"Oh," Percy said at first, some disappointment to his tone, but then he nodded, "Well, okay. School things might help cheer her up a bit," and he had to stop, startled at Dean's comment.
"I...I...It is partially an aspect of my job, to lend her some assistance," but he found himself stopping, and his expression changing as he made up his mind to man up, and stop pussy footing about it.