˙✧˖ ii. 𝒯he other woman ˚ with PERCY JACKSON
about. ― part two of this , can also be read as it's own | cw ― angst , hurt & comfort , mention of blood and injuries , a little crying , Percy is mean in this one
A simple game of capture the flag was … equally dangerous as it was exciting, to put mildly. And you loved it, didn't you ? Like many of the other campers, you chased the adrenaline. Given to you by your godly parent and manifested in the way you couldn’t sit still ― restless, like your body craved the danger, and your fingers itched to curl around a sword.
And, with Athenas wit on your side / your team ― in the form of one Annabeth Chase ― you could almost feel the win.
Despite not really liking the girl ( in spite of your own jealousy ) you could admit that the young daughter of Athena was simply a force to be reckoned with.
It also granted you a first time of being on the opposite team of your ( now ) boyfriend ― Percy Jackson ! The thought of being 'enemies' made you giddy. You were thrilled ( practically buzzing ) to finally see him from a different perspective. The boy was simply a menace in this game ! As smart as he was dense sometimes, there was no denying that Percy was a sharp thinker on the 'battlefield' and relentless with riptide, his sword.
Oh, your stomach bubbled with excitement at the thought of what would possibly come after you win. How Percy would be proud of you, no doubt. I mean, he was the one to train with you, to better your agility. Well, 'training' as in stealing kisses and giggling whenever either of you ( mostly you ) would fall right on their butt. Yeah, 'training' as in him trying to make you feel better after you confided about your anxiety regarding his awfully close friendship with Annabeth ( also his ex ... ).
Nevertheless ( and however silly it was ) it had still been ... training. And it certainly wasn't for nothing !
Your fingers were tightly clenched around the secured blue colored flag of your enemies team, and you were almost at the river ! Children of Hermes were gradually inching closer, hot on your tail and eagerly slashing around with swords meant to impale you. Not that it was allowed or anything... but that's honestly what it felt like ! You wouldn't even be surprised if one of them were to throw their sword at you like a battle axe, all in the simple favor of winning.
The trail through the woods was rocky and uneven, and twigs and bushes kept unkindly smacking you in the face. Your breath was shaky, instincts screaming at you like this wasn't just a simple camp's game anymore ! This felt like it was life or death. Not that anybody would die, of course, but your mind could no longer decipher your anxiety to disappoint, from a very intense fight or flight response ! But, it also made you quicker, seeing as you were swiftly dodging pokes and swishes aimed at your arms and legs...
And as your win was just so close .... you should've known that it wouldn't be that easy.
The adrenaline was pumping, and you could hardly feel the burn in your legs anymore. Sounds were mostly drowned by the blood rushing through your ears, the wind, the screams ― literal battle cries of fellow demigods. It only made you more determined to win ! The rush was addictive and in your mind you kept repeating ; Over the river, just over the river.
A body collided with yours ― and the forest floor ( more like a water park by how slippery the mud was ) did barely anything to stop you from practically rolling down a little hill and further from the lake. Much like a ragdoll, your body slammed into a tree, hardly feathered by both of your palms bracing against the bark. It had the skin of your palms crack open and bleed as you only came to a halt between twigs and such ... but all was good as long as your head didn't smack against the wood !
The person that had so confidently breached through the woods had not been so lucky, and came tumbling down beside you on hard stone. Groans were heard from both you and the other camper, and you hastily wiped your eyes free of some dirt.
You immediately caught sight of Annabeth Chase, her blonde hair now a mess of mud and blood … the sticky substance caking her forehead and making it hard to see just how badly she was actually hurt. "Shit ! You okay !?" You then noticed that the flag was no longer in your posession, and ― even worse ― Annabeth wasn't answering you. Her eyes were wide and open, fingers reaching for the open wound. She seemed dazed ... shocked even.
Apparently she didn't even think of possibly running right into you. Not like that, anyway. Like, … falling down a hill type of running right into you.
You tried reaching for her arm ...
" Annabe ― " " Annabeth !? "
The sheer volume of your boyfriend's voice had you automatically flinch away from the young daughter of Athena, her own head turning around at the sound of Percy Jackson bounding through thick trees and brushes ― parting the greenery with his sword while mindlessly shoving other people out of the way. You heard her wince.
The sight of him made you feel like you could finally breathe again ! "Percy... " But his expression wasn't soft or caring. No, the son of Poseidon looked about ready to impale someone.
It wasn’t the first time someone had gotten hurt during a capture the flag game, nor would it be the last. Neither of you were made of glass ― and especially Annabeth Chase, couldn’t care less about her injury. But Percy cared. Very much so that he was seething... and his glare was openly directed at you ! Impatient, as though you'd done something he was already familiar with.
His sea green eyes looked like rain ... and somehow, the small speck of blue wasn't comforting anymore. Then came the storm...
"Are you Insane ?" the sharp tone had you physically reel back. Never... Never has he spoken to you like that. Especially in front of other people..., you felt like digging a hole right the moment a chorus of 'oh' went through the other campers. Insane ? Ouch.
Adrenaline was making it hard to talk, and so your explanation came in a hassle of stutteriung and stumbling over words. You swallowed thickly, took a deep breath and tried again, but Percy just wouldn't listen to you. No, Percy turned to Annabeth instead. With a gentle hand, he brushed some hair out of her face to try and see better. Watching him tend to her, you just wanted to explain.
"I'm not Insane i just ― " "No ? Do you always jump downhill with someones ex-girlfriend ?" A wince went through the crowd and you felt ... shame, hurt. He's never reffered to Anni as anything but his best friend. Even so, you didn't understand why he was being so harsh to you when ... Percy clearly didn't even know what had happened. It was like the sheer prospect of Annabeth Chase being hurt, was reason enough to be angry, even at you.
It just got worse when Annabeth gave you a sympathetic look, hand clasped over his wrist to soothe him "Percy ..." You felt like screaming, because it worked. Because of course he could never be angry at Annabeth. You watched with a lump in your throat when his gaze softened for her ― only ever for her.
He didn’t even look at you again ― not like they normally would, in a room, on a battlefield, or even a crowd. His focus was solely on Annabeth ― his best friend ― her fingers clenched and bloody and her eyes narrowed because she hated losing ! But far worse than that ... she was currently a middle piece of a relationship that seemed to be falling apart over her.
Apparently the game had already been over, cleared by no other than him.
"Blue won, wise girl," you heard him mutter, his hand tighteing around her arm when she wouldn't meet his gaze. Her Athena pride made it hard to admit defeat. "Let me get you to the infirmary."
So, when Percy tugged on her arm again, she ― reluctantly ― relented. Her head was throbbing and maybe ... she also hoped that getting herself treated would calm him down a little. Enough to think clearly again and realize what a shitty boyfriend he was being, throwing things out of proportion like this.
When you saw them both move, you tried to scramble to your legs as well, eager to go with them... to explain to your boyfriend how this was all just a big misunderstanding ! Not that having him belief such nonsense in the firts place ( you hauling yourself down a hill with his best friend just for the sake of ... hurting her ) hurt any less. Your anxiety was skyrocketing, feeling many eyes on you when Percy disregarded you like ... a stranger.
"I didn't mean ..." You muttered, on the verge of a teary apologie.
"Yeah, bet you didn't mean to be so excessively jealous ."
Okay, ouch again. It was harsh to hear because it was true, but still didn't give him any right to use your flaws against you ! Flaws you'd reluctantly confided to him after being coaxed to open up, under the wrong impression that it was safe with him. That you were safe with him. Your gaze turned to the mud as all words were said and Percy left with Annabeth. Only then did you get a moment to really breathe... your whole body ached ( Heart included ) as you were completely caked in dirt. Pebbles were sticking to your open palms and knees.
One son of Apollo ― a sweet boy by the name of Will Solace ― had the heart to help you up and accompany you to the infirmary. The both of you didn't speak much as he got to treating your wounds... and you were glad to be in quiet company. But, your eyes kept glancing to the far back of the hut... of where your boyfriend was sticking close to Annabeth, making inside jokes about past injuries that you quite didn't understand. That you would never understand. It was honestly just disheartening to see, and so Will Solace did feel the need to say at least something.
"You know, the two of them have been through a lot together. Far worse things than any other demigod could ever understand," now that got your attention, alright, and still... it didn't really boost your spirit. You felt the need to scoff, and only held it in because you knew he didn't tell you this to hurt your feelings, but to make you understand their bond a little better. Still, it didn't hurt any less, and you briefly wondered why Annabeth and Percy broke up. Right here, they seemed almost perfect for each other.
You quietley appreciated Will's insight, but didn't comment any further. When the sweet boy was done with dressing your bruised knees and open palms, you thanked him, and left with one square of Ambrosia. Through all of that Percy didn't even look at you, didnt even realize that you were there in the infirmary with them...
You were almost sure that at dinner, you'd hear whispers of your name, feel plenty of eyes on your back..., surely the whole situation was already being eagerly discussed, and you seriously didn't want to sit at any table and very possibly be reffered to as 'the jealous girlfriend'. Even so, your team was obviously annoyed about their loss at capture the flag. Even if it really wasn't that deep, teenagers just liked to complain a lot. Especially demigods, it seemed. And so, you simply just didn't make it to dinner and instead found yourself at cabin three. The Poseidon cabin.
And you felt so utterly dumb for seeking comfort in your boyfriends bed, but being surrounded by his scent was awfully comforting. Maybe it was sheer desperation and a pinch of hope ...., but how disppointing it really was, when the one thing that had hurt you was also the only thing mending it...
His bed was also the place Percy found you after having Annabeth shoo him out of the Infirmary. In fact, she was also the one talking ( smacking ) some sense into the demigod ! Of course he was aware that he had done something terrible by ... initially not caring about your feelings, or that you were physically hurt too. The latter he only knew because Will told him ( with an expression so dark, Percy briefly wondered if children of Apollo could evaporate someone ... like a supernova or something ) It wasn't hard to admit that he'd been ... unfair, harsh, just a terrible boyfriend to you basically.
And so when Percy Jackson made it to his cabin and saw you in his bed, seemingly seeking comfort from the person ( him ) that had treated you terribly, he knew that he didn't deserve you. His heart ached and suddenly he didn't feel so strong anymore. Right now he was just a boy, trying to navigate human life, as though he'd forgotten that side of him existed too...
A very defeated "Hey..." fell over his lips, and the young boy couldn't help but cringe at his greeting. 'Hey' ? 'Hey' as in 'Hey i just broke your heart but we're cool, right ?' or maybe 'Hey, i just made the whole camp think you're a jealous beast, let's cuddle' Oh Gods, he was an asshole, wasn't he ? The very type of person he despised. But, Percy wasn't good at apologies. It was really the first time in forever that he felt weak. And he was so unsure if it was okay to move any closer... if it would even be okay to ever move closer again. You must hate him, he was sure…
You were a heap of fabric, completely cocooned in his bedsheets like you were trying to shield yourself from the world. His fault, really. And if Percy felt weak, he wondered how you must be feeling. Shitty, probably. Like everyone was against you when it was really just him. The one person that ... really shouldn’t be against you. You were the person he loved ! How had he even mustered the will to hurt you like this. He felt sick. Utterly and terribly sick.
"Will said you were here ..." No immediate reaction, and the son of Poseidon immediately panicked. Because what if you would never speak to him again ! What if you were going to break up with him now ! Oh Gods ...
But then ... the heap of fabric moved a alittle bit, nothing more than the top of your head peaking out and ... "Is Anni okay ?" Oh, you... Percy wanted to cry when you asked about her. He nodded slightly, not that you could see, "I ... Yeah, yeah she's fine ..."
The clam conversation between you both felt like an invitation to move closer, and so Percy settled next to you ... even if you still wouldn't face him. He felt like an intruder inside his own cabin... , his gaze flickering over your bundled form ... noticing the bruised knees ... the bandaged hands. He wasn't even there with you when you went to the infirmary. He felt like he'd failed you.
"Do... do you need anything for the uhm... the pain ? I..."
"They gave me Ambrosia..."
"Oh." Of course. What an Idiot for thinking otherwise.
He sighed when the conversation died down again, "Are... are you okay?" Oh, and Percy just couldn't take this distance anymore. With a gentle hand, he turned your face towards him. His expression immediately fell at the sight of your tear streaked face. "Oh sweetheart ..." Even now, you were crying... despite him being here and talking to you and... it was even worse that he hadn't even noticed it.
"I am really sorry ..." His voice cracked slightly at the end, and it was clear that he was on the very verge of tears as well. He didn't know how to fix this ! He had to briefly look away from your sad gaze, as he had to gather his thoughts. He wiped a hand under his eyes, sniffled slightly and just tried again. What else could he do now.
"You know i didn't mean what i said." That was hardly a question, was it? And when you didn't answer, Percy realized how harsh that just sounded. How pretentious. It didn't sound like an apology at all. It sounded like an excuse. And so the only option was to tr again.
The son of Poseidon took another deep breath, his hands cupping your jaw with a honest gaze, "I didn't mean what i said earlier. I was shocked at seeing Annabeth hurt again, i guess," he swallowed thickly. "I love you so , so much ... and I'm trying to be good to you, I'm really trying. And i know that you are too, sweet girl. It was unfair to say that you're not..."
Emotions welled up inside of you and your wall of blankets began to shake in harsh little motions... you were crying again, only harder. Percy couldn't just do nothing anymore. He moved in quick strides , practically crawling under his blanket so that he could properly wrap his arms around you. "Please don't cry again..." his face found solace in your neck, inhaling the familiar scent and calming his own racing heart. "I'm really sorry, i'll do better..."
"I don't hate you..." You said, and your boyfriend heard you very clearly. He only held you closer, "I know..." He prayed to the gods that this wasn't it ... this couldn't be it. "I should hate you. But i... i can't..." You sounded so terribly vulnerable. His lips gently grazed your forehead, and he exhaled at your defeated admission. Percy momentarily closed his eyes.
"I know," he rasped "and it makes the luckiest boy that you can't manage to."
And if holding you was all you wanted right now, then Percy could do that. It wasn't his first time being in love, but his first time loving you. He wasn't quite good at it yet, but that was okay, right ? You could both still learn how to properly love eachother, because there was still a whole lifetime before you.
( part 1 , part 2 , part 3 )
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