A/N So many lovely reviews! Thank you all so much for the support for the first chapter - especially to jmp and Angel since I can't thank you in any other way :-)
I hope you'll all stick with me for this chapter too (and a few more reviews would be nice... Yes I am cheeky!)
Gelo had seen Jason making his way towards the stairs that led from the top of the city wall to the street and had hurried to catch up. Having been out of town with Meriones on a long business trip he had been pleased to see the walls of Atlantis rising up ahead of them in the distance as they rode down towards the city. The journey home had been made longer and more complicated than it should have been by the high winds and heavy storms lashing the coastline and making it impossible for them to find a ship's captain in Athens that had been willing to risk sailing along the Atlantian coastline and into the harbour. Consequently what should have been a straight journey had become an island hopping logistical nightmare lasting several days longer than necessary, as they were forced to negotiate with different sea captains every stretch of the way just to get them a little further onwards, and culminating in a long ride down to Atlantis itself. Gelo had to admit that he had never been more pleased to see his home.
It had therefore come as something of a shock to ride into the city last night and find the streets – usually teeming with people even at that time of the evening – almost deserted and a frightened atmosphere hanging in the air. This was a city under siege – albeit from disease rather than an invading army – weakened and isolated. Unsure as to what had effected the change in the usual atmosphere Gelo had been despatched to find Kerkyon and find out what was going on. The burly blonde had filled them in thoroughly. Gelo had watched Meriones' brow furrow in concern, his usually jolly face darkening. The giant had sighed and poured himself an extra-large cup of wine bidding his employees – although by now they were more like friends – to do the same. Over dinner he had noted that this would be an excellent time for a rival city to make an attack. The populous was severely depleted, debilitated by illness and prey to their own fears. An invading army would meet little resistance at the present moment. And everyone knew that the city had its enemies. It was a miracle that they had not been attacked already given the state they had been in, although, as Meriones observed, it would perhaps be a better idea for a rival state to wait for the plague to die down somewhat before invading – there would be little point in risking the health of their own army while death still stalked the streets of Atlantis.
Now though, with the contagion dying away, the city would be ripe for the picking. Gelo sighed. He had been sent out this morning to gather more information from one of Meriones' more reliable sources – one of the city guard who had over the years provided very useful (and usually extremely accurate) information and had lined his pockets with a little extra money in return. On his way back he had spotted Jason and, knowing that Meriones would like news of his friends – would like to make sure that they were all alright – called out to the young man.
His friendly greeting had died on his lips as the lad turned, however, and swayed dangerously on his feet, lurching slightly to one side as his face drained of all colour. With horror Gelo had cried out to the young man anxiously as Jason's eyes rolled back in his head and, unable to reach the lad quickly enough, had seen him collapse. He was simply too close to the top of the stairs and, as Gelo raced along the wall, had fallen like a rag doll, landing at the bottom in a tumbled heap.
Gelo would never know how he managed to get to the bottom of the steps as quickly as he did without falling himself, taking them two and three at a time, and all the time praying to whatever gods were listening – please don't be dead, please don't be dead. How would he ever be able to take that sort of news back to Meriones? Or even worse Hercules and Pythagoras? He had seen enough of the three men by now to know just how close they really were. As he scrambled over to the spot where Jason lay prone he was scarcely aware of the small, fearful crowd that had gathered and were muttering quietly to themselves, terrified that another victim of the recent contagion had appeared in their midst. With a sigh of relief he realised that the young man's chest was rising and falling steadily.
A noise from the rapidly gathering crowd made him look up in time to see Kerkyon and an extremely worried looking and white faced Hercules pushing their way through from opposite directions. A groaning sound from by his knees drew his attention back to the young man on the ground. Jason was beginning to come around already although he still looked frightfully pale.
"I'll get a doctor," Kerkyon grunted.
"Bring him to Hercules' house," Gelo answered absently not really taking his eyes off Jason.
As Hercules dropped to his knees on the other side of his young friend, Gelo glanced up at him.
"What happened?" the bulky wrestler demanded.
"He fainted," Gelo murmured quietly, not wanting the crowd to hear what he was saying. "Unfortunately he was at the top of the steps at the time and fell."
If anything Hercules' face paled even further.
"Oh gods," he muttered. "I thought… when I saw him lying here…" he took a deep breath and shuddered. "Haven't we already been through enough?" he demanded quietly. "Pythagoras is not well yet but I thought that at least Jason had managed to escape catching the fever."
"Pythagoras has had the contagion?" Gelo asked with a frown.
"He's on the mend," Hercules waved him off with one hand as he reached out with the other to brush Jason's dark hair back from his forehead. "There's no fever," he murmured as his fingers slid across the young man's face. "Thank the gods! But why would he faint then?"
A soft moan from Jason at the touch of Hercules' hand alerted both men to the fact that he was becoming ever more conscious – was struggling to wake up.
"Jason," Hercules encouraged softly, "open your eyes for me there's a good lad."
Slowly, painfully slowly, the hazel eyes blinked open and peered up at them in some confusion. Before Jason could even attempt to sit up Gelo placed a gently restraining hand on his chest.
"Gently," he admonished, "you've taken quite a tumble."
Neither of the older men failed to notice the pained grimace that graced Jason's face as he rolled carefully from the position he had landed in half on his side onto his back nor the way he let himself rest for a moment against Hercules' knees, eyes closed against a brief resurgence of the dizziness that he had clearly experienced at the top of the wall. Presently though he reopened his eyes and pushed himself up a little until he was resting a bit more comfortably against his big friend's lap.
"Sorry," he murmured with more than a little embarrassment.
"Don't be sorry," Hercules rumbled running a hand through the dark curls, checking Jason's scalp for unseen injuries. "I'm just worried about you. The only time I've ever seen you faint before was when you were ill."
Jason shifted painfully and looked down at his hands guiltily. He had a fairly good idea of why he had passed out and knew that Hercules would be less than happy when he found out the reason.
Hercules noticed the way that Jason refused to meet his eyes. His own eyes narrowed. He knew that expression only too well. Jason was feeling guilty about something and didn't want to admit to what that something was. Much as he wanted to interrogate the young man and find out what the problem was, now was not the time. There would be time enough for Jason to confess to whatever it was he thought he had done wrong when they got home. First things first though he needed to ascertain how badly his friend was hurt – after all he could not believe that the lad would have fallen down the steps from the wall and got away completely unscathed. Although this was Jason so you never could tell. Knowing his friend's propensity for making light of injuries, however, Hercules decided to tackle the problem head on. If the lad was badly hurt it would be better to know the worst now.
"Right," he said gently but firmly. "Where are you hurt? And don't even think of trying to tell me that you're not!"
Jason bit his lip and grimaced again.
"My ribs are a bit sore," he admitted softly, "but my right knee's the worst of it. I think I wrenched it or something when I fell."
Hercules nodded, looking hard at his friend. That didn't sound too bad and at least it seemed Jason was being honest about what hurt, although he knew only too well that the lad could have hidden injuries that even he was unaware of. Still they wouldn't know about that until they had had a healer look him over properly. For now he just needed to get the young man home.
"No pain in your back or neck?" he asked.
"No," Jason stated firmly.
"Good," Hercules rumbled. "I think you can probably try sitting up properly then."
Jason carefully started to push himself up, wincing as his ribcage protested. He felt seriously shaky – probably a mixture of lack of food and shock, he decided – and still more than a little dizzy.
Hercules watched him closely, noting the way the lad's arms trembled as he moved, and positioned himself to catch Jason if he fell back again. Once it was certain that the young man was able to sit up unaided he turned his attention to Gelo who was carefully wrapping Jason's knee as best he could, immobilising the joint as much as possible until it could be looked at properly.
"Can you help me get him home?" Hercules asked seriously.
Gelo half smiled.
"Of course my friend," he said quietly. "Even if I did not want to help I think Meriones would kill me if I did not. As it is I am as anxious as you to get you both back to your home where the doctor can see to Jason's hurts."
Jason looked up sharply.
"I don't need a doctor," he protested. "I'll be alright, really I will."
Hercules frowned.
"Of course you're going to see a doctor," he growled. "After a fall like that I'm surprised you didn't break your neck you young fool. Kerkyon's already gone to fetch a healer and you're going to see him whether you like it or not. I need to make sure you're not hurt worse than we think. Normally Pythagoras could do it but he's just not well enough yet and I don't want him worrying about anything other than getting well."
"But we can't afford it," Jason blurted before he could stop himself, biting his lip as soon as he realised what he had said.
Hercules winced. So Jason had worked out that they were once again short on funds. Hercules had hoped to save his friend from that worry. He still wasn't fully convinced that the lad was completely back to normal and had wanted to spare him as much stress as possible. He really ought to have known better, he supposed. For all that Jason seemed to be more than a bit unobservant or naïve at times, he could, when the occasion demanded it, be worryingly perceptive – usually at the worst possible moments when his friends wished he wasn't.
Gelo looked between the two of them seriously.
"Do not worry yourself about that," he said. "The doctor who Kerkyon has gone to collect owes Meriones several favours and a rather large gambling debt. The man is a drunkard and the worst gambler I have ever met but he is a brilliant physician. I can guarantee that he will offer his services free of charge just for the chance to repay a little of what he owes."
Hercules nodded gratefully. Truthfully he had had no idea how they would have paid for the services of a doctor as he had found no work again that day, but he was not willing to risk Jason's health. As it was though it seemed that his oldest friend was once more coming to the rescue without even being present. He shuddered to think just how much he owed to Meriones.
"Right then," he muttered. "Let's see if we can't get you up on your feet and off home." He was fully prepared to carry his friend if he needed to but realised that Jason's own pride would not allow that without at least trying to do it himself. Not for the first time Hercules found himself cursing his young friend's independent and stubborn nature.
Carefully, with Hercules hovering on one side and Gelo on the other, Jason began to lever himself up from the floor, wincing more deeply and making unconscious little moans of distress as the ache in his ribs increased. As he stood up another wave of dizziness hit him – albeit weaker than before – and he cried out sharply in pain as he tried to put weight on his leg, his right knee buckling slightly in spite of the wrapping that Gelo had put on it, clutching at Hercules for support.
To do him credit the big man didn't utter a word. He simply slung Jason's arm around his shoulders and put his own arm gently around the lad's waist, acting as a sort of human crutch.
The crowd had begun to disappear as they realised there was nothing more to see. At least that would allow them to pass through more easily, Hercules grimly thought, and they weren't too far from home either, thank the gods.
With Gelo supporting Jason on the other side, Hercules turned carefully and slowly began to make the short journey home.
By the time they had got back home Hercules was beyond worried and frustrated. The short journey through the streets had seemed to take forever and it was only a death glare from Jason whenever he even thought about it that had prevented the big man from picking his younger friend up and simply carrying him home. They certainly would have got there much quicker, Hercules thought with some irritation. As it was he was supporting more than half of Jason's weight by the time they got to the kitchen. The walk upstairs had been particularly hard and Hercules had been sorely tempted to ignore Jason's protests and throw him over his shoulder just to save the lad some pain. He carefully deposited his friend on a bench at the kitchen table, gently reached down to unclasp the cloak from around the young man's shoulders and began to lift the hem of his tunic in preparation for the doctor's arrival. Jason, Hercules noted with some dismay, was shaking – faint tremors that racked his body. It was probably from shock the big man decided, although he was not really all that sure what to do about it. The truth was that he usually left most matters of health and healing to Pythagoras. He himself had never had the interest in or the patience to learn the healing arts and his skills were limited to patching up injuries sustained in the wrestling ring in a rudimentary fashion.
"So what on earth were you doing at the top of the city walls anyway?" Hercules asked. Jason was clearly shaken up and the burly wrestler hoped to distract him somewhat even as he continued to strip away the lad's tunic to see what injuries lay underneath.
"I was running a couple of errands for Egina the milk seller," Jason answered softly, his voice low and pained. "She paid me to deliver a few things and I thought we could use the money." He reached into the waistband of his trousers and withdrew a small money pouch, tossing it on the table where it landed with a clatter of coins.
Hercules let out an explosive breath.
"You were supposed to be staying here and making sure that Pythagoras was alright," he pointed out.
"I know," Jason answered, "but I didn't think I'd be gone all that long and I made sure he was comfortable and had dropped off to sleep before I went." He still felt very weak and shaky and fought the urge to ask his older friend for a hug, telling himself that he was being childish.
Hercules looked at his young companion with a frown. That Jason had not objected to his larger friend essentially beginning to undress him worried Hercules far more than the rapidly swelling knee or the purpling bruises decorating the lad's ribcage and upper body. The bulky wrestler winced at how beaten up his young friend looked. By the looks of things Jason was going to be dreadfully stiff and sore for a few days just from the sheer amount of bruising alone. Frowning to himself the big man crossed to the cupboards and picked up the last wine skin – purchased some weeks ago and saved by Pythagoras for emergencies. Hercules had found it hidden behind some bowls in the cupboard several days earlier at a point where it looked like the young mathematician might die and had sat staring at it for hours, knowing that he needed a drink perhaps more than he had ever done before but equally knowing that if he started to drink it he would not be able to stop. Since then he had rationed it carefully, aware of the fact that they did not have any money to spend on wine and knowing that he had to make it last. Contrary to popular opinion Hercules was not as stupid, as selfish or as insensitive as he sometimes made him himself out to be.
Now though the skin only contained enough wine for one final drink. The big man poured it out carefully so as not to waste a single drop and stood for a moment looking at it almost reverently. He sighed. Much as he would like to consume the contents in one go to calm his still frazzled nerves he thought that Jason probably needed it more than he did. Picking up the cup he crossed over to the table and offered it to his friend.
Jason looked up with a weak smile.
"Thanks," he said, "but I probably shouldn't. Drinking on an empty stomach isn't a good idea."
Hercules frowned.
"I thought you said that you ate earlier," he said suspiciously.
"I did tell you that," Jason said awkwardly, looking everywhere but at his friend. "It was a while ago though so I should probably eat something else before I try drinking alcohol… Besides I'm not really thirsty," he finished lamely.
Hercules opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by the sound of a knock at the door which heralded the arrival of Kerkyon with the doctor in tow. Gelo hurried across the room to open it, grateful to have something to do. He had felt like an intruder for the past few minutes – ever since they had arrived really – although he appreciated the fact that neither of his companions had intended that. It was simply that he was an outsider in their home and really had no idea where anything was or how he could help.
The appearance of the physician did not immediately inspire Hercules with confidence. It was most definitely not the same man they had called in at the start of Pythagoras' sickness – a tall, arrogant looking man who had an overinflated opinion of his own abilities and charged overinflated fees as a direct result. He had not really been interested in treating a young man from one of the poorer quarters of the city and had insisted on receiving his consultation fee in advance. The only useful contribution he had really made had been to suggest which tonics they should purchase to treat the young mathematician and had then left, never to return. Hercules did have to admit that his advice over medicines had been unerringly accurate though and for that the big man was grateful.
This doctor, however, appeared to be very different. For a start he swayed on his feet, perhaps still a little drunk from the previous night, and smelled none too clean. He peered up from heavy lidded eyes and his skin had a distinctly unhealthy yellowish tinge to it, as did the whites of his eyes. Gelo had assured Hercules that this man was a brilliant doctor, even if he was a drunk, but the bulky wrestler definitely had his doubts. Still if the man did right by Jason then he would be happy.
"Do you by any chance have any water?" he said in a voice made rusty by years of hard drinking. "My mouth feels as dry as the desert between here and Helios."
Hercules growled slightly and directed the man to a pitcher of water standing on the side. The doctor drank deeply for a few minutes then turned and smiled as reassuringly as he could manage, the worst of his indisposition seemingly gone.
"Right then," he said briskly, "I have been told that a young man of this household suffered a fall earlier and requires my attention. That would be you I suppose," he finished turning towards Jason.
"Yes," Jason answered, "but listen I'm sure I'm alright. I don't really need a doctor or anything."
If anything the seedy looking man seemed amused by his statement.
"Of course not," he murmured. "Since I am already here, however, why don't you let me look you over? Just to ease everyone's minds."
Without waiting for a response he came forwards and placed his fingers under Jason's chin, gently tilting the young man's head this way and that with his other hand on the back of the his neck, and then started to carefully feel up and down the lad's spine. Then he paused.
"I am sorry," he apologised. "I have forgotten my manners. My name is Cinyras and I am a doctor… although I would hope that you already know that otherwise what I am doing is very strange. Forgive my rudeness in not introducing myself properly. My only excuse is that I am very tired. Since the plague which has attacked the city began I have had little sleep – I have not even managed to have a drink in several days."
"You've been treating the victims then?" Hercules rumbled.
"Yes," Cinyras said, continuing his examination. "Many of my patients are very poor and have no other access to medical treatment. I am not a wealthy man and I have a small problem with gambling but it is my duty to help those in need." He sighed. "I am aware, of course, that many of my colleagues in the medical profession do not agree with that sentiment. Perhaps that is why they are rich and I am not." He turned back to Jason once again. "Where did you fall?" he asked.
"What difference does that make?" Hercules groused.
"I need to know if it was a fall from height," the doctor retorted. "Although from the amount of bruising to your upper body I am guessing that it was."
"Yeah," Gelo answered. "He fell down the steps that lead from the top of the city wall."
Cinyras raised an eyebrow in surprise and gently began to palpate Jason's ribcage.
"Sorry," he said, feeling the young man flinch beneath his hand. "This may be moderately unpleasant for you but I need to ascertain what damage you have done."
Jason bit down hard on his lip and tried to keep from crying out, although he was unable to prevent the odd small whimper escaping.
"So how did you come to fall?"
Jason grimaced.
"I don't really remember," he confessed. "I vaguely remember hearing Gelo calling to me and I turned around to speak to him but after that I don't remember anything."
"He fainted," Gelo supplied helpfully. "He was at the top of the steps at the time."
"Fainted?" the doctor murmured. He turned back to Jason. "Follow," he instructed moving one finger from side to side in front of the young man's eyes. "Good. There does not appear to be a head injury." His eyes narrowed and he placed one appraising hand on Jason's forehead while the other felt for a pulse at the wrist, checking the speed and strength of the beat he felt there. "Open your mouth for me."
"Why?" Jason asked.
"Because I need to make sure that you do not have the contagion that has been spreading throughout the city," the doctor explained. "Although you do not have a fever and your heartbeat is normal I wish to be sure."
Jason sighed and rolled his eyes but for once in his life did as he was told. Cinyras smiled. From what little he had seen so far he had no doubt whatsoever that this young man could be extremely wilful when he wanted to be.
"Good," he murmured. "There is no sign of the sickness. Your tongue is uncoated and your throat clear. Aside from the injuries sustained in the fall you would appear to be in remarkably good health. Which leads me to wonder why you would faint," he finished with a frown. "You have not experienced any episodes like this before?"
"No," Jason muttered. "I mean I passed out once from fever when I was ill but that was months ago."
Cinyras nodded thoughtfully.
"When was the last time you ate?" he asked.
Jason cast a guilty look at Hercules.
"It's been a while," he admitted.
Immediately the burly wrestler was on high alert.
"How long a while?" he demanded.
Jason shrugged.
"Jason," Hercules growled dangerously.
"How long has it been?" Cinyras pressed gently, knowing from the young man's reaction that the answer was not likely to be good.
"I haven't eaten in nearly four days," Jason admitted quietly, not raising his eyes from the spot on the floor that suddenly seemed to have become absolutely fascinating.
Hercules cursed loudly. He stomped off across the room too angry for words and knowing that he needed time to calm down. Jason bit his lip as his older friend stormed away, knowing that this was unlikely to be the end of the matter and that he was at some point likely to be on the receiving end of one of Hercules' well-meaning but always embarrassing lectures.
Cinyras sighed.
"I think we might all know why you fainted then," he said dryly. "You are lucky that it happened though."
"Why?" Jason couldn't help asking. He ached all over and certainly wasn't feeling very lucky at this precise moment in time.
"Because the mind will always act to try to stop the body from falling," the physician replied. "Without you even realising it your body tenses. If that had happened you could have been much more seriously injured. As it was the fact that you were unconscious and therefore completely floppy worked in your favour." He paused. "I still would not recommend starving yourself to the point of collapse though," he added sternly with one raised eyebrow.
"I didn't exactly intend for it to happen this time," Jason retorted with a wry smile.
"That's good to know," Cinyras said.
"You're not like the other doctor that came here," the young brunette observed.
"Other doctor?"
Jason sighed.
"My friend Pythagoras… he's not actually a doctor but he's a pretty good healer anyway. When the plague started people kept coming to him for help. He tried to help as many of them as he could… stayed up all hours looking after the sick… but in the end…"
"He became ill with the disease himself?" Cinyras guessed.
"Yeah," Jason answered. "Hercules called a doctor in but he only seemed interested in getting paid. About the only thing he did was to tell us that Pythagoras would probably die but that if we wanted to try to cure him we should get this tonic from the apothecary."
Cinyras winced. Too many of his colleagues were like that. He picked up the bottle of medicine from the table, unstoppered it and delicately sniffed, grimacing at the smell.
"Well that would certainly help your friend," he murmured, "but I doubt he finds the taste particularly palatable."
Jason grinned.
"Nah," he admitted. "Apparently it's disgusting… it does seem to be working though… he is getting better."
"No doubt," the doctor said. "I think, however, that I might have something that will make it a little more pleasant." He reached into the leather satchel he had placed upon the table when he had first arrived and withdrew a small bottle. "Mix this in with the tonic in even amounts," he said. "It will make the tonic much more drinkable and the herbs it contains should help your friend's lungs to recover a lot more quickly." He paused. "But now we must see to you."
Reaching into the satchel again he produced several rolls of bandaging. As Hercules re-entered the room, somewhat calmer now, the doctor began to carefully bandage Jason's ribs and to wrap his knee properly.
"You have three cracked ribs and a severely twisted knee," he told Jason, "and by morning you are going to be black and blue from shoulder to ankle. It's nothing that a few day's rest won't fix but you are likely to be extremely sore. Now I want you to keep your weight off that knee at least until I have seen you again. Then I may judge how long you will need to keep off it for. Keep it elevated if you can – it should help the swelling to go down – and you must rest those ribs to make sure that you do no more damage to them. Keeping still will help you to heal. Take deep breaths every hour or so. It will hurt but you will be doing your lungs a big favour if you can do it. I'm going to leave some painkilling powders for you to drink dissolved in water now. They are likely to make you sleepy but they will help to relieve the worst of the pain… and please don't try to tell me that you're not in pain when any fool could see that you are. I'm also going to leave some painkilling tonics behind. Take a dose whenever you start to feel discomfort. Do not wait until it is unbearable. It is far easier to nip these things in the bud early than to try to control them once they are fully present. I will also leave a salve of hyssop and arnica for the worst of the bruising. It will help. The thing that will help you most though is rest… I cannot stress it enough. I would encourage bed rest for at least the rest of today until you have recovered from the shock somewhat. Look after yourself," he said earnestly, "and I will be back to see you soon."
He stood and patted the young man on the shoulder. Then he gestured for Hercules to follow him as Gelo moved forward smoothly to distract Jason, realising that the doctor wanted to have a quiet word with the burly wrestler.
"You need to make sure that he rests," Cinyras wasted no time in getting to the point. "And you will need to keep an eye on him for a few days. He has been very lucky but a fall of this nature can have serious consequences. I am as sure as I can be that he has no further injuries but if he should appear to be in excessive pain or should develop a fever you must send for me at once. As it is I will return in the morning to check on the boy. I understand that you have another friend in the house who has been ill with the contagion."
"I have," Hercules confirmed.
"Then I will check on him also," Cinyras stated firmly. "I have no doubt that the tonic my esteemed colleague suggested is doing its job but it would be remiss of me not to make sure. As for this young man, you need to make sure that he eats… and soon. Keep it plain and simple though… nothing too rich. After several days without food he will need to line his stomach again and he would be likely to react badly to anything too rich. Keep it light for the first meal and don't try to force him to eat too much in one go… little and often will be the key for the first day or two… just until his stomach is used to containing food again."
Hercules nodded and sighed. These two boys were going to be the death of him he just knew it.
"Thank you," he rumbled genuinely.
The doctor smiled.
"Do not worry," he said comfortingly. "Your young friend is fit, strong and healthy. He will be fine with a few days' rest."
With that he gathered up his bag and left with Gelo and Kerkyon keeping him company. Hercules turned back to Jason with a frown. He was still extremely angry but now was not the time for a lecture. Now he needed to make sure that the young man was made comfortable. With a sigh he walked back over to the table.
Jason looked up at him a little nervously. Hercules' heart clenched slightly. Much as he wanted to scold; to know just why Jason had suddenly decided that starvation was a reasonable option; to make his friend see just how worried and how damned annoyed he was right now; the boy was far too beaten up to withstand even a mildly robust discussion at the moment. Those things could wait.
"Come on Jason," he rumbled. "You heard what the doctor said. Let's get you settled into bed and some of that painkilling stuff down you. No don't try to move on your own. You heard what he said – you need to keep off that knee." With that he slipped in under Jason's shoulder and, placing the lad's arm around his own shoulders, gently hoisted him to his feet.
Hercules didn't fail to notice Jason's sigh of relief as he finally lowered himself onto the bed. The lad was clearly hurting even if he didn't want to admit to it, the big man thought grimly as he moved back across the room to dissolve the powders the doctor had left into water. Job done he collected all the spare blankets that they had and moved back into the alcove that had become Jason's bedroom. Pausing by the pillar near the end of the young man's bed he looked at his friend seriously. Jason was still shirtless and had stretched out as best he could on top of the covers, shifting painfully as he searched for a more comfortable position. A task that Hercules surmised was not all that easy. He cleared his throat meaningfully.
Jason looked up. He hated to be a burden on his friends and the thought that Hercules might have to look after him as well as Pythagoras now almost made him burn with shame. Now that he was lying down his ribs ached and his knee throbbed abominably and every way he moved he seemed to find another bruise or scrape that made it nigh on impossible to find a way of resting comfortably. Somehow, no matter what the doctor had said, he couldn't see himself getting much sleep or any meaningful rest any time soon – everything was just far too painful.
Hercules felt his heart clench again at just how downright miserable his friend looked. It was never easy seeing someone he cared about ill or hurt. It didn't really help matters that Jason somehow managed to look younger than ever like this – less like the young hero he was rapidly turning into and more like the lonely boy he must once have been. The burly wrestler attempted a bright and reassuring smile. How did Pythagoras manage to do this so well? Of course the lad was a born healer whereas Hercules most definitely was not.
"Right," he said cheerfully, "get this down you." He handed Jason the cup he had mixed, helping the young man to sit up without even thinking about it.
"Thanks," Jason muttered, clearly abashed at once again needing help for simple everyday tasks.
"None of that," Hercules admonished. "You'd do the same for me given half a chance. Now lay back down and let me get some of this salve on the bits you can't reach."
Jason rolled onto his front without a murmur, knowing that there was absolutely no point in arguing with Hercules. Besides which he was beginning to stiffen up to the point where even thinking about stretching to reach some of the more painful spots on his back and sides made him shudder. As it was Hercules' calloused hands rubbing the salve oh so gently into his sore skin felt almost good and he began to relax as the painkiller did its job, leaving him more than a little drowsy. Every so often, though, the big man would inevitably press on a place that was more tender and Jason was unable to stop himself from wincing or letting out little whimpers now and then.
"Sorry," Hercules murmured, not for the first time.
"Are you angry at me?" Jason asked sleepily.
"Yes," Hercules answered truthfully, "but now is not the time to talk about it. You need to rest."
"Mmm," Jason responded and rolled back onto his back. He bit his lip in embarrassment. "I might need your help to do the front too," he admitted quietly. "I'm already a bit stiff."
Hercules nodded with a soft smile. It was still a relatively rare thing for Jason to actually ask anyone for help and neither one of his friends ever denied him when he did – knowing just how hard it had been for Jason to accept kindness and caring in the first place. It was a sign of just how much the young man had come to trust them and neither one of them wanted to risk that fragile trust.
Without comment the big man once again set about gently rubbing the salve into his friend's bruises – tending to Jason's hurts as carefully as he could. Once he had finished he sat back and looked at the lad seriously. He would stiffen up even more if he were allowed to get cold, the big man decided, and he was not about to allow anything to increase the boy's pain if he could help it. Looking around he picked up the soft sleeping tunic that hung from the end of the bed. It had been another present from Meriones. Really, Hercules thought, he ought to try to stop the giant from spoiling the boys this much. Apparently his old friend had been dissatisfied by the fact that when Jason had been staying with Meriones he had slept either in the tunic that he wore every day or shirtless. The giant had reasoned that the one was unhygienic and the other might lead to his young friend picking up a chill as the winter progressed so he had simply included sleep shirts for both Jason and Pythagoras in the package that had contained winter tunics for them both. Hercules sighed. He hadn't for a moment accepted Meriones' excuse that these were samples of Talos' wares that he could not send back and could not sell but could not think of a single reason not to accept the giant's kindness – especially as both his boys had seemed so pleased.
He turned back to Jason with the tunic in his hands.
"Come on," he said softly. "You'll get cold lying on top of the bed like that. Get this top on and get under the covers. You'll be a lot more comfortable if you do."
He almost laughed at Jason's sceptical look. It appeared that as the initial shock was beginning to wear off Jason's usual spark was beginning to come back. Still the lad did as he was told. He slowly and carefully pulled the tunic on and painfully wriggled until Hercules could pull the bedclothes out from under his legs. He was breathing as heavily as his cracked ribs would allow and sweat dotted his forehead, the burly wrestler noted. Yes, the sooner he could get Jason settled and comfortable the better.
"Lift your knee for me," he instructed.
Jason looked momentarily confused but still complied without a murmur. Hercules smiled softly and gently slipped the spare folded blankets he had brought under the injured limb, elevating it gently. He was rewarded by a soft sigh from his friend indicating that Jason was for the moment as comfortable as he could be. With a gentleness that few outside the household had ever seen he pulled the covers up over the young man and smoothed them out.
Despite Jason's earlier mental predictions that he would not be able to rest properly and certainly would not sleep, a lassitude crept rapidly over him, encouraged by the painkiller he had taken and by the warmth and comfort of his own bed, and his hazel eyes began to drift closed. Watched by his older friend his breathing evened out into the soft rhythms of sleep and the lines of pain etched onto his face smoothed themselves away.
Hercules smiled and slipped out. Now he could check on his other young friend – could make sure that the commotion had not disturbed the young mathematician – and could use the money that Jason had earned and abandoned on the kitchen table to purchase some food from the agora. The smile dropped from his face and he frowned. As soon as Jason was awake and had some proper food inside him they would be having a very long and probably stern chat about lying to his friends and looking after himself. Already planning the points that he wanted to make, Hercules set about the tasks he had imposed upon himself.
By the time Jason woke up properly the morning sun was riding high in the sky. He couldn't believe that he had actually managed to sleep for the best part of the afternoon, evening and night the day before – all barring one brief period when he had woken for long enough to sleepily consume the small bowl of bread and milk that Hercules had thrust at him and to take a dose of the painkilling tonic that the big man had insisted upon. Then he had been out like a light again.
Now for a few moments after waking he lay looking at the ceiling in some confusion trying to work out why he was still in bed so long after sunrise. Then the events of the previous day returned in full force along with all the aches and pains as his battered body protested its recent treatment. Oh Lord he was so stiff and so sore that even thinking about moving was painful. For a brief moment he actually considered calling out to Hercules to ask his large friend to bring him some more of that tonic. He was certain that Hercules would. Then he noticed how suspiciously quiet the house was. Hercules must be out then – the burly wrestler was not known for his ability to move quietly and always made some sort of noise when he was at home. Jason sighed. Right then, he would have to get up and get his own painkillers – no matter how unpleasant that might be.
Easing himself as carefully as he could to the edge of the bed he paused for a few minutes, gasping as his damaged ribs grated painfully. Once the stars that briefly danced across his eyes faded and the pain receded to an almost bearable level he gingerly swung his legs over the side. The knee was going to be a problem, he almost immediately decided. It was too swollen and sore to bend and he wasn't all that sure that it would actually take his weight. Still he had to try. It quickly became apparent that knowing that something was likely to be painful and actually experiencing it were two different things – as he discovered when he stood up. The startled yelp that he couldn't help but give was much louder than he had intended it to be as a sharp stabbing feeling came up through his leg. You've had worse, he told himself sternly, you've definitely been in a worse state than this, so stop complaining and get on with it.
"Is everything alright?" a weak voice came from Pythagoras' room. Clearly the yelp that Jason had given had been even louder than he had thought and had disturbed the mathematician's rest.
Jason swore quietly to himself. The last thing Pythagoras needed right now was to be worrying about him.
"Everything's fine," he answered, aware of how strained his voice sounded.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah," Jason answered. "I just banged my knee." It was not precisely a lie, he told himself. After all he really had hurt his knee – he was just avoiding worrying Pythagoras by saying how at the moment.
Once he realised that yes his leg was horribly painful, the knee itself throbbing constantly, but would hold his weight if he were careful, he started to cross the room over towards the kitchen table. He knew of course that what he was doing was in direct contravention of the doctor's orders and was probably not a particularly good idea but the need for something to take the edge off the pain was overriding all other thought.
Sitting down to take the tonic and to gulp down a large cup of water afterwards was a distinct relief. Then Jason noticed the bottle of medicine on the table that Pythagoras had been taking. The bottle was still full. Pythagoras should have had a dose this morning but clearly Hercules had gone out and had forgotten it. Jason sighed softly. Much as he would like to be getting back to bed (and he really would like to be following doctor's orders and resting his aching body as much as he could) he could not in good conscience let Pythagoras go without his own tonic. The young genius was so much better than he had been but was still unwell enough that both his friends feared a relapse.
Carefully measuring out a dose, Jason mixed the tonic with the one that Cinyras had left yesterday in a cup and then levered himself up from the table. Just a little longer and then he could rest again, he promised himself. Moving slowly and limping heavily he made his way to Pythagoras' room, drawing back the curtain and making his way over to the bed with his smile plastered in place.
Apparently Pythagoras was not fooled. He took one look at Jason and pushed himself upright, his blue eyes wide and concerned.
"What happened?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" Jason responded as innocently as he could manage.
Pythagoras favoured him with an incredulous look.
"You are hurt," he stated flatly.
Jason sighed.
"I fell," he answered shortly. "It's really not that bad."
Pythagoras glared.
"Come here and let me see," he all but demanded.
"I'm fine," Jason protested, "and you need to take your medicine." He sat down on the edge of the bed just beyond Pythagoras' reach and leant forwards to put the cup down on the small stool that they had set up as a bedside table, willing his face not to register the pain that stretching caused as his ribs grated again.
Pythagoras raised an eyebrow.
"I'll drink that if you let me take a look at you," he countered.
Jason stared. It was not like Pythagoras to try to be so devious although he supposed he should have known that the young genius would always be stubborn where the health and welfare of his friends was concerned.
"I saw a doctor yesterday," he admitted quietly. "Hercules insisted."
"And what did he say?" Pythagoras asked, still sounding worried.
"He said that I'd be fine in a few days," Jason answered. He looked earnestly at the mathematician. "I really will be alright."
Pythagoras looked long and hard at him. He really would prefer to examine Jason himself, knowing that in all likelihood his friend was being somewhat economical with the truth. Until he was strong enough to insist, however, the most he could do was try to wear Jason down until he acquiesced to the mathematician's requests – which undoubtedly he would do sooner or later. Perhaps for now though a tactical withdrawal would be for the best. Far better to quietly badger Jason throughout the day until he gave in, than to push too hard now and lose the opportunity to check that his friend was not seriously harmed altogether. He laid back against the pillows and forced a smile.
"Perhaps we could talk for a while," he suggested, "or play a game of Tilia or Knucklebones. I find that I am growing tired of lying here looking at the ceiling all the time and I cannot yet seem to focus upon my work."
Jason tried not to wince. He had been hoping to get back to bed as soon as Pythagoras' medicine was delivered but it seemed that his friend had other ideas. Given how ill the young genius had been Jason didn't have the heart to turn him down. He tried to settle himself a little more comfortably on the edge of the bed, painfully aware of how much he was hurting right now.
"Of course," he said. "What would you like to talk about?"
Pythagoras smiled shyly.
"I thought perhaps we could pass the time by telling stories," he murmured.
Jason smiled lightly.
"Sounds good to me," he said.
The young mathematician was deep into the tale of the origins of the gods when a loud voice growled from the doorway.
"What in the name of the gods do you think you're doing?"
Jason inwardly cringed. He had hoped to be able to get back to bed before his other friend came home. It appeared that he had not been so lucky. If he could have he would have put off the conversation that was inevitably going to happen right now indefinitely and certainly would have avoided having it in front of his still unwell younger friend.
"Hello Hercules," he said as inoffensively as possible.