Give the Goblin Some Gold

At first, Luke doesn't really believe his eyes. Last he saw Percy, the younger man was smiling apologetically at him through a rapidly closing tear Luke himself had made with Backbiter.

Now Percy runs toward him, beaten and bruised and beautifully alive, and Luke doesn't hesitate to wrap his arms around him, holds him as tightly as he dares without injuring the other further. Percy clings to him just as firmly, burying his face against the blonde's neck with an audible sigh. He loses track of time as he holds Percy close, soothes himself with feeling the steady beat of Percy's heart against his chest, under his palm, breath warm and alive against his collar.

"I'm sorry I took so long," Percy breaks the silence first, fingers gripping the fine hairs at the nape of Luke's neck. It's then that Luke finally manages to pull himself back, just a little, lifting Percy's face so he can press their foreheads together gently, careful of the bruising.

"You should be," The blonde starts, cerulean eyes meeting sea green, brushing a hand through Percy's mussed locks, careful not to snag on any knots. "You've given me gray hairs, you know." Percy snorts, lips tilting into a crooked smile as unwinds his arms from around the taller man, choosing instead to thread their scarred fingers together.