Never Alone

Chapter 21

"Wake up, pumpkin." A soft voice called out.

Athena hugged her doll closer to her, burying her head closer to her warm and soft pillows. She ignored the person who's gently shaking her awake. Mornings are something that greatly dislike. She just simply enjoy the warmth of her bed and the company of her lovely doll and mornings take that away from her.

"Thea, it's time to wake up." Charles chuckled, removing bits of her hair from her face. Charlie's hands were cold and it made her hug her blankets even more.

"Open those beautiful eyes for me, sweety."

Athena whined and childishly pulled her blanket and covered herself before continuing her grumbles from under her sheets.

"Are you still mad at us for grounding you?" Charles asked and Athena slowly look at him over her white sheet and glared at him.

"No..." She said with an upset look. "I'm upset that you grounded me for two weeks!"

"But that's because you should've called for us!"

Athena glared at him, making her look more vulnerable and adorable.

"I did call!" Athena defended then she paused, thinking about what she actually did and she smiled sheepishly. "Or I think I did."

Charles laughed softly and leaned down to kiss her forehead lovingly.

Athena couldn't help but feel soft and comfortable under her brother's presence. She feels safe, guarded and loved when they're near.

"Please don't be mad at me, Charlie..." Athena whispered, he voice was small and it made Charles see her as a seven year old.

He smiled gently.

"Charlie's bad... " She sniffled and gave him the saddest expression Charles have ever seen.

The man then couldn't help but let his heart burst with warmth and love. He would prefer to pretend that he didn't get defeated by a little girl because she just defeated his heart.

He carried her softly and Athena childishly whined.

"Curse you, Charlie!"

Charles snorted at the way Athena said that. It was like a cartoon character out of the TV.

She was still wrapped in her blanket. Tucked in warmly and perfectly. In all honesty, she looked like a baby.

The cutest baby wrapped in her perfectly warm blankets.

An adorable, sulking baby.

Charles then marched down the stairs where everyone was waiting. Zen was also not in a good mood because of his punishment, he was grumbling and muttering under his breath.

"G'morning... " Athena muttered tiredly, feeling a bit sleepy again because of her brother's comfortable hold on her.

She feels like a burrito though.

Owen smiled at the little girl bundled up in her warmest blankets, Athena huffed.

"Good morning, sweetheart." He greeted warmly and Athena narrowed her eyes at him. She knows what they're doing. They're being too friendly because they know that Athena was still crossed with them.

Ha!

Athena won't be fooled!

"Lemmi' sleep, Wenny!" Athena whined but Xavier just gave her a knowing look and Athena closed her mouth with a sour expression.

Well, at least Zen was not the only one who was getting the looks of 'great, disastrous disappointment' from one of the monsters.