Chapter Text
“Percy, Vesper says that we are expected to be at dinner tonight.” You call into your brothers room, sticking your head through the partially open door. There is no response from the brown haired figure hunched over the desk in the corner. “Percival” you call out again stepping through the doorway. Silence still, except from the faint sound of Percy setting down a tool and picking up another as he continues working. With a huff of exasperation you roll your eyes and cross the room stopping just behind his chair. Peering over his shoulder you see a mess of springs, minuscule gears, and scraps of metal littering the desk as he very intently works on some sort of intricate mechanism you don’t care to even guess about. “What in Pelor’s name are you doing?” You say squinting down at the device.
Percy at last, has finally seemed to notice your presence for the moment you speak he jumps about a foot in the air knocking his stool over and loudly exclaiming “Ah! Y/N don’t sneak up on me like that!” As you sigh and roll your eyes again he bends down to pick up the stool, before suddenly darting his head back towards his desk then to you. “Wait, you can’t be in here. Stop looking at that! How much did you see?” He demands as he uses his body to block your view of his desk.
“Well first I would have to know what it is saw before I could tell you how much of it I saw. Why, what is it?” You say, interest suddenly peaked once more as you begin trying to get a glimpse around Percy.
“Never you mind.” He states as he begins ushering you out the door. “Not that I don’t enjoy your company but I'm working on your birthday present and I’d like it for once to actually be a surprise.” Seeing the mischievous look on your face he adds, “I’m going to have to hide it somewhere aren’t I?”
“Ooh, I love a challenge.” You smirk now standing in the hallway once more. Percy gives you a glare as he begins to shut the door in your face. “Wait, I’m here to tell you that we are expected to be at dinner tonight.” You call out again quickly.
Reopening the door once more Percy sighs and says “Is there no getting out of it?”
“I don’t think so. I tried and Vesper said I’d have to take it up with Mother and Father. She said something about guests, I don’t really know. I stopped paying attention.”
“Naturally.” He deadpanned. “Shame really, I had hoped to finish this today.”
“We both know that you’re still going to try and finish it today, just do try and get some sleep. My birthday isn’t for another four days and as lovely as whatever your making in there is, I’d rather a healthy brother than an on time present.” You chide gently.
“Noted. See you later Y/N.” He laughs.
“I better. If you’re late Vesper will blame me for it somehow.” You call behind you as you turn and continue down the hallway.