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Those who open their mouth and call in the forest
Shall be saved by the green hooded men
And all those who are saved in the Robins forest
Shall be buried neath roots in the end.
"Morgana?", Penelope called, and Percy flinched at his old name.
Turning to her with a scowl, he drawled,"Yes, my Lady"
"You think that makes you look hot, but it doesn't", she huffed under her breath, and clicked her fingers,"Molly, I'm borrowing this one"
Molly looks up, glancing between the Lady of the house and her so called 'Lady' in waiting. She nods,"Of course, my Lady"
Penelope grabed Percys arm and draged him out of the room,"Fucks sake, Pen! You couldn't just-"
"I can't call you by your name in front of her! She'll have a fit! We've talked about this."
"No. You've talked about this-"
"Look, Perce! Shush! Your a wonder-boy but I need you to shut up.", She hands him a poster,"Look!"
Percy frows down at it,"Penelope, I cant read"
She scoffed as if reading was something Percy could've just learnt at any point during his poor peasant life. Where education wasn't an option and money had never been plentiful enough for food, let alone books,"Give it here, it says-"
The poster said; The kingdoms enemy Robin Wood is at large again and a search for him is being organised, men wanted.
"Okay, this is usless. For you- a lady- and... me"
"I'm not suggesting we join the hunt"
"What are you suggesting?"
"We stage a kidnapping! We write a note saying that I've been kidnapped by Robin Wood and then run away together. We could pose as husband and wife. It would be brilliant. We can hide in the great woods"
"This is a terrible idea, Pen"
"Don't you get tired of wearing skirts all day?", she asked,"Or having your hair long, of everyone calling you Morgana like your a girl-"
"That's because I am a girl", Percy muttered, kicking the floor.
"You're not", she said, and grabbed his hand,"Your not, Percy. Your a boy- hell, you're a man! We're gonna get away, start again."
Percy huffed,"What do you need me to do?"
Her eyes lit up,"Well, I was thinking..."
***
The thing about being Percy Weasley was that he wasn't really Percy Weasley at all. That's just who he was in his head. And with Penelope. Sure, she was his employer, but she was one hell of a woman. She was kind, sweet, gentle. And she loved him with all her platonic heart, and trusted him, believed him, when he told her that he was a boy. Even if it was only on the inside, even if no one else would ever know. He was a boy.
Percy learnt that he would do anything for Penelope the night that she walked into his quaters and said,"I need you to help me", she showed him the bruises that her husband had left, and asked for help covering them.
It was hard for Percy to keep his cool after Marcus Flint from then on. So what if he potterd about in a dress with idiotically thick skirts every day? He would woop that mans ass given half the chance.
Penelope and Marcus slept in different rooms, like a good husband and wife. But Marcus wasn't good. He was an asshole. He hurt Penelope over and over again and it was allowed because he was the Lord of the house. But more than that; because he was a man. Because that ment he had power. Because he saw the Mrs before Penelopes name as a Mr's.
Marcus Flint saw Penelope as an object, as something that belonged to him. He hadn't cared wheh he broke the table in the drawing room, or when he ripped one of his many neat shirts. When his horse died he bought a new one, and Percy knew he saw Penelope as just another thing. Another table to break, she was his to rip. His to wach die.
His to kill.
And when Penelope was gone, he'd get a new wife.
So Percy hated him.
And he would do anything for Penelope because he understood she needed to get away from him. Ever since he was small he'd understood the need to run, and if Penelope was going to run along with him, he would take her by the hand and lead her to a better place.
He took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the stables. No one was inside and Percy took another, freer, breath.
He wandered between the horses and surveyed them each, he thought they should take two, but... Flapjack was the strongest of the horses, followed by Monty and Oats, taking the three of them... that would help.
He slipped through the back door and looked at the seven waggons. Three if them were ceremonial, two of them had no roof and the others were both bedless and uncomfortable, but he needed to prepare one. For himself and Penelope. He would do it. It would work.
He ran down a list of pros and cons of each cart in his head and chose the sturdiest of the carts with a canvas cover.
Over the next week he ferried bulky wooden boxes full of fruit and food into the cart, balancing them along the left side, and he spent a few days with Penelope designing the bed.
He realy wished he had some muscle on him when (in the dead, cold, frosty night) he carried chunks of neatly cut wood that Penelope had acquired form god knows where, and transforming it into a somewhat usable bed. He made Penelope take the draws out of her dresser so that he could put them under the bed.
"Percy, that's nonsensical! What if somone sees."
"Tell them their being fixed. Or something! Plus- Who's gonna see?"
"...Fine", she relented after much convincing,"Don't break them!"
"I wouldn't dream if it", he retorted.
They didn't realy have a plan, more the bones of a skeletal idea. Penelope, with her authoritive behaviour and sweet sence of dedication, had acquired much of what she and Percy would need. But if they were to blend in they would need clothes. Not Penelopes clothes, but something more subtle, run down, softer.
Percy bundled his dresses into one of the draws for Penelope, but he knew he was going to have to sort himself out. And fast.
***
Percy was sneeking, (he was not a good sneek, but he snuk anyway) he swept through his parents room and paused outside the empty room. He took a deep breath and opened the door, there were two thin beds pushed to each wall.
into his oldest brothers, he walked to the cupboard, and creeked open a door. He had no excuse for being in there. No backup plan. He pulled four shirts off of their hangers, and grabbed three of his brothers longest trousers. He stole his brothers boots, and some of his socks. He swept his fathers jacket off of the peg in front of the door and crept into the night.
He was stopped by a servant, a stable-boy, though on closer inspection, he saw a girl in boys clothes.
"Morgana?"
"...Yes", reluctance flooded his voice.
"Ah. Your pretty", she murmured, and grinned,"More Olivers type than mine, though he'd prefer shorter hair."
"Um", Percy said.
"So, you're headed away tonight?", When Percy didn't respond, she went on,"Yes, you are. Don't worry, I won't tell a soul. I just needed to give you some kit", she dumped a huge crate in his arms and it weighed Percy down tenfold.
"Sorry, should I help?", she took the light clothing and grinned cheekily,"C'mon, then, Penelopes waiting!"
She lead the way, whistling softly to herself as she went. The sound reminded Percy very much of a robins call, piercing through the winter mist.
The servant girl stopped before the stables, gave a bug stretch and grinned, dumping the clothes on top if the box,"You should've got a hat, as well", she grinned, tipping her own,"I hear they're in fashion"
Percy bliked and she was gone, faster than a breeze and more subtle than the summer sun.
He frowned at the box in his hands, and shoved his way through the doors,"Pen?", he called softly.
"In here", she called back, lacking all his subtlety,"How come these dresses are so... freeing?"
"They weren't freeing for me", Percy said, and tugged at his low ponytail,"Alright, Pen, I need you to help me out"
"Okay"
"Cut my hair"
"...Okay", she said, and pulled a knife that she had concealed in her dress, and sliced Percys locks clean off,"Here..", she tilted his head and sawed at his hair, trimming it where she saw fit, until, after far too long, she said,"Perfect" Penelope laughed and kissed each of his cheeks,"C'mon, Perce, we need to be gone before midnight!"
She undid the clasps around the side of his dress, and slipped it from his shoulders,"I had something special made for you!", she chirped, pulling out a short leather vest, that had clips running up the middle,"It's for your chest, it makes your boobs look invisible"
Percy grinned,"Realy?"
"Yeah!", she puleld the crate into the air like it weighed nothing and dumped it in the cart, she folded up the steps and said,"Would you help me grab the horses?"
"Sure"
***
When they were on the road, pulled by Flapjack and oats, and trailed after by Monty, all of whom seemed fisty at being roused so early.
"So, Percy. Husband", she joked,"I have decided- you know that saying.. er... life is a river!", she turned to him on the riding bench and tugged her shawl close around her sholders,"Well... now we're both free! We're in the clear! So... Our surname will be Clearwater."
Percy laughed, bemused,"Penelope, Wife. That's stupid"
Penelope dropped against his shoulder and sighed theatrically,"Oh! Percy! You would me!"
"I love it", he said, and kissed the top of her head,"I'm glad you bullied me into this, trousers make me feel naked, but- In a good way"
Penelope laughed and closed her eyes,"I love us"
"I love us too"
"Yuck", a voice said from behind them, and both Percy and Penelope turned to look at... a man, a man neither had ever seen before who had skin that was darker than Percy had ever seen,"Lower the PDA"
"Who are you", Percy startled, voice quivering, he slid the reigns to Penelope and turned to face the man,"What are you doing in my-"
"Ah-ba-ba-ba-bu"
"Who are-"
"Ah-ba-ba-ba-bu."
"Who-"
"Ah-bu-bu-bu-bu", the man giggled,"Sorry, I love that game, gets me every time! What was the question?"
"...Who are you"
"Why",the man with the pretty face laughed,"I'm Oliver- I mean, Robin Wood, of course! Dunno why they called me Robin. I won't ever get over that... Why won't anyone just ever ask me my name, huh?"
"Erm- should we call you Oliver or Robin"
"Oh, Oliver", he lent forward and tilted Percys chin towards him.
The cart was built simply, wooden base, wooden sides, canvas roof that stretched over the left and right side, but left open oval gaps in the front and rear, it was through these gaps that Oliver clamped, he perched on Percys knee, turning towards him and leaning unwantedly close,"Hope you don't mind, it's an awful tight squeeze"
"Are you flirting with my husband?", Penelope glanced at them out of the corner of her eye.
"Oh", Oliver laughed,"She's not your husband"
"He", Percy and Penelope corrected at once.
"Oh. Sorry!", Oliver, to his credit, did look sorry. Sort of. "I made an assumption, and I shouldn't have, I'm sorry. I'll keep in mind that you're a man. But c'mon. Husband and wife? Realy? That's crap"
Penelope raised her eyebrows but said nothing, and watched Percy do the same.
Oliver went on,"Your a sweat heart- don't worry! I mean that in a flirty way, not in a your a girl way." He lent closer, teasing Percys boundaries,"So, Mr Clearwater. Are you coming to join my merry men?"
"No!", Penelope snapped, and cracked the horses to a stop, she turned accusingly towards Oliver,"Were not joining you! We're staying in the woods-"
"my woods", Oliver murmured.
"And we're not joining your gang!"
"Okay! Okay, Mrs Clearwater! No need to get fistey, it's not becoming of a lady"
Penelope pulled out her dagger and shoved it against Olivers throat,"I'll show you what looks unbecoming for a lday"
Oliver cowered against Percy chest at the knife and said, in a much less rambunctuous tone,"I think I'll decline the ladys fine offer"
Penelope pulled the knife away and tucked it back into her skirts, she rolled her shoulders and then her eyes.
"You're not so good at playing husband and wife. Percy! You don't even have a ring!", Oliver dover into his pocket and pulled out a pouch. He poked through it until he found what he was looking for, and pulled out a small silver ring, he grabbed Percys hand and slid it onto his finger,"There, you play the part well"
Penelope snorted,"He does, doesn't he?"
Oliver grinned and hoped off of the side of the cart,"Well, since I am your host in the forsest, I bid you a warm and pleasant stay. Do call if you need anything. I like to show up for the pretty"
With that, he swept away, into the darkness.
"That was weird", Penelope said, rubbing her face and handing Percy the reigns,"realy weird, he was flirting woth you that whole time, it was disgusting! Like- hello? Let me leave first."
"I thought he was... pleasant"
"You would, you've got the hots for any boy with an inch of muscle"
Percy gasped in defiance,"Your the same!"
"For a girl maybe", she snapped, and ruffled his hair,"Take us off the path, and let me get some rest"
"Goodnight, Mrs Clearwater."
"Night"
***
A month went by without a hitch, the days got colder and shorter, and the pair found a clearing where they set up permanent camp, Percy attached a sail of canvas between the ground and the roof of the wagon. A fire pit was dug and surrounded with neat, circular stones.
Percy cooked most nights, he taught Penelope how to forage; which berries were safe to eat and how to puck nettles without stinging oneself. They were final free, Penelope from her life and Percy from his.
One night Penelope took Percys hand and placed it against her stomach.
"What are you- oh", Percy said, as he felt something shift against his plam,"Shit"
Penelope laughed,"Percy, I think you got me pregnant"
Percy laughed so hard he fell over, at the meer idea of making love to Penelope. It wasn't that he didn't love her, he did. But the live he had wasn't romantic, it was familiar and warm. It was freindship.
"You're gonna be a mum", Percy laughed, staring uo at the stars,"Right? You're gonna-"
"Shut up, Percy", Penelope giggled, placing a hand against her chest,"I think- oh. Another..."
Percy made Penny rest more after that, he collected their food and firewood, adding what he could to the stew that was always on the boil, but the thrn for winter was making him weary. It was obvious that Penelope wasn't doing much better, their horses had practically no food to eat, and Percy toyed with the ring Oliver had given him.
He could call.
He could just... ask for help, because he needed it. Because he had Penelope to think of. And the baby. The wood was getting wetter and impossible to burn, and there was less and less food about. Penelope was getting weaker, too. She needed warmth and shelter that a wagon didn't provide. She needed to rest.
Percy turned to her,"Pen? Should... Should we call the merry men?"
She sat upright and shook her head vigorously,"No way", she snapped,"No way, Perce. It's not gonna happen."
And Percy let her take the lead until a week later, she woke up with a fever.
And, shit, Percy was scared, drop-dead, falling apart scared.
"HELP", he screamed at the forest,"FUCK! OLIVER- SOMONE- HELP"
It took a few moments for a girl to arrive, she had ling dark braids and skin as deep brown as the soil in summer, she looked as though she was from the same place as Oliver. But not the same family, their faces were different.
"Hullo, Percy!", she said brightly,"Names Quinn, I'm at your service. Oliver would be here himself but he's-"
"I don't care- I- Penelope- she's got- a fever and she's got-"
"A baby?", Quinn said,"Congrats, but Uh-oh, 'cause, y'know, thats not good... You're horses run?"
"They can"
"Then tie em in, boy, We're headed to Robins den."
Quinn pucked up the pot and dumped it in the back of the trailer, then she unpegged the sail and tied it against the beams of the roof, so that the wagon was closed on three sides instead of the previous two.
"She wants another blanket, you got one?"
"In the draw!"
"Hurry up!", Quinn called, and Percy wanted to growl out that he was trying, just-
He had to help her. This was the only way.
It didn't matter of Oliver had flirted with him. It didn't matter that Oercy had liked it. What mattered was that somone at his camp was going to be able to help Penelope, somone would save her. And the baby.
But Penelope first. She was most important, she was what mattered.
"I'll sort out the horses! You look after Penelope. Don't get too close in case you catch it. But pile her beneath whatever your bot wearing. Ten minutes, kid."
Percy piled dresses and shirts over Penelopes shivering frame,"Stay with me, Pen, I've got you. It's gonna be okay."
Penelopes eyes stayed closed as she whimpered and twisted,"Percy?"
Her voice was barley there, a whisper from the wind. He grasped her hand and squeezed. She shivered back.
***
"Percy", Oliver said,"Percy! Sit down"
"I can't- I- She's- what'll happen to her! I don't-"
He was circling Olivers tent like a mad dog, thre were wooden beams beneath green canvas in their tents, the fabric was thick. Oliver owned an actual four poster bed, it had blankets and pillows piled high against the headboard.
Percy wondered if every tent had a bed, or if Oliver was just realy stuck up.
Then he was thinking about Penelope again.
"She'll be okay, I have my best healers with her now, okay? She'll pull through. I promise."
"How can you know- I- I don't wanna loose her", Percys voice broke and for the first time since running away, he wished for his mum. Somone to comfort him, somone to hold him, somone to-
Percys head was suddenly buried in Olivers neck, and the fugitive rubbed his back soothingly,"She'll be fine, Percy. She's in good hands"
Percy sobbed into Olivers shirt and clutched at him,"I just- I need her to be okay!", he cried,"She's my best friend. I can't- cant loose her-"
"You won't loose her, Percy. She is far to loved to be lost"
Percy sobbed harder and held in tighter, Oliver held him just as tightly back.
***
Eventually, Penelopes fever did break, and she slept well into the night, before waking early.
She did not know where she was.
Percy came to explain everything, and told her she shouldn't have screamed like a child.
"I don't scream like a child!", Penelope scoffed, and crossed her arms,"Is- is the child...?"
"Still there", Percy said, and (as if he'd summoned it, Penelope lent forward.
"Kick", she gasped, and closed her eyes,"Oh... Percy, it's the most beautiful thing in the world. Women are gods, Percy. We can create life"
Percy smiled and kissed her forehead,"You are a goddess, Penelope Clearwater. You are a goddess of life"
Oliver coughed from the corner of the tent, in all honesty, Percy had forgotten he was there.
"We must talk arrangements. Percy, for now, you're with me, Penelope, due to your sudden illness and the baby, we will be keeping you here."
"...Okay", she relented,"Okay, Robin Wood"
Oliver faked a wrech and smiled at Penelope,"When your not trying to kill me you're lovley"
"I'm always lovely", she corrected,"No matter who I'm trying to kill."
Oliver laughed nervously and looked about the tent, dismissing the healers with a glance, when they had gone he began to speak,"I need you two to trust me. I can tell you everything about this place, if you give me time. But first; the rules."
"Okay", Percy agreed, perching on the end of Pennys bed,"The rules"
The rules were simple:
- Joining the merry men is joining a family, here; you do not turn your back on family.
- Food, supplies and weapons must be shared.
- Riches are recycled into the poor.
- Do not let the fires go out.
- Touching somone without their consent is punishable by the removal of hands.
- Oders set out by the council are to be followed by decree of the Merry men.
Six rules seemed easy enough to follow, and Percy went trough them in his head, he decided he probably didn't need to worry about them, since he wasn't exactly part of the merry men-
"Welcome to the merry men", Oliver said, and smiled softly at them both,"Shall I introduce you both as Clearwaters?"
Percy met Penelopes eye,"As siblings", Percy asked.
Penelope nodded,"You are the best man I know, but so not husband material", Percy laughed.
"Okay, Percy and Penelope Clearwater, brother and sister, that's okay. Percy?"
"What?"
"Will you come with me? I need to take you on the tour. Also- You and I are sharing"
"Sharing?"
"A tent", Oliver said," We only have so many"
"Okay"
"The horses have been introduced to... the other horses, and your clothes have been put where they belong. Do any of your belongings hold sentimental value?"
"The blanket was made by my mother", Percy said,"I would like that back"
"Don't you mean out mother?", Penelope called and Percy couldn't help but crack a grin.
He had been Penelopes brother for a while. This just ment that they were for real. This ment people would understand, boys and girls weren't best friends. Penelope and Percy though? A while different story. Siblings to each other as soon as they knew what they were getting into.
***
Apparently being part of the Merry Men ment more than having a fun name. Oliver took it upon himsef to train Percy. Every morning, he would jostle Percy out of bed and they would chop wood, eat breakfast, and then alternate between sword fighting and flirting.
Percy loved the flirting.
Oliver was as quick on his feet as he was with his tongue, he would talk and fight at once.
"C'mon I know you can do better than that, Perce!"
Percy scowled and lunged at him, catching himself on Olivers arm as he toppled both of them over, the blade in his hand nicked Olivers cheek.
"Oh- fuck-", Percy threw down his sword and examined Olivers face,"I didn't mean to-"
Oliver grabbed Percys hips, which hand been straddling his waist, and squeezed.
"I'm okay, darling"
Percys hands shook as he searched his pocket for his handkerchief, he pulled it out and dabbed at Olivers face,"I'm sorry"
"It's okay. It was an accident, it's bound to happen"
Up close, Oliver was even more stunning, his skin was a shade off of the frost-solid earth beneath them, and his features seemed to be carved. His nose had a gentle curve and spread outward at the bottom, his eyes were wide and deliciously dark, like the chocolate Penelope had smuggled him for his birthday. And then there were his lips. They too were dark and palatable, Percy hadn't realised he was leaning forward until Oliver said,"Are you going to kiss me...?"
Percy blinked and pulled back,"I- I was looking at the... cut"
Oliver thre his head back and laughed,"I didn't mean for you to pull away, Percy- Unless you wanted to. Pull away. I mean- Erm"
Percy stood and offered Oliver his hand, but fled the scene as soon as Oliver was on his feet.
Oliver picked up the cut of fabric that Percy had dropped, the one stained with his blood, and folded it into his pocket. He picked up both their swords and huffed.
He'd thought... What had he thought? That Percy wanted him? Liked him? Sexually, Romantically- What had he thought?!
That night, Percy didn't return to their tent. Now, Oliver was a flirt and a touchy-feely guy. He would pat people on the head, shoulder, arm, or leg whenever any of these parts were in reach, he'd sling an arm around a stranger and he'd cling onto the scraps of physical affection his friends showed him.
He needed Percy to trust him.
And he'd broken that trust. Had he? He'd offered Percy an olive branch and then taken it back and eaten all the olives.
Inside, the tent was disappointingly cold, Percy and Oliver did not sleep together. They did not lie side by side in the same bed, Olivers heavily blanketed bed was Percy-less every night, and Percys cot across the tent was Oliver-less.
Oliver wonderd where Percy could be.
The hospital, perhaps. Or-
A sudden rasp of music started from far down the line of tents and covered his head, The moon-less night. Of course.
The moon-less night had been a family tradition, whenever the sky was empty, Oliver and his family would sit around the fire of their manor and play music, read stories, be amongst one another.
It was a sign of family. A suggestion of strength and togetherness. Oliver didn't feel like being strong, though, he felt like wilting. He would Hibernate like the plants around him and wake up for some colourfull spring. At a time it didn't hurt so much.
***
Percy had been in the hospital wing, but eventually he slipped out of the tent, he was ready for an awkward conversation with Oliver where the man told him how he'd gone to far. How he should've asked. How he was doing it all wrong. Oliver would tell him he was a freak. That all Oliver was doing was joking but Percy was a- was a deviant. He was wrong.
In far to many ways.
Outside of the hospital tent, there was a huge fire, around which many people in green skirts and clokes were dancing about. A man with a fiddle hopped from foot to foot, and laughed as he lent back against-
Percy's little brother.
For a moment Percy saw Fred and then- no, It was George. But they were both dead. They were both ment to be dead.
Fred had gone first, fever took him from his bed one winter years ago. George had dissapeard later. After a year of so he had faded away. No one talked about it. But it had made sence, once you'd lost half of yourself, the other half is often quick to follow.
Something strange settled in his chest and he crept closer to the fire, he swept around the dancers and towards the fiddler, towards his brother. Towards answers.
Before he could focus on what he was doing, he'd grabbed George's arm.
He turned quickly and gasped ina a theatrical manor,"Holy hell! Morgana?"
Percy flinched,"I go by Percy, now. Percy Clearwater"
George surveyed him for a moment, then shrugged,"Alright, this is Lee."
Percy gave him a curt nod, he nodded back, but kept playing, focusing suddenly on nothing but the music.
George took his shoulder and lead him out of the firelight, towards a low tent, he pulled at the flap and invited him inside.
"I suppose you want to talk?", Percy asked.
George cracked a smile,"Yes. I would like to catch up with my big brother, is that okay?"
Percy huffed,"Everybody thiks you're dead".
"Suprise!", George cackled and threw himself onto a wide cot,"I'm more alive than Freddie"
Percy winced,"That's not funny"
"No. I suppose not"
"I know you missed him but... you shouldn't have left-"
"You know nothing about me", George snapped, anger whipping across the room,"You don't know why I left."
"No- I don't! You dissapeard-"
"Don't lecture me about dissapearing. I know you left as suddenly as me", He snarled.
"You left us! We were-"
"Oh for fucks sake! Percy- Flint walked in on Lee and I"
"...What?"
"He- he was going to kill us. He walked out of the room and it was all we could do to pull up out trousers and run"
"Shit"
"I would've liked to kiss you all goodbye... but we couldn't."
Percy swept across the room and wrapped his arms around his brother,"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted"
"He came after us", George said, hiding his face in Percys shoulder,"he had this hunting knife and he chased us into the forest" George shivered," Lee screamed- like, really loudly, and Flint knew he had us cornered. He was taking his time, y'know, like we were his hunt; a fox or a deer. Something he'd take pleasure in killing. And- I just- I couldn't move. Lee stepped in front of me which was- was bullshit. He was half my size at that point, all skin and bones, as they say. He sort of turned to me and smirked. Like I owed him", George choked out a laugh,"I- I didn't... I didn't know... and then- this girl bursts through the trees, he had the cloke and that hat. Oliver's right hand girl. Moys: she just appeared and he started running like mad."
"Fuck that guy"
"I wouldn't", George mused, and stood up,"Anyway, that's what happened"
"I'm sorry, Georgie"
"Eww, last time I was called Georgie Lee was-"
"SHUT UPPPPP", Percy whined covering his ears,"I don't need to know"
"Hey, since you here- and at some point your gonna tell me that story- would you like a drink?"
"What kind"
"Alcoholic?"
And realy, Percy knew he should say no, knew he shouldn't drink whatever four hundred year old rum or whiskey one of the campers had stolen on a raid. But he felt heavy with memories, of Fred (as he coughed and choked in bed. As died) and George. (as his face spat angrily at him the last time they had spoken. About Penelope. Always about Penelope.)
And on top of it all his thoughts swayed to Oliver. He kept coming back to Oliver.
"Yeah, I can have a drink"
***
Oliver stared at the roof of the tent for so long that his vision blured to black and he fell asleep.
***
Lee was trying to stop Percy drinking any more. George was undoing all his hard work. "C'mon, Perce, don't be such a prat, drink a little more!"
Percy, who was obviously very against being a prat, offered his glass to be refilled, but Lee took it from his grasp, and handed it to a nearby patron.
"Percy, let's go back to your tent, hmm?"
"Noooo", George booed, reaching out and grasping Lee by the hips,"I need to show you my mooves-"
Lee rolled his eyes and tucked an arm around his livers waist,"C'mon, Georgie, if you go and get in bed, I'll have something for you, when you get back."
George bounded off into the crowd and Lee laughed.
"Are you gonna take advantage o' my brother- He's drunk!"
"I assure you", The fiddler said, leading Percy through the row of tents,"Your brother will fall asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow"
"And you know this how?"
"Because", Lee shrugged,"I've slept beside him every night for years. He's the love of my life, when you live somone... there are things about them you just know"
Percy stood outside of his and Olivers tent,"I tried to kiss Oliver"
"Ooooh", Lee snorted,"And did he kiss you back?"
Percy shook his head, sadly,"He doesn't like me."
"I think he does", Lee said, pushing open the flap,"Why do you think he doesn't"
"Doesn't what?"
"Like you"
"I think...", Percy said,"Penelope should name the baby... Ratatouille"
"What?"
"Because- when I tried to kiss Oliver he pulled away and- and- Oh FUCK!", Percy yelled as he stubbed his toe on the dnd of his bed.
Somone across the room sat up suddenly and their silhouette stalked towards them,"LEE?"
"I'm just putting Percy to bed, mate"
"Get out!"
"Are you in your pants or something?"
"Don't you dare try to-"
"He thinks you don't like him.", Lee says,"By the way."
Oliver's form faltered, and he sighed heavily into the cold air,"I do, though"
"I know", Lee shrugged, wandering slowly towards the edge of the tent,"He don't, though."
"I need to..."
"Tell him", Lee shrugged, opening the canvas,"Yeah. Maybe when he's sober" With that, Lee dissapeard behind the wall of the tent, and Oliver was left alone with a very drunk Percy.
" 'liver?"
Oliver turned to face Percy, who was halfway out of his shirt and very stuck, and said,"Do you want some help"
Percy wriggled out of his shirt and sat up,"Ye if little faith!", he called loudly, before falling back onto his bed,"Oliver... Oliver. I really like you."
Oliver sat on the floor and took the other mans slender ankle into his hand. He began to untie the laces- which was rather difficult to do with one hand.
Percy struggled to sit up, but when he did he laughed,"Your so sweet", as Oliver tugged of his boot, Percy reached down to tug his hair,"Oliver- Ollie?"
Oliver looked up at him; Percys face was flushed, his eyes blown wide, and his hair tossled from hours of doing god knows what. Percy reached out and traced a rough-padded fingertip over his jaw,"Do you know hiw beautiful you are?" Oliver shook his head against Percys hand, smiling softly,"You are", Percy whispered,"So beautiful"
Oliver twisted his head and kissed Percys palm, making quick work of his other shoe,"Go to bed, Percy"
"Do- do you not...", he pulled his hand away, and blinked and raised his palm to cover his eyes," 'm sorry"
"Do I not what, Percy?"
"L-like me?", he sniffed peeking through his fingers like a child.
Oliver stood and kissed the top of his head.
"Ask me again in the morning, Darling. And I'll say yes"