Why is Everything so Loud?! (Fem. Percy)

A Drunk Confession

I didn't know how I ended up staring up at the palace gates. Everything past hitting the water, all those bubbles rushing around me, and a dolphin? A very pretty dolphin who smiled at me. Everything past that was a blur. 

Rocking on my heels, I chewed on the inside of my cheek. My vision was already swimming; I didn't know if I'd be able to make it back to my room. It's where I should go. Collapse into my bed, sleep. Both sounded good, yet I didn't want that. An ache resided in my chest, spreading out through my limbs with something I couldn't place. 

Every step I took sent me careening. I ran into walls and furniture, never really registering it. The pocket of air around me did nothing to help me, it couldn't heal me the way water would. So I just had to deal with the pain. Not that there was any. Even after running face first into the council room door, the most I felt was as if I'd been hit with a pillow. Stumbling steps led me to Dad's office. I opened the door. The hinges were silent, just like the rest of the room. He- He's not here. My shoulders fell, and I whined. 

Shaking my hands, I walked towards the living room. Luckily for me, Dad was watching TV on the couch. No searching for him, no stumbling like a newborn foal. With quick steps, I practically ran to him. The couch creaked under my weight. I wrapped my arms around Dad, hands clutching at his shirt. He didn't hug back. Why didn't he hug back? I released him, pushed onto his lap, and hugged him again. 

"Percy?"

Sniffling, I burrowed closer to him. I wanted a hug so, so bad. Just one, that's all. After that, I'd be good. I could-- "Can I have a hug? And then-- And then I'll do what you want, anything."  Dad pulled me close. The sweeping calm of his aura wrapped around me. 

"You're drunk," he said.

"No- No, I'm not"

"Percy."

He sounded mad. I didn't want him to be mad. "Little bit," I amended.

With a sigh that seemed to exude how old he was, and he was really old wasn't he, he shifted me. My face pressed against his neck, held in place by a firm hand. I made soft apologies and wiped at my eyes. He shouldn't be doing this. Not for me. Dad stood and walked. The swaying was nearly too much. I groaned, pressing myself further into his grip. 

"Sh. We're almost there. I'm just taking you to your room. Hangovers aren't fun, and I doubt you want to deal with Triton in the morning. How much did you-- Wait, how did you even get anything to drink?"

"Bought it."

"I'm adding that to the list of things we need to talk about." I winced. He didn't seem to notice, or he didn't care. Dad sat me on the bed, leaving me every opportunity to pull away. I didn't. Pressed close to his chest, things felt right. I wanted to stay close to him. This close, his aura enveloped me. It wasn't physical, but it was a nice soft blanket, one with just enough weight to it. Here, I was safe. Nothing could hurt me. 

"Stay?" I asked.

The arm that he had wrapped around me fell away, leaving only a ghost of touch for comfort. He didn't say anything. I sniffled. Even if he was going to say no, why couldn't he just do it and get it over with? Dad pushed me onto my side. 

"Sleep this off, and then--" He stopped and I clumsily propped myself back up.

"Don't- Don't leave. No. No no no no. Don't leave me. I can- I can be better. I- I- I can!"

My vision blurred, but through it I could see his brow pinch. A hand smoothed over my hair and I whined, pressing my head against it. "I'll be right back." His voice wavered. "I promise."

"Don't- Don't leave me. Please."

"Honey, baby, little one,"  cooed Dad. "I need you to breathe for me."