#dionysusreader

Warnings: Fluff/cuddles Slight playful panic/near-violence

Sorry for the late post! Between work and school this week, I got wiped out, so I’m posting all of these today! Something short and fluffy to start out.

"Happens each time a boy falls in love with a girl Happens great, happens sweet Happily, I'm unfazed here too" -Hozier , Waste Land Baby!

Percy was exhausted. Truly, bone-deep exhausted. Between saving the world and keeping up with life at Camp Half-Blood, it felt like everyone needed something from him at all times. Chiron had questions. Mr. D had complaints. Annabeth had plans. Grover had…well, plans too. Even a kid from Cabin 5 had stopped him just to help find a lost cat. Being a hero was hard. So why, Percy wondered, could he not sleep?

His shark plushie stared up at him with its unnervingly happy grin, and he had to resist the urge to chuck it across the room. He groaned and turned toward his bedside table. The clock blinked 1:03 a.m., its shark-shaped face flashing blue numbers. You had given it to him, and somehow, even in the middle of the night, it made him smile. He knew he would sleep better if you were beside him. And then—an idea struck.

Quietly, he slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Tyson, who was snoring loudly in the other bed, and tiptoed to the cabin door to grab his sneakers, the cool night air brushing against his face as he stepped outside. He navigated the paths of Camp Half-Blood under the pale glow of the moon, every step measured, every branch he brushed past silent. He ducked behind trees, tiptoed over the bridge by the Big House, and skittered across the field of cabins, like a shadow, like…a very tired, very determined shadow. Finally, he reached your cabin.

Percy paused at the door, glancing nervously at Castor and Pollux’s beds on either side. He inhaled deeply, counted slowly to three, and eased the door open. The floorboards creaked faintly beneath his careful step. He froze.

There you were, curled up in your fluffy bed in the back corner, surrounded by dark red covers and a fortress of stuffed animals. The soft glow from your bedside lamp highlighted your peaceful face, and Percy’s heart nearly melted.

Careful not to make a sound, he tiptoed forward, lowering himself gently onto the edge of the bed. And that was when you…screamed.

“Who—are you—?!” You lunged, swinging your arms wildly through the curtains as if sheer panic could keep him away. Percy squeaked, stumbling back a step, but the corners of his mouth tugged into a grin despite the panic in your eyes.

“I—I just…uh…” he stammered, trying—and failing—to sound casual. You shrieked again, laughing. “Percy! You’re insane! What are you doing here?!” “I—uh—can’t!” Percy blurted, nearly tripping over a pile of stuffed animals. “I’m…tired! And you’re…here!”

You rolled your eyes, now giggling, and tried to push him back, but he gently grabbed your wrists, holding you in place.

“Percy! Stop grabbing me!” you protested, though your laughter betrayed how much fun you were having. “I just…needed this,” he said softly. After a brief tug-of-war, he finally pulled you into the bed with him. You shrieked and laughed, squirming beneath him, but he quickly wrapped his arms around you snugly, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head.

“What are you doing?” you whispered breathlessly, still wiggling slightly, half in mock panic, half in amusement. “I missed you,” Percy admitted, nuzzling into your neck. “I didn’t get to see you today, and I just…needed to be near you.”

You smiled against his shoulder, your fingers threading through his hair. “You sneak into my cabin at two in the morning…just to cuddle?” Percy’s lips curved into a lazy, mischievous grin. “Yep. Totally worth it.”

You giggled, tightening your arms around him. “You’re ridiculous.” “And you love it,” he teased, earning a soft punch to his shoulder from you, followed by laughter. “I do. I love you,” he added sincerely, his voice low and warm, carrying the exhaustion of the day but full of relief at finally being here with you.

You sighed contentedly, resting your head on his chest. “I love you too, idiot.”