• Storm •

C h a p t e r

T h i r t y - s e v e n

“NOAH!”

Percy sighed exasperated, when the man didn't answer him. Probably deaf to the world downstairs, either listening to screamo music or playing video games.

Shoving his clothes in a duffel bag, he shrugged on his jacket and laced up his sneakers. He tried detangling his hair with his fingers and got nowhere, settling for tying the wild mane up with a scrunchie that Baby gifted him a year ago for the sake of it.

He still considered getting a hair cut, especially when he began to work full time at his father's company. But Baby insisted that his hair was too pretty to cut and that if people focused on his looks instead of his work ethic, then they didn't deserve him at the company.

Percy smiled subconsciously thinking about her. Baby Louise Martin's, the only girl he ever dreamed of.

With her in mind, he rushed down the stairs and passed the living room on his way to the front door. Noah was nowhere in sight.

Until he was.

Percy let out a curse of surprise and dropped his duffel bag, "Fuck Noah, you scared me.”

Noah was drenched from head to toe, the sudden rushing sound of heavy downpour behind him made Percy wince. He would have to drive in that weather.

“The rain started a minute ago, it'll probably storm until later tonight.” Noah explained while he distractedly shut the door and pushed his wet hair away from his forehead.

Percy groaned audibly, “Will it be possible for me to drive though?” He was hopeful. Mostly desperate, but hopeful.

Shrugging nonchalantly, the dark haired male simply removed his soaked sneakers and wet socks at the door while eyeing Percy's belongings on the floor.

"You heading out?”

Percy nodded slowly, “To Baby...” He wondered if he could wait it out and see if the rain would stop. The rumble of thunder in the distance was a sure indication that the storm was just going to progressively get worse.

Noah looked at the forlorn expression on his face and sighed, “I'll drive, drop you off and come back on my own or crash at a hotel,” He smiled, “It's whatever.”

A grateful sigh left Percy. The almost imperceptible tremor in his hands lessened and he picked his bag back up.

♥️

Noah bobbed his head along to the catchy pop song playing, the lyrics were contradictory to the beat of the music. But he would be the only one who would notice since Percy just stared ahead, his blue eyes glazed over.

“Wanna play something?” Noah offered, trying to bring his friend out of the trance he was in.

Percy heard him over the sound of rain and the cars engine but simply shook his head, he felt stuck in place.

Sighing, Noah figured it was best that Percy shut down instead of losing his mind amidst the circumstances. Since they met, and probably long before then, Percy refused to drive in the rain. He would make excuses or forgo the entire idea of using his car, instead using public transportation or walking.

It didn't take Noah long to figure out that Percy had some kind of phobia, and he spoke to the other man's father briefly.

James Oppenheimer explained concisely, 'We got into an accident when he was nine, it was during a rainstorm. He experiences c-ptsd.'

Noah did the decent thing and researched the disorder for the sake of knowing how to handle Percy carefully and making sure he was okay.

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

After a few incidents, he picked up on the triggers that hit a little too close to home for Percy and made sure to avoid them as subtlety as he could. Even if the affected male noticed Noah's tricks.

He would never speak about it either way.

♥️

The relief was visible on Percy's face when Noah parked his car in front of Baby's apartment building. The rain was relentless and the thunder crashed even louder than before. He just wanted to be inside, warm and safe.

Noah didn't waste any time, “I'll pick you up on Sunday?”

Percy nodded, “If that's okay with you.” He grabbed his bag from the backseat and looked out of the window.

“Anything for you honey.” Noah jested lightly, but he meant what he said. He would be the best friend he could be.

An uneasy laugh left Percy and he took a deep breath before opening his door, “I'll see you on Sunday. Thanks for the ride.” He rushed out before Noah could reply and dashed towards the entrance of the apartment building.

♥️

The interior of Baby's apartment reminded Percy of a loft he had seen in a movie before. The furthest wall to his right as he stepped into the open lounge was bare brick, it held a large window that allowed a view of the rest of the city. And unfortunately for him, the storm outside.

He was overjoyed to be out of the car though, to be on solid ground and away from the slippery road below.

His eyes drifted around, seeing familiar objects and pictures of him and Baby, of Brielle and Colin. A picture of Percy that he remembered letting Baby snap of him while they were out on a date.

He smiled a little, feeling less like an outsider than he had initially felt when Baby told him that she wanted to live alone. She still kept him close. Not as close as he wanted but close nonetheless.

Her voice called for him from the kitchen, “I made hot chocolate. You can get dried and dress warm, I'll turn on a movie.”

“Alright.”

♥️

They cosied up on the couch and sipped on their hot chocolate slowly. Percy rested his head on Baby's shoulder and snuggled closer to her.

“I miss you so much when I can't see you everyday.”He admitted.

Baby thread her fingers into his hair, not saying anything for a moment. Her lips tugged down into a frown, “I miss you too, we're together now... That's what matters right?”

But Percy felt his heart constrict, he didn't like all the distance, “It matters. I have a... Proposal though.”

"Like marriage?” Baby mused.

Percy laughed and lifted his head from her shoulder, “In due time. But no, right now I just want a set date night with you.”

The girl tilted her head, “Every night?”

“We can choose a random day out of the week, but I get to see you for date night.”

Nodding slowly Baby agreed, “We can do that.”

♥️

After watching a movie, they made dinner together and ate at the kitchen counter. Percy tried to convince Baby to eat more than her share and finally they compromised on dessert to make the meal full.

It seemed like routine came easily to the pair, they both skipped out on a evening shower but Baby insisted that they take a bath. Instead Baby ended up in the bath with Percy sitting on a stool he dragged in to keep her company. She wanted him to read to her.

Afterwards, they stood beside one another and brushed their teeth, Baby showed off how white her teeth were and pointed to a chip in one of her teeth. Percy enjoyed the playfulness of the experience and quietly appreciated the time they spent just fooling around.

“Left side or right?” Baby asked when they stood in front of her bed.

Percy rolled his eyes, “We both know you ask that every time and still end up on top of me or clinging to me.”

A dramatic gasp left the girl, “That's not true! You're a big guy, there's barely any space for me anyway.” She huffed and pushed him aside to climb under the duvet.

Percy grinned, “Oh come on, don't sulk. You know I'm right.”

The girl pouted, "Doesn't mean I can't sulk. Asshole.”

Putting a hand to his mouth in mock surprise, he playfully chastised, “Cussing? That's so impolite.” He crawled onto the bed and laid his head on her stomach, “Don't be mean to me.” He feigned a sad look.

Baby caved almost immediately and smiled, "Fine, sorry.”

“Kiss to apologise?” He offered, leaning up pouting.

She scoffed but complied anyway and pecked his lips. He hummed softly and returned her kiss just as gently.

Once they both got comfortable in bed, a content sigh left Percy.

“Hey, guess what.”

“What?"

“I love you.”

Baby smiled and poked his cheek, “I didn't even guess. But how about you guess?”

Percy shut his eyes and hummed, “You love me more? Come on, you're so predictable.”

The girl let out a noise of disagreement, “Am not.”

_________

[Not Edited]

authors note: writing the fluff I need rn, like is it so horrible to want soft romance?

Anywho... It was fun to write.

Fuuuuck it took forever to get this uploaded :-(