(A/N I just... I had to. I think I've run out of nonsense [for now] so we'll be getting back to actually important stuff next chapter. [Frankly, don't expect that to be good, bc I suck at writing action on a good day and this fic has been thrown to the hounds of fluff so...])

Artemis

"Great news!" came the chipper voice from the other side of the door. "One of our bookings cancelled and we can offer you a second room now."

"Thank you. Luna will be relieved," she could hear the genuine gratitude in Percy's voice, as well as the slight strain at being left alone. He didn't have to worry about nightmares as much in his godly state, but right now he was vulnerable. She wouldn't be a very good friend to leave him like that.

"That's very kind of you," Artemis said, making her way to the door, "but it is selfish of us to ask for special treatment when you could offer that room to a spontaneous booking or if anyone else is in a similar position," she said with a smile.

"Are you certain…?" The girl looked confused, and so did Percy.

"I am. So long as that's okay with you, Jackson?" She looked at him innocently and he blinked before visibly relaxing.

"Thanks again," he turned to the girl, "but I guess we'll pass."

"Of course. Have a nice night!"

Artemis pretended not to notice the 'knowing' look the girl gave them. Ugh, as if two people couldn't platonically share a bed… Well, maybe her reaction that morning made that line of thought a little hypocritical, but she had an excuse! Zeus was impossible and seemed to enjoy looking for any reason to be angry!

"Thank you," Percy said softly, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Of course. I won't leave you to your nightmares alone."

He grimaced. "I'll take the couch until they wake me up again. So you can get some good sleep-"

"Absolutely not! You will sleep with me."

He coughed to cover up a snort and she felt her ichor run hot. It was so difficult to keep a neutral expression, but she would not react to her poor choice of words. Still hot and flushed she escaped to the bathroom to change without a word.

.

Percy

He knew he fell asleep on the other side of the bed. A queen size bed left plenty of room for them each to dangle themselves on the edge of the bed and not touch. Really, they didn't even have to be so close to the edges! There was no reason they had to be touching as they shared this bed, and when he fell asleep they weren't! Artemis had fallen asleep first, her exhaustion taking her over even before she'd changed. He'd listened to her even breathing and considered leaving for the couch so that he was less likely to wake her with a nightmare, but figured if she woke up to him there she'd be upset he hadn't listened.

But this was worse. He should have left and just taken the earful she'd have given him. But no, he'd stayed and now she had his left arm pinned under her body and her back flush with his chest. He tried about seven different positions for his right arm, trying not to embrace her, but it was useless. The only comfortable options he had were to place his hand below her sternum or between her collarbones.

Well, there was somewhere else he could put his hand, but it was best to keep that thought far from his mind.

He lay there for some time, in agony over how comfortable it was to cuddle with her. Part of him just wanted to pull her close, breathe in her scent and relax back into sleep. It was still the middle of the night, after all. But that wouldn't be very respectful…

Finally, finally, she shifted. He tried to release his left arm, but she wiggled and groggily grabbed at his right hand. She was now on her back with his arm still pinned as she squinted through the darkness at the hand she clumsily held onto.

"Mmmm. Pershish?"

He couldn't help but chuckle at her sleepy slur.

"It's Percy, milady," he said tenderly.

"Mm. Pershy." She ran her hand up his arm so both her hands held his own. "Mm." She tilted her head so that it was more solidly on his shoulder and brought their hands down onto her abdomen, falling back asleep. Her ring seemed to embed itself in his finger with how tightly she held his hand.

He smiled softly at her sleeping form and committed this moment to memory. Maybe enjoying her cuddles was okay.

.

Aphrodite

Somewhere in a golden palace on a mythical mountain above the Empire State Building the greek goddess of love could not find an ounce of peace. She tried not to pry, really. Her sister's privacy was a sacred thing, but some small speck of her awareness could never leave the object of her concern alone. Thus, she paced and cried and threw furniture because a little red string pulsed happily at being so short as two sleeping immortals held hands in a queen size bed at the BAD Hotel.

.

Artemis

"Mmm." She felt herself groan as wakefulness overtook her. An easy grasp of awareness allowed her to feel how the moon reflected the sun which was currently approaching the horizon. 20 minutes until dawn. 'Dawn.' What a pretty name. It even honored her brother. "Mm, Dwahn."

"Not yet, milady."

She stiffened, but didn't pull back, instead melting into the voice. The voice of a friend, peace, contentment. She felt his breath mingle with hers and her body surprised her by turning into his warmth, tucking her nose to his neck. A hand made its way to her hair.

"We should get up soon, milady."

"Mmm-no." She groaned. "'M mortal. 'M lazy. Mm, sleep past noon." She cuddled into his form, finding she fit there nicely, even as his chuckles shook her.

"I'd never assume you were a cuddler, Artemis."

She sighed as the sun crept closer to the horizon, pulling back to see sea green eyes.

"'M not. And if you say I am, no one'll believe you." Most of the slur had left her voice, but she was still a little more sluggish than she would have liked.

Percy laughed heartily as he removed his arms from her sides and she slid out of bed. As she stood and stretched she pondered how odd this was, to wake up in his arms again. But it wasn't odd, it felt natural. She shook her head and body, rolling out her shoulders. Her mortal disguise was getting to her.

She couldn't see the horizon out her window, but it did face east and she watched the colors of the sky change. It would be time soon. She didn't look forward to the hunt, but if anyone was going to back her up, she was glad it was Perseus.

"I can still go," he said, watching her from the bed. A part of her became self conscious of her nightgown, but that was silly.

"No, this is the more sound strategy."

"But you're-"

"Don't say it," she said quickly, before feeling a little guilty at his flinch and grimace. "I am, I am, but I have never let fear stop me before and I will not begin to do so now."

"Sorry," he rubbed his neck. "I just don't like seeing friends…"

"Afraid?"

"Or hurt."

"Thank you," she smiled at him. "Percy."

He grinned at her use of his name and they each got ready for the day's battle.