[EVENT] Hey! Be My Valentine? (Percy/Leon)

Percy had woken up rather early, as seemed to be his new habit lately. He laid in bed and cuddled Leon as long as he could, then he'd attempt to sneak out and start his day. Was he in the lab, diligently working on the projects whose due dates loomed ever closer? No. He could be found downstairs, slowly packing away things in his home that he suddenly no longer wanted in preparation for changing the furnishings once he had a chance. Every day he checked the to-do list that he kept updated, then cross-checked it with his calendar where he had a few things written down, like places he wanted to go. There was an ICEA trip looming that he hoped to take Leon with him on, now that he was starting to feel better.

Since Percy still had a bit of a hard time dressing himself with his arm laid up, the man would be found in a dark green teeshirt over some black running pants, one-handedly dropping books into a box and taping it closed. Though he no longer needed the sling and had re-casted his arm in his own more advanced medical tape, he took care not to lift or bend it if he could help it, otherwise, it hurt pretty bad. He was in the process of shoving it across the floor toward a storage closet with his foot when he thought he heard his name. Lately, he'd been listening to music(?) and humming(??) while he cleaned(!) and reorganized(!!), though usually with only one Breezepod in his ear in case he needed to rush to Leon's side. Leon was doing much better, which was encouraging, but it had only been a short amount of time and he still needed someone at his side to watch for triggers and turn on the light when things got dark.

Abandoning his task, for now, he padded over and stepped around the corner so he could see his lover coming down the stairs. "Right here," he smiled up at Leon. These days, Percy's smiles were a little brighter. There was a pep in his step, and his laughter came easier and more freely. There was a calm about him that erased a lot of his nervous habits, like shaking his leg, tapping his foot, or stuttering like a car that couldn't start. Instead of reaching out for the hem of Leon's shirt, he would touch his arm, side, or hand with ease, though even at his calmest he had yet to learn to progress further than that. He still lingered as if waiting for something when he wanted a kiss, which was what he was doing now at the foot of the stairs. "What's up?" he asked.

[wc: 458 || total: 946]

Pleased that he got what he wanted plus a playful hug, Percy snorted a short laugh out of his nose and wrapped his good arm around the taller man. There was just enough height difference between them where he could press his cheek into Leon's shoulder comfortably. "I didn't really eat, but I did have a snack. I got hungry waiting for you," he answered the first question, not even trying to pry himself out of this lazy bear hug. After what Leon had been through, he was more than happy to receive Leon-like affection. "I had a granola bar," continued the man, putting any worries Leon might have had about Percy entering the kitchen. The only thing he was capable of was making himself some tea, which he had done given the sweet, lemony smell of both him and the whole downstairs. Percy actually took a lot of breaks to eat and snack in the last three weeks, though it couldn't be said that he was gaining any weight. It hadn't been long enough to notice, but he was thinning a bit.

When Leon mentioned the box, Percy pulled his head away to glance at it and then shake his head. "No way was I waking you up for that! I can handle it. Besides, you were sleeping so well when I got up. You might have even been drooling. So cute," Percy teased his lover, even though thinking of him that way was still new and strange. It was possible he hadn't processed it and its implications and consequences fully, yet. He probably still wouldn't for a while. There were some heavy things that needed to be talked about... but not yet. Avoiding it was perfectly fine. He felt great.

"How about you? Are you hungry? Should I order us something?" he asked, eager to have breakfast or lunch or whatever. His stomach almost constantly gnawed. It was a strange cycle of intense hunger, followed by equally intense nausea. The medication he'd been taking for two weeks only allowed him a peaceful meal here and there. He was just glad that Leon hadn't noticed or else he'd be worried. The last thing Percy wanted to do was give the man more things to worry about. He was just now starting to use the prosthetic in the most basic of ways without seeming like his soul would leave his body. He was coming to terms and having glimmers of acceptance that he probably thought Percy didn't notice, but he did.

[wc: 422 || total: 1676/4000]

Watching Leon's expressions when he teased him always brought the two-toned man pure joy. He grinned and chuckled, even as his cheeks were pinched. It was adorable when Leon became shy and pouted. It was so different than his normally brimming confidence and intensity, and who wouldn't love that? This must be how Leon felt when Percy did things he claimed were cute, though actually being cute was something he couldn't fathom.

"Hm?" Percy asked, staring at Leon as if he didn't understand, and then down at his shirt. He then smiled. "Oh, I just decided to change things up. Wear some stuff from the spare room closet. Sometimes Carter forgets it's not my favorite, but I realized it's dumb to waste perfectly good new clothes just because they're green. It's not so bad," he explained, tugging the shirt down a little. Christmas was a perfectly fine holiday. No need to avoid it. "And I dunno, I just didn't want people intruding in here all the time. I'm perfectly capable of cleaning. Maybe I wanted to prove to you that I could, so you'd stop nagging me," Percy teased again, moving his arm to playfully jab Leon in the ribs. Why was he doing these things? He just suddenly felt like it.

Just like, instead of feeling slightly put out by the prospect of going out, Percy was suddenly thrilled by the idea. Shifting away from the subject of his oddly proactive behavior, his brightened face grinned up into Leon. "You wanna go out?" he repeate as if this was something he'd been waiting for. Leon felt well enough to leave the house. It was exciting. "A festival? For what-- Oh, Valentine's Day," he said, suddenly remembering the holiday he'd literally never celebrated before, other than a really awkward fake wedding once. "Leon, are you asking me out on a date?" Percy asked suddenly, cheeks flushing though he sounded calm. They had been around each other for a long time. Considering how they came to confront the previously unspoken attraction between them, there had been no room for any prelude activities like dates. Given the aftermath, there wasn't much room for normal dating fanfare, though Percy was still on the fence with labeling what they had as dating. They liked each other and sometimes slept together. Percy was especially fond of the smaller things, the innocent kisses and touches. It was all so new, as someone who was rarely even hugged, that sometimes he was overwhelmed way before the clothes came off. Even though he knew it was a risk to agree to go out in public potentially thinking of it as a date, Percy couldn't be bothered to worry about it. "Let's go."

[wc: 454 || total: 2457/4000]

rolling kissing booth lol

The member 'Percy' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

---

'Normal Dice' :

Percy was a bit shocked as well, finding it all very garish. Pre-war Percy would have probably been embarrassed or turned off by it enough to suggest finding somewhere less crowded and easier on the eyes, but green-wearing, house-cleaning, smooth-talking Percy was all about it. He thought it was funny and amusing, even if it was a bit heavy-handed on the holiday theme. "Why not both?" Percy asked, adjusting the black ball cap on his head before he leaned into the arm around his shoulders. Between the hat, the sunglasses, and the casual attire, he hardly looked like himself enough to worry about any lurking reporters or cameras catching him out with his assistant. And while it'd be inconvenient for his family to find out about him and his not-so-straightness, post-war Percy cared a lot less than usual.

Smelling something mouthwatering, the shorter man, looping his arm around Leon's waist, steered them toward a food stall. There wasn't much in the way of healthy food to be found at this sort of thing, so a heart-shaped burger with a pink bun and some fries seemed about the best option. That or a suspiciously shaped corndog that was supposed to look like Cupid's arrow, but looked like something much more...biological. Percy ordered himself both, if not just to make fun of the phallic offering. He didn't have intentions of eating it until he ended up finishing his burger and still being hungry, at which point he had to put the thing in his mouth and try not to blush. At least it encouraged him to eat it quickly!

Once bellies were filled, it was time to find an activity. Truthfully, as much as Percy was game to attempt it all, most weren't suitable for someone with broken bones. He nearly had Leon convinced to at least try the Bumper Cars with him when a hand gripped him by the arm. The broken arm. "Ah! Ow...ow ow ow..." he yelped as a woman, grinning ear to ear and mysteriously (seemingly) oblivious to the bandaged limb's fairly clear reason for being wrapped up, dragged him off toward a kissing booth. "Ma'am, I'd rather not..." he tried to decline, but the girl dressed in the heart mascot suit wasn't having it. "It isn't a Valentine's event without a kissing booth! Sir, you just have to! We need donations for the orphans!"

"Well...if it's for orphans..."

With a sheepish but trapped shrug tossed Leon's direction, Percy forked over a few jewel, then leaned toward a curtain with his eyes closed as instructed.

Well, it was never going to be comfortable with his lover watching to begin with, but it really was a level of discomfort he wasn't quite ready for. A girl, who didn't look half bad, leaned out from the curtain and took his cheeks into her hands. She slowly leaned forward and pressed her overly lipglossed, downright slimy lips onto Percy's soft ones. She proceeded to kiss him like an overdramatic actor who was starving for work, smearing her pink, extremely glittery lipgloss that smelled of strawberries all over his mouth. The kiss probably wouldn't have been awful if not for her choice of makeup!

Once he was released, Percy quickly took a step back before he could be grabbed by either of the women. The kisser seemed to like what she'd found, and he could feel a second on its way. "Mmm, right! Thanks," he offered hastily, turning his back to them and retreated back to Leon with warmed cheeks, wiping in vain at the gloss still on his mouth. "I feel like there might not be any orphans..."

[wc: 607 || total: 3439/4000]

Percy was still fighting with the leftover lipgloss as he was lead away. The glitter. Why was it glittery?? He thought it was only on his mouth, but it was now all over his hands (and Leon's thumb) and thus slowly traveling over more and more of his face the more he tried to get the almost syrupy stuff off. The only good thing he could say was that it smelled and tasted alright, but that did little good for the situation. And he was sure it wasn't helping Leon at all, since every time he looked at the man, he seemed ready to tear someone apart.

That would probably unnerve most, but not Percy, and especially not "normal" Percy. The two-toned man quite liked his aggressive tendencies...most of the time. Other than the night that broke his arm. Maybe he was a little dense, but he wondered what exactly it was that had his date so annoyed. The lipgloss? Valid, it was pretty much everywhere and part of him now. Was it the woman grabbing his arm? Yes, that had been quite annoying...and painful. He was a little surprised that the stand hadn't been stomped down, but was glad Leon had remained calm. He didn't even yell at them.

It wasn't until Percy nodded to Leon's questioning gaze to go into the hokey Tunnel of Love that it hit him. Just as they were seated in a swan and entering the low-lit enclosure full of gentle music and lovey decorations, Percy piqued. "Are you jealous?" he asked, removing his sunglasses and angling his body to look at Leon with an amused smirk. He glanced over his lover's face, lingering on that puckered brow and how his lips tugged downward. Something about the prospect of Leon being jealous that someone else kissed him thrilled him. It made him feel wanted. There were all sorts of other ways that Leon made him feel that way now that he was in therapy, but this was a different vibe. It was kinda...hot. "If you're jealous..." Percy trailed, unsure what to do with this feeling, really. All he could really do was slip his hand into Leon's and gaze at him... and have the urge to share some of his glittery curse with him. One day he'd learn to act on his own impulses, but that would take much more time. However, maybe he could ask. That seemed okay. "...kiss me?" he whispered.

[wc: 409 || total: 4555]

So he wouldn't admit it. Percy chuckled. That was fine. It was cute to hear him stumble over his words for a change either way. Maybe it was the rose-colored haze filling the tunnel and reflecting in those marigold eyes, but Percy just felt warm inside. Affection was so hard for him to grasp, but that must be what he was feeling right now. Perhaps this cheesy ride was enchanted? Or was it really that simple, that setting a mood like this no matter how generic and predictable held an irresistible charm? Or maybe it was just that it was a few moments where all distractions were eliminated except for the person you were riding with, where the most you could do was talk and snuggle and kiss, which Percy was surprisingly into. There hadn't been a whole lot of these fluffy romantic moments if any. Even if he didn't show a lot of it, which was a calculated mask, Percy was an emotional man. A lot of it had been stifled either to project professionalism or feign that frosty Dagger aloof strength, but when it was stirred up, he couldn't help but go along. Another one of his weaknesses, it seemed.

His request would be granted, which only made the warm feeling grow. He leaned into it a little, closing his eyes and making sure to do his best to not only give Leon a hint of what he was feeling but also make sure some of the glitter would be on his lover's mouth when they parted. Leon pulled his lips back and spoke, making Percy smile and blush, though it was hidden in the natural blush tone of the tunnel. Before he could speak, his lips were locked with Leon's once more. "Mhm," he hummed since his mouth was occupied again, and after a few more moments of making out, Percy pulled away for a change. He could feel himself getting hot under the collar, and this wasn't really the place. "How could I want to kiss anyone other than you anyway. You could give that girl some tips," he smiled, pleased to see at least a faint shimmer gleaming in the colored lights.

After a moment of just gazing at Leon, as if he hadn't gazed at his rugged face for hours watching for nightmares or waiting for some of his spark to come back, Percy squeezed the hand he held. "I'm so glad you're doing better. I was so worried about you," he confessed quietly, sighing and leaning his forehead against the strong shoulder next to him. "Thank you for...getting better. You're working so hard. I wish I could help," he continued, seeming much more open and honest lately. "I might not say it as much as I should, but I like you a lot. I just wanna make sure you know that."

[wc: 478 || total: 5444/4000 || Event WC complete, kissing booth and tunnel of love done.]

Percy tilted his head up from its resting place to peer up at him as he spoke, a serene smile spreading over his lips. "Of course, I know that," he said, seeming to miss the point that Leon might have been prompting him to talk about some of the harder things that had happened. As far as Percy knew, he returned from the war completely fine. He only thought about it when he held Leon through his nightmares. He'd seen plenty of gruesome things while in Med School. It'd been harder and more pressure in the infirmary tent, but it was still within the realm of what he was used to. Even Leon's arm incident, while worrisome and scary, was nothing he hadn't done before. Sometimes it felt like, while they'd been fighting together in the war, they'd had very different experiences. Though it had only been about a month ago, the whole thing was a little hazy and distant. If anything, he just appreciated his life and Leon more than he did before he'd gone.

"Same goes for you. I think since we've seen each other at our worst, you can definitely talk to me about anything. Is there something on your mind?" he asked instead, wondering if maybe Leon had said something like that because he had something to get off of his chest. He smoothed his thumb against Leon's knuckle. The tunnel ride was coming to an end, and even though they emerged back into the chilly sunlight of a dying winter, Percy was not deterred. "I know that talking to a therapist is helpful, I'm really glad you're going, but some things are hard to talk about without a certain level of trust... so if you have something sensitive to talk about, I can handle it. It won't bother me," he said sincerely, slipping his sunglasses back on just as the swan boat bumped the empty one in front of them. Percy released Leon's hand to get out, then held out his hand to help him out as well.

[wc: 343 || total: 6110]

As they walked away from the ride, Percy peeked up at Leon's mouth and produced a grin. Sharing the pink tint and glitter had been successful. It looked funny enough on Leon's rugged mug that Percy had to suppress a laugh with a cough, looking away and covering his mouth.

Once he'd recovered, his gaze turned thoughtful. Somewhere else? He did suppose that most of this was made up of things Leon wouldn't let him do with a broken arm, so if their date was to continue, a new location would make sense. That's when the excitement hit him. "Hey!" he said, turning to look up at Leon again with an innocently hopeful sparkle. He was afraid it'd be too much activity too fast for his traumatized paramour, but he couldn't stop himself. "Wanna go help me adopt a cat?"

It was random, he knew. For some reason, he hadn't been able to stop thinking of getting a pet. Leon wouldn't be staying with him forever, and while his solitary lifestyle hadn't been an issue before, living alone now seemed bleak. "I've been thinking about getting a cat to keep me company when you go back home to Robin. Oh, but first, can we go to ICEA? It's close by, and I've been looking at some new stuff for the house. Especially a new couch," he rattled off, thinking about the abuse the previously barely used couch had taken recently. Between Leon sleeping on it while sick and the rough shenanigans it endured the night his arm was broken, Percy found that he needed a new one. "Maybe some lamps and some art for the walls. I thought about ordering from a designer, but all of them were so booked it would take too long. I don't feel like waiting," Percy chattered. He sounded so normal. He felt so normal.

The man had never felt stir crazy being at home for long periods of time, but lately, he'd been itching to go out. "If you have somewhere in mind, too, just let me know. Do you need anything? Clothes? We've got all day," he grinned, brimming with energy like a cup about to overflow. Was this what it was like to have a life outside work? Now he could see how nice it was to take a break and just live, especially since he had someone to do that with.

[wc: 400 || total: 6775]

"Heh, maybe. Would they have found me more acceptable that way? As if my display of strength wasn't enough," he smirked, poking fun at his own faux pas of unceremoniously tossing Leon's sibling over a bar in a fit of protective rage. Alphonse deserved it though, and nothing would change his mind. What he had done to Leon earned him worse than that, something he hoped any sort of cosmic karma would eventually heap onto him. "Maybe he wouldn't have hit on me, then," Percy mumbled, not particularly miffed anymore, though affected enough to think it out loud. Of them all, Alphonse was his least favorite.

Brought out of his musings over Leon's family, he hadn't even had a chance to make sure the fine furniture in the Hoffman home wasn't designer before Leon's question caught him off guard. Percy paused, blinking up at Leon with some sort of mix of surprise and indignation. "Excuse me?" he asked, his expression edging more toward a pout. People wore sunglasses and hats all the time, didn't they? Especially dudes...he didn't think he looked weird. Leon thought he looked like a sex offender? Granted, the absolute truth wasn't exactly something he anticipated his lover wanting to hear. How could he tell him it was because he didn't want to be recognized by others while on a date with him? He'd never really come out and told him that his family wasn't exactly open-minded...about anything. That would come off like he was ashamed, which he wasn't. Percy personally didn't care who loved who, but his family on the other hand... it was one of those bridges he knew deep down would have to be approached and eventually crossed, but he was in no hurry to. If he could stay on this side of the chasm forever, that would be ideal, no matter how unlikely it was. Percy wasn't so great at facing down situations he knew would bring the disapproval of the Daggers. Grandpa Mephistopheles was frightening enough, even if he was much weaker now. His dad's disapproving glare was heavier than he was sure he could shoulder.

With a sigh, Percy reached around and playfully jabbed his fingers into Leon's ribs. "It’s so no one snaps any weird photos of me,” Percy replied another convenient half-truth. “You're the one who has your arm this sex offender. You don’t think I look cute? That hurts my feelings...” he continued, lowering his head in fake hurt. Well, mostly fake. It never felt good to hear someone, let alone the one your heart favored, tell you that you looked like a sex offender. This was why he didn't usually pick out his own outfits...but he'd dismissed Carter along with the rest.

Despite Leon being the one with his arm around him, Percy was leading them out of the park and down the sidewalk into the shopping district. As soon as they rounded the corner two blocks away, the large store came into view. He already had plenty of things in mind, and not one single thing seemed like something he'd like, nor was it anything that would look nice to anyone other than someone obscenely rich. His house had to look nice for the party, though.

[wc: 540 || total: 7667]

"Yeah, let's start with the couches," he said with a determined smile, though he had to stand and look around at the signs indicating where they'd be. He'd never been in an ICEA. "...It's so big in here. I could get really lost if I'm not careful," he said more to himself than Leon, and it was true. Percy had a truly abysmal sense of direction. Hopefully, since Leon was with him, there wouldn't be a repeat of the autumn maze incident amongst the seemingly endless aisles of home goods and staged rooms. Once he saw the sign for Couches, he headed that way, though he probably took a wrong turn or two if he lost sight of the sign.

It appeared Percy's general poor tastes extended to furnishings as well. There was a reason he had personal shoppers for most things. If he picked his own clothes, he looked as much of the socially awkward shut-in as he was (up until now). The only design senses the man possessed were for his creations, which were normally sleek, comprised of bare metal or black paint with a color accent, normally in the lighting. Even that hadn't always been that way. He'd been a bit more expressive with decoration in his younger years, but neither his father nor the clients had enjoyed his weapons decked out in flame paint jobs or with samurai airbrushed on the sides. However, he did have a motorcycle that was this horrendous green-gray and covered in decals of stuff he thought looked cool or from his favorite media. Maybe Leon had never really noticed since Percy's brain had nearly always been stuck in work mode before and what little sparkles of his personal preferences existed were in the mech figurines and posters he'd had in the living room, the ones he'd packed away the day he got back from the war. In fact, and maybe this was something Percy was currently exploring, his outward personal expression had always been so forcibly muted, that you could hardly tell he'd existed on the planet. Other than his tech and work in Dagger Corp, if Percy disappeared off the planet, there'd be little proof that he as a person ever left a single footprint. Only his family and now Leon would remember him instead of what he could make. He didn't like ghosts, but it felt like he'd always been one, just a transparent image or a shadow.

Despite whatever thought process had brought on this sudden urge to redecorate, the stuff he picked out was far from anything that seemed Percy-ish. It felt more like what people expected someone like Percy, a Dagger, would pick out for his expensive home. There was one staged living area against a faux wall that seemed to catch his attention, but the couch was pretty displeasing to the eye and uncomfortable enough that it was clear it was too expensive to be sat on. The novelty vases and other decorative knick-knacks near it seemed within whatever criteria Percy was working with. The lamps were downright ugly, but their price tags were as large as the brown ceramic bases flecked with gold leaf and zebra stripes. They all seemed to be more statement pieces than anything. He snatched the tickets for what wouldn't fit in the cart, since he was having all of this shipped and assembled anyway.

"Now for some art. My walls have been bare since...well, since I bought the place. Never thought about it before," Percy told Leon, then suddenly paused. "Meet me in the wall art section? Pick out something that goes with that living room set. I just have to run to the toilet," he commented offhandedly, wasting no time locating the sign and rushing off in that direction. Seemed that hamburger and corndog weren't going to stay down after all. However, when he reunited with his suspicious partner, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. "Did you find anything interesting? I need some conversation pieces for the party. It might be at the end of next month, but I'd like to be prepared far enough ahead that there aren't any hitches. I've never planned one before," Percy chattered, picking up a nearby piece of art that was as confusing as it was hideous. It was so confusing that he wasn't sure which way it was supposed to be turned until he spotted the signature. Most of the art in his family home was like that, as was the stuff in Arty's house if he remembered correctly. It'd been a while since he'd been there. "What about this? I think there's a horse in this one--" Ruining his art critique was his stomach, rumbling loud enough to be heard externally. He was already hungry again. Pausing to see if Leon heard it, it grinned sheepishly. He lightly bumped his shoulder against the taller man's, leaning his head back so he could see his handsome face without the bill of his hat in the way. Surely they had enough house stuff to redo the interior of the downstairs so they could get some food before they went to the shelter?

[wc: 860 || new total (event wc deducted): 4845]

Completely oblivious to Leon's shock, Percy turned and placed the painting back and wandered in the opposite direction of the checkout for a moment before he realized he was heading the wrong way. Regardless, they made it and Percy paid without giving hardly any mind to the total, idly chatting with the cashier and laughing as if he'd known the guy forever. After setting up a time for delivery and assembly, he left the cart to be packed up as well and led the way to the food court. Why he kept going on with this cycle of eating and purging he wasn't sure, but he did know Leon would be worried if he knew of the issue. The last thing he wanted to do was worry Leon, especially now that he was getting better.

As they went about picking and ordering food, Percy rounded back to the question at hand. "Have I not mentioned the party?" he asked, his expression turning contemplative. Maybe he hadn't. A lot had been going on and they hadn't really just chit-chatted about a lot lately. It'd been a lot of peaceful silence and trying to reclaim normalcy. They were just existing together as Percy comforted Leon as much as he could and while Leon helped him out until his arm healed. Perhaps a lot of his planning had been in his head. "Yeah, I just realized that I have a house built for entertaining but I've never had anyone over. Isn't that kind of sad? My family has always been on me to be more sociable and make connections for networking, so I thought maybe it was time. I've already sent invitations," he explained, getting a large plate of ICEA's famous meatballs to consume.

Once they were seated at a table, Percy popped a meatball in his mouth and continued once he swallowed. "You're invited, too, of course. I'd like it if you were there. It's mostly some people from Dagger Corp and the people around my age from the families my family are friends with. Some food, drinks, and games. Does that sound alright?" he asked, leaning forward in his chair to stab another meatball with a toothpick. "It's hard to get everyone together, so I had to start this way in advance," he smiled, holding out the meatball to offer it to his lover. "We could finally play a game of pool on the dusty pool table. Maybe I'll hustle you."

[wc: 410 || total: 5876]