he had this. A chance to be with the man he had been wanting for years, and someone he couldn’t live without.
“I’m here,” Oliver confirmed, still dazed from his distraction. “This is loads better than dealing with the League or doing manual labour.”
“Quieter and less chaotic, I hope.”
“For sure. How are you holding up, a ghràidh?”
A gorgeous pink spread over Percy’s face, making Oliver grin. He knew Percy always got flustered when it came to affectionate endearments. But he would be lying if didn’t find that blush rather cute.
“I don’t miss the atrocious paperwork or being stuck in my office or various meeting rooms for hours on end,” Percy admitted. He shifted closer until his leg pressed against Oliver’s. “It’s a relief to be able to breathe for once.”
“Overdue for a break?” Oliver asked.
“I could say the same about you. Working into the night to get the Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch up to sub-pare condition? Is anyone even helping you?”
“Who told you about that?”
“I’m not a complete stranger to your former teammates. Besides, Katie’s worried. You’re going to crash and burn if you don’t slow down.”
“That’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
“In my defence, I’ve already requested time off. Williams, Deverill and McGonagall would grant you a break if you asked. They like you, and they appreciate your hard work.”
“Fine, maybe I will. Is this your way of trying to spend more time with me?”
“Well, it has been good talking with you. As in real talking, not in passing or through owls and Floo calls. You kipping on my sofa or slipping into my bed out of pure exhaustion doesn’t count.”
Oliver laughed softly, nudging Percy’s arm with his own. “Miss me that much?”
Percy’s blush deepened. “I always miss you whenever we’re apart. You know that, Ollie.”
This was why Oliver loved having Percy around. Everything always seemed calmer, clearer and genuinely honest. A presence that lingered at first before crackling in the air and wrapping around him like a warm scarf.
It was moments like these where Oliver felt brave enough to let his guard down and speak his mind, knowing he would never judged. Percy had a different way of thinking, speaking, listening and caring that no one else had.
But there was more. There had always been so much more.
“Will the days ever get easier?”
“I can’t say anything has ever been easy.”
“Err, maybe ‘easy’ isn’t the right word. Not saying the wizarding world should go back to how it was before,” Oliver added, leaning back on his hands. He knew he was rambling, but he couldn’t help it. “I know that’s what people want, but things seem like…”
“Such a mess?” Percy finished, raising an eyebrow as if waiting for a confirmation.
“Exactly. We’ve done so much. Now we’re expected to clean shite up, and while we’re doing what we can, it’s not enough.”
“I know.”
“It’s frustrating. We’ve done everything that could have killed us…”
“Yet we endured those risks to keep people alive. It’s why we’re alive.”
Oliver’s eyes snapped up to meet Percy’s, wide with surprise. He didn’t think they would delve into the deeper topics of the war, ones they usually reserved for their Mind-Healers.
“I’m not saying it’s fair for us to carry the heavy burdens,” Percy went on, adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose. “But I’d like to think what we contributed carved a path for a brighter future. Your efforts working with Aurors and travelling throughout England to tip them off about Snatcher whereabouts. And my, well…”
“Perce, we still have a wizarding government because of you,” Oliver responded fiercely as he straightened up. “You preserved our magical history and legislation. You forged paperwork to help Muggle-borns escape execution and families hide in safe houses.”
“The point is, we’ve worked ourselves to the ground. It’s reasonable to want to rest. We deserve that much after sacrificing all that we know and love.”
Oliver knew Percy was right. How many days and nights had they lost together because of fear, apprehension and expectations? If anything, now was the time to reclaim what they had pushed aside for so long: pure happiness.
“Times like these make me wish we were still at school,” he sighed, slipping an arm around Percy’s waist.
Percy hummed in agreement as he leaned into Oliver. “We did have remarkable things going on for us.”
“Especially in seventh year.”
What a year that was, full of devout promises, secret kisses and needy moans as they pressed up against each other after hours.
“You helped me conjure my first Patronus back then.”
Oliver couldn’t help but smile.
He definitely remembered that night in their cosy dorm room. It was hard not to, especially when Percy’s crow had landed proudly on his shoulder. And when Oliver had let his husky free, his heart had stuttered at the beautiful sight of the dog chasing after the bird, like they belonged together.
The memory made Oliver curious if that would still be the case.
“D’you think we could cast Patronuses now? Even after everything that happened?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t tried…”
“I haven’t either. We could give it a go. For old time’s sake.”
“Yes, we could.”
The glint shining in those knowing eyes told Oliver that Percy was weighing their options. Maybe they were really going to do this.
“On the count of three?” Percy affirmed, reaching for his wand and lifting it up.
Oliver didn’t trust himself to speak. He nodded as he raised his own.
“One…”
Visions filled Oliver’s mind with sweet love notes placed next to his pillow, peculiar evenings preparing homemade meals in a London flat, and early mornings spooning up against a solid lithe body.
“Two…”
He concentrated on a radiant crow and thought about slender hands, a tender smile, and the sound of an eloquent yet soothing voice.
“Three!”
Oliver didn’t need to say the incantation out loud. He had conjured a Patronus enough to know if he channeled his magic into the spell, his husky would appear in a heartbeat. And if Percy still cast the same way Oliver had taught him, the experience would be the same for his crow.
The second a familiar hot tingle ran through his arm, Oliver knew the spell had worked.
A bright silver husky emerged before him and dashed across the grass. It rushed back with its usual excitement, brushing against Oliver’s knees before laying down on the blanket and curling up against Percy.
Another glimpse of silver caught Oliver’s eye, and he witnessed a luminous crow materialise from Percy’s wand. The bird spread its wings out before drifting down and nestling against the dog.
Oliver glanced at Percy, who looked just as amazed. They both grinned.
“Still inseparable, it seems.”
“It’s like nothing’s changed.”
Perhaps this was how their lives were supposed to be. Aligned and intertwined.