Chapter 11: Cuddles (Bonus Chapter)

"That's everything, Poseidon."

Given the run down, the man on the screen nodded and scratch his beard.

"I see. It's unfortunate, but we'll have to improvise from now on." He said, "More importantly, I assume you felt it as well."

She nodded, "Yes, I can sense his presence which is getting stronger. It could be that he had found himself a host, but I couldn't be certain of it yet. I've asked Thalia and Jason to keep an eye out just in case."

"Good. Good."

She continued, "How are things going on your side?"

"I've had better." He let out a long, tired sigh, "But I did find a few who could help. Luckily, she's still willing to help us out behind the scene, but I am afraid of what would happen if they found out she's secretly in alliance with us."

Her lips suddenly froze, "We all have to make a choice, don't we? I am glad she's on our side."

There was no reply.

"So, Clarisse huh?" He questioned, "Do you know why she attack them?"

She paused.

"Clarisse…" She whispered her name, the leader of cabin five and the daughter of Ares, "I don't think I can blame her. She just lost someone close to her, and you know how hard it is to grieve."

He was silent.

"I see…"

The rainbow display flickered.

"We don't have much time." He noticed the flickering first, "Please take care of them. I trust you, Athena."

"You know I'll keep them safe, Poseidon." She answered.

Then there were shoutings from behind the man.

"I am sorry. I have to go now."

She nodded, watching as the display faded into mist. Around her, there were computerized data centers and dozens of monitors, flashes of LED lights blinking here and there in the dimly lit room. It was their emergency command and surveillance headquarters.

A deep sigh left her as she stared out the window, "Don't do anything stupid, you two."

-Line Break-

Something smells good…

Percy was awoken by a scent reminiscent of a field of strawberries. It smelled sweet all around him, and he was strangely comfortable.

"Hmm…." He stretched his legs and tried to move his arms around.

Everything was fine, but for some reason, he didn't have as much mobility as he should.

His left hand also felt completely numb. He could barely move his arm at all. His right hand was fine, and when he tried to move that arm, he realized he's been cradling something.

"H…Huh?"

Percy slowly moved his eyes open. Everything was groggy from him being barely awake, but he tried his best to figure out his surroundings anyway.

A minute passed by when Percy finally realized he wasn't in his bed. He wasn't in any bed. Instead, he had been sleeping on a couch.

That little jolt was all it took before memories rushed back into his head. Percy blushed as he recalled last night, the moment before he fell asleep.

"Right. I slept in Annabeth's room." He whispered softly to himself.

When it was clear that he was in her room; the white and translucent curtains flowing softly into her room from the southern patio gave it all away, Percy couldn't hold back a smile from his lips. It was a silly thought, but he felt elated, perhaps even more than elated than he should be.

Percy looked through the windows to the outside. The afternoon sun was shining bright, it's clear he missed morning already. Weirdly, he felt energetic, the long rest he got last night was probably the reason why he felt this way. Still, he slept through breakfast, and Annabeth must have been too embarrassed to wake him up.

I wonder where wise girl is…

Then something shifted in his arms.

"Mmm…" Someone just mumbled into his chest.

Percy froze.

His mind was catching up to what he felt just then. It took a moment, but he quickly realized someone was underneath the blankets with him!

Percy swallowed hard. It couldn't be, definitely couldn't be. It must be a dream and he hadn't actually woken up yet.

Hidden from view, Percy only now noticed a strand of honey blonde hair sticking out from behind the covers. They were wavy and smooth, and this unkempt strand seemed to be a part of a messy ponytail he was pretty familiar with. He could almost vividly see the effortless elegance of her stylish hair.

"No way…" Percy whispered to himself.

His voice was so dry, it felt like whatever was coming out of his mouth had turned into soft croaks of a frog. Whoever was underneath his blankets, it seemed like being awake caused them to gain some awareness as well.

"Mmm—" The fragile and angelic voice pulsed like laser beams through his chest.

The suspense of who was underneath the blankets was still a mystery, or at least that's what Percy needed to believe so he wouldn't freak out.

His heart couldn't stop beating faster and faster. It didn't help that their slim and tender figure was as soft as a marshmallow, pressing against him seemingly for more comfort.

Did she really….?

Careful as to not wake the occupant snuggling against him, a heavy gulp passed through his throat as Percy pulled his right arm away from the warm body. He lifted the blankets slowly, there was a soft rustling as the sheets fell down from his shoulders, revealing the person he fell asleep with.

"….." Percy turned speechless.

Sleeping soundly with soft puffy cheeks, her stunning beauty accompanied by her cherubic features were so adorable that Percy found it hard to breathe. Her delicate peach color lips were slightly partly while her fingers gripped the front of his t-shirt, fingers holding him close and tugging on him when she stirred in her sleep.

"A-Annabeth-th!?" Percy almost screamed so loud he had to bite his lips to quiet his urge.

Whaaa—? What is Annabeth doing here in my arm!? Whyyyyy is she sleeping here?!

"Percyyy… D-Don't go," Annabeth shivered closer to him. The sudden cold lulled her consciousness back from her peaceful sleep, "D…Don't leave me."

Percy barely had time to recover from the shocking discovery when his wise girl gave him another heart-stopping heart attack. He could have fainted right there and then, but the dull numbness on his left arm kept him wide awake.

When she wakes up, I am going to be a dead man… Percy thought.

Regardless of how or why Annabeth was sleeping with him, what he really needed was a plan to get out of this situation without it ending in disaster. He couldn't rely on miracles right now. He needed to be gone before Annabeth woke up and see him like this.

Okay, I'll sneak my left hand from underneath her. It should be fine if I take it slow, then I'll move above and slowly climb away from the couch. If all goes well, she won't even know that I was here in the first place.

Sure, it might not be a very good or well-thought-out plan, but it was the only one he had. The options were to either escape to live another day, or die trying to explain something unexplainable. Percy didn't hesitate to choose the latter.

"Alright." Percy reassured himself, "Slowly and carefully now…"

First, he slipped his left arm under her. It was easier said than done as he had to twist his body in weird angles just to avoid pressing up against something he'd regret. Once it was free, he gave it a twist but it was so numb that he couldn't possibly give it any command.

I should wait until my left arm is back…

Except Annabeth's was stirring more and more. It won't be long before his wise girl would wake up, and if he was still here, regardless if he had his arms holding her or not, there would be… consequences.

Despite the risk, Percy didn't have a choice. Hurried but also moving at a minimum pace, he threw his right arm around Annabeth and found an empty spot where he could place his hand. Without his left arm which was still out of commission, Percy tried his best to nudge his body up with only his body, his legs, and his right hand over Annabeth.

Through sheer luck, Percy managed to get on top of Annabeth and hover over her. Now dangling on his right hand and held up by his knees, all he needed to do now was get off the couch, sneak out of her room, and he'll have safely reached home plate.

Or, that's what was supposed to happen…

…. If Percy didn't stupidly take his right hand off the couch before his right leg could. His balance tipped over like Jenga being held up by one block as his whole body tumbled on top of a sleeping Annabeth face first. Terrified, Percy screamed as his face buried right into her chest, cushioned by her soft… soft…

I am screwed… Percy thought dejectedly. Well, it was a good life, I guess.

"Oooff!" Annabeth was forced to breathe out heavily. It didn't take a detective to figure out she was now wide awake, "Oooww! W-What the heck?!"

She coughed again and again.

Percy tried to keep still. Maybe, just maybe, he might disappear if he didn't move for long enough.

"W-Wait… Percyyy?" Her raspy voice called his name.

Wordless, Percy lifted his head and saw a clueless Annabeth looking at him. She didn't seem to catch what was happening at first, but it won't be long before….

"W-Whhyyy you—"

Right on cue, her somehow cute and confused expression was replaced with rough stormy eyes the temperature of the arctic freeze. She was, and rightfully so, beyond angry at him, but Percy also noticed a tinge of embarrassment she tried to hide in vain. Her cheeks flushed the color of a riped tomato when she noticed the situation she was in.

"L-Listen… I wasn't— Really! I wasn't trying to—"

Almost in a comically cruel way, the feelings in Percy's left arm came back and he could finally move it without limping. He threw his hands up in surrender.

"Please, just listen. I am— Guhh!"

Annabeth snapped, literally.

In the next moment, Annabeth sent him flying through the air as he tumbled and landed on his butt beside her small table. Stars flew across his eyes as his vision closed in on him.

"You are a fucking Pervert, Percy!"

Her accusation was a bit harsh especially when Percy only wanted to slip away from the enchanting sight of his surprised cuddle with Annabeth, but despite his need to correct the misunderstanding, Percy couldn't move an inch, laying on the carpet floor as disoriented groans left his open mouth.

"Eehhh… Ehhh…"

Percy was completely knocked out on the floor. His mind went dizzy, his balance felt woozy, his sense of gravity turned upside down because the heavy slap Annabeth smacked across his left cheek put his entire being into a blender. He would be lucky if that stinging pain didn't leave a red handprint for everyone to see.

Even after he recovered, Percy was stunned because he couldn't keep his eyes away from Annabeth who clutched the blankets over her as if her whole life depended on it. Her eyes were teary and she looked honestly ready to send him flying through her patio next.

"Please don't! I am sorry!" Percy rearranged himself and bowed on the floor before that could happen.

When Annabeth didn't respond, Percy hesitantly took a peek at her.

Her reaction was nothing he expected.

"Dummy," The princess pouted and looked away blushing.