A Forgotten Maiden

Chapter 20

Percy stirred awake, his senses slowly coming back online. The faint glow of sunlight seeped through the curtains, illuminating his room with a muted gold hue. He yawned, stretching lazily, only to feel an unexpected warmth pressed against his side.

He froze.

Turning his head, Percy's heart nearly leapt out of his chest. Calypso was nestled against him, her auburn hair cascading across the pillow they shared. Her serene expression made it clear she was still sound asleep.

His face turned scarlet as his brain scrambled to make sense of the situation. What happened last night? The memory of their kiss rushed back, hitting him like a tidal wave.

Frantic, Percy began checking himself. His hands darted to his torso and legs, patting down his clothes to ensure that everything was still in place. Shirt, check. Pants, check. Socks... close enough.

In his haste, the bed shifted, jarring Calypso awake. "Mmm..." Her eyelids fluttered open, and she turned toward him groggily. "What are you doing?"

Percy stiffened, caught mid-pat of his chest. "Uh... nothing! Just, you know, making sure... things... uh, stayed where they were."

Her brows furrowed as she propped herself up on one elbow. "Stayed where—" Realization dawned on her, and her eyes widened. "Oh."

Now it was her turn. Calypso's hands mimicked Percy's frantic movements, her face heating up as she checked herself. She stopped abruptly and shot him an indignant look.

"We're fine," she said firmly, though her cheeks remained pink. "Right. Fine," Percy echoed, nodding too quickly. He rubbed the back of his neck, his mind racing.

An awkward silence hung in the air, broken only by the muffled sounds of the city waking up outside. "So..." Percy ventured, his voice hesitant, "last night."

Calypso sighed, sitting up fully and pulling her knees to her chest. "Yes. Last night." Percy fiddled with the edge of the blanket. "We... kissed."

"We did," Calypso agreed, her tone unreadable.
"It wasn't, like, planned or anything," Percy added quickly. "Not that it was bad! I mean—uh—it wasn't bad, right?"

Calypso's lips twitched, amusement dancing in her eyes. "No, Percy. It wasn't bad." She said, "Oh. Good," he said, exhaling in relief. Another pause. Percy glanced at her, trying to read her expression, but she looked thoughtful, her gaze distant.

"Do you regret it?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Percy blinked, caught off guard. "Regret it? No. Do you?"

Calypso met his eyes, her face serious. "No."
A beat passed between them, the weight of unspoken emotions filling the room. "It's just... unexpected," Percy said, breaking the silence. "I mean, we've been through a lot together, but I never thought..."

"That you'd wake up to me in your bed?" Calypso teased, a small smirk playing on her lips. Percy groaned, covering his face with his hands. "Not helping."

"I'm kidding, Percy," she said, her tone softer now. "Honestly, I don't know what to think either. But I don't regret it." Percy lowered his hands, looking at her earnestly. "You sure?"

"I'm sure," she said firmly. "Last night... it felt right." He nodded, letting her words sink in. "Yeah. It did." Calypso tilted her head, studying him. "But now you're overthinking it, aren't you?"

"Maybe," Percy admitted, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. "It's kind of my thing." She chuckled, the sound light and melodic. "You really are impossible."

"Hey, I'm working on it," he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.
Her laughter faded, replaced by a more contemplative expression. "Percy, can I ask you something?"