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sirpercivalgravesofmacusa · 8 years ago

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Dearly Beloved Ch 5

"Now you be sure to follow those directions and make certain he comes back here for his check-ups." The Matron shoved Percival's medical file in my hands. She'd been rattling my ear off for the past hour about Percival's health and treatment plan. I nodded to every bit of information she shared with me, eager to get Percival out of the ward and back to his home.

"And I expect you to be ready for work on Monday. We're running low on potions here."

I beamed, finally feeling like things were turning around in my life. I got my job back. Percival's health is on the rise. Seraphina's gotten MACUSA back in order. Tina's been on top of the Aurors. Queenie's been on cloud nine for some reason. Everything is falling into place quite nicely.

"Run along now Ms. Picquery." The Matron waved me out of her office with an exasperated smile. I echoed a goodbye and left the office to return to Percival's room where he was waiting for me.

I'm so excited for I'm! I'll be escorting him home since his wand still hasn't been released and he can't apparate home. Not that he should be appareling or doing any form of strenuous magic anyway. His magical core is still recovering from all the abuse those curses caused. No, a nice stroll in the sunshine will do him some good. It's nice out too, perfect weather for a walk.

"Percy are you ready to go?" I announced myself to him as I entered the room.

Percival was sitting on the bed, staring at the walls. He'd gained back some weight so the slacks and sweater he donned didn't appear to swallow him. His skin lost that deathly-pale sheen and his hair was neatly brushed and pushed behind his ears, revealing how much the side had turned white. Percival's beard possessed flecks of white in it as well. The months had really worn Percival out, making him look older than thirty-two but he looks far better than he did when I first brought him in to the ward. With the cane I acquired for him, Percival stood up.

"Let us leave. I never want to end up here again." Percival grumbled, holding his other arm out for me like a gentleman.

"The Matron means well." I giggled and took his arm.

Percival and the Matron had been at each other's throats from day one. Percival's stubbornness led to him repeatedly trying to prove that he didn't require bedrest. That rebellious attitude of his annoyed the Matron to no end and she had no problem telling Percival off or threatening to knock him out with a stunning spell if he didn't follow her orders. Two stubborn department heads facing off every day was a tiring experience to deal with. Their relationship was very antagonistic but at least beneficial for Percival's health.

"She was insufferable. Now I understand why none my Aurors ever wanted to be admitted to the ward." He glared at her office door as we passed it.

Percival didn't want to be bombarded by people so I suggested that we take the back entrance used by the medics. We stepped outside and Percival took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air.

"Care for a stroll?" I smiled, patiently letting him get his bearings.

"How can I say no to that face?"

My good mood appeared to have transferred to him. I lightly tugged him forward to walk along the streets. The early morning rush had died down and people leisurely traveled through the city. The two of us got a few odd stares here and there but our walk was otherwise pleasant. I asked if Percival wanted to get lunch at a restaurant but he preferred to eat at his apartment in privacy. With that decided we made the short track to his home.

"Percival?" I called, placing my hand on his back. He didn't register me speaking and continued to stare at the door with his house-key in hand.

"I wonder what's changed in there." I stiffened from his bleak tone. Percival jammed the key into the lock and turned the knob before entering his apartment. He took tentative steps into the space, on alert for an nonexistent attack.

How long before he'll be able to enter somewhere without doing a security sweep, I wonder?

The apartment looked the same as it always had. Percival favored a sleek look for his living space and much of the furniture was black with dark burgundy tables and shelves. Everything appeared to be order. The cleanliness did unsettle me, I was used to seeing a little bit of clutter in here. The Aurors must have thought it best to clean the place and leave no trace that Grindelwald was ever here. Their hearts were in the right place for their superior.

The little changes in here from before should have tipped me off to the farce I was fed. Percival by nature is a very organized and meticulous person but he's still a slob in a sense. Whereas I made messes all over my place whenever I worked on a potion or filed a report, Percival hoarded things into one makeshift work area. The dining table often became the place where Percival would leave his case and folders lying around. His coat and shoes would end up over there as well instead of in the hallway. Often when I visited while he was working I would make Percival coffee and sit with him, happy to read one of his many books as he worked. When Grindelwald took over that stopped altogether. He preferred to leave the work at the office, it gave him an excuse to avoid my presence. He also detested coffee and insisted on tea instead. The most alarming difference was that Grindelwald had no interest in reading the novels Percival had collected. Reading was always a special time for Percival and I and he'd never turn down the opportunity to curl up next me to read in front of the fireplace.

The changes were subtle but so obvious that I should have recognized that he wasn't my Percival. Shame. Shame. Shame. You're a terrible person, Delphine.

"Can I take your coat Percy? I don't want you to wrinkle it." I said, snapping out of my drowning thoughts.

"I'm the one who should be taking your coat." He dryly responded. His brown eyes followed my movements from over his shoulder. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach from his intense gaze and I hesitated touching him. The room seemed to heat up. A ghost of a smile emerged on Percival's face.

"Here Delphine." Percival tugged off his coat and handed it to me. I swiftly took it to the coat rack in the hallway.

What is wrong with me?! I'm acting like a simpleton.

"Get it together Delphine." I whispered into Percival's coat, basking in his scent.

Music started playing from the old record player in the living room. I poked my head in to check on Percival and saw him looking through his music collection. Even the great Percival Graves has a soft spot for some No-Maj inventions. When I found his secret stash of records, I made it a point to find him records. Percival played the part of the stern director the first few times I gifted him a record because I was involving myself in No-Maj business but he eventually gave up lecturing me and accepted the gifts with a fond smile.

"Are you spying on me?" Percival teased without glancing up from the record player.

"You caught me Detective Graves."

"Detective Graves?" He set the records down and rubbed his beard. "That has an interesting ring to it."

"I'm sure it does. You might have been better suited as a Thunderbird instead of an Wampus. You're the most adventurous person I know besides Tina."

"My house choice was a shock to everyone. The Graves family members have mainly been sorted into Horned Serpent for generations" Percival wistfully recounted, sitting down on the couch. "Father was the only one who wasn't surprised by my sorting."

"Your father is the one who sent you on treasure hunts in your rather large garden right?"

Percival chuckled and waved his hand for me to come closer. Again my heart started pounding. We hadn't been alone like this in months. With no one here to walk in or no one watching us, Percival's presence is making me nervous. It's like we're back to the beginning of our relationship, back to shy Delphine and bold Percival.

I sat down next to him, leaving space between us in consideration of Percival's issues with physical. He sighed and lifted his arm, pulling me snug into his side.

"He often sent me on those treasure hunts so he could keep me busy while he worked." Percival traced circles on my hip as he talked. "Father certainly got a kick out of sending little Sir Percival into the garden to find the Holy Grail."

"So I'm not the only one who makes Arthurian jokes at your expanse?" I giggled.

I can imagine eccentric Mark Graves sending his son out the door with an enchanted map while he submerged himself in documents. The man is the definition of a scholar. He reads twice as his son. Percival's mother, Isolde must have had her hands full dealing with the two of them. Based off what Percival has told me she was a fierce woman that didn't allow anyone to determine future. She even became an influential Auror and was on track to become the director until her untimely death on a raid. I suspect Percival's career choice stemmed from her. It's unfortunate that she passed away before I could meet her, she sounded like an amazing person.

"No you aren't though you're one of the few brave enough to say them to my face."

"Well you can't blame, can you? Your name isn't common in this age." I playfully nudged his shoulder.

"Having an Arthurian name became a Graves's family tradition decades ago and I see no reason not to continue that tradition. I'm rather fond of Guinevera or Myrddin as names for my children."

I ducked my head from his gaze. My heart skipped a few beats from the thought of Percival's potential children, little heirs that I might one day give birth to. Undoubtedly any children of his will be beautiful and intelligent witches or wizards.

"Have you spoken to your father recently?" I inquired, filling with my thumbs. I'll go off into a never-ending daydream if I think anymore about miniature Percival Graves.

Percival deeply sighed and his good mood suddenly dropped. "I have…And he wants me to return home to recuperate in peace away from New York."

I paused, wondering the reason for Percival's abrupt melancholy. He'd done nothing but speak fondly of his father whenever I asked about his family so I'm not sure why he wouldn't want to return to the Graves Manor. Drama is the last thing he needs and drama is all there is to this city, especially when the most notorious wizard in the world is being held prisoner here. Percival's father is a very patient and kind man, I'm sure he would be a big help with Percival's recuperation.

"Is that such a bad thing Percy? It could be helpful for you to spend some time with your father."

"I can't return home. Not like this." Percival firmly shut my suggestion down. He ran his hand through his hair in agitation.

Conversation stilled and I left Percival alone to brood in silence. The kitchen became my next focus. Fixing lunch would keep me occupied. The cabinets and refrigerator were painfully empty. I'd need to go to the market if I wanted to cook anything. I left the kitchen to search for Percival and inform of my departure.

"Percy." I knocked on the door of his room and entered with his permission.

"Something wrong?" Percival looked up from the tie he was holding.

"There's nothing edible in your kitchen so I'm going to the market." I bit my lip, mulling over my next words. "Do you want to go with me?"

"I'd prefer to remain here."

"That's okay. Will you be alright on your own?"

"Yes Delphine. I can behave myself until you return." He put the tie down and drug through his dresser for something else. I turned to leave but Percival called for me to wait. A wallet was then placed in my hands.

"You don't have to give me this. I can-"

Percival cut me off and closed my hands around the wallet, pushing it towards me. "Take it. I don't want you spending anymore on my behalf."

"Percival you're my fiancé, providing for you will never be an issue…Unless…" I trailed off, losing my voice as my insecurities took the reigns.

Percival could still decide that he doesn't want me. This could be the start of him cutting me loose. He wants to be able to take care of himself financially and physically so he won't have to deal with me anymore. I don't blame him. Why would he want me? I couldn't tell the difference between my fiancé and Gellert Grindelwald. Percival should end our engagement. He deserves better than me.

"I don't want to be a burden. Let me do this Delphine." Percival stressed, bringing me back to the present conversation.

I couldn't say no to the desperate plea in his eyes. Percival hated showing weakness to others and me seeing him at his weakest on a daily basis must be driving him mad. The level of vulnerability Percival shared with me was enough to sway me in his favor.

I lifted our hands and lightly kissed Percival's still healing hands. His fingers twitched but he didn't pull away.

"You win. Any special requests for lunch?"

"Something sweet."

"Nice try. The Matron specifically said healthy foods only." I chastised him.

"Even here in my home she's a nuisance." He groaned.

Percival let go of my hands and told me to be careful on my walk. I left out the apartment with a promise to be back promptly.

What should I make for lunch? Percival hardly ate any of the food he was served at the ward. Had his appetite dwindled or was the quality of the food not to his liking, I wonder? I should stick to something simple so as to not upset his digestive system.

I wandered through the store, picking things out and putting them in the cart. I haven't done something as mundane as grocery shopping in awhile. The Picquery house elf, Poppy took care of all the housework while I was back home in Savannah. Poppy cried every time I tried to help her competing me to quit cooking and cleaning for her benefit. Hopefully my cooking skills will still be up to par. Every future wife needs to be able to cook for her husband.

Groceries in hand, I exited the store. The streets were filled with people as the late afternoon settled in. I contemplated appareling back to Percival's but decided not to. I enjoy walking, it clears my head and I get to people watch. It's interesting to see how others function on a daily basis. Do No-Majs go about their days differently from wizards? They always seem to be rushing about from one place to another. Their ways of transportation however, do intrigue me. Automobiles look like a much safer and faster way to travel than broomsticks. Though I have seen those vehicles crash one too many times for me to venture riding inside one. Trains are the closet to those cars that I'll chance a ride with.

"Q-Queenie?!" I stuttered in the middle of my internal dialogue when my eyes landed on a blonde woman sitting at a table with someone. She must have heard me screaming in my head because Queenie looked right in my direction despite how far I was from the restaurant. The man she was with turned around to see what spooked his date.

Queenie's on a date with that No-Maj! What is she thinking?!

Queenie jumped out of her seat and rushed over in my direction despite her dates protests.

"Delphine, honey, don't freak out. I can hear the storm going on in your mind." She pleaded. I was at a loss for words as the No-Maj appeared behind us.

"Everything alright Queenie? Who is this?"

I remembered that his name was Jacob Kowalski and he ran a bakery. Queenie told me nothing was going on with him, that she just wanted to keep an eye on him. She knows that nothing good can come from this relationship so why is she on a date with him?

"Jacob this is my best friend Delphine Picquery." Queenie formally introduced me.

"Pleasure to meet you Ms. Picquery. I'm Jacob Kowalski." He held out his hand for me to shake but I couldn't reciprocate the gesture due to the grocery bags in my hand. I settled for a polite nod as a greeting.

"Are those for Graves? He must have gotten discharged." Queenie made small talk, subtly attempting to get me to speak even though she could hear my thoughts perfectly fine. "Do you need some help carrying those?"

"That won't be necessary. I would't want to further interrupt your date." I stepped back form Queenie, declining her offer and insisting that they get back to their previous plans. Mr. Kowalski was confused by our little argument and stood off to the side scratching at his neck. Queenie finally let me go after I agreed to meet up with her to talk.

I can't believe she's dating that No-Maj when it's against the law to fraternize with non-magical people. Does Tina know about this? Queenie could get her wand destroyed for this or worse, end up executed…Queenie could be killed for this! I could lose my best friend. I couldn't bear that kind of loss!

"Ah!" I screamed as my foot got caught on something and I went tumbling to the ground. The groceries spilled out of the bags. "What in the world?!"

I looked around at the destruction in the apartment and began to panic. The furniture in the living room was destroyed and every item in the kitchen was sporadically thrown about. I sprung up, looking for Percival and calling out for him. What if the apartment was attacked?! Grindelwald's fanatics could have kidnapped him again in retaliation for their master's imprisonment. My heart can't take something like that again. I lost Percival once already and he came back broken. I don't know if he'll be able to come back form another trauma. What if they just skipped a kidnapping and went straight for killing him?! I don't know which is worse. My heart will shatter if I find a corpse in here.

"Percival!" I cried in relief when I found him hunched over in his closet. "Percy what's the matter? Why is everything destroyed?"

I didn't think and ended up grabbing Percival's shoulders to check him for injuries. He flinched from the touch and his magic unexpectedly lashed out at me. The force of it pushed me back. My pained groan knocked Percival out of his daze.

"Delphine!" He was horrified by his magic lashing out and reached towards me but then stopped himself. "This is disgraceful. Words can't express how sorry I am for this." Percival pulled his hair in frustration and shame. Tears gathered in his eyes. My eyes watered in response to his pain.

"Stop it Percival, it was an accident. I'm fine, it's alright." Slowly, I moved closer to him. My hand hovered over his arm until he relaxed enough for me to envelope him in a hug.

"It's not alright, I hurt you!" Percival tried to pull away form me but I refused to let him leave my embrace.

"No you didn't. You would never hurt me Percival Graves."

He shuddered and collapsed against my shoulder. I soothed him by combing through his sweaty hair while his body calmed down from its panic attack. We sat together in his messy closet until Percival's breathing returned to a normal pace. I lost track of the time but judging by the numbness in my limbs we had been sitting for more than an hour.

"Will you tell what happened? You were fine when I left." I gently prodded him. He sighed and nuzzled further into my neck.

"I couldn't stand looking at anything in this place anymore. Not when Grindelwald tainted everything with his touch…He's everywhere in this apartment." Percival confessed. I laid my head on top of his and pressed closer.

Oh Percy. I wish I could take your pain away.

"I've become so weak. You shouldn't have to witness this."

"I told you I would be with you for every moment, good and bad. You can have as many bad moments as you want, as long as you don't shut me out." I reminded him.

"I'm finding it difficult to exclude you from my life when you've become such a lifeline for me."

My heart sped up from that piece of information. Ever the charmer he is. Percival must have picked up on my increased heart rate because he began chuckling.

"Don't laugh at me."

Percival gave me the curtesy of muffling his laughter with his hand. I huffed but didn't complain. Laughter is a good cure for sadness.

"You're place is a wreck. It'll take me some time to put the place back in order." I mumbled, pulling my wand out from my pocket.

Transfiguration was sadly never a strength of mine. Percival could restore the damage with ease but without his wand he can't utilize the full extent of his magic. Although he doesn't appear to be having any problems using destructive or offensive magic. It's almost scary how powerful of a wizard Percival is with or without his wand.

"Just leave it. I don't want any of this fixed." He sat up, glaring at some of the suits scattered on the floor.

"You can't live in a destroyed apartment Percy."

Percival shrugged carelessly. I scowled in return. Fixing the apartment appears to be a lost cause. I get the feeling that this entire place is now a dark spot for him. He won't be comfortable in this place and will probably end up destroying everything again.

"Do you want to come over to my place. You can spend the night while we figure out what to do about this place." I glanced away from Percival's surprised eyes and anxiously anticipated his answer.

We've been to each other's places plenty of times but we've never spent the night together in the same place. Percival was respectful of tradition and didn't press me for the more intimate aspects of our relationship in light of my timid nature. Sometimes it's unbelievably mortifying how inexperienced I am. Percival and I have been dating for two years and engaged for one and I haven't been able to muster the nerve to sleep in the same bed as him or pursue other activities…Stop it Delphine, don't go there!

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes. You can't stay here and I don't want you staying at a hotel either." I stood up and held my hand out to help him up.

"I would have preferred our first night together be under better circumstances but I suppose it wasn't meant to be." Percival took my hand and I helped him to his feet.

"Don't feel bad. I'm not complaining about this." Percival smirked. I coughed and muttered a summoning spell for his cane, handing it over when it appeared. I grabbed a bag and stuffed some spare clothes into it. "Do you feel up for side-along apparition? My place is a little too far for you to walk."

Percival held his arm out for an answer. I took his arm and transported us to the outside of my building. I lived further out of the city to avoid the hustle and bustle of New York. Also the location was more cost-effective for my salary. Money isn't too much of an issue for me since I have my inheritance form the Picquery family fortune but Dad made it clear to Seraphina and I that we weren't to dip into those funds for anything but emergencies. Living off my salary alone doesn't allow me to live as luxuriously as my sister nevertheless I'm content with the lifestyle I've obtained.

"Home sweet home. Make yourself comfortable." I ushered Percival inside my modest abode. "I'll make us a heavy dinner since we missed lunch."

I waved my wand, controlling various items at once to quickly get started on our meal instead of cooking by hand. It's not good for Percival to skip meals.

"Why don't you take a shower while the food cooks?"

"Are you going to scrub my back for me?" Percival hovered nearby, leaning against the wall.

I nearly dropped my wand in shock. "A-Are you serious?"

"Yes." He stared at me with a straight face.

The medics must have helped him bathe when he was in the ward…I don't know if I'll be able to be professional about cleaning my fiancé's nude back…Percival has such nice skin and broad shoulders. His embraces always made me go weak at knees.

Stupid heart! Stop thinking perverse thoughts Delphine!

"G-Give me a moment and I'll help you." I stammered.

Percival kept his poker face going for a few more seconds before snorting at my frazzled countenance. "I'm teasing Delphine. I don't require your help to bathe."

"You're absolutely terrible! Making jokes likes this when you know they rile me up."

"You make it far too easy darling." Percival left to go take a shower.

I secretly smiled as I cooked. Percival may be broken right now but slowly he's picking the pieces back up. Things might never return to the way they were before but I'm happy to just have Percival back in my life. We'll overcome this hurdle. I know it.

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