Reyna's first week at the bar was unremarkable. There were no fights that she had to break up, and Clarisse was the one who threw out any drunken fools. Reyna just stood at the door and took care of checking IDs. Everything was going fine, and that worried her. Why was everything going so well?
Things didn't go well for Reyna. Her life was spent struggling for scraps and just trying to make it another day. Shit went wrong every day for her. Why was it not going wrong now? Why did it almost seem like things were going to get better? Reyna knew better, though. She knew that the second she got too complacent would be when it all fell apart.
Reyna sighed as she leaned back on the bench that she had been taking her breaks at. She would order a meal from the kitchen, telling the chef Leo to make whatever he wanted. They got a meal for free, and Reyna was always interested in trying new food. Well, any food really.
While Clarisse had her breaks in her office, Reyna preferred to stay outside. Being under the moonlight was comforting. It always made her feel better. She also enjoyed being away from customers and her coworkers.
Her coworkers were... odd. They were all nice, too nice really. Despite her protests, Reyna was given a ride back to Chiron's every night. Jason drove her the first three nights, and the night before had been an awkward ride with Annabeth. The two of them hadn't talked since their encounter at the store.
The others tried to make conversation with Reyna, but she did her best to end any conversations before they could begin. There was no need for Reyna to get close to anyone. She just wanted to show up, do her job, and get paid.
Which now led her to Piper's offer. Reyna wasn't sure if she should go to the hangout or not. Everyone from the bar would be there. Apparently, Chiron was shutting down the bar for deep cleaning. If Reyna didn't go, it would make her stand out even more. If she did go, she would have to deal with talking to all of these strangers who wanted to be her friend. Reyna didn't need friends.
Reyna sighed and focused on her food. Leo had made her a plate of nachos with so many toppings that it was getting ready to fall off of the plate. She continued to keep eating and resisted the urge to moan with pleasure. Reyna was done with the plate in a record amount of time for her, maybe two minutes.
Reyna stood and tossed her trash into a garbage can. She stretched and started to walk back towards the bar. As she passed by an alley, her nose twitched. Reyna's ear twitched as she heard laughing, and she turned her head to the side. A frown came to her face.
Jason was standing in the alley, and he was facing Reyna. His eyes were not on her, though. Two men were blocking Jason's path. Going by the smell of blood and filth, one was the same man that had tried to get into the bar without an ID at the beginning of the week.
"Look, I don't want any trouble," Jason began, trying to deescalate the situation. The other man was one that Reyna didn't recognize. He was scrawny and didn't have any muscle on him. Reyna slowly started to walk towards them, sensing the hostility in the air.
Reyna knew that she shouldn't get involved. She should have just turned her back and kept walking. But, something stopped her. Reyna wasn't sure what it was that kept her moving forward.
"You're going to get trouble," one of the men sneered. That voice confirmed it was the same one from earlier in the week. "Unless you finally listen to me."
"Lycaon, just leave me alone. I haven't done anything to you," Jason said. He clenched his fists and raised his chin in defiance. Reyna had spent her time observing everyone at the bar. Jason was strong, but he hid it. He almost acted frail, like he was scared of hurting anyone.
"You don't get it, do you?" Lycaon hissed. He shoved Jason back. Reyna glared as she watched. While she wasn't trying to make friends with anyone at the bar, Reyna wasn't going to stand around and watch someone be hurt. Especially since her job was security.
"I think you're the one not getting it," Reyna interrupted. Lycaon and his lackey turned towards her. Reyna shoved past them and stepped to Jason's side. Jason stared at her in surprise. Reyna turned towards the two men. "He said for you to leave him alone."
"Look, new bitch," Lycaon spat as he got directly into Reyna's face. He bared his sharp teeth at her, and Reyna just smirked. This little show of intimidation wasn't going to scare her. She had faced much worse. "I haven't seen your face before, so I'm guessing you don't know how things work around here. I control this city with my gang, and Jason Grace is going to be our newest member."
"Personally, I don't want a half-breed faggot in my gang, but we all have to make exceptions," Lycaon continued. His eyes moved to Jason. "You're gonna need a pack sooner or later."
"You don't have a pack," Reyna cut in again. Lycaon looked back at her and scowled. "Just a stupid little gang. The packs of the forests would tear you apart, but I'm guessing since you're here, you were kicked out. For being too weak?"
"Jason, why don't you tell your bitch to shut up?" Lycaon snapped. Reyna smirked again and looked at Jason. In contrast, he looked worried and concerned. "Before I make her shut up."
"Jason, are they bothering you?" Reyna questioned. She folded her arms behind her head and stretched. No pain came to her stomach from the movement, which caused her smirk to widen. Getting into a fight wouldn't hurt her stab wound.
"Reyna, just get out of here," Jason whispered. That worry and fear was etched on his face, but what was there to be worried about? Reyna looked at him. "This is my problem. I can handle it."
"He wants you to leave," Reyna said, looking back at Lycaon. "Why don't you crawl on out of here?"
Lycaon opened his mouth, and Reyna slammed her forehead into his face. She felt his nose break under the force of the blow, and pain shot through her skull. Her eyes almost brimmed with water, and she gritted her teeth. Lycaon howled in pain and stepped backward.
"You bitch!" Lycaon howled. He pressed both hands to his nose and studied Reyna. The other man stepped forward, but Lycaon grabbed onto his arm. "I'll remember your face. I promise that."
Lycaon tried to act tough, but Reyna could see that the blow had knocked him senseless. He stumbled away with the help of his lackey. Reyna waited for them to turn the corner before she placed both hands to her forehead. Reyna spoke, "Fuck!"
"Fuck!" Reyna repeated. She gripped her forehead and leaned on the wall. It wasn't the first time she had headbutted someone, and while she mastered the move, it fucking hurt to use it on someone like Lycaon. "That bastard has a thick fucking skull."
"What are you doing?" Jason demanded. Reyna rubbed her forehead and didn't answer. She finally looked up. "You didn't have to do any of that. I had it handled."
"You were being threatened, Jason. And, you were letting it happen. You didn't have anything handled," Reyna muttered. She continued to rub her forehead. Reyna was going to need some ice after this. "I was just helping you."
"I don't need help," Jason began with a scowl. Reyna looked at him and glared. She should have known better than to stick her neck out for anyone, even if she worked with them. Reyna learned her painful lessons long ago, but for some reason, she was still trying to help someone.
"You did," Reyna countered. She shook her head. "Next time, I'll leave you alone. They'll probably beat the shit out of you, and you won't defend yourself because you're either not good at fighting or are scared to hurt someone."
Reyna turned on her heel and walked away. She didn't make it two feet before Jason grabbed her arm. Reyna whirled back around and grabbed Jason's offending arm. He was on the ground with his arm twisted behind his back before either of them knew what had happened.
"Don't touch me," Reyna hissed. She let go of Jason and backed away. Reyna crossed her arms and clenched her fists tightly. This was all a mistake; working here, and even trying to help Jason. She just needed to leave. Reyna quickly backed away.
"Wait. I'm sorry," Jason began. Reyna hesitated, and Jason stood. He held his hands up. "I'm sorry. You were just helping me, and I shouldn't act like I am. Thank you. I mean it."
Reyna stopped walking and studied Jason. She nodded slightly, and he slowly moved towards her. Jason spoke, "We should get you some ice."
"I have it handled," Reyna muttered. She uncrossed her arms and stuffed her hands into her jacket. "You should keep an eye out for him. If he comes around again, you should handle him."
"Please don't tell anyone," Jason began. He picked up his glasses from the ground and cleaned them. His shirt was ruffled, and Reyna could see where Jason's lips had curled up slightly.
"Wasn't planning on it," Reyna muttered. She rubbed her forehead as the aching came roaring back. Reyna left the alley and made her way back towards the bar. There wasn't a line outside, but Clarisse was standing there. A scowl was on her face.
"Your break has been over for five minutes now," Clarisse pointed out. Reyna kept quiet. Her little conversation with Jason and those two idiots had been an unwanted detour. Clarisse's scowl deepened.
"It's my fault!" Jason called as he ran up behind Reyna. "I got her sidetracked. Don't be mad at her."
Clarisse grunted and watched both of them. She finally shook her head and spoke, "I'm going to take my break."
Clarisse turned and walked into the bar. Reyna leaned on the wall and crossed her arms. She sighed softly and looked down. Jason watched her quietly.
"Thanks again. I do appreciate it," Jason said. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked worried. His eyes kept shooting around, like he expected Lycaon and his buddy to come back. Reyna knew better. Lycaon would crawl back to his hole in the ground and regroup. Then, he would come after Jason, and it would be up to Jason to prove his worth.
"Yeah," Reyna muttered. She sighed and rubbed her forehead again. That ache would not stop. Reyna blinked a few times and massaged her temple. She wasn't sure if she was still stunned from the headbutt or had managed to give herself a minor concussion. Her next words were muttered about herself. "Stupid idiot."
Why was she getting involved in people's business? It wasn't like the alley was part of her jurisdiction. Who gave a shit about what happened outside of the bar and the parking lot? Reyna needed to stop trying to help people, but as she told herself that, she had a feeling she was going to get dragged into the issues of everyone at the bar.