Don't Fall (PJO FF)

28.) The Sleep Addicts

C H A P T E R  T W E N T Y – E I G H T

PERCY

When I woke up, the pack was curled around each other, all of us just soaking up the warmth that seemed to forever flood through us. I could smell the scent of my mom's delicious cookies, but I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes and actually acknowledge them. I was way too comfortable, something that I haven't been in a long time.

I could hear the gentle beating of Nico's heart and had to wonder how I got on the left side of him when I remember falling asleep on his right. My mind didn't ponder on that for too long when I heard his laugh and his chest shook slightly. I kept my eyes closed and pressed my nose closer to him just to smell more...more...Nico.

I groaned when he shifted and moved his arm so it was now rubbing up and down my back.

"He's going to be so pissed," I heard a whisper. I didn't care enough to put a name or face to the voice and decided to continue as I was.

"Definitely, but he needs his sleep. He'll forgive us."

"I have a feeling he won't be moving for a while, even to punch us for almost eating all the cookies."

I almost snapped my eyes open at that and lunged myself at whoever said it, but then Nico gently drew circles on my hand with his arm that wasn't currently on my back that moved to thread his fingers through my hair.

"I didn't get him a birthday present," someone admitted.

"Just throw Nico at him and say 'happy birthday!'. He'll let it go."

"Why am I always being thrown at him? You said that last time when you were complaining about how you forgot to make the batter blue," Nico asked in slight disbelief.

"Because it'll give him a reason to forgive us if you're in the loop."

"Doubt it. That's just wishful thinking on your part. He'd use his puppy eyes on me to help him get you back."

There was silence for a few seconds. "Shit."

That's right. There's no escaping my wrath...unless I'm cuddled up to Nico. I feel as if I couldn't ever leave this moment even if I tried, despite my many attempts to force myself to stop whatever was going on. To not allow me to get attached, didn't really work because I did and now I don't want to let him go. Unless he needs me to.

"Is Percy up yet?"

"No," someone replied. "Is food done?"

"Yeah. Could you wake him for me?"

"You guys go on ahead. I'll wake him up."

"You sure, Nico?"

"Yeah," he assured them, "it'll only be a minute."

There were a few mumbles of agreement until the only sound I could hear was Nico's soft breathing and his heart beating in his chest.

"I know you're awake, Percy."

I groan and shake my head. "Shush. You're comfy."