Annabeth woke with a start, breathing heavily as she was prevented from sitting up by a weight on her chest. She didn't know where she was or what was holding her down. Her hands flailed as she tried to locate her sword, heartbeat increasing when she couldn't feel it. She heard a small grunt when her elbow connected with something behind.
"Annabeth?"
Annabeth's breathing began to slow. The sound of Percy's voice broke through the panic in her brain and she suddenly realised where she was and what the weight was. She had snuck into Percy's dorm room, was lying on his bed and the weight holding her down was the arm he'd slung over in order to keep her from falling over the edge of his twin bed whilst they slept.
Tears of relief pricked at Annabeth's eyes and she carefully twisted around so that she could face him.
"Sorry," she whispered. "Nightmare. I couldn't figure out where I was for a second."
Percy carefully blinked the sleep out of his eyes and lifted his hand to cup her cheek, wiping away the tears that escaped. "It's okay," he replied, his mouth twitching into that stupid smirk that she loved so much. "Not like it's the first time you've tried to injure me."
Annabeth gave a little laugh despite herself and burrowed her head in his chest. A few more tears slipped through her eyes and formed a small damp spot on Percy's shirt. Percy wrapped his arm around her a bit tighter and rubbed her back gently. He didn't say anything, just waited patiently for her to be ready to either talk or to go back to sleep.
"Battle of Manhattan," Annabeth confessed after a while. "So, not a demigod one. Just...a nightmare."
Percy hummed in understanding and pressed a kiss to her head. "Do you think you'll manage to sleep again?"
Annabeth shrugged. "If I can't manage it, I'll leave quietly so I don't disturb you."
Percy rolled his eyes and tugged her closer, so she was practically on top of him. "And here I thought you were the smart one," he said. "You know I don't care if you disturb me." The hand on her back travelled up to her hair and began playing with it. "Go back to sleep. I'll stay awake for a while. Chase the nightmares away for you."
Annabeth laughed with a slight roll of her eyes. "Only you would try to pick a fight with dreams, Seaweed Brain."
Percy smirked again. "Well, I'd win." His smile softened once more. "Go back to sleep, Wise Girl. I'm not going anywhere."
Annabeth nodded, wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes, feeling safe in his embrace.
Thanks for reading!
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