for @reportsduemonday
Its easy to sneak up on Newt, the young teacher is so caught up in grading papers he doesn’t even notice Percival come in the door. He walks into the living room they share, where his boyfriend is curled up on the couch, papers strewn about.
Percival takes a moment and leans against the entryway, just watching Newt. The redhead is reading over a student paper, his reading glasses slipping down his nose. He’s shewing on the cap of his pen while occasionally making marks on the paper or writing notes in the margin. He’s wearing one of his over-sized knit sweaters that Percival loves so much, a soft blue one today. He’s got his knees tucked up to his chest, papers resting on his knees. His socked feet covered with colorful mismatching socks.
Percival smiles and pushes off the wall, walking up behind Newt and leaning down, wrapping his arms around Newt who startles, pen cap dropping from his mouth, falling down and wedging itself between the arm and cushion.
“Percy,” Newt turns his head, straining to see him. Percival nuzzles the side of his face, kissing him on the cheek. Newt smiles, a sight that never fails to warm Percival.
“I’m home,” he mumbles, closing his eyes and savoring the feeling of holding Newt, of how warm and cozy he is. He’s already relaxing, knowing he’s home with the man he loves, where he can let all the stresses of the outside world go.
“So I see,” Newt responds, tone fond, amused. Newt shuffles around, jostling Percival in turn. He hears Newt set the papers aside and the a hand is in his hair, drawing a contented sigh. Newt settles back further in the chair, fingers running through Percival’s hair.
He enjoys the feeling for a few moments, the tender strokes that cause his neck to break out in goose flesh. He sighs contentedly and kisses the side of Newt’s neck softly.
He pulls away after much internal struggle, a twinge in his lower back finally making it so he has the will to pull away. He straightens up, keeping his hands on Newt’s shoulders. Newt tips his head back to look at him, resting it on the back of the cushy arm chair. His redheaded beauty smiles up at him.
“How was work?”
Percival shrugs. “Slow, not much is going on. We are waiting for the police report for the Barebone’s case, and Tina is taking lead on it so I just wrapped up some paperwork today. Dull stuff.”
Newt reaches up and tangles his fingers with one of the hands resting on his shoulder. “How is Tina doing?”
Percival gives his fingers a squeeze before he pulls away, walking back towards the adjoined kitchen. “She wants to see you, she wont leave me alone about it. You should arrange to have lunch or something.”
Percival pulls the fridge open, pulling out things he will need for dinner.
“Ill ask her is she can have lunch with me then, perhaps on Friday.”
Percival goes about preparing dinner, heating up the oven and chopping up the peppers and onions. He sets some water to boil in one pan while he combines the vegetables with some tomato sauce in another. He adds some seasoning and stirs until it starts to simmer. He reduces the heat to low and covers it.
“How is Jacob doing? His bakery opens next week right?” Percival inquires as he dumps noodles into the now boiling water. He adjusts the temperature lower and stirs those as well, pulling out a ceramic dish and setting it aside.
There is no answer so Percival peeks his head around the corner, and Newt is once again absorbed in grading. Percival just shoots him a smile and goes back to making dinner, content to work in silence while Newt finishes his work.
Once the noddles are finished he spreads them evenly along the bottom of the pan and pours the tomato sauce and vegetables over that. He throws a thin layer of mozzarella on top of that and slips it into the oven. He sets a timer for forty minutes.
He cleans up any leftover mess from prep and then pads into the living room, grabbing a book from the shelf and laying down across the couch. together they sit in silence, completely at ease. Percival doesn’t think he could be any happier than here at home with Newt.