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Percy.
Up and dressed and out of the house. He’d been up yesterday, in the living room only though. Then today he’d even managed breakfast at the table. He was feeling much better, and his smile was proof of that.
“How are you feeling?” Albie asked, riding over to him instead of heading to the stable. He noted Percy was wearing a knitted cap and not his wide brimmed hat, probably because of where it sat along the bruise at his temple.
“Feeling better. Can’t stay in the house another minute, Albie. Going mad with boredom.”
“How are your eyes? Not too bright out here?” It was overcast but there was glare.
“Not so bad.”
Albie grinned at him and slid off Minnie. He handed the reins to Percy. “Good. Can you take care of her for me?”
Percy grinned at him. “I sure can. Thank you, Albie.”
Albie watched him take Minnie across to the stable, then sat his backside against the veranda and waited. He didn’t want to just walk away and leave Percy, but he didn’t want to shadow him either.
“Percy’s up and about, huh?” Des asked him.
Albie nodded. “Not too soon, I hope. He’s sick of being cooped up. I’m surprised he lasted as long as he did, to be honest.”
Des snorted. “Same. He must’ve been pretty crook. Good to see him on his feet again. Just make sure he doesn’t overdo it. He’ll be too keen to catch up on missed work and see himself straight back in bed.”
Albie nodded slowly, keeping his eyes on the stable. “That’s what I told him.”
A short while later, Percy came back out, still wearing that grin. But Albie didn’t miss the way he squinted at the glare. Hm, maybe work out of the sun might be better for him.
“Oh,” Percy said, still grinning and looking at Albie. “You got time to sit around, huh? No chores need doing?”
Des laughed. “Yeah, he’s fine.”
Albie got up and started walking over, pointing to the stables. “Comments like that will get you mucking out the stalls,” he said.
Percy’s grin only seemed to widen as he followed him back into the stables.
Albie helped him muck the stalls out, of course. Mostly to keep an eye on Percy, making sure he didn’t overdo it or have a dizzy spell.
He did seem to tire a little, more than he would have normally, but he hadn’t stopped smiling yet. Even when Ox nipped his knitted cap and flung it across the stall.
He was even still smiling at dinner, though he was clearly tired. He didn’t even suggest reading afterward, and when he could barely keep his eyes open, Albie quietly told him to go to bed. Percy didn’t argue.
When Albie climbed into bed beside him, Percy still wore his shirt and socks and his long underwear and was sound asleep. He barely stirred as Albie pulled him close, only to fold himself into the crook of Albie’s arm, making himself small, his face a picture of peace and perfection.
Albie would never tire of it, of this. At the wonder of having this when he never thought it possible. He didn’t even care that Percy’s demand for intimacy tonight was dashed. He didn’t care if they never shared that again, because this, this right here with Percy safe and asleep in his arms, was all he’d ever need.
* * *
Until early morning, that was, when Albie woke to find himself on his side, Percy’s back pressed to his front, rubbing his backside against Albie’s very awake cock.
“Good morning, my love,” Albie murmured. “How are you feeling?”
He whined. “I’m sorry I fell asleep last night.”
That wasn’t an answer. He put his hand on Percy’s hip to still him. “Feeling better?”
He tried to rock back, searching for Albie’s hardness, but Albie held him firm. “You said you wouldn’t deny me.”
“Percy—”
