Tlovm Percival X Reader - Tumblr Posts

"Percy, no."

You held your journal against your chest and turned your back on him. There were your ideas between the pages, your sketches, analysis of prototypes you did in the past and so much researches. Of course, such thing would get him curious, interested. A pure treasure for any tinkering or engineering passionate. A single glimpse of your notes and drafts had been enough for Percival to feel like a child in front of a new toy, and knowing that you made these made him weak in the knees. But you were adamant on keeping this journal for yourself.

"I am just saying that as an expert in mechanical—"

"No," you cut him off.

You took a step back, as if to put some distance between your journal and his burning green eyes. You were almost moved by the passion blazing in his gaze.

"I can let you analyse my pepperbox if you want," he tried to negotiate. "And in exchange, I can—"

"I already analysed it," you cut him off again as you started to walk away.

Percival followed behind you like an eager puppy, his jaw slightly agape.

"You did ?" he quickly cleared his throat. "So what did you think about it ?"

You raised an eyebrow without looking at him, sighing slightly as you heard his step behind yours.

"Bland," you answered. "I would have add more options."

He stayed silent for a bit and you could literally hear the gears in his mind working. You held your journal tighter against your chest, knowing that his eyes were still on it.

"You put a lock on it," he said after a few minutes of silence. "Are these...magic runes and alchemistic arcanes ?"

"...nice observation," you muttered, your tone neutral.

You knew he was observant and kind of a genius, but you did not expect him to catch up so fast with your talents.

Percival suddenly hurried to walk past you and stood in your way, stopping you in your track. For a second, you saw an excited child instead of the young man you knew, his eyes twinkling with curiosity and excitement. You could even hear him mentally squealing. Then, a blink of your eyes later, you were faced with the gunslinger you knew.

"You managed to mix mechanical engineering with alchemy and goddamn magic !?" he almost shouted, his eyes wide opened in surprise. "How did you manage to do that ?"

"By trying ?" you answered in a 'duh!' tone. "I know it's considered unethical by some people. I don't need your judgement, Percival."

"I don't think you're unethical."

It was your eyes' turn to widen in shock, his words echoing in your mind, silencing the murmurs you heard all your life and blinding the glares you constantly felt on your back.

"You're daring and adventurous, and it manifest through your ideas, your inventions. This is the proof of it," he pointed at your journal. "It thanks to people like you that we evolve and walk towards a future instead of a regressing present."

You stared at him so intensely, with so much emotions that he felt himself almost falling. You took a step forward and grabbed his wrist. Your grip was strong, matching the blaze in your eyes.

"Do you mean that ?" you murmured and by your tone alone, he knew how his answer mattered.

"I do."

You took a big shaky breath and nodded, a relieved and mirthful smile illuminating your gaze as a cruel weight disappeared from your being. Percival felt his cheeks reddening even more at the sight and cleared his throat.

"I...have sketches of a new prototype I plan to make," he stuttered, rubbing his neck. "And I would like your expertise to guide me. Would you please help me ?"

Your grip on his wrist softened as you nodded.

"It would be my pleasure," you said. "Thank you a lot, Percy."