"Couldn't sleep," she admits. "And just had a run in with Mrs Ashby."

"I couldn't sleep either, not used to," he waves around. "Is Mrs. Ashby usually up this early?"

"I've yet to figure out when Mrs Ashby sleeps," Aaren says thoughtfully. "I'm just getting started on breakfast. Someone should probably go and wake Sleeping Beauty up."

After a barely perceptible pause, Percy decides Aaren to have his breakfast-making fun by himself. "I will do it," he says, dash upstairs.

"I'll get on coffee then," 'Chelle says cheerfully.

The door to 'Chelle's room is ajar, showing Lan sprawled out on the bed, cuddling a pillow.

Aw, he looks so comfy. Percy feels bad waking him up. But he does so gently. "Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty."

Lan mumbles indistinctly, briefly burrows deeper into the pillow, and then blinks sleepily at Percy.

"Mm," he mumbles, "now that's a nice view to wake up to."

"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."