"What's he doing?" Percy asked. Alvie was munching on his hand.
"Teething. I think." Annabeth gently pulled Alvie's hand away. "Ew…" She wiped his hand on his bib, wiping away baby dribble.
"Can I hold Alvie?" Tobias asked, toddling forward.
"Sure." Tobias clambered up on the sofa clumsily and sat between his parents and held his arms out. Annabeth gently shifted Alvie into her eldest son's arms.
Alvie didn't settle.
"Is he no comfy?"
"He's always been like that." Annabeth assured gently.
"He no like being held?"
"Don't think so." Percy muttered.
"Where's he bunny?" Max asked, climbing up onto Percy's lap. At the word 'bunny', Alvie looked round. Percy and Annabeth shared a look. He normally didn't respond to words, but he was really attached to his toy rabbit, the one Louisa had thrown in Percy's face a few weeks ago.
When 'bunny' didn't appear, Alvie started fidgeting, unnerving Tobias. Max jumped down, ran off and fetched 'bunny'. The toy somewhat calmed Alvie but he, as usual, did not relax and still didn't want to be held. He clung to his toy and stared at the living room light.
Percy walked into the kitchen while Annabeth was cooking dinner.
"Something's not right." He voiced. Annabeth sighed in relief and looked at him. She had been thinking the same thing, but didn't say anything in case she was being paranoid.
"What do we do?" Percy shrugged.
"Take him to the doctors." He paused, getting a table spoon from the drawer. "Or ask Apollo or someone." He taste-tested the soup she was making. "Bit more salt." He told her, grinning cheekily.
"Shut up." She grumbled, pushing him away from her precious homemade soup. "Do I talk to Mom later?" Percy nodded.
"Ask her what the lottery numbers are as well."
"You are so annoying."
"You love me for it." He smiled.
Annabeth woke up to silence. Alvie had the habit of waking up at half one in the morning.
Instead, she found her mother sat at the end of the bed, tending to Alvie. He still had hold of his precious blue rabbit toy.
Percy muttered in his sleep, shifting his arms around Annabeth. Athena glared at him, her expression softening when she saw Annabeth was awake.
"Hi Mom." Annabeth said quietly, sitting up, being careful not to wake her husband up.
"Still with the sea spawn?"
"Always." Annabeth replied defiantly. Athena nodded, looking back at the dozing Alvie in her arms. "I needed to talk to you."
"I know."
"Is there something wrong with Alvie or am I just paranoid?"
"What does he do that makes you think something is wrong?" Annabeth hesitated before describing the various things Alvie did that was different in comparison to Tobias and Max when they were Alvie's age, mentioning his silent behaviour and how he seemed content staring at the light or something that moved.
Annabeth fell silent. Athena held her gaze for a few seconds before studying Alvie's sleeping face. "I think he has trouble hearing things too." Annabeth added quietly.
"No. He hears fine. He just does not react." Annabeth frowned.
"What'd you mean?" Athena stood up and handed Alvie to Annabeth. "Mom?"
"He's autistic."