Ah! I'm so sorry all my lovely followers and reviewers! You are more than allowed to skewer me for not updating in so long! I got sucked into two new fandoms and couldn't un-absorb myself! But no worries my lovelies, no matter what I never intend to abandon my stories. I swear I'm back! Don't eat meeeee.

Also, as for the mystery! dergunwoolverton you are on the right path! The hint in this chapter is smaller and towards the end, my friends. Happy reading!

Fourteen Days

Day Six

Pale fingers touched the gift upon the table reverently, the pads caressing the carefully constructed glass. There was no mistaking the shape of the blown glass, Percy had seen it once long ago, and it held sad memories for him. It was clear that this, however, was meant to take those sad memories and turn it into something better. True to written word, Annabeth had stopped by and awoken him, stormy eyes glinting with that playful 'I know something you don't know' that drove Percy mad. He wanted so badly to know his secret admirer, but Annabeth's lips were tightly sealed, and it was clear she too was touched by the formation of the gift. They had both gone through the Lotus Hotel and Casino, and while Percy was initially offended by the token, Annabeth had punched him in the arm and set him straight.

"He told me it's supposed to give you a better view of your first quest," she'd snapped, though her eyes were warm with understanding despite the rigidity of her tone. Percy had nodded slowly and taken the glass object from her hands, cradling it carefully in his palms as he stared down at it. It was definitely a work of great craftsmanship, each petal flawless as it swirled upwards from the divided base. More intricate than anything Percy had ever had the pleasure of viewing, he was still drawn more to the color than anything else. It was every shade of blue he'd ever seen, swirled together exotically, fading towards the edges until the clear glass was all that remained. Annabeth had merely rolled her eyes and let him be to his own sentimentality.

"Yo, Percy! You awake yet?"

Percy jumped, retracting his hand from the glass object to make sure he didn't slap it or something stupid in his surprise that would make it break. Turning sharply, he stuck his tongue out at the grinning blond hero standing in his doorway.

"Shut it, Grace. No way am I missing a surprise trip in my honor," he said haughtily, sticking his nose into the air in feigned arrogance that sent both boys dissolving into peals of laughter. Turning to the door on his left, Percy closed it and quickly disrobed, hopping into the shower with a happy sigh. He never took long showering, but Jason's ability to keep himself occupied had an even shorter meter, and soon he was calling through the door.

"Hey, where'd this come from?" Percy's brows furrowed in confusion, his mental track already derailed from the gift he'd received with his ADHD.

"Where'd what come from?" he called back as he turned off the water and slid boxers over his legs, dry-willing his body and hair before padding out of the bathroom on bare feet to stare curiously at Jason who was investigating the pretty piece of glass.

"Oh, that! I don't know, I've been getting gifts and notes every day from a secret admirer. It's supposed to last until Valentine's Day," he clarified as he turned to his dresser to begin searching for something to wear. Only to realize that, since it was a surprise trip, he didn't know how to dress. Hearing Jason's thoughtful hum over his shoulder, Percy turned and threw a random article of clothing at him.

"Hey blondie! How am I supposed to dress, anyways?" That seemed to distract Jason from whatever thoughts had previously consumed him, and the Roman smirked wickedly at the Sea Prince before moving forward towards the shorter man.

"Why don't you let me handle that?" Jason purred, sky blue eyes glinting mischievously while Percy squawked in embarrassment. Jason's chuckle was as deep as the thunder he wielded as he chased Percy around the cabin, dressing him through their playful shenanigans. Percy shuddered and squealed when Jason shoved his boxers down, hands instantly moving to cover himself while his cheeks flared hot and red. Jason laughed and grabbed one slim ankle in his sure grip as Percy stumbled, sliding a pair of white swim trunks up his legs.

Percy shivered as the calloused touch lingered, brushing against sensitive hip bones and sliding around to his lower back. Tanned fingers kissed pale skin, dancing across sensitive flesh and playing beneath the rim of the newly acquired clothing. Biting his lip to keep in a whimper, Percy shoved away from the smirking son of Jupiter and the two continued their chase. Jason eventually managed to get Percy cornered, holding up a pink wifebeater with a cheshire cat grin. It had been a mishap with Rachel that ended up turning the article pink, and Percy had kept it ever since. Percy laughed and howled as he was tickled and maneuvered into the shirt, hands brushing firmly against ribs and abdomen, turning laughter into soft gasps and confused mewls. He was held in position against a firm chest, no simplistic chances of escape readily visible as he was dressed rather seductively, only to be held close as the hem settled into place at his waist, unmoving. Looking up at the taller, fair-haired son of Jupiter, Percy felt his cheeks warm as strong arms kept him in place against a toned torso. He was almost reluctant to pull away, but did so with an embarrassed noise, confused over his own reaction.

By the time Percy was adequately dressed his hair was ten times messier, cheeks a deep red, and breaths coming faster from their prior play chase. Jason was laughing at the image he painted, far more forward when it came to flirting than Nico, while inwardly enjoying the memory of Percy's body beneath his hands. Jason was quite keen on exploring further, and likely would have tried had they not been interrupted. A loud cough broke the temporary silence, alerting the two godspawn who turned to see Nico leaning against the doorframe with narrowed obsidian eyes and crossed arms.

"Are you two going to be ready sometime this century or should I reschedule?" Nico drawled, eyes cutting to Jason with a fierce, surreptitious glare. Oh, he knew what had occurred, it was an easy enough situation to read. One blushing, rumpled Percy and one widely grinning Jason? He was half tempted to cut Jason's hands off, but the annoyingly cheerful blond was still his friend. Even so, Nico swore it wasn't over yet, intending to get his revenge for Jason claiming the upper hand already that morning. Percy coughed and smiled, moving past where Jason had cornered him and running the few steps to the door. He threw his arms around Nico like an exuberant child, laughter effervescent and golden as he cried out Nico's name in his own personal salutation. Nico automatically wrapped his arms back around Percy, who launched himself at every target as if never doubting they would catch him. Nico didn't disappoint, using the momentum to spin the ravenette around, delighting in the fact that he had been chosen over Jason for such an exuberant greeting. Though he did roll his eyes and set him down eventually, smile fond regardless. It was endearing, how Percy trusted his friends so implicitly despite all that had occurred to him to eradicate that trait.

"We're ready!" Percy chimed, grinning like the cat that ate the canary, clearly excited for this surprise trip he'd been promised. Nico's eyes moved over Percy's shoulder to glare challengingly at Jason, hardly registering the words spoken as he jealously turned and began to straighten Percy's clothing and hair. No matter how impeccably Jason could have dressed him, nothing would meet Nico's standards if it wasn't him who placed those articles upon the man's body. The Sea Prince whined and dodged his hands at first, only for Nico to grab him by the waist and pull him close with a firm command to stay still. Percy's blush deepened, but he pouted with a soft 'harrumph' and allowed Nico to make him appear presentable. Nico was incorrigible, and spending so much more time in camp had Percy soon discovering that letting Nico do what he wanted was the path of least resistance. He missed the triumphant smirk Nico shot over his shoulder to Jason as the hands left his body almost unwillingly. Yet another potentially clarifying observation overlooked.

"So, we decided shadow travel is the best way to get there. Get over here Jerkson, we're leaving." Nico smirked at Jason as the words left his lips, while Jason merely shot him a look that clearly said the game had only just begun. They weren't dumb enough to let their competition ruin Percy's day, especially not after they'd made him cry, but the subtle war was only just starting. They had already made the challenge verbally, after all. Percy's arm threaded through Nico's, Jason repeating the gesture on the opposite side as Nico pulled the shadows from the cabin inward until they danced round the trio, pulling closer and closer until they were enveloped. Hurrying through the process in an attempt to save his energy, Nico released the shadows at the entrance of the water park, watching them dissipate and leaving the trio standing in bright sunlight blinking against the blinding rays.

When Percy's eyes had adjusted and his mind comprehended the sign stating the destination, he whooped loudly and threw his arms around Nico and Jason, 'thank you' spilling from his lips like a mantra. Jason laughed into his ear while Nico just smiled quietly in contrast, though both wrapped their arms around Percy to hold him momentarily. It didn't last for long, with the excitement humming through Percy's veins like a diluted form of ambrosia. He ripped away from them in moments, running down the pavement towards the colorfully painted booths with ticket prices listed on signs nailed next to the windows. Jason and Nico smiled at the exuberant response to his surprise and followed after him at a much slower pace, watching as Percy instantaneously charmed the adolescent girl at the stand. It was merely his nature to make people love him, and the girl was more than accommodating, laughing at his childish excitement and shaking her head fondly as she slid the tickets forward into his eager fingers.

The line was considerably shorter and more tolerable with Percy's bouncing and gleaming smile to aid them along. He was more awake and alive than the pair had seen him in a long time, likely since before the Giant War. At least they'd chosen the right thing to do, and they hoped it made up for making him cry.

By the time they made it through the gates, it seemed Percy had forgotten all about it. Free-handed once more after handing over the tickets for their passage into the park, Percy grabbed each wrist of the men accompanying him and raced onward into the park entrance, following the signs with eyes wide and face glowing with delight. He was like a child at Christmas time, and no matter how much his eyes feasted on there was still so much more to see.

The first stop they made was to rent a locker, since they had shoes and shirts to deposit, and by the end the key was dangling off Nico's wrist since he was undoubtedly the most responsible out of the other two hyperactive demigods. Percy nearly flew right by the assigned locker in his excitement, only for Nico to catch him by the waist and halt his movement as his own dark eyes sought the number they'd been lazily told by the man at the register.

A sheepish smile was all Percy gave in response to the silent chastisement, Nico rolling his eyes and unlocking the little cube they'd been assigned. He wouldn't condemn the beautiful man for having fun and getting excited, even before they'd so much as thought about which ride they wanted. Meanwhile, Percy jolted and stood with pink cheeks and a hungry gaze as the other two demigods began stripping their shirts, slow and sensual, revealing hardened muscles and sexily scarred skin. Percy devoured the view with his eyes, inwardly thanking all the Gods and Goddesses for the pair deciding to take him here instead of somewhere else. He doubted there was a view better than what he was seeing right then. And oh, what a view! He'd seen his fair share of muscles, even had a rather impressive physique himself before Tartarus, but these two? Sons of Zeus and Hades, champions and victors of multiple wars? Nobody could beat them in Percy's eyes, for they had the personalities and handsome faces to trump any musclehead.

He came to with fingers snapping in front of his face, and as his eyes focused was met with two smugly smirking faces. Clearly the two taller men were well aware of exactly what his focus had been on. Carmine colored his cheeks, but somewhere inside he found that same old spark and grinned cheekily, even as his insides squirmed with delight at the view of the well-sculpted torsos of the two handsome demigods.

"What? Can't I enjoy the view?" Percy quipped, determined not to succumb to the same old cycle he'd fallen into with Annabeth prior to the start of their relationship, when he wasn't able to speak his feelings. Not that it was any easier, but the salacious smirks on both Nico's and Jason's lips were worth it. Determined to ignore what had just happened in his embarrassment, Percy tore off his own wifebeater and threw it in with the sandals and shirts already in the storage unit. The asphalt was warm against his bare feet, almost scorching when they traipsed out into the sun and away from the shaded locker area. As a trio they wandered the park, dancing about and grimacing when the sprinklers were few and far between to step on the damp concrete, deciding what rides they wanted to go on first and debating what would be worth a few of the longer lines. Of course in the end Percy got first say since it was a trip meant for him, and he corralled the other two towards the winding tube rides, choosing one that they could all share instead of picking one singular seater and pairing up the other two. He didn't want to have to decide between the two accompanying him.

Bouncing up the concrete steps while making Jason and Nico hold the inner-tube, Percy giddily raced up the stairs to the attendant at the top. It wasn't very busy, so the line was fast-moving and rather short, and in moments the inner-tube was placed in the shallow waiting bay while the three god-spawn tripped and flailed their way into the slick rubber holes for seats. Laughing already at the ridiculous contortions of their bodies as they attempted to get seated, Percy cheered on the attendant keeping their raft still, garnering a smile as he shoved them hard down the mouth of the winding tube. Percy was screaming in an instant, grasping the handles and tapping into his power to spin the water faster, whipping their raft in circles and pushing it further and faster up on the edges as the enclosed portions opened up. It might not be fair, but this was his day. Jason was laughing wildly, and even Nico was smiling and letting out a few gasps and laughs as they hit each turn in the ride.

They hit the pool at the end with a deafening splash that sent them bouncing from the raft and dunking into the water, completely unseated. Surfacing with a splutter, Nico pushed back damp hair with one olive hand, smiling freely for once as Percy resurfaced seconds later with a squeal of delight and laughter that was brighter than the sun. Jason came up moments after, looking like a drowned golden retriever, and soon all three of them were laughing as they grabbed their inner-tube and stumbled up the steps leading out of the water, handing it off to the next group waiting in line for a raft.

First ride completed, Percy was electrified by the excitement of it, dragging Jason and Nico around the park for hours riding- and in some cases re-riding- every attraction at the water park. His favorite ended up being the wave pool, if only because as they were battered about by the artificial waves, Percy was lifted up on strong shoulders and thrown about, dunked and splashed as the other two entertained him patiently. Hands grappled uselessly at slick skin while Percy evaded the two clumsier males, laughing as they trudged after the beautiful boy more mermaid than man in the water. Nico would grab him by the waist and fling him over his shoulder before lunging forward and submerging the both of them, and Jason would pick Percy up on his shoulders and go chasing after the playfully scowling son of Hades in a one-sided game of Chicken. When Jason and Nico began to tire, Percy grabbed each of their hands and laced their fingers together, smiling beatifically as he pulled them from the water and went to find something to eat. The other two went willingly, enamored with the glowing soul leading them by the hand. Had he wanted, they would have willingly followed him to Elysium if it meant ensuring his smile remained. Privately, Jason began to take his involvement in this battle for Percy's affections far more seriously.

Of course, the moment they passed a cotton candy stand, Nico made a ridiculous comment.

"What the fuck is that?"

His free hand was pointing towards the vendor, who was selling clouds of the fluffy substance to hyper kids and tired-eyed parents with apologetic smiles. Jason and Percy turned as a singular unit towards the stand he was gesturing to, and puzzlement crossed both handsome faces. Only Percy understood after a few minutes of thinking, and by then excitement and determination had lit up the entirety of his face.

"Nico, you weren't outside the Casino when it was invented! It's called cotton candy, you have to try it!" Percy demanded, tightening his grip on both men and jerking them into the line, as thrilled as the kids alongside their parents. Though the young teen at the counter looked a little confused at the fact that they were all fully grown with no kids in their company, he handed over a large pink and blue ball of sugary floss to the eager son of Poseidon nonetheless, who quickly hopped out of the line and thrust the paper cone into Nico's hands. The son of Hades stared down at it with a downward curl of tentativeness to his lips, glancing from the fluff to Percy's begging face. There was no way that the taller demigod could resist that face, so he reluctantly tore off a piece in his fingers. Grimacing at the sticky texture of the spiderweb-like substance, he complacently placed it upon his tongue. Percy nearly clapped his hands in delight as shock and then pleasure flooded over Nico's face as the sugary treat dissolved nigh instantaneously upon the rejoicing tastebuds of his tongue.

"It's...actually really good," Nico admitted, glaring at Jason when he heard the snickering from the blond hero. Percy whooped in childish delight, clearly amused to see the generally stoic Ghost King indulge in a treat like cotton candy. Nico rolled his eyes fondly at the wildly grinning son of Neptune, punching his arm lightly. It only made Percy laugh and dance away from him, the trio all smiling. Nico was more than willing to share, for he didn't have a giant sweet tooth unlike the other two boys, and soon Percy and Jason were stealing clumps of the sticky cloud, making it shrink far faster than Nico could have accomplished alone. Doubtful that he could have finished it in solitude anyways. And on they went, traversing the park as they experienced all the water rides in the heat of the day and then began to transfer to the dry ones.

It wasn't long in Percy's eyes, the time they spent in the amusement park side of the establishment. Then again, Jason's sour face made him reluctant to leave him alone on the pavement while he and Nico rode the rides. When he'd first tried the ride Percy had chosen as a ground breaker, the son of Jupiter had gripped the safety bar until it dented, and his cousins had to help him off the ride with sympathetic faces at the poor piece of metal. They just hoped it wouldn't endanger the next riders. Percy sat Jason down on one of the benches and knelt before him, concern crinkling his face as he placed his hands upon the tan clenched fists sitting on Jason's sapphire swim shorts.

"What's wrong Jay? What happened?" he murmured, Nico standing aside with a look of concern not far from the two. It wasn't a time for jealousy, and Jason was still one of the few Nico cared for, he wasn't going to let that suddenly dissipate. The blond hero looked disoriented and tense, scar drawn tight and chiseled jaw clenched. Percy was the one who did the mothering, the caring and patching up, so Nico entrusted that role to him in good faith. It took a few minutes to collect himself before Jason spoke, words husky and low with tension and the clear restraint it took to muster the words.

"I just...don't like being in the air, when I can't control it. It makes me feel...wrong. It almost hurts." Jason sighed, rigidity melting from his bones at the confession as Percy's eyes softened immediately in understanding. He remembered, long ago, when he had been trapped in the muskeg in Alaska. And again, when they had been rescuing Nico from the bronze jar. It was even worse that time, to have water surround him and not be able to control it, to save his friends or himself. The Nypmhaeum. It had stolen their powers, Piper's youth, until her Cornucopia had saved them. If that was anything like what Jason felt, Percy couldn't ask him to suffer through the experience on any level. Prior to the final battle, it was the experience in the Nymphaeum that so often haunted his nightmares. To force a halfblood out of their arena and into one so similar, yet so uncontrollable, was like torture.

Jason attempted a few more rides before calling it quits and sticking to those which didn't involve leaving the ground in a contraption. Percy and Nico didn't mind at all, aware that he was still trying his best to keep them all happy. There were plenty that weren't airborne, and Percy's joy didn't so much as waver. Jason feeling guilty wasn't allowed with the ravenette watching him like a hawk, reinforcing that he was having fun whenever he attempted to put up a fight and encourage the son of Hades and Poseidon to ride as a pair without him. It wasn't long, anyways, before Percy started to tire. He was the one dragging the other two around, shoving energy into actions that didn't require nearly as much as he put into them, and it was bound to wear him out eventually. Of course, the Sea Prince wasn't too disappointed, they'd managed almost all the rides excluding the ones Jason couldn't stomach, and the park was going to close soon anyways.

What he was more concerned about was the ominous rumbling of his stomach.

They hadn't eaten much, aside the sugary confection Percy had demanded Nico try. So they wandered back to their locker, Percy considerably slower despite his still-present enthusiasm. They turned in their key, and Percy refused to admit that he moped a little as they slid their shirts back on and began leaving the park. It was one of the best days he'd had since the defeat of the Earth Bitch, and while he was reluctant to leave, he knew that they'd tried nearly all the rides and missed next to nothing the park had to offer. There was simply nothing else to stay for. Memories were enough, but he couldn't resist stopping by the gift shop near the exit to get a shirt and a teddy bear with the park's name and logo on both. It was tempting to buy out the entire stall, but Perseus had never been one for material possessions, and the two items were more than enough for times when he needed reminding of happier days. The only thing the Sea Prince disliked about the establishment was how the water was so impure, clogged with chlorine and pH-balancing chemicals that made him pouty at first submersion. Not that he judged the human establishment for it, they weren't so sensitive to impure water.

Aside from that, he really owed the two demigods thanks, even if it was their apology to him to have taken him there. At least a display of gratitude that they knew him so well was in order. But it would have to come later, for he couldn't hold back a yawn, which was soon echoed by the other two who glared at him playfully for the contagious display of exhaustion. Nico reached out to grab Percy's hand, who in turn held Jason's, and in a blur of sinking shadows at the wall of the park they were gone. Percy wanted to say he'd miss the park, because truly he would, but it wasn't a place he would frequent regularly. There were simply too many people for both his ADHD and his past, full of war, to handle. Such casual brushing of skin was uncommon, even frightening for the son of Poseidon. He hated that his instinctive reaction was to strike, whenever he was touched by a foreign hand even in passing. There was a certain level of relief that welled up in his stomach when they made it back to Camp Half-Blood, away from the Mist and the civilians Percy envied so deeply at times for their ability to be so naive and casual. But there is no need to dwell on old thoughts, long worn by a far younger version of himself, for they are standing upon familiar soil within the barrier once more. Home.

Nico was rather drained from the two travels and the entire day spent gallivanting around with a hyperactive demigod. His powers had grown substantially since the war with Gaia, but much like battle, getting dragged around by Percy- plus the additional bodies during the shadow travel itself- was more than a normally tiring event. The dining hall awaited the three ravenous godspawn, and despite his exhaustion creeping like lichen on his bones Percy dragged the two handsome males along behind him to the pavilion, shooting an innocently adoring smile at Chiron and Dionysus as he sat the other two down beside him at the Poseidon table. Dionysus looked as sour as the fermented grapes he couldn't touch, but Chiron's soft words seemed to distract him enough to allow the transgression. As if he ever stopped them, lately. The rule was hardly even such anymore, even for those of lesser celestial blood.

Each heaping plate was steadily consumed by the trio, barely even having enough time to breathe as they scarfed everything down like ravenous wolves. Excusing the pun on two thirds of the inhabitants of the table. Even so when they managed to glance up, they were face to face with three smiling girls. Percy grinned as he shoved another bite into his mouth, waving with his free hand in a sassy twist of fingers. Hazel grinned back while Annabeth looked vaguely ill at his mannerisms. Piper on the other hand was smiling freely, clearly pleased to see Percy so vibrant and full of life.

"I'm glad you fixed your screw up," Piper said cheerily, as innocent as sunshine despite the look in her eyes, the dark reminder in her vocals. If they hadn't succeeded, the estrogen side of the six occupying the table most likely would have ripped their lungs from their chest cavities for not making Percy smile again. Jason and Nico gulped nervously under the wicked gleam of her eyes and turned their eyes back to their food under the amused, pleased giggling of the girls on the other side. Percy at least had the decency to turn a little pink at Piper's insinuation, regretting his prior emotional actions despite the girls having assured him he'd been more than in the right to react so strongly.

Supper dragged on relatively normally after that, the six leaving their seats separately as they finished to scrape their offerings to their parents. Percy felt great for the first time in a long while, and it was shining like a beacon on his visage. Even tired and worn down by the exciting day, his smile seemed permanent. It led to cheerful conversation, light and easy, as it hadn't been in months. It lulled Percy into comfort, and for a few long moments he merely sat back and watched those he cared for laughing and exchanging jokes. Savoring the small, warm smile on Nico's lips, or the lack of self-hatred and pity in Annabeth's quicksilver eyes. The hearty laugh on the other side of him, echoing out of scar-laced lips with bright, happy blue irises nearly glowing. Piper's witty commentary and gleaming grin, Hazel's soft giggling and fiery gaze. He loved them, more than life and legend, and would love them beyond his years, when they were but ancient tales passed down to the new generations of halfbloods.

His silence was broken, his musings shattered, and soon he was lulled right back into the conversation. Right back where he belonged. Crafting amusing white lies about Jason and Nico's adventures about the park and gushing to the girls about all the fun he'd had. Warmth like a miniature sun enveloped the entirety of his chest, and for the first time in a long while, he felt at peace in his own skin. Finally trusting himself, lulling into the security of having his friends near.

There was no bonfire that night, and as they rose to begin preparing for sleep, Percy quietly excused himself from the company of the women and dragged the two male heroes along as he departed. Midway to the branching of their cabins, his pace began to slow, scuffing sneakers against the well-worn, frequently traveled dirt. Clearing his throat awkwardly he felt in the movement of their arms how they shifted to view him more face to face, though neither sought to break his gossamer grasp on their bodies. Perseus had never been a stranger to his own feelings, even while remaining oblivious to those concerning him. He knew his affections for Nico ran deep, and the budding romantic attachment to Jason was just as evident. His concern lay in himself, in the harm he could do to them. Physically and emotionally. Would they even return his sentiments? Nico had come from a far different time, after all.

Swallowing down the brunt of his fear and nervousness, hands close to shaking, Percy willed himself not to chicken out like he'd done so many times in the past with Annabeth. Dragging the pair closer, he cursed his mother's short genes and tilted upon his toes to press a soft, butterfly kiss upon Nico's cheek. Before he could lose his courage, he turned to place another kiss upon Jason's cheek as well, dropping the hands of both boys and stepping back with a blush and a nervous smile.

"Thank you," Percy murmured, grasping his items before turning and striding as quickly as he could down the path to his cabin, heartbeat erratic and flighty like the frantic wings of a newborn pegasi stumbling on toothpick legs. Breaths come in little gasps of mild panic, intermixed with excitement and horror. He flings the door wide before his spin connects with it on the other side, using the fall of his body to shut it firmly once more. Breathing heavily for a few moments as his heart rate slows, a smile began to unwind across his pale rose lips. Cream fingertips lifted to run across the plump flesh with the soft pads, as if he had been kissed on the mouth instead of initiating a simple kiss on the cheek. Why he is overreacting is beyond him, but excitement flutters in his veins and makes him want to jump about like a child.

Glancing up, Percy wobbled his way to change for bed with happily weak knees, smiling all the while.

Yeah, it had been a pretty damn good day.