Footsteps echo, thank Merlin.
Percy stalked down the corridor he had walked up earlier.
He didn’t feel like going back into the library, his hands were still clenched, and he could feel a headache coming on.
Not like it had been the first time someone just wanted to figure out if they had an, as his mother would say “unusual” interest in boys, it was also not the first time someone had come to him to figure that out.
But this time it had felt different they hadn’t done anything but kiss a few times, and most of the night they had just been talking.
“Ehh.. i’m not realy sure yet” Was what Marcus had said when Percy had asked him about what he was planning on doing after school and Percy had been presently surprised by his calmness even when disgusting quidditch, especially when Percy admitted that Percy himself didn’t really have a favourite team, he usually just went with which team his friends favoured.
Oliver had almost had a stroke when Percy had confessed this to him, Marcus had only been amused pushing Percy softly into his shoulder and had said something about Oliver’s head exploiting should Percy ever say his favourite team was the same as Marcus, and it hadn’t felt like Marcus had been like the other guys at all.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway as he turned around the next corner, he had started feeling a lite guilty for being so hostile.
Percy knew that most people didn’t know about his inclinations, his utter lack of denouncements had surprisingly helped that quite a bit.
Apparently being unbothered about the unspoken accusations had resulted in people either forgetting about them or assuming that they had been made up, the people who had started the rumours had no ways of knowing that they had been right,
But every sometimes someone, usually a guy would take the risk and try to chat Percy up.
The first time it had happens hadn’t been that long ago, Alex had just vanished from Percy’s life, and he had felt pathetic enough to let some random sixth year guy feel him up behind (somewhere) needless to say that when that same guy blatantly ignored him.
The next day in favour of snickering with his friends about a prank the twins had played on some poor first year while Percy tried to fix what they had done, he had felt even worse than before, his attempt of confronting him went even worse.
Percy had honestly suppressed whatever the guy had said to him but the uncomfortable pity with which he had looked at Percy had been enough to make him want to bury himself.
He had gotten approached a few more times by guys who would definitely never imply had they could be friends by making fun of Percy’s erratic roommate.
Percy stoped dead in his tracks, he had totally blown it hadn’t he, he definitely wouldn’t forget about the “didn’t know you got around that much comment any time soon, but the other boy seamed to put his foot in his mouth quiet a bit in general.
He looked up confused, he had stoped but the sound of footsteps hadn’t the sound echoed of the walls and came gradually closer to him.
Marcus didn’t know what he was going to say when he caught up to Percy, but the time to think about anything was gone the moment he walked around the last corner.
He had heard Percy’s steps halt, but he hadn’t expected that the boy would be turned around looking right at him.
Percy didn’t run away when Marcus stepped towards him so he counted that as a win.
Crossing the short distance between him and the redhead was still enough time to assess their surroundings, The walls weren’t covert in paintings, like in the more important hallways, there were only a few tapestries on the side without windows, and with discomfort he realised that they were a little to close to the great hall, were the foot traffic was always stronger.
His eyes met Percy’s the moment he stoped in front of him, he had crossed his arms defensively, but his face didn’t seam as closed of as it had previously been.
His eyes were staring right at Marcus, but he couldn’t help but look around trying to figure out if somebody was going to come across them on their way to the great hall.
Percy must have noticed where his gaze went because he said “usually there are only people here around dinner time because the Herbolygy students come through here after their last class” Marcus nodded hid head a bit dumbly in response before he tried to get himself back on frack.
“I’m sorry!” He might have been a bit to loud, but the volume of his words did it seam to be the reason for his baselines.
Percy eyes narrowed „Eh..“ he looked away from Marcus, his hands were pushed into his sleeves where his fingers were rubbing the fabric between them.
Marcus pushed his hands against his head, were he started rubbing at the nape of his neck, he exhaled strongly before he looked straight into Percys eyes were he had previously avoided them.
The hall was quiet when Marcus's voice once again cut through the silence “I didn’t want to insult you “
his hand fell back to his side Percy didn’t say anything leaving room for Marcus to find the right words,
He stepped closer towards Percy letting his hand reach out to grasp Percy’s softly, Marcus let a relieved breath out when Percy didn’t pull away, instead he held Marcus steady gaze before rolling his eyes, with what Marcus hoped was fond annoyance.
“Fine” he didn’t pull his hand out from where it was clasped in between Markus’s, but he could feel the slight shaking vibrate from it, his eyes were drawn back up to Percy when he continued talking “I believe you… but that-“ loud footsteps started echoing down the hallway, and Marcus sighed and said “looks like the fourth yers are done with Herbology” he herd Percy suck in a breath before pulling his hand from Marcus and taking a step back.
He wanted to ask what happened but before he could Fred and George Weasleys Loud voices followed the footsteps down the hall coming quickly closer to them.
Looking over at Percy he saw his relief at the understanding expression on Marcus face,
and before Percy could try to explain himself more,
he stepped close to him again ignoring the the sharp intake of breath coming from the redhead's mouth,
instead, he just stepped closer placing his right hand on Percy’s waist, suppressing a smile at the way Percy’s own hand reached to steady himself by grabbing onto the arm Marcus had placed on his side.
Percys blue eyes had widened as he looked up at Marcus who wasn’t sure if he found the way that his actions made Percy forget of the incoming danger flattering or worrying,
The Same thought made himself remember why he had taken action in the first place
So, he leaned down to Percy’s side before he whispered, “I’m glad you’re forgiving me, lets talk more latter” and after placing a quick kiss on Percy’s cheek, he started of towards the great hall.
Turning back around one last time to look at Percy, who had definitely turned as red as his hair and looked, just like Marcus had hoped mostly flustered and not at all mad at the kiss.
Percy couldn’t belie what had just happened, he fought his hand reaching up to touch his flushed cheek, but before he could comprehend what had just happened, he heard the loud footsteps of his brothers and their classmates.
So, he started rushing down he same hallway Marcus had hurried down just a few seconds prior.