The new day woke Pythagoras up with its gentle sunrise; by his head, Jason slumbered on peacefully. He could hear Hercules snoring in the next room, and the house seemed calm. This was Pythagoras's favorite time of day, the morning, with its bright sun and new opportunities.
Jason shifted in his sleep, bringing Pythagoras back down to earth. His shoulder just needed rest, as did his head injuries and his ribs. The healing tonic they had been getting him to drink should have everything on the mend, and now it was simply up to time. Pythagoras had felt bad; he hadn't even realized how many times Jason had been hit in the pankration until he felt the different lumps on his head.
Pythagoras went to make breakfast. He was sick of porridge, but it was all they had money for, so he had gotten some honey as a sweetener to make it less brick-like. He was halfway through his bowl before he noticed a pair of hazel eyes watching him, finally awake and lucid, and not as pain-filled as the past few days.
Pythagoras jumped up and went to Jason, a soft smile on his lips. "How're you feeling?" he queried, trying to take in Jason's condition before he answered. Jason sighed. "Like I was run over by a cart. What did I miss?" He knew he was missing a few days – after the pankration, everything just seemed to be a big, pain-filled blur.
Pythagoras didn't want to overload Jason, but he knew there was good news to tell. "Ariadne and Heptarian's engagement was called off". At this news, Jason immediately straightened. "And you've been running a fever, and have had quite a time healing from the pankration." Jason looked slightly guilty at this, not wanting to cause concern for his friends. "Would you like some breakfast?"
Pythagoras made Jason some porridge, and they were still gossiping when Hercules woke up, demanding to be fed. It would still take Jason a few days to heal, but he was back. Pythagoras smiled. That's all he needed.
