𝙄𝙉𝙁𝙇𝘼𝙈𝙀𝘿; heroes of olympus

ugly emotions

JASON GRACE
TO SAY JASON was feeling things would be an understatement.

His best friend was currently clinging onto his shirt, sobbing. There was blood coming from a wound in her side, and yet she refused to let anyone touch it. She shook badly, and Jason was getting really worried.

He was also completely exhausted. Conjuring up that storm with Percy? Yeah, sick, but now his ears were ringing and his head was spinning. Percy, who was slumped against the mast next to him, didn't look much better, but he had pushed himself to his knees and basically crawled over to Jason and Erith.

Percy's fingers gently lifted Erith's shirt, and she finally sat up, unburying her head from Jason's chest. She took one look at Percy and flinched.

Percy's expression flickered with confused hurt.

"Hey," Jason said, and Erith turned to him. "You okay?" He was almost afraid to startle her, like she was an animal that was going to bolt.

Erith hesitated, sniffled. Then she slumped back into his shirt.

"Okay," Jason said. "Okay." Percy seemed just as confused on what to do as him, which wasn't a look he'd learned to see on the guy. He seemed helpless and anxious and out of his mind with worry and exhaustion.

Annabeth and Leo were standing at the helm, and Coach Hedge was busy stomping around the deck, so Jason gestured Hazel and Frank over.

The two of them were happy to oblige. They'd just been standing there awkwardly up until this point, shooting worried looks at Jason and Erith.

Piper was also standing on the deck, but she looked less awkward and more confused. She shot frantic glances around, rubbing the arm she had used to pull Annabeth up onto the ship as if it hurt.

Jason was worried about her, but Erith was quite literally bleeding out and sobbing, which wasn't really per usual, so he decided to check on his girlfriend in a sec.

"Hey," Hazel said, kneeling by Jason. Frank stood awkwardly behind her, as if hesitant to say anything.

Jason nodded in acknowledgement. "Please get her down to med bay."

"Yeah," Hazel said. "Is she gonna come?"

The entire time, Erith didn't move. Jason wasn't even sure if she was breathing.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to her ear. "Hey, I love you, but you're hurt. Please don't just bleed out. You're my best friend."

A shudder ran through her body and she sat up again, eyes red-rimmed and lips too bright. "I―you―" she choked.

"Go with Hazel and Frank. Please."

Erith looked at Hazel and Frank. Frank bit his lip, and Hazel shot a worried glance at Jason.

But Erith seemed to find it easier to address them. On wobbly legs, she got to her feet, and then fell straight down. Frank caught her by the arms. "Blood loss, probably," he said.

"Yeah," Hazel agreed, standing. "Come on, Erith."

Thankfully, she complied. Frank walked her down to med bay, but Hazel hesitated, turning to Jason. There was a slight breeze, and her curly hair blew in the wind. She looked fierce and complex.