Unbidden Dreams
By Rin
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Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. Making no money and I don't have any so don't bother suing me because all you'll get is an old worn out computer and a flea-ridden dog.
Summary: Percy helps Oliver fight demons in the night.
"No…Mum! Behind you! Don't….uh…please…"
Percy looked up from the sink as he finished brushing his teeth. Looking into the mirror, he saw the reflection of the doorway and the dim shape in the bed beyond. Hidden in the shadows, he could just barely make out Oliver's form as he tossed in the sheets. Day 486, right on schedule. Percy sighed softly as he counted off another day in his mind.
Wiping off his mouth, he turned off the light in the washroom and headed into the bedroom. The flickering light from the candle lamp on the nightstand showed Oliver. His hair was already wet against his scalp, his nude skin glistening with sweat. His hands would clench the bed sheets in spasms and then squeeze into fists to impotently pummel the space around him.
Walking over to the overstuffed chair opposite the bed, Percy sat down and watched Oliver trapped in his nightmare. Glancing up at the clock he noted the time. 11:30, I'll get about four hours of sleep tonight. I just hope this one doesn't last as long as last night's did. I don't know if I can handle another five-hour session of these.
Glancing out the window, Percy sighed and rubbed his eyes. Hearing a small hoot from behind him, he turned to find Hermes sitting on the windowsill. He watched his owl move aside to make room for Nimbus, Oliver's screech owl. Smiling at the two of them, he saw Nimbus look toward the bed and hoot softly, sounding just as worried as Percy was.
"No! Get…from…no…"
Hearing Oliver's shout, Percy turned his attention back to the bed. Oliver was getting more violent now. Standing up, he came around the bed and put his hand on Oliver's forehead. "Shhh, Oliver. It's all right, I'm here." Oliver calmed down for a moment. But Percy knew that it wouldn't last long. It never did.
Closing his eyes for a moment, he didn't see the fist coming as it hit him in the stomach. Crying out in pain, he stepped back and opened his eyes as he heard his name. "Percy?"
"Yes?" Percy was gasping for air, trying to force the breath back into his lungs. His response came out as more of a gasp than anything else. He heard the rustle of the sheets and felt Oliver grab him and pull him close.
"What happened? I hit you? Percy, please talk to me," Oliver said, his voice filled with a mixture of confusion and concern.
"You were having a nightmare, like you always do," Percy said softly. Now that he had his breath back, he straightened up and looked at his lover. He saw Oliver sit down on the bed and look at him, confusion evident even in the relative dimness of the room.
"Nightmares? I don't remember…oh wait." Horror dawned on Oliver's face as he recalled the nightmare. Percy watched his face crumple for a moment as the images came flooding back. "I was there when they died. I watched them kill both of them before I was able to flee."
"I know, Ol," Percy said quietly. Sitting down on the bed he pulled Oliver close to him, rubbing his back in small soothing circles while kissing him softly on the head. "I know. This is the first night I've been able to wake you though. You usually get drawn into them too deeply for me to wake you. I have to wait them out."
"How…how long do they last?" Oliver's voice was soft as he asked his question.
"It depends. Sometimes a few minutes, other times a few hours. I thought tonight was going to be a long one." Percy kept his voice low, trying not to upset him.
"Oh. But that means…no wonder you've been so tired lately. Perce, I'm so sorry," Oliver said softly. Looking up, he saw the compassion in Percy's eyes. "I'm so sorry."
"Shhh, it's all right Oliver." Percy raised a hand to Oliver's lips, stopping the apologies he kept whispering. "I understand."
"But that's just it. You shouldn't have to! No one should! None of this ever should have happened!" Pulling away from Percy's hand on his lips, Oliver's voice was choked with tears as he fought with his anger. "So many of us have lost something that can never be replaced."
"Yes, some of us have," Percy said quietly. Reaching down he clasped Oliver's hand and twined his smooth fingers with Oliver's long, rough ones and brought them to his lips, kissing them gently. "But, some of us have gained great things in the process. If none of this had happened, I wouldn't have you now, would I?"
"I miss them so much, Perce. So much, it hurts," Oliver whispered. He was looking down at the floor as tears ran down his face in a torrent. His breath began to hitch in his throat as he tried to hold back the sobs.
Reaching forward, Percy pulled him close and held him tight, realizing that ever since he had known Oliver, he had never seen him cry. Anger yes, that had always come easily to Oliver. It took a lot to get him there but when he had been angry it had taken quite a bit to stop him. Holding his lover close, he smoothed Oliver's hair back and whispered softly in his ear.
Eventually Oliver's sobbing quieted and his shaking stopped. Feeling him pull away, Percy looked at him and saw Oliver smile softly. "You all right now?"
"I think so." Oliver tried to say more but was stopped by a yawn he couldn't hold back. "Tired."
Nodding at him, Percy smiled and pulled him close. "Let's get some sleep."
"You need some," Oliver said quietly as he let Percy tuck him in. "You have to work tomorrow."
"I think I might take the day off," Percy said as he walked around the bed and climbed in next to his love. Reaching over, he pulled Oliver close to him and held him as Oliver settled his head on his chest. "I was thinking we could just spend the day together. You know, walk in the park. Maybe go have lunch in Diagon Alley. Maybe we could go see Harry and see if he and…"
Percy stopped as Oliver's soft snores interrupted him. Smiling down at Oliver's sleeping form, he smiled. He's so beautiful. Glancing up, he saw a faint shimmer of light at the window. Widening his eyes, Percy blinked his eyes only to see it fade. But not before he thought he saw two forms in the window. A man and woman, smiling at he and Oliver.
Realizing the blessing they had just received, Percy leaned down and kissed Oliver on the head. Smiling as a lone tear crept down his cheek, Percy whispered softly into his hair. "Sleep tight, my Keeper. You've earned your rest."
END