¹𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐒 ! - percy jackson

-009.

THE FIRST THING PERCY became aware of was warmth.

His arms were still wrapped around Stella, her head resting against his chest, the steady rise and fall of her breathing a gentle rhythm in the quiet morning. The living room was bathed in the soft, early light of dawn, casting a golden glow over everything. He blinked, trying to clear the grogginess from his mind, and it took him a second to remember how they'd ended up like this.

The conversation. The kiss. The quiet that followed.

For a moment, Percy didn't move. He just lay there, taking in the feel of Stella curled up against him, her soft brown hair brushing his neck. A part of him wanted to stay like this forever, to hold on to the rare, unguarded moment between them.

It was peaceful. And for once, it felt like everything was just... right.

But reality crept in, as it always did.

What if she regretted it? What if she woke up and pulled away, like she had so many times before? He could already imagine her retreating into herself, building her walls back up as if none of this had ever happened. She was good at that, at hiding her feelings, at locking everything away where no one could reach it—not even him. Especially not him.

The thought gnawed at him. The idea of losing this fragile thing they shared, of her slipping away again, made his chest tighten. He'd liked Stella for a long time now, probably longer than he was willing to admit. 

It wasn't just how she made him laugh when he felt like the world was crashing down. It was the way she looked at him sometimes, like she saw through every layer of his false confidence, every burden he carried, and still chose to be by his side.

And gods, that kiss.

It had felt like everything he'd ever wanted, everything he'd been too afraid to ask for, too uncertain to even hope for.

But Stella wasn't the type to fall into something easily. She was always holding herself back, and he wondered if, when she woke up, that same fear would take over again.

Percy shifted carefully, trying not to disturb her as he disentangled his arms from around her. He could feel the weight of her against him, her warmth lingering even as he gently slid away. He took a deep breath and reluctantly rose from the couch, feeling the absence of her immediately.

Standing over her, Percy ran a hand through his messy black hair, his heart pounding with an unspoken fear. Maybe she wouldn't regret it. Maybe she would.

But he didn't want her to. He didn't want her to hide from him again.

Just as he was about to move, Stella stirred, her eyes fluttering open slowly. For a moment, she looked disoriented, her gaze darting around the room before settling on him. She blinked, the weight of the previous night slowly dawning on her.

"Morning," Percy said, his voice thick with uncertainty.

"Morning," she replied. A small, genuine smile tugged at her lips.

For a second, Percy wondered if he should say something—if he should bring up last night, the way they'd just fallen into each other.

Instead, he smiled back, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "Sleep well?"

Stella laughed softly, "Better than I expected, considering the cramped quarters."

"I didn't mind the company," Percy said, his heart thudding in his chest as his hand lingered on her cheek for a moment longer than it should have.