Work Text:
"Help me."
Percy was out the door within minutes, grabbing his coat and phone but not bothering to lock the door to the apartment he and Vax had just purchased. His heart was racing, and he sprinted down the stairs, falling twice in the process.
On the phone, those two words were mumbled out between raggedy, unsteady breaths, and Percy had called for Vax helplessly, desperate for information before there was a loud thump, presumably as Vax dropped his phone, and the line went dead. That was less than five minutes ago, although it felt like hours.
Finally, he reached the door that led out of the multistory apartment complex and ran down the road as fast as his socked feet would let him.
Vax had left to get coffee, at the 24/7 just down the road, and he shouldn't have faced any issues or even seen any people. It was a quiet, small town, and at 3 a.m., very few people were foolish enough to face the cold weather. Especially not for coffee!
Percy began to follow the familiar route he and Vax often wandered down; quiet, peaceful, and pleasant to take. The dimly lit streetlights tried valiantly to shine through the fresh snow carried on the strong winds, and the icy shards bit into Percy's skin.
The street was deserted, devoid of the bright luminescent lights that shone permanently in the windows of a city. Here, the world looked different, and it felt different, as old, small roads met cozy stone buildings with their presentable gardens and big trees. Leaving the bustling, concrete, and life leeching city behind was the best thing he and Vax had done after getting married.
Percy squinted into the dark and began to call Vax's name. The store wasn't too far away, only a block or two. It should have taken Vax less than 10 minutes to get there, and he'd been gone for close to 30.
Into the dark and the cold, a heart pounding faster than the sounds of his feet against the muddy ground, Percy ran and searched.
Vax had looked fine when he left earlier. He'd shown no signs of distress or illness, and Percy's mind went into overdrive. He'd been the one having nightmares and needing help the night before.
What if Vax had been injured somehow, attacked by somebody, run over or...
No, Percy couldn't focus on what ifs. He had to focus on where. Where Vax had gone, and where he was now.
He nearly toppled over when he finally reached the only warm, brightly lit shop open and ran inside, ducking out of the way before he accidentally knocked over a display of lewd magazines. A rack of cigarettes stood behind the counter, and Vax preferred Marlboro, mocking him.
The elderly man behind the counter eyed him suspiciously, gaping and examining his expression and state of dress. Percy had to admit, his pajama pants, t-shirt, socked feet, and coat did not make him look presentable, and the way he had just stumbled into the shop most definitely would have him on alert as well.
"I'm... I'm looking for my husband," Percy said between shallow breaths, searching the two shop aisles and corners as he spoke. Then he turned to the man, who was still was wide eyed and gaping at him. "Hello?"
The man shook his head as if to clear it, and Percy stepped forward as he began to speak.
"The only person I've seen since sundown is you..." he said slowly, as if he thought Percy was stupid to even ask.
Percy's heart dropped, and he ran his hands through his hair.
"So, so you haven't seen him? He's - he's got dark, long hair, was wearing a black hoodie and coat, half-elf?"
The man shook his head, a dark worry settling on his wrinkled face, before he said: "This is no weather to be outside in."
Percy didn't bother to respond, sprinting from the store, accidentally knocking the magazine rack over, yelling an apology over his shoulder, and ran down the road.
He stood there, fresh snow falling on his overly warm body, wind biting at his skin, and wondered where to go. There would be no reason to head further down the road towards the slumbering residential areas.
So, he turned back, exploring every nook and cranny, switching on the flashlight on his phone to peer into every corner, forgetting to even breathe until his voice hurt from calling Vax's name.
Then, he spotted something on the floor a few steps away and ran up to it. He knelt down and picked it up, realizing that it was Vax's cracked phone, still showing Percy's contact information. His heart dropped into his stomach, but he began to look around, spotting a set of footprints in the mud. They were uneven, swerving left and right, as if their owner were stumbling.
Cursing and calling Vax's name louder this time, he made his way between the two houses, spotting a large stack of crates. He approached them, praying that he'd find Vax, and that's he'd be okay.
One of those were because as he peered around them, he found Vax, shadowy form curled up on his side, lying face down in the snow. He'd wrapped his arms arouns himself and brought his knees to his chest, and Percy quickly crouched down at his side. His skin was paler than the snow, hair soaked, and caked with mud.
He was whimpering, body trembling, fingers digging into his skin, and ears drooped.
Percy knelt, gathering Vax into his arms, placing one shaky hand on his cheek where he held Vax's head against his shoulder. He patted Vax's cheek gently, trying to get a reaction.
"Vax, sweetheart," he cried softly, using his free hand to try and find any injuries. "Are you okay?"
His clothing was whole, and he couldn't see any blood or evidence of violence. Regardless, they were soaked, and Percy removed his coat and wrapped it around Vax's shaking shoulders.
"Ngh..." Vax grumbled, and Percy flinched at the sound of his whispery voice.
When he said no more, Percy turned him slightly, using his palm to turn Vax's head to him. He whined softly at the pained, broken expression in those beautiful, dark eyes. He'd been crying, as well, and snow stuck to his eyelids.
Percy swallowed hard in realisation because he should have picked up on the signs earlier since he'd witnessed it a dozen times over: a panic attack.
"Can you walk?" Percy asked, trying to get them both to their feet. Vax tried, but his legs quickly gave, and he grabbed onto Percy's arms, gasping and shivering.
"Hey, hey, it's okay, wrap your arms around me," Percy cooed softly, easily lifting Vax and pulling him closer as he began to carry him back to their apartment.
Vax whimpered softly as he walked, his hands wrapped around Percy's neck. Percy stepped over a rock, and Vax's body tilted in his arms, pressing his cold nose against Percy's neck. Percy squeeled as he felt hot breath against him, and he looked down to see what Vax was doing.
"Percy?" Vax mumbled softly.
Next thing, Vax's grip on him tightened, and he pressed his head into Percy's shoukder and wept.
"Do I smell that bad?" Percy teased, happy that Vax had found some semblance of comfort to cling to.
"What happened?" Percy asked, flinching at the feeling of strong fingers digging into his neck desperately.
"I don't know..." Vax mumbled, lips pressed to Percy's jaw, muffling the sound of his voice. His body was tense, muscles flexing, and he kept making the most worrying sounds.
"We're almost home," Percy said reassuringly as the tall, stone complex came into view. "It's almost over."
Two teenagers, stoned and stunned, stood at the door, and Percy zoned in on them before they could disappear out of fear of being discovered, commandeering them into opening the door and helping him up the stairs, steering him away from corners and uneven ground.
"The hell happened to him?" One of the teenagers asked, standing on his tiptoes to eye Vax.
"He... ran out of coffee," Percy said flatly, then smiled as the teenagers flinched at the idea of running out of caffeine. Vax would like them, Percy reasoned that they stank.
Upon realistion that he had not bothered to lock the door, Percy scolded himself and kicked it shut behind him. The apartment was warm and cozy and smelled like that familiar smell of home - their home, one they'd worked so hard to get.
"All right limp noodle, let's get you warmed up," Percy said warmly as he stepped into their bathroom and sat Vax down on the edge of the bath.
Vax seemed to calm at the sight of his surroundings, but his eyes never left Percy's. Percy didn't need him to explain. He understood what Vax was feeling because he knew panic all too well. There didn't need to be a reason for it, and often, it's something subconscious that triggers it.
Vax took a deep breath as the room began to fill with warm water, steam, and their favorite bubble bath, and Percy watched his tense form ease slightly.
"Let's get you undressed, shall we?" He asked, giving Vax a seductive smile and a wink that made him snort, and by the gods if that wasn't just the most adorable sound.
Percy chuckled as Vax put in no effort to assist him in removing the clothes clinging to his body like a second skin, and it amused him greatly to compare how much easier it was to strip him when he was dry. But now was not the time to mention it.
When he finally, after much huffing and puffing, had the shivering little bundle of half-elf that he called husband naked, he rechecked the water temperature and held him as Vax dipped his toes in it. He hissed, cold toes protesting, but didn't stop lowering himself in. When fully seated inside, he looked at his reflection in the mirror above the taps and cringed.
"You're a pretty sight, aren't you?" Percy purred at him, and the shy chuckle made him smile. "Let's wash your hair."
Apparently, Vax liked this idea because he carefully lay back, humming contently as Percy began to run his fingers through it to get rid of the mud, massaging his scalp gently as he went. Vax remained quiet as Percy worked, closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing instead. Percy knew how fond Vax was of having him play with his hair, so he spent a good amount of time washing, rinsing, and untangling it with his fingers.
He could see the tension leave Vax's shoulders, now pink from the heat, but it wasn't enough. With a small yelp in surprise, Vax was pulled backward until he sat against the back of the tub, looking at Percy curiously from over his shoulder.
Percy gave him a contemplative look, rubbing his hands together before wiggling his fingers in front of Vax's face, who sighed out happily, knowing what was about to happen.
Percy smiled as Vax eagerly turned around, shifting until Percy had easy access to his tension hardened muscles, which Percy began to massage. Gentle, at first, and then harder as he went, working deep into the skin tissue and muscle underneath, humming apologetically when Vax hissed at pressure to a painful spot. He didn't stop until Vax's head dropped forward, and his shoulders were as red as the dried red roses in their bedroom. They were from their first date, a much beloved treasure.
Next, Percy moved to the side of the bath, catching Vax's fidgety fingers between his two hands, squeezing them gently. Vax looked up at him, a soft vulnerability that he rarely showed etched on his flawless skin. Percy didn't speak because words weren't necessary to repeat words spoken a hundred times. After so long, worrieds could be guessed, and comfort not an expectation but a given.
Vax had panic attacks and anxiety, and Percy had nightmares. It was a constant thing, for both of them, fragments of their rarely mentioned pasts still embedded deep into their skin. Some wounds, regardless of the amount of heart and soul that you treat them with, never fully heal, and all you can do is keep treating the symptoms. Love, affection, compassion, a hug, or a kiss to the forehead, all effective treatments for a fractured soul.
He released those long, slender fingers after placing a kiss on each knuckle, and began to lather up Vax's bath sponge with his favorite scented soap, the smell of it bringing a smile to both their faces. Vax tried to take the sponge from him, but he tsked teasingly, narrowing his eyes.
"I'm busy," he reasoned, and Vax gave him a lopsided smile before letting Percy bathe him, head to toe, soapy fingers tracing every perfect inch of him.
Percy knew all the sensitive places, the softest of spots, and the ones to tickle. But the last time he tickled Vax, well, he ended up with an accidental heel to the chin. Vax melted into every touch, leaning into the smallest amount of physical contact, and if the water weren't to eventually run cold, Percy would keep him there a bit longer.
Instead, he stood and held out his hands, pulling Vax to his feet and leaving him to cocoon himself inside a towel as he made his way to his closet. When he found what he was looking for, he turned around to return to Vax, who he found standing in the doorway, with the towel around his waist and another wrapped around his head.
He made such a beautiful sight. After all this time, Percy had not grown tired of his body, especially not naked. He had it memorized by now but still made new discoveries with every exploration. He could identify a scar in the dark, place his finger on a freckle with his eyes closed.
Vax smiled softly at him when he caught him looking, and Percy had to steady himself, always falling victim to the warm, affectionate tint on his lips.
"Here," Percy chuckled, holding out the oversized wool sweater he knew Vax loved.
This was confirmed by the shy joy on Vax's face as he walked over to him, extending his hands and worming his way into it with enough ease to indicate he'd worn it often.
Percy shook his head affectionately when the top of Vax's head poked out above the collar, revealing only a mess of wet hair, dark, twinkling eyes, and the tips of pointy ears. Vax's ears twitched, a deliberate action, and Percy laughed.
"Hold on," Percy said ominously, giving Vax no time to respond.
"Oof!" Vax huffed in surprise when Percy grabbed for him, wrapping his arms around him and lifting him off of his feet. He simply held as Percy walked him to the bed, dropping him onto it softly.
As quick as a mouse, Vax scrambled into the middle, curled up on his side, flexible enough to draw his knees close enough to cover them with the sweater as well.
"Gods, you're an adorable sight, stay put," Percy chuckled, pointing his index finger at Vax before turning to leave the room.
Walking to the kitchen, he dug around to find a warm drink to make and a snack, perhaps a chocolate. He'd constantly take walks in the late hours of the night to buy Vax chocolate and loved the way it made him smile all shy and giddy.
"You better be in bed, sweetheart," Percy shouted from the kitchen, hearing shuffling in their bedroom.
"Or what?" He heard Vax ask, a tease and a chuckle to his tone.
"Well, at least he was feeling better," Percy mumbled to himself.
He made his way back to Vax and paused in the doorway. Vax was using a towel to furiously rub at his head with. It was a small and subconscious hint of anxiety that had not gone away yet. Because the symptoms didn't vanish like smoke in the night after the flame of fear had been extinguished.
Vax eyed him curiously, his face lighting up at the scent of hot chocolate and the actual chocolate, which Percy threw onto the bed. Wasting no time, Vax ripped the wrapping off, humming an approval at the white, berry chocolate, and breaking the chocolate into little blocks before putting half of them on Percy's side of the bed. Sharing, always sharing, another unspoken act of love and familiarity that came with attentiveness and the passage of time.
"You're wet," Vax informed helpfully, popping a piece of chocolate into his mouth.
"Are you trying to get me naked, sweetheart?" Percy purred dramatically as he set the mugs down.
He put on a great show, removing his clothing slowly, teasingly, raising an eyebrow at Vax's valiant attempt not to stare. Still, after all this time. He'd put on a small amount of weight around his belly and Vax on his hips, but that just made them more grateful for the life they now had, peaceful and plentiful.
Percy pulled on a pair of pajamas and made his way to bed, hoping he got the chance to drink his hot chocolate before being pinned down by his Vaxtopus. He wasn't himself just yet, but he would be.
Vax eyed him the minute he sat down, so he bent his knees and drank the still scolding drink quickly, watching Vax do so as well, and then relented to spending a night being constricted in his lovers' embrace. Not that he minded, not at all.
He turned on his side quickly, catching Vax mid pounce, and pressed his head to his forehead, placing endless kisses to it as he ran his hand up and down Vax's back. Vax, for his part, clung to him as if he were a lifeline, as if the union of their strings of fate were the very thing keeping him alive. Borders, countries, continents, cultures, religions... none of it were enough to stop them, and none of them were brave enough to ever try and face their wrath. Vax would fight a demon for Percy and drag him from the very depths of hell, and Percy, well, he'd face a God.
Together, they were unstoppable, and as to prove that, Percy raised his hand, extending it towards Vax, who smiled and met him halfway, their fingers touching in an embrace more intimate than any sexual act. A smile, a shared laugh, a touch of a hand, words communicated quietly, a novel full, a library yet to fill.
"I love you."
"I care."
"To love and to hold, until death do you part... I do."
"A lifetime to share."
"We'll see this through. We always do."
And I'll always be there, I'm not going anywhere."
Percy laughed loudly as he was pushed onto his back, a cuddly critter curling up in his side. He wrapped one arm around him tightly, pulling him impossibly close.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, rubbing Vax's back. The tension had left him, replaced with even breathing, and loose limbs.
"I'm better, thank you," Vax sighed out, sounding content, "I'll get there, because you'll be here."
As silence fell, wrapping itself around them like a blanket, the darkness embraced them, lulling them to sleep. Tomorrow, a new sun would rise, a promise of renewal and life, and even when the whispers of the mind whirled around them like a tornado, and the visions that shook the very ground beneath their feet, a constant fire in their veins and right behind their eyes, like a volcano, it would pass. It would always pass.
Because it was okay, to not always be okay, and if you're drowning and can no longer keep swimming...
Then float.