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Puzzle Pieces
Complete Summary:
"Because, baby, we're two adjoined pieces of the same puzzle- whether we like it or not."
Annabeth Chase. In which the anti social blonde haired girl destined to become valedictorian of her class, struggling to keep it together, finds solace in the kind hearted swimmer whom she tutors.
Percy Jackson. In which the broken green eyed boy destined to reach the Olympics, trying his hardest to take care of his sick mother, slowly finds peace in the beautiful savior of his grades.
They say that opposites attract, but some opposites aren't really opposites. Sometimes they're puzzle pieces- two souls destined by Fate to fit together, no matter how different they may seem at first glance.
Song of the Chapter: Bring Me Back to Life by Charlie Bannister, Ht Bristol, Nine One One, and Vincent Steele
"I feel my time is running out. Who will be there when my life support is gone?"
Chapter 4
Percy's POV
"Go fish, sucker!"
Percy groans as he pulls yet another card from the deck, the texture of each small sheet taunts him every time his fingertips brush their cursed surface. He shoots his mother a halfhearted glare as he slips the card in the rapidly growing stack in his hands. The woman grins cheekily in response, her smile lines deepening.
"You know," she begins, drawing his attention. Percy turns, eyebrows raised, and stares his mother in her ever changing crystal blue eyes. The stack of cards within his palms carry the weight of lead.
"Hm?" He grunts.
Her grin widens. "For someone who is so skilled in the water as you are, you are quite the horrible-"
Percy squeezes her big toe through the hospital blanket, a grin threatening to split his face in half. "You finish that sentence and I'm eating the rest of your crackers." He half jokes while an eye roll is well underway.
Sally drops her jaw. "Peanut, you wouldn't dare!" Her tone of voice is artificially shrill, and the hand that is pressing against her chest for dear life is overtly dramatic.
But even still, the black haired boy tries his hardest to hide his weakness for the pet name away from his mother as he steels himself. Percy cocks an eyebrow, and for good measure, he leans over and steals a cracker. "Try me," he taunts through a mouthful of carbs. He then swallows and tosses her a grin cheeky enough to rival that of her own.
His mother merely cackles in response. "Just like your father." She murmurs mostly to herself. Her eyes of glass familiarly shine with an emotion that Percy cannot place, so he chooses to ignore it. He has never liked the way that he felt whenever his mother got like this.
He swallows. "Anyways, back to business." He wipes off his hands and picks up his stack of cards. "Do you have an..." An elongated pause for unneeded dramatic effect. "An... Ace of Diamonds?"
A rebellious smirk begins to grow over Sally's lips that Percy instantaneously recognizes and he nearly flips a table. It's just so unfair. "You have got to be-"
His brewing rant is interrupted by a knock at the door. Both of the Jackson's gazes flicker towards the nurse that is entering the room, and all conversation dies. She is fairly short and thin, with willowy dark hair pulled back in a bun and emerald green eyes. She grins and Percy moves away from the hospital bed in order to give her space, a grimace is rapidly pulling over his lips.
Sally quickly shoots him a Look that tells him to fix his expression immediately.
Percy stretches out a smile that would make the Cheshire cat envious and his mother sticks out her tongue at him.
"You're a kid." He mouths to her, biting his lip to keep from laughing. Instead, he chooses to fixate his gaze upon the flickering fluorescent lights that line the ceiling overhead. He passes the time by counting the seemingly dozens of dead insects that spot the casings.
Just a few more months, Peanut. His subconscious tauntingly whispers across his mind. Percy's mood dampens instantaneously, a frown pulling at the corners of his lips. Tension gathers at the nape of his neck where the shoulders meet and he flutters his eyes closed as so to hide his growing discomfort. He tilts his head back as well, taking in deep breaths and counting from one to five and back.
"How are we feeling?" The nurse asks in a singsong voice.
Percy hears his mother yawn. "Tired, Lou Ellen. We're feeling tired."
He couldn't have stopped his snort if he wanted to. He doesn't even open his eyes before interjecting sarcastically. "That's not what you were saying while you were kicking my butt at Go Fish, but whatever, go off I g-"
Lou Ellen lets loose a cackle and the black haired boy instantly leans forward, opening his eyes as a deep blush spreads across his sun kissed face. He swallows, scratching the back of his neck.
"So," The hopefulness that is lilted into Sally's words tugs at Percy's heartstrings. "Any news? At all?"
Lou Ellen grimaces as she turns to check the elder of the Jackson's vitals. She busies herself for a few moments as silence hangs in the room. Anxiety claws its way up Percy's chest, pressing heavily against his lungs as it goes.
One, two, three, four, five, four, three, two, one. He reminds himself as he closes his eyes once more for a few brief seconds.
The young nurse spins around and faces the pair. "Everything's looking the same-" Then she pauses.
Percy immediately advances. Fear is prickling his skin and soon spreads to every nerve beneath. His heart uses his rib cage as a battering ram. "What is it?"
Lou Ellen makes a pained face, and the 18 year old knows that this must be hard for her.
Sally sighs and places a hand on the nurse's arm. "I'm a big girl, Lou Ellen. You can tell me." Her words and facial expression are serene and kind as ever, but Percy knows from the glisten in his mother's eyes that she's terrified. He swallows again and shoves his hands into his pockets, clenching them into fists as he bunches up the fabric between his palms. He forces his gaze to the floor, staring at the creamy beige linoleum tiles with a vengeance. They shine under the fluorescent lights, glistening and nearly glowing, as if to give off the impression that the hospital is a well kept place.
"I- I'll bring the doctor in. It's really not my place." Lou Ellen sobers up, walling herself behind a fortress of professionalism.
"Bullshit." Percy growls under his breath, anger rapidly taking residence in his blood. He glares at the tips of his beaten up Converses as heat slowly begins to climb up his spine, leaving chills in its wake.
"Percy..." His mother sighs.
The student shakes his head and takes in a deep breath before lighting his gaze on the nurse. Lou Ellen stares up at him nervously, chewing the inside of her cheek as he struggles to calm himself.
Percy shakes his head again and stares her right in the eye, reaching into the thick verdant depths, searching for an escape from his anger. "It's all bullshit and you know it-"
Sally shoots him another Look and scolds. "Percy," She warns, her tone of voice leaving little room for argument.
He rolls his eyes and opens his mouth to speak, but is interrupted by the vibration of his phone. Percy stands and lightly dusts off imaginary lint from the knees of his joggers. He fishes the phone out from his pocket and briefly makes eye contact with Lou Ellen. "If you'll excuse me," he clears his throat, attempting to dismiss the palpable tension in the air.
Lou Ellen tries hard for a smile (and fails, Percy notices), and nods slightly. "You won't be missing much in here, Percy."
The high school student grunts in response and steps out of the hospital room.
He needs air, he realizes, as the tension seemingly releases its grip from the back of his neck and shoulders the moment he passes through the heavy door. Percy decides to walk a little ways down the hall before answering the phone.
He leans against a wall, leaving all of his weight in his right foot as he presses the elbow on the same side against the railing. "Where the fuck are you, you deuce?" He immediately growls.
Jason laughs, loudly. "Ooh, did Fish Breath miss me?"
Percy rolls his eyes for what feels like the eightieth time that day. "I'm not joking around, Jace." He pauses for a quick attempt to swallow the lump that has suddenly invaded his throat. "You said you would be here."
His blond cousin pauses for a moment before answering. "What's wrong, Perce..."
Percy shifts, pressing his back against the wall. A random doctor passes by and he halts conversation, lifting a hand in greeting and sending a small smile his way before turning his attention back to Jason. "Well... there's nothing new, I guess."
"Good or bad?"
"Good or bad." He confirms. The line goes quiet.
Just a few more months, Fish Breath! His subconscious screams loud enough for the high school student to flinch. He slowly slides down to the floor and hugs a knee to his chest, leaving the other leg outstretched.
Percy changes the subject, wanting to laugh. "You never answered my question, by the way."
Jason laughs. "Yeah, yeah. Listen, cuzzo, I'm gonna be a little late-"
The 18 year old immediately sees an opportunity and takes it. "I see Piper's been keeping you busy-"
His cousin continues on without missing a beat, as if he's expecting for Percy to interject with a snide comment. "No, Piper and I are not- You know what?" His voice begins to shake with laughter. "That's none of your business. Listen to me asshat-"
Percy cuts him off again (it's one of his bad habits, cut him some slack). His smile is already dying. "No, you listen. You promised that you'd be here and my mom's already asked for you twice. Hurry the fuck up, Grace."
Jason sobers up. "I'm really sorry to hear that. I'll be right there, don't worry. But a... friend... of Piper's is stuck out on the road and her phone is dead. I was gonna call the auto shop and make sure they get to her before I head on over."
"Oh, damn. Yeah, you should really take care of that. My mom would kill both of us if she figured out we left her out there." Percy agrees immediately, stretching out his other leg in order to get fully comfortable.
From the other end of the line Jason takes in a deep breath and lets loose a sigh. He's tired, Percy realizes. "Yeah, thanks for understanding. I'm on my way."
"Bring food." Percy groans, his stomach rumbling. "I've already used up my weekly food court passes."
Jason ignores him. "Tell her I said hi before she falls asleep." His tone is pleading.
Although he recognizes it, Percy does little to be empathetic. "She's not falling asleep anytime soon. She's currently murdering me in Go Fish. You should come play." He deadpans.
Jason snorts. "Yep. Okay. Bye, Fish Breath."
The black haired teenager coos. "Bye, Supermannnnn." He nearly throws in a fake giggle, but his cousin hangs up before he gets the chance.
Percy removes the phone from his ear and stares at the screen that is now dark. His mind wanders for a few seconds before he sighs heavily and slips it into his pocket. The events of the day are finally beginning to catch up with him, and Percy knows that he still has much to do in regards to notifying his mother that he is at an unfortunate crossroads.
He presses his head against the wall, fluttering his eyes shut so that the lashes brush against his upper cheekbones and breathes slowly through his lips.
One, two, three, four, five, four, three, two, one.
After a few seconds his eyes are opening as his mind races in tune with the clumsy beat of his heart. Each passing thump seemingly amplifies the harsh glare of the fluorescent lights overhead and Percy wants nothing more than to crawl into his mother's hospital room, curl up at the foot of her bed, and descend into slumber.
But the thought of facing Lou Ellen again- with her bright green eyes and enchantingly dark hair; with her pale skin and brazen features. She is sharp and chilled and kind and keen- and he knows that he is not ready to come face to face with her after his snapping.
Percy licks his lips and blinks again, debating if whether or not he should rise from his defeated position against the wall. He decides against it and instead begins to think up of ways on how to tell his mother of his current predicament without inciting disappointment or worry from said woman.
Escape, he needs escape.
Percy pinches the bridge of his nose, an incoming headache pressing against the tension point between his eyes. There are too many thoughts flying around his mind and not enough order. He is lost and on the verge of tears and he has no idea what to do.
The senior has no idea how long he is pressed against the wall. His back begins to ache and his legs need to be stretched, but he cannot move. He will not move. Despite his deep longing to be by his mother's side, Percy is frozen. He is numb.
Seconds stretch into minutes which then turns into what feels like a half hour. Percy still does not know how he is going to break the news to his mother, and as shameful tears sting his sinuses, a noise draws him back to reality.
"Perseus Jackson? Is that you?" A raspy masculine voice echoes from somewhere above.
Percy plasters a smile onto his face, fully aware that it doesn't reach his eyes, and lifts his head. The harsh lights that line the ceiling overhead pierce his vision and he squints, having to spend a few moments to get accustomed to the brightness.
His vision settles and suddenly a tall man with curly blond hair and tanned skin blurs into focus. His blue eyes are twinkling.
His smile is far from failing.
Percy wonders if his smiles have ever failed.
"Hey, Will," he lifts a hand in greeting. "When did you get back from Sydney?"
The doctor laughs and slips a hand into one of the pockets of his pale blue scrubs. When he speaks, his Australian accent peeks through at the seams and whispers its hello to Percy. "Two nights ago, actually. Thanks for asking."
Percy nods, his chest lightening at the sound of Will's voice. Just like Jason, the man had the tendency to bring out the best in everyone- which was partly the reason why he was one of the best pediatricians in the city (despite his young age).
Must've been a blond thing.
"Jet lag still beating you up?" Percy has to fake a smirk still, however, gesturing to the tall thermos of coffee that Will is carrying in his other hand. His eyebrow lifts slightly at the sight of the doctor's knuckles turning white as they clench the container. His gaze shoots up to Wills immediately.
Nonetheless, Solace's expression is as bright as ever, and so Percy simply chalks up the mini ordeal as a hallucination. "Yeah, it's still kind of difficult to get back into the swing of things, but I'm hanging in there."
I'm hanging in there.
Percy's chest constricts at the phrase, pleadingly wishing that he were able to say the same.
Wishing he were able to afford to say the same.
Will's voice once again saves him from his thoughts. "I gotta run, Percy, but it was great seeing you." The smile is evident in his tone of voice.
The black haired student lifts his head while cocking it a bit to the side and studies Will's gaze. He notices that there's a slight twinge of pity within the sky blue depths and it is all he can do to keep from gritting his teeth.
Will lowers his voice a little and gives Percy a reassuring smile, as if to tell him that he is on his side.
As if to tell him that he knows everything.
Percy feels his expression darken at that thought.
"Tell Sally I said hello, okay?" Will's voice is soft and serene.
Percy despises it.
It is the result of the exact reason as to why he hasn't told anyone other than family of his mother's condition.
Because of the pity that came along with it.
Every time.
He stands briskly, his annoyance filling him with the motivation to push himself up off the floor. Percy leans against the wall and shoves a hand into his pocket, his fingers clenching around his phone as he attempts to control himself.
Will takes a step back, finally reading the high school student's expression, and much to Percy's amusement, his knuckles blanch even more.
"Yeah, I'll tell her, Will. It was good seeing you too." Percy responds flatly. He almost tries for a smile, but quickly decides that it isn't worth the effort.
The doctor in front of him nods grimly, realizing that he has overstayed his welcome. He removes his hand from his pocket and waggles a few fingers before loping off in the other direction.
Percy watches him go.
The irritation that had taken such a grasp on him just a few moments before begins to ebb as rapidly as it had spawned. In its place, envy takes hold as he analyzes the doctor's gait that exuded nonchalance.
The things that Percy would do to ensure his own gait would be carefree for the rest of his life.
That his smiles would never fail.
That he wouldn't have to rely on his cousin to be his source of happiness.
He shifts, pressing his forehead against the wall as the tears come flowing right back.
"Fuck." He croaks, his voice cracking as a drop of wetness slides down his cheek. His fist clenches at his side and he presses it against the wall as well, fighting the urge to scream. "Fuck, fuck, fuck."
It isn't fair! He wants to shout. She doesn't deserve this. No one does- but especially not her.
"Why didn't you pick me instead?" He wonders aloud, his voice is not able to rise above a breathy whisper. "Why didn't you pick me instead?" He asks again, having not a single clue as to whom he's asking.
He swallows and turns, fluttering his eyes closed once again as the tears continually roll down his face. His head tilts upwards towards the harsh lights that shine down onto his sun darkened skin and Percy attempts to calm himself.
Escape. He needs escape.
But from what?
From what?
He frowns inwardly.
She's the one with only a few months left.
What could you possibly need escape from?
He is suddenly disgusted with himself.
And disappointed.
"Are you seriously doing this to yourself, man?" He whispers, feeling the vibrations of his voice rumbling in his chest. "God, Percy, what happened to you?"
He pauses again. For a long time.
He doesn't keep track this time.
"Fuck!" He hisses, his fist slams against the wall behind him.
Where's Jason? I need Jason.
I can't do this on my own. I could never do this on my own.
I'm not good enough. I was never good enough.
Maybe I should just-
The sound of a door slamming causes Percy to break free from the toxic cage that is his own mind. His head jerks to the source, and immediately his gaze is slammed into Lou Ellen's, who is staring at him with minor concern.
"Percy, are you-" She begins to speak, but he cannot bear to hear that question again. Not today.
"I'm fine." He cuts her off. He doesn't need her. Percy inhales a sharp breath and exhales slowly before regarding Lou Ellen again. He notices that she's staring at his hand.
He cuts a glance down to it, just then realizing that it had begun to bleed.
He shoves it into his pocket, breaking her line of concentration and forcing her to look him in the eye.
"Can I go back in now?" His voice is quiet, submissive almost, because he knows what her response will be.
Lou Ellen seems as if she's fighting the urge to reprimand him, or in the least raise an eyebrow. "Nobody said you had to leave, Percy." She pauses briefly, but continues on as if she had never stopped talking. "But yes, you can go in now."
Percy swallows and nods. "Thank you, Lou Ellen. And I'm really s-"
It's her turn to cut him off then. She lifts a hand, halting his words on their path through his lips, and sends him a kind smile. "I know, Percy. Just go inside, okay? You have a game of Go Fish to finish before she falls asleep."
The black haired boy nods in appreciation, turning towards the door that led to his mother's hospital room. Lou Ellen does the same and walks past him, scanning her clipboard for information he has no idea of.
He sucks in a deep breath, fluttering his eyes closed for what feels like the umpteenth time that hour, and gently opens the door.
The room is unnaturally quiet as he steps in and closes the door behind him. Percy's walls immediately shatter as he detects mourning hanging in the air like a cloud clinging to the earth's surface in fog.
His gaze immediately lights onto his mother, who is turned away from him and staring blankly at the wall, all enjoyment drained from her face.
Percy's heart leaps through his chest as he rushes forward, recognizing her state in an instant. "Mom!" He cries out, panic rising in his throat.
He reaches her bedside at lightning speed, kneeling on the floor and grabbing her hand.
Not again, not again, not again, not again, not again, not again, not again-
He grips her fingers, the coldness of them contrasting heavily against the heat that flushes the surface of his own skin. A hand is trembling, but Percy does not know if it is his or hers. His stomach churns with an emotion indecipherable. He cradles his free hand under his mother's chin and forces her to look at him.
Sally's crystal blue eyes that were moments before alive with emotion and passion- are now pale and stagnant. Her gaze filters right through his embodiment, as if he simply isn't there. The fluorescent lights that shine overhead have never seemed so harsh.
Bile churns in his stomach.
Just a few more months, Peanut! His subconscious reminds him.
Percy feels wetness gaining form in his eyes as he desperately searches his mother's face, attempting to draw her back to reality.
The human mind truly is an ugly place, and he knows that better than anyone.
"Mom, what is it? I know you're in there. Don't do this to me- please."
Please.
Sally stares at him, clearly trapped. The whites of her eyes are bloodshot and her cheeks are streaked with tears and her nose runs and Percy suddenly does not know if he can handle the news or not.
Escape. He needs escape.
Coward, coward, coward, coward-
"Mom- please don't do this to me. Tell me what's wrong." He begs as the first tear escapes, rolling down his face with a vengeance as it carries with it every forgotten memory that he had tried so hard to suppress for years. "Tell me what's wrong." His voice cracks.
Sally turns to him again, but this time, panic briefly flashes across her face and Percy knows that he has finally reached her. He gazes at the woman he loves so much in the eyes, and reaches into the pale blue depths, and grazing her soul as he gently coaxes his mother out of the mental cage she has trapped herself in due to the news she had just received.
Percy breathes out a sigh of relief as he feels his mother squeeze his hand back. He moves to hug her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing his face into her thigh as the tears flow freely from his eyes.
"Don't do that again- please." He muffles into the blanket. "You promised."
He hears the sounds of his mother sniffling as she weeps quietly, pulling him closer against her body. Percy feels her fingers running through the length of his hair as she apologizes more and more.
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
Percy pulls away to stare at her in the face. Her eyes are no longer stagnant, but instead awash with tears as the harsh lights overhead paint her face ghost pale. Sally wipes her nose and lets her gaze fall to the blanket in front of her.
"Hey, hey," He gently calls for her attention.
Her gaze does not move.
Still, he does not budge. "Mom." He whispers pleadingly, the question he asks is lilted into the tone of his voice.
Sally flinches.
The room is silent for a ten second count before his mother finally inhales sharply and turns to stare him in the face. Newly shed tears are already making their way down her cheeks as she shakes her head. Her body language screams defeat and Percy suddenly has the urge to punch a wall.
It was so fucking unfair.
She doesn't deserve this.
She- doesn't -deserve this.
"What did Lou Ellen say?" His voice is detached and sounds foreign, and he knows it is because he's afraid of the answer.
"She didn't want to tell me with you in the room. She... she was afraid of how you were going to react." She dodges his question, staring at the muted images that flicker over the TV screen in the corner.
"Momma."
Sally swallows, more tears welling up in her eyes.
Percy watches helplessly as the water droplets drip against the hospital blanket, dark circles appearing in the fabric. They herald the news that he is about to hear, and he doesn't know if he has the energy to steel himself.
If he wants to steel himself.
The room is silent again for a 5 second count before Sally shatters the hush.
"The cancer, Percy..." She swallows thickly again, unable to go on.
The black haired student feels all color drain from his face as his heart sinks into his stomach at the sound of that phrase. The earth seems to spin beneath his feet and he has to grip the edge of the bed to remain stable.
"Did it-?" He begins the question, but cannot bring himself to ask it in its fullness.
Coward.
His mother's weak nod is enough to mentally knock him off his feet. She presses her lips together firmly and lifts her hand to wipe more tears. Soon enough, her body is shaking with sobs and Percy's heart breaks for the umpteenth time that day.
He rises and pulls his mother against his chest, his own tears dampening her hair as he hangs onto her form for dear life.
Just a few more months.
Escape. Escape. Escape.
You can only enjoy her weak embrace for a few more months.
Escape.
"How long do we have?" His voice cannot rise above the volume of a whisper as it cracks in numerous places. His body is trembling as his mind struggles to find the ability to cope with the news.
"Months." Sally weeps. "I only have a few months left with my baby- I just- oh, Percy." She cuts herself off and grips him tighter. "I love you so much."
Percy bites his lip to keep from crying out in anguish as he presses a kiss to the top of his mother's head. His voice trembles as he responds. "I love you too, Mom."
They remain in that position for what feels like hours to Percy- but it will never be enough.
He inhales her scent, imprinting it into his brain so that he will never forget.
So that he will never forget how she smells of medicine, but her true scent of lavender still peeks through at the seams, begging to be noticed.
Never forget.
It's three in the morning when Percy awakes.
The hospital room is dark, and there isn't a single sound except for his mother's gentle breathing as she sleeps beside him.
Percy stiffly gets out of the bed and slips on his shoes, careful not to make a noise. He glances at Sally's sleeping form for a few moments before he leans over and presses a kiss against her cheek.
She stirs slightly.
The 18 year old then exits the room with a deep breath passing through his lips. His mind seems to be screaming at him.
Screaming at him to panic.
Screaming at him to simply put an end to all of this madness.
Screaming at him to escape.
But he chooses to ignore it.
He does not have the energy to deal with anything trivial.
He cannot be selfish.
Percy pulls his phone from his pocket to check the time.
3:18.
A text from Jason lights up the screen, the time stamp stating that he had sent it sometime around 11:30.
Sorry, something came up and I can't make it. Tell her I said hi. - Jace the Grace
Percy scoffs and shoves the phone back into his pocket, anger slightly rising in the pits of his stomach as he stalks down the hallway towards the elevators.
It's better this way, he tells himself, however. He knows that he needs to stop using Jason as his medicine.
As his source of happiness.
He knows that he has to live for two people now.
Jason not being here... it's better this way, he tells himself.
It's one less person to pity you. One less person to stare at you as if you're damaged goods.
One less person.
He presses the button to alert the elevator, and as he waits, the younger Jackson makes a vow.
Whether or not he will be able to keep it...
He enters the elevator.
...Is another story entirely. But he knows that he will try his damned hardest to keep it.
The value that he has for his mother's life hangs in the balance.
And as long as I live, I will make sure that it will tip in my fucking favor.
The elevator doors slide closed.
A/N: First of all I would like to apologize for disappearing for 5 months. I was supposed to update sometime around Thanksgiving, but things happened and I never got the chance.
Also: I started my junior year of high school so the updates will be rather sparse. However: expect chapter 5 to be out before Easter!
Thank you so much for reading chapter 4! And thanks to all who left reviews in my absence!
~ everyshadedsilver
