Piercing Needles

Black and Blue

TW for panic attacks and former trauma for this chapter

Days pass. we work on labs but not like we did then, just during class or the library during lunch. that trident always staring at me from the curves of his throat. sitting across from him in the study room attached to the library has become like a second home to me, even if all we did was talk about biology and me stare at him while attempting to memorize every little detail. his piercings always remained the same. All gunmetal grey with the exception of the bars adorning the tops of his ears, those in a navy blue. Why doesn't he ever change the colors?

"I have a lot of them and its time consuming to do, plus jewelry is really expensive for some of them." I sputter, confused as he seemingly just read my fucking mind. he smirks and gives a laugh "You didn't mean to say that out loud did you? Its alright a lot of people ask that."

Looking down at the papers in front of me I trace them with my eyes instead of looking at his. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude." he reaches over snatching a pretzel out of the bag next to me I had yet to eat.

"If you were rude I wouldn't have answered. I don't deal with rude people. I've had enough of that for a hundred lifetimes." something darkened his eyes and told me his anger runs long and deep. "whats your favorite color?"

"Quite the topic change. But, probably gold and blue or green opal. I can't decide between them and they look so good together too." Taking a pretzel for myself I decide to ask another question "How bad did your tongue piercing hurt?" and he says something that yet again, caught me off guard.

"Which one? I have 3. One technically isn't a piercing but still is my tongue." he lazily sways back and forth on his chair sipping a monster with a coffee stir straw. I guess my look of confusion was evident on my face because out comes his tongue, silver bars going through each side and, holy shit, a big split down the middle turning it into a forked tongue. Almost like a snake.  "You look shocked jayjay," A giggle. "And they move on their own too!" and he precedes to cross each point over the another and do almost a dance with them, then picks up his straw with them and takes a drink. That's so hot.

"Why thank you jay you're so sweet!" Oh no oh no no no no that did not just happen. What I did next I am not proud of by any means, but I did what had to be done. 

I hid under the table. I hid under the table and refused to speak. I could feel the hot tears flowing and wetting my knees where my face pressed into them. Why did I have to be this stupid why  can't I do things normally. Flashbacks to that night were strong. Almost like they were happening all over again, right now. His hands on my arms, the breaking of my bones. 

His voice is burned in my memory. "Why can't you just be fucking normal" I can feel the banister against my back again. "Why do you always have to ruin everything good" The fall took my breath away and the landing took my dignity. His foot assaulting my rib cage is something I'll never get away from. 

I don't want to but I can't stop it. Before I know it I vomit. I'm shaking and crying and I cant make it stop. Suddenly I hear something over my own fear. 

A song. 

A familiar song I loved when I was little. From a movie nonetheless and sounds like a siren singing it once again. 

"My heart is pierced by Cupid, I disdain all glittering gold,

There is nothing can console me but my jolly sailor bold~~"

Turning my head slightly I see Percy, sitting on the floor not looking at me. But his hand is outstretched palm up resting on the floor; an offering. 

He leans forward to his duffel bag resting on the floor and pulls out a black beach towel. He places it very slowly and calmly next to me, sure to not make any sudden moves or intimidate me. He speaks in a whisper, still with the tune humming in between his sentences. 

"I didn't mean to upset you or bring up anything bad," he places his hand slowly back where it had rested before. "I don't want to startle you further, the towel is for your mouth if you want it. It helps me when I have these kind of attacks too." I pull the towel closer and wipe my mouth like he suggested, smelling the chlorine that lingers in the fabric of most of his belongings. "I understand I may not be the person you want to be around right now, but I want to make sure you're alright and if there's anyone I can call?" 

It takes me a minute and a few attempts to speak. "S-stay? Pl-ease?" he nods. 

"Would you like a drink? I know your mouth can't taste the best right now." with my nod he slowly stands, disappearing above the table, only his beaten black boots in view. the room is a lot darker then it was before. How long have I been under here? 

Its time to crawl out. I go the other way as to not collide with Percy. He notices and crawls over closer to my side while still keeping distance and doing his best to not scare me. He slides me over one of those peachy monsters he loves and carries around like a lifeline. I'm still shaking so bad I cant open it. but, as I'm mentally a lot calmer with only the leftover adrenaline making me shaky I refuse to let him open it. As he opens his mouth to offer, I bring the can to my mouth and hook my teeth under the tab, cracking it open.

"I think its my turn to say that's so hot." he looked genuine, not making fun of me or anything. I even manage to crack a small smiled

"What time is it? It doesn't get this dark in just 20 minutes." 

The look on his face tells me I'm missing something. "Jay you've been out for more than 20 minutes, its 10:30 at night. I didn't think it was a good time to try and wake you up so I thought it was best to just be here while you rode it out. I had your friend Nico take your truck and bring us a pizza so I had food for you when you woke up." Scrambling for my phone, I saw he was right. i also saw 2 missed calls from Nico himself and quite a few texts. 

Where the hell are you?

Pick up your phone!

Percy answered my call and told me what happened. I used the spare cash in the sunglasses compartment cus i left my card at home and got you guys a pizza. your truck is in teacher parking by the English wing, 

Percy has your keys. call me when you're up to it. i love you. 

"How did he get my keys? they're in my bag?" yes Jason THAT is the most important thing right now. 

"I answered the phone and told him where we were, he came and got them out of your bag. Just the one for the truck tho he left the rest here with us. I told him to get whatever kind you usually get." He reaches up to the table that I can now see on top of and slides the box to the edge and places it on the floor between us. "You don't have to eat if you're not ready to but its here if you want it."

Fuck it, I'm throwing sense out of my brain for the time being. I have questions. 

"Why did you stay?" 

"Because I care." That caught me off guard. 

"What do you mean? You have a lot of friends, why would you care about me?"

His eyebrow raised. 

"Annabeth has a lot of friends, not me. And as we broke up," he breathed deeply.

"You are the only friend I have."