I couldn't. Couldn't give him a chance to actually have a say in what their futures would bring, to find a way to work through it together. Percy's jaw clenched tighter, his grip on the cane tightening, chuckles white against it. "So you decided not to tell your best friend?" Percy's words were frustrated, he raked a hand through his hair. "Merlin, Maggie! I didn't care a whit for my job." Percy exclaimed. "I only took it to make something of myself so your parents wouldn't frown on the match."

Percy took a breath, trying to calm himself. When he spoke again it was calmer, still frustrated, but quieter. "You should have told me. Given me some say. We could have come up with a plan." Another hand raked through his hair, leaving it laying in different directions haphazardly over his head. Something was deflating inside him as he took Maggie in, took the tears and words in. "Maggie-" Percy started forward, his hand outreached, but he stopped and let it fall. He had no right to touch her, to comfort her. "I only ever cared for your happiness." He admitted, his voice quiet again.