I can’t believe that someone who owns a bookstore’s favorite genre is romance
Percy
He pulled out the pan of scones. A smile tipped on his lips. They were perfect. Percy has been baking nonstop. He was going to bring them to Anthony’s tonight. He had been looking forward to having one-on-one time with Anthony. To talk about the shop, nothing else. There was a swift kick from his baby. Apparently, they did not believe him. Percy didn’t even believe himself.
Percy placed the pastries in separate boxes. Each box had a different logo on it. He wanted to show Anthony. So they could choose which one they liked the best. Percy wouldn’t mention that he stayed up late the past couple of days drawing each of the logos. Merlin knows how that would go over with the owner. He also wouldn’t mention he dreamed about the man every night. Though he did have naughty dreams of Anthony. There were dreams about them with the baby at the shop. On vacation. Holidays with their big chosen family. A dream that is all that it was. A fantasy more like it. Yes, he will have a family and a support system, but would he ever have a relationship with anyone, let alone Anthony? Doesn’t seem likely.
The clock on the wall chimed. Oh gods, he is late! Percy hated to be late. Things never went well when he was late. In a hurry, he picked up the boxes and waddled quickly to the floo. Anthony let him know he could come through. In such a rush he threw the powder and practically jumped in the flames as soon as it turned green.
Percy stumbled out of the floo the boxes. Thankfully were magically shut and slid across the floor. Strong arms wrapped around him. Percy flinched and fell to his knees.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to be late… I lost track of time. I’ll do better.” Percy held back a flinch when hands came toward him. Warm, slightly calloused hands cupped his cheeks. Thumbs gently wipe away his tears. He didn’t even know, was falling.
“Percy, it’s okay, Precious. It's me, Anthony. You are not late. You are right on time.” Percy blinked a few times his surroundings came to the forefront. He wasn’t with Albert. No, he was at the bookshop. The bookshop Anthony owns. The man who was kneeling in front of him with his hands cupping his face. That only made the tears fall faster. What would the man think of him now?
Anthony
Everything was all set. Anthony had been a bundle of energy. He was going to have a date with Percy tonight! Well, maybe not a real date. Though there will be food that he cooked himself. Also music, and dessert. So yes, a date. Even if Percy wouldn’t consider it. He will remember it and it will be something to tell their children one day.
It should be any minute that Percy will walk through the floo. He worried about the man apparating. He had been reading the pregnancy books and floo travel was much better than apparating being that far along.
Anthony smiled to himself when he heard the floo. He rushed to the fireplace just in time to hear boxes fall to the ground. With one swift move, he had Percy in his arms. The smaller man’s eyes were beautiful but rimmed with tears. Then he did something Anthony wasn’t expecting. He fell to the ground. Percy’s knees hit the floor with a nasty thump.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to be late… I lost track of time. I’ll do better.” Anthony assumed Percy had been abused, but seeing it confirmed hurt him.
He kneeled in front of Percy. The redhead flinched slightly when he cupped his cheeks. Anthony thumbed away the tears that fell. Oh, his precious one.
“Percy it’s okay, Precious. It’s me, Anthony. You are not. You are right on time.” Anthony watched as the other man blinked. It was like he was coming back out of the flashback. Then there was a look of shame.
“There you are. I’m so happy that you are here. I’ve been waiting to see you all day. Do you think you can stand? The floor is uncomfortable for me. I would hate to see how it feels for you. Come on, Precious.” Anthony gently helped Percy up. Shame still shone in his eyes.
“Anthony,” he cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, I just like to be punctual. Oh, shite the pastries.” Percy when get the boxes on the floor. Anthony stopped him.
“I’ll get them Precious. Here, come sit down.” Percy was still shaken up. He didn’t want the man to fall over and hurt himself. It wasn’t good for him or the baby. With Percy sitting down comfortably. Anthony picked up the boxes. There were four of them and on top of each box was the name of his shop. Though the logos were all different. Did this man make four different logos? It’s only been a few days. How could he have thought all of this up?
“Percy, Precious, did you make these logos?” Percy didn’t make eye contact with him, but he nodded.
“Yes, I did. I wanted to go over them with you. There are some recipes I made as well. If you like them we. I mean, you can sell them at the shop like we talked about.”
Anthony was shocked. Not only did Percy make the logos. He made what was inside. He wasn’t going to open them yet. He wanted it to be a surprise after they ate. The baby and Percy needed a well-balanced diet.
“You never cease to amaze me, Precious.” He placed the boxes on the table next to the meal.
“I don’t even know if you will like them. They are extremely important because this is your livelihood.” Percy still had a little fight in him. Anything tipped the other man’s chin up so their eyes could meet.
“I bet they will be wonderful. Now how about we eat dinner? After we can go over some ideas and try these delicious treats. Percy nibbled his bottom lip but nodded.
Anthony smiled down at him. He would have to be gentle with him. Gods, this man needed a soft touch. Someone who wouldn’t demand things of him. Who would pick him up and watch him grow into who he wants to be?
“Perfect. I made us dinner!”
Percy
Embarrassment is all he felt. Anthony saw him at the weakest point of his life. Never would he have thought that being late would trigger him. Yes, sometimes he would get punished for being late. Anthony was being kind to him. Probably thought he was a nutter.
“I made a quick pot roast, with potatoes and carrots. I hope you are hungry.”
They ate mostly in silence. With a few questions here and there.
“I can’t believe that someone who owns a bookstore’s favorite genre is romance,” Percy smirked at the blond. Of course, Percy also enjoyed a good romance every once in a while.
“Don’t like Precious. I can tell you like romance as well! There is something about love that I love.” Precious… There was that pet name again. Percy has been called many things. All of them made him feel horrible. So when Anthony called him Precious, he waited to feel that horrible feeling he always got, but it didn’t come.
“I’ve never said I didn’t read romance. I was only saying that a man who had his pick on what books to read would have liked something else.” Percy took a sip of his drink and continued. “Plus, the love in those stories is just that, fiction. No one can love another person without one of them wanting something. Whether that be power, money, fame.” Anthony cocked his head to the side. There was a puzzled look on his face.
“You can’t truly believe that, Percy. You haven’t been around them long enough, but Barnaby and Hagrid's love is true. It is like something straight out of a book. Plus there is your brother and Harry. As well as Neville and Severus, and Draco and Justin. You wouldn’t dare to think that any of them are with the other for personal gain.”
Anthony moved closer to him. He could smell warm spices mixed with old books. Percy’s breath hitched. The other man must have taken that as a negative thing and pulled back.
“I...I’m sorry Percy. I tend to get very passionate about love. I’ve always loved love.” Percy reached out and touched the other man’s hand.
“No, I believe for some there is love, but it is not like the books. Charlie and Harry had a huge fight. There was a time when they weren’t together. Severus and Neville had problems as well! I don’t know about Draco and Justin. I haven’t heard their story.” Anthony shook his head.
“You haven’t read enough romance novels. It’s called the third act break up. It happens in real life and novels. You’re right. Life isn’t like a romance novel, it is better. Yes, it might seem that the author of our lives likes to make us happy, sad, and hurt. We have something the novels don’t. We have a choice. You left your situation. I might not know what happened. I'm not asking to know.” Anthony held up his hands. Percy looked into his brown eyes. So much kindness is shown in them. It was almost breathtaking.
“If you want to tell me one day you can. I just want you to read a few more books about love and you will see what I’m talking about. Now” Percy jumped when the other man clapped his hands. He gave him an apologetic look.
“I want to try these pastries!”
Anthony
Is there nothing Percy can’t do? The pastries that Percy made were amazing. They were going to be best sellers. Sold out every day if Anthony could guess. He was worried about Percy working so hard. The next week they met to share his recipes. So when the baby is born, he could make it himself. They have spoken little about the baby. Percy kept that to himself. He wished the redhead would tell him more. It’s okay. He will wait until Percy is ready.
Anthony walked and searched for the book he was looking for. With a smile, he plucked the one he was searching for. He called for his owl who perched happily on the counter of the bookshop. Anthony attached the letter and the shrunken package of the owl’s food. “Don’t wait for a reply boy. I’ll have extra treats waiting for you when you get home.
Anthony will show this man real love can be more romantic than a novel.
Percy
The warm bubble bath was what Percy needed. The beginning of the night wasn’t how he would want it to go. However, the rest of the night went brilliantly. Anthony loved his pastries. He was even going to teach the man how to bake them. Percy couldn’t wait to spend more time with him. Anthony was like no other man he had ever met. Not that he has met many men. Well, besides the arseholes that work at the ministry.
An owl flew into the bathroom. Percy didn’t expect to see Anthony’s owl so soon. There was a letter and a package attached to his leg.
Percy opened the letter first.
Precious,
I had a wonderful time tonight. I can’t wait to bake with you. I know we talked about romance today and I believe you need to read more. There is a present for you. I hope you enjoy it! I can’t wait to talk about it. Or to see you again.
Yours,
Tony
Percy bit his bottom lip. He unshrunk the package and pulled the wrapping away. A laugh escaped his lips. Anthony sent him a romance novel. A queer romance novel with two very handsome men on the cover. “What a perfect way to have a bath,” Percy said aloud. The baby agreed with a kick. “You like him too, eh? Just wait till you can see him. He is fit. Very handsome.” Percy opened the book and read. Very handsome indeed.