Hey! So first, those who guessed Nico and Reyna to be the guy and the girl are right. And the 'man' is Percy. yay.
Anyways, this is chapter 4, with some actual action now, instead of just fluff and romance, btw, tell me how I did on those previous chapters please, and how I'm doing on this one, Thanks!
When Percy and Annabeth come out, hand and hand, hair messy and eyes slightly red, Jason isn't very surprised. They try to hide it, but it is obvious Tartarus inflicted some sort of irreparable damage in both of them, although more significant in Percy. The guilt that flashes in Percy's eyes is obvious whenever the crew gathers and shares new information, whether it be from dreams or a vision from the gods.
While even Annabeth chimes in, Percy rarely ever joins, preferring to hold Annabeth and observe quietly, something so different of what he had been before falling into Tartarus that Jason finds it hard to believe that the two people are the same. It was as if the pit had somehow managed to grab all of the brightest spots of his personality and rip them out. The rest of the crew notices as well, but avoid the topic, knowing that the war that Percy and Annabeth fight everyday is one against themselves, and that no matter how much it hurts to leave the couple alone, it is the only thing they can do.
They find a seat in the corner, as far away from Jason and Leo as possible, preferring to sit with the more quiet members.
"So, Percy, Annabeth, what did you think about the cabins?" Leo begins innocently.
They ignore him.
"Oook. So, whats the plan, captain?" Leo asks Jason.
"First off, how far are we from Olympus?"
"Well, for once, we have good news, kind of," Leo says, "There's a strong tailwind, and we'll reach Mount Olympus within five days, although that could just be the wind gods or Zeus helping us for once."
He continues, "To be honest, there really isn't anything we can actually prepare for now, the last stretch hasn't really been dangerous or anything." Leo stops, "It's almost like Gaea wants us to have fun before... before doing you-know-what to all of us."
Immediately, the mood drops, everyone is well aware that these five days could be their last.
"Well, let's use that time while we can," Percy says.
They all turn towards his voice.
"What?" he asks.
Jason and Piper share a glance, but remain quiet, as do the rest of the seven.
"Seriously, why are you all staring at me like that?"
"It's just that..." Piper starts, "well..."
Jason states what they've all been thinking,"You've been distant, really distant, and you're like..."
"Like Nico, your personality I mean, not like," Piper vaguely gestures at Percy. "Your body or whatever," Piper mutters.
"Right."
"And?" he prompts, telling them to continue.
Annabeth saves them from Percy's cluelessness, "Shut up Seaweed Brain."
"But, but- "
With one glare from Annabeth, he shuts up, clearly unhappy and muttering under his breath.
"So, uh, that's it then, you're all dismissed!"
Jason watches in amusement as Piper rubs the bridge of her nose, before Percy takes Annabeth's hand and walks out. Soon after, Frank and Hazel disappear and Leo stumbles out.
"Gods, they are stupid."
Jason laughs, "Yeah, but at least Percy seems a little better now."
"I'm not too sure about that."
"You can see it in his eyes, the way he's trying to get everybody to stop worrying about him and worry about Gaea or something instead," Piper sighs. "I don't think he gets that we want to help."
Jason shakes his head, "No, he knows, its just that he doesn't want it. Believe me, I would know."
"Yeah, between you and Percy, I don't know which of you is more stubborn about proving your heroic worth or whatever."
He snorts, "Probably Percy."
"Yup, definitely Percy."
"I'm gonna go check on him ok? Maybe train a little bit, you should go check out Hazel as well, get some training in too," Jason says before walking out.
"Alright!" she calls after him.
As he ascends the few flights of stairs towards the deck, Jason can't help but wonder what will happen. Will the gods ever come to their aid? Unlikely. Will any help arrive? Unlikely. Will most or any of them survive? Unlikely. The more Jason thinks, the more he realizes that the chances of them succeeding, are close to none.
That's a depressing thought.
I guess what Percy said does make some sense, at least.
Jason finds Percy at the starboard of the ship, casually sitting on the railings with his feet dangling over the side and his hands messing with a pen in his fingers. He doesn't seem to care that any tiny lurch could send him plummeting to his death a couple thousand feet below, but maybe he trusts his reflexes? Jason doesn't know.
At last, one of them speaks up, "What do you want, Jason?"
"If it's reassurance or comfort or whatever, I don't want it, besides, you aren't in the position to give that comfort if you've never actually seen what's down there."
"That was kind of uncalled for, I'm not even here for whatever you think I'm here for," Jason says.
"Oh. Oh, okay, sorry then," he pauses, "So what are you here for?"
"I want to hone my skills a little, or are you scared for a little spar?"
"Never, Grace. You'd get destroyed."
Jason grins, this is exactly what he hoped for, besides, maybe they could finally end this grudge between them, "Prove it."
"I plan to."
Percy swings his legs over the railing and lands with a dull thunk! His sword is somehow already in his hand.
"En garde, little cousin."
Well, there's chapter 4, it was a little bit rushed, and uh, yeah, no action yet, sorry :( But don't worry, there will be next chapter.
Also, as always, leave a comment or a review about how I'm doing so far. Suggestions and criticism are always appreciated. Thanks!