Mr. Romance In Real Life Is Better Than Fiction.
Percy
Dear Percy,
I would like you to come to the bookshop on Friday night. I need to show you the finished cafe! I can’t wait for you to see it! Don’t have to bring anything. Just your beautiful self. You don’t have to reply unless you are going to be able to come. I can’t wait to see you!
Tony
Friday was here. Percy couldn’t wait to see Anthony. It’s been a couple of weeks since he embarrassed himself. Even though he had felt off all day. He wasn’t going to miss this dinner. They both have worked hard to get the cafe set up. Percy talked Anthony into having a grand opening featuring the new cafe.
When Percy stepped through the floo there stood Anthony. He allowed himself to smile. A quinine smile. Then he noticed what the other man was wearing. Anthony is dressed in pressed black dress trousers. A deep blue jumper with a black button-up underneath. What was going on?
Percy looked down at himself. The jeans he stole from Charlie, with an oversized jumper that he shrunk from Hagrid.
“You look beautiful Percy.” Anthony walked up to him and held out his hand. Percy looked at him as if he was crazy. He looked anything but beautiful.
“Come with me.”
Percy took the hand that the other man held out to him. When their fingers interlaced, he felt butterflies in his stomach. Then he felt a cramp. Those have been happening recently. It wasn’t a contraction it couldn’t be. He still had a few weeks to go.
“I look anything but beautiful Anthony. I feel underdressed. Are you going somewhere after dinner? If you are busy we can always reschedule.” Why would Anthony ask him over if he had plans? What if he had a date? The thought of that had Percy’s stomach cramping again.
“I do have plans. I have a date.” Anthony smirked and walked them towards the front of the store. Percy tripped over nothing. It was a good thing that Anthony had a hold of his hand.
“O..Oh well, I won’t take much of your time. We could have done this another time Anthony.” He bit his lip to keep himself from saying anything else. The other man said nothing but pulled him further into the shop.
“Don’t be silly.” Percy walked a few more steps. What caught his eye made his jaw drop. It was the cafe that made his jaw drop. No, the reason why was the glow of the candles lit the room perfectly. On the table were two covered dishes and a vase of flowers. “You are my date.”
“Tony…” The nickname slipped from his slips. “This…” Is this man crazy? Percy was about to have a baby from a different man. Why would he…
“I wanted to thank you for everything. I know it is presumptuous of me to think that you would want to go out on a date with me. If you don’t want a date. Then this can be a business dinner that I can write it off.” Anthony shrugged his shoulders. No, Percy wanted this date even though he was confused and maybe a little scared.
“I’m sorry…” Disappointment flashed on Anthony’s face before he plastered a smile on his face. “You won’t be able to write this off as a business dinner.” Anthony glared playfully at him and then smiled brightly.
“I guess I will just have to take a loss then.” Anthony walked them over to the table. He let go of Percy’s hand. Anthony pulled out his chair. Percy sat as gracefully as he could. He couldn’t wait till he could sit without fear of never getting back up.
The cafe looked perfect. It was going to help bring in more sales. It reminded Percy when Anthony came over to his cabin to bake.
Flashback
“You know I believe you got more flour on yourself than in the bowl.” Percy teased Anthony. He looked cute with flour all over him. The skill that Anthony showed made him feel better about taking a couple of weeks off with the baby.
“It makes the pastries taste better if I’m covered in flour.” He said so matter-of-fact.
Percy rolled his eyes as the timer went off. He grabbed the towel to get the scones out of the oven when Anthony took it. He had them out and on the counter in a blink of an eye.
“I could have done that myself.” Percy crossed his arms. “Yes I’m pregnant, but I’m not useless.”
Anthony stood toe to toe with him. Brows furrowed. A pout on his lips. Not that Percy was looking at his lips. Nope, not at all.
“I was being a gentleman.”
Percy shook his head. “Of course. Mr. Romance In Real Life Is Better Than Fiction.”
“Of course it is. If we were in a romance novel. We would be in a food fight. Then we would kiss, covered in food. In real life, they could have just shared their first kiss not covered in food.” Percy’s body leaned closer without his permission. Anthony moved closer to him. They leaned in when Barnanby’s voice rang through the house.
“Knock Knock!” Percy jumped away from Anthony. Barnaby had perfect timing.
End of flashback
They made small talk as they ate dinner. “Come with me. I wanna show you my special place.” Anthony pulled him up from the table. He interlaced their fingers. They walked into the back room of the store. There was a staircase. Which led up to the flat above the shop. Percy assumed.
“Don’t worry I’m not taking you to my flat.” Percy didn’t know if he was released or disappointed. They took another flight of stairs to the roof.
When they walked out onto the roof. Percy saw a couch filled with pillows and blankets. It was still cold for early spring. The wind sent a shiver down his back. “Don’t worry I cast a few warming spells over the area that should keep us warm.”
It was beautiful to see the city from this height. Percy thought to himself.
Anthony helped him onto the couch and placed a blanket on his lap. The air was warm around him. Tonight was perfect. Percy never had a first date like this.
Anthony sat down facing him. Percy threw some of his blanket over the other man’s lap. “Thank you, Precious. Thank you for allowing me this date. I know I didn’t ask you properly. I thought that you would have said no.” Percy’s shaky hand interlaced with Anthony’s.
“I’m glad you did. I’m not sure I would have said yes. This is the best date I have ever been on.”
Anthony
It was the best first date Percy had ever been on. It was only a diner in his bookshop. “Was it really? Do you think it was better than any first dates you have read in a book?” Anthony smirked at the redhead.
Percy rolled his eyes. Which made him chuckle. “Yes, it was more romantic. This is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.”
Anthony never asked about Percy’s past relationships. He didn’t want to overstep. Only when Percy wanted to talk about his past.
“It’s sad if you think about it.” Percy continued. “I am almost 9 months pregnant with a man who never showed me an ounce of romance. I was with him because he made me feel special. For the first little bit. That was a joke. He just wanted control. All of the control.” Oh goddess Percy was talking. Anthony squeezed his hand.
Percy laughed humorlessly. “I just wanted to be perfect. I had to make sure everyone was happy. That I didn’t disappoint anyone. What was scary was that I would have stayed if I didn’t become pregnant. I knew after everything, I couldn’t let this child be subjected to him.”
Anthony cupped Percy’s cheek with his free hand. His thumb wiped away the tears that slid slowly down his cheek. It broke his heart to see his Percy like this.
“To me, you are perfect Percy. You are smart, caring, and wonderful. You never have to do anything you don’t want to do anymore. I want you to know that me, Charlie, Harry, and everyone else in our weird little family will never want anything from you. We just want you to be happy, and healthy. If you allow me in your life you will never have to worry about disappointing me.” Percy shook his head, as he leaned into Anthony’s hand.
“You… you don’t want to be with me.” Anthony smiled at him.
“Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I? From the first time I saw you Percy I knew I wanted to get to know you. It didn’t matter if you were pregnant. It be honest with you. When I heard the other dad wasn’t in the picture. I was happy…” Oops, that just spilled out. That was not what he should have said. “Not that I am happy you are a single parent just happy that…” Before he could dig himself into a bigger hole. Percy swooped in and pressed their lips together. It took him a few seconds to return the kiss. Anthony closed his eyes and let Percy control the kiss.
When they pulled away. Anthony opened his eyes. Percy’s lips were plush and pink from the kiss. But his eyes were wide. Oh no, was the kiss horrible? What if he changed his mind? He wasn’t that bad of a kisser, was he? He has never had anyone complain about his kissing. What is too much too soon?
“I… I’m sorry! I…” He stuttered out. No, he couldn’t mess this up he was already head over heels in love with this man.
“My waters just broke!”