It's late at night, a little after midnight, when there's a knock at Percy and Vex's door.
They've been back in Whitestone for just a day. They aren't asleep, just talking quietly and enjoying having each other back. Their conversation is soft, maybe a little flirty in the way that comforts them, reminds them they are alive again and it's all over.
They exchange a look, but before they can answer, they hear:
"I hope you two are decent," the person on the other side of the door mumbles quietly. The door opens, and Cassandra stands there in her dressing gown, a hand over her eyes that she's squinting through. She relaxes a fraction of a percent when she confirms that yes, the couple is clothed. She lowers her hand and grabs the door frame, as if needing something to hold onto.
"I-um... I just got done with... work, and- Lady Vex, if I could- I mean it's just I have not gotten any alone time with my brother and-"
Vex is already smiling to herself and climbing out of the bed. She kisses Percy's cheek as Trinket lifts his head and stands to follow her. She walks past Cassandra and squeezes her shoulder.
"He's all yours, darling."
She steps out as Cassandra takes another few steps in, and the door shuts once Trinket has lumbered out as well. The room is still.
"Oh, Cass," Percy says fondly, breaking the uncomfortable awkwardness that seems to follow Cassandra in all the moments where she isn't royalty. She rushes to climb into the space where Vex had been. She seems almost breathless at first, hesitating and worried, but then he smiles at her.
"I know we are not a very physical family, but-" she starts, but he shakes his head.
"Come here, sister." He pulls her into his arms and she clings tightly, laying her head against his chest to listen to his heartbeat that was so absent for so long. In that moment she isn't Lady Cassandra, she is simply a little sister. Percy's little sister, who is scared of nothing and everything. He's forgotten how much he needs her the longer she stays curled up in his embrace.
gracieabrams
amandla
gummygunk
stormborns
izzy806
andulkaphoto
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
romaincrisis
