Work Text:
Percy fiddled with the door lock before swinging the door open, stumbling into the apartment. He dropped his school bag by the entrance and closed the door. Percy slipped off his shoes and trudged to the kitchen, turning on the coffee machine. Unfortunately, he was given a couple more homeworks and essays, so he needed the coffee to concentrate.
Percy glanced at the sofa that resided in the living room, wondering if he should lie down and take a nap instead of gaining energy from more coffee. The reminder of nightmares quickly dismissed the idea. Truth be told, Percy was a bit scared to go back to sleep. The few restless hours of sleep that he managed to take throughout the past few weeks have been nothing but plagued with nightmares.
Percy pulled his hoodie closer to him and wrapped his arms around himself. He shivered and yawned, feeling both tired and cold. When the coffee was ready, Percy poured himself a cup and dragged himself to his room, grabbing his school bag along the way.
Percy plopped down at his desk and took out his notes and textbooks. He ran a hand over his face, rubbing his eyes before sighing. He took a sip of coffee and got ready to finish his work.
Percy jolted awake with a groan. He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head, trying to remove the images of the looming nightmare. Thankfully, he had woken up before his nightmare got too intense.
Feeling groggy, Percy immediately reached for his coffee and took a sip, only to find an empty mug. Percy groaned again and ran a hand through his hair.
Percy had managed to fall asleep in a very uncomfortable position on his desk while doing his homework and his neck was protesting. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to lessen the soreness.
Percy's gaze fell to the open textbooks and unfinished homework on his desk. He needed to continue to work. He needed more coffee.
Bleary eyed, Percy hauled himself up from the desk and stretched, bones popping with the movement. He shivered, feeling colder than usual. Percy picked up his empty mug, wrapped his arms around himself, and trudged from his room to the kitchen.
On his way to the kitchen, Percy bumped into something big and solid. He stumbled back with a small yelp, too tired to even jump in surprise. Unfortunately, he accidentally dropped his mug, which shattered as it hit the floor.
Big strong hands reached out and held his shoulders to steady him. A low chuckle resonated throughout the room, like the waves crashing down on the shores. The broken mug disappeared from the floor.
"Sorry son, I didn't mean to startle you," a voice said, low and soft.
Percy stared dumbfounded at the place where the broken mug was a few moments ago, before looking up to see a familiar face with twinkling sea green eyes smiling softly at him.
"Dad?"
Poseidon was standing there in all his glory, with a blue Hawaiian print shirt and his 'Neptune's lucky fishing hat'. Poseidon beamed at his son.
"What are you doing here?" Percy asked. It wasn't that he didn't want his dad here, it's just that he didn't want his dad to see him like this. He was tired, he probably looked like a mess, and he had a lot of work to do. If his dad knew that he wasn't sleeping well, he'd probably find himself swaddled in blankets and put to bed.
Maybe he wouldn't mind being wrapped in blankets. He was cold, he should have worn a thicker hoody, or maybe a warm sweatshirt. Poseidon's hands on his shoulders felt nice. They were warm and comforting. His dad was always warm, especially his hugs.
"Can't I just come and visit my son?" Poseidon inquired. Percy gave his dad a small smile but shivered once again.
Poseidon furrowed his brows when Percy shivered and his face twisted in concern as he took in the bags under Percy's eyes and his pale skin. He stepped closer to his son and cupped his face with one hand.
Percy subconsciously leaned into Poseidon's warm touch. He resisted the urge to squirm under his father's gaze, who was looking at him with an intense look of concern.
"Are you okay?" Poseidon asked. The sea god knew that it was a stupid question. His son was definitely not okay.
"Yeah," Percy mumbled. He was just tired, nothing alarming. Poseidon raised an unimpressed eyebrow.
Now that Poseidon was closer to him, Percy could feel the warmth radiating off of Poseidon.
Looking back at this moment, Percy blames his tiredness for what he did. He couldn't help it, he was cold and his dad was warm.
Percy stepped closer to Poseidon and hugged him, snuggling into his chest as he enjoyed his dad's warmth that always felt like home.
Poseidon froze. Percy couldn't blame him. He just hugged his dad with no prior warning. After a few moments, Percy felt a calloused hand running through his hair.
"What's wrong?" Poseidon asked, voice low. He hugged his son back and tucked Percy's head under his chin. Percy responded with a muffled 'cold'.
Poseidon rubbed Percy's back and kissed the top of his head.
"When was the last time you properly slept?" Poseidon questioned.
No response.
Poseidon huffed, "Percy, if you don't sleep, your body won't have enough energy to generate heat. You know that."
Poseidon sighed when he, yet again, gained no response. "Nightmares?" He guessed.
Percy nodded in his dad's chest. Poseidon sighed again but hugged his son closer.
"I can take away your nightmares for the night if you want. I can only do it a few times though." Poseidon said.
Percy looked up at his dad. He seemed to contemplate the offer.
"But I have work to do," Percy muttered.
"You can do your work later. Besides, you'll be able to concentrate more if you're well rested," Poseidon reasoned.
Percy snuggled back into Poseidon's chest.
"Okay," Percy mumbled. Poseidon waited for Percy to detach himself from Poseidon and go to his bed so that the god could work his magic. But, Percy made no move to get out of the hug.
"Percy?" Poseidon prompted. Percy hummed in response.
"If I'm going to put you to sleep, you need to get to bed," Poseidon continued. Percy still didn't look like he was going to move.
Poseidon sighed and tried to pull away, only for Percy to latch on tighter.
"Percy," Poseidon huffed.
"You're warm," Percy defended, voice muffled from Poseidon's shirt.
"Yes, and so are the blankets on your bed," Poseidon countered, nudging Percy. Percy groaned but didn't pull away, which caused Poseidon to sigh.
"Okay, but you asked for this," Poseidon warned. Before Percy could ask what he meant, Poseidon somehow managed to lift Percy up in a bridal style.
Percy squeaked in protest and clung onto Poseidon, who chuckled as he carried Percy to his room.
Poseidon entered Percy's room and settled Percy in bed, pulling the covers over him and tucking him in.
"Comfortable?" Poseidon asked, smiling softly at his son. Percy hummed in response.
Poseidon ran a hand through Percy's hair before placing his thumb on Percy's forehead. He muttered an incantation, placing the magic on his son.
Poseidon leaned down and kissed the top of Percy's head.
"Sleep tight," Poseidon mumbled, smiling softly.
"Thanks dad," Percy muttered as he fell into peaceful slumber for the first time in weeks.
Poseidon stayed next to his son for a while, just to make sure that nothing went wrong. He studied Percy's face, taking in the peaceful look the boy had in his sleep. His son looked a lot younger like this. Lines of stress and worry seemed to smoothen out, the bags under his eyes lessening, and the frown between his eyebrows disappearing.
Poseidon moved a lock of hair out of Percy's face and kissed the boy's forehead. With one last look, Poseidon returned to Atlantis, leaving Percy sleeping peacefully.