Disclaimer; Percy Jackson and The Olympians? Not mine... :'(

When the road is too long it's okay to rest, because Hermes watches over the travellers of the world. Percy/Hermes x

It seemed like all he did lately was fight. The path he was walking seemed so long, so tiring. He just wanted to lie down and sleep. He couldn't, he knew he couldn't but he still wanted it. Everyday was a step closer to his sixteenth birthday. Everyday was another step closer to a battle he couldn't help but feel he's already lost.

Sometimes when he did sleep he awoke more weary than before. Each dream seemed to bring more problems. Occasionally he wondered how the Gods had ever coped without him.

So, he'd climb from his bed and take the first step of the day. Then he'd stand for a while. Wishing, wanting, to turn right around and climb back into the safety of his bed. And just when he went to do just that, someone would be hammering on his cabin door;

"Percy! Breakfast!!"

"Percy! Mrs O'Leary is causing trouble!"

"Percy! Chiron wants a word!"

So he'd continue forwards to wherever life took him that day. When he finally returned to his bed (if he got to that day) it was like rushing into the embrace of a parent. Safe and Warm. There unconditionally. He would sleep. Dream of troublesome things (because nothing was really scary any more) and then awake, tired and desperate for a peaceful sleep.

Each morning he'd lay in bed for a little longer than the last morning, reaching out for any strength he could gather before jumping out onto the cold wood floor and taking that first step. Waiting for the hammering on the door that would give him the strength not to turn back to his bed. Then continuing on through the day.

Eat Breakfast. Talk about bothersome things with friends. Train. Eat Lunch. Talk some more. Argue a bit. Climb the wall O'Doom. Eat Tea. Sing Camp fire songs. Shower. Return to safe haven.

Again and again this schedule repeated its self, occasionally having 'Fight with Monsters/evil Demi-Gods/Luke/Kronos/Any other evil and powerful thing.' added in, just for variety.

He wasn't sure when he started dreading morning. Or Night. All he knew was that insomnia was a frequent thing recently. He didn't have time to sleep, he was too busy getting in extra training. He was fifteen, one year till It happened. He couldn't stop this journey of Doom. Couldn't turn around and go back to those blissful times of normality.

It was one such night of vigorous training by 'beating-the-dummy-to-within-a-inch-of-its-non-existent-life' when Percy received a visit from Hermes. Percy didn't notice him for a while, too caught up in the hypnotic movements of his sword. When he did he nearly jumped completely out of his body and into the underworld with shock. Hermes seemed greatly amused by this and didn't hold back a laugh.

"Lord Hermes!" The God calmed himself and motioned for Percy to come closer.

"Sorry, I have a package for you." Hermes took in Percy's appearance. The boy was normally a pretty sort of handsome but at the moment he looked tired and far too old. Deep bags under his eyes marred the normally porcelain skin and his green eyes were closer to black with exhaustion.

"Oh?" Percy looked at him curiously and Hermes also noted that his voice was slightly deeper and slurred.

"Yeah, from your Father but first I think you should get some sleep. It wont do for the Hero of Olympus to fall to mere exhaustion." Hermes scolded lightly, having already been informed of Percy's insomnia by a rather worried Poseidon. Not that he wasn't already aware of it before he was told by the Sea God.

"It's okay, I'm fine for the moment. Can I have the parcel?" Hermes handed the parcel over and watched as Percy opened it. "It's... a lavender incense stick?" Hermes quirked a grin and cocked his head to one side.

"Really? Do you have anything to burn it in?" Percy thought for a moment then nodded. "Cool! Lets go burn it then!" Hermes suggested (ordered) jumping down from his perch on the rail.

The scent of lavender filled the Poseidon cabin wrapping its self around Percy as he slowly drifted off to the world of sleep he been avoiding for so long. Hermes smoothed the dark hair away and pressed his lips to the boys brow.

"Night Percy, I'll watch over you so its okay to sleep."

AN: Aww, kinda fluffy at the end, but I REALLY couldn't resist throwing it in! ;) Hope you all enjoyed, please remember to drop a review (Even if its just one word :)) Cause there's no way for me to improve if you guys don't tell me what I'm doing wrong ;)