"Thanks. I would say the same if I woke up next to you."

"Might need to experiment with that some time."

Pause. "Did I actually just say that?"

"You did. Sounds like a good idea. But we should get down for breakfast first." Wink.

Lan laughs. "Don't say things you don't mean," he warns playfully as he slides out of bed. "Although breakfast is definitely a required thing before any experimentation. Dad started on it?"

"Who says I didn't mean it? And he was getting started when I came to wake you up."

"Ooh. Any idea what he's making--wait. You're up early. Don't tell me I have another early bird to deal with?"

Shrug. "I am not used to sleeping here so I was awake when 'Chelle was. I don't need to sleep much."

"That something at least," Lan stretches as he heads for the door, and the stairs. "Dad still has 'wake at stupid o'clock' stuck from when he was in the military, and 'Chelle is just really bad at sleeping..."

"Do you usually get enough sleep? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Lan laughs. "I am restraining myself from making the obvious comment. Appreciate my restraint. I tend to sleep just fine."

Percy laughs along. "Don't worry. I sure appreciate you."

Lan looks over his shoulder and gives a saucy wink. "You're gonna make me blush."

"Wait, you can still blush?" 'Chelle leans out of the kitchen, looking thoroughly disbelieving.

Giggle. "Should I avoid make him blush?"

"No, no, by all means, carry on. Just. Let me know when you're going to be trying so I can get pictures!"

"Cross my heart."

"No promises to die though. We have a strict no dying policy in this house."

"I promise I will try my best to uphold that policy. You can summon from beyond the grave if I fail."

That seems to strike Lan as absurdly funny for some reason, in a morbid kind of way.

"You guys wanna stop loitering in the hall and come eat, huh?"

That catches Percy off guard and he laughs loudly while walking in the kitchen.

Aaren gives him a warm, but bemused smile. "How hungry are you? I know these two tend to eat like bottomless pits sometimes, but I figure I should try not to overwhelm you..."

"But your cooking is so good, why wouldn't we want to eat all if it we can?"

Percy ponders. "I am mostly concerned about wasting food. But if you want to cook lots for me, you should go ahead."

"Trust me, nothing Dad makes goes to waste! I am always happy to eat far too much!"