Perc'ahlia Addict

The nightmare is a vague thing. Incomprehensible, really. There is no monster, no big bad to be afraid of, nothing of the sort. It’s just dark and empty and Vex is running, running, running, away from nothing and everything at the same time. Thick, syrupy dread pools in her stomach.

When she finally jolts awake, she does not scream, or thrash, or even whimper. No, she’s had far too much practice to allow such obvious distress to show. The only thing to leave her trembling lips is a gasp. Quiet, easily swallowed by the still night air.

Alas, Percy was always a terribly light sleeper. The tiny noise is enough to pull him to consciousness. “Mmh?”

Vex holds still, hoping he’ll decide that nothing is wrong and fall back into a full rest.

No such luck. Her hitched breathing must give her away. Or perhaps he can feel the pounding of her heart from where their bodies press together. Either way, he leans up slightly on his elbow, blinking as he tries to see through the darkness of the room. “Vex, I know you’re awake.”

“No, I’m not,” she huffs, scooting a few inches away so he’s no longer spooning her so closely. “Go back to sleep.”

Percy is silent for a long few moments, but Vex isn’t foolish enough to think he actually listened to her command. Even if she couldn’t feel him watching her, she knows him well enough to know that returning to sleep is now a lost cause for the gunslinger. He’s going to be too focused on making sure she’s okay to get any more rest.

Gods damn him and his loving fucking care.

“Shall I call for Vax?”

“No, I’m fine. Just— please, Percy, I don’t want to talk about it.” The last thing Vex wants is to worry her brother with something as inconsequential as this. She can’t even remember any details of the nightmare, for Pelor’s sake! It’s nothing. She can handle it.

Percy ever-so-gently reaches for her arm, letting his calloused fingers slide down her wrist until their fingers can wrap together. “Dear Heart,” he whispers, eventually, and Vex curses the way that moniker always sounds so lovely on his lips. “Have you ever seen a proper Whitestone sunrise?”

“…what?”

Without letting go of her hand, Percy reaches over to fumble on the nightstand for his glasses. “It’s extraordinarily beautiful, if you have the patience to see it through. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to watch it together.”

Vex turns to peer at him, the squint of her eyes caused half by the dim lighting, half by a confused suspicion. “Why?”

His throat bobs, and he takes a few seconds to consider his answer. “Because I think it would calm you.”

Instinct clamps around Vex, demanding she turn sharp and defensive, deny his care on principle. If it were anyone but Percy, she would probably give into that instinct without hesitation.

As it is, she fights her gut response and tries to meet him in the middle. “Alright. But I’m not talking about it. Yet.”

Percy nods. “Whenever you’re ready, I trust you’ll come to me. Until then, I won’t pry,” he assures her, bringing her hand up to his lips, kissing the fingers before he guides her out of the bed.

Vex’s silky sleep dress ripples around her as she follows her husband, who only makes a quick stop to their closet so he can throw one of his fur-lined tailcoats over her goose-bump covered shoulders before leading her out to the balcony attached to their bedroom. 

The fresh night air is a balm Vex didn’t know she needed as they step outside. No signs of sunlight appear over the trees, but she reckons it won’t be long before it begins to peek out. In the meantime, she sits on the edge of the bench they’d had installed. Percy sits a few inches away from her, connected only by their intertwined hands, but it doesn’t go unnoticed how he keeps his posture open. If, or rather, when she will inevitably want to, Vex will have no trouble curling into his side. Just now, though, she appreciates the distance.

Time passes. Even in the silence, Percy does not twitch, does not fidget. His eyes are locked onto the treeline. Vex pulls her knees up to her chest so she’s hugging her legs, chin resting on her kneecaps. Focuses on breathing, slowly, in and out.

“Look,” Percy whispers, after what she would estimate to be half-an-hour has slipped by. He points to the forest, where the first beams of purple are beginning to cut across the sky, just barely visible. “It’s starting.”

Vex trails her gaze over the slowly-lightening dawn. “Do you watch this often?” she asks, voice raspy with sleep, but steadier than it had been before. The fresh air and silent company has helped her calm down remarkably well. 

“Not for a long time. This used to be my mother’s remedy to our nightmares, when my siblings and I were young.”

While he speaks, Vex tilts herself into his side, and he’s quick to tuck her into his blanket. Her voice is small when she whispers, “I don’t even remember what I dreamed about, really. Isn’t that stupid?”

It’s a relief when he doesn’t immediately sprout off some practiced response, but rather considers it deeply. “It’s illogical, perhaps, but feelings rarely fall into the realm of logic. We’re all bound to have emotions we can’t explain. Whether or not they’re ‘stupid’, as you say, does not have an effect on whether or not we are.”

The answer is so true to Percy that Vex can’t help but snort a tiny laugh. “Eloquent fucker.”

He shares her laughter, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m not called a genius for nothing.”

They lapse into silence once more, and Vex soon finds herself enraptured by the pinks and oranges and yellows that scatter across the dim sky, a mirage she’d been entirely unprepared for. It casts warm light on the city spread out before the forest, as the early-risers begin to leave their homes and do the first errands of the day. Everything is painted in gold. She’d assumed that Percy was exaggerating about the beauty of it all, but looking at it now, there’s no denying how correct he was. “Holy shit,” she whispers.

He pulls her in tighter, running his hand up and down her upper arm. “I told you.”

“Don’t be smug,” she laughs.

“I would never,” he lies, resting his head on top of hers.

The colors continue to mingle and blend as the sun lifts higher and higher. Whitestone’s streets grow busier, shops opening and parents taking children to school. Mingled chatter rises through the air, reaching their ears.

It’s utterly soothing, and Vex cannot help the way her eyes flutter shut for several seconds too long every time she blinks. Percy notices, because of course he does, but does not comment. All he does is tuck his coat more securely around her shoulders and continue to stroke her softly.

The first arrow was a simple thing.

Well, that’s not true. The first arrow was complex in construction, delicate and complicated enough that it kept Percy tinkering for weeks. Crafting one that explodes upon impact is no small feat. In that way, it hadn’t been simple at all.

Perhaps a better way to phrase it is this: the first arrow was nothing important.

Yes, Vex was pleased to have such a weapon at her disposal, and yes, she was flattered that Percy spent so much time creating it, but that was it. A small gift between friends.

Except not much time passed before the second arrow was presented to her. Similar to the first, but more fine-tuned, according to Percy.

Well, fine. Vex can handle that. She knows how their gunslinger likes to perfect his inventions, to improve them until they can’t be anymore. That’s what she’d assumed it was. He’d simply wanted to create it for his own benefit.

The third arrow, yet another advancement, was considered the same.

Sometime around the fourth one, however, Vex hears a warning bell sound off in a deep corner of her mind.

“It’s a siege arrow,” Percy explains, ignorant to her sudden caution as he hands her the weapon. “Maybe now we’ll have more luck getting through doors.”

“Indeed,” she hums, testing the feel and weight of it, though her mind is elsewhere. “Thank you, Percy. I have to say, you’ve been spoiling me with all these gifts.”

The unspoken question of why hangs over her head, but apparently, it goes unheard to the gunslinger. He just grins. “Yes, well. I do hope you enjoy them.”

And then, just like that, he’d walks away. Vex watches his retreating form, lip caught between her teeth, before retreating back to her room for a night’s rest. Sleep does not come easy as she ponders the motives of his kindness.

The fifth, sixth, and seventh arrows come and go, each one sparking more confusion in Vex. Barely a week ever goes by without a new creation finding its way into her hands, and a part of her is going mad with it. If he wants something so desperately, why doesn’t he just come out and ask? Percy never struck her as particularly manipulative, at least to his friends, so why the fuck is he desperately trying to suck up to her?

Perhaps he had done something terrible, and this is his way of apologizing. Yet even then, Vex can’t figure out what he might have done to warrant such profuse gifting.

Well, she’s done with it. No more beating around the bush. Steps firm and steady, she finds herself marching down to his workshop, fully intending to put this whole ordeal to an end.

Percy meets her halfway down the stairs, another fucking arrow in his hands. “Oh, Vex, I was just about to come find you,” he says.

Vex looks down at the arrow in his hands, looks up at his proud expression, then grabs him by the collar of his soot-covered work shirt and drags him down into the workshop once more. Percy yelps. “What in the hells—?”

“What are you playing at?” Vex demands, all her careful composure thrown out with the force of her frustration. “What’s the goal here? And don’t lie to me, Percival. I’m not in the mood.”

Slowly, he reaches up to fix his shirt collar from where Vex had snatched it. “I’m afraid I don’t follow. Have I done something?”

“You know what I’m talking about! What do you want? Money, is that it? You want me to be looser with your funds? Fucking— fine! Here,” she snarls, unclipping her personal coin purse and chucking it at his feet. The anger coursing through her is more potent than it’s been in years, boiling her very blood in a way that’s almost alarming. Percy has no right to play her for a fool. Vex thought he’d respected her more than that, but apparently she was wrong, and it fucking hurts.

Percy stares at the coin purse on the ground, mouth open and eyes wide. “Vex, I— are you alright?” He’s stepping closer, arrow still in hand but long-forgotten. 

“I’m fine. Take your money. And next time, just ask. Don’t play these games with me.” Her voice is wavering and she hates it, hates how much she cares.

“What in Pelor’s name are you talking about?!” he asks, sounding so genuinely baffled that it gives her pause. Then, “Vex’ahlia… Vex, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Teeth grinding together, Vex snaps, “The fucking arrows, Percy! I don’t appreciate your bribery.”

Percy looks at her, looks at the arrow in his hand, looks at the coin pouch on the ground. His face twists, but not with guilt or anger. Instead, he just adopts the expression of a kicked puppy, all furrows and pouted lips. “Bribery? That’s what you think I’m doing?”

“You’re denying it?” Vex asks, arms crossing over her chest as if that could shield her from the way his sadness is wringing her heart.

His mouth opens and closes several times. Slowly, he picks up the coin purse and hands it back to her. “I apologise. I hadn’t realised that you— that I was giving that impression.”

Vex twitches. She couldn’t have been wrong. What other reason would he have to be so fucking kind to her? And, Gods above, if she is wrong, then why is he handling it like this? “What impression were you trying to give, then?”

Percy’s hand ruffles through his hair. When he speaks, it’s little more than a murmur. “It’s— I spent a long time creating things out of anger, Vex. Horrible things that I had no right to invent.” It’s clear that each of his words is chosen with a great deal of thought. He won’t look at her.

Stepping forward, Vex lets her hands uncross from her chest and fall to her side. “So, what, is this some kind of penance? Your way of apologizing?”

His jaw flexes. “No. It’s more selfish than that, I’m afraid. I… when I made the things I did, the firearms, I was inspired by rage. When I make arrows for you, it’s different. Rage isn’t my inspiration.”

“What is?” she asks, breath held.

He looks up at her, all gentle and sad. “You are. You really inspire me to create something better. To be something better.”

Oh.

Vex swallows, breaking his gaze to stare at the arrow in his hand. Her heart withers with guilt as the reality of the situation sinks in. Gods, she’d been screaming at him, accusing him of such terrible things, when his whole motivation was that? “I’m— Fuck, I’m such a dick. I’m sorry,” she whispers, burying her face in her hands.

“No, I’m sorry. I should have been more clear with my intentions—”

“Shut up, you did nothing wrong. I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me, why I assumed—”

“Nothing is wrong with you, Vex’ahlia,” Percy interjects, voice still quiet, but with a firm, passionate undertone. His footsteps approach, and then his hands are gently pulling hers away from her face, exposing her distressed expression. “Of all people, I understand not knowing what to do with kindness.”

Vex breathes in, inhaling his unique scent of soap and metal. He’s very close, and she feels utterly exposed to his eyes, but it’s not such a horrible feeling when he understands. “Percy… do you still want to make the arrows? I understand if you don’t, but… I really do love them.”

His lips curve into a smile. “I’ll make as many as you want.”

And then, somehow, their lips are connecting. Vex doesn’t who leaned in for the kiss first, or if they were both in sync, but either way, it’s wonderful. Soft and slow, like nothing she’s ever experienced.

Her hand finds purchase on the back of his neck, idly stroking through the baby hairs there, smiling against his lips when he melts into her touch. His own hand is on the small of her back, holding her close to him, thumb rubbing mindless patterns.

“That was…” Percy whispers when they finally break apart for air, coming to rest their foreheads together. “Wonderful.”

Vex laughs, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Agreed. Do you think you can pull yourself away from the workshop for the rest of the day? I would like to spend some time apologizing for… everything. I really am sorry.”

“I’ve already forgiven you, Vex.”

“I’d still like to make it up to you. However you like. Besides, I’m not exactly getting the short end of the stick here, darling. Your company is a lovely bonus.”

Percy’s throat bobs. “I would enjoy a dinner with you, if you’re offering. But I don’t want you to do it as a payment, or an apology.”

Vex sighs, pushing through her instincts in order to be honest, peel back some of her armor, exposing her vulnerable underside. “That’s not what this is. Not in your case, anyway. I… I care for you, Percy, and I am going to keep apologizing for a little while, because I feel really fucking bad. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t also enjoy a dinner together. Genuinely”

His smile is radiant as he leans down to kiss her once more, if briefly. “Alright. I’ll ask Laina to cook something for us. There’s not much privacy to be had in the dining room, but we’ll make do—”

“Oh, don’t be silly. My room is big enough for us both. Meet me there with the food, yeah? Don’t keep me waiting,” Vex hums, pressing one last teasing kiss to the corner of Percy’s lips, quite enjoying his blush as she flutters out of his workshop. 

“Is everything alright?”

Vex startles at the sudden voice, screwdriver slipping from her hand and clattering to the floor as her head jerks up, thumping against the counter-top with a painful thud. “Shit!”

“Ah, apologies. I didn’t mean to startle you.” 

At the counter of the small cafe, Six Shot Americano Man is staring at her. He always comes in ten minutes after open and orders his monstrosity of unsweetened caffeine. Normally, Vex has it on the counter waiting for him, but with her machine busted, there’s little she can do.

She presses a hand to the spot where she’d smacked her head, wincing at the immediate shot of pain. “No, don’t worry about it. I’ll have that Americano out for you in about…” she glances at the exposed innards of her broken espresso machine. “Well, probably not for a long time.”

Six Shot Americano Man leans over the counter, glancing at the scattered tools surrounding Vex as she kneels on the floor for easier access to the machinery. If it were anyone else, she might be annoyed, but Six Shot Americano Man is her favorite customer, partly because he’s polite, but mostly because he tips insanely well. “Have you called someone to fix it?”

“They won’t be here until tomorrow, and I figure I can’t make things much worse, can I? If I could just find out what’s wrong with the thing…”

“Hm. I could take a look, if you don’t mind. I’m rather good with these things,” he offers, stroking the stubble that’s just beginning to peek through on his jaw.

Vex peers at him with narrow eyes. Normally, it would be a quick and easy ‘no’ to a request like that, but, hell, she’s willing to try just about anything. After all, Scanlan had called out for his shift today, and although this hole-in-the-wall coffee shop is rarely busy, Vex doesn’t want to deal with a broken espresso machine by herself. Besides, Six Shot Americano Man hasn’t yet given her a reason to be overtly cautious. Fuck it. “Alright, but I can’t pay you.”

He shrugs off his formal jacket, walking around the corner so he’s behind the bar. “That’s not an issue. May I?”

She easily steps away to make room for him. “Be my guest.”

His face is quickly pulled into a look of consideration as he pushes the wires around to get a better look inside the machine. Vex leans against the back wall, keeping a curious eye on him as he fiddles with some mechanism or another, quietly muttering to himself. What little words she can catch are some kind of technical jargon.

“Have you worked on these before?” she can’t help but ask, watching his fingers move with practiced precision.

“Not this particular model, but I’ve always had a knack for machinery,” he hums, green eyes never leaving the task. Vex should probably be watching his fingers as they delve into the wires, in case this issue should ever arise again and she needs to fix it, but she finds herself studying the man, instead.

Objectively, Six Shot Americano Man is rather attractive, though that’s not a new revelation. It’s hard for anyone to not notice that the first time they lay eyes on him. Hell, when he first started coming in all those months ago, Scanlan had fallen over himself trying to land a date, though found himself unsuccessful. So, yes, Vex knew he was attractive.

Somehow, though, that had never really resonated with her until now. He’d always just been Six Shot Americano Man who tips well and doesn’t talk much, and Vex had been content with that.

So why is she feeling the sudden urge to have a name for him?

It probably has something to do with the small emoting of his expression, lips pursing and nose scrunching and eyes narrowing when he fiddles with what must be a difficult component. Or perhaps it’s the practiced, confident movements of his hands deep within the machine.

Either way, Vex figures it’s been a damn long time since she treated herself to a proper date with a handsome somebody. Might as well give it a go, now.

“You know, I see you nearly every day, but I don’t think you’ve ever told me your name,” she hums, trailing over to his side.

“My name is Percy,” he answers, only glancing at her for a second before turning his attention back to his work. “And you’re Vex’ahlia, if the nametag is correct.”

The way he says her name is strangely appealing, the syllables slotting together so perfectly when wearing his posh accent. “You can just call me Vex, darling. Everyone else does.”

She doesn’t think anything of the moniker, but it causes Percy’s hands to fumble for half a second. “Well. It’s nice to meet you, Vex.”

“And you, Percy.” If he were looking at her, she’d throw in a wink, but alas. “So, I have to ask, what keeps bringing you back here? You know there’s a Starbucks down the street, right?”

He laughs. “Is it standard practice to recommend the competition?”

“I would argue that this is more of a customer satisfaction survey. Something must be keeping you loyal to us, it’s only helpful to know what it is,” Vex says, finding herself leaning over him slightly. 

Percy glances up at her, then looks away a tad bit too quickly. His cheeks are beginning to turn a dusty pink. “I like the quiet. Everywhere else is too busy.”

“So you like that we get bad business? That’s not very helpful for my survey.”

There’s a short pause before he says, “Well, the baristas also provide excellent company.”

Vex’s smile grows. “Hm, good to know. I need as much detail as possible for this survey, could you be more specific?”

“The one named Scanlan is particularly enjoyable.”

His voice is so deadpan that it takes Vex a long second to recognise it as a joke, but the smirk on his lips gives him away. She snickers. “Don’t let him hear you say that, he’ll start trying to flirt with you again.”

Percy grins as he pulls his hands out of the espresso machine’s innards. “I’ve dealt with worse. And… there we are,” he says, pressing the power button and watching with satisfaction as the machine begins to start.

Vex’s eyes widen as the screen comes to life. “No shit, you actually did it?”

“Did you not think I could?”

“Of course not! I just figured you couldn’t make it worse,” she admits, clicking the single shot button and watching with awe as espresso starts to pour. “That’s amazing!”

His preening is subtle, but Vex is good at reading people, and she can see the way his chin lifts and his smile grows a centimeter. It’s endearing. “It’s nothing, really.”

“Oh, shut up,” she scoffs, easily grabbing a cup and beginning to prep his Americano. “You just saved my ass. I’m never letting you pay for a drink again, they’re all on the house.”

Percy considers something for a second. “The business is already struggling enough, I don’t think that’s the best idea. Though, if you truly want to repay me, you could let me take you out to dinner. It’s not in any way expected, of course, but I would enjoy getting to know you.”

Her heart thunders with excitement, but she keeps her cool. “I suppose I can manage that,” Vex teases as she hands him his Americano. “You free tomorrow?”

“I can be,” he quickly agrees, just eager enough to be endlessly charming. “Here, my phone number. Just text me a restaurant and time, I’ll be there.” He quickly jots his number down on a napkin. “Unfortunately, I must get to work. I’m already late. I look forward to tomorrow.”

Vex blinks. “You were late to work to fix my machine?”

“I’d say the outcome was well worth it,” Percy hums, grinning wide. “I’ll see you soon, Vex’ahlia.”

She shakes her head, exasperation and fondness mingling together in her chest. “Yes, yes, I’m excited, too, now get to work! I’m not going to be the reason you get fired!”

“Have you noticed,” Vex begins, with the kind of hesitant tone that tells Percy she’s about to bring up something serious. He immediately looks up from the book he was skimming, giving her his full attention, though she’s still idly scrolling through her phone.

When she doesn’t continue for a few seconds, he prompts, “Have I noticed what?”

The bobbing of her throat tells Percy that she’s swallowed several times before looking up from her phone to meet his gaze. They’re on opposite ends of the sofa in her dorm, and it occurs to both of them that that’s a bit unusual. Most of the time, they settle in side-by-side. “People keep assuming that we’re together.”

Percy tries to keep himself neutral, but he’s not sure works so well if Vex’s raised eyebrow is any indication. “I… have.”

They lapse into silence once more, but where they would normally settle easily into the comfortable, quiet atmosphere provided by each other, neither of them seem very relaxed.

“Does it bother you? When they think that?” Vex asks.

“Ah— I suppose not. It’s not like they mean any harm by it,” is what he says.

I don’t mind it as much as I should mind it, and I’m afraid that makes me a horrible, selfish person, is what he doesn’t say.

Vex fully sets aside her phone, eyebrows knitting together as she stares at him. “Right.”

“Do you mind it?” Percy asks. She doesn’t answer right away, and his heart deflates pathetically. Of course she minds it. Vex is far out of his league, and the fact that people would think she would settle for him is rather insulting. “I’m— I’m terribly sorry, I never meant to give anyone the impression that—”

“No, no, it’s not that,” Vex insists, lips pressing together. There are lines of deep thought etched into her face, and Percy wants nothing more than to soothe them out, but it really isn’t his place. “I don’t mind it either, really.”

Softly, he sets his book aside, turning so he’s properly angled towards her. “You don’t have to lie. I know I’m hardly the kind of person you would want to be with.”

His words make her scoff, catching him off guard. “You don’t get to decide who I would want to be with,” she mutters, defensive walls visibly rising in the shape of her posture.

“I didn’t mean that. I simply— you could do far better than me, Vex’ahlia.” Her full name rolls of his tongue like it belongs on his lips, each syllable enunciated with an emotion he doesn’t dare name. 

“For someone so smart, you’re really fucking stupid, sometimes. Anyone would be lucky to have you, Percy, do you not see that?”

His alert rises at a rapid pace when he notices the strained tightness to her voice, like a rubber band about to snap. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” he rushes to say, even though he’s not sure what he did to cause this distress.

Vex’s jaw flexes. When she speaks, her words are fiercely passionate. “I know you have your flaws, Percy, but you make me happy. And you make Keyleth happy. And Tary and Pike and Vax and— I don’t even know what I’m trying to say,” she breaks off, turning to stare away from him. “Just— you’re wonderful. You’re passionate and creative and the biggest damn nerd I’ve ever met.”

Percy wants, selfishly, to… to do something. He’s not even sure what, but he knows it involves Vex and being honest with his feelings. It’s as if there’s a string between them, pulling him closer, and it takes all his willpower to resist. “You always see the good in me.”

“There’s a lot of it to see,” she insists, turning back towards him. Something like determination is written in the harsh set to her face. “And I would like to see more. If you’ll let me.”

“I’m an open book, to you. You already know everything about me.”

Something possesses her, then, and Percy wonders if he’s somehow fallen into a trap as Vex smirks, sliding across the couch towards him. “Actually, I don’t know everything,” she murmurs, low and raspy.

He laughs, a little nervous. She’s hovering over him now and they’ve been close before, of course, but this feels different in a way he can’t describe. “What do you mean?”

And then her hands are cupping his face. Percy blinks, trying to sort through the thoughts in his brain that have suddenly become very unimportant in comparison to how close she’s gotten. Every one of his senses can’t fathom anything but her. He wants… He wants…

He just wants.

“I don’t know how good you are at kissing me,” Vex whispers, looking directly into his eyes, centimeters from his face.

Percy can’t help it: he looks down to her lips, breath trapped in his lungs. This close, he can smell her, woodsy with a hint of cinnamon sugar, and fuck it. He just barely musters the wherewithal to whisper, “May I?”

Her answer consists of her lunging forward so their lips connect. If Percy had known that this would be happening today, he would have brought chapstick, but that’s a distant thought. There are far more important things to be focusing on, he decides, hands blindly reaching to pull Vex in. It’s hard to find the right angle, with his eyes closed and movements clumsy, but eventually his left hand rests on her waist and his right hand cups the back of her neck.

She settles into him so perfectly once they find their footing, fingers exploring his stubble covered jaw in a way that makes him want to purr, despite not having the anatomy of a cat.

“Vex’ahlia,” he says, not bothering to pull away as he whispers it against her lips. 

“Percy,” she responds, one hand leaving his jaw so she can clutch the collar of his button-up, neither of them giving a single shit about the wrinkles she’s leaving behind.

When Vex eventually pulls back, even slightly, Percy can’t help the way he tries to chase her. He hasn’t gotten his fill of this, yet. He probably won’t ever get enough. He needs to spend the rest of time kissing her, or he might just keel over and perish.

“We have all the time in the world, darling,” she assures him, and Percy wouldn’t even be surprised if he found out she actually could read his mind. He wouldn’t care much, either, despite the scientific implications.

The world could come crashing down around them, and he doubts he’d even notice.

“That— I, ah— You are very good at that,” he whispers, head still spinning too much to form a much better compliment.

Vex laughs. “You’re not bad, yourself. Though, it’s hard to really tell how talented someone is from just one kiss. I think I’ll need a few more before I make a final decision.”

That’s all the warning Percy gets before she’s surging up once more, pressing him back against the armrest of the couch. He goes easily, allows her anything and everything she wants. God, he’d allow her to tear the heart from his living body if it only it meant he got to stay here with her, like this, for the rest of time.

He tries to tell her as much, but she won’t let him up for air, much less to speak, so all that escapes him is a series of muffled, incoherent noises. It’s probably for the best— Percy can’t think of a better use for his mouth right now than kissing Vex.

And then the door to the room slams open. “Come help me put away grocer— oh, Jesus fucking Christ,” Vax announces. “On our goddamn couch?!”

Vex pulls away to glance at her brother, far too coherently, given how she’s still basically draped over Percy. She’s a little out of breath and a flush covers her skin, but her tone is clear when she asks, “You finished shopping already?”

“Yes, now come help me put it away. You too, Freddie.”

“Yuh,” Percy mumbles, head falling back against the armrest as he tries to think once more. The change of atmosphere has thrown him for a complete loop, and a large part of him is insisting that he ignore Vax’s presence and just keep kissing Vex. He manages to restrain himself.

Vax groans. “God, you’re disgusting, the both of you. Come on, the ice-cream is melting.”

“Mmph.”

“Jesus, Vex, look at what you’ve done. You broke Percy.”

Vex laughs, and that, at least, cuts through his foggy brain. It’s a lovely sound. “I didn’t break. I ascended. I’m on the next level of humanity. It’s quite nice,” he hums, watching as Vex climbs off him and stretches her muscles.

“Well, the sooner you finish helping me, the sooner you can get back to your little make-out session.” Vax’s nose wrinkles with disgust as he speaks. “But no more snogging on the couch. That’s off-limits. Take it to your room. And don’t be loud enough for me to hear you.”

Vex tugs Percy up. “You heard him, Love.” The nickname almost cuts through all of his composure once more.

“Alright, alright,” Percy huffs. “I can handle groceries. I think.”

Vax throws a loaf of bread at him that he barely manages to catch before it nails him in the face. “Good. Oh, and don’t forget to update all those people who thought you were together that the two of you finally got over yourselves and realised you’re hopelessly in love. I’m sure that won’t be awkward at all.”

Percy and Vex groan in sync as Vax giggles. They have a lot of explaining to do, that much is correct. And it’s going to be horribly awkward, yes.