House: Hufflepuff

Year: 3

Category: Drabble

Prompt: [date] Valentine's Day

Word Count: Word count 452

Pairing Oliver/Percy - Prompt Fake Dating

MC4A

Romance Challenge

Fill Number: 1

Representation(s): Percy/Oliver

Bonus Challenge(s): Gryffindor MC 2 / Shipmas / In a Flash / Winter Wonderland / Click Bait It / Yellow Ribbon / Sky's the Limit / Shadows of Consequence

Word Count: 413

.oOo.

"Oi! Oliver, come back here, please? It's just for the night. Three hours, four max!" Percy threw a couple Galleons on the table and followed him out into the cold February air.

"It's not going to happen, Percy. Find someone else to take you to the Valentine's Day gala tonight at the Ministry!" Oliver continued walking down the sidewalk and headed towards the nearest Apparation point. "You can't expect me to be waiting around on your call so I can swoop in and save you from having to attend solo."

The Keeper may have an advantage in endurance, but Percy's long legs made quick work in catching up to Oliver. "Please, this is the last time. I promise."

Oliver spun on Percy, a dangerous grey-green light flashed in his eyes. "Why should I believe you this time?" Percy felt his back hit the brick wall before he realized that Oliver had advanced on him and backed him into the back of the small alley.

"Why?" his voice cracked, and Oliver kept moving forward until his face was only inches away from Percy's. It was then that Percy saw something in his friend's eyes.

Hurt.

"I can't keep doing this to myself, Perce. I can't keep leaving myself available for you to use me like this." Oliver could feel the tears burning behind his eyelids and looked down. But each time he agreed to help his best friend, it got harder to walk away when they were done pretending.

"Hey," Percy reached out to Oliver's shoulders and ran his hands down Oliver's arms before clasping hands. "I'm sorry. I thought we were having fun. Well, my kind of fun at least." They looked at each other and sniggered at that. Of course Percy would find the Ministry a fun place to be on Valentine's Day. "We don't have to go. I can let them know I can't make it."

Percy squeezed Oliver's hands and went to release them, but Oliver held on. "You really should go, Percy. If you don't, you will just be pacing a floor somewhere itching to be there."

Taking a breath, Oliver pushed on, "What if I go with you..." Oliver looked down at their hands and returned Percy's squeeze before he continued on.

"What if I go with you," he looked up into Percy's eyes, hoping he saw something reflected back, "and instead of it being a fake date, it could be a real date?"

"I say, that sounds like a fantastic idea. Happy Valentine's Day, Oliver." Without thinking, Percy pulled their hands up and brushed a soft kiss on Oliver's knuckles.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Percy," Oliver's smile lit up the small alley, and didn't fade all evening.