Sleeping & Seduction

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By me.

The moon hung high in the starry sky, casting a gentle glow over the campfire at Camp Half-Blood. The warmth of the flames flickered in rhythm with the comfortable banter that filled the air.

Annabeth Chase sat cross-legged on a blanket, her laptop resting on her knees as she typed furiously, the glow of the screen illuminating her focused expression.

Beside her, Percy Jackson lounged against a tree, arms folded behind his head.

He admired her dedication but couldn’t help but frown at the way her eyes occasionally drifted, betraying her fatigue. It was late, and the quiet of the night was almost inviting sleep.

“Annabeth,” he began, his voice teasing but filled with genuine concern, “I don’t need to remind you that it’s past midnight, right?”

“I don’t need to go to bed. I’m not tired; I’ll be fine,” she replied, her fingers still dancing across the keyboard.

He sat up, propping himself on one elbow and giving her his best pouty expression. “But, darling, I’ll be so lonely without you. Come curl up in my arms so I can feel whole again.”

Annabeth paused, a smile creeping onto her lips. She could see the playful glimmer in his eyes, a spark of mischief that only he could muster.

“Are you trying to seduce me into healthy sleeping patterns?” she challenged, arching an eyebrow.

Percy leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Is it working?”

She rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her, lifting into a grin. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously charming?” he shot back, his smirk widening. “Just think about it, Wise Girl. You’d be all warm and cozy, and I’d finally get to hold you without all those pesky books and laptops getting in the way.”

“That’s true,” she conceded, glancing back at her laptop. “But I really need to finish this chapter. I can’t let it go unfinished.”

Percy pouted again, exaggerating the motion until he resembled a lost puppy. “What if I promised to read it to you? Like a bedtime story, but without the bedtime?”

Annabeth laughed, shaking her head. “That’s not how it works, Seaweed Brain.”

“Isn’t it, though?” he pressed, leaning in closer. “Think of all the adventures we could have in dreamland together! Imagine us fighting monsters in our sleep—”

“Or fighting over the blanket,” Annabeth interjected, but she couldn’t hide her growing amusement.

Percy straightened, his eyes sparkling with an idea. “Exactly! I can be your knight in shining armor, and you’ll be the wise princess, and we’ll win the battle of the covers!”

“Okay, okay!” Annabeth chuckled, surrendering to his infectious energy. “You make a convincing argument. Just… give me a few more minutes?”

“Deal,” he agreed, flashing her a bright smile. “But after that, you’re coming to bed. I’m not letting you sit here all night while I dream about you.”

She shook her head, still smiling. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, you love me for it,” he countered, winking. “Now come on, let’s finish this so you can come cuddle.”

With a soft sigh, Annabeth closed her laptop and set it aside. “Fine. You win.”

Percy laughed and stood up, holding out his hand. As they walked back to their cabin, Annabeth felt the familiar warmth of his presence beside her.

Percy slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. Maybe surrendering to sleep wasn’t so bad after all.

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