His Lifeline

Chapter 36: 3 AM Curses

I woke up in the wee hours of the morning, like 3 am, to use the restroom. So groaning, I got up and shuffled down the hallway. I quickly did my business before coming out and noticing the light coming from under my door.

Confused, I slowly opened the door and had to blink a few times to get adjusted to the light. When my eyes finally decided to stop killing themselves, I looked around the room. I almost growled.

Annabeth was sitting by the small table, her pajamas on with her hair down. Since her back was facing me, she didn't notice I had walked in and closed the door.

As I got closer, I heard her muttering to herself and writing furiously. I sighed internally. This must've been why she fell asleep earlier.

As discreetly as possible, I sat down behind her. Then quickly snaked my arms around her waist, making her jump and tense before pulling her away from the table into my chest.

She whipped around but then relaxed when she saw me.

"Don't you fucking do that again. I might actually kill you."

I chuckled at her and then pecked her lips, surprising her. I smirked at her as her face grew pink. Scowling, Annabeth tried to free herself from my grip. Unfortunately for her, that wasn't happening.

"Percy, let me go," she whispered dangerously. I just pouted at her.

"No, not until you go to bed. It's 3 am. You should be asleep."

"Percy, I don't have time to be sleeping. I need to study" she was as stubborn as a mule. Well, too bad for her because she wasn't leaving where she was sitting. I can be stubborn too.

So in response, I grunted at her. She waited a few moments before realizing I wasn't releasing her. Then she started squirming.

"Percy, let me go," she tried softly.

"Oi! What did I just say!" then she started getting angry.

"I have to get back to work!" she finally snapped at me, and I knew that it was bad, but she was just tired. Annabeth really needed to sleep. Even though she tried everything she could to get out of my grasp, I simply held her in place.

Slowly her attempts became less frantic as she realized she wasn't moving till I said so.

"Please, Perce, I really need to study. I really want to get into this college. This year is senior year, and it's the biggest year for me. I really really want this. So please," she sounded defeated, and it broke my heart, holding her from what she wanted to do. I desperately wanted to help her and make sure she got everything she needed.

But one of the things she desperately needed was sleep.

"Sorry, Annabeth, I'll do everything I can to help you study and prepare for the finals, but that also means that I'm looking out for you too. Right now, what you need is sleep. You'll feel so much better tomorrow." I promised her and looked into her eyes. They were angry and tired. I could tell she wanted to sleep but couldn't. Her mind was running too fast.

"I know Percy, I know. But I can't sleep, so I decided to at least do something productive" she sighed and leaned her forehead against my shoulder. "I'm just so frustrated. Why can't I sleep?" she whispered angrily into my shoulder. I petted her hair as I felt her angry tears soak through my hoodie.

"Well, you fell asleep earlier. Do we need to dance for you to sleep? We could do that," I suggested. Honestly, I was ready to try anything to get her to fall asleep. She seemed so miserable.

"Actually," she rose from my shoulder. Her eyes were puffy and red as she sniffled. I saw a small blush peeking from her ears as she refused to meet my eyes. "Um, I'm pretty sure I fell asleep because of you" she bit her lip as she whispered it out.

"Ok, so what do you need me to do?" I asked softly, not wanting to push anything onto her. She was vulnerable now, and I didn't want to do anything that would hurt her.

She snapped her head towards me and looked at me with surprise, "Wait, you want to help me?" I almost scoffed. Almost.

"Of course, Annabeth, why wouldn't I want to help you sleep? What have I been doing for the last fifteen minutes?"

"Annoying me," she deadpanned. I mocked hurt, as she grinned at me.

"Ok, it's still 3 am. What do you want me to do to help you sleep?" I asked seriously; I really needed her to get to bed. She was going to be exhausted in a few hours for her zero period.

She blushed deeply as she turned her head, not looking at me. "Um, well, last time we were hugging as we danced. Uh, and the time at the sleepover, you were cuddling me. So" she turned even redder if that was possible. I felt my neck burn as my cheeks pinked.

"Ok, sure thing, I can do that," I assured her and slowly slid her off my lap and helped her up. Then she went over to the bed and got under the covers while I turned off the light.

Stumbling through my pitch-dark bedroom, I managed to stub my toe and almost fell on my face in the five feet it took to get to my bed. Every time Annabeth heard me hit something or whisper curses, she giggled at me.

Finally, pulling the covers down so I could get into my bed, I slipped in. I calmed my nerves and shifted closer to Annabeth. This is for her. She needs this to sleep. But that did nothing to calm my heart.

I turned on my side and pulled her to my chest, wrapping my arms around her. Her face burrowed in my chest as I lay on the pillow. I felt her arms wrap around my waist, and I tensed before relaxing into her grip.

When I heard her soft breaths, I slowly unwrapped one of my arms and tilted Annabeth's sleeping face up a bit. Then I kissed her forehead and mumbled, "I love you" before returning to my earlier position. Quickly falling asleep with her lemon-scented hair.