Chapter Text
Percy POV
Jason hasn’t spoken a word to Percy in three days.
It’s like he’s completely forgotten about him, and it’s driving Percy insane. He sees Jason talk with Piper and Leo, but when Percy attempts to talk to him, Jason walks-or runs- away.
Percy doesn’t get it, he doesn’t understand it. Why is Jason avoiding him? Is it because he finally realized that Percy isn’t worth any of his time? Most likely.
Maybe he found someone better, maybe it was all in his head. But then why would Jason kiss him back? Multiple times. He’s even switched spots with one of the other students so he doesn’t have to sit by Percy.
That isn’t even the worst part. Octavian, the arrogant jerk, must’ve assumed that he and Jason were dating and must’ve broken up. So now he flirts constantly, and Percy is tired of playing nice, he wants to scream in his smug face and maybe throw his books on the ground.
It’s ridiculous, really. That he’s getting this worked up over something that wasn’t even real. Well, the crush is definitely real, but he should’ve known to expect rejection. He just didn’t think Jason would ghost him. No, he’s too good for that.
Apparently not, his brain supplies.
“Are you even listening?C’mon Perce, you’re going to fail this final if you don’t study,” Annabeth scolds him. He honestly forgot she was here, too lost in his own head.
They’re in the library studying for a physics final together, and Percy knows he is so, so screwed. Usually, he excels at physics, but not now. Not when he’s been distracted by a certain blue-eyed man.
“Yeah, I know, Beth. It’s just…not sticking,” Everything he reads doesn’t even register, it’s like he’s back in highschool, struggling to read a single chapter for school.
Annabeth gives him a sympathetic look and she puts her hand on his arm, she means to be warm and comforting, but it’s scalding and suffocating.
“Let’s get out of here, huh? We’ve been here enough, we could hit up the fro-yo store,” He smiles and lets himself be hauled out of his chair. He hasn’t told her about Jason, he can’t handle telling anyone. What if it’s just a misunderstanding and Jason comes back to him?
Not likely, but he holds out hope.
Not much, but it’s there.
🌊⚡
“What do ya say, Gorgeous? Wanna grab food at Millie’s?” Octavian’s smirk is cocky, he’s never been turned down before. Well, first time for everything.
“No, thank you. I’m…busy,” Percy couldn’t come up with a specific lie, his brain isn’t working.
“Aww come on. It’ll be fun! Take your mind off of blondie and replace blond for blond,” Percy has to hold back an eye roll. He saw Octavian making out with at least three other people today, and he was not willing to be another.
“No. Listen to me the first time, I’m sure there are plenty of others who would like to go out with you,” He points to the many onlookers, some with jealousy written over their features as clear as day.
“But none of them are as pretty,” He goes to grab Percy’s hand, “as you.”
Percy brings his hand up to his chest, turns on his heels, and walks away. Fucking prick. He thinks he sees Jason make his way towards Octavian, but he doesn’t stop or look back.
Fuck them both.
JASON POV
It’s been three days since he’s spoken to Percy.
That doesn’t mean he hasn’t stopped staring.
He realizes he’s being an asshole, ignoring Percy and avoiding him at all costs. But it’s not his fault, well.. Not all of it. It was mostly because of the fucking phone call.
*Three Days Earlier*
Jason steps out of the class and puts his phone to his ear.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Spidey. How wonderful to hear your voice again,” A familiar voice sounds through the phone.
“How the hell did you get my number? You know what? Never mind, I’m going to hang up-”
“If you hang up, your little boyfriend dies,” A new voice cuts through the phone, this time it’s feminine, and it sends chills down his spine. He looks through the window of the door and peers into the classroom. Percy is diligently taking notes, his brows creasing in concentration. Jason’s heart clenches.
“Stay away from him, or I swear to-” He’s cut off.
“Or you’ll what? Kill me? Ha! Please, you can’t kill me,” He can hear her amusement and it makes him sick, “We know all about you, Jason Grace. We know about everyone you care about too. Including Mr. Jackson.”
Jason’s blood runs cold.
“What do you want from me?” He seethes.
“Join us, Jason. You know the world is flawed, and we want to fix it. You can fix it. Think how powerful we’d be, together. People were put on this earth to serve a greater purpose, we are that purpose.”
“I’d rather die than join you. You make me sick and I will bring you down, I can promise you that,” The woman laughs, it’s loud and grating. It sends every nerve in Jason’s body on edge and he grinds his teeth.
“Oh, sweetie. Wrong choice.” The line cuts off and Jason is left staring at a blank screen. He goes to put it in his pocket when it buzzes. A text message. Attached is a string of pictures.
Pictures of him and pictures of…Percy. There are many, tracking them everywhere. In class, on the streets, in their apartments, at work. He drops his phone and he hears the cracking but he can’t bring himself to care.
He knew to never start this thing with Percy. He knew it could only hurt him. And he was right.
He needs to end it. Stop seeing Percy. Any connections with him could end up putting Percy in harm’s way.
It’s over.
Whatever it was.
*Present time*
He needs to fix it. It’s killing him. And no, he’s not being overdramatic. It is actually killing him, because he can’t focus on missions and it has led to him being stabbed (only a little bit), beaten, shot at, and thrown in the river.
Everytime Percy tries to talk to him, he’s had to physically drag himself away. And it gets harder every time. Seeing the pain in his piercing, green eyes, the small furrow in his brows. It’s like someone stuck their hand in his chest and squeezed his heart. Hard.
And Octavian, don’t even get him started on that. Watching him constantly hit on Percy. It was infuriating. And the dude can’t take no for an answer, Gods. But it made him realize that he can’t do it anymore. He can’t lose Percy. High risk, high reward, right?
So that’s why he’s standing outside Percy’s door, a rose in hand. He is going to apologize for being an idiot and he’s going to explain everything.
He expects to see Percy’s tousled hair and bright eyes, but he’s met with the sight of an angry and sleepy grover.
“Percy’s not here,” He goes to shut the door, but Jason grabs it.
“Do you know where he is?” Grover sighs.
“Look, I like you, you’re a good guy. But you messed up, “Jason’s shoulders slump and Grover is quick to rush in, “But…I believe in love and I have money riding on you two. So he’s on his way back from the library. He was studying all day, or trying to, at least.”
“Thank you so much! I owe you one!” And Jason is gone, speeding down the hallway.
He’s going to fix it.
🌊⚡
PERCY POV
It’s raining.
Usually, he loves the rain. But not now. Because now, it’s cold and hard, he could barely see.
It’s probably reckless and stupid. And he’ll probably catch a cold, but he couldn’t care less.
He turns a corner and can make out a figure standing across the road, watching. It’s too dark to make them out, but the hair on his neck stands. He walks faster.
Now, Percy knows he may not be the smartest man, but he knows when he’s being followed.
He breaks into a jog and turns and turns down an alley. He looks behind him and sees nothing, so he slows down.
He doesn’t make it far before he slams into something hard.
Then everything goes black.