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The bottle clinked as Percy placed the cheap wine onto the counter.
The teen working the register raised an eyebrow at them. “Will that be all for today?” They nodded and handed over some cash. The scanner beeped, the register clinked, the bottle’s cork popped open, and the shopbell rang as Percy stepped back out into the water-logged streets of London.
Percy made a futile attempt to wipe the rain from their glasses, took a long deep swig from the bottle, and began their cold, wet, trek home.
The flat's door creaked open after some tipsy fumbling with the keys, Percy stumbled inside and their now empty bottle landed on the floor and rolled deeper into the dark flat, only stopping once it made contact with a black boot.
A shiny, needle-covered hand reached down out of the shadows and picked up the bottle.
“Perseus, Perseus. You drank all of this?”
Percy rolled their eyes, “piss off-” the brunette tossed their soaked jacket on the floor. “What’re you doing here, anyway? An’ where are my pets?” they looked around the dimly lit living room.
Needles walked over to them and shut their flats door, “I needed a place to hide out for a bit, the police aren’t too fond of my little ‘games’.” it wrapped an arm around Percy's shoulders, they ignored the hundreds of needles sticking into their skin, “c’mon now, let's get you to bed.”
“But, Frankie and Sunny-” “Don’t worry about the rodents, they’ll be fine.”
Needles guided Percy to sit on their bed and switched on the bedside lamp. Percy screwed their eyes shut, groaning from the light. The alcohol was really starting to kick in now.
“Arms up, you need to change.” Needles pulled off Percy's shirt and tossed it onto the floor, “could’ve at least taken me t’ dinner first.” Needles sniggered, “Maybe when you’re sober.”
Needles added Percy's trousers and shoes to the pile of clothes on the floor and placed their glasses on the nightstand. He helped the brunette lie down and gently lay the duvet over them. But as Needles turned to leave it felt a hand gently wrap around his wrist.
“Stay.. please..” Needles looked away momentarily, its not like he had anywhere to be, and a bed was certainly better than the couch. He sighed, “alright, move over.” Needles kicked off his shoes and tossed his shirt, getting in under the covers next to Percy.
Percy placed their arm across its chest and they were out like a light. Needles examined Percy's sleeping face, it was a rare sight, seeing them so peaceful and unburdened.
Needles smiled fondly, “what a freak.” he mumbled as he closed his eyes and allowed unconsciousness to take hold.