I'll Take Care of You

It was raining when Percy's alarm clock went off the next morning. A cold, dreary day was ahead. Percy had slept restlessly. His mind was turning over everything that had happened in the last two days. Before he had gone to bed, he had spent three hours trying to compose a letter to Oliver. He had planned to send it with Hermes first thing in the morning. Now, the fruits of his labor, a room full of crunched up parchment, just depressed him. He had no idea what to say. Everything or nothing? Had Oliver really meant what he had said? If that was the case, well it saved Percy the embarrassment of being rejected, but so much was still up in the air. As he finished dressing for work, Percy grabbed a quill and parchment off his desk. It wasn't romantic or sweet or soul baring as he had planned. It was simple and to the point.

Oliver,

We definitely need to talk. I'll come to visit you on my lunch break.

Love,

Percy

He hid the name on the envelope in his hand as he walked through the kitchen. He tied it to his owl's leg and sent him off to St. Mungo's.

'Good Morning,' he greeted his parents as Molly placed the plate of French toast in front of him. 'Mum, I was kidding about you making me French toast every day, really.'

'Well, I'm just trying fatten you up a little before you move out!'

'Speaking of which, when do you plan to move?' Arthur asked over the Daily Prophet. He and Molly had spoken a lot last night about Percy moving out. Molly agreed with Arthur that Percy was in love, but with whom they had no idea. They figured that he wanted to move out so that he could have an 'adult' relationship, without his parents knowing every aspect of it. Remembering themselves at 21, they could hardly fault him for wanting privacy.

'Well, my flat is vacant now, so I was thinking I could maybe start moving some stuff this weekend. I just have to get the keys from the landlord. I was hoping maybe you would come with me and help me clean and organize and all.' Percy was really enjoying the idea of his own place. Freedom from his parents and his brothers was his main objective.

'Sure we'll help. Just let us know what we need to do,' Molly smiled reassuringly, happy to see that Percy had eaten most of his French toast.

'Well, I need to get to work. Poor Louisa, I'm probably driving her nuts with all my stuff this week. I'll see you tonight.'

Percy apparated out of the kitchen to stay dry, as the stupid cloak was still at the hospital. Molly and Arthur raised eyebrows at each other over the table at the mention of a girl's name. Arthur spoke first, 'She is cute and she likes Percy, even if he does scare her sometimes.'

'I don't care who it is, really. As long as he is happy,' Molly sighed, gazing at the clock on the wall. Percy's hand now read 'work'.

~~~~~~~~~~

The owl beat Percy to the Ministry and the letter was on top of his mail. It was again on St. Mungo's stationary, but this time from Oliver and not a doctor.

Percy,

Thanks for dropping me a line. Yes, we do need to talk. I had planned to be a bit more subtle than I was yesterday, but I just couldn't let you out of my sight one more time without telling you. Morgan told me I caused quite a scene in the hallway, but she was laughing when she told me, so it must have been okay. So, come see me as soon as you get a chance.

Love,

Oliver

Percy hummed happily all through his work that morning. When Louisa told him that Cornelius Fudge was on his way to see him, Percy gathered up the reports that Fudge had sent back to him 3 times now. He greeted the Minister of Magic with a smile.

'Good Morning, Mr. Fudge,' Percy nodded politely.

'Yes, Percy, I know that you have rewritten these reports several times for me, but I still just don't understand this contract with the Magical Party in Turkmenistan.'

Percy sighed and ushered Mr. Fudge to a chair in the office. The next 45 minutes were spent baby-talking the Minister of Magic through a basic trade contract. It was always best to pacify Mr. Fudge. Percy was just one of his minions, doing his bidding, keeping him and therefore the entire magical community happy. Fudge did not know that most of the Ministry was working closely, albeit undercover, with Dumbledore to combat Voldemort. When he was satisfied that the Department of International Magical Cooperation wasn't doing anything too upsetting or illegal he stood to leave the office. He moved to shake Percy's hand, but stopped.

'Percy, it's lunchtime, why don't we get something to eat? My treat.'

'Oh, well, sir, thank you very much for the invitation, but I kinda have something to do during my lunch break.'

'Nonsense! You are about the skinniest thing I've ever seen. I know a great pub that'll put some meat on your bones.'

Percy hesitated, not wanting to delay his visit to Oliver, but knowing what refusing lunch with the Minister of Magic could do to his career. Maybe he could get away later in the afternoon to see Oliver. He relented to Mr. Fudge and they exited his office.

'Louisa, I'm going to lunch with Mr. Fudge. I'll be back later.'

Percy was halfway out the door when a questioning voice stopped him. 'Aren't you going to take a cloak?' Fudge eyed him, then the sky outside the window.

'Oh...I don't have my cloak. I left it with, er, with a friend,' he stammered, blushing.

Louisa noticed the blush and Percy's extreme awkwardness, even if Cornelius Fudge didn't. She was a very observant young woman and she knew that there was more to Percy's cloak-absence than just leaving it with a friend. Percy had disappeared several times in the last couple of days and there had been several 'Urgent' correspondences from St. Mungo's. She didn't know the details but didn't want to further embarrass her boss. She spoke quickly, 'Oh, Mr. Weasley, I have my boyfriend's cloak and I'm staying here for lunch. You can borrow it. I'll get it for you. Hold on.' She smiled sweetly, hoping to alleviate the tension in the room.

'Thank you, Louisa.'

The heavy rich material swirled around Percy's thin frame and he caught a glance in the mirror. The brown cloak highlighted his eyes and he decided that he needed to buy some new robes in this color.

'Well, we should go,' Mr. Fudge interrupted Percy's wardrobe musings. Percy grinned at his reflection and followed his boss out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The hamburger in front of Percy was cold and only a few of his chips had been munched on. His thoughts drifted to Oliver and his eyes searched out the clock all too often. He tried to concentrate on what Mr. Crouch and two other ministry officials were talking about, but he just kept replaying yesterday afternoon in his mind. 'I love you, too!' That was what Oliver had said. And that doctor, Morgan, had said that Oliver did.

'Right, Percy?'

Startled, Percy looked at Mr. Crouch. Guiltily he bit his lower lip and shook his head. He had no idea what he was being asked to confirm. Mr. Fudge looked first dismayed then amused.

'Well, boy, you told me that you had something else to do, but I made you come with me. Obviously, that thing is taking precedence in your thoughts, so you might as well go take care of it'

'Oh, Mr. Fudge, I'm sorry. No, really. I promise I'll pay attention,' mumbled Percy.

'Go! Why would you want to listen to some old farts gossiping about politics when you could be out pursuing your interests, whatever they may be? I was 21 once too, you know,' the usually officious man quipped jovially, dismissing Percy with a wave of his hand. Percy stood for a minute, then walked rapidly from the small, greasy establishment where they had dined. Oliver was the only thing on his mind.

As he neared the hospital room, Percy's steps slowed. It was still a bit strange. Oliver's letter that morning had been reassuring, but Percy couldn't help but wonder what happened from here. Were they supposed to date? He wasn't sure how this relationship was supposed to work. After all, he had only realized he was gay two days before. Did homosexual relationships work the same way as heterosexual ones? Well, he hadn't been very good at those either, so Percy figured it didn't really matter. He couldn't do much worse.

At the doorway he stopped. Oliver was sitting at the window staring out. It reminded Percy of their days back at Hogwarts when Oliver would stare out the window of their dorm room. "Looking at the Quidditch pitch and visualizing plays," he had said when Percy asked him what he was doing. Now, though, his posture was different. Slumped, but somehow, more tense. He appeared to be in a deep reverie, rather than psyching himself up for a match.

'Hi, Ol,' Percy quietly announced his presence.

'Perce, hi,' was the choked response. Turning his head so that Percy couldn't see his face, Oliver wiped his eyes with a blue Puddlemere handkerchief. Percy had come to see him, to talk about their relationship. They had revealed their feelings to each other and had seemed to feel the same way. This should be a happy time, but here he sat, bawling like a baby. Percy would see him as weak, diminished, pathetic. He would probably walk back out of his life just when Oliver thought he had returned to it.

He may have hid his face, but he couldn't hide the tears in his voice. Without speaking, Percy transfigured Oliver's chair into a loveseat. Still wearing the borrowed cloak, he sat as close to his love as he could. He reached for Oliver's chin and turned his freshly shaven face towards him. A frown creased Percy's face. Oliver wasn't hiding a couple of tears. His cheeks were blotchy and his usually patient, hazel eyes were bloodshot and swollen. A hint of despair dulled the spark that tended to appear in Percy's presence. Oliver had been crying for a long time. Risking a glance into Percy's eyes, Oliver was surprised. Instead of the disgust that he had expected, he found love, warmth, and understanding. He could no longer restrain himself and collapsed against Percy, burying his face into his chest.

Percy wrapped his arms protectively around Oliver, gently rubbing his back to comfort him. His heart broke with the anguish his friend felt. Anger was building in him. Anger at whoever or whatever had hurt his Oliver like this.

Oliver had stopped crying shortly after Percy had taken him into his arms. His breathing had slowed and was returning to normal. Percy said nothing for a very long time. He just held Oliver in the silence. It was about when the first rays of late afternoon sun broke through the rain clouds that he finally spoke, 'Whatever it is, you can tell me. You really can. Even if nothing else, you are my best friend. If I can make it better, I will.'

The man in his arms shifted slightly and Percy heard a muffled, 'Thank you'. When he looked down a moment later, Oliver had closed his eyes and was snoring lightly. Twenty minutes passed in the peace. Percy lowered his own face to the top of Oliver's head, kissing his hair gently.

A whispered, 'Hi' came from the direction of the doorway. Dr. Wolfe entered the room and with a wave of her wand, expanded the loveseat into a full couch, taking a seat on Percy's other side.

'Thanks for coming to see him. Looks like you got him to relax a bit. He had really, really bad morning.'

'Well, I didn't do anything. I've been here for a over an hour and I've said maybe 20 words.'

'Exactly. He didn't need words. It's just that you are here and didn't run away from him like his...' she trailed off, obviously distressed at what she had almost said.

Percy shifted the sleeping Oliver over a bit, so that he could turn to look at the doctor better. 'What? What is going on? Why was he so upset?' The anger was still there. 'He isn't mad at me, is he? Did I do something wrong?'

Morgan smiled sweetly at him, 'No honey, you have done absolutely nothing wrong. Like I said, Ol had a bad morning and I really don't think it's my place to tell you what happened. He will tell you, when he feels ready to. Right now though, you need to leave.'

Percy was still so nervous and jumpy about everything concerning Oliver that his panic showed clearly on his pale face.

With a giggle, Morgan reassured him, 'No, it's not us. We received a message that if Percy Weasley was here, to ask him to please return to work so that his secretary might get her cloak back. Take your own with you this time. It's still on the chair by the bed. I promise that you don't need the excuse of picking up your cloak to visit Ollie. You are welcome anytime.'

Percy returned her smile but it was replaced with anxiety as he looked down at the still sleeping man curled on his chest.

'What?'

'Er, as much as I don't mind having him lay here, I can't get up. He's bigger than I am. I can't possibly move him to his bed physically and I can't reach my wand to magic him over there'

'Oh, of course.' With a flick, Oliver was lifted off Percy and laid gently on his bed. He woke suddenly when his head hit the pillow. He saw two of his best friends gazing at him with love and concern. Morgan and Percy, both so patient and enduring. Percy hadn't been scared off by his emotional outburst; in fact, he had just accepted it. He smiled first at Morgan, then reached out a hand to Percy.

Ignoring the hand offered to him, Percy took a step even closer and wrapped his arms around Oliver in an affectionate hug. 'I have to go now, but let me know if you need me for anything.' He brushed his lips across Oliver's cheek in a gentle kiss.

'Percy, I need you for everything,' was the whispered response and this time it was Oliver who blushed.

Percy grabbed his own cloak and traded it for the one he was wearing. When he looked back at Oliver, he noticed the questioning look on his face. 'Oh, I left my cloak here so someone loaned me this one for the afternoon.' At this statement, Oliver looked disappointed and it was Percy's turn to give the questioning look.

'I just thought that it looked so good on you, I was kind of disappointed to learn that I wouldn't get to see it anymore,' Oliver mumbled shyly.

'Bye, Ol. I'll see you later' Percy whispered, laying a comforting hand on one muscular shoulder for a moment. 'Dr. Wolfe, could I speak to you for a moment outside?' Percy offered Oliver one last smile before he exited the room.

Once out of Oliver's earshot he spoke earnestly to the doctor, who appeared to care for Oliver almost as much as Percy did. 'Dr. Wolfe, I live at the Burrow, at least for a couple more days. If something happens. If he gets upset again or just wants to see me, please have someone come to get me right away. I'll be here as fast as I can apparate if he needs anything.'

Morgan regarded Percy appreciatively. 'It's a deal, Percy. Thank you. You have been more help than you will ever know. I agree about the cloak, though. You look good in brown. Brings out your eyes with the contrast. Now, go! Your poor secretary wants to go home!' With that, she gave him a light shove in the direction of the front door. So Percy left, wondering how in the world Louisa knew where he was and where to get a brown cloak like the one he had borrowed from her.